Vindication

If Jack could feel any more emotion than he did when he approached the entrance to the MIC, he'd combust into flames. He briskly passed through the lobby, slammed the button to call the elevator and rode it up to the seventh floor. His half a year of rogue investigating was finally going to get the official approval it needed, or so he hoped. There was no force in Zootopia that was going to obstruct him on his path as the elevator doors parted. He dashed to Jason and Sedgewick's office.

Sedgewick was just outside when Jack approached.

"Geez! Jack, fix your tie." He halted to check himself. His jacket was wrinkled and his shirt bunched up under his tie. Taking a breath and shaking his head at his harried appearance, Jack straightened the shirt and readjusted his tie. Sedgewick was always so judgmental. He had a gift for making others feel like children. Jack found the elk insufferable.

"Let's just get to it," grumbled Jack. In an uncharacteristically nervous fashion, Sedgewick pushed open the door and started talking rather fast.

"I'm sorry to bring this up so late, Mr. Savage. But we need to get you prepared for your departure soon." The slack expression of confusion on Jack's face only heightened the inexplicable worry exhibited by Jason, the pig as he was hastily scribbling on a sheet of paper in red ink by the table. Jack closed the door, it's bottom edge leaving its impression on the far too plush purple carpet in the room.

"Departure? Are you joking?"

"No, the news just came in last night. Mayor's orders." Jack turned to the animated Jason as he held up a large white sheet of paper that read: "PLAY ALONG!" He tentatively took a seat at the desk as Sedgewick settled beside Jason in a chair on the other side.

"Alright, so when is this departure?" Jack glanced at Jason as he gave him a thumbs up. Sedgewick smiled and said,

"Your trip to meet up with your team in the Southlands is to happen in three days. 7:00 P.M Sahara Docks. Understand? I really wish the political quagmire would be over with so that the country there can settle on a damn name."

"The last I heard from my team, everything was good. In fact, the murder suspects are going on trial soon. That case is almost closed."

"The key word here, is 'almost.' And we fear that they botched the investigation and you are needed to clean it up." Jack scoffed,

"You are aware that right now, Zootopia is in flames, yes? And you're considering sending me away? Are you fucking retarded?" Jack focused his gaze back to Jason and saw another note: "THE OFFICES ARE BUGGED! WE SUSPECT BELLWETHER!" At last. Vindication! And though it was Jack's worst fear coming true, he was elated with the news. Everything he had done up to this point was finally being realized by his bosses. Realizing he needed to continue his role, he slammed a fist on the desk and dramatically said,

"I can't believe you're my superiors!"

"Jack!"

"I've a mind to up and quit."

"Mayor's orders," shrugged Jason.

"Mayor Lionheart can go fuck himself!" With this, Jack was only partially acting. But they didn't need to know that. He was glad to find a way to express it.

"So, about the other news. We want to apologize. Or at least, we were about to, but now you're busy being an angry jerk." Sedgewick coughed and offered Jack a mug.

"Coffee?" He looked at Sedgewick as if he asked a stupid question.

"No. I'm a hare."

"Suit yourself. And don't look at me like that."

"Are we done here?" Jack gestured to the door by bobbing his head. Jason held up one final note: "FINISH TALK IN HALLWAY. CLEAR." Sedgewick nodded to Jack and took a sip of coffee.

"Yes, we are done. Remember. Three days. 7:00 P.M. Sahara Docks." Taking advantage of the situation to stealthily express how he really felt about his bosses, he snarled and knocked over a bin near the door containing files and miscellaneous paperwork, shouting,

"Go fuck yourselves!" and slammed the door on his way out. He paced in the hallway as he waited for them to follow him and laughed. "Oh, that was...liberating." Jason appeared from the office first. He rolled his eyes as Jack struggled to contain the fox-like grin on his face.

"Okay, asshole. Real cute. We admit it. You were right all along. About all of it. But this is bad."

"The Mayor's cabinet has way too much power. I think this event, along with the election season we're entering is going to shake up how Zootopia operates. Let's hope for the better." Jason sighed with hands on his hips. The pig shook his head in thought and mumbled,

"Yeah."

"So what is really going to happen at the docks? Did you see that stupid address made by Big as he stole television time?"

