Boston freelance writer Theda Krakow thinks the local "cat lady" Lillian Helmhold will make a good feature story. When she finds the old woman dead on the floor of her rambling old Victorian, Theda begins snooping -as milling cats and a mystery pique her interest. The victim's young punk rock friend tells Theda that someone has been breaking into the house. Added to the mix are Lillian's mentally challenged son and greedy real estate developer. Theda descovers that Lillian's secret was hers alone -until a killer found out.