Run: 2026-09-23-01M37J3894HP80H7TYK32YV36E

Molly spread a crayon drawing across the café table. It showed a house, a garden, and twenty-seven square shapes beneath a banner reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAN. She tapped the squares with the confidence of a woman who had once stolen a mayor’s ceremonial shovel. “Presents,” she said. “Children’s presents,” Bill said. “You’ve identified the target.” “I’ve identified the problem. Last time we robbed a bakery, you cried because the muffins looked lonely.” “That was different. They were blueberry.” Bill studied the drawing. “Where did you get this?” “Bean gave it to me.” “You spoke to the birthday child?” “She was outside drawing on the pavement. I said I liked her castle.” “That’s not a castle.” “I know that now. She was very clear about it.” Molly slid a paper party hat across the table. Bill left it untouched. “What’s this for?” “Disguise. We walk in as entertainers.” “Entertainers who do what?” “Magic.” “Neither of us does magic.” “We’ll make the presents disappear.” “That is not entertainment, Molly. That is an insurance claim.” Around them, lunchtime customers stirred their coffee. Molly lowered her voice, though she kept pointing at the drawing with a bright orange crayon. “The party starts at two. Cake at half past. While everyone watches the candles, we gather every present and leave.” “How? Carry them in our arms?” “I’ve brought a sack.” “How big a sack?” “Festive.” Bill leaned back. “You haven’t thought this through.” “I have. The sack has bells, so people will assume we’re part of a game.” “They’ll hear us leaving.” “Exactly. Nobody suspects a thief who announces herself.” “I suspect her.” “You suspect everybody. You asked the waiter for references.” “He claimed the soup was homemade.” Molly folded the drawing, then unfolded it when Bill reached for it. For a moment, he looked less like a burglar than a man trying to solve a difficult crossword. “Why this party?” he asked. “Because Bean’s father says he’s giving away the presents.” “To whom?” “The children’s hospital. She asked guests to bring gifts for the playroom instead of for her.” Bill took off his glasses. “So we’re stealing from a children’s hospital.” “We’re stealing before they get there. Technically, we’re stealing from a dining room.” “That is not a comforting technicality.” “I know.” Molly looked down at the paper hat. “I heard about the party before I heard about the hospital.” “And you still made a plan?” “I already had the crayon.” Bill turned the hat slowly between his fingers. “We could take the presents somewhere useful.” “They’re already going somewhere useful.” “We could help carry them. You’ve got a sack.” “With bells.” “The children might like it.” Molly considered this. “And if anyone asks why we came dressed as magicians?” Bill put on the hat. “We’ll tell them we’re still learning.” “You’d do that?” “I’d rather face twenty-seven children than explain the sack to a judge.” Molly smiled and gathered up her drawing. “Fine. But I’m not making a rabbit appear.” “No,” Bill said. “Let’s not disappoint anyone else today.”