[Fanfic] In the Dark {Chapter 9: The Fallen}
Title: In The Dark {Chpt. 9: The Fallen}
Author: Roxy (lady_monochrome)
Pairing(s): MinJae, YunJae, YooSu, HoSu, Yunho x Boa
Length: Chapter 9 of 15
Word Count: 6,402
Genre: AU, Drama, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological
Rating: R
Warning(s): Serial murder, explicit crime scenes, fucked up sociopathic individuals, drug abuse and prostitution.
Summary: Young Detective Shim was awarded in his short successful career with a major crime investigation. A series of murders have been terrorizing the citizens of Seoul and it’s up to him, and his team, to solve the crime before more people could fall victim to the vicious killer.
A/N: All I’m going to say is: University. Only three more classes and I’m done!! For now I’ll try to balance homework and hobbies as best as I can. =D We’re almost done here. Six chapters to go!!
“Smile, tell me that you jest and hold me like you did that day.
I pray that your eyes open once more. I wander far.”
Ophelia by L’arc en Ciel
Monday Noon
12:20 pm
Mondays are days of rushing, rough awakenings and long periods of work, or so people felt. Trains were filled to the brim on rush hour, everyone is in a hurry, there’s tons of coffee and tea served in the local coffee shops and nobody has time to be nice. In the middle of a Monday such as that Detective Shim Changmin and Elle Magazine Korea’s editor in chief meet to have a business lunch together. The small western style bistro in the business district of Seoul where they sit is not quite as full as the rest of the bibimbap or jjigae restaurants of the area.
“It will only be a simple interview about the man behind the investigation. I promise I won’t make any questions regarding the investigation at all.” Boa looked like a true business woman in her petite suit, silk blouse and modern high heels. She stretched a portfolio over to the detective as she continued explaining. “Our readers want to know what the detective life is like for you and what brought you to be such a successful detective at such a relatively young age. There will also be a short photo shoot. You’re a very handsome man I’m sure you’ll look fantastic.”
Changmin accepted the portfolio as he nodded to Boa’s explanations. “As long as there’s nothing regarding the murders or our progress in the case then everything should be alright. Just know I will not answer any questions regarding either.” He opened the brown portfolio which contained all the detailed specifications and what they would be doing with the information gathered during the interview.
“That will be absolutely no problem Changmin. Everything that’s in there is what we’ll be touching on so you can prepare. The questions in there are only a guideline, it’s subject to change. Just in case I come up with more clever things to ask.” She pointed to the portfolio with her delicately manicured hands. “Also, in there, you’ll a small contract. It specifies the kind of things we will be able to do with the information you provide us with during the interview. You would need to sign that so read it all the way through please and if there’s anything you might to negotiate then give me a call, or we can meet up, whatever is most convenient, although I prefer to do it in person to avoid any misunderstandings.”
Changmin kept nodding and looking through the amount of papers inside the portfolio. “That sounds right. I’ll let you know as soon as I read it.”
“No pressure or anything but I need this by the end of the week if it’s possible.” Boa chuckled while putting her hand over the detective’s in a friendly gesture. She didn’t want to sound demanding with the detective, he was a friend almost and Jaejoong’s love interest. She wanted to make the whole deal as smooth and as pleasant as possible for the both of them.
The detective began laughing out loud and shaking his head. “Sure, no pressure whatsoever.” He looked through the contract, seeing the amount of pages it had. “Doesn’t look too long. Don’t worry, I might have read it by tomorrow, if not then by Wednesday at the latest” They both chuckled together.
“The Chicken Carbonara?” A waitress came along with a big round tray carrying both lunch plates for the two professionals in table five.
“Right here.” Said Boa and the plate was placed in front of her. Changmin then took all the paperwork off the table and into his suitcase.
