The argument inside the Orpheus Jewelry Exhibition Hall had finally ended, but the tension in the air had not faded.
"Dick, do you really believe a diamond can kill people?"
After listening carefully to everything Dick had explained, Dean's brows tightened. His tone carried doubt, but also unease.
"To be honest, I don't believe it at all," Dick answered without hesitation.
He crossed his arms and continued calmly.
"The 'Hope Blue Diamond' has been displayed in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for decades. It has been loaned out for exhibitions many times. Countless people have seen it. Many experts have handled it. If it truly carried some kind of deadly curse, wouldn't accidents have happened long ago?"
He paused briefly.
"But since the diamond was donated to the museum, there haven't been any strange deaths connected to it—until now."
Dean nodded slowly. That part was true.
"And Kailina and Biska are both here," Dick continued. "If there was truly something wrong with the diamond, they would know. Especially Kailina. She's a security expert. She deals with valuable artifacts every day."
Dean agreed on the surface.
"You're right. I don't believe in ghost stories either. That employee's car accident was probably just that—an accident."
But inside, Dean felt uneasy.
Because unlike Dick, he did not completely dismiss the possibility.
From the beginning, Dean had suspected that the Hope Blue Diamond might indeed carry misfortune. Not because he believed in legends blindly, but because of certain details that did not feel natural.
And most of all—
Director Ofe's small mysterious box.
The accident had only happened late last night.
Yet today, Director Ofe had already prepared a special box that he claimed could "ward off misfortune."
How could he react so quickly?
Where had that box come from?
How did he know it would work?
If this was just to calm the staff, he could have used any transparent container and staged a simple show. But he specifically chose a bluish container.
Why blue?
Dean's eyes shifted toward Director Ofe, who was now standing firmly in front of Kailina.
"Miss Kailina, no matter what you say, I will not change my mind," Director Ofe said with unusual firmness.
"Even if misfortune does not exist, the rumors have already spread among the staff. They are afraid. I have to reassure them."
His voice was steady, but there was something guarded in his expression.
"The exhibition is not for experts. It is for ordinary people. They just want to see what the world-famous Hope Blue Diamond looks like. They will not care if the color appears slightly darker through a container."
Kailina frowned.
"The exhibition should show the diamond exactly as it is," she insisted. "Adding a colored box changes how people see it."
Biska stepped forward gently.
"I think Director Ofe's concerns are reasonable," Biska said in a calm tone. "Visitor safety is more important than visual perfection."
Kailina hesitated.
"Then why not use a transparent container?" she asked. "Why use a bluish one?"
Director Ofe's reply came quickly.
"Because that is the only one available."
The answer felt too simple.
Too convenient.
Kailina eventually stopped arguing. The diamond and the box were already frozen inside a block of ice for security purposes. It would take hours to undo the setup.
Dean and Dick quietly stepped away from the doorway.
They walked toward an empty corridor.
"Hey," Dick whispered suddenly. "Why do you think Kailina was so strongly against the box?"
"She explained it," Dean said. "She wanted the diamond displayed perfectly. She said the curse isn't real, so the box is unnecessary."
Dick shook his head slowly.
"I don't think that's the real reason."
Dean turned to look at him.
"Kailina is a security expert," Dick continued thoughtfully. "Her priority should always be protection. Not display quality. If anything, she should support adding more layers of protection."
Dean's eyes narrowed.
"You mean…"
"I suspect Kailina's identity is not what it seems."
Dean's breath caught.
"Either she is not the real Kailina… or someone is impersonating her."
"And that someone…" Dick lowered his voice further. "Is very likely Kaitou Kid."
For a second, Dean's face turned pale.
"Kailina… is Kaito Kid?"
He almost shouted.
Dick quickly covered his mouth.
"Quiet! They're coming out."
Kailina, Biska, and Director Ofe exited the hall together. They walked down the corridor, their footsteps echoing.
Dick observed them carefully until they turned the corner.
