The Case of the Mysterious Blood Trail

“My name is Detective Perry Cat Mason also attorney of law,” Said PCM after he knocked on the door of the Drennan residence.

“Come on in Detective shyster,” said Lamont after opening the door to PCM. “What can we do for you?” As Paw and Patch peeked out from behind various doors.

“I’m here to investigate some rumors of possible mayhem on these premises,” stated PCM.

“Really,” said Lamont. “I’m not sure what you are talking about. There is no one named May Hem here, just myself, Lamont Cranston and my sisters Pawline and Patchtricia. Oh yes, I almost forgot there are also our human servants Mewreen and Meugh.”

“Mayhem, chicanery, flimflam, deception and perhaps even…murder. You know perfectly well what I’m talking about; not May Hem but mayhem, foul play,” continue PCM.

“There are no chickens here either,” said Lamont casually licking his paw.

“What? Who said anything about chickens?” exclaimed PCM.

“You did, “foul play’ you said plain as day. No chickens, turkeys, pigeons, parakeets, robins, or even lowly sparrows playing here, just we cats.”

“Obfuscation! You sneaky cat. You know full well what I mean by foul play and it has nothing to do with winged creatures. However, it has been reported to me by a winged creature flying by that there was blood on the floor of the great room at this location,” accused PCM.

“Was that the bird the flew into the window the other day? Perhaps he had his birdbrain scrambled,” answered Lamont.

“Listen up, this is serious business and I am here to find out what it is all about and I expect your cooperation, “snorted PCM. Do you deny there was blood on the floor in the great room here recently?

“Nope,” replied Lamont as Patch and Paw gasped from behind the respective doors.

“There was blood, you admit it,” said PCM.

“Of course,” replied Lamont. “This cat does not prevaricate.”

“Yeah right,” whispered Paw to Patch in the hiding places.

“Okay, now we’re getting somewhere, show me the blood,” said PCM expectantly.

“No can do,” said Lamont inspecting his toes nonchalantly.

“Do you refuse to show me this blood evidence Mr. Cranston,” demanded PCM.

“Nope,” said Lamont.

“You refuse to show me this evidence,” said PCM incredously.

“Nope. Nothing to show,” replied Lamont laconically while peering at his tale flicking to and fro.

“But you just admitted that there was blood and I demand to see it immediately,” demanded PCM standing on his toes.

“It’s gone.” Calmly replied Lamont, snatching an imaginary bug from the air.

“Gone? Where did it going Mr. Cranston. Tell me that and right now,” growled PCM.

“Sure,” said, Lamont. “The servants Meugh and Mewreen washed it away.

“Did you instruct them to do that?” asked PCM.

“Nope,” answered Lamont, “they just do things like that. They’re servants you know. They are supposed to keep things clean.

“Good grief your servants got rid of the evidence,” exclaimed PCM. That could be a crime itself.

“No crime that I know of,” replied Lamont licking his paw and cleaning his ear with it. “Just servants doing servant things.”

“Well, can you tell me where this blood was,” inquired PCM?

“Sure.” Said Lamont.

“Show me,” demanded PCM.

“This way to the great room,” replied Lamont and he spun around and headed to the great room. “This way, just follow me.”

“As I recall there was a little blood left of Meugh’s recliner. Then there was more smeared in front of the couch and at the end of the couch. Then there was a bit more on the other side of the room by that left bench,” explained Lamont waving a paw in the various locations.

“And now it is all gone,” inquired PCM?

“Asked and answered,” replied Lamont. At this point both Patch and Paw wandered into the great room to see what was going on.

“Now think carefully,” inquired PCM eyeing each cat with a penetrating stare. “Do any of you know how that blood got on the floor here? Think very carefully before you answer.”

Lamont, Paw and Patch all looked at the floor and at each other then the floor again then each other once more then replied in unison, “Nope!”

“Oh Bast,” exclaimed PCM. “I’m leaving now but don’t for a minute think this investigation is over.”

“Investigate away,” said Lamont ushered the detective/lawyer to the door. “Have a nice day.” Then he watched the muttering PCM walked dejectedly down the steps to the walk.

“I wonder if he’ll be back,” asked Paw?

“Who knows. Not all mysteries get solved,” said Lamont with a small smile on his face and twitched a whisker or two. “Let’s tussle.”

And we that the three cats of mystery pounced upon each other careful to keep the claws pulled in so as not to hurt each other, or draw any blood.

Who knows what happened here? Only the Shadow knows.