“Alright, and the Mediterranean Medley for the gentleman. Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Both began downing their food as soon as they arrived. A few minutes went by before either of them said a word. The first thing to come up was “I’m worried about Jaejoong.” Boa was the one to break the silence and bring up the conversation about Jaejoong. “I’ve been trying to call him all morning but he’s not answering and he’s been a little off lately. Even Aeyoung noticed something strange about him. That’s when I got really worried.”
“I know… I’ve noticed too.” Changmin seemed to become crest fallen as he answered. “He barely picks up my calls. And he didn’t go to work on Sunday. He didn’t want to tell me why. He just said he was feeling sick but… it just seemed odd.”
“Right?” Boa leaned back on her seat, temporarily ignoring her food. “He didn’t even pick up Aeyoung on Friday, he went on Saturday and told my mom he had been unexpectedly called to work as an excuse.”
“He wasn’t at the club on Friday. I called. I had wanted to meet up with him because he left my office on Wednesday on a bad note but I couldn’t get a hold of him and he wasn’t in his apartment either. On Saturday I called him and he told me he wasn’t going to work all weekend but he definitely disappeared on Friday and he didn’t want to tell me why.” Looking down at his plate with wistfulness he continued eating with less enthusiasm.
“That man, seriously. There’s just times when I want to slap some sense into him. I should pull a Jikyung on him.” Boa also continued eating.
At the statement Changmin chuckled and looked up at Boa. “He told me something similar one day. He said he wished his sister was still around so she could slap him hard and tell him he had to man up.”
Boa started laughing and had to take a few gulps of water when she almost chocked on a piece of chicken. “Oh wow, that sounds like Jikyung alright. Why would he need that though?”
“I’m not even really sure. I was trying to find out when he just told me that as an answer.”
“When was that? Recently?”
“It was last week, when you dropped Aeyoung at his apartment.”
“Oh… that day with Yunho right?”
“Ahem… yeah.”
“Uh-”
♪♫ End of the world! Dead to the world! Dakishime aou~ ♫♪
“Oh! It’s Jaejoong! Hold on.” Changmin quickly answered his phone and Boa stared and listened intently. “Hello? Jae~”
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Deep in the confinements of his apartment Jaejoong lay under his blankets. There was no light except for the few rogue rays of sun that slipped through the curtains. No sounds permeated throughout the apartment except for the periodical beeping of Jaejoong’s cell phone which kept nagging at the numb man that he had a few people to call back. But that man wasn’t able to answer the phone at the moment, he was barely able to exist let alone establish a conversation with another human being. He had been considering drowning the electronic device but began reconsidering when the phone went off with the only ringtone he was glad to hear. Although he had been ignoring Changmin for the past few days, only talking to him occasionally, he sincerely missed the man and wanted to be snuggled in his arms so badly.
That had been in the morning. Hours after that call Jaejoong finally stopped staring at his phone and hit speed dial 2. The name “Min-ah” flashed on the screen as the call was processed. It only took two dial tones for the detective to pick up. “Hello? Jae~”
“Hey…” He had to clear his throat before a proper greeting went past his lips. “Youboseyo. Min-ah.”
“Jae, baby, how are you?” That was the first time Changmin called him a sweet name like that. It felt good to hear it.
“I’m… Ok. I guess.”
“That’s not convincing me. Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Good, I was getting worried about you. You weren’t answering my calls.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Jae… you want me to pick you up? Want to have lunch?”
“Uumm… I-”
“Come on Jae, I want to see you. I miss you.”
“I-” Jaejoong sighed. He took a moment to think about it, raising his eyes to the ceiling. Some way or another he had to get up from where he was, pick up the pieces. If he continued where he was he would be summed up in a depression he wouldn’t be able to get out of. “Alright. I’m very hungry.”
“Awesome! I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” The line went dead after that and Jaejoong was left to think about what he had just said and agreed to. Now he had to get up, get dressed, freshen up his face, brush his hair. He was really a disaster and he only had twenty minutes to achieve that.
