Winning BIG, a little love story for all ages

by Judith Keim

  “Where are we going?”

  “I think I know a way into the alley.”

  Lila pulled him to a stop and gave him a worried look. “But ... but ... isn’t that where your father was killed?”

  He gulped and nodded. “Yes, but what choice do we have? If we go up the stairs, we’ll be on the main floor of the hotel. And if any people see us, all of us mice will be kicked out of here before we can even pack.”

  Lila gave him a grim look. “You’re right. We can’t ruin The Winston for everyone else because we got ourselves trapped down here.”

  They scurried along the tile hallway to the door leading outside. Smokers used the alley behind the hotel as a gathering place. If they were lucky, the door would be cracked open.

  No such luck.

  Theodore and Lila waited in the shadows, breathing hard from their race for freedom.

  After several minutes of hiding, the door to the alley opened. Black sneakers, worn below black-checkered pants, entered the building. One of the hotel cooks walked right by them.

  Theodore grabbed Lila’s paw, and they hurried into the alley.

  Pausing in the dark, smelly alley, Theodore’s body turned cold with fear. He’d been warned time and time again to stay away from there.

  “We have to find our way to the front of the building,” he said. “That’s the safest place for us to enter the hotel.”

  “But it’s scary out here.” Lila gripped his paw tighter.

  At the panic in her pink eyes, Theodore swallowed hard. “Come on, let’s go. And, Lila, no matter what happens, don’t stop running!”

  Paw in paw, they took off.

  “I don’t like this,” puffed Lila, working hard to keep pace with him.

  They were running free and clear, sticking as close as they could to the building when a large, black tom cat bounded toward them.

  “EEEEKKK!” Lila dropped Theodore’s paw and scurried behind a garbage bin, squeaking all the way.

  Theodore followed her. He tried to climb the metal container, but it was too slippery and he fell back down with a squeak of dismay.

  “Under here,” said Lila. The metal feet of the garbage bin held it off the ground a mere two inches. She hurried into the space.

  Theodore crawled in beside her and sat, trying to catch his breath.

  “Look out!” squeaked Lila.

  The cat’s black paw stretched under the bin and swiped at the ground where they were sitting, knocking Theodore onto his back. The cat’s other paw reached for Lila. A long, sharp claw caught on the fabric of her pants.

  “Meow!” cried the cat, triumphantly, dragging her to him.

  “Help!” cried Lila, struggling to find a foothold on the pavement.

  Theodore rolled to his feet and grabbed hold of Lila. A tug of war began between him and the cat. Lila’s pants ripped, releasing her from the claw that held them. Theodore tugged as hard as he could, and Lila fell back, free.

  “You did it!” cried Lila, scurrying out of range of the cat’s paw.

  But the cat wasn’t about to give up. Several times, it tried to reach into the space to grab them.

  Miserable, Theodore and Lila huddled together.

  At the sound of another cat’s meows, the claws of the black tomcat disappeared. The cats began hissing at one another. Soon, deafening yowls filled the air.

  “They’re fighting. Let’s make a break for it!” Theodore crawled to the edge of the bin and peeked out. A large, yellow tiger cat and the black one were clawing at each other.

  Theodore waved Lila forward. “Follow me!”

  Side by side, they darted down the alley. At each step, Theodore felt as if a claw was about to nab him from behind. He couldn’t help glancing over his shoulder. Beside him, Lila looked as terrified as he felt.

  They’d just rounded the corner to the front of the hotel when they heard a noise behind them. Not one cat, but two bore down on them. Theodore led the way down the well-worn path behind the bushes lining the front of the hotel. At a steady run, they swung through the mouse’s revolving entrance, twirling around and around until they landed on the floor inside.

  “Hey, you cats! Get out of here!” roared the people’s doorman. He chased them away.

  A sigh of relief rumbled up from the depths of Theodore’s body. He turned to Lila. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, but I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

  “Me, either,” Theodore admitted.

  “You were trying awfully hard to be brave,” said Lila. “Thanks.”

