Epilogue

EPILOGUE The old man shut the door of his office and sank into his leather chair. He swung around toward the window, propping his feet on a ledge. They hurt more than usual today. At his age, he disliked long walks. From below, the muffled sound of traffic wafted upward, the frustrated shouts of motorists, the frenzied calls of sidewalk vendors. A constant reminder of life's true desperate meaning— speed, desire, possession. He was tired of it all. But it wouldn't be long now. The proper path was finally clear. He flicked on his music system. Richard Strauss's Death and Transfiguration. Oddly appropriate, after what happened today. A stressful day. What was necessary was not

always pleasant. Ah, well. First the death. Now the transfiguration. He pressed a button on his intercom. "Eun-hee, please contact Mr. McIntyre for me. I have some news for him." He waited a few seconds but received no response. Strange. Eun-hee had been there when he walked in a few moments ago. She never left her desk in the outer chamber. "Eun-hee…?" he tried again. The intercom crackled to life. But the reply was not at all what he expected. "Hello, Uncle," said a deep, silken voice that sent a knife of fear down his spine. "I trust your trip to the park was pleasant?" Bae Oh's bony finger began to shake. "Who… who is this?" "Why, it's your heir," the voice returned. "What, did I spoil your day? And what a lovely day it was indeed, seeing me die and thus realizing you were spared the trouble of doing the job yourself."

"But…" Bae Oh sputtered. "How could you have survived…?" "A lot of people are wondering this. But I guarantee that when I'm through with you, they won't be asking the same question." Bae Oh may have been in his ninth decade, but his reflexes were still unmatched. He leaped from his chair and opened the door to the outer chamber. The room was empty. The distant sound of footsteps on the outer carpet resounded, then stopped. He was gone. Bae Oh's knees crumpled. He propped himself on the edge of the desk, feeling his heartbeat race, as behind him, the music swelled.