*Author's Note* Sorry this took a bit longer. Things have been busy around here. Family leaving to different states for 3 years and we've been having a lot of stuff going on with them. Anyway here we go! Read and Review!
Artie continued to stand out back with Octavio the polar bear for a long time.
Artie looked at his watch to see it was an hour. After a while, Artie's phone went off to see SBoss sent a text. "We're done."
Artie showed the text to Octavio and he nodded. Both of them going in and heading to the desk. was still in his chair, and SBoss was still streaming but not visible. Artie went to the laptop and picked it up. Just before he closed it, Mr. Big spoke again. "I understand your reasoning for your actions. But I feel I must ask. What punishment do you intend to strike on me?"
SBoss paused for a while. Artie didn't close the laptop yet. "You will get your due rewards. It is not your physical or mental being at state. You did your actions based on one thing. That thing is what I will take from you."
Mr. Big remained silent, as if running it over through his head. He spoke again. "Then I just request one last thing. Try to leave Ms. Hopps out of it. She is a friend of the family and saved my daughter's life. She is innocent."
Artie could hear tapping as SBoss drummed his fingers against his seat. "I will try. But if she gets in the way, I wont hold back. And if she is tipped off, She is a target."
Mr. Big sighed and nodded. He looked up at Octavio. "Let's finish dinner."
Octavio nodded and picked up Mr. Big with one hand, and carried the suitcase filled with money in the other. Leaving the room. Artie closed the laptop and started to walk out. His cell phone went off again to show SBoss. "You know what to do now."
Artie pocketed his phone and looked at his shoulder. Artie reached up and brushed it lightly as if he saw dust on it. Eight small metal balls fell from his shoulder and landed on the floor. Rolling under nearby shelves as if they were moving by themselves. Artie continued out and made his way to his car which was parked down the road away from the Big Estate.
Artie got into his car and drove down the way till he was around 20 minutes away from the Big Estate. He pulled out his laptop again and set it down. He plugged the power cord into his cigarette lighter which had been fitted to fit a wall plug.
Artie turned on the laptop and ran a program eight small screens popped up Artie pressed on his wasd keys and one of them began to move around. The small ball from earlier darted out from under a small shelf and moved. Sliding swiftly around on the floor.
The ball moved around the estate. Eventually it found its way to a computer. Once it did, the remaining balls scurried over to the first one. One by one, each ball stacked on top of the other magnetically. Using itself like an arm to reach up the side of the computer. It eventually reached up the top and pulled itself up. The balls were still magnetized as they hung over the edge onto a USB flash drive. The ball over the flash drive opened up and slid itself into the drive.
The ball then began to download a program into the computer. One of the balls rolled to the power outlet and fell off onto the plug that was connected to the computer monitor. The balls quickly rolled off of the computer tower and back under the shelves and tables in which they were hiding under.
Artie quickly loaded up another program that executed the same program inside the computer the little metal balls had plugged itself into. This program allowed him to have remote access over the computer. Artie quickly opened up an encrypted email and downloaded a file onto the other computer. Once it was downloaded, Artie executed it. The program virus searched through the router for locations of which any computer or smartphone using the same network to find any and all websites that any person had gone to. Once all these files were downloaded, the virus retreated back to the original computer, and deleted itself. Artie then used his remote control over the computer to erase the virus from the recycling bin and turned the computer off.
Artie closed the laptop and sent a text to SBoss. "Done. I'll look through it when I get home."
Artie pocketed his phone and drove off into the night.
Next Day
Judy and Nick had just left the Briefing Room as they do every morning. Nothing new had come up since Hammond. No one seemed to be able to get any leads on the people spreading the Growler drug around. Although more and more cases seem to be coming up of people being hospitalized because of the drug.
Once again Judy and Nick had been sent to Tundra Town Patrol. Judy drove as usual and Nick rode along. Looking over his phone. Carrying on usual conversation.
Eventually, Nick spoke seriously. "How would we find any leads at this point without asking around? It isn't like we have a man on the inside now."
Judy thought for a minute. "What about Finnick or Duke Weaslton? They're kinda in the underground."
