Page 87 of Damian & Jun: Episodes 1-4
It was a long wait. Mr. Su’s voice came at intervals from inside, the words too distorted by distance to be clear. Finally, footsteps crossed the room, and the door opened. Three deep lines marked Mr. Su’s forehead. He gestured Damian to come in and closed the door.
“I suggest that you let this matter rest, Mr. Sathers,” he said. He rubbed his forehead and walked away toward the foliage in the sunroom section. “This is beyond either of us.”
Damian counted to three in three languages. “Gang Junseo is my friend, sir.”
“I have been advised by those I trust to distance myself from the matter.”
“Is he in the system?”
Mr. Su fidgeted with his cuff. “I am certain that your friend will be able to sort matters on his own. It is most certainly a misunderstanding.”
“Mr. Gang was being held as a prisoner by his boss before he escaped, sir. That is a crime.”
“I’m certain it’s merely a misunderstanding. Perhaps you do not understand the context. There are always nuances.”
“I’m reporting a criminal act, sir. And you will not even investigate?”
“I have investigated, Mr. Sathers. I find the matter is best allowed to lie quiet. I would ask that you do the same. It will work out. I’ve been assured.”
“Mr. Su.” Damian swallowed, breathed, and counted again. “Mr. Su, the head of police in this city and the head of a company have colluded to sexually traffic a young man under them. Surely there are forces you can bring to bear.”
“You must care deeply for Mr. Gang,” Mr. Su said softly, unable to meet Damian’s eyes. “But these are serious allegations. And you’ve offered no proof.”
“I have text messages, phone calls, and eyewitness testimony. There is enough for a case against Mr. Bak and the men who came with him this morning.”
“Mr. Sathers.” Mr. Su let out a pained breath. “Son, please understand. I have to care for my country.”
Damian’s skin burned. His pulse thumped in his temples. “I’m asking you to care for one of your country’s children.
“I have to think of all the children, Mr. Sathers. This kind of spectacle, this kind of debacle, it already creates unrest. You are questioning the head of those charged with safeguarding society. The children of this country need to trust their guardians. They need that faith. They need to trust their leaders.”
“If this is what the head of the police does, then the children of this country should lose that faith.”
Mr. Su shook his head. “That faith keeps all of us safe.”
“Not Junseo. Not the others like him.”
“The greater number, Mr. Sathers. They rest more safely at night. They trust the officers they see on the street. We are not a country of violence, unlike yours, Mr. Sathers. We respect our leaders and officers. This is a principal thread in the fabric of our society. It is not something I can lightly burn.”
“So Jun is the sacrifice. Jun and how many others these monsters have already plundered beneath your nose, to maintain this lie that the greater number is safe.”
“You are a well-educated, well-traveled man, Mr. Sathers. An American. You know what happens to a society that no longer believes in their enforcers and leaders. It happens with paper cuts, one tiny slice at a time. Most of the time, they can be healed. But a story like this is bigger than a single paper cut. It is many cuts. A gash even.”
“You place the lie above the truth.”
“It’s not a lie to most. It’s enough truth that it works. You are a lawyer, son. You know the black and the white and the gray.”
The small muscles in Damian’s body quivered beneath the fine wool of his suit. His hand balled up in a fist.
“Then I will find another way.”
Mr. Su raised his eyes. “Let this play out, Mr. Sathers. Mr. Gang… I think Mr. Gang will be returned. I–I do not believe this…situation…will last. And he will be grateful for your discretion in the future. He is a public figure. Some things should not be spread about. Whatever has happened to him, he will not want it to be spread about.”
“Do you say that for him, Mr. Su, or for society?”
“For my country and for Mr. Gang. I know you love this country, Mr. Sathers. It is rare that I have met a foreigner so capable of respecting us. You are an honored guest I have been proud to call a friend. Let this be…one more lesson.”
“Jun is my person.”
