A/N: Alright, so here's chapter 12. I'm very surprised that you all wanted Max to be part of the story. I thought for sure he'd just be a cameo that coincidentally helped Jack but because of your support, I think I may just found a role for him. So thanks, everyone. :)

Disclaimer: I own two characters here but the rest belongs to Disney.


"So how are things going on there?" said a female fox through the screen of a laptop.

"It was interesting," Jack said, putting on his shirt with him away from the camera while standing up. "The animals here are very… Well, interactive."

"Nothing like here in England?"

Jack sat back in front of the laptop after buttoning up his shirt. "Not at all," he said. "It's so… How do I say it…? Different?"

The vixen through the screen laughed. "You hardly ever say that," she said. "Which means you definitely like the place."

Jack shrugged with a silly smile. "More or less," he said.

The fox turned around quickly and then back at the screen. "I need to go," she said. "Editor-in-chief Krim is having a meeting with the Duke."

"Send my regards. And Nadya…"

"Hm?"

Jack glanced down for a second and shook his head with an assuring smile. "Just… Take care," he hesitantly.

She winked at him with a thumb up. "Always have and always will," she said.

He chuckled. "See you soon…" And with that, the video call disconnected. He leaned back in his chair and sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

Nadya… The secretary of the editor-in-chief… The vixen that has been helping him all those times after his old partner passed away. Even though she was a fox, she was the only one that he could trust. After all, she was the one that provided him the info about the case he was on right now. Only the small details though.

He was really grateful to her. And he just can't repay the things she's done for him. If only he knew… That deep down, he felt something. Just didn't realize it.

"Mr. Savage?" called someone behind the door.

The hare turned around and walked towards it, greeting the guest. Max.

"Morning," Max said.

"Morning…" he replied with a weak smile.

"So since you're going to the parade tonight, I figure you should at least join me and my friend for breakfast."

"I'd rather wait…" Just when the agent was about to close the door, Max quickly held it open.

"You seem interested in my gloves last night," Max reminded.

Jack's ears stood up and he just looked at the fox.

"I can tell you something about it. If you can at least have breakfast with us."

Jack sighed and looked back at him. That look in Jack's face, Max knew that Jack has some trust issues. And just when things were going so well.

"I'd like to know one thing…" Jack said. "Why are you trying that hard just to get me to eat breakfast with you?"

"Because I know…" he said. "I know that look you're doing. You're having a hard time trusting me, aren't you?"

Jack just stayed quiet, gripping on the doorknob.

"Is it because I'm a fox? That hares and foxes are natural enemies? I, for once, would at least like to show you, that not all foxes are what you think."

Jack's eyes opened a bit wider. The thought brought to Nadya and then to Nick. Both of them were foxes and now Max? His distrust towards foxes are starting to fade away but slowly. Yet, this tod was trying so hard to get him to join him for breakfast and in return provide information about his gloves.

He sighed, with his head slowly dropping down. "Alright…" he said.

Max smiled gently without showing his teeth. "We'll be at the dining hall," he said, taking a step back. "See ya soon."

Jack watched the fox jogged his way to the elevator and closed the door after he was far enough. He pinch his skin in between his eyes. He was really in such a headache. Everything seemed to happen so fast. First, he has his eyes set for Judy. Then, he became friends with Nick but still a rival. The mixed thought of Nadya back home was by far the most confusing. He knows he misses her but, he just did not realized he missed her more than he thinks.

He turned to the coat rack where his jacket was hanging and grabbed for it and afterwards putting it on. He dust off the sleeves hoping not to get anything on it, trying to look his best. As for the tie, he tied it but not neatly. For once, he didn't want it look good. He just let it loose a bit. He was just in no mood in trying to be fancy. After all, having breakfast with his hotel neighbors isn't considered as work.

In the dining hall…

"All I'm saying is, we gotta try to be nice," Max said. "We're neighbors after all."

Sophie chuckled and covered her mouth. "You're way too nice, Max…" she said, putting down her paw. "But hey, if you think so, then I'll go along with it."

"Pardon," said someone behind them, who happened to be the jack. "Sorry I'm late," he said, taking a seat opposite them.

Max frowned as he noticed something a little different about the secret agent today. "Your tie isn't… You know…" was all Max could say.

"I know…" Jack said, putting his elbows on the table and his cheek on the knuckles of his paw. "It's just… I thought I'd try something different." Jack actually wanted to say 'lazy', but he wouldn't want to tarnish his reputaton as a secret agent with that excuse. Even though it was towards mammals who have nothing to do with any of his case like the two sitting in front of him.

"Anyway," Max started. "You said you wanted to ask about the gloves?"

