Chapter 36:

Saturday dawns a little cloudy but clears up in the afternoon. We all walk down to the church. Elisabeth is in a lavender dress; John is in a midnight blue tux, the same color I was at the academy. My siblings all laugh at that thought. Dad is crying as he walks her down the aisle; mom hugs him as he sits down. I think dad is turning into another Stu. Dad's youngest daughter is now married. Many family friends were invited to the wedding, Fru Fru attended, and a couple of kids from school. Later we asked Fru Fru if she could set up a meeting with her father for us; she gave us a puzzled look but said she would call us later with the time and date. Mom was having a fun time with her godchild.

It was a surprise to find that Elisabeth and John invited the Bearsden family; they had forgiven Dudley. But Dudley had picked himself up as well. When we told him to do a good deed every day, he took it literally. He said it was hard at first, but he did it. He now had many friends. Some mammals were still scared of him, but he was doing his best to be the best mammal he could be. We wished him well.

It was a surprise to us all when Genie showed up with her boyfriend. This was the first time we all had seen him. We just smiled at Cedrick. We do work with him all the time. We didn't know Genie was his love interest. He had talked about her all the time, we should have clued into it, but we didn't. We hug them both. Mom is in her face asking how they met. Genie smiles at mom and tells her nonverbally; mom blushes hard, Genie laughs, mom gently punches her arm.

Later in the reception, Susan and I cornered Elisabeth and John and spent a few minutes teaching them the shielding technique. They both blushed but thanked us. They didn't go to grandma's old house; instead, the family had rented the honeymoon suite at the palm's hotel for a week for them. If they needed more, we would spring for that as well. They left later that night for their honeymoon.

We get the call on Monday from Fru Fru. Her dad would meet us at four o'clock that afternoon. We dress down in civvies and, borrowing mom and dad's undercover car, head for the Big's mansion. We nod to Raymond as he lowers the gate for us. Kevin opens the door to the mansion for us. The butler leads us to Mr. Big's office. Kozlov comes in with Mr. Big and sets him down on the desk.

Before anything can be said, Mr. Big holds out his ring, we both kiss his ring. "So, why are two of the ZPD's finest here requesting a meeting"? "Mr. Big, sir, we requested this meeting to inform you of some upcoming changes." "So, are you offering to be informants? I didn't expect that from the children of my little Judy's Godparent". "No, sir, we are not here to offer our services as informants, but to ask you to end, you're less than legal activity in Zootopia." Mr. Big gets a look on his face and starts to belly laugh; Kozlov joins him in the laughter. After a few, they stop. Mr. Big wipes his eyes and chuckles a bit more. We stand there waiting for him to stop.

"Ah, Daniel, I've not had such a good laugh in a long time. Tell me, why are you here"? "That's the truth, Sir, we have enough information to put you away for life, but we are offering to look the other way while you divest yourself of all your objectional interests. We can't tell you what we have, but we have found your legal businesses have gone from forty-percent to sixty-five-percent over the last two years. If you were to continue that, we would give you the time to finish". As we spoke, we could feel him getting madder. Kevin and Raymond came into the office behind us. "You come into my house, threaten me with jail, and expect me not to retaliate? Ice them ".

Kevin grabs us and lifts us; Raymond removes the rug and takes the cover off the trapdoor in the floor. We can see the ice in the water below us. Kevin then drops us; we smile at Mr. Big as we stay stationary in the air where we are at. The bears are all shocked; Kevin pushes down on our shoulders, trying to get us to drop. "Sir, can we discuss this as civilized mammals"? I fold my arm in front of me. Mr. Big leans forward and looks at us. He can see we are standing on nothing. He snaps his fingers at Raymond, "I guess I have no choice. We will talk". Raymond puts the trap door back and replaces the rug. We slowly lower ourselves down to the floor. "Come to the sitting room. We will talk there". We all follow Mr. Big.

