Joyce, at the time, it was a nightmare. Something similar happened to a friend of mine when a dog she was fostering chased one of her cats, who fell into a hole in the attic, and it was a very old house. It took her longer to rescue her cat, who was very small and she had to cut into a wall. For her, it ended happily, too.

On the drive out to Wildcat, Qwill enjoyed a even tempered day, of 62 with a slight breeze blowing stray leaves to the ground. The maples turned before the oaks in this part of the world, and maples trees were plentiful. He observed Hackberry trees, Ginko trees, evergreens, regal and stately, elms, chesnuts, and hickory trees along the road and bordering fields. He arrived at the address supplied by Arch and drove into a farmyard, typical of Moose County. The barn was larger than the farmhouse with outer buildings of differents sizes, a pump house and something that could have been, an outhouse. A man came out to meet his car. What can I do ya fer, he said, Qwill identified himself and his mission. The farmer said, well I am taking a break, come sit ya on the porch for a spell. Qwill said, are you realted to Derek Cuttlebrink, the manager of the Grist Mill? Eye, the man said, all us Cuttlebrinks are related in some way, but did not explain further. Tell me, Qwill said, easing his hand into his pocket to turn on his pocket tape recorder, when did you find dead livestock? It were yesterday morning, he said. Three of my finest laying hens. Then when I was out feeding cattle, there she was, a new calf, not 3 months old, torn asunder and half chewed up. It were a gruesome scene it were. The farmer shook his head and teared up. Never seen the likes. Her throat had been slashed by something sharp. Qwill said gently, could coyotes, wolves, bears acount for this? I have never had any trouble like this before he said, in all my years. Qwill was skeptical, thinking a fox could have gotten into the hen house, as well. I would not have said anything to anyone about it Mr. Cuttlebrink said, but the same thing has happened twice in different parts of the county. If it is a wolf, they are traveling 15 miles a night. Qwilleran got some more information from the man, and said his goodbyes. He drove to the condo and typed up a story for ARch. He hopped back in his car and drove it over to the newspaper office. Here it is Arch, not much but this is the best I could do. Arch grunted a unrecognizable sound at him and kept working. Qwill walked over to Amanda's design studio. Fran was in the showroom talking to one of the employees. She looked up and smiled at Qwill.

The next day, Wallie Todwhistle called early and asked if he still needed help with his friends attic. Qwill said yes, and when he hung up with Wallie, he called Hixie. Hixie's hello was dull and lifeless sounding. Hixie, I am comin over in an hour with a varmit catcher to go up into your attic and check out the space for squirrels and racoons. Oh Qwill thank you, thank you,she said. I am afraid the footsteps I hear are much to heavy for a mere squirrel or racoon, though. Never fear Hixie, we will check out your attic completely and put your mind at ease. He put on old clothes befitting climbing around in a dusty attic, put on a pot of coffee and waited for Wallie. Koko, scratched at the kitchen closet that held his leash and harness, but Qwill said, no, you have had enough climbing in attics this week. I must find out how you and your accomplice got up there. Qwill was completely stumped about how the cats had gotten up there. He had searched the condo and found no access to the attic the cats could squeeze through. Nothing at all. When Wallie got to the condo, Qwill was surprised to find Culbreth McBee (okay Help girls I am terrible on names. Is this the name of the kid who saved the old dogs and made Qwill a calendar of pet sayings?)Culbret? Culbert McBee? Oh well, let me continue.......... Culbert, what are you doing here. Wallie answered for him, Culbert is studying taxidermy and he apprentices with me on Saturdays. He is small enough to get into the smallest attic, and is quite useful. Hi Mr. Q, Culbert said. Good to see you, Qwill said, would you like to come in for some coffee and errr, a milk? No, we are ready to get right to the job, Mr. Q, Culbert answered this time for Wallie.
When they got to Hixie's condo, Wallie pulled down the attic access in the hallway and went in first with Culbert right behind him. they carried a wired trap and a high powered flashlight along with some tennis balls and corn chips. Qwill looked at the odd assortment and made a mental note to inquire later. Racoon catching might make a good Qwill pen column he thought. After some time had passed, Qwill was almost ready to follow them up, when they came down. They were had a grim stoney expression and carried the trap with them back down, corn chips, tennis balls and flashlight. Hixie said, well, did you find any animals. ARe you not going to trap them, What did you find. Excuse me mam, Wallie said to Hixie, Mr. Q, could I see you out on the sidewalk. Culbert, Wallie said, you stand here by the stairs and do not let Miss Hixie up there. What is it Hixie said, but Wallie just walked out and Qwill followed him.

Qwilleran followed Wallie to the sidewalk in front of Hixie’s condo. A chilly breeze has sprung up and he turned his collar up as Wallie began to talk in a stage whisper. Mr. Q, there has been an animal up in Miss Hixie’s attic all right. But I am afraid it was the two legged variety. Qwill stared at Wallie about 30 seconds in surprise, before the meaning of his words sunk in. A two legged animal? What did you find Wallie? I am afraid I found a sleeping bag, blanket, a video recorder, a microphone and a tiny peephole drilled into the floor of the attic. Someone has been up there Mr. Q. Someone has gone up her attic stairs when she was not home and set up a little camp in the attic to spy on Miss. Hixie. There are candy wrappers and a soda can up there as well. I didn’t want to scare her, so I thought I better tell you in private. Good idea Wallie, I will tell her now, you call the police from your truck radio while I break the news. Also, do you have Fran Brody’s number, call her and tell her Hixie may want to go to her apartment. Yes, I have it. She gave it to me when she was directing a play that I built sets for, last year. I still have it in my cellular phone.

