A/N: Sorry for the wait! I've been struggling with this chapter for a bit, it's one I've been rolling over in my head since I decided to make this a series. As always, major thanks to GameBoy/Razgriz for his assistance, as well as a reality check, I was winding myself up on a certain sequence, as well as a title for this one, he made an undeniable point while we discussed this chapter.
GhostWolf88: You made a good point yourself, it was indeed quite messy to read as it was, I've revised prior chapters for ease-of-reading. I appreciate the heads up on my formatting!
Guest 1: Thank you! Judy will indeed be discussing some... steamy things, with Nick. (~,^)
Guest 2: ¡ Gracias por volver por más! (Perdón por mi terrible gramática.)
Guest 3: Awww shucks... Glad you're enjoying it! (^,^)
BrutusDeagon: Thank you! As far as the exchange goes... gotta love lackeys and their overconfidence! ...Also cliches! xD
Agent Wilde 2: Mountains out of Molehills
Chapter 2: Wretched Recollections
Nick's place: 0100 ZST
Nick woke far earlier than usual, moving to stretch, his arm was caught and held by a small set of paws. The limb was squeezed and nuzzled by the bunny in the bed, clearly enjoying the comfort she found in such simple contact.
Nick's muzzle split into a grin, but he also had an urgent need to answer nature's call, he carefully slipped his arm out and away, replacing it was his pillow, which was quickly given the same treatment after a long, slow inhale from the doe.
After sorting out his biological needs, Nick took the opportunity to snap a picture, it was just too cute to pass up. That taken care of, he made a brief call to Bogo, informing the buffalo he had some business to tend to as well as a need to meet with him somewhere discrete, when it was done.
"Thanks, I'll let you know what I find out."
He made a card, quite similar to the one he'd left her months ago, though this time lacking the sick bunny. He placed the card on his laptop, and quietly slipped out, heading for the train station.
As he took his seat in an empty car at the back of the train, applying a good coating of Musk Mask, his grin was replaced by a grim frown, eyes taking on the same feral coldness they held when he made his escape from OhNo's complex, a dying bunny clutched in his arms.
Who do you think it was? Tail asked, bristling slightly as it swayed to the side.
Don't know, I can only think of about three dozen mammals that would have a reason to use someone close to us as means of a threat. The fox replied with a sarcastic tone.
Cute. Tail replied. Now, it's obviously someone who knew us before we got into the bureau.
Which doesn't narrow the list, unfortunately. Nick replied,tapping on the windowsill.
True... but we can at least shorten it a bit by going over the wolves that we knew.
Fair point. Let's do that.
There was that scumbag Mr. Big had on the payroll for a bit...?
Sean Clawson? Nah, even when he had polar bears backing him, he was too much of a coward to get his paws dirty, let alone act in a solo setting. Nick dismissed that one. Marty Fangly?
He died two years ago, hit by a car. Tail commented.
Right...
Think it's an offshoot of the Pack? Tail questioned.
Unlikely, the Alphas wouldn't tolerate defectors pulling anything like this. Nick stated, They might turn a blind eye to some shady dealing, but they never condoned threats that involved kits or cubs... the ones that dared to try anything like that were always 'dealt with' silently, and outside city jurisdiction.
True. Tail conceded.
We'll have a better idea after our visit, I'm sure.
Nick stared out the window in silence for the remained of the trip, thankfully the train didn't have to make any stops, and he arrived in Bunnyburrow within the hour.
He took a Zuber from there, the buck was clearly confused as to a well dressed fox making a trip to the Hopps' home at this ungodly hour, but he wasn't about to question it either.
They stopped just shy of a large oak with a tire swing, Nick paid, handing the buck a large bill, flashing his ID in the process, "You're going to wait until my business is complete, and you're going to drive me to the city when I get back." he narrowed his eyes, adding, "I was never here, understand?"