Nick shrugged and looked through his phone more. "Doubt either of them would even bother speaking to me now that I'm a cop."
Judy looked over at Nick. "Try it." She said encouragingly. "The most they can do is tell you no."
Nick paused for a moment and nodded. "Finnick has a phone but Duke doesn't. He's easy to find." Nick sent a text to Finnick and turned the screen off to wait. It didn't take long for Finnick to reply. Nick read it. "He wants to talk in private. His van's at Savannah Central at the alleyway next to Miridian Street."
Judy nodded and drove. "Hope he's gone some good information."
Nick smiled at Judy and raised his eyebrows. "Don't worry he's usually got an ear somewhere."
As Judy drove, a question came into her mind. "Have you two even spoken since you became a cop?"
Nick shook his head. "Nah. We hung out the night before I left. He wasn't really thrilled with my new career choice."
Judy kept driving. Entering the Savannah Central at this point. "He took it hard huh?"
Nick nodded. Looking forward. "Yeah. Me and him had been working together for years. He had to get a new partner after I left."
Judy cocked her head. "Who?"
Nick shook his head. "No idea. Some broad that had gotten out of prison recently."
Judy nodded, slightly fearful of this woman that Finnick had made a partnership with. Judy drove to Miridian Street and pulled down the alleyway next to it. There sat Finnick's van. Orange in color save for the one steel colored driver side door. A graphic design of a male canine carrying an unconscious female canine. A bolt of lightning in the background. It was meant to look epic, like a poster for an upcoming movie. But it looked ridiculous.
Judy pulled up next to it and Nick jumped out of the car. Judy followed Nick as he walked up to the van's back door and banged on the back door. After a few seconds it opened up to show Finnick. Wearing his usual black button up tshirt and tan pants. He looked left to right before looking back at Judy and Nick. "Get in."
Judy was surprised at Finnicks voice. Contrary to his size, his voice was very deep and gravely. More so than Bogo's voice. Nick stepped in, as did Judy. Inside the van consisted of a beanbag, a fan, and a radio.
Finnick walked to the beanbag chair and sat in it. Nick spoke first. "So...How's things?" Offering a friendly smile to the awkward situation.
Finnick sighed and rubbed his forhead. "Rough. Barely making enough to get by. Had to take up some night shift at a department store to make ends meet. Hate that job." Finnick growled a bit and looked over at Judy. "So what you two dating now?"
Nick and Judy blushed brightly and looked away from each other. "Uhh no. Partners at work actually." Nick said nervously.
Finnick smiled a bit. "Yeah Nick Wilde the big bad fox cop. Man I never thought I'd see the day!"
Judy tapped her foot a bit and looked up at Finnick. "So uhh. Finnick do you have some information on the Growlers?"
Finnick looked at Judy and nodded. "Yeah if you can call it that. I dunno how this relates to the Growlers, but my new...friend has been doing odd stuff lately ever since this stuff started happening."
Nick crossed his arms as he listened. "Stuff like what?"
Finnick continued. "She works not just with me, but with someone else. Someone MUCH bigger. She won't talk about him at all. She has a pattern too. One day she's out during the day, the other out at night. She switches between these two patterns every day. Right now she's gone. She's got something bigger going on but I don't know what. The weird thing is what I saw just a few days ago. She left her phone in here with me while she went to get something and she got a text from someone called 'SBoss'."
Nick narrowed his eyes as Finnick went on. "Did you see anything else?"
Finnick nodded. "Yeah. You know how it is with smartphones, you can see part of the text. All I caught was 'shipment's ready' before Leah came back in."
Judy's ears perked up a bit as she heard that name. "Leah? Is that this girl you keep talking about?"
Finnick nodded again and stretched a bit. "Yep. She got out of prison a couple of days after that Bellwether went into prison."
Judy nodded. Scratching her chin. "What was she in for?"
Finnick thought about it. "Public Endangerment of Mammals and Attempted Murder I think. She's a lioness and she knows it. Doesn't like smaller animals picking on her."
Nick raised his eyebrows a bit. "Sounds like your kind of gal."
