Frankie Sinatro, P.I. S1-E9: The Case of the Vanishing Veggie

Marites Cervantes
Dec 7, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 4

📅 Monday, December 8

The morning sun had barely touched the rooftops when the Smarts stepped outside and found their neighbor, Mrs. Delaney, pacing beside her vegetable planters.

Mr. Smart called out, “Everything alright?”

Mrs. Delaney huffed. “No! Something keeps stealing from my garden. First the tomatoes… then the squash… and last night, my biggest bell pepper just disappeared!”

Mrs. Smart leaned sympathetically over the fence. “That’s awful — it sounds like more than just a raccoon problem.”

Mrs. Delaney nodded. “I’m starting to think it’s… intentional.”

The humans chatted, concerned — unaware that a tuxedo detective was crouched behind a potted plant, listening intently.

To them, it was neighborhood gossip. To Frankie Sinatro, P.I., It is a case.

And possibly… something even bigger.

🐾 Front Porch Headquarters — Assembly Called

Frankie strode onto the porch like a commander with purpose. Billie slipped into place on his left. Oreo sat on the right, already chewing on something suspiciously crunchy. Samy settled on the upper step like a wise elder.

And Deano… took his rightful spot right beside Frankie, tail wrapped neatly around his paws, eyes glowing with admiration.

Frankie cleared his throat.

“We have a situation.”

Billie perked. Oreo gasped. Deano leaned closer.

Frankie continued:

“Mrs. Delaney’s veggies have been disappearing. Not one or two… several. This isn’t random.”

Billie’s ears flicked. “Do we investigate?”

“Not just investigate,” Frankie said, whiskers twitching with purpose. “We expand.”

Oreo raised a paw. “Expand… snacks?”

“No,” Frankie said firmly. “Expand our territory. This isn’t just a house mystery anymore — it’s a neighborhood mystery.”

Deano’s eyes widened with excitement.

🕵️‍♂️ Patrol Begins — The First Ever “Neighborhood Feline Watch”

Frankie led the formation down the walkway. Billie scanned the fences. Oreo waddled with determination. Samy stayed at Headquarters, listening and advising from afar.

Deano kept pace beside Frankie — matching his steps, copying his posture, absorbing every detail.

Frankie noticed… and said nothing. But his tail flick softened.

They reached Mrs. Delaney’s garden.

Frankie crouched low. “Tracks,” he murmured. “Small. Round. Repeating pattern.”

Billie analyzed the dirt. “Not a cat. Not a dog.”

Oreo sniffed. “Definitely… vegetable-adjacent.”

Then a rustle.

A shadow.

And out popped a plump rabbit with a cherry tomato stuck to its whiskers like a bright red beard.

The rabbit froze. The cats froze. Deano almost squeaked.

Frankie narrowed his eyes. “Culprit identified.”

The rabbit boinged away, leaving a trail of tomato juice.