It was raining. To Ji Ah it felt like it was always raining lately. An incoming sign of winter or a bad omen? That she couldn't decipher.

Holding her umbrella tighter, she followed a pace behind Jun Ho walking toward the markets of Ssangmun-dong, the orange street lights shining off the top of his wet umbrella.

They had already asked several market vendors did they know the name Seong Gi Hun, most met them with apprehensive no's, others claimed to know him but not where he lived. Till at last they asked a Mrs Cho.

She was a kindly older lady. Ji Ah noted a framed picture of a young man in a graduation cap and grown sat atop her shop display case. Her son, Ji Ah affirmed at the proud look Mrs Cho gave her when she caught her looking. "He is a SNU graduate" Mrs Cho explained proudly pointing to the photograph "he is also single" she said pointedly looking at Ji Ah.

Ji Ah merely smiled politely, it was not the first time mothers had tried set her up with their sons. Usually they take one look at at her fair face, childbearing hips and decide she is the perfect match for their sons - some of whom she is arresting at the time - she tired to take is a compliment. However many years of dating childish, incompetent men had left her adverse from taking any mother's recommendations on the virtues of their sons.

Mrs Cho did have the information they were looking for, Mr Seong Gi Hun, lived not far from here, as a friend of his mother she was able to give the detective's his address - after assurance that he was not in trouble and that they just needed to ask him some questions - she was also able to slip in that Mr Seong was also divorced, looking again at Ji Ah who politely chuckled.

As they walked away, Jun Ho joked that their next great investigation should be to find Ji Ah a husband as they have a long list of suspects. Ji Ah sarcastically laughed "haha Jun Ho you are so funny, we should get you on stage" rolling her eyes. Despite the teasing, she was glad to see her friend smiling again. The last few days had taken all the humor from him, she was glad to see that lighter side returning.

Approaching the alleys leading to Mr Seong's apartment the rain seemed to fall heavier, almost oppressively. 'Definitely a bad omen' Ji Ah thought.

They saw a the back of a figure, swaying, heading toward the apartment. He had no umbrella and was getting soaked by the rain.

Jun Ho picked his pace up slightly, approaching the man "Seong Gi Hun?" He asked as the man turned to face him.

He looked awful Ji Ah thought, sad in the eyes and long wet hair dripping down onto his bruised face. In other circumstances Ji Ah would have considered him handsome.

"Yes" Gi Hun asked apprehensively looking first at Jun Ho and then Ji Ah who took a step closer.

Jun Ho flipped out his police badge, as did Ji Ah who came to stand beside Gi Hun, offering him shelter under her umbrella. He gave her indescribable look as his eyes roamed her face before turning his head back to Jun Ho.

"Decective Hwang Jun Ho and Mun Ji Ah, we are following up on report you made that the station" Jun Ho started "You said a group abducted people and make them play games. You also said that some of these people where killed" Jun Ho finished, stone faced.

Gi Hun looked slightly startled, like he didn't believe anyone would follow up. Eyes darting slightly between the two detectives before settling back on Jun Ho "Oh, all that? Yeah, I just made that up" Gi Hun lied "Yeah, a story made up when I was drunk" he nodded trying to convince himself of his own lies.

Jun Ho remained stone faced. "They sent a card to my brother" he said, trying to remain unemotional "just like the one you had"

There - Ji Ah saw it - a stutter in Gi Hun's facade. His face twitched and shoulders dropped. She sucked in a quiet breath, unable to believe he may be telling the truth, about the games, all of it.

"I just found it, I don't know" Gi Hun continued to lie, trying to find away of of this situation, looking between the detectives he settled on the pretty one that wasn't giving him a murderous look "I saw it on the street and just put in on my pocket" his eyes pleading with Ji Ah to just drop this conversation.

Jun Ho interjected, "Mr Seong, you can help me" his voice starting to wavier "I need to get him back" he felt his only hope in finding his brother beginning to fizzle away.

Ji Ah felt her heart shatter at the broken voice of her friend, his face full of desperation.

"Mr Seong" she started placing a calming hand on his jacketed forearm "please, help us. Any information you have will be use" she spoke softly and calmly, trying to persuade the panicked Gi Hun who looked ready to bolt at a moments notice.

Gi Hun stared at the small hand placed on his arm, thinking it's been a long time since anyone has touched him with warmth. He takes a breath and closes his eyes, but it all comes flooding back to him, the body's dropping, the sound of gunfire, his debts, his mother's illness, losing his daughter. He realises he can't, he cannot say anything.

Resigned, Gi Hun pulls his arm from the detectives hold, almost immediately missing the warmth. "Why would you think, that I would be useful to you or anybody else" his speaks sadly as he turns to walk away.

Jun Ho and Ji Ah watch him go, unmoving. Ji Ah tries go think of a way to get him to come back, to co-operate. If she is right, and he was telling the truth about the games all of it. That means his, In Ho's and countless other lives are in danger.

Turning to Jun Ho to ask what he thought, she stopped when she saw that determined look in his eye, something that has she has only seen a handful of times, but normally meant he was going to get his way through hell or high water.

"Jun Ho" she asked tentatively

"We need to follow him" Jun Ho replied, his voice full of resolve.

Taking a moment to look at her friend, she allowed her eyes to roam his face, taking him his hardset mouth and focussed eye. 'We are in this together' she thought.

"Let's go partner" she quipped taking lead and following Mr Seong into the night.