Finnick glared and sat up. "No way man she's scary even to me. Anyway I can't tell you anything else other than where she frequently goes to. Pretty sure she lives there. 605 North Castleton Avenue. Right next to the old movie theater. Dunno exactly what room she stays in or even what she's doing there. But she goes there a lot."
Judy pulled out a notepad. "One more thing Finnick. What does she look like?"
Finnick scratched his chin. "Yeah she's a brown furred lioness but has red hair on her head that goes down to her jawline. Pretty muscular too. Usually likes to wear low cut shirts and tight pants. Careful though if she catches on that you are cops, she's gone. Girl can move like a raccoon up a tree."
Judy nodded and wrote everything down. She put the notepad away and smiled. "Thank you Finnick. And hey we got our own appartment now you can come visit whenever. Bookerlight. Appartment 2-28."
Finnick stared at Judy for a moment and shrugged. "Yeah sure maybe sometime. Take care officers. Especially you Nick. Stay outta trouble."
Nick nodded at Finnick and held his fist up. "Take care pal. Don't be a stranger."
Finnick smiled and bumped his fist with Nick before leaning back down onto the beanbag. Opening up a bottle of water he had sitting behind it.
Nick and Judy hopped out of the van and closed the door. By this time, the sun was beginning to set. Judy and Nick drove off towards the address that Finnick had given them. The building appeared to be a rundown storage building. A large metal drop-down door in the front, and a door on the side. The lights were on over the doorways. Nick and Judy parked across the street.
Nick scratched his chin as he looked over it. "So what do we do? Knock and hope they let us in? If this Leah is as suspicious as he says, she'll slam the door in our face."
Judy scratched her chin and picked up the radio. "Officer Hopps to any unmarked patrol car in Savannah Central."
After a few moments someone picked up. "Officer Pitter to Officer Hopps. How can I help?"
Judy smiled. "Me and Officer Wilde are at 605 North Castleton Avenue. We have a possible lead on the Growler Case. Officer Wilde and I are going in to investigate and request an officer on standby in case we need backup. Over."
After a few seconds there was a reply. "10-4. See you soon Officer Hopps."
Nick smiled as Judy hung up the radio. "Wanting an extra set of hands huh?"
Judy nodded and remembered when they moved in to arrest Hammond. "Yeah. We need to be careful in case there's another firearm."
Nick unbuckled his seatbelt and crawled up into the back seat. Digging under it to pull out a case. He set it on the seat and opened it to show a few tasers, and two bullet proof vests to fit a medium and small mammal. Nick quickly took his shirt off and put the vest on. Judy took her vest and smiled at Nick. "Look away."
Nick smiled and blushed as he turned his back. Judy quickly took off her officers shirt, put the vest on, and put the shirt back on. It fit snugly, but was rather heavy. Judy hooked the taser onto her belt. Nick finally turned around and crawled into the front seat. Geared up and ready to go.
Judy saw a black sedan pull up about a block away and park. Seconds later a voice came over the radio. "Officer Hopps, I am in position."
Judy picked up the radio. "Standby."
Judy hung up the radio and pulled the cop car to the next street out of view of the building. Judy hopped out, as did Nick. Both of them heading to the building together. A radio on Judy's shoulder in case she needed to call for backup.
Nick walked ahead of Judy and knocked on the door that was at the side. After a few moments, a male raccoon opened the door slightly. After a moment he stuttered. "J...just a moment officers let me get the owner of the building."
The Raccoon quickly slammed the door. Nick and Judy could hear his footsteps as he took off running. After a few minutes, the door opened slightly again to show a female lioness. Red hair down to her jawline. Fitting the description that Finnick gave. She spoke in a rather harsh, and irritated tone. Her voice light, but strong. "Can I help you?"
Nick nodded. A friendly smile on his face. "Afternoon ma'am. We are looking for someone named Leah. We'd just like to ask a few questions."
The lioness nodded. "Alright. I'm Leah. Ask away cop."
Nick looked around and asked. "Can we come in?"
Leah quickly shook her head and growled a bit. "Not without a warrant."
