Chapter forty-three
I'm was pacing up and down the mews when I got back. As I got out of the taxi I asked the driver to wait ten minutes, then drive me to Gangnam.
'Bet you a drink I know the address', I'm said, at my elbow. 'It'll be 824 Seoul Tower, driver'.
'That wasn't funny, I'm Sun-taek', I said irritably, as we went into my apartment.
'Moon, the job you were assigned to do is completed', I'm said firmly. 'Why chase around after Kim Su-mi, trying to solve a murder that's no concern of yours?'
'She's invited me round to her apartment for lunch. Do I have to ask Na's permission?'
'He's in the mood to say "yes" to anything you ask him. As a matter of fact, that's why I've called. He wants me to pass on his congratulations for the way you've handled the Chang case. But now that we know Chang was innocent of any connection with Bae, the case is closed'.
'Not so far as I'm concerned', I said. 'In the engineering trade we learn to see the job through. And I shan't have finished this one until I've found out who Bae Yeon-seok is'.
'Very noble sentiments, Moon. But I'm afraid they don't impress me'.
'Exactly what do you mean by that, I'm?' I said angrily.
He shook his head reproachfully. 'Am I right in thinking you're trying to prove that Kim Su-mi had nothing to do with the murder of Doyle?'
'What if I am?' I said, throwing my hat into a chair. 'Is there anything against helping a girl out of a bloody awkward situation?''And if you establish she's the sweet, innocent thing that you imagine, what then? What sort of reward are you expecting, eh?'
'Your trouble is, you're a romantic, I'm', I said testily.
'My trouble is, I'm just a cynic who likes to collect his bets when he wins'.
'All right, I'm', I said. 'Help yourself to a drink'.
He did so, then looked up at me and said seriously: 'You're on dangerous ground, you know, Moon'.
'I know', I said. 'And I'm seeing this thing through, I'm. I'm making an appointment to see Bae, and I'm hoping to sell him those diamonds for twelve million won'.
He gave a long, soft whistle. 'I suppose you know - quite apart from the fact that the diamonds don't belong to you - that dealing in blood diamonds is a criminal offence? Are you asking me to compound a felony by giving you the go-ahead?'
'I'm playing the cards my own way', I said airily. 'All I want to do is to meet Bae; the diamonds are only a bait. My aim is to find Doyle's murderer'. I went on, not very convincingly: 'And everything points to it being Bae. When that elusive individual is behind bars I'll call it a day on the Chang case'.
'Better retire from this case on your laurels', advised I'm. 'You're Na's blue- eyed boy at the moment'.
'Unfinished business never did satisfy me', I said obstinately. 'Anyway, I'm curious to know who Bae is'.
'You can let me know when and where you're meeting him, Moon', I'm said dryly. 'Zhong wasn't so well when I phoned the hospital this morning. He's pretty weak'.
'That's another reason for bringing Bae to justice', I said vehemently. 'All right. I promise to let you know where and when the meeting is to be. Does that satisfy you?'
'It may save me having to dig into my pocket for a subscription to a wreath!'
My taxi driver was stamping up and down the street when I came out of the building a few minutes later.
'Jump in, guv!' he said, and we drove off swiftly, leaving I'm staring after me with a resigned expression.
At Seoul Tower I paid off the taxi and went up in the lift to the eighth floor.
When I rang the bell, Kim Su-mi opened the door and seemed relieved to see me.
'So-ra's here', she said, 'And Hyeok's just phoned. He's become a nightmare stalker'.
'About your breaking off the engagement?' I queried sympathetically.
'So he's been to see you?' Su-mi said, leading the way into the living room.
'He's been to see me all right!' I ejaculated. 'He's practically accused me of being the man responsible'.
I nodded to Kong So-ra, who was sprawled in an easy chair. She gave me a knowing look.
The telephone rang, and Su-mi made a gesture of impatience. 'That's probably him. I'll take it in my bedroom, if you don't mind, Han-sang'.
I nodded understandingly, and she went into the bedroom.
Kong looked after her, then turned to me. 'I've arranged the meeting with Bae Yeon-seok for tonight'.
'So he's prepared to do a deal?'
'He's agreed to your price. He'll meet you at Number 418 Jayu Court'.
I pulled out my diary. 'Just a minute, I'll make a note of that', I said, remembering I'm' advise about jotting down addresses.
'And come alone', Kong added quickly. 'If there's anyone with you the dealis off'.
'I'll come alone', I reassured her.
'Bae will be watching to make sure of that. You can't miss the apartments.
It has a neon sign outside'. She took an electronic key from her handbag and handed it to me. 'Just let yourself in. It's empty, so you won't be disturbed . '
I regarded her thoughtfully. 'What assurance have I that Bae will hand over the money, or that I'll come out of that apartment alive, for that matter?' I asked.
'You haven't any assurance', she said smoothly. 'But presumably you thought of that contingency when you asked for this meeting'.
I smiled and nodded. 'When I get back to my apartment I'm going to write a letter. I shall address it to Inspector Lee Shi-hoo, and hand it over to my lawyer with very definite instructions. I'm sure I don't have to tell you what those instructions will be, Kong. If anything happens to me tonight, that letter will be delivered to City Hall tomorrow morning. You might pass on that information to Kong'.
'I will'. She laughed. 'But I think you're in for a surprise, Han-sang'.
