Molly lowered the binoculars, the black rubber cool against her eye. The backyard across the street was a minefield of high-pitched squeals and spilled juice boxes. “Okay, Bill, listen up,” she said, her voice a low growl. “We’re casing the joint. Phase one is intel gathering.” Bill, however, was not looking at the house. He was pressed against the van’s foggy window, his face rapt. “Molly, it’s a unicorn. A bouncy castle unicorn. Do you think it can support the weight of two grown adults and a sack of loot?” “The bouncy castle is not part of the op,” Molly snapped, snatching the binoculars back. “The presents are the asset. They’re on the patio table, right by the slide. Our window of opportunity is the piñata.” Bill’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, the piñata! Do you think it’s those strawberry candies? Or the little sour watermelons? I love those.” Molly pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache forming behind her eyes. “The candy is a diversion, Bill. A chaotic, sugar-fueled smokescreen. While those little monsters are clubbing a papier-mâché donkey to death, we move in.” She pointed a finger at him. “You’re on lookout. I’m on extraction.” “Right, right,” Bill said, nodding solemnly. “Extraction. But what if the piñata has toys in it? Like little bouncy balls or temporary tattoos? Should we grab those too? That’s a secondary asset.” “We are not raiding the piñata,” Molly said through gritted teeth. “We are professionals. We hit the presents, we get out. In and out in ninety seconds.” She unfolded a crude hand-drawn map of the backyard. “We approach from the west, behind the hedge. The primary obstacle is the dad with the grill.” “The one wearing the ‘Grill Sergeant’ apron?” Bill asked, peering over her shoulder. “He looks friendly. He offered me a hot dog when we scouted yesterday.” “He’s a wildcard, Bill. Unpredictable. Now, are you ready?” Bill zipped up his black tracksuit, a serious expression finally settling on his face. “Ready. But just one more question.” “What?” “After we get the presents, can we have a go in the unicorn bouncy castle? Just for a minute? It looks really fun.”