#45

It seems we’ve passed the biggest hurdle.

“Yes. It does seem that way. You’ve worked hard.”

A hearty laugh came through the receiver.

I’m really glad the results are good. There are still many challenges ahead, but since we’ve overcome the biggest one, things should go well.

“Of course. I will do my best to avoid any mistakes.”

Oh, thank you. We will also do our utmost to ensure that your sacrifices are not in vain.

Detective Oh spoke in a firm tone.

Talking like this with you makes it feel like the end is really close. It should feel refreshing, but I don’t know why I feel so sad.

The moment I heard the word “end,” my throat tightened. It was something I had wanted so much, yet instead of jumping for joy, I felt lost. Once this was over, I would only have to run towards the real end. The end I truly desired. Death. But why did I feel no joy at all? I looked at the man sitting in the car.

…Right? Director, Director? Did we get cut off?

I hadn’t heard a word Detective Oh had said.

Director?

“Ah, yes. The signal must be weak; it keeps cutting out.”

It’s probably because it’s rural there. Anyway, you just need to correct the problematic ledger by the day after tomorrow.

“Yes. I will do that.”

The ledger was the evidence. The person who created that ledger was Lee Sun-jae, and he was also the one who encrypted it. If Lee Sun-jae could prove it, then Lee Seok-du and several other high-ranking officials would be summoned one after another. Whether they received appropriate punishment was another matter, but that was not Tae-heun’s concern.

While the summoning procedures were underway, Tae-heun could leave the country with the new ID and passport he had been given. All testimonies were to be conducted in writing or on video, and even if he had to stand in court, there was nothing to fear.

Having worked on the ledger alone for over ten years, proving it would be a piece of cake. That was how it should be. But recalling a mistake from the last time made it seem not so simple. An unconscious prank, or rather, a mistake. I had no idea when I might repeat the same mistake again. If mistakes were repeated, the ledger’s credibility as evidence would be questioned. No matter how inferior they were, they were still people who made a living with numbers. It was obvious how they would interpret frequent mistakes from the opponent. Just thinking about it made me feel a chill. My hand holding the phone was damp.

Tae-heun looked at the man. Seeing him calmed his anxious heart. As if he had no regard for Tae-heun’s feelings, the man didn’t even pretend to eavesdrop on the call. He simply sat silently, staring at the scenery across from him.

Please show some interest. I’m right here, and where are you looking?

I sent a childish telepathic message to the man. It was unlikely to get through.

I’ll drop by soon. Let’s have a drink together.

“Yes. That sounds good.”

After closing the folder with my chin, I wiped my damp palm on my pants.

Tae-heun opened the passenger door. The man turned around. The radio was quite loud. He had intentionally turned up the volume to avoid hearing the conversation. Such unnecessary thoughtfulness.

“Do you smoke?”

Tae-heun asked.

“…No.”

“Not at all?”

“I used to smoke, but I quit because it’s not good for the kid. Why, do you have a cigarette?”

Saying this, he rummaged through the glove box and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. It was Marlboro Lights. About half of it was empty, and in the empty space was a disposable lighter.

“Why do you have cigarettes if you don’t smoke?”

“Yong-jun often leaves them behind.”

“I see.”

Tae-heun stood and took a cigarette from the pack, putting it in his mouth. He pulled the flint on the lighter with his hand but didn’t bring the flame to it. Then, with the cigarette in his mouth, he got into the passenger seat.

“In the car….”

“I won’t smoke. I’ll just hold it.”

“Okay.”

The man started the car.

* * *

After parting with the man, I headed to the abandoned house. I was supposed to work on the ledger that Detective Oh had requested, but I couldn’t concentrate at all. At first, it was because I was upset about my mistake, and later, it was because I was preoccupied with thoughts of my own funeral the next day.

Lee Sun-jae’s funeral would be held at a university hospital and would last for three days. That was all Detective Oh had informed me. Tae-heun let his imagination run wild.

Since Lee Seok-du was Lee Sun-jae’s registered father, Lee Hyun-jun, his older brother, would receive the guests in place of Lee Seok-du. Regardless of how he felt inside, he would at least put on a somber expression. Being the showman he was, he might even cry. Lee Sun-jae’s biological parents, brother, and sister would probably take a step back and be treated no differently than anyone else. By the way, who would receive Lee Sun-jae’s life insurance payout? I was curious about everything.

As evening approached, the man came to pick me up from the abandoned house.

“Are you there? Are you there?”

The man knocked politely on the front door and called out.

