When Elba had arrived at Precinct One minutes after hearing of Bogo's assault, the first thing he did after learning that Bogo was still in surgery was to check on the condition of the key witness. He heard raised voices as he reached the interrogation room and opened the door without knocking.
"I keep telling you!" Benjamin Clawhauser was yelling at the two T.U.S.K. officers leering at him. His paws were encrusted in dried blood and cuffed to the table. "A wolf killed one of the officers and threatened me with a gun! He thought I knew where Nick was hiding!"
The bigger razorback slammed a hoof on the table top, making the bloodied feline flinch. "Your fox spewed bullshit about a wolf when we nabbed him! It didn't work then and it won't work now!"
The bottom of Elba's cane struck the floor loud enough to turn all three heads in his direction. The razorbacks lost the fire the instant they recognized him. Benjamin shrank in his chair, and Elba noticed more bloodstains on his pants and shirt. "If you dent that table, its replacement will be coming out of your paycheck." The water buffalo growled. "What are you two doing here? This isn't your case."
The razorbacks straightened themselves before him. "The chief wants answers as soon as possible."
"And the commissioner wants to remind you that your priorities lie elsewhere!" Elba retorted. "Tundratown is still a warzone!"
The bigger razorback swallowed. "The mayor herself-"
"The mayor has no business dictating our operations!" Elba snapped. "Where is your commander? I'll be having words with him!"
The razorback frowned. "Pardon me, sir, but we haven't heard from Commander Cunninghorn for hours."
"Then he'll hear from you." Elba ignored the pang of anxiety for now. "Radio, phone, Morse code, I don't care. I want Cunnginghorn back at Precinct One within the hour, and then I want you in Tundratown where you belong. Is that clear?"
The razorbacks saluted to their credit. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Now uncuff that feline and get out."
The razorbacks didn't dare protest, quickly removed Clawhauser's restraints and walked out. The first thing the young cheetah did upon being freed was dry his eyes with a clean part of his shirt. Elba stayed by the door, eyeing Benjamin for signs that he had been roughed up. It wasn't right for him to immediately suspect his officers of misconduct, but after Gabriel's warning barely an hour past he wasn't taking any chances.
"Did they hurt you?" He asked. Benjamin shook his head, sniffling. "Good. Two officers will be here momentarily to escort you to the showers. Have you been photographed yet?"
Benjamin froze. "What, for a mugshot?"
"No, no. For evidence. The blood covering your body is quite significant and will need to be documented."
Benjamin looked down at his body. His paws were covered, and so were his knees and shins. From kneeling in a puddle of Bogo's blood, Elba surmised dourly.
Benjamin started trying to scrub the dried blood from his paws. He wasn't having much luck holding back tears either. "Nobody will tell me about Bogo. I don't even know if he's still alive."
Elba grimaced. He'd been thinking the exact same thing about Starlight for months. "Captain Bogo's still in surgery. That's all we know for now."
Elba turned and opened the door, having decided then that it was time he travelled to the hospital and spoke with Chief Trunchbull. When he glanced at the cheetah on his way out, he was hunched over the table, his bloodied paws clasped together in prayer.
At the hospital, Elba's mood took a turn for the worse as the surgeon approached with a message from Bogo and the truth of the safe house attack had turned out far worse than they'd imagined. He'd wasted no time ordering a citywide mammalhunt for ex-Commander Franklin Cunninghorn before returning to Precinct One with Chief Trunchbull. The instant they entered the lobby they found Mayor Swinton, Llamadeus from ZNN, Bisoniing from Bison Limited, Pottermass from Zoocell and the bespectacled secretary Felix Llater waiting for them by the front desk.
Elba gritted his teeth, wishing Merlin was here to magic them back to City Hall and keep them there. "Mayor Swinton."
"Commissioner Elba." Swinton said somberly. "I came as soon as I heard."
"We should discuss this in private." Elba turned to Trunchbull. "Your office. Now. The Triumverate can stay here."
