A/N \\\ So... Here is the 13th installment. Hope you enjoy.
Note: I am going to periodically use an internal dialog technique from time to time that I am totally stealing from another author. I loved it so much I'm test driving it here in hopes of using the same technique in my original works.
Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author.
I do not own and claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.
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At the third bank after Mike had joined Nick and Joan.
The Moose bank manager set the footlocker sized safe deposit box on the small table where Mike and Joan waited, Nick stepping around the bank manager as he walked away. Looking over the locker, Mike couldn't help be think it was big enough that he could fit inside it. He watched as Nick unlocked the three bio-metric pad locks, using three different fingers. He then replaced the batteries on all of them, before opening the top cover and removing the contents.
Joan watched with clear interest as each carefully wrapped item was removed and set on the table by Nick, making a new line on her notepad for each item Nick pulled out.
Nick smiled at the collection of items on the table once he had finished. "Okay, Joan. Have at."
Joan glanced into the box and saw the same thing Mike did from his taller position. "Nick, what's below the false bottom?"
Frowning and looking over his shoulder at Mike. Nick shook his head with a sigh. "That is something that only Carrot's needs to know about. She does. That's the end of the answers either of you want. Period."
Mike smiled. "Residue from a former life that you can't un-know or get rid of?"
Frowning, Nick nodded. "Well put. For the purposes of this little adventure. Please don't be as smart and observant as I know you both actually are. If not for mine, or your own sake, than for your own mates and Judy."
Mike nodded. "No problem Nick. I get it. It's not black and white matter. I've got a few things from undercover ops that never made it into the reports. Things I know, that protect Lizz and I, but only so long as they stay locked up."
"Right."
Joan frowned and shook her head. "Fine, Nick. Never make me regret it."
"That's kinda the point of me asking."
Snorting in his direction, Joan turned her attention to the items on the table. Everything there was wrapped in bubble-wrap and packing tape. Slowly she unwrapped the last item to come out of the box, Nick and Mike ready with a new roll of tape and some extra bubble-wrap just in case.
Revealing the item in question, Joan gasped and almost dropped it in her shock. She gingerly set the item down on the table and put on a set of gloves she had brought. Once gloved, she began to examine it.
Mike chuckled, seeing the item. "So, it's a StarFox figurine, so what? I had a few of those when I was a cub."
Joan looked up at him as she took some notes, then looked back down and wrote an amount in the column she had drawn for her value estimate. "This is, so what!" Pointing to the value.
It was Mike's turn to gasp in shock. "You're screwing with me!"
"No, I'm not! These don't exist. I mean, they do, but still in package, no blemishes, and this is even an alternative version, the ideal one to own. This is... The last time one went to auction, it went for three million, and it had damage to the cardboard. They only made a few thousand of these."
Turning to Nick after carefully wrapping up the toy, she handed it back to Nick who held it as Mike put a few strips of tape on it to hold the packing closed. Nick then put it back in the box as Joan was unwrapping the next item.
Mike watched as she made notes about each item and gave it an estimated value on her pad. A few thousand for one item, another for a hundred thousand. Until finally she got to the last three items. Three piles of comics in clear plastic bins, each comic in it's own bag as well. Mike estimated that they had tallied, with that first item, nearly five million worth of collectibles up to that point, and just shook his head. He watched Nick look at the numbers and rub the back of his neck, clearly not realizing what it was all worth.
Nick shook his head looking at the estimated values. "Come on now Joan, that seems a bit much."
Turning from looking at the three clear bins of comics and giving Nick a tired look. "Nick. I had thought, after talking to Judy, that you guys had an idea of what you had. You clearly don't have the first fucking clue." Her voice going up. "In this cache alone, you have three collectibles that are not supposed to exist, just like the SpiderWolf. If the comics in there are what I think they are... based on the notes you gave me..." She looked over to the bins and then back, her voice dropping. "If they are what I think... It's going to at least double the value here. You're going to have to sell some stuff just to cover the insurance."
Scoffing, Nick laughed nervously, glancing at Mike. "Joan... I kinda wish you weren't here right now Mike. With what I'm seeing. We're not going to be doing any insurance on this stuff. We can't afford it."
Mike was shocked at the sudden rage that came over Joan as she advanced on Nick. "What! Are you insane. You have to. You cannot, not do it."
Nick's ears fell flat against the back of his head and he tail fell to the ground. "Joan. If we put in the insurance policy, the value gets reported to IA. With just what you have written there already, Judy and I would be looking for new jobs."
Joan stopped and looked at Nick confused. "What‽ What are you talking about?"
Mike sighed and stepped up. "Well, Nick is being a bit exaggerated, but not by much. There are rules about how much value in the form of investments, bank balance, property like houses, etc... a cop can have. The higher the rank, the more then can have, but the point being. What you have written down now, they could insure. If you were to triple the value, one of both of them would be out of a job."