Jack's eyes blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Ask away."

Jack looked at him in confusion and snickered. "I'm… Confuse. Don't I owe you anything?"

"Nope. I said if you join us for breakfast, I'll answer your questions."

The hare was in disbelief. Is this fox trying to pull his legs? He's giving out answers just for attending breakfast with him and his friend.

"Max only wanted you to at least have some company," said Sophie. "He noticed how lonely you were and thought we'd have you along with us for breakfast together as neighbors."

"Temporarily that is," Max added. "That's why you should know that we're going back to the city once the parade is over. It'll be a long and tiring trip."

Jack was speechless. He just can't understand why Max was so nice to him. That only lasted a few seconds though before he snapped out of it.

"If so, then I appreciate your cooperation," he said, leaning forward. "First question: Who gave you those gloves?"

"My manager," Max answered without worried. "He got this for me for my birthday when the one I use to wear got burnt."

"Burnt?"

"Yea. There was an accident in a factory with a fire in Los Horserus. We were making glass and my own got burnt. Fake leather, I guess."

"Los Horserus you say… Is that where the gloves are made?"

"I don't think so. From what I heard, McKroc use to have its own store even. So it shouldn't be hard to find them on the internet."

The internet? Of course… Why didn't he think of that to begin with? Jack turned back to him. "How long have you been wearing it?"

Max looked up at the ceiling while counting with his fingers. "More than 5 years," he said.

"5 years…?" Jack thought. He looked at Max carefully. The fox looked way too young. "Um… Just… How old are you?" he asked trying to sound polite.

Max scratched his head. "Wow… Not glove-related at least. But I'm 20."

"You worked in a glass factory when you were 15 then?"

"Yep," Max said. "I ran away from home when I was 13 so… You know. I gotta find a job at least."

The fox was answering his question way too straightforward which brought some suspicions towards the hare. He placed his finger on his chin and thought for a moment. "Why exactly are you wearing them? Do you wear them every day everywhere? Even at home or while showering?"

This time Max didn't answer. He clenched his fist on the table.

Sophie then grabbed one of his paw. "He can't answer the first one…" she said. She looked back at Max. "Something… Happened to him when he… When WE were still kids. That's why he wears those gloves."

Jack bowed his head as an apology. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I didn't know."

"I can tell you this…" Max said. "Yes, I wear them everyday but only in public."

A cheetah waitress interrupted them when he brought them their breakfast. One was some twig fries along with some baked potatoes with mushroom soup poured on it for Jack, another was a bowl of salad soup for Sophie and lastly, a simple tuna sandwich for Max.

"Itadakimasu!" Max said with a wide smile.

Jack looked at how he's enjoying his sandwich. Which bugged him a bit. Max was so sad just now and just like that he recovered the moment his food came. It wasn't special nor did it have any special sauce. It was just tuna with bread in between.

It was enough to bring the hare to smile at least and get him to actually enjoy his own meal.

After breakfast, Max and Sophie said their goodbye to Jack as it will probably be the last time they will ever see him. They were on their way to the market to buy some souvenirs before the parade. Jack also thanked Max for giving him the information he needed.

And as Jack returned to his room, he quickl booted up his laptop and searched up for McKroc. He immediately went to the Wapitipedia page. He checked for any information the website could provide and soon found an article that he found interesting.

"On May 1996, the brand was shut down due to the endangerment of reptiles. Owner, Edward Claardvark had no idea that his employee, Cesar Pangato, was rushing the production of leather to the extend where the reptiles eventually became endangered. To this day, anyone seen with any McKroc brand clothing is considered rare and has very high value."

"So McKroc was shut down because the reptiles became endangered…" Jack said, biting on his thumb softly. "That explains why there are less of them. So they're considered antique now. I wonder…" Jack turned back to the jacket and examined it again. He pulled the jacket on either side and to test its toughness. It was really hard to even make a scratch on it.

He tossed it back on the table and sighed, looking at the time. He still has a few hours left before the parade begins. He shrugged and laid down on bed, trying to rest a bit before the time comes. He closed his eyes and embraced the cold breeze blowing from the AC. He breathed quietly and soon fell asleep.

Jack finds himself in a dark street. He was confuse at how he got there. There was nothing but a single lamp post shining on a part of the walkway. And underneath the light, there was someone laying there. A rabbit or a hare…

Jack slowly walked towards the mammal. "Mary…?" he said. He rushed towards the body and finds her unconscious. And… Not breathing. He knelt down before her, grabbing her by the arms. "Mary?!" he called. "Mary! Can you hear me?! Open your eyes! Mary!" Jack slowly lifted up his head. He saw four unknown figures walking away. One turned around to look back at him. He had a black muzzle on his face with his red fur visible under the dim moonlight. Brown eyes. Black ears. A fox…

"Mary!" Jack woke up immediately the moment he knew what animal the culprit was. He breathed as hard as he can and slowly inhaled a deep one, letting it go afterwards. He placed a paw on his face and groaned. A nightmare…

He picked up his phone and looked at the time. 9pm?! He went straight for the curtains and pushed them aside. It was already dark and the parade was already on.

