The world was still sleeping when Jellylorum left her hiding place and after a morning hygiene she went on patrol. Dawn was still away and moon almost faded, so the area of junkyard was cloaked in dark shadows, which had made from a harmless lumber scary ghosts. Fortunately Jellylorum often moved in this environment and from her experiences she didn't rely on her eyes, but on the Instinct. And the Instinct just devoutly reported her that all Jellicles are on their places, and nothing is happening... Wait!
Jellylorum stopped halfway to the pantry and sucked distinctive odor mixture. But that was wrong. Pantry was a secret treasure of their junkyard, safe for the food. All odors had to remain safely inside and doesn't attract any foreigner here. She walked faster and after a moment she appeared a steep from muddy hillside, overlaid by rusty pieces of metal that should neutralize the smell. Under the slope was a large hole with the so-called winter supplies, which collection Munkustrap scrupulously heeded. The entrance to the burrow was usually hampered by an old piece of metal sheet, covered with the stones and other stuff. But sheet now lay tossed aside and revealed pit attracted anyone, who would go around, by the strong smell of meat.
This find confused her and for a moment she was helplessly walking around with pricked ears, if some munching of intruder would be heard from the pantry. When nothing happened for a long time, she ventured and entered.

Alonzo had another hard night. This was due to his throbbing head, swollen tongue and vague memories of sizzling Demeter, which who he was trying to get under the tail. Alonzo grunted and tried to sneak out of direct sunlight, penetrating into his cozy crate like bees to the hive. Currently he couldn't recall what day is and could only hope that he hadn't watch today, because if would Munkus sees him in this state...
"Alonzo!"
Suddenly Munkustrap stood over him with folded hands and stamping his feet like a disgruntled tap dancing instructor.
Alonzo tried to jump to attention, but halfway he staggered and fell back on his side. He covered his eyes and in this awkward position tried to explain that: "I am sorry...! It won't happen again... ! Demeter is exaggerating!"
"What?" Munkustrap doesn't understand. He rather shook his head and grabbed the unconscious cat by the scruff.
Alonzo had a beautiful view to the Munkustraps horrified face with expanded nostrils.
"Chicken, honey, chilli, red pepper, spices on the fish... " enumerated Munkustrap and push him away. "Chocolate! That's gonna kill you. "
Alonzo shrugged. "Everyone has a life-driver ... "
"Eat some grass and be in five minutes at the pantry!" ordered Munkustrap and jumped out.

Alonzo has apparently no jumping power and thus he pushed ahead hind legs and climbed from a pile of garbage like on a ladder. When he had tasted a rainwater from old can and began to nibble the green grass off of a single cluster, he wondered what does Munkustrap actually had in mind? Winter supplies were in place, rat meat dried and seasoned herring on Deuteronomys birthday ready for eating. He hoped that Munkus hadn't decided extend to range all Jellicles for convene the next rat genocide.
"Alonzo?"
He realized that he almost fell asleep while he was eating. When he opened his eyes, he was staring directly into Electra's curious face.

"What?" he asked and grudgingly chewed another blade.

"Munkus says that you should be hurry," replied the kitten and sat down opposite to him. Apparently hesitated a moment, but finally decided to ask: "Who's a suspect?"
Alonzo answered by shrugging lips. "Hmm?"
Electra shook her head eagerly. "Well, Coricopat told us about your detective office! And when someone stole our food, you... "
Alonzo breathed the blade in and cut her narration by the loud coughing. When he finished, Electra wanted to say more, but Alonzo already ran to the rendezvous.

All the cats were here. They stood in close group around the opened entrance of the pantry and talked about what was lost, how was it lost and who's responsible. Alonzo greeted them by simple move of the head. He nest in warm and slightly musty darkness. After a short walk through the narrow tunnel he appeared in the larger oval room, which was previously filled with rat steaks. Now the space was filled mostly by Old Deuteronomy, whose bushy hair could hide more kittens than the Mistoffelees's hat. At the rest of the place were pushed Munkustrap, Jellylorum and Tugger, who greeted Alonzo by slightly mocking: "Good morning."
Alonzo looked away. "So, someone stole the food," said two-colored tom factly. "And here we are now to trample down all tracks and pretend that nothing happened. Great plan, I can go now!" "Knock it off , will you?" Munkustrap sounded offended. "This was our coursework and now it's gone!"
"Then find Bustopher and eat him," said Alonzo.
"What?" shrieked cats choir.
In the following silence the only sound was Tuggers guiet laughing before Jellylorum jostled him. "Uh, sorry," he cleared his throat .
"Alonzo," rebuke him Jellylorum, "Bustopher Jones happens to be very honest cat with manners. And besides, he wouldn't be able to eat whole winter supply alone."
Alonzo moved closer. "You were here first?"
She nodded. "I found uncovered entrance and a void inside. "
"And the smell?"
"Food. And all who had been carring it here. "
"Who? "
Annoyed she rolled her eyes. "Me, Munkus, Tugger, Bustopher... Just everyone!"
Alonzo nodded. "So, there are no tracks, no distinctive odor... Hey, what am I doing here exactly? "
"We returning detective license to you," answered Tugger.
"Go away, " growled Alonzo softly.
Munkustrap sighed. "If it wasn't whole army of cats, I believe that food has never been eaten. I bet tail that is hidden somewhere nearby. And you will find it," said decisively, claws pointing toward Alonzo.
Two-colored tom made a loud sigh. "It was just a game, it lasted me a month! I'm not a detective!"
"You should had thought of that before you proclamated it," said Munkustrap firmly and walked out.
Tugger followed. As he was passing Alonzo, he gave him an elated smile. "You have my understanding, friend. We both know that you cannot smell even your own scent mark. Bye, bye!"

