The Legendary Detective Catches All the Criminals - Chapter 75



Only Noblemtl

◈Episode 75◈

Conspiracy theory

Kim Han-gyeol tilted his head and replied.

“What on earth do you want me to see?”

“I’m talking about the picture hanging on the wall over there.”

“It’s a very famous painting. Is it Millet’s The Angelus? Is it Millet’s The Angelus······.”

Kim Han-gyeol looks really confused.

“The Angelus by Jean-François Millet. As I always tell Detective Kim, if you’re confused, the first one is the right answer.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But why is that picture important?”

“Detective Kim inspired me.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, Noh Jun-hyeok wants to keep the memory of the murder. Millet’s Angelus is right there in front of you when you lie down in bed.”

Kim Han-gyeol approached the bed.

Then he lowered himself and spoke while looking at the picture hanging on the wall.

“That’s true. That painting is very sacred and peaceful. How could it bring back memories of murder?”

“There is also a claim that this painting is meant to pray for the soul of a dead child. Here, instead of a basket of potatoes, it is said that the baby’s coffin was placed.”

“Hey, don’t talk nonsense. How can the world’s best detective be so obsessed with such a conspiracy theory? You need to come to your senses.”

Shin Dae-seong responded with a dumbfounded expression.

“The real conspiracy theory is that Apollo 11 didn’t go to the moon, it was filmed in a studio.”

“No, that’s not a conspiracy theory, it’s real. I’ve looked into it from many angles, and the Apollo spacecraft didn’t go to the moon, they filmed in secret places. They fooled the world.”

“Let’s talk about that later and focus on this case. You said that Noh Jun-hyeok has talent for drawing, right?”

“Yes. He is good at sports, and he has talent in singing and dancing. There is almost nothing he can’t do. He said he drew until high school.”

“Did you buy any drawing tools recently?”

Shin Dae-seong looked at the art supplies wrapped up next to the desk.

Kim Han-gyeol looked through his police notebook and answered.

“Yes, I bought it with a card a month ago.”

“Why did you suddenly buy drawing tools?”

“I guess you had an inspiration to draw something? If you drew until high school, it must have been more than a hobby.”

“These are brand new, never used. It’s been a month since I bought them. Did I suddenly lose my inspiration?”

“I don’t know that either.”

“It wasn’t time to draw it yet. Then all the circumstances would fall into place.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Shin Dae-seong said, pointing to the lower part of the painting of Manjong.

“There’s a sketch of a baby coffin on the back of this potato basket. It was actually revealed in an X-ray.”

“Really? Awesome~.”

“But I’m not 100% sure if it’s really a baby’s coffin. You can draw anything at the sketch stage. But I think it’s likely a baby’s coffin.”

“Are you judging from an archaeological point of view?”

“You could say that too. Because you have to judge various claims by connecting them to the society at that time.”

“If so, why did Millet paint a basket of potatoes over the baby’s coffin?”

“Imagine if this painting had a baby coffin instead of a basket of potatoes. Would people buy it?”

Kim Han-gyeol shook his head.

“No······ It would feel really weird. How could I hang it on the wall if it was so uncomfortable?”

“There is also a theory that Millet took his friend’s advice and covered it with a potato basket. The truth of the baby’s coffin is not important now. The issue is how Noh Jun-hyeok received it. There is no way he didn’t know the story behind the Manjong painting.”

“I just had a gut feeling. Is that guy hiding something behind the potato basket?”

“Perhaps something that brings back memories of murder. Painted over with oil paints, that is.”

Kim Han-gyeol approached the painting and asked.

“If I take that picture away now, there will be a problem, right?”

“Maybe. We’re not conducting a search and seizure right now. We’re investigating the scene of a violent incident.”

“A sudden question. Why did you take an X-ray of Millet’s painting?”

“There was an incident. A delirious spectator stabbed Millet’s Angelus with a knife.”

“This is crazy······.”

“The Louvre Museum had Esrec examine the painting to restore it, and it was here that he discovered a sketch of a wooden box.”

“Aha, to restore a damaged painting. Yes, if a painting is damaged, it has to be restored exactly the same way.”

Kim Han-gyeol seemed to be leaning his back against the wall with the painting hanging on it,

-Wobble!

Suddenly, he lost his balance and tilted, hitting the painting with his hand.

-bang!

The bell fell to the floor and broke.

“Oops. The picture is broken. The principle is that damages incurred during an investigation should be restored to their original state, right?”

“yes.”

Kim Han-gyeol collected the broken painting and gave it to the scientific investigation team.

“Please write this down and take it with you.”

“Let’s do that.”

The scientific investigation team readily accepted the drawing.

Kim Han-gyeol got up and asked Shin Dae-seong.

“Could it really be that Noh Jun-hyeok hid evidence of murder in the painting?”

“I told you last time. Old criminals only pretend to be smart. They must have felt satisfied that the police couldn’t find them while recalling memories of the murders.”

“Even if that were true, didn’t we cling to them like leeches? We could have disposed of the souvenirs that would serve as evidence.”

“He had stronger psychopathic tendencies than I expected. He was enjoying the thrill of anxiety and anxiety at the same time. Call the police at the hospital and tell them to be careful.”

* * *

Eunhye General Hospital in Busan.

Noh Jun-hyeok walked down the hospital hallway with the help of Manager Cho.

“Thank you so much, Manager Cho······.”

“What are you talking about? Of course I should help you. I’m your legal guardian.”

“Didn’t you get a phone call while you were having a company dinner?”

“No, I just came back from the company dinner, so don’t worry. By the way, who made Manager No’s hair like that?”

“······.”

Noh Jun-hyeok had a bandage wrapped around his head.

It was determined that the injury was serious and that hospitalization would be required.

