Chapter 15 #2
“Anyway, he was the one involved in that molka scandal a few days ago. Recently, I came across some screenshots on Naver, alleging he assaulted numerous women, including …” Bora put her hand on Dahye’s shoulder.
Dahye coughed, waited one second, then shrugged it off.
The feeling from earlier—that something was burning in her throat—returned.
“Given Hyukjoon’s circumstances, it’s important for us to know that this will be handled the correct way.
” Bora looked at Inspector Kang expectantly.
“Can you explain what the next steps are in this process?”
“Bora, I—”
“I’ve got this, don’t worry,” Bora assured her. “You don’t have to say a word.” Dahye closed her mouth.
“Next steps?” Inspector Kang said mildly. “Well. We’ve received your report. We’ll assign an officer, and that officer will call you for more information.”
“This is a serious crime,” Bora said. “A high-profile one. You should assign someone today.” She jabbed the desk with her index finger. “In fact, you should do it right now.”
“I understand how upset you must be,” Inspector Kang said.
He looked directly at Dahye, and she turned away, her cheeks reddening.
Still, she could feel his gaze on her, and her skin prickled.
She was furious at herself for coming to the police station and furious at Bora for taking over the conversation.
“There are many serious crimes going on in Seoul at one time. Did you consider that the screenshots might be fake?”
“That’s not the case here,” Bora said.
Inspector Kang shrugged. “We won’t know until the investigation is conducted.
Just this morning, I heard a story on the radio about a woman in Busan who claimed her boss was sexually harassing her.
She took screenshots of their so-called conversations to the police, but once an investigation was conducted, they turned out to be photoshopped. ”
“Like I said, these aren’t fake,” Bora said angrily.
“Hmm.” Inspector Kang leaned forward, clasping his hands under his chin.
Though Bora was staring daggers at him, Inspector Kang seemed amused.
He cleared his throat. “I appreciate you stopping by. I can take that.” He held out his hand for the form.
Dahye handed him the completed report, and he placed it at the top of the stack in the center of his desk.
He gave it a little pat. “We’ll do our best to contact you within five to seven days. ”
“Sir, with all due respect—” Bora started.
“Miss.” He sounded exasperated. “I’m very sorry about the situation you both are in.
But there’s really nothing I can do at this time.
As I’m sure you understand, there’s an established order to how we do things around here.
We receive the report. We assign an officer.
The officer will call you for more information.
It’s a process. And it ensures everything is done fairly and equitably.
If I assigned someone right now, that would be unfair to everybody else who came before you.
Those people are also dealing with very serious matters.
Are you trying to tell me that your issue is more important than theirs? ”
“No, of course not.” Bora looked down, seemingly embarrassed. Dahye watched her, feeling distant from the situation. It was like she was watching it unfold in a television show.
“In that case, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to have to ask you two to leave,” Inspector Kang said, standing up. “It’s been very busy, and we have a lot to do.”
“One second,” Dahye said. Her throat was dry. “Bora, would you mind waiting outside?”
“What—” Bora started to say.
“Please.” Dahye stared at her hands. “I just need a few minutes to talk to Inspector Kang alone.”
Bora’s expression twisted, but she stood and walked out, shutting the door behind her. Inspector Kang raised his eyebrows and sat down.
“I hope this isn’t a terrible imposition, but is there any way I can see a file while I’m here?
” Dahye asked. Inspector Kang started to frown, prompting her to add, “My sister’s.
” At this, his manner abruptly changed, and he looked on solemnly.
“She died when I was young, and I never learned what really happened to her. I was hoping to get some closure.”
“Alright,” he said. “This kind of thing isn’t usually permitted without a lot of paperwork, but given your current circumstances, and since you’re her direct family …
” He trailed off. “I’ll make an exception just this once.
What is your sister’s name and date of birth?
And do you know the date of the incident? ”
“Park Eunhye. She was born on October 19, 1995. I don’t know the exact date she died, but her body was found on June 12, 2013.”
“Just a moment.” His brow wrinkled in concentration as he turned to his computer and began typing with his index fingers, pecking away slowly at the keyboard.
Dahye stared out the window as she waited.
She remembered the way Eunhye’s blue, waterlogged face had loomed out at her the previous night. Like a full moon.
