Page 113 of Ruthless Touch

Gun’s eyes narrow in suspicion, his jaw hardened. “Who would have done this?”

My mind races through possibilities, each one somewhat plausible. Could KD have planted the poison before his death? It wouldn’t be out of the question for the agency to have backup plans like that—multiple fail-safes to ensure a target dies even if the primary operation goes sideways.

But then why would he have bothered with the engagement event at the Bellmare if he’d already arranged for Tae-hwan to be poisoned?

Goosebumps raise along my arms as a terrible realization starts to take shape.

My mind lands on the videotape Tae-hwan had been talking about moments before his death. It arrived yesterday and I never had a chance to watch it.

Now it seems like it might be the only way we’re ever going to get answers.

“We have to head back to the loft right now,” I blurt out.

Gun gives me a quizzical look, confusion furrowing his brows. “What are you talking about?”

“Your father was right about the videotape. He did send it to me yesterday—or by “a friend” as the package said—but I never got a chance to look at it. We don’t have a VCR and then the entire situation with the Bellmare happened and KD died and?—”

“Slow down,” Gun interrupts, rising to his feet. “Explain what’s on the tape.”

“Security camera footage of my father’s murder. Your father was there, but if he didn’t kill him. I think—” I have to pause for a hard swallow in order to force the words out. “I think the same person who killed my father just killed yours.”

Recognition dawns on Gun’s face. “In the flashback I just had, there was a third pair of legs that walked into the room. And you were there too… hiding under the table with me.”

“Then we need to get to that tape. It might be the only evidence left.”

“Let’s go.”

We rush out of the office, ignoring the outraged shouting from the household staff as we sprint toward his car.

As we reach the doors on either side, a high-pitched scream echoes from inside the estate—one of the maids must’ve discovered the body.

Gun drives with urgency through Seoul’s afternoon traffic. We make it to Pangyo in under twenty minutes.

But we realize our hustling is a waste of time. As we race into the building and up to the floor the loft is on, we find the front door cracked open.

Someone’s been inside.

Gun draws his weapon and motions for me to stay behind him as he nudges the door open with his foot. We enter cautiously, scanning for any signs of an intruder, but the apartment appears empty.

Nobody’s here, and whoever was is long gone.

I rush to the TV console where I’d left the videotape yesterday, but it’s nowhere to be found.

“Shit, the tape’s gone!” I yell, panic hammering fast in my heart. “Someone broke in and took it!”

Gun reappears a moment later, returning from his sweep of the rest of the loft. He holsters his gun and comes up on my side. “The rest of the place is clear. Which means whoever came by only had one thing in mind. Getting their hands on that tape.”

“I’ve had enough.” I pull out my phone and pull up my contact list. I press the name as soon as I see it come up.

Director Hart’s line rings several times before she answers. Her greeting is as curt and matter-of-fact as always.

“Hart.”

Even the sound of her voice makes me burn with anger. I get straight to the point even more than she does. “Who’s the client for Operation 1025?”

Silence stretches across the connection, so long I wonder if the call has dropped. Then she speaks as if she’s decided the best approach to answering.

“Agent Silk?—”