“It’s okay, tell me. How did this happen?”

“I’m too embarrassed to say it······.”

“Hey, where is that between us?”

Noh Jun-hyeok said as he entered the men’s bathroom.

“I was attacked by a woman.”

“female?”

“Yes, I bought some beer at a convenience store and went home, and I got mugged by a woman with a knife.”

“Are you crazy? You just stole the stuff, why did you tear out my hair?”

“I don’t know. It seemed clear that he was a psychopath. I was too embarrassed to tell the police. Only Chief Cho knows.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a tight-lipped person. Let me tell you a secret, too.”

“What is it?”

“Go ahead and pee. I’ll let you know when you’re done.”

Noh Jun-hyeok asked after finishing his work.

“What kind of secret is it?”

“I have some new interns today, you know, police officers who came down from Seoul.”

“Yes······.”

“I looked into what case you were investigating, and it turns out you’re chasing the Gangnam Station serial killer. You’re not suspecting Manager Noh, are you?”

“If I were him, wouldn’t I have arrested him immediately?”

“That’s true. And the police officer who came to Noh’s house is a friend of mine, and he said that a forensic team reminiscent of CSI had arrived. Even though it wasn’t a murder scene.”

“Manager Cho, I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Isn’t this the bathroom?”

“I suddenly feel unwell. Please just stay inside.”

“Yeah, well.”

Manager Cho helped Noh Jun-hyeok open the door to the toilet.

-sudden.

Noh Jun-hyeok suddenly grabbed Manager Jo by the back of his neck and slammed him against the tile wall.

-Bam!

Manager Cho, who had hit his forehead hard, groaned in pain.

“Ugh~.”

Immediately, Noh Jun-hyeok strangled the bleeding Manager Cho.

“It’ll be harder if you rebel.”

“Ugh, No, Agent No······ Why are you doing this······ Please save me.”

-Thump, thump, thump.

Manager Cho struggled but it was no use. It was late at night and no one came to the bathroom.

“If you push yourself, it’ll be hard on both of you, kid!”

“Ugh, ugh, creak!”

In the end, Manager Cho lost consciousness and collapsed.

* * *

The men’s restroom at Eunhye Hospital, where access is controlled.

Manager Cho was carried out on a cart by the medical staff.

Shin Dae-seong paused for a moment and asked.

“What happened?”

“Assistant Noh······ must be crazy. He knocked me out, took off my clothes, and ran away. He seemed like a completely different person.”

“What did the two of you talk about?”

“We were just talking about this and that. About the two of you being detectives and the fact that a large forensic team came to Agent Noh’s house······.”

Shin Dae-seong reacted after realizing why he did that.

“Are you badly hurt?”

“I hit my forehead and my neck was choked, but I’m okay now.”

“That’s great. Go and get treatment.”

As Manager Cho rode away on the cart, Kim Han-gyeol came closer.

“It seems like he ran away after hearing that his house was being searched. Was it an impulsive act?”

“Well······ You’re suddenly acting like a rugby ball, and I don’t know where you’re going. What happened to the picture the scientific investigation team took?”

“Detective Shin’s guess seems to be correct. He said that hairs came out from behind the potato basket.”

“Can DNA be detected?”

“There are hair follicles and they are said to be in relatively good condition. DNA technology has advanced tremendously. If it matches the victims’ DNA, it’s game over.”

-Tiring~ Tiring~.

“This is the National Institute of Scientific Investigation. I will answer the call in a quiet place.”

As Kim Han-gyeol left, detective Hwang Yeo-ju approached.

“I thought you were guarding the office?”

“I felt so suffocated when I was alone with Inspector Kang. I just work all day. Sometimes, when I have free time, I do puzzles by myself.”

Shin Dae-seong looked around and asked.

“Did you pull out Noh Jun-hyeok’s hair on purpose? It looks like he collected the victims’ hair as souvenirs.”

“No, I just wanted to tear that kid’s hair out.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous from now on. If Detective Hwang’s identity is discovered, I’ll be in trouble too.”

“I came out because I was so frustrated. There’s no way I could get a search and seizure warrant. I’ll be careful next time.”

This is when Hwang Yeo-ju apologizes coolly.

“Detective Shin!”

Kim Han-gyeol came running with a joyful expression. I could guess what the news was just by looking at his face.

“Have the test results come out from the National Forensic Service?”

“Yes, it matches all the victims’ DNA. It’s game over. Should I put out a wanted notice right now?”

Shin Dae-seong thought for a moment and answered.

“No, then we can just completely submerge ourselves. Let’s just wait in the place where he’s coming from.”

“It’s like a rugby ball, you never know where it’ll bounce?”

“I can’t predict his every move exactly, but I can tell what he’ll do in the end.”

* * *

Dawn, when the darkness becomes even more evident.

-Squeak.

Noh Jun-hyeok opened the door to his one-room apartment and came in.

I saw the police withdraw from a distance.

Noh Jun-hyeok carefully headed toward the wall where the painting was hanging.

“I didn’t notice it. If I just get rid of that······.”

Noh Jun-hyeok reached out to take the picture,

-Click.

Kim Han-gyeol came out of the bathroom and turned on the light.

“Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

“!”

Noh Juk-hyeok was startled, then his expression changed to a suspicious one.

“It looks like you’re alone without a partner?”

“Yeah, Detective Shin is with Mrs. Soojin right now. She came down from Seoul, so she has to treat guests.”

“This will change my mind······.”

“How does it change?”

Noh Jun-hyeok responded while relaxing his neck muscles.

“I’m going to throw it away along with that picture.”

“Aren’t you taking me too lightly?”

“Yeah, you look so easy. And you were so unlucky. I wanted to throw you away when I got the chance, so that’s good.”

“Wow······ Is this how it’s getting twisted again?”