Bugs

Nick walked through the double-door entrance of the police department and passed by Wolford with a friendly nod. He gave no committed response save for a quick glance back. No surprise to Nick. Wolford was either always in a rush or often too entertained with the thoughts in his head. Nick approached the front desk and rested his paws on top of it. The stunned wide-eyed look Clawhauser gave him made Nick feel suddenly inadequate.

"Yikes. did I break something already?"

"Where is your other half?"

"Oh, Judy will be late." Clawhauser gasped stupidly,

"Late? Never!" Nick smirked and rubbed a finger on the desk.

"Well, it was a hard night. She needed an extra half hour." He winked at Clawhauser who sighed in pity.

"Aww. Poor Judy. At least she's well enough for work." Nick shook his head and signed his name on the sign-in sheet.

"You're hopeless, Spots." He walked into the bullpen and glanced at the empty side of his chair. He sat and immediately noticed an odd sense of emptiness. Like something crucial was missing. He shook his head and listened to Bogo's morning brief. As Bogo was going to address Nick's duty, he noticed the empty side of Nick's chair.

"Wher–"

"Here I am!" Judy rushed into the bullpen, huffing all the way to her spot next to Nick. And with that, the day felt normal again. Judy gingerly climbed up to the seat, not daring to try her usual bunny hop. She sat up and winced as she moved her hips and scooted in the chair. Bogo squinted at her and mumbled.

"Anyway, as I was saying; Nick will be stationed just outside of rodentia. You do not have clearance to enter, however. We do not need a scurry. I'm not interested in putting up with foxzilla reports from terrified mice. Not today."

"I read you loud and clear, Chief." Judy let out a low whimper. Nick looked at her and winced when she punched him in the arm. "Aye. Sorry." He laughed knowing exactly why she hit him. "I told you I'm too long for you."

"You tried to impale me last night."

"Judy, am I understood?" Nick and Judy looked to their chief, who waited patiently for Judy's response.

"Oh? Sorry, Chief Bogo. Can you repeat that?"

"I said you will be stationed along the east border of rodentia, keeping on the lookout for speeders There has been a rise in complaints regarding structural damage to the buildings in rodentia because of careless drivers."

"Yes, sir."

"It wasn't on purpose," said Nick. "When a guy reaches the end it's like his whole body wants to shoot out of his–"

"Nevermind it," interrupted Judy. Nick sighed in defeat and fidgeted with the badge on his uniform.

"Let's go, Hopps."

Judy grinned as she looked around her steering wheel. She leaned left and right enthusiastically and peered out of the car from her side window, the dashboard, and any other opening within eye or paws reach.

"You're really enjoying the new height supports they gave you, huh shorty?"

"Oh, it's so much better. I can finally see everything properly and hit the pedals easily. It's great." Nick watched the streets pass by in front of him. He pressed his shoulders into his seat, shrugging into the comfortable padding. He flexed his fingers and toes, trying to loosen up the stiffness he felt in his joints. "I'll drop you off by the entrance to rodentia, then I'll head around with the car."

"Look, there's a gerbil waving at us." From just up the street, standing next to the gate of rodentia stood a dirty clothed gerbil. He wore boots and suspenders hinting at hard labor work. Nick focused his gaze on the dirty mammal as he waved his arms through the air. His voice could barely be heard through the car, but Nick's ears were perfect for catching the sound. "He wants our attention, Judy. Pull up in front of him."

"Alright. Let's see what we got." The distressed gerbil was lost to view as they pulled up, Nick opened his passenger door and carefully stepped out, looking down to make sure his steps were clear and gerbil-free.

"Officers! Yes! How do you do?"

"You tell us, sir. How may we help?" Nick bent to a knee. Judy stood close by, her butt inches from his head. The gerbil scratched behind his ear and grunted. He looked at Judy then Nick, as if finally realizing the species of officers he was talking to.

