Chapter 19: He bites to the Bone
__________________________________________
T/W: mentions of corpse and gore content.
_________________________________________
Taehyung stepped out of his car and locked it, his mind wandering all over the place.
There wasnt anything particular that had consumed his thoughts- no... there were just a lot of things happening at the moment and Taehyung wasnt quite sure what to grasp onto.
Reaching his apartment at around 4:30am in the morning only to leave by 6:15am didnt help him much.
The fact that he could infact hold his line of vision straight on the road without crashing into anybody, despite the exhaustion was pretty much a great deal.
It wasn't like Taehyung was some superhuman- no... he was tired, he was extremely tired, but he couldn't just drop on his bed to rest.
Everything flew by the previous night, Taehyung admitted.
He had planned to get some dinner with Jungkook and talk things through of what had happened on the Geomjeongbaem mission... but recieving an emergency call from the precinct, the two had to leave immediately to the site only to witness a twisted gruesome crime where the victim unfortunately turned out to be one of Jungkook's employee.
Quite frankly, Taehyung doesn't recall much of what had happened after that.
Nor does he recall what Jungkook's expression looked like.
Admitting that the victim was indeed one of his employees... he simply stood up, dusted his pants and walked back to where Taehyung was standing.
And they didnt share a word after that.
Taehyung wasn't sure of what to say and neither did Jungkook initiate a conversation- so they simply stood there and carried on with the investigation, without looking at each other.
Comfort-talking or sweet-talking was never Taehyung's forte... Taehyung couldnt really stand still to hear about someone's sob story nor could he afford to have the patience to tell them his own- to be honest, this was one of his laid back features why Taehyung absolutely refused on having partners.
But still.
Taehyung sighed shutting his eyes, as he paused on the steps. The cool early morning breeze ruffling his already messed-up hair.
But still...
He pursed his lips.
But still I should have said something- I should have said something to Jungkook.
Taehyung sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Sure the victim was probably an employee among hundreds of others- but Jungkook knew her a tad bit more to recognize her corpse in an instant.
Taehyung grit his teeth, annoyed at himself.
Even if Jungkook was probably the most irritating person he had met in his entire life- Taehyung couldnt shake off the guilt of not having spoken to him after the crime scene was wrapped up. Not just for formality and basic decency- atleast for Jungkook's sake who was always trying so hard to be his partner.
Yeah... for being his partner.
Taehyung pushed away his bangs on his forehead.
Some partner I am...
Sighing again, Taehyung walked up the stairs- pushing his thoughts away while making a strong mental note to talk things out with Jungkook.
******
"The victim's name is Amy Lee, preferably known as Ailee. Age 26. Birthplace Gwangju, where her parents and a younger brother currently reside. However, she was employed in Seoul as a VIP lounge singer in Sinner run by Jeon Jungkook." Lieutenant Mingyu paused, his eyes on the file in his hands.
"Time of death is approximately a week ago, cause of death is through an incision to the throat and preferably blood loss. Blood samples are being run now, so further details will be provided soon. As for the time, I need full reports from the crime scene- the first witnesses, the evidences CCTV recordings, down to Fingerprints, footprints whatever you may find- I need it done by afternoon. Am I clear?" He looked up, his eyes full of determination.
"Yes sir!" The officers responded in unison and scattered out of the officer to get on with their tasks.
Taehyung was about to leave but ceased on his steps when he heard his name being called.
"Detective Kim. Jeon Jungkook." Lieutenant Mingyu called out, his hands behind his back.
Taehyung and Jungkook eyes met for a split second before they quickly looked away.
"Yes Lieutenant?" Taehyung spoke up, planting his feet firmly infront of the desk.
"About this case..." the Lieutenant sighed softly folding his fingers as he slowly looked up at Jungkook and then back at Taehyung.
"I think it's better to withdraw Jeon from this one."
Taehyung's eyes slightly widened.
He had seen this coming.
He had absolutely seen this coming.
Yet- he couldnt decide if this was for the better or for the worst.
