A/N
Hello everyone. This is proving to be quite popular, much to my pleasure as the author. I love hearing how much y'all enjoy this dalliance of my muse.
Of course, I do not own Zootopia, and can therefore make no claims to Zootopia or its characters. I only make claim to my own OC's included herein as needed. Though I think I could do more with it than Disney is at the moment. So many awesome ideas that they could use, and they're sitting on their asses.
I blame Bear678 for this.
Anyway, on with the show.
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Wilde Cardz - Savage Territory - Chapter 20
Three months prior to the end.
The raids against the Bellwether sycophants, anti-inter-species groups, and others had been beyond successful. The holding cells of most precincts in the city were at or near capacity and the courts were struggling to keep up with arraigning the various offenders. They had traffic court judges pulling double shifts just to see to the arraignment of all the offenders. It had gotten to the point that misdemeanor offenses, petty theft, and anything else that might have resulted in at least a night in jail, were instead getting citations and summons to appear in court. Though it was made clear that failure to appear resulted in automatic conviction and the addition of extra charges for not showing up, and contempt, among other things.
Therefore, a misdemeanor that might just be a fine, could quickly turn into real jail time, if the mammal chose not to appear. With the ability of mammals, within a certain range of dates from the date of the ticket, to arrange the best time for them to appear, citations, fines, and tickets, rather than arrests, were quickly becoming the norm. Bogo, seeing the success ticketing rather than arrests with smaller crimes and offenses, ordered it as standard operating procedure throughout the ZPD moving forward. When discussed with the mayor and city council, they all agreed that it was better for the city, better for the system, and better for the mammals of the city.
Most of the higher profile members of the anti-inter-species and Bellwether groups had been nabbed in one sting or another, and the evidence gathered led to still more. The CEO's of three banks had quietly been picked up. They'd been watched and pulled over on the freeway, then arrested, supposedly for excessive speeding. It helped that they actually were speeding, just not enough to actually warrant arrest under normal circumstances. Four council members were arrested at fake endorsement meetings, drawn there with the promise of endorsements from various groups.
All these mammals lead to more, and specifically to the actual money funding the organizations. Which was what Nick and Judy were now hunting down. Multiple members of their team were out targeting the business mammals and who had funded things. Nick, Judy, with Mike, Lizz, Delgato, and Mike's cousin Jerry Wolford from precinct 3, were preparing to spring a trap on the worst of the funders. Those that had actually participated in the murder of inters. Two of them even had videos of them happily participating in the murder of one or more members of an inter-species couple.
There were four of them. A boar named Henry Snuffle. He owned a contracting company and was one of those that they actually had video of. He was the one shown pouring the concrete over a young ferret who had been in a relationship with a hare. The hare shown in the video clearly beaten, limbs broken, and still struggling and screaming as his mate was pushed into the concrete of a house's foundation. He was then dragged, screaming in anguish to the laughter of those around him, and dumped into the foundation of another house.
The next two had no videos, but there was more than enough evidence to prove their involvement. They were both restaurant owners, a wolf named Jake Wolfson, and a cougar named Terry Clawfer. Both of their restaurants catered to rich predators and they occasionally had special menu options. Where the meat was sourced from was never disclosed, and the rich mammals that partook of it never asked. There were arrests and charges pending for that as well, though it was expected that most of the rich scum would get off with at best some misdemeanor fine, as they were going to claim ignorance.
The final mammal was the worst of the three, a goat named Herald Hooferson. He owned a construction company that contracted with Henry. It was actually Heralds videos that showed Henry. Though Herald had a lot more videos and it was suspected that most of the houses that his company had built had at least one body. Once he was arrested, the houses in question were going to be scanned with a penetrating radar device borrowed from the ZBI, the foundation broken open, and the bodies removed for identification. That was scheduled to begin the following week.
The ruse that was drawing the four mammals there was a meeting of the Better Business Bureau to give them an award. They were scheduled to arrive staggered, one every other hour.
The first mammal to arrive, with a smile on his muzzle, was Terry Clawfer. The BBB was more than happy to lend the ZPD the space for the sting, they even provided faked information and coordinated the invitations. The head mammal of the BBB was shocked and horrified when shown just a few seconds of one of the videos and could not do enough to help bring in such beasts, in her words.
Terry Clawfer was happy. The BBB was finally recognizing all the effort he put into building a five star restaurant, that had also earned three Ferriton stars. It was hard to pull off a predator only restaurant to begin with, let alone one that had the view his did, or the clientele to justify a minimum cost of 400 Z's per mammal. The only other restaurants he considered on his level was Greethas and that of his friend and competitor, Jake Wolfson. He knew of course that their ability to get specialty meats, thanks to their relationship with Herald Hooferson and a few others, helped draw in the rich mammals looking for a thrill and taste of the exotic.
Smile firmly in place, Terry entered the BBB building and walked up to the receptionist. "Hello there. I'm Terry Clawfer. I own and operate The Chop House. I have an invitation to an award ceremony to recognize my achievements and support of the community." Holding out the invite in question.
