Miho the Killer
Chapter 59: Advice

Chapter 59: Advice

It was Thursday lunchtime, just after my colleagues and I at JJ Systems enjoyed a hearty meal of soup and rice accompanied by a very generous number of side dishes - a good and old-fashioned Korean restaurant through and through.

Just as we were heading back with about 30 minutes of lunchtime still left, I received a call from an unknown number. I tend to ignore unknown numbers from landlines as they tend to be spam calls more often than not, but mobile phone number I usually picked up.

"Hello?"

"Good afternoon, Ms. Han."

I recognized the voice immediately, it was Detective Choi.

"Have you had lunch?" He cordially asked.

"Yes, thank you. How about you?"

"I’ve eaten something too. Thank you very much."

"How may I help you today?" It was best to get straight to the point than say unnecessary things. I knew it by now.

"I’m sorry for this abrupt call, but if it is OK with you, could we meet for a small chat - perhaps some coffee?"

I pondered for a bit whether to turn him down or not, but I decided that meeting him outside in an unofficial capacity was probably better than getting asked to come to the police station.

"Sure, but I can’t really travel. My work starts again in 30 minutes."

"No problem, Ms. Han. I’m already in the area."

So this waslike an ambush. Almost.

"Right. There is a coffee shop called Yadie just around the corner from the office building where I’m working - I presume you know where I work?"

"Yes, I do. I can meet you there in five minutes."

"I will see you then, Detective Choi."

After that, I hung up without waiting for any further answer. I was already walking toward the coffee shop.

When I arrived, the Detective got up and waved his hand, moving his whole arm. I only did a small wave with my hand and walked toward him, then took a seat on the opposite side. He already had a cup of ice-Americano waiting for me.

"I thought you might be pressed for time to return to work, so I took the liberty of ordering one for you. I hope it’s OK."

"It’s more than fine, Detective. Thank you very much."

"That’s great. So, how have you been?"

"I’ve been OK. Nothing eventful. Did you get home OK the other night"

"Yes, thanks to Senior Shin’s care. But I did get scolded by my wife though for coming home so drunk, haha."

I said nothing and just took a sip through the big straw, swirling the ice.

"Well, you must be wondering why I came here. I’m sorry that I didn’t call you in advance."

"No problem."

"I just wanted to apologize in person that I might have been a little rude during our interview back at the police station."

"It’s fine, Detective. I understand that was just part of your job."

"So, I want to be clear from the start that I didn’t come here to ask you more questions - especially not the kind that you might feel uncomfortable answering."

"Right."

Shin was right. I felt like he still had lingering suspicions about me.

"And I wanted to say... please don’t take it in a bad way - I feel that you have been very unlucky with all these extraordinary incidents that happened around you recently."

"Thank you. It’s been rather hard. Yes."

"But if I may... I have to say, perhaps there is something more to it than bad luck."

My upper arms started to feel a little tense.

"Perhaps-, there is something bigger happening behind. And you are unknowingly, and unwillingly getting drawn into it."

"You mean like... some kind of bad karma? Destiny?" A silly thing to say.

"I would laugh if the circumstance wasn’t so dire. I just get this feeling that you might be getting trapped into something that you don’t need to be a part of."

His cryptic words were making me more nervous by each second.

"I cannot specify what these ’forces behind’ might be. I wish I knew so I could help you. But you see? I’m police. I tend to look at patterns that emerge. Sometimes crimes happen that are seemingly unrelated, but when there seem to be common attributes, it’s only natural to be... concerned."

"Thank you for being concerned about me. I appreciate it."

"Ms. Han. If you ever find someone who seems suspicious. Someone who doesn’t belong in your life but keeps on creeping in. Or some extraordinary things happening around you that shouldn’t be happening - you are always welcome to contact me. I will see how I may help you. It is our duty to protect innocent civilians."

"I will let you know as soon as things like that happen. I do not wish any further misfortunes to happen around me either."

"I’m glad you understand, Ms. Han."

He then finished his coffee and got up from his seat. I wasn’t finished with mine but I got up as well.

"Please, take your time to finish your coffee. I just need to get back to the station in a hurry. I really appreciate you found some time to talk to me."

"My pleasure. And thank you very much for your advice."

"I only wish to protect innocent civilians from getting hurt - unwillingly and unintentionally."

"I see."

With that, Detective Choi bowed his head and started to walk away, but just as I was returning back to my coffee to finish it up too, he turned around and spoke.

"Oh, just one more thing-"

Who does he think he is? Columbo?

"If anyone close to you is acting suspicious - doing something that ’normal’ people wouldn’t do. It is not your fault. Just knowing such a person does not mean you are, or need to be, involved. Even if you might have been... involved a little, I fully trust that it wasn’t by your choice. Perhaps you were forced into difficult situations."

He gave a little pause and studied my face. I did my best to show my appreciation for his ’concern’.

"I wish you all the best, Ms. Han. You can call me any time you need assistance."

Detective Choi put on a big smile, bowed his head again, and went away for good this time.

I stared at this one ice cube in my coffee. There was a small bubble trapped in it. A single breath, trapped and frozen.

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