A. Murder

The commissioner nodded. "Even more important than your life."

Shinsuke almost burst out laughing at the words his boss said. Holding back a smile, he said a little, "That's too much."

"Are you saying I'm exaggerating?"

"Not. Not you, but your words."

Not without reason Shinsuke said so. Shinsuke's boss always said the same thing to him or maybe to all his colleagues if they were given a mission.

***

Inspector Lee and Rae-Ah arrive at the co-hosts party. They were both invited to a small party.

Inspector Lee is undressed, and he takes Rae-ah's hand as he walks towards the owner of the party, past the dozens of guests.

"Look at our police pair! Good evening and welcome."

It was Seung-chan who greeted the two. He wasn't a party owner, but he was quite close to the person hosting the party. Because they are both in the same division. So do Rae-ah and Inspector Lee.

The sweet boy bowed deeply to his senior, "Senior Moo has been looking for Nuna for a long time. He said the party wouldn't be complete without Nuna."

*Nuna = sister

Rae-ah glances at Inspector Lee. She smiled sarcastically then. The man carried Rae-ah, stepped past the greeter who was smiling broadly, we don't know what he meant.

There was a long table there, filled with food and cakes. The party fan approached the couple. It's also his birthday.

"Finally, you've arrived, sweetie."

His name is Moo Tae Gu. He is also one of the inspectors in the Republic of Korea police. He is almost forty and unmarried. He is often rumored to be close to Rae-ah. Call them friendly. Their closeness also inevitably makes Inspector Lee sometimes feel annoyed.

"Yes, and she is with me, her lover." Inspector Lee said relax and hit the mark.

This made Inspector Moo look straight at Inspector Lee, who was grinning sharply. Rae-ah asks permission to enjoy the meal because she is so tempted by all that is served on the long table.

After Rae-Ah left, Moo Tae Gu said, "Sometimes I wonder why she chose you. No matter where you look, you don't deserve it."

If it weren't for being in the middle of a party, Inspector Lee would have shown his fighting prowess. Only because of ethics he refrained from beating Moo Tae Gu.

"Yeah, that's life. Sometimes as unpredictable as heart. I'm even more surprised as to why he could accept you in the midst of your . . . how should I put it, Moo?"

Inspector Moo's two dangling hands were tightly clenched. He vowed in his heart that when the time came, he would destroy whatever was owned by the commissioner's beloved.

"Alright, I'll catch up with my sweety first. Excuse me."

Inspector Lee rammed his shoulder against Inspector Moo's. Since the first there was created a ledge between them. Cold war and fighting for Rae-ah's attention.

***

The conversation with the commissioner left Shinsuke in a dilemma. It bothered him. He didn't know how to say goodbye to his wife. He wasn't there for a while. His hunch said so. It wasn't a matter of time, he just didn't know how to put it. Considering that he seemed angry, Shinsuke was too aware of that. Since the girl was 7 years old, it was Shinsuke who took care of her. Shinsuke also witnessed his birth. Of course the man knew what caused the woman to change.

"I don't want to die being hated by you, Kid."

That's their problem. Even though Shinsuke had married her, he couldn't treat her as a wife, but as a child.

Naomi's face crossed her mind. She had to put an end to her stupidity before curses befell him. Despite looking dashing, Shinsuke was still afraid of the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

***

Praang!!

Kya....!"

I flinched at the sound of broken glass and the sound of people screaming. I was surprised to see something fell from the roof of the apartment.

Not something, but someone.

Without thinking I immediately ran towards the place of someone who had fallen who was now lying face down. Blood was flowing from her head and not far from her body were broken glass and eyeglass frames. Not far from the body there is also a guardrail.

I saw the unreadable look on her face. There is fear, trauma, and tension.

"Quickly call an ambulance!" I shouted. One of them took his cell phone, while two people not far from me pointed their index finger at the roof with frightened faces.

"A-murderer!"

I looked up and was surprised! Impossible!

KENKYO.

***

"Ji-san!!"

The sailor-clad girl hugged me as soon as I got to the police station.

