Chapter: 18 Work nothing but work
The next morning Susan and I walk into the precinct with mom and dad. The squeal from Clawhauser is loud, but not glass shattering. We talk for a bit, and head for the bullpen. As we walk up the isle, the bullpen goes deathly quiet. Susan and I take our customary seat. The clapping and cheering start shortly after we take our seat. Mchorn Smiles down at me, "Well done rookie". Just then chief Bogo walks into the bullpen.
"All right, Shut it. Daniel your appointment with IA is set for ten-o'clock, have my report ready before then". "Yes sir". Susan, I want a full report on my desk by ten o'clock as well, go to the gym afterwards, and do some fight practice. "Yes sir". As for rest of you, we appear to be having a quiet day, so, continue with your previous assignments and patrols". We all file out of the bullpen. We stop chief Bogo, and in a small voice, "Sir, we don't know were our desks are at". "What? I thought you knew, well doesn't matter, just go to the cubicles I'm sure you can find them". With that he turns and walks away. We grab some coffee and head for the cubicles. He wasn't wrong, the "Welcome Rookie's" poster was a dead giveaway to which cubicle was ours. We started our reports and had them finished before ten.
I trudged up to the top floor to the IA department. "Well I see that you Daniel are more punctual than your father. Come into the conference room, the rest will join us in a few minutes. Coffee"? "Is it any better than the coffee in the coffee room"? "Well a little better, but it's still not great". "Sure, I'll take a cup". We sit down and do some small talk while we wait for the rest.
Soon the rest of the committee walk in and sit down. They grilled me on all aspects of what happened. They watch the body cams, and ask questions about the time line, time line was important to them. they were worried about my over use of force. I did change clips and trank them all with a second dart. Procedure was broken, when I didn't check the store for more perps, but they could let that one slide, as I did see them all enter. The grilling was hard but fair, at the end of it they handed me back my gun, and recommended that I have straight clips of Tranks and Tasers instead of the mix. I immediately went down to Kyle at the range and requisitioned replacement ammo. When I came back up, I went to the lunch room, it was lunch time after all.
Susan and I are just sitting there, holding paws across the table in the lunch room, when lieutenant Lister finds us. "So, you two you're with me this afternoon, come follow me, if your done with your lunch that is". "Yes, sir we're done". We pick up our dishes, and depositing them in the cleaning rack, turn and follow lieutenant Lister.
We walk behind him to the elevator, and take it to the fourth floor. We all turn and head for the detective division. We pass the entrance, and go to the next door. "This is were the two of you will be working in the afternoons". With that he opens the door to a fairly large work room. It has two brand new medium mammal computers, and chairs. One whole wall is a magnetic white board and the other wall is a cork board. Laid out down the middle are two tables. "Now you will get direction from me, but you can work on anything that grabs your fancy. Just clear it with me first". "Sir, what exactly are we doing"? Susan asks.
"Oh, sorry, did I neglect to mention that you two are the precinct's new cold case division"? "Sir"? "Yes, you two have solved more cold cases in the last five-months, than my whole department for the last year. This division is brand new, and you two are heading it". "Sir, are they're not more qualified officers that can do this"? "There are more senior officers, but none that are more qualified. I want you two to do this, your deductive reasoning is second to none. I know you are rookies, but I believe you can handle the responsibilities, you can handle the responsibility can't you"? in unison Susan and I say "YES SIR". "If and when arrests are to be made you may tag along, but my detectives get the collar, that is until you get enough experience to make your own collars". "If my detectives ask for help on a case, please help them. They do know not to bother you unless it is a cold case. You will be expected to go on patrol in the mornings, but I expect you here for the afternoons.
"So, were would you like to start? The computers are tied to the data base on all unsolved cases in the city". Susan and I talk it over for a few seconds, and reply that we would like to start in the missing mammal data base. "Strange but ok, what do you hope to achieve"? "Sir Susan and I would like to bring closure to the families of the missing if we can". "Very noble you two, have at her, I will check on you at the end of your shift. Oh, and Daniel, you did good yesterday, I'm personally glad you're on the force". With that he leaves us to our new jobs.
Susan and I start to skim the case file for missing mammals going back for ten years. We look for any kind of correlation, we find some and flag them as related. We find more that are related in other ways. It takes us most of the rest of the day to go from ten-years back to six-years back. We covered only four years in the afternoon. When Lister comes in at the end of shift, he is surprised we even have that much done. When we tell him, we have several possible linked files, he tells us he doesn't want to know until we can prove a link. He tells us well done as we leave and lock the door.