The worst- as of for the moment, the worst thing was he couldnt face Jungkook. He couldn't look into his eyes and decipher if the raventte wanted to stay on the case or not.
Taehyung gulped subtly, curling his fingers into a fist.
The Lieutenant continued "As far as my knowledge, it wouldnt be ideal to have you, Jeon Jungkook on the side of investigation considering you were acquaintances with the victim. The investigation is most likely to go through you as well and to follow the protocol, I will have to ask you to step down from this case-"
"Sir!" Taehyung blurted out, cutting in through the sentence creating an awkward atmosphere in the room.
Taehyung cleared his throat, stepping ahead "Lieutenant... if I may, I would like Jeon Jungkook to stay on the case. His extreme calculative solving abilities would definitely favour the investigation and his consultations on the previous cases, stands as proof. I know this decision hinders the protocol, but I will see to it myself that Jungkook is thoroughly investigated as well. So if you will allow it sir, I'd very much like it if Jeon Jungkook stays on the case as my consultant."
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Taehyung cursed in his head out of panic.
He talked over the Lieutenant. What was he even doing?!
Lieutenant Mingyu hummed, pressing his fingers to his mouth.
"Hm... very well then. If you say so Detective Kim, Jungkook may remain on the case." The Lieutenant replied, his tone calm.
"Thankyou Lieutenant" Taehyung bowed his head, same as Jungkook who kept his silence.
"Taehyung? A word?" Lieutenant Mingyu spoke up, as the two prepared to leave.
Taehyung paused with his momentary celebration and turned to face the Lieutenant.
"Jungkook you may leave" The Lieutenant continued, which the raventte obeyed without another word and walked out, closing the door behind his back.
"I am relying on you for this one Taehyung... you do seem to realise what is on stake here right?" Lieutenant Mingyu looked up, his fingers folded on his desk.
The shiny nameplate 'Lt Kim Mingyu' standing out amongst all the other stuff on the wooden desk.
"Yes, Lieutenant Mingyu." Taehyung replied, his eyes lowered this time.
"This is unlike any crime we have seen yet and as gruesome it is, the media will not be catching its details, for it may cause public outrage and panic- which the Departmemt clearly wants to avoid." The Lieutenant sighed rubbing his forehead, the eye bags under his eyes prominent.
"And about Jeon- I trust your judgement far more than I trust him, so I'll let him ride the boat if that's what you wish. But don't make me regret it later Detective Kim. Have I made myself clear?" He looked up, his tone firm and assertive.
Taehyung straightened up, locking his eyes with a piercing gaze.
"Yes Lieutenant!"
Bowing formally, Taehyung quickly slipped out of the room- releasing a breath of relief.
However, Taehyung quickly stiffened up when he noticed a suited-up raventte waiting in the hallway.
Great.
His whole fiasco added more to the awkwardness.
What if Jungkook wanted to step out of this one? Should have I talked about this with him first?
Cursing at himself inwardly, Taehyung approached Jungkook- slightly hoping for some repulsive comments but he recieved nothing other than the silence.
Taehyung grimaced walking silently alongside the partner that he no longer felt comfortable with.
Not once had he expected he would grow accustomed to Jungkook's endless yapping and now that the raventte had finally managed to shut his mouth- Taehyung wanted to throw himself in the Han River out of frustration.
This is why he didnt want a partner.
They all leave him eitherways.
Not like he put any effort into in it the first place- but oh well...
Much to Taehyung's relief- he was saved when he heard somebody call his name out.
"Taehyung! The samples are out!" Hoseok yelled out.
Hoseok, you are an angel. Taehyung muttered in his head, quickly shuffling on his feet towards the said male.
The trio entered the forensic laboratory, the cool air and chemical stench attacking them all at once. Walking further in, they reached another section of the lab where they spotted Seokjin.
"Ah! Taehyung finally!" Seokjin voiced out walking around the metal table, where the victim's corpse was laid.
"What have you got for me?" Taehyung asked, crossing his arms.
"Ah- you wont believe what I found." Seokjin chuckled lightly, pulling out few papers and handing them over to Taehyung.
