The Good Doctor
"What happens if Bogo can't return to work?" asked Jack. Mchorn strolled beside him with as stoic an expression as he's ever had across his sleepy face. But rhino's were hard to read.
"If he can't return there will be a replacement, of course." Jack scoffed,
"I know that. I mean who will be Bogo's successor?" McHorn smirked.
"You should have asked the question that way." Jack smiled back. McHorn was always direct and minimal with his words to the point of annoyance. This, Jack learned quickly. McHorn lowered his head as they continued to walk through the snow-dusted streets of Tundratown. He then smiled wide as he looked at Jack and said, "I will be his successor." Pride swelled in the rhino's chest.
"You're that far along in your career?" Jack's ears stood upright with surprise.
"Yes. I've been with the ZPD for a long time."
"Congratulations, Mike."
"Thank you, Mr. Jack Savage." The frozen night in Tundratown was illuminated by both the external and internal lights of cottage homes of wood and stone planted along the snaking streets. The residential neighborhood they trekked through created an S-shaped barrier separating the penguin and bear communities from other mammals more generally found in other districts. The sections of Tundratown were joined by a network of various transport systems including bridges, tunnels, buses, and lifts. It was an old system and its need for updating was one of the key topics in the upcoming election season. McHorn gave Jack a friendly shove.
"Sir, thank you for letting us in your home. And for allowing us to use the bath." Jack briefly hopped on one foot from the push. He smirked, privately marveling at the raw strength of mass that comes from McHorn being a rhino.
"I consider cleanliness as important as rest. I thought it would help get us to calm down some." McHorn stopped and momentarily looked around. Jack did the same. No one spoke a word, nor made any sudden movements. When there were no sights or sounds that alerted them to any threats, they continued on.
"So far, so good."
"The closer we get to Frank's home, the less we'll have to worry about. The Mayor will be well guarded."
"It got quiet pretty fast though," said McHorn. Jack adjusted his pants for comfort and kicked a small chunk of ice with his left foot, sending it pinging off of a stop sign.
"This is the calm of dread, Mike. We're still very much deep in the fight."
"Oh, I'm aware..." Jack turned his attention to the tickling in his left hip.
"My phone is going off. Let's see what news we got." The news came from Gregory's phone. Concerned but relieved to make contact, he opened the message and stopped:
"This is Judy. I am with our friend, Gregory. We caught Wieselton. Bringing him in. Keep fighting, Love."
"Always," he muttered.
"What's up?" Mchorn turned his large frame to jack, his ears twitching with curiosity.
"We caught one of Big's. Wieselton. I'll learn more later. But this is good. It looks like Nick's intel was spot on. He was being honest with us."
"I guess it is safe to count him as a real ally then," concluded McHorn. "I had my doubts given his history."
"So did I. But he gave us names and whatever knowledge he had, so we'll continue to run with it. The quicker we can put a stop to all of this the better."
"My partner, Fangmeyer, likes him." Jack laughed,
"They were getting pretty cozy with each other when Fangmeyer wasn't tending to Chief Bogo's wounds." McHorn pointed ahead. The rows of houses began to thin and the streets widened creating a chasm between two neighborhoods. Far ahead at the top of this chasm was a rounded street on a small hill known as the Bear's Snout.
"Is that the place?"
"Yes." Jack pointed to a red brick home. It stretched nearly the length of the circled hill and sat two stories tall. It's rooftop sloped with a pointed center. Along the house, Jack counted 12 guards standing in a row along the entire front perimeter of the home. Otters, seals, and penguins. All species built for the cold, ready to snuff out any hint of a threat.
"Mr. Savage. Familiar or not, arms up and no movements," commanded a stout penguin. Three guards, one of each species, stepped forward and readied a hand near their weapon. Jack nodded and did as instructed. McHorn wasted no time complying, but he raised his arms slowly.
"Good to see the elites."
"Sir, we hope to never see active duty, if you know what I mean." The otter began checking Jack for identification. A seal did the same to McHorn. Jack raised his head and looked at the cloudy evening sky.
"Yes, I know." Hands patted him, stopping momentarily on his pistol. McHorn was given similar treatment and the seal grunted upon grabbing Mchorn's weapon. They were held for several more minutes as their identification was checked. Jack raised his head to see a meerkat peeking out a window from the second floor.
"Jack! Come in." The guard that confiscated Jack's weapon handed it back to him and after a moment, they parted like curtains, allowing him and McHorn entry to the house. McHorn gave the nearest guards a friendly grunt of approval.
