122 The Detectives Come Knocking (2/2)

Meanwhile, Detective Pyo placed down the bulky equipment bag he was carrying on the floor. He glanced at the two younger kids, ”Do you mind if we record the interview?”

Gun frowned, but before he could refute, Yeo Ri gave her assent, ”Go ahead.”

”Yeo Ri-ah—” Gun started, looking at her with difficulty. Was it really fine?

Yeo Ri glanced at him placidly, as if telling him that there was nothing wrong with her decision.

”Don't worry; we're pretty strict about privacy. If we ever release the footage, we'll censor her identity,” Detective Song says.

Gun looked at him with a hard look, ”'If we ever release the footage'...?”

”Ah, don't get me wrong! I mean, if it gets used in court or something, we'll do all we can to protect her privacy.”

”So, shall we get started, then?” Detective Pyo quickly intervened after sensing the tension in the room.

He set up the camera and the tripod with practiced ease, then configured the camera, making sure that Yeo Ri was properly inside the frame. Then, he began recording.

”Okay, it's all set.” Detective Pyo took a seat next to his partner.

”Your name is Lee Yeo Ri, aged fourteen, correct?” Detective Song started.

”...” Yeo Ri glanced at him briefly before turning away. She closed her eyes for some time before opening them again, gazing pointedly at the window. Having the middle-aged man look at her was really giving her the creeps. Although she knew he was just doing his job, she could not help but feel slightly repulsed.

”Sorry, but can I request to talk to a female officer?”

The two detectives exchanged awkward glances. They had wrestled for the rights to investigate Hyuk's—and by extension, Lee Do Joon's—case from their other coworkers with tooth and nail, how could they just give it away to another person so easily?

”Uh... I'm sorry, but we're in charge of this case, so if it were to be passed to someone else at this junction, it'll be a bit... troublesome,” Detective Song reasoned.

”Then, I'll only talk to the younger policeman,” Yeo Ri said, avoiding from looking at the older detective.

Detective Pyo felt his sweat dripping from his forehead as he forced a smile. He was a rookie, and his partner who was older and more experience was the primary by default for the case, so he did not know what to say to the girl.

”...Okay, then. Detective Pyo, I'll leave the floor to you, then. Do your best,” Detective Song flashed a troubled smile at his partner. Although it did not feel good to be disregarded, he wouldn't do anything that might jeopardise the case. What if the witness refused to testify if he stubbornly insisted to handle the interview? It was not worth it.

Detective Song nonchalantly got up from his seat and moved to sit on the couch of the private hospital room, staying out of her sight.