Exception

V. Progress

"Looks like there's no more 'go home and sleep' for me." Dawon pocketed the two things with mocked irritation. "Where are you going then?"

"I want to stay for a bit to see if I can catch him coming home."

"Don't stay too late though, okay?"

Inseong raised a brow. "When have you ever cared so much about me?"

"Ha, I don't know what you're talking about. I've always been a caring partner." Dawon laughed and then left with a wave of his hand.

All alone now, Inseong resolved to sitting on one of the stone steps that led up to the entrance of the apartment building. He really didn't know what to expect, especially when none of this was actually 100% credible to start with.

If what Jaeyoon said was true, then the stolen money should be hidden somewhere in the flat. Inseong winced at the uncertainty: should didn't sound reassuring at all. But this was their only clue so far. He couldn't let that slip.

Inseong was only ten minutes in when he saw a familiar face pass by in front of him. "Youngjae?"

The café owner paused at the mention of his name and turned his head towards the source. When he spotted Inseong, he averted his gaze immediately, as if afraid.

It was only for a split second, but Youngjae's shiny eyes didn't go unnoticed for the detective. He stood up and touched his friend's arm to stop him from leaving.

"Youngjae," Inseong repeated. "Is there something wrong?"

Even though no tears were falling, Youngjae still wiped at his face forcefully. With a strained smile, he finally looked directly at the detective. "Nothing. You don't have to worry about me." He gently moved Inseong's hand away. "Did you solve whatever it was that was bothering you this afternoon?"

Inseong took a while to catch up with the change of subjects. He knew Youngjae was hiding something, but if he didn't want to talk about it, then there was no reason for Inseong to push. "Much better now. In fact, we finally got a lead on our case."

Youngjae's smile widened to a more convincing one. "That's good news! I'm sure you'll catch the culprit soon." For a while, he looked like he had already forgotten the reason why he was upset just a few minutes ago and was starting a casual conversation. "Are you out here for fieldwork?"

"Mhm." Inseong jutted a thumb towards the building behind him. "Can't tell you the details, but what we want is probably inside one of the apartments here."

Youngjae craned his neck to look behind the detective's broad shoulders. It took some time before he recognized what he was staring at, and the shock caused him to take a step back involuntarily.

This time there was no stopping Inseong. "What's wrong? Do you know anyone who lives here?"

It was obvious that Youngjae tried to brush it off again, but his actions already gave everything away. He wetted his cracked lips under the golden rich sunset. "It's probably irrelevant... but it just so happens that Daehyun – my best friend – lives in this building as well."

The detective kept quiet for a moment, the gears in his brain turning. Judging by his reaction, there was something more to Youngjae's story. But before Inseong could dive straight in, he had to test the waters.

"Did you see something, or someone, inside the building just now?"

"No, why?"

"You seemed shocked, so I thought you might've caught some suspicious act." Inseong was aware of how Youngjae was growing progressively more uncomfortable every time he was asked a question, but Inseong couldn't stop. "If that wasn't the case... then what evoked that reaction from you?"

Youngjae tightened his grip on the backpack strap that was slung across his right shoulder. He was avoiding Inseong's gaze again. Just when Inseong thought he was going to make up an excuse and leave, Youngjae spoke up, words coming out of his mouth so fast it didn't seem like he was speaking in full sentences.

"It's just a stupid thing I can't get out of my head. Daehyun said his aunt was coming to visit him tonight, but just a few minutes ago I saw him walking on the streets with a guy I've never seen before. The worst thing is, when I called him to give him another chance to tell me the truth, I was forced to watch him lie right at my face."

Inseong blinked twice at the sudden outburst of emotions from the barista whom he had only seen smile. On the surface, it definitely did sound like a casual misunderstanding between friends. But Inseong had a gut feeling that it wasn't as simple.

In the end, he had decided to follow his gut. "Youngjae, does your friend live on the fourteenth flour?"

Youngjae snapped out of whatever reverie he was in when he heard the detective's serious tone. "How did you know?"

"Fourteenth floor, flat D?" Inseong couldn't hide his growing hope: he might finally be making progress.

Youngjae's floundered. "H- how, why, I mean..." Then he understood, and tears started to well up again. "Are you, are you saying that-"

Inseong grabbed both of Youngjae's shoulders. "We aren't sure of anything yet, but for now, we have to keep an eye on him."

The poor man trembled under the detective's intense gaze, his tears threatening to fall. He was just indirectly informed that his best friend (and crush) might just be the heavily wanted robber whom the police had been chasing down for a year. What was he supposed to say?

Fortunately, his phone buzzed. It was Daehyun.

I'm sorry

I'll explain everything tomorrow

I mean, if you're still up for it...

Youngjae was gripping his phone so hard he didn't realize Inseong was reading over his shoulder. "Up for what?"

"We planned to go to the amusement park tomorrow, but he knows I'm still mad at him..."

"You have to go," Inseong interrupted. "If you pretend like everything's fine, you can stay by his side and watch his every move."

"You want me to spy on my friend?"

Inseong pursed his lips. "I'm sorry to say this, but it's either you or me. If you turn him down, I'll still have to follow him around all day."

"Ok, I'll go," Youngjae said after a long moment. "Are you coming, too?"

"Well, yeah. Just at the periphery, so..." Inseong paused and slipped a glance at Youngjae's teary face.

"So if anything does happen, you'll still have backup."