The moon controls the tide, Dahye thought with a sudden desperation, remembering what Eunhye had taught her a long time ago.
They’d been at the beach, and the sand was cold under their toes.
Eunhye crouched, one hand under the icy water.
She looked up, squinting into the sunlight, while Dahye watched.
“The moon’s gravity pulls at Earth, causing the oceans to bulge,” Eunhye had said. “That’s what creates low and high tides.”
Inspector Kang looked up. The corners of his mouth were downturned. “Here,” he said abruptly, turning his computer monitor to face her. “Take a look.”
Report Number: 4203971-11-038887
Date: 2013 June 12
Officers Involved: Officer Kim Doyun (ID: 112107),
Police Assistant Kim Sungmin (ID: 609915)
Incident Details: At approximately 8:45 p.m., Lee Mikyung (age 47) observed a floating body approximately 10 meters from the riverbank in Mapo-gu.
Upon arrival, the police and fire department recovered the body of a girl, later identified as Park Eunhye (age 17).
The Seoul Metropolitan Fire Department confirmed the individual was deceased at the scene.
Ms. Lee stated that she was walking home after work when she saw an object in the water.
Upon closer inspection, she recognized it as a body.
Officer Kim Doyun and Police Assistant Kim Sungmin interviewed two additional witnesses present at the time of the incident. No unusual activity was reported.
Prior to the incident, on 2013 June 10, the deceased’s parents, Park Youngchul and Park Kyunghee (ages 47 and 45, respectively) reported that she had been missing for approximately 12 hours (see RN 4203971-12-038887 for more information).
Preliminary observations indicated that the death was accidental or self-inflicted. The body exhibited no external injuries other than postmortem damage consistent with aquatic scavenging, likely caused by marine life.
2013 June 19: Upon postmortem investigation, the Medical Examiner’s Office determined no evidence to suggest intoxication or impairment at the time of death.
The medical examiner noted injuries caused by marine life consistent with scavenging that occurred after death.
The body demonstrated decomposition changes consistent with an estimated submersion time of 3 to 4 days in water (see attachment 5).
At autopsy, early pregnancy (approximately 6 to 8 weeks) was identified, not directly related to cause of death.
At this stage of the investigation, there is no evidence to suggest foul play or criminal involvement in the incident.
2013 June 24: After a thorough review of the available evidence and statements, the case has been classified as noncriminal.
Follow-up: None needed.
“Noncriminal? Why isn’t there anything about the man who was involved?” Dahye exclaimed, looking up from the report.
“A man?” Inspector Kang leaned forward, steepling his hands. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“There was a man who hurt her. He forced her to have sex with him, and she ended up pregnant. I thought there was going to be some information about him in this—”
“Miss Park.”
“Did anybody think to question him, or …” Dahye paused. Her voice was rising in pitch. “I don’t even see anything about her pregnancy in these notes.”
“Miss Park!” Inspector Kang slammed his fists onto the table, causing it to shake. “I apologize for showing you this, as it’s obvious you are under a great deal of distress. But the officers involved conducted a thorough investigation and determined your sister’s death to be an accident.”
“That’s not true,” Dahye said.
“Are you insinuating that there was foul play?”
“Yes! He got her pregnant, and then he abandoned her to suffer and die alone. Why wasn’t he punished for that?”
“And how would you know that? Were you present for any of it?”
“No, but—”
“Did he push her into the water? Drown her?”
“No, I’m trying to tell you—”
“If my understanding is correct, you have no evidence to back your claim.”
“The evidence,” Dahye said, her anger flaring, “is that she was pregnant at the time of her death. If your investigators were competent in the slightest, they would have asked around. Spoken to more witnesses. Nobody thought to bring me in for questioning? I’m her sister! I could have told them.”
At a loss for words, Inspector Kang opened his mouth and closed it again. “I’m very sorry about your sister,” he said. “And I’m very sorry about what happened to you. But like I said earlier—”
“Isn’t it your job?”
He stopped. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“Your job,” Dahye said, breathing hard. “I thought your job was to protect the people and keep us safe.”
Inspector Kang walked abruptly to the door, flinging it open. Bora had evidently been eavesdropping, and she leapt away, trying to appear nonchalant.
“At this time, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the inspector said, his voice cold. “We’ll reach out to you if there are any leads in your case.”