The receptionist, a younger badger, smiled warmly. "Yes sir. You are expected. Go down that hallway to the fourth door. Conference room twelve is on the plaque. Ms. Janes is already waiting for you."
Smile growing, Terry nodded. "Thank you." He quickly turned and headed down the hall, a happy swish to his steps. Finding the door, he opened it and stepped right in. "Hello. Terry Clawfer…" His grin fading upon seeing the Tiger and Wolf officers standing in the room. "Sorry, I must have gotten the wrong room. My apologies."
Nick spoke from behind Terry as he pushed the door closed. "No, Terry. You in fact have the exactly correct room."
Terry turned and looked down at the fox and rabbit officers now standing in front of the door. "What?"
Judy smiled up at him. "You see, Terry. You are here to receive recognition for all the things you have done for and to the community. Including, but not limited to the felonies of cooking and serving in your restaurant the flesh of mammals murdered by Herald Hooferson and others like him. Mammals whose only crime was loving someone you didn't approve of. In short, Terry. You are under arrest."
Terry took several steps away from the pair, eyes going wide with fear. "What? No. I… I don't know what you are talking about."
Nick stepped forward. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Mr. Clawfer. We have more than enough evidence. Samples were taken the last time you had a special on the menu. Those samples still had some intact DNA, and that was matched to a missing mammal. Or rather, three, missing mammals. All three were part of inter-species couples that had disappeared. As such, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, the court may appoint one for you. Do you understand these rights?"
"You can't do this! Why aren't you arresting Jake Wolfson as well? He does it too! Lots of high end places do it. I never asked where it came from. I knew better, but it is what makes my place a success. The rich and powerful predators of the city pay through the nose for dishes made with real meat that isn't fish, fowl, or bug."
Nick grinned. "No kidding? You wouldn't happen to have names, would you?"
"Of course!" Terry was clearly panicking. "I'll tell you everything. I know what restaurants get their meat that way. It's all the high end places. Like mine and Jake's."
The entire time, Judy had her phone out and recording. He looked at her several times as he rattled off names, restaurants, who the mammals were that made the deliveries. He told them everything in a clear hope to save his own fur. Judy saved the video to the ZPD's online secure evidence drive, filling out the evidence sheet for it on the site.
Terry was crying as he was escorted away to a prisoner transport van waiting in the alley behind the BBB building. Mike and Lizz returned just in time to walk in behind Jake Wolfson as he entered the room. With very similar results. He corroborated just about everything Terry had said, including names, and other information, ending with Judy was uploading another video as Jake was escorted away.
Henry Snuffle arrived about an hour after Terry was escorted away. As with the others, he had a smile on his face as he walked into the meeting room. A smile that didn't last more than a few seconds after he realized that the only mammals waiting for him were police officers. The boar backed up just as Lizz stepped in behind him. Looking up and behind him he stumbled forward.
"What? What's going on? I am supposed to be receiving an award."
Nick nodded with a warm smile. "Yeah, that is why you are here. Though the award isn't what you think." The clear jingle of cuffs sounding from several locations in the room.
Henry straightened up and looked over to the fox and rabbit he suddenly recognized. "Oh. What would that be? Is the ZPD recognizing me for the donations I have given? I always run a collection during the holidays for the ZPD officers fund. We do really well."
Nick shook his head and gave Lizz a nod as Mike moved casually back behind Henry and next to Lizz. "No, in fact, the award is for dumbest criminal. You, Henry James Snuffle, are under arrest."
As Nick said this, Lizz and Mike grabbed the boar, and quickly had his hooves in cuffs. Mike quickly driving a pair of rubber caps on his tusks before the boar even realized what was going on. Mike then read him his rights. "There you go. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney and to have that attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights? And do you want to make any statements at this time?"
"Yes, I know my rights, and you cannot do this without at least telling me what I'm being charged with."
Judy shook her head. "You should watch cop shows less, they get things like that wrong all the time. We do not have to tell you when arresting you, nor even when you are processed into holding. Not even when you are being questioned, although most are smart enough to figure it out by that point. However, I think I'll happily tell you some of what you are being charged with. Murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to murder, torture, conspiracy to commit hate crimes, multiple hate crimes, terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism, and many more. You are looking at spending the rest of your life in a small cell. So, as Nick asked. Do you have a statement at this time?"
The look of shock and disbelief on Henry's face was clear, as well as the confusion. "What? I haven't killed anyone."
Mike was pushing Henry towards the back exit of the room. "Actually, we have video of you committing several murders along with your buddy Herald. Plus statements from both Terry Clawfor and Jack Wolfson. The meat we have collected and tested from their restaurants has been linked to at least four missing mammals, all of which were members of inter-species relationships. Just the fact that their restaurants were serving such is enough to put them away for life, and they both named you as a primary source. Your business is being shut down, records seized, employees arrested and many of them charged with accessory. Just like Terry, Jake, and Herald. You have ruined a lot of lives, Herald. Now you are going to pay for that."
