Bill drummed his fingers on the diner table, casting a nervous glance at the laminated children's menu in front of him. "I don't know about this one, Molly. I mean, stealing from kids? That's low, even for us." Molly rolled her eyes, stirring her coffee with unnecessary vigor. "It's not like we're stealing their teddy bears or blankets. We're talking wrapped presents. Brand new stuff. Expensive stuff." "But it's Billy Rodriguez's fifth birthday party. Five-year-olds, Molly. Tiny humans with tiny feelings we're about to hurt." "Tiny humans whose parents can afford to rent out the entire Wonderland Adventure Park and buy replacement gifts before the tears even dry," Molly countered, leaning forward. "Have you seen the Rodriguez estate? They have a fountain with actual dolphins." Bill squinted at her. "They do not have dolphins." "Fine, they're marble dolphins, but the point stands. This isn't some sad little party with a piñata in someone's backyard. This is an extravaganza with a gift table worth more than our combined yearly income." The waitress slid plates of pie in front of them. Bill waited until she was out of earshot before continuing. "So what's the plan? Walk in dressed as clowns and juggle the presents into our getaway car?" Molly took a bite of cherry pie. "Not far off, actually. The party has a circus theme. I've gotten us jobs as staff. You'll be working the cotton candy machine." "And you?" "Face painting," she said with a mischievous grin. "I do a mean tiger." Bill groaned. "Great, so I'll be all sticky while committing felony theft. How exactly do we get the presents out?" "The gifts are being collected in the Rainbow Room. At four o'clock, when the magic show starts in the main hall, we move. I've mapped the security cameras. There's a service corridor behind the Rainbow Room that leads straight to the loading dock." "And then what? We just wheel out a cart of gifts? Someone's bound to notice." Molly slid a piece of paper across the table. "We're making a delivery, not taking one. The catering company is dropping off the cake at 4:15. We'll be wheeling out our haul exactly when they're wheeling in a five-tier circus tent cake." Bill studied the paper. "This might actually work. But I still feel bad." "If it helps your conscience, I'm donating part of our take to the children's hospital." "Really?" Bill's expression softened. "No, not really. I'm buying a hot tub." Molly finished her pie in one large bite. "But you can donate your cut if you want to be a saint about it." Bill sighed. "You know what would make me feel better? If I could be the face painter instead of the cotton candy guy." "Not a chance. Last time you painted faces, that kid ended up looking like he had a skin condition. Besides," she grinned, "you look cute in an apron."