Chapter 231: A Disappearance Shrouded in Complete Mystery

Branch Chief Harrison watched Saho devouring the beef with great appetite for a while before turning to me.

“Director Griffin told me just how intelligent Saho is.”

I had been wondering how best to bring up Saho’s abilities with Branch Chief Harrison, so it was quite convenient that Director Griffin had already filled him in.

“Then I suppose I don’t need to explain why I brought Saho with me?”

“Of course not.”

“You’ve probably already heard this from Director Griffin, but Saho is a genuine strategic weapon for us.”

“I’ll regard Saho solely as your pet, Managing Director Cha.”

They really did understand each other without needing much explanation.

“I’d greatly appreciate that.”

“There is one thing I’d like to ask about Saho. Does he really understand human speech?”

“He understands Korean.”

“Just as Director Griffin said, Saho truly is a sacred animal.”

“Ha ha. Is that so? It looks like we’re finished with breakfast, so why don’t we move to the living room for a serious discussion?”

I naturally took the seat of honor, while Branch Chief Harrison and Chief Secretary Kang Inhan sat opposite each other.

“Branch Chief Harrison, tell me what information the CIA has gathered regarding the missing Kwak Cheolhun.”

“We’ve confirmed that Kwak Cheolhun hasn’t appeared at the university since the middle of the month.”

“Are you saying Commander Kwak Taesu contacted him and told him to flee when he himself defected from North Korea?”

“I was thinking the same thing, Managing Director Cha.”

“Did you try tracking his movements afterward?”

“Two weeks ago, a surveillance camera captured him withdrawing cash from an ATM in central Geneva. After that, all traces of him disappear.”

Kwak Cheolhun had undoubtedly gone to Geneva and deliberately allowed himself to be caught on camera in order to deceive the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau operatives. Afterward, while avoiding surveillance cameras, he had hidden himself in a safe house located in Interlaken.

“Could Kwak Cheolhun have moved to France?”

“If that were the case, Managing Director Cha, you would be in France right now instead of Switzerland.”

In other words, he was telling me not to spout pointless nonsense.

“Ahem! My apologies.”

“Not at all. Now I’d like to hear the information you obtained, Managing Director Cha.”

I had anticipated this situation and prepared a suitable answer in advance.

“Three years ago, Deputy Chief Cho Ilcheol personally made a secret visit to Switzerland on Kim Jonghun’s orders. Because he was concerned about attracting media attention, he couldn’t stay at a hotel.”

“Then where did he stay?”

“While he was considering where to find suitable accommodations, Commander Kwak Taesu approached him. He told him that he personally owned a mountain house near Lake Thun in Interlaken.”

“Are you saying Kwak Cheolhun is hiding in his father’s mountain house?”

As it turned out, Kwak Cheolhun had still been staying at the mountain house three days ago. However, he had been missing since the afternoon of the day before yesterday. The only regrettable thing was that I couldn’t share the facts I knew with Branch Chief Harrison.

“We’ll have to verify the reliability of that information on-site by visiting the mountain house ourselves.”

“I understand what you mean. But what if North Korea knows that Commander Kwak owns a mountain house in Switzerland?”

“All we can do is hope they don’t know. What other choice do we have?”

“That’s true... Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

“We should leave for Interlaken immediately.”

“I’ll go downstairs first and prepare everything for our departure.”

Burning with impatience, Branch Chief Harrison abruptly rose from the sofa, opened the door to the room, and left.

Bzzzt—

Just as I got up from the sofa to pack my things, the phone in my hand vibrated. I quickly glanced at the screen and saw that Agent Hong Jongsu was calling.

“Agent Hong, I’m listening.”

[Managing Director Cha, I’m currently in Interlaken.]

“When did you leave?”

[We left at dawn today and arrived half an hour ago.]

“You’re fast. Tell me why you’re calling.”

[I just arrived at the mountain house where Kwak Cheolhun is hiding, but the front door is locked tight. May we break a window and enter?]

However, I couldn’t approve Agent Hong Jongsu’s proposal.

“I understand your impatience perfectly well, Agent Hong, but there could easily be traps set inside the mountain house. Don’t attempt to enter until we arrive.”

[Understood, Managing Director Cha.]

Click.

After ending the call, I instructed Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

“Make sure the NIS agents are strictly warned not to act rashly.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan replied in a firm, resolute voice.

***

After finishing our preparations for the trip to Interlaken, I went down to the lobby, where Branch Chief Harrison was already waiting for me. As soon as he spotted us, he quickly approached.

“Managing Director Cha, I’ve just completed the checkout.”

“Charge the accommodation expenses to Secretary Kang.”

“Managing Director Cha and your party are in Switzerland on official business, so it’s only right that we cover the expenses.”

“What kind of logic is that?”

“Managing Director Cha is an honorary agent of our CIA. We’re short on time, so shall we get going?”

Branch Chief Harrison deftly slipped away from the subject like a snake slithering through a fence.

Outside the hotel, a limousine and a minibus were waiting with their engines running.

Branch Chief Harrison, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, Saho, and I got into the limousine.

The Korea Investment employees and CIA agents boarded the minibus.

As soon as the driver pulled away, I addressed Branch Chief Harrison.

“The NIS agents have arrived at the mountain house belonging to Commander Kwak Taesu, but the front door was locked.”

“Could it be that Kwak Cheolhun never went there at all?”

The answer, “He was definitely hiding there as recently as three days ago,” rose all the way to my throat, but I exercised superhuman patience and somehow swallowed it back down.

“We should take that possibility into consideration as well.”

“Then where could he be hiding?”

“Perhaps we should discuss that after we inspect the inside of the mountain house?”