"Uh, my home was broken into and someone smashed my stuff!" He stamped his feet and scratched a little more. Judy's ears drooped sympathetically.

"Do you know anyone that has some sort of grudge against you?" asked Nick.

"No! I don't bother anyone, I just go to work in the rainforest, then I come back home and do nothing all night. Someone smashed my radio and just left."

"Anything else broken?" asked Judy. She pulled out a notepad and pen and began hastily scribbling down the gerbil's remarks.

"Just my television and radio. And they left the pieces everywhere." Nick turned to Judy. It was unusual for a gerbil to want outside help when there was already a rodent squad that could deal with such matters. Judy was already in line with Nick's thoughts and asked,

"Why come to us and not call for rodentia's police force?" The gerbil huffed at the question and picked at the fur under his chin.

"I would if I could find anyone to care! There are so many mice in rodentia. Good luck getting a mouse cop to help you when you need it. It's a wonder why there aren't more doing the smart thing and asking for your help! You're bigger. You can get around faster. Please look into my apartment and see what's up?"

"Oh no, Chief Bogo would have my head if I go into rodentia."

"I'll do it," offered Judy.

"No."

"Yes!" The gerbil cheered. "It's alright, just come on over and take a quick peek." There was no fighting Judy once she decided on something. But Nick worried about taking some of the blame for Judy's actions. He's gone nearly a month without a complaint from Bogo. His longest record. And he hoped to remain clear of Bogo's wrath for as long as possible.

"Sir, what is your name?" asked Nick.

"Dan Coston. Oh, and as far as I know, nothing was stolen!" Dan reached out and Nick offered a finger for shaking.

"This is sounding more and more like a vendetta against you," said Judy. "I'll head on in. If you can just point me to the place?"

"Sure!" Without any acknowledgment of Nick, Dan and Judy entered rodentia, with Dan hopping up to sit on Judy's shoulder. As soon as they entered, Nick heard the muttered apologies from Judy as she carefully tip-toed her way to Dan's apartment. Nick watched her from over the metal fence.

She bent a knee just beyond rodentia's above ground train and peered into a window. Nick began to scratch his arm.

"Nick," called Judy. "Get me a magnifying glass."

"Yes, boss." He turned back to the police car and dug into the glove compartment. He moved over a licensed pistol and portable mirror, shuffled over some papers and a ticket book, and carefully pulled out a magnifying glass with one paw keeping the other items protected from falling out of the box. He yelped at a sudden sting in his paw and scratched some more and grumbled.

"What is going on with me scratching?" Nick rushed back to the border of rodentia and reached over to pass Judy the magnifying glass. "What'd you see?"

"A mess." Dan sheepishly looked away.

"I'm usually not that messy." He hastily scratched behind his ear. Nick's face drooped as he watched the gerbil. Judy turned with the magnifying glass, leaving Nick with mouth agape. He sighed and loudly whispered,

"Hey! Judy!" She dismissed him with a wave of her paw and peered into Dan's window. After a moment, she recoiled, standing straight up.

"Eww!"

"Whoa, bunny!" Dan nearly flipped through the air and held on to Judy's shoulder like he was riding a bull.

"Sorry." She threw a flustered look at Nick and quickly but gently peeled Dan off her shoulder. "Sir, it looks like the intruder definitely has something against you. What were you doing the last few nights before this happened?" Her cutely tilted ears were a sure sign that Judy discovered what Nick feared. And when Judy's finger twitched, no doubt resisting the urge to scratch at something, somewhere, Nick rolled his eyes.

"I did play music two nights ago. And last night."

"Bingo. You may have angered a neighbor. And this person took the time to retaliate. No biggie. But..." Judy growled in frustration and scratched her neck. Nick couldn't resist a smirk. She was cursed. The more annoyed she looked, the cuter she got.

No wonder I'm a jerk to her. "Do you know about the bug problem in your house? The wide-eyed frown Dan gave Judy was a clear enough no.

