“You know, Tom, I was a bit wary when Karlo told me he'd be sending someone else to complete the job," August said, leading me out of the building into the outside garden again. He'd apparently eaten all the cereal as he was now slurping the milk from the bowl in between talking. "But after I thought about everything that Karlo has done for me over the years, I realized a recommendation from Karlo is just as good as having him here himself."

  "You can put your full trust in me, Mr. Woxen. I met Karlo when we both went to school as computer scientists. Although we took very different career paths, we've been very close and help each other when needed."

  August let out a loud laugh, and his frizzy salt and pepper hair moved wildly in the wind. "Perfect! Someone who has studied the same discipline as Karlo. You have reassured my confidence. Come, we'll start the tour with the grounds of the place. There are various hidden cameras around the house that you will need to know about."

  August pointed out various topiaries and trees that held hidden cameras as we walked through the garden. He made a mention of how the cameras were specially designed to have a 360 degree view of their surroundings. The outside cameras were positioned so that they covered every inch of the mansion's exterior.

  "Don't worry, you won't have to memorize the location of every little thing out here because Nelka asked Kuzma to draw a map of the interior and exterior of the mansion, so we used that to create the layout of the cameras. Bennet has already informed security to make a copy of the map and give it to you." August stopped in front of a topiary in the shape of a Chihuahua on its hind legs. Its front paws were on its hips, and it had a disappointed look on its face.

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  After admiring the bizarre foliage, I turned back to find August with his hand covering his face, tears rolling down his cheeks. I looked over at the butler with an eyebrow raised.

  Bennet, clearly not amused with his boss's theatrics, mouthed the words "He said his wife's name."

  Ah, makes sense. I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey Mr. Woxen, I heard what happened to your wife and I'm sorry that she passed so soon."

  "I always told her not to try and do the flying kick on anyone. It's going to get her hurt or even worse. I just hate that this was the way I had to be proven right," August said through his tears.

  "I know your pain. I recently lost someone too," I said.

  August wiped the tears from his eyes and blew his nose into a tissue from his pocket. "Thank you, and please just call me August. Who did you lose, brother?"

  "I was on the run from the mafia and the Muffin Man was caught in the crossfire. He gave me his car before he died so I could escape."

  Both Bennet and August laughed hysterically. "I see even Karlo's associates are comedians," Bennet said.

  "Yes, we should all have a drink sometime," August said, now wiping a tear of joy from his eye. "Come, let's finish the tour."

  We made our way through the rest of the garden and started to make our way back towards the house. "Karlo set up the cameras around the exterior, so they have been on for a while. You can see the recordings in the security room. For the interior cameras, if you have any recommendations for relocating them, please let me know. I'll inform the staff to make the adjustments," August said, stopping. "Bennet, can you have the chef prepare an extra plate for lunch? By the time I finish the tour, it'll be lunchtime."

  "Yes, Master August," Bennet said as he started to walk in a different direction but still towards the house.

  "Okay Tom, let me finish showing you the rest of the house," August said.