Another thievery happened. The Chief reiterates the second unit must focus ALL its attention on this. Inside the second unit's main hall, Guk-doo's brow remains scrunched all the while listening to his Chief's speech.

"Special orders this morning! We must catch the art thief at the earliest." The chief declares, his vigour trailing off to a sigh as his eyes find Guk-doo and Do-young. "We are the only ones in this unit too."

Bong-soon witnesses the scene from her tiny desk the Chief assigned to her this morning. Poor Guk-doo. He's sure to form wrinkles given how he's frowning! He must want to work on the bombing case. At this point, a kindergarten student can tell what he wants.

"Guk-doo!" The chief addresses the said young cop with a weary sigh. "We have no choice. Officials want us to work on this. I wish we could work on both but there's a personnel shortage. So far no bombing happened. The neighbourhood is also fine. And your friend—"

"So, what, sir? We wait for something to happen? Will we turn sloppy?"

Guk-doo's eyes carry the blaze of a sincere police officer; the fierceness today doesn't diminish in the wake of the Chief he admires.

"Guk-doo, all we can do is wait," The chief says resignedly, "let's keep an eye out on the MP's movements when we can. That's all I can say now. Maybe we can employ an informer. I hate this too. Just when will the government put out a notice? We are in need of capable new recruits!"

Guk-doo turns away midway listening to his superior's speech, though it's rude of him to do so and returns to his seat. Bong-soon wants to console him but her attention is snatched by a notification on her phone.

She's been constantly searching for a job. The only options available in the recent week that match her qualification profile are art teachers. Although she wants to draw for an animation or a children's story, being an art teacher doesn't sound bad. She'd enjoy teaching what she knows. Plus, she can't give these listings a side-eye when the pay is really high. Particularly one with hefty pay given the limited hours she has to teach. How can she say no to such a job? She can earn her coin and also paint during her free time.

This might be what she's waiting for. She never thought of being an art teacher but is it her calling? Only one way to find out. Trying it out.

The handful of jobs she's come across and found suitable, including the extravagant pay, she applies for all. The task done, she stretches her limbs and puts her phone down on her desk. This little cosy corner is lovely. She has the space she needs from Guk-doo sometimes.

Guk-doo! The name reminds her of what happened a moment ago. Guk-doo is still grumpy. However before she can act on the pang of compassion she feels, a loud authoritative voice rings in the hall.

"Officers!"

The superior is here to visit the second unit? A tall, lithe man in his late fifties, with a fizz of grey hair and pale skin. Everyone, including the Chief, salutes and crowds around him as he scrutinizes the office. Bongsoon rises from her seat, standing stiff, just in case.

The cops blatantly ignore her and discuss official business, their voices whisper-soft, until the superior's gaze lands on Bong-soon.

"Art thief?" His brow scrunches. He fixates his eyes on the Chief. "Isn't he lying dormant? And even if we are to solve a case why do we need an artist?"

"He can strike again sir. And we need an artist on our side to know how he works."

"Ha..." The superior looks at Bongsoon. "We don't have a freeloader here, do we?"

Freeloader? Pa lovingly brings everyone in the second unit their lunches...  and I am not here because I want to. Bong-soon feels repulsive under the scrutiny of the police superior, but shuts her mouth. She knows why the second unit can't explain the bombing case to him. According to her observations, the superior has asked the second unit to shelve the case.

Guk-doo speaks in her defence, almost immediately. "No, sir."

The Chief signals him to be quiet. "She brings us lunches and she definitely will help us catch the thief. This thief is so crafty, we need someone with an artistic brain on our side."

"Hmph." The superior harrumphs. Just then the office phone rings. Do-young conveys the message it brings, after answering it. "The art thief struck again."

"Impeccable timing." The chief murmurs just as the superior makes a quick exit but not before laying down a deadline. "Catch them before another thievery happens. That's an order."

"He's done it again." The chief heaves a weary sigh and returns to his cabin.

