The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 14

Prosecutor, You’re Going Places! – Episode 14 (14/341)

Negotiation (3)

No matter how bold Im Seong-jin or his associates are, they wouldn’t attempt anything as reckless as assassination or terrorism within the prosecutor’s office itself.

Seeing the inscription ‘To: Inspector Choi Seo-jun, Inspection Department’ on the recipient line, it’s clear the sender is aware of my current assignment.

Even if they don’t know I’ve been officially assigned to the Inspection Department, they know I’m collaborating with them.

I turned to Jo Ara and asked, “If you received it in the lobby, there wouldn’t be a separate record of the delivery, would there?”

“No, usually quick service or deliveries don’t leave an official record. The delivery person was also in plain clothes.”

This is definitely suspicious.

“Just in case, please check with the lobby.”

“Understood.”

After Jo Ara went to the lobby, I put on gloves, deciding to examine the envelope carefully.

At that moment, my phone vibrated.

Buzz, buzz.

The unique vibration indicating an incoming text message.

I put down the envelope and checked my phone.

– Sender: 29

– Photo

Immediately, I zoomed in on the photo.

The photo filling the screen was an ID card.

A prosecutor’s office ID card, no less.

At the bottom, it clearly stated ‘Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office,’ and above it was the name ‘Yoon Seol-ha’ in three letters, along with her photo.

It looked like a high-quality scan of the front of the ID card.

A name I’m seeing for the first time.

Who is she?

She’s quite beautiful.

But it’s not a face I immediately recognize.

It doesn’t feel completely unfamiliar, so I might have seen her in passing.

If I could see the back of the photo, I could find out her affiliation and rank, but unfortunately, the only photo sent was the front.

The vibration occurred when I touched this envelope, so is she connected to this?

I put down my phone and immediately tore open the envelope, and numerous photos and documents spilled out.

Judging by a quick glance, it seems to be related to corruption.

After examining the documents for a while, I could confirm one common thread.

It’s definitely evidence that money was exchanged, but the names of the people who gave and received the bribes are missing.

It’s evidence of corruption, but in reality, it’s half-baked evidence that can’t be readily used in court.

The photos are the same.

They show people arm in arm with women entering hotels or motels, but all were taken from behind, so the faces are unidentifiable.

Even so, I had a feeling who the main subject in the photos was as soon as I saw them.

Im Seong-jin.

This isn’t a threat or assistance.

Clearly, there’s something they want.

When I searched the envelope again, a note hidden deep inside popped out.

– Tonight at midnight, Sayuksin Park, Uijeolsa Shrine [Shrine dedicated to the six martyred ministers of the Joseon Dynasty]

A chuckle escaped me.

If I want to use this half-baked evidence properly, come and meet me, is that it?

There’s no way Im Seong-jin’s side would leak this information.

Even though it’s not valid as evidence, it’s evidence that leaves enough room for investigation and potential leads.

Clearly, it’s a force opposed to him.

Someone who wants something from me.

If I can get solid evidence, I’m willing to meet.

No, rather, I should be the one to meet.

At that moment, the door opened, and Jo Ara, who had gone down to the lobby, returned.

“Prosecutor, I checked, but they didn’t leave a separate record. I also checked the entrance CCTV, and it was a motorcycle without a company logo. I checked the license plate number; should I track it down?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

She checked the license plate number with CCTV without me even asking.

She’s definitely different from the officials in the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office.

I can see why Shin Yong-ho said she has a good sense.

“No, it’s okay. Instead, please check on one person.”

“A person?”

I was about to show her the photo on my phone, but I caught myself and said it instead.

“It’s a woman in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.”

“Is she a prosecutor?”

“I don’t know for sure. I’m not sure, but she’s probably a prosecutor’s office employee.”

If she were a prosecutor, she wouldn’t have given me information like this.

Then, there’s a high probability that she’s a prosecutor’s office employee.

Jo Ara doesn’t have the authority to directly access personnel information, but she used to work at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office before being assigned to me, so she’ll be able to find it quickly through her connections.

“If you check the prosecutor’s office employees and it doesn’t come up, check the prosecutors too. Her name is Yoon Seol-ha.”

Hearing the name, Jo Ara widened her eyes and asked back.

“Yoon Seol-ha?”

“Do you know her?”

I might be able to find her faster than I thought.

Jo Ara nodded.

“Yes. If it’s Yoon Seol-ha, a level 7 assistant clerk, I know her.”

Nice!

Things are getting easier than expected.

“Tell me everything you know.”

“She’s an investigator under Chief Prosecutor Im Seong-jin in the Economic Crimes Investigation Department.”

Wait a minute, she’s under Im Seong-jin?

There’s a possibility it’s a trap.

Even though his situation is precarious, Im Seong-jin is someone who will struggle in any way he can.

Wait a minute, if it’s the Economic Crimes Investigation Department, it’s the same department as Jo Ara.

She must know more.

“What’s her disposition like?”

“I heard that if she has a task, she’ll do anything to accomplish it. So other prosecutors were quite interested in her.”

She’ll do anything to accomplish it.

That means she’s an ideal subordinate.

“Is her relationship with Im Seong-jin okay?”

“Yoon Seol-ha is perfect in terms of work, so there are no problems in terms of work, but I heard that their personal relationship isn’t very good. There’s also a rumor that Im Seong-jin has a weakness of hers and is using it to control her.”

“If she’s being controlled…”

Jo Ara closed her mouth.

Considering Im Seong-jin’s personality, I can guess even without hearing it.

He must have made her do things for his own personal gain.

In this case, the probability is fifty-fifty.

Is she still being controlled and doing this, or is she helping me to get out of being controlled?

I have to meet her. I have to meet her and talk to her to find out.

“Is there anything else I need to know?”

