_
ZPD STATION/ 23:30 _
"Hmmmm, I wonder how much Gazelle's concert tickets would cost if I preorder-"
The chubby cheetah was cut in the middle of his muttering as he raised his gaze from his phone to the main entrance, as he heard lot of yelling from that direction.
Benjamin Clawhouser started as the slide doors opened and unleashed a complete chaos inside the hall.
The first thing he saw was officer Grizoli, holding a panther in a long coat by handcuffs.
The panther was yelling insults as loud as he could, and they echoed in the hall like in orchestra stadium.
Behind him followed Officer Oliver Howlton, escorting calm looking rabbit in a clean suit. He was walking around looking like he was without worry in the world.
After them came an angry looking black dog, held by two officers, both clearly a bit scared of the unpredictable rottweiler. He did look quite aggressive at the moment but didn't resist. His nose was also bleeding a little bit.
Behind them came proudly smiling Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, escorting two elks and one a bit scared looking Golden retriever. They made their way like a train past his desk, heading to the cell area.
As Judy and Nick came last, Clawhouser spoke from behind his desk.
"Quite a catch. It's rare to see six mammals in cuffs at once.
I'll inform Bogo that you guys succeeded." Benjamin smiled.
"You do that, Ben. Hey can we get tape for the Jack the sunshine here? His yelling is getting on our ears."
Nick chuckled as the panther yelled once again.
"Wait till I get out of here you sorry shits! I will find your families! Let's see how tough you all are when I'm not in cuffs!"
"This guy is nuts. He doesn't seem to understand that death threats are not the best idea to yell, if you plan getting out of this situation." Nick said after getting a bit annoyed by his non stop yelling.
"Iv'e seen worse." Judy stated calmly and sighed but was also annoyed.
Suddenly the golden retriever spoke in front of them.
"Mister Garlow is not a bad mammal! He just has short temper!"
"Yeah, I can see." Benjamin said as he was pretty sure that Garlow just tried to bite Grizoli.
Mike spoke again after turning his gaze at Nick.
"How could you do this to me man?! I thought we were friends, Nick!" Mike whined front of them, sounding betrayed by one of his best friends.
"We are good friends, Mike! I'm doing my job dude! The bigger question is that when did you start to do things including deal night howlers? You know that it's the last substance predators should get involved in. I know that we haven't seen each other in a long time, but selling night howlers? What the hell Mike? Does Finnick or Ben know? You know they would freak out, right?" Nick ask'd in genuine worry.
It was ood for Judy to follow this show from the side. She hadn't met any of Nick's friends besides Finnick. This dog was far from being as aggressive and tough guy as the small sand fox was.
The way of Nick's worry was also something quite big. He had clearly known this dog from young age.
"No, and they don't need to! Finnick is going to beat me up!" Mike shot with a bit scared tone.
"... We are going to have a long talk, Mike. I knew you did dumb things time to time, but this? Like seriously?" Nick sighed with disappointed tone and shook his head.
"Screw you Nick, there is lot of money in it when I work with papi-I MEAN MISTER GARLOW! I didn't know that we were dealing night howlers!
But so what if we did?! Bellwether is behind bars and no one wants to repeat her actions! You know this!" He spoke like they were the crazy ones. This defense was noted easily by the fox,
Nick knowing that he didn't believe his words himself. Nick then asked with confused tone.
"Why did you just call mister Garlow-"
"Forget alright! Just... I really need to get out of this, Nicholas!" The golden retriever whined, begging for this fox.
Nick just gave dumbfounded look at his kithood friend and spoke.
"You know I can't let you go! We have to get you a lawyer." Nick said with apologizing tone, knowing that Judy was clearly watching from the side how he was handling this situation. It was not everyday you would arrest someone close to you.
"No lawyers! I can't afford one! I needed the money! Nothing bad was going to come out of those damn flowers!" Mike claimed.
"How can you know it for sure Mike? There might be still some who share her view on things.
No one buys night howlers, JUST BECAUSE. I doubt that whoever they were supposed to be bought to,
was thinking of doing anything good with them. Come on Mike, you are smarter than this..."
Mike looked at Nick with a bit of hesitation and then sighed.
"Maybe but... I would have made so much money from that deal that I could had bought better treatment to my brother! You know his condition! I needed this Nick and now I am fucked!"
Mike's ears fell as he yelled in desperate and sad tone, feeling like everything was over.
Nick felt sympathy for his friend since he knew his situation. Mike's brother had a bad bone fractures.
The doctors had told him years ago that they did all they could to help him, but the treatment cost Mike lot of his hustling money over the years. Mike's brother had fallen down at the stairs a couple years back. It made his leg's almost paralyzed with several fractures, so he had to use a wheelchair at age of fourteen. The doctors told that with help of physical therapy, his brother would maybe even walk again, but the treatment and the surgeries would cost too much. Even with his way of making money. The most crucial thing was,
he couldn't pay any of it in big advances or sums. He had never done honest work. At some point the questions about the money would come,
starting a police investigation on Mike. So in other words, he was fucked. He had almost million in cash but no way to use that money on things like helping his brother.
Judy had no idea what the two were talking about, but knew that whatever it was, the subject was sore.
Nick was quiet for a while and stared his crushed friend who had his gaze at his own feet.
"I'm sorry Mike, I really am. But dealing night howlers is not the way. That stuff gets mammals killed."
"... I know." he quietly said.
"Look, I'm pretty new here but I'm doing best I can to help you through this. I promise." Nick spoke sincerely and tapped Mike's shoulder.
"..." Mike didn't answer but gave a small nod to his friend.
"Come on buddy, let's go. The most important thing is that you cooperate as best as you can right now." Nick assured.
Mike did not answer but continued his way to the cell area, with rest of his partners in crime already behind bars in small cells. This was the first time he was ever going to be in a cell.
It was quite odd to see Mike behind bars. It just didn't fit into his image. Nick gave sad look at Mike's way, knowing how useless his promises might have been. Mike's situation looked really bad.
"Nick." Judy suddenly spoke.
"... Yeah?" Nick answered, still gazing his friend as he was talked by officer Grizoli to hand over his paws so he could take cuffs off.
"He seems like a good mammal. He really does. If he tells us what he knows and helps to clear things out,
he might not get such a bad conclusion to his sentence. He might survive this with good chances." Judy smiled to him with hopeful attitude.
"... With what he just got caught up with?" Nick asked and raised an eyebrow.
".. Even with that. It's a far shot, but it all depends on what he has for us. He is your friend. So I want to help.
I won't make big promises, but you know I'm Bogo's favorite. That already helps your friend more than you know." Judy said with sincere smile.
"... I... Thanks, whiskers." Nick said with a bit taken aback look. This bunny right here...
"That's what best friends are for. Do you think he really won't need a lawyer like he said?" Judy asked then carefully, feeling glimpse of warm look from Nick make her squirm a bit for some reason.
"I hope so for his sake but I doubt he will. The guys he is mixed up with right now,
seem like a sort that would not let you go on with your life if you spill everything out about their operations. But I could be wrong. This Jack guy is most important one for us to handle to get that information out.
Wouldn't you agree, fluff?" Nick asked with smile.
"Wait till you see me interrogating mammals." Judy said with smug smile.
"Krhm. Wilde. Hopps." They both heard the strong and low toned voice speak.
Both turned around and saw Bogo standing there,
looking at them both with neutral expression.
"I would like an update about your situation.
In my office you two. Now."
Both nodded and without lingering, both following Bogo to the elevators.
_
BOGO'S OFFICE _
Nick and Judy sat in silence as Bogo was talking to his desk radio.
