Chief Bogo enters the noisy briefing room and motions for everyone to be quiet, "Alright, alright everyone settle down." Bogo takes a moment to shuffle some papers and put on a pair of glasses.
Bogo started the meeting right away, "Officers Snarlof, and Jackson I want you investigating the increase of narcotics in the Rainforest District."
The polar bear and tiger officers stood and saluted, "Yes sir," they echoed and left the room.
Bogo continued, "Officers McHorn, Delgato, and Pennington you will be providing security at the Oasis hotel. The Mayor is having a conference with some of the CEO's of the most important businesses in Zootopia over the next few days."
"Yes sir," the mammals said as they stood and left the room mirroring the previous officers.
Bogo went on in this fashion until the only officers left in the briefing room were Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The police chief sighed before continuing, "Hopps Wilde, I have a special case for you two. This case is an ongoing murder investigation. We have reason to believe the victims are linked due to location and cause of death."
"Another death this week?" asked Officer Nick Wilde.
"Yes," replied Chief Bogo.
"Another mammal has been found dead in Sahara Square. This victim is the same as the two previous this week. Found in Sahara Square with signs of frostbite. The cause of death has been ruled hypothermia."
"Frostbite in Sahara Square...?" Nick wondered aloud staring into his coffee.
Judy hopped up onto the table, eager for a new case especially one this important, with such speed Nick hardly had time to snatch his coffee out of her path, "You can count on us chief."
"Great. Pick up the case files down in records." the buffalo stopped in the doorway, "Figure this out before anyone else is hurt we have already had three deaths this week," Chief Bogo said with a hint of urgency.
"Good luck," and he left the room.
Nick turned his gaze from the retreating buffalo to Judy. "You sure we are up for this carrots?" he said with a bit of nervousness cutting through the fox'sotherwise calm appearance.
"Do you not think we are capable of solving this case Nick?" asks Judy clearly hurt by his suggestion turning to look at Nick.
"I would never suggest such a thing carrots. I know you wouldn't give up even if it was impossible," Nick said as one of his rare smiles came out. Judy loved when Nick smiled. "Well Judy, it's just we haven't worked a murder case and I just want to be sure we know what we are getting into," he said shifting in his chair.
"We both knew a case like this would come up eventually and we might as well hit it head on," Judy explained, "This job isn't all parking tickets and running donuts to Clawhauser."
A smirk had grown across his face "All right Judy you are right. There might not be anything wrong with parking duty and donuts but we'll take the case." There was no point arguing with Judy on this he thought. She was being as stubborn as ever. He loved how stubborn and devoted she was.
"Good," Judy said with a smile "Let's head down and get the case files and maybe some of those donuts."
While Nick went to grab them more coffee and some donuts Judy headed down to records for the case files Bogo had prepared for them. The desk they shared was often covered in folders and papers from ongoing cases but today they only had three thin folders.
"Well no time like the present right?" Nick asked as he reached for the first folder.
Once they opened the case files both Nick's smirk and her smile had evaporated. Three dead mammals all found in Sahara Square, frostbitten and from the looks of it thawing out in the hot sun.
Both her and Nick were uneasy.
Judy said what they were both wondering, "Do you think it could be Big?"
"Clever bunny," Nick let his eyes leave the case files, there wasn't much there other than names and photographs.
His eyes met Judy's and he said "I'll admit "icing" someone is his style but he isn't a murderer he deals with financial crime mainly. Plus he wouldn't be this careless," Nick continued, "Big is still in business because he is careful. He wouldn't have misplaced three victims, if he hypothetically did "ice" them."
Judy did not look reassured. Nick placed his paws on her shoulders, she felt a shiver go through her body at his touch. He continued, "Hey carrots how bout you go see if you can find anything about the victims and I'll meet with an old associate and I'll see if I can find out if Big is involved before we talk to him."
She turned to look at Nick who still had his paws on her shoulders, "Wouldn't it be best if we both went to see your associate?"
Nick shrugged, "Nah we'll cover more ground this way and you know how my friends are now. One cop will be enough to scare them away as it is. " Most of Nick's friends, or associates, had cut all contact upon Nick becoming an officer with the exception of Finnick who still talked to Nick, when he felt like it.
