Allies
Judy entered the haze of pink that enveloped the interior of the diner. She approached the counter after glancing at the menu already set on what to order. Her thoughts about Delgato and his behavior spun turbulently in her mind. She fidgeted on her feet anxiously as she approached the counter and thought about Nick by himself. Immediately after placing an order, she jogged outside and stood by the entrance. Surely there must be other officers she could ask for help. Chief Bogo was not around. Nor was Jack. This job was becoming too much for one mammal. She was beginning to believe that she was working this entire investigation by herself. But that would be the stress talking. Realizing this only made Judy appreciate the distress exhibited by Jack when he talked about their Big problem.
She stood on one of several similarly paved streets. They were long and narrow. Shops and apartments stood on either side. Colored brick and steel broken in by the occasional square shaped window or door helped define the features of otherwise unremarkable architecture. Judy looked up the black street to her right and remembered seeing Officers McHorn and Fangmeyer sitting idle in their car just around the corner. She ran up the street, still about four blocks down and to the left from where Nick had abandoned his truck.
"Please be there," she mumbled.
Judy turned the corner and lit up with a hopeful smile. Their car was still set where Judy saw it last. McHorn's large gray rough-skinned arm was lazily hung out the window of the driver's seat. He slowly lifted his arm in a wave as Judy approached. Fangmeyer turned her head curiously at Judy as she stood by the driver's window.
"Evening Jude," said Fangmeyer.
"Hey, you two." Fangmeyer focused her gaze on Judy, observing her body language as she scratched the back of her head nervously. Her ears tilted off to the side. There was a discomfort to Judy that caught all of Fangemeyer's attention. She sat up in her seat to hear what troubles might have been on her mind.
"What's on your mind, Judy? Having a good night?" asked McHorn. Putting on a weak smile, Judy spoke,
"I drove by you two earlier and I just wanted to see what's up? You're not too busy are you?"
"Nope," said Fangmeyer, "just an average dull night patrol."
"I saw you driving with a fox in the back of your car. Did something happen? Is he a suspect? I ask because he just walked off on his own," said Mchorn. Thankful for the reminder, Fangmeyer added her voice to his curiosity,
"Oh, hey what was that about? Why did he just walk off like that?"
"See, yeah about that fox..." The street lamps bathed Judy in their copper-colored light. She hardened her voice and urgently said, "I think something very strange and sinister is going on. And that fox is in trouble. But it is a long story that I cannot tell out here so casually. His name is Nick Wilde. I am alone and need your help. Please, I am asking as a fellow officer. Can you keep an eye on Nick Wilde and make sure he stays safe tonight?" The desperation in Judy's voice should have been convincing enough for Fangmeyer and McHorn. She did not have to wait long for an answer when they jumped in their seats at her distress.
"S-sure," said McHorn. "Where is he now?"
"His food truck is just up a few blocks. You can't miss it. Keep looking..." Judy looked up at the street signs. She pointed to the corner from where she turned up to their car and said, "North. Just look north as you drive up these streets. Can you do me this favor? I've had an interesting night already. I'm going to pick up food and head to the station to report on what's been going on."
"Will do," McHorn said and flashed the lights of his vehicle. Judy smiled, her eyes moistened with hope and relief.
"Thank you! I really appreciate this." The lights of the patrol car danced off of her fur and tinted her vision with red and blue. "I promise to tell you more when I make sense of it all. I just really need some friends right now."
"Hey," Fangmeyer said softly, "we got your back. Don't worry." Fangmeyer threw her a reassuring wink. She lurched forward in her seat as McHorn suddenly reversed his vehicle to the corner of the block and spun it around. As they drove off, Judy sighed, a weight lifting from her chest. Corruption or not, allies needed to be made. She hoped she just found two.
With silent flashing lights, McHorn strolled up the streets as he and Fangmeyer peered out their windows to either side. They did not speak, instead, they focused on looking around. Having been partners for several months now, they developed enough familiarity to communicate through body language. Fangmeyer's ears suddenly perked straight up when a surprised yelp amidst crashing and grunting sounds echoed off of the buildings in the empty streets. Their attention was drawn to the next block. Fangmeyer spotted a goat holding a fox over the edge of the window in his food truck.