The Triumverate scowled and began to complain, but Swinton cut them off. "I understand, Commissioner. Tonight's incident is not their concern."
Once in the privacy of Trunchbull's office, Elba told Swinton everything that had been discussed in the hospital, from Cunninghorn's treachery to the revelation that Wilde's wolf was real. All the while Swinton maintained her hardened expression at the same time she was clenching her fists again and again. With a reddish complexion from suspected wine consumption, Elba had the impression that she was on the verge of exploding.
"So what you're saying is Cunninghorn's behind this." Swinton summated.
"Yes, Mayor Swinton." Elba spoke.
Swinton slowly sat down in one of the chairs. "Are you sure?"
"Bogo stated it himself before he lost consciousness." Trunchbull said morosely. "I'm sorry, Mayor Swinton."
"Great." Swinton breathed. "Great. Just fucking great. I'm sorry, that was crude. I just really, really want his head in a box right now."
"We have all units hunting the city for him." Trunchbull spoke with narrowed eyes. "It's only a matter of time before he's apprehended."
"T.U.S.K. is leading the hunt, I assume?" Swinton asked.
"I've sent a couple of razorbacks out to search for him, but I must insist that the majority of the squad remain focused on the situation in Tundratown. Dealing with Koslov and Mr. Big is the priority here." Elba said.
Trunchbull took his side. "T.U.S.K. is our best chance of ending the civil war without it spreading to the other twelve districts. The ZPD can handle this case without them."
"Okay, fine." Swinton threw her hooves up in frustration. "What about Valentino? Do not tell me you've lost him again."
"He's still on the run." Elba said. "As he has a clear target in Benjamin Clawhauser, his return is also only a matter of time. I will oversee the feline's protection from now on." So I can keep T.U.S.K. as far away from that boy as possible.
"You don't need to do that, Commissioner." Swinton said with a smile that creased her mouth. "I'm sure T.U.S.K. can spare a few razorbacks to oversee the predator's wellbeing."
And there it was. "I'm sure they can, but the predator's wellbeing is not up to them. Or you, for that matter."
Swinton pursed her lips. "I only want to help restore order to my city."
"You have enough on your plate already, Mayor Swinton. You still have an election to win and a public relations disaster to resolve."
Swinton glared. "Public reaction to the article concerning the alleged 'musth' was mixed. I assure you, compared to what happened here tonight that fluffy little shit-stirrer is an afterthought. We need our best mammals to ensure Clawhauser makes it to the witness stand."
Elba tightened his fingers around his cane. "I helped you form T.U.S.K. to deal with extreme situations that the regular ZPD cannot handle. To ensure that Zootopia does not fall into ruin as Roarcadia did. I did not help you form T.U.S.K. so they can serve as your secret police."
Trunchbull gave a small toot of shock. "Commissioner Elba, see here!"
"It's alright, Chief Trunchbull." Swinton spoke calmly. "Commissioner, I think I know what this is about. Choosing Cunninghorn was a mistake, I see that now. The next commander will be better."
"So long as I or Chief Trunchbull choose the commander, they will be." Elba was at his limit by this point. He could hear it in his own tone. "It is not your authority to command the twelve precincts and dictate how we handle our cases. You command City Hall, nothing more."
Trunchbull stepped between them, blocking Elba's view of Swinton completely. "Perhaps we should change the subject. Where shall we place Clawhauser now that the penthouse has been compromised?"
Elba stepped aside so he could see Swinton again. "I will not discuss that with civilians present."
"I am the Mayor of Zootopia." Swinton thought to remind him.
"Which means you have no part in the handling of this case." Elba thought to remind her in turn. "This is a ZPD matter and it will be handled by the ZPD alone. Now if you'll excuse us, we have a serial murder case to solve and you have a political campaign to fight. We're done here."
The flustered Trunchbull wiped his brow. "Commissioner Elba, please."
