Molly slunk into the dimly lit dive bar, her steely gaze scanning the patrons for Bill's hulking frame. She found him in the back booth, nursing a whiskey and eyeing a plump bartender's wobbly cleavage. Molly slipped into the booth and crossed her spindly arms. "Nice of you to finally show, Bill. I was beginning to think you weren't logging any billable hours on my dime." "Relax, Mol, I was watching the target. You know, recon." He flashed her a wolfish grin and gestured to the empty seat. "Bartender! Get this fine lady a drink. On me." "Just water. And make it snappy." The bartender rolled her eyes and sauntered away. Molly leaned in close, her breath hot on Bill's stubbled cheek. "Listen up, you Neanderthal. Here's the plan: we're hitting little Timmy Schmuckmeister's birthday party. Hate the kid but damn, his fat-cat dad always kills it with the swag. This year, I hear it's a pirate ship bounce house, an Xbox One for each kid, the works." Bill's eyes lit up like two flickering pilot lights. "Sounds like gold, alright. So what's the job?" "Meet me at the Schmuckmeister's estate at 9pm. I'll have planted the passcodes on the maid's laptop. You brute force your way in and I'll have disabled the cameras and alarms. All glory, no gory." Bill scratched his gnarled beard ponderously. "I don't know, Mol. Pinching loot from a bunch a' bawling kids? Seems, I dunno, icky?" Molly snorted, a spray of water misting his face. "Since when do you have scruples, genius? This is the best gig in weeks! Clear in, clear out, rock-solid alibi. I've already snagged the new maid's uniform I'll be flashing at the gates. You just do what I tell you, and we'll be rolling in Hot Wheels and Legos." Bill's eyes glazed over and he nodded absent-mindedly. "Legos... sweet. My man Timmy did love that stuff..." His voice trailed off. Molly snapped her fingers in his slack-jawed face. "Wheeler! Focus. You in or not?" Bill shook his head, his eyes clearing. He extended a battle-roughened paw to clasp her delicate hand. "I'm with ya, Mol. For you, I'd rob the bloody Vatican. Now, what about a--" She clapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him with a look that could melt steel. "None of that, caveman. Now get your ass out there and find something pointy. We've got a big night ahead of us." As Bill lumbered out, Molly smirked to herself and took a long sip of water. Kids, thieves, they're all the same - just a bunch of bumbling idiots, ripe for the taking. She could already feel the Christmas cheer warming her chill little heart. Life, Molly mused with a wicked grin, was good.