After my cat brought home puppies from who knows where, a policeman knocked on the door. As I led the officer inside, a strange unease filled the air. Mrs. Miller, my ever-curious neighbor, followed close behind, scanning my living room as if solving a mystery.

I gestured for them to sit, but the officer stayed standing, his presence calm yet commanding. “Marsa, right?” he asked, nodding toward the corner where my tabby cat lay protectively curled around a tiny pile of sleeping puppies.

“Yes, that’s her,” I replied, my voice quiet. Marsa purred softly, proud and content, as if unaware that anything unusual was happening. The officer sighed. “We’ve had several reports of missing puppies in the neighborhood. Families are worried, and we’re trying to find out where they’ve gone.” My stomach tightened. Missing puppies? Suddenly, Marsa’s strange behavior began to make sense. I felt my daughter Lili squeeze my hand, her eyes wide with confusion.