"So, the incision to the throat caused Amy's death right?" Seokjin asked, his tone filled with a sense of odd excitement.
"Right." Hoseok replied.
"Wrong." Jin chimed in, creating confusion in the atmosphere.
"That's what y'all thought- but the moment I took a look at it, I could say it wasn't the cause." Jin paused, his gaze flicking between the three "You see- Amy... was drugged. A drug... that's powerful enough to kill a person with no compensation"
Taehyung blinked "DrugD2?"
Jin smiled, walking around back to where the corpse laid "bingo."
"Although there is not another scratch on her- I found this small pore that had a minuscule patch of reddening. With further deductions, I can safely say Amy Lee here, was drugged in form of injection and lulled to death. The incision to the neck was however made after our victim had already passed away." Jin sighed shaking his head "and for whatever bizarre reasons I'm very much curious and conflicted to not know- the killer had probably cryo preserved her body for a week before he went organ hunting and tossed the corpse dressed in virgin white gown into the forest"
Taehyung looked down at the corpse, the hollow pools in her face eeiring him out.
"It doesn't seem like something as plain as organ hunting Jin..." Taehyung muttered.
Jin hummed in agreement "even a twisted skilled doctor with ill intentions of wanting to harvest organs wouldn't stoop as low as to do something like scooping your eye socket and carving your heart right out of your chest to leave it hollow just like that"
Taehyung momentarily closed his eyes, sighing.
When last night he thought things couldnt be more horrible than eye-less corpses, the whole unit recieved a terror attack when they noticed a hollow depression in the women's chest- only to find out that underneath her white dress, her entire heart was carved out, skin, ribs, muscles all together, to simply leave behind a hole in her chest.
Nightmare.
Taehyung couldnt even bring himself to imagine of what it would have felt like, if the victim was alive before all of this was done to her.
"And to go ahead and dress the body in white? I cant help but imagine this is some serial killer business right here..." Jin mumbled, Hoseok humming in agreement.
"And if it infact is some Serial Killer work- we'd definitely have to avoid disclosing it to the media. Lieutenant wishes it so." Taehyung spoke up, crossing his arms
"So where do we start this investigation from?" Hoseok asked, wearing the same tiredness as the rest of them- as he had to return back to Seoul dead in the night.
"Now that we know DrugD2 was involved, we will have to change our objective here. Trying to find a serial killer who popped out all of suddenly, would lead us nowhere. We'll have to look through both- anything and everything that may have correlation to the murder and the drugs." Taehyung paused. "Hoseok- you go through the evidences collected from the site. Jin, take full samples- if there is even a slight chance that a peck of dust can be our lead, I want it done."
The two gave a curt nod on a response.
"Jungkook and I will do the exterior investigation. If anything should come up, call me first." Taehyung spoke, his tone firm and strong.
With all the tasks being assigned, they scattered to their posts.
Quickly moving on his feet, Taehyung walked to the parking lot, his trail followed by Jungkook.
And for that one second. For that one goddamned second- Taehyung felt a sense of relief when he heard it.
As funny as it would seem, Taehyung was glad when he finally heard his voice.
"Detective Kim-"
*******
Jimin yawned, his eyes squinting as he sauntered out of his room leisurely scratching his neck.
He stepped into the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator door, trying to find something that would serve as breakfast.
Contemplating for over 10 minutes, he ended up pulling a tub of strawberry yogurt.
Throwing some bread into the toaster, he walked around the kitchen to put a spoon into the box and scoop out the yogurt.
Demons didn't necessarily have to eat human food to survive- but Jimin did it anyway because it felt more normal that way (and human food was indeed delicious at times)
Besides, Jimin had a sweet tooth-
Hearing the toaster go off, the pink haired demon shuffled on his feet to pick up the toasted bread and pop into his plate.
Dropping some honey over his toast, he then walked over to his couch where he unceremoniously dropped onto, switching the Television on while he was at it.
Jimin admitted he was indeed having a very peaceful morning, but the Demon soon regretted it when he felt his senses flare up against the sizzling bright burn.
