—

So absorbed was Hakuba in his book that he did not notice the thief’s entrance until he had returned to the window bench, the white of his cape and top hat catching the light from the fire just right to pull him from the pages of A Christmas Carol. He blinked once, then again, head tilting as he slowly, carefully straightened up in the plush arm chair recliner, and stared at him.

“Kaitou-san…” he said, voice soft and tentative. “It’s a pleasure to see you tonight… on Christmas, of all days. Does this mean that I’ve made it off of your naughty-list~?”