Nick nodded with a shrug. "Fair enough. We received an anonymous tip that you may be affiliated with the Growler drug. Are you aware of the drug?"
Leah nodded. "Yeah I saw it on the news."
Nick smiled a bit. "Okay do you know anything else at all? These drugs are dangerous to animals and must be cleaned up from the streets."
Leah shook her head. "No. All I know is that it makes mammals growl and its made from that Night Howler plant."
Nick nodded. Judy stepped out from behind Nick into view. "One last question Leah. Do you know anyone who uses the name SBoss?"
Leah looked rather startled as Judy mentioned that name but shook her head. "No. Never heard of him. Anything else?"
Nick looked over at Judy. Judy shook her head. "No. That's all. Thank you Leah."
Leah closed the door. Her footsteps were heavy and fast to show she was running. Nick put his hands in his pockets. "She's lying."
Judy rolled her eyes. "Of course she's lying. But we can't enter without a warrant or probable cause."
Nick raised his eyebrow. "Wouldn't suspicion of distribution of the Growlers be enough?"
Judy shook her head. "No not till we can prove someone in there is affiliated with Growlers."
Nick sighed and looked down the side of the building. "Maybe we should find a window then?"
Judy tapped her chin with her finger and looked around the wall of the building. There was only one window on the second floor. "Let's walk around the and see what we can find."
Nick nodded and walked around to the back of the building. There was a back door, a dumpster, and another window up on the second floor above the door. Nick could hear muffled voices through the door and walked up. He pressed his ear to it and listened.
Nick could tell the voice he was hearing was Leah's, and she was clearly screaming at someone. The voice was too muffled for Nick to make out any words. Nick could hear footsteps get closer and closer to the door. Nick jumped back and grabbed Judy before ducking behind the dumpster with her. The door opened as someone walked out. Carrying a garbage bag to the dumpster. Nick and Judy could hear the voice much more clearly now.
"Now this WHOLE operation is in jeopardy. Pack up all your shit and let's get out of here. NONE of you call me." Shouted Leah.
The person carrying the trash went back inside after dropping the bag in the dumpster. Judy pulled her radio close to her mouth and spoke into it. "Officer Hopps to Officer Pitter. Probable Cause to search the building has been discovered. Please call in more officers as it sounds like there are multiple people here. And one is known to be dangerous."
After a few seconds, Pitter answered. "10-4."
Judy let the radio go back to her shoulder and walked to the door. Nick followed. Judy turned the doorknob and it opened. The man who took the trash out must have left the door unlocked. Behind the door was a small hallway that lead to a much bigger room. Dimly lit by some overhanging lights.
Many different animals were darting around in the larger room to gather up their things. Judy could see Leah texting on her phone frantically before putting it in her pocket. She looked to the group and growled loudly to get their attention. "Make it fast boys. Gather up all the syringes in one spot. Make it easy to carry to so no one gets poked." Leah stormed up the staircase.
The men lay down a wide metal plate and piled syringes on top of it. Judy got her phone out and began to record it. One of the men spoke. "What about the Growlers?"
Another one spoke. The raccoon that answered the door. "Put those in a separate pile we might need to get rid of those too."
Another man spoke. "Awww man I paid good money for those."
The Raccoon rolled his eyes. "Would you rather go to prison dude? Pile it up!"
The men began to pile up some small cylindrical containers with a purple liquid inside of it. Judy made sure to get a close up of each pile. Judy then looked at all the faces of the men. Counting four of them.
The door upstairs opened again and Leah walked back down. "Get rid of all of it. Since this place was Garbage Truck cleaning garage they had to have an incinerator. There's one in the back."
Judy got a good look at Leah from her phone before turning off the video. Nick tapped Judy's shoulder and pointed behind them. There was a metal door that had a temperature gauge sitting next to it. It was the Incinerator, the men were gonna be on top of Judy and Nick in moments unless they left. The men picked up the metal plate holding the syringes and slowly walked towards them. Nick and Judy couldn't make their way to the door without being seen.
