The Eighth Case (8)

I enter the stark interrogation room, file in hand, and take a seat across from Jae-hoon. He sits motionless, his gaze fixed on the table between us. The silence is heavy, punctuated only by the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.

"Jae-hoon," I begin, keeping my voice steady and professional, "I'm going to ask you some questions now. Remember, you have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present. Do you understand these rights?"

He nods almost imperceptibly, still not looking up.

I open the file, laying out some photographs. "Can you tell me where you were on the evening of March 15th?"

For a moment, there's no response. Then, as if a switch has been flipped, Jae-hoon's demeanor changes dramatically. He looks up, his eyes wide and brimming with tears.