We are exhausted by the time we get home, and the hot tub fells just fine. Our daughter joins us in the tub and hugs us both, she then gets out of the hot tub and dives in the pool, I thought her shriek was going to break glass. Supper is just great, but we excuse ourselves early for the evening and hit the hay. Susan and I kiss, and the next thing we know, Mavis is playing the wake-up song.
We all go through the routine, and sparing practice. The swim after is fun, our daughter keeps trying to drown us. I grab her and throw her into the deep end. She screams with joy, does some back flips, and does a perfect dive into the water. As she surfaces, everyone claps for her. Mis. Watts has been joining us in the pool for a little bit, before she goes up to make us all breakfast.
We are stopped by Clawhauser, and told to go to our division, and work there for the day. When the Wolford's comes back from medical leave, we will go back on morning patrols. We grab some coffee, and head upstairs to the third floor. Were not in the division five-minutes before Andy pigskin comes into our division, he gets a shocked look on his face.
"You have got to be kidding me, they have two rookies heading the new division"? "What can we do for you sir"? asks Susan. "How did you connive your way into this job, fox"? "We didn't connive our way into any thing, we earned it". Susan says a bit testy. "I wasn't talking to you rabbit, I was talking to that fox". "Sir, you are on very dangerous ground, I'm this close to arresting you for verbal assault on my mate". "He's your mate? That's just sick". "Sir kindly tell us what you want, or turn around and leave".
Just then lieutenant Lister comes up behind Mr. Pigskin. "Andy are you using speciest comments towards these nice officers"? "Sir, how do you expect me to work with this fox"? "I expect you to work with him just like you would with anyone else, if you can't do that, see me after your shift and I will transfer you to another precinct". "Sir"? "Look Andy, I have put up with your attitude for years now, instead of firing you, I'm willing to just transfer you. This is not the first complaint of speciest comments I have received about you, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Just to let you know Andy, these two were the ones to solve the Harrison case, and the William's case, as far as I'm concerned these two are worth ten of you". "We'll see about this, I'm sure the police commissioner will have some thing to say about this". "Oh, he did Andy, he took Bogo's recommendation and agreed with it. It's his endorsement that got this division up and running. These two were specifically asked for by him, but if you want to end your career, by all means go talk to the commissioner".
Andy let's out with a huff, and leaves the room. We all hear a door slam further down the hall. "Sorry about Andy, he's a little hard to get to know, but he is very good at finding the smallest loop hole in a case, and exploiting it. He may never like you, but I believe he can work with you. Give him time, when he sees results from you two, I'm certain he will come around". Thanks sir, I was this close to arresting him". "Yes, I can see that Susan, but he is the only one like that. Thank you for letting it slide".
He leaves and we go back to our computers and go back to the missing mammal files. We get three more years done before lunch. After lunch we get back at it, when mom and dad walk in. "So, you two how's the hunting going"? "Fine Dad" replies Susan. "Do you guys need some thing"? "Can't your mom and I just stop by for a visit"? "Dad you know we can see what's behind it, so what case are you guys wanting us to look at"?
Mom puts a file on the table and I go look at it. After reading it for a few Susan breaks away from her computer and comes over and reads it with me. After reading it for a few Susan goes back to her computer and pulls up a four-year-old missing mammals file. "I think these two are linked, but leave it with us, and we'll come back to it very soon". "No rush it's been cold for one year now, it was handed to us by another detective team, and your mother and I would like to close it". "All right dad, we'll do our best". Dad and mom both hug us as they head out for their own office.
By the end of the week we had put several of the missing person files together as possibly being linked, but mom and dad's file we could link to seventeen more missing couples' files. We went down to the file room and pickup the other seventeen files, and spread them out on the table in our work room. The link we discovered was they all went to one particular night club. Once we established this, we then checked the jam cam footage and found that all of them entered the club but didn't come out, in fact most of the couples that entered didn't come out. Strange, we thought, but ours was to gather evidence. By Friday we thought we had a case, but we went back to be thorough. We found different jam cam footage that showed all the couples coming out another exit to the building. What made the difference, was as we followed the couple in question, a white van pulled up beside them, we saw them both get tranked and a lion dragged them into the van and speed off.
