Hello again, my dear readers! If you haven't noticed, this chapter is a bit shorter than the others. Looking at my previous chapters, I felt like I was compacting too much of the story into a single one, and would end up with sometimes more than 10,000 words. I was thinking of putting in more chapters to even out the events that are happening. This would also allow me to give out updates more frequently as compared to me finishing a 10,000 word chapter in one go.
Also, please bear with me. I already have a lot on my plate as of the moment and free time is becoming some sort of rarity. It may be a few weeks interval with my chapters, but I am, in no way, stopping this story. I will see it until the end.
Lastly, please leave a review! It REALLY helps me continue this story and serves as my inspiration.
Disclaimer: *Weasleton voice* I own nothin'.
Chapter 7: Close Call
Nick and Judy raced to their cruiser, the fox barely noticing that the other officers were mobilizing as well. Judy flung the door to the driver's side open, making it very clear that she was the one to drive. Nick knew that it was for the best. She was the better driver of the two, and in his current state of gripping trepidation, driving wouldn't be the safest thing to do at the moment.
He briefed Judy what little Vivian told him, and it seemed to spur the rabbit faster. With phone still on his paw, he could hear his mother's erratic breathing. He could barely imagine the terror she must be experiencing. The thought of his mother being in any danger made him sick to the stomach. He jumped in the cruiser and shut the door with a bang as Judy gunned the engine.
"Mom? Are you still there?"
He was answered by a shaky albeit whispered yes.
"Alright. Where are you exactly in the house?" he asked, barely managing to keep his voice steady. Try as he might, he could barely get a hold of himself. He feared that hearing him panic would just scare the vixen more.
"I-in the kitchen. I tripped and knocked the table down…"
Nick grimaced. If she was on the floor with no crutch to pull herself up he knew that she would have a hard time standing up. "Ok. Try to move as quietly as possible to somewhere hidden. Crawl if you have to, just… just don't make a sound. Can you hear where he is?" He was keeping his voice as quiet as possible, lest the intruder hears him on her phone. Surveying the situation is key to formulating a plan. Telling his mother what to do could prevent her from devolving into full blown panic. But if he were honest with himself, he was doing this to calm and reassure himself as much as he was doing it for the vixen.
There was a slight pause before she replied. "I can't hear him."
This was bad. Without any assurance to where the intruder was, going to other parts of the house would be risky. And with his mother's condition telling her to find a way out was out of the question. Based on what his mother said, Derek was injured, possibly dead. She was all alone with a mammal that could easily kill her. The only solution was to hide until they arrive.
He was about to reply to her when he heard a bang over the phone, followed by Vivian's pained yip. A loud thud came next.
Nick froze at the sounds.
"Mom!? Mom, what happened?" He said, his voice cracking.
His question was met with silence.
"Mom!?"
He looked at the phone and noticed that the call ended.
The loud bang and the thud reverberated in his mind, mockingly repeating themselves over and over again as he stared at the blank screen. That was definitely a gunshot, and hearing Vivian's yelp... He gripped his chest, feeling like he couldn't breathe.
No… no no no no NO! Oh god no please!
Hearing the tod's breaths start to hitch, Judy called out to him. His name was voiced multiple times, but her words barely registered to him. She saw her fox begin to hyperventilate, his breaths short and haggard, his eyes wide and frantic as tears streamed down his face. Judy had seen this before. Having hundreds of brothers and sisters, she remembered easing them out of full blown panic attacks. It was fairly common for rabbits with their hyperactive and periodically jittery nature. But this was the first time seeing her fox appear like he was about to scream. The call seemed to have ended, she noticed. Whatever he heard meant that something happened to Vivian. It was all she could do not to stop the car and ease Nick out of the attack. She couldn't bear seeing him that way, but time was of the essence.
"Nick!" She called out, but was once again ignored by the fox. She can see him squeezing his chest, looking as if he might tear his uniform. She cannot have Nick in this state now that they are only a few blocks away. She needed to get his attention.
"Nick!"
Nothing.
"Nicholas Piberius Wilde!"