"Officer Grizoli, asking permission to silence mister Garlow with piece of tape."
"What? That is kind of harsh request." Bogo stated bluntly.
"Muzzle?" Grizoli suggested.
"Maybe. On a scale from one to ten, how aggressive is he?"
They could suddenly all hear the jaguar scream from the background.
"All of you fucking unfairly fighting bunch of cowards will get hit with a knife when I get out of here!"
"... Okay permission to use the tape." Bogo stated with bored expression, understanding the request now.
"Thank you, Chief." Grizoli added before turning his radio off.
Bogo now turned his gaze for the two and said nothing. He eyed Nick and then Judy.
Out of nowhere his face lit up with small smile.
"Outstanding police work from both of you. You captured not only mister Garlow but also five more criminals in one night.
In my standards that is quite a catch. You both have made the ZPD proud."
"Glad to be of service chief!" Judy saluted with smile and posture, trying not to squirm from being proud of herself and Nick even more.
Nick didn't know how to exactly feel about this. He just kept thinking about Mike.
Bogo smiled with somewhat proud expression. Judy always acted formal and never bragged with her achievements to him,
that's why she was Bogo's favorite. Fox was harder to read, smiling but looking a bit out of the situation.
"At ease, Hopps. You have made ZPD proud once again and you can be sure that this will go to your reputation record as one of the biggest arrests in ZPD history."
Judy could not do anything but smile for the compliment. Nick was happy to see Judy praised like that. She did incredible job at leading him on the field. They did make very good team together. It did not even bother him that there was no mention of his part until Judy spoke.
She cleared her throat, showing her paws theater like to show Nick's accomplishment.
"Thank you Chief, but I have to say that Nick also did just as good as I did!
He helped on several details that led to arrest. He figured out that sewer was best hiding place to use as ambush point, and he was right. Our element of surprise was key to the perfect arrest.
He also successfully tranquilized one of the targets and took care of the dangerous rottweiler that attacked him. He did incredibly well for his first actual stake out." Judy beamed in excitement,
praising her partner as best as she could as her tail wiggled a bit. Judy could not hold her excitement anymore.
She gave friendly hit on Nick's shoulder, almost bouncing on her chair.
"I told that we were going to be amazing team together!" Judy said with joyful tone, trying to control herself. She gave a bit embarrassed look at smiling Bogo,
making her slowly mutter something as she sat on her seat.
"Ouch." Nick added with chuckle, rubbing his arm.
"Sorry." Judy laughed awkwardly, knowing she just couldn't hold all this happiness inside her. She knew that they were going to be best cop team in the city. It was just so clear.
Nick said nothing but smiled to Bogo with half lidded eyes.
One thing did bother him though. He could have not MAYBE bested the dog without Judy.
It would have been much longer brawl if Judy had not interfered. He had been really scared during the fight, knowing that it was mostly luck that was on his side.
But Nick decided just for now to let it be. Talk about this with her later. You know you have to.
It looked like Bogo struggled a bit to smile to his way since the fox clearly enjoyed the situation way too much.
But he knew that Judy was no liar. She would not make these things up. Bogo was very impressed for sure but Nick's smugly grinning face just made it hard to give compliments. He already knew that this fox was going to be pain in ass. After a moment he finally spoke.
"Impressive, Officer Wilde. I'll be sure to mention your name in the reports too. Keep this up and you will make ZPD proud just like Hopps. You can trust that the news will hear about your promising start in the force because of this. Keep it up."
"Chief, you are you trying to make me blush? Because it is working." He said and wiggled his eyebrows.
Judy tried to contain her giggle as Nick clearly loved annoying chief with the situation.
"... Is this what I have to handle for the rest of my career?" Bogo asked in annoyance as he laid his eyes on Judy.
It seemed like Nick's attitude was giving him headache once again.
"Don't worry Chief, you will learn to love me like she does. I'm real articulate fella!"
Nick said and winked to Judy, imitating her attitude when she first met him.
Judy rolled her eyes and saw that Chief's annoyance just raised every second just by listening at him.
The buffalo placed his hoof on his nose and closed his eyes, trying to control his annoyance as fox kept smugly looking at him.
Suddenly Nick spoke, gathering his breath.
"Aaaand since I did such a good job, can I get one of those cool cars that Judy has one day? Nonono wait, I got it!"
Nick said, waving his paws and never sounding so excited in his life. Like kit whose eyes burned from best idea ever.
Both Bogo and Judy looked at Nick with wide eyes, wondering what he was on about.
"I want, not one.. But two tranquilizers! like in that super cop movie! You guys should be able to get them for me. I would look so badass.
Besides, the reloading time is not only frustrating, but dangerous. Foxes like me get their ass kicked. Unless, I get two guns. Then I could be like ZAAPHH! Just shoot bad guys down with my high volt laser. When they think I'm reloading, I can be like: Booooys, who is the sexy fox who brought two guns in a fist fight. Hallelujah and bite the dust boys." Nick said, laying back on his chair and expecting agreement of that sounding coolest thing ever.
Bogo sighed and kept face palming himself. Judy shook her head and giggled, Nick not understanding why they didn't see it as best idea ever even from practical and professional view. Bogo quietly spoke to Judy.
"I really want to fire him."
"I know." Judy giggled.
"He makes my brains hurt."
"Sorry Chief, he is like this to everyone. You will get used to him." Judy chuckled and looked at childish Nick with adoring smile.
Nick just laid his paws in akimbo and muttered.
"My idea was genius."
"Sorry, special agent Wilde." Judy laughed, wanting to hug the fox so much as she earned a small satisfied smile out of him.
"I take my headache pills out of your pay, Hopps. It was your idea to hire him." Bogo muttered.
"Fair enough. He acts like a kit but he is an extremely promising cop." Judy said with honest tone.
As much as Bogo hated it, he had to admit that she was right. This fox was going to do great things for the department.
"That we can agree on. The fox clown can stay. But remember, Wilde. This is not a circus. You are here to help this city and save lives." Bogo said with serious tone.
"I will be sure to write about this wonderful day in my pink diary." Nick winked at Bogo, making the buffalo look at him in annoyance as his jaw fell a bit. It took all that Judy had to not burst into laugh.
Bogo talked after a while with the attitude that begged them to leave his office.
"You have both done outstanding work for one night. You can both leave home.
We will interrogate these mammals through the night and see if we can get anyone to explain,
why on earth they were dealing such a dangerous and banned substance. Whatever this is,
it's big. If there is any chance that they are linked to Bellwether or any more of the night howlers, we must get to the bottom of it. If none of them have talked before morning,
it is your turn to try. For now you are both free to take your well earned rest.
Arrive at the station around ten. Report straight to Clawhouser as you arrive."
Bogo motioned both to be on their way. Judy suddenly started to talk with persuasive tone.
"We could interrogate them already right now if you want-"
"Hopps. Home. Rest." Bogo said warmly with almost fatherly tone, knowing that Judy wanted to get to bottom of this just like him.
Judy knew that there was no point to protest and hopped off from her chair.
Judy and Nick made their way to the door. After Judy was gone Nick still lingered on the door, wanting to say something to Bogo still. He raised his claw up to speak with large smile,
turning around. Only to face a murdering look from Bogo and he knew that there was limit when it came to annoying his chief. He winked at the annoyed buffalo and exited the room.
Right after the door closed, Judy spoke.
"Nick."
"Hmmm?" Nick hummed with smile.
"We have to celebrate this!" She hopped in the air and playfully punched Nick's arm. Again.
"Oowwww... I almost get beat up by mammals in the streets and now I have to fear my coworker too?" Nick asked with chuckle.
