The search for Mirae Won's Clinic proves far more challenging than I'd anticipated. My initial inquiries lead to dead ends – the clinic seems to have vanished without a trace.
I start by combing through old city records, looking for any ntion of a Dr. Shin or Mirae Won's Clinic. Nothing. It's as if they never existed.
Next, I drive to the area the guard described. The street lined with cherry blossom trees is easy enough to find, but there's no sign of a light blue house or anything resembling a clinic. The convenience store on the corner has changed hands multiple tis over the years, its current owner knowing nothing of the clinic's existence.
I spend days interviewing residents in the area, showing them a photo of Kim Eunji and asking if they rember her or the clinic. Most shake their heads, eyes wary. A few elderly neighbors vaguely recall a "won's health center," but their mories are hazy at best.
Frustrated, I turn to dical records and licensing boards, searching for any trace of Dr. Shin. The na is common, and without a full na or specific credentials, I'm left sifting through hundreds of possibilities.
I reach out to contacts in various hospitals, discreetly asking about a Dr. Shin who might have operated a small clinic over a decade ago. Most leads fizzle out quickly.
One promising tip sends to a retired nurse who used to work in won's health. She listens to my carefully worded questions, her eyes narrowing.
"I might know sothing," she says cautiously, "but I need to know why you're asking. This isn't the kind of thing people discuss lightly."
I explain the situation as delicately as I can, emphasizing the importance of finding Dr. Shin for an ongoing investigation. The nurse sighs heavily.
"Look, detective. What happened back then... it wasn't black and white. There were won and girls who needed help. Doctors who provided it, knowing the risks. If Dr.
Shin was one of them, she would have gone to great lengths to protect herself and her patients."
I nod, understanding. "I'm not here to cause trouble for anyone. I just need to confirm so details about a specific case. It could make a big difference."
The nurse studies for a long mont before scribbling sothing on a piece of paper. "This is a cafe. Tuesday mornings, there's a group of retired dical professionals who et there. Dr. Shin might be among them. But I'm warning you – tread carefully.
These people have spent years guarding their secrets."
I thank her, hope rekindling. The following Tuesday, I find myself sitting in the corner of a cozy café.
As the Tuesday morning sun filters through the cafe windows, I sit in a corner booth, my third cup of coffee growing cold. I've been here for over two hours, discreetly observing the group of elderly n and won who gather weekly. Their chatter fills the air, a mix of dical jargon and personal anecdotes.
I'm starting to lose hope when a particular conversation catches my ear. An elderly woman with silver hair and kind eyes is reminiscing about her old practice.
"...and those cherry blossoms in spring, oh, they were a sight to behold," she says, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.
My heartbeat quickens. Could this be Dr. Shin? I force myself to remain seated, to not rush over imdiately. Patience, I remind myself. One wrong move could shut this whole lead down.
I wait, watching as the group begins to disperse. So leave in pairs, others linger to finish their drinks. The silver-haired woman gathers her things unhurriedly, exchanging goodbyes with her companions.
As she makes her way towards the exit, I stand, timing my movent to intersect with hers near the door. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for this crucial mont.
"Excuse ," I say softly as we near each other. She looks up, curiosity in her eyes. "I couldn't help overhearing... were you perhaps talking about the clinic near the cherry blossom trees in Gangnam?"
Her expression shifts subtly – a flicker of wariness crosses her face. "I'm sorry, have we t before?" she asks, her tone carefully neutral.
I shake my head. "No, we haven't. My na is Detective Park Minjun. I was wondering if I could speak with you briefly about Mirae Won's Clinic."
The change is imdiate. Her body tenses, eyes darting towards the door. For a long mont, she says nothing, and I fear I've lost my only chance.
Finally, she speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Young man, I don't know what you're investigating, but you're treading on dangerous ground."
"I understand," I say quickly, keeping my voice low and calm. "I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm investigating a current case, and I believe sothing that happened at the clinic years ago might be relevant. I'm only seeking information to help soone who may be in trouble now."
