Destiny of Merida Bogo Chapter 9
Merida and Judy were in for it when they were taken to Chief Bogo's office.
Merida sat in front of her father's desk with Judy feeling like she was back at school in the principles office. That was the general feeling she was getting off of this as her father read off the violations they made while out in the field pursuing that thief.
"Abandoning your post. Inciting a scurry. Reckless endangerment of rodents. But, to be fair…," said Chief Bogo, sarcastically, removing his glasses and dropping the thief's duffle bag on top of his desk, "you did stop a master criminal from stealing two dozen moldy onions."
"Hate to disagree with you, Sir, but those aren't onions. Those are a crocus varietal called midnicampun holicithias. They're a Class-C botanical, Sir," said Judy, proudly to Chief Bogo's impassive face. "I grew up in a family where plant husbandry was kind of a thing."
Merida groaned shaking her head. She loved Judy. She was her best friend, but sometimes she didn't really know when to shut her freaking mouth. It honestly astounded how dense her colleague could be. She on the other hand wisely remained silent.
Chief Bogo shared the same sentiments though displayed his displeasure far differently.
"Shut your tiny mouth now," shouted Chief Bogo, angrily. He took the duffle bag placing it and its contents back on the floor beside his desk.
"Sir, we got the bad guy. That's our job," said Judy, not seeing what his issue big here was.
"Your job is putting tickets on parked cars," said Chief Bogo.
The intercom on Chief Bogo's phone clicked and Clawhauser's voice could be heard from the other end, saying "Chief, Mrs. Otterton's here to see you again."
Pressing a button on his phone, gruffly, Chief Bogo said "Not now."
"Okay, I just didn't know if you'd want to take it this time. She seems really upset," rambled Clawhauser.
"Not now," boomed Chief Bogo, forcefully, irritated.
Merida felt it was time for her to intercede.
"Dad," exclaimed Merida, leaning forward, grabbing his attention in an instant. Usually in this setting Merida would've kept protocol and addressed him by his rank, but not now. "We don't want to be meter maids. We want to be real cops."
"Do you think the mayor asked me what I wanted when you were assigned to me," retorted Chief Bogo.
"But, Dad, we-," said Merida.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Merida, life isn't some cartoon musical where you sing a little song and your insipid dreams magically come true. So let it go," warned Chief Bogo.
Okay that was a cheap shot. He knew that Frozen was her favorite movie growing up as a child. Oh he was in a world of hurt for that one.
Between the pain Judy involuntarily shrunk back in her seat, ears drooping on her hea, to avoid the explosion that's bound to come from these two.
Before that catastrophic event could occur the office door abruptly opened with Mrs. Otterton frantically rushing inside.
"Chief Bogo, please. Five minutes of your time. Please," begged Mrs. Otterton, tearfully.
Following in behind her was Clawhauser completely out of breath sagging against the doorframe clutching the knob.
Panting heavily, Clawhauser said "I'm sorry, Sir. I tried to stop her. She is supper-slippery. I gotta go sit down." A hand supporting his back Clawhauser staggered out of the office on trembling legs ready to collapse.
Rising from his desk to meet Mrs. Otterton, demeanor shifting from being aggressive to patient and comforting, Chief Bogo said "Ma'am, as I've told you, we're doing everything we can."
Taking a photograph of her entire family out to show to Chief Bogo, Mrs. Otterton said "My husband has been missing for 10 days. His name is Emmitt Otterton."
"Yes, I know," said Chief Bogo, softly.
"He's a florist. We have two beautiful children. He would never just disappear," said Mrs. Otterton.
As this went on Merida stared at the picture in Mrs. Otterton's hands. Two kids, a mother, and a father…everything a loving family should look like. In the house where she grew up the only pictures that held more than one person were of Merida and her father, but without her mother. They were incomplete. She never got a chance to know her mother so Merida didn't know the pain of losing a family she'd gotten to know and love so dearly. This family of otter's obviously did.
Merida exchanged a look with Judy. That one look showed Merida that they both were on the exact same page. A fire deftly rises inside them.
"Ma'am, our detectives are very busy," said Chief Bogo, gently, trying desperately to coax the otter wife and mother out.
"Please," sobbed Mrs. Otterton, tears glistening in her eyes refusing to fall. "There's got to be someone to find my Emmitt."
"Mrs. Otterton-," sighed Chief Bogo.
"We will find him," interjected Merida, standing from her chair.
Judy followed suit smiling at Mrs. Otterton.
"Thank you," gasped Mrs. Otterton, running over to hug the pair, overjoyed someone was finally going to do something to help make whole her family. "Bless you, bless you, you both."
Merida turned her eyes towards her father meeting his furious glare head on, saying "Don't thank us yet, Mrs. Otterton. Save it for when we find him."
Offering the picture of her family to them, eyes wide, Mrs. Otterton said "Take this. Find my Emmitt. Bring him home to me and my babies please."
Judy accepted the photo.
Nodding, Merida promised "We will."
Holding the door open for Mrs. Otterton, Chief Bogo said "Mrs. Otterton, please wait out here."
