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Chapter 13
“Let’s go grab a bite.”
Chief Choi shrugged on his jacket that was casually draped over a chair and patted Seong-jin on the shoulder.
“You go ahead. Someone’s coming soon.”
Seong-jin closed the book he had been reading and stretched, looking tired.
“Who’s coming? And why the book all of a sudden?”
To someone like Seong-jin—who had won a gold medal in Taekwondo—the book seemed out of place, like a gi that didn’t quite fit.
“It’s written by the person I’m meeting. I wanted to review it one more time before they arrived.”
“You’re checking a book just because someone’s coming?”
Seong-jin seemed serious, clearly not an ordinary person.
“You know the author Kim Seung-beom, right?”
He showed the book to Chief Choi.
“Kim Seung-beom? Sounds familiar… is he famous?”
Chief Choi looked closely at the author’s face on the cover, puzzled.
“Really? He’s on TV a lot for lectures, and his books are bestsellers.”
“I don’t really follow that stuff. But why’s he coming here?”
Having lived buried in cases, Chief Choi rarely cared about the world outside.
“He’s coming in for questioning. He was reported for insurance fraud today.”
“Insurance fraud? He’s a famous guy.”
Chief Choi raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Some organization—Justice Realization Insurance Alliance, I think—filed a complaint claiming suspicion of fraud. This is already the third time.”
“I see…”
The story was intriguing, and Seong-jin continued.
“Even though a report was filed, they’re just investigating. But he’s not that kind of person. He donates a lot, volunteers… just look at this face. Could someone like this commit insurance fraud?”
Seong-jin held up the book cover, showing Kim Seung-beom smiling warmly.
“Nowadays, if people don’t like someone, they report them first. It’s just a way to tarnish a good reputation.”
“You never know a person until you really get to know them,” Chief Choi said, shaking his head.
“Your inability to trust people is one of the biggest flaws I’ve seen in you,” Seong-jin teased.
“I only get in trouble when everyone praises me,” Chief Choi muttered, smiling secretly, moving toward the door.
“You said you’d stick with me till the end when we first drank together,” Seong-jin joked.
“When did I say that?” Chief Choi raised his voice awkwardly.
“Honestly, you’re happy I’m here. Who else matches you this well?”
Seong-jin’s energy had brightened the once bleak office, and even Chief Choi’s usually stern expression softened.
“Ah, you rascal,” Chief Choi muttered, chuckling.
“Enjoy your meal,” Seong-jin said cheerfully.
“Thanks… Who’s here?”
Chief Choi opened the office door and froze at the man standing there.
“I’m here to see Detective Kim Seong-jin,” the man said, smiling lightly.
“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule. I couldn’t delay this. Are you feeling okay?”
Seung-beom had soft features, a crisp white shirt buttoned to the neck, and a wrinkle-free suit perfectly fitted. His first impression on Seong-jin was spotless.
“Today, we’re only confirming the report, so it should be quick,” Seong-jin said, typing swiftly.
“Thank you. My fiancée is having surgery today, so I hope it’s brief,” Seung-beom said, voice tinged with emotion.
Seong-jin felt a pang of sympathy.
“Don’t worry. If you cooperate, it will be over quickly.”
Seung-beom nodded and adjusted his posture.
The questioning went longer than expected.
“Are you okay?” Seong-jin asked, stretching his wrists.
“I’m fine,” Seung-beom replied, showing no sign of fatigue.
“Finally, we’ll finish with questions about the traffic accident a few days ago.”
“Is that relevant?” Seung-beom’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Just to confirm. Please explain as it happened, without worry.”
“Where should I start?”
Seung-beom’s expression tightened.
“Where did the accident occur?”
“We were driving back to Seoul from Dongducheon after visiting my parents’ memorial. It was their anniversary,” Seung-beom explained.
“So you were familiar with the route?”
“Yes.”
“Were you alone?”
“Yes, I have no siblings.”
“Any unusual activities that day?”
“What do you mean?”
“I just wanted to check if you were speeding.”
“Other than visiting the memorial, nothing. I’ve never had a traffic ticket,” Seung-beom said tersely.
“Sorry if that sounded rude. I have to check all possibilities,” Seong-jin apologized.
“If you want to know about speeding, you can check the road CCTV,” Seung-beom said sharply.
“We already did, but there’s no CCTV there. No other meaning.”
“I see… I apologize again. I was a bit sensitive with my fiancée’s surgery today,” Seong-jin said.
“I understand. This must be very hard for you.”
Seong-jin imagined the fear and despair of possibly losing a loved one.
“What was the object that suddenly appeared?”
“A wild animal, I think. I swerved to avoid it—and then the utility pole was there…” Seung-beom’s voice broke again.
“It wasn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”
Seong-jin offered a tissue.
“Thank you… I just got emotional.”
Seung-beom wiped his tears, regaining composure.
“I understand. You must be exhausted.”
“I’m sorry, but could we finish here? My fiancée’s surgery… the case is mostly done, right? Perhaps the records can suffice.”
“Okay, just explain the accident briefly, then we’ll finish.”
Seung-beom took a deep breath.
“We were driving from Dongducheon to Seoul. Near Yangju, something jumped out. I swerved—it’s all my fault. Everything is my fault.”
He broke down, unable to continue.
Seong-jin handed him a tissue.
“Go to the hospital quickly. We can continue later.”
“Thank you… and thank you for understanding,” Seung-beom said, bowing slightly, maintaining manners despite grief.
Outside the police station, journalists swarmed.
Cameras and microphones surrounded Seung-beom. A tragic lover, a bestselling author accused of fraud—the press couldn’t resist.
As he walked, his phone rang. Unknown number.
“Hello?”
His voice trembled. The reporters went silent.
Seung-beom’s hands shook. He dropped to his knees, tears streaming.
“Seung-hee!” he cried.
At a memorial site on the outskirts of Seoul, Seung-beom walked in a black suit, visibly thinner and weighed down by grief.
“Mother, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I should have driven better. I should have died instead of Seung-hee…”
He knelt before Seung-hee’s mother, who sat on a bench, unable to enter.
“Seung-beom… what about our poor Seung-hee?”
She embraced him, both crying for their loss.
The phone rang again.
“Mother, wait in the car. I’ll be right there… hello?”
“[Mr. Kim Seung-beom? This is Detective Kim Seong-jin from the police station.]”
“What is this about?”
“[I’m sorry to call during such a difficult time. There’s some additional investigation regarding your fiancée’s accident.]”
“Additional investigation? Why me?”
“[Because it’s a traffic fatality, you’re subject to involuntary manslaughter charges. We need to ask a few more questions.]”
“Involuntary manslaughter? You’re saying I killed Seung-hee?”
“No, it’s just standard procedure. Please bring your insurance papers as well.”
“Why do I need that?”
“Just to confirm from the previous investigation. Nothing more.”
Seung-beom ran his hand through his hair, muttering quietly:
“Fuck…”