Alonzo held his breath. He was not breathing until the Tuggers pungent odor at least partly vanished. With Munkustrap left also Jellylorum and only one remained Deuteronomy, probably because with his size he had to always come in and out as the last one.
Now he leaned closer to Alonzo and sniffed the scent of spices. "You okay?" asked as an afterthought.
"I'm good, " he answered.

"I hate to say wise things to the others. It's a little tiring," said the cat leader. "But in your case - if you need to forget, find a constructive hobby. Nobody - just Munkus, maybe - expect the food wuld ever appear, but... Better looking for than been worry."
"Yeah, sure." Alonzo reluctantly nodded and walked away.
"Anyway," thundered Deuteronomys with less friendly tone. "Take Electra with you. At least she can learn something."
Alonzo turned, startled. "What! No, no! I work alone!"
"Change is a life. Two are better than one. Should I continue?" smiled Deuteronomy.
Alonzo limply hung his head and trudged to his new associate.

Kittens were running around and unlike troubled adults seemed to be excited about any event, whether good or bad.
Tumblebrutus had just stormed out of breath, but with a big smile. Gasping Jenny limped behind him and spitt phrases like: "Slow down, young man! You haven't finished your breakfast! Uhh, I'm to old for this..."
"Is that true?" Cried the young tom with exitement. "Someone stole supplies and we all gonna die!?"
"Don't scare," scolded Jellylorum. "When I was a kitten the word 'supply' did not exist and yet we had survived."
"And you weren't hungry in the winter?" asked Jemima. Jelly apparently had no answer fo this.
Fortunately, Cassandra appeared on the scene and joined the group. "Don't worry, you definitely won't be hungry. Everything's going to work out..."
Electra cannot lagged her enthusiasm anymore and broke in like an avalanche. "Of course! Alonzo will find our food! Munkustrap bet the tail!"
"Alonzo?" Cassandra gasped and turned her head towards him.
Alonzo tried to get away, but it was too late.
Cassandra slowly approached. Her big, captivating eyes drank into his fur. "Hi."
"Hi." He better looked at her feet. She was the only of her kind in the area. With smooth, almost invisible fur, there was something very desirable on her. Once he was near to Cassandra, he knew he still has the feelings for her. And the more he was sure about it, the more he tryes to stomp them down.
Luckily Electra positioned herself between them and prevented them from other thorny questions. "Now I'm also a detective! Deuteronomy let me!"
Cassandra lifted her long, elegant eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yeah, it's true," said Alonzo and because he had an opportunity to escape, he urged his young partner away. "Come on El, let's investigate."
Electra stopped running enthusiastically around and instead she tried to emulate his grave, tired walking. After a moment of silence she staunch thought to ask: "Ehm, where are we going?"
"To Jennyadotts," he said.
"She is also a suspect?" squeaked Electra.
"Yes. You will stay there and watch her. "
Silence.
"Alonzo?"
"What?"
"You want let me there and go searching just by yourself, do you?"
"No! I would never do that!"
Electra angrily sat in the middle of the road.
Alonzo stopped. "What again?"
"Deuteronomy said you have to take me with you!"
"Deuteronomy says a lot of things! Plus he's old."
"But he's the boss! "
Alonzo sighed deeply.
Electra made a cute eyes. "I'll just watch! And I'll shut up! I promise!"
He sighed again. "Okay. But one trouble and you quit, okay?"
She saluted him. "Got it! What now? Who will be the first witness?"
Alonzo changed direction and headed to the opposite side of junkyard. "There are only two cats that have their paws in everything."