The Flower Shop Murder

Angelo Park

2 weeks after the Flower Shop murder, a package came to the KNP headquarters, addressed to Superintendent Ryan Sung.

He called Inspector Kim and Assistant Inspector Ahn to his office so that they would be able to see what's inside and secure it if needed.

Upon opening the box, a dried Angelica flower fell out with a note. Inspector Kim picked up the letter and read it out loud.

"Superintendent Sung, you don't know me, but I know you. And I'm her to offer you a gift. This package holds precious information and clues about certain individuals which I'm sure, will interest you. What you do with this gift, is up to you.

A word of caution, I am watching you, I always am.

If you use the information wisely, then another package will be sent. If not, then this will be the first and last of the packages you will receive.

Good luck,

Lupine"

They put down the cryptic note and start going through the package. They sifted through photos, records, folders with transactions and notes. And everything was neatly labeled with names and dates.

Opening one of the folders, they read through the information inside and Inspector Kim read out a name that seems to come up everywhere on the package.

Insp. Ahn: Angelo Park. I've never heard of this man before.

Supt. Sung: You wouldn't. He's what we call a gopher. He's a low-level gangster doing most of the mob's biddings.

Insp. Kim: So, what are we going to do with this, sir?

Supt. Sung: Go through the files, figure out why this gopher is important and why someone would waste their time sending this to us.

Insp. Kim & Insp. Ahn: Understood.

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Meanwhile, Byul and Wina are at home, looking through files that Sandy left in his office and some in his safe.

Suddenly, Byul's phone starts ringing and she looks at it with surprise written all over her face. The phone that is ringing is her personal phone and only two people know that phone number, one was with her right now and the other one is dead.

Hesitantly, she answers it.

Byul: Hello? Who is this?

Angelo: Hello? Is this Ms. Moon?

The voice on the other line is whispering, he sounds agitated and scared.

Byul: Who is this?!

Angelo: Ms. Moon, this is Angelo. Angelo Park. Do you remember me?

She furrows her brows, vaguely remembering one of her dad's runners, Angelo. A skinny, short man who didn't really leave an impression with his presence. He was forgettable, so to speak. But Byul remembers him as she does everyone who's ever worked with her family.

Byul: Angelo? Yeah. I think I remember you. Where did you get this number?

Angelo: It's not important Ms. Moon, but I'm calling you now to warn you. He's tying up loose ends. He's coming for you. For your fa--

There was urgency in the man's voice. Urgency and fear but the sound of gunshots cut off whatever Angelo was about to say.

Byul: Angelo! Who's he? My dad?

She could hear scuffling on the other line, running and more gunshots. And then suddenly, there was silence.

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At the KNP headquarters, both female inspectors are going through the files, not really knowing what they're looking for when Inspector Kim's phone rang.

She answered the call quickly and after a few minutes, she ended the call and grabbed her gun and badge from her drawer.

Insp. Kim: Come on, Hyej. We've got a dead body.

Insp. Ahn: Oohh. Fun.

The dead body was found in a dumpster behind an abandoned building in Euljiro.

Police officers have already blocked the street to avoid contaminating the scene. The two inspectors went under the police tape and go straight to the dead body.

The coroner is there, getting the body on the gurney.

Insp. Kim: Time of death, doctor?

Doctor Sandra Kang, the medical examiner, glanced at the inspector and sighed before covering the body with a white cloth.

Doctor Kang: Approximately 1-2 hours ago. The cause of death is a single gunshot wound to the head.

Inspector Kim looked at the younger inspector and raised an eyebrow.

Insp. Kim: Sounds familiar? Could this be another mob-related shooting like Jumong's Palace, perhaps?

Inspector An groans and goes to the gurney to inspect the gunshot wound on the victim.

Insp. Kim: Did the victim have any ID on him, doc?

Dr. Kang: Sorry inspector, but no ID.

Insp. Kim: No worries, we can just--

Insp. Ahn: It's a different shooter.

Insp. Kim: What was that?

Insp. Ahn: Hmmm. Whoever shot this guy isn't the same as our shooter from Jumong's Palace.

Insp. Kim: How can you tell?

Inspector An: Different caliber used, different style of shooting. The Jumong Palace shooter is more, in your face kinda person. This victim was shot in the back of the head, execution-style. Probably a .38 caliber definitely not a 9mm. But that's not the interesting part, though.

Inspector An gestures to the senior police officer to come near the body. Inspector Kim stands up and walks over to the gurney, curious as to what the younger inspector found so interesting.

She raised both her eyebrows when she recognized who the victim was.

Insp. Kim: Oh.

Insp. Ahn: Inspector, say hello to our gopher, Angelo Park.