The buck's eyes grew wide as he nodded, Nick's visage alone was enough to drive the point home. He wasn't going to ask twice, and he wasn't going to be happy if his instructions fell on deaf ears.
Nick casually strolled up to the house, pick the lock in complete silence and slipped into the burrow, taking a few long draws of the air, he picked out the scent he was looking for, faint as it was. He followed it through several tunnels, quiet as a ghost on his pawpads, ears perked for the slightest sound of anyone stirring.
The scent grew stronger as he drew closer to a door with a large 'J' tacked to it, he tried the handle, receiving no resistance, he stepped inside to find an immaculate room that looked like it was in some sort of time capsule. There were posters from spy movies and cop shows, family photos and old high-school trophies, the bed held a comically large collection of plush dolls.
Not quite what I expected... the fox thought, picking up a stuffed fox in a police uniform, it held an eerie resemblance to the fox himself. It even had emerald green eyes, causing the tod to cock an eyebrow at the interesting trinket.
Normally, Tail began, I'd say that's downright creepy. But at this point I think it's kinda sweet... Bet ya that one's her favorite. he finished with a slight chuckle.
Oh hush. Nick countered, We came here for a reason, which isn't centered around commenting on plushies.
He replaced the stuffed fox and proceeded to examine the bedding, sadly there wasn't any fur on it for a chance at a follicle and DNA. He could, however, make out tiny holes punched into the blanket. Hoping against hope the bedding hadn't been washed yet, he got on all fours on the bed and began sniffing away at it, desperate to pick up a scent that could help clarify who was bringing threats against the only effective family he'd known in decades.
That was when he heard a sickeningly familiar sound, and froze.
"Call the police, Bon." An older bunny stated, a freshly cocked shotgun leveled at the fox, "And don't you move, unless you want to be picked up in a body bag."
...Well, this should be an interesting first impression. Tail stated.
Ya think?
Nick very slowly raised his paws, "Mrs. Hopps, if you wouldn't mind waiting a moment on that, I can give you both very good reason not to do that." Nick stated, adding after a moment, "Or shoot me, for that matter."
Bonnie, against her better judgement, paused. Stu rolled his eyes at the request, but he wasn't about to just gun down the fox, either. "Somehow I doubt that."
Nick rolled with it, "I know this seems a little... suspicious. Random fox in a suit, sniffing your daughter's bed and all. But I assure you it's for good reason." Nick slowly lowered a paw as he continued, "I'm with the ZBI, and I have justifiable reason to believe Judy and your burrow may be being targeted by a rogue agency."
Stu kept the gun trained on the fox, the mention of Judy putting a crack in his determination. He watched as the fox pulled out a small billfold, letting it drop open to show his ID.
"Wilde?!" Bonnie gasped, she took a better look at the fox, sure enough he had the same pinhole clawmarks on his muzzle as the one Judy had shown her when she came home, she could also make out her daughter's scent coming quite strongly off the fox, now she was looking for it amidst the residual scent of Judy's belongings. "Stu, put that gun down!" she scolded, slapping the stunned buck's shoulder.
Stu lowered the gun, staring at the fox, "You're Jude's ma-... partner?" he asked, "Why in the dickens did you sneak in here? You could've called and let us know you were going to break in." the buck stated with an annoyed tone.
"What is going on?" Bonnie chimed in, "You said targeted... by whom? Why isn't Judy with you?!" she took a step forward, dull claw nailing Nick square in the chest, her ears were angled back and out, an eerily similar look in her eyes as Judy when she was about to dole out a beating, "Start talking, mister!"
Well, I can see where she gets it. Tail commented with a gulp.
No kidding... Nick thought as his ears reflexively folded back at the Hopps matriarch's advance.
"That's what I'm here to find out, Mrs. Hopps. As to why Judy isn't accompanying me, she's taking the day off, for the most part. I'm trying to get a scent off the bedding." he turned to Stu, "Which I understand probably looks really creepy out of context."