Joan gasped. "Oh crap!"
Nick nodded to Mike. "Yeah, so... From here on out, if you could skip the valuation and just give us a rating on things."
Joan's ears splayed to the side, tail flicking in irritation. "Nick... That defeats the purpose." Looking at the comics, then back at Nick, her shoulders slumped. "I'm sure you're going to tell me that they will ignore the fact that these values are judgment calls, and not a true value as that would only be determined at the time of a sale."
"Well, yeah. If you were just some random comic nerd, it could be ignored, but you are not. You have a reputation at this point. IA and the Ethics division will take the value given at face value. Their job isn't to think about the fact that a change in the market might make something worth ten thousand today, worth ten bucks tomorrow. They only care what it was valued at right now."
"Crap. Then I can't look at those, or anything else. Sure as hell cannot look at the SpiderWolf."
They were all quiet for several long moments, Joan looking over at the comics with a wistful look, clearly wanting to see what was there. Mike frowned, realizing what Nick probably meant. Nick had to stop the valuation now, before any more got added, otherwise he'd be in violation. At least if he stopped, he could claim ignorance as to the value of the rest of it. Without him there, he could find out, and then destroy the numbers.
Mike shook his head. "I'm sorry Nick. Me being here is going to stop you from finding out."
Nick looked up at Mike, cracking a smile. "Not to worry, buddy. Everything is under control." Turning to Joan, his smile turned devious. "Go ahead Joan and keep working. You're actually doing this valuation for a trust that will manage the collection." Looking back up at Mike. "It's a little loop-hole in the rules. I have been talking to Bill about how we set it up for some time, but we need a full valuation to do so. Everything is ready we just need the numbers."
Mike smiled, realizing that he was setting Joan up. "Then why am I here?"
"We need a witness to sign off on the valuation, and oddly enough, a ZPD officer is something specifically listed in the rules. Judy and I knew that what we had was valuable, but really didn't know how valuable, so we had put off setting up the trust. When Lizz's brother revealed how much the SpiderWolf was probably worth, we realized that we couldn't put it off any more."
Shaking his head, Mike laughed lightly. "I see. You couldn't plead ignorance at that point, so you're jumping on the full valuation so you can get the Trust in place, side-stepping the issues with IA and the Ethics division."
Nick nodded. "Precisely."
The sudden flash of rage across Joan's face was missed by both males, but her shout was not. "What‽" Joan grabbed Nick by the front of his shirt. "You conniving, no good, son of a sly fox!" She stood there and stared at Nick for a log moment, rage in her eyes going out. "Such a jerk."
Nick smiled down at Joan. "Sorry Joan, I had to have my fun, too."
Joan roared and reared back to hit Nick, but stopped with her fist raised, her other paw still holding his shirt. An angry growl emanating from her and Nick started to look worried. "Joan?"
With a frustrated growl she shoved Nick away. "You are such a jerk! I should have known you had some angle. So you actually need me to continue the valuation?"
"I very much do, please, and we will pay you according to the going rate. We need the most accurate you can give us, as that will be used to set up the trust. I brought Mike along as the witness of the valuation."
Mike frowned. "But if that is the case, I have only seen a fraction of the whole."
"You've seen, and will see, the most important parts. The first part only came to a few hundred thousand. You just need to see the majority of the valuation by actual value."
"Okay."
Nick turned to Joan, giving her a perfect set of puppy eyes. "Joan. Would you please complete the valuation. Now that you know the reason for it. I wasn't going to mention the trust until we got to the SpiderWolf, because we know already that the valuation of that was going to push things well above the limit. However..." Pointing to her notes. "With what you have for just this one cache, we're well on the way to blowing past the limit, and then you said it'd likely double or more when you went in on the comics, so..."
"You decided to have a little fun at my expense." Before either male could react, Joan punched Nick in the shoulder. Not hard, but enough to let him know about it. "Such a jerk. Okay, I'll keep going, but I reserve the right to punch you whenever I feel the need, due to finding something that shouldn't exist. Deal?"
Nick grinned. "You'd better make them worth it, as I will be reporting all punches received to Judy with why I earned it. That's the other reason for Mike being here. To validate the reasons for me being hit, as I knew you'd go there, just like when we were kits."
Growling with a grumbled, Joan turned back to the first case of comics. "Jerk face."
Nick relaxed. "Thank you, Joan. Judy and I both appreciate it."
Giving Nick a death glare. "I'm doing this for Judy, not you. I do not understand how she puts up with you."
Shaking his head, Nick sighs. "I wish I knew. I ask myself that regularly... I would do anything for her Joan. She knows everything, and doesn't judge me for it, or look down on me. She loves me in spite of it all and is carrying my kits. There is nothing I would not do for her, or them."