We called a meeting with our parents and lieutenant Lister. We presented our finding, we had not gone through all the jam cam footage for all the couples, but after the third abduction, was when we called the meeting. "So, as you can see, we believe that all the couples were abducted why were not sure, but we are sure it has something to do with the "Kitty cat" night club". Mom does a full head blush; dad snickers and Lieutenant Lister just smiles at us.
"Good detective work you two, do you have any kind of motive"? "Yes sir, we believe were not sure, but we believe they were abducted because they were all mixed species couples". "Yes, I can see that, you should know that the kitty cat club is a voyeurs club. The patrons come in the north entrance, you will not find any cameras on that side of the building, the ZPD is aware of this club, and there are no cameras on the north side so their clients can't be identified. They are doing nothing wrong, and the ZPD allows it as no one is being forced to preform. The couples come in the east side, and are offered free drinks and entertainment, until it's their time to "preform". If a couple chickens out, and if the try to leave through the front door, they are charged a cover fee of one-hundred-and -fifty dollars. But most go through the rooms". As he spoke, we could see mom's thoughts, and why she blushed, dad had dragged her through there, so they could shake a tail, that was following them. It was effective, and they met up with their contacts.
"Should we contact the ZCIA"? Asks Susan. "yes, I believe we should, this is definitely in their jurisdiction. I want you two to look over the rest of the video's and see if the rest were abducted as well. Also look to see if they were murdered or if they just disappeared. I will contact the and see if we can get some agents here for Monday afternoon, hopefully you have found out something else". By the end of the day, we found they had all been abducted. We then checked the weeks following the abduction for murdered mammals, we didn't find them in the murdered files, or unknown murder files. The assumption we made was they were murdered some were else, or they could be still alive, but that was a long shot.
We spent Saturday with Leon and Naomi; Bonnie was her usual bubbly self. Naomi was bigger than a beach ball, and Leon took every opportunity to pat or rub her belly. She loved the attention her husband was giving her. Susan and her talked most of the time, Leon and I drank beers, and hung around the barbecue, tofu burgers were easy to burn. We had a great time.
Come Monday we're back in the bull pen. There was a lot of clapping and whistling when Ralph and Lilly walked in, it only increased as they kissed. They did a bit of a pirouette showing off their rings to everyone. Chief Bogo comes in and it gets quiet as Ralph and Lilly break their last kiss. "Well I see you two have finally came out of the closet…. Don't care. Ralph, Lilly take the newbies on patrol, rainforest district this time. The rest you have your assignments and patrols get to it". We can really see that the chief is please, when I look back, he just gives me a small nod.
Ralph is very quiet as we head out. "Daniel I…." "It's ok Ralph I did what anyone else would have done". "Daniel you did what no one else could have done, I talked to the surgeon and the paramedics who brought me in, I also have seen the video of the surgery, how did you do it"? "Ralph, you should have figured out by now Susan and I are special, and I can't tell you how, as the ZCIA has a classification stamp on Susan and I's back story. But I would gladly do it again if it meant I saved some one else's life". "Yes, I can see that, but thanks for what you did, I owe you buddy". "You don't owe me Ralph, you are teaching me to be a good patrol officer, so let's call it even". "All right rookie, keep your eyes peeled for trouble, but don't look to hard, I don't want you to get a swelled head stopping all the crime in the city". Ralph chuckles at his own bad joke as we go through the tunnel into the rainforest district.
Susan and I gat back and file our reports on our morning activities. We stop for lunch, and after, head for our division. Seems kind of strange calling it "ours". We are working hard when Skye and Jack come and knock on the door. "Pardon me, but is this the cold case division"? "Sure is, just let us finish and we will be right with you, help yourself to coffee if you like". "Thanks, I believe we will". We had installed a new coffee station behind the door, with some high-end coffee. Susan and I pay for our own coffee. We had brought it in early this morning before patrol. Susan and I just smile at each other as we turn around and look at them.
"So, what can we do for the great Jack Savage". He gets a puzzled look on his face, "Do I know you from some where sir, you look so familiar to me". "Sure Jack, you know both of us, you did rescue us after all". We can see him thinking really hard. "I'm sorry when did I do this"? "The great Jack Savage can't remember little old us"? Skye throws her paws to her muzzle as she gets it. "Perhaps I should introduce us, hi Jack I'm Daniel Wilde and my mate is Susan Wilde". Now jack gets it, Skye rushes over and brings Susan into a big hug. She then turns to me and brings me into a hug. She lets me go, and just looks at us. "Wow are you guys so big, how did that happen? And how are you here"? "And why are you here"?
