CHAPTER 6:
When Nick and Judy arrived back at the precinct, they parked their cruiser in the underground, and took the stairs to the main floor. In the main lobby, Clawhauser was just getting ready to start his day. Morning Ben, cried Judy. Morning spots, Said Nick. Ben turned around to greet them, when he saw me walking between them holding their hands. Ben's hands flew to his mouth, as he let out a squeal. Oh, my goodness, You guys make the most adorable family. Judy's ears blushed red, and snapped down behind her head. Don't we, said Nick. And who might you be little mammal? Danyo-J I replied. My nose started to twitch furiously, as I could smell the food behind the desk. At this, Ben's hands flew back to his mouth, he also noticed my ears and feet. He then put two and two together and came up with five. Did you Guys have a child? You should have told me, I so wanted to be a godparent. AT this point Judy's whole face turned red, and she was at a loss for words. Nick spoke up with a chuckle, No Ben, not ours, his mother was the 10-38 this morning in Central Square. Oh, sorry Judy, replied Ben, I jumped to conclusions again. It's ok Ben no harm done, replied Judy. We will be fostering him for awhile, as we both couldn't stand the idea of him in an orphanage. Ben squealed again; you mean he is your son for now? That is just so cool you guys. Well it's just until we find his next of kin, replied nick. Right, right, Said Ben a little crest fallen. So is the chief in his office? asked nick. Yes, he is, replied Ben, go on up. Would you mind watching Daniel for a few? Asked nick. Before Ben could reply, Judy leaned down and asked me if I would wait for them with Ben. I looked at Ben and saw nothing but goodness coming off of him. So, I agreed to wait with him. Ben reached down for me, picked me up, and tickled me. I let out a laugh and a giggle. Ben then offered me some of his lucky chomps, which I accepted.
Nick and Judy walked up to the second floor, To the chief's office. They knocked on the door, "enter", was the reply from inside the office. Morning Chief, How's our favorite buffalo this morning? Said Nick. Just for one day could you do with out all the antics Wilde? Asked the chief. Judy elbowed him in his side, before he could reply. Sir, Replied Judy, we have a situation. What is it now, Wilde's? Sir we seem to have picked up a kit this morning. Picked up a kit? Yes Sir, His mother was the 10-38 in Central square this morning. Why do you have him? Ahh, well you see Sir, social services were going to put him straight into an orphanage, and Nick and I couldn't stand the thought of that, so we said we would foster him. we will have to talk to social services later today. Also, Sir, he appears to be a hybrid. Why do you two always seem to find trouble? Asked Bogo. What kind of hybrid? Ahh Sir, he appears to be a cross between a bunny and a fox. When you step into it, you do it with both feet don't you two? Judy elbowed nick hard in the ribs to stop his retort. I need to see this, for myself, said the chief. Pushing down on the intercom, Clawhauser could you bring… What did you say his name was? Daniel, Sir. Replied Judy. Daniel to my office please. On my way, replied Ben. A few minutes later Ben appears with Daniel in tow. I looked up at the biggest mammal I had ever seen, but I wasn't scared, as I could see the heart of gold this mammal had. He picked me and turned me all around, looking me over. He then then put me down, and I hopped/ran to Nick and Judy. Well your right, he does appear to be a bunny, fox hybrid. Said Bogo. I want you to take him down to the lab and get them to run a DNA test to make sure. Hopefully his parents are in the system. The fox who was taken to mercy general could be his mother. Said Nick. Did she have any ID on her when she was found? No, chief, just some fox plushie. Have Mike call the hospital to run a DNA test on her as well.
Could we ask for a small favor Sir, said Judy. What is it now Wilde? Could we be excused from our shift tonight, we have a lot of places to go and thing to do today, concerning Daniel and social services. The Chief puts his right hoof to his forehead and rubs his temple. All right, but you will have to make that shift up sometime next week. Thank you, Sir, replies Judy as they all but run out the door.
As they left Bogo's office, Judy askes, Nick why do you have to push the chief's buttons? What Carrots, old buffalo butt, just loves it. It's the one bright spot in his day, besides if I didn't do it, he would think there was something wrong with me. Judy just snorts and lightly punches his arm. They continue walking down the stairs, to sub basement 1. At the end of the hall is the lab.
As we walked, the light banter between these two mammals was something I had never seen. I could tell they really loved each other. As we got closer to the door at the end of the hall, I could read the word on the door, "LAB".
I started to panic at this point; they had brought me back! I tried to get away but Nick's grip on my hand was too strong. He picked me up, and held me close, trying to comfort me. What's wrong little guy? No one here will hurt you. I could feel his concern and love but it was the LAB. I screamed out my fear, White coats! I said. The door flew open at the end of the hall, and a white coat came out. What's happening down here? Cried Hofmeyr the bobcat lab tech. When he saw that it was a kit crying, he did the strangest thing, he started to purr. Well that got my attention, I had never heard anything like it. He slowly took off his white coat, and laid it on the floor. Then he got on his back, still purring and waved his paws in the air, kneading the air too. Well I could see that he was nothing like any other white coat I had ever seen, He was funny. I couldn't help myself, I started to laugh. Soon everyone was laughing at the antics of the bobcat. He wound up doing tight circles in the hall, trying to catch his own tail, which being as short as it was, he could never possible catch. Still purring he got off the floor, picking up his coat, and headed for the door. All the time his purring never ceased. He then motioned us forward, into the lab. I went willingly as I felt no malice from him. As the door closed, I felt the return of panic, but his purring soothed me.
