3 Chapter 3. April Fool's Day.

April 1st, April Fool's Day.

While the citizens of New York were still immersed in the cheerful atmosphere, the NYPD had gathered in Times Square.

"What's the matter?"

"Mommy, there're so many policemen!"

"Could it be an April Fool's joke?"

"They're carrying real guns. It can't be something as simple as a joke."

"Let's just get out of here. If something dangerous happens later, it would be terrible."

"Hey man, you guys are cool!"

Ignoring the reaction of the surrounding citizens of New York, Commissioner Stacy turned to Officer Sidney and asked.

"Are you sure it's here?"

He personally led the operation. Blockers were also placed on standby at a distance to deter them, with the clear aim of apprehending Phantom Thief Kid and clearing the shame that had been inflicted on the NYPD for some time.

"According to the clues in the letter, we're sure that the location should be in Times Square." Officer Sidney said, holding the letter left by the Phantom Thief, "April Fool refers to April Fool's Day, and the crossroads of the world obviously refers to Times Square …"

The feeling of being unsure about the location of the perpetrator's next crime from the letter he left was somewhat stifling to Commissioner Stacy. But as an experienced police officer, he quickly dealt with his emotions and continued to ask, "What about the red moonlight? What does that mean?"

Sidney shook her head and replied back, somewhat puzzled, "I don't know. I've been thinking about the meaning of the red moonlight too but haven't had much of a clue."

"I'm sorry, Chief."

"There's no need to feel sorry, Sidney. You've done well enough."

In that regard, Commissioner Stacy wasn't too harsh. Being able to determine when and where Phantom Thief Kid was striking was quite an achievement in itself. As for the rest of the letter, there would be plenty of time for the NYPD to figure it out once the Phantom Thief was caught.

"But, Chief, aren't we a bit too out in the open? If Kid sees too many people ..."

Sidney's gaze swept over the citizens around Times Square and she couldn't help but worry.

"There's no need to worry about that. According to our analysis of Phantom Thief Kid's costume, his crimes and his psychology, we found that he's a performance-type of person. In other words, the more people come and the more closely monitored the scene is, the more he's motivated to carry out his work."

Sidney didn't quite understand what Commissioner Stacy was saying, which was too technical and convoluted. But thinking about the Phantom Thief's past crimes, it could also be seen that the other party really had no fear of the police. Many of his crimes were committed in the presence of police officers, and he continued to steal without restraint.

"As long as that guy appears in Times Square, it will be the end of his criminal career."

George Stacy looked confident as he used a lot of resources to lay down his net.

However, Officer Sidney felt a little uneasy as she watched the Chief's grand display.

And this unease grew more and more apparent as time stretched on.

"What's the matter, Sidney? You look a little odd?"

A fellow officer who was with the team noticed the scowl on Sidney's face and expressed concern.

"I'm fine." Shaking her head, Sidney suddenly turned to her fellow officer, who had a standard NYPD physique, beside her and asked, "Richmond, have you ever seen a red moon?"

"A red moon?" Richmond froze for a moment, then said, "No, I asked the people at the forensic department earlier, and it's said to be a rather rare astronomical phenomenon. When there's a total solar eclipse on the moon, the atmosphere ..."

Sidney spoke up, interrupting Richmond's scientific explanation, "... absorbs all the violet, blue, green and yellow light, leaving only the red light to penetrate through. And when the atmosphere refracts the red light on the surface of the moon, a red moon is formed."

At the surprised look Richmond threw her way, Sidney shrugged, "I asked the boys at the department too."

"But, in theory, there won't be any conditions to produce a red moon any time soon unless..."

"Unless what?" Richmond blurted out.

Sidney's gaze swept over the Commissioner not far away and the growing number of pedestrians and media gathering around Times Square.

"Unless the red moon doesn't appear from the beginning of the scene."

"Richmond, what day is it?" Sidney asked.

"April 1st, April Fool's Day."

"Happy April Fool's Day, Richmond!"

Richmond reacted by subconsciously sucking in a breath and looking at Sidney with a shocked expression.

"We've all been tricked by Phantom Thief Kid!"

With a bitter smile on her face, Sidney looked at the nearby Police Commissioner Stacy.

"The most important thing now is how to tell the Commissioner."

"This is a disaster."

Richmond couldn't imagine the look on the Commissioner's face when he learned the truth.

　　...

[Reputation points from Sidney +5]

[Reputation points from Richmond +1]

[Reputation points from George Stacey +10]

"Seems like the NYPD had caught on to my April Fool's prank."

In Manhattan, next to the towering building, an old black man looked at the prompt given by the system and muttered to himself.

The black man was naturally Ryan. With his disguise skills from Phantom Thief Kid, a simple disguise like this was a piece of cake for him.

The reason for this disguise wasn't because Ryan had nothing better to do.

If anything, the teaser letter to the NYPD was just an April Fool's prank for him to brush up on Phantom Thief Kid's presence and reputation.

But, the letter to Kingpin was a real notice of the actual theft that was to take place.

Pre-survey preparation was necessary in order to carry out the entire robbery smoothly.

After all, it was clear from the description given on the card that Phantom Thief Kid was just an ordinary guy through and through. He had managed to pull off so many thefts thanks to his remarkable magic tricks and disguises. Such a tactic might work unhindered when dealing with ordinary people like the NYPD.

However, against Kingpin...

Not to mention the exaggerated physical size of the other party, which was far above the norm.

At the same time, Ryan also knew that there were more than just ordinary people around Kingpin.

So, apart from the Phantom Thief Kid card, Ryan's side wasn't without a trump card.

Once again, his eyes swept over Kingpin's towering but discrete building in front of him.

Ryan withdrew his eyes, turned and disappeared around the corner of the street with a wobbly stride befitting his disguise.

...

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