"No, he has a point." Swinton spoke coldly. For a moment Elba thought he was about to receive a thinly veiled threat. "I should go home and get some sleep. A clear head is needed if I am to clean up Bellwether's mess."
She stood up, wiped a speck of dust from her jeweled heart brooch and left. Trunchbull rounded on Elba as soon as the door shut behind her.
"What on earth is the matter with you, Commissioner?! Did you know who you were talking to?"
Elba nodded. "I will never forget. But it's very plausible that her interference was what led to this situation. We both knew that Cunninghorn was a brute, but we let her go over our heads. Then this happened."
Trunchbull became downcast and sat down in his massive chair. "Good God… Cunninghorn and I had an argument the day Woolton was murdered. I said some things to him… I feel responsible."
Elba slowly walked around the desk. With the elephant sitting, his shoulder was within reach of patting. "Never mind that, Trunchbull. For all we know Cunninghorn could have been plotting Bogo's death for months. You are not to blame for what he has done."
"All the same, the sooner we catch that bastard the better." Trunchbull's voice took on a gravelly tone as rage set back in. "So where will we be placing that feline in the meantime?"
Elba sat down in the chair Swinton had been occupying before her departure. "As I said, I will be overseeing Clawhauser's protection from now on."
"But sir, the police commissioner personally overseeing the protection of a key witness... that is very unorthodox." Trunchbull protested.
"But necessary. The very fact that Valentino found Clawhauser in the first place means that this precinct may have been compromised. As soon as I leave this office I will be arranging another safe house. This time, no-one will know its location but me and a select few."
Trunchbull leaned forward. "And?"
"And until I am convinced that Valentino and Wilde's wolf did not learn about the first safe house from someone within the ZPD, you will not be one of those few."
"Commissioner!"
"If those killers were skilled enough to kill a dozen guards and infiltrate that penthouse, they may have been skilled enough to infiltrate this office and learn the location of every safe house in the city. I know of another place where Clawhauser will be safe, and it must be kept in the utmost secrecy."
"Utmost?" Trunchbull repeated. "Even from me?"
"Yes." Elba said bluntly. "This time I will take no chances."
Trunchbull contested Elba's decision for a few minutes because accepting that it was final, upon which the water buffalo left. He didn't return to his office. He couldn't. If Swinton or one of her sycophants were really behind the incident at the penthouse, then there was a chance the place was being monitored. Instead Elba entered his car and made the short drive back to his house. The night sky was beginning to lighten by the time he made it back to his front door, and he took a quick look around before going inside.
Hanging in the center of the northern wall of his living room was a genuine sixth century Roarmano-British shield, oval in shape and white with a red cross. Even now Elba remembered the day that shield had turned up in the mail on his birthday, two years after Starlight had left home. Three months later he'd read the news of the Red Dragon Triads being busted for numerous crimes, among them selling ancient artifacts on the black market, and a week after that he'd received a letter explaining where the shield had come from. Apparently Starlight had gone undercover in that very same gang to take down their mammal trafficking operation; upon seeing that shield being displayed at auction she'd been instantly reminded of Elba's enthusiasm for the Arthurian legends. She never told him how much she'd bid for the shield.
Elba loathed to use it, but working under someone as corrupt as Swinton meant that he had more power than the average police commissioner. That made it easier for him to know things she didn't, such as Honey's Bunkers. Yes, he knew about Starlight's contact. He was probably the only prey mammal in the entire city who knew. Starlight had sent a special headset along with the shield with instructions to seek sanctuary with Honey, just in case the remnants of the Red Dragon Triad learn of his relationship with the young vixen.
Elba lifted the shield from the wall and brought it to the dining table so he could use both hooves to peel away the duct tape holding the headset to the shield. Then he put on the headset and pressed the green button, just as Starlight had instructed.
It was a few seconds before someone answered. "Why is six afraid of seven?"
Elba blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Wait a second, who is this? How did you get on this channel?"
"Morgan Elba. Starlight told me to contact you if I need assistance."
