Nick Wilde: Ace Attorney

Chapter 2: Lyin' and the Lamb

Written by Berserker88

Edited by Mind Jack

Cover art by Quirky Middle-Child

Disclaimer: This story is not based on American law. It is a parody of a parody of Japanese law. Reading this from an American legal perspective will likely give you an aneurysm. Please do not attempt it. Thank you.

First impressions had never been trustworthy as far as Nick's career was concerned. He had faced numerous witnesses before, of various species, occupation, and mentality, enough that he considered himself well-versed in how to deal with them. Even so, the ewe who approached the stand now was enough to give even him a slight pause.

She was dressed in bright, leafy green attire, somewhere between a business gown and hippie robes. A pair of large glasses adorned her face and she wore the usual bead necklace of a Mystic Spring member. A pencil was wedged behind her ear while a pink flower stuck out from the puff of wool on top of her head. It was like she couldn't quite decide who she wanted to be today.

Judy expected an answer though. "Please state your name and occupation."

The ewe gave a polite curtsy and smile, shaking a bit as she did so. "S-Sorry, this is my first t-time in a courtroom. I'm a l-little nervous.."

Clawhauser nodded in sympathy. "Oh, I completely understand. First trial I was on, I fainted right before I could hand down my verdict! How embarrassing!"

Judy frowned. "Name and occupation, please."

"I know right? It's so nervewracking! Don't get me wrong, it's exciting too. There's just so many people…"

Judy slammed on her desk to get the sheep's attention. "Name and occupation!"

She jumped a little, nearly dropping her glasses. "Eep! D-Dawn Bellwether. I'm an intern at the Mystic Spring Oasis."

(This should be fun.) "So you're the employee who discovered the body?"

"That's me!" She shuddered a little. "Gosh, it sounds so scary when you put it like that."

"Ms. Bellwether, can you testify about what you observed when you came to work that morning?" Judy asked, a bit more gently.

She clapped her hooves together and smiled. "I'd be happy too. Anything to do my part for the community."

"I don't like this," Nick said quietly. "All the witness did was discover the body, so why is Prosecutor Fluff so confident about her testimony?"

"I don't know, but I look forward to watching you find out," Finnick smiled wickedly.

(Why did I hire you again?)

Witness Testimony - A Very Baaaaad Morning

I arrived at Mystic Spring at about 9 AM to start my shift.

Everything seemed fine until I entered the lounge and saw Nangi.

She was slumped over in the pool, and lying next to her was the defendant, I'm sure of it.

I couldn't believe he was capable of something like that, but the proof was right in front of me.

So of course I immediately called the police.

Then I sat down and meditated until they arrived.

"You...meditated? Right next to her body?" Nick asked incredulously.

"Oh, of course not!" she laughed it off. "I was at least ten feet away."

"How the witness deals with grief is irrelevant," Judy stated. "What's important is what she saw."

(Which wasn't much. I can definitely work with this.)

And then she spoke again. "Ms. Bellwether, can you just clarify one thing for me? You testified that you saw the defendant, Yaxley Matton, there at the scene?"

Bellwether nodded eagerly. "Yes, I did."

"And did you find anything strange about that?"

Nick narrowed his eyes. (What is she up to?)

The sheep frowned, idly pulling on a piece of her wool in thought. "Well...now that you mention it, I did find it strange that he had gotten there before me."

"Why would you think that?" she asked, in a tone of voice that implied she knew exactly why.

"Because Yax would've unlocked the front doors to get in, but when I got there, I had to open them myself. So I guess he must've locked himself in there all night."

Nick tensed. "Urk!"

"Thank you. Nothing further." She made no attempt to hide her smirk. "You may proceed with your cross-examination, Mr. Wilde."

The gallery went into an uproar, needing several slams of Clawhauser's gavel to settle down. But even the judge was squinting suspiciously at Yax now.

Nick forced himself to keep smiling, a very noticeable effort. (And that's how you get crucial testimony from a useless witness. That sly bunny…)

Finnick didn't need to be a mind reader to get the gist. "Damn. What do we do now? Prove someone else could've snuck in?"

"No." Nick shook his head firmly. "But she's hoping we'll waste the effort trying. We need to find another avenue of attack, and fast."

(If this testimony is just to trip me up, then maybe she hasn't studied it as closely as she should have. That's the only chance we have left.)

Cross-Examination - A Very Baaaaad Morning

I arrived at Mystic Spring at about 9 AM to start my shift.

Hold it!

"What exactly is it that you do at the Oasis anyway?"

"I work in the storeroom at the back, keeping inventory on supplies and things like that."

"Indeed, you can see this storeroom on the diagram of the building," Judy confirmed. "The witness would have passed straight through the crime scene to get to it." Nick felt the need to check that for himself just to be sure. Couldn't chance anything now.

