Thee were cats yowling in the yard until three this morning. we don’t own any cats. These are strays that lurk in the neighborhood and decided our yard was perfect for their not so clandestine meeting. I went out to water the garden this morning and all of the neighbors I saw looked grumpy and rather bleary eyed. So at least it is not just me. But the day must go on and at least at the end of the posting I will have a very nice cup of coffee. that’s right, today I’m breaking o9ut the good stuff. So let’s get going.
i suspect there is a very nasty surprise instore for some thieves attempting to take advantage of an old lady. I feel an evil giggle coming on.
Thursday, September 15th: I feel safer already.
“I feel safer already,” she declared looking at the security system. Max tried not to look skeptically at either the new alarm system or the ‘security ambassador’ who was currently doing the final inspection. To Max he looked like a con man and the personnel he hired to assist him practically had the word thug written out across their foreheads.
Max didn’t like them one bit, but his Aunt Isabella was smiling and he couldn’t help but smile back.
Mr. Duncan, the Ambassador handed Isabella a packet of paperwork with all of the pertinent information on it. She was told to call should any need arise day or night. She fluttered her thanks at such personal attention and allowed Walters to see them out. As Walters turned, max caught his eye and suspected that the long time house manager/assistant to his Aunt ha more or less the same opinions of the security crew as he had.
‘Something to deal with later,’ Max thought.
“And I will feel so secure knowing my home will be safe while I’m gone,” Isabella said. Max tried not to wince, catching the interest sparking in the departing security. “There have been so many break in’s lately.
“I’m sure you will be find Aunt Isabella,” Max said. The men departed and Max made a mental note to have a word with Walters once Isabella was out of earshot. As Isabela talked about the safe feeling of a good security system, Max made mental plans of his own. After dinner, when she retreated to her personal suite, Max went in search of Walters.
Walters, Max knew started out as a trained butler. He went through a training course designed for an older style of service and in fact had worked as an old school style of butler. In his off hours he studied accountancy and hotel management. Max was never certain what he had planned but his plans altered once he took employment with Isabella. While many thought he was still the butler, he only occasionally played the role. For the most part he managed this and three other houses for Isabella along with all of the staff and bills for each. While he was certain traditional butlers did manage the rest of the household staff if the old movies max watched as a child were any indication, Walters did his management on a much grander scale and managed the staff in three separate countries like a battlefield general.
He was also fiercely loyal to Isabella. Max knocked startling him from his accounts. A flash of relief crossed his face. “Please tell me you have some sort o plan. Those …men are not to be trusted.”
“I have a plan,” Max said. “I’ve already had a look at the system and I would like to begin some adjustments as soon as possible. There are a few I can handle tonight, but in the morning I’ll need some specialized equipment.”
Ten til Midnight 