Today is a day off. It's still early in the morning, but Jake can't see anyone at the dining table. He remembers seeing Heeseung leave last night, and it's quite possible his friend hasn't come home yet.
"I reckon Sunghoon stayed up late last night; he's probably not awake yet," he muttered as he picked up a slice of bread from the table. However, the bread was snatched away from him straight away.
"Hehe, sorry. I'm in a rush," said Sunoo after snatching the bread from Jake's hand.
"Where are you off to?" asked Jake.
"To school," replied Sunoo briefly, then hurried off.
"But it's Saturday, isn't it?" Jake was confused, but then it dawned on him. "Ah, right. The karate club is really busy at the moment."
He walked over to Sunghoon's room, which turned out to still be locked. It seemed his friend really hadn't woken up yet.
Jake then headed out onto the terrace and found Jay watering the plants.
"Jay, have you had breakfast yet?" Jake asked, making small talk.
"I have," Jay replied.
Jake fell silent, watching Jay carry on with what he was doing. He wanted to ask, but hesitated for fear of offending him.
"Why do you look so confused?" Jay had noticed Jake's unusual expression.
"I want to ask you something about Jungwon," said Jake.
"Ask? Are you really investigating this case?" asked Jay.
"Just a bit, really. I'm just like you lot, just waiting for news from the police," replied Jake.
"Oh."
Jungwon turned off the hose and sat down on the stone bench next to Jake.
"What do you want to know about Jungwon?" he asked.
"You and Jungwon are half-siblings, aren't you? Do you know Jungwon's mum's family?"
"Yeah. My dad married Jungwon's mum when we were still kids. As far as I remember, Jungwon's mum didn't get on with her family. It was like they'd cut ties."
"Oh." Jake nodded in understanding. "Sorry, I've brought back bad memories for you."
Jake felt bad seeing Jay looking so sad, almost on the verge of tears.
"Before my mum died, she told me to love my new family if Dad got married again. But now I've failed to protect—"
His words were cut short by a sob.
"Calm down, Jay," said Jake, putting his arm round Jay to comfort him.
Jake's gaze shifted to the cracked window in the room.
"Ji, I'll go and get you something to drink, right inside."
"N-no, that's not necessary," replied Jay, who now looked a little calmer.
"Right then, I think I'll go and get the tools first," said Jake.
"What for?" asked Jay.
"Sunoo might not realise his bedroom window's broken," said Jake. He then approached the window, followed by Jay.
"Oh, you're right—the hinges are almost coming off. Looks like this window's been opened and closed a lot," said Jay.
They walked over to the boot to fetch the tools.
*****
"It's just as well I managed to secure a few important items, including the clues left behind by my cousin," said the Man in Black, gazing at the journal in his hand.
He looked annoyed by the police's visit to his house, which had left the place in a bit of a mess.
"If they find those items, there's a good chance this case will be solved and all your targets will be arrested," said his partner—the Red Cloak.
"Do you think money has no power?"
The two of them were now tidying the house back up.
"If it were that easy, why would I go to the trouble of planning my revenge? My torment is worse than a prison sentence," said the Man in Black.
"I want to witness their suffering first-hand. The look of fear on their faces will be my entertainment," he continued.
"So, what's your next move?" asked the Man in the Red Cloak.
"I want to get Heeseung, but I reckon I need to find out first what Jake has uncovered."
He paced back and forth, deep in thought.
"I'm sure, sooner or later, he'll find a clue that leads back to us."