Chapter 154

A Trap for the Worm (3)

Although she tried to gloss over it, in truth, her words were a rejection.

If it was an ordinary orphanage, they would probably have already grabbed my hand in agreement and started thanking me.

Since it meant that their operation could continue as it was, but with money now flowing in regularly.

Even when you considered what was best for the children, it was better to accept the proposal.

“That’s very unusual.”

By showing confusion in the tone of my voice, I goaded her.

This should be quite flustering for her. As the money laundering that she had carried out behind closed doors was almost in danger of being exposed.

I put down my teacup and stood up.

“Well. Each individual may have their own circumstances. In any case, please consider it with an open mind, and allow me to take my leave first. I will be sure to visit again.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

Leaving the meeting with Jin Hwa-An behind us, Chief Kim and I climbed into the car.

His heart appeared to have still been pounding up to now, as Chief Kim let out a deep sigh as soon as he sat down.

Then, as if escaping from a den of evil, the car quickly pulled out of the orphanage.

Chief Kim shot a resentful look at me through the rearview mirror.

“Are police officers allowed to do things like that?”

“It’s because I’m a police officer that I can do things like that.”

“Phew. Where should I take you?”

While undoing my stuffy necktie, I ordered him.

“Do you need to ask? The police station, of course.”

***

At the offices of the Crime Division.

While putting our heads together, the members of our team looked at the photos on my handphone.

Aeryuwon and The Thrifty Grocery Store. Then The Thrifty Grocery Store and the Joongmae Gang.

Although it was faint, there were definitely signs of a connection between them.

“Our opportunity has arrived. ‘The Thrifty Grocery Store’, I looked it up and it’s nothing but a shell company. If they’re getting money from there, then there’s definitely something suspicious going on.”

“Let’s just sweep them all up in one go and wipe them out.”

Team Leader and Black were speaking in aggravated voices.

“If we can catch these guys, then that’s it. It won’t matter whether or not that bastard Wi Yeon-Gil spills the beans. Since we can just reel them in like a line of sausages.”

“That’s right! Since we’re just wasting our taxes by paying for their hospital, we should quickly ship them off to China.”

Contrary to the excited duo, Mong-Du looked through the photos slowly and carefully.

“Hold on a moment. I don’t think we should rush into this so quickly.”

“Oh? Why not?”

At Black’s question, Mong-Doo searched his desk and brought back the list of missing persons.

Although more than half of them had been matched with DNA obtained from the abandoned hospital, there were still many of them whose whereabouts were unknown.

And among these, there were also children.

“After listening to Newbie’s story, doesn’t something seem a bit suspicious. Doesn’t it seem abnormal for the Joongmae Gang to use an orphanage to launder their dirty money? And with kids coming in as soon as they go out, that goes double for their adoption cycle as well.”

“I’ve also had the same thoughts as Mong-Doo-hyungnim.”

At our words, Black’s face twisted into a frown.

Just thinking about it brought up some cruel and appalling ideas.

“You think that this has something to do with human trafficking?”

“There should also be organ trafficking on top of that. Judging from how the pictures and personal history files were stored together, it’s highly likely.”

The atmosphere suddenly became very heavy.

Although I didn’t want to believe it, there was no reason for me to believe otherwise.

“In a short while, another child will be up for adoption. Her name is So-Yeon, and it’s said that she’s going abroad as well.”

I had received her detailed schedule in a text message from Sang-Beom.

So-Yeon’s adoption had been confirmed, and tomorrow she would be leaving for the airport from the orphanage.

“In any case, the real ledgers should be at their base, so let’s try following them.”

Since most of their operation had run on cash, the ledgers definitely existed.

And the money that they had slipped to Wang Ong-Gu should be recorded there as well.

Of course, if it seemed like she was being sent directly to a family in France, then further investigation would be needed.

“Ok. If that’s the case, we need to report to the superiors-”

“Just a moment.”

I interrupted Team Leader as he was speaking.

Then I carefully brought up a core issue with this investigation.

“Before that, there’s something that I need to bring up and go over in detail.”

“What’s that?”

“…in our station, it seems like there’s someone who’s in league with Joongmae gang.”