9: House Hunting Goes Bad
~0~
While Nick drives and Judy uses his phone to find different places in the Meadowlands to purchase a home, the kits marvel at the different sights that Zootopia has to offer as they travel through the various districts.
Slowly cruising past the different locations, Nick and Judy are somewhat disheartened to find that most of the homes for sale were either quaint cottages that are way too small to fit their needs or veritable mansions, with virtually nothing in-between.
"Well, I guess the Meadowlands are out, at least for now." offers a despondent Judy.
"Maybe Winters or Savage can help…" thinks Nick out loud. "Once we get back to the hotel you can use the phone they gave you to try to get ahold of Winters and see if she has any ideas."
Returning to the hotel and making the sure that the kits are being entertained, Judy uses the burner phone again.
After Judy dials the agent's generic number, Nick hears Savage come on the external speaker.
"Hello? This is agent Savage, may I presume that this is one of the Wilde's?"
"Yes, this is Judith Wilde-"
Unknown to Judy and of course agent Savage, Nick starts the small digital recorder that the doe pressured him into using while they were dating.
"Ah yes, Judy, what can I do for you today?" comes the overly confident voice of the buck.
"It's Judith or Mrs. Wilde to you agent Savage, I thought that my husband made that clear before." Presses the doe.
"Yes, well … anyway, what's on your mind?"
"Nick, I and the kits were out house hunting and haven't been having much luck and we were wondering if you or agent Winters could be of help."
"Tell me Judith, is Nick there with you now?"
Seeing Nick shake his head no, a confused Judy answers "No he isn't, he's off on another errand, but why would that matter?"
"If you'd care to come to our office at City Central, perhaps I'd be able to be of assistance."
"Alone? Without Nick? Why?"
"I believe that the two of us would be able to work out something that would be mutually beneficial towards your future accommodations."
Quickly glancing at Nick, Judy sees the fire of jealousy readily visible.
However, just as she's about to decline the offer, Nick nods and mouths 'yes'.
"O-ok, I guess I can do that."
"Excellent, I'll be expecting you."
"I-I'll need a few hours to be sure that Nick is busy and the kits have someone to watch them."
"Call when you're on your way."
And with that the agent breaks the connection.
After the line is disconnected, Judy turns to Nick "What the heck Nick, I thought you didn't like Savage."
"I don't, but he keeps trying to make points with you even though he knows damned well that you're married and have several kits. I have no idea what his game is but" holding up his tiny recorder "I plan to find out and nail his striped hide to the wall!"
"So, what's your plan?"
"We go to his office somewhat together and you carry this with you" as he holds up the recorder "and record everything he says."
"And you'll be … where?"
"I plan on coming in behind you, just far enough back so that he'll be focusing on you and not me on the security cameras."
"Do you really think he's going to something so blatantly obvious as to try to seduce me?"
"You heard him over the phone, and remember the way he kept trying to come on to you in Bogo's office when we were there?"
"And what are we going to do with the kits in the meantime?"
"Clawhauser… or maybe Jasmine."
"Nick really?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"…. No, not really."
"All right then. Let me call Jaz, and if she can't watch the kits for some reason, we can call Claws."
…
After Nick dials Jasmine, the doe in question picks up on the second ring.
"Nick? Is everything ok?" she asks "Is there a problem with Judy of one of the kits?"
"Everyone is fine Jaz, but we … we'd like to know if you'd be able to sit with the kits for a bit."
"You want me to drive all the way to Zootopia and watch the kits because….?"
"We … we have something to do that requires us to not have the kits along." admits Judy.
"And to be honest, you'd be better off not knowing about it." adds Nick. "It's not illegal so don't worry about that."
"Would you like me to bring Cotton along?"
"You're sure mom will let you do that?" asks Judy.
"I threatened to call Kits Services on her if she retaliates against Cotton in any way." smirks the doe. "Cotton will be fine."
"Then sure, bring her along." says Judy "I'm sure the kits will be a lot easier to handle with her to play with."
"Give me a couple of hours and we'll be right there … you're still in the hotel, right?"
"Yeah, same two rooms. See you soon sis."
After breaking the connection, Judy asks "Ok, what's the plan?"
"Same as before I guess."
"What if Savage wants to get pawsey with me in the office? I'm NOT gonna let him-"
"Good point …" interrupts Nick "How about if we get you a phone of your own while we wait for Jaz and Cotton, just like we planned earlier? You can drop the burner phone on Savage's desk to distract him, to take his mind off of that phone, and can keep your phone in your shirt pocket and set it to record audio and video just before you got into his office instead of using the voice recorder. If he gets pawsey, just yell and I'll be right there. Then we've got audio and video proof of any wrong doing. If it's all just innocent happenstance I'll apologize to you both no problem, but if he gets stupid, we've got him."
Thinking about the situation for a few moments, Judy admits "Ok, I'm good with that. Let's get me a phone, and maybe a phone for the kits with only our numbers and Jaz's programed in in case of emergencies?"
"Good idea, let's go get those phones."
…
After a quick trip to the local Horizon store to get a couple of new phones and a new laptop, complete with instructions on how to record video, Nick and Judy head back to the hotel to wait for Jasmine and Cotton, and to let the kits know that the two does are coming while they step out for some quality time together.
When Jasmine and Cotton arrive, the kits get their hugs in and are sent off into the spare bedroom to play.
