Chapter 11
Chief Bogo came stomping up to Nick and Judy. "So I take it I was correct in my assumptions that your involved in this case?" He said slowly crossing his arms over his broad chest.
Nick closed his slack jaw mouth and looked at Chief. "Yes Sir I knew Percy in college he was one of the guys that I hung out with but as for this." He said gesturing at the bloody message on the wall. "I have no idea what the hell this is about or why anyone would even kill him, he was just working a dead end job at the Hoof Locker in Savannah Central."
Chief Bogo snorted. "Alright you two report to the precinct we will let them finish this up, but Wilde keep this in mind if you think of anything you report it to me don't go vigilante on us." He said leaning down looking directly into Nick's emerald eyes. "Do I make myself clear?"
Nick throws up a crisp salute. "Yes Sir, crystal clear." Nick said loudly. "Will Higgins be giving us a ride back Sir?"
Chief Bogo turned around walking back to the officers investigating, waving a hoof dismissively at them over his shoulder. "Yes that's fine just let him know that I will be there hopefully with more information on all this."
Turning and trotting away from the scene Judy looks up at Nick's face, she could see the pain, the confusion behind his eyes and also a simmering determination. "Nick are you ok?"
Nick looks down at Judy and frowned slightly. "No not really Fluff from the looks of things it seems like they targeted him specifically to get to me." He heaved a long sigh. "That means he died just because he knew me in college, we barely even talked after we graduated." Shaking his head he continued. "I don't know anyone capable of this, whoever they are though they won't get away with it."
Judy nodded in understanding as they both walked back to the police tape. "Hey Higgins!" Judy called out to get his attention. "Chief said to give us a lift back to the station and that he will be there as soon as he can be."
Higgins saw them and nodded his head as he heard it. "Alright lets head back, not like I'm doing a whole lot of good here anyway." Gesturing to the cruiser as he slowly made his way to. The trip back to the station was a lot slower and more subdued. Judy kept watching Nick but he was staring listlessly out the window deep in thought.
Pulling up to the station they went inside. Seeing that even Benji wasn't his normally cheerful self. "Hey you two." Benji called out somberly. "Chief wants you guys to do some paperwork today."
Nick snorted. "Yea sure he does he just wants to keep an eye on me." He said irritably stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Judy looks at him crossly. "Nick that's not true Chief trusts you I'm sure there is just a lot of back log paperwork that needs doing."
Benji looked at her sorrowfully. "Actually Judy Nick is right Chief does want to keep an eye on him but its to make sure the media doesn't get to him before we have more answers." He said looking over the top of his desk at her.
Judy huffed in annoyance. "What does he think Nick's going to give the ZPD a bad reputation?" She grumbled out.
Nick rolled his eyes. "No Fluff I think he wants to keep me hidden so who ever the killer doesn't get anything out of this, I think he wants to keep this as quiet as possible so the killer doesn't get notoriety." Ruffling her ears gently he smiles. "Because we both know how the media blows things out of proportion, remember the nighthowler fiasco?"
Judy pushed his paw away and then covered her eyes with her own paws groaning. "Oh god don't remind me, that was terrible I almost destroyed the city."
Nick chuckled pushing her slightly. "Oh please destroy this city?" He gestured wildly. "Clearly everyone here loves each other all the time, we never had any riots or even hate crimes before you arrived Officer Fluff." He said sarcastically wiggling his eyebrows at her humorously.
Shoving Nick roughly . "Har Har real funny there Slick, you know what I meant." Judy said smiling.
Nick put on a thinking face a placed a claw under his chin like he was seriously considering her question. "Hmmm do I know that? Yes yes I do." He said smiling slyly at Judy and winking at her.
"You guys are sooooooo adorable!" Benji said having set his chubby head on his hands and just watched them banter back and forth, a bit more cheerful than before.
Judy and Nick both blushed realizing they had forgotten Benji was standing right there and that they weren't alone. Coughing slightly. "So where are our case files we have to enter into the system?" Judy asked.
Smiling like he got the last doughnut from the box Benji pointed over to their cubical. "They are already on your desks." He said sweetly. "Don't get too distracted you two, some work does need to get done today."
