Page 212 of Scarbound

“Us.”

Jun studied him briefly but didn’t ask.

“I was going to give him a few days,” Duri continued. “Then see him over the weekend.”

“That would make sense,” Jun said slowly, “if Noeul had actually gone to work.”

Duri’s jaw tightened.

Jun rested one hand against the bar. “He wasn’t exaggerating about the workload. We have an important presentation next Wednesday. Tuesday was the last day I saw him. I left around seven-thirty, and he was still there working overtime.”

“What time did he leave?”

“I don’t know.”

Duri reached automatically for a beer, then stopped before opening it. “Did anyone see him leave?”

“I’m checking.”

“His apartment?”

“I went there before coming here.”

Duri looked at him sharply.

“No lights. No answer. I called while I was outside and couldn’t hear his phone ringing.” Jun paused. “I stayed for a while.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

Duri pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m calling Ji-Woo.”

Jun nodded, and Duri dialed immediately. Ji-Woo answered after only a few rings.

“Duri hyung?”

“Ji-Woo, when did you last speak to Noeul?”

A pause. “Tuesday.”

The answer came too quickly. Duri’s stomach tightened.

“Have you spoken to him since?”

“No.”

“Has he answered your calls?”

Another pause. “No.”

Duri glanced at Jun. “Ji-Woo, Mr. Han is here. Noeul hasn’t been at work since Tuesday.”

Silence.

“What?”

“He hasn’t shown up for three days,” Duri said. “Mr. Han has been trying to find him.”