--------------------------------
“He said yes!! Boa, I’ll be right back. Don’t move from here. Please continue eating, Jae and I will catch up with you when we get back. I’ll go as fast as I can.” Changmin sprang up from his chair, wallet and keys in his pockets. He dashed for the parking lot and immediately rushed off to Jaejoong’s apartment. Boa was left with her mouth open but couldn’t say anything before the detective went off. Not that she really had anything important to say but she was simply glad that Jaejoong had accepted and they would have a chance to talk as soon as the two men were back at the café.
“Damn! I have to be back in the office by the time they get back…” Boa suddenly remembered she had been working before she came out to have lunch with the detective. “I’ll have to call Dara. Jaejoong is more important right now.”
Back in Jaejoong’s apartment things were moving at a surprisingly speedy pace. Eventually he got up and somehow managed to take a super quick shower, blow dry his hair and choose from various outfits until he found the one he wanted. When he was done dressing and accessorizing he noticed he had successfully dressed over his fatigue. He didn’t look half as fucked up as he did only minutes ago.
Jaejoong looked at his cell phone, he hit the unlock button and the time flashed on the touch screen. It had already been more than twenty minutes. He began doubting Changmin’s word but immediately let go of that thought. Loud knocking began coming from his door which made Jaejoong jump in place and get in motion. He grabbed his phone, a jacket, keys, quickly put on his shoes and ran for the door. He didn’t even look through the peephole and swung the door open.
Changmin had encountered some traffic on the way and it took him a bit longer than he thought to get there but as soon as he parked in front of the building he made a dash for it. When he reached Jaejoong’s door he was panting from the effort but didn’t stop to catch his breath before he was knocking. Not three minutes later he heard footsteps coming for the door on the other side and immediately after a rushed looking Jaejoong was opening the door and jumping on him. It took him off guard but he caught the smaller man in his arms and squeezed him hard. “Damn it Jae, I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too Min.” They stood there just in each other’s arms for another five minutes then Jaejoong pulled back and smiled up to the detective. “Can I have my hello kiss now?” Changmin didn’t say anything, only smiled and leaned in to give his lover what he himself had been yearning, closeness, affection, intimacy.
“Come on Jae. Boa’s waiting for us.” Said the detective to finally get them moving. Jaejoong’s head suddenly snapped up and he looked up at him.
“Boa?”
“Yeah. She’s been dead worried about you too. We were having lunch together when you called.”
“Oh.. but Min..”
“Yeah? Something wrong Jae?”
“Um- never mind. Let’s go.”
They made their way out of the apartment complex and into Changmin’s SUV. It was rare that the man used his car since he could just as easily and less costly get around in the public train. It was a lot more convenient for the detective than getting into traffic or paying for gasoline but he did have it for whenever he needed to use it. Most of the time during work he moved around and drove to the crime scenes in official vehicles or in his partner’s car anyway, so he didn’t exactly needed it all the time. “I think this is the first time you’re in my car. Like it?”
“It’s really nice.” Jaejoong inspected the whole thing from the inside; he even looked towards the back seat and whistled. “I like it.”
“Thanks. Let’s see just how fast this thing goes shall we?” Changmin accelerated at top speeds, trying to get back to the restaurant before the waitresses threw Boa out of the place. While on his way back to the place he grabbed his phone and speed dialed Top’s phone. “Top! Man, hey, I need a big favor. I’m taking care of something personal right now and…” On the other side of the line Top had already guessed what the whole thing was about and answered Changmin’s plead before it was even uttered. “Thank you so much man. You’re a true friend.”
“Yeah, yeah, only when it’s convenient.” Top answered with a chuckle. “Don’t worry man. I don’t think the boss would even notice. He’s busy as hell.”
“Alright Top thanks.” Call over with, Changmin turned to Jaejoong with a smile. “It’s really good to see you Jae.”
“Oh, stop it already.” There was a small smile on Jaejoong’s lips that surprised even him. “I’m sorry Changmin. I didn’t mean to worry any of you. I just haven’t been myself these past few days.”