"He had people hack into ZNN. We're on it. And we're offering you assistance. Any resources you need. No questions asked." Perfect. Jack had to give them some credit. His bosses knew how to make amends for their lapses in judgment.

"Rifles, scopes, sound amplifiers. Vests. Send it all to my home. Directly. Since the attack, I've been sheltering the Chief of Police and a select few others there. We'll need to do something about these chemical attacks. Tell me about Bellwether." Sedgewick stomped out of the office,

"Real fucking nice, Jack! Making a mess like that." Jason jumped in front of Sedgewick,

"Whoa, alright, easy."

"No, fuck that. He thinks he can rub it in our faces. That wasn't an act."

"Now is not the time for this." Sedgewick settled for leaning against the office door with his arms crossed as he simmered behind Jason.

"Getting back to important matters, Bellwether asked a lot of questions about you when she was here. She showed up just a day after the Mayor was attacked. She looked like she was in a hurry. She snooped around, ordered us around as well. Said she was going to be in temporary control because of the Mayor's attack. She demanded that you see to your team in the South. She wants you out of Zootopia bad. And soon after she left, we found that there were mics planted under our desks." A group of officials strolled past them as they were chatting in the hallway. They remained silent for a moment, waiting for them to clear out before continuing on in hushed voices.

"That creepy sheep has some blood on her hands, I bet," said Sedgewick. Jack nodded as the missing piece of Bellwether began to strengthen the connections in his investigation.

"I think Bellwether is responsible for the assault and the drugs. She must have been supplying Big with resources and keeping him and his people immune from prosecution. I begged the Mayor to order an investigation into her. I just hope he listens. But hearing that the offices are bugged, Now I'm hoping he didn't say anything to you over the phones."

'We haven't received any calls other than one to meet with you about your–"

"–secret investigation!" barked Sedgewick. He snorted in disapproval and made a face. Jack only smiled,

"Well, that is a relief. He didn't say too much through any calls."

'"Check your office," said Sedgewick. "You might be under extra ears too."

"I will. And let's see about getting evidence on Bellwether. We're sure to find forged papers and other items that can bring this to an end."

"We don't take orders from you," said a guarded Sedgwick.

"Then treat it as a fucking suggestion! Geez." Jack turned away from them, finally letting the angry elk chafe at his patience.

"Jack, don't worry," said Jason. "We'll make this right. And expect the stuff this evening." Jack waved to them both. His confidence hit newfound heights. Jack dashed to his office and began pulling up an old document he was editing with his assistant Selene about his case into Big. Selene had been out of reach since the blackout and Jack was considering giving up reaching out to her. Selene wasn't stupid. She could have fled the city and was merely hiding out. But her silence was beginning to weigh on his thoughts.

Two hours slipped by while he worked in his office, sipping water and snacking on pre-packaged vegetables to keep the energy up. He worked to untangle the knots of his investigation and endeavored to remain quieter than usual, in case there was a bug hidden in his room. He didn't want to hint that something was out of the ordinary. Be boring, do not draw attention to yourself or what you know. His muzzle was shut and his breathing steady. Until a knock on the door startled him. He knocked over an empty cup as he flinched in his chair.

"Who is it?"

"Jack? Your request was put through. Expect an answer later tonight. And you've been selected for the investigation into the...Second in Command. They said you would know what that means." The voice was familiar. A junior official. One of his subordinates. Jack smiled,

"Thank you, Helena." The light from his computer's screen began to affect his mood. He rubbed his agitated eyes and paused as he read the page count. "Forty pages. He's really getting up there with war criminals." Jack saved his file and took in the silence.

He let his thoughts roam about. Dr. Cunningham should be returning soon. Hopefully, Nick hasn't run off. If Jack was going to finish his report, he needed testimonies. Nick would be an excellent voice to add to his file. The loss of Finnick would be a small blow to his report, but by now, there was more than enough to ensure a conviction that could not be denied. But the officers needed to regain control of the situation. And there was one thing he needed to do: Investigate Bellwether.

If I have it my way, I should finally be done with this story by December! Ten months of work.

In the last chapter I will reveal all the stuff that did not make it into the story as it evolved with each chapter I put out.