Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 24

The Secret Temptation (5)

“Hmm….”

Even after I finished telling the whole story, Yang Dong-soo’s expression didn’t change much.

“So, you’re certain that Lee Joo-ho is his real name?”

“Definitely.”

“And the player who was offered the deal is coming out himself tonight?”

“Of course.”

My voice was full of confidence.

Yang Dong-soo took out his cell phone from his pocket and called someone.

“His real name is Lee Joo-ho. He’s also using the alias Kang Min-seok. There’s a high probability he’s operating under another name elsewhere. Check thoroughly to see if there’s anything related.”

He glanced at me and added a word to the person on the phone.

“And we’ve received intelligence that he’ll appear at a pub tonight. It looks like we’ll need to deploy additional detectives to the scene, so request support from the detective team at the nearby police station immediately.”

Then, he hung up the phone before properly hearing the other person’s reply.

As soon as I heard Yang Dong-soo’s words, I clenched my fist in joy under the table.

However, I maintained my composure as if nothing had happened, at least in my expression.

“Since he’s appearing tonight, we’ll prepare everything necessary without missing anything.”

“Thank you, Detective.”

“But. It has to be certain.”

“Of course.”

My voice was filled with conviction.

Proving that Lee Joo-ho offered match-fixing while even giving money would be decisive evidence that could lead to his immediate arrest on the spot.

“But isn’t there a chance that this Lee Joo-ho is connected to an organization?”

Lee Soo-min cautiously threw in a word.

“There’s probably a high chance of that.”

“An organization…?”

Could it be the kind of organization I’m thinking of?

“We’ll have to investigate to be sure. But there’s a very high probability of it. It’s rare for someone to carry out something like this alone.”

“Ah… is that so?”

“Since it’s a situation where anything could happen, we plan to proceed with support from detectives from the nearby police station. We’ll prepare to ensure there are no problems in apprehending him on site.”

“Then, will Jung-hwan and I be okay?”

“We’ll take personal protection measures for the time being, so you don’t have to worry.”

I was a little nervous, but I felt a little relieved after hearing those words.

“If you don’t have anything else to say, I’ll get up now. Looks like there’s a lot to prepare.”

“Yes. I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll contact you again.”

Everything I can do is done.

All that’s left is to wait for tonight to come.

* * *

Choi Jung-hwan was sweating profusely while doing short-distance running.

He was going through training tailored for his starting appearance tomorrow.

It was only a short distance of about 50m, but after running at full power about ten times, his whole body was quickly soaked with sweat.

It was also a routine he never missed to prevent his velocity, which could be said to be his most powerful advantage, from dropping.

At first glance, it looked like he was preparing for his starting appearance as usual.

However, Choi Jung-hwan’s mind was completely different from before.

His head ached painfully whenever he thought about what would happen tonight.

Even though he tried hard to focus on training right now, he couldn’t shake off that thought.

He passed the 50m mark for the last time and stopped, wiping away sweat.

Will it really be okay without any problems?

He was worried about whether it would be okay to suddenly notify Lee Joo-ho that he wouldn’t do it the day before appearing as a starting pitcher.

He might know my home address, what if he harms my family?

Choi Jung-hwan shook his head violently to forget the growing worries even a little.

It was then.

“What are you thinking so hard about? Your mind is completely somewhere else today?”

Lee Sang-hak, the Doubles pitching coach, frowned and approached.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“What do you mean it’s nothing? I was calling you from over there until my throat was sore, but you didn’t hear me at all.”

“Ah… that’s.”

Lee Sang-hak looked at Choi Jung-hwan here and there, then grabbed his shoulders with both hands.

“What’s wrong? Tell me.”

“It’s really nothing.”

“Jung-hwan. I haven’t seen you for just a day or two. Now, just by looking at your eyes, expression, and the way you walk, I know right away what your condition is like today.”

At those words, Choi Jung-hwan, who had been wiping away sweat and worrying, finally told the pitching coach everything.

“Umm… actually, I….”

As Choi Jung-hwan started talking with a tearful expression, Lee Sang-hak was startled and widened his eyes.

But he quickly regained his composure and focused on Choi Jung-hwan’s words.

Lee Sang-hak, who had heard everything Choi Jung-hwan had revealed, pondered for a moment and carefully opened his mouth with the first word.

“Jung-hwan, thank you so much, and I’m sorry.”

“Yes?”

At the unexpected reaction, Choi Jung-hwan slowly raised his head, which had been deeply bowed.

“Thank you for not wavering even though it must have been difficult. And I’m sorry. If I had properly done my role as a coach, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Coach, that’s not….”