At that point Henry realized what was fully happening and panicked. He broke free of Mike and took off running, barreling through the door and knocking it off its hinges. He turned and ran directly into Delgato. Putting his head down, he tried to gore the lion with his tusks, forgetting that Mike had already capped them. Having expected it, Eric dodged to the side and gave him a shove to keep his momentum going, letting the boar run past and stumble into the concrete wall as the hallway had a T there.
This caused both tusks to snap off from the impact and to successfully break his nose. Henry then slid to the ground unconscious, a trail of blood from the broken nose down the wall. He was checked and then carted off to the hospital to be checked out before being taken to the precinct for processing. The building surveillance video added to the record of his arrest.
Another hour later, and in a new room, Herald Hooferson arrived, thirty minutes early. Smile on his muzzle, he entered the room and grinned wider seeing Bogo present. Not knowing that Bogo was there picking up evidence and the video from Snuffle's attempted escape and goring of Delgato. Something that just added a few extra, almost incidental, charges to the boar's tally.
"Cheif Bogo, this is a pleasant surprise. I knew the BBB was giving me an honor today, but didn't expect the likes of you to be here for it. It must be something extra special."
Bogo actually growled. "Hooferson… So good of you to arrive early. We can close up this part of the operation early. Officers WildeHopps, place this beast under arrest already and get him out of my sight."
Heralds smile vanished. "What? Chief? What is the meaning of this?"
Stepping towards the goat as Nick and Judy put him in cuffs and capped his horns. "Simple, Hooferson. You are under arrest for murder and so many other charges I don't care to list them. An audit is underway to determine what money you, Snuffle, and others have given to the ZPD officers fund and other such charities. It has not yet been determined what we are going to do with that money, but one thing we are not going to do is keep it. I expect it will probably go to a charity that helps inter-species couples find new homes and escape the sort of persecution you put them through."
His eyes going wide, Henry tried to break away, only to find his legs also bound, almost falling if Nick had not caught him. "You can't do this!"
Nick smiled. "Herald Erin Hooferson, you are under arrest."
Nick read him his rights, and then escorted him, cursing, screaming, and making threats, all the way to the cruiser waiting out front. News crews happened to be driving by and saw the cruiser waiting and stopped. Getting clean video of Hooferson being escorted by Judy and Nick and screaming anti-inter-species slurs and threats all the way, completely oblivious to the cameras watching.
At the station, Herald sat in the interview room glaring holes in the one way mirror. Finally, Detective Carlson, a large boar, stepped into the room. Setting a case on the table that Herald was chained to, he opened the case and started to set up a portable DVD player.
Herald glared at the detective. "What are you doing? You cannot hold me like this. I have rights!"
Detective Carlson nodded. "You are correct, you do have rights. They were explained to you when you were arrested. Do you need me to go over them again?"
"No! I need you to unchain me and let me go. I have done nothing wrong."
Carlson nodded. "Well, it is clear you believe that. The law on the other hand may disagree."
"Where is my lawyer?"
"On his way, and according to the front desk, he should be here presently. I am simply setting up so that we can get right to it when he arrives." At that moment, there was a knock and then the door opened, letting another goat in a very expensive suit walk in. "And there is the mammal in question. Councilor, I am Detective Carlson. To assuage your concerns. I was simply setting this up." Indicating the DVD player and screen. "So that we can get right to it, once you have a few moments to confer with your client. Please do not touch the files or player, as they are evidence. You will receive your own copies of them per law when you leave and can review while we are going through things. I will be in the next room, but the audio recorder will be turned off, as will the mics until you indicate that you are done conferring with your client. Any questions?"
"What is my client being charged with?"
"There are a number of charges, actually." Pulling the top sheet from the folder before closing it again. "Here is the list of charges thus far. From what I understand, more are pending as the investigation continues."
The lawyer gawked at the list of charges that covered the page in two columns. "My gods… You cannot be serious!"
"I am afraid we are very serious councilor. As I said, that is just what we have filed thus far with the evidence we have. More is expected. I'll leave you to talk with your client. Remember, the room is locked from the outside, so you will need to knock in order to be let out." Carlson got up and walked over to the control on the wall. He flipped a switch and the light switched from Red to Yellow, indicating that it was still recording, but video only. He then left the room, closing it behind him.
The attorney turned to Herald with shock on his face. "Herald. What have you done?"
"I have done nothing. They have nothing on me, and besides. Even if they do, that's what I pay you for. You know how this works. They throw as many charges as they can in hopes something will stick. I pay you to make sure that they don't."
The attorney shook his head. "Herald, this is far worse than that. There are at least a dozen named murder charges and lesser included charges, as well as conspiracy, terrorism?" Gasping as he looked over the list of charges again. "They don't levy charges like that without cause, and significant amounts of vetted evidence. Not in the real world. This is not TV, and I'm not the right lawyer for this. I need to call my firm and have them send over a real defense attorney. What you need to do is keep your mouth shut. Do not say anything else. Just sit here and I'll have someone from the firm here as quickly as I can."
The attorney got up and knocked on the door. Carlson meeting him outside the room after turning the audio back on. "An issue councilor?"