Guk-doo suppresses any other thoughts he has on the matter. Thoughts like... the art thief aside, the bombing case also needs to proceed further. The police can't sit researching while another bombing happens.

***

Two twentieth century paintings have been stolen in a span of a week. Doyoung and Gukdoo visit the Grande Museum, the place of the recent thefts. A review of the footage from the securitycameras doesn't provide any lead.They return to the PD by the afternoon to do leftover paperwork and brainstorm.

Theieves these days absolutely smart. Apparently the theft happened when there was a sudden blackout. The backup power failed,disabling the cameras - a conundrum, truly, a repeat of the thievery accounts from before. Like when this sly person stole a painting worth millions from the wealthy overseas merchant three months ago, and the recent one from the La Art Galeria.

"Do-young, would you accompany me to the art market again? There is a cheap art sale that I want to grab. I want to decorate my room with gorgeous art so I can sleep better. I'm having so much trouble sleeping these days..."

That late afternoon, the PD is eerily quiet, except for the typing noises and the sounds of the pages flipping. It's almost break time. Bong-soon approaches Do-young with a proposal. He hesitates to say yes.

"Where do you want to go?" Guk-doo inserts himself into the scene, a stern look on his face, his eyes completely trained on his childhood best friend.

With a slight smile, Do-young busies himself with his computer, not replying to Bong-soon. He no longer has to.

"Art market." Bong-soon meets Guk-doo's eyes, hesitantly muttering those words.

"Fine. Thirty minutes should be enough, right?" He checks his watch. "Let's go."

"Guk-doo? Aren't you busy? Weren't you just discussing things with the Chief?"

"It's okay. I'm done already. I can manage thirty minutes. It's enough time frame, right? It's only a thirty-minute drive from here. Let's go. I'll be your escort."

Bong-soon can't understand what's going on. Guk-doo is practically not letting Do-young do the thing, almost forcibly replacing him. Bizzare. And you're taking your friend out? Even if this is your jealous, overprotective streak, aren't you all stiff and robotic? Is that an outward projection? Why are you being professional all of a sudden? Guk-doo-ah, you're running hot and cold. But honestly, I can't say I'm not delighted to have you escort me today. Ah, nothing has changed. Even if you love me, is this how you're gonna be?

She brushes off these pesky thoughts and gets into his car. The PD's parking lot is spacious to accommodate numerous other cars but theirs is the one deep in the cellar other than a handful of others.

Is it okay to drive the patrol car for personal purposes? She and Do-young took a walk or rode a taxi. Guk-doo answers her unvoiced suspicion with a confident reply.

"You're officially helping with the art thief case. Chief says he has a grand plan for you. Get ready."

Bong-soon is suddenly nervous. Can she really help with the case? When did the second unit discuss this?

"Normally we don't take civilian's help," Guk-doo says as their car pulls out of the parking, "unless they are special or talented."

Is that a compliment? Bong-soon is touched. But where's Gukdoo's overprotective street? Why isn't he yelling she can't help? Does he have other plans?

The street opening to the art market is a narrow road for large vehicles to pass through, even cars the size of the police patrol vehicles. The rush of the thrifters is mighty, particularly in the evening hours. Guk-doo parks their car in a paid parking slot nearby.

Bong-soon in tow, approaches the fully packed crossing. Throngs of pedestrians moving at a brisk pace nearly churn Bong-soon, suddenly dwindling in strength once crossed to the other side. She loses her footing just as she finds herself nearly alone. Guk-doo supports her by catching her hand and pulling her to his side, onto the sidewalk.

Her hand settles on his waist as a startled 'oh' escapes her lips. Acutely aware of the side of her body pressing into his, she stares at him questioningly. Seeing his profile from up close, a gasp — perhaps a scream is ready on the tip of her tongue.

"Hush, now." His index finger lands against her lips. "We're being followed."

He leads her forward, patting her arm after linking it with his. They glide down the street, like the cinematic couple on a walk during their evening rendezvous.