They entered at a leisurely pace. The warm air of the interior instantly improved Jack's mood. Frank rushed to them as they stood just inside the entrance.
"Good to see you're alright!" He waved and shook McHorn's large hand while he looked at Jack. Jack mentally chided him for it. Frank always had an issue with looking directly at the person he was greeting. To Jack, it was a sign of dishonesty. Intentional or not. If you shake someone's hand or paw, look at them! Jack returned Frank's greeting before allowing his to eyes wander the home.
The main hall of the mini-mansion was cushioned with a plush brown rug. Pictures of Frank with local and international officials hung on the far walls near the back center staircase. The unappealing outer exterior of red brick could have been camouflage for what was otherwise a beautiful home.
"Everyone is buzzing, Frank."
"So I hear. Let's go see the Mayor." He guided Jack and Mike to the second floor to a guarded door. The bear guarding the entrance nodded upon seeing Frank and stepped aside after briefly eyeing his guests.
"Is the Mayor alright?" asked McHorn.
"A little scratched up, but we managed to protect him from any serious harm. I tell you the whole event was bizarre." Jack listened to two voices behind the door as Frank knocked. Some kind of light-hearted argument was taking place. After a moment, the door opened. Lighter spots of grazed fur here and there from where he received minor injuries were still noticeable on Mayor Lionheart's face. Jack caught him wincing as he moved, indicating other unseen injuries.
"Jack? What are you doing here?" Jack's ears lowered. The quickening pace of his heart drummed in his ears. This was going to be awkward. The Mayor was the one responsible for his employers. The boss of his bosses. He would have to confess his unsanctioned one mammal investigation into Big. He lost the nerve to verbalize his thoughts and froze in a flash of heat.
Behind Lionheart, a fox leaned to get a better view of the guests. The old tod sat with a curious expression in a sturdy wooden chair by a red table. He gave a lazy salute to Jack when they made eye contact. But in the rush of spiking anxiety, the impromptu hello only filled Jack with inexplicable dread.
"Mr. Mayor," Frank sighed. "We have a lot to discuss." Frank placed a paw on Jack's shoulder and pointed to McHorn, "The five of us." A wary growl rumbled deep in Lionheart's chest.
"You know I don't like secrets unless I'm the one keeping them."
"I owe you many explanations," said Jack hastily. He folded his hands in front of him and shelled up on his paws. McHorn took a step forward, prompting the group to head inside.
"Mr. Mayor–"
"This will get confusing really fast," the Mayor interjected. "So I will take charge in questioning." The room was silent. Tension evident in the lion's voice. "First, this fox here is my political rival and an interesting fellow. His name is Dr. Frank Cunningham." Dr. Cunningham waved politely and smiled at McHorn and Jack saying,
"A pleasure." Lionheart sat on the edge of the large guest bed.
"Now, I hope that one of you has an answer as to why I was attacked? Or maybe even who? After all, Jack, you are a Lead Investigative Official. For all of Zootopia. Surely you must have figured out something." Lionheart's words were loaded with bitterness. Jack wondered how much of his behavior had gotten around. Or was the Mayor still fuming about the attack itself?
"Mr. Mayor, someone tried to poison you and your family. We do not yet know how, but we think we know why." Jack gestured to McHorn with a thumb, "Officer McHorn here uncovered some interesting evidence in a street encounter with a corrupt officer."
"And who is 'we?'" Lionheart leaned forward, eyes boring a hole through Jack.
"For the last five months, I have been investigating an organized crime boss in Zootopia. Arthur Bigsby. Or more commonly known as, 'Mr. Big.'" Frank paced the room slowly. A sour expression plastered on his muzzle. Mayor Lionheart shook his head.
"I haven't heard from Sedgewick about any case involving a Bigsby. Why couldn't he be left to local law enforcement? Why did you feel the need to pursue him and what does he want?"
"Sedgewick and Jason ignored my warnings about Big. All of my superiors claimed I was 'overreacting.' But in the five months since I began investigating him there have been several disappearances, a spike in corrupt business trades, extortion, murders, bribery, corruption of officers, business closings. Even theft from Zootopia's very own elite police squads!" Regaining his nerve, Jack braced himself for the Mayor's second round of questioning. He clenched his jaw.
"I know of a few of these incidents, yes. But all from one mammal?"
