Judy was blankly looking at her report of the stolen radio's case. No matter how she changed the words around and rewrote the 2 pages, the bottom line stayed the same. She failed to find out who the 'traitor' was, and Clawhauser was still the main suspect, even though Judy herself doubted it was their beloved receptionist.

Fortunately, or rather unfortunately she lacked any kind of evidence, so nobody was held responsible for the radio. It still felt like a slap to Judy to fail such an important case. But at this point, she just wanted to leave this whole thing behind herself.

She wanted a new case to work on. Or even be assigned to patrolling duty during the night. Anything that can be productive, and not a mission to get herself hated by everyone.

She also lacked the courage to tell this to Bogo. Whenever the buffalo asked how the case was going, she answered 'Great! I Have a lead to follow, I'll probably have the radio stealer in no time!'. So that was a stupid idea…

She sighed one more time and sent the report.

Case status update: Case closed

Report sent.

She stared at the small message a bit longer and finally stood up while preparing herself for the discussion with the Chief. As she passed the reception desk, Clawhauser stood up and waved to Judy to have a word with her.

The rabbit sighed and headed towards him.

"So?" Ben started "Any news"

"I closed the case." Judy said "I had to mention you, but don't worry. Lack of evidence on everyone."

As much as he tried to hide it, Clawhauser eased up a bit. This case was as uncomfortable to him as to Judy. So he was relieved that it was finally over.

"So what now?" He asked

"Well, I will need to tell this to the chief for a start… So I will… do that…" Judy said

"He isn't here right now." Clawhauser shook his head. "He is out there testing the newest police car that arrived this morning."

"New car?"

"Yes, some new high-speed unit." Clawhauser waved. "A Hornet c7 if I remember correctly."

"Oh, so we are using supercars to defeat supercars?"

"Seems like it." The cheetah nodded "Soo… that means the case is over?"

Judy just shrugged and gave a nod. "I told you… No evidence. Well. I will talk with Bogo tomorrow morning I suppose. Not something I look forward to. Alright bye."

Suddenly a third mammal walked to the receptionist.

"Hey, so you won't be here for the half-year checkup?"

"I have the radio to be next to."

"Yeah, I guessed so." Higgins turned to Judy. "I don't suppose you would be up for the task. We usually do it with Ben, but obviously, he isn't available right now. "

Judy shook her head "No, I should already go home. I was here during the day shift. Yeah. Bye, everyone."

As Judy left she started thinking about the last comment of Higgins. She took a look at the previous equipment checkup results but the radio wasn't reported to be gone. She suddenly stopped. But Clawhouser's name wasn't there at the checking employee's list. Her face suddenly lightened up and started running back to the reception desk.

"Claw! Claw!" She panted upon arriving back at the ZPD building. "You… You are part of the checkup team?"

Seemingly confused, Clawhauser nodded "Ahh… Yes? Why?"

"You weren't mentioned!" Judy gestured with her paws. "The… The… Your passcard."

"Why wouldn't it be there?"

"It's not! It was Higgins and Jackson!"

"No it wasn't Jackson,'' Higgins said, joining the conversation. "I would remember if I had someone else next to me during the checkup."

"YES! And If I remember correctly, your invalid entry was a bit later!"

"I think so…"

"You just simply swapped cards with Johnson, and Johnson was the one signing in with your passcard! He realized it was yours, and gave it back!"

"Huh…But then… who was it?

Judy's smile faded. "Good question…" As thinking she started walking around in circles, making the two other officers confused

"Nobody in the station… At least Let's say nobody… It wasn't Clawhauser… wasn't Fangmeyer… And wasn't Wolfard… Nobody I talked with seemed suspicious and oh boy, when I say I've talked to everyone here, I mean it. So what if… the someone who stole the radio doesn't work here anymore?" Suddenly her eyes widen. "Ohmygod I'm so stupid! It's so obvious."

"Who?"

"I figured it out! I FIGURED IT OUT! The… The guy… You know, the one who was sick a lot of times… I'd bet my badge he wasn't sick. He was just out there racing around! Ahh, what was his name… It was a kid, like 23 years old at max."

"Jacob?" Higgins asked.

"YES! Jacob. Do we still have his number?"

"I think so…" Clawhauser said and started searching in the database. "Here it is."

"Well." Judy gave a smile "Let's give him a call shall we?"

"Hey, big mouth!" Jack greeted Nick. "You've come in time. Come on, meet the crew." He said and gestured inside. "There is our one and only Freddie, you've already met him yesterday. And our Wildcard. You name a place, he will be there

"Sup!" The leopard greeted Nick. He was probably a bit more than 20. So knowing he is part of the Quickshifters, made Nick think that the cat had some real talent. He also seemed oddly familiar for some reason. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to tell where. Who knows, they might have raced against each other one time.

