# The Birthday Job Molly spread the blueprints across the kitchen table, her eyes narrowing at the layout of Henderson Elementary School's gymnasium. "So we're really doing this?" Bill asked, pulling up a chair. "Do you see another way to get forty unopened presents in one night?" "Maybe we could actually buy them?" "Where's the fun in that?" Molly tapped her finger on the gymnasium entrance. "The party starts at two on Saturday. Parents drop their kids off, leave for three hours. We've got a window." "A narrow window. What about security?" "It's a school, Bill. Not Fort Knox. The principal's probably napping in his office." Bill laughed despite himself. "You've thought about this way too much. What's our cover?" "We pose as the entertainment. I'll be a balloon artist. You're my assistant." "A balloon artist named Bill?" "We'll call you Señor Billsworth. Very theatrical." "I hate this plan already." "You always do." Molly stood and began pacing. "Here's how it works. We arrive at one-thirty with a van full of 'balloon supplies.' We set up in the corner. When the kids are distracted eating cake at two-fifteen, we bag up the presents from the gift table." "Won't anyone notice us stealing their presents?" "There are thirty screaming children, two exhausted parents, and one overwhelmed teacher. Nobody notices anything. Trust me on this." Bill rubbed his temples. "What about the parents picking their kids up?" "The presents go straight to the van. We're gone by four-forty-five." "And if a kid asks for their present before we leave?" "I'll make them a balloon sword. Kids are simple, Bill. Distract them with a poodle made of latex, they forget about everything else." Bill studied the blueprints again. "The back exit here—how far to the van?" "Forty feet. Five seconds if we move fast." "We'll need a second person." "I already asked Danny. He's in." "Of course Danny's in. He'd rob a lemonade stand if you asked nicely." "Exactly why I asked him." Bill leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "Your worst idea yet. We've stolen from casinos, museums, diamond dealers. Now we're stealing from birthday kids." "Think bigger, Bill. Forty presents? Some of these are probably expensive. Electronics. Games. Maybe some collectibles." "They're toys for children." "Toys with resale value." Molly grinned. "Besides, everyone teaches kids that crime doesn't pay. Let's make sure they learn that lesson authentically." Bill couldn't help but smile at her logic, twisted as it was. "I still think this is insane." "Saturday at one-thirty. Wear something colorful. Really sell the Señor Billsworth character." "I'm going to regret this." "Absolutely. But you're coming anyway." Bill nodded slowly, already dreading the moment he'd be twisting balloon animals while stuffing presents into garbage bags.