My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 86

“Is that so?”

As Kim Sung-kyun spoke, sifting through the data, Park Do-joon sped towards the location, nearly causing an accident upon arrival.

Screeeeeech!

Police cars swarmed, sirens wailing. Park Do-joon blocked the two-lane road and yelled, “What are you doing!”

“Who are you! Get out of the way! We’re responding to an emergency!”

“I’m Detective Park Do-joon from the Metropolitan Investigation Unit’s Profiler Team. Are you all crazy?”

“Ah, you’re a detective? But why are you blocking us?”

“Why did you turn on the sirens?”

“We were rushing to the scene…”

“If you’re outside the city, you should turn them off! Are you trying to get the kid killed?”

Sirens serve a dual purpose.

First, they alert the public to an emergency, requesting cooperation.

Second, they warn the criminal, prompting them to flee if they’re in the act.

Protecting lives is paramount, even over apprehending criminals.

However, police protocol seems to be slipping, with officers increasingly using sirens indiscriminately.

“You have to use sirens judiciously, depending on the situation.”

In the city, a quick response is crucial, but in a rural area like this, the sound carries far.

“What do you think the criminals will do when they hear that?”

“Ah…”

Naturally, they’ll consider eliminating the child and escaping.

But these officers, lacking basic common sense, just barrel through with sirens blaring.

‘This is infuriating,’ Park Do-joon thought, scowling at the officers.

“Turn off the siren and follow me. Tell the other cars behind you to do the same.”

“But we’re not even sure if he’s there…”

“So, you’re suggesting we don’t even bother checking because we’re not certain?”

“No… we have to go.”

The police followed Park Do-joon’s instructions reluctantly.

Kim Sung-kyun said anxiously, “The quality of the police doesn’t seem very high.”

“It’s even worse in rural areas like this.”

Police officers, like everyone else, have families. Local officers naturally prefer assignments in the city or metropolitan areas, not remote rural outposts.

In other words, being stationed in a rural area often indicates a lack of competence.

“There’s a saying that the police are only good at catching runaway island slaves, and it’s not entirely untrue.”

“Ugh…!”

It’s a grim reality. The only escape from an island is by boat.

However, passenger ships are filled with outsiders – tourists, visitors.

If someone witnesses a forced abduction on a ship, they’re likely to report it.

It’s the local police who often turn a blind eye to such incidents.

“You don’t seem pleased.”

“I can’t be pleased when they lack the fundamental mindset of police officers.”

Park Do-joon drove to a suitable spot and parked.

“We’ll proceed on foot from here.”

“According to the photos, there are parking lots right at the entrance, right? Shouldn’t we drive all the way there?”

“That’s when they’ll be most alert.”

Since it’s been converted into a sanctuary [a place of refuge or worship], there’s a large parking lot to accommodate visitors. But driving directly there would alert them.

“We need to approach cautiously and verify their presence. Fortunately, the surrounding area is densely wooded, providing cover.”

Park Do-joon led the police through the thicket. After a short walk, they spotted an old traditional house.

“The lights are on.”

“Is that him?”

“Yes, I’m certain.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“The owner, Heo Kang-soo, was in prison.”

Logically, the electricity should have been cut off due to unpaid bills.

But the lights are on?

“These days, you need to verify your identity when paying the bill.”

Moreover, in the middle of a forest, there’s no reason for someone to illegally occupy the property.

“Give me a walkie-talkie. I’ll take charge of the operation from here.”

“What? No, there’s jurisdiction…”

The police officer protested, his eyes gleaming. Kidnapping cases significantly impact personnel evaluations. For officers eager to leave this rural assignment, it was a golden opportunity.

‘Just as I suspected,’ Park Do-joon thought.

Turf wars between police departments are common. Sometimes, they even abandon a pursuit if the suspect crosses jurisdictional lines.

They often file complaints if an arrest occurs outside their designated area.

Park Do-joon knew how to manipulate the situation.

“You’ll take responsibility… right?”

“Yes?”

“The child is likely inside. If you fail to rescue them, you’ll face intense media scrutiny. I hope you’re prepared for that. It’s already a heavy burden.”

Park Do-joon handed him the walkie-talkie. The officer looked flustered.

“No, that’s…!”

“It’s reassuring to see a dedicated officer. Reporters will arrive soon, so please oversee the rescue operation.”