"So, what are you two up to?" asks a determined Jasmine.
"Are you sure you really want to know?" asks a very serious Nick.
"Of course, why would I not?"
After outlining their plan, Jasmine is astonished.
"That twerp actually came on to you like that knowing that Nick is your husband and that you have all of those kits? Does he actually think that you'll just dump them all for him or what?"
"No idea" admits Judy "That's what we intend to find out."
"Ok" interrupts Nick "let's get going. You can call savage with the agency burner phone when we get to the City Center building, that way he won't be as apt to notice that I'm actually with you."
…
While dropping Judy off in front of the massive City Center building, Nick tells her "Give me a few minutes to park. I'll give you a quick text on your phone when I'm ready to head towards Savage's office, then you can call on the burner and let him know that you've arrived."
Giving her newly reunited husband a quick kiss "I hope this is just worry for nothing."
"So do I, but I'd rather know for sure. If the little prick tries anything, I'll do my level best to at least get him at least fired."
After using the burner phone to let Jack know that she's arrived, Judy trudges toward the elevators, all the while hoping beyond hope that this will amount to nothing.
Just before entering the hare's office, Judy turns on the audio/video record mode of her phone.
Tapping lightly on the door, she hears Jack's secretary tell her "Come in!"
"Judith Wilde to see agent Savage?" she announces cautiously.
"Yes, agent Savage is expecting you, go right on in."
"Thank you…"
…
As Judy enters the office, Jack pushes a button on the intercom "Elaine, I have no more appointments until later this afternoon, why don't you take an early lunch?"
"Are you sure sir?"
"Yes, now run along."
This only further confirms Nick's suspicions of Jack's ulterior motives, much to Judy's chagrin and unease.
"So" she begins as she nonchalantly lays the burner phone on Jack's desk "you told me over the phone that you might have access to some information on some places for myself, the kits and Nick to live?"
"We can discuss that in a bit. Drink?" says Jack as he motions toward a fully stocked bar along one wall.
"No thanks. I – I don't know what else there is to discuss…" begins a very uneasy Judy.
"Well, there's the fact that you're married to a predator for one thing." answers Jack as he slowly advances towards her "I'm not sure how he might have conned you into that little arraignment, but it's easy enough to fix with my connections."
"I married Nick because I love him, and I still do."
"He's not here to threaten you now, so there's no need to pretend that you actually care for him."
"I – I'm not sure what you mean…"
"The sharp teeth, the long claws, surely you're not comfortable with those."
"But-"
"And then there's the matter of that hybrid kit that he's saddled you with." says Jack as he reaches forward and cups Judy's left cheek with a paw.
"Nicholas and my other-"
"Ah yes, the matter of your bastard kits. I can fix all of that for you as well, just say the word."
"Wh-what do you mean you can 'fix' all of that?"
"The rabbit kits can be sent to an orphanage or something and the hybrid … the hybrid can be sent to somewhere like Happy Town. His kind are welcome there."
"You actually expect me to just give up my kits? All of them? And just dump Nick? Just like that?"
"I don't see why not!" Savage answers, closing the distance so his lips are very close to hers. "I can make your life so much better."
"I could never-"
But her reply was cut short as Jack suddenly kisses her.
Which earns him a very savage (no pun intended) bite from Judy.
As Jack screams and breaks from the unwanted kiss, bleeding profusely, Judy yells at the top of her lungs!
"NICK!"
Surprised only by the fact that not only Nick, but agent Winters quickly barge into the room, Judy quickly runs into the arms of her highly upset husband.
"Nick, he … he kissed me and I had to-"
"Lies" answers Jack "all lies. Mrs. Wilde came in here and attempted to seduce me after I offered to find suitable housing for her, her mate and their kits."
Pulling her still recording phone out of her pocket, Judy stops the recording and rewinds to the beginning, then begins the playback.
After viewing the damning evidence, agent Winters asks Jack "Well?"
Getting nothing but a scowl for an answer, Skye continues "Special Agent Savage, when I happened upon Mr. Wilde in the hallway and he explained to me his suspicions, I took the liberty of contacting Director Spriggs. Jack Savage, you are hereby relieved of active duty as a special agent of the ZIA and ordered to surrender your weapon and credentials. You will remain here under my direct supervision until security can arrive and take you into custody for conduct unbecoming, sexual harassment, attempted rape and any other charge that we can think of to level against you.
"Mrs. Wilde, if you would be so kind as to forward a copy of the recording to my office, I would greatly appreciate it." finishes Skye.
Looking at Nick, Judy tells Skye "You may keep the phone so as not to break the chain of custody pertaining to the evidence. All I ask is that you either reimburse Nick or replace the phone so that he's not out of pocket on the cost."
"Ever the cop I see." remarks Winters "I don't see that being a problem. You two may go, I'll be by later and get an official statement from both of you. And … I believe the Agency will be grateful enough to secure housing that will meet your future needs, wherever you choose to settle."
Stepping forward, Judy gives the vixen a gentle hug "Thanks Skye …"
After exiting the building, Nick wraps one arm and his tail around his still visibly upset wife.
"Fluff?"
"… As much as I hated going through that, at least I know that Jack won't be chasing any skirts for a while."
"Be that as it may," answers Nick "where he's going I'm sure a good-looking buck like him will make someone a really nice girlfriend!"
"NICK!"