I had just finished wrapping up my work and was writing an email. I hadn’t expected the man to come, and I was so happy that I almost burst through the front door, which was covered with black plastic. I barely regained my composure and went out the back to open the kitchen door and ran out.

“I’m here!”

I shouted, fearing the man might leave without seeing me. At the same time, I swung open the front door. Perhaps he had expected me to take a little longer, as the man stepped back in surprise.

“Why are you so surprised? I’m just really happy to see you.”

When I grumbled, the man awkwardly tapped the floor with his slippers.

“Um, aren’t you having dinner?”

“I should eat. But how did you know I was here?”

I asked, then realized.

“I must have mentioned it before I left.”

This time, I felt awkward and scratched my eyebrow. The man’s gaze fell on the cigarette hanging from my finger.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I was smoking while working.”

I hurriedly flicked the end of the cigarette to put it out.

“Does it smell a lot?”

“Yes.”

“Oh no. Ji-hye will hate it. I’m almost done, so I’ll head down right away. I have clothes to change into. I’ll change and come down.”

I spoke rapidly, even though there was no rush.

The man quietly looked at me and smiled faintly, as if he could see through me.

“I’ll wait. Come down.”

“Yes. I’ll really follow right away.”

The man turned and walked down the alley.

I should have invited him in.

Even though there was nothing to show him, wouldn’t he have been curious? I felt sorry for leaving him standing at the front door so late. And I was grateful. Grateful that he had come to find me and invited me to dinner.

I smiled to myself, overwhelmed with emotion. I barely managed to calm my excited heart and sent three faxes in order. After confirming that the faxes had gone through, I turned off the lamp and fluorescent light. Leaving behind the scattered ledgers, memos, and disposable paper cups from drinking water and coffee, I exited the abandoned house.

My troubled heart regained its composure as if nothing had happened. Until I heard the phone ring. It was a sound coming from the abandoned house. Was there a problem with the email I had just sent? Had I made another mistake? A chill ran down my spine. Tae-heun dashed back to the abandoned house.

* * *

A dangerously bold proposal had come in. Were public officials this daring? I was impressed. Tae-heun was planning to go to Seoul tomorrow.

“Hey! What are you doing messing with food!”

Brought back to reality by the child’s nagging, Tae-heun looked at the mangled fried egg.

The man sitting across from him looked at Tae-heun with a worried expression.

“Um, is it not to your taste?”

“No. I was just thinking about something for a moment.”

Tae-heun was enjoying the kimchi stew the man had carefully prepared. The kimchi stew, which was his least favorite after the soybean paste stew, went down easily. He wanted to tell the man how delicious it was and how well he had cooked it, but his mind had wandered elsewhere, and he missed the moment to compliment him.

The man seemed to think that the food he made didn’t suit Tae-heun’s taste. He wondered if he had messed up the fried egg and looked at his own and the child’s.

“It’s really delicious. Truly.”

No matter how much Tae-heun insisted, the man didn’t seem to believe him.

“It’s a bit salty. I think I might have put in a little less water.”

“Dad, it’s delicious. Not salty at all!”

The child interjected. Giving a thumbs up, he exclaimed, “Dad is the best!” and expressed his admiration. At the same time, he looked at Tae-heun with white eyes. His lips twitched, as if he might curse at any moment. Tae-heun winked at the child, mouthing “Sorry.”

“Hey! Why did you do that earlier?”

The child asked while watching TV in the living room as the man was outside.

“I was just thinking about something for a moment.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“A secret.”

The child pouted.

“Hey! Didn’t you think the kimchi stew Dad made was bad?”

His voice was dejected.

“No. It was delicious.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Can you swear to it?”

“Of course. Where should I swear?”

Tae-heun immediately raised his pinky finger.

“That’s enough.”

The child turned his gaze back to the TV.

“Why? Does it sound like a lie?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not! It was really delicious.”

“It’s okay. I thought it was delicious.”

The child made a rather firm expression.

“That kimchi stew was made from the first kimchi Dad pickled. Originally, we used to get it for free, but since last year, Dad has been making it himself. It was made using a special recipe that the best kimchi-making grandmother in our neighborhood taught only to Dad. Next year, he’s going to make young radish kimchi himself.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. This year, I’m going to help Dad with the kimjang.”

“That’s impressive. Our Ji-hye.”

Tae-heun felt proud of the child as if he were his own. He smiled, imagining the man stacking salted cabbage and kneading the seasoning while wearing pink rubber gloves.

“Um… Would you like to join us, Uncle?”