"So wildcard huh? What should I call you? Wild or Card?" Nick asked which made the leopard give a bit of chuckle while looking at the fox.

"Whatever you'd like to. But don't forget to let me know first."

"Alright, Mr. Card, It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to see everyone in one place. So. What should I bring?" Jack asked.

"I dunno. I'll take whatever you bring" Wildcard shrugged while making barely noticeable glances at Nick.

"Is beer good?" The rabbit looked around

"Perfect."

"Big Mouth?" Jack turned to Nick

"Same as our Card." Nick gestured towards the leopard with his head. "Beer is alright."

Jack finally turned toward the wolf "Freddie?"

"I think I'm gonna go with you and Mia." He stood up too. "I'd like to talk to you for a second."

"Ookay… Give us a few minutes. Be right back." With that, all three of them left.

"Looks like we stayed alone, foxie." The leopard said and offered a cigarette to Nick "Want one?"

"No, thanks I'm good." Nick raised a paw.

Shrugging, Wildcard lit his own and started talking. "So. Finally Quickshifter huh? I've seen a few of your races. You're good."

"Wow. That is high praise." Nick answered a bit absent-mindedly as he was still wondering where he knew that feline from.

"I'm serious! With moves like that… You will get an invite to the big 12 in no time." He said, after blowing out some smoke.

"Are you in the big 12?" Nick caught on the opportunity but the leopard chuckled and shook his head while flicking the ash into the tray.

"I wish. This is the reason I keep racing on every opportunity I get. To get recognized by the sponsor. You know. Wildcard… Joker. Both cards are valuable in the deck."

"Well, why not Joker then?"

"I think it's obvious I don't intend to get a bat nemesis."

"Heh yeah. True."

"But to be honest, the Joker name is overused anyway." The leopard shrugged and laid back "So yeah. That's why I'm Wildcard. I'm going to every race I can get. Hopefully, if I beat one of the blacklisters, I'll have a chance to get an invitation. I think my car won't be a problem, so all eyes on my performance there."

"Let me guess. Pawtiac G8, right?" Nick asked. Curse, or blessing, if you were one of the members of the main crews, everyone who watched the news knew about your car.

"Looks like someone did their homework. Exactly. 505 horsepower full miracle. I guess I could make it higher with more upgrades, but for now… I'll stick with this."

"And how did you meet Jack?"

"Ahh, Jackie boy? On the previous big race. That one was called the 'outlaw sprint'. Yeah, I know. Not as catchy as the Big 12. There were only 8 seats and oh boy did I want one. Now looking back at my past self… I'm happy I didn't get invited. I would have gotten beaten really badly. Even Jack came last, and let me tell you, he isn't a bad racer. So I was aimlessly going around, occasionally winning against someone, but Jack was the one who helped a lot. He invited me to the Quickshifters even if I wasn't half as good as him. And look at me now! I'm certain I have some chance of winning the big race."

"So now all you need is the invitation?" Nick asked

"Pretty much." Wildcard nodded "Haven't been able to get one… Yet… I guess the sponsor leaves the best for last."

"Is there a limit on how many invitations a crew can get?"

"I think so." Wildcard shrugged. "At least last time every crew was only allowed to use 2 of their members." This little remark made Nick frown. If Jack gets an invitation, there is only one more left for their crew, which might be for Wildcard. "But you can get an invitation without the sponsor too."

"Really?" Nick raised his head, in hope "How?"

"Well… it requires challenging someone who already has an invitation. Put that up as an entry fee. Blacklisters are more than willing to do that… But they usually win their challenge. That's why it is rumored that they won 5 out of 5 invitation letter races."

"And the sponsor doesn't care that the invitations are being put up as prizes?"

"He couldn't care less if you gamble away your letter. 'Entry fee is the yellow letter.' If you have it you can go."

Nick was now sure he wouldn't get an invitation if every crew only gets 2. Jack gets one and who knows which member will get the second one. His only chance was winning one from a blacklister. There was only one question. "What do they need in exchange for an invitation?"

"Hmm?" Wildcard looked at him confused.

"I mean the Blacklisters. They offer one of their invitations, but what do they need in exchange for a race? Money?"

"Oh! Well, mostly your own car. If you are willing to put it on the line, you are up for a race against them. But they usually give a twist in their races."

"What twists?" Nick asked. Of course, there was a catch. There just had to be one.

"Ehh that depends on the circumstances." The leopard shrugged. "Sometimes they just forbid something, like shifting up to your top gear. But I've heard there was once a race where they punctured both rear tires of everyone. They tell you as if the new rule is fair for everyone. But in reality, they practice with those handicaps."

