Molly leaned against the rusty dumpster, her eyes fixed on the bouncy castle visible through the backyard fence. The colorful balloons tied to the mailbox fluttered in the afternoon breeze. A hand-painted sign declaring "Happy 8th Birthday, Emma!" swung from the front porch. "Look at that spread," she whispered, gesturing toward the pile of wrapped gifts on a table. "Must be thirty presents at least." Bill crouched beside her, adjusting his binoculars. "Rich neighborhood, rich kids. Birthday jackpot." "So what's the plan? We can't just walk in there with all those parents around." Bill grinned, revealing a chipped front tooth. "That's why we wait until cake time. Everyone's distracted, cameras out, singing the birthday song." "And we slip in from the side gate?" Molly tucked her red hair behind her ears, mentally calculating the seconds they'd have. "Exactly. You grab the wrapped stuff, I'll take anything electronic." Molly frowned, watching a clown making balloon animals for the squealing children. "Doesn't it feel a little wrong? Stealing from kids?" "You getting soft on me?" Bill snorted. "Remember last month when your landlord threatened eviction? Kids bounce back. We don't." "I know, I know." She sighed, fidgeting with her sleeve. "But maybe we could hit the parents' cars instead? They probably have laptops, maybe jewelry." Bill shook his head firmly. "Too risky. Car alarms, possible dashcams. The presents are just sitting there, unattended." "What if there's a dog? I hate dogs. They always know I'm up to something." "I checked yesterday when I did the drive-by. No dog, just that fat tabby cat sunning itself on the porch." Molly peered through a gap in the fence. "How long until cake time, you think?" "Twenty minutes, tops. They just started the piñata. After that, it's present time, then cake." "Wait, present time comes before cake? That ruins our whole plan!" Bill cursed under his breath. "You're right. New plan. We need a distraction during present opening." "Like what? Start a fire?" "Jesus, Molly, we're thieves, not arsonists!" She rolled her eyes. "It was just a suggestion. What about the sprinklers?" Bill's face brightened. "Perfect. I'll find the control box. You position yourself by the gate." "How many seconds will I have?" "Thirty, maybe forty-five if we're lucky. Grab the shiny ones first." Molly nodded, suddenly feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline. "What if someone sees me?" "Then you're the party magician's surprise assistant. I saw him setting up inside." "I hate magic." "You hate being broke more." Bill checked his watch. "Ten minutes till present time. Ready?" Molly took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what was possibly a new low in her criminal career. "Yeah. Let's steal from some children. Totally normal Thursday activity." "That's my girl." Bill patted her shoulder. "Remember—" "I know, I know. Shiny presents first."