"You're Dean Thurston, right? I've heard about you for a long time. Gotham's most outstanding young genius magician."
Detective Brock stood in front of Dean, studying him carefully.
"Many people say that although you're young, your magic skills are more refined than those of many experienced magicians. Truly impressive."
Dean gave a modest smile.
"They're just exaggerated compliments. I still have a lot to learn."
"I heard from Barbara that you're able to see through Kaito Kid's magic tricks during his thefts," Brock continued, curiosity in his tone.
Dean nodded slightly.
"I'll try my best. But if you're asking for a one-hundred-percent guarantee… that would be difficult."
Brock chuckled.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, kid."
Then, unexpectedly, Brock reached forward and pinched Dean's cheek, squeezing it firmly.
Leaning closer, he whispered, "Since Kaito Kid first appeared, no one has seen through his tricks at first glance. If you can't, that's normal. Don't force it."
Dean blinked in surprise.
So he's not as rough as he looks.
Behind Dean, Dick's muscles had tightened like a drawn bowstring. The moment Brock touched Dean's face, Dick was ready to react.
But the inspection ended quickly.
No peeling latex. No hidden seams. No disguise.
Dean was clean.
When it was finally Dick's turn to be inspected, his mind was still racing.
What's going on? Did I overthink everything?
But… something feels wrong.
From the corner of his eye, Dean caught the conflicted look on Dick's face.
For just a split second, a faint, cunning smile curved across Dean's lips.
Dick… the game has already begun.
---
Once inside the East Orpheus Jewelry Exhibition Hall, the atmosphere felt heavy.
"Good thing we came early," Dean said casually. "If we were fifteen minutes later, we wouldn't have gotten in."
"Yes… you're right," Dick replied distractedly.
Dean glanced at him.
"What's with that face? You look exhausted. I told you not to keep hanging around so many girls."
Dick immediately shot back, annoyed.
"I'm not exhausted! And I don't 'hang around' with multiple girls. Stop talking nonsense!"
Dean laughed lightly.
"I'm going to find a good vantage point. If Kaito Kid shows up, I want a full view."
He walked toward the central area near the Hope Blue Diamond display.
Dick followed silently, his thoughts growing heavier with each step.
Dean praised Kaito Kid earlier.
He reacted to Barbara's absence.
He interrupted Gordon in the corridor.
He even called me Richard.
That wasn't like him.
And that moment at the entrance—when he saw the inspection procedure—he looked nervous.
Why?
Brock had confirmed he wasn't wearing a mask. So he really is Dean.
Then why does everything feel… off?
Dick felt a chill he couldn't explain.
---
The East Exhibition Hall was now fully secured.
Commissioner Gordon stood near the diamond display with Biska and Director Ofe.
Dozens of Gotham City Police Department officers surrounded the area—some in uniform, others in plain clothes.
The Hope Blue Diamond rested inside its bulletproof glass cover, protected further by Director Ofe's insisted-upon container.
The gravity sensor beneath it was calibrated to detect even the slightest disturbance.
The windows to the east reflected the night sky. A half-moon hung low over Gotham.
7:30 PM.
Closing time was 8:00.
The crowd grew restless.
"Why hasn't he appeared yet?"
"Is he waiting until closing?"
"Maybe he got scared!"
"Stop slandering him! He'll definitely show up!"
Dick kept half his attention on the crowd.
The other half remained fixed on Dean.
Dean, meanwhile, scanned the room with sharp eyes, alert and focused—almost like a detective.
Too focused.
Too prepared.
---
"Achhoo!"
A sudden sneeze broke the tension.
One audience member looked down at his hand.
A gray feather rested in his palm.
"Where did this come from?"
Another feather drifted slowly through the air.
Then another.
Then dozens.
Within seconds—
Gray feathers began falling from the sky.
They appeared from nowhere, swirling gently before descending across the exhibition hall.
More and more filled the air.
"What the hell is this?"
"My vision—!"
The feathers multiplied rapidly, blocking sightlines and confusing everyone.
Dick clenched his fists.
Damn it. It's a visual disruption.
The feathers weren't heavy, but there were too many. They created chaos without violence.
Suddenly—
Through the haze of feathers, Dick saw a shadow.
A dark figure lunged toward the Hope Blue Diamond display.
"Stop!"
Dick shouted instinctively.
Bang!
The figure exploded into a cloud of smoke.
By the time the smoke cleared—
The shadow was gone.
And the feathers stopped falling.
They settled quietly on the ground.
The entire event lasted less than thirty seconds.
Dick's first instinct was to find Dean.
He turned sharply.
Dean was still standing where he had been before.
Calm.
Unharmed.
Watching.
Dick exhaled slowly.
Then—
"Ahhh!"
Biska screamed.
Her trembling finger pointed at the display case.
"The Hope Blue Diamond… it's gone!"
Every head snapped toward the center.
The bulletproof glass dome was intact.
Director Ofe's container remained inside.
But the diamond—
Had vanished.
There were no shattered locks.
No triggered alarms.
No sign of forced entry.
In just thirty seconds—
The Hope Blue Diamond had been stolen through two layers of protection.
"How is that possible?" Gordon muttered in disbelief.
Then someone near the eastern windows shouted:
"Look! Kaito Kid!"
Everyone rushed toward the windows.
Outside, under the moonlight, a white figure glided across the sky.
Cape fluttering.
Top hat shining.
In his hand—
The Hope Blue Diamond sparkled brilliantly.
The moonlight reflected off its blue surface, casting a breathtaking glow.
Kaito Kid turned slightly mid-air, giving a graceful bow.
Then he soared higher into the Gotham night.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
Cheers.
Screams.
Shouts from officers.
Dick stared at the sky.
Impossible.
The glass wasn't broken.
The gravity sensor didn't activate.
The container was untouched.
Then how?
Slowly, Dick turned his head.
Dean stood beside him, looking up at the gliding figure with what seemed like admiration.
But in the reflection of the window glass—
For just a brief second—
Dick thought he saw something.
Not shock.
Not confusion.
But satisfaction.
And that was when the unease in his heart deepened.
Because one thing was certain—
The feathers were not just decoration.
They were misdirection.
And someone inside this hall had executed the real move.
Dick's jaw tightened.
Dean…
Just who are you tonight?
-------------------------------
🕷️ End of Chapter
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