EPISODE 65 – Cracks in the Facade
The revelation of Shin Hyo-jin, the eloquent CEO with a chilling ideology, cast a long shadow over CHIPER HQ. The team immediately shifted gears, their focus now laser-sharp on the man who might be the elusive "ghost" killer.
Kevin held a quick briefing. "Alex, initiate full digital surveillance on Shin Hyo-jin. Every email, every social media post, every transaction. Dohee, cross-reference his past clients with any other cold cases involving married women, even outside of Seoul. Gwen, prepare for potential on-site analysis – we need to be ready to move fast if he makes a mistake. Minjae and Micha, your insights into his twisted psychology and underworld connections will be crucial here."
Minjae gave a curt nod, his gaze flicking to Micha who stiffened, trying to appear nonchalant. Their unspoken pact, his chilling threat, hung heavy between them, invisible to everyone but them.
Micha's Confession
Later that day, Micha found herself pacing in the usually bustling breakroom, now empty. The weight of Minjae's threat, combined with the terrifying memory of the alley, was becoming unbearable. She clutched her scarf, gnawing on her lip. I have to tell someone. Her gaze drifted to a half-empty coffee mug – Guen's. Guen was firm, rational, but also kind.
Just then, Guen walked in, retrieving her mug. She noticed Micha's frantic pacing, the way she clutched the scarf, her eyes wide with a familiar anxiety. "Micha? Are you alright? You've been on edge all day."
Micha stopped, hesitating. The words were a knot in her throat. "Guen... I... I need to tell you something."
Guen immediately sensed the gravity in Micha's voice. She put down her mug, her expression softening with concern. "What is it, Micha? You can tell me anything."
Micha took a shaky breath, then the words tumbled out, fast and desperate, reliving the terror of the alley. She described Minjae's brutal beating of the gang members, her attempt to stop him, his furious threats, the knife against her cheek, and finally, his chilling blackmail. "He... he said if I tell anyone, he'll make me pay," she finished, her voice a barely audible whisper, tears welling up. "I'm so scared, Guen."
Guen listened, her face growing serious, a mixture of shock and anger building within her. Minjae's actions were far beyond acceptable, even for him. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Micha's arm. "Micha, this is serious. You did the right thing telling me." Her eyes hardened with determination. "Okay, I'll talk to Minjae about this right away."
Micha's eyes widened in renewed panic. She grabbed Guen's hand. "No! Please, don't! If he finds out I told you... he might... he's so scary when he's angry. Please, Guen, don't. He'll know!"
Guen held Micha's gaze firmly. "Micha, you're safe here. And you shouldn't have to live in fear. What he did was absolutely wrong. Hurting those men so badly, and then threatening you – that's not okay." She paused, her voice softening slightly. "Look, I know Minjae, he's not a bad guy deep down, but what he did, especially the blackmail, is unacceptable. He loves his friends fiercely, and protecting Suho was his instinct, but that doesn't excuse his actions. He shouldn't have hit them so brutally, and he absolutely should not be threatening you."
Guen pulled Micha into a comforting hug. "Don't you worry. I'll take responsibility for this. I'll talk to Kevin too. We'll handle it. You just focus on the case, okay?"
Micha, still trembling, nodded into Guen's shoulder, a fragile sense of relief washing over her.
The Unfolding Case
As the day progressed, the team's individual investigations into Shin Hyo-jin started yielding disturbing results.
Alex reported his findings. "Shin Hyo-jin's digital footprint is meticulously clean, almost too clean for someone so public. But I found a discrepancy. He maintains a separate, encrypted server, used only for late-night access, and it seems to correspond with the times of the murders. It's highly protected, but I'm chipping away at it."
Dohee presented her findings from the "personal consulting" firm. "The firm, 'Harmony Solutions,' isn't just about marital advice. It subtly promotes Shin Hyo-jin's extremist views. Their 'clients' are often individuals going through marital difficulties or disillusionment. Shin Hyo-jin conducts personal 'consultations' with them. And one of those clients… his wife was the sixth victim, the one whose case went completely cold."
Guen, having completed her re-analysis, chimed in. "The trace fiber I found, from that bespoke suit? I've confirmed it's a unique blend, custom-made by a tailor who only services a handful of elite clients. Shin Hyo-jin is on that client list. And the sedative? It's a compound that could be custom-ordered through specialized chemical suppliers, not something easily found over the counter."
Minjae, having just returned to HQ, remained focused on his own findings. "The online manifesto I found? 'The Path to True Purity.' It's not just quoting Shin Hyo-jin; it's a step-by-step guide to achieving 'enlightenment' by 'purging societal decay.' And 'marital hypocrisy' is a primary target. The language is chillingly similar to what Kang Jun-ho used, but much more precise, almost like a calculated, psychological manipulation." He glanced at Micha again, the corner of his lip twitching slightly at her newfound courage, though his expression remained hard.
Kevin listened to the collective evidence, a grim satisfaction settling over his face. "So, Shin Hyo-jin doesn't just theorize about 'marital decay.' He's actively involved in it. He uses his consulting firm to identify vulnerable, disillusioned individuals, possibly even influencing them. And he's our killer. He's selecting victims based on their married status, fueled by his warped ideology, seeing himself as a 'purifier'."
"And he's been dormant for six months," Guen added, "which means he's either incredibly patient, or something triggered him to stop. What if he's about to start again?"
"We need to get eyes on him," Kevin decided. "Minjae, Dohee, you're on covert surveillance. Alex, try to crack that encrypted server. Gwen, Micha, you two work on profiling his current behavior based on his past pattern. Look for anything that suggests a renewed intent to kill."
As the team prepared for the next phase, the tension between Minjae and Micha, while still present, was now known to at least one other member. The weight of the secret had shifted, and with it, the dynamic within the team began to subtly change. Guen's unwavering resolve to protect Micha and confront Minjae would undoubtedly bring its own challenges.
How will the team's surveillance uncover Shin Hyo-jin's next move? And what will happen when Guen confronts Kevin and Minjae about the alley incident?