Joan's glare softening. "I know that." Her ears laying back against her head, tail falling. "I'm sorry, Nick. It's just." Indicating the cache with a paw. "This stuff. You have stuff that is un-circulated. And things like the FireFox piece. Nick... My entire livelihood is build on buy, selling, and trading in such things, knowing what they are worth at a glance. You and Judy have things I haven't seen outside of high end auctions. Worse, you have stuff that is in better condition than those auctions. How is that possible?"
Nick shrugged. "I just liked what I liked. Like Judy, I almost always picked up two. One to enjoy, and one to keep for later. So I could enjoy it later. That later became stuffed in a box with other stuff, then in a storage unit, then when I saw comics and stuff becoming valuable, in caches like this. Judy and I have added her stuff to the caches. The purple versus green markings.
For her, she got two so that when the one eventually got snatched up by one of her hundreds of siblings, she would still have the other one for herself. She kept things carefully locked up to protect them from her siblings. Then they got put in storage with other things when she was older. Neither of us really thought about it or what we had and how much it might be worth. With my life as it was before, I didn't have the time to think about what I may or may not have had and it's value. Judy had other priorities than thinking about what it was worth."
"But Nick, surely you would have had some inkling?"
Shaking his head, Nick opened the first bin Joan had been contemplating, laying the thirty comics within on the table. Pawing through them, he found the one he wanted and handed it to Joan. "What's this one worth?"
Taking the comic from Nick, Joan's eyes bulged. "Nick... This is an Empowered #2" Pulling a new set of gloves from her pocket, Joan carefully removed the comic from it's sleeve and leafed through it gently. "My gods." Sliding it back into it's sleeve, she picked up her pen and made some notes, then shaking her head, put down a figure. Nick, that comic alone is probably worth 150,000, or more, depending on the timing it's sold, but that's a low end."
Nick nodded. "You've only been in business for a few years, Joan. I tried to sell that very comic a few years ago, before you started Relics'. I was willing to take a hit against what I knew, having looked up specifically what it was worth. I took it to dozen's of shops. The most I was ever offered was 500 for it, and most places accused me of making a counterfeit. One accused me of stealing it and called the ZPD on me. I was already an officer at that point! Only just, but I was."
Joan's ears fell and her shoulders slumped. "Because you were a fox."
"Because I was a fox." Looking up at Mike. "You and Lizz responded to that call."
Mike shook his head. "I remember that. I was honestly shocked at the hate directed at you, that you just seemed to take in stride. You just wanted our help in getting out of there."
"Yeah. I just needed to get out of there. I still have that #2. They had pulled the #1 under the counter and he ripped the #3 in half when he accused me of counterfeiting them. That's why I only have the #2 and #5 now. They snatched the #4 too. I thought I had grabbed it. Turns out, like the #1, they had slipped it from the counter while I was dealing with you and Lizz."
Mike shook his head. "Hold on. Nick... Are you telling me that the Llama that called us in, that spat all that horrible shit at you, stole two of your comics?"
Nick nodded. "Yeah, but I'd been on the job, what? Three days?"
Joan interjected. "You're saying Harvey destroyed a mint #3 and stole two of the most valuable?" Looking up at Mike. "That #4 is worth at much as that FireFox figure today, back then it was worth about 500,000 at the right auction. The #1 was worth, at that time, probably 75,000. Now it would be worth nearly 400,000."
Mike spun on Nick. "Why didn't you say something‽ Why did you walk out of there with two less than you walked in with?"
Nick looked up at Mike, ears and tail down. "Mike... Listen Buddy. It is what it is. I try not to dwell on it. I wasn't meaning to make you feel bad or anything. It was supposed to be a point to Joan that until I had access to the internet and Judy's account she uses to sell stuff for us, I couldn't get even a fraction of what this stuff is worth. I would only get accosted, accused, cussed, and in some cases, had stuff taken from me. Even as an officer at the time, willing to take a hit on the value, so I stopped trying" Sighing and shaking his head sadly. "Don't think to hard on it buddy. You're not the same wolf that responded to that call." Giving Mike a slap on the shoulder. Turning to Joan. "So, lets keep going so Judy and I can set up the trust."
Joan nodded and turned to the comics. "No problem, Nick." Taking notes on each and adding a value.
Unnoticed by either Nick or Joan, Mike had pulled out his phone and typed up some notes on what he just heard, then fired them off to Bogo. He didn't say who it was that had the items stolen from them, only that it had happened a few years prior during a call, and that he had only just learned what had happened.
Once she was done with all three bins, Nick packed the rest of it away, made sure it was all secure, then closed and locked up the box with the bio-metric locks. He then called the bank manager, who took the box and returned it to the vault, Nick following.
Mike watched Nick enter the vault with three security officers to lock up the box in the vault itself. Seeing this, Mike got angry and walked up to the Bank manager. Schooling his face, ears, and tail, Mike tapped the manager on the shoulder. "Pardon me sir, is it standard procedure for three guards to accompany a customer in order to lock their safe deposit box?"