At the mention of his whole name, Nick snapped to her direction, his wide, frantic eyes looking at the doe. Giving out a sign that she finally had his attention, she spoke as calmly as possible. "It's going to be alright, ok? We're almost there and Vivian is safe. Vivian. Is. Safe. Do you hear me?"
Nick didn't reply.
"I said do you hear me?" she repeated a bit forceful.
This time he gave a small nod, his breathing slowly going back to normal. She's right. His mom was fine. She wasn't hurt. Whatever those sounds where they were different from what he was thinking. He closed his eyes shut as he tried to will away gruesome images that taunted his subconscious. He took few deeper breaths and opened his eyes once more. This time he could register his surroundings once again, his body slumping back to his seat from his rigid state.
He was about to thank Judy when the radio crackled. Bogo's voice came in clear. "Hopps. Wilde. What exactly are we looking at here?"
Nick grabbed the radio as the bunny just began to reach for it. "I'll take care of it, Fluff." He said, voice hoarse and grating. He gave her a grateful look as she glanced at him. She smiled as he realized that she got to him. She's the only one who can do that.
He glanced back and saw Bogo's cruiser tailing them. "Mom heard some gunshots outside. Her nurse Derek might be injured or worse, so send in a bus." He paused, trying desperately to keep himself calm. "I…I heard another gunshot from the phone just as the call ended. The suspect might be inside the house, so we need to clear it."
There was a slight pause before Bogo replied. "She'll be alright, Wilde."
Hearing his usually gruff boss sound so caring calmed him further. Though with broiling anxiousness preventing him from quipping back a joke, he was grateful nonetheless.
"I sent in Delgato and McHorn as well. Their patrol route is near the area. They should be en route." The chief continued.
"10-4 Chief."
A few seconds later they finally arrived at Vivian's house. Nick and Judy wasted no time exiting the car, not bothering to turn the engine off. Their paws immediately went to their tranq pistols as they approached the building. Glancing back, Nick saw Bogo exit his cruiser, weapon at the ready.
As they approached the front porch, Judy gasped at the scene before them.
Derek was slumped on the door, two large holes on his chest as he oozed out his life essence. His eyes were already unseeing, the perpetual look of surprise etched in his unmoving face. A bag of groceries lay scattered around him, the paper bags stained by his blood. They already knew he was dead, but Judy bent down to check to see of there's still a pulse. Feeling nothing, she looked back at the chief and shook her head.
Nick on the other paw, felt like he was about to hurl. A mammal he considered as a friend was slumped down like a sack of meat. This could be mom… Panic began to seize him once again and he turned the door open, rushing inside with pistols up.
"ZPD!" He shouted, scanning the living room.
He never thought that he would be breaking in his own mother's house, yet here he was, desperately wishing that she was unhurt. Judy and Bogo entered behind him, already checking to see the other rooms. The buffalo ascended the stairs while Judy went for the dining room and the surrounding area. Seeing no one in the vicinity, Nick immediately made his way to the kitchen.
As he reached the entrance way, he stopped. The center table was knocked in its side, different ingredients staining the floor. The stove was still on, whatever that was cooking smelled burned. At his left, he saw Vivian's wheelchair overturned, but the vixen was nowhere in sight. His eyes darted from left to right, looking for the vixen.
"Mom!?" He shouted, wanting to tear out his own fur in worry.
"N-Nick?" A shaky voice replied.
At the sound of her mother's voice he ran to the other side of the table, finally seeing Vivian. She was hunched down on the floor on a fetal position. She was hugging her tail, making sure to stay hidden and quiet as possible. Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, he bent down to the shaking vixen. He scanned her for injuries, thankfully finding none.
"Oh god you're alright." He said as he pulled Vivian up a bit and encased her in a protective hug. He held her against him, the familiar, maternal scent flooding his senses as his instinctual mind was now reassured, not wanting to let his mother go. She held on to the tod for dear life. "You're safe, Mom. You're safe." He said, finding solace in his own words.
The panic and sheer terror finally took its toll on the elderly vixen. Vivian broke down as her son held her tight. Tears stained his uniform as her grip tightened, her wails soft yet effusive. She had never been more scared in her life, but now she knew she was safe.
Nick heard Judy and Bogo shout that the building was clear. There was no sign of the suspect anywhere, which meant that he already left the scene. Judy entered the kitchen with Bogo behind her, going around the table and knelt next to the crying fox. She gave Nick a soft smile, grateful that Vivian was safe. Nick released a bit of his hold, letting Judy in the hug. There the three felt at peace as of the moment.
Bogo approached the stove and turned off the flames. He set the burned pan to the side, afraid that it might fall and injure the others. He eyed the three mammals near him, his gaze falling on Vivian. It was his first time seeing Wilde's mother. Her hands were shaking so much as she wrapped them around the tod. He mentioned that his mother had Parkinson's Disease, now evident for the buffalo if her trembling paws were any indication. He could only imagine the ordeal she just went through.
Sirens began to flood around them, signaling that paramedics have arrived. He knelt next to the trio. "Paramedics are here." He said, holding out a hoof to Vivian. "I could carry her to them."
Nick gave him a questioning look slightly surprised at the sudden gesture. Why is the chief offering to lift her to the ambulance? He could very well do it himself. He looked at the saddened gaze of the buffalo, and surprisingly, saw a hint of steely determination in his eyes. Then it stuck him. Derek's body was still at the doorway. He couldn't let Vivian see that. Such gore shouldn't be seen by anyone.
Bogo was doing him a favor.
Nick nodded, "That would be great chief. Thank you." It was the buffalo's first time seeing such a genuine smile from the fox.
Releasing her hold on Nick and Judy, Vivian eyed the offered hoof, then at Bogo's face. "You must be Chief Bogo." She said, her voice hoarse from crying.
Bogo nodded, smiling sadly. "In the flesh, Ma'am."
Looking at Nick for encouragement, she saw the small nod from the tod. She let herself get lifted by the hulking buffalo. She was afraid that she might be a bit heavy for him, yet to her slight surprise she was carried effortlessly, though with immense solicitude. She felt like a kit in the arms of her parents, but she didn't care. She was too tired to walk. And she felt safe with the chief of police literally carrying her.
As they made their way towards the living room, she realized that she was nearing the front door. The vixen seized up, suddenly remembering what happened moments before.
The gunshot.
The thud on the door.
Derek.
Her shaking suddenly increased and did not go unnoticed by the buffalo.
"W-what happened to Derek?" she asked, look up at the chief's face. She so desperately wanted him to be fine. He was already part of her family and owed him for taking care of her all these months. She eyed the buffalo, waiting to hear any confirmation that he was well and unharmed like her.
The silence and sorrowful look on his face said it all.
Vivian's mouth hung agape, unable to process that someone she considered a real friend, someone almost like a son to her, was gone. Derek was killed. Murdered on the steps of her own house. She turned her dazed look towards Nick, giving her the same sad look as Bogo's.
He was gone.
Derek was gone.
Something died in Vivian at that moment, confusion and grief broiling inside her in extremes. She let her body slump back on Bogo, who wished he could say anything to ease the vixen's thoughts. Yet he could only state that she may want to close her eyes when they pass the doorway.
Vivian could only comply as she felt fresh tears well up in her eyes when she closed them. She began sobbing quietly, too tired to do anything else.
Nick gazed at his mother sadly, knowing how much Derek meant to her. Even he himself could barely accept the fact that Derek, a mammal whom he ideated a close bond akin to brothers, a dear friend of his, was murdered in cold blood.
He could hardly look at his body when they exited through the front door.
And I just heard his voice this morning…
Sensing the obvious distress in Nick's face as they crossed the porch, Judy took hold of his hand, crossing her fingers twixt his as she gave it a soft squeeze. The action seemed to calm him a bit. Nick glanced at her and gave her a sad smile. During vulnerable times, he could always count on Judy to be there for him.
They would be examining the body later, but at that moment all he wanted was to get her mom to the paramedics to be taken care of.
As they left the building, another police cruiser was just arriving. Delgato and McHorn stepped out of their vehicle, slightly confused at seeing their chief carrying a weeping vixen in his arms. They went straight to him.
"Chief. Sorry for the delay. We just ended a chase that sent us to the edge of the district when you called." Said the Delgato.
Bogo nodded, carefully adjusting Vivian in his arms. "Noted. Just secure the crime scene and wait for ZSOCO. I already sent word to Stavros that we have another body. He and his team are on their way."
The lion and rhino gave a quick salute and made their way to the porch.
Seeing the buffalo arriving, the paramedics immediately went to work. Bogo carefully set her down on a chair provided for her. Nick went to his mother's side immediately, helping her shaking form in sitting down. The responders were already asking the vixen questions on her current state. Sadly, she could only reply with small nod or a minute shake of the head.
After a few minutes of meticulous testing and observations, it appeared that the only injury she suffered was a bruised chest from when she fell on the table. Most of the damage was, unfortunately, psychological. All the stress and grief were eating up the vixen, leaving her in an almost catatonic state. Though responsive to the questions aimed at her, she said no other words. As soon as it was certain there were no other injuries, they encased her in a trauma blanket. She shakily grasped the edges of the sheet like a lifeline.
Nick could do nothing but encase her mother in a hug once more as he whispered soothing words to her. The only confirmation that she was able to hear him was the slow nods she made at whatever soothing statements her kit was addressing to her.
Judy let the two be for the moment. Looking back, she saw Bogo looking at the pair of foxes with despondent eyes. If his far out gaze towards the foxes was anything to go by, he had a lot on his mind as of the moment. She knew that this wasn't the first time he was in a situation similar to this. As chief he had seen a lot of death, sadness, and close calls. But that doesn't mean that it was any easier for him seeing it again. It was not a wonder anymore why the gruff buffalo always kept up a tough guy persona.
Slowly she approached him, the buffalo not taking his eyes off the mother and son pair. "You alright, chief?" she asked.
Expecting to be dismissed, she was slightly surprised when he gave her a somewhat straight answer. "Yeah. Just… thinking." He said softly.
Judy decided to push with the questioning. "About what?"
He let out a sigh. He contemplated on whether he should answer her or not. He didn't like others butting in his personal life. He kept a tight lip, even from his partner during his beat cop days. Yet as he gazed around, the dark surroundings were illuminated by blaring red and blue lights. Curious mammals were already gathering near the crime scene, the chaos and brutality evident to all those around. This was another close call, but this time it was with another officer's family. Seeing how Nick cared for his mother deeply, someone he loved, being in danger made the buffalo's stomach churn.
Someone he loved…
His words escaped him before he even realized it. "I can't imagine how it feels like knowing your love one is in danger like that."
"Your family?" Judy replied.
Bogo shook his head. "No family."
Judy chose her next word very carefully. "Clawhauser?"
Bogo stiffened at the mention of the cheetah. He looked down at the bunny. There was no smirk, no sly smile, no sneer or hints of accusation in her face. Instead, she looked genuinely concerned. About what, he didn't know.
He was about to deny her claim when sudden morbid images of Ben lying on the ground, a hole in his chest as blood pooled around him entered his mind.
He let out a shaky sigh.
"I'll go check on the body." He said, already turning around. "We need to ask Mrs. Wilde some questions about what had transpired, but that's obviously not going to happen at the moment. I think it's best if you and Wilde do the questioning tomorrow when she's calmed down."
Slightly miffed at the topic being changed, she knew there's still a job to do. She gave him a crisp salute. "Yes, sir."
She watched him saunter back to the house, feeling hopeful that her suspicions were not outright dismissed by Bogo.
She turned back and approached the foxes. Vivian seemed to have calmed down and was just resting her head in Nick's shoulder. Sensing her approach, the vixen lifted her head and reached out her arms in an almost desperate invitation. Judy gave her a small smile as he happily accepted the hug. She could smell the salty tang of tears on her dress. Feeling her shaking hands wrap around Judy, the rabbit soothed Vivian's back.
"It's going to be ok." She whispered.
Vivian gave a small nod as a response.
They stayed like that for a few moments. Releasing her hold on Vivian, she glanced at Nick, seeing him looking at the house a few feet away from them. Saying to Vivian that she'll be right back, he made her way towards him.