"You are just going to handle a bit of bunny affection if you want to survive." Judy chuckled, leading the way to elevators.
"Bunny affection huh? Cute."
Judy stopped, knowing damn well what she heard as Nick bit his lip with goofy grin and walked past like he had not said anything.
"Mister. What was the word I heard?" She asked with growing grin as well.
"Those bunny ears are rusty. I said it's getting late and the fox is hungry." Nick chuckled.
"Uhhhuh. Thought so... Still, we have to celebrate what we did tonight!" Judy yelled with enthusiasm.
"Is that so? What are we celebrating?" Nick asked with mischievous smile, as he once again followed the over excited bunny wiggled her tail furiously,
like she was about to burst from that question.
"Nick are you serious?! Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that we just caught six mammals on your second day on the force! SECOND DAY! Also, we confiscated suitcase full of night howlers,
one suitcase full of illegal and fake money! Also, we worked together like a real team!
It's hard to believe that this is all real but it is! And we were like super team together, just like when we caught Bellwether!
I knew that you had it in you! What is not worth to celebrate, partner?!" Judy squealed with joyful tone, hopping in the air and wanting to dance.
Judy wagged her tail as she hopped around. Nick could not help but to give a small laugh from her parade and spoke with self surprised tone as he really thought about it. It was just hard not to look at her with something that made him want to hit himself again. She just looked so...
So damn beautiful. She is so full of life and those damn eyes... FOCUS NOW.
"Well when you say it like that... Does it sound awesome? Yes. Yes it does."
"I know! So what do you suggest, slick? Your choice. Anything you want!" She said happily.
"Hmmmm..." Nick wondered... I wonder how much she would freak out if I asked for a kiss?
But that kind of celebration suggestion would earn him a slap in the face. Nick rubbed his muzzle for a while before putting on that trademark grin on again.
"Something romantic...?" He said with flirting tone.
Judy felt her body freeze and her stomach turning a bit as she looked at Nick right away. She felt her tail wiggle nervously as she wondered if she heard right. Judging by that face she did.
It didn't help the sudden burning she felt in her ears as she struggled with her words. She tried to open her mouth as Nick's grin widened.
"Wh- what do you m-" She tried to speak. She felt her heart beat so fast and her nose wiggle as Nick leaned down a bit to her lever, looking at her with mischevious face, their noses almost touching.
"Carrots... Pizza." Nick chuckled, seeing Judy react to his sudden attitude with a bit odd reaction. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
"I... What?" Judy then asked in confusion, her ears not burning anymore.
"I was thinking about ordering pizza and kicking it back at your place?
Even as great as this day was, I don't feel like overdoing it with celebrations."
"Oh, okay that sounds... Nice." Judy smiled and tried to hide her disappointment as best as she could.
For a moment she thought that Nick was asking... Well... She didn't know what but her stomach had butterflies still all over.
Just hopeful thinking as always. You are such a freak, Judy... You know it's not normal to feel like this for predator.
Thank heavens he... Doesn't know how I feel. Seven months I have known you, Nicholas... You are just so... So kind and sweet inside... If he knew how he makes me feel when I'm around him... How much I wish I was... Someone more.. Important to him... Sweet cheese and crackers he is annoyingly handsome when he smiles like that. Okay, look away now, Judith... Handle your emotions.
"Fluff, you alright? What's going on in that bunny mind of yours?" Nick asked.
"I'm wondering if this is just another attempt to make me watch another horror movie with you." She suddenly said, changing the subject to get out of her dreamy and bothering thoughts about this fox.
"You wound me carrots. Besides, I'm not feeling like watching movie tonight.
All I want is to spend quality time with my dumb bunny." He said with warm voice.
Judy gave a little awkward smile back as her imagination was running wild again when she thought about "quality time".
"Whatever, slick. But I will be the one deciding the toppings on our pizza.
Carrots in barbecue it is." Judy then said with smile.
"Ew." Nick winced.
"Nick..."
"Yeah?"
"Can we umm... Can we uhh..." She tried to find the words, wondering how this was going to sound for Nick.
The fox raised his eyebrow to that, asking with teasing and warm slur.
"Whaaaat is the bunny thinking? Does she think she could handle a horror movie after all?"
"... C-can we go to your place to celebrate?" She suddenly asked with shy tone, not able to look him in the eyes.
Nick felt like his brain froze for a moment from the sudden request.
He thought that she was joking but she then continued.
"I really.. Okay, I'm honest with you, Nicholas. I hate spending time in my apartment, it's so small. And you know how my neighbors can be.
I've just... I've never seen your place. I have known you over half a year now and.. It would be nice to umm.. I mean only if you are okay with it..."
She muttered and look'd away as she rubbed her shoulder with her other paw.
Suddenly Nick spoke with a little surprised tone in his voice.
"You. Want to see my place? A-are you sure?" Nick asked with hesitation.
He did not care about the mess that was in his apartment but he was more concerned that inviting Judy in to his apartment felt a bit...
Odd. Like some kind of next level step on their friendship. If Judy really did wanna see it,
then why not? She is not there kiss you, Wilde. You are sick in the head.
She is clearly asking as a friend. Stop imagining things that are not there...
"If it's no trouble..." Judy pleaded and looked at him with hopeful glimmer.
Nick smiled warmly to her and spoke. He could not say no to those beautiful eyes of her's.
"Okay, carrots. You can come."
"R-REALLY?!" Judy asked with excited voice, her eyes full of disbelief.
"Well... Why not? I live only two blocks away so it's a short trip.
The place is not on top-notch though."
"I don't mind at all! Thank you so much, Nick. I'll be a good guest, I swear!" Judy smiled, clearly just very happy that the fox was okay with this.
Nick could not help but to chuckle at that, wondering how this night was going to go.
_
NICK WILDE'S APARTMENT _
Nick opened the door to his apartment and motioned Judy to walk into his humble home.
The fox could only follow with interested smile as the excited bunny scanned the apartment with careful look, her tail wiggling occasionally as she kept walking forward with small steps.
Nick's place was about five times larger than her's. It was quite overwhelming change of space. SO much more.. Breathable.
The bunny's eyes wandered around the retro looking apartment,
what appeared to be in a bit of a mess. Not really too bad but noticeable.
But it belonged to a male who lived alone so, no judgment.
There was dirty clothes stacked on top of his living room couch and pizza boxes laid on the ground around the floor. The first thing that hit Judy's eye was that the apartment was full of posters about many kinds of bands. Some she even recognized.
And the place even had a small neon sign top of the tv. The letter's wrote:
"Fox house" with red lights. Judy grinned as she saw Nick jump in the air and fall down on the giant corner sofa, that took way too much space in the apartment.
How he had even gotten that thing of a sofa through the door, was beyond her.
She could see that the ceiling fan was a bit broken, and spanned only on half speed.
Next to her there was a closet room, full of those shirts that he always used,
but in many other colors than green. He even had all his ties neatly in a row on many hangars.
Nick sat up and kept looking at the bunny who still had not said a thing as she just kept looking around.
"Sooooo." Nick began and took Judy's attention to him.
"What do you think?" He ask'd with half lidded eyes.
Judy giggled a bit and spoke.
"It screams word NICK WILDE all over it."
"Mmmmm, so it must be a good thing then?" Nick grinned.
"I'm not sure. This look's like apartment of a college student. The one that is partying all the time.
Reminds me of one of my brothers dorm room. All you need is a lava lamp, too much smell of cologne, club music and.. Well, naughty pictures." Judy mumbled,
drifting away with the last one. Nick grinned at that and chuckled.