Only then did he release Dean.
"We can't tell Commissioner Gordon yet," Dick said seriously. "We have no proof."
"We need evidence."
Dean swallowed.
"How?"
Dick leaned closer.
"I'll give you a transmitter and a listening device. Find an opportunity to place them on Kailina."
Dean froze.
"You want me to spy on her?"
"It's for investigation," Dick said firmly. "You're skilled with your hands. You're a magician. If anyone can do it without being noticed, it's you."
Dean hesitated.
"What if she really is Kaito Kid? He's famous for detecting tricks. If I'm caught…"
Dick thought for a moment.
"Then choose a crowded area. If she notices something, she won't cause a scene in public. And you can call security immediately."
Dean stared at him.
"You've thought of everything."
Dick didn't smile.
"Don't forget what day it is."
Dean's expression changed.
Today… was the day Kaito Kid had sent his challenge letter.
And his target was not only the Hope Diamond.
It was also Wayne Tower.
"Even if Kailina is suspicious," Dick continued, "we cannot ignore the possibility that Kaito Kid might strike elsewhere."
"You focus on Kailina."
"Barbara and I will head to Wayne Enterprises headquarters."
"Specifically, Wayne Tower."
The night skyline of Gotham was visible through the glass windows.
In the distance, the tall silhouette of Batman's city stood in silence.
If Kaito Kid truly intended to make a move, he would choose somewhere symbolic.
Somewhere dramatic.
Dean took a deep breath.
"Okay."
They split up.
---
Dean waited patiently near the museum lobby.
The exhibition hall was becoming more crowded as visitors arrived.
He spotted Kailina standing near the information desk, speaking with staff members.
This was his chance.
He approached casually, pretending to examine a brochure.
A group of tourists passed between them.
Perfect cover.
Dean stepped slightly closer.
He bumped into Kailina lightly.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," he said quickly.
As he steadied himself, his fingers moved smoothly.
The small transmitter slid into the seam of her coat.
The bug slipped into her handbag's outer pocket.
It took less than three seconds.
"Be careful," Kailina said calmly.
Her eyes met his for just a moment.
Dean forced a polite smile.
"I will."
He walked away slowly.
His heart pounded.
Had she noticed?
Her expression had not changed.
But with Kaito Kid… appearances meant nothing.
---
Meanwhile, Dick and Barbara reached Wayne Tower.
Security had already been tightened.
Cameras were active on every floor.
Guards were positioned strategically.
Barbara tapped into the surveillance system.
"No unusual activity so far," she reported.
Dick stood near the window, looking out at the city lights.
"Kaito Kid thrives on attention," he said quietly. "If he plans something tonight, it will be spectacular."
Back at the museum, Dean checked the receiver device hidden in his sleeve.
Static.
Then—
A voice.
Director Ofe.
"…everything is ready."
Dean's pulse quickened.
Another voice answered.
It was soft.
Calm.
And slightly playful.
"Good. Once the ice melts, the real show begins."
Dean's eyes widened.
That voice—
It wasn't Kailina's usual firm tone.
It carried a faint teasing edge.
A magician's confidence.
A phantom thief's amusement.
Suddenly, laughter echoed faintly through the receiver.
Light.
Elegant.
Familiar.
Dean whispered under his breath.
"No mistake…"
His hand tightened around the device.
"Kaito Kid is…"
The transmission cut off abruptly.
At the same time, a loud crash echoed from inside the exhibition hall.
Visitors screamed.
The lights flickered.
Smoke began to fill the room.
And above the chaos—
A white figure appeared briefly near the ceiling.
A cape fluttering.
A top hat gleaming under the emergency lights.
A calling card drifted downward slowly.
Signed with a single name.
Kaitou Kid.
The game had truly begun.
------------------------------------------
🕷️ End of Chapter
Want more?
Patreon members are already 300+ chapters ahead.
Daily updates. No waiting.
Patreon.com/Dragonscribe31