The Red Pyramid [BTS adaption]

2. A Death at the Needle - II

Namjoon POV

I'd almost forgotten about the dude in the trench coat. He and my dad were standing across the street next to the big tree, having what looked like a serious argument. Dad's back was turned so I couldn't see his face, but he gestured with his hands like he does when he's agitated. The other guy scowled and shook his head.

"Dunno," I said. "He was there when we pulled up." "He looks familiar." Jimin frowned like she was trying to remember. "Come on." "Dad wants us to wait in the cab," I said, even though I knew it was no use. Jimin was already on the move.

Instead of going straight across the street, she dashed up the sidewalk for half a block, ducking behind cars, then crossed to the opposite side and crouched under a low stone wall. she started sneaking toward our dad. I didn't have much choice but to follow her example, even though it made me feel kind of stupid.

"few years in England," I muttered, "and she thinks she's James Bond." Jimin swatted me without looking back and kept creeping forward. A couple more steps and we were right behind the big dead tree. I could hear my dad on the other side, saying,

"—have to, Seo Joon. You know it's the right thing." "No," said the other man, who must've been Seo Joon. His voice was deep and even—very insistent. His accent was American. "If I don't stop you, Hyung Sik, they will. The Per Ankh is shadowing you." Jimin turned to me and mouthed the words "Per what?" I shook my head, just as mystified.

"Let's get out of here," I whispered because I figured we'd be spotted any minute and get in serious trouble. Jimin, of course, ignored me. "They don't know my plan," my father was saying. "By the time they figure it out—" "And the children?" Seo Joon asked. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. "What about them?" "I've made arrangements to protect them," my dad said.

"Besides, if I don't do this, we're all in danger. Now, back off." "I can't, Hyung Sik." "Then it's a duel you want?" Dad's tone turned deadly serious. "You never could beat me, Seo Joon." I hadn't seen my dad get violent since the Great Spatula Incident, and I wasn't anxious to see a repeat of that, but the two men seemed to be edging toward a fight.

Before I could react, Jimin popped up and shouted, "Dad!" He looked surprised when she tackle-hugged him, but not nearly as surprised as the other guy, Seo Joon. He backed up so quickly, he tripped over his own trench coat. He'd taken off his glasses. I couldn't help thinking that Jimin was right. He oddly looks familiar—like a very distant memory.

"I—I must be going," he said. He straightened his fedora and lumbered down the road. Our dad watched him go. He kept one arm protectively around Jimin and one hand inside the work bag slung over his shoulder. Finally, when Seo Joon disappeared around the corner, Dad relaxed. He took his hand out of the bag and smiled at Jimin.

"Hello, sweetheart." Jimin pushed away from him and crossed her arms. "Oh, now it's sweetheart, is it? You're late. Visitation Day's nearly over! And what was that about? Who's Seo Joon, and what's the Per Ankh?" Dad stiffened. He glanced at me like he was wondering how much we'd overheard.

"It's nothing," he said, trying to sound upbeat. "I have a wonderful evening planned. Who'd like a private tour of the British Museum?"

Jimin slumped in the back of the taxi between Dad and me. "I can't believe it," she grumbled. "One evening together, and you want to do research." Dad tried for a smile. "Sweetheart, it'll be fun. The curator of the Egyptian collection personally invited—" "Right, big surprise." Jimin ran fingers through her hair.

"Christmas Eve, and we're going to see some moldy old relics from Egypt. Do you ever think about anything else?" Dad didn't get mad. He never gets mad at Jimin. She's daddy's baby girl. He just stared out the window at the darkening sky and the rain. "Yes," he said quietly. "I do." Whenever Dad got quiet like that and stared off into nowhere, I knew he was thinking about our mom.