  It was almost a compliment, thought Theodore, wishing for more. He walked Lila to the plumbing area and waited until she was safely on her way to Zanna’s room before heading home to his family.

  Later, lying in his bed, Theodore thought of all that had happened. He and Lila had almost lost their lives. If that had happened, his family would be left with no means to survive. He couldn’t do that to them. He’d promised his mother that he’d always be there for her and his siblings. As sorry as he was about Zanna’s situation, he decided his detective days had to end.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Theodore! Wake up!”

  Theodore blinked sleepily at his mother and squinted at the bedside clock. His eyes widened. He’d have just enough time to get dressed and run to his post. Another day without breakfast.

  He jumped out of bed. It had been an awful night. His nightmares had been full of cats chasing him and catching him in their claws. It brought back sad memories. One dark and stormy night, his gentle, loving father had lost a fight with such a cat.

  His mother frowned at him. “Are you all right, Theodore?”

  He nodded. “Just late.” He couldn’t tell her what he’d been doing.

  Grandfather was already at the doorman’s post when Theodore arrived there out of breath. Grandfather pointed to his watch and smiled. “Just in time, Theodore. I’m glad. Beau Beady is after your job, so it’s important you’re prompt. You can take over now.”

  Theodore frowned. Beau Beady was a year younger and constantly trying to outdo him. In fact, those beady eyes of Beau’s seemed to catch every little mistake Theodore made.

  It being a Saturday morning and an early hour, traffic was slow. Then a group of men and women carrying cameras and microphones gathered in front of the hotel.

  Grandfather approached Theodore. “Be on your toes. Reporters are here, trying to get an interview with Zanna. Word is out that she tried to kill herself.”

  Theodore frowned. He was pretty sure Zanna hadn’t tried to kill herself. Someone else had wanted to harm her. Lila knew Zanna best, and she was convinced of it. So was he.

  Noise and the light from flashbulbs erupted as Zanna emerged from the hotel. Theodore studied her. Accompanied by Samuel Horner, she was still pale, but looked as beautiful as ever. She wore a simple black dress and carried a large, tan purse.

  The questions came at Zanna one atop another.

  “Zanna, is it true? Did you try to kill yourself?” cried one reporter.

  “Is it because you and Rocky Strong are fighting?” asked another.

  “Is your relationship with Rocky over?” said still another.

  “I heard Simone Skinner is going to take the starring role from you in Sam’s upcoming movie. If not her, Juliet Jasper. Is that true?”

  Sam held up his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Zanna is fine. You can see that for yourself. Now please allow us to get into the limo. This sweet lady deserves a chance to do some shopping.”

  The hotel’s general manager came outside to speak to the reporters. “Step aside. Please do not interfere with our guests. They are due respect and privacy, which we at The Winston Hotel honor. I ask you to do the same.”

  Amid the reporters’ grumbling, Zanna and Sam Horner slipped into the white limousine that had quietly rolled up to the front entrance.

  Theodore watched the limo take off and turned to Grandfather. “I don’t think Zanna tried to kill he
rself like they say. I think someone tried to hurt her.”

  Grandfather gave him a steady look. “That’s for others to work out. Not us.”

  Theodore nodded. After his horrifying experiences with Lila last night and with Grandfather’s warning ringing in his head, he decided to let others do detective work.

  ###

  At break time, Theodore hurried into the cafeteria. It had been a long time between meals, and his stomach was pinched with hunger. He stood in line looking over the selection of food scraps when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned, expecting to see Lila. At the appearance of Juliet’s assistant, Theodore hid a disappointed groan.

  Cynthia stood next to him, her eyes rounder than usual behind her glasses. “Theodore, can I speak to you? Alone?”

  He couldn’t stop feeling cross. “What do you want, Cynthia? I have just a few minutes before I have to get back to my post. I’m the doorman. Remember?”

  She nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I was mean to you, but, really, I need your help.”

  Theodore loaded his tray and carried it over to a table for two. Cynthia followed at his heels. “Please, Theodore.”