Changmin thought asking about the matter at the moment wouldn’t be convenient so he simply smiled at the man and grabbed his hand. “I hope you feel better now.” Jaejoong smiled at him as sincerely as he could and nodded.
The rest of the trip was spent in silence.
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Boa was getting impatient, very impatient. She kept glancing at her phone and telling the waitress her company would be back soon. But she was starting to doubt she would see the two men that day. It had already been an hour and there was absolutely no sign of them. “Jaejoong might not be in his right mind but Changmin is prudent enough not to just leave me here without even a call right?!” Of course her poor, abused phone couldn’t answer back to her, but someone did.
“What do you mean I’m not in my right mind?” Boa turned around and found herself faced with both the towering detective and the lean dancer standing right behind her.
“Jae!!” She jumped out of her seat and hugged her friend until he was starting to turn blue from the lack of oxygen. “Oh my god Jae! I’ve been worried sick. What’s been up with you?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry. Now can you please let me breath?” He was released and the three of them chuckled.
Changmin gave Jaejoong a little push towards one of the chairs around the table and smiled at Boa. “Why don’t we let Jae have some lunch, quench his hunger, and mine as well, then we can do all the talking eh?” The other two nodded and took their seats. Jaejoong ordered something simple, Chicken Fettuccini, and the waitress was kind enough to reheat the detective’s lunch for him. Boa simply sat there with a cup of coffee fangirling away to Jaejoong about Changmin’s interview to which Jae answered with his own fanboyish comments while the object of their affections tried eating his lunch without chocking from the comments.
By the time the trio was having dessert Changmin thought he could delve into the subject of Jaejoong’s behavior. “Jaejoong-ah, you want to talk about what’s been going on with you?”
Jaejoong looked down at his cheesecake and shook his head. Boa intervened. “But Jae. We want to help you out. You shouldn’t have to do this alone. Whatever it is we want to help and get the old Jae back.”
“That’s never going to happen. Things have changed… I have changed.”
Changmin jumped in. “It’s not you who has changed Jae, it’s your surroundings and you’re letting it affect you more than it should.”
“What do you really know Changmin?”
“I may not know much about you from before we met but I’ve been the one there with you through your change of life. I’ve been there when you needed to vent about work, about the bad and good aspects of it. In fact I’m pretty damn sure whatever’s going on Yunho’s involved in it.” At the mention of her fiancé Boa looked concerned.
“Why do you even assume there’s something wrong with me?!”
This time it was Boa who spoke up. “Because it’s obvious Jaejoong! Even your daughter has noticed!” Jaejoong couldn’t argue to that, he fell eerily silent. “And Jae, if this has something to do with Yunho then I have the right to know. I have the right to know if the man I’m willing to marry is some sort of sicko or a depraved man!”
“That man is bad for you! I don’t want him near Aeyoung either!” That took both Changmin and Boa aback, both of them surprised at the sudden outburst. Some of the people in the restaurant turned to look at them but after a few seconds of tension everyone just turned back to their own business, still with curious glances over their shoulders.
“Jae… What is it about him? What is he doing to you?” Changmin asked lowering his voice and rubbing Jaejoong’s back gently.
“He- I- Damn it…” Jaejoong brought both his hands up to his face, letting himself bury into them trying to press away the headache that was building at his temples.
“Jaejoong… What’s that?” Boa reached over the table and grabbed one of his wrists. Jaejoong was about to begin struggling when he remembered the marks that were there but it was too late; Boa had pushed his sleeve up and revealed it for both her and the detective to see. Jaejoong lowered his face, pressing his eyes closed.
Changmin’s eyes widened and he took his lover’s other wrist for closer inspection. The marks were also there. “How did this happen Jae?” There was no response from the dancer, he lowered his head and kept silent. “Jaejoong I mean it! Who did this to you?!” He held Jaejoong tightly by his arm and pulled him towards himself. Instead of lashing back at the detective like Changmin had expected the other began tearing up. “Jae.. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
“I can’t tell you…” It was barely a whisper but it registered.