"Oh, not at all." Stu shot back, dripping with sarcasm as he carefully, gently released the hammer on the firearm, "Happens all the time, folks just waltz in sniffing our beds all night." he finished with every bit as much snark as Judy could lay on when she wanted to, face taking on an expression of 'You're joking, right?'.
And there's the sarcastic side... Tail said.
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Nick replied, Or uh, carrot doesn't roll far from the patch?
Is that even a thing? Tail questioned.
Is now.
"You're saying Judy and the rest of our kits are in danger?" Stu asked as calmly as he could.
"So long as they believe the idea that Judy is working in their favor? No."
"And you came here to find out who broke into our home?"
"Yes. I also have reason to believe whoever it was, has information on what I do for the ZBI, as well as what I did prior to entering the police force."
Bonnie cut in, "I still feel the need to reiterate. Why didn't you simply contact us and let us know you needed to investigate?"
Nick let out a short sigh before responding, "For the same reasons Judy couldn't contact you when she was gone, and why she couldn't bring herself to tell you what happened while she was here."
Crossing his arms, he added with a more reserved tone, "You know better than I likely do that she would do anything she could to keep the mammals she cares about safe, and in this business it's literally a matter of 'The less you know, the safer you'll be'. she couldn't do anything she thought would make things worse for you- for her family." the fox finished with a grimace.
Neither of the older Hopps' could argue that statement, but Stu did have two questions Nick could answer.
"Is there anything we can do to help? Anything they can do to keep my kits safe?"
Nick, prepared for that line of thought, answered quickly and calmly, "I'll be speaking with the Director about having some of our mammals- or officers with the ZPD, posted to your burrow while we work this all out. I know it's not likely your preferred option, but we can at least keep the property on lock-down until we're sure it's safe."
"We'd certainly appreciate it, if that can be arranged." Bonnie said, looking to her husband, Stu nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Hopps, I really would have preferred to meet you under better circumstances." Nick said, running a paw over his ears.
"Bonnie and Stu, please." The older doe said, "...Does Judy know you're here?"
"That'd be a big negatory. She needs sleep right now, not more stress." Nick went back to the bedding as he spoke, begging to pick up an identifiable, familiar scent near the punctured sections of the blankets.
"But she's somewhere safe?" Stu asked.
"My place." Nick replied, freezing in place when what he said fully registered. He glanced over to the bunnies, ears drawing back as he quickly added, "No funny business, I assure you. She's just had a hard time sleeping since she got back. And-"
Bonnie brushed aside the remainder of the statement, "It's quite alright, Nick. If Judy trusts you in that regard, we can as well."
The comment relaxed the fox somewhat, mostly due to the fact that he couldn't read Bonnie's mind, and her added thought of;
I'm just waiting for you two to get things sorted out enough to enjoy some real quality time together... And looking at you- potential for a successful hybrid aside, you two could raise some wonderful kits.
Nick went back to huffing blankets as the bunnies watched and waited.
There's gotta be a hint of 'em...
Burying his nose into the blankets, he took a huge whiff before his head shot up, ears splayed out, eyes wide.
"Find something?!" Bonnie asked excitedly, the fox's expression seemingly one of surprise.
Nick's face contorted, nose twisting to the side in a comical fashion, he let out a massive sneeze, shaking his head. Both bunnies deflated somewhat at the motion, having expected a revelation.
Wait. Is that... "Pantera del Sexo?" Nick said in a bewildered tone.
The Hopps elders exchanged a confused look, "Panthers with who now?" Stu asked.
"Sex Panther. An outlawed cologne, it has panther claw shavings in it... it's intended to be an aphrodisiac of sorts- Bits of real panther! That's how you know it works!" The fox stated with perfect infomercial inflection, "It was outlawed because all it really does is smell like gasoline- which was the base for it in the first place, and more often than not give the mammals using it cat scratch fever."
It is sickeningly familiar, though. Nick thought, wracking his brain for why the wretched smell turned his stomach- besides the stench itself.
