Chapter 101: Stolen

"Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want."

- Patrick Verona (10 Things I Hate About You)

...

Looking at the Phantom Thief gracefully disappearing into the sky, the audience in the exhibition hall exclaimed in disbelief.

"The 'Hope Diamond' has been stolen by the Phantom Thief!"

"The entrance and exit of the hall have been closed all the time, and the windows are intact. How did he manage to get outside?"

"What happened just now? I only saw a bunch of feathers falling from above, and then, after I rubbed my eyes, the diamond was stolen by the Phantom Thief. That was way too fast!"

"It's a bit of a shame. I thought we could see a wonderful performance like the last time he reversed the rain, but I didn't expect him to steal the diamond so quickly. But the whole process of Phantom Thief stealing the 'Hope Diamond' is unbelievable! I can't imagine how he did it!"

"Magic! It must be magic! I always knew the Phantom Thief couldn't be just an ordinary magician. He definitely used the magic of space! Otherwise, how can someone explain everything that just happened?"

Everyone at the scene is either amazed by the Phantom Thief's almost unbelievable ability to move through space or unhappy that the Phantom Thief has stolen yet another valuable treasure.

The audience is carefully pondering the truth behind the whole process of the crime.

Only one person showed a different expression from everyone else.

While most people crowded around the window to look outside at the Phantom Thief, Henry Orpheus stood in front of the display of the 'Hope Diamond'.

Looking at the empty glass case and transparent box inside, Henry did not show disappointment or frustration.

Instead, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

'The Phantom Thief finally took the 'Stone of Misfortune' away. The fact that he left the box behind is so stupid. It seems that the terrifying curse misfortune will soon catch up with him...'

In his mind, Henry pondered, 'The real 'Hope Diamond' should still be locked in the safe in my office. Although I was forced to tell Batman about it that day, that crazy vigilante wouldn't steal that diamond. Besides, I checked last night, and the diamond was still there.'

'Next, I'll pretend to chase after Phantom Thief, and then I'll bring out the real 'Hope Diamond', and people will think that I have taken the diamond back from Phantom Thief. Then...'

Thinking about it, Henry's eyes couldn't help showing a look of joy.

What Henry doesn't know is that, not far from him, Dick is looking at him strangely.

'What's wrong with his attitude? He was still crying in front of me and Barbara, saying that he put all his money into this exhibition, and no matter what, he couldn't let 'Hope Diamond' be stolen. But now that it's really been stolen, he seems to be very happy. Isn't he crazy?'

Dick knew that people don't just go crazy so easily. Henry's behavior was quite strange.

'Could it be that he is not the real Henry but the Phantom Thief in disguise?'

Thinking of this, Dick turned his head to glance at Dean beside him, 'If Phantom Thief disguised himself as Henry, then who is Dean?'

Dick furrowed his brows tightly.

As of now, both Dean and Henry are acting strangely, and both of them were very close to the display just now, and they had the opportunity to take advantage of the confusion and steal the 'Hope Diamond.'

But since they were able to pass Harvey's inspection and usually appear in the exhibition hall, it means that they are not wearing disguises.

And the Phantom Thief can't split himself into two people unless he has partners?

Dick looked at Henry for a while, then at Dean, whose mind was extremely conflicted.

He instinctively looked up at the ceiling, and in that instant, Dick's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, that could work..."

At the same time, Jim took out his walkie-talkie and contacted Harvey, who was guarding the entrance to the exhibition hall.

He opened his mouth and asked, "Harvey! Did anyone enter or leave the exhibition hall just now?"

Harvey took the communication and responded very confidently, "I swear on my grandmother's grave, I didn't see anyone come out of the exhibition hall, and no one went inside."

After a pause, Harvey asked in turn, "Jim, what's happening? I heard a noise inside the hall. Did the Phantom Thief appear?"

"He's gone now, and the 'Hope Diamond' has been stolen!"

Jim spoke with a serious expression, but there was one thing that puzzled him.

In just under a minute, how did the Phantom Thief manage to steal the diamond and escape outside?

If he only took the diamond without leaving, there would still be some possibility, but to escape outside?

Even more incredible is that there is a gravity sensor device below the 'Hope Diamond'.

If the Phantom Thief had taken the diamond, it should have triggered an alarm, but that didn't happen.

Jim couldn't imagine how this could be performed, perhaps only magic or superpowers could explain it.

"Commissioner Gordon, please send officers to chase the Phantom Thief quickly. We must not let him take the 'Hope Diamond' away!"

At this moment, Kim rushed over with an anxious expression and requested Gordon.

"Don't worry, we have officers placed outside the museum. They are already chasing the Phantom Thief. But I have a question for you, Ms. Kim. Are you sure that the diamond he had in his hand was real?"

Jim was looking for answers and asked.

"Forgive me for asking, but I can't believe that Phantom Thief could perform all this in such a short amount of time. Perhaps the one outside is just a dummy, and the real Phantom Thief and the diamond might still be here."

"No, I'm absolutely sure that was the real 'Hope Diamond'!"

Kim shook her head and said it firmly.

"I've worked at the Smithsonian Museum for over a decade, and I've seen it almost every day. I know the shape, color, and refracted brilliance of the diamond."

"Just now, the Phantom Thief flew right by the window. I saw the diamond in his hand up close, and there is no doubt, it was the 'Hope Diamond'!"

Seeing Kim so sure, Jim's expression changed immediately. He quickly brought the walkie-talkie to his mouth and switched to the GCPD's public channel.

"Task Force A, Task Force B, Emergency Response Team... all members of the GCPD inside the exhibition hall. This is Jim Gordon. The Phantom Thief has appeared and stolen the 'Hope Diamond'. He is currently escaping towards Gotham City Stadium. Everyone, immediately go and follow him!"

"Repeat, everyone, immediately go and follow him!"

After giving the orders, Jim hurriedly gathered the officers who were guarding the exhibition hall to secure the entrances and exits and then started maintaining order inside the exhibition hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in order to prevent the Phantom Thief from using disguise to hide from the crowd, we must perform the necessary checks on all of you, including body searches. Please cooperate with the police!"

"Now, please have everyone line up at the entrance for the inspection. After the inspection is completed, you can leave the museum as usual."

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