'Maybe Bae is due for a surprise himself', I suggested, pocketing the key.
'What time do I see him?'
'At midnight'. She glanced at her wristwatch. 'And that reminds me, I have an appointment in ten minutes. Do apologise to Su-mi for me'.
A few minutes later Su-mi came into the living room. She nodded without speaking when I told her that Kong had left; she seemed depressed, and sank into an easy chair.
'Hyeok is driving me frantic', she said presently. 'He's threatening to kill himself, among other things'.
'Oh, he'll get over it. But you must be quite firm and refuse to see him'. I leaned back in my chair. 'Incidentally, after first accusing me of having an affair with you, he switched the blame on to the man called Bae Yeon-seok. I tried to tell him you didn't know anyone of that name. You don't - do you, Su-mi?'
'No, I don't', she said, hesitating, her eyes on my face. 'I don't know him, but . well, you see, Bae is a friend of Kong's, and I thought if I told Lee that . well . ' She broke off with a little shrug. Doyle'.
'Go on . '
'I thought the police would be sure to think she had some connection with 'And had she any connection with Doyle?' I persisted.
'No. No, I'm sure she hadn't', Su-mi said with conviction.
'Have you known Kong long?' I asked her.
'Quite a while'. She locked her hands behind her head and half closed her eyes. 'Hyeok introduced us, as a matter of fact'.
'Did you know anything about her before you met?'
'Not much', she said with reluctance. 'She knew a lot of people with money who were interested in art and antiques. So, naturally, I thought she would be quite an asset as a partner in my business'. She caught my eye and said:
'She might be useful to you if you're needing some capital to start up your business again. Why don't you have a talk with her?'
'I'd need twelve thousand', I said dubiously. 'That's quite a lot of money, if you haven't any security to offer'.
'I suppose it is', she said. 'Haven't you any security?'
I shook my head and gently brought the conversation back to Bae. 'Did Doyle ever mention Bae to you?' I inquired. Then I added, suddenly: 'You know that Doyle was dealing in North Korean diamonds, don't you, Su-mi?'
She looked startled. 'No . No, I didn't know', she said quietly. 'Lee said he was a blackmailer, but I didn't think . '
I wanted to believe her. Kong So-ra must have been lying when she'd told me Su- mi knew about Doyle's other activities; she'd obviously used it as an excuse to introduce the subject of the diamonds.
'You're not trying to warn me against Kong So-ra, are you, Han-sang?' she said anxiously. 'I've always trusted her - I'd hate to think she was mixed up in anything like that'.
'No, I didn't mean that', I said hastily. 'But Kong knowing Bae, and Lee being so obviously suspicious of him - well, it made me curious about her background'.
'Really, you're as bad as Hyeok!' she protested. 'He's always warning me not to trust her'.
'There's another possibility, Su-mi. Do you think Doyle came here that night to try to blackmail you?'
'Blackmail me! But how could he? There was nothing he could blackmail me about'.
'There was the video they found on the memory card in his pocket - the film I took of you in Shanghai. Yun might have been jealous if he'd known I was following you around'.
'I must say it did look as though you had more than a casual interest in me, Han-sang', she admitted, smiling. She sat up in her chair. 'But how did Doyle get hold of that video? I remember you telling the Inspector you lost it somewhere. Doyle must have stolen it'. She stood up, with a despairing gesture.
'Oh, I can't bear any more of this. Ever since that car accident I've had a feeling I was being followed. There was a man in Shanghai who followed me everywhere.Wherever I went I'd see him - in museums, art galleries . Then you - when you were taking pictures of me - and then Doyle being murdered in my apartment - and this constant questioning by that detective . '
I'mpulsively, I put my hand on her shoulder. 'Tell me the truth, Su-mi; have you ever met Bae?' I asked gently. She raised her head and met my eyes without flinching.
'Bae means nothing to me - nothing at all, Han-sang. Can't you understand that?'
Reassured, I smiled down at her. 'I'm meeting Bae tonight. Kong has arranged it'. She shook her head. 'You mustn't keep that appointment. I'm sure something dreadful will happen'.
'What makes you say that?' I asked sharply.
'I just feel it', she said miserably. 'Kong So-ra has some object in all this. I don't know what it is. But it's dreadful to feel oneself surrounded by all this suspicion . Han-sang, I just have to get away for a bit. I have a cottage on [eju Island - overlooking the harbour. It's so quiet there'. She smiled up at me. 'Can you sail a boat, Han-sang?'
I nodded. 'I used to', I said. 'I used to go to the coast sometimes when I had a lot of business problems. Somehow, in a boat my worries didn't seem quite so important . '
She held out her hand, tentatively. 'Why don't you come with me, Han-sang? Then we could get all this unpleasant affair into its proper perspective. Will you, Han-sang?'
It sounded very tempting.
Her eyes softened. 'I'll have everything packed tomorrow morning. We could catch the ten-thirty flight. Can you call for me here?'
I said I would, and she gave me a little sigh of satisfaction. 'And, please, don't go to meet Bae Yeon-seok tonight . Promise me that . '
I shook my head. 'I want to clear up this Doyle business, Su-mi, for your sake. Until that's settled there can be no peace of mind for you. Don't worry, Su-mi, when next we meet I hope to have everything cleared up'.
'Then take care of yourself', she urged. 'Promise me, Han-sang?'
As I promised I touched the pistol in my jacket pocket, just for luck.