Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 2
It was supposed to be her day off. A day where she could relax. Maybe even call to catch up with her mob-sister Fru Fru. But the clock that glowed brightly in the dark suggested otherwise. As the bright green number read 4 AM.
This…sucks. She declared.
Getting out of bed the small rabbit decided to spend this morning being productive. Because sleep was not going to be an option, apparently. She walked with a confident, and sluggish, stride to her bathroom. The mirror demanded her attention as she began the process of brushing her teeth. In a way, she loved this mirror. The size was simply perfect, the frame was made from beautifully carved wood that just made her bathroom look complete. On the other hand, she didn't always like how it pointed out when she was tired, injured, or just in a 'mood'. Nor did she like how her own violet eyes seemed to keep her trapped in front of the mirror on certain days. She especially hated those moments. Because it somehow always reminded her of him and when he would stare at her. He would capture her attention with his forest green eyes. As she trapped him with her violet ones.
"Stop It!" She slammed her toothbrush on the counter in anger.
You are a cop, Judy! She scolded herself as she practically ran away from the bathroom mirror. It's been over a year already. You broke up with him for a reason…or two. Grow up! Move on! It wouldn't have lasted any way…
Without much thought, she dressed into her athletic wear. A simple pink sports bra, black leggings, and black sweatbands that had pink stripes. Then placed her earbuds in turning her favorite artist, Gazelle, up on high. It was time to go for a run on the beautiful Zootopia streets.
It was 7 AM by the time she made it back to her apartment. Feeling freshly energized from the run Judy took it one step further. By immediately taking a cold shower afterward to wipe off the sweat that had built on her fur.
Now that she was clean, she dressed simply in a white button-up and blue jeans. Then, she made quick work on her breakfast, a simple carrot puree, and pancakes. And just as she finished her breakfast her phone began to ring.
"Hello?" She answered immediately recognizing the caller ID.
"Judy!" The high-pitched voice chimed gleefully "How are you darling?"
"I'm good. How are you Fru Fru?"
"Oh, you know, taking care of Daddy and Little Judy." She answered with a giggle. "By the way, Little Judy's birthday is coming up…"
"I'll request time off," Judy answered the unasked question.
"Oh, she'll be so happy to see her godmother!" Fru Fru squealed "But I'm calling for another reason, darling."
"What's up?"
"I think you know. In fact, I'm willing to bet you didn't sleep a wink last night and did a three-hour jog because of it."
"…"
"Judy?"
"…I'm fine…" She mumbled pathetically into the phone. "I'm fine. I'm in an awesome apartment for myself. Without his aid might I add. I recently got offered a promotion, properly, without his influence. I'm doing…fine."
"…darling?"
Judy couldn't speak as she felt tears build up in her eyes.
"Judy? Daddy and I are here for you if you ever wanna talk."
Judy laughed with a bitter tone. Yeah, I'll talk to the number one mob boss of Tundra Town, Mr. Big, about the one person he can't put his paws on. Who, at one time, was even under that man's payroll.
"Thanks for the offer," Judy answered sincerely. "But I think I just need to work on proving myself a good cop."
"You are a good cop, Judy." Fru Fru stated firmly. "Don't let Wilde take that away from you."
"I'm trying…"
And she was trying. Ever since that day, so many of the puzzle pieces fell together and revealed the reality of their relationship. How, at first, people respected the ZPD's first rabbit officer. Especially how she captured one bad guy after another. But then they started to question if all her accomplishments were her own hard work. Or was it the work of someone with much influence? It all came to a head when only working at ZPD for two years was she offered a promotion. A promotion that she turned down. And has since worked hard to prove to her colleagues that she did deserve to wear that badge. It worked. As she had been recently informed that she was high up on a recommendations list for a promotion.
"That is it!" Fru Fru exclaimed. "Girl's Night. I'll have Daddy send a car to pick you up."
"Wait, Fru Fru-"
"Nope. See you for dinner tonight Judy."
The phone went silent.
Judy stared at the phone screen. A picture was displayed of Judy and Fru Fru wearing overly dramatic sunglasses. As they were posed with Fru Fru on Judy's head when they made kissy faces at the camera. In the background, you could see Mr. Big laughing at the sight of them.
That was a fun night. Judy reminisced. I better dress nice for dinner then.
Judy spent the rest of her morning looking over newspaper articles with the news report running in the background on the television. That is until a certain report caught her attention from the news reporter.
"Earlier this week notorious gang leader Clifford Ermine, also known as Quick Shot, was arrested for conspiracy of attempted murder, drug distribution, assault, and various other charges."
