Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before. Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before.

‘I’d like to speak to you in my office,’ said the sergeant. Remi and Amadeus were already sitting by the desk.

‘What’s happening?’ whispered Fizz.

‘It’s a special undercover assignment,’ said Remi, swishing her tail excitedly. ‘Sergeant Stern called me in this morning. I think it has something to do with the Handbag Dognapper.’

Fizz shivered.

Sergeant Stern and the team at Sunnyvale City Police Station had been working on the case of the Handbag Dognapper all week. Two handbag dogs had been kidnapped from red-carpet events in Sunnyvale City, and no one knew who was doing it or why. They hadn’t even received a ransom note!

Sergeant Stern opened the police file on his desk and pulled out two photographs: a miniature tan Pug, and a white Chihuahua. Fizz recognised the dogs immediately. Milo and Kiki. Milo was the model for Pierre Le Trende’s manbag range. Kiki went everywhere with the singer Sassy Starlet.

‘I’m afraid I have bad news,’ said Sergeant Stern, pulling a third photograph from his file. ‘The Handbag Dognapper has struck again!’

Fizz’s skin prickled with anticipation. Who would the next handbag victim be?

‘I’m sorry, Fizz,’ said Sergeant Stern, holding up a photograph of a white Bolognese. ‘The Handbag Dognapper’s latest victim is Crystal.’

Fizz yelped. Crystal was his sister. She was the handbag dog for a famous actress who always took her to special events. Fizz’s family had been worried for Crystal’s safety ever since the first kidnapping.

‘I’m so sorry, Fizz,’ said Remi, giving him a comforting nuzzle.

‘Bad news,’ said Amadeus.

Fizz shook his head. Not Crystal!

‘W-what happened?’ he asked.

‘Crystal went missing from the movie premiere of Puppy Tales II last night,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘Her celebrity companion left her at the buffet table while she signed autographs. When she returned, Crystal was gone.

‘All we found was a half-eaten slice of bacon cake with white liver sprinkles.’

‘I’ve never heard of white liver sprinkles,’ said Amadeus, shaking his head.

‘Neither have I,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘I’ve sent the cake to the lab for testing, but the results won’t be back until tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow!’ said Fizz. ‘There must be something we can do today!’

‘There is,’ said Sergeant Stern. ‘You, Remi and Amadeus are going undercover immediately!’