# The Birthday Breach Molly spread the blueprints across the kitchen table, adjusting her reading glasses. Bill leaned in with a cup of coffee, studying the layout of Henderson's backyard. "Okay, so the presents are stacked by the oak tree, which means we're looking at a twelve-foot approach from the side gate," Molly said, tapping the paper with her pen. "Twelve feet? That's nothing. I've crawled through security systems longer than that," Bill replied, though his confidence wavered slightly. "This isn't the Met, Bill. This is worse. We're dealing with seven-year-olds and a clown." Bill's eyes widened. "A clown?" "The invitation specifically mentioned entertainment. Apparently, someone named Bobo will be performing tricks and—this is crucial—keeping everyone distracted near the bounce house." "Perfect! We use the bounce house as cover," Bill suggested, circling an area on the map. Molly shook her head firmly. "Absolutely not. Do you remember what happened last time we tried to blend in at a children's event?" "That mime incident wasn't my fault entirely." "You got trapped in invisible box for twenty minutes while security investigated. We cannot risk that again," Molly said sternly. "This operation requires precision. We go in at two-fifteen, right after they sing happy birthday." "Why specifically two-fifteen?" Bill asked, scribbling notes. "Because that's when everyone's focused on cake consumption. Mouths full, hands busy, minimal surveillance capacity. Plus, the parents will be busy filming for social media." Bill nodded slowly. "So we're thinking in and out? Simple smash and grab?" "Nothing about this is simple. We have to account for the birthday girl's attachment to her presents. Children can be surprisingly vicious about possession." "You're telling me. I got bitten by a six-year-old at the toy store last month," Bill muttered. "Exactly my point. Which is why we need costumes. I'm thinking party entertainer?" Bill brightened. "Like the clown?" "We are nothing like Bobo. We'll be the magician's assistants. High visibility, trusted adult figures, completely mobile throughout the party." "Will we need actual magic tricks?" Bill asked suspiciously. "Just sleight of hand. Very simple stuff," Molly assured him. "You can manage that, can't you?" Bill considered this. "I can make things disappear." "Excellent. That's literally the entire job." Molly folded the blueprints carefully. "We get in around one-thirty, scope out the present situation, establish our positions during the clown performance, and execute the transfer when cake appears." "What about the gift bags?" Bill asked. "Some of these presents are pretty large." "We use a van. I'm calling Marcus—he owes us anyway." Bill stood and extended his hand. "Molly, I think this might be our most audacious job yet." She shook it firmly. "It's also our most ridiculous. But the money from reselling these toys will fund our actual museum heist for months." "And that's why you're the brains of this operation," Bill said, grinning.