The snow leopard reporter Fabienne Growley reported. A picture of the short-tailed stoat appeared on the screen. He appeared less than pleased wearing a black beanie that went well with his orange jumpsuit. As he was escorted from the police car into the criminal holding facility.
Judy knew this case well. So did every other officer in the Zootopia police force. They have been trying to nail him on any crime he committed for years. None of the charges ever stuck. And any witnesses that were willing to testify either chickened out last minute, disappeared or were found dead. Until recently, they found Ermine's DNA at the scene and not one of his lackeys. They even had a witness that was willing to testify seeing him at the scene. The ZPD all took a breath of relief when they finally got the court order to arrest him.
"The informant who was willing to testify has been found dead last night-"
"What!?" Judy exclaimed throwing down the newspaper in shock. "They were under protective custody."
"The content of their death is still unknown. Though the coroner's report indicates it was most likely a stabbing."
Damn it!
Just as she sank back in her chair in dismay her phone began to ring. It was a specialized ringtone that was used for only one contact.
"Chief Bogo?" Judy answered the phone.
"Hopps. I know today is your day off. But I need you to come in."
"Say no more." Judy looked at the television screen. "I think I know what this is about."
"See you within the hour."
"Yes, Sir." Judy answered before letting the phone go silent.
"Now citizens are left wondering if Quick Shot will be brought to justice or let free once again." The news reporter stated firmly before Judy turned off the screen.
He's not going to walk. Not if I have anything to do about it.
Judy wasted no time getting to the ZPD headquarters. She didn't bother changing clothes since it was her day off, officially. She took confident strides past Clawhauser not even giving a greeting. When Chief Bogo wants to see you, you don't waste a second. Judy climbed the stairs to the second floor with haste. She noticed officer Fenton standing guard in front of Chief Bogo's door.
"Fenton?"
"Hopps." He greeted. "He's expecting you."
Judy nodded in understanding as Fenton held the door open for her. She walked in expecting to see a haggard chief of police. Instead, she saw him engaging in conversation with a young lady.
"Chief Bogo?"
"Hopps." He greeted. "Come in."
She did and hoped up the side of the chair, startling the ferret in the process, then stood on the desk.
"Hopps, meet Miss Cynthia Mustela." He gestured to the pale-looking ferret. "I'm assigning you, as of this moment, to keep her in protective custody."
"Sir?"
"She is-was, was Ermine's girlfriend." Chief Bogo quickly stated.
Judy quickly turned to stare at the young girl. Who held her head low with a look of shame.
"She's willing to testify against Ermine in his upcoming trial in a week. But her condition, to both intel and her testimony, is that we keep her safe. Then, after the trial, we help her disappear."
Judy continued to look at the petrified girl. Her heart went out to the former gang leader's girlfriend. It's not easy turning someone in, let alone a gang leader that you were once intimate with.
"Why me?" Judy asked Chief Bogo without taking her eyes off Miss Mustela.
"Because…" He stopped himself from speaking the words.
But Judy knew exactly what he was going to say. It was no secret to the chief of police. Her history, why she turned down the promotion the first time, how she spent many weekends at a mob boss's home, and that she has intimate detail to Zootopia's crime network and hierarchy.
"Because of my connections." Judy stated with a frown. "Right?"
"Yes."
Judy spared a glance to her chief. Who could only look at her with pleading eyes. They both knew this might be their only chance to get Ermine behind bars.
"Alrighty then, I'll do it." Judy walked closer to the depressed-looking ferret. "Officer Judy Hopps. I will be your lead guardian while you are under protective custody."
Cynthia simply blinked at the adorable-looking, bunny officer. She had asked Chief Bogo for the officer that had the highest success rate at keeping people alive. And he sends her a bunny? The only thing that stopped her from protesting was the conversation the bunny and water buffalo had. That alone, though she'd never admitted it out loud, had piqued her interest in the bunny. What connections did this bunny actually have?
"Cynthia…thank you for your service." Cynthia muttered.
"I can have an officer be sent to your house to collect your things-"
"No need." Cynthia interrupted Judy's offer. "I have everything I need in the trunk of my car."
"Understood." Judy was in full cop mode now. "I will need your car keys. I'll have an undercover officer drive it to a vacant lot for the time being. Chief Bogo?"
"Yes, Hopps?"
"Do I have permission to take her outside of Zootopia-"
"No!" Cynthia all but yelled at the bunny. "I will not leave the only city where, yes I'm easily targeted, but also easily protected."
Judy restrained herself from correcting the ferret's logic. So instead, she nodded in false understanding.
"Then, Miss Mustela, I hope you don't mind sharing an apartment."
Judy wasn't going to leave Miss Mustela alone. Not for one moment, both for her safety, and to ensure Ermine's day in court.
