“Karlo, you said your client was wealthy, but it's been 10 minutes since I've driven past the front gates," I said into my steering wheel. Karlo called me in the middle of breaking things off with Luana. He was giving me the rundown of what I needed to do for his client.

  "Oh yeah, it's about 5 miles before you get to the actual mansion. Once you get past the trees, you'll see some beautiful topiary," Karlo said. In the background of the call, I could hear a bag being zipped closed. "I owe you big time, man. This is one of my wealthiest clients for my side gig. If you hadn't come through, I would've had to let them down. But I had to handle things with Luana today. It was now or never."

  "Not a problem, man. You've helped me even more by getting the Mob off my back," I said. Looking ahead, the endless rows of trees finally gave way to an open clearing.

  "I've already written the software for the security system. I just need you to install the cameras and motion detectors around the mansion, then I'll load the software and test everything," Karlo said as I heard the clicking of a door locking.

  "Yeah, it should be pretty easy…Wow, you weren't kidding about the wild topiaries!" The clearing was filled with giant tree statues of all shapes and sizes. They were spread all throughout the clearing as far as the eye could see. One giant bush was shaped like a knight holding a shield towards the dragon towering over him. There was a koala hanging from the branch of a hedge-shaped tree. I slowed my car down to get a better look at one of the large foliage sculptures. "Is that a cow eating a chicken?"

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  "Yeah, the person who designed all the topiaries is a die-hard Chick-fil-A fan. So, he includes that depiction in all of his works," Karlo said as I heard the closing of a car door. "I already put the cameras in all the topiaries. They will just need the update with the new software."

  "Of course, there are cameras in the…" A gigantic shadow swallowed my car. I looked up at the massive gothic castle looming ahead. It stretched wide across the clearing, with dense forest pressing in on both sides. The sharp spires at the top stabbed into the sky. "Karlo, who is your client? Dracula!? You told me they lived in a mansion. Not a castle!"

  "It is a mansion. If it were a castle, it would have defensive features," Karlo said. An engine came to life in the background and quickly went into a low hum. "Alright Tom, I got to get going before Luana wakes up. There should be a butler in the front that can take your car and park it in the underground parking lot. See you later," Karlo said, ending the call.

  When I pulled up to the half-circle driveway in front of the castle, there was indeed a butler waiting for me. I stepped out of the car and he bowed towards me. "Good morning, Master Morningstar." We both cringed at that.

  "You can just call me Tom. It's less creepy," I said with a chuckle.

  A hearty chuckle came from the old butler. "Thank you, Master Tom. My name is Bennet, and I am the head butler for the house. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I will take your keys, and the valet will park it in our underground parking lot. The mechanics down there will inspect it and ensure that the gas is filled, and any problems are fixed before your departure."

  He wasn't kidding. How rich do you have to be to have an underground parking lot!? I wonder if I could just work here full time?