Motive? Revenge? Challenge? Boredom?

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NOW that Kim Namjoon's death was confirmed to be murder, Jung Wheein had little to no doubt that one of the Kims had done it, regardless of their alibis. Intrigued by the 'Body in the Library' killing, various newspapers had begun to publish articles containing lucrative theories. Since it hampered their search, the police intervened from time to time, lest any "private" detectives destroy evidence carelessly. Wheein was currently writing a letter regarding another such ridiculous publication.

Having dug into some of the past records and businesses of Kim Namjoon, as well as personal affairs, the Jung siblings were now in a position where it wouldn't premature to apprehend someone. Motives were in plenty and Namjoon was a malicious man, having done a good number of deals under the table, in quite the legal way. There could be chances of it being someone outside the family and for that, sufficient investigation had been done. Alibis were the greatest enemy as of now and even the dead man's family had them, Wheein mused. But they had their own loopholes and Wheein was thankful for them.

Joohyun had stepped out to deliver a letter and the cosmetic company that the letter was intended for, never received it. On the other hand, Hansol had left for his home but reached two hours later than he could have, considering the distance between the House of Kim and his own. Yerim, as they had themselves witnessed, had spent an entire evening shopping in the mall while her night was spent at one of the posh hotels a few miles away from the mansion since she didn't wish to spend the night there. It must be due to the argument she had with Namjoon, Wheein thought as she recalled Jimin's interview. Hers was one schedule she couldn't find a lie in.

Perhaps Yerim hadn't said the events in the correct order or perhaps she had missed something out. Either way, nobody spotted her or Hansol in the House of Kim after she had stormed out of the library and Joohyun turned up after their arrival in the mansion so that ruled her out too.

Maybe Yerim had lied about the order of her events; instead of visiting the mall first and checking into the hotel, she had probably stayed in the house, made sure nobody visited the library while Namjoon was alone and then-

No, it seemed amiss in details. Seungwan came in about ten minutes after Namjoon died, roughly speaking so it was moving too fast. Maybe this was why Joohyun fitted the bill better, if not perfectly. Hansol was likely but her theories didn't fit his - character, for lack of better word.

"Oh well, the night isn't getting younger and neither am I. I might as well finish the letter," Wheein said aloud, letting her fingers run across the keys of the laptop.

*

"We'll be meeting Min Yoongi today. Apparently, it's an auspicious day today compared to the other days when we requested for an interview," Hoseok spoke to Wheein as they walked upstairs to the second floor of the mansion.

"Isn't he that funny old brother-in-law of Kim Namjoon, from his first marriage?"

"Yes, that's the man. He never dines with the rest of the family, is completely religious (even though one can smell cooked sherry from his quarters at times), and has partially lost his marbles," Hoseok rattled off, making Wheein snort.

"How old is he?"

"Sixty years, apparently the second son in the Min Solicitors, but retired early after discovering Buddhism. Said that his practice was evil and divisive."

"Sixty years? You're serious, right?"

"Like a judge. Here we are," Hoseok said, standing before a closed door. Turning the knob, he swung the door open to be greeted by the heavy, musky scent of incense.

In the corner of the room sat a man hunched over a shrine, his eyes closed. Save for a few rogue white strands, the man's hair was a jet black affair.

Hearing the shuffling feet of the siblings, Min Yoongi opened his eyes by a millimeter and said: "I'll be ready to answer your questions in a mo' - if you coulda -"

"Of course, of course," Hoseok accepted readily.

Yoongi turned back to his shrine, which was adorned with a sandalwood Buddha. Simplicity reflected, not just from the living quarter, but from the man bowing in silence before the statue. After a barely audible prayer, Namjoon's brother-in-law heaved himself up with some difficulty and faced the Jung siblings.

"'ow can I 'elp ya?" The rough accent reverberated - Hoseok placed his guess on the famous Daegu dialect - but failed to be intimidating as Yoongi was several inches shorter than Hoseok, slouched posture added. Despite clashing with the height, the voice did justice to the man's weather beaten visage (which betrayed his age more than his hair managed to).

Hoseok gathered that Min Yoongi must have been a very handsome man in his prime.

"We're here to ask you some questions regarding Kim Namjoon's death. I'm sure you were notified about this before ...?"