Nick and Judy looked at each other. Thankfully the lack of light in the hallway made it difficult for anyone to see them right away. Judy was about to make a run for the door when the Radio buzzed loudly. "Officer Hopps, backup is in position."
Nick's ears flattened and his eyes widened as the radio spoke loudly. Judy fumbled tograb and silence the radio.
The men stopped as they heard the radio "Someone's here Leah."
Leah growled loudly. "You morons left the back door unlocked!? GET THEM!"
Nick quickly grabbed his taser and ran up into the hallway. Before the men could put the plate down, Nick hit the metal plate with the taser. The electric current shot through the board and up the arms of the men carrying it. They all tensed up and shook for a moment before collapsing. Paralyzed by the effect of the taser.
Nick pulled the taser back to see Leah running at Nick. Her fangs beared and growling loudly. Nick was too slow in raising up the taser as Leah jumped at him and brought her knee to his snout. Nick's vision blurred red as he flew back into the hallway, feeling a bit of blood coming from his nose. Judy helped Nick up and grabbed her taser. Jumping up in front of Nick. Leah growled loudly and bared her fangs. "Didn't anyone teach you not to mess with predators like me, little bunny?" She growled menacingly.
Judy glared back. "It's my job to deal with people like you."
Leah ran forward and lunged at Judy. Judy managed to press the taser against Leah's wrist. She tensed up a bit but didn't collapse. Growling louder. "That taser isn't strong enough Judy!" Nick shouted out.
Judy pulled the taser away and jumped back. Leah was having trouble moving but was still able to move. Nick ran to the back door,. "Let's go! Call for that backup!" Nick flung the door open, looking back at Judy and holding out his hand.
Judy followed Nick and ran outside. Her hand on the radio. Nick stopped dead in his tracks and held his hand out to catch Judy. Standing in front of them, was the Arctic Fox that was with Hammond when he was arrested. A pistol raised at them.
The fox glared. "Drop the taser, and the radio. Now."
Judy looked up at Nick. Nick nodded and set down his taser. Judy did the same and set down her taser, taking the radio off and setting it down. The fox spoke again. "Kick the radio away."
Judy hit her foot against the radio. Watching it skid away out of reach. Fear clutching her slightly as she realized that was the only tool they had to get help. Her nose twitching and ears drooping.
After a few moments, Leah called out from the hallway. "Keep them there. I'll get rid of the evidence."
It took only a few minutes for Leah to carry all of the syringes and drugs to the incinerator before turning it on. The men that were tasered earlier walked out of the back door. Glaring at Nick and Judy. The fox growled at them. "Leave. This operation is now canceled."
The men paused and looked at each other before taking off down different alleyways in different directions. Leah closed the door behind her and walked next to the Arctic Fox. "Just so you know I had it handled, AFox."
AFox rolled his eyes. "Most you did was bloody up Wilde's nose."
Nick reached up and wiped some of the blood off of his nose and snout. Staining his sleeve a bit. "Heck of a knee you got Leah." Nick said jokingly.
Leah glared and growled. "Want another?"
AFox waved his free hand downward. "Alright calm down. Hopps and Wilde. How did you find out about this? Who ratted us out?"
Judy looked up at Nick. Nick had his eyes narrowed. Judy answered before Nick. "It was anonymous. Someone who sent it to the ZPD and didn't give his identity."
AFox shook his head. "That's a lie and you know it. You would have been here a lot sooner. Not at night. Last chance before someone gets hurt."
Judy looked up and noticed the sky was nearly dark. A slight hint of light coming from the west. Judy spoke again. "It's not a lie. We can receive tip offs any time of day."
AFox rolled his eyes and pointed the gun at Nick. AFox fired the gun and struck Nick just above his elbow. The bang of the gun echoing loudly. Nick cried out and grabbed his arm with his other hand. Judy running over. "Nick!" She called out concerned.
AFox pointed the gun at Judy to stop her from running to Nick. "I warned you."
Leah smacked AFox on the shoulder. "Listen..."
There was a scurry outside. Several officers were running towards the back of the building calling out "Shots Fired."