"Where do you work again?"

"In the Rainforest District. Construction stuffs, Officer..."

"Hopps." Judy urgently pantomimed a spray can with her paws at Nick. He shrugged his shoulders in distress and mouthed the words,

"I tried to warn you."

"I think we have all the information we need. We'll question the neighbors and see what we can dig up. In the meantime, Dan, look into pesticide ASAP." The itchy gerbil nodded ashamed and said,

"Yes, Officer Hopps." Nick leaned against their patrol car and sighed. Judy returned and handed him the magnifying glass. He looked at her worried expression and rapidly tapping foot.

"Okay, Fluff. Let's go get some bug spray and see how we can prevent this from getting any worse."

"Oh, wait!" He paused in mid-reach of the car door.

"Ideas?"

"I want to take a sample of the bugs for evidence. The gerbil that broke into Dan's home will no doubt have picked up the bugs too." Nick grinned and poked Judy's nose.

"That would make this case open and shut. Easy work. Good thinking, Hopps."

"Of course it's good thinking." She strolled past him and entered the driver's seat. She shook her head and smiled as Nick assisted her with some gentle scratching behind her ears.

"Oh, right there. Yes."

"Just keep your paws on the wheel. I got ya, Fluff." She sighed in relief.

"Some mammals can be so careless," said Judy.

"Hey, we all overlook something every now and then."

"Simply overlooking something and being totally oblivious aren't exactly the same thing." Nick reached behind him for an evidence bag. He looked at the bag then at Judy's fur and focused his gaze on the spot that itched her the most. He refrained from plucking a hair off of Judy when the thought of Chief Bogo came to mind. They were not allowed to enter Rodentia. So to keep their visit hidden, Nick thought it better to wait to meet the victim again. Even better if we could get the suspect.

Judy parked just a few blocks away from her patrol post. They walked through a shopping district often populated by elk and mustelids. Here, they found a store specializing in the extermination of weeds and bugs. And in front of the store, Nick read a sign: PLEASE, INFECTED MAMMALS USE BUG GUARDS NEAR DOOR BEFORE ENTERING.

Bolted to the metal frame of the shop door was a container with long plastic sleeves and aprons. Nick helped Judy with her apron and Judy, in turn, helped with his. Judy briefly gagged as Nick tightly tied her plastic apron.

"All set for your haircut, Hopps?" She adjusted the apron for comfort and said,

"Hush." Nick's ears twitched to a grumbling voice. He turned to find the source of the muttering; a female gerbil angrily pulled off her tiny bug guards and stamped out of the shop. She carried a black bag with two long cans about half her height and froze to the sound of Nick clearing his throat.

"Ms?" She turned with a quizzical expression. The gerbil soon registered surprise as she stared at Nick and Judy. She recognized the uniforms and badges on their shirts. Nick scratched at his shoulder and the gerbil blinked. He didn't say another word, instead choosing to observe her reaction. She trembled suddenly and grit her teeth. She lifted a finger and scratched once, then turned and ran, dropping her supplies.

"Bingo," said Judy. Nick darted after the suspect, who swiftly ran a path toward a parked vehicle. Nick's flimsy plastic apron flew up as he ran, temporarily blocking his vision. He tore the plastic off and searched with his ears, nose, and eyes for any sign of the suspect.

"For fat gerbils, they sure run fast!"

"Got you covered, Nick." Judy was already on the other side of the car, free from her bug guards and kneeling with the flashlight from her holster. Nick could smell the gerbil.

"She should still be...there!" Judy dived under the car.

"No! It wasn't me!" She just missed and Nick watched as it skittered around a tire and onto the street. He ran around the car and stopped when he saw Wolford scooping up the gerbil in his paws.

"What's going on here, you two?" He gripped the gerbil like he was holding a potato. A potato that squirmed and wriggled in his paws. Nick gently scratched the suspect on her head in a soothing manner,

"We just want to ask you a few questions. Wolford, this gerbil is a potential suspect in a break-in." Wolford looked at the frightened gerbil in his paw.