Dr. Shin – for I'm now certain it is her – studies intently. The seconds stretch out, feeling like hours. Around us, the cafe buzzes with activity, oblivious to the tension in our quiet corner.
"If such a clinic existed," she finally says, each word asured, "you must understand that all records would have been destroyed long ago. For everyone's protection."
I nod, choosing my next words carefully. "I completely understand. I'm not looking for records. I'm hoping you might rember a specific patient. A young girl nad Kim Eunji."
Dr. Shin's eyes widen almost imperceptibly. She glances around the cafe, then back at . "This is not the place for such a conversation," she murmurs.
She hesitates for a mont longer, then seems to co to a decision. "There's a Shin across the street. If you'd like to continue this discussion, et by the pond in ten minutes. Co alone."
Without waiting for a response, she turns and exits the cafe. I watch her go, my heart pounding. I wait the full ten minutes, each second ticking by with agonizing slowness. Then, taking a deep breath, I step out of the cafe and head towards the park.
The park is quiet, save for the gentle splash of the fountain and distant chatter of children playing. Dr. Shin is sitting on a bench near the pond, her posture rigid with tension. As I approach, she motions for to sit beside her.
"Doctor," I begin softly, "I appreciate you eting with . I understand the delicacy of this situation."
She nods, her eyes scanning our surroundings. "What exactly do you need to know, Detective?"
I take a deep breath. "I need confirmation that Kim Eunji was treated at your clinic. It would have been about a decade ago. She would have been a minor at the ti."
Dr. Shin's face tightens. "You understand the gravity of what you're asking? The legal implications?"
"I do," I assure her. "This isn't about prosecuting past actions. It's about understanding a current situation."
There's a long pause as Dr. Shin seems to wrestle with her conscience. Finally, she speaks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I didn't often treat minors. It was too risky. But Eunji... I rember her clearly. She was so young, so scared. Ca in with an older man - not the father, he said he was a school employee looking out for her."
My heart races. This corroborates the guard's story perfectly.
Dr. Shin continues, "I treated her. It was a difficult case, emotionally and dically. I've often wondered what beca of her."
I nod, grateful for her candor. "Thank you, Doctor. This information is crucial. Can I ask-"
My words are cut off by the sharp ring of my phone. Glancing at the screen, I see it's Inspector Han.
"Excuse ," I say to Dr. Shin, then answer. "Yes, Sir?"
Han's voice cos through, tinged with urgency. "Kim Eunji's been discharged from the hospital. She's cleared for questioning. We need you back at the station ASAP."
As Dr. Shin begins to stand, I quickly interject, "Dr. Shin, before you go, would you be willing to provide your contact information? In case we need to verify any details later."
She hesitates, her hand gripping her purse tightly. "Detective, may I ask... what exactly is happening with Eunji now? Why are you investigating her past after all these years?"
I pause, weighing my options. After a mont, I decide honesty is the best approach. "Dr. Shin, Kim Eunji is currently a suspect in a murder investigation."
The color drains from Dr. Shin's face. She sinks back onto the bench, her shoulders slumping. "Murder? Eunji? That can't be..."
"We're still investigating," I say gently. "Nothing is certain yet."
Dr. Shin looks up at , her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and concern. "The information I provided... how will it be used?"
I take a deep breath, knowing my answer will be difficult for her to hear. "If it cos to it, it could be used as evidence of motive against Kim Eunji."
Dr. Shin goes silent, her gaze drifting to the pond. The weight of this revelation seems to physically press down on her. After a long mont, she sighs heavily and stands.
"I think I've said enough, Detective," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won't be providing any contact information."
As she begins to walk away, she pauses and turns back to . Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. "You know, most of the patients I treated... the ones in situations like Eunji's... They all ended up facing grim ends in one way or another. It still haunts to this day."
With those haunting words, Dr. Shin turns and walks away, her steps slow and heavy.
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