Chapter 4

A knock at the door nearly scared me out of my pelt. I got up and looked through the peephole.

It was Nick. He was smiling and still wearing his police uniform. I opened the door.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Can I come in?" he replied. I nodded and opened the door slowly, letting him walk past me. "What happened here?" I shook my head.

"I have no idea, but I feel there is something you should know…"

"Don't say you actually like me!" he laughed. I punched his arm.

"That's not what it was. Forget it, I need to go to the bathroom real quick." I walked off.

xxxxx

When I returned I saw him holding the picture. I forgot I'd left it on the coffee table!

"When were you going to tell me about this?" he said furiously.

"I..I…" I started, but found no words. He put the picture down and walked over to me, a look of anger in his eyes.

"Where's Judy? Tell me! What do you want with her!?" he grabbed my throat and pushed me against the wall.

"Nick…I…didn't…write that…" I said, struggling to breathe. He lifted his paw.

"What the hell does that mean!? It has your name on it!" I felt my throat.

"When I came home I found the picture pinned to my wall. I think someone tried to frame me..." I explained. Nick sat on the couch and put his head in his arms.

"I'm sorry… But where could she be? We gotta find her."

I nodded and sat next to him. "I won't be able to help much… I'm not a cop anymore…" I put my paw on his shoulder. He looked at me.

"Then we need to get you back in! Come with me, Jake. We can convince Bogo to let you rejoin!" I shook my head.

"He won't let me back in. Once he makes up his mind he doesn't change it." Nick looked at me with pleading eyes. I shrugged.

"Please…At least try," he begged.

I groaned. "Fine." He smiled and hugged me. "You always get me to change my mind, you sly fox!"

He laughed. "You know you love me." I shook my head.

"Shut up and let's go," I said as I grabbed the picture.

xxxxx

At the precinct, we were met by Clawhauser.

"O. M. Goodness! Jake you are back! I'm sooooo sorry about the picture! Y'all just look so adorable together!" I smiled.

"It's fine. I forgive you," I said. He smiled.

"So…What're you doing back?" he wondered.

"I'll tell you later."

He gave me a confused look at first, but eventually continued eating his donuts. Nick and I walked to Bogo's office. Nick knocked on the door and Bogo made a sound of annoyance.

"What is it!? I'm busy!" he said. Nick opened the door.

"Sir, I brought someone," Nick said nervously, "Come on in, Jake."

I walked in and Bogo shook his head. "What's he doing here?" I saluted and sat down in a chair.

"Sir, I have a lead on a case! I found it in my house, pinned to my wall." I stated.

Bogo squinted. "What is it?" I handed him the picture. He showed no emotion. "Oh my. You thought you could trick me! Ha! You dumb wolf, you even wrote your name!"

I snarled. "Sir…. I did not write that. I think someone used my name! Please you have to let me rejoin so I can solve this! She's my friend, and Nick's partner. Let me help!"

Bogo stood.

"How can I believe you?" he asked.

"Let me help solve the case!" I replied. Nick spoke up.

"Sir, I highly recommend you let him help. Someone's taken his name. He is just as much a part of this as us. Please reconsider." I smiled at him. I loved that fox sometimes.

Bogo frowned. "Fine. But as soon as you solve it, you're out of here. I don't want to see you again." I was a little disappointed, but glad.

"Thank you sir! I won't let you down!" I said as I stood up. Bogo sat down.

"Dismissed."

Outside the office, I hugged Nick. "Thanks, Nicky! I can always count on you. And I promise you, we will find Judy." He smiled.

"I know right? I'm a life saver." We laughed and then turned serious.

"Let's get on that case," I suggested. He looked at me with determination.

"Yes. Let's." A look of disappointment spread across his face. "But we don't have any leads…"

"We can check the security footage of the street just outside Ben's place," I suggested. Nick perked up.

"Jake, you are a genius! I bet we can find out what happened to Carrots!" he hugged me and thanked me over and over again.

He really does love that bunny, I thought. We walked to the security room to find the security guard, an alpaca named Molly, watching the screens.

"Hey, Molly. We need to check some footage. Last Saturday, 7:00 to who knows when that party ended, at Clawhauser's home," I explained. She put her pencil down and turned around.

"Jake? I thought you were fired! And I was in the middle of an awesome drawing!" she complained. I crossed my arms.

"Bogo let me solve one last case before I go." I replied. I told her the address and she turned back to the screens.

"Oh. Hold on, let me get you set up," she said. Nick huffed.

"Do you think we will find who took Carrots?" I shrugged and shook my head.

"I don't know. We could find anything." Molly stood up.

"All yours. Don't break anything." She grabbed her drawing book and supplies. "See ya later."

After she walked out, I sat down, and Nick stood beside me. I looked at him, his green eyes were filled with worry.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's alive."

I wasn't sure.

I turned my head back to the screens.

"Okay, let's see what went on that night."