The bank manager turned to look at Mike. "Of course."
"With all your customers? Would you send in three if I had a box here?"
Laughing lightly. "Of course not sir."
"And why not, might I ask?"
"Well, you're not a fox, for one."
Mike nodded. "That's what I thought. So you have different rules for different species?"
The manager nodded. "It's simply to protect both our vulpine customers and our other customers. By sending three guards, our other customers are assured that their things are safe, and our vulpine customers are assured that no one will accuse them unfairly."
Despite how reasonable that sounded, Mike gave up on his civil tone. "Even when that vulpine is one of the ZPD's most decorated officers?"
Joan grabbed Mike's arm. "Mike... Don't. It isn't worth it."
Mike looked down at Joan confused. "Joan?"
Pulling Mike away from the concerned and confused looking bank manager, and speaking softly. "Mike. Don't. It isn't worth it, and you'll just put Nick and Judy in the position of having to move this cache, if not already."
Mike continued to look at Joan confused. "Joan, I don't understand what you mean. What isn't worth it? Why would they have to move the cache?" Joan continued to drag the confused wolf out of the bank.
Once on the steps of the bank, she stopped and looked up at him. "Sorry to have to tell you this Mike, but what you just saw in there was what I'd consider a good experience for a fox in a bank."
"What are you talking about, the other two banks had no issues."
"You weren't paying attention then. Did you not see that Nick had to pay them to access the box? That he had to pay for how long we were in there, both him and I?"
Mike's eyes going wide. "No. I did not see that."
Joan shook her head. "Mike. You really seem like a good guy. Lizz is a wonderful mammal. Neither of you have the experience to understand. While I assure you Nick appreciates what you were trying to do, but you were just making it worse for him and possibly a lot of other mammals."
"Joan, that makes no sense."
Sighing, Joan shakes her head. "I'm not sure how I can fully express to you so you can understand. My mate, had to open the accounts for Relics'. Remember, he's a wolf in your pack. He's the one that makes the deposits. He's the one who goes in when there are issues. Because if I did it, I'd be charged a surcharge just for walking into the bank. I'd get charged extra fees on the account for being a fox. I didn't go with him when we were looking for an apartment. I stayed in the car down the block, and he IM'd me pictures.
Foxes don't have the luxury of arguing with the treatment we get, if we want to get anything at all. We pay more for an apartment, we pay extra fees if we want to have a bank account. Nick was let into the bank and into the vault to unlock and lock his box. He was allowed to have the box at all, and likely pays three times what you would; and he's just glad he is able to get the box at all."
At that moment two ZPD cruisers pulled up. McHorn, Delgato, Pennington, and Hornworth getting out. They headed towards the bank, guns drawn. Mike heard Joan curse and started running back towards the bank, Mike following them inside.
Mike called out as he caught up with the officers just as the opened the door. "Erik, hold up. What's going on?"
Delgato stopped and looked at Mike in surprise. "Mike? What are you doing here? We just got called in on a disturbance. Some mammal slipped into the vault."
Mike's ears folded against his head. "I'm here with Nick and Joan doing an accounting of Nick and Judy's collections." Pushing past his fellow officers to see one of the security guards restraining Nick, the others holding tasers on him. Storming up to the bank manager Mike spun him by the shoulder, the Moose looking at Mike in shock. "What the hell is going on here‽"
The bank manager took a step back from the clearly angry wolf. "I'm sorry sir. We were just asking the fox to leave. I can help you in just a moment."
Erik steps up. "Mike, what's going on? Is that Nick?"
Ignoring Erik. "You mean the fox that you sent three guards into the vault to oversee locking up his own safe deposit box?"
"Well, yes. Though I received a several complaints from other customers after you walked away. We were asking the fox to leave and he refused, stating that he would need to take his box with him. However, we checked our records and his account is past due, so we are confiscating the content of his box to render payment."
Erik flinched back at this and turned to Nick, who was clearly cornered, tail down, paws up, ears back. "Hey Nick. Are you behind on your payments?"
Nick didn't look away from the agitated guards. "No, Erik. Judy and I are not behind on our payments. Clearly they don't want my business here anymore, so I requested that they let me take my things. They refused and then started up the claim that I'm behind. When I told them they were not stealing my things, we ended up here with you called."
The bank manager suddenly looked concerned with the familiarity of the officers and the fox. "I can assure you that you being called was quite legitimate. The fox accused us of trying to steal his things, which per the contract on his box, can be confiscated in place of payment. As I said also, I received complaints from other customers against the fox. This prompted us to do a records check, which showed him behind."
Mike piped in. "Yet you let him into the bank and accessed to his box without checking to make sure he wasn't behind? How many customers complained? Which customers? Are they still here? Then there is the point that you somehow received multiple complaints; I'm assuming you recorded those; then you pulled off a records check, inside the time I left your side and returned, less then three minutes? So you decided to confiscate the content of his safe deposit box. Is that right? Even though you hadn't bothered to check when we arrived. We, as it Nick and I."