“…”

Park Do-joon chuckled, seeing the officer’s face pale at the mention of ‘responsibility.’

‘I knew it.’

Would a front-line officer truly possess the skills to lead a rescue operation? Unlikely. The police curriculum doesn’t include courses on directing rescue missions.

Naturally, they lack the knowledge, and the prospect of taking responsibility makes them hesitant.

“No, that’s… I’ve never been trained for this… I’m not qualified…”

“Then what was your plan?”

“I’m… sorry.”

As the officer sheepishly returned the walkie-talkie, Park Do-joon accepted it, tested it, and ordered the perimeter to be secured.

“Don’t go in yet.”

The only advantage was the surrounding wall. Likely built to enhance the sanctuary’s appearance, it was a well-constructed earthen wall, preventing easy escape.

‘If I can rescue the child, capturing them all won’t be difficult.’

The challenge was rescuing the child.

‘Where is the child?’

Park Do-joon scanned the area, then smiled inwardly.

‘There.’

A dilapidated building, resembling a warehouse, stood a short distance away. It was unguarded, but the entrance was locked.

“The child is there. We need to rescue the child first, then launch a coordinated assault.”

“Excuse me? It doesn’t look like anyone’s there. There are no windows, and the lights are off.”

“That’s precisely why I believe the child is there. Remember, this is a sanctuary.”

It’s not just an old, run-down house. Heo Kang-soo used the believers’ money to renovate the place. He paved the entrance road, built a parking lot, and erected the earthen wall.

“There probably isn’t a suitable space for confinement in the main building.”

To confine someone, there should be no windows and limited visibility from the outside.

However, sanctuaries are designed with ample lighting.

It’s a fundamental principle of modern architecture – good lighting creates a warmer, more inviting atmosphere.

“So, the main building likely lacks a suitable space for confining the child.”

Moreover, the mansion’s structure, a remodeled traditional Korean house, likely lacks a basement.

“And most of the doors are probably traditional Korean-style doors with paper panels.”

“Ah!”

Even a child could break through those doors.

“Humans naturally avoid being around those who trigger their conscience. It’s a natural instinct.”

Heo Kang-soo might not care, being a suspected murderer, but the others, including Do Sik-han, are different.

They haven’t committed such crimes before.

No amount of religious brainwashing can completely suppress their conscience. For ordinary people, conscience erodes gradually.

“So, they must have kept the child in a secluded location.”

The warehouse is ideal. The iron door prevents the child from escaping.

Warehouses are typically locked from the outside, so it wouldn’t seem suspicious.

“Moreover, its distance ensures that any screams won’t easily reach the main building.”

“But why is no one guarding it?”

“Because they’re celebrating their victory. They’re not a disciplined army.”

They arrived with a staggering 3 billion won in cash. They’re likely consumed by joy and celebrating their success.

“An army would maintain a guard regardless, but criminals are unlikely to apply such military discipline.”

Park Do-joon said quietly, “The priority is to confirm the child’s presence.”

“But how do we get over that wall…”

Park Do-joon frowned.

“Can’t you climb over it?”

“There’s no ladder.”

“Can’t someone give you a boost?”

“Ah!”

It’s only about 1 meter high. Climbing it alone might be challenging, but with assistance, it’s manageable.

‘Are you even thinking?’

Park Do-joon cursed inwardly and stood up.

“I’ll go over first. If possible, help the younger officers over. The rest of you can breach the front door when we signal.”

It’s a clumsy plan, but there’s no alternative. If they escape, the child’s life is at risk.

Unlike other crimes, child abduction cases are time-sensitive. While other crimes involve finding the perpetrator after the crime has already occurred, child abduction cases require haste because the child is still alive.

“Be careful of the wall.”

Park Do-joon and Kim Sung-kyun climbed over the wall. Two officers followed, and the four moved silently towards the warehouse.

“I wish I didn’t have to use this.”

Kim Sung-kyun drew his gun as a precaution.

“If we rescue the child, we can use it for warning shots.”

Park Do-joon said, heading towards the warehouse. The warehouse door was secured with a large latch.

“What should we do? We can’t break it open.”

Any noise would alert the kidnappers. If the child is inside, that’s a relief, but if not, they might take the child hostage.

Profiler