Sim Yeonho

Two words in three from the living are lies. Not one word from the dead is. That's why the night suits me fine.

• DeokgaeThen where does my word fall, sir? Which of the two?
  Sim YeonhoYours doesn't get counted. Chattering next to a corpse isn't speech, it's noise.
  Deokgae...I'll take that as a compliment, then.
• ChobiDon't think the dead speak only to you. To me, they gave up your name too.
  Sim YeonhoIf a name came up, bring it to the tribunal. I only trust what's written on paper.

The tie on her jacket was knotted backward. A woman doesn't retie her own knot wrong.

• GombaeI carried that body. It wasn't like that in the alley.
  Sim YeonhoThen someone touched it after. Your memory beats ten clerks.
• MaksunOh, sir, and the hands that tried to cover her with hemp cloth first, why didn't you write those down? I'd have put that in the report too.
  Sim YeonhoA hand that covers is evidence as well. It's only that it isn't mine to record.

A draft record can't be revised. That's why it's called a draft. Once it's revised, it's called a report.

• Han SagyeomInvestigating officer. The brush is yours, but the paper belongs to the state.
  Sim YeonhoYes. That's why I'm careful only with the paper.
• MaehongThat one line must be worth quite a lot. Don't worry, I won't sell it.
  Han SagyeomI hear the madam has nothing she won't sell.
  MaehongOnly the assistant magistrate's things I don't sell. Too many buyers, sir. The price won't hold.