Chapter 258: Let’s Make Them Accomplices

“Director Griffin, I wholeheartedly welcome you to Switzerland!”

As soon as Director Griffin stepped out of the car, Director Jean-Philippe, who had been waiting for him, exchanged greetings with him. Apparently, they had known each other before, because they greeted each other warmly. Afterward, Griffin approached me and spoke in a friendly tone.

“Chief Cha, you really did an excellent job.”

I was the one who had obtained the information that gold bars were being stored in Kim Juchol’s house. Moreover, I had devised the plan to seize them and played a key role in carrying it out. Director Griffin knew that perfectly well, which was why he spoke to me that way. I could easily have claimed credit for my accomplishments, but as someone raised with Eastern values, modesty was my greatest virtue.

“We were only able to obtain the gold bars thanks to the combined efforts of our company, the NIS, CIA, and FIS.”

“Chief Cha, it seems modesty runs in your blood.”

“You’re praising me so much that I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Haha! Is that so?”

“I’ve prepared lunch for you, Director Griffin.”

We moved to the dining room and continued our conversation over the meal.

“I didn’t expect Director Griffin to personally visit our country.”

Director Griffin put his fork down on the table and answered Director Jean-Philippe’s question.

“I decided to come to Switzerland because of the Stinger surface-to-air missile found in Kim Juchol’s house.”

“Because of the Stinger?”

“The 974th Unit soldiers are responsible for Kim Juchol’s personal protection. They have no reason to keep a Stinger on hand.”

“Hmm... Now that you mention it, you’re right. Then why did they need a Stinger?”

“They were receiving direct orders from Kim Jonghun.”

“Could it be...”

Director Jean-Philippe trailed off as though he had realized something. As if reading his thoughts, Director Griffin immediately continued.

“You’re thinking along the right lines, Director Jean-Philippe.”

“In that case, who were the 974th Unit soldiers planning to use the Stinger against?”

“Why don’t we ask them directly?”

“Excellent idea.”

Ignoring Director Jean-Philippe’s response, Director Griffin turned toward me.

“Chief Cha, is there any additional information I should know about?”

“Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol called me just before you arrived.”

In reality, the call had been from Commander Kwak Taesu, but I had to lie because Director Griffin didn’t know that he had escaped to our country.

“I see. Why did he call?”

“Word has reached Kim Jonghun that the gold bars hidden in Kim Juchol’s house were stolen.”

I relayed Commander Kwak Taesu’s words to Director Griffin and the others, presenting them as though I had heard everything from Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol.

“...All the staff of North Korean embassies throughout Europe will soon be rushing here.”

“Hmm... I see. Director Jean-Philippe, are we going to have any problems?”

Director Jean-Philippe understood perfectly well what Director Griffin was getting at. He was worried about possible evidence left behind in Kim Juchol’s house.

“We managed to thoroughly inspect everything before leaving Kim Juchol’s house, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Well, that’s good. But will North Korea accept that ordinary robbers stole the gold?”

“At the very least, they won’t be able to find any evidence of our involvement.”

I had deliberately withheld part of my conversation with Commander Kwak Taesu because I had anticipated this turn of events. After going over the details of our conversation once more in my head, I joined in.

“Director Griffin, what if we pin all the blame on the 974th Unit soldiers?”

“How?”

Director Griffin urged me to continue with curiosity.

“Only a small circle of people knew that gold bars were hidden in Kim Juchol’s house. The 974th Unit soldiers responsible for his personal protection were highly likely to know about them.”

“Of course. But they’ll surely deny their guilt, won’t they?”

“They’re dead men, so they won’t be able to deny anything.”

“Dead men? What do you mean?”

“Their duty is to protect Kim Juchol at the cost of their own lives. Yet not only did they fail to protect him, they also allowed the gold bars to be stolen. Do you really think Kim Jonghun will let them off?”

“Can’t they tell Kim Jonghun that they’re innocent?”

“We have no intention of releasing them, so even if they wanted to proclaim their innocence, they won’t be able to.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

Director Griffin nodded in understanding. At that moment, Director Jean-Philippe joined the conversation with a question of his own.

“But how exactly are we going to place the blame on the 974th Unit soldiers?”

Since I didn’t know what the 974th Unit soldiers themselves were thinking, I needed to choose my words carefully.

“We need to arrange things so that they personally report it directly to their superiors, but for now, we should observe the situation.”

A chill ran down Director Jean-Philippe’s spine. If the 974th Unit soldiers personally reported to their superiors, the information would immediately reach Kim Jonghun. North Korea would consider them guilty and mobilize every available resource to capture them. However, since they would be in our hands, they would never be caught. Thus, the theft of the gold bars would remain unsolved forever. Shaking his head at Cha Jiham’s precise and perceptive calculation, he continued.

“If the 974th Unit soldiers admit their guilt, their [N O V E L I G H T] families in North Korea will suffer terribly, won’t they?”

“Whatever the reason, they ultimately failed to protect Kim Juchol. Because of that, their families will inevitably be targeted.”

“Just thinking about what will happen to their families makes me uncomfortable.”

“Tell me about it. Well, it looks like lunch is over. Shall we go put the bell on the cat?”

***

Meanwhile, in the basement, the 974th Unit soldiers were speaking quietly among themselves.

“Comrade Commander, who the hell attacked us?”

