The first article listing several ways to relieve a person of their wallet already gave him some ideas and proved interesting. The writer suggested distracting a person with their bag by their feet, by dropping something near them. In those seconds, their attention would be diverted as they reached for the item. This would allow you, the wonderful thief, to foot-shuffle the bag to the next table. Then easy as pie, you pick it up and make your escape with the victim none the wiser.

Another approach for a talented criminal, if they spied a tote strap hung over the chair’s back, was what the author called a cheeky grab as you walked past the table. The bag owner wouldn’t realize their loss until Elvis had left the building.

A safer way, the article instructed (as if there was ever a way to be a safe criminal) was to pickpocket them while walking alongside the mark on the street. In an almost gleeful writing style, the expert informed that this was a reliable option if you had developed the skill, but would require an accomplice. No suggestion on how to locate said partner, leaving William wondering if there were people on Fiverr who offered this. In a fit of stupidity, he ran a search on the site because he would be happy to pay, but of course pickpockets don’t advertise.

His biggest problem was that Orelia would recognize him if he got anywhere near her. So pretending to fall, drop something, foot-move her bag, or use the snatch-and-grab technique were useless suggestions. Thanks for nothing, Mr. Assistant to Thievery article writer.

What he needed was a more ingenious plan. There had to be one out there. He was a writer and all he needed was a spark of an idea to kickstart his imagination, so he continued to scan articles. As he opened and scanned each page though, he grew more frustrated. Until he came upon one paragraph which caught his attention. The instant he read the details he knew it might just work.

He did wonder if he had the courage to commit to such a bold plan. Not to mention, all things being equal, his little ducks needed to not just line up but all quack at the right time. With the way she’d sabotaged him, who knew if every negative variable wasn’t already lying in wait to trip him.

In saying this, the plan did offer minimal risk of being seen; time to abort if things didn’t feel right; and a higher success rate, in his opinion, than anything else he’d read, even with his undeveloped skills. Finally, he had nothing else and just maybe, he could pull this off.

The one thing it didn’t grant him was the chance to see the look on her face when she discovered it gone. That would be amusing, but a price he’d happily pay to beat her. Now all he had to do was hope that tomorrow she followed the same routine and revisited the café. And be patient. He went to Google how to be patient? and realized in amusement, patience had become his new super power.