Waving goodbye to him as Nick and Judy walked away to start the work day. Nick commented over his shoulder. "Oh work always happens buddy Bunnies know how to multitask... OOF." The noise provided as Judy slugged him in the gut hard.
Benji just shook his head and giggled as he turned back to face the front doors wondering how either of them get any work done with how much they banter, but no one can argue how well they work together and how good that work is.
Getting into the cubical Judy whirled on Nick a blush very evident in her cheeks. "What the actual fuck Nick!? Are you trying to get us into trouble?" She hissed out at him trying to keep this quiet.
Nick looked right back at Judy with his signature look, hooded eyes and smug smile. "Oh? What about your whole homemade blueberry protein shake comment the other day?" He says pointing a claw accusingly at Judy.
With her eyes wide at how suggestive that actually sounded. "That well... that... I didn't know what to say I was nervous!" Judy stuttered out quietly.
Nick stuck his tongue out at Judy. "See don't go throwing blame at me when you do it too." He said smiling and winking at her so she knew he was having fun at her expense. "So you ready to burn through these reports partner?" he asked.
"Sure you read it out loud and then I type and and after lunch switch?" Judy asked as she hopped up into her seat and logged into her computer and brought up the online filing system.
Nick climbed into his seat and grabbed his stack of reports. "Sure thing Carrots ready when you are."
*SEVEN BORING HOURS LATER*
Nick leaned back in his chair flexing his paws and stretching back groaning. "Uhhhhh... Now I remember why I prefer being in the field." He said jokingly to Judy as she put all of the paper reports back into the folder and into the out box signifying that they had finished for the day.
Standing up Judy smiled. "You ready to clock out Nick?" She asked as she grabbed her things.
Nick laughed and got out of his chair smiling down at her. "I've been ready to clock out since we got here partner." Grabbing his aviators off the desk he put them in his pocket as they both headed out of their cubical. They ran right into Chief Bogo as he was coming to find them.
"I need to see you both in my office before you leave." He said quietly and then just as quickly he went to his office.
Judy frowned and looked at Nick she could see worry written all over his face. "Lets go see what he wants then we can head to my place for a relaxing movie night and try to forget today sound good?" She asked as she reached for his paw and gave it an affectionate squeeze.
Nick looked down and smiled warmly. "I would really like that Judy." He said lovingly as they proceeded to Chief Bogo's office. Arriving at his door Nick knocked three times.
"Enter." Came the gruff reply. Opening the door Nick allowed Judy to go in first and then shut the door quietly behind himself. Chief Bogo sat behind his desk taking a few aspirin and drinking some water. "Please be seated you two." He said somberly.
Climbing up into the seat first Judy scooted over making room for Nick. "Is everything ok Chief?" She asked quietly as Nick made his way into the seat next to her placing his paws in his lap.
Shaking his head slowly. "No unfortunately its not once the media got wind of this and reported on it I received a call from the Director of the ZBI." He slowly pinched the bridge of his snout as if hoping it would relieve some of the pressure from his mounting headache.
Judy and Nick looked at each other in shock. "What does this have to do with the ZBI?" Judy asked timidly.
Chief Bogo sighed. "Apparently this is the work of a serial killer and this is not the first victim, so I am being faxed the other case files this evening and in the morning an agent will be here to head the investigation." Standing up from behind his desk the Chief made his way to the door. "Now I expect both of you here on time tomorrow and to look your best." He then looked directly at Nick. "And to be on your best behavior as well."
Nick and Judy salute. "Yes Sir." They say in unison as they headed out the door. Going down stairs and clocking out Nick stopped Judy. "Hang on a second let me grab my duffle bag of extra clothes out of my locker real quick." Zipping in and grabbing his bag they continue out the door and down the street to Judy's apartment.
After thirty minutes of walking and listening to Nick complaining about how far away she lived and how its not even a proper apartment more like a closet. They finally arrived and Judy noticed at some point Nick had grabbed her paw and they walked paw in paw to her place. Feeling him squeeze her paw she looked up at him and saw him smilingly warmly down at her. "You did say you wanted today to be more romantic love." He cooed at her making her blush.