"I have to remember to buy all of those then.
So you say that this apartment is screaming my touch everywhere huh?" He asked.
"Yeah, kinda." She laughed and kept looking at the posters on the wall. Who on earth is Wake Dogg? He looked like a pimp.
"So it's not a bad thing then. Case closed." Nick snickered, laying back on the couch and looking at the bunny with half lidded eyes as she strolled trough the place,
looking so damn cute with all her interest.
"Is that neon light seriously needed though? Fox house. Really?" Judy asked with bored expression.
"Oh that one just gives a bit of a groove to the place. I stole it once. Thought it looked cool." Nick said non enchantly.
Now Judy was staring at him with a bit of an angry look, not knowing if he was joking or not. Probably not.
"Joking, carrots." Nick suddenly said and gave a little chuckle.
"Mhhhm." Judy grinned back and knew it was a lie. She made her way to the sofa and hopped next to sitting Nick carefully, feeling a bit flustered of the way Nick was looking at her the whole time.
"Why do you need a sofa this large just for yourself?" She asked in confusion, feeling how soft and jumpy it was.
"I like to live like a king."
Judy snorted and eyed the room again.
"Is it everything you expected?"
"Hmmm. Not really. I expected more mess and less of those horrible shirts." She teased while showing her tongue to him.
"Ouch. What a rude guest." Nick said with smile.
"I'm just honest."
"You savage of a bunny. My shirts are not horrible." He said and plaid hurt.
"You looked like you crawled out of Sahara square tropics with those." She said, rolling her eyes and chuckling.
"You know I might just take back my invitation." He teased with grin.
"Yeah, right." Judy giggled as Nick rolled on his stomach and gave her a flirty look. Judy felt her expression change again, feeling that look making her body shiver and not in the bad way.
Nick swished his tail a bit as he spoke.
"What makes you think that I won't use lethal force on a cute little bunnies that insult handsome foxes like me?"
Judy grinned to his challenge and leaned closer.
"You are very lucky you know? In bunny burrow you would get beaten up by a mob by playing around with that word like it's nothing."
"They would not lay a paw on me. Half of your sisters would just want all this goodness." Nick made jump motion with his eyebrows and Judy could not hold her laugh anymore.
"You are so full of yourself you know that?" She laughed, tapping her foot.
"Or I could just lay a box full of carrots on the ground as a lure and they would all just forget everything." He said casually.
"You are such a dumb fox!" Judy held her stomach as she look'd Nick, who staring at her back with that idiotic smile.
"You know you love me." He said warmly.
There it is again. Don't kiss him. Just act like... That didn't just hurt you a bit, Judy. Don't make this weird. He doesn't mean any of it the way you want.
Judy punched Nick in his arm, earning a small yelp from the fox.
"Do I know that?... Yes. Yes I do." She said quietly.
"Police brutality speaks against your words, fluff."
"You deserved it. Besides, I'm going to order that pizza now.
I'm starving. How about you?"
Nick had completely forgotten that they had planned to order food.
He was starving too but he was having such a good time with the bunny that he did not care about food,
and food happened to be his great passion. Among many things.
Judy took her phone out and started to scroll trough possible places to order from.
Nick just stared as Judy was sitting in yoga pose on his couch, concentrating on her ordering.
Every time she was still like that, Nick just enjoyed watching her do anything at all. He could do this just because she was too busy to notice.
He wondered if he looked like a creep sometimes but she was hard not to stare.
Come on Wilde, she is in your apartment. This is your moment. Just a small compliment should not change anything.
Or maybe it would. Just tell her that she is... Incredibly beautiful mammal...
Would she really get freaked out? What do you mean, of course she would be freaked out. They were just best friends.
That's all he could ask for. But he felt like dying sometimes because he knew that he wanted more.
But she was a pray. There had never been a predator and prey relationship. Ever. At least he had never heard of one,
and he had lived in this city his whole life. It was not even something that would come up in conversations at any point.
That's how taboo it was. It was not normal to feel this way. He knew it. The fact that some predators already had mixed kit's together was discussed too much already in bad light. Prey and Predator together would raise noise that would shake the city. Not in the good way either.
Besides... she already seemed awkward when you accidentally said the thing about her in the elevator.
... I can't handle that smile of her's. Her giggle and laugh. Her cheeks. Her ears. Her eyes... Just.. Everything about her is warming to me.
If only she knew how much I would want to kiss her.
How would it even feel? Could it even be possible? And...
What on earth is wrong with me? She is more attractive than any vixen I've been with in my life.
It does not make any sense at all.
She could not be against inter species relationships, could she? I mean if they really did exist after all? I know they really don't but..
Nick come on, she is one of the most pure hearted mammals that have walked this earth, I doubt she would be against some mammals doing it, if there was some.
Besides this is like fifth thousand time that you have thought about this. Day after day you go through these same thoughts. Just for once, do it.
Just be brave and say it to her. You can do it, Wilde. Say that she's beautiful. Not cute, not adorable. Just say that she is most beautiful mammal you know. DO IT!
"Judy you are really be-"
"Do you want double toppings or normal ones?
There is also more sauce and then there is-" Judy kept going with the options and Nick felt like he had been just slapped. He didn't get enough time to finish and Judy was so into making perfect order.
She had not heard him in her thoughts. Just my luck. Great.
Nick what is stopping you from saying it to her again? She is listening now isn't she? ... Coward.
"Nick. Hellloooo? Earth calls daydreaming fox." Judy smiled and snapped her fingers.
"Oh um, yeah, sure. Add it."
"... Add what?" She asked in confusion.
"You can choose, fluff. I trust your judgment." Nick said.
Judy looked at him with a bit confused look and continued on tapping the phone.
"Oookay.. There! Sent. It should be here in like half an hour or so.
Can't have a celebration without good food can't we?"
She smiled and put the phone on the table.
"Carrots, ummm... I understand that we celebrate but there are couple of things in my mind that kind of put me off the mood."
Nick suddenly turned a bit serious and Judy did not seem to understand at all.
He knew that he was driving himself crazy with thoughts about her so the best thing to do for now was to talk about something else. Something that had been bothering him the whole day.
About why she lied to Bogo, was something that still lingered in his mind.
"What do you mean, slick? Do I once again have to go step by step what we did-"
"Fluff, once Finnick and Ben find out that I arrested Mike, they are going to flip.
I feel like kind of jerk. They think that I have betrayed them or something..."
"... Nick. He was dealing night howlers." Judy said with serious tone.
"Without him knowing." He added.
"Do you really believe that?" Judy asked with warm tone.
Nick pondered the question for a while.
... Mike was a good mammal but... Sometimes he was a little bit... Dumb.
Maybe a way too harsh way to put it... Mike was more like the mammal who never thought things through on a long run.
"I... I don't know anymore." He said genuinely.
Judy gave compassionate smile and sighed.
"None of this is your fault so stop blaming yourself.
We can still help your friend." She assured.
"I guess... But enough about Mike. We can get to that tomorrow...
I did have another thing. A small question that i would like to be answered to with honesty."
"Shoot." Judy smiled. She just wanted to change Nick's sudden mood for the better.
"Why... Why did you tell chief that I took care of that crazy dog with knifes? Because I didn't.
I screwed up the situation on that part like... Completely. You know I did. I even told you that you saved my life on the spot.
He even threw a knife at me and I was lucky enough that it missed me by so close. It might had not killed me no, but it could have taken my eye.
I am not blaming you Judy, don't think that. But why did you lie about my actions?"
Judy's nose twitched as she was trying to find answer. This seemed like something that Judy had feared that he might ask.
