Minji's Voice - Bbangsaz

Chapter 30

Hanni's POV

The next day was the Pelion Police Memorial Parade. I stood at the restaurant window, sleepily watching the cars and trucks go by, the people lining up on the sidewalk waving flags. I felt numb, heartbroken, sore.

I hadn't slept very well. I had felt Minji tossing and turning most of the night. When I asked her in the morning if she couldn't sleep, she just nodded, without offering any further explanation.

She didn't point out much as we ate breakfast together and I got ready to go home to get my uniform for work and leave Milly. She seemed lost in her thoughts, immersed inside her own head, and yet, when I was about to leave, she pulled me towards her with force.

"Minji, baby, trust me," I said, not caring if I was late for work.

She shook her head, offering a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and told me she'd see me after work and we'd talk some more.

And now I stood at the window, worried. The restaurant was almost empty as the entire town was at the parade, so I was able to get lost in my uninterrupted thoughts for a few minutes.

I watched the old police cruisers go by, the crowd cheered louder for the old cars, and bitterness came over me. Minji should be here. Minji should be at her father's memorial dinner. And she hadn't even been invited. What was happening to this town? Kim Min A, you evil bitch, that's what was wrong in this town. How did someone like her live with herself? She had ruined so many lives, all for what? Money? Prestige? Pride? Just to win?

And now the entire town bowed before her for fear of the repercussions.

As I stood there, thinking about everything Minji had told me last night, my belly churned and I felt like I was going to throw up. The certainty of what it had meant to be there that day was horrible and disgusting for a seven-year-old girl. I wanted to go back in time and hold her in my arms, comfort her and make everything disappear. But I couldn't, and that hurt me.

I was pulled from my thoughts by my phone vibrating in my uniform pocket. I pulled it out quickly and saw it was a call from Ohio. I walked back to the counter where a couple of customers were sitting and stood to the side near the break table while I took the call.

"Hello," I said quietly.

"Hanni, hello, I'm Detective McIntyre. I called because I have news."

I looked back at the counter, noticing that everyone seemed to have what they needed, and turned my back.

I involuntarily heard the door bell ring, but I didn't turn around. Maggie could take care of those clients.

"Do you have news, detective?"

"Yes, we made an arrest."

I took a breath.

"Did you make an arrest?" I whispered.

"Yes. His name is Jeffrey Perkins. He is the man you identified. We brought him in for questioning and his print matched one we found at the scene. He showed up with a lawyer so he wouldn't talk. His father is the owner of a large fortune."

I paused, biting my lip. "Jeffrey Perkins?" I asked. "His father is Louis Perkins, right?" I asked, closing my eyes, recognizing the last name of the man who owned one of the largest insurance companies in Cincinnati.

The detective paused. "Yeah."

"Why would someone like Jeffrey Perkins come and rob a small grocery store?" I asked, feeling numb.

"I wish I could answer that," he said. "My best guess is it was drug related."

"Hmm," I said, remembering Jeffrey Perkins' bright, dilated pupils and his nervousness. It had to be about that. Child hooked on drugs? I shuddered and shook my head to return to the present.