"Nick," Judy asked "How do you know who to ask about this? Other than Big himself?"
Nick smirked, "Carrots, I know everyone."
Reluctantly she chose agree with Nick and said, "Alright meet me at Benny's diner when you are done and we'll see what we have."
Judy sipped her coffee and went through the information she had.
The first two victims had been found on the same day only four miles apart the same day. At first glance nothing really linked the two: one, a mouse, had no identification but was dressed in a suit and the other, a weasel named Oliver, was already in the ZPD database as a petty thief with a few minor charges.
The third most recent victim found just yesterday, a deer, also had no identification and dressed in rather plain clothing. Judy could already tell this case might be a pain but she wouldn't let anything slow her down, nothing ever did.
The best bet was for a relative of one of the victims to report them missing then perhaps they could get a positive ID on their victims. Otherwise it came down to dental records and pawprints.
Judy looked out the window by the desk she shared with Nick. She hoped things were going better for Nick than they were for her so far.
Nick cruised through a less than wealthy neighborhood in Downtown Zootopia near the border of the Rainforest District. As he neared the climate wall that separated different sections of the city Nick spotted his destination. A dingy looking bar called "Patrick's Pub".
Nick parked his cruiser on the corner opposite of the bar and got out. Even with the climate wall controlling temperature in all the districts of Zootopia downtown often experienced all seasons. Now in the middle of fall Nick could feel a chilly wind pick up which caused him to contemplate grabbing a jacket but he decided it wasn't necessary. He paused for a moment then briskly walked across the street and up to the door.
Nick entered the bar and glanced around. There was a white female wolf standing behind the bar cleaning glasses. A few patrons sat at tables in the middle of the room and in booths set against the walls. Nick noticed a group of three wolves hiding in the back drinking beer who were defiantly underage. Few customers noticed Nick's entrance, most too focused on their conversation or the drinks in front of them. Nick sighed, Frank wasn't here.
Sitting at the bar Nick saw a bear and a very scruffy looking cat drinking beer and having a discussion about buying gas and trying to resell it for profit. Nick made his way to the bar determined to wait for his former associate.
"Well hello Officer my name is Deandra, but you can call me Dee, what can I serve you today?" the female wolf asked with a nervous smile.
Nick gave a disarming smile slipping into the practiced calm demeanor he had honed over years of scams and cons. "Coffee would be great if you have it. I'm waiting for someone, has a raccoon named Frank been in today? "
Dee poured Nick a cup of coffee and said. "He'll be here eventually he comes in everyday. "
Judy flipped through the photos for what felt like the millionth time. She hated sitting around but there was nothing she could do unless she managed to find anything no one else had picked up on. Maybe she should just rest her eyes for a moment she thought.
Dee was correct Nick hadn't waited more than 10 minutes before a conversation from outside steadily grew louder. Nick made his way to a booth off to the side of the door.
A voice Nick did not recognize was the first one he heard, "...that's what I'm good at. But I am going to need a business card, 'cause I want to be able to hand that shit to people so they know that I'm in a place of power."
"It's not that important," exclaimed a second voice. This was a voice Nick recognized. It was Frank.
The first voice continued "It's important to me, Frank! And I know that what's important to you is money and power," the door swung open and in stepped a well dressed tall wolf, just as white as the female behind the bar, and a clubby racoon in a dirty t-shirt and black slacks.
The wolf continued, "But I don't want power. Because, with real power comes real responsibility. And I don't want any of that shit. I just want the money."
The wolf and the raccoon made it over to the bar before Frank glanced around and noticed Nick's uniform before he recognized the mammal wearing it.
"What's the fuzz doing in here Dee. I'm gone for an hour and this bar becomes a police hangout?"
Nick hopped out of the booth seat and made his way to the bar. "Wow Frank I'm honestly offended you didn't recognize an old business partner." Nick said with a smirk as he sat down next to Frank. "And you...?" Nick gestured to the wolf Frank had entered with.
"Dennis," the wolf replied doing his best to remain calm.
Nick gave a disarming smile, "What was all that about money and power?"
Frank spoke up at this moment scowling at the fox officer, "What do you want Wilde. I doubt we have any business opportunities available now that you are a cop," the raccoon said the word 'cop' as if he had tasted something disgusting.
