Chapter 10
Judy and Nick drove back to the police station to share their evidence with Chief Bogo. On the way back, Nick kept reading the case files over and over, and it started to drive Judy a bit crazy.
"Nick, stop reading those files." Judy sternly requested.
"Jamal…Judy something does not seem right about Jamal…"
Judy groaned. "If there is something odd Chief Bogo will find that out. He is the police chief after all."
Nick shrugged in agreement. But still, if Jamal did not do it then who did? And to solve a murder case you need a motive, and the only person Judy can think of from the top of her head is Jamal. Jamal is a jealous friend; it would only make sense for Jamal to kill him. Mr. Ligma is the only person who knows exactly what had happened, but he is no longer here. Judy became increasingly irritated as she thought about Mr. Ligma's voice being rested in her hands. Judy does not know who would be a key witness, certainly not the wife. Jamal was the only one who had a motive, but he also had a pretty legit alibi.
Judy and Nick finally arrived to the police station for what had seemed like forever, Chief Bogo was in his office, as usual. Judy took a few steps over to the chief's office, and gestured Nick to come and follow her. Chief's door was cracked open.
Judy popped her head in. "Hello sir, we just have a case file that we would like you to read."
Chief Bogo adjusted his glasses. "Alright, bring it here."
Judy approached him with the file and handed it over to him. She trusted Chief Bogo more than any other police officer in the force with her. Chief scanned the document over and looked at Judy.
"You're telling me you haven't interviewed Jamal yet?"
Judy blushed in embarrassment. "Well, you know an interview can be very stressful, sir."
Chief Bogo slammed his hands onto his forehead. "Hopps you need to bring Jamal into headquarters for an interview before you can add him onto the case profile. You should know that. You were top of your class."
Judy's ears drooped. How could she have forgotten that? Now, Jamal's statement is totally useless in the eyes of the law. At this point, Judy had just straight up forgotten common practice of the law. It seemed she had gotten so wound up in this case, she forgot the simple but very important facts. Her heart sank into her stomach and her eyes swelled. She felt like the true definition of a failure.
Nick walked up behind Judy and rubbed her back. "Oh it's alright, Carrots, it was just a simple mistake."
Judy felt tears build up into her eyes, waiting to sprinkle out like backyard sprinklers. "No, Nick. No it was not just a simple mistake. Now it will be even harder to solve this case. Imagine how ridiculous we would look if we asked Jamal for another interview. We are supposed to be trusted."
Nick thought for a moment. He did not quite understand the meaning of being a cop yet, or even an investigator. He only saw an upset rabbit and what appeared to be a simple mistake to him. Just as Judy had dangled the case file by her tail in disappointment, Nick noticed a photo paperclipped behind Jamal's. He could barely make out a raccoon tail. "Carrots, may I please have the file?"
Without hesitation, Judy handed Nick the case file. What more harm could he do to it anyway? Nick examined the photo carefully, noticing the racoon looked strangely similar to Mr. Ligma. He pointed it out to Juddy. "Carrots, have you noticed this guy before?"
Judy examined the photo for a few seconds before she knew exactly who it was. "Hey, that's Donnie Ligma, Mr. Ligma's brother!" She read the description. "Although, I have no idea why he would be in this case file. It states Mr. Ligma had no siblings."
Nick tapped his chin. "I think we need to see this Donnie."