Why do you think that is? Tail questioned, tone going oddly melancholy.
Nick sat on the bed, arms folded, eyes going blank as he raced through old memories in search of the originating moment that provided the sinking feeling he now experienced.
A much younger russet fox was leaning against an alley wall in the Rainforest district, absentmindedly flicking a knife open, then closed.
"How long were we supposed to wait for these morons?" A diminutive fennec fox inquired, loading another round into his pint-sized rifle, complete with silencer.
"Three hours, Fin." Nick replied.
"It's been three and a half."
"I'm aware, pal."
Nick wasn't about to break his uncaring facade, even if his nerves were getting worse by the moment. Fin flicked open a lighter, taking a draw from the cigarette currently clenched in his fangs, releasing a cloud of smoke shortly after.
"I'm giving 'em ten more minutes before I walk."
Nick gave him a nod, he wasn't going to stick around much longer himself, mammals running late usually meant a deal went south. "Agreed."
They stood in silence, waiting for their designated targets to arrive. Tonight was a timberwolf, a jackal and a bobcat, all three known to have connections with drug dealers in the area, ones that weren't above selling their 'goods' disguised in candy or energy drinks to high-schoolers and kits.
They were here to send a message, one that would hopefully scare the operation out of the city, assuming the mammals weren't smart enough to come quietly.
Mr. Big had received very troubling news regarding one of Andrew's children dying from the questionable street pharma. Naturally, he wasn't pleased, and got information on some of their runners immediately, selecting Nick and Fin to carry out negotiations on his behalf.
"I understand why he's on this like he is, but why doesn't Big just forward the info to the ZPD?" Fin asked, clearly on-edge and bored with waiting.
"You already know the answer to that." Nick replied, equally bored and anxious. "They hurt his family, and he's got an image to maintain. Wouldn't you want blood?"
"I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't, Nick. You know where I stand on sellin' drugs to kits." Fin stated with a disgusted sneer. "My point is," Fin continued, "Even with Big's connections, this seems like something better handled by mammals who can make a live public statement on the whole mess after they shut it down." the small fox said, "Big has to keep his operations quiet, remember?"
Nick could only nod at that, "I see where you're coming from, but I guess I just don't care as long as they get shut down overall."
They resumed their quiet vigil, waiting for the right mammals to make themselves known.
They were about ready to pack it up and notify Big that the runners in question were no-shows when they heard a crash from around the corner, a jackal rounded the corner followed closely by a bobcat clutching a satchel, both looking panicked, the jackal sporting a fresh gash above her eyebrow, the bobcat with a fairly pronounced limp.
They plowed into Nick, knocking him into the wall, followed by unintelligible threats being called after them, a small wolf came around the corner as Nick shot Fin a look, "If you'd be so kind, I do believe our party has arrived."
"Mmhm." Fin hummed, already taking aim. He pegged the bobcat in the shoulder, the jackal in the knee, fresh blood spraying over the newly stained, worn concrete as both mammals let out primal screams, hitting the ground. The wolf was smart enough to stop dead, turning to the mammals he'd ignored in his haste as he saw his cohorts hit the ground howling. He immediately dropped to his knees, paws going up.
"You're dead!" a warthog rumbled, coming around the corner, he was taken aback at the sight before him, "Who the hell are you!?"
"Nobody you need to remember." Nick stated, hackles rising, blade dimly flashing in his paw.
"Like hell! Those three just screwed me out of my shit, and they're gonna pay!"
Fin laughed at the attempted intimidation, "We're here on Big Business. Who the hell are you?" the fennec fox asked, squaring his rifle on the hog.
The warthog visibly deflated, everyone knew that 'Big Business' was a phrase not tossed around lightly, those that misused it in Zootopia's proverbial underground were generally hard to find the next morning. It meant you'd been commissioned by Tony Big, and it carried as much weight as a command from the shrew himself.