He quickly washed up his face and took the stairs down rather than the elevator for a quick route. He went straight for his car and started up his engine. However, he was a careful and patient driver though so he took a little of his time to reach to his destination.

He even passed the train station where Max and Sophie can be seen waiting at the bench. But, he didn't notice them. Nor did they notice him.

Jack reached Animalia in about 10 minutes or so without any problems. Gazelle's singing was really keeping everyone up with spirits as they cheered her on. This is actually good cover because of how many mammals were present.

While walking through the crowd, he noticed two mammals were there. A fox. And… A bunny. They were Nick and Judy. Both of them were standing by the fence, watching Gazelle singing on the parade float.

He wanted to join them, but seeing them holding hands while dancing along with the song… Somehow… It unnerved him a little. He shook his head and looked forward.

"Focus, Savage!" he thought to himself. "Focus!"

He took one final look at them and went back to his work. In his mind… It really would have been nice to spend some time with someone he loved. But she was already taken… In front of him even.

Jack kept walking and walking, hoping to get far away from the two to avoid being seen. He found himself in an alley where no one would bother to look. He leaned on the wall and breathed slowly. He really did not know what this feeling it was inside him. It was like a mixture of jealousy and disagreement within him. Maybe something else. He just can't describe it.

Even his legs were getting weak but he managed to stand up again without any problems. He waited… And waited until something happened, trying to act cool with his eyes closed and his head down.

More than an hour went by and he was unconscious. Like, he was seriously taking a nap while standing up, leaning on the wall as support. The nightmare he had just now was really taking his sleep away from him. But he woke up eventually. The parade was still going and he rubbed an eye with the palm of his paw.

He sighed. There was definitely no way that whoever it was that sent him the message could help him. That, or maybe he missed something. Either way, there was no way to tell who or what was it that could help him to get closer into solving his case.

He frowned a little and scratched at the back of his head while walking back to his car. While he was focusing on being agitated to himself, he bummed into someone. "Oh, excuse me…" he apologized. His eyes opened up when he realized he bummed into Judy who was holding on two cups of milkshakes.

"Agent Savage?" she said. "I didn't know you were here for Animalia."

Jack smiled. "Well… I was… Curious. So I thought I check it out."

"Did you enjoy the show?"

"Um…" The hare entertwined his fingers on both paws together. "Yeah. Definitely. Big fan of Gazelle after all."

Judy laughed. "Well, I'm glad you're having fun. Wanna join both Nick and me? We can show you around."

Jack raised his paw. "No thanks," he said. He yawned. "I'm already tired…"

"Ah, I see. Well, I hope you get a good night sleep."

"Thank you…"

"I'll say hello to Nick for you. Goodnight, Agent Savage."

Jack watched Judy walking her way back to Nick and after that was gone in the crowds. He sighed and slowly make his way back to his car.

He was so exhausted. No, not exhausted. More like, lazy. He just wanted to lie down and just forget about what happened just now.

He did not rush back to the hotel though. Nor to his room. And as he was at the top floor, he noticed a small package just outside his room. He frowned and walked towards it. It was the same kind of package that he received at the train station the other day. This time, with a note that said, 'Hope this'll help you'.

He entered his room and turned on the lights. He placed the package on the table and cut it open carefully. And inside… It was… Well… It was something. It was a matryoshka doll of a, what looks like bobcat. He opened it to find flour inside of it rather than another doll.

He closed it back. Did the sender purposely sent him to go to the parade just so he or she could leave the package there. And if so, why tell him to go to the parade while he or she could have just left the package at the door until Jack comes out?

So many questions were going through his head. He sat at his bed and thought for a moment. His mind was full of questions and they were really giving him a slight headache. He placed his middle and index finger on his temple and gritted his teeth. He just couldn't think at this kind of situation. He needed some rest and he needed it now.

He turned off the lights, leaving all the clues there on the table for him to solve. Tomorrow, he will be going back to the ZPD about this. With all the clues that he has gotten, this was definitely no time to rest. For now, that is.


A/N: And that is all, guys and gals. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Max and Sophie won't return for now but they will in future chapters. I have already finished all the ideas and the story will probably end before September. So please bear with me in the meantime. Anyway, ciao and have a nice day. :)