"You know, nothing suggests guilt quite like running away from an officer."

"Oh, sweet cheese and crackers." Judy approached with ears down. "Wolford that gerbil has fleas!"

"Aww!" He looked at the gerbil as if he was planning on throwing it.

"Can you hand her over, please?" asked Judy.

"Here, take the thing." He shoved the suspect into Judy's paws and shook his hands in disgust.

"Hey, screw you, dog!" She fiercely scratched her chin and stuck up a tiny middle finger.

"Now, how about some answers?"

"I got nothing to tell!"

"This is your case, so I'll be going about my business." Wolford turned and waved. Judy tilted her head concerned as Wolford left them.

"This is going to spread fast if we don't take care of it." Nick ignored her and kept his focus on the gerbil. he took her from Judy and lead the walk back to their car.

"A distressed male gerbil said his home was broken into. We found his radio and other items smashed in his apartment. Care to explain?" The gerbil tried to resist a smirk, but it was plain on her chubby face.

"Alright. That noisy punk had it coming. I had an important exam a couple of days ago. I fell asleep on the train and missed my stop. It's all his fault!"

"So, bugs, what's your name?" asked Nick.

"Bugs? How dare you! My name is Geliso Wattson." She banged on Nick's paw as he held her. He used his free arm to open the car door.

"Now that you made a confession, we'll be reading you your rights." At least, Nick would have if he remembered the whole procedure.

"You do it, Judy. I always forget the ending half."

"Nick!" The angry glare Judy gave him only made Nick grin. She'll get over it on the ride back, he thought.

"Ouch!" Nick plucked a few strands of hair from Geliso and placed them in an evidence bag. Judy held the handcuffed gerbil in her paws, not wanting to set her down on the front desk and spread any more of the bugs than they already have.

"No, don't touch her!" shouted Judy as Clawhauser leaned forward to see the now confirmed perpetrator more closely. He sat back and stared with a stupid curiosity.

"This is the cute little home wrecker then." Nick's ears were tickled by Wolford's voice from behind,

"So they say." He whimpered and scratched at his arm. Nick's ears pinned back. He kept wrestling with the thought that they were forgetting something.

"So, I spoke to Bogo. He says he wants to see you two." Nick and Judy looked at him sheepishly. Despite being stationed near rodentia, they knew there was no clearance for larger mammals to enter rodentia or interfere with their affairs.

"Ready for a tongue-lashing?" Judy sighed,

"Let's get it over with." With gloved paws, Clawhauser took an angry Geliso from Judy.

Bogo slowly paced his office with arms resting on his hips. He rolled his eyes and mumbled thoughts to himself.

"I gave one order and you still mess that up. What happened?"

"Actually, it was Judy that entered rodentia." She lowered her head ashamed as Bogo shot her a glance.

"We came across a distressed gerbil outside of rodentia. He begged for our help and we assisted him."

"Not your district. Not your concern." Not their concern, true. But how frustrating. Everything needed approval. Even if it was an act of decency or something reasonable. Protocol always got in the way.

"We have a perp in custody now. She confessed to breaking into a neighbor's home and destroying property," said Judy.

"Don't care. She will be transferred to the proper authorities." Nick bit his lip. Wolford said he spoke to Bogo. But if what he saw earlier was any indication, Wolford came into contact with the bugs as well. He waited and watched for any signs of Bogo being the next victim.

"Chief, though the gerbil lives in rodentia, he did not reach us from inside the district. I spoke with him outside of rodentia."

"That doesn't matter, Wilde! He still lives inside rodentia. Hello?" Judy shook her head at Nick when he turned to her for support.

"It was worth a try. Did Wolford warn you about an infestation?"

"Infestation?" The concern on Bogo's face was enough of an answer.