The bank manager nodded nervously. "That's correct."
Erik stepped up. "I would very much like to see this record of delinquency."
"I... I'm sorry officer, but bank policy won't allow me to release that without a court order."
Erik grinned, as the other officers stood back watching with interest. "Well, as there appears to be a crime being actively committed, I very much need to see those records right now, otherwise I'll be forced to assume that what you are telling me is a lie and when we do get a warrant for the records, it will include a request for the full change log. You can also consider this as formal notice to hold and preserve all records associated."
The bank managers ears flicked nervously. "I'm afraid I still cannot show you those records."
Nick piped up. "Look. Just let me take my locker and fucking bill me. I've paid this bank 400 dollars a month for four years. I won't even ask for a refund for the rest of this month."
Erik shook his head and looked to Nick. "Gods mammal, how big a box do you have?"
Still not looking away from the guards that had him back up against the wall. "Box on the counter there, with the bio-metric locks on it."
Erik looked and frowned. "Nick, that's a hundred dollar box, at most. I have one that size, in this very bank."
"I'm a fox Erik. Don't question it."
Feeling punched in the chest Mike let out a growl. "You're telling us you are paying four times what you should be, because you are a fox?"
Sighing, Nick turned his head very slowly to look at Mike and Erik. "I'm a fox. I'm lucky they let me in the damn building, let alone have a box at all with only a three guard escort. They probably overheard us discussing the content and it's value, which is why we were here."
Erik looked back at the other officers, all of whom were frowning deeply, then turned back to the bank manager. "So here is what is going to happen. You're going to call off your guards and you are going to allow Sargent Nick Wilde, ZPD precinct one, to take his locker. Once I am off shift, I will be back to retrieve the items I have in my own locker and to close my accounts. I will then be calling my brother and he will also be closing his accounts with this bank."
The bank manager's eyes dilated. "Sir. That really won't be necessary."
"Oh, but I think it is. Actually, I think it is very necessary. I also think this is necessary." Reaching up and grabbing his radio from his shoulder. "Dispatch, this is Delgato at that disturbance at 2nd National of the Meadowlands."
*Go ahead Delgato.* Came Clawhauser's cheery voice.
Nick spoke up. "Erik, don't. Please."
"Yeah, can you please send Detectives Rootel and Yax to the scene. They might want to reach out to the civil rights mammals."
Nick spoke up again. "Erik. No! As long as I get my box, we can forget this."
*Roger that, Delgato. They are actually just around the corner and will be there any moment.*
Joan walked up, putting a paw on Erik's arm. "Erik. Please don't."
Kneeling down to Joan, the lion smiles. "Hi Joan, what's up?"
Sighing. "Look. If you and Bill pull out, it'll fold."
"That's kinda the point."
"Listen. I know this doesn't make sense to you, but this is one of the few banks that will even do business with foxes at all. Yes, they over-charge, and don't treat us well, but they do at least let us get accounts. There are certain hours we cannot enter the bank to do business. But they do, do business with us."
Erik frowned, Hornworth who had been standing next to them and listening scoffed. "You're telling me that you don't want us to address this?"
Nick spoke up. "It isn't about wanting to or not Jack."
The Detectives walk in and take in the scene, Rootel frowned upon seeing Nick with tasers leveled at him and held by another guard. "Fuck. What the hell is going on."
Nick repeated the curse under his breath. "Hey Rootel. Just trying to get my things and leave the bank, as they don't seem to want my business anymore. That's all. No need for you guys to be here, so you can head out. Right Mr. Manager?"
The manager grabbed onto the lifeline that Nick was throwing him. "Right. Just a misunderstanding. Please take your items and leave so we can get about our business. We'll send you the account closing paperwork and an invoice or check as appropriate in the mail. Of course you know that you will not be allowed an account with 2nd National in the future."
Nick nodded slowly as the guards backed off and motioned him to his locker. Taking the locker, he hefted it onto his shoulder and moved slowly towards his fellow officers. "Wouldn't want one."
Mike and Erik both looked incensed, Erik putting a paw on Nick's shoulder to stop him. "Nick..."
Shaking his head, Nick shrugged off Erik's paw and walked towards the exit. "Erik. No. This is a best case at this point."
The other officers watched Nick walk out, tail hanging low and ears back in defeat, not believing what they were seeing. They followed Nick out. Rootel stopped Nick on the steps. "Seriously Wilde, what the hell?"
Setting the locker down, he looked up at the leopard. "I got to keep my things. They'll send me a bill for a few grand that I'll pay. Hopefully they won't screw over too many foxes by closing their accounts. Probably just levy some fees on them."
Rootel shook his head. "Not good enough, Nick. Why was I called?"