"He has a very large underground network on his side, Sir," said Frank.
"There is corruption in your cabinet, Mayor Lionheart. And with the dismissal of my warnings, I saw no other option. I couldn't ignore someone I saw to be a very threat to the city. I admit that I went rogue and influenced a few officers to help me in my fight against Big." Mayor Lionheart slapped his knees with frustration and allowed his paws to hang limp.
"You're telling me that I have corruption in my office and I never caught onto it? Do you think me a fool?" Jack stepped back as Lionheart stood up and puffed his chest.
"Of course not! Please, be reasonable..."
"I nearly had my head torn off by my wife. She is now under evaluation in a psych ward and the city is being gutted by this...Arthur Bigsby. I can't even go shit without permission because of all the security surrounding me. Had you the sense to come to me directly, I could have persuaded Jason and Sedgewick to support you in your investigation, rabbit!"
"Excuse me," Dr. Cunningham motioned to speak. McHorn had reflexively stepped closer to Jack, to shield him from Lionheart's outrage. Embarrassed, Jack partially stepped behind McHorn. The nervousness was so intense and confusing. He could stare down hardened criminals from home and abroad. But the disapproval of his boss struck him with terror.
"In the interest of being diplomatic, it is hard for one mammal to have taken on such a burden by himself. It is true he may have overlooked an important ally in you, Mr. Mayor, but his intentions are worthy of recognition. He is clearly passionate about doing the right thing and I see no use in arguing amongst our allies."
"Oh please," scoffed Lionheart. "Try saying that when you're not trying to win votes." Dr. Cunningham scowled and turned his gaze away haughtily.
"I'll say it any day of the week." I'm really beginning to like foxes, thought Jack. Stone shuffled toward the door and said,
"I'll go and get us some refreshments aye? I have peach and beet juice." He scurried off to the mumbling approval of the room.
"Dr. Cunningham," said McHorn, "I found some strange concoction in an ex-officer's pocket. The syringe busted in our fight. I gathered up as much of it as I could, but the sample is most likely contaminated with fibers and my DNA because the liquid got on my fingers, and other foreign particles. But maybe you could help make sense of this? Are you good with chemicals?" Dr. Cunningham nodded thoughtfully while Lionheart sat back down and whimpered to himself.
"This officer you fought. How was he behaving?"
"Like a wild bear. Completely out of control. Heightened aggression..."
"That's just like Mrs. Lionheart!" Cunningham leapt to his feet excited. "What else can you tell me?"
"Um..."
"Flowers!" Jack interrupted.
"Flowers?" All eyes turned to Jack, hungry for information.
"Officer Hopps, she mentioned something about a gang of weasels raiding a farm she grew up on. They bought all of a certain kind of flower several weeks ago. And that the flower they took was a toxic species."
"Oh right, the officer yelled something about a serum. Or medicine," said McHorn. "And he said it was for Big's family or something."
"Is there an antidote?" Mayor Lionheart shouted.
"No idea. I will have to get a good sample for myself. Or at least have another subject to see the effects and what can be done for a cure. I still have medical contacts." An air of hope was beginning to cut the tension in the room. Jack smiled. McHorn approached Cunningham,
"Dr., I am worried about the Chief of Police, Bogo. He has suffered injuries and was wondering if you could have a look at him?"
"Oh, sure. Where is he?"
"Everyone is holed up in Jack's home because of the attack." Frank returned with the drinks and set them on the table next to Dr. Cunningham. The two Frank's sat together as the mammals slowly selected the desired beverage and settled in. Jack and McHorn unrolled more of what they remembered from their adventures thus far, doing their best to bring the Mayor up to speed. At one point, Jack confessed to suspecting the Mayor himself of being corrupt because of all the failed convictions against many of Big's allies. But he took the news well enough to Jack's relief.
There hasn't been any further word from Gregory or Judy since Jack had received the message about Wieselton's capture. Their silence began to intrude on his train of thought.
"Jack," said Lionheart, "I want you to speak with Jason and Sedgewick at once. They were tracking events since the attacks began four days ago. I will send them a notice. The city is swarming with elite forces prepared to defend possible sites of future attacks." This was good news. With officers out in force, there might be a chance to keep Zootopia on its feet. But the late notice was still a mood dampener to Jack. He tried to respond with confidence, but could only manage a sheepish nod. Lionheart rolled his eyes and brushed his hair with his nails.
"S-Sir, I really did try..."