Gripping onto the butter knife on his plate, he hurled it at the white light, out of which a hand immediately caught it at a split second. The light finally died down, leaving behind a figure in white.
"Ah looks like you're growing old- better fix up on your reflexes Namjoon, it may not be a butter knife next time" Jimin snarled lowly, but an evident smirk on his lips.
"I wont take an advice from a Demon" Namjoon replied, narrowing his eyes down at Jimin.
The pink haired demon chuckled "you walk into my den and mock me... well at least now I know Jungkook didnt exaggerate when he said 'the ever glorious and brave silver angel, Namjoon' but.... I cant help but look at this as your part of stupidity"
The silver angel simply clicked his tongue, tossing the butter knife on the coffee table. "you dont have to be concerned over me."
"Correction. I am not." Jimin deadpanned, rolling his eyes.
"I came to visit Jungkook but it seems that he has already left early this morning" Nmajoon sighed a little.
"Mm I'm seriously concerned about your sense of direction. If Jungkook's not there in his penthouse what makes you think he'd be here? Is anything even clicking in that brain of yours?" Jimin retorted, his tone laced with irritance.
"I had to talk few things with you as well" the angel replied, ignoring the insult as he proceeded to take his seat on the opposite couch.
"This is the second time you're visiting me behind Jungkook's back... what's stirring?" Jimin asked straightforward, while Namjoon pursed his lips.
It wasnt easy to trick Jimin.
Namjoon knew that all too well.
"Apparently nothing... yet. But I am visiting for a different purpose today" Namjoon paused, folding his legs.
"I just wanted to check on Jungkook... to see what he's been doing. I heard Amy Lee was found dead last night..." Namjoon got straight to the point.
Jimin chuckled darkly, keeping his plate aside "so you're telling me you didnt know for a whole week?"
"Deceased souls don't come under my area of expertise... and the Angels who handle these cases dont disclose information" Namjoon shrugged lightly, his brown eyes glimmering.
"So it was for Ailee huh?" Jimin cocked his head, propping his chin on his hand.
Namjoon unfolded his hands and planted them on his sides "Jungkook certainly did seem to be close to her, so I thought I would check in-"
Jimin threww his head back and broke into laughter- it sounded evil and full of mockery.
The angel simply grimaced, pursing his lips shut.
"Check- Check in on Jungkook?" Jimin laughed "check in on him for what?!"
"Must I remind you, Jungkook is the Devil?" The pink haired demon cackled, holding his stomach. His eye crinkles significantly easing as he locked his gaze with the Angel's.
"Dont kid yourself Namjoon... the Devil holds no emotions over someone who died out of their own unfortunate fate." Jimin sneered, sighing lazily.
"and definitely not over some measly human he holds no connection with" The Demon paused, tilting his head "Yeah... Ailee sure was an acquaintance, but as of currently, I'm sure Jungkook isnt feeling anything more than the loss of an employee as her employer."
"And the Jungkook I know, doesnt yield to his emotions nor does he cater to it. He has seen deceased souls more than either of us, so I'm sure he knows better" Jimin smiled, batting his eyelids as his lips slowly morphed into a pout.
"And saying this, dont you think you are disrespecting the King of Hell hm?" The demon asked with a pout, his tone sarcastic and full of mockery before his face morphed back into the usual cold-glare.
"So get this clear and noted down Namjoon. The Devil- does not care. He wouldn't bat an eyelid if either of us would go missing one day, so dont go sniffing up and about wondering if Jungkook has changed" Jimin snarled.
"If there is anybody who has seen what Jungkook could come close to do and lived to tell the tale about it, is me. So don't you dare underestimate him Namjoon. Take my advice and believe that it is wise for you to not to underestimate him." Jimin grit through his teeth, the specks of red in his pupils flaring up.
"Because when Jungkook bites... he doesn't just bite into the flesh- he bites to the bone." the demon paused, his hand subconsciously hovering to clasp his sleeved arm. "So dont flatter yourself with what mortals display. Because at the end of the day, Jungkook and my kind are damned to perish. Because we are evil as we are, we dont have the kindness to spare over those who damn our existence and nor do we weep when their time runs out."