“Why not?”
“I just… can’t Min.” Meanwhile Boa was calling the waitress to get their check.
“Look Jae, I don’t know why you’re protecting this person, and I don’t know why I even doubt my own senses. I already know who did this, but I want you to tell me. I need you to tell me.” Changmin took a deep breath and released it as Jaejoong provided no answer whatsoever. “I don’t want to freak you out but those marks…” The detective lowered his voice to a whisper. “…look identical to the ones we’ve found on every single one of the White Lotu’s victims.” Now that immediately caught Jaejoong’s attention and his head snapped up to stare at the detective with wide fearful eyes.
“W-w-what?! NO! NO!”
“Jae calm down. Don’t yell. Please.” Immediately Changmin began soothing Jaejoong’s nerves by tracing his fingers in his hair and leaving small kisses on his forehead. “If Yunho did this to you-” he began whispering into Jaejoong’s ear, as if not to alter him any more than he already was. “then we might be fighting the same enemy here Jae. I need your help now more than ever. This could be our chance. If Yunho proves to be the White Lotus… we’d be killing two birds with a single shot. Seoul would be rid of the biggest threat they’ve ever encountered and you’d be rid of the biggest pest in your life.”
“Come on guys. Let’s move somewhere more comfortable.” Boa had already paid for all their lunch and was holding all the jackets for them to leave already. Jaejoong and Changmin nodded their heads. The detective held Jaejoong up by the waist while the dancer buried his face into the crook of Changmin’s neck. They walked as quickly as possible to Changmin’s car. “Let’s go to my apartment.” Boa provided. “It’s very close by, we’ll be comfortable there. Just follow me Changmin.” He agreed and they were on their way.
Sobs began pooling out of Jaejoong’s lungs as soon as they were enclosed inside the car and he was crying the whole way to Boa’s apartment. Changmin’s heart was breaking into tiny pieces watching the man of his affections being slowly torn apart. The dancer’s elegant body was carelessly slumped on the seat, his head leaning on the window while tears streamed down his face. It was only a matter of time before all his pain, all his torment, all the suppressed sadness would boil over and spill.
Once in the apartment Changmin had to carry Jaejoong to Boa’s bedroom and lay down with him. The owner of the house leaned on the door frame and looked at the two men with sadness. “I’ll go make tea.” The door of the room clicked closed and Jaejoong was nowhere near feeling any better, he turned around in Changmin’s arms and snuggled into his chest. He was silent for long minutes until he regained enough composure to speak. He could only muster very low and raspy tones but he managed to speak nonetheless. “Please Changmin… Please tell me that I didn’t sleep with my sister’s murderer…..”
A heavy, thick silence took over the room. Jaejoong had just revealed what Changmin had wanted to know the whole time but now the detective sort of wished he had never known. Detective skills hadn’t prepared him for shocks like that one but those very skills were the ones helping him keep composure. His leeriness wouldn’t let him believe that Jaejoong had done it willingly, especially if he had been tied. “I know you’re upset Jae but I need your help right now. Will you help me?”
“Please Min, please tell me.”
“I can’t say anything certain right now. But Jae… If this proves anything it would be one more step toward catching your sister’s murderer. Don’t you want that?”
“Oh God… I can’t believe this…” Jaejoong was out of it. He wasn’t focused, he wasn’t well and Changmin understood. To know that the person that took your beloved sister’s life is the same man that has been surrounding his family the whole time was trauma enough, but to know that you had physical, or worst, sexual contact with him. A trauma such as that is hard to overcome. Realizing that, Changmin cuddled the dancer in his arms, pulling the man tightly against his chest and kissing the top of his head. “You must really hate me right now.”
“What?! Jae! Of course not.” Changmin’s arms tightened even more around Jaejoong. “On the contrary, I’m here for you Jae. I’m not going anywhere, and we’re going to beat the crap out of Yunho, the two of us, together.” Jaejoong calmed down and squeezed his face into the detective’s chest.