"I... uh. I'll leave you to your deal." He began backpedaling, hoping they would let him go.
No such luck.
"I don't believe you will." Nick coolly stated, bolting to prevent the mammal from slipping away, the wolf tried to run with the distraction, Fin's ears being as sensitive as they were alerted him to the movement and he whipped back onto the wolf.
"Where do you think you're goin'?"
With a keen, the wolf slowly got back to his knees, the two injured mammals were petrified on the ground, having heard the exchange. They'd resigned themselves to their fate, whatever it may be. Nobody crossed Tony Big or his men, running was admitting to a transgression against the crime boss and was as good as a death sentence.
Nick took agonizingly slow steps toward the hog, who carefully stepped backward, eyes going wide.
"You said 'They screwed me out of my shit'."
The hog nodded, realizing he had already signed his own warrant with a single statement.
"You've been supplying these scumbags?"
Another nod.
"Are you aware that 'your shit' is killing mammals?"
The hog froze, refusing to so much as flinch, he was already as good as dead.
"You know who they've been selling to?"
Astoundingly, his eyes grew wider. "No! I just pick it up and collect the money! I swea-"
Nick clucked his tongue at the hog, "Tsk, tsk... you should know lying won't do you any favors. You know. I can see that much in your eyes."
Nick took another step toward the hog. "Now... you have two options." Nick held up two claws, "One, you give us names, locations, everything." one claw down, "Or two... you can come with us to see the boss."
Nick put the remaining claw to his chin, feigning thoughtfulness, "And given the mood he's in, I suggest the former."
"I'll talk!" the hog blurted out, followed by a string of locations, names, dates, costs...
"Good, good." Nick said, pulling out a phone, he sent a prepared message.
Targets held, move in.
"C-can I go now?" the hog asked, all his bravado upon arrival replaced by crippling fear.
"Go?" Fin sneered at the hog over his shoulder, "You haven't even had a drink yet, and the boss likes to treat his guests."
The warthog's pupils constricted into pinpoints, "You- you said I could go if I gave you the info!"
Nick let out a cold bark of laughter, "Hey, Fin?"
"Yeah?"
"Did I say anything about letting this dirtbag go?"
"I didn't hear it in his options."
The hog began floundering as a white limousine pulled up, massive polar bears stepping out of the vehicle.
"This isn't fair! I GAVE YOU THE INFO!" he started flailing, the other three mammals were either too scared or in too much pain to bother resisting.
"Get used to it, pal." Nick jovially called after the hog.
He could smell each one clearly as the bears hauled them into the limo.
The hog reeked of B.O.
The Jackal carried an air of dryer sheets, the bobcat of pine needles, both steadily leaking the coppery scent of fresh blood.
The wolf smelled like burnt rubber.
Come on... Nick thought, I KNOW we've smelled this crap somewhere...
Stu and Bonnie were still watching Nick as he sat on Judy's bed, lost in thought.
"Think he's okay?" Stu whispered.
"I don't know, I've only just met him." Bonnie replied.
"Should we say something?"
"Like what?"
Stu shrugged, "We could ask him how Judy's doing?"
"He said she's safe, that's enough for me, right this moment... we can see about visiting her after this... thing, is sorted out." Bonnie stated, wringing her paws a bit. She wanted to press the fox every bit as much as her husband, but neither of them wanted to interrupt him if he was on to something.
Think back further, bud... Tail said, voice strained, sounding nearly depressed, Way back... to mom.
...What do you...? Nick began to question what his tail was getting at, before the memories came flooding back, hitting the fox like a sledgehammer. No...
Happy Town: December 24th, 1995.
An emerald eyed kit was sitting at a small round table dressed in green tights and a matching medieval jerkin, feet swinging, munching on lucky chomps as a vixen with matching emerald eyes in a pawaiian print dress set her purse on the well worn-wooden structure, folding her winter jacket over one arm, picking a smaller coat off a hook.