She pointed up the block at the scene and said,
"Let's go!" Fangmeyer shoved open her door. Her long legs and muscled body ready for action. McHorn turned on the speaker from his vehicle and barked an order,
"ZPD! Stop at once and throw your arms up."
The goat holding Nick over his stall let go then bolted up the street. Seeing the goat make an attempt to flee gave Fangmeyer mixed feelings of excitement and annoyance.
"What, you think I can't run?" Fangmeyer breezed up the block past Nick's truck. She saw the red fox push himself back inside. But she also caught the glimpse of a shorter goat with painted horns, run out of the truck. He took a perpendicular route away from the scene. Already set on a target, Fangmeyer kept her focus on the one in front of her. His braided beard swayed chaotically as he ran. She grew confident as she slowly closed the distance, barely panting. All that SWAT training was paying off.
The goat bleated in panic when he glanced behind him. He only ran a block and a half more away from the scene before his pursuer landed a hard pat on his back, forcing him off balance and down to the ground. He bounced and scraped his chin as he hit concrete. Victoriously, Fangmeyer slammed a knee down onto his back.
"Hunh!" He grunted as the air was forced out of his body. She snatched her cuffs with trembling paws and cuffed the goat. She took a moment to pant and kept her weight on him, ignoring his protests. When she was ready, she lifted up her prey by the back of his brown shirt with a slight grunt, careful to keep clear of his horns as they stretched back toward her face.
"Up you go!"
"Damn it. That's a'ight you ain't catching my boy anyway." Fangmeyer squeezed her grip around the goat's shirt and pushed him forward, guiding him back to McHorn. The goat's ranting went unheard as Fangmeyer thought about Judy. Either she knew exactly what was going to happen here, or she just had one hell of a lucky guess. Although intrigued, her curiosity would have to wait.
Fangmeyer returned to the scene of the crime to find McHorn guarding Nick's stall. He looked around to see if anyone else was present that may have escaped notice. All was quiet except for the whimpering and cursing of Nick in his stall as she marched her way back to McHorn. McHorn looked at her and said in disappointment,
"The other one got away."
"Bullshit," she said. "They don't get away. They just stall their capture. We always get them." Fangmeyer took a quick glance at Nick. He watched the two officers from his window, still shaken. The goat in her paws kept his head low. Nick scowled at him. Fangmeyer shoved the goat into the mighty arms of McHorn.
"I'll have a sit with him. Go and check on the victim," he said. With the goat in hand, McHorn marched back to the car reading the goat his rights.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say..." Fangmeyer turned her soft blue eyes toward Nick. She had calmed considerably from the short sprint. His ears remained back and his tail clung tightly to one leg.
"Are you Nick Wilde?"
"Yes," he replied with a hard edge to his voice.
"We're here because a fellow officer was concerned about you. She has good instinct."
"Judy?" Nick's ears perked. He looked at the wolf surprised. She smiled and tilted her head affirmatively.
"Bingo." Nick motioned to say something but prevented himself from doing so. Fangmeyer edged just a little closer until she rested her arms on the windows edge, sneaking a look inside the truck. Nick took a cautious step back. Having just been assaulted, he was understandably uncomfortable being in such close proximity to another stranger in the night. Uniform or not. Fangmeyer smiled naturally at him, not needing to force pleasantries. There was something cute about his pitiful state.
"My partner is Officer Mchorn. I'm Officer Jennifer Fangmeyer. Why don't you come on out? Or perhaps, can I go inside?" Nick shook his head uncertain. She could see he wanted some kind of support but was wrestling an internal battle she did not understand. And respectfully, she remained quiet and patient, allowing him room to work out his thoughts and emotions.
"Hold on..." Nick walked to the back and opened up the door. Fangmeyer gently approached as Nick stood by the opening with sad eyes.
"They tore up my truck. I have burn marks on my legs and tail from being dragged over my stove. I was robbed."