She quickly covers her blush. Ugh! This isn't the first time we walked down the street. We also held hands many times before. Right?

He doesn't budge when she tries prying her arm.

"Surely, we don't need to stick this close..." Her words fall on deaf ears. She cranes her neck and scrutinizes the street in a swift glance.

He tugs on her arm. "Don't look."

"Well, I already did. There's no woman. I mean there are several women but no one appears to be stalking—"

"The woman in the yellow scarf. I saw her outside the PD and now she's here." He keeps guiding her by the arm, pulling her further to his side. A cycler passes by them, the tinkling of his bell blending with the buzz on the street.

She's still at it. It might be wizardry at this point. Guk-doo can still tell the woman is at it, without looking back. "This is sudden. What's her aim? Is she hoping I would drop you off somewhere? Is she looking for a chance to catch you alone?"

They trudge a bit further when he suddenly stops, right next to a streetside cheap art stall. "Let's forget about cheap art, Bong-soon. It's sleuthing time."

Bong-soon returns his grin. Her heart does an excited leap in her chest. She's always loved art and nothing. Her grades were not great at school though she managed to pass with average scores. But sleuthing... she only discovered that now but this might be the other thing she's into.

***

"Let's lead her around, Bong-soon. We need to throw her off."

They take a detour from the art market and arrive back at the crossing.

"Ohh," Bong-soon whispers upon reaching the patrol car. "This can't be a coincidence, right?"

"It's not," Guk-doo tells her and leads her into a theatre nearby, finally releasing her hand. As they kill time near the counter posing as if purchasing the tickets the woman disappears from the radar.

"She's gone." Guk-doo tugs her hand again. "Hurry! After her! Can't lose her."

They trail the woman to a mall nearby, arrive in the clothing section.

"Damn if only I can see her face..." Guk-doo mutters looking around, finally realizing they are in the women's section. He releases Bong-soon's hand, a bit self-conscious. "Well, I can collect the mall footage later."

For a long moment, chic, colourful fashion apparel hold Bong-soon's attention. Then she faces a sullen-looking Guk-doo.

"Is she trying to throw us off?"

The woman with the yellow scarf no longer wears her identity. The striped skirt, contrast stockings and pale pink blouson top remain the identifiers.

"It appears so." Guk-doo doesn't take his eyes off of the woman. "Damn it. And I was thinking we were discreet."

"Well... let's make her think she's not being followed."

Guk-doo looks at Bong-soon hearing that quiet declaration. "What? How?"

"Shopping!" Bong-soon's dimpled smile almost makes his breath catch. He wants to grin like a fool but reminds himself he's on duty and keeps a straight face. "Shopping?" His shoulders genuinely droop.

"Yes. Shopping! I prefer art shopping to this, mind you!" Bong-soon's comical utterance however makes him chuckle. And it doesn't help that she holds a cute frilly pink midi dress against her body.

"Aw, it's cute, isn't it?" Her eyes fall on the four-digit tag. "Oops cute but so expensive. Can't even pretend we're shopping."

Guk-doo takes in her appearance. She's not even put the thing on. How's she so beautiful?

Bong-soon unaware of his thoughts, shrugs her shoulders. "Well, I will pretend I'm changing into this. I can look at it at least, hmm?"

She heads into a changing room a few places away. Guk-doo follows her but keeps a respectable distance.

The changing room's door is slightly ajar. Bong-soon leaning against one of the mirrors, idly staring at her reflection. A few seconds pass and she asks, "Is she gone?"

"No."

Guk-doo shakes his head, dejected. That's all it needs for Bong-soon to catch him by the front of his jacket into the changing room with her and shut the door. A rare, wicked smile dances on her lips.

"Well, this should throw her off." 

***

What happens next? Will Gukdoo and Bongsoon succeed in finding a lead from the strange woman? how does the investigation proceed? and how do things between the two of them change? stay tuned for next.

That's all for now! I split the chap! Will try to post by tomorrow or Monday! <3