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July is Flash Fiction Month! I’ll be sharing short short stories here through the month of July. More notes at the end of the story.

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The dame was all legs. She stood at the threshold of my office, trying to paw her way in. She glanced over at my one blue eye. “Good thing I need a private eye, not a private eyes.” 

I felt a growl rise in the back of my throat, but I shut it down. She was a fierce one, and if I made the wrong move, she’d be ready to pounce.  “I’m a good sight better than anyone else you’ve been hounding.” 

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the incident at the spring factory,” she purred. 

“Of course.” It didn’t look like much, but the spring factory had been a popular joint for plenty of cats in town. One of its walls being destroyed had been big news. 

“I happen to be part owner, and I want to get to the bottom of what actually happened. My co-owner is ready to take the money and run, but I think something…more sinister has happened to my beloved factory.” She looked down at her manicured nails. “And if he does…he’ll see that this kitty has claws.” 

“Sounds like he needs a good lickin’.” I was intrigued by the job, and the dame. I wouldn’t mind sharing a bed with her. “I’ll take the job.” 

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“Aww, the cats are playing nicely together for a change. They are obsessed with those springs.” 

“Yeah, too bad Stormy destroyed part of the spring factory. He chewed off one of the flaps on the box.” 

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Surprise! It was about cats all along!

I decided not to do the collab genre mash-up challenge today, but did go for my suggested genre: noir!

“The spring factory” is what we call a cardboard box with plastic springs in the flaps for the cats to play with.

Your dame and detective: