Chief Bogo went methodically down his list, handing out assignments and watching officers depart, until only Nick and Judy were left in the bullpen. "Hopps, Wilde, my office. There's been a murder and Mayor Burney has requested both of you."
The bunny and fox looked at each other, then scrambled down from the chair they shared to hurry after Bogo. The cape buffalo set a pace that made them breathless trying to keep up, and it wasn't until they arrived at the office that Nick had a chance to ask, "Who's been murdered, sir?"
"Friend of the mayor's." Bogo opened the door and went over to his desk, motioning for Nick and Judy to sit down. They climbed up and sat side by side on a single chair while the chief went through the case file. "The victim was a mole named Johnny Cooper, a divorce lawyer."
"A divorce lawyer?" Nick's eyes widened. "He could have hundreds of enemies who wanted him dead."
"I don't think so." Mayor Burney came into the office and the fox and bunny jumped to their feet.
Nick said hastily, "I meant no disrespect, sir."
"I know." The brown bear pulled up a chair. "Sit down, sit down. If it were anyone other than Johnny, Officer Wilde, I would have to admit your suspicions were well founded, but he simply wasn't the kind of animal to make enemies. Maybe it will help your investigation to know what he was like." Burney paused, gathering his thoughts. "It seems so long ago now. When Ursula and I were first married, I was a bear for work. I was fresh out of law school, working for the prosecutor and putting in way too many hours. I was so eager to make a name for myself I wasn't paying any attention to my wife and it got so bad Ursula went to see a lawyer about getting a divorce."
"Johnny Cooper," said Judy softly.
"Johnny Cooper," Burney nodded. "And you know what he told her? He said to go home and work things out with me, and to let me know he would be happy to handle her case if she decided she wanted a divorce. Needless to say, when Ursula told me she had consulted a divorce lawyer she gained my full attention and I realized if I wanted to save my marriage, I had to make some changes. And I did, and we've had a pretty good life together, thanks to Johnny." He smiled a little. "I went to see him after Ursula talked to me. I wanted to thank him. I wound up taking him to lunch, and once a week for the past fifteen years we've taken turns paying for lunch. He's...he was my son Osborn's godfather. I know divorces can get pretty nasty, and I'm not saying Johnny didn't fight hard for his clients, but he was never the kind of cut throat attorney that tries to destroy the other side. He referred vindictive clients to other lawyers, said life was too short to get into that kind of hate. I may have been his only friend, but he just didn't have any enemies."
"His only friend?" asked Nick hesitantly.
"As far as I know," Burney replied. "Unlike me, the sole claim Johnny had on his time was his work. He was an only child, parents long dead, no other relatives. He spent all his time at his office. I often wondered if he lived there. Once Osborn came along, Johnny would come to the house for birthdays and holidays, but that was it. His life seemed lonely to me but he was always very cheerful. I think he was genuinely happy." The bear's voice dropped. "And now he's dead and I want you to find out who killed him. I asked for you both because I haven't forgotten how hard you worked to save my son from kidnappers. I believe you're the best officers to handle the case. Chief Bogo agrees."
"Absolutely," said the cape buffalo. "Wilde and Hopps may be unorthodox, but they get the job done. And now, sir, if you'll excuse us, I'll finish reviewing the case file with them."
"Very well," said the mayor, getting to his feet. "By the way, Officer Wilde, I want you to know that I've sponsored legislation to outlaw discrimination against foxes."
Nick smiled. "That is good news, sir. I'll be sure to tell Finn."
"There's no guarantee it will pass," Burney cautioned, "but fox repellent and fox tasers have been made illegal. At least that much has been accomplished." He started for the door. "Chief Bogo, please provide me with regular updates."
"Of course, sir." Bogo got up to show the mayor out, then returned to the case file. "As I was saying, Johnny Cooper was a divorce lawyer. He was found this morning in his office with a single gunshot wound to the head."
"Who found him?" asked Judy.
Bogo flipped a page. "His secretary, Nory Belette."
"A gunshot wound to the head…" Nick mused.
"It wasn't suicide, Wilde." Bogo consulted another sheet. "No gun was found and there was no gunshot residue on his paws or clothes. Whoever shot him was at least five feet away, probably somewhere between the door to his office and his desk. It's very doubtful he interrupted a burglar. There was money in his desk in a box marked Petty Cash and he was wearing a very expensive gold watch. Nothing was taken and there was no sign of forced entry." He closed the folder and handed it to Judy. "I suggest you interview Miss Belette. If Cooper did have any enemies, she'd be the one to know."