Sensing Judy's gaze on him, he turned his attention towards her, a troubled look at his face. "Mom's going to need to sleep elsewhere for a few days. I was thinking of our apartment where we could also keep her safe." He let out a sigh, like he was about to give bad news. "But I don't think it's possible for us to be there all the time. We still need to solve this case since we might have something new to go on. I'm… I'm scared about this happening again."
Judy contemplated for a moment. He was right. They couldn't simply stay at their apartment the whole day since catching this serial killer is top priority. Vivian would need someone to help her if need be. And with what she had been through, she needed someplace to feel safe and with someone they can trust to protect and be with her. That, and the fact that the duo's apartment was cramped and hard to move around in.
A sudden idea popped in her mind.
"She could stay with my parents for the meantime." She said. "The rooms in the Palm Hotel are more than enough to accommodate them. They'll be staying here for the whole week. We can just ask to station an officer there for added security."
Nick lit up at the idea. Additional security, not to mention being in Zootopia's most regaled hotel would help take her mind off of everything that happened. Vivian and Judy's parents already met a few times before and was already aware of her condition. They just need Bogo's permission to cement the deal. He was almost positive that the buffalo would agree to it.
Nick smiled. "That's actually great, Carrots. You go on talk to Bogo while I mention this to Mom."
Judy nodded, going straight to the buffalo who was already barking orders to McHorn and Delgato.
The fox walked back to Vivian, the later leaning on the side of the ambulance. Seeing him approach, she gave him a depressed smile. Once more, he put one of his arm over her, pulling her near his side. Softly, he spoke, hoping that her new arrangements would distract her for a while. "Judy and I talked about where you would be staying. Though we want you to stay at our apartment, we can't be there twenty-four seven since we need to close this case as soon as possible. So…"
He released his hold on her and knelt in front, a smile creasing his face. "You would be staying with Judy's parents in the meantime. There's a farming convention in Zootopia and they would be staying at the Palm Hotel for the week. I've seen their rooms before and is more than enough to accommodate you. As soon as we have Bogo's yes, we'll call Bonnie and Stu, and drive you there."
Seeing her face light up a bit at the fact that she would be staying at the famous Palm Hotel brought a small sliver of joy to the reynard. "Are-are you sure? I could just rent a hotel near here. I don't want to be trouble to Bonnie and Stu."
Nick let out a small laugh, which earned a slight glare from his mother. "Oh mom. Even after everything that happened you're still thinking about others before yourself." He grabbed a hold of one of her shaking paws and nuzzled his cheek into it. His next words were said gently. "You really are the best mammal in the world."
Vivian smiled at that, beginning to pet his son. "I know, and don't you forget it."
Nick chuckled, happy that his mom was smiling again. He still couldn't comprehend that he almost lost her today. This case was hitting too close to home, and he morbidly wondered who among his loved ones would be next. At that grim thought he nuzzled deeper into her paw, a sudden bout of sorrow creeping into his words.
"I could have lost you today." He said, closing his eyes at the feel of Vivian gliding her shaking thumb on his cheek. "When the call ended and I heard the gunshots… I…I panicked. I just froze on the spot and suddenly couldn't breathe." His voice cracked at the end, remembering what happened in their cruiser. Hopefully he would never experience something like that again. "I was so scared…"
Vivian's breath hitched at how deeply affected her son was. Seeing him now, so perturbed and helpless. She had to remember that even though she went out almost unscathed, the panic he must have felt for her safety on their way to the house would be soul-crushing. He must have misinterpreted what he had heard over the phone. She heard another gunshot when she began crawling to a safe place at that time, as what she had told him, and startled her. She gave a frightened cry and dropped her phone, abruptly ending the call. He must have taken those sounds differently.
He must have thought I was shot or something.
Oh my sweet kit…
"I'm sorry for upsetting you, Nicky." She said tenderly.
Nick shook his head. "You don't have to apologize for anything. I'm just glad you're safe."
They stayed that way for a few moments more, only moving when they saw Judy walking towards them with Bogo beside her. Nick released his hold on Vivian's paw and straightened himself.
Bogo felt a bit embarrassed at disrupting such a moment between the two foxes, but the provisions have already been permitted for Vivian and he wanted to share it to them himself. He slowly approached the pair, giving the softest smile he could manage. "Mrs. Wilde, how are you feeling?"