Namjoon exhaled softly, watching the demon's eyes blaze bright red.
Sighing, the Angel stood up watching the red in the Demon's eyes slowly fade.
Namjoon had initially planned on asking about the Detective- wanting to know what possibly could have been the reason he was tied down to Jungkook's red string, similar to that of the one the pink haired demon carried.
Sure, Namjoon pulled up the conversation starting with a deceased soul- but seeing how wayward things had gone, the angel refrained himself from saying anything more to the Demon, fearing Jimin would do something if he were to find out- that the King of Hell, himself has made a red-string-connection-pact with a measly human.
Knowing Jungkook's past endeavors, this was definitely unlikely- and to be frowned upon and like the Demon had quoted 'the Devil does not care'.... it certainly seemed to have chink in its armor now and for all the reasons, Namjoon hoped to clear, it seemed like more worse things were headed their way.
Namjoon sprouted open his wings, white light bursting through. He paused to glance at the Demon who wore a cast-away expression with his gaze lowered and his arms wrapped around his chest.
He wouldn't bat an eyelid if either of us went missing.
Namjoon pursed his lips, knowing all too well that, saying that particular statement hurt the Demon more than it would have hurt anybody else.
So much for a Loyal Gaurd.
"Jimin.." The angel called out, his tone somber but sincere "sometimes there is no fault in giving yourself the self worth you deserve."
Jimin didnt look up but simply tightened his grip on his arm, waiting for the white light to die down.
The demon let out a sigh, plopping back onto the couch when the Angel had finally left.
He stared at the ceiling.
Weak.
Weak.
Fucking weak.
The demon pulled onto his hair, realizing the angel could easily read him.
Weak.
"There is no fault in giving yourself the self worth... you deserve... huh?" He mumbled to himself.
Sighing into his palms, he chuckled dryly as his lashes got wet.
*********
Taehyung sighed, walking upto the railing as the sun set casting away its orange rays as purple skies engulfed them.
Exhaustion at its peak, Taehyung was glad the day was finally over, procuring few leads on the case.
The only moment he could rest his eyes was when Jungkook opted to drive to one of Ailee's relative's who lived in the far end of Seoul.
It wasn't much, but the 30 minute nap helped him ease his exhaustion.
"Here..." Jungkook spoke up, snapping Taehyung out of his trance.
The Detective took the banana milk can out of Jungkook's hands and proceeded to sip it, to replenish his energy.
"Detective Kim..." Jungkook voiced out again, and Taehyung turned to face him- still pretty much awkward. "thankyou for letting me stay on the case"
Taehyung's eyes slightly widened.
Did it have to take you an entire day to say it while I wallowed in my own awkwardness?!!!
Taehyung pursed his lips, reigning control over his thoughts.
"O-Oh... it's fine." Taehyung replied, looking away and clenching his eyes shut.
So fucking awkward-
"Detective Kim... are you, mad at me?"
Taehyung whipped his head to look at the raventte "Why you- ugh" he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose "I'm not mad at you Jungkook- I just... I dont know- how to deal with this-"
Taehyung sighed again, pressing his head into his hands.
"Jungkook..." Taehyung exhaled "are you okay?"
"Are you trying to comfort me, Detective Kim?" Jungkook asked with a teasing tone.
Taehyung's eyes slightly widened, remembering he had asked a similar question to the raventte.
"what no-" Taehyung looked up, a little flustered but his eyes widened even more when Jungkook swiftly grabbed him by the waist, cupping his cheek and leaning down to his face.
And Taehyung froze, his heart threatening to burst out of his chest as he gazed into those dark charcoal pits that reflected the evening rays.
"It'd take more than that to comfort me, Detective Kim" Jungkook smiled, padding his thumb close to Taehyung's bottom lip.
Taehyung felt his blood rush to his face and his lungs collapse, leaving him breathless.
"dont worry Detective Kim, I take your threatens very seriously" Jungkook chuckled lightly, his eyes crinkling as he leaned away from Taehyung- releasing him.