Jo Ara glanced at the documents scattered on my desk and said.

“It’s best not to trust her easily.”

“Why?”

“As I said before, she always does what the higher-ups tell her to do. It’s best not to do anything that can be used against you.”

“She always does what the higher-ups tell her to do…”

I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“Then, if I bring her under my command, she’ll be the best investigator.”

Jo Ara smiled, as if she understood my intention.

“This is also a great opportunity for Yoon Seol-ha to no longer be controlled by Im Seong-jin.”

***

An officetel [A building with both office and residential units] in Gangseo-gu.

It was located quite far from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, likely to avoid being noticed.

It seems to be a place used for secret meetings like today.

As I went inside, Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young was waiting for me alone.

“Hello, I’m Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office.”

He smiled leisurely and held out his hand.

“The prosecutor who will be entering the Inspection Department of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office in just a few days is from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office.”

As expected of a chief prosecutor, he seems to have heard the news in advance.

I bowed my head and shook his hand with both hands, and he guided me to the sofa.

Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young personally made two cups of hot coffee and brought them to the table.

“Thank you.”

He took a sip of coffee and opened his mouth.

“My subordinates have caused a lot of trouble for Prosecutor Choi.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? You’re just doing what you have to do. If there are rotten branches, it’s right to cut them off, right?”

That nonchalant attitude.

A different atmosphere from Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-won, who exudes an overwhelming aura.

I can feel the ease just by exchanging a few words.

You can tell that he’s in a high position as the head of the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office.

Even though he’s speaking softly, I have a feeling that he’s subtly controlling the situation.

After a moment of silence, he crossed his legs and asked me.

“I wonder what made our Prosecutor Choi want to meet me?”

I don’t want to beat around the bush, so I went straight to the point.

“Im Seong-jin, do you have to save him?”

He didn’t change his expression and brought the coffee cup to his mouth.

“I can’t just abandon someone who is loyal to me.”

Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young took a sip of coffee and continued.

“But if you can’t save him, it’s right to give up. It seems that our Prosecutor Choi really wants to take down Im Seong-jin.”

A smile appeared on his lips.

It wasn’t a sneer, but a smile that showed he was genuinely interested.

“What do you want?”

“Take down Im Seong-jin and protect Jo Won-hyung.”

“Jo Won-hyung?”

He made an unexpected expression.

“That guy joined hands with you.”

Since I revealed my conditions first, I couldn’t hide it.

“I plan to catch him. From my point of view and the Inspection Department’s point of view, isn’t it cleaner and better to take down a chief prosecutor than to catch one deputy chief?”

“Are you trying to come under my wing by doing this?”

You’re wrong.

“You’ve become too hostile to Im Seong-jin to come under your wing. What would other people say if I accepted the guy who chased out my subordinate?”

“That’s absurd. I don’t want to.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s as I said. Please prevent Im Seong-jin from trying to escape by using Jo Won-hyung as a shield. Jo Won-hyung has a weakness held by Chief Im Seong-jin. If we target Im Seong-jin, he’ll try to take down Jo Won-hyung with him no matter what. Wouldn’t Chief Prosecutor stop Im Seong-jin with just one word?”

Only then did he nod his head.

“So you’re asking me to stop Im Seong-jin from trying to drag someone down with him?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s not difficult. But.”

Im Ju-young put down his coffee cup and said.

“To negotiate, you have to bring something that benefits both sides. Why would I move if it’s only good for you?”

Now it’s my turn to show my cards.

I took out a document that I had put in my arms.

Documents of a borrowed-name account [accounts held in someone else’s name to conceal the true owner] that Im Seong-jin received as a bribe.

I also know that if it’s not a complex case but a single case, the chief prosecutor can easily dismiss it.

This is just a setup for the card to be taken out later.

Im Ju-young, who had skimmed through the document, smiled and threw it on the table.

“You can’t catch me with this.”

After a moment of silence, he twisted his lips and looked at me with sharp eyes.

“Is it because you came up from the provinces that you still don’t understand the situation well?”

The chief prosecutor finally revealed his hidden claws.

If Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-won is a tiger, Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young is like a hawk.

A fierce hawk that snatches prey in an instant.

“Did you feel like you became someone important after working in Seoul for the past few days?”

I felt nervous, but not as much as when I met Kim Seok-won.

I took a breath and answered.

“No. I also know that I have nothing right now.”

His brow furrowed for a moment.

“That’s why I’m telling you. Since I don’t have anything, I’m struggling to get up. Even if I can’t knock down the chief prosecutor with this, can’t I at least damage your reputation?”

The media is paying attention to this case.

He also knows that if we announce it, his reputation will be tarnished regardless of whether there is an actual problem or not.

However, if that happens, it won’t be easy for me to handle the chief prosecutor’s anger.

“I heard that you’re aiming for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. If you want to go to that high place, it’s not good to have this kind of blemish on your record, is it?”

“Do you think you can damage my reputation with just this? This is a declaration of war against me; do you think you can survive with just a regular prosecutor position?”

In contrast to his threats, I calmed my breathing even more calmly.

“Where is there someone who shows everything when negotiating? Coming in with all the cards open is like losing all your money.”

He chuckled and put his clasped hands on the table.

“You have to give a hint even if you don’t show all the cards to talk.”

The time has come to take out the prepared card.

A lie doesn’t gain strength when it only tells lies.

A lie that is revealed after establishing the truth has the effect of a proper bluff.

I have a card in my hand that can threaten him, even if it’s not solid evidence.

I looked him straight in the eye and said.

“The bar exam.”

At that moment, Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young’s expression hardened.

It quickly returned to normal, but Chief Prosecutor Im Ju-young also knows that I noticed his momentary reaction.

From now on, it’s my turn to lead.