"The victim of the break-in works in the rainforest. He unwittingly brought bugs with him to the apartment and we think the perpetrator has the bugs as well. We can confirm we have the right gerbil once we check the evidence we collected." Bogo snorted in agitation.

"If you can prove it, we can close this up quick." The wide-eyed stare Nick gave Judy made her ears stand tall.

"What is it, Nick?"

"We forgot to buy the pesticide."

"So the perp, another gerbil, broke into a neighbor's home and caught fleas, is that right?" They nodded to Chief Bogo. He sighed and said, "Okay. I'll order up pest control. And for infesting the department by bringing in a mammal that doesn't belong in our department, half of the cost will come out of both of your checks. Dismissed." Nick grumbled on his way back to the police car, not hearing Judy from behind. Nick was already crunching the numbers in his head. It was going to be a tight two weeks with their pay getting slashed.

"Clawhauser said the test will be confirmed in a half hour. Just enough time for us to get the equipment and come back." Nick whimpered and nibbled on his forearm.

"These things spread so fast."

"Aww, don't worry, foxy. We'll take care of it." He smiled and shook his head, tickled by her stroking the fur on his cheek, pinching it between her fingers and pulling it straight.

They returned to the shopping center near rodentia and dressed in the bug guards by the store. Judy tugged on Nick's arm as they entered.

"We should see about getting some for Mr. Coston as well."

"If we can afford it. The department, us, our car, the victim. Why don't we just buy poison for all of Zootopia?"

"Ey, ah, can I help you?" The familiar droning voice froze Nick's annoyance. He turned to see a shaggy yak behind the counter and smiled in surprise,

"Yax! Hey, what are you doing over here?"

"This is my second gig. The Springs are closed so I help the other employees here. What kind of toxins you need? Killing plants? Bugs?"

"Bugs," said Judy.

"Ah, hey, Jude."

"Yax, did a male gerbil ever come in here today? An itchy one probably?" asked Nick. Yax scratched his chin and sneezed. He wiped his nose on his employee uniform, a gray t-shirt with a dead flower and bug laying side by side.

"Oh you know I can never remember anything. There was a male gerbil here earlier, but I couldn't tell what he looked like. He did have on dirty shoes and pants. And he was itching a lot." Nick smirked, Yax' total lack of self-awareness was a wonder of the world.

"How does he always do that?" asked Judy.

"Give us your best pesticide for fleas and ticks," said Nick. "Make it a dozen cans."

"Ey, you got it, buddy." Yax turned and reached up to the top shelf to grab a canister about as long as his arm, and then he walked out of view to the back through a wooden door. Loud bangs from Yax shuffling items around in the back assaulted Nick's ears. "I hear there's going to be a festival just outside of Zootopia."

"Oh! In Bunnyburrow!" said Judy excitedly.

"Yeah, that's the one. I'll head on up to lead one of the carnival games."

"Hey, leave jobs for the rest of us," said Nick. Judy cozied up to him wrapping her arms around his left.

"Don't worry, Nick. There will be plenty of bunnies to fill the roles there." Nick's ears twitched.

"Is that an invitation?"

"Uh-huh!" He licked her on the top of her nose. She curled her shoulders and squealed, closing her eyes. He smirked and continued to lap at her head, enjoying the softness of her fur.

"Here we are." Yax dropped a rattling container filled with cans onto the countertop. With haste, they paid for the poison and returned to their car. On the drive back, Judy stared at her phone expectantly. A chirp from her phone straightened both of their postures. Nick eagerly listened for the results of the test.

"Alright, they're in."

"Tell me what we already know."

"It's her. The bugs are a match."

"An easy case, no doubt. The cleanup on the other hand..."

"Oh, we're not doing it without Wolford. He didn't take any precautions at all when going through the department knowing that he was infested." Nick grinned.

"Judy, are you saying we should hold an officer hostage to hard labor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then let's get our guy."