Later that night, Qwill wrote in his personal journal.

I am so glad to have Fran for a friend. She always is quick to step in and help. I am so grateful she took Hixie to her condo for the night. Poor Hixie, she was almost hysterical. She told the police she had no idea who had been in her attic. Qwill stopped writing as Koko let out a powwow. Qill tamped his mustache and continued to write. Fran had gotten her father to go up in her attic and check it before he left. Fran Brodie’s father is the Pickax police chief. He has never totally accepted his unmarried daughter living in an apartment by herself. His other daughters had not left home until they had married.

Qwilleran woke up the next morning with a cat on his stomach and another one in the crook of his elbow. He stretched and jostled them a bit. Yumyum yawned and Koko gave him a piercing look. How did you cats get in here. I was so tired perhaps I failed to shut my door, he thought, yawning like yumyum. Qwilleran was not an early riser and he noted it was 9:00 as he rolled off the bed and glanced at the bedside clock. Yowwwwwwww koko complained and Yumyum agreed Nowwwnowww, she said in a high pitched voice. Qwilleran got his robe and slippers and padded down the stairs. He pushed a button on the new electric coffeemaker, which had replaced an over ten year old one that had been given to him as a birthday gift when he was new to Moose county. He cut up some turkey and heated it in some broth for the cats. He stood leaning on the kitchen counter and watched them eat. The sameness of this daily routine settled his nerves after a harrowing day yesterday. The thought of someone in Hixie's attic spying on her personal life and recording it was ghastly. He gave a shudder.

Hmmm....Koko doesn't stare at something for nothing! Qwill does not always catch on, though. And just why are those cats getting into Qwill's bedroom? There is more to this attic situation, but what? Inquiring minds need to know!!

Beth, I love reading your story near bedtime, just like I did with LBJ's Cat Who books. Thanks, again!

Oh, and I just remembered Qwill's former housekeeper's name - it only took 2 days! Mrs. Cobb! What a relief to remember!

I am so amused with this story. The action, characters, food comments, somewhat bizarre story line and general hubbub are so in keeping with the way LJB presented them. I like Hixie having a large part in the story, because her relationship with Qwill predates his move to Pickax and because she is so unassuming. She also is the center of the action, even if she does have a tendency to invite disaster.

Gary told him about some cattle that were mauled in Wildcat and Qwill told him he had interviewd the farmer and the story should be in todays Moose County Something. He explained he had pitched in for Roger who had, along with Sharon taken the kids to Disney World. Gary, Qwill said, What do you know of a man named Oscar Bendorf. I am supposed to interview him for a possible Qwill Pen column this morning about an encouter he had with big foot about 10 years ago. Oh, I know old Oscar, Gary said. I was in school with his oldest son Joe. Yes, Joe's dad has never been quite the same since his encounter with big foot. After that he started stuttering when he talked and has not stopped stuttering in all these years. He lost weight and became old before his time. He lost interest in his fishing boats and his son took over for him or they would have lost their commercial fishing business. People around here have laughed at Oscar for years and taunted him about it. He is almost a recluse. If he does leave his house all he talks about is big foot. People avoid him, Qwill.

Thanks for your encouragement corrianne and Joyce M. I figured LJB used the sand giant, the ufo situation, tarot cards, so why not big foot? lolololol She build such humor in. She is my favorite author. Her books make me smile. I am just writing to ease the pain of not having another cat who book to read. I can still recall my joy and delight at the first reading of Brahams, Shakespere, Post Office, Sniffed Glue. My shock at the death of Iris Cobb, the sudden death of Melinda, the burning of the mainsion, the hilarious scene where Iris and Qwill go to the first town meeting in Post Office and the "flag" discussion. Priceless. I can't write, that is obvious, but I like to think LJB might have gotten around to a big foot story if time had not swallowed her up and age overtaken her. Perhaps big foot has followed Qwill from the Potato mountains, lolololol what fun

Oscar Bendorf attempted to stand and Qwill waved him back down, sitting down to join him in a rickety porch chair. Bendorf had a large cat on his lap. A black and white tuxedo that appeared several pounds overweight. Nice cat you have there Mr. Bendorf, Qwill said. Yes, yes......this is Sweetie Pie, my daughter-in-law named him Fred Astaire, but I just call him sweetie pie. the cat slept on and did not wake as Oscar settled back down into his chair. I am researching Big Foot sightins in Moose County and Walley Toddwhsitle said you would be expecting me this morning. Yes, yes, Walley is a great kid. I knew his father. It is good that Walley followed in his father's footsteps. My boys did. Took over the fishing from me when I started ailing. Joe, my oldest lets me live here with him, and my youngest boy lives down the road with his wife and my three grandboys. They all have fishing in there blood. Well it sure is cool this morning Mr. Bendorf, I am surprised to find you sitting outside. Yes, yes, I think the wooley caterpillars have disappeared and an early and short fall will give way to the big one before ya know it, Bendorf said. Most conversations in Moose county begin, end or find their way in the middle about the weather. With that taken care of, the old man said, call me Oscar. Qwilleran said, call me Qwill. And Oscar launched into his tale.