"And you still want to race against them?"

"Gotta take my chances. If they want my car, so be it. It would hurt my heart a bit, but… I have money to buy a better one so it wouldn't be too bad."

Just as Nick was about to answer 3 mammals hurried out of the room next to them.

"Come on, you know I didn't mean it like that!" Freddie rushed after the angry Mia.

"Oh really?" The upset fox turned back "Then how did you mean it?"

"I meant 'you ARE a fox' and not 'You are a FOX' I… come on!"

Mia just rolled her eyes and kept on walking toward the exit.

Jack had two beers in his paws and seemed confused why while following Mia, but looking at the other two members of his crew he suddenly remembered.

"Sorry, be right back." He placed the drinks in front of them and followed Freddie. "Hey wait up! Slow down!"

"The hell happened there," Wildcard muttered while taking a sip from his own drink

Still looking at the door, where all three mammals disappeared Nick absentmindedly answered. "Either a huge misunderstanding or something else is going on." After thinking a bit he turned to the leopard again. "I'll be back in a minute."

"Sure." He acknowledged what Nick said.

Going outside, Nick didn't see anyone else other than Jack, sitting on the stairs.

Hearing Nick's steps, Jack slightly turned towards him, but still without making eye contact. "Sorry, bud. This night should be about you joining, and not some stupid drama. Well…" Jack started, not really knowing how to follow up this sentence. "Look I know it's a stupid question, but... what do you think about..." He stopped

"Thinking about... What?"

"God, it's so stupid." Jack chuckled. "I feel like a college student just by thinking it's so big of a deal... I don't even feel like myself, it's like I'm a completely different person while talking to her. It's about... Me and Mia."

"What about you two?"

"Are we okay together? I mean… Alright. Nevermind. Just forget I asked this. The question seemed even stupider after I said it. It's just..."

"Yes, Yes you are probably meant together." Nick interrupted. "That one was easy, next question please."

Spotting Jack's confused glare, Nick couldn't help but snicker "I told you I'm not the one to judge... But Looking at the state of you right now, I feel like someone did judge, and someone, whose opinion you actually care about. My bet is on Freddie."

"You are one walking detective, Big Mouth," Jack joked. "You would make a good officer."

"Yeah, who knows? One day I'll be the one sirening behind you. But If you see me, you should pull over. Let's be honest, you have no chance against me."

"Even if you are in a snail slow police car. Yeah, I have no doubt."

"So?" Nick tried to divert the discussion back to its original track. "Was I right about Freddie?"

Jack's smile disappeared and sighed. "Yes. And I guess his opinion struck where it hurts the most."

"C'mon, what does he know?"

"He did save me from a horrible relationship," Jack added

"How so?"

"Well. Long story short, I was too blind to see the red flags, and Freddie made me realize that it had to go. So right now It made me think if it's the same situation now or not. He might be right about this. Is he right? I'm not sure anymore."

"Look." Nick stared at Jack. "I don't know what your previous relationship was, but I can assure you this won't be the same. You said you felt like a different person while talking to her. The way I see it… It might be the other way around. You wore that 'professional mask' for so long that you don't even realize the real you anymore. And around her, you can be just… Yourself. You don't need to stay professional anymore. Just think about how she might feel right now. You aren't there to assure her, what Freddie said isn't what you think. Go on. You should be next to her."

Jack for a few seconds couldn't answer. He was shocked by Nick's monologue.

"Come on, go!" Nick said again and now he finally received two quick nods.

"Yes. Yes, sure." He stood up with a newfound will and looked back "Thank you! And welcome to the team!"

"Heh yeah…" Nick muttered while staring at the running rabbit. "Welcome to the team."

AN: Hello again, if you held out for this long for a new chapter, I'd like to tell you, I really appreciate your patience. As you can see, I finally lifted the hiatus status off this work so expect the updates to get regular. I'll try to update twice a week, but more likely will only do it once per week. We will see how quickly I can do the final touches on each chapter. As for how many chapter this work will be... Maybe 25... Probably more.

As you can see the stolen radio's case will be shortly wrapped up. Let's just say, Judy's annoyance was mine. I wanted that plotline to be dealt with as soon as possible. So a few people might feel unstatisfied with the closure of that part, since I did the thing nobody should do... I introduced a new suspect whoose name haven't even got brought up until now. This is just poor writing and I'll take the blame for that. The other solution was to erease that plotline from existence. So yeah. Which solution was the least bad? You tell me.

Special thanks to Rounix, who helped me every time I got stuck while writing.