Tap
10:31 23-03-2029
Internal Investigations detective Jennifer Trotland entered Chief Bogo's office. She was dressed casually with an ID-badge around her neck and a laptop case held in her hooves. Chief Bogo stood up, his fur having turned more and more grey as the years passed. He reached over and shook hooves with the detective. "Jennifer Trotland, I take it?" he asked.
She nodded. "That's right. Thank you for meeting me, Chief."
"I couldn't say no upon hearing the topic you wanted to discuss." he replied. His voice was tired and had a hint of annoyance in it, however it wasn't directed at the detective in the room but rather meant for someone else, beyond in the ether. He gestured to the chair on the other side of the desk before taking a seat in his own. Trotland took the offered seat and placed the laptop case on the desk.
"During a ZBI investigation, the agents reported that they came across a suspected instance of police misconduct while they analysed a recording from a tapped wire. They then relayed the case to us at Internal Investigations." Jennifer explained the situation while she opened the case and the laptop inside. Bogo simply looked straight at her, not saying a word. The horse continued.
"What is your experience with captain Judy Hopps? You were one of the earlier bosses she had in the police profession, I believe."
"The first." Bogo corrected. Jennifer paused and just looked at Bogo, inviting him to continue. He leant back. "My experiences with her has been stellar through the years. Excellent police officer, excellent leader. Hard-working. Always managed to solve the cases assigned to her."
"When was she transferred from your command?" Jennifer then asked, typing short notes on the computer.
"Nine years ago. The mayor wanted her talents to be directed to fight the organized crime and gave her a task force of detectives to command for that end. And I agreed with the mayor. She was too good to remain a simple officer or detective. Still, we have kept in touch and cooperated extensively." He leant back forward, elbows resting against the desk.
"Including the recent MacAntler case?" Jennifer asked.
"Including the recent MacAntler case." Bogo confirmed. Jennifer typed down a few notes on the computer. Bogo simply watched, then spoke.
"Is it really her on the tape?"
Jennifer looked up at him. His face had softened. "I could play the recording, if you would like to hear it for yourself." she offered. Bogo nodded, not one to shy away from the truth when it presented itself. The detective turned to her computer, accessing the recording. After a minute she then turned the computer for Bogo to hear the audio better. She pressed space.
"It's me." the recorded voice of Judy was heard. The quality is what you would expect from the recording of a tapped microphone. Still, it was unmistakable.
"Mr. Big, sir, we got a call from Mrs. Hopps." a voice is heard, a presumed secretary or assistant.
"Judy?" Mr. Big's voice then entered the recording. "Did she say what she wanted?"
"No, sir." the assistant replied.
"Hmm. Give me the phone." Mr. Big then told him, followed by a brief pause. "Congratulations on taking down the MacAntler family, captain. This city is quite drastically running out of crooks!"
"Thank you." Judy's voice replied. Bogo started to rub his face with his hooves tightly. "Speaking of which, I'd like to meet up. Soon."
"Any special reason?"
"I'd prefer to talk about it face-to-face."
"I'll get back to you." Mr. Big said, followed by a drawn-out sigh. "...I have a feeling this isn't about catching up with Fru-Fru."
"No, sir." the assistant chimed in before Jennifer stopped the recording and turned the computer back to face her. Bogo was in the process of trying to rub his temples into oblivion.
"Has captain Hopps had a history of bending the rules?" Jennifer then asked. Bogo sighed deeply, now very much doubting the truth in his words.
"Only bent. Never broken."
