Chapter 151 - Busan Trip (8) Conclusion

It was almost 1 am when Ash and Mirae reached the hotel. To their surprise, they found KJ and Hyun Jung outside, all packed up and ready to leave. 

"Where are you guys going?" Mirae asked in surprise.

"Home," KJ replied. 

"So soon?" Ash frowned. "Did you meet that old friend of Goo Soo Bin's? What did he say?"

"We didn't find anything," KJ lied. Hyun Jung remained mum since KJ made him swear not to talk.

"What?" Mirae exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Your phones were switched off," KJ pointed out. Mirae facepalmed. She completely forgot that SD had instructed them to turn off their phones while searching for him.

"Where were you guys?" KJ asked. 

"We went to 414 Gyeongju Street," Ash stated. "To meet SD."

"We should have asked SD about Goo Soo Bin," Mirae said, regretting her missed opportunity.

"I'm sure he can find the information which Goo Soo Bin possessed," Ash agreed. "We can still make it there."

"Who's SD?" KJ asked.

"An information broker," Mirae answered. "He gave us some crucial information regarding the Cartel. He can definitely tell us about what Goo Soo Bin knew!"

"No," KJ said firmly. "We're going back."

"Why?" Ash demanded. "We are so close to the truth! It's just an hour away. We can go and ask-"

"No," KJ repeated. "We're going back."

"Why?" Mirae asked angrily.

"A sudden gig came up," KJ lied. "I have to go."

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Mirae rounded on Hyun Jung. "Make him understand."

"A case came up for me as well," Hyun Jung lied. "Both of us have to head back."

"Well, I'm going back to ask SD about Goo Soo Bin," Mirae decided. "Let's go Ash."

Ash nodded and followed her. They got into the car and drove off.

"KJ, what if this SD gives them the information?" Hyun Jung asked. "They'll know you're lying."

"SD…" KJ mumbled. He heard this name a lot during his investigation of the Cartel. SD was a famous information broker and was well known among the underworld. He vaguely recalled that SD had a particularly eccentric style of business. 

KJ took out his phone and began to type in a number. 

"Hello Commissioner Sung," KJ greeted. "I need a favor from you."

….

For the second time that night, Ash and Mirae pulled up in front of SD's apartment. Passing the camera, they went straight upstairs.

"SD!" Mirae banged on the door. "SD wake up!"

The door slid open. SD emerged wearing a nightgown.

"Yes, CEO," he yawned. "To what do I owe this pleasure second time tonight?"

"Do you know Goo Soo Bin?" Mirae asked, holding out a stash of cash. "He was investigating the death of Kwon Sungmin and his wife. "What did he find?"

"I'm afraid, I do not know any Goo Soo Bin," SD replied in a lazy tone.

"You're lying," Ash stated. Even though SD maintained a poker face, Ash had the uncanny ability to tell lies apart. "You've been paid to keep that information a secret."

"That is one serious accusation," SD said, affronted. "But you are right. I was paid to keep it a secret."

"Who paid you?" Mirae asked.

"I'm afraid I have been paid to keep my client's name a secret," SD replied. "Anything about Goo Soo Bin and what he may have known is to be kept a secret. I cannot, under no circumstances, reveal it."

Mirae was frustrated. She wanted to shout at him and fling him off the roof. They had come all the way back here, hoping he would give them something…

Ash, on the other hand, was in deep thought. No one knew that they were investigating Goo Soo Bin. Even if the Cartel did, then why did they not stop them from receiving the other information from beforehand? 

There was only one plausible explanation.

"What about the contents of Kwon Jinhyung's computer?" Mirae asked.

"CEO, I'm an information broker not god," SD said wearily. "I can only give you the information which I have and been paid for. Kwon Jinhyung's PC is of no interest to me."

"You-"

"We thank you for your valuable time," Ash cut her off. "Let's go, CEO."

Mirae opened her mouth to speak but Ash stopped her. "We got what we wanted," he said.

Understanding that he must have realized something, Mirae kept her mouth shut and followed him out.

SD closed the door behind them and let out a sigh of relief. He checked his phone. Someone had sent him the payment of almost fifty thousand dollars from a private account and had instructed him specifically not to leak any information regarding Goo Soo Bin and his investigation on the Cartel. He was even told not to mention the box where all the data was hidden. 

It did not matter to him who sent the money and instructions. All he cared about was the payment.

….

"It was KJ," Ash said once they entered the car.

"KJ?" Mirae asked in astonishment. "Why would he stop SD from giving out information?"

"Because he found a clue," Ash said grimly. "He wanted to hide it from us."

"Why would he hide it from us?"

"Because KJ wants to find his parents' murderers on his own," Ash guessed. "I know him very well. He wants to get to the Cartel's President first."

"We're his friends!" Mirae exclaimed feeling outraged. "We broke into Hann Constructions for him! To retrieve this information! And he would not even inform us of what he found-"

"Mirae, he holds the key to his parents' deaths," Ash reasoned. "If you held a crucial piece of evidence regarding your parents' death, wouldn't you rather see the evidence yourself first? Even you looked for your parents' murderer on your own all these years. Every clue you heard of, you charged on alone to find it first."

Mirae was silent. He was right. KJ was probably holding a concrete piece of evidence. He would rather be the first one to see the evidence related to his parents' deaths. It was something he wanted to do alone.

"Give him time," Ash suggested. "Let him find the murderer. Once he finds them, he'll ask us for help. I know it. Don't worry. When the time comes, all we have to do is back him up."

"You're right," Mirae nodded. "We'll wait till he tells this to us himself. Till then, we'll pretend not to know."

Ash smiled and drove on. We will find those killers, Mirae promised.

By the time they reached the hotel, KJ and Hyun Jung had already checked out. They left a note that they were taking a flight back home. Deciding that there was no point in staying in Busan any longer, Ash and Mirae, too, set off towards Seoul.

….

"I'd still suggest you tell her everything," Hyun Jung said. They had boarded a plane back to Seoul.

"I will," KJ said. "But only after I figure out how to open this box. I want to see whatever is in there first. It has to be me."

Hyun Jung shook his head. His friend could be so darn stubborn at times.

"You're really an idiot," he commented.

"Excuse me?" KJ frowned.

"You want to do everything alone," Hyun Jung stated. "You wanted to suffer the loss of your teacher and grandfather alone. You went through meaningless sexual relationships all these years to hide your loneliness. You jumped in alone to save your friend."

He looked at KJ, scrutinizing him. "You're also suffering a major heartbreak all by yourself," he added.

KJ looked away. "What are you talking about?" he feigned ignorance.

"Oh please," Hyun Jung scoffed. "I've seen the way you look at the CEO of Abyss. A soft expression falls on your face. You're in love with her."

"No, I'm not," KJ lied. 

"I know you very well, Jiwon," Hyun Jung said. He had addressed KJ as Jiwon after many years. "You're in love with her. Hopelessly pining for something you can never have. I really wish you'd stop making yourself sad."

"Are you telling me to move on?" KJ asked quietly.

"No," Hyun Jung said. "I'm simply telling you not to suffer alone. Ask for help, express your feelings and let us know what you want. That's all I'm saying."

KJ reflected on the irony of his words. There was a time when he was not alone. How will he ever be able to explain that he had imposed this loneliness on himself?