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"No. I thought about that just now as well, but many guests have already gathered at the banquet. Kaitou Kid could simply change his disguise and blend into the crowd. It would only work if everyone currently in the estate were searched."
Both Tim and Oracle knew very well that such a plan was unrealistic.
The only person on site with the authority to do that was Commissioner Gordon of the GCPD, and there was no way Gordon could approve it.
Everyone attending the banquet was a high-ranking official or member of the upper class. Treating them as suspects without concrete evidence or justification would inevitably cause a massive backlash against the GCPD.
And most importantly, no one could guarantee that Kaitou Kid's true identity was not one of those very guests.
All of Tim's current conjectures were based on the assumption that Kaitou Kid was not an invited guest. It was the most likely deduction, but not necessarily the correct one.
Although the chance of a social elite being a phantom thief was low, compared to a billionaire donning a bat cowl and going out every night to beat up criminals, the former actually seemed more reasonable no matter how one looked at it.
If Kaitou Kid were originally one of the invited guests, then he would not need any disguise at all. In that case, what criteria could be used to determine whether someone was Kaitou Kid?
There was none.
So even if everyone were checked now, there was no guarantee of catching Kaitou Kid with absolute certainty.
Gathering everyone for a search required evidence, not mere conjecture.
"But that doesn't matter. Kaitou Kid's ultimate goal won't change. He will definitely approach Ms. Samantha to look for an opportunity to steal the necklace. We only need to keep our focus on Samantha."
Tim spoke with confidence.
"Now the entire estate is under our surveillance. Anyone who approaches Samantha won't escape our notice."
"Kaitou Kid certainly doesn't know that we're already inside the estate. When the time comes, just as he thinks he's about to succeed and is feeling smug, I'll step in and catch him off guard."
Unfortunately, Tim did not know that at this very moment, his every move had long since been exposed right under Kaitou Kid's nose.
After that, Tim wandered around the estate several times, memorizing the layout while mentally simulating the escape routes Kaitou Kid might choose.
In the process, he also made his way to the back garden, where Montoya had set up numerous ambushes.
When Tim saw the colorful hot air balloon, he finally understood what Bullock had meant earlier at the gate when he said that the GCPD had "completely solved the Notice."
"Interpreting the 'Swaying Road to Heaven' as a colorful hot air balloon floating in the sky isn't necessarily wrong. It's just that…"
"The balloon hasn't even taken off yet. How can it sway when it's deflated and lying on the ground? And why would Kaitou Kid come here before going to the banquet hall? That makes no sense at all!"
Tim could not help but complain inwardly.
Even if the Notice really meant that, it had to be a decoy meant to divert the guards' attention.
He did not linger there, only taking a quick look before leaving.
"It's almost time for the opening ceremony of the banquet. I should head back."
After Tim had more or less mapped out the architectural layout of the Vanafor Family Estate, he returned to the banquet hall.
There was nothing particularly unusual about the opening ceremony.
The host, Samantha, stepped forward to introduce the history of the Vanafor Family, recounting the glory their ancestors had built generation after generation, while also showcasing the current prosperity of the family's industries.
A bit of flexing, outlining several future plans, incidentally drawing in some investment and new partners, and then it was time to eat, drink, and enjoy the festivities.
Tim kept his eyes on Samantha the entire time, memorizing every waiter and guest who came into close contact with her.
It was worth noting that from the moment Samantha appeared, Gordon had stayed at her side like a personal bodyguard.
Before long, the first day of the banquet came to an end.
Guided by the waiters, the guests headed to the guest rooms that had been prepared for them in advance.
The Vanafor Family Estate covered a vast area and would not feel crowded even if a thousand people lived there at the same time.
In the dead of night, Tim, no, Robin, set out.
He began checking the people who had been in close contact with Samantha during the banquet one by one, quietly sneaking into their rooms to search for anything suspicious.
Under Oracle's cover, every move Robin made stayed within the blind spots of the surveillance cameras. Even if the guards in the monitoring room watched the screens with complete focus, they would not detect his presence.
The search continued until the latter half of the night.
Robin stepped out of the room of the last suspicious person.
"Tsk. This Kaitou Kid really knows how to hide. I can't find a single flaw."
"It seems I'll only be able to truly catch him after Kaitou Kid makes his move tomorrow."
With a trace of frustration, Robin silently returned to his own room.
At that moment, a pair of eyes appeared in the shadows, quietly watching Robin's retreating figure.
"Heh. Since I already realized you might have guessed that I infiltrated the banquet early, how could I possibly leave such an obvious flaw?"
Darren stepped out of the darkness, amused to himself.
"You think you're in the dark, but it's exactly the opposite…"
...
The next day, at dusk, there were less than thirty minutes until sunset.
As for that evening's banquet, there was still an hour and a half to go.
"Mr. Gordon, I appreciate you going to such lengths to protect my necklace, but is it really necessary for you to stay glued to my side?"
Samantha frowned slightly as she spoke to Gordon beside her.
Since early that morning, Gordon had been following her everywhere, treating himself entirely as her personal bodyguard.
"It is absolutely necessary, Ms. Samantha. If the protection around you is relaxed, Kaitou Kid will seize the opportunity to steal the necklace."
Gordon replied with a serious expression.
"The banquet started yesterday, and up until now, Kaitou Kid hasn't appeared. I don't think he's coming."
Samantha did not take Kaitou Kid seriously and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"The Notice stated that Kaitou Kid would appear at sunset today. That time is very close."
Gordon explained.
"Well, there are probably very few people in all of Gotham who can have Commissioner Gordon as their personal bodyguard. I'll gladly accept it, then."
Seeing Gordon's persistence, Samantha finally relented.
At this moment, Gordon was not the only one feeling tense.
Throughout the estate, all of the security personnel were on high alert.
As the sun sank lower and lower, the tension only grew heavier.
Tim had already hidden himself in the shadows, ready to move at any moment in his guise as Robin.
In the back garden, Montoya's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
According to the prearranged plan, her position was the front line for intercepting Kaitou Kid.
Amid everyone's held breath and intense vigilance, the sun finally disappeared below the horizon.
The sky darkened in an instant.
And then...
Nothing happened.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes… more than ten minutes passed.
Kaitou Kid did not appear as everyone had expected.
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