"Because Erik and Mike did what so many decent mammals do when they actually see what life is like for a fox. They didn't know any better, thus you got called. Only, in order to minimize the damage to innocent mammals, I am going to ask you not to do anything. If you take any actions." Looking up at Erik. "If you pull your accounts and have Bill pull his. You are condemning every fox that has an account here to losing what money they may have deposited here, along with any weasel, skunk, or other marginalized species. The repercussions of you taking action." Pointing to both Rootel and Delgato. "Are far reaching and will likely result in a lot of mammals losing their homes, kits being taken from their parents, or at least going hungry while their parents try and get new accounts somewhere else."
Both frowned deeply, Erik staring down at the fox. "Nick, that's ridiculous."
Glaring at Erik, Nick opted for snark. "Yeah, and there was never a vigilante in Zootopia that called himself The Vengeful Vulpine."
Joan stepped up next to Nick, the other officers watching from behind Erik and Rootel. "As I was telling Mike. My mate makes all our deposits for Relics', and the accounts are not named for the business. That way we don't get screwed on fees and surcharges. Foxes, weasels, and other marginal species don't have a lot of banking choices. This bank is one of the few that does business with us. Yes, they screw us over at any chance they get, over charge us for things, but at least we can get an account to pay for things. If you go after these people, even if it is the right thing to do on the surface, the number of mammals that will get screwed, and how they'll get screwed, outweighs that."
Nick nodded, picked up his locker again, and started to walk away, motioning Mike and Joan to follow. Rootel blinking in disbelief as the fox walked away. Erik shook his head and motioned for the uniformed officers to head out. Seeing this Rootel bristled. "Enough. Wilde, I need you to give a statement, along with the rest of you."
Stopping at Mike's car, Nick looked over his shoulder without stopping. "Not happening" He waited for Mike to open the trunk and deposited the locker inside.
Rootel, Delgato, Yax, and Hornworth approached the car. Rootel stopped Nick from opening the passenger door. "I said enough. There has obviously been several crimes committed here, Wilde."
Nick frowned and looked up at the leopard again, then over to the white tailed buck, Hornworth and Delgato. "Look. You're not wrong, but it is not happening. I got to keep my stuff. That's great for me." Looking at Erik. "Please, don't pull your accounts, at least not for a few months, and don't tell them why, if or when you do." Looking back at Rootel. "I know you are just not going to listen to me, but let me ask you to do something first. Before you decide to do anything, look up why Hopps has a formal reprimand in her file. You have the rank to look that up, so do that much first.
Then ask yourself why Judith Hopps would do that? If you want to know, feel free to call her, or ask Ben, or better yet, just bypass all that and ask Bogo. He knows exactly why. Then, after that, if you still don't want to listen, do what you feel you need to do, but that won't include a statement from me."
The leopard was angry at this point. "Wilde, I could arrest you for obstruction."
Nick sighed in resignation and held out his paw, wrists together. "Then do it. Because I'm not giving you a statement. I'm not pressing charges against anyone. They could have tazed me in there and I still wouldn't. This isn't about me, Earl. I'm not going to fill out a report about what happened. I got my things, which is great for me. You know what sucks for me? Right now they are changing their records so they can send me a bill for a few grand." Looking to Joan. "What do you think? Three or four?"
Joan laughed sadly. "My bet is on five, and at least fifteen accounts."
Nick nodded sadly in thought. 'Yeah, that sounds about right."
Rootel shook with anger. "What the hell are you talking about? What accounts?"
Anger tinged Nick's voice as he turned back to the leopard. "The accounts of foxes, weasels, maybe a skunk or two. Right now they're picking a handful of them. Because you guys showed up, and because I got to walk out with Judy and my things, there are some mammals that won't have an account by end of business today. If they're lucky, they'll just be really low on funds due to some extra fee's that will get applied.
Don't worry though, they'll find out when they're trying to buy groceries tonight, or tomorrow. They'll find out when they try to pay their rent but can't because their account doesn't exist anymore, the money they had in those accounts. Gone into oblivion. I was about to give up, until you guys showed up. At least if I had done that, they'd have gotten what they wanted out of the fox, and they wouldn't be screwing anyone else over.
Because you guys showed up, now there are families that are going to lose their homes. There are kits that are going to go hungry. There are parents that are going to have their kits taken from them because they are clearly unfit, since they can't keep a roof over their heads."
Tail whipping in anger, ears laid flat, Nick was on a roll and kept going before the leopard could respond. "Why is this going to happen you ask? Well, that's an easy one. Because Kit Services just seems to know when this happens, and as the family is packing their things out as they're being evicted, KS will be there waiting, probably with a few officers like yourselves standing by just in case." Indicating Erik and Hornworth with his chin. "How many times have you been on one of those calls, huh? That's just these small few. You take this bank down. The moment you hit them with a warrant or a subpoena, every fox, weasel, skunk, or other marginal species with an account will find they don't have one. The records of their accounts will cease to exist. All of which is on my head for thinking that being a cop will override my species.
