Chapter 15: The Undercover Barista
The familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Chin-Sun stepped into the bustling café. The sound of milk frothing and espresso machines humming brought back memories of her days as a barista, before her life had taken such a dramatic turn. Today, she wasn't just any barista; she was undercover, trying to gather information on a person of interest who frequented this café.
Dressed in a simple uniform and a cap, Chin-Sun adjusted her disguise. She glanced around the café, taking in the crowd. It was a popular spot, especially with young professionals and students. Her target, a man named Hwan, was rumored to be connected to the masked killer. He often came here to meet with various contacts.
Chin-Sun’s heart raced as she stepped behind the counter. She had to be careful and discreet, blending in while keeping a close eye on Hwan. The café manager, Mrs. Park, welcomed her warmly.
"Welcome, Min," Mrs. Park said, using the alias Chin-Sun had provided.
"I’m glad to have you on board. We’re quite busy today, so let’s get you started."
"Thank you, Mrs. Park," Chin-Sun replied with a smile.
"I’m ready to get to work."
As she began taking orders and making drinks, Chin-Sun kept one eye on the door. It wasn’t long before Hwan walked in, looking as unassuming as ever. He was a tall man in his late thirties, with a calm demeanor that belied his sinister connections. He took his usual seat by the window, ordering a black coffee.
Chin-Sun’s pulse quickened. This was her chance. She prepared his coffee with care, adding a small, innocuous tracking device to the bottom of the cup. It was a risky move, but it would allow them to monitor his movements.
She walked over to Hwan's table, placing the coffee in front of him with a polite smile. "Here’s your coffee, sir."
Hwan barely glanced at her, mumbling a quick thanks before returning to his phone. Chin-Sun’s heart pounded as she walked back to the counter, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tiny device.
---
The day passed slowly, with Chin-Sun juggling her barista duties and her undercover mission. She took every opportunity to observe Hwan, noting his interactions and the people he met. By the time her shift ended, she had gathered valuable information on his activities.
As she prepared to leave, Mrs. Park called her over.
"You did a great job today, Min. We could use someone like you full-time."
Chin-Sun smiled, feeling a pang of guilt. "Thank you, Mrs. Park. I’ll consider it."
Leaving the café, Chin-Sun made her way to the rendezvous point where Ji-Yeong and Jong-Su were waiting. They greeted her with eager expressions, anxious to hear what she had discovered.
"How did it go?" Ji-Yeong asked, his eyes searching hers for any signs of trouble.
"It went well," Chin-Sun replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"I planted the tracker on Hwan’s coffee cup. We should be able to monitor his movements now."
Jong-Su grinned. "Great job, Chin-Sun. We’ll start tracking him immediately."
As they headed back to their headquarters, Chin-Sun felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were getting closer to uncovering the masked killer’s network, and every piece of information brought them one step closer to justice.
---
Back at their headquarters, Ye Joon and Ho-Sook joined them in the operations room. Jong-Su quickly set up the tracking software, and within minutes, they had a live feed of Hwan’s movements.
"Looks like he’s heading to an address in the city," Jong-Su said, pointing to the map on the screen. "We should check it out."
Ji-Yeong nodded. "Let’s go. We need to move quickly."
Chin-Sun, still in her barista uniform, felt a surge of adrenaline. They were about to embark on another mission, and she was determined to see it through.
---
The team arrived at the address, a nondescript office building in a busy part of the city. Ji-Yeong, Jong-Su, and Chin-Sun made their way inside, blending in with the crowd. They followed the tracker’s signal to the fourth floor, where they found a locked door marked with a generic business name.
"This must be it," Ji-Yeong whispered, pulling out a set of lock-picking tools. "Keep an eye out while I get us in."
Chin-Sun and Jong-Su stood guard, their eyes scanning the hallway for any signs of trouble. Within moments, Ji-Yeong had the door open, and they slipped inside.
The room was filled with filing cabinets and computers, all meticulously organized. Jong-Su immediately went to work, searching for any incriminating evidence.
"Look for anything that links Hwan to the masked killer," Ji-Yeong instructed, rifling through a stack of papers.
Chin-Sun joined the search, her eyes darting over documents and files. After several minutes, she found a folder marked with a symbol she recognized from their previous encounters with the masked killer.
"Ji-Yeong, look at this," she said, handing him the folder.
Ji-Yeong opened it, his expression darkening as he read the contents. "This is it. Proof of their connection. We need to get this back to headquarters."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching the door. "Someone’s coming," Jong-Su whispered urgently.
They quickly hid, pressing themselves against the walls. The door creaked open, and Hwan stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room suspiciously.
"Who’s in here?" he called out, his voice filled with suspicion.
Ji-Yeong signaled for silence, and they waited, barely daring to breathe. After a tense moment, Hwan shrugged and turned to leave, but not before locking the door behind him.
"We need to get out of here," Ji-Yeong whispered once Hwan was gone.
"Quickly."
They gathered the documents and slipped out the window, climbing down the fire escape to the alley below. As they made their way back to their car, Chin-Sun felt a rush of triumph. They had the evidence they needed.
---
Back at headquarters, Ho-Sook was waiting anxiously. "Did you find anything?"
Ji-Yeong handed her the folder.
"We found proof. Hwan is working with the masked killer."
Ho-Sook’s eyes widened as she read through the documents.
"This is incredible. We need to take this to the authorities."
Jong-Su nodded.
"Agreed. This could be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for."
Chin-Sun felt a sense of pride and relief wash over her. They had taken a significant step towards bringing the masked killer to justice, and she knew they were closer than ever to ending his reign of terror.
As they prepared to share their findings with the authorities, Chin-Sun couldn’t help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn her life had taken. From a devoted fan to an undercover barista, she had found a new purpose and a new family in The Prism. And together, they would see this mission through to the end.