“Don’t worry. I think Hyun-woo is trustworthy. I don’t have any personal acquaintance with him, but from what I’ve heard around, the evaluation is very good.”

Choi Jung-hwan looked at Lee Sang-hak and only blinked without saying anything.

Lee Sang-hak patted both of Choi Jung-hwan’s shoulders.

“Go and get rid of everything.”

* * *

Lee Soo-min and I were in a van with the detectives, waiting for the Doubles game to end.

Only the sound of the detectives’ radios and Lee Soo-min’s laptop typing were heard in the van.

I turned down the volume of my cell phone and couldn’t take my eyes off the game.

As the game went into the later innings, my hands were sweating.

It wasn’t because I didn’t know whether we would win or lose, but because the things that would happen here in a few hours were being drawn in my head.

From the beginning of the game, the Doubles were far ahead, so the possibility of it going into extra innings was slim.

In the meantime, plainclothes police officers arrived one after another near the promised location.

The newly arrived police officers were being informed of the location of the pub’s exit and emergency exit, as well as the interior structure.

Quite a few customers were having a good time chatting in the pub.

The owner of the pub had been asked for cooperation in advance, but the customers were completely unaware of this fact.

It might be more comfortable not knowing like those people.

Creak-

Suddenly, the van door opened.

The person who opened the door was Yang Dong-soo.

“Have you received any contact from Choi Jung-hwan?”

“No. The game hasn’t ended yet.”

Just in case, I checked my smartphone again.

The game was now in the 9th inning.

There was no possibility of contact before the game ended.

“Then please let me know as soon as you hear from him.”

“Okay….”

Yang Dong-soo closed the door before my answer was even finished.

I fixed my gaze on the game again.

Before long, the game ended with the Doubles’ victory.

Since the Doubles were the home team, the bottom of the 9th inning was not played.

It was only a one-inning difference, but at this moment, it felt like the game had ended in the middle to me.

“The game just ended!”

The detective sitting in front nodded at my words and informed the other detectives of this fact by radio.

“Hoo….”

“Are you nervous?”

Lee Soo-min asked with a bright smile, as if my nervous appearance was amusing.

“I’m more nervous because I’m with the detectives.”

Buzz.

At that moment, a text message came from Choi Jung-hwan.

-Sunbae [senior/mentor], I’m leaving now. I think Kang Min-seok hyung [older brother/close male friend] will also arrive almost on time.

“Okay!”

As soon as I finished talking to Choi Jung-hwan, I said to the detective sitting in the front seat.

“Detective, Jung-hwan contacted me, and he said that Kang Min-seok will arrive almost at the same time.”

The detective, who made a circle with his finger, also conveyed this information by radio.

The detectives who had been walking around moved to their respective positions and took their places.

And then, the van door opened again, and this time Yang Dong-soo came into the car and sat down.

“Kang Hyun-woo, plainclothes detectives will be waiting not only around the roads but also inside. If a sudden situation occurs, we plan to deploy them immediately even if it’s not the promised timing, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Unlike before, a slight softness was felt in Yang Dong-soo’s voice.

“Then, Detective. If we apprehend Lee Joo-ho today, Choi Jung-hwan can be given leniency, right?”

“If that person is the criminal we need to catch, I’ll take responsibility no matter what, so don’t worry.”

I felt a little relieved after hearing Yang Dong-soo’s firm answer.

“We’ll move in when the two of them meet and the conversation starts to progress to some extent.”

I nodded with a determined expression like a general before a war.

We waited for Choi Jung-hwan and Lee Joo-ho to appear.

Choi Jung-hwan arrived at the expected time, and Lee Joo-ho, who arrived not long after, also looked around and entered the pub.

All of their conversations from now on will not only be recorded through the device Choi Jung-hwan has but will also be transmitted to this van in real-time.

As even Lee Joo-ho arrived, the detectives’ eyes turned fierce.

Soon, the conversation between Choi Jung-hwan and Lee Joo-ho began to be heard.

I focused all my attention on their conversation.

-Jung-hwan. Is the game preparation going well?

-Ah… Yes, hyung.

-Why does your expression look so bad? Is something wrong?

-Hyung. Actually, there’s something I need to tell you.

-Do you have any worries? Tell me what it is. I’ll help you with everything.

-Hyung, I… actually.

As the conversation progressed, I could clearly hear the sound of my heart beating.

At the same time, I finished preparing to head to the place where Choi Jung-hwan and Lee Joo-ho were talking.

As I turned my gaze, Yang Dong-soo nodded and signaled to move in.

As I got up from my seat, Lee Soo-min said with a worried expression.

“Hyun-woo, the detectives will help you, but still be careful.”

I nodded as if nothing was wrong and opened the car door and went outside.