Shadows of Truth

The drive back to the station was quiet, but the air inside the car was heavy with unspoken words. Seojin's fingers gripped the steering wheel, her mind replaying the events at the warehouse over and over. Jiwon's sudden appearance, his cryptic warnings, and his actions didn't sit right with her. He wasn't just a lawyer anymore—he was someone with knowledge of a game far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

Officer Park glanced at her. "Detective, what do you think Jiwon's deal is? He seemed too prepared for this kind of situation."

Seojin's jaw tightened. "I don't know yet. But I'm going to find out."

They pulled into the station's parking lot just as the first rays of dawn began to creep over the horizon. Exhaustion tugged at Seojin, but she pushed it aside. There was no room for rest—not when the Lee case was spiraling out of control.

As soon as she stepped into her office, she noticed something off. Her desk was exactly as she had left it, but there was a single envelope sitting in the middle, its crisp edges and lack of markings making it stand out.

Seojin approached cautiously, glancing around the room. "Who brought this in?" she asked Officer Park, who shrugged.

"No one mentioned anything to me," Park replied.

Seojin opened the envelope carefully, her eyes narrowing as she pulled out a single photograph. It was grainy, taken at a distance, but there was no mistaking the figures in the image—it was her and Jiwon at the warehouse. The timestamp in the corner showed it had been taken just hours ago.

Her stomach dropped. Someone had been watching them.

Attached to the photo was a small note, written in neat, almost mechanical handwriting: **"Stay out of this, or you'll regret it."**

Seojin's hands tightened around the note. She wasn't one to back down from threats, but this one was different. Whoever had sent this wasn't bluffing.

---

Later that morning, Seojin found herself pacing outside the courthouse. The place was bustling with activity, lawyers and clients rushing in and out, but she had only one person in mind. When she finally spotted Jiwon emerging from the building, she marched up to him, her frustration evident.

"Detective Han," Jiwon greeted, his tone annoyingly calm. "What brings you to my domain?"

"Cut the act, Jiwon," Seojin snapped, holding up the photograph. "Care to explain this?"

Jiwon's eyes flicked to the image, his expression hardening slightly. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Where did you get that?"

"It was left on my desk this morning," she replied, her voice sharp. "Someone is watching us, and they're not just going to sit back while we dig into this case."

Jiwon's jaw clenched. "I told you this wasn't a simple murder case. The people behind this are powerful, and they'll do whatever it takes to protect their interests."

Seojin crossed her arms, refusing to be intimidated. "Then why are you still involved? What's in it for you?"

Jiwon hesitated, his usual confidence wavering for just a moment. "Let's just say I have my reasons," he said finally. "And if you're smart, you'll drop this case before it's too late."

"That's not an option," Seojin shot back. "I don't walk away from a fight just because it's dangerous."

Jiwon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're more stubborn than I thought," he muttered. "Fine. If you're so determined to see this through, then we need to talk. But not here."

Seojin raised an eyebrow. "And where do you suggest?"

"There's a café on 7th Street," Jiwon said. "Meet me there in an hour."

Before Seojin could respond, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. She stared after him, her mind racing. Jiwon wasn't giving her the whole truth—she could feel it. But for now, he was her only lead.

---

An hour later, Seojin sat in the corner of the small café, nursing a cup of black coffee. The place was quiet, with only a handful of patrons scattered around. When Jiwon finally arrived, he slipped into the seat across from her without a word, his expression serious.

"You've got my attention," Seojin said. "Start talking."

Jiwon leaned forward, his voice low. "The Lee family wasn't just rich—they were connected. Their business dealings weren't exactly legal, and they had a lot of enemies. But their death wasn't random. It was a message."

"A message from who?" Seojin asked, her brow furrowing.

"That's the part I'm still piecing together," Jiwon admitted. "But whoever's behind this has ties to some very dangerous people—people who operate in the shadows, outside the law."

Seojin's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know all of this?"

Jiwon hesitated, his gaze dropping to the table for a moment. "Because I used to work for them," he said quietly.

Seojin's breath caught. For a moment, she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. "You what?"

"It was years ago," Jiwon said, his voice steady but laced with regret. "Before I became a lawyer, I got involved with the wrong people. They gave me opportunities, connections—but at a price. When I finally broke free, I thought I was done with them. But now, it seems they're back, and this case is just the beginning."

Seojin stared at him, her mind racing. This changed everything. Jiwon wasn't just a lawyer caught in the middle of a case—he was connected to the very people she was investigating.

"And you expect me to trust you after that?" she asked, her voice icy.

"I don't expect anything," Jiwon replied. "But if you want to solve this case, you're going to need my help. Because these people—they don't leave loose ends."

Seojin's grip on her coffee cup tightened. She didn't like the idea of working with Jiwon, but she couldn't deny that he had information she needed. The question was, could she trust him?

---

**End of Chapter 3**

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**Quiz Time!**

1. What was in the envelope left on Seojin's desk?

a) A threatening letter

b) A photograph of her and Jiwon

c) Evidence related to the case

d) A warning from her superior

Share your answers and theories in the comments below!