CCSI: The Pilot Part I

The Kidnapped Kitty Caper

Part One

Detective Gil Fishham here, senior detective for the New York City CCSI: Cat & Canine Crime Scene Investigation.

One warm spring afternoon, I was called to the house of Miss Fistacuffs on the report of a missing cat. The elderly woman met me at the door, visibly upset. "Baroness Momo the Fluff of Dicken St Charles is gone," she said with tears running down her wrinkled face. "You must help me find her. I live alone and Fluffy is the only friend I have."

I proceeded to ask Miss Fistacuffs a series of questions: "Where did you last see Fluffy? Was it normal for her to come up missing for a few days? Does she have any enemies who would like to see him dead?" Miss Fistacuffs went on to tell me that Fluffy was last seen walking toward the shore, that she never stayed out after dark and, she assured me, that a sweet cat like Fluffy most certainly had no enemies.


I was lost and didn't know where to start. What I had was a missing cat. What I didn't have was a suspect, a motive, or even a body. I started off for the shore thinking that the fish market would be the a good place to start looking for a missing cat.

When I arrived at the fish market, I noticed a group of young sailors standing outside. I stopped them, showed them a photo of Fluffy, and asked if any of them had seen the feline. After taking a long hard look at the picture, the young sailors assured me that they hadn't seen the cat around, but suggested I go inside and ask the guy who is at the market everyday, Mr. Pesce, the fish market man.


I went inside the market and approached a burly looking man with a thick, black moustache who was standing behind the fish counter. Showing him the photo of Fluffy I asked, "Have you ever seen this cat around the market?" Scowling at the photo he answered, "Oh her. Yeah, I know that sneaky cat." He went on to tell me that Fluffy showed up at his stand several times a week, always trying to--and often succeeding in--stealing a fish.

"So you didn't like the cat?" I asked.

"What do you think?" he responded. "She was always trying to steal from me!"

"Did you hate her enough to commit MURDER?" I pressed.

Mr. Pesce's face softened. "Look," he went on, "I didn't like the cat, but the only critters I kill are the ones that come from the sea."

I went on to ask if he recalled seeing Fluffy on Thursday afternoon, the day she disappeared. After giving the question some thought he answered, "Yeah. The little rat stole one of my fish and took off running toward the docks."

I thanked him for his time, warned him not the leave the city, and started off toward the docks. I now had a suspect and a motive, it was time to go and find the body.

END OF PART ONE

Part II - Tomorrow airing at 11:00 am