"The banquet will be held over here. Well, because of Kaito Kid, Mr. Kitagawa suggested preparing backup power supplies and strengthening the surveillance equipment. I think it's a good idea." Sonoko Suzuki pointed at the banquet hall in the distance, where people were busily setting things up, then at the exhibition room on the other side, whose doors were currently shut tight. "This is where the Egg of Memories will be displayed later."
"Isn't the Egg of Memories in police custody now?" Hoshikawa Teru rested his chin on his hand as he surveyed the venue, pretending to be working, and blinked. "Are they waiting until the real thing is returned?"
Based on the police's assessment of the time stated in Kaito Kid's notice, they planned to keep the Egg of Memories under protection until the notice expired—after 3:00 a.m.
By the usual opening ceremony schedule, they could delay things until midnight at most, unveiling the treasure at twelve. But if they delayed any further, the genuine article would miss its official debut.
"That had been the original plan..." Sonoko Suzuki pursed her lips. "But that Inspector Nakamori insists Kaito Kid will definitely make his move at 3:00 a.m., so the police are urgently pushing for the replica to be delivered."
The Egg of Memories truly was an exquisitely crafted work of art, but with the power of modern industry, a metal treasure with mechanisms built into it was not all that difficult to replicate.
As long as the guests were not allowed to inspect it too closely, or people overly familiar with the real item were kept away from the front, it would be easy enough to get through the banquet without anyone noticing.
"Still, you really were willing to hand the real one over to the police." Mori Kogoro