Well little one, my name is Bobby, what's your name? Danyo-J I replied. Nick and Judy were amazed at how fast Bobby could calm me down. "Daniel", that's a nice name, a strong name, so what brings you to my lab? I turned around and pointed to both Nick and Judy. Everyone laughed at this, first time I had ever made a joke.
Nick explained that the chief wanted a DNA test done on me. Bobby looked at me and asked, if it was ok for him to do the test. First time I had ever been asked, before some test was performed. Hurt? I asked. No doesn't hurt, I just rub a cotton swab around the inside of your cheek., replied Bobby. I then shook my head yes and opened wide. As he did this, he noticed my twitching nose and my rounded ears. Daniel, he asked, would it be possible to take a blood sample from you, you can say no, and I will respect your wishes. I have had blood drawn before, and felt it would be ok for him to do one. I held out my arm, and he winced at all the old needle marks on my arm. Judy and Nick both noticed this as well. He drew the blood, and told me I was a brave boy. He then asked if he could do a full body exam. I didn't know you were a doctor Bob? Said Nick. Well yes, I am, I just got tired of all the BS. A lawsuit came down the pipe, and the hospital just fired me, and treated me as if I was going to eat some one because I am a predator. The lab is nice and quiet, the only time I get criticism is if I can't find the answers being sought.
The exam went well, Bobby asked for my permission every time, and explained everything he was doing. I felt I could trust him, and by the end I even gave him a little hug. I'll walk you guys out, said Bobby.
When we got to the lobby, he asked Clawhauser if he could watch me, and asked me if I could stay with Clawhauser while he talked with Nick and Judy. Both of us agreed to this. They walked away; I got a little scared thinking I had been abandoned. Clawhauser noticed this. It's ok Daniel, they'll be back, they just wanted to talk about grown up things, said Clawhauser. He then explained how the radio worked and what his job was, and offered me a doughnut. Having never had one, I didn't know what to expect. This round circle with sugar on top, was thrust into my hands. After the first bite, I couldn't stuff it into my muzzle fast enough. Crumbs went every where. Clawhauser was laughing so hard he fell over, which got me laughing at him. Officers gave us knowing grins, and shook their heads as if to say, Look at the kits.
When Nick, Judy, and Bobby got to the conference room, they went in and closed the door. Bobby looked at Nick and Judy and spoke. I guess you figured out he is a hybrid, and he is a fox and rabbit hybrid. Both Nick and Judy nodded yes, he also has been experimented on, the needle tracks on his arms, yes, he had some on the other arm, and his reaction to my tests and examination tell me, this is nothing new to him. Are you sure? Well his first reaction to seeing me, well not me but my coat, said he was scared of me and the word lab, so yes, I believe he has been experimented on. How did you get him to calm down so quick? Bobby just gave a small smile. Phycology 101, If you have a fear of something the more you know about it, the lower the fear and anxiety about that object. In my case I showed Daniel that I was not my coat, I was a person, and once he saw me as a person that cared, the coat became a non issue. But I would bet that what you are seeing is not all of him. He seems smarter than he lets on. Based on my exam, His physical age is about 16 months, but his mental age I would place at about a 6-year-old, I believe that he is hiding his potential for his own protection, Not really sure why. 6-Year old, doc? Yes, his comprehension of what was happening to him was at least a 6-year old level. Thanks Bobby, will you let us know when you get the results back? Asked Judy. Sure will. Oh, and Wilde? If you show one frame of that video you took, I will make your life a living hell. That was for Daniel's benefit not yours, do you understand? What it's just a harmless video. Says Nick. Nick, remember this, a physician, knows how a body is put together, and how to take it apart, painfully I might add, do I make myself clear? Nick gulps, picks up his phone, and deletes the video.
By the time Nick and Judy got back to the lobby, pandemonium had broken out. Daniel was running all over the lobby, bouncing of the furniture and walls, with Clawhauser in hot pursuit. Some officers were leaning on the walls laughing their heads off. Others had given up trying to stand, and were just laying on the floor laughing. Bogo had come out of his office, and stood there taking it all in. A genuine smile had touched his lips, before he had to break it up. "DANIEL" he shouts, which stopped me dead in my tracks. Clawhauser managed to grab me from behind. Nick and Judy come running up to take charge of me. They noticed the sugar residue on my lips, and asked, Clawhauser, did you give him a donut? It was only one, replied Clawhauser. Clawhauser, get this lobby put to rights, Wilde's, get out of the precinct before I change my mind. Yes, Sir, Right away, Sir. Bogo turns back to his office with a big grin on his face, as Nick and Judy leave the building.