Although Kaitou Kid did not necessarily target gems, after all, he had taken an interest in Two-Face's coin last time.
Based on several previous encounters, Tim had gradually come to understand Kaitou Kid's patterns of operation.
As Catwoman once said, the target of the theft itself was not important.
Kaitou Kid went after famous gems not because of their value, but because of their fame. The bigger the name, the brighter the spotlight.
He needed the world's eyes on him, the gasps of the crowd, the flash of cameras, the thrill of outwitting security under the brightest possible lights. What he craved was performance, not possession.
So what stage could be more perfect than a super luxury cruise ship that brought together a renowned director, a famous actress, and a world-class diamond all at once?
The ship itself would be a floating theater, every guest an unwitting extra, every security measure a challenge to be danced around on live display.
School soon ended.
That day, for once, Tim did not rush out of the school gates to change into his Robin uniform for patrol. Instead, he walked the familiar route home at a normal pace, backpack slung over one shoulder, mind still turning over the pieces of the puzzle.
"Tim, you're home a bit early today."
Jack looked at his son in surprise from the kitchen doorway, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
"Dad, I have something I want to ask you."
Tim offered no explanation and went straight to the point.
"Do you know if Director James is planning to film a movie on a luxury cruise ship in Gotham?"
"Oh? Where did you hear about that? I don't recall any related news leaking out recently."
Jack wondered aloud, eyebrows lifting.
"Rumors among classmates."
"Haah! Well, I was planning to give you a surprise, but I didn't expect you to hear about it in advance."
"A surprise?"
Tim looked puzzled as well.
"The rumors are true. James is indeed filming a new movie in Gotham, and he's also preparing to recruit some non-actors to appear in the film on the ship. The key point is this: I managed to secure a few special invitation spots through my connections. Both of us can appear in The Maculage."
Jack smiled with clear satisfaction, the kind that came from pulling off a small personal victory.
"By the way, we can bring Daren along too."
"Since when did you have connections with Director James? I don't remember our family being involved in the film industry."
Tim's eyes swept over his father from head to toe, half teasing, half genuinely curious.
"I don't have a connection with James, but I do have one with Withers Shipyard. An old classmate of mine sits on their board. James needs to borrow their luxury cruise ship, so naturally he had to agree to some additional conditions."
Jack explained, leaning against the counter.
"Besides us, quite a few others have already secured spots in advance, but most of them just want to join in for fun. Very few are actually willing to show their faces on camera."
...
Near the Gotham coastline, a figure lay concealed on the iron framework beneath an overpass, peering through binoculars at the dock marked "Withers Group."
A massive cruise ship was moored offshore behind the shipyard, its white hull gleaming under the late-afternoon sun, decks stacked like layers of a wedding cake.
Security boats patrolled the perimeter in slow, predictable circles.
"Hmm... Withers has sealed off the entire stretch of water around the dock. If I try to sneak in from the front, I'd have to pass through the whole dock to get onboard, and some sections require going through the interior."
"That's unavoidable... and troublesome."
Darren swept his binoculars left and right, noting the placement of cameras, the frequency of guard patrols, the blind spots created by stacked shipping containers.
"If I go around the dock area and swim in from the sea where the blockade is weaker, it'll take more time and effort, but it's also the safest route."
After observing for a while longer, Darren finally decided to take the sea route. He lowered the binoculars and exhaled slowly, already mentally mapping currents and timing.
Ring, ring~~!
Just then, his phone rang.
He took it out and saw that the caller was Tim.
"Tim? Why is he calling me instead of fighting crime on the streets at this hour? Is he planning to ask me to commit perjury for him again?"
As soon as the call connected, Tim got straight to the point.
"Hey, Darren, do you want to be in a movie?"
"Oh yes—What did you just say?"
Next, Tim told Darren about Jack securing spots with the film crew and expressed his desire to bring him along.
"...Did you just say you're inviting me to film a movie on the Withers luxury cruise ship? Are you sure you're not messing with me?"
"Nah. I don't have the time or energy to joke with you. This is a one-time opportunity. Just tell me whether you're going or not."
"I'm in. Count me in."
"Really?"
"Yup! I don't have the time or energy to joke with you either."
"Heh~ alright!"
After hanging up, a hint of pleasant surprise flashed through Darren's eyes.
Although he was capable of swimming onto the ship himself, doing so would be far too time-consuming and exhausting, especially with the extra gear he would need to carry undetected.
Darren's main purpose for coming here was to scout the cruise ship's internal layout before filming began, making it easier to plan his route for future actions.
By the time Kaitou Kid made his move, the cruise ship would definitely have already set sail. If Darren could not get onboard before departure, he would have to swim an even greater distance to catch up.
And it was not as if he could simply live on the ship starting today.
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