Mammal City. A filth-covered, crime-infested graveyard of broken dreams. A lousy place to call home.

Rain had hung overhead for weeks. 

I couldn’t remember the last time I saw the sun. 

I stood across from the Den, the city’s most notorious mobster hangout. It was dangerous, even for a seasoned detective like me. 

I crossed the street to confront Wolf, the owner’s henchman. 

Wolf snarled, “Whaddaya want, Noir?” His sharp teeth gleamed in the light.

“Here to see Boar,” I said calmly. 

Wolf growled and opened the rusted front door. 

“Your jacket is missing a button,” I said quietly.

Wolf grunted as the door closed behind me.

A dark wall of cigarette smoke, soft piano, and mild chatter greeted me. Boar sat in the back corner facing the stage. His face was dimly lit. 

I sat down.

“I hear you’re retiring, Noir. It’ll be lonely without you around.” Boar smiled and slipped a folded paper across the table. 

“Sure,” I said.

A serial pig murderer was on the loose. Boar was my informant. He uncovered the location of the perpetrator.

I opened the paper. It was an address, the warehouse district. 

“From Boar to Piglet, I wish you luck, Noir.” He laughed wickedly.  

…

I arrived at the warehouse several hours later. My human protégé, Ryan, leaned against a lamppost. His fiery red hair burned as bright as the cigarette that clung to his lips. 

We entered.

The warehouse was dimly lit. Debris scattered on the cement floor. 

In the back corner stood a metal table stained deep red, illuminated by a single table lamp. 

Ryan lifted a handkerchief to his nose. The smell of rotten flesh filled my nostrils.

I motioned Ryan behind a stack of boxes and I approached the table alone. 

I lifted a small object buried in the chaotic crime scene.

A button. I recognized it. 

Suddenly, two large paws lifted me from behind and slammed me atop the table. 

“Hello, Noir.” Said a menacing voice.

It was Wolf. I knew it.

He licked his lips as he lowered his mouth around my neck.

Suddenly, two loud bangs rang out. 

Wolf’s eyes glazed over as he slumped motionless to the floor.  

…

I closed the last box of belongings atop my desk. My train was leaving in 2 hours for my new home, The Pillages premier swine retirement community. 

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. 

“Come in,” I said. 

A young female piglet entered. She wore a beige trench coat and a fedora. 

“Hi Detective, Noir.” she flashed her badge, “I’m with the Private Investigations Group. We heard about your recent homicide case and would like to offer you a position. There’s a hippocidal maniac in New Swine City.”

A job at the P.I.G. was every piglet’s dream.

“What’s your name?” I said as I lit a cigarette. 

“Destiny.” She said with a smile. 

I turned to face the window, gazing at Mammal City for the last time.

“Yes, it is, Doll. Yes, it is.”