*Ji-san = uncle

"You'll be fine. Trust me, Kenkyo-chan." I patted her shoulder lightly.

"But, I'll be staying the night here. I'm afraid ji-san."

She whined, but I couldn't help it. She's a suspect though I'm sure she wasn't the culprit.

"Just last night, you don't have to be afraid. I'll investigate it so you can be released. Got it? Be a good boy. Yes? I'll treat you to ice cream later, how about it?"

I coaxed her while giving her a smile. I saw her smile and nod.

"Smart kids."

I rubbed her head.

***

I returned to Kenkyo's apartment. Precisely the scene of the murder tragedy took place. He's the top roof of the apartment.

This is indeed a murder case, but somehow the perpetrator made the victim fall from the roof, making it look like he was committing suicide, but because Kenkyo was there, the perpetrator changed his plans, making Kenkyo the killer because he knows sooner or later, the police will find evidence that this case is not a suicide, but a homicide.

Bolt. The guardrail that fell was not because it was weathered. Judging from the paint that didn't peel off then there were several missing bolts, in other words the bolts were intentionally removed so that with just a light touch they immediately fell.

I think the real culprit was the one who first shouted at Kenkyo as the perpetrator. Because when people focus on Kenkyo, I see him taking something from the crime scene. But that's just a guess, I'll investigate further

Alright, looks like duty is calling me.

Ah, I haven't introduced the name yet.

My name is Takahashi Shinsuke. Police licensed detective. I am officially registered as a law enforcement officer. I'm the secret police.

***

Knock, knock, knock.

"Kaa-san, just come in." I said to the mother who was standing at the door. A pair of black-rimmed glasses adorned her eyes.

Mother of mixed blood. Her father is a South Korean citizen Surnamed Park. Her mother, aka my grandmother, is Japanese, Ainu. Before marriage, mother's name was Park Yumi. But after marrying Takahashi Ryosuke aka my father, my mother's name changed to Takahashi Yumi. My mother and I are of mixed blood. And the world knows, both South Korea and Japan adhere to ius sanguis. So, which country are we citizens of? bipatride or multipatride? Oh what's the name.

"Kaa-san heard from otou-san, Kenkyo-chan is staying at his office."

Oh, so now dad is mom's gossiping buddy? Being the wife of a police chief lets my mother know who goes in and out of the police station.

*Okaa-san = mother

*Otou-san = father

I nodded, my gaze still on the paper containing the victim's data file that I knew named Tamaki.

Mother approached me who was still struggling with the file.

"Ryosuke-kun okaa-san isn't home today? Why bother me?"

I teased mom a bit by greeting my dad with 'Ryosuke-kun okaa-san'

Mother pinched my waist.

"Sleep! It's late." Mother rubbed my shoulder.

"Hmm, soon." I said.

silence. I saw my mother looking at my portrait scattered all over the room. Occasionally playing with her glasses.

"Okaa-san looks old with those glasses." I broke the silence.

"Okaa-san is indeed old. Okaa-san's youngest child is already an uncle."

Hey! So, my jokes were returned, eh?

"Kaa-san~" I whined.

Mom laughed, rubbing my head.

I'm thirty-one years old. What's wrong? Isn't that still young?

"Oyasuminasai, Shinsuke-kun." Mom said after stopping laughing.

"Oyasumi kaa-san." I answered.

Then mom came out of my room. And, ah so that's it huh?

This trick...? The tricks used by the perpetrators are really interesting. Arigatou, Kaa-san. Even though kaa-san doesn't look pretty with glasses, but because kaa-san is wearing them, I know the tricks that the culprit uses.

Correct!

With this trick, without pushing the victim's body, the victim will subconsciously lean his body against the guardrail. The perpetrator does not need to be near the victim to bring the victim down. And if my guess is right, the evidence is in the bodies of the corpses.

But, damn. I already know who the perpetrators of Tamaki's murder are, but the available evidence can't prove that that person is the culprit. Besides, I don't know the motive for this murder yet.