We sit down across from Mr. Big, as a lion maid brings in some tea and biscuits for us all. We help ourselves and wait for Mr. Big to speak. He takes a sip of tea, "How are you two able to do that"? "I'm sure Sir, you already have information on us and our abilities. If nothing else, you have seen the videos of the central square incident. We can do a lot of things that seem impossible, yet we do them". "I thought it was faked when you lifted that bus; Susan went under the bus with a jack." "Well, we did use a jack, but it had nothing to do with a mechanical device." "Yes, after what I saw today, I have to believe you, so, what are you offering me"? "Not much, I'm afraid, Sir, this was just a courtesy call. We don't want to put you in jail, and if you gave up your objectionable enterprises, we wouldn't have to". Fru Fru can enjoy growing up with her father. "I can see that, but that thirty-five-percent accounts for about half of my profits. I just can't let that go".

"Well, I'm sure we can help there. As you know, the climate control wall's contract comes up for bid later this year, and if you lowball it by say, twenty-percent, I'm pretty sure you will get it". "TWENTY PERCENT? That is most of the profit of the wall". "Yes, sir, it is, and it will need some upgrades as well." "Tell me as a business mammal why I should do this"? "Well Sir, I have it on good authority that Wilde industries have developed a new system for heating and cooling and would be willing to sell to you for cost plus ten-percent. This new system would make the old wall about thirty-percent more efficient, and the power to run the wall would cost you little. They would supply you with cold fusion reactors for a low lease and maintenance fee; as you know, the wall's major cost is power. Most of that comes from the hydroelectric dam in the rainforest district. You would not be subject to the whims of water. And as you have low power costs, you stand to make a greater profit than you are now". "Hmmm… that is very tempting, and I would have to get rid of all my cri… objectional enterprises"? "Yes Sir, if you have nothing, then what can we charge you with? We can't charge you for past crimes; your lawyer would have it thrown out as hearsay".

"Alright, how long do I have"? "We are building cases against all the crime bosses of Zootopia, and if your name happens to be last on our list, so be it." "You? You are building the case"? "Yes, sir, as "Special investigators," Susan and I can look into everything." "Wow, I had heard that they had brought that badge back again, but I didn't know it was you two." "Hence this friendly ask, you are family too, you know." Mr. Big steeples his paws In front of him and ponders for a few. "Raymond, call my accountant and lawyer and get them here. Do you have any information on this proposal for me"? I reach into my jacket and hand some papers to Kozlov, who reaches for them. "If that is all, I have some planning to do; Kevin will show you out." "Thank you for your time, sir," we say as we exit the room with Kevin. Kevin shakes his head at us, "I have never seen the boss give in like that; you have some control over him." "Not, really, Kevin, we are just family." "Yah, that is true." He opens the door and leads us to our car; he then heads for the gate to open it for us.

When we get back to the precinct, we head for chief Bogo's office. I'm just about to knock, but I hear the word "Enter." How can he do that? Does he have some ability as well? We open the door and walk-in and sit down in the chair in front of him. We pull out our wires and hook them up to his computer for him to listen to them. His frown deepens as he listens.

"Alright, that was not what I agreed to when you left here." "No, sir, it wasn't, but if this happens, The ZPD has made an ally out of Mr. Big." "Yes, I can see that, but why an ally? We could have just arrested him and been done with it". "Yes, Sir, we could have, but as it stands now, Mr. Big, we know, and someone else we wouldn't. With Mr. Big still in control, I'm sure he still won't allow anyone else in on his territory, so we still have control over the drug trade in Tundra town. As for his brothels, we all know that the city council later this year is planning to decriminalize prostitution, But the regulations will be high on brothels, what with workers comp, health benefits, fair wage; I'm sure Mr. Big can see the writing on the wall". The chief chuckles a bit, "Remind me to never get on your bad sides, I like my position as chief." "No worries there chief, we don't want your job." The chief roars with laughter, Clawhauser hearing this, ducks down behind his desk, wondering what just happened.

It's been a long day, and we are ready for home. We catch dad and mom with Clawhauser, and we all walk home. We are all exhausted but put a smile on our faces for JR; we banter for a few and then head upstairs. Our daughter does a few backflips as she comes towards us. She plasters herself onto my chest. Susan thinks, "Daddy's Girl," "Darn right, mom," says Bonnie as she jumps to her mother. Susan grabs her out of the air, and bringing her in close, blows raspberries on her stomach. Bonnie shrieks with laughter.

