"Grey Markets?" Nick nodded. "Yeah, they're definitely real. I've not seen one myself, but I know people who have."
Judy was typing rapidly into her computer, collating information. "So, how much of the stories are true? Do they really move around?"
"Yeah. To the best of my knowledge there are six of them, all moving every few days, no location used more than once in a year. Whoever's behind them has serious resources."
"Think we've any chance of finding one?"
"Well, I know some of the areas Duke likes to frequent, but I've not a clue what he meant by 'dark star', so slim at best."
"What about Painter's Pass?"
"Heard of it. Don't know where it is."
Judy couldn't resist a teasing smile. "So not quite the all-knowing fox, after all?"
Nick feigned affront. "Even I have my limits."
Judy chuckled. "So, what is it?"
"A tunnel, reputedly ancient indeed, a relic of the earliest days of the city. Also reputedly haunted."
Judy launched a browser and ran a search, finding a Zootopian history site with some information and speculation on the tunnel, its location, and a photo, which she enlarged. Amidst dense undergrowth a pitted and weathered stone arch yawned, carved grotesques leering from the tangles of greenery on either side, darkness pooling within it.
"Allegedly haunted," Judy read, "by the spectre of a serial killer who'd paint images of their victims on the walls."
"Lovely spot," Nick drawled. "Positively homely."
"Good choice for an exchange spot, though?"
"Minimal chance of interference or disturbance. Easy to monitor and control. Yeah, it's a good one, which means..."
"They won't just use it once."
"Exactly. They'll likely have half a dozen or more exchange spots they cycle through, only ditching one if it's compromised."
"So well worth checking out, and maybe even staking out."
"Agreed. Let's tell the Chief."