Sun Hee gulped after reading Daewon’s medical profile. He flew to New York after graduating from Seoul National University, majoring in Korean Literature and Modern Korean Novel. The media circulated he went there in pursuit of a better career, concealing his medical condition. Dr. Arthur Anderson talked with Sun Hee over the phone and explained Daewon’s illness. Daewon was doing better when he was in New York, not until he went back for their high school reunion. Mee Yoon’s kiss triggered his sickness.
Since then, Dr. Anderson couldn’t reach Daewon. He realized Daewon would chase Mee Yoon the moment they met. The doctor lost hope because Daewon was uncontrolled. Once he won’t get what he wants, his condition would worsen and it would be dangerous for Mee Yoon.
Dr. Anderson also sent a flash drive. Inside of it was some video recordings from CCTV cameras. He sent someone to tail Daewon. They discovered Daewon has been following Mee Yoon wherever she goes. Daewon did it while wearing different silicon masks. The masks were realistic. No one would suspect him.
“How come I didn’t know about this?” Sun Hee said in devastation.
“I’m entrusting him to you. As a close friend, maybe he will listen to you. Be calm while bringing this up to him,” Dr. Anderson said.
“What about Mee Yoon?”
“You must tell her. Daewon is dangerous. But you can’t use foul words on him or he’ll be wild.”
Obsessive Love Disorder (OLD) is a condition when people become obsessed with the person they think they love, controlling them like are possessions. It is an overwhelming attraction to one person accompanied by extreme jealousy over other interpersonal interactions. People in this condition do not take rejection easily.
Daewon’s broken family negatively affected him. It also made him develop emotional attachment issues and Borderline Personality Disorder. His anxious and depressive episodes were unseen because he always appears charming in public.
***
Youngsoo was analyzing the new report he received from Detective Dan in his office. She was trying to solve why the killer’s fingerprints are not registered in the system. The report said that the killer must be one of the poor families under a child trafficking syndicate. They were among the people that were difficult to track down. But it would not be easy to verify.
Youngsoo wiped his face with his palm.
“What if he is not among them? How can a person use someone else’s fingerprints to cover up his own?” he uttered and turned the swivel chair around.
“That’s right. Maybe he wiped his hands on unregistered people. The closest would be children. How would he do that? Is it possible for him to cut their fingers and use them as baits?”
A loud knock on the door took away his thoughts. Personnel from the forensic team came in and gave him another report from the crime laboratory.
“A new fingerprint?” he whispered.
To his bewilderment, the door opened.
“Sun Hee? What brought you here? You should’ve called me.”
Sun hee sat on the chair in front of his table.
“I have something urgent to tell you,” she said.
“You’re accepting my proposal? That’s quick,” he said.
“Stupid. Not that.” She rolled her eyes.
Sun Hee handed a brown envelope to him.
“Daewon has a mental condition. I haven’t told Mee Yoon yet because they are in the hospital. It would be better not to rush things.”
Youngsoo also watched the video recordings.
“This is ridiculous. Tell me this isn’t true,” Daewon said.
“I’m sorry. I know Daewon is like a brother to you. He suffered so much after their breakup. I wasn’t there to guide him because I was with Mee Yoon.”
Youngsoo shook his head and buried his head in his palms.
“Is his condition severe to a point that he could murder someone?” he asked.
“What?” Sun Hee’s brows furrowed.
“What are you talking about?”
Youngsoo looked into her eyes.
“Tell me. Yes or no?” His face turned grim.
“Well… pathological obsessive love can be disruptive and may cause evil acts. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation crime reports, in 2011, the victim’s lover committed over 10% of murders in the United States (FBI 2011). But I doubt Daewon could do such a thing.”
Youngsoo clasped his fingers together.
“That minority can add up to a thousand or ten thousand deaths caused by such a condition. Daewon was so good at pretending. You didn’t even notice. There’s a possibility that he has turned into a psycho,” Daewon said in a rough tone.
“Please don’t say that.”
“Cha Sun Hee. I need your rational state of mind right now. Don’t be subjective just because you are friends. Face this case as a doctor. Detach your emotions.”
“Don’t talk like Daewon is a criminal. We have proven nothing,” she said.
“Not yet. The crime lab folks sent me a new report. They found a different fingerprint. Now, pray to the Gods that it doesn’t belong to Daewon.”
Sun Hee breathed in and out.
“Have you forgotten that I came face to face with the killer? I can assure you he isn’t Daewon. I am a witness.”
“He might be wearing a realistic silicon mask. He can put on an act. Daewon can pretend to be someone else. I cannot let this slip for the safety of Mee Yoon and you.”
“Daewon will never harm me nor Mee Yoon.”
Youngsoo heaved a sigh.
“Cha Sun Hee! Get a grip. If proven guilty, he murdered women. He can’t have Mee Yoon, that’s why he targeted those similar to her. He is not in his right mind. You should know better.”
Sun Hee pierced her sharp eyes into his. It was the first Youngsoo saw that look in her eyes. Her gaze was deadly, but she was scared.
“Then prove to me he is guilty. I’m willing to cooperate.”
Youngsoo smirked.
“So you are going to the witness stand and defend him? Then be my guest.”
Youngsoo loosened his necktie.
“Bring his DNA sample and let’s find out if he could be a suspect.”