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Where We Left Off:
Our last case file was an interesting mystery about a maging species we’ve encountered a few times in the past.
Scratch:
In my effort to try and maintain some press credentials as a book reviewer, comic reviewer, and comic journalist, I’ve been fortunate to stay on some publishers’ PR lists. This has kept me somewhat in the loop (since it’s not my full-time job) with stories from companies outside of DC and Marvel.
| Hang in there. If comics aren’t your thing, I promise this leads into a mystery for the cat detectives of the Winchester-Nabu Detective Agency. |
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is as popular as ever. There are so many different comics, shows, and movies featuring the heroes in a half-shell. Last year, I read a few issues that were part of a new launch for the series. There are series titles that are for the youngest readers and then more gritty and emotional series for adults who have been fans since they were they were the kids. I’ll say this, I don’t know anything about the Last Ronin. This case file is more general. What I did learn was that the turtles had broken up and the new launch was about bringing them back together. That, and Donatello seemed destroyed by PTSD or something. I felt bad for the guy.
In mid-March, Gus and I were exploring the woods and discovered evidence pertaining to the TMNT team. It was odd. However, given everything Ollie and Gus have investigated about this area, nothing should surprise me. Oliver was with us, but I have to leave him at the edge of the woods because there’s no way for me to navigate his carriage. If he were a backpack cat, he’d be able to go, but he loves his buggy.
The weather does play a part here. It’s usually considered terrible writing to blatantly state that “it was a dark and stormy night,” but sometimes, one does not have time for making notes with poetic prose. There had been wind. Lots of strong, gusty wind. It blew things all over the neighborhood. Ollie, Gus, and I believe that’s why we found the evidence where we did in this particular area of the Forbidden Woods.
After such a severe winter of bitter cold temperatures, Gus was overjoyed to be able to get near the trees as soon as the snow melted. I followed along to get some photos of him when I noticed there was trash dotting the landscape. I found an empty bag from deer corn, a plastic flower pot, and a ball. The ball was the most peculiar of the items. I first found the corn bag and walked it all the way back to the garbage cans. When I returned to the woods, I took out a plastic shopping bag from my adventure sac and packed up the other items. Gus was ready to leave by then. I was grateful he didn’t decide to take off on a solo adventure for hours.
“Take some photos and measurements of that evidence,” Ollie directed.
I measured the partially deflated ball. When full, it was likely 16 inches in circumference. I left Gus and Ollie to watch for critters while I took the bag to the garbage can. I see this as an environmental community service to counterbalance trespassing. If someone wanted that crushed flower pot, which wasn’t even a display pot—it was the kind garden centers have plants in that you would remove to put them in something nicer—I find plenty of those cheap pots in the yard. If anyone is missing that ball, well, sorry. It looked like litter so I threw it away in a proper receptacle.
The Ball Evidence
Cursory examination showed a minimalistic turtle shell pattern on a white ball with the text: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It could have been a toy for a child or even a dog. That was something to determine in our investigation. As stated, the ball was approximately 16 inches around. It was discovered on top of the ground, not buried.
We began brainstorming about any connections between turtles, especially mutant turtles, and other creatures we’ve encountered at the cusp of Spring. The most recent mystery involved the toad maging, Ana-Kyra, who was a gentle creature of the Topielic variety (also called vodyanoy, vodník, vodníci, or utopielec).
“We’ve never encountered mutant turtles or maging turtles,” Gus said as we settled into our office seats back home.
“That doesn’t mean they don’t exist.” Ollie tipped over a section of toilet paper tube to get to his hidden treats.
“Guys, could there be a connection between turtles and the topielec?” I said.
Oliver answered immediately. “They’re completely different classifications.”
I threw out another one. “Could there be any social associations between them?”
Gus said, “We only know what we read regarding those mutant turtles. The topielec and mundane toads have toxins. Mundane turtles could eat a toad at their own risk. They have a lot of protein.”
Ollie said, “You do have a point about socializing though. We’ll have to research and see if there are any reports of them being friends, enemies, or neutral.”
“Or there’s no connection at all,” Gus said. “She’s only guessing because finding that toad was uncommon for us.”
“You’re right, Gus,” I said. “Maybe I’m looking for an association that never existed.”
“Did you happen to swab the evidence before disposing of it?” Ollie asked me.
Darn it. “No.” I hadn’t even thought about checking for prints, DNA, or spectral residue. What a blunder! My head collapsed down between my shoulders like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Digging In
We went to Clint’s Reptiles channel and scoured his videos for any pertinent information. If you go to his channel, search for “Halloween” and that’s where you’ll find some of his best takes as Zoologist Reacts to Your Horrible Halloween Decorations. We did come across a mermaid “skeleton” prop in one of these decoration videos, but otherwise, we haven’t noticed any examinations that relate to mutant turtles. Clint has embraced an enormous snapping turtle. He knows what he’s doing.
“Guys, I’m sorry I threw out the evidence. Should I get it out of the garbage before it’s picked up?” I wasn’t worried about anything icky in the garbage. I knew the ball was in the small shopping bag. The kitty litter is most definitely horrid, but it’s also in a bag and I wouldn’t have to pick through it.
Ollie and Gus looked at each other then back at me. I knew their answer. To the bins!
Unfortunately, there were no usable fingerprints, paw prints, saliva or other DNA. The ball had been neglected in someone’s backyard for a long time. That’s not the end of the case though. There was spectral evidence!
Using our proprietary camera filters and programs, I saved images and showed them to the detectives. I was off-base regarding the topielec from the previous case.
“This is someone we’ve never personally encountered before,” Ollie said. “But there have been rumors about him for a long time.”
“Who is he? What’s this about?” Gus asked.
Oliver read from research databases to explain the situation to us. There is a certain type of mutation caused by specific toxic waste. Among the many other animals and people who have been changed by this poisonous material, one of them was a truck driver’s cat.
Ollie got quiet. “Just like me.” Oliver wasn’t mutated, but The Grumpy Old Man’s life was spent dividing his time between the military and as a truck driver. In the man’s younger days, he would often stop and pick up stray animals to release them to safer neighborhoods and away from busy highways.
After a moment to allow Ollie time for his thoughts, I spoke. “Does this legendary cat have a name or is it only known as a trucker’s cat?”
“First, his name was Pookey,” Ollie said. “After an angry human—not the truck driver—threw him into the toxic waste, the cat emerged and was different. Like those turtles. He didn’t have anyone to guide him in life and his anger grew into vengeance. He was called Scratch after that.”
“I’ll keep my eyes and Super Smeller out for any intruder that might be him,” Gus said.
“Keep the cameras on,” Ollie said to me.
Case Findings:
The team discovered a piece of evidence in the woods that led to assumptions, then dead ends, and finally to a resolution. Ollie cracked a little known urban legend that pieced together the story of a mutant cat who is not part of civilized society. Gus had detected new scents as Spring returned. He’ll look for patterns and see if any of the signatures lead back to the mysterious cat named Scratch.
Case Status: Open