After supper, we try something new; we have Justin read Susan and me for the info on throwing a Bola. He then transfers that knowledge to mom and dad. William comes in and hands mom and dad their own Bolas and new rigs for their guns and bolas. We go down to the DOJO, and granddad and I agree to be mom and dad's target runners. We are kind of scared, but mom and dad pull it off flawlessly. Mom's bolas are a little smaller than ours but no less efficient. They marvel at their new "Weapons" we then inform them that IA classifies them as a taser, and they would be investigated if they use them. They get thoughtful looks on their faces as they put them back into their holsters. They hug Justin and thank him. We spend the rest of the evening practicing with the bolas on a pillar.

The court date comes up quickly for the Wolfstien's; we had found a job and place to live for Donna and her kids. She now works as a cleaner for the newest apartment block for Wilde Industries. Only the first floor is done, but they live there. Donna cleans up after the workers at night, same as we did when we were undercover. If Wilde Industries opens up one more apartment block in the area, the city will look into opening up the old subway platform that mom and dad had snuck into during the night howler incident. Her kids go to the local school.

Dad, mom, Susan, and I take time off to be in court. Cindy had got the case before judge Harrison. We are all in the courtroom, waiting to see the outcome. We hoped we would be listened to.

All rise for Judge Harrison", we rise, the Judge comes in and sits down. "You can be seated." "So, I have read the statements and submissions from the DA and council, and frankly, I find it highly unusual. I'm led to believe you, Sir, are pleading guilty to all the charges, is this correct"? "Yes, your honor, I am." "and you are willing to be sentenced today"? "Yes, I am." "Council, prosecution, would you both approach the bench." Cindy and the Tiger DA both approach the bench. Cindy has to climb a set of stairs to be seen over the benchtop.

"This is highly unusual, you two; you are both in agreement with your submissions"? "Yes, sir," says the tiger. "Yes, sir," says Cindy. "Mis O'Hare, does your client have anything to say in his defense"? "No, sir, he doesn't; he freely admits to doing all that was said he had done." "He could go away for a very long time, you know this, have you told him this"? "Yes, sir, I did, but he feels he has to pay for what he has done." "All right, this side is done." Both defense and prosecution return to their tables and sit down. "We will now take victim impact statements, Prosecution; you can read the statements or call the persons involved." "Thank you, your Honor. I call the Wilde family to come up one at a time to give their victim impact statements".

I won't bore you with all the statements my family gave, but through it, all loves and forgiveness was handed out to Donald by my whole family. By the end of the statements, most of the courtroom had a tear in their eyes. The Judge called a fifteen-minute recess before he would pass sentence. We had got to the Judge, and he went to compose himself. Judge Harrison returns fifteen-minutes later.

"Would the defendant rise" Donald stands up. "Sir, you did a horrendous crime, but I can see the remorse you have for the crimes you committed, I know from the submissions that you did it under duress, but you still did them. I also understand the family and the victims have forgiven you for the crimes, but I can't let you off scot-free. The law needs to see justice done; therefore, I sentence you, Sir, to time served and seven-years of house arrest and probation. The only time you are off the property is for your training course. You will have to go right there and go right back home at the end of the day". "Training course, sir"? "Why yes, I thought your council would have told you; I'm led to believe that Wilde Industries has hired you for the maintenance mammal position of the building your wife is in, is this correct council"? "Yes, your honor, it is." "I assume that you accept this position,"? With tears in his eyes, Donald looks at the Judge, "Yes, sir, I do." "Good," says the Judge with a smile on his face, "The court is now adjourned," he says as he bangs his gavel. We all rise with the Judge as he walks out of the courtroom. The bailiffs take him down to the holding cells, where he awaits the officers who will take him to his new home.