"Ready for school Nicky?" she asked, chipper tone betrayed only by the bags under her eyes, the vixen was as overworked and tired as ever, but she'd burn before she let it show in front of her son.
"Mmhm!" Nick hummed through his mouthful, proceeding to chow down on the remainder, draining the colored milk upon swallowing the mouthful of cereal. He hopped down from his chair, all but skipping to his mother, currently holding out his winter coat. He wriggled his paws through the sleeves, shrugging slightly to get the article to settle in just the right position.
"Let's get going sweetie, we're gonna be late!" she flicked an eyebrow at her son, "You wouldn't want to keep Maid Marian waiting, would you, Sir Hood?"
"Ready!" Nick exclaimed, striking an iconic pose, as if ready to loose an arrow from his invisible bow.
Nick had always looked forward to school, if only for the fact he made the trip with his mother, she was far from absent in his life, but she worked so many hours she was always exhausted when she got home. Nick was a sharp kit, he could see the toll the work was taking on her, but he didn't dare say anything that would make her sad.
Tonight was special, he was going to be the world famous Robin of Locksley in his school's pageant, and his mom was going to be there to watch. He wouldn't miss it for the world.
Unfortunately, this was one trip to school that wasn't meant to be.
As Vivienne Wilde opened the door to their apartment, they were greeted by an albino hare and gray wolf, while still larger than the vixen, he was small for his species.
"Hey V. Time for school already?" the hare said, glancing down at Nick, who was shifted back by his mother, her tail wrapping around him defensively as his muzzle curled into a small snarl at the intruders.
"Peter. Thomas." she began, keeping her voice confident and level, refusing to show any emotion to the unwanted mammals currently standing between them and their exit, "I've already paid this week, you're going to make us late, and unless you want your boss to know you're the reason I can't pay him next week, I'd appreciate if you would kindly let us through." while she kept her composure, she couldn't stop the edge in her tone, much less the venomous glare in her eyes.
Nick didn't know why she had to pay these jerks every week. He didn't like them, they were mean to his mom, they were the reason she had to work so much, and they stank.
"Now Vivienne, I know you're in a hurry, but there's been a small change to your little arrangement." the hare stated with a very fake expression of sorrow crossing his face.
"Then he can discuss that with me himself, when I'm not busy."
Vivienne made to move past the two, only for the wolf to dig his claws into her shoulder, getting a shocked yip from the vixen.
"Mom!" Nick snapped at the wolf, tiny fangs bared, small claws flailing at the wolf, "Leave her alone!"
The wolf plucked him up by his scruff, "Isn't that just precious, got yourself a regular knight in shining armor." the wolf mocked the angry kit.
"Nicholas!" Vivienne dug her claws into the paw on her shoulder, drawing blood... She'd had enough, she finally snapped.
"Put. Him. Down." she snarled, eyes narrowing as she glared at the wolf.
The hare started chuckling, and turned to leave, Nick hoped the wolf would follow suit. His world began rolling around him as the hare called back, "Try not to have too much fun, Pete!"
Nick hit a wall, landing in a disoriented heap on the floor, his vision swimming. He heard the wolf keen and growl as sharp claws ripped into his muzzle.
"Nick, run!"
He could hear his mother's voice desperately calling out to him, but he couldn't register what she was saying in his dazed state.
What unfolded next was nothing short of a nightmare.
He watched from the floor as fur and blood flew into the air, the wolf's muzzle dripping blood, his mother's coat slowly growing darker as both her blood and the wolf's slowly stained her dress, the goose down of her coat mingling with the fur thrashing through the disturbed air.
"RUN!" She screamed again, begging her son to flee. She knew she was outmatched, and she didn't want him to see whatever else was coming, didn't want him to fall prey to the beast in their den.
Nick lost consciousness, he had no clue how long it had been, his mother's cries still ringing in his ears when he came to.
