“I’m sorry.”
There was nothing to say in excuse to the person who had even stopped by a mart to buy water. Eunchan bowed his head and apologized again. Instead of answering, Inju raised his camera and filmed Eunchan looking exhausted. Even while being horrified at this, Eunchan didn’t avoid the camera.
“What are your next plans?”
Like an interviewer, Inju asked Eunchan. Eunchan pondered for a moment and then gestured with his chin toward the village hall. Now that he’d checked the land, it was time to find people. He put his hat back on, brushed himself off, and stood up. He’d planned to sleep at grandmother’s house, but it would be better to just get away quickly. Eunchan looked back at Inju.
“Can I sell your name some more?”
Since Myeongjin Construction was involved, Han Inju’s business card was no different from a cheat key for the investigation. Eunchan waited for Inju’s answer with anticipation.
“There’s no reason it can’t be done, but it won’t be helpful.”
“Isn’t the redevelopment project office here Myeongjin? If I say I came from Myeongjin, everyone will roll up their sleeves to help.”
Banners wishing and hoping for redevelopment were scattered everywhere. If they said a lawyer came from Myeongjin, the village chief would probably greet them barefoot.
“That’s exactly why they’ll be more careful.”
“Ah…”
It was a society even stricter toward outsiders. If they said they came from Myeongjin, most would only make up and tell good stories. Rather, it was natural they’d be reluctant to talk about Kim Noeul who had uncontraced land. Eunchan stared at Inju fiddling with his phone, then turned his head to look at the hall.
“If I impersonate a public official, do I go straight to prison?”
“It depends on the degree and damage.”
“Just to the extent of bluffing?”
Inju nodded in lieu of an answer. It was a plan that came to mind after seeing Inju’s attire today, but it seemed quite good.
“You’re from the National Tax Service?”
“Yes, I came for an investigation into long-term non-payers.”
At Han Inju’s confident tone, the community center employee looked flustered and glanced around.
“Ah, then I’ll bring the director. Just a moment.”
“No, you just need to confirm simple facts. I’d like your cooperation for a moment. Officer Park.”
Inju looked at the officer’s name tag and urged him to guide them. Then one or two public officials working nearby started to take interest and butt in.
“What are you here to investigate?”
“I came because there’s a tax problem related to the mansion on the mountain. It’s difficult to tell you more details.”
“Ah- that house? You mean the owner, right?”
“Yes.”
“We were just saying there are a lot of problems there because of the redevelopment. Officer Park, this is good, look into it this time.”
Fortunately, this place also seemed to be suffering from the mansion problem, so they didn’t seem to suspect much. Eunchan stood behind Inju, eavesdropping on the conversation and let out a sigh of relief.
“Let’s go this way. Is this person also from the National Tax Service?”
“Yes, I came as an assistant.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Officer Park, who guided them to a place like a break room located inside, had them sit on the sofa and then told them to wait while he brought documents.
“But doesn’t the owner all come out if you pull the registry? Why don’t they know who it is?”
“Because it’s under a corporation.”
“The house is owned by a corporation?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should have told me earlier, we didn’t need to come all the way here.”
“You said to come.”
“…”
Eunchan’s hands itched wanting to hit the lawyer who had a calm face. Even though he must have a lot of information that he’d already investigated, he didn’t easily show it. Eunchan swallowed an empty laugh and glared at Inju.
“What I want is Kim Noeul-ssi. Isn’t it Eunchan-ssi who thinks the mansion owner is related to Kim Noeul-ssi?”
“Isn’t that obvious? You said they’re the land donee. Then they’d be related to the mansion owner too.”
“The mansion owner and the land owner could be different.”
“…Ah, I see.”
He’d been greatly shocked by the mansion, and since it was a place he’d grown up in since childhood, he naturally judged that hyung could be Kim Noeul. He hadn’t wanted to find hyung, so he hoped Kim Noeul would be someone else.
I came for nothing and just stirred things up. Even if I were reborn, I couldn’t be a detective. Eunchan leaned back comfortably on the sofa and fanned himself with his hand.
But… wouldn’t they have to meet the landowner and contract with them to build the mansion anyway? Couldn’t they know each other? At the very least, there must have been a contract between them.
“Wouldn’t they have met the landowner when building the mansion? Ah! But you said you’re looking for the donee.”
There’s no need to know the original owner. The person we’re looking for is Kim Noeul, the donee who received the land. Eunchan rolled his head while asking and answering himself.
“Well. Since you said they’re from the same hometown, looking into the original owner would be helpful too.”
Like a teacher holding an answer sheet, Inju smiled at Eunchan.
“Can’t you just tell me?”
“Confidentiality is in the contract terms. However, it would be okay for Eunchan-ssi to find out on your own.”