AFox growled and put the gun back in a holster. "Wilde, Hopps. Don't pursue us. Someone still wants you around."
Leah turned around and jumped up the side of the building. Using her claws to quickly scale the building to reach the roof. Disappearing from sight. AFox climbed up a nearby drain pipe to reach the same roof nearly as fast as Leah. Disappearing with her.
Judy ran over to Nick. Whom had his hand tightly clutching his wound. Blood coming out from around his hand. Several officers rushed back into the alleyway. Including Pitter. A brown furred wolf. He grabbed his radio. "Officer Pitter to Dispatch I need an ambulance at 605 North Castleton Avenue. We have an officer shot in the arm."
Judy took the belt from her pants and cleared off all the police utility from it. Such as her pepperspray, holster for her taser, and a few other things. She took the belt and tightened it just below Nick's shoulder to provide a tourniquet to stop the blood flow.
After a few moments, less blood came out from under Nick's hand. Nick was panting hard and leaned against the dumpster. Keeping his hand over the bullet wound. Judy stayed close to him. Extremely concerned for her partner. "Nick do you feel okay?" She asked.
Nick panted a bit and smiled. "Other than the hole in my arm I feel great." He said sarcastically.
Judy smiled back and giggled a bit. Soon her ears drooped back down. "I'm sorry Nick... I should have called for backup sooner." Her eyes welling up a bit in tears.
Nick shook his head. "Stop it carrots. I'm fine. Yeah it hurts but I'm not bleeding as much now at least thanks to you." Nick nodded at the belt.
Judy smiled a bit more. Her ears perked up as she heard the ambulance's sirens in front of the building. Pitter walked to Nick. "Let's get that looked at. Need help walking pal?"
Nick shook his head and straightened up. "I'm good. Thanks."
Nick began to walk to the front of the building. Judy right next to him and ready to help if she needed. The road had been completely blocked off starting at the nearest intersections. The ambulance and a few other cop cars in the center. The paramedics ran up to Nick and brought him to the back of the van. Administering any first aid they could to him. Some painkillers, and disinfectant to clean the wound.
The paramedics had Nick lay in the back of the ambulance till the painkillers kicked in. Judy was sitting on the bumper watching. Eventually one of the paramedics spoke to Nick. "How's the pain?"
Nick nodded. "Pretty much none now. My arm's numb."
Judy noticed her belt on the floor. Meaning that Nick had been injected with Morphine to stop the pain. The paramedic nodded. "Alright. The bullet didn't go through your arm which means it was probably stopped by the bone. We have to get it out now before we can treat you anymore. This is gonna hurt okay?"
Nick nodded. The paramedic looked over at Judy. "Officer I know you are concerned but please get off the ambulance."
Judy nodded and jumped down. The paramedic pulled a curtain over the back of the ambulance to block out view. After a few more minutes, Nick was letting out loud, pained groans. Judy paced nervously and clutched her hands together as she heard Nick groan. Worried for her partner and wanting to help in any way she could.
After a few more minutes of groaning, Nick stopped. Judy heard one of the paramedics speak. "Got it. Looks like it didn't break your arm either. We'll get it x-rayed when we get to the hospital. Just sit tight okay Mister Wilde?"
One of the paramedics came out from behind the curtain. Walking over to Judy and smiling at her. "He'll be fine. We just need to bring him to the hospital for some x-rays and treatment for the wound."
Judy nodded and smiled. "Thank you so much."
The paramedic nodded and closed the two back doors. He walked to the front and turned on the sirens as the ambulance drove away. The sound of someone clearing their throat behind Judy caught her attention. She turned around and looked up to see Chief Bogo standing over her.
"Is Officer Wilde alright?" He asked.
Judy nodded. "Yeah he's fine. Sounds like nothing serious now."
Bogo nodded and gestured Judy to follow him. "Follow me Hopps. I need a full report from you before you can go home tonight."
Judy nodded and followed him. Thinking of what to say to Chief Bogo about this crazy, wild day.
*Authors Note* Whew that was a long one. Though I think I might make all the chapters this length at this point. Read and Review!
