Zootopia: Ace Detectives

I do not own Zootopia, rights belong to Disney.

Chapter 3: The Badgering Reporter.

"Well this is a new one..." Nick said looking up at the massive hole while Judy and Kain looked around the display. The three had set up some police tape while Nozzleworth closed the museum.

"Hey, Kain, look here." Judy said picking up a piece of paper. Kain took it from her and studied it. The handwriting was horrible and scribbled, but he managed to make out a few words.

Zodiac Relic Locations-

Lucky Cat Antiques- Checked.

Monkey Pawn Shop- Checked.

The Marquis' Manor- Checked.

Dogsberg Museum- DELAYED. Our agent didn't retrieve the Comet Stone fragment! Our Hacker better help him steal it before it arrives to Zootopia...Or else.

The rest of it was torn off...Hmm...

"Looks like this is a group project." Kain said showing it to the two. "There's even the Dogsberg Museum where the comet stone should've been stolen." He then handed it to the two before reaching into his pockets and pulling out his favorite bag of crunchy dog bones, before taking one out and popping it into his mouth.

"Bad guys today really should find a better place to store their secret plans." Nick said looking at it with a sly smile.

"Yes! Now we just have to feed the handwriting to the crime database and a find a match." Judy started but saw Kain's concerned look.

"Good thinking, Judy. But..." Kain said before adding. "The handwriting is so bad, It'll take months to search through the entire database."

"Looks like we'll have to do this the fashion way." Nick said before pointing at a row in the list. "Let's stop by this Marquis' guy's place. It was one of the most recent hits."

"I don't remember a place like that." Judy murmured looking at the list. "And without an address we could be going at it for a while."

"Well it lucky for you that this fox right here know's a thing or two about our Marquis friend." Nick answered looking at his paw with pride. "Back before I became a cop I did a few cons for this Marquis guy, got a few antiques for his collection." Nick said walking away from the two. "You see, the marquis was a very into old stuff, treasures, knick-knacks, I'll leave if up to your imagination, Carrots." Nick then looked to Kain. "Biscuits." Kain then bit down on the bone he was chewing. Whatever he was stress or thinking he would chew on one of his bone snacks until it been whittled away to a pale twig.

"And just so happens his place is just a short walk from where we parked." Nick said gesturing out the window he was standing next to. Across the vista was a stately manor sitting on the top of a large rain forest tree.

"Well, Clap, Clap, Clap. Wilde." Kain said putting his paws together in a clapping fashion. "Maybe this partnership wasn't so bad after all." He thought to himself.

"Well, We can't just sit here. Let's go pay the Marquis a visit." Judy said looking over at the manor in the distance. Nick then walked ahead just as Kain stopped Judy. "Hm?"

"Look...I..." Kain began scratching the back of his head. "Uh, Noting. Let's get going." He passed it off before passing the rabbit before suddenly they heard the window opening and a badger climbing through. The badger was dressed in a brown jacket and tie and was carrying a instant camera.

"Hey, This is a crime scene." Nick said turning. The badger just grumbled.

"Well, I wouldn't be breaking and entering to gather newsworthy stuff if it wasn't." The badger mumbled before seeing the three's police badges. "Uh oh." He then turned around and began to quickly climb out.

"You just admitted to a crime!" Kain shouted grabbing him by the collar and lifting him back inside. He then muttered to himself. "If everyone did that, if would make my job so much easier."

"Hey, I'm a reporter, I'M supposed to be honest!" The badger said before the dog dropped him. The badger dusted himself off. "James Honeybucks, Reporter of the Daily Pine newspaper."

"Is that the paper that always gets thrown in the garbage before noon?" Nick asked slyly while the badger gave him a shocked look. "I'm sorry, I just saw a bunch of papers in the garbage cans we passed on our way here so-"

"Guh! SHUDDUP!" James shouted jumping up as he did. "The Pine been's through some tough times, but with this whole robbery business could put it back on the map, I could've published this morning if things weren't so hectic here last night-DOH!"

Judy spoke up. "And what happened here that was so hectic?"

"And why do you want to know?"

"Because..." Judy then held up a orange carrot pen and pressed the cleverly concealed play button.

"Well, I wouldn't be breaking and entering to gather newsworthy stuff if it wasn't."

She hit paused. "...If you don't tell us what you know, you'll be spending nine to ten weeks in prison on charges for trespassing in a police restricted area and attempting to break and enter." The badger gulped.

"A recording isn't enough to put you away, I'm afraid." Kain said stepping in. "But...We could interview your co-workers, your boss, about what you were doing last night and see if they can provide a solid alibi." Kain then frown. "Ready to talk? What happened last night?"

"Fine...You twisted my tail." James sighed shrugging. "I'll tell you my side of the story of what happened here."

To be continued.