"Only that I'm not the right lawyer for this. I'm a corporate lawyer. I cannot advise him properly. I need to make a call and then I will let you know who from my firm will be here to provide him the actual counsel he needs."
Carlson nodded. "I understand. Please let me know the name of the attorney when you know so I can ensure the front desk doesn't give them a hard time."
The attorney stepped away with an appreciative nod, Carlson letting him step into an unused interview room to make the call after turning audio recording back on in Hooferson's room. A few minutes later he came out. "Okay Detective. The mammal is attorney James Yert and should be here in about fifteen minutes. I will let Mr. Hooferson know."
Carlson nodded and opened the door, turning the audio off while the lawyer was in the room. The lawyer shook his head at Herald. "I don't know what you have done Herald, but I've done everything I can. Your attorney is going to be a newer associate to the firm, James Yert. He's younger, but he knows his stuff. We hired him straight out of law school, so that should tell you enough. In the meantime, keep your muzzle shut. Do not say anything or answer any questions. I will stay here until he gets here. Also, do not tell me anything, because I am not representing you so I could be compelled to testify. I'm staying here as your friend only. Got it?"
Herald nodded and just glowered. A short time later the door opened and a young looking coyote entered. "Hello, I'm Jason Yert, your attorney in this matter." Nodding toward the other attorney. "MacMichaels. I heard you requested me?"
Nodding his head, MacMichaels sighed. "I did. This is way outside of my specialties. If it was white collar stuff I could handle this, but that is not what he is being charged with. If they add anything like that, please bring me in. But until then, I will leave you to talk over things with Herald." Handing over the charges list he had gotten from Carlson. "Here is what they are charging him with so far." With that, MacMichaels left the room.
Yert read the list of charges and whistled, as he looked up at Herald. "Wow." Flipping the paper over, he also saw a list of some of the evidence. Seeing that there were videos listed, he looked at the DVD player sitting on the table and frowned. "Mr. Hooferson. As your attorney, anything you say to me right now I cannot be forced to disclose in court. Now. I have a simple question for you. You are being accused of some very heineous things, specifically around the abuse and murder of interspecies couples. Is there any truth at all to these charges?"
Herald snorted derisively. "You can hardly be charged with murder for killing animals unworthy of their lives."
Yert's eyes went wide and he backed up against the door, knocking to be allowed out. Exiting the room, he shook himself out. MacMichaels and Carlson turned to look at him. McMichales frowning. "Is everything alright Jason?"
Yert shook his head. "No. I cannot represent him."
Clearly taken aback by the statement and reacting almost as if slapped. "What? Why?"
"My mother was a coyote, my father was a red fox coyote hybrid. Given the charges and the reason for those charges alone, I cannot give him the vigorous defense that he is due. Given my background, I could also be construed as being biased and sabotaging his defense, regardless of my actions. Finally, my sister, who has been missing for three years along with her caracal mate, are listed as victims. I am therefore compromised and biased."
MacMichaels blinked in surprise. "Oh… I see."
Yert nodded. "Yeah. I know for a fact that, if I saw evidence that showed him to be responsible for their disappearance, and death if what I read is correct. … Nope. I am one hundred percent compromised. Please tell the partners that I need to take some time. I do know this. If the firm still represents him on Monday when I go in, I will be resigning."
With that Yert walked away, tail lashing angrily behind him. MacMichaels shook his head. "Sorry Detective. I guess it is going to take more time than I expected."
Shaking his head, Carlson chuckled. "I've got about twenty of them like that. So far, only one was able to secure a lawyer that would take their case. That is, until we found additional evidence and had to arrest said attorney as part of this entire mess."
MacMichaels gasped. "My gods."
Carlson nodded. "Yeah. This thing is bad. I've arrested fellow officers, lawyers, and business mammals. Hell. Bogo personally arrested a few council members. This makes the Bellwether mess look like a minor traffic accident. And it's the damn rabbit and fox that uncovered it. I swear, those two have some magic power to dig up corruption." Motioning MacMichaels to follow. "Come on. I'll walk you out and you can try and find Hooferson a new lawyer that will actually work with him."
After an hour, Herald was moved to holding, where he saw dozens of other mammals he knew. Business mammals, three city council members, and others in the various cells, all looking terrified, and real fear started to grip his own heart. Especially when he was placed in a cell with Henry. The two mammals stared at each other. Henry chuckled darkly. "Lawyer wouldn't work with you after they saw the charges?"
Herald nodded. "Yeah. Initially it was because he was a corporate lawyer, not a criminal lawyer. Then when the criminal lawyer showed, he took one look at things and bailed. I don't know why."
"Similar. My lawyer. Thought he was my friend. Tried to attack me. Screamed something incoherent and tried to leap past the detective at me. The detective had to restrain him. Detective told me that, after they had escorted him out, and I heard screaming in the hallway, that he was declining to represent me."
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At that same time Henry and Herald were talking, MacMichaels stepped into the office of the senior partner of Jacobson and Malay. "Sir. We have a problem."
George Malay nodded and motioned to the chair next to where Jacobson sat, several other partners also in the room. "So I understand. What is this I hear about Yert threatening to quit?"
