Chapter 208 - Rescue (5): Now or Never

Riggs arrived at the Kwon mansion early next morning. Upon entering the house, he was directed towards the living room. Eli, Hyun Jung and a masked N2 were already seated there. 

Eli stared in surprise when she saw Captain Kim there. 

"Captain?" 

She looked around to face Hyun Jung but he was not surprised to see the Captain there. "Is he with Abyss too?" she asked him. 

"Yes," Hyun Jung replied. "I've known it since he voluntarily gave me this information during Madam Hong's interrogation." 

"Are there more members of Abyss in the police force?" Eli asked. 

"Yes, Detective Eli," Riggs said. "Only I know their real identities since I personally trained them." 

Eli marveled at the reach of Abyss. They had deep rooted secrets and spies throughout the country. 

Noticing Eli's confusion, N2 said, "Young lady, don't dwell in useless things. We have more pressing matters in hand." 

"Uh yes!" she said. "More urgent matters." 

Just then, KJ came downstairs followed by Mirae, who was holding a laptop. 

Once they settled down, Mirae turned to Eli. "Eli, you've been inside that building right?" she asked. 

"Just once," she nodded. "It was heavily guarded. They didn't let me investigate much since I didn't have a search warrant."

"I'll have one issued," Riggs said. "They have obviously hidden him away safely and you won't find him easily. What we need you to do is memorize the floors and number of guards per floor. Can you do that?" 

"Yes, I think so," she said. 

"Also, if it's a guarded facility, then they must have used medications to subdue Goo Soo Bin," N2 chipped in. "Make sure you bring in some samples from the doctor's chamber. Doesn't have to be all. A few would do."

Eli nodded. "If you notice anything unusual," Mirae said. "Don't forget to mention it. This operation requires you to completely memorize everything. I'm sure they will either confiscate your phone or erase the memories in it. Besides, it will be risky to use your phone." 

"I understand," Eli stated. Even though she was nervous, she was determined to be successful in this mission. 

"Thank you Ms. Lee for doing this," KJ said. "But if you feel even for a second that you're in danger there, then leave. Don't endanger your life." 

"I will," Eli promised. "But what if we get caught?" 

"You are only going there as a cop," KJ stressed. "Do not do anything else. Simply look around, memorize the essentials and get out of there. We'll go and rescue him some other day after making a proper plan." 

"But-" 

"Eli, it's very important that you don't get caught," Mirae said. "You're the only one who knows that place. Which is why we have to send you. But with the high security there, we can't communicate with you much. Which is why we're asking you not to be rash." 

A ginger cat trotted into the room. It leapt on Mirae's lap, observing the guests. Mirae stroked its fur as she went on, "There's a chance that Ziko will be informed of your arrival. If he panics, then he will move Goo Soo Bin elsewhere by tomorrow. So once you memorize the floor plan, we will make our move tonight." 

Eli nodded. Hyun Jung patted her head. "All the best, maknae," he said. "We're counting kn you." 

…. 

Dasom was toying with his phone. He was immensely bored. Even his favorite timepass, the lady detective was not around. For some reason, he found her extremely entertaining. 

But lately, she was preoccupied with other work. She even had to switch out on her duties to protect him. 

"It's so boring," he complained. He was at a secluded shooting spot with his crew. The director had scouted this place because it was near an abandoned medical facility. His upcoming drama was going to shoot a chase sequence with that building in the background. 

"Dasom!" the director called out. "Your shot is ready!" 

He sighed in frustration. Ever since EXOTIC broke up, his schedule was packed with drama shooting. It had been a while since he sang a song and he was itching to sing again. 

But the dramas kept him so busy that he could not even talk to his friends properly. He really missed KJ and Jinhyun. Also, if he was being honest, he missed Ash as well. Even though it was impossible, he, too, wished for a reunion of EXOTIC. The disbandment was hard for him because EXOTIC was his means to escape his domineering family. 

And now, without EXOTIC, it was hard for him to reevaluate his life. Even with a packed schedule, he felt empty and lost, as if someone had taken away his will to live. 

But the show must go on. It was, after all, their philosophy. 

He stood up and headed towards his vanity trailer to get dressed before resuming his work. 

For the next three hours, he was continuously shooting. The chase scene was tricky to film as it needed fast actions and precise driving. It was Dasom's first action packed drama and he was exhausted by the re-shoots. 

Finally, the director yelled, "Break!" 

Dasom's team immediately swarmed him to fix his make up. "When is the next shot?" he asked one of his assistants. 

"After lunch, sir," he replied. Dasom waved off his team and headed back to his van. He was hungry so he thought of getting food delivered to the spot.

He took out his phone only to realize there was no signal. 

"Great," he muttered. He held it high, walking ahead to get a signal. He was so immersed in looking for signals, that he did not realize where he was going. 

Finally, he got a full bar. He was about to dial the restaurant's number when he noticed that he was standing near the abandoned facility. 

Even during daytime, it was an eerie place which was giving him the creeps. The building looked desolated yet, it looked clean. The windows were locked up but even from a distance, Dasom could tell that the panes were cleaned regularly. After living for many years with KJ, even he could tell when a place was being taken care of. The walls were stained but not worn out like many old buildings. There was something odd about this place.

He was standing behind a wall, a few steps away from the entrance when he saw two guards there. 

He frowned. Wasn't this place supposed to be abandoned? He wondered. Why were there guards protecting it? 

Dasom was about to shrug it off when he saw a familiar figure approaching the building. 

It was Eli.