The Fifth Case (5)

The woman's face breaks into a wide grin. "That's Sang-chul now," she says, rising from her seat. "He's back from the store."

I hear footsteps on the stairs, growing louder as they approach the door. And then, with a click of the lock, the door swings open, revealing the man himself.

Oh Sang-chul stands in the doorway, a bag of groceries in one hand and a surprised expression on his face. He's tall and broad-shouldered, with a rugged, handsome face that seems at odds with the darkness I sense lurking beneath the surface.

"Who's this?" he asks, his eyes narrowing as he takes in my presence.

I step forward, extending my hand in greeting. "Officer Park, from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Department. I was hoping to ask you a few questions, Mr. Oh."

Oh's gaze flickers to his wife, then back to me. For a moment, I see a flash of something in his eyes, a hint of the anger and violence that I know lies buried within him.