Unit Commander Jang Gukcheol searched his memory for the events of the previous night. They had been waiting in the living room for Kim Juchol to fall asleep. At that exact moment, the lights had suddenly gone out, and after being struck in the temple, he had lost consciousness. Rubbing the wound on his right temple, he answered his subordinate’s question.

“Judging by the deep claw marks, we were definitely attacked by a predatory animal.”

“But there aren’t any wild beasts in Switzerland.”

“How would you know?”

“Could it be... Those bastards from the Guard Command attacked us?”

Unit Commander Jang Gukcheol had a different opinion.

Although they didn’t get along with the Guard Command agents, they shared the same mission of protecting Kim Juchol. If those men had attacked them, Kim Juchol would immediately have reported it to Kim Jonghun. In that case, not only they themselves but also the attackers would have been sent back to North Korea to face punishment. There was no way they would take such a risk and attack them merely because of personal animosity.

“No. Those bastards from the Guard Command had nothing to do with this.”

“Then who kidnapped us?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Still, where are we?”

“How the hell would I know?!”

Click!

The moment Commander Jang Gukcheol barked those words, the heavy basement door swung open.

He quickly turned his head and froze in genuine shock.

The man who had entered through the doorway was none other than Griffin, Director of the US CIA and one of the key figures in the global intelligence community.

“...?!”

While the 974th Unit soldiers sat there with stunned expressions, armed CIA agents approached them.

To prevent the prisoners from trying anything foolish, the agents shackled their hands and feet.

Once everything was ready, Director Griffin addressed the 974th Unit soldiers.

“Commander Jang Gukcheol, do you know who I am?”

Commander Jang Gukcheol silently nodded.

“I’m glad you understand. You have been detained through a joint operation by the CIA, Switzerland’s FIS, and Korea’s NIS.”

“We haven’t done anything illegal.”

Director Griffin had expected that response from Jang Gukcheol and had prepared an impeccable argument in advance.

“We received intelligence that you had illegally brought weapons into the country, so we placed you under surveillance. Last night, the Guard Command agents left Kim Juchol’s house. We moved in to obtain evidence and discovered a hidden room in your bedroom, Commander Jang.”

“H-how did you find it?”

Extreme disbelief filled Jang Gukcheol’s voice.

“There wasn’t a speck of dust on the English-Russian dictionary among the books on the shelf.”

“...”

“The hidden room contained weapons, including a Stinger. Do you still claim that you haven’t done anything illegal?”

“Perhaps, but isn’t arresting us without presenting a warrant illegal as well?”

“A warrant isn’t required when you’re caught in the act.”

“...”

Unable to come up with a rebuttal, Commander Jang Gukcheol fell silent.

Director Griffin stared intently at him and gave a slight nod.

At his signal, the CIA agents grabbed Jang Gukcheol by the arms and escorted him out of the basement. Director Griffin followed them.

The remaining 974th Unit soldiers silently watched them leave, trembling with fear.

***

When he entered another basement room under CIA escort, Jang Gukcheol’s eyes widened.

Several unfamiliar people were sitting on chairs in front of him. Among them was a Korean man who looked younger than him.

In one corner of the room, the weapons, ammunition, and safe from their hidden room were piled up.

The CIA agents seated him in a chair opposite them.

Once the agents stepped back, Director Griffin took an empty chair and spoke.

“Commander Jang Gukcheol, sitting to my left is Director Jean-Philippe, head of Switzerland’s FIS. To my right is Chief Cha Jiham, an honorary agent of the NIS, CIA, and FBI.”

“An honorary agent...?”

Doubt crept into Jang Gukcheol’s voice, as if he were wondering whether an honorary agent had any right to be present here.

“Chief Cha has the authority to command agents from all three organizations, with the exception of the NIS Director, myself, and the FBI Director.”

“What did you say?!”

Jang Gukcheol was utterly astonished.

As though anticipating that reaction, Director Griffin immediately added,

“President Cho Seokchin and President Douglas personally granted him those appointments.”

“I see...”

“You will be interrogated by Chief Cha.”

“Why him?”

“Because Chief Cha personally directed the operation to apprehend the 974th Unit soldiers. Is everything clear now?”

“...Yes.”

Jang Gukcheol answered in a subdued voice, realizing just how hopeless his situation was.

I inclined my head slightly in gratitude to Director Griffin and began the interrogation.

“Commander Jang, aren’t you curious about the situation you’ve found yourself in?”

“I won’t deny it,” Jang Gukcheol grumbled.

I understood his situation perfectly, so I ignored his sharp tone and continued.

“You and your subordinates have been catastrophically unlucky.”

“What’s with that sudden nonsense?”

“If you hadn’t been responsible for Kim Juchol’s personal protection, no one would have arrested you.”

“Are you saying we were arrested because of the Young Master?”

Apparently, the 974th Unit soldiers referred to Kim Juchol as the “Young Master.”

That wasn’t particularly important, so I decided to let it pass.

“You’re right, Commander Jang.”

“Our Young Master hasn’t done anything illegal!”

“You’ll find out for yourself later exactly what he has done.”

“I see. What condition is our Young Master in?”

“He suffered abrasions and scratches all over his body, but his life isn’t in danger.”

At that moment, Jang Gukcheol felt as though his entire world were collapsing.

Kim Jonghun doted on Kim Juchol.

And now that spoiled young man had been injured.

Naturally, Kim Jonghun would never allow his personal guards to escape punishment.

Realizing this, Jang Gukcheol felt the fear of death closing in on him.

“Haa...”

Jang Gukcheol let out a heavy, despairing sigh.