He was tall slender man, maybe in his late 30s early 40s, his brown hair slicked back. He had handsome features yet also very plain. You couldn’t pick his face out of a crowd, but his body and demeanor were definitely distinguishable. He was a man you’d avoid eye contact with but also one you’d want to notice you. He drank purified water out of his Nalgene mug as he surveyed the surrounding area from the fourth floor of his office building like a hawk looking down at its prey from a tree. He never indulged in caffeine or substances of any kind. He was a man with full control over his actions. As he looked down upon his parking lot he noticed as a reckless driver swerve into the parking spot next to his black Tesla, barely missing. He watched as Donny, the new IT intern, took a large hit from his vape and hurriedly walked into the building. The man frowned slightly, drew the blinds, and began typing at his computer, his expensive suit remaining unwrinkled.

After a while he heard a knock at his door.

“Come in.” He said quietly with a deep voice almost whispering.

“Hello Mr. Gardner sir. How are you today?” Said his assistant Molly.

“I’m doing fine, Molly. And you?”

“Okay sir. Couldn’t quite get enough sleep last night. Fred has been snoring up a storm lately. Not to mention Annie’s night terrors.”

“Sounds undesirable, Molly. You have something to tell me I presume?”

“Oh yes. You’re going to want to see this. Can I use your computer for a sec. Mr. Gardner.”

“Certainly Molly.” He whispered as he closed out of his files.

“Ok well.. You know Tony down in security, right?”

“I know Tony, yes.”

“Well the sensors and security footage at one of the properties were triggered last night. And a couple of thieves stole something off the front porch.”

“What was on the porch?” Mr. Gardner replied quickly.

“Oh just a bunch of packages. Not quite sure how they got there sir. But here you can see. 2 people. A man and a woman in their late 20s it looks like. They walk up here ring the doorbell several times and then look at her. She seems excited all of a sudden, they grab that package and then drive off.”

“Which property is that, Molly?”

“Oh the one in Avalon woods?”

“Which one in Avalon woods?

“Oh.  Uh. 567. Yeah 567 for sure. That’s the one. The old Macomb residence.”

“Hmm. Interesting” said Mr. Gardner as he watched the footage of Jasmine and PT take the package. He zoomed in on the package and then on the two thieves. An inquisitive look on his face.

“I wonder…” He said softly and to himself.

“What was that sir.”

“Was Tony able to get a good look at the license plate of the vehicle, Molly?” he said after a short pause.

“Not really, they parked kind of far away back behind those trees there. Ooo Wait! Tony did say they were driving a Subaru. A black Subaru Outback.”

Mr. Gardner turned around opened the blinds and stared out the window as he thought deeply to himself. 

“Uhh.. sir. I’m gonna head out now. You need anything else?”

“Yes, Molly. Acquire the license plate number of every black Subaru Outback in the area. By the end of the day.” He said softly yet succinctly.

“Of course Mr. Gardner sir. I will have that to you before 5. Oh and the investors are coming by later. I ordered a whole spread. You’re gonna love it.”

“Thank you Molly, that is all.”

Molly quickly left and shut the door. Mr. Gardner stood in front of his window for a couple minutes, closed the blinds, and sat back down at his desk and began to furiously type away at his laptop.