“You make work really complicated.”
He’s taking a detour when we could go in one go. Eunchan rebuked him, but Inju, without any retort, held his phone up to Eunchan again.
“May I take a picture?”
“May you?”
I know you filmed me on video earlier while pretending to film the surrounding scenery. Eunchan frowned and hit Inju’s arm.
“You sold my name twice.”
“…Isn’t this case different? We came on a business trip together and worked hard to solve things.”
“Coming down from the mountain alone was harder than I thought. If it had been night, I probably would have been in distress.”
“Take the picture, go ahead. Film to your heart’s content.”
He even made a V with his hands and presented it in front of the lens. One, two, three – Inju counted and even set off the flash to take the picture. I’m sick of this, really. I should have left this request to the boss. Even though the three calamities had definitely ended, it was harder than last year.
“It’s better not to use the flash. This one came out blurry.”
“I thought I was going blind.”
Light still spread in his eyes. Eunchan crossed his arms and repeatedly closed and opened his eyes.
“You waited a long time, didn’t you? It took time to find the records.”
Inju was checking the photos he took and Eunchan was enthusiastically cursing the lawyer in his mind when Officer Park came in holding documents.
“I’d like to confirm the owner before the foundation corporation.”
“Uh… You mean Kim Heewon-ssi, right?”
Officer Park, who had placed the file folder on the desk and was turning the pages one by one, soon confirmed the name. Eunchan noted the name on his phone.
“When did it transfer to the foundation corporation?”
“The name was changed after Kim Heewon-ssi’s death.”
“When was that?”
“Uh… It wasn’t long ago, three years ago.”
Was it transacted with the corporation after death? No matter how much he searched his memory, there was no name Kim Heewon.
“After Kim Heewon-ssi’s death, it must have been transacted with the corporation?”
“We don’t really know that far either…”
“Then do you know anything about Kim Heewon-ssi?”
While Inju, who appeared to be the person in charge, sat quietly, Eunchan, who appeared to be the assistant, actively stepped forward, so Officer Park looked flustered but repeatedly looked at them alternately while returning answers.
“Well. The residents here would probably know better. We were transferred here…”
“I see.”
The mansion and the land seem to have no relation at all… Eunchan gestured to Inju and sent a signal to wrap things up.
“The land was also owned by Kim Heewon-ssi, so if you’d come earlier, you could have collected.”
Officer Park added like a sigh that if they’d been able to collect payment in kind, it would have helped with processing the redevelopment documents.
“Ah, the land is under Kim Noeul-ssi’s name.”
The person to find. Eunchan swept his hair back and answered.
“Kim Noeul-ssi? No, it’s not. Here…”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Let’s get up now.”
Inju, who stood up from his seat, grabbed Eunchan’s arm. Eunchan was surprised at the information he heard for the first time and shook off Inju to ask.
“Wait a moment. It’s not Kim Noeul-ssi?”
“No…”
At the definite answer that came back, Eunchan looked at Inju and asked.
“You said it was Kim Noeul.”
“Let’s talk outside.”
“But from whom are you collecting taxes…”
The three with different purposes couldn’t continue the conversation. Han Inju approached close to Eunchan’s face and whispered in his ear.
“You could be caught red-handed here for impersonating a public official.”
“…”
“Excuse me?”
We can’t talk here. With Eunchan and Inju suddenly becoming quiet, Officer Park looked puzzled and tried to gather their attention.
“Please speak.”
“Ah, may I ask what investigation you came to do? We’d like to contact Kim Haengbok-ssi too. The foundation corporation keeps being silent…”
“I came to confirm whether they’re actually residing there and whether they’ve visited. We’ll contact you soon in writing regarding related matters.”
Who’s Kim Haengbok now? Eunchan frowned at the new person revealed. Even though they were working together, something felt fishy – there was too much information being hidden.
Inju, who first requested the other party’s business card, roughly wrapped up the situation. Eunchan left the community center ahead of the two with a frustrated heart. He didn’t understand Han Inju’s intention. Who is Kim Heewon and what’s Kim Haengbok? Wasn’t the land donee Kim Noeul? Why is Myeongjin Construction looking for Kim Noeul, and what are they trying to do after finding them?
Since he didn’t know anything, only questions increased but he couldn’t get answers. It was certain he’d gotten involved in a strange job, but he couldn’t back out now. Just giving me shit work saying it’s not his job. He wanted to call the boss and curse him out to his heart’s content.
His mind was so disturbed that he desperately wanted the cigarettes he’d quit, but Inju’s appearance coming out opening the community center door looked leisurely and composed.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to? Don’t we have a lot to talk about?”
Eunchan, who blocked Inju who was taking out his car keys, opened his mouth irritably.