"Well to answer the second first, we went through the academy like any other police officer". "That doesn't explain anything, how did you get to the academy? Why we applied like anyone else". Jack grabs his ears in frustration. "All right why don't you start your story from the last time we saw you". "Ah come on Jack it's great to see you flustered, the un flappable flustered", I say. Skye starts to laugh hard, "Sorry Jack love, but this is the first time I've seen you unable to control a situation to your benefit". "All right Jack, Daniel will behave himself and tell our story", said Susan. From the last time till now, I told our story, I could see Jack believed about half of it, and shook his head at the rest.
Mom and dad stood outside the door and listen in on what I told Jack. Dad snuck around the corner and grabbed himself a coffee. He stood there drinking it and watched Jack. Mom came in as well and stood beside dad. As I wound down dad spoke, "Well jack good to see you again, what do you think about the case"? I look kind of embarrassed, "Ah we haven't told him about the case yet". Lieutenant Lister comes in the door at this point. "So, who are you two"? I say, "Lieutenant, I would like you to meet Jack Savage, And his tactical officer Cynthia Skye Walker". "You know the ZCIA"? "Ah Daniel it's Jack Walker now". "Sorry Jack, when did you two marry"? "June third almost two years ago now". "WOW, no way, Susan and I married June second almost two years ago". "Could we get back on topic folks"? "Right, sorry lieutenant".
Everyone took chairs as Susan and I went to the white board and laded out our case for everyone. We stated our conjectures and conclusions and the facts of the case. "Also, we have another couple reported missing on Sunday". With that Susan brings up the next couple. "We now have nineteen mixed species couples missing. We checked the video footage for Friday night, and found they were abducted as well". "Well this certainly is a case for the ZCIA, but at the moment, we are stretched a little thin. Skye and I might be able to go under cover but we will need some support from the ZPD". Lieutenant Lister says, "we can provide that support, how many mammals will you need"?
"Sorry to interrupt lieutenant, but Jack and Skye can't go under cover, though I'm sure some of the voyeurs would love to see a bunny with a pregnant vixen". Jack's head snaps around and looks hard at Susan. "What are you saying"? "First jack let me ask you a question, about three weeks ago did you find yourself in a strange meadow with Skye and a snow leopard named Gab"? Jack and Skye both nod yes. "And did he ask you, to ask for your hearts desire in the way only a couple could"? Again, they nod yes, with a blush this time. "Well guys your hearts desire is on the way in about five-weeks, congrats, by the way you are having four kits". Skye and Jack both get a shocked look on their faces. "How can you know that Susan"? "Skye, you know Daniel and I both have abilities, this is one of my abilities". "Can you tell what they are"? "Do you really want to know"? They both look at her, and nod their heads yes. "Well you are going to have two boys and two girls, one vixen and one tod, one bunny girl and one bunny guy.". Jack and Skye just pull each other into a hug.
"Now that Jack and Skye are out, does the ZCIA have any other mixed species couples they can send under cover"? "Sorry Lieutenant, Skye and I are the only mixed couple at the ZCIA, and did we ever get flack about it". "How about the ZPD? I see two couples in front of me". Says Jack. Judy pipes up, "Not on your life Jack, If I had known about that club before Nick and I entered, I'd be up on zoocide charges". "Ah, come on fluff it'll be fun". "I have a taser MR. Wilde, don't make me use it". "Well Ralph and Lilly are a mixed couple as well". "Sorry dad, but Susan and I go on patrols with them, and they only came out to his parents last week, I don't see them doing that in front of a crowd of mammals any time soon". Jack looks at us, "What about the two of you"? Dad speaks up, "NO jack, HELL NO Jack, you're not putting my son and daughter in a situation like that". "DAD…" "Hell no Daniel, this discussion is over, leave Jack".
"Dad you can't decide that for Susan and I, we need to look at this from all angles". "Son I will not discuss this any longer, I'm leaving". With that dad walks out the door. Mom stand there for a few seconds more, she looks at us hard. "Not on the force two weeks and you are going under cover, your just as stubborn as your father, I'll talk to him, but I'm not making promises". "Thanks mom, but we haven't decided to do this yet". Mom snorts, "Right Daniel, Susan, and I live in a gilded tower with the saints. If I can see through your fathers BS, what makes you think I can't see through yours"? I just hang my head, Susan and I have talked it over, and decided that we would do this for the mammals that are missing. Mom leaves us, and we start our discussion about this with our Lieutenant and the Walkers.