MacMichaels sighed and nodded. "Yes sir. I called him when I saw what Herald Hooferson was being charged with. None of the current charges are corporate stuff, this is all crimes that Yert would be the perfect mammal for."
Frowning, Jacobson leaned forward. "Then what is the problem?"
"I don't know if you know sir, I didn't. Yurt is a second generation hybrid. His mother is a Coyote, his father is a red fox coyote hybrid. He refuses to represent Hooferson based on the fact that due to his background, he could be accused of sabotaging the defense. Only. It gets worse. One of the murders that Hooferson is accused of participating in, is that of Yert's sister and her mate, who was a caracal.
Sir. I believe Hooferson is part of that anti-inter-species cult or conspiracy we have been hearing about. It would appear, based on the charges that I saw, that not only was he a part of it, but he was high up in it. He is being charged directly with a number of murders. All of which are inter-species couples. This is also why Yert said that, if we still represent Hooferson when he returns on Monday, he will resign."
Malay nodded. "I see. And what about you, David?"
MacMichaels tensed, gripping his thighs and activating the recorder he always kept in his pocket. "Sir?"
"What do you think, David? If we are still representing Hooferson on Monday. Should we wait for Yert to quit, or find some cause to terminate him?"
Looking across the desk at Malay, then over to Jacobson, Heralds, and the other mammals in the room. "Sir. I'm confused by the question. Are you saying that you support Hooferson?"
"I see you are being very careful, David. I appreciate that. However, we need to know if we can trust you. We need to know if you would follow Yert or if you will not? We need to know where you stand?"
"Sir. I… I am not comfortable with this conversation. I understand Yert's position, given what I have already learned. However, I do not have that history, so as I will not be associated with the defense, I do not see why it affects me. Every defendant deserves proper defense, which is why Yert chose to step aside. His decision to resign is entirely personal and I understand it, even if I don't share it."
"I see. That's not actually an answer to what I want to know. If we support Hooferson. If perhaps we were quietly helping, would you stay or go."
Eyes going wide, fear coursed through MacMichaels body as his heart started racing. "Sir. Again, I work in corporate law. I don't know anything, and I do not want to know anything that doesn't have to do with my cases."
"A smart answer, but at this point, not an answer that is acceptable." Two of the younger, and physically larger and stronger attorneys' stepped up behind Malay. "What I need to know, David, is if you will be leaving this room with your life or not. At this point, we must close the wagons, and your contact with Hooferson and what he is being charged with, precludes you not being a part of things at this point. So what is it."
At that moment Yert barged in. "Mister Malay…" Stopping and seeing the group of mammals in the room.
Everyone turned to look at Yert except MacMichaels. Lowering his head, MacMichaels rammed the desk with everything he had, driving it into Malay and knocking over the two large attorneys standing next to him. Turning, he charged towards Yert, screaming. "RUN! They're with Hooferson."
Clear understanding flashed across Yert's face as he stepped to the side allowing MacMichaels to run past him and was immediately on his heels as they both bolted for the stairs, knowing that the elevator could be overridden. A few seconds later, they burst into the stairwell, MacMichaels heading down. Yert yelling after him. "No! They'll beat us down. We need to go up to the 30th. The sky bridge." Smashing the fire axe case and wedging the door with it. "My gods, this is like some bad action movie." The both checked their phones and grimaced, seeing they had no service.
Running back past Yert and heading up, MacMichaels laughed. "Yeah. Insane."
Four floors up, they heard the door smash open and froze. Yert spoke quietly. "Get on my back. I won't make the noise with my paws your hooves do. It could buy as a few seconds."
As quietly as they could, MacMichaels climbed onto Yert's back and they made their way slowly up another ten floors. Both checking their phones and seeing they still had no service inside the stairwell.
At the 30th floor, they found the sky bridge and crossed it to the next building. Standing on the far side, they both pulled their phones out and dialed 911. Quickly explaining the best they could of the seemingly absurd situation. They stopped as several burly mammals exited the stairwell and charged towards them on the skybridge. They quickly closed the doors on that side and managed to move a couch in the way just as the other side of the door was struck. Both forgetting that they were on the phone with 911, who was listening and doing their best to get officers there to help.
Yert looked through the crack of the doors and saw a bull backing up to charge. "We need to go, now!"
They ran and got in the elevator getting off on the fifth floor, and making it to the stairwell when more mammals burst out of it, backing them up against the elevator door.
As the mammals advanced on them, Malay appeared. "So. I take it that we will have to be doing some clean up. I'm really sorry about this. I liked you both. The firm however cannot have our true association with Hooferson and the others known.
Backs pressed against the elevator doors, both mammals fell backwards into the elevator as the doors opened, caught by Lizz and Mike. More officers exiting the stairwell including Nick and Judy. Multiple arrests were made as more and more mammals were rounded up.
MacMichaels and Yert found themselves sitting on a bench in the lobby of their actual building shaking as the adrenaline began to wear off. Yert looked to MacMichaels, holding out his paw. "Jason Yert. I don't think we have ever truly met."