"Of course. Thank you so much," said Mrs. Otterton, happily to Merida and Judy.
"One second," said Chief Bogo, shutting the door.
Merida then braced herself as she saw her father's easygoing persona leave replaced with the real Chief Bogo.
Slowly turning to face the duo, teeth gritted, Chief Bogo said "You're fired."
In the process of slipping the picture into her pocket for safekeeping, exasperated, Judy exclaimed "What? Why?"
"Insubordination! Now. I'm going to open this door and you're going to tell that otter you two are former meter maids with delusions of grandeur who will not be taking the case," said Chief Bogo, throwing the door and received a punch to the face.
There was Assistant Mayor Bellwether holding Mrs. Otterton's hand supportively. Mrs. Otterton had just finished telling her what had transpired in that office along with the good news that came with it.
"I just heard Officer Hopps and Officer Bogo are taking the case," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether, ecstatic.
Shocked, putting on a miserable fake smile, Chief Bogo said "Assistant Mayor Bellwether."
"The Mammal Inclusion Initiative is really starting to pay off. Mayor Lionheart is gonna be so jazzed," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether, doing a tiny jig on her feet as she texted the Mayor on her phone.
"No, let's not tell the Mayor just yet," said Chief Bogo.
Too late.
"And I've sent it and it is done, so I did that," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether, ignoring Chief Bogo, pocketing her phone as she waltzed in to speak to the two rookies.
Chief Bogo smacked a hand to his face rubbing his eyes feeling a headache coming on. There was no way he could fire Merida and Judy now without looking the fool and appearing like he didn't care with both the Mayor and Assistant Mayor in favor of the two. Inwardly Chief Bogo knew he couldn't get out of this one.
"Well, I'd say the case is in good hands," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether, having full confidence in the pair. She took Judy's hands in hers as Merida took a knee to become closer to her height level. "Us little guys really need to stick together, right?"
"Like glue," said Judy, using the appropriate metaphor.
Laughing in amusement at the joke, pushing her glasses back onto her face as they were tipping off her nose, Assistant Mayor Bellwether said "Good one. Just call me if you ever need anything, okay? You always got a friend at City Hall, Judy? You too, Merida."
"No worries there. We'll be sure to call if we need you," said Merida, aiming a smug smirk at her father.
If Chief Bogo had been born a predator the entire building would be filled with his growl.
"All right, bye-bye," said Assistant Mayor Bellwether, dancing on her feet as she left with Mrs. Otterton.
"Thank you, Ma'am," said Judy, waving farewell as Chief Bogo shut the door to shut everyone else out.
Merida could visibly see her father slump in defeat. He'd been neatly pushed into a corner and he knew it. Merida and Judy stared expectantly at Chief Bogo waiting for the answer they knew was coming.
"I will give you 48 hours," allowed Chief Bogo.
"Yes," said Judy, high-fiving with Merida.
"That's two days to find Emmitt Otterton," said Chief Bogo.
Nodding in consent, Judy said "Okay."
"But, you strike out, you resign," sneered Chief Bogo, condescendingly.
The terms were totally unreasonable and unfair, but what choice did they have. This was their one chance to prove themselves, maybe their only chance. They weren't going to waste it no matter the risks.
"Deal," said Judy, confidently.
"Splendid. Clawhauser will give you the complete case file," said Chief Bogo, smiling softly as he held the door open for them. In
Judy walked out first with Merida lagging behind.
She said "You go on, Judy. I'll meet you there."
Already suspecting what her partner wanted Judy booked it for Clawhauser's desk.
Facing her father, crossing her arms, Merida said "Two days. Seriously?"
In his mindset he had them. Chief Bogo knew without a doubt no one could solve a case this big in only two days time. It would take a miracle for them to do it. One he couldn't see happening.
Shrugging, Chief Bogo said "You said you two wanted to be cops. Well good cops solve cases like this within assigned timeframes given to them."
Merida scoffed "So that's how it is then?"
Brow raised, Chief Bogo said "I thought you said you wanted a chance to prove yourselves. Well this is it. Take it or leave it."
"Fine," she snarled, shoving passed him.
But Chief Bogo grabbed her arm making her stop.
"What is it now," demanded Merida, miffed.
"There's one more thing to be added to the terms I've given you. I don't care what the bunny does after this. She could be transferred to another division and I wouldn't waste another thought on her, but you…When this is over you will not give another day to being a police officer. You'll give it up for life. Understood," said Chief Bogo, fiercely.
Merida stubbornly looked away.
"Merida," he said, shaking her arm a little.
"All right," conceded Merida, "but I have something to say to you, Father. This deal goes both ways. When and I mean when Judy and I succeed you will actually start giving us real cases, never putting us on those awful meters again, and you will stop harassing me about being a cop for life."
There was silence as Chief Bogo stood at his full height trying to intimidate her, but Merida refused to back down. She is her father's daughter after all. Then Chief Bogo held out his hand and they shook on it.
The pact is made. Only time will tell who on which side would come out right and the other shamed.
Authors Note:
Well things are getting pretty heated with these two.
Oh boy. Nick you better watch out. Ha! Ha! ;)