Run: 2026-09-23-01M36TZF098ASVGS275VJ28TGH

Bill crouched behind the bushes across from the house, binoculars pressed to his face. Molly waited impatiently, arms crossed. "So," Molly whispered, "what are we dealing with?" "Twenty-seven confirmed children," Bill reported. "Fourteen boys, thirteen girls. The youngest appears to be about three. The oldest, maybe eight." "And the adults?" "Eight parents. Two of them look like they'd fall asleep after one beer. The other six are currently trapped in the kitchen arguing about how to cut the cake." Molly grinned. "A cake debate. Classic. What about security?" "Security?" Bill lowered the binoculars and stared at her. "Molly, it's a children's birthday party." "Never underestimate security. The dog?" "The dog is a Yorkshire Terrier named Mr. Wiggles." "Oh no," Molly said flatly. "Mr. Wiggles." "Mr. Wiggles," Bill confirmed. "What's the timeline?" "Party starts at two o'clock. The gift opening happens around three-thirty, when the sugar high hits critical mass and they start screaming in unison. That's our window." Molly paced in a tight circle. "And what's the reward?" Bill pulled out a notepad. "Based on my reconnaissance, we're looking at approximately fifteen wrapped boxes. The Porsche toy alone retails at forty-nine ninety-nine. There's a LEGO set, a board game I couldn't identify, and something very large covered in Hello Kitty wrapping paper." "Hello Kitty wrapping paper? That's probably expensive." "I think the paper is the cheap part. But you never know. One of the parents drives a Maserati." Molly stopped pacing. "Okay. Give me the plan." Bill unfolded a hand-drawn map of the house. "We enter through the backyard gate at three-fifteen. Molly, you distract Mr. Wiggles with the beef jerky." "What if Mr. Wiggles doesn't eat beef jerky?" "Everything eats beef jerky." "And if he doesn't?" "Then we're in trouble. But statistically, dogs eat beef jerky." Molly nodded slowly. "Fine. Then what?" "I enter through the sliding glass door while you stand guard. We fill two duffel bags with gifts and exit the way we came." "What about the kids?" "The kids will be in the living room eating cake." "Are you sure the cake argument gets resolved before three-fifteen?" Bill paused. "Honestly, no. But even if it doesn't, they'll still be in the kitchen. Either way, the living room is clear." Molly rubbed her hands together. "What about escape?" "We walk casually to the car, pull out of the driveway, and never return to this neighborhood." "That's it?" "That's it. Crime doesn't need to be complicated, Molly." Molly clapped him on the shoulder. "I like it. Let's get Mr. Wiggles." Bill handed her the bag of beef jerky. She bit off a piece and chewed thoughtfully. "Bill?" "Yeah?" "You ever think about how we're stealing from children?" He stared at her for a long moment. "No. Next question." Molly smiled. "Never mind. Let's move." They slipped through the bushes toward the fence, two professionals on an ordinary Tuesday.