The only thing I can hope to do if find out who gets hit and get them some money before they lose their home, or KS gets wind of what happened." Turning to Joan as the others looked on at Nick in shock, only Joan just nodding along sadly. "Joan. I need you to set up an auction for the three big comics in this cache. One of the other things that Judy and I have been thinking of doing is starting a foundation. Since I just cost several mammals their their savings by getting to keep my stuff, because I arrogantly assumed that being an officer would afford me some insulation, I want those sold to start it. As soon as possible please. I'm okay with taking a slight loss on value."
Joan nodded. "Understood. Lets swing by my shop, I'll put them in the safe and have my head mammal get the ball started."
"Sounds good. With any luck we can find out who got hit and get them enough to get by." Nodding sadly, Joan opened the back door as Nick looked at Rootel's paw on the door then back up at the leopard. "So what's it going to be?"
Growling deep in his throat in anger, Rootel leaned down into Nick's face. "This is absurd. I'm not listening to this crap anymore, Wilde. I'm reporting this to Bogo. You've just shit all over your career, and for what? Some absurd conspiracy theory about how you as a fox are discriminated against and abused. I'm done with this." Reaching back and crabbing his cuffs, only to be stopped by Hornworth.
Hornworth had been watching things and growing angrier, when Rootel went for his cuffs he charged forward and grabbed the leopards arm. "No."
Looking back at Hornworth in shock, Rootel shook himself free. "Are you insane?"
"No, I'm not. Because I have been on those calls more times than I can count. I've lost count how many parents I have had to hold back as KS took their kits. Worse, I watched it happen in my own life. When I was little, a vixen that lived down the hall from us would look after a bunch of kits from the complex after school, including her own. There were probably twelves of us, and they would use our apartment, being the largest. She got some extra money from the parents. They were the nicest mammals. Always sharing, always willing to help out. I still miss her veggie casserole.
Our bathroom shared a wall with the vixen and her mate, at least until he didn't come home one day. A few weeks after that happened, I was up late one night to use the bathroom, and the thin walls of the apartment let me hear her talking to what I assume was a relative. She was asking if they could take her kits because they were being evicted. Without her mate's income, they couldn't afford the 2500 a month they needed. I have checked with my parents. Ours was a 1200 a month apartment with four bedrooms. Hers was a two bedroom, one bath.
She was trying to get her kits out before the eviction was final. She didn't. I remember watching as they moved their stuff out. I helped, since I was so much stronger, but still small enough to fit in their apartment. KS was waiting and took the kits, my friends. The didn't even ask if she had a new place, they knew she didn't.
Her name was Clair. Case file number 58326D1. Unsolved homeless mammal killed. Her mates name was Rex. Case file number 58122C3. Currently server time for capitol murder. It really isn't possible for him to have committed the crime in question, but he's a fox.
They had two kits, a boy and a girl. The todd's name is James. He was a year younger than me, and I was kinda like his older brother. His sister's name was Anna. She lives in Happytown, and won't accept any help from me. Her brother, when I finally found him, was in prison for theft. His fifth conviction. I've met with him. His first conviction was cleared about three months ago, by Wilde and Hopps when they took down the anti-inter group. His first conviction was based on dodgy, circumstantial, and planted evidence, and the fact that he was a fox after all.
When he went in, he cut himself off from his mate afterwards, to save her from having a felon as her mate. As a felon, he couldn't get a job, and when he did get some day work, he was shorted or not paid at all. So he stole some food, most of which he gave to his sister. Now he's got a record and a new charge, so what happens? He decided to try and eat, so what little money he did make could go to his sister so she could pay her rent. She only makes tips.
So... I'd suggest you listen to Wilde. That was just one instance. I've been on so many call outs by KS, and I dread it every time. There are plenty of times where it is legitimate, but there also those that you know are wrong, but we can't do anything. I do know what happened with Hopps. and I couldn't be any more proud of her for what she did."
Nick nodded with a smile at Hornworth. "I couldn't be more proud of her either."
Rootel took a step back, shock on his face. "Everything you're talking about is patently illegal. You've all gone insane. KS can't just take someones kits, and the bank can't charge you more, just because you are a fox, and if they are..." Head flipping between Nick and Hornworth. "You're telling me that Hopps, the gung-ho, psycho-bunny, that is undefeated in the sparing ring. Who can take a punch from me, pop back up and kick me hard enough to have me gasping for air. The bundle of energy that I still can't figure out how you keep up with." Pointing at Nick. "That, that rabbit, whose very existence and purpose for being born was to be a cop, willingly did something that put a formal reprimand in her file?"
Nick nodded. "That's about the size of it."
"That could effect her promotion possibilities."
"Already has."
Rootel stopped, his features going slack in shock. "You're serious." Looking around the assembled mammals. "Why the hell isn't all this reported then?"