"I..." She struggled and looked down.
"Judy.." Nick began, almost accidentally laying his paw on her cheek.
"Ok I might had... Exaggerated things a bit, Nick... But it's because I want the chief to really think highly of you, as he should!
Besides this is what partners do! Besides, you fought back, Nick! You even broke his nose! You had your gun pointed at him and you had your charge ready. It might had felt like you were losing at the moment but you had it under control. You would have tranquilized him before he would have reached you.
I just did it to be sure. So what I said to Bogo was only half a lie, right?" She spoke with a bit of panicked tone.
Nick did not answer and rubbed the back of his neck with his ears going a bit down.
Maybe she was right, maybe she was not. It all happened so fast that thinking it back now, he was not sure about how things went. But one thing was sure. He had been scared at that moment. Truly scared for his own life.
"And what comes to the guy who threw a knife at you, I will make sure that he will be in big trouble.
He attempted to seriously wound you. Maybe even kill you. Once Bogo hears, he will make sure that he will never touch another knife again.
He might get over ten years even." Judy assured, feeling anger for the dog of trying to harm her fo-.. This fox and friend of hers.
Nick still did not answer.
"Nick, I was really scared when I saw what almost happened to you. I don't mean to sound harsh now but... That won't be last time that we have situation like that. I've had several brawls like that.
When you take this job it... It comes with mammals that are like him. Anything like that could happen all the time.
But we have each others backs. Partners, right?"
"I know whiskers... I know. Partners." Nick said with almost whisper.
"I do believe that we can make difference in this city. All of us. But as I do this job day after day,
I start to realize that there is so much more work than I had hoped, especially when mammals like the ones we captured today,
still exist and roam in our city."
"Carrots, you have already made this city half safer than it was." He said with genuine tone. It was not even a joke. Because of Judy and the new wind of pride and needed dedication and attitude she had given for the zpd, had made streets half more safe than they were before her.
After a moment of quietness, Judy spoke carefully.
"Nick... Are we okay?"
Nick smiled for Judy warmly and winked. He knew the risk that this job involved. Encountering life threatening situation like this so soon in his career just felt kind of wake up call of some kind. It had just spooked him more than he realized. One day talking with his friends and talking with Flash about over speed. Then getting almost stabbed the next day. It had just made him a bit alarmed.
He could be without other eye right now, because of some freaking maniac. Nick really did hope that the dog had not done similar introductions to any other mammals. There had been only two murders in Zootopia this year, so death by someone else's paw was taken VERY seriously in this city. If city would had found out that the dog tried to possibly kill officer of the law,
it would strike quite a lot of fear in Zootopia, to think that mammals like him existed. Violence was always in the city, but when it involved attempt to kill,
using anything sharp or blunt... Or just being a maniac, Just like Bellwether, who was ready to take Judy's life by using night howlers on him... Those mammals made their picture of perfect Zootopia have it's lingering fears.
"Okay, enough about talking about these grim thoughts, carrots. We had to celebrate and I'm killing the mood." Nick chuckled.
"You are not killing the mood Nick. Things like these have to be talked about.
You know you can always talk to me whatever it is in your mind." Judy smiled warmly.
Anything huh?
"Hey, whiskers." Nick asked warmly.
"Y-yeah?" Judy ask'd. He was talking to her again with that voice that made her heart melt.
"I do have a question that I would like to ask from you..."
Ask her out.
"Y-yeah?" Judy blushed a bit as Nick leaned closer.
Do it!
"... Did you order crickets to my half of the pizza?"
Coward.
Judy's ear burn disappeared again and she shaked her head.
Her imagination was once again expecting something completely else.
"You really did not pay any attention did you?"
"Hmmmm, I'm not sure."
"I ordered cheese pizza with barbecue carrots and broccoli."
"... Now I'm just thinking that you might be plotting to kill me yourself or turning me into a rabbit..."
That earned Nick a pillow straight in the face.
_
ZPD STATION / 10:00 _
After reporting to Clawhouser's desk at the morning, Nick and Judy entered the interrogation hallway. Nick had not seen this area of the building before,
and it looked just like in the movies. Just a long hall and about five doors with window next to each one.
Bogo was standing next to door the door, talking with some officer. Nick and Judy followed the convo from the side, until suddenly someone came in.
Oliver had arrived with notepad on his paws, writing something down and biting the end of the pencil in thought.
Nick's face lighted up to grin as he saw his brown wolf friend, waking him up.
"What's up, dude? Missed the meal, or you just like the taste of wood?"
Oliver's eyes woke up, the brown wolf taking the pen out of between his fangs, blushing as he mumbled.
"I did miss my meal, yes. Morning, Nick." Oliver said with smile, giving his paw out to give fist bump.
Nick answered it and chuckled back.
"Morning, dude."
"Morning, officer Hopps." Oliver said, looking at Judy now with respectful tone, trying not to look more admiring as he was. This bunny was a legend to him,
he just tried not to fanboy too much since Nick acted so cool around her.
"Morning, Oliver." Judy said with happy tone back to the handsome wolf.
"Officer Howlton. Shall we begin?" Bogo suddenly asked from the brown wolf, finishing his discussion earlier officer.
The brown wolf cleared his throat, starting to read and feeling a bit nervous as his chief looked at his newest officer with interest. It was his job to follow how well his new workers fit in after all.
"We did make some progress last night. The two elks in here confessed that they had just been hired the same time for a muscle to protect this Steve guy. They knew very little and there was no criminal record on neither of them. Both are just official club bouncers. They still attempted to assault an officer no less but there is no point on keeping them here as interrogated since they clearly know nothing. Jury will see to their sentence from here on."
Everyone nodded at that as the brown wolf then continued.
Oliver flipped his notes and started walking down the hall, all the three behind his tail.
"We did not have much luck with the rest of the four others as much. These mammals have either stayed silent or on mister Garlow's case,
Yell insults."
Oliver arrived to room number one and started explaining the details about the mammals.
"Jack W Garlow, known as high profiled mobster. Age thirty-five. First mark on his criminal records are two assaults. These happened a year ago.
Since then it seems that he has been working on his own, and is rumored to be dealing stolen tranquilizers, stolen cars and evidently... Night howlers. On top,
he has given about over hundred death threats to every police in this building, so it's not looking good for his future. Nevertheless, he won't talk about his operations. All he says is that we can shove our questions to umm... You know. When we try to interrogate him. You two have fun with that one."
"Ahh the aggressive and dangerous. What is there not to love?" Nick asked with grin.
"I know right?"
Oliver snorted with smile and walked on with everyone behind him, as he was moving to the next mammal. He began briefing.
"This bunny right here is profiled as Steve Levron. Age thirty. This guy... Is a complete mystery to us. There are no records of him at all in our register.
Also, there seems to be almost nothing that would lead him to higher crime lords or activity. That or he's very cautious. He has lot of business cards and building on his name.
In other words, he is very rich mammal. It does not just make sense for someone like him to do deals like this... Other than that,
he only asks for more coffee time to time and adjusts his tie. He seems very calm about the situation,
considering that he is about to be charged for trying to buy and market night howlers. He said that his lawyers will be here any hour now. From what I make of his attitude, it almost looks like... I dunno.. Like he is going to get away with this or something." Oliver said.
"Pfft. That is the last thing that will happen." Bogo grunted as they moved to next room.
Nick tried to keep his expression solid but felt a bit creeps as they were about to meet the rottweiler that almost stabbed him. But when he saw the rottweiler sit on his chair,
looking like he was about to die to boredom any moment now, it looked quite odd to see him like that. He was dressed on his black leather jacket and black beanie.