"Elba? As in Police Commissioner Motherfucking Elba?! Hold on a sec…" Elba heard a clacking sound and assumed Honey was using a computer. "Yep, you're on the list. Christ, I almost had a heart attack!"
"Apologies. Starlight told me you use a passphrase and I completely forgot." Elba said. "I believe it's 'because seven is a prime number and prime numbers are intimidating.'"
"Correct! What can I do for ya? Did the sheep finally catch onto you?"
"Sheep? What on earth are you talking about?"
"Bellwether! The one who's probably behind all those murders that have been happening! She's stirring up shit in the city even now!"
"Now, now, Miss Honey. This isn't about Bellwether." Elba shushed her. "But someone did invade one of our safe houses and almost assassinate a key witness."
"Oh?" Honey's voice took on a high note of excited curiosity.
"It was the most secure safe house in the city. The fact it is was discovered means that Precinct One may have been compromised. Now the last time we spoke, Starlight told me that you have several hideouts throughout the twelve districts."
"And you want me to let you use one."
"I know this wasn't what Starlight intended, but I do need your help on this one. The witness won't be safe in another ZPD safe house. I need a place even Precinct One doesn't know about."
"I dunno how the ZPD works, but this witness must be important." Elba heard more typing. Honey typed for a good while before she spoke again. When she did, she sounded numb. "Benjamin Clawhauser?"
Elba's eyes widened. "How on earth did you- Never mind. If Starlight trusts you, so will I. Yes, it's the Clawhauser boy who witnessed Woolton's murder. I trust you will keep this to yourself."
"Yes, of course! Oh God, Benji…"
"You know him?"
"I… I do. Is he okay?"
Elba sensed that Benjamin was important to this badger. Good. "He was unharmed, but many officers were wounded or killed when the penthouse was invaded. I don't want that to happen again."
"No, even I don't want that! Where is Benji now?"
"At Precinct One, but he is most certainly not safe there. Now can we please get to the matter of finding a new safe house?"
"I know just the place. I'll send you the location once I've confirmed it's safe."
Elba exhaled. "Good. I trust Wilde is safe wherever you're hiding him?" There was a long silence on the other end. "I'll take that as a confirmation that you are harboring him. You have my word that I won't say anything to the ZPD."
"Seriously? You know that makes you dirty, right?"
Elba snorted. "Tell me why you spend your days hiding in a bunker under your apartment."
Honey seemed to explode in response. "To hide from the sheep! They're the ones behind these stupid collars! They engineered these savage incidents to trick the government! They'll take over the world if we don't stop them! Until the time is right, the truth must be protected!"
Elba patiently waited until she was done ranting. "It's because you're hiding from the system that is slowly but surely destroying this city. Isn't that right?"
More silence. "You see it, too?"
"Worse, I've seen it before." Elba felt the ache of his old thigh wound and sat down on a dining chair.
"Roarcadia?"
"Roarcadia."
"Starlight told me you saved her life after her parents were killed there. I didn't believe it at first."
"That is true. It must sound ridiculous, a police officer risking his life to save a fox."
"If someone other than Starlight had told me, I would have called them crazy. The news was more interested in you saving the Swintons."
"As they should have been. Had they known I was playing caretaker to a fox, especially one connected to Liberum, my reputation nowadays would be somewhat different."
"A pred-lover and race traitor." Honey spat. "It's why Starlight left, isn't it?"
"Yes. Now I must do what I can to help her and everyone else being victimized by this cursed conspiracy."
"Are you sure you want to do this? Gabe and Starlight wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger. Not again."
Elba thought of Captain Bogo, still alive thanks to the cheetah he stuck his neck out to protect. He thought of Officer Hopps, setting out into the city to save the fox she'd once publicly declared her sworn enemy. He thought of Starlight, a little girl at the time Roarcadia fell, who he went against orders to personally deliver to the evacuation point. Then he smiled gently. "I'm just doing my duty, Miss Honey. If I must take a step out of this broken system to do so, then so be it."