"Just forget it. I don't want to talk about it anymore. See your superiors in two days. Nothing else matters. And if anyone can locate my fucking assistant Dawn..."
"Assistant Mayor Dawn Bellwether is missing?" asked Jack.
"Since the attack. I lost track of her at the diner. And she never responded to any of my attempts to reach her."
"Alright..." This was interesting news to Jack and it set the gears in his head turning.
"Dr. Cunningham, will you accompany us back to Jack's in Savanna?" asked McHorn. The fox gulped the last of his drink and sighed with satisfaction.
"Yes. Whenever you're ready. The Mayor is in good health. He will remain guarded here. I am free to roam. I have no other information to offer him and exhausted my usefulness."
"Mayor!" Lionheart sat up with a start.
"What!? What is it, rabbit?"
"I urge you to investigate Bellwether at once! Go through everything she owns. Order an investigation against her!" He softened upon recognizing he was shouting at the boss of his bosses then said, "Please..." Mayor Lionheart growled with annoyance.
"How long have you been following all of this again?"
"Going on six months," said Jack. Lionheart lowered his gaze. Though he was stubborn, he knew when to accept advice and to Jack's relief said,
"I'll do it. Don't forget your meeting in two days."
"Yes, Sir. I'm glad you're safe." In truth, he wished Dr. Cunningham was mayor.
An hour's travel might as well have been ten minutes. Jack was so lost in thought on his novel theory regarding Bellwether that he barely heard a word spoken by McHorn and Dr. Cunningham. It was going to be a hard sell to others outside of the investigation, but he knew he had hooked onto something plausible. He just needed tangible evidence against Bellwether.
It didn't take long once he finally arrived back home to see events swinging at a quickening pace once more. Fangmeyer, Nick, and a now up and about weak Chief Bogo were watching the television with stunned expressions. Their bodies stiff like they were store props posing at a window. Arthur Bigsby was on the television:
"It has been a long time coming, but the old rule must come to its end. I am here to father a new Zootopia. Those who comply will be rewarded beyond their imagination. And I am opening up positions for my cabinet. Tonight I am here to propose a new constitution. A new rule of law. Obey and be rewarded. Resistance will not be tolerated. The docks of Zootopia are now under my control. Any attempt to cause a disturbance will be met with swift action. As I speak, the climate wall responsible for the well-being of hundreds of thousands of mammals in this wonderful city is now under my control as well. Should my claim to power be rejected, judgment will be swift on any who deny it." Jack barely restrained himself from leaping toward the television in an attempt to grab him.
He went deaf as Big spouted his demands, focusing more on the locations he mentioned; the docks, the climate wall. Yes, there would be resistance. What little faith Jack had in the system rested on the officers willing to stand against Big.
Dr. Cunningham introduced himself to the group after the feed cut. He spoke with Chief Bogo and offered to do a private health check in the bathroom, away from the noise and small uproar over Big's public display. Jack rushed to his bedroom.
"Judy?" She was nowhere to be found. With rising worry, he took large steps over to Nick back in the main room.
"Nick! Weren't you with Judy?" Nick's tail bristled and immediately clung to a leg as he turned to Jack.
"Yes. She was forced to stay behind at the station in the Rainforest District because of her injuries." His body language hinted at there being more. And Jack's patience was at its end.
"What am I not being told?" He stared at the nervous fox. Nick's ears flattened to his head and he avoided Jack's gaze. "Nick?"
"Sir, I think it is best if she told you herself." The hint of sadness in Nick's voice was enough to snap any remaining patience the hare had. He grabbed Nick by the collar of his shirt in an unconscious act of interrogation and shouted,
"What happened to Judy? Tell me!" Nick raised his arms protectively.
"She was ambushed. I did everything I could to protect her. I was late, but she's going to be okay! She is in the Rainforest Police Department getting treatment!" Jack leaned his head on Nick's scrawny shoulder, fighting to contain his panic.
"She's not answering my calls..."
"Sir, it was a difficult encounter with Wieselton. You have to talk to Judy yourself. Please let her decide when to do that. It might be a delicate issue for her."
"Now I have even worse thoughts running through my head."
"While we're on the subject of missing people, where is Fin–" A high pitched chirp cut Nick's question. He looked at his phone: "Nick! Come to Big's Bar and Limo. I'll see you there. I can't do it alone. Let's get that fat bastard. Don't wuss out on me."
"Finnick..."