The dog was adjusting it all the time to different positions on his head. He was scraping something on the metal table with his claw. He was doing circle and x game over and over.
Just when Oliver was about to talk, the dog suddenly banged his head once to the table, yelling from behind the glass.
"FOR FUCKS SAKE, CAN SOMEONE EVEN PLAY CARDS WITH ME?! I AM GOING INSANE!"
Oliver cleared his throat after giving amused smile as all three waited the info with serious looks.
"Now this guy right here is far from careful as one can be. We have quite a file about him. Roy Briggs. Also known as... "Slash" Roy.
Age twenty-seven. In his record we have five assaults. Was charged for two attempted murders but was bailed because of the lack of evidence.
The first time he was under aged and the next time, the victim was too scared to testify against him. We have his address, credit card,
files and we even have his paw prints and everything. He ain't really saying anything to us, he just begs us to ummm..."
Oliver turned his gaze to everyone and Bogo spoke.
"Just spit it out, what does this scum want?"
"... He wants a bottle of whiskey and playing cards with someone, chief. Poker to be exact. He also wants a knife. He said he promised not to swing it at anyone if he gets it."
Judy shook her head from this, Oliver giving her the look of agreement. Colorful case this dog. Nick didn't know what to think about him.
Bogo looked at the dog and sighed.
"Denied. Keep going with the info."
"Right, umm. We tried to find all the possible info about the parents. It seems that they.. Both died in the car accident when he was very young... Sad case.
Ended up in the orphanage and escaped in the age of fifteen. Did not go to school much either after his folks passed. Has a history of violence at young age and petty thefts.
Is known to be very deadly when it comes to knives. It reads here that every single assault or attempted murder he has been involved in, there is use of a knife in it almost every time. Also, he is very popular among hire able bodyguards among criminals."
"Well I'll be darned. How has this kind of a guy gotten away from ZPD's radar with things like that? Shouldn't he be in jail?" Nick asked in wonder.
He did feel a bit bad for the guy for losing his parents in young age though. No one should go through that. So he did feel sympathy,
as he gazed at the rottweiler, who was groaning from boredom and kept writing something with his claw on his metal table.
"He should, but most of the assaults that we know of were committed before he was eighteen. So there was no option of sending him in jail.
He has stayed out of things like that after that... Or he has just become more careful. I guess more careful. Might have even killed someone for all we know.
I umm... I think should mention something rather.. Disturbing. You are going to want to hear this, dude."
Oliver said and looked at Nick, wanting to see his reaction.
Everyone waited for him to continue.
"It is written here that we cleaned him out of all his knives, there was umm... Twelve of them."
Everyone raised their eyebrows and quickly took a look of the dog in the room before looking Oliver again.
"Twelve?!" Nick ask'd a bit louder than he intended to.
"... Yeah.. He really likes his knives." Oliver said in disturbed tone.
"Why would he carry that many?" Judy asked like the thought was insane.
"Lets... Continue to the last one." Bogo suggested and signaled them to keep going till the end of the hallway.
They continued till they reached the end and Oliver pointed his pen to the another dog inside the room.
"This guy here is Mike Rollins. Age twenty-six. This is quite an odd case. The profile really does not add up, considering his company.
This guy has no criminal record of any kind, besides of a few parking tickets. We have his parents contact numbers and they have been informed that their son has been arrested.
He also ummmm.. Personally requested to see Nichol-.. Officer Wilde here for some reason." Oliver quickly fixed with small blush.
Bogo and Judy turned their eyes on him as the chief clearly demanded some kind of explanation.
"Yeah I ummm... Know him. He is one of my best friends. I assure you, I had no idea that he was involved in something like this.
I haven't seem him since I joined the ZPD academy."
Bogo said nothing and just eyed him for a while until he sighed.
"Well if you know this mammal, you better try to make him talk for his sake."
"I will try my best chief, you have my word." Nick said and looked at his friend.
Bogo look'd a bit confused when Nick did not annoy him with some kind of comeback or joke.
He had expected at least something. Nick just clearly cared about this dog.
He cleared his throat and spoke after moment of silence.
"Well, Hopps and Wilde you have quite a lot of work ahead of you. I'll leave you to it.
I'll expect results."
Bogo finished and walked his way out of the hallway.
He closed the door and the metallic sound echoed for a moment in a long hall.
There came a quiet moment after Oliver spoke.
"I will be watching the situation from the outside and make sure everything is recorded.
It is your choice that who you two want to start with. That alright man? Or do you two need me inside?" Oliver asked with smile.
"We got this, Oliver." Judy said with smile, tapping his uniform with friendly suggestion.
Oliver was about to faint a bit from being spoken by this famous bunny like he was her friend or something.
No wonder Nick liked her outside of work as well. Oliver just nodded and gave goofy smile back from that.
Nick then took a look at Judy, almost like asking her lead.
She smiled back and eyed the rooms.
"Slick, may I suggest that we try the rottweiler first? Briggs?
He probably won't tell anything anyway, so we can just get it out of the way.
Also, I really want to yell at him." Judy said with frustrated expression, looking at Roy's way.
Nick sighed and nodded.
"Fine, let's see if we get him to talk. Let's go."
Judy opened the door and entered the room with Nick beside her.
Rottweiler did not even lift his gaze and kept on writing something on the table. He had expected for Oliver to do some normal check in again.
"Row row row ya boat all way down the stream... Do you, do you, do you have, a bottle of whiskey for meee?" He sang with bored tone.
Judy began with bored tone, taking control of the situation right away.
"No, we don't. Drinking is not allowed here. And Mister Briggs, we are more than glad to make you pay us for a new table if you want.
How do you even play cross and circle with yourself?" Judy asked in confusion and hopped on the chair and Nick sat on his.
Roy slowly raised his gaze and when he realized the officers sitting front of him, a large smile came on his face. Celebrities. Awesome.
"Mmmmmmm, well isn't it sewer cop number one and number two. Quite a unique plan, I do give that. I like the imagination.
Which one of you two planned that one?" He chuckled.
"I came up with that one." Nick added with grin. It seemed like this guy had at least some kind of sense of humor, so he wanted to try the ice a bit.
The dog chuckled again and leaned back on his chair, making himself comfortable. Judy gave a bit annoyed look at Roy the moment he laid his feet on the table, but didn't say anything.
"I figured as much. Foxes can be smart like that. Nice idea to use a trash can lid as shield too. Very impressive.
You are probably the only one who has survived my little slashing and dashing without scratch." He said with a bit of passive aggressive tone.
Nick knew how to play this game too. Besides, here he could not get physical.
"Felt like good idea at the moment. You really know how to use those knives."
Now the rottweiler leaned in and gave a large grin and laughed a bit in surprise.
"Why thank you kindly. It is always nice to have feedback from my art work. Practicing three hours everyday can be quite rewarding." He said smugly.
"Well, maybe you should make it to hour four. You missed. Kinda poor shot." Nick said with cocky tone.
Instead of getting angry,
the dog was quiet for two seconds, then breaking into almost psychotic laugh and leaned in to look at Nick with interested gaze.
"Ohhooooo... I like that attitude. Yeah, I will make it four hours. I admit, I missed bad alright. Don't worry officer..." He eyed his badge quickly and finished.
"Wilde... Haha, famous Nicholas Wilde... I'll make sure I aim better next time. Honest." He said with determined tone and raised his paws in the air.
Nick took the challenge of this behavior, smiling back.
"You do that, Roy. Your name is quite cute for a tough guy like you, by the way."
The expression changed a bit on Roy now.
