The Seventh Case (4)

I lean back in my chair, rubbing my tired eyes as the CCTV footage plays on the screen before me. The dim light of the monitoring room casts a blue glow on my fellow detectives' faces as we scrutinize every frame.

"There," I point, leaning forward as a familiar figure appears on screen. "That's Min-seo leaving the hospital."

We watch as she hurries out, her movements jerky with panic, and flags down a taxi. The timestamp in the corner matches her story perfectly.

Detective Kim, seated to my right, frowns. "But where are the men who brought her? They should be in that car in the parking lot."

I nod slowly, a knot forming in my stomach. "You're right. Let's rewind and watch it from the beginning."

We play the footage back, watching as a car pulls into the parking lot. Min-seo gets out, along with an injured man. Two other men remain in the car. We see medical staff come out to assist, and Min-seo accompanies the injured man inside.