“Jikyung. I’m so sorry noona.” Jaejoong began silently crying again. “Noona please, open your eyes again. Come yell at me for being such an idiot. Just don’t be dead anymore noona.”
“Don’t worry Jae. We’re gonna catch him. We’ll make justice for your noona.”
About an hour later Changmin came out of the room. His expression was somber but his brow was furrowed in thought. He closed the door and leaned on it. “What now…?”
“Is he better?” Boa’s voice startled the detective who jumped in place as he turned towards the sound of the woman’s voice. It came from down the hall. He walked into the living room where he found her sitting on her couch with a big mug of tea cradled between her hands.
“He’s asleep. I wouldn’t say he’s better at all though.” The executive signaled for him to come closer and sit next to her, which he did, but neither of them said a word. The both of them were static, unmoving, their eyes lost somewhere in the room. Several sighs escaped them both until finally Boa couldn’t take it anymore.
“Changmin… What-” She hesitated, Changmin looked up at her waiting for her to continue. Boa took a deep breath and released it. “What’s happening with Yunho?”
“Well… I don’t know if I should be the one to tell you.”
“Please!” Her tone was higher than she had thought and she bowed her head in embarrassment. “Please.. You have to tell me. It’s my life I’m inviting him into and my daughter’s life too. This isn’t something that can wait. You have to tell me.” Changmin was the one to hang his head low this time but then sighed and looked up.
“Jaejoong knows more about this than I do but… apparently… Ugh, I don’t even really know. I just know that Jae doesn’t feel comfortable around him and that whatever happened to him right now was caused by him. The thing is this isn’t some petty rivalry. It’s serious. Plus, Boa, I have this prickly feeling that Yunho-” He hesitated, he wasn’t sure wether to say this to her based only on assumptions and no concrete evidence, but he went ahead. “That he’s involved in the murders.”
Boa lowered her head again, shaking it in denial. “That can’t be. What makes you think that?”
“The marks on Jaejoong’s wrists, he has them on his ankles too. They look exactly the same as with the victims on the White Lotus murders.”
“So? What does that have to do with Yunho?”
“I already told you, Yunho’s the one that did this to Jaejoong.”
“How are you so sure?!” Suddenly Boa was tearing up, her body was slightly shaking. She was trying to be strong about it but it was hard. They were talking about the man she had fallen in love with, the caring man that she had invited into her and Aeyoung’s life, the knight of her daughter’s kingdom and the one she had thought would be king of hers. It was hard to accept.
“I’m sorry Boa. Jaejoong told me. Yunho is his problem.”
“What about him? What did he do?”
“That you’re going to have to ask Jaejoong himself. It’s not for me to say. Plus I’m not even exactly informed on all the details.” Another thick fog of silence fell over them. Boa was trying to control her tears and was slowly succeeding.
Sniffling she managed to talk again. “I’ve been noticing some odd things lately.”
“About what?”
“Yunho.” Changmin didn’t say anything to that, he stayed silent and turned to her with a nod. “He’s been- he’s been coming here at odd times.” Another sniffle came from her before she continued. “Last week-” Sniffle “He came here at like… two in the morning. He was in his suit, the sleeves were wet. I heard him coming in the apartment and making noise. I knew it was him, I just know the way he moves around. When I came out to ask him what was wrong he was turning things around in the living room. I asked him again but he didn’t say anything so I went over to him and tugged at his sleeve. That’s when I noticed they were wet. He turned around as if he hadn’t noticed I was there at all and shoved me away but then apparently he realized it was me and he was back to his normal self. He was looking for something he had lost but he didn’t tell me what it was.”
Changmin’s head was cooking up a lightning storm with all his rampant thoughts. “What day was it?”
“Uumm… it was a… It was Wednesday! Yes, the same day that-” Suddenly Boa stopped and her eyes went wide. She continued in a much slower tone. “It was.. the same day… that the last victim was found… I remember. It was that day when I called Jaejoong because I had just seen you in the news.” She stopped, took a deep breath. “Oh my God… What..? What’s going on?”