Nick could see that for a moment from Roy's eye that there was idea of jumping over the table and maybe punching him,
but it was going down. He just bit his underlip while having wide grin, clearly liking Nick's attack of words. It was refreshing.
"Heheee, I like you fox. You have nice vibe around you, officer Wilde.
I wonder if you would smile like this if we would be on that alley again without this bunny." Roy grinned.
"Knives are not allowed then." Nick added.
"... Fair. We have to take a rematch some time. Let's see if I don't fuck you up." Roy chuckled, measuring this fox with his gaze.
Nick was about to continue something back until Judy came between the absurd conversation.
"Okay, mister Briggs! I have had enough of this! You tell me everything you know about the deal and who Jack Garlow works for!"
Roy first flinched and roared with laugh, making Judy's eye twitch.
"Oooohohoh boy, she is full of fire isn't she?! Where did that come from. Oh, dumb me. This is everything I should had expected from the hero of Zootopia. Is she always this straightforward, officer Wilde?"
"You better do as she says, you don't want to see her angry." He said with genuine voice, a bit taken aback from Judy's sudden fired up mode himself as well.
"I might want to. She's making me kind of freaky.
Besides, she is taking this way too seriously.
Let me tell you, if you were a rottweiler like me, I would treat you like a good little bit-"
If sight could murder, Judy had one now. It was enough to make Roy stop before finishing, Nick also looking at the rottweiler with warning look. He didn't like Judy being talked like that in any manner.
"Listen to me you idiot. I will make sure that you will go to jail for the rest of your life! You attempted to kill my partner, an officer of the law!
You have any idea how serious that is?! And also you are dealing night howlers?! You are worst of the worst! Do you have any idea how much death and chaos those things might cause?! No! You have never run away from a savage animal! I swear... Let's see how you crack your dirty jokes inside a padded cell!
And I can promise that sharpest thing you can reach there is plastic fork for your poor meals. When you talk to me, you talk with respect. Are we clear?!" Judy asked with serious tone, demanding respect.
Nick almost dropped his jaw as she stared angry Judy, standing on her chair, her paws as fist. Even Roy stared at Judy a bit wide eyed.
There was no hint of smile on him anymore. Now there was just a serious tone and measure of gazes as this rottweiler knew that Judy's attitude demanded to be taken seriously, even as opposite she looked.
"I did not know that Jack was dealing that shit. I know what it does and I was the one cheering when Bellwether got arrested.
I might like stabbing assholes but I have a moral too. I would have never gotten involved if I knew that he was dealing those things.
I am just a bodyguard! I do not ask questions, I protect, stand and stab if I need to. That's it!"
Nick and Judy both said nothing and stared the dog, who looked a while to be in a bit of anger but collected himself. Everything he had said had sounded genuinely true,
for some odd reason. He really seemed to despise Jack for involving him into anything that had something to do with those flowers.
He was still going to face attempted murder but the fact that he did not know about night howlers made sense. It would be weird for predators to be involved with something that almost destroyed their place in society half a year ago. That did not explain mister Garlow though, but he seemed nuts anyway.
Even more than Roy.
Judy placed her paws on her hips and spoke.
"You must know something. Anything at all." She demanded.
Roy leaned back on his chair and smiled again.
"I know many things, officer Hopps." Roy assured with smile.
"Do you know where Jack got his night howlers?" Nick asked.
"Look. If I start giving possible names on the table, I would break the code and get maybe even get killed. I really would not like to kill anyone." Roy said with serious tone.
"So you just decided to start a change of heart from my partner huh?" Judy asked in disgust.
Roy then raised and eyebrow to that, going a bit silent. He then looked at Nick and spoke.
"I was not going to kill him."
"Yeah, you were just going to carve a little Z in my forehead, right?" Nick asked with bored expression.
"I have never killed anyone. I wasn't going to start from you either." Roy claimed with annoyed look.
"You can tell that to the judge." Judy said with disbelief, not believing this dog at all.
"Fuck you."
"You want to repeat that one?" Judy asked right away, looking at Roy with murdering look.
Roy stared back at Judy, then looking at Nick and talking to him.
"You lived in these streets just like me, Wilde. Yeah I remember you know. Big name around the block for many years. Didn't you roll with Mike back in the day?
He must feel a bit betrayed. I mean fuck, my sister bought stolen tv from you when you were like twenty or something.
You broke the code the most wicked way. You went to fucking police academy. You joined them."
"There is no us or them Roy. We are making Zootopia a better place. No matter how tough guy you want to look,
you know that it's true. Ever since ZPD got back on its feet, the crime rate has decreased over fifty percent.
This city is in better state than it has ever been. Things like Bellwether case can't happen again. You know this.
Just tell us what you know and we can maybe even shorten your sentence. Help us out here." Nick said, getting serious.
"I am not disrespecting the po po or their profession, I am saying that you are fucking disgrace for the hustlers. I wonder how many of your friends you have snitched since joining." Roy claimed, looking at Nick.
"NONE." Nick said, the claim actually making him a bit angry.
"So you say. Just know that your early life is never going to take you back if you change your mind." Roy whistled.
"Why would I want to hustle popsicles or anything anymore?" Nick asked in annoyance.
"Once a hustler, always a hustler." Roy said with knowing look.
Nick was silent for a while, knowing that it was true. The part of him still had that need and want inside the do hustles.
Judy looked at Nick with studying gaze, wondering what he was thinking right now. He had changed. He was not the same anymore. He was a police now.
"Roy, just tell us what you know. We will protect you." Nick said, sighing.
"No. Even if what you say is true, nothing can protect me or my sister when they find out I snitched.
If you really think that... Let's say as example, mister big found out I have told all his operations to the police,
you think couple of cops on my sister's door will make difference? If you do, you are both fools.
I will serve my sentence like a male. Screw the alternatives." Roy said, showing them middle finger.
Judy and Nick did not know how to answer. They both knew that what he said made sense in some level.
Nick knew exactly what mammals like mister big were capable of if they wanted. But Judy did not like mister big talked about like that. In her eyes, he was a good person.
"You really should consider the options here, Roy." Judy started.
"I have. I won't say shit. Try your luck with Jack. Maybe he will tell you everything you need to know.
Hell, if you let me in his room right now I can give him a black eye for dealing night howlers. Wait, more than that,
I will beat him up royally. Deal?"
"Thanks for your help, mister Briggs... Enjoy jail." Judy sighed in disappointment and signaled Nick to leave with her.
Nick and Judy took off from their chairs and walked to the door. Still, Judy turned around to say something before closing the door behind her.
"You will be moved to Sahara square station from here. There you will wait your trial and final sentence.
...You can still cooperate Briggs. Make it easier." She said with genuine tone, but the disgust remaining in her look.
Roy leaned in from his chair and put on maniac looking smile and spoke warmly.
"I'll pass on that one, officer Hopps. I do enjoy traveling. Sahara square sounds nice. Warm sands and all.
Maybe I even have better luck stashing something sharp with me while I'm in there. Was nice meeting you, Wilde and Hopps."
Roy said with actual genuine tone and looked back at the table, starting to continue his bored games.
Judy gave annoyed head shake and look on him, Nick not saying anything either. This interview didn't go well.
They both closed the door and left without answering.
"We tried, whiskers. How about we do Mike fast? I think he has waited long enough.
I really want to check on him." Nick said the moment he closed the door behind him.
Judy nodded and followed Nick to the last door of the hall.
Nick opened the door and smiled as Mike quickly lifted his eye's from the table.
"Dude! Where the hell have you been?! I swear these have been the worst hours of my life!" The golden retriever yelled in frustration.