  He let out a sigh. “You might as well sit down and talk to me while I eat.”

  Cynthia took a seat opposite him and glanced around the room. “I don’t want anyone else to hear this. Juliet is very sick. I think someone poisoned her. Lila caught me crying, and when I told her what had happened, she said to come to you. She said you’re doing some detective work together. Is it true?”

  “Not anymore. We almost got killed last night.”

  “But she said you promised to help her. I want you to help me too. Without Juliet, I have nothing to live for. Working for her is my entire life.” Tears rolled down Cynthia’s dull gray cheeks.

  Sympathy defiantly welled up in Theodore. If Juliet was poisoned, someone in the hotel must have been responsible. It was a mystery he couldn’t ignore. But was it worth getting killed over? He had his family to take care of. What would they do without him? But then again, if they had a serial killer on their hands, the hotel and everyone in it might be in trouble.

  Cynthia got to her feet. “Just think about it. Lila has all the details. She said she’d talk it over with you when you got off work.”

  Shoulders slumped, Cynthia walked away oblivious of the curious stares of others.

  Though his stomach had begun to churn with anxiety, Theodore forced food down. How could he disappoint Cynthia? How could he tell Lila his detective days were over? They both believed in him.

  ###

  Zanna and Sam returned to the hotel sometime later, each carrying a number of shopping bags. Seeing Zanna laugh and smile, Theodore wondered what would have happened if he and Lila hadn’t come to her rescue. A shiver snaked up and down his furry back.

  He noticed a movement from one of the many pockets in the enormous tan leather purse slung over Zanna’s shoulder. Lila lifted her head out of the pocket, glanced around and waved at him.

  He could feel his lips spread into a wide grin. She was as spunky as she was beautiful. Whenever he saw her, his heart sped up in a burst of happiness. Feeling all fuzzy and warm inside, he vowed to do anything she asked.

  Zanna stood in front of the hotel talking to one of her fans. The reporters rushed toward the scene. The clicking of their cameras and the flashing of lights made Theodore wince.

  Amid all the noise and confusion, Lila squeaked, “I need to talk to you.”

  Theodore nodded. There was no way he’d let her down. Scared or not, he was about to embark on another detective mission.

  ###

  As soon as his shift at the door ended, Theodore hurried into the cafeteria. He and Lila had to come up with a plan. But first, he needed to fill his belly for energy. As he was loading his tray with a mound of food, he noticed Lila sitting with Cynthia at a corner table. He turned away from their stares. He couldn’t let anyone on the hotel staff find out he was interacting with guests.

  He took a seat at the table with his family.

  “Hi, Theodore!” said one of his little sisters. The smile she gave him tugged at his heart strings. He could not jeopardize his job. She and all the other mousekins needed him.

  “My, you’re hungry tonight,” said his mother. Her eyes shone with approval. “You’re growing so well, Theodore. The boys are hoping you’ll have time for a ball game.”

  Theodore shook his head. “Not tonight.”

  His mother frowned. “Is everything all right? You didn’t get in until late last night. That’s not like you.”

  “I just need some time to myself,” he said, fully aware she’d disapprove of his detective work.

  The frown on his mother’s face was replaced by a look of embarrassment. “Oh, yes, of course. After all you do for us, it’s important for you to have some fun. Just be careful.”

  Theodore let out a sigh of relief. He’d hate to disappoint her or anyone else in his family. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lila and Cynthia leaving the cafeteria.

  “See you later,” he said to his family, and rose to his feet.

  As Theodore was leaving, Maurice entered the cafeteria, glanced at him, and shuffled over to the cafeteria line. Theodore drew his eyebrows together thoughtfully. Most of the guests acknowledged him with a wave or a squeak. Not Maurice.

  When Theodore stepped out into the hallway, Cynthia and Lila signaled for him to follow them.

  “Come quickly,” said Cynthia. “I’ve reserved the small conference room. We can talk in there.”

