Before we made it to the front door, there was a woman tending to some flowers that were in the plot of land around the house. She was a Burnette and was wearing overalls that were covered in dirt. “Ah, perfect your can meet my youngest. Zofia!” August shouted.

The women looked up to see us approaching and waved. Zofia stood up and extended a handout to me. “Its nice to meet you, sir. Daddy told us you were coming today. I hope you like the property!” Zofia said.

Shaking her hand “It is definitely a marvelous place. Your father was giving me a tour and I have to say the sculptor does great work. You can call me Tom.” I said. Meeting Zofia’s gaze, she had hazel-green eyes. If I wasn’t mistaken, I thought she winked at me. Nah, must have been something in her right eye.

“Ah yes, Zofia is working towards her degree in plant biology. She wants to become a botanist. Ever since she was a child, she’s always loved nature.” August said.

“Ah yes, I remember Miss Zofia would sit her pots filled with dirt. She asked to be watered so she could grow big and tall like a Coast Redwood tree.” Bennet said.

August walked over to hug his daughter, “Yes, I remember those days well, Bennet.” He pulled away slightly to look down at his smiling daughter. “And now my little seedling is all grown up, isn’t she?”

Zofia with a smirked pulled away. “Jeez dad, could you not embarrass me in front of everyone?” She said with a laugh. Looking back at me, she continued, “If you need anything, Tom. Anything at all. Ask.” She said in a seductive tone and wink.

Eyes wide, I looked over at the butler. His eyebrows were raised, and his mouth was curled into a closed lip smile. Okay, I wasn’t wrong. She was definitely hitting on me in front of her father. “Uh yeah, sure, I’ll let you know.

“Alrighty Tom, let’s make our way through the rest of the house. Too-da-loo love bug.” August said. Messing with his daughter’s hair.

As we moved through the house, Bennet left us to go speak with the kitchen staff. We were moving through yet another hallway. It almost seemed like we were in a maze rather than a home. “So, as you can see, at every hallway corner there is a camera.”

“Quick questions August. How did the robbers even find their way out of the home? For a lack of better words, this place is a bit of a maze. How do new employees learn how to navigate this castle?”

“That’s a superb question, Tom. We’ve always had cameras installed inside the house. Their security recordings go back much farther than the ones outside. As for training new staff, they are partnered with seasoned staff so they can learn the ropes,” August said, opening a door to reveal a large garage. “I figured you were much like Brett and like to work alone, so I had Bennet prepare a map for you so you can navigate the home.”

The garage was filled with vintage cars and newer luxury cares. They lined the walls from the entrance to the back wall. I thought my eyes were deceiving me, so I rubbed my eyes. “No, you’re not deceiving you. That is the actual Mystery Machine from the 2002 Scooby-Doo film.”

“Wow, that’s incredible. It must have cost a lot.” I said.

“No, it was rather cheap, only about $100,000. When they told me the price, I thought it was on clearance at first.” August said. He walked across the to the door directly across from where we entered. When he opened the door, there was a 1967 Chevrolet Impala with the hood open. A girl with fiery hair was pouring in antifreeze. She caught us out of the corner of her eye.

She stopped pouring to stand up straight. “Hey Daddy, whose this slice of handsome?” The women said, wiping her dirty hands on her mechanic’s uniform. Again? These women must have no shame in their game to hit on dudes in front of their dad.

August laughed, “Now, now Rue. This is Tom. He will be Brett’s replacement for the project.” You're totally cool with her hitting on me in front of you!?

“Uh yeah, it’s nice to meet you.” I said, extending my hand for a handshake.

Rue took my hand and grasped it, “Well it’s nice to meet you Mr. Tom. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask, ya hear?”

Taking my hand back from that uncomfortably long handshake “Uh… of course.”

“So, Tom, before we go,” August said, pointing up to the ceiling. “The cameras are there and there. These were just put in and they have been running about the same time as the ones from the garden, so if you need to make adjustments, ask.”

August reached over and rubbed his daughter’s hair. “Lunch will be ready soon, honey bunch.” Turning around, he started to leave the garage. “Okay Tom, let’s look at the remaining part of the house.”

August showed me a few places that had cameras, including the movie theater, bowling alley, indoor pool, and the bar. Finally, we arrived at the study.

Walking we saw a woman with blonde hair reading a book. “A what are you reading now Ania.” August said, walking to his daughter.

Ania looked up from her book. “Oh, just a book on Anthropology. Is this Tom, Brett’s replacement for the time being?” She said, taking a sip from her glass of water with ice in it.

“Therefore, you are my favorite Ania, you always listen to me when I talk.” August said, turning to me. “Tom, this is my oldest daughter.”

Walking over to her, I extended my hand out to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” She said, shaking my hand briefly. Finally, a daughter that will not hit on me.

“How is your asthma, Ania? Is it under control now? You’re not hyperventilating anymore, are you?” Her father said with concern written all over his face.

“Yeah, I am feeling much better today. I have had no problems so far today.”

The tension in August’s shoulders fell as his daughter gave him reassuring news. “That’s good news.” He said. A chime came from his pocket, and he pulled out his phone. “Ah, it’s Bennet he said that lunch is ready. Tom, after you eat your fill, you can get back to work. If you need anything, you have Bennet’s and my number.”