Chapter Fourteen
Gift that Keeps on Giving
When Judy woke there was sharp stabbing between her eyes. It rolled back through her head to the back of her neck it even spread to the very peaks in her ears. The rolling pain brought with it a deep nausea that sat in her stomach and tickled the back of her throat. Saliva pooled in her mouth as if her body was preparing her. Judy knew she had to sit up if she wanted to keep from vomiting. Judy kicked her legs over the side of the bed letting their weight shift her up into sitting position. The sheet pooled around her letting the chill in. At first she blinked a few times and looked around the room. She couldn't remember where she was, or how she got dressed in this strange outfit. The bed shifted behind her. The sudden movement made her eyes go wide. Nick sat at the edge of the bed with his hands on either side of him, his head hanging low.
"Nick?"
"Hey, Fiver. You're awake." Nick didn't lose his accent.
For a minute Judy thought she was still dreaming. Why'd he call her Fiver? Judy turned to look at him over her shoulder her neck creaking in protest but she didn't stop. Nick slipped his tank-top on before getting up from the bed. Every move he made causing Judy's head swim. Her vision skewed forcing her to blink a few more times.
"What happened last night?"
Nick's ears slipped back, as he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders snapping them against his chest. "Oh, a lot."
"I can't remember...anything. I think I drank too much."
Nick picked up her phone from the nightstand holding it out to her. "You were keen enough to take some pictures so you'd always remember the fun times you had in Vice City."
Judy took her phone with one trembling hand. Her body already going through withdraws, her body craving more alcohol to stop the pain. When she flicked the screen on the brightness made her flinch pulling away from the screen. When she flipped through the pictures on her phone. One of her and Nick, another of her and Nick in uniform. A few of her at the precinct with Clawhauser and Bogo. They were all pictures she's seen before.
Then she flipped to the next one her heart started pounding. What she saw caused her to cover her mouth tears welling up in her eyes, burning them. A picture of her and Manx kissing, a lion she'd never met before was holding her in a questionable fashion. Another hand belonging to some mammal off-screen she couldn't recognize. The next picture was Judy smoking a cigar topless with some raccoon holding a pair of poker hands over her nipples. She couldn't look anymore, she let the phone slip from her fingers to the floor below. She looked at Nick, who didn't look back at her.
"I think the pictures would have gotten worse if I wouldn't asked Finnick to keep an eye on you."
"Nick, I'm so sorry."
Nick knelt down in front of her running his fingers softly along her face. "I'm concerned for you. I think you're taking this mission a little too far."
"I...I don't know how I just lost myself somehow."
"Trust me,I know this life is very addictive, very exciting but there has to be rules. We can't do whatever we want."
"Oh, Nick." Judy lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him crying into the crook of his neck. "I'm so sorry."
"So am I, I promise I won't leave your side again, we're so much stronger together." Nick slipped his hand in his pocket feeling the felt box, he took a deep breath as he started to pull it from his pocket. "I've been a fool for a long time. Most of my life actually, and-"
There was a strong knock at the door shuttering it on his hinges. "Fiver, Patrick, the baron's requesting your presence."
"Oh for the love-" Nick snapped, pulling his hand from his pocket.
"Are you two decent?"
"Not anymore." Judy looked down at her fingers smoothing the tank-top across his chest.
"We'll be right out." Nick hollered looking back at Judy. "What did you say?"
"I love you, Nick." Judy whispered, her breath warm on his face.
"Me too. I'll go deal with that joker, you get dressed and meet me outside."
Nick got up from the floor. He held her hand as long as he could before distance separated them. Judy's ears slipped back as she watched him walk away. When he opened the door a light flooding in from the hall, casting two shadows along the floor. One of the badgers greeted him with a firm slap on the shoulder as the both laughed. Then Nick closed the door leaving Judy alone with her thoughts.
Nick and Judy followed the badger down the long flight of stairs into the basement. His presence forced Nick and Judy to remain silent. Nick wanted to tell her about the interaction with Pearl so they could discuss their next course of action but it was too late for that now. If the white fox kept his word they had until Sunday night to solve the case Three days wasn't a lot of time arresting the baron and all the other criminals in the sanctuary didn't make him tingle with excitement. He was a cop, a good guy, this was one of those times where morality was going to have to play a bigger role in the game of good and evil.
"Go that way!" The badger pointed down one of the four paths that the pair hadn't gone before. "He'll be in the chamber at the end, you can't miss it."
"Sounds good, big guy. I'd give you a tip but I left my money in a banker's pocket."
The badger glared at Nick for a second, then chuckled. "That's pretty good, Patrick." The laughter stopped abruptly as the badger adjusted his jacket.