MacMichaels smiled. "David MacMichaels. A pleasure. I just wish it was under different circumstances."
"I agree with that. Smart keeping that recorder in your pocket."
David laughed. "Yeah. I actually started doing that after I read the details on the Bellwether case and how Judy Hopps had such a thing. It was how they recorded her confession while they were in the pit."
"I had heard something about that. After this, I will add that to my own collection of items. This was pure madness. I cannot believe so many of those in the firm were part of this. The ZPD will be opening and reviewing every case we have ever touched. Our careers are over."
"I don't know about that. But I think it would be wise if we avoided large firms for a while. Going to need quite a few years of clean practice before another big firm will even consider us as anything but a sacrifice to some big case they know they can't win, but need someone to stick on it so they can fail and be fired."
Jason shivered. "I agree. So… Care to go into business? I mean, after we have dinner and discuss our own backgrounds and such."
David nodded. "Yeah. Let's get to know each other, and then I think that might be a good idea. There might actually be a few others that will be clean. We can create our own firm. We'll just have to wait and see how this shakes out."
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Three days later, Herald Hooferson sat again in the interview room. He finally had an attorney. What worried him now is that in order for the ZPD and the city to find attorneys to represent him and others like him, they had to bring them in from outside the city. There were four public defenders that were going to take his case, before each of them ended up arrested and sitting next to him in holding cells, instead of in court.
The attorney walked in, a cougar from New Yak. He sat down across from Herald and pulled out a notepad and several pens of different colors. Finally, he looked up. "Mister Hooferson. I am Bruce Catler, and I have been assigned as your attorney. The city of Zootopia has asked for assistance from firms across Animalia and Canadia because no lawyer in the city will defend you, and those that might, are a bit busy finding defense council of their own.
I have reviewed the list of charges against you, and I have to say. I am impressed. I normally defend members of the New Yak crime families, but you, sir, are truly something else. Were you aware that they have video of you committing what you are accused of in at least a dozen cases?"
Herald growled. "So have the evidence suppressed. That is your job, isn't it?"
"It is, yet I've looked this over, and honestly, for every piece of evidence I can see getting suppressed successfully, they have five more pieces that are utterly damning that I don't have a chance in any version of hell of getting rid of. I'll be honest with you here. You have one chance to not see the death penalty."
Laughing, Herald shook his head. "Thank you. I needed the laugh, but despite that, I don't appreciate what you are implying."
"I realize you may not be aware given the isolation that you have been under, but I was serious. You see. While Zootopia itself does not have the death penalty. The number of high ranking mammals that have been taken down by the little conspiracy of you and your friends. Well, it has forced the city to ask for assistance from other cities, as well as the Federal Judicial system. Because some of your crimes cross city, county, and even national borders. Well, the laws that you are going to be subject to also cross all those borders.
You will be tried here in Zootopia, but the laws that you will be subject to and tried under will be more than just those of Zootopia. The international council has voted, as of this morning they will take up consideration of the death penalty as something to possibly implemented, on a limited basis. Your list of charges places you squarely in the eligible category for that, if they approve it."
Herald gasped. "Wha… What‽ They can't! The death penalty was gotten rid of with the Great Pact. The only place it still exists is in those few isolated regimes that have not joined the Pact. Even then, most of their species are part of the pact."
"Yeah. There are a few other options I expect are more likely."
"What are those?"
"Well, first option, after the actual death penalty, is related. Note, if they were to actually implement the death penalty, you'd be shipped to one of those non-pact countries to be executed. From what I understand, their options for killing you are not exactly pleasant.
Anyway, option one, after the actual death penalty. They would implant explosives in your head and heart. Those explosives would have a radioactive source, detector, and tamper trigger. The detector would include a counter, and when a certain, randomly selected number of detection's is reached. Well, I'm sure you can figure that out. You will then be placed in a super-max to live out however many days you have left. The tamper trigger is to ensure that should someone try and remove it, the explosives would go off immediately. If you're lucky, you'll die for some other reason first.
After that there is my personal favorite. It's also rather lethal. They would build you a special, sealed cell. Food would be passed to you through an airlock. You would never leave that cell again, save once you are dead. You would have entertainment, etc… They're talking that it would essentially be a small apartment. In that apartment, there would be a radioactive source, detector, and counter. When your counter reaches its randomly selected count, it would trigger a gas canister to flood the air. You would then die. With luck, it would happen while you were asleep.
Lastly, and this is the one that is a sure thing, as they have already started construction. You would be dropped onto an island where you would then stay for the rest of your life, however long that is. There would be monthly air drops of food and supplies, but you and whoever else is dropped there would otherwise have to fend for yourselves. The island would be surrounded by a security cordon, and is more than a thousand miles from the next land mass other than a few atolls, the closest of which is where the monitoring station and such are being set up.
So, you have options. I can give you the vigorous defense you seem to want. I will get as much evidence suppressed as I can, and some of it will be suppressed for some charges, while being allowed for others. Or… I can work to get you a deal. You spill your guts, figuratively speaking. Tell them everything, and I will get you either the nice apartment or the island. If we go to trial, the best I am going to be able to get you is the explosives, assuming they don't approve the full death penalty.