(Nope. That's a storeroom, alright. Right where they said it'd be.) "Um...anything else you do at the Oasis?"

The sheep looked down, blushing visibly as she twiddled her thick hoof-fingers together. "I don't participate in any of the club's usual activities if that's what you mean. I'm an intern, not a naturalist. This getup is really just to fit in."

"Wouldn't you fit in more with no getup?"

"EEEK!" she gasped.

"Kidding! Kidding!" Nick said quickly. "I can assure you that no one in this courtroom wants to see you naked."

"I do!"

(Shut UP, Yax!)

Everything seemed fine until I entered the lounge and saw Nangi.

She was slumped over in the pool, and lying next to her was the defendant, I'm sure of it.

Hold it!

"Why did you assume only Nangi was dead? From that perspective, it seems like neither of them would look too hot."

"He didn't seem dead though, just seriously out of it, like someone waking up from a long nap. I would've given him some first aid and smelling salts, but Nangi…" She trailed off, biting her lip.

"It was very brave of you to come to the stand today," Judy said softly.

"You're doing the right thing," Clawhauser reassured her.

"Thank you." She wiped a small tear from her eye. "I never thought I would have so much support."

(Great. Now she looks like a hero and I look like a jerk.)

I couldn't believe he was capable of something like that, but the proof was right in front of me.

So of course I immediately called the police.

Hold it!

"About what time would you say this was?"

Objection!

"What time the witness called the police is irrelevant," Judy protested.

(Oh no, you don't.) "This testimony is about the discovery of the body, right? I'd say knowing when the call was made is quite relevant."

"I agree," Clawhauser said, taking another bite from his donut. "Mmm, that's good! Objection overruled. Ms. Bellwether, please amend your testimony."

I remember it clearly. I called the police at exactly 9:28 AM.

Then I sat down and meditated until they arrived.

"You got some more info out of her, but I don't see much in the way of a contradiction," Finnick said.

"Me neither." Nick smiled anyway. "But that doesn't mean we're out of options. I think I've found that weak spot I was looking for."

I arrived at Mystic Spring at about 9 AM to start my shift.

Hold it!

He slammed the bench firmly. "Now wait just a minute. Or do you not remember how long that is?"

"What are you talking about?" the ewe asked. "Of course I do."

"Then please enlighten me," Nick said curiously, "as to how you came to work at 9 AM, but didn't call the police until 9:28. That's hardly what I would call an 'immediate' response."

Bellwether stiffened, sweating nervously as she tugged on her collar. "I...er...you see…"

"The witness was clearly in shock from seeing the body," Judy argued. "Nothing more."

He wasn't buying it. "For nearly half an hour?"

"Wait, I remember now!" Bellwether called out. "I went into my calming mediation before calling the police. I'm so sorry for the mix up. I just...couldn't think straight with...with…" She suddenly burst into tears.

(I'm not sure which one I want to strangle more right now.)

"Can you please testify just a bit more for us?" Clawhauser asked, clearly struggling not to cry himself.

She sniffled. "I-I'll try."

Witness Testimony - Screaming of the Lamb

I admit it, when I saw the body, I freaked out.

I had to just close my eyes and calm down before I could do anything.

The sight of Miss Nangi in such a state, done in with that grisly sledgehammer…

It was all too much for my poor, fragile mind to bear.

Can you please find it in your hearts to forgive me?

Clawhauser had lost his battle against the waterworks. "Of course we can, you poor thing!" the big cat sobbed. Bailiff Bogo passed him a box of tissues, and needed at least one for himself.

Judy probably would have gone over to hug her if she could. "I know this has been very traumatic for you, but don't worry, you'll be done here soon." She shot a pointed glare at the defense team, as if daring them to say otherwise, then continued to comfort her.

Clawhauser blew loudly into a tissue. "We don't need to hear anymore. You can go home and rest now."

Hold it!

"Uh...I still want to cross-examine her, you know," Nick insisted.

"Haven't you done enough already?" Judy asked scornfully.

The gallery was quick to add their own input.

"Yeah! Leave her alone!"

"I knew foxes were cold-hearted!"

"Get out of the courtroom, jerks!"

"Order! Order!" Clawhauser brought the noise back down, though not because he disagreed.

Finnick practically gagged in disgust. "You think she's actually buying into that crap or just trying to put pressure on us?"

"Hard to say," Nick admitted. "Maybe she really doesn't want us to cross-examine this testimony because she's worried for the poor thing. Or…" He smirked. "...because she's spotted the same glaring contradiction that I have."

"You found a contradiction in that sheep's sob story?"

"Sure did. Hopps wasn't expecting this testimony and it shows." He flexed out his fingers. "It's time to turn the tables."

Cross-Examination - Screaming of the Lamb

I admit it, when I saw the body, I freaked out.

I had to just close my eyes and calm down before I could do anything.

The sight of Miss Nangi in such a state, done in with that grisly sledgehammer…

Objection!