The watched as the badger started back up the stairs before walking towards the dark hallway. He could see a the pale glow from a doorway at the end of it. Nick stopped when he felt Judy pulling him back. There was concern in the green eyes. Green eyes? Nick blinked a few times, purple eyes, Judy had purple eyes he reminded himself. They'd been their personas for so long now even Nick was starting to forget who he was. This game was going to have to end soon before they both ended up in too deep.
"I have to talk to you."
"Not now. Let's just get this over with and we'll talk back at the safe house."
Nick turned back walking with his hand still in hers. She glanced up at him before pushing her head into his arm. Nick's mind worked over everything they'd gathered so far and he knew there wasn't enough evidence to spring a trap yet. There was a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they would get what they needed by the deadline. They squinted against the bright light coming from the room when they stepped through the door.
"Ah welcome." The baron called to them not turning around.
"Whoa, what is this place?"
Half of the room looked like an industrial metal workshop. Not as archaic as a blacksmith it was still clean and sterile but the room smelled of molten metal and machine oil nonetheless. There was no soot but radiated a high temperature. The rest of the room was a storage area for large sheets of metal, aluminum was Nick guess. There was also a very crude looking shooting range set up between stacks of aluminum sheets.
"I know it's not as fancy as the metallurgist up top but it works." The baron chuckled as he turned around, a young-looking cheetah stepped around him to get a look at the new comers.
The cheetah wore a baggy orange jumpsuit with a name tag over her left breast pocket, 'Tooku' was the name on it. The constellation of spots on her face were arranged like a splatter painting against her yellow fur. Her dark brown eyes were framed by a pair of wire framed round glasses.
"Hello, Fiver, Patrick." The female's accent was thick in her surprisingly deep voice. "My name is Shii'Kan Tooku, but you may call me Shii."
"She is a marvel at advanced metal working. A doctor in her field, as a bonus she knows how to keep these machines maintained."
"Baron, is too kind."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Nick shook her hand, Judy swooping in to follow his example.
The baron walked over to the machine with Shii walking beside him, Nick and Judy following behind. The controls appeared simple but Nick was willing to bet that they were not. There were Several buttons, a heavy valve wheel and a large red power kill switch. Nick wanted to take a video of the whole process. It couldn't hurt their investigation but there would be no way he could do it without getting caught.
"This is a metal press. It heats the aluminum and smashes it onto a mold. Then it cut the pieces out dropping them into the catch bin." Shii walked over to a large yellow bin on wheels pulling it out from under the machine.
Inside the bin were hundreds of pieces of molded aluminum ranging from small to large. Nick reached in to grab a piece of the metal marveling at how sturdy the metal was for being so thin.
"What are they?" Nick shrugged and the tossed the piece back into the bin.
"Shall we cut to the chase, dear."
"Certainly, this is my favorite part."
Shii slipped her hand into a pouch hanging at her hip. She pulled out a small tranq gun. It was smooth and polished gleaming in the sterile white light from the florescent bulbs above. It didn't look very sturdy but having just felt the metal, Nick knew the look was deseiving. The cheetah rotated the gun around in her hand before flicking the switch on the side, ejecting a small magazine.
"This tranq gun can be assembled in seconds. It snaps together so you don't need any tools all you need is the three direct instructions. Thanks to the Co2 compartment it fires a dart five times faster than the standard issue ZPD guns. The polished barrel allows for it to be ten times more accurate. It also contains a reloadable magazine capable of carrying six mini darts at a time."
Shii ejected one of the darts and tossed at Nick, who flailed to catch it. "Are you crazy, I could have."
Upon closer inspection the casing looked like a squat battery with a fluffy purple hind end. The cheetah moved over to him. Her fingers played along his as she show him the crease along the bottom of the dart. When she picked it up she held it so he could see the fluffy end. She gave it a flick popping a sharp tip from the top of it.
"You see, the business end is concealed to keep our family safe when moving and loading casings. You have to flick it precisely to get the tip out." The cheetah spoke moving uncomfortably close between Nick and Judy.
The cheetah wore a broad smile on her face pleased with her own ingenuity. Which she should be impressed, this type of advancement was years ahead of its time. To think that one mammal could come up with it was unimaginable.
"Very impressive." Nick smiled back at her taking a step back.
"Thank you, I have so many ideas I'd love to show you and sister Fiver too."
"Maybe some other time, Shii. Shall we dispense with the gifts." The badger motioned to her with the wave of his hand.
"Oh baron, are you sure."
"The honor is all yours, dear. Without you I'd have no vessel for my Phraxus serum."
"Ah, yes the Phraxus?" Judy looking up at the Baron.