Heading up the stairs to her door they went in and Nick got comfortable on her bed and started setting up her laptop so they could pick a movie. After getting it set up he placed the laptop on her desk he watched her making popcorn in her microwave. "So what kind of movie are you feeling tonight Carrots?" He asked while moving the pillows around so he could lean back comfortably.
Pouring the popcorn into a bowl she looked over at Nick and stuck her tongue out. "I'm feeling like a romantic comedy tonight." She said smiling watching Nick groan and roll his eyes. Walking over to him and looking up at him she pointed at his lap. "Is this seat taken?"
Cocking an eyebrow at Judy Nick replied. "Who else but my beautiful bunny girlfriend would sit here?" He reached down and picked her up planting her firmly in his lap.
Nuzzling against the bottom of his jaw. "Good answer Slick." As she felt his arms wrap around her holding her close, she reached over and used the mouse to select a RomCom.
As they settled in for the night, after the movie Nick kissed Judy on top of the head as he tucked her in. "I love you so much Judy." He whispered in her ear as he took off his shirt and laid down next to her, curling his body around her with his tail coming to rest on top her like a fluffy blanket.
Judy snuggled back into Nick's chest feeling his bare fur and the heat coming off of him. "I love you too Nick with all my heart."
Nick quietly snickered to himself. "Can it be you love me with all your bunny butt? Because that is a lot bigger then your... oooph." He grunted as she elbowed him in the chest.
"Nicholas Piberious Wilde don't you dare finish that sentence." She hissed at him playfully.
Smirking to himself he nibbled lightly on her ear before replying. "Yes dear." Nuzzling Judy's neck he mumbled "Good Night Carrots."
Snuggling closer and stroking his soft tail. "Good Night Nick." Judy replied quietly.
The next morning at five AM. They both woke up and kissed passionately before getting up and getting ready. Taking turns in the shower they got ready slowly taking their time making sure their grooming and uniforms were immaculate, all while sneaking kisses and groping each other when possible.
Finally ready they set out, and down the street heading for the coffee shop they frequent quite often due to Nick's coffee dependency. Talking back and forth about the case and what the agent is going to be like, unaware they are being watched from inside a car. The individual growls and crushes a coffee cup in its paw as it watched Nick and Judy laughing about something Nick said all while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
After getting coffee and some pastries to munch on as they walk, Nick turned and looks at Judy with a serious expression on his muzzle. "Judy I want you to promise me to be careful on this case."
Judy looks at Nick curiously. "I will Nick, why wouldn't I be?" She asked taking another sip of her decaf carrot latte.
Nick sighed and ran his paw over his ears. "It's just this case is kinda hitting closer to home with me, you know with Percy being killed and all so I'm just worried."
Judy grabbed his uniform tie and pulled him down giving him a loving kiss. "It's going to be all ok you dumb fox." She said sweetly as she let him stand back up before she smoothed out his tie. "Now let's get to the precinct."
As they turned and keep walking a black car pulled out of a parking stall where it had been idling the driver flipping an illegal U turn and heading in the opposite direction of Nick and Judy. Finally arriving at the ZPD they head up and talk to Benji. "Hey Benji!" Nick calls out as they approach.
Benji turned and waved enthusiastically. "Hey you two! You guys look like our ready to take on the world." Benji said cheerfully as he looked down at them from over his desk. "If you guys wanna head in I think Bogo is in his office with the agent already so they will be down shortly."
Thanking Benji Nick and Judy went into the bullpen and took their usual shared seat right up front next to Officer McHorn. Listening to all the chatter in the bullpen it instantly quieted down as the Chief entered. "Before we get started with handing out assignments we have a ZBI agent with us today who is going to pick out a special task force." Chief Bogo says gesturing to the door with his hoof. "Let me introduce Agent Savage."
Judy instantly notices Nick tense up the pencil he was toying with was now gripped hard in his paw. She saw him glaring hatefully as a tall gray jack rabbit entered through the door Chief did. He was wearing a fitted black suit that matched the black stripes he had on his face. Walking up to and standing next to the podium Chief was using.
The agent looked directly at Nick with piercing blue eyes. "Hello again Nicholas." He said with a very smug smile on his face.
That was when Nick's anger boiled over and the pencil snapped in his paw. "Jack." Nick growled out in anger.