“Ah, I was being shortsighted.”

“Let’s discuss something else. Have you found out what the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau operatives are doing?”

“Reconnaissance General Bureau operatives?”

Branch Chief Harrison repeated the words with a puzzled expression.

“The North Korean embassy personnel in Switzerland are actually operatives from the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau.”

“Ah, I see. They’re currently in Geneva.”

“If they flood into Interlaken, things could get considerably more complicated.”

“We’re monitoring their every move. If they head this way, I’ll inform you immediately.”

“I’d appreciate that. I have to say, though, the scenery here is incredible.”

With those words, I turned my gaze toward the window.

***

“Managing Director, that house over there is the mountain house belonging to Commander Kwak Taesu.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, pointed toward a building.

The mountain house he indicated stood on a small hill where a fresh breeze blew in from Lake Thun.

The red brick and green ivy blended harmoniously, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.

“It’s like looking at a beautiful painting.”

“I completely agree, Managing Director.”

“About how much would it cost to buy a mountain house like that?”

“I’ll look into it and report back to you.”

“Ha ha, I was only joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

While I exchanged a few words with Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, the driver parked the limousine.

The moment we stepped out of the car, Agent Hong Jongsu, who had been waiting for us, approached.

“Welcome, Managing Director Cha.”

“The view from here is incredible.”

“I think so too.”

“I’d like to hear the results of your inspection of the outside of the mountain house.”

“From the outside, it looks like a perfectly ordinary mountain house. There aren’t even any surveillance cameras installed on the fence.”

“Were any of the windows open by any chance?”

“We noticed that one of the second-floor windows is slightly open.”

Considering that a stroke of luck, I turned to Saho, who had jumped out after us.

“How about we finish the job quickly and then you can go enjoy some hunting?”

“...Meow?”

Saho tilted his head to the side in confusion.

“I mean, inspect the inside of the mountain house.”

As though he understood what I wanted, Saho nodded.

Team Leader Seo Donghun approached Saho and explained the task to him in detail.

Once all the preparations were complete, Saho shot forward like lightning and effortlessly cleared the fence.

Watching this, Branch Chief Harrison exclaimed in astonishment,

“Managing Director Cha, just how high can Saho actually jump?”

“We’ve never measured it precisely, but at least five meters.”

“At least five meters... Incredible.”

“Save some of your amazement, or this is going to get awkward.”

“Is there still more for you to surprise me with?”

“You’ll see soon enough. Agent Hong, is the gate open?”

We followed Agent Hong Jongsu through the gate and stepped into the garden.

The garden was in immaculate condition, without a single weed in sight. It was obvious that someone had been tending to it until quite recently.

As though reading my thoughts, Agent Hong Jongsu spoke.

“Managing Director Cha, according to what we found out, the owner of this mountain house has the garden and interior cleaned once every three months.”

“Doesn’t the owner have a key to the front door?”

“The door has an electronic keypad lock, but someone recently changed the code.”

So Kwak Cheolhun had changed the code.

“I see. Is there anything else I should know?”

“According to the property manager, the lights in the house were on half a month ago.”

At that moment, Branch Chief Harrison, who had been listening carefully to our conversation, joined in.

“Managing Director Cha, can we take that as confirmation that Kwak Cheolhun is inside?”

“I was thinking the same thing, Branch Chief Harrison.”

However, something struck Branch Chief Harrison as strange.

The fact that Kwak Cheolhun had been staying at the mountain house was undoubtedly good news.

Yet a heavy shadow hung over Cha Jiham’s face as he answered.

Harrison cautiously asked why.

“Agent Hong will answer Branch Chief Harrison’s question.”

Understanding my intention, Agent Hong Jongsu answered without hesitation.

“However, the lights haven’t come on since the night before last.”

“I see... Can we conclude that Kwak Cheolhun left the mountain house?”

“Saho has gone inside, so we’ll know the actual situation very soon.”

“Ah, I see.”

Nodding, Branch Chief Harrison followed us.

Beep-beep!

Only a few moments after we reached the front door, an electronic chime sounded.

As though he had been waiting for precisely that, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan flung the door wide open.

At that very moment, Saho darted out of the house and leaped straight into my arms.

I stroked Saho’s head in thanks for his work and asked,

“Were there any traps inside?”

Saho shook his head.

At that very instant, the NIS agents, Korea Investment employees, and CIA agents rushed into the house.

Watching them, I continued speaking to Saho.

“An hour should be enough for you to hunt some wild animals, right?”

Saho nodded in understanding, jumped out of my arms, and raced toward the mountains behind the house at breakneck speed.

“Branch Chief Harrison, shall we go inside?”

Still looking stunned, Branch Chief Harrison followed me inside.

The NIS agents, Korea Investment employees, and CIA agents were bustling around the house.

Leaving them to search the place, I sat down on the sofa.

Branch Chief Harrison lowered himself onto an empty sofa and asked in bewilderment,

“Managing Director Cha, how did Saho open the front door?”

“He jumped up and pressed the button with his paw.”

“Is that even possible?”

“If it weren’t possible, the door would still be closed.”

“Oh. It seems I asked a pointless question.”

“Incidentally, Saho can even shut off an electrical panel.”

“Whoa!”

Branch Chief Harrison let out an astonished exclamation.

After some time, Agent Hong Jongsu approached us at a brisk pace.

“Managing Director Cha, it appears Kwak Cheolhun never left the mountain house.”

“What makes you think that?”

“His personal belongings are still in the bedroom.”

It was at that very moment that the case of Kwak Cheolhun’s disappearance became shrouded in complete mystery.