So… What will it be? If you need time to think it over, I can come back."
Herald glared at the cougar. "Not exactly a good defense attorney if you are not even considering being able to get me out of this."
Bruce shook his head. "Herald. I have access to most of the evidence against you at this point. I say most, because they delivered another load of it this morning that I have not been able to review yet and have been advised that still more is being developed, along with what I already know. While I will defend you in any way you request, you do not have a chance. Not in front of a jury, and most definitely not in front of a judge at a bench trial. In front of a jury, I can try and play towards overreach, but the evidence they have is so overwhelming, well…" Shrugging. "A few of your conspirators were rather meticulous records keepers. Something about preserving your actions so that history can judge for itself. The mammal is clearly convinced that you will all be vaunted as heroes. I'm rather glad I am not representing that mammal."
Herald scowled at his attorney. "I want you to go through it and develop a defense strategy. I want to see how you would defend me in court, and then what it is you would do in order to get the deal you're talking about. Then I'll make my decision. In the meantime, when do I get out of here?"
Bruce chuckled lightly. "Simple. You don't, and you are glad you don't. With everything you are charged with, and more being filed every few days. There is no way you are ever getting out of here. They are almost finished renovating a place called Cliffside. Once it is done, you and the others will be transferred there while you await trial and will be held there after sentencing while whatever option you are sentenced to is prepared.
If you want me to defend you, I will, and I will take this to as high a court as will hear it. I'm also telling you, as your lawyer, that, while anything is possible, the chance that I will be able to get you out of this is astronomically thin. As your lawyer, I have given you my recommendation. I will build the defense strategy you asked for, and we will go over it. It will take several days."
"What about parole? I cannot just sit in here while this happens."
"Herald. You are, as I stated, very glad that you are. You see, being in here you are isolated. Safe. You have also been protected from the news. There have been protests, much like during the Nighthowler events of a few years ago. Only… Predator and Prey are standing side by side and demanding your blood and that of others. There have already been several attempts on others in your position. Of the dozen or so attempts. Five have been successful because they were able to get bail. All performed by professional hit mammals, and they didn't even charge for the service. You are better off here than anywhere. You leave here on parole and you'll be dead in a day, tops."
Herald frowned. "Is it really that bad out there?"
Bruce put away his items. "Depends on what you consider bad. Inter-species couples have come out of the shadows. There is a rumor of a whole city-state in the mountains that is almost entirely hybrids. Those same rumors say that this city-state has asked that you be turned over, and if not, that they have a say in how you are punished. They supposedly consider all inter-species couples and hybrids to be citizens. Though again, that's just rumors, and hasn't been confirmed yet.
So again. I will be back in a few days and we will talk then. We'll go over the defense strategy, and what the offer is if you spill your guts and tell them everything. Then you can make the most informed decision I can give you."
With that, Bruce left and Herald was escorted back to his cell in holding, now shared with half a dozen other mammals in his same situation.
When his lawyer returned a month later, they went over the potential defense, and Herald, against his lawyer's advice, demanded a full defense. Herald clearly convinced that he had done nothing wrong, even insisting on wording that reiterated that. At his eventual arraignment, Herald, again against his lawyers advice, stood up and made a statement. To say that it did not sway the judge would be an understatement. He was remanded to custody and then dragged back to the cells, spewing more hate the whole way
Herald never saw his lawyer again. He was on the bus being transferred to the fully rebuilt Cliffside when the virus struck. He, like the rest of those in the transport bus, were all chained in separate, alternating rows. So, even though the wolf in the next row went savage, he wasn't able to get to Herald. The guard unchained Herald to get him to safety. Herald, while the guard was distracted, pushed the guard into the wolf, then took the guards weapon, which was a lethal due to the nature of the crimes the mammals on the transport were charged with, and shot everyone else before exiting the transport.
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When Herald and his cohorts were driven from Otterdamn.
Herald walked out of Otterdamn, only the clothes on his back and a small backpack that included some food bars, water, and other absolute basics. At least his second and a few of the others had more. They made the threats along with him, but for some reason, Herald felt they were half hearted. Still, he would be back, and he would make the mammals that had done this to him pay for what they did to him. That damn pelt! Powers or not, I'll find a way and kill him slowly. He thought to himself
After a few blocks, Herald turned to his second. "That damn pelt is still looking for his rabbit. We need to find her first. We can use her to force him to do our bidding. Then we can kill them both. Filthy inter scum that they are."
The second, a ram, shook his head. "Herald. We are going to do no such thing. We are going to find a new settlement, and we are going to live quiet, productive lives, and not get involved." The others grunted and made other noises of assent and agreement.
"What? What are you talking about? This is only temporary! We need to find allies, yes, but then we will come back and make these mammals pay for what they have done to us. They cannot be allowed to get away with this."