“He was in a suit? At two in the morning on a Wednesday? Wet sleeves, looking desperately for something… What did he do after that?”
“He- damn… He just left.”
“Where was he looking?”
“Right on this sofa actually.”
Changmin immediately jumped off the sofa and began digging his hands in between the cushions. Boa stood up and helped the man take everything off the couch. When the piece of furniture was bare they stood back to look at it. “We’re looking for anything out of the ordinary, anything that isn’t yours.”
“Right.” They scanned the thing but nothing came up. They were about to give up when Boa suddenly remembered. “Wait! I think I know what he was looking for!!” She ran over to her room, silently walking in, as not to wake Jaejoong up, and looked through her jewelry box. She found what she had been looking for and went running back. “I found this under the sofa that day when Aeyoung spent the afternoon with you guys. I started cleaning out the apartment after Yunho left and when I broomed under there I found this. I was meaning to ask Yunho but I never had the chance.” She was holding a ring between her fingers. It was a simple gold band with a small flower shaped diamond on the top.
“Can I have a look?”
“Of course!” She handed the small ring to the detective and he inspected it closely.
“Definitely doesn’t look like it belongs to a man.” He looked up from the ring to look at Boa. “I’m going have to keep this. Do you mind?”
“No. Take it.” She shook her head and looked down at her feet, and then she looked back up. “If Yunho is really the murderer then I want to help as much as I can. I’ll be the first to declare against him in court if it’s necessary. You will have my full cooperation.”
“Thank you Boa. You’re very brave.”
“I’m only protecting my family.”
Changmin nodded and pocketed the ring. “Boa, since you know more about Yunho than anyone of us. Does he use Italian leather shoes?”
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On another side of town Yunho and Junsu had gotten together to have a formal lunch.
“So how was it?” Poking at his fancy looking second course, Junsu asked without looking up at the senator.
“How was what?” Contrary to Junsu, Yunho was digging in on his food at a steady pace; that is without losing his finesse.
“With Jaejoong. How was it?” Junsu was pouting now.
“It was good.” Yunho replied without even thinking about it or looking up at his companion.
“No fair!! I wanted to be there! Hell, you have no idea how much I wanted to have a threesome with you two and you got Jae all for yourself. You’re such a selfish asshole. Why didn’t you let me tag along?” That he was making a scene was a bit of an understatement. They were in one of the finest restaurants in all town, surrounded by people of the higher circles and here was Junsu yelling about very inappropriate topics.
“First of all people are staring and you’re being rude to them so lower your voice and for God’s sake slow down when you’re talking. Have more elegance Junsu. Second of all, yes I’m a selfish asshole, no amount of your worthless bitching will change that so shut up and keep eating will you?” Not a blink, not a hint of annoyance in his face or his tone. He simply said it as it was. Yunho was like a cold rock with a mouth. One would prefer to receive a punch to the face before having to deal with the senator’s nonchalant eloquence.
“Fuck you Yunho! I’ll raise my voice if I want to. I’m demanding something here and I’m demanding right now that I want to have both you and Jae in the same bed, naked, with me included this time!” Needless to say the entire dining room fell into a tense silence. Every single person in that room had stopped enjoying their lunch to turn annoyed and insulted glances at the pair in the corner.
Yunho finally put down his utensils, looked up at Junsu and sighed. “You’re so fucking impossible sometimes. You’re going to end up being thrown out of the restaurant.”
“Don’t you mean we are going to end up being thrown out?”
“No.” In the same nonchalant attitude he turned an icy cold stare across the restaurant floor instantly making the rest of the patrons turn back to what they were doing before. Even the waiter that was walking their way stepped back and returned to the kitchen.
“Aish Yunho! All I’m saying is I want to have sex with you and Jaejoong.” He ended in steadier tone. “Is that a crime?”
