When Kaitou Kid returned the Apollo gem, everyone immediately credited Captain Gordon for it, thinking his righteous words had scared Kaitou Kid into backing down. They also decided Kaitou Kid was just a coward—what kind of thief gives up a priceless gem just because a cop made a speech? They'd never seen such a timid criminal.
After verifying the returned Apollo gem was real, the whole Kaitou Kid situation seemed over. Even Bruce Wayne felt like all the effort he put into hunting Kaitou Kid was a waste. This thief was just a scared amateur with no potential to become a real criminal. Maybe that was for the best—Gotham already had more than enough criminals. No need for another. Still, Batman couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
"Master Bruce, looks like you don't have to worry about a new criminal rising. This Kaitou fellow seems to lack a bit of courage," Alfred said, carrying coffee into the Batcave.
"I checked the museum's systems and found that Kaitou Kid is actually really skilled at using stage tricks. He didn't appear or disappear through the skylight like the witness claimed. He got in and out through the ventilation ducts. And to make it all more dramatic, he set up fine steel wires around the skylight in advance, so his heist looked more like a show."
"Just like you, Master Bruce."
"No. My outfit is meant to inspire fear. Kaitou Kid just wants to show off his magic tricks. Maybe he's just a failed, cowardly magician who gave up being a thief because of Gordon's words. If that's true, it's a good outcome. Otherwise, I'd have to keep chasing him."
"Show off his tricks? Then what if he returned the Apollo gem because stealing wasn't his real goal? What if it was all about the show?" the old butler pointed out.
Bruce fell into deep thought. If that were true, then a second notice would appear soon. And then he could make Kaitou Kid understand that theft, even as a performance, was still a crime—no matter how minor.
Kaitou Kid's show was just getting started. He needed a bigger audience.
"Lion's tail, swan's lake, I will steal the Black Swan's Tear — Kaitou Kid."
A full-page ad for the notice. If arrogance had a name, this was it. There was no doubt this time a crowd would come to watch.
The folks at Channel 3 saw the bold notice too. The director was thrilled. "All those people who called Kaitou Kid a coward? Now they've been slapped in the face. This is a big move. Iselin, Liu, you two must get exclusive footage this time. Show Gotham City what Channel 3 can do."
Iselin raised her hand. "But Director, I don't get this notice at all. Lion's tail, swan's lake… I have no idea when or where he's going to make his move."
"I figured that much. So I talked to a friend in the jewelry business. He said the Black Swan's Tear is the signature gem of a Wayne Enterprises jewelry store. It's usually kept in Gotham Central Bank, but Bruce Wayne is hosting a charity exhibition, and the gem will go on tour over the next week. The stops are Gotham Hotel, Gotham Theater, and Gotham Park. So Kaitou will strike during the exhibition. All you have to do is follow the tour and you'll get the story."
"That's a whole week. There's only the two of us. We're not Hercules or Rambo. How are we supposed to watch it all?" Liu A'dou pointed out the obvious.
"Not the whole time, just at night. Or, if you can figure out what the notice really means, you can just show up when Kaitou makes his move. You two are Channel 3's best—do your best."
Liu A'dou was immune to these kinds of empty compliments from the director by now.
Iselin was seriously thinking about the meaning behind the notice. There was no way she'd waste an entire week on aimless waiting. She had things to do. The only option was to crack the secret of the notice.
Batcave.
Alfred, ever precise, stood nearby. "Master Bruce, you must know the Wayne family didn't build this massive manor just to hide a cave. You should spend more time in the manor."
"I never trained as a gardener."
"I meant hosting balls in the manor."
Alfred always had his own way of helping Bruce relax. A few witty lines—this was about all the fun Batman ever allowed himself.
Putting down the fragrant tea, Alfred saw Bruce frowning deeply as he stared at the notice printed in the paper.
"Clearly, Kaitou Kid hasn't given up using theft to show off his tricks. What do you see in this, Master?"
Bruce Wayne wasn't just a superhero—he was a master tactician and a top-tier detective. "He hid the time and place of his next move in this notice. 'Lion's tail' refers to the last date of Leo, the first day of the exhibition—August twenty-second, between ten PM and midnight. And 'swan's lake' points to the location. I'm just not sure if it's Gotham Theater or Gotham Park, since both places have lakes with swans."
"That's true. Gotham Theater's first ever performance was Swan Lake, and from then on, people called it 'the swan's lake,' but that was a long time ago—before you were born, Master." Alfred thought the theater was unlikely, too much time had passed. "Gotham Park doesn't have an actual lake named Swan Lake, but it does have several swan fountains. I believe 'swan's lake' refers to the area around those fountains."
"But the exhibition on August twenty-second is set for Gotham Hotel. These details totally contradict each other." As the sponsor of the charity event, Bruce Wayne knew the schedule perfectly, and this just didn't add up.
Still, since the gem belonged to the Wayne family, Bruce decided to install a tracking device in it. Even if Kaitou Kid managed to steal it, Bruce would track him down. Simple. Bruce Wayne left at once, driving his "low-profile" supercar.
Bruce suddenly arrived at a "small" jewelry store owned by Wayne Enterprises, located in one of the busiest areas downtown. The store manager was stunned—this was a huge honor. Wayne Enterprises was a giant in Gotham, and sometimes even Bruce didn't know how many businesses his family owned.
"Sir, are you here because of the notice? Should we change the gem for the exhibition?" the manager asked carefully. This was the big boss, and he had to treat this seriously.
"No, I was just curious that our family owns such a fascinating gem I didn't even know about. I figured I'd come see the Black Swan's Tear before it gets stolen." It sounded like typical rich playboy talk—no concern, no care.
But he was Bruce Wayne, heir to the Wayne empire. The manager could only roll his eyes silently. "Sir, we've already contacted the police. We'll make sure the gem stays safe."
"Good. You don't mind if I take a look now, right?"
"Of course not, but the gem is still in the bank's vault. I'll take you there." With that, they drove to the bank.
Bruce glanced at the gem, and while no one was watching, he slipped a tracking device under the base. Now, even if it got stolen, he could follow it straight to Kaitou Kid.