One of the others, a boar, sighed. "Herald. I had no idea that you were part of all that from before. If I had known, I would have killed you myself the moment I found out. My little sister went missing and when they found her, she was entombed in the foundation of the home of a very nice, and horrified by the discovery, couple. They had no idea. According to the autopsy, she suffocated in the wet concrete. So, with permission of the others, I plan on ensuring that your death is just as slow."
The second turned to this speaker in confusion. "Why would your sister have had that happen?"
"Because she was in an interspecies relationship. She had just married the mammal of her dreams. She was deliriously happy. I don't pretend to understand what she saw in him. He was a coyote. But he was a good mammal once I got to know him, and he cared about her in ways I had never seen in real life. He cared for her like you expect to see in a movie. They came to Zootopia for their Honeymoon. Said they were going to walk around the city. See the sights. They found some kind of walking tour, and were never heard from again.
After a year of nothing, I moved to the city to keep looking for them. I never found them. But that fox did. Him and his rabbit found them, and so many others. Murdered by Herald and his buddies. When things went crazy, I went looking for them. They were being moved to Cliffside because it had been renovated to house them. I found a transport, crashed, and most of those inside were shot dead or insane. Cliffside itself was not much better. It was still secure, but you could hear the howls, roars, screams, and other noises of the madness.
So I wondered until I found Otterdamn and figured I'd do something to help rebuild. I knew Herald was specist, but never made the connection to him being one of the ring leaders. They kept their names and faces out of the news because there were a lot of mammals like me out there. Some even hired assassins, sometimes successful, to kill a few of them. I had looked into that, but couldn't afford it. I just prayed I could find out who they were so I could organize a proper lynching. Now I know who he is, and I plan on ending him."
The second frowned deeply. "Hold on. You mean, all those arrests just before the end. The news was going crazy about the Rabbit and Fox cops breaking up another huge, city breaking, conspiracy. You mean that was true?"
The boar nodded. "It was. I overheard Herald talking with a few of the others while we were being held before trial." Turning to face Herald, who had backed away from the Second and the boar, three others standing with him, the rest standing with the second and boar, glaring at them. "Those three, in fact."
The seconds frown turned into an enraged bleet and scowl. "Herald. Please, tell me. Convince me that you were not involved. That he misunderstood what he heard."
Herald laughed. "Why deny the truth? I did the city a favor, and if it were not for that damn pelt and his rabbit, we would have kept on cleaning up the perverse scum of this city. Mammals have no business being mates with different species. Even between similar species, like goats and sheep, it's wrong."
The second turned to the boar. "What exactly did you have in mind?"
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Herald's body, along with that of the other three that supported him, were found about a month later as buildings were being evaluated for expansion by Otterdamn. They had been staked down to the roof, ankles and knees broken, and spikes driven through those joints. The building access to the roof had been blocked from the inside so that they could not escape that way, and the fire escape ladder to the roof had been unbolted and removed.
Once they broke onto the roof, the Otterdamn mammals found the bodies and several cases of empty water bottles and cans of food. Delgato was called to look things over.
Stepping out onto the roof, Delgato took in the sight and chuckled darkly. He looked things over like a crime scene, though he didn't worry about contaminating anything. It wasn't as if they had a forensics team, and what happened was pretty clear to him after a few moments. He shook his head and looked over at Jacob.
Jacob shook his head slowly. "So… What happened?"
"It would appear that some of Herald's friends were not so happy with him for getting them exiled." Delgato squatted down next to Herald's body. "It would appear that they broke their legs, made sure there was no way to get off this roof, and made sure they had enough food and water to really linger up here. No one would hear them screaming, save maybe a few savages. That might have been a mercy, rather than dying of starvation and exposure. The others clearly wanted them to suffer. Especially since they staked them all through their legs. They died in misery."
Jacob nodded. "I would like to say I was sorry, or felt bad for them. I don't. Not after what they did, after what he had planned to do to Otterdamn. I can't say that they deserved this." waving a hoof at the bodies. "Still, they had something like this coming."
Delgato nodded. "Yeah. Especially Herald. He was a very evil mammal. I hadn't been involved in the case directly, or I would have recognized him early on. I wish I had known."
Jacob shrugged. "He had most of us fooled. He did help create our community, but he also worked to twist it into something the rest of us did not want. He was succeeding too, slowly."
Delgato nodded. "Yes, but no more. Have them come up, clean things up, dispose of the bodies, get the fire escape back in place, etc… No need for anyone to know who this actually was. The bodies are sufficiently decayed as to be unrecognizable beyond species." Delgato removed the jewelry from Herald and the others. "Without things everyone would recognize, like his pendant, it's just some poor goat. I'll tell the council tonight when I meet with them. I'll leave it to them, but in the meantime, no need for the workers to worry about who it was. We've dealt with enough bodies, these four shouldn't bother them."
Jacob nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Let the council decide to say anything. Heard anything on the radio from Nick?"
Delgato smiled. "Yeah. Him and his group should be leaving the city tomorrow morning."
"Does he know about Judy yet?"
"I haven't told him, but we only spoke for a moment for a radio check. I'll tell him as soon as I can get him for more than a few seconds. I'm sure he knows something though. You could hear something changed in his voice."
Jacob nodded as they left the roof.
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