“No Junsu, it’s not a crime.” The last bit of his second course was consumed and Yunho stared at his empty plate before looking up at Junsu again. “If it makes you feel better. I didn’t do anything with him.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I mean I did not fuck Jaejoong. Yoochun drugged him with roofies. You know how I hate when people are drugged or drunk. So I decided to play around with him. I tied him up, gagged him, shoved a dildo up his ass and voila. Now he’s probably beating himself up thinking we did it and I’m just sitting here laughing at his misery.”
“Wow you’re evil…”
“I know. And hey! No telling Jaejoong or Yoochun. Understood? I can’t really trust your main squeeze when it comes to Jaejoong anymore.”
“Chunnie just likes Jae. He really didn’t want you to torment him but...”
“But he knows what’s good for him.” Yunho provided.
“Yeah. I guess we’re pretty much stuck with you until you’re bored of us.”
“Damn straight.”
“That was awfully ghetto. It doesn’t fit you at all.”
The atmosphere in the dining room had turned back down to normal with people hustling and bustling, waiters rushing around and bowing to people, the constant sound of plates and utensils clinking was filling the room again. The odd pair in the corner was blending into the crowd once again. Yunho took the chance to lean over the table and speak in a very low tone.
“Did you go see Rain?” Junsu grimaced but nodded his head. Rain was the owner of a strip club in downtown Seoul, a man Junsu was very well acquainted with. Junsu had gone down to his club not only to see the owner but to scout out a certain girl Yunho had asked him for. “Well?”
“Just tell me when you’d like to meet her.”
“Next week. Tuesday.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
------------------------
“This is it Boa. This is what I’ve been desperately looking for. I’ve got him.” Changmin was holding up the pair of Italian leather shoes that had been haunting his dreams lately. They were even covered in dry mud, thick pieces clinging to the bottom of the shoes.
“Changmin-ah.”
“Yes?”
“What am I supposed to do now? When Yunho comes around, how am I supposed to act? I’m scared now.” Boa was holding her temples with both her hands, fresh tears threatening to spill from her gentle eyes.
“I suggest that for now, you and your daughter stay here, but keep a backup plan in case you want to leave. If Yunho really is the killer, I doubt either of you are in any danger. But you must not mention any of this to him. Don’t leave Aeyoung alone with him. For now you just have to keep calm, don’t give him any reason to put you in danger. People like him are smart, they know not to make stupid moves like hurt people that would place them directly under the spotlight.”
Boa nodded and sniffed again. “I hope you’re right. I’m putting my trust in you detective.”
♪♫ Warning! Warning! It’s the boss~!♫♪
“Sorry Boa, I need to take this.”
♪♫ Warnin-♫♪
“Yeoboseyo?”
“Shim where the hell are you?!”
“I’m sorry Chief, there was a personal situation I needed to take care of.”
“We need you down here right now.”
“I’m sorry I ran off like that, but Chief I got a lead in the White Lotus case.”
“What?!”
“I need Top to come collect the evidence.”
“No! Top is out in another scene that you should’ve been in charge of”
“White Lotus?”
“No, a new case. So you’re going to have to bring the evidence in.”
“Understood.” The phone call ended and Changmin heaved a long sigh. “I don’t want to leave Jaejoong but…”
Boa interrupted. “If you must go then go. People’s lives depend on this.” She poised her hands on top of the shoes. “Jae will understand. And you will be back after work, won’t you?”
“I promise. Thank you Boa.” Changmin bowed, grabbed his belongings, placed the shoes in a bag and left. On his way back to Homicide many things were circling in his thoughts. He was already convinced Yunho was their killer, Yunho was the White Lotus. They would probably still need more evidence to be able to issue an arrest warrant, especially since Yunho was a politician. Suddenly Jaejoong’s words from the week before echoed in his head.
“Money is above the law! Power is above the law!! If you know this trade as much as you claim to do then you know how powerful people like him can get away with anything!”
Senator Jung Yunho; this was going to be a difficult one to catch, even with the mounting evidence against him.
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