Taking a step away from the car, Nick shook his head. "Rootel, I outrank her now, for no other reason than the last two cycles, she has been passed over because of the mark in her record."
Erik had had enough. "Earl, have you not been listening at all? You're a damned detective. Think! What good would it do if Nick pursued things here? Sure, with us backing him, he might save himself a few grand in the long run, but how many others are going to end up hurt? Can you stop them from closing and disappearing those accounts? It'll take you weeks to get enough evidence to get a subpoena or warrant. By then they'll have wiped out most if not all of their logs. They'll still have the money, and those mammals will have nothing. Maybe not even their homes, their kits, their lives." Turning to Nick. "Let me know when that foundation is set up. I plan to make a donation, as I assume it'll help inter couples as well?"
"Of course." Nick stepped back to the car and pulled the door open. Looking back, he gave one last look at Rootel and Yax, a nod of thanks for Hornworth. "Just talk to Bogo before you make any decision."
Nick climbed in the car with Mike and Joan, driving away. Rootel watched them go. Turning to the officers still there. "None of this makes sense. I should have all of you written up."
Yax, silent up to that point, drew his partner away. "Carl, I get the feeling that all of them, or at least Wolford, Wilde, Delgato, and Hornworth would take the hit happily."
"I need to understand why. I think we should talk to Bogo. No matter what, we need to talk to him about this."
/
In the car, Nick's phone pings.
Delgato: Nick. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what was going on. I wouldn't have called them if I had realized.
N: Don't worry about it Erik. It's nothing new.
D: That's what bothers me.
N: Don't let it get to you. Not something you have to worry about.
N: Thanks for trying to help.
D: Make sure you let me know once that foundation is set up. Jeff and I will make the largest donations we can. I know Bill will do.
N: Thanks.
Mike saw Nick put away his phone. "Nick. You really pay extra, just for being a fox?"
Nick nodded. "Yeah. Don't stress about it Mike. We're headed to the Rainforest credit union branch on Grove in Central. I have some room in the next few caches that should just fit what's in the locker in the trunk." Looking back at Joan. 'Although we need to stop by Joan's shop first. You know where that is?"
"Yeah, it's on Cedar and 17th, right?"
Joan responded from the back seat. "That's the one."
A few minutes later they pulled up to the shop and Nick opened up the locker, extracting the comics and the StarFox collectible. Joan took the items from him gingerly and headed into the shop. She returned a few minutes later with a receipt that she gave Nick.
"Here Nick. A receipt. Heather is getting things started, and it's all locked in my personal safe. Just let me know if you want to sell anything else with these items. Once everything is set up, I'll have some consignment paperwork for you to make it official. I assume you'll have the account information for the foundation at that point?"
"Thank's Joan. Yeah, I'll have that tomorrow some time and will pass it along to you at that point." Taking the receipt, Nick looks over to Mike. "Onward to the next bank."
Mike nodded. "On our way."
They traveled quietly for several minutes before Mike glanced at Nick. "So... You pay more than others at this one too?"
Nick nodded and replied without thinking. "About double. It's another reason to get the Trust set up. Many of these have been moved to new banks and are actually under Judy's name, with me as an authorized person, no species listed. Being a cop has thus far helped with them not screwing us over. That said, it also hasn't stopped a few places, as you saw at the last one. I suppose that is why I thought I wouldn't have any issues at the last bank."
Quiet again for several streets, Mike sighed. "I'm still trying to process what I'm learning here."
"Not something mammals like to think about."
"Yeah, or even know they should be considering."
Pulling into a spot at the bank. "We're here."
Nick turned and looked up at Mike. "Mike, buddy. Please try not to let it get to you. It is really no different than the whole timber wolf thing, or the howling. It is going to take a long time and more than one fox-cop to change society."
Mike nodded and opened his door. "I get that. It is just kind of a shock, as you are in fact a cop, yet still suffer under such."
Nick shrugged and got out. "It has actually gotten better, if I'm honest, thanks to the internet, internet banking, online sales portals, etc; but there is also a very long way to go. Besides, you would never survive being a fox."
Mike chuckled with a shake of his head as Nick led him and Joan into the bank. "If you say so."
The rest of the banks went comparatively smoothly. Nick was able to fit all the items in the locker into the other caches. Though both Nick and Mike had to flash their badges a few times to stop some minor issues. Once empty, the locker itself was dropped off at a storage unit, and from there they headed for Therus, Joan's car, and Mike and Nick's mates.
The total estimated value, minus what Joan was going to sell for Nick and Judy to start the foundation, came in at just under 55 million causing Nick to nearly faint when Joan showed him the numbers.
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A/N \\\ Is there more to come? Yes... Yes there is. I'm editing away on this and my original works. Muse is even giving me some time to not just edit, but work on some original WIPs, finally! That's going to slow down updates here, but there is still plenty coming.
Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.
If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: dcballard dot com and then select Scribblings Blog.
