Run: 2026-07-09-01KX40K0VK3BQPDYSDYWMHCE94

“Right,” said Molly, peering over the garden fence, “there’s the target.” “The inflatable castle?” Bill whispered. “The presents, Bill.” “They’re inside the inflatable castle.” “They’re beside it.” “Beside it in a pile shaped like a treasure hoard.” “That’s because children receive gifts in brightly coloured paper.” “I know that. I was once a child.” “Debatable.” Bill adjusted his black knit cap. “So what’s the plan?” “We wait until the magician begins.” “There’s a magician?” “There’s always a magician.” “What if he’s good?” “He’s performing at a six-year-old’s birthday party in a gazebo. He’s not good.” A shriek of delight came from the garden. A man in a purple cape pulled a rabbit from a hat, immediately dropped the rabbit, and stepped on his own wand. Bill nodded. “You were saying?” “The children will be distracted. The parents will be distracted by pretending the magician is charming. We go through the side gate, cross the patio, grab the presents, and leave through the kitchen.” “Why the kitchen?” “Because the side gate squeaks.” “Then why are we going in through it?” “Because it’s already open.” Bill looked at the gate. “That is tactically unsatisfying.” “Crime is mostly unsatisfying. That’s why it’s called crime and not ‘a pleasant afternoon arrangement.’” “Do we have disguises?” Molly produced two paper party hats from her coat. One had dinosaurs on it. The other had glittery unicorns. Bill stared. “That’s your disguise?” “You have a better one?” “I thought perhaps masks.” “Masks are suspicious.” “We are burglars.” “We are party guests with poor boundaries.” Bill took the unicorn hat. “I feel ridiculous.” “Good. No one suspects ridiculous people. That’s how clowns get away with everything.” They slipped through the gate. The magician shouted, “And now, children, I shall make this coin disappear!” A child yelled, “It’s in your other hand!” Molly hurried across the patio. “Keep moving.” Bill followed, stepping around a plastic tricycle. “There are more presents than I expected.” “Birthday child must be popular.” “Or heavily insured.” “Don’t speculate. Lift.” Bill grabbed a large box wrapped in silver paper. “This one’s heavy.” “Probably a toy kitchen.” “It says ‘Ages eight and up.’” “Then it’s probably a toy kitchen with emotional complexity.” A woman near the lemonade table glanced over. Molly instantly waved. “Hello!” she called brightly. The woman waved back. “Whose parent are you?” “His,” Molly said, pointing at Bill. Bill froze. “His name is… Trevor.” The woman squinted. “Trevor?” Bill recovered. “That’s me. Trevor.” “You don’t look like a Trevor.” “No,” Bill said. “I’ve had a difficult year.” The woman nodded sympathetically and turned back to the magician, who was now attempting to escape from a pair of children’s handcuffs. Molly hissed, “Kitchen. Now.” They hustled toward the back door, arms piled with parcels. Bill whispered, “We’re taking all of them?” “That was the assignment.” “What if there’s a bicycle?” “Then we take the bicycle.” “What if there’s a pony?” “Then we reassess.” They reached the kitchen. A small boy stood in the doorway, holding a juice box and wearing a plastic sheriff’s badge. He narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing with my presents?” Bill smiled. “We’re moving them.” “Where?” “To a safer location.” “Why?” “Because,” Molly said, “there are thieves about.” The boy gasped. “Really?” “Very dangerous thieves,” Bill added. “Experts.” The boy looked at their party hats. “You don’t look dangerous.” “That’s exactly what makes us dangerous,” said Molly. He considered this, then pointed toward the living room. “Put them behind the sofa. Nobody looks there except Dad when he loses the remote.” Molly and Bill exchanged a glance. Bill whispered, “Are we robbing the wrong people?” “Yes,” Molly whispered back. “But quietly.” The boy tugged Molly’s sleeve. “Can I help?” “No,” she said. “Absolutely,” Bill said at the same time. Molly glared at him. Bill shrugged. “He knows the house.” The boy grinned. “I know where Mum keeps the good biscuits too.” Molly sighed. “Fine. New plan. Presents behind the sofa. Biscuits in the bag. Then we leave before the magician accidentally saws someone in half.” From the garden came a scream. Bill winced. “Too late.”