Run: 2026-07-09-01KX41KF76X0JMD98FAYZ0DCBQ

Molly crouched behind a hedge shaped like a sleeping elephant and studied the house through binoculars. The garden was crowded with balloons, plastic dinosaurs, and children wearing paper crowns. At the center of it all stood a table piled high with presents, each one wrapped in bright paper and guarded by a golden retriever with the grave expression of a customs officer. Bill lay beside her in a tuxedo two sizes too small. His bow tie had migrated behind his ear, and one sleeve contained a breadstick. “Are we certain this is a party,” he whispered, “and not a trap designed specifically for idiots?” “It’s a children’s birthday party,” Molly said. “The perfect cover. Nobody suspects adults at a children’s party.” “Everyone suspects adults at a children’s party. Adults are the only people there who understand what a piñata is.” Molly lowered the binoculars. “The presents are in the conservatory. We get in through the side door, load everything into the cake-delivery van, and leave before the magician finishes.” “What if the children notice?” “They’ll be distracted by the magician.” “What if the magician notices?” “He’ll be distracted by the children.” Bill looked toward the house. A man in a purple cape had just pulled three rubber chickens from a hat and appeared more surprised than anyone else. Their route began at the hedge, crossed a flower bed, and ended at the conservatory door. Molly had timed it carefully between the singing of “Happy Birthday” and the ceremonial cutting of the cake. Unfortunately, the children sang with the fierce, unhurried determination of a choir defending a fortress. When the final note died, Molly sprang forward. Bill followed, immediately stepping on a squeaky toy. The toy shrieked like a tiny police siren. Every child turned. Molly froze beneath a cluster of balloons. Bill froze beside a garden gnome. The golden retriever lifted its head. “Don’t move,” Molly breathed. “I’m not moving,” Bill whispered. “The gnome is.” The gnome toppled into Bill, who stumbled through the flower bed and landed in a wheelbarrow. A child applauded. Another shouted, “The clown is here!” Molly seized the opportunity. She grabbed the wheelbarrow handles and pushed Bill toward the conservatory, smiling broadly. “Entertainment,” she announced. “Very painful entertainment,” Bill said. The children followed in a delighted swarm. The magician, sensing competition, began juggling flaming torches. The dog bounded after the wheelbarrow, barking enthusiastically. Molly reached the conservatory and flung open the door. Inside, the presents gleamed beneath a banner reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NED. She reached for the largest box. A small boy blocked her path. “Are you taking my presents?” he asked. Molly glanced at Bill. Bill glanced at the dog, who had begun eating his breadstick sleeve. “Absolutely not,” Molly said. “We’re delivering them.” “Where?” “To… a safer place.” The boy considered this. “The safest place is under my bed.” Within minutes, every child was carrying a present toward the house, while Molly and Bill were marched behind them under strict supervision. By the time the police arrived, the thieves had been assigned party hats and forced to perform the magician’s finale. The golden retriever received the applause. Molly received a cupcake. Bill received three. Neither received a present.