"You- bastard!" Taehyung cursed, finally regaining his composure as embarrassment rushed to him.
"Ah... I understand now, I mistook your awkwardness to talk to me as wanting to focus on the case while you took my silence as my silent mourning, am I right?" Jungkook glanced at the Detective.
"Mm.. yeah..." Taehyung sighed in defeat "it's just that... I've never really had a partner and I never had to deal with these kind of issues before... I know conversation plays an important role even in my line of work, but I just couldn't bring myself to ask you, if you were alright regardless if you were or weren't close to the victim..."
Jungkook hummed lightly, clasping the railing with his gaze fixated on the sunset.
"Oh... Ailee and I weren't close enough for her to know all about me. As her employer, I sure do feel the loss and I know I want to find the criminal who did this... but there isnt anything that ties me down to her. We were simply acquaintances." Jungkook replied casually, shrugging.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow, conflicted with the answer and of what Jungkook was possibly trying to convey.
"Uh- I.. I didn't want to k-"
"Oh I slept with her once. It was a one time thing though" Jungkook blurted out and Taehyung sighed shutting his eyes.
"I didn't want to know that" Taehyung deadpanned knowing Jungkook wouldnt shutup if he'd open his sexual fantasy book.
Jungkook laughed and then exhaled softly.
"Ailee was a nice girl, she worked hard to support her family back in Gwangju... it's a shame she had to leave so early... but there's nothing we can do for those who are deceased. Afterall..." Jungkook paused, looking up at the sky "...it's something I can't control, so there's no point on mourning over it..."
Taehyung hummed in agreement, pushing his bangs back as he slowly exhaled.
This was nice.
Obnoxiously loud yapping shameless Jungkook felt more comfortable than the grooming silent one-
Taehyung chuckled at his thoughts.
He was finally going insane and it was all because of an Armani Crackhead that stubbornly kept appearing in his life.
This indeed felt nice.
"What are you smiling at yourself for?" Jungkook asked his eyes curious.
Taehyung looked up a smile on his lips.
"Its nothing."
Jungkook clicked his tongue in response and continued to lean over the railing, to watch the sun set.
"Hey Jungkook..." Taehyung spoke up, wrapping his hands around the beverage in his hands.
"Hm?"
"If I were to die, make my funeral eventful alright? Dont go around saying it's something I cant control or there's no point in mourning kind of crap. For all the times I tolerated you, I want you atleast crying and weeping and saying people how I was the best Detective you had met. Kay?" Taehyung smirked, his chin propped on his hand.
Jungkook chuckled, his eyes gleaming a bit as he straightened up.
"Ah... I'm tired." Taehyung groaned lightly stretching his arms as he stood up and turned away on his heels.
"I'm heading home. See ya!" The Detective spoke up, waving his hands leisurely with his back facing Jungkook.
Jungkook smiled, looking down at the golden ring on his finger as he gently rubbed it, lost in a thought.
The raventte looked up at the sky and then down at his fingers.
"If you were to die... huh?" Jungkook mumbled, chuckling lightly as he looked up to watch the Detective cross the road.
"You haven't fulfilled the contract yet Detective Kim..."
"Die... hm.." he mumbled again, a smile on his lips.
"Die... if you were to die hm?..." Jungkook paused, the specks of red igniting in his pupils.
"..That- I can't absolutely let happen... Detective Kim."
_______________
_______________
Author's note:
Hhhhhhh writing this chapter made me so happy for some reason, like I'm so satisfied with this one and I dont even know why.
I've been thinking about the plot for few days now- Like the previous chapters created a lot of loopholes for the future plot, but I figured out a lot of things and now everything is finally falling into its right place and I'm super excited to continue with the book.
____
God I'm so ready for BTS performance like uhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't wait- it's just days away.. its gonna be awesome!!!!
And guys. I know it. I know that KTH1 is right around the corner. Like. Literally. All those Vcut pictures have me rolling. I know Its gonna drop on us like a fucking bomb- I will pass away.
____
Anyway, thanks for all the votes and comments I love yalllll
Have a great day!
Stay safe from Rona.
Love,
Jaye.