Griffin:Patterns. Who had access to what when things changed.
There was a knock on my door. I checked the peephole. It was Minjae. I opened it.
He stood in the hallway wearing joggers and an oversized hoodie, hands in his pockets. His expression was neutral, but his eyes were alert.
"Can I come in?"
I stepped back, and he entered. Minjae spoke again, "Something's wrong."
"Yes."
"Are you safe?"
It was a tough question.
"I don't know," I said honestly.
Minjae crossed to a bed and sat down . "The additional security. The protocols. Everyone's pretending it's routine, but it's not."
"They are."
"Does it have to do with Griffin?" He waved his hands. "I'm not asking if you're… whatever. I don't care about that, but I need to know if you're in danger, or if we're in danger."
"No one's targeting the band. It's only me."
"That's no better."
Minjae stood and walked to the window. "Portland. The corridor. The way everything lined up too perfectly to be an accident." He turned. "Someone's testing how close they can get, aren't they?"
"Griffin thinks so."
"Soo-jin's been different since Griffin joined. Not obvious. But he's..." Minjae struggled for words. "He's watching you differently from the rest of us now. Like you're a problem he's solving instead of someone he's managing."
My blood ran cold. Minjae noticed. Of course, he noticed.
I couldn't find any more words, so I said what I could. "I need a nap."
Minjae nodded slowly and accepted the cue.
"Okay," he said, "but if any of this gets worse, or if you need anything—"
"I'll tell you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
He moved toward the door, then stopped. "Griffin's good at his job. I've been watching. He sees things before they happen. Like when he moved you away from that photographer in Vancouver before you even saw them. He's that good, but he can't be everywhere."
"I know."
"So be careful. Even when you think you're safe."
Chapter eleven
Griffin - Portland - May 10
My phone read 3:55 PM when I called Kang from the hallway before returning to my room.