Donald is shocked when he sees it is Susan and me who are there to pick him up. We strap a monitoring bracelet to his ankle and program it for our destination. We can tell he is relieved to be out and going to see and hold his wife and kids for the first time in a long time. As we round the corner and come in sight of the building, we can see his family waiting for him in front of the building. When Susan opens the door, he bounds to his family and brings them all into a hug. We break it up after about five minutes.

"Well, everyone, we need to finish setting the monitoring bracelet and route, so the alarm doesn't go off every time you step off the property." Donald breaks off the hug, and we walk the perimeter of the building and grounds. The monitoring equipment records this info. We then all walk the route he will have to take to his class to maintain the power plant and all the equipment in the building. He will also be the groundskeeper, but because of the construction at the moment, that will have to wait. We walk there and back; he doesn't have enough paws for all his kids and wife, so his daughter is thrown onto his shoulders, and his sons get his paws. His wife walks beside him and pets his arm now and then.

When we get back, we all go into the building to his new home. He's floored at the size of the apartment. All his kids have their rooms, they may be small, but they all have one. The master bedroom is bigger and has its own bathroom. We get ready to leave when Donald grabs my arm, "Thank you, I don't know how I can ever repay you." "You can repay us, sir, by being the best mammal you can be." "I know this is embarrassing to me, but I never got your names." Because we are not in uniform, we didn't have our name tags on. "My bad," I say as I take his paw to shake it, "I'm Daniel Wilde, and my partner is Susan Wilde." He gets a shocked look on his face, "Wilde, as in Wilde Industries"? "Yes, but we have no part in the company. Our brother runs his company. We are just a couple of cops". He has a shocked look on his face as we turn and head out the door.

It's now the day that Doug said he was to create the diversion. At noon there is a diversion. I guess Carl was doing his own. A PPC shot went off over the city from north to south. It then changed directions and went from east to west. He made all the compass points, then started to do them again. Most of the people of Zootopia stopped and stared at the sky, watching the bolts. They oh and ah over the light show.

Meanwhile, the natural history museum is robbed. Mom and dad are in charge of the investigation. They call us in. When we get there, only one small item is missing. The museum listed it as a ceremonial key. We have a picture of the key. The crooks are all hooded and masked, hard to make out the individuals' species or sex. We leave it in mom and dad's paws. We go back to our office, lock the door, and get Mavis involved.

"Mavis, can you tell us kind of key this is a picture of"? "Shit, Daniel." "Shit, what is shit"? "Oh, sorry, shit is just another word for scat." "So how bad is this key"? "That key is the launch key for a portable nuclear device." "Scat, I thought Carl got rid of all the old tech." "He must have kept one nuclear device for himself, why I don't know." "Mavis, would he use this device"? "Because of Carl's track record, I would say yes." "How big an area will we have to evacuate"? "Daniel, if that key is to the device, I believe it is, it would level all of Zootopia. It could even reach the Tri Borrows". "Wow, what is the yield for the device"? "About one-hundred- kilotons." "Will it still work after all this time"? "Yes, if that's one thing the ancients did well was to build bombs." "Is there any way to detect this bomb"? "If Carl has it in its original case, no, it would be too well shielded." "How big a case would it be"? "It would be as large as a large wolf suitcase or a makeup case for an elephant." "Ok, if Carl wanted revenge, what did Zootopia do to him"? "I'm sure I don't know, but if I had to extrapolate, I would say that he found out that the ones who hurt him and his complex came from Zootopia." "Yes, that fits. Is there any way to protect Zootopia from it"? "No, a disruptor might help, but by my estimates, that bomb would have to have a yield three times bigger than the nuclear device." Even if William started now, he wouldn't get it done it time." "So, what your saying is we have to find him and stop him." "Yes, that's the only way I can see." "Right, we need help, any ideas"? "None I'm afraid, you're on your own." "Thanks, I was afraid of that."

Oscar comes out to watch the fireworks, like all the rest. But unlike the rest, Oscar knew what he was seeing, "Damn, I guess it's time, again." He thinks this to himself as he goes Back inside the DOJO. He spends the afternoon and part of the evening getting his affairs in order, and later that night, he goes to talk to the two individuals who might believe his story.