The wolf had torn his mother to shreds, her eyes were blank and lifeless, her dress in tatters around her. One paw, reached out toward the young fox, had the claws dug into the floorboards so deeply it may as well have been nailed down.
He went to his bedroom and pulled a small box from under the bed, he unwrapped it and pulled out a small silver chain. He'd been doing odd jobs for neighbors to save up enough money to buy his mother a gift, since he never saw her get anything for herself on the holidays.
Nick wanted to cry, wanted to scream, wanted to feel anything. All he could do was grab a blanket from the bedroom, cover his mother, having latched the bracelet on her bloodied wrist and curl up next to the one mammal that he'd ever had in his life.
Merry Christmas mom... I hope you like it.
He was still there when the EMT's and police arrived, someone had reported a domestic disturbance, but the police were drawn so thin in places like Happy Town, they'd arrived far too late. Finding a non-responsive kit curled up next to his own mother, her blood dying his fur, making it stiff and crusty. He'd absentmindedly pulled one cold arm over himself, clutching the limb as if it were the only thing that could keep him safe, head resting on her lifeless paw like a pillow.
His nose was filled with the mingling smells of his mother, blood, wolf... and gasoline.
"Nick?" Bonnie asked again, waving a paw in front of his muzzle, trying to get the fox's attention.
She slowly stepped backward as the unresponsive fox's features drew back into a dark, murderous snarl.
"NO!" he half yelled, half growled.
Bonnie nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden outburst, having no clue what caused the sudden change, Stu reflexively put himself between his wife and the inexplicably aggressive fox.
I'm sorry, pal. Tail began as Nick shifted from outraged to tears running through his fur, I didn't want to pull that one out of the void, but we can't let him do it again. Not to them... Not to her.
Nick had buried the detailed version of his mother's death for so many years, he never wanted to think of it again, he'd so carefully hidden everything, hiding it all behind that mask he wore every day.
He bit down on his emotions enough to regain some composure, looking at Bonnie, he apologized, her violet eyes reminding him that there was still something worth protecting, the same eyes her daughter inherited.
He'd buried it all, until that strange little bundle of fluff threw a monkey wrench into the gears, put a massive crack in that armor, made him genuinely care again.
"I hate to leave you on a negative note, but I need to get moving. Now." Nick stated, cold hard determination settling into place, "You'll likely be put in touch with Wolfard, he's our acting correspondent, good mammal." he added as he made for the door, he had to talk to Bogo, and soon.
Bonnie and Stu exchanged a slightly baffled glance as the fox all but flew by.
She called after the fox, "Do you know who it is, then!?"
"Unfortunately, yes!" the fox's voice came back, given the volume, they could surmise he was likely about to hit the main door to the Burrow. "I'll tell Judy you said hello!" his retreating voice echoed back to the two.
Nick was already sprinting as he crossed the threshold, phone ringing with a shot of a water buffalo filling the screen. He leaped into the driver's side of the waiting vehicle, and punched the gas, "You'll get it back in one piece!" he called out the window as the buck that drove him into town fell backward with a thud on the grass, he'd been leaning on the rear bumper, flicking through his Muzzlebook feed. All he could do was stare at the shrinking vehicle speeding off without him. He knew he should've taken the night off.
Nick heard the beep of his call being accepted and wasted no time in making his statement.
"Sir? I've got bad news..."
Bogo pinched the bridge of his nose, having glanced at his bedside clock. Leaning back into his pillow, he mumbled, "When is it ever good news at three in the morning?" the Director had hoped that he might actually get some sleep before the fox called him again to meet, though he now realized he should have known better when it came to Wilde...
This was going to be a long day.
A/N MkII: I earnestly had no intentions of publishing this on the cusp of Christmas... I really didn't.
That said, such is my astoundingly bad timing.
Sorry if I brought the mood down on this one, I've been both anticipating and dreading this installment, but it needed to be finished for the events to come.
Things will get better, I promise!
(\_/)
(^,^)b