Run: 2026-07-07-01KWZ5RAB3AFQ10YFHRJ57T379

The surveillance van smelled like stale coffee and desperation. Molly adjusted her binoculars while Bill picked at a loose thread on the back of the driver's seat. The birthday party “Tiny Toes and Tiaras” was in full swing across the street, a colorful explosion of helium and screaming children. “So, let me run this again,” Bill said, squinting. “We're breaking into a party for six-year-olds?” “Genius-level target, Bill. Low security, high emotional impact. The parents will be so busy crying over cake they won't notice Uncle Bill swiping the loot.” “Uncle Bill? I'm not putting on a bunny suit. I draw the line at bunny suits.” “Bunny suits are for amateurs. I'm talking the Unicorn Princess. It's a full-body costume with a horn that lights up. I've already got it in the trunk.” Bill stared at her. “You have a Unicorn Princess costume in the trunk of our getaway van. The same van we use for armored car jobs.” “Versatility, Bill. The mark is a child named Bartholomew. He's got a balloon dog obsession. The party entertainer is a clown named BoBo. Our window.” “BoBo the Clown. He's a threat? He makes balloon giraffes. I'm more worried about the toddler over there with the sippy cup. That kid looked at me funny.” Molly lowered the binoculars. “Focus. The gift table is by the sliding glass door. There are twenty-three presents wrapped in identical silver paper. We need to swap them for our dummy boxes and be out before the pinata is broken.” “Twenty-three? That's a lot of Lego. And I see a big one. Could be a bike. I need a bike. My hamstrings are tight.” “Your hamstrings are not part of the take. We split everything fifty-fifty, silent auction style. But there is a problem.” Bill perked up. “A problem? Now we're talking.” “The parents are paranoid. They have a camera system wired to the neighbor's house. And the neighbor is retired S.W.A.T.” Bill's face went pale. “So we're stealing from a child watched by a team of former government killers?” “Allegedly retired. But I've got a plan. We go in as the late gift delivery from 'Aunt Carol.' I've forged the return address. The handwriting matches.” “She's not even here. The party is her son, Bartholomew. I mean, who names their kid Bartholomew? It's asking for trouble.” “It's asking for presents. We ring the bell, wave the box, and while the dad signs for it, we replace the entire pile. Ten seconds, in and out.” Bill nodded slowly. “Then what? We just leave? What about the cake? I saw it from here. It's a castle. With a moat of green frosting. I've got a weakness for green frosting.” “After the job, we buy our own cake. A bigger cake. With a drawbridge.” “It won't taste as sweet. Stolen sugar has a higher value.” Molly sighed. “Fine. We steal the cake. As a consolation prize. But if we get caught, it's because you couldn't resist a piece of sponge cake.” “Deal. Let me get the horn. I'm doing it. I'm the Unicorn Princess.” “Atta boy.”