  The three of them sprinted down the hall and into a small paneled room. Cynthia locked the door and turned to them with a sigh. “Lila, like I told you this morning, I found Juliet very sick. I’ve never seen her so bad.” Her lip quivered. “I thought she was going to die.”

  Theodore gave her a skeptical look. “What did she do last night? Have too much to eat or drink?”

  Cynthia shook her head. “That’s just it. She decided not to go out to dinner with everyone else. She had room service bring her up a light dinner, took a headache pill like she always does, and went to bed. A little bit later, she began to throw up. It lasted all night.”

  “Maybe she was just coming down with the flu,” Theodore said. “Sounds like it to me.”

  “Just wait,” said Lila, placing a paw on his arm. “She has more to tell us.”

  Cynthia took a deep breath. “There was something so wrong about it that I became concerned. That’s when I bumped into Lila.”

  Lila nodded.

  “This afternoon, Juliet seemed much better. I heard her tell someone on the phone that she was going to take another headache pill and would try to catch up on her sleep.”

  “So?” said Theodore. This didn’t sound like a cause for alarm.

  Lila frowned at him. “There’s more. Go ahead and tell him, Cynthia.”

  “I checked on her just before dinner and she was really, really sick again.” Cynthia squeezed her eyes. Two tears rolled down her cheeks. “Juliet never gets sick. Something’s wrong. I know it.”

  Lila gave him a bright smile. “I told her we’d help figure it out.”

  In response to Lila’s hopeful look, Theodore couldn’t help the way his lips curved. But his heart sank. Things did not sound good at all. Someone was making trouble. Big trouble.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The three mice detectives left the conference room and hurried along the hallway, hoping no one would spy them. It might start rumors of all kinds, and good detectives did not bring attention to themselves.

  They entered the plumbing system. Theodore let Cynthia take the lead. She wove them through a maze of pipes, ending in a wing of the hotel building Theodore had never seen.

  “This is Juliet’s room, right behind here,” Cynthia announced.

  Lila frowned. “But isn’t this Mr. Horner’s room?”

  Cynthia shook her head. “Mr. Horner is in room 2498A. This is 2498B. They’re both part of the Presiden
tial suite.” A look of pride crossed her face. “Juliet deserves the best.”

  “And usually gets it,” said Lila with a touch of disgust.

  “She’s the one who got an Oscar. Not Zanna,” retorted Cynthia.

  Theodore placed a paw on each of their shoulders. “This isn’t the time to bicker. We’ve got more important things to take care of. Remember?”

  Lila and Cynthia gave him sheepish expressions and nodded.

  “Follow me,” said Cynthia. “There’s a space beneath the baseboard in one of the bathrooms.” She poked her head through a narrow opening in the wall and turned back to them. “The coast is clear.”

  Lila followed Cynthia into the hole and disappeared. Sucking in his stomach, Theodore forced his body through the small space and entered a dimly lit bathroom.

  “Where does Juliet keep her sleeping pills?” Theodore asked Cynthia. He glanced around, but couldn’t see any sign of pills there.

  “She keeps them by her bed? Why?”

  “I’m thinking the person who gave Zanna bad medicine is doing the same thing to Juliet. They’re sick in a different way, of course, but it’s the same method.”

  Cynthia’s eyes widened behind her glasses. “Of course! That must be it!”

  “He’s the best detective I know,” said Lila, giving him a wide smile.

  At the compliment, Theodore’s cheeks felt warm. “You two stay here. I’ll go check on her.” He couldn’t help the swagger that entered his step as he made his way to the door of the bathroom and looked out.

  He blinked in surprise. This was no ordinary hotel room. Couches and plush chairs sat atop a colorful rug. A grand piano stood in the corner of the room, a fancy desk in another. Bowls of fresh flowers were everywhere.

  “This looks like a living room. Where’s the bedroom? Where’s Juliet?”

  Cynthia gave him a smug smile. “I told you this was part of the Presidential Suite. It’s very special—fit for a president. It has four bathrooms, two living rooms and three bedrooms. Hers is down the hall. Follow me.”