"I'm a bit better now, Chief Bogo. Thank you.''
The buffalo gave a small nod back, "That's good." He paused for a bit. "Now, Hopps told me of the arrangements they've made for your temporary residence in the Palm Hotel. I already called in one of my officers, Officer Wolford, to be your security detail for the duration of your stay. He would meet you later at the hotel."
He knelt in front of her as he continued. "Since you are officially a witness in our current investigation, you are under the protection of the ZPD. Any expenses would be covered by the department, though I understand that you would be staying with Hopps's parents. This would be convenient in both of our parts as you wouldn't have trouble feeling comfortable. She has already called them and are already informed." Bogo hesitated with his next words, hopeful that he would not further stress the vixen. "Though this comes with the fact that you would be questioned regarding everything that you have witnessed. Normally we would ask you to give your statement in the precinct, but with your condition, we have made an exception. I tasked Wilde and Hopps to this for your convenience so as not to cause you more discomfort. I understand that you would be needing time to rest from everything that has happened, so it would be ideal to have the questioning tomorrow."
Everything that has been laid out by the buffalo in front of her sounded so…procedural, that it was a lot for the vixen to take in. Nevertheless, there was nothing she had heard that would inconvenience her. Of course, she was going to be asked regarding her ordeal, but she was beyond glad that Judy and Nick were the ones tasked to do it. She would definitely feel comfortable talking to them.
Everything, she realized, was arranged with her well-being in mind, something she was entirely grateful for.
With shaky legs, she suddenly stood up from her seat, much to everyone's surprise. Bogo suddenly found himself encased in the vixen's hug. He tentatively froze at the sudden contact, not sure of what to do. "Thank you, Chief Bogo." Said Vivian, completely ignorant of the way he flinched.
After a few short, agonizing seconds, he responded by patting the back of the vixen. The way he looked could only be described as flustered (he only hoped he hid it well enough from Wilde and Hopps, or they wouldn't let him live it down). "Like I said, we were just doing our job." was the only response he could give.
Releasing her hold, she took hold of his arm and gave it a small pat. "You care a lot for other mammals, especially to the officers under you. That much is evident. You are a good mammal, Chief Bogo."
The buffalo can't help but smile at her words, though he could not deny that he was a bit surprised in hearing them. He has been a cop for decades now, yet this was the first time someone complement him as the vixen did.
How on earth is a mammal as sweet as her related to someone as obnoxious as Nicholas Wilde?
Slowly, he stood from his kneeling position, feeling a small flicker of giddiness he had never felt in a long time course through him. As chief he always made it a point to show mammals that he meant business. Being the first prey police chief, there were not-so covert and clandestine instances that mammals thought he wasn't cut out for the job. They assumed that since he is a prey mammal that he lacked the ferocity and unyielding firmness needed for the title.
Oh how he proved them wrong.
"Thank you, Mrs. Wilde." Sensing that the conversation was over, he glanced back at the house, noticing the increasing number of mammals around the building. Reporters have begun swarming the scene, and would no doubt feature the murder as the headline for the morning news. McHorn and Delgato were starting to have a bit of difficulty keeping the civilians at bay and was evident even from a distance. He would have to intervene.
He looked at his two smallest officers. "Wilde. You and Hoops will be escorting Vivian to the hotel. Return here once Wolford has arrived to relieve you. Let's get as much done here as possible before we call it a day."
Despite the growing fatigue apparent in their eyes, they gave a quick salute, then returned their attention to Vivian.
As he made his way back to the crime scene, with every step that he took, the vixen's words rang clear in his mind.
You care a lot for other mammals, especially to the officers under you. That much is evident.
The weight of these words was not lost to him. The mere fact that someone outside of the ZPD viewpoint regard him as such was already saying something. He carried the title Chief with pride, and everybody knew that if you mess with an officer of the ZPD, you mess with Bogo. It was not unknown that he already has a notorious reputation with Internal Affairs, stemming from his unwavering defense to the officers accused when he knew that they were innocent. He swore he might have already traumatized a mammal of two.
He would do anything for his officers, that much was certain.
And he would damn well catch any mammal who would dare hurt them or their family.
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