Before Eric could answer, the woman climbed straight in through the window.
"Thanks. I ran into a little trouble—maybe a plumber's carelessness, maybe an elevator repairman's mistake. Anyway, I need to pass through your room to get upstairs. You don't mind, do you?"
The woman jumped in from the window, landed on the floor, and dusted off her hands as she spoke to Eric.
"What if I do mind?"
Eric had formed a preliminary guess about the woman's identity—Batman's rumored girlfriend, Catwoman, Selina Kyle.
A master thief who targeted jewelry, antiques, and all sorts of artwork. She was as sexy as a cat, but cunning, cold, independent, and unreliable were also her trademarks.
Since he had developed a strong interest in her identity, Eric decided to play along with her for a while.
"You look like one of those thieves who barges in here with nowhere else to run. Generally speaking, I don't have much patience for thieves."
Eric calmly watched her as he spoke slowly.
"A thief? I don't consider myself a thief."
Catwoman pulled the white scarf from her chest and collar, then poured several items out of the backpack on her back. "I'm just a raven seeking balance in life."
She put a pair of orange goggles on her head and took out a length of rope, fastening it around her waist. "Ravens find shiny things, then hide them in their nests."
After arranging her gear, Catwoman smiled at Eric. "Like a raven, I decorate my nest with splendid things. Once those splendid things are in my pockets, they make me feel safe, or like my life is balanced."
Though she vaguely felt alarmed by the aura Eric gave off, she did not think much of it, assuming he was merely an ordinary hotel guest.
She walked