Nick was definitely not happy with this interaction thus far. Never let them see that they get to you, Nick thought to himself. He had automatically switched into the calm harmless appearance he had trained over the years that was so vital to any con.
"Well Frank I have a few questions and in return for a few answers I'll pretend I never heard that little conversation about money and power." Nick's smug grin grew as he spoke.
Frank eyed Nick with contempt, knowing full well he ought to cooperate, "Alright Wilde what do you want to know?"
Nick pulled three photographs from his pocket and tossed them across the bar to Frank. "Know them Frank? Each found dead in Sahara Square within the past few days. Could you perhaps guess the cause of death?"
The raccoon frowned at the sight of the three dead mammals. "Cause of death? I'd say they were iced, looks like hypothermia and shock. And yeah maybe I do know them." Frank slid the photos back to Nick and continued, "I bet you came to ask if Big iced em? Right Wilde? Well I don't work for him so I wouldn't know if he did or didn't."
It was Nick's turn to frown as he replaced the photos in his pocket. The flicker of emotion did not stay long, he was too well practiced at hiding his emotions and maintaining an air of disarming calm. Frank may well be useless if his tie to Big no longer existed.
"You said you knew them?" Nick said nonchalantly as he inspected a claw.
The raccoon grinned, "I might, what's in it for me if I tell you?"
"I won't arrest you and your staff for serving underaged mammals." Nick jerked a paw over his shoulder towards the underaged wolves in the back. Nick smiled a genuine smile, "A fox always has an angle Frank."
The raccoon sighed, he was out of options and just wanted this cop gone. "Fine Wilde, yeah I know them. They frequent one of Big's casinos down in the Rainforest District. 'The Amazon' and from what I saw a few nights ago that weasel and mouse weren't winning. And I saw the deer get thrown out for trying to cheat just two days ago."
Nick hopped off the bar stool and made his way to the door. "The ZPD thanks you for your service citizen." Nick said with a smirk. "Don't leave town Frank, I may have more questions."
The raccoon finished his beer and tossed the bottle to the floor letting it shatter, "Wouldn't dream of it Wilde."
As Nick let the door shut behind him he heard the muffled voice of the wolf, Dennis, yelling at the staff, "Charlie get to work clean up this glass... Mac you call yourself a guard? You could have warned us there was a cop..."
Judy and Nick were sitting in her cramped apartment squished together on her tiny bed watching a movie on her too small television.
Nick placed a paw on Judy's head, "Carrots this is the last time I agree to watch a movie in your apartment not even if you rented "Big Trouble in Little Rodentia", from now on movie Monday takes place in my apartment."
Judy smiled and jabbed an elbow into Nick's ribs, "I'm fine with that, when we watch movies at your place I don't become an armrest."
Nick smiled, "Judy wake up."
"What Nick?" Judy wasn't sure what was happening.
"Wake up Judy. Forensics gave me the dental records you asked for," Nick's face melted away as Judy wiped sleep from her eyes. His face changed to a tan color with black and got clubby.
"Clawhauser, is that you?" Judy asked.
The large cheetah laughed and said, "Of course it's me who else would it be? Were you having a nice dream? Who was it about? I bet I know," the cheetah gave a mischievous smile.
Judy grabbed the folder Clawhauser offered her and she opened it up.
The deer was a relatively successful lawyer who dealt with insurance claims named John Derward. The mouse was a wealthy banker named Martin Hope.
Judy smiled, "Thank you Clawhauser," then when a wave of guilt hit she pleaded, "Don't tell anyone I fell asleep, it won't happen again."
Clawhauser giggled, "Don't worry about it Judy, I won't tell anyone you dozed off. And I won't tell anyone you were dreaming about Nick."
Judy looked shocked, "Dreaming about Nick how did you... no I mean I wasn't dreaming about Nick." She was looking around flustered, "I wasn't dreaming about anything."
Clawhauser smiled, "Alright see you later Judy," the cheetah waved as he headed off towards the reception desk where he greeted anyone and everyone who entered precinct one.
Judy sighed now that she had the names of the victims it was time to figure out how they were related and why they ended up dead. She glanced at the photos still laying on her desk and she noticed something. Each mammal had bright red clay on their paws.