"So you know about it? Sir, what did you tell them about it? It's important for them to know that's the whole real reason any of this is possible. May I...please?"
"Oh Shii, I can't say no to you. By all means."
The cheetah was bursting with excitement. "It's a triple mixed compound that's been dehydrated, re-hydrated, and then boiled down to a concentrate. Each vile only carries 3 millimeters of the liquid, but that's more than enough. The thing that makes it so different from other tranquilizer solutions is it's one hundred percent untraceable to anyone searching for a tranquilizer."
Judy stiffened. "How is that possible?"
"The compound is made from prescribed medications from a pharmacy. Three that have nothing to do with sleeping or putting someone to sleep. The beauty of it is, each compound could be found in a hundred different varieties of pills-"
"All you need to know is the measurements and how to cook them down." The baron finished the cheetah's thought.
"So cool, am I right?" The cheetah jumped up and down excitedly.
"It's unbelievable. You two were able to build this empire down here in such a short time while working on this compound and a cutting edge weapon to deliver it." Nick thumbed the bill of his Newsboy cap.
"It's conviction, Patrick. Knowing that we are going to take on a corrupt organization to help the common mammal. Like our dear Shii here."
"What happened to you, kid?" Nick leaned against the wall crossing his arms.
"I was fired from my job for suggesting a higher level security should be placed on cheaper supplies to prevent someone from stealing them. They assumed since I was the one that made the suggestion that I was the one stealing them to get my point across. After they fired me, I lost my house, car, and my husband, who couldn't stand the idea of being married to a thief."
"I'm so sorry."
"Did you steal the stuff?" Nick asked callously.
"My report was sound, they were just too pigheaded to hear me out."
Judy took a step back glancing up at Nick, a smile traced his lips. "Not judging, we all do things we're not proud of."
"Yes, well..." Shii adjusted her glasses on her muzzle. "I may have not been directly stealing from them before but there supplies have been ever so useful in our endeavors"
"I think we've wandered a bit off course. Shii and I wanted to give you a welcoming gift. Only those closest to me get one of these."
Shii held out two metal cases roughly the size of the book. "Welcome to the family."
Nick took his already aware of what was inside. His intuition didn't fail him. A shiny tranq gun set into a foam backing with two magazines, each full of six darts a piece. The purple serum shimmering inside it's casings. Nick pulled the tranq gun from the case feeling the light weight of it. Shii took the case from him allowing him the use of both hands. Nick picked up the magazine sliding it into the gun. It only added a little more weight to the over all package.
"There are two grips on either side just give it a tug while holding down that switch. It will set the Co2 cartridge. Then you're ready to go." Shii reached over pointing at either side of the gun at the back of the cylindrical chamber.
Nick did as she was instructed puling back gently. The slide loader was well oiled and took no effort to manipulate. A soft clink followed by an even softer hiss. It was better than the standard issue ZPD guns in every way. Nick's ears flicked when he heard Judy cock her gun as.
"Incredible." Judy whispered.
"You think that's good. Take a shot." The baron waved his hand as if he were inviting someone into his home. He pointed to the target hanging from a figure made from hay bails.
Nick flicked his wrist tracing his eye down the length of the gun's short to the sights. The bullseye was lined up instantly and he pulled the trigger. A soft thup filled the room followed instantly by a thack of the dart striking the paper on the target. The dart was only half an inch away from its indended mark but a hit none the less. A second dart tagged an inch below his.
"Impressive." The baron and Shii clapped loudly.
"Had some practice back on the farm before I had to pawn my gun." Judy added her accent making Nick smile.
"So when do we change the Co2 cartridge?"
"Good question, after two magazines or twelve shots they need to be changed. If you don't use your weapon that much than it needs to be changed every two days."
"Now, these are yours free of charge. There are holsters under the foam mats in your cases. If you need any more ammo, you may come directly to me. I'll set you up."
"Thank you so much, boss. These are wonderful gifts."
"The pleasure is all ours."
"And it was a pleasure meeting you, Spotty." Nick pointed at the almost bubbling cheetah.
"Spotty, yes that's funny. It's-"
"Shii, I know. We're just so close that I can't help but tease you. It's a family thing." Nick gave her and easy smile.
"...we're family?" The cheetah lunged at Nick picking him up in her arms spinning him around.
"Yes." Nick grunted. "Good fam-" The cheetah dropped him leaving him to gasp for air.
The baron chuckled rubbing Shii's back affectionately. "Didn't I tell you they were great?"
"You sure did, Baron."
The cheetah leaned against him both looking at Nick and Judy with smiles on their faces. Judy touched Nick's shoulder making sure he was okay. Nick nodded and started backing towards the door.