"Ease up, Mike. I'm here now. Let's just settle down." Nick said with smile, very happy about much better mammal to interrogate.
Judy and Nick sat on their chairs and took a comfortable position before starting.
"Look, Nick. I can't tell you anything. They will kill me if I do."
"Let's just take kit steps here buddy. Let's start with the beginning.
How on earth did you start working with a guy like Jack anyway?
What did you tell Fin and Ben about your new job?"
"Look, I told them that I have stable job now and that I don't want to hustle anymore. They were sad but said they understood.
They would freak out if I told I worked for Jack freaking Garlow. But there was so much money in it that I couldn't say no.
You know I would do anything to make my brother walk again. He needs this. I am doing everything I can to make that happen.
I never had to beat anyone up, he mostly just needs my expertise on counting money, collection information about mammals,
and I buying his cigars, work as his driver and all those things. I am not bad mammal Nick, you have to believe me!"
The dog was in a bit of a panic again and it was showing.
"Hey hey Mike, take it easy. I believe you. I have known you since I was a kit. I know you don't like violence.
I do have several questions I want to be answered and you have to answer to them as best as you can.
That is how we can begin, okay?"
"Dude, it really depends on the questions. I can't give names." He said carefully.
"I'm afraid you have to give us something here, Mister Rollins.
We have called your parents already." Judy spoke for the first time.
Mike's eyes widened in terror and his jaw dropped.
"YOU CALLED MY PARENTS!?"
"Heyheyhey Mike, settle down!" Nick pleaded.
"Oh hell to the fuck no, I am so dead, Nick! My folks think I stopped doing my runs with you and the boys!
They think I work as a car salesman at Tundra town! I am so screwed! If they find out I work for the mobsters,
I will be disowned! Why did you call them?!"
Mike was on verge of almost crying. Even Nick panicked a bit. Judy felt really bad for Mike too, even if she did not know him personally,
she saw that he was far from bad mammal. Just desperate one.
"Your parents are not going to disown you Mike! Calm down!
We don't have to tell them the details! We can make something up!"
"NICK! We can't do such thing!" Judy looked at Nick with confusion.
Suddenly Mike took Judy's paw, making her almost jump a bit as he started whimpering.
"Officer Hopps I beg you, just make something up! Just say that I stole something or I crashed someones car or anything! Just... Don't tell that I work for the mob...
It will destroy them!"
Judy look'd sad as the dog look'd at her eyes, begging her to not tell the truth to his parents.
"I... Listen mister Rollins, I don't have to go to details with them. I can talk with Bogo and I...
We can try work something out. But you have to cooperate if we are to do that. You have to tell us something important."
She assured with calming voice.
Mike gasped for air and tried to collect himself as best as he could.
"Buddy just tell us what you know. Start from the beginning. Take all the time you need."
Mike took a moment and looked at the table. He felt a bit defeated.
He was going to have to tell all he knew. Jack would be outraged. He thought things through but talking to the police was his only option. Other road was way darker.
"I... I was hanging around the bar called Orson's about half a year ago. Around the time you joined the academy.
I met Jack that day. He was drinking whiskey at the corner. We started randomly talking to each other about things.
He seemed very rich. Out of nowhere he said that he liked my attitude on life and such. I'm not sure what he meant but he was always good to me. He took me in and offered me work. I ask'd what kind of work did he mean.
He told he was working for... Mister Big. I was alarmed first of course, since everyone around the city knew him.
I had never met him in person but Finnick told me that he had tried to ice you during your investigation about night howlers case. Even Weaselton told me that he was going to ice him once too, when I was buying dvd from him. That already told me that I should stay away from someone like him."
Mike now raised his gaze and saw that the two were still following his story very carefully. He kept going after a while.
"Jack told me that there was no need to worry. I took his word even if I as scared. He introduced me to his boss,
Mister Big the next day. He was very... Unique personality. Very professional. But I guess.. You two knew that already.
Jack vouched for me and told him that I was good mammal to work with. Mister Big suddenly told that he knew me.
He knew me as your friend. He told me that your best friend, Judy Hopps, was godmother to her daughters child.
It was hard to believe since you were umm.. You know... Police?" Mike said carefully.
"Long story." Judy added with small smile and pleaded him to continue.
"Right uhm. Nevertheless, he welcomed me to his operations and ordered to me work as Jack's right paw on his jobs.
It went smoothly for about five months. I made a lot of money. Not enough but.. A lot. I even told mister big about my parents and that they thought I was working as car's salesman. Jack offered an idea to talk to owner of local car shop with a bit of.. Persuasion.. And call from Mister Big himself. The owner acted as employer and I, as his boss when my folks came to see that i wasn't lying about having honest job. They were so proud of me.
My brother was too. Even Finnick and Ben believed me when they visited the place."
After a while Nick ask'd something.
"You said that everything was okay for five months. What happened?"
"I... I think there happened something odd between him and Mister Big. Jack started to drink more and got more angry all the time.
I really don't know what happened. He told that he would not allow me to see Mister Big or talk to him. He said that from now on, I was only working for him. I did not know what to think but he always treated me like I was his... I mean we.. Ummm... We are kinda are umm.. Close."
Mike did not finish and a small faint blush on him told Judy right away what he meant, making her eyes wide.
"... Oh... That must had... Complicated things.." Judy said quietly, looking at Nick. The fox did not even know what to say to that one.
It seemed a lot could happen in five months. Nick knew that Mike was bi-sexual but fooling around with dangerous mobster...
"Mike... You are saying that you are together with this Garlow guy?"
"... He loves me... I know that I love him too." Mike whispered quietly, looking down at the table.
Judy tried not to daww at that but gave faint smile, wondering what to think about Jack right now. Nick looked a bit disturbed. He could have gone into this stage with any guy but with someone this dangerous?
After awkward silence Mike cleared his throat and continued.
"So I did as I was told. Night before you two arrested me, he told me that there was great deal happening the next day with someone called Steve Levron.
He told that the deal was his ticket out of whatever trouble he was in, and told me that this would be the last deal he would ever make.
He told that I would get one hundred thousand with Roy after the deal. I... Look I have no idea where he might had gotten those flowers,
or anything else. This is all I know. I swear it."
Judy looked at Nick.
"This... This is lot of information that we can use mister Rollins. Thank you for your cooperation.
I'll see what i can do with concerning your parents. You have my word." Judy said warmly and gave assuring smile.
Mike silently nodded and Nick smiled to him too.
"Don't worry buddy. Things are not looking bad as they seem.
You helped us a lot. Chief will agree, I'm sure."
After a moment Mike spoke.
"All I wonder is that... What Jack will do to me when he knows I told you all this...
I feel like I have betrayed him but... I have been worried about him lately.. I just hope that he..."
"He does not need to know that you told anything. And if he finds out, remember that ZPD can protect you.
Besides, if he... Has feelings for you, he will understand." Judy assured him.
It seemed to ease him up a little.
"So... Judy and I are going to grab a coffee and then we move to Jack.
We bring some for you on our way back, okay Mike?"
"... Okay." He said. You could still feel a bit fear in his tone because of things that were going to happen.
They exited the room and Nick spoke up.
"Well that went better than I imag-"
"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" Bogo roared out of nowhere.
Judy and Nick practically jumped as they saw Bogo roaring on the hall.
In front of Bogo, stood about four antelopes in blue suits. Clearly the lawyers, no mistake in that.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT HE IS FREE?!" Bogo yelled in anger, as Steve stood there with wide and innocent smile on his face.
"What on earth...?" Judy and Nick blurted out at the same time as they started walking towards the group.