"Yeah, you're looking pretty banged up. Not just emotionally,"
Fangmeyer plainly observed. His fur was roughed up and dirty and he made ginger movements indicating pain on several parts of his body. He sulked as he slid his back down the wall of his truck, tail placed in his lap. Fangmeyer placed her hands on her hips with a smile and asked,
"Why would these goats want to harass such a handsome fox?" Nick froze, unsure of what to tell her. He stared helplessly at her and winced, holding more emotion than he could handle. Sensing him about to pop, Fangmeyer leaned in and pulled him in for a hug. "It's alright. Just take your time." Nick wet her uniform with frustrated tears. She pressed his head against her soft breasts. He responded by shakily wrapping his arms around her. Fangmeyer's ears perked curiously when she heard him giggle through his tears. She gave a gentle pat on his back then created some distance to look at him.
"Judy was worried about you and called us over. She said there were some things going on that needed attention. But she wouldn't elaborate any further." She focused his gaze on him, trying to read his expression as she pried ever so gingerly for information. After a solemn sigh he said,
"I'm afraid I don't know what to say. I told her everything I know already."
Fangmeyer nodded.
"There is always a trail to follow. Whatever the reasons for the activity tonight. We'll find out what." Nick tensed up. Not for long, but it was enough that Fangmeyer caught the motion and made a mental note of it. Was he merely concerned for his safety is there more here that she does not see? She couldn't stop her thoughts from going back to Judy's desperation. Nick broke her chain of thoughts,
"I just want to close up shop for the night and get out of here."
"Where do you live?"
"1955 Cypress Grove." Nick glanced at McHorn in the car, prompting Fangmeyer to turn her head. He waited patiently for her to return to the car so they could take the goat to the station. Fangmeyer shook her head."No home just yet. You should seek medical treatment tonight for your injuries. Is there anyone that you would like to call so that you are not alone?"
Nick groaned. He paced in place and stared at the floor and stifled a whimper. He then said,
"I know who I can call. I won't be alone."
"Great. Tomorrow, I'll see about either Judy or myself passing by your place to check up on you, hmm? How's that?" she tilted her head at him. Nick shook his head,
"I think I'll be alright. But if you see Judy, tell her thank you. For thinking of me."
"Oh, I will," Fangmeyer whined /sympathetically. She shook his paw and gave him a stern friendly look, chilling him with her eyes.
"And tell Judy to not give up on me. She will know what I mean."
"Maybe in time I can understand what you mean as well. I'll pass the message, don't worry." Fangmeyer walked back to McHorn and noticed him on the phone. He was probably calling for an ambulance as was standard procedure. When she got into the car, McHorn said,
"I sent out an alert to nearby patrols about the other suspect on the loose." Fangmeyer jumped in her seat when a loud voice from the back yelled, "You slacks can't catch my boy."
"Do you mind?" Fangmeyer glared at the goat sitting cuffed in the backseat of their police car.
"Yes, I do. This is business and it needs to be done right."
"Tell that to the fine folks at the station," she said.
"Nothing to tell. I'm not giving up nobody for nothing."
"Yeah, and I bet you 'didn't do nothing' either," mocked McHorn. Eventually, their suspect quieted down. But to avoid interruptions, Fangmeyer spoke softly,
"So, what do you think is up with Judy?"
"She looked pretty worried to me."
"Tell me about it. And then we just arrive to catch Nick being attacked. She knows something..."
"She said she will tell us. All we can do right now is take care of our load in the back. One thing at a time, Jennifer." A sudden thought struck Fangmeyer,
"Oh, shoot."
"What is it?"
"I was thinking about contacting Judy but I don't have her info."
"It can wait until later." Fangmeyer shrugged.
"I guess so. I just wanted to fill her in on what just happened."
"I know. But maybe we'll catch her at the station. We all have to go there anyway." Fangmeyer blushed, embarrassed by her own forgetfulness.
"Of course. Thanks, Mick."
There was a high level of chatter coming from their police radio. Sirens from fire trucks and ambulances wailed with urgency through the dark streets of Zootopia. Horns honked frantically back and forth as the many service-mammals that helped keep the city safe and functional worked tirelessly through the lamp lit darkness. To the many safe mammals resting in their beds, or the nocturnal ones that roamed the streets oblivious to the perils of others, the sounds were nothing more than night ambiance. A product of city life that became such an integral part of the landscape, for better or worse.