Yoongi nodded dismissively, adding:

"Yes, tha' crusty ol' maggot 'ad it comin'."

Hoseok shot a look to his sister that said, 'does anyone grieve for that man here?' and Wheein had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling.

"Do you remember noticing anything off or suspicious in the household the day he died?" Hoseok asked.

"Depends on whether I can remember which day 'e died," Yoongi snorted.

"I'll see you outside, Hoseok. I hope you don't mind," Wheein spoke in a rushed voice and hurried outside.

Hoseok shook his head, knowing too well that his sister was currently laughing her lungs out. He didn't understand where exactly she got her sense of humor from - their parents were sober individuals who preferred wit to the sad excuse of dark humor Wheein adored.

"He died last week," Hoseok said and began filling in Yoongi on the finer details of the case. By the time he revealed that they had discovered that Kim Namjoon had been poisoned, the old man let out a great shout of laughter.

"Ar, I woulda' given a prize to the man tha' did it. Mind, I shoulda' expected some young un' - possibly an idiot Namjoon swindled - mighta' done it. Anyone could see Kim Senior would come to a sticky end," Yoongi chortled, wiggling his eyebrows as if he expected Hoseok to come to this conclusion as well.

"We predicted it the day he died," he said coldly, his dislike for the man increasing.

"Aye, don' be so butthurt. Folks with young blood are so thin-skinned," Yoongi sneered.

Where was Wheein when he needed her, Hoseok wondered spitefully.

"And? You're gonna do 'er in, righ'?" Yoongi said. Hoseok raised an elegant eyebrow.

"Who?"

"Tha' sad replace for ma sister, Bae Joohyun. It's gotta be 'er, ain't it?"

"Now, whatever makes you say that, Mr. Min?"

"Well, it is not ma place to say this, but ain't she the one Namjoon was besotted about?"

"You mean, she was his wife, yes," Hoseok spoke, puzzled.

"Nah, not that bullshi'. 'e was married to ma sister too, remember? Don' exactly remember 'er being treated like an empress, like Namjoon treats tha' Joohyun."

"Treated."

"Yeah, treated, ma bad, ma bad," Yoongi drawled, not bothering to hide his disdain.

"So, you suspect Joohyun of murdering Namjoon? Why do you say so?"

"Well it's gotta be 'er, since she benefits the most from 'is death. Isn't tha' always the case?"

"Yes, that's usually the case," Hoseok murmured. Clearing his throat, he continued:

"However, Mrs. Kim has a solid alibi this time and we can't really overrule that until we find definite proof of her up to something shady."

Yoongi bowed his head, not in shame, but silence as he ruminated over this. Finally, he opened his mouth.

"Mind tellin' me the details? 'ow it 'appened?"

Hoseok considered him. Yoongi wasn't curious, rather, he wanted to be proven right or wrong.

"Like I said, it was poisoning. Someone put potassium cyanide in his cup during tea."

"Ah, classic. Little Yeri gorged on murder thrillers when she was a young un'," Yoongi smiled, his eyes misting. "I remember bold Taehyung dragging her outta my room when it got late, tellin' her to stop prattling and go to bed already.

"Lookie 'ere, Inspector. I don't believe for a second tha' any kid of Yoonji coulda' snuffed out the motherfucker. But I tell ye this, they're all sinners, deep in attachment in this house. I just hope you catch the righ' one, mind. You mayn't be a big sport like your sister but you know an evil man alrigh'. That's all I can say."

Speechless, Hoseok didn't utter a word for a long time. He had barely spent ten minutes with the man and here he was, making strong assumptions about his character. He couldn't be sure whether he completely liked Mr. Min. 

"So, that's your last word?" He croaked.

"Aye, for now; at least, with you. You don't seem someone with a keen interest in small talk, hey?"

For the first time through out the interview, Hoseok smiled.

"Thank you, Mr. Min," he nodded, before exiting the room.

He found Wheein outside, no longer laughing.

"Well?" She asked.

"We need to meet Kim Namjoon's solicitor, as soon as possible," Hoseok ordered, while Wheein flipped her book open.

"I have him pencilled in for this Friday, like you requested earlier."

"Excellent. I want to see just how much the murderer benefitted from his murder."

Wheein looked apprehensive.

"You're sure about who could've done it?"

"It's an idea," Hoseok said and left her hanging.

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