Chapter 34.3

Studying abroad?

Not just somewhere in Asia, but in France of all places?

Come to think of it, back then I found a bank statement in Wang Ong-Gu’s pocket.

It had traces of him withdrawing large sums of money. Though the balance was only 30,000 won.

Just where on earth was the money coming from…

“Could it be…”

First there was an unexpected move by Wang Ong-Gu.

Then there’s the base of the Joongmae Gang being different from what I had recalled.

And for the tip-off to be called in before my pesticide, the Guma Gang, had gotten wind of it… Without hanging up the phone, I ordered Mong-Doo.

“Back! Turn the car around!”

“What? All of a sudden? Why?”

“Because this is a diversion. They’re planning on smuggling the missing persons to China while we’re all distracted.”

All the police officers that had been scattered across Incheon Port would now be heading to Changam Neighbourhood.

“What are you talking about? Are you sure?”

“I’m certain of it. It’s already been a week since the last incident. For these bastards who turn to kidnapping because they don’t have enough girls to force into prostitution, how could they not have been planning something? So along with the fact that the tip-off came up as such a surprise, something just doesn’t feel right.”

Shit. It’s so infuriating that I can’t just say that it’s because I ran a background check on Wang Ong-Gu.

Perhaps because Black shared the same difficulty in forming a good impression, but he seemed swift to sympathize with Wang Ong-Gu.

“…even so.”

“Also, since all the other teams are heading to the hospital anyway, it shouldn’t matter if we’re not there. Let’s go to Incheon Port. Please turn us around quickly!”

At my urgent tone, Mong-Doo bit down on his lip.

His eyes showed that he was just waiting for the Team Leader’s decision.

Silence choked the inside of the car.

“Newbie.”

The words fell from his lips with great weight.

“We’re trusting you.”

The actions I had shown, while solving all our cases until now, had allowed me to earn his trust.

I replied to him with confidence.

“Don’t worry about it. Really.”

“Okay. Even if we do end up being disciplined, then the newbie can just send us on a vacation.”

Laughing lightly, Mong-Doo spun the steering wheel.

To avoid the police cars that were following behind us, he agilely switched lanes.

A voice called out over the radio.

-Team Leader-nim. Where are you going?

“Hm. There’s something that we need to check. Go to the hospital ahead of us.

-Team Leader-nim? Team-

Turning off the radio, Team Leader rubbed his forehead.

“Fuck. If I get called up before the chief for this as well, I’ll be in for at least two black eyes for sure.”

“At that time, I’ll take your place.”

“Instead of that, just let me sock you a good one.”

Holding up the phone that I hadn’t yet turned off, I spoke into it.

“Ho-Un-ah. Are you listening?”

-Yep. Just say the word.

“Check the ships that are currently leaving Incheon Port and sailing to China, give me their destinations. Prioritize the ferries.”

-Hold on for one moment.

I could hear the faint sound of rapid typing.

-Weihai, Yantai, Qinhuangdao, Chaofeiden, Lushunkou-

Lushunkou.

That was it.

Since that was the location of most of Quodu’s activities, it was likely that both the Cheonyonghoe and the Joongmae Gang had ties there.

“The ship to Lushunkou. What time is it departing?”

-About an hour from now.

“An hour, you say…”

The timing was a little tight.

Fortunately, it was on the way to Cheongam Neighbourhood, so we should be able to arrive much earlier than that.

I met Mong-Doo’s eyes through the reflection in the rear mirror.

He nodded slightly, as if telling me not to worry.

Vrooom-

As the noise of the engine slowly rose, so did our speed.

Our worn-out police van was racing to Incheon port.

***

Squeal-

As soon as the car had stopped, without even taking the time to park properly, we leapt out and started running to the ferry.

The ship heading to Lushunkou was named the Newflower.

Contrary to its name, it was a ship that was showing the signs of its age all over its hull.

As we tried to push ahead of the passengers, the staff blocked our way.

“Whoa there. Excuse me, customers. We need to check your tickets first. And since all the other customers have been waiting here patiently, please refrain from cutting the line.”

Team Leader surreptitiously pulled out his police badge from his pocket.

He was being cautious because we couldn’t know how things would turn out if the Joongmae Gang found out that we were here.

Not only were the kidnapping victims at risk, it could also endanger the ordinary passengers.

“We’re the police. There’s been a tip-off that there’s a wanted person among your passengers. We’ll keep the search quiet, so please cooperate.

“Um… But we’ll have to depart soon.”

Seeing as this was a ship carrying hundreds of people, it meant that they had to strictly keep to the departure time.

Team Leader looked at me with an awkward expression.

Since there wasn’t any proof that the Joongmae Gang was on board, it was impossible to prematurely issue a ban on their departure.

However I couldn’t back down on my decision.