"Oh wait, there is just one more thing."
Nick slowed his pace looking at the baron. The baron fished an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket holding it out to them. Nick took it giving it the once over.
"A mission, or more simply put, I need more diathropamine. You can find a large quantity at the Lobmein's Pharmacy in Tundratown. I know that you two celebrated a bit too much last night so take the night off. Tomorrow is Saturday, the pharmacy closes early giving you plenty of time to get in and get out undetected."
"Yes sir."
"Oh and if have any more run ins with ZPD..." The baron gestured to the guns in their hands. "...you know what to do."
Nick and Judy nodded in sync before sharing a concerned look with one another before turning to leave the strange room behind them.
Nick unlocked the door to his apartment when he opened it a warm light sprawled out into the tight alleyway. Judy gave Nick a troubled look. He knew he didn't leave the lights on when they left. He was fairly certain Judy didn't either. Nick crept in, the smell of garlic was thick in the air, joined by cheese, sauce, something spicy. When he rounded the door he saw Finnick pushing a chair back over towards the table. On the kitchen counter was an open box of pizza that was half empty. Three plates were set on the table a slice of pizza on each one.
"Oh, hey you two."
"Hi." Nick could already see Judy's ears turning red.
Finnick must have noticed too, he raised his hands. "Don't say nothing about it, Hop Along. I got yo back."
A look of relief washed over the bunny's face as she walked over to give him a hug. Finnick gagged at the pressure at his neck. His hands thrashing to swat her away. When Judy stepped away the small fox smiled up at her. An affectionate smile that made Nick feel a pang of jealousy.
"Maybe you two should get a room?" Nick mumbled through drawn lips.
"We just might, Nick. The way she was all over me last night...I almost had to put her down just to save face for both of us."
"Oh god." Judy covered her eyes the burn spreading in her ears spread to her cheeks.
"I'm just playin', boo." Finnick shot her an open mouth smile.
"Heh, remind me to get that key back from you." Nick sat down in front of one of the plates on the table.
Judy sat down in front of the other plate. The three of them eating in quiet for a few minutes. Finnick kept looking up at them his eyes darting from one to the other. After a few glances Nick swallowed and glared back at him.
"What?"
"You two been busy."
"I could say the same thing to you, telling Pearl the truth about us."
"What?" Judy's head shot up.
"Yeah, wonderpup over here spilled the beans about us to Pearl of all mammals."
"Excuse me, It wasn't my fault." Finnick jumped up on the chair pressing his hands on the table. "Both you idiots carry your phones around with all your information on it. Let's not forget to mention, your swipe passwords are the easiest ones to figure out. For god's sake, if I wouldn't have been there to bail you both out last night. You'd both be dead. Both Lavender and Pearl were on their way to talk to the baron until I intercepted them while dragging Hop Along's drunk ass to bed!"
Finnick glared back and forth between the two this time there was a more menacing look in his eyes. His lips curled in such a way his teeth showed. His fists were clenched his chest heaving. Nick and Judy both straightened up in their seats. Each of them sharing the same look of shame. Judy even had tears welling in her eyes as she tried to look away.
"Don't look away! I'd expect this kinda thing from, Nick, but you! You're a professional, you're an undercover cop. Stop yo drinking. This is not fun time, it's time to work. Do you know how hard it is to pull a horny wolf off a more than willing bunny." Finnick slapped his plate from the table sending shattering across the floor.
"Finnick..." Judy whimpered through trembling lips.
"No!" Finnick jumped down on the floor heading for the door.
Furiously he dug in his pocket throwing something across the floor. It tinked when it hit the wood and slid under the couch. When he jerked the door open he turned and looked at the two of them.
"You really messed up, you messed me up. I ain't like you two, I ain't got no where else to go. When shit goes down, I'm gonna have to chose a side. Don't hate me when it ain't yours."
"Finnick!" Nick jumped up from his seat but it was too late, the door slammed in his face and the little fox was gone.
"We really screwed up." Judy pushed her face into her hands.
Nick knelt down reaching under the couch. He gripped the thing Finnick threw. When he looked at it a sadness washed over him. It was the key to his apartment, he'd given it to him years ago. A trust that he'd never afforded anyone else and now it was all over.
"You can say that again." Nick finally said, slipping the key in his pocket.
"What are we going to do?"
"Pearl said he'd wait until the end of the weekend to turn us in. If we really focus up there's a chance we can scrounge up enough evidence to bust the baron."
"But what about Finnick?"
"We...we just have to focus on our jobs. If it comes down to it and we have to arrest him, well, we can attempt a plea bargain for Finnick's release."
"If you say so."
"Let's just focus on the mission tomorrow, maybe something will come up."