"Well, well. What you just said is awfully revealing."

"I told you, I'm not revealing anything!" She blushed furiously, trying to cover herself up even more.

"Not about that!" Nick pulled up his info on the murder weapon, looking it over carefully. "That sledgehammer you mentioned...about thirty inches long, wooden handle, big honking bloodstain on it?"

"That's the one," she hissed. "I think I would know."

"Yeah, that's the thing. Actually, you shouldn't know." Nick slammed his paw down, making her jump. "Because that hammer was at the bottom of the Pleasure Pool until the police pulled it up!"

"EEEEEEEEEEEK!" Bellwether's wool puffed up violently and without warning, sending her glasses, pencil, and flower flying in different directions.

Objection!

"The witness must have heard about the hammer before the trial!" Judy yelled, pointing at him.

"I don't think so! Even I didn't know about it until just a little while ago!"

"That's not something you should be bragging about, Nick," whispered Finnick.

Nick ignored him. "And that was before Lambchop here even came in. We haven't so much as mentioned it since." He pointed right back at her. "So there's no way she should've known about it!"

"Urrrrrgh," Judy growled, clutching one of her ears tightly.

Clawhauser furrowed his brow in thought. "Then how did she know about it? Do you have an explanation, Mr. Wilde?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I believe that the sledgehammer was not, in fact, submerged at the time of the incident." He now pointed accusingly at the witness. "It was Ms. Bellwether herself who chucked it into the Pleasure Pool!"

"Witness!" Judy was glaring far more viciously than a bunny should be capable of. "Did you lie to me?!"

(So even Hopps didn't know about that little tidbit, huh?)

Bellwether tried her best to avoid that fierce gaze. "I wouldn't say lie exactly, but I may have...withheld some things…"

"You will tell us the truth. Now."

"O-Okay…"

Witness Testimony - Ewe Have to Believe Me!

After I saw the body, I was worried that someone might have stolen from the storeroom.

I went to check it, but, this is so embarrassing, I realized I had lost my key.

So I saw that hammer sitting there and gave the padlock a good ol' whack.

As it turned out, no one had gotten in after all.

But I was worried about getting pulled into this, so I threw the hammer into the water.

Nick and Judy shared a look of silent disbelief, for once in total agreement. Nick spoke first. "So let me get this straight. You showed up to work to find your boss dead and a co-worker unconscious, but instead of calling the police, you used the murder weapon to break into your own storeroom?"

She giggled. "Well when you say it like that, it just sounds insane."

Sledgehammer updated in the Court Record

"You think maybe your priorities were a bit off?"

"I knooooow...but I've only just started working there and my boss up and croaks on me! I had to know how much damage this was going to do to the Oasis."

(And your job.) "I'm sorry your employer's brutal murder was so inconvenient for you."

"Aww, thanks!" She smiled brightly. "Maybe you're not so bad, after all."

"Something tells me you're not gonna get your point across," Finnick advised.

"Something tells me you're right…"

Clawhauser promptly scarfed down the rest of his gavel donut, knowing he was going to need it. "Mr. Wilde, you may proceed."

Finnick couldn't even muster up anger. "How are you supposed to tackle something like this?"

"It's fishy as all heck, yet somehow still solid. Guess there's only one thing to do."

Cross-Examination - Ewe Have to Believe Me!

After I saw the body, I was worried that someone might have stolen from us too.

I went to check the storeroom, but, this is so embarrassing, I realized I had lost my key.

Hold it!

"Then you have a separate key for the storeroom?"

"That's right. I usually keep it on a keychain, so I didn't realize until then that it was gone."

"Any idea when you lost it?"

She looked thoughtfully up at the ceiling. "I definitely had it the day of the murder. I performed my job as usual, was wrapping up...oh! Maybe it happened when we were evacuated."

"Evacuated?"

"You heard about the pipe bursting, didn't you? When that happened, Nangi ordered everyone out of the building due to the flooding. Good thing I wasn't naked like most of them…"

(That must have been a sight to see.) "About how long was the building empty?"

"Approximately one hour," Judy answered first. "That's when the construction crew moved in and started working on it."

"Hiding information again?"

"Please. This is all basic knowledge that anyone who actually studied the case would know." Her tone was dripping with condescension. "The only reason I didn't mention it before is because I saw no relation to a murder that happened hours later."

He was not deterred. "We'll see about that. Ms. Bellwether, do you know where you might have left your keys at that time?"

"I was attending a special aerobics class before it happened. I put my keys down for a while, so maybe someone there swiped it."

Storeroom Key added to the Court Record

"Hmm...in that case, maybe our killer was a member of that class."

"Was the defendant a member?" Judy immediately asked.

"Oh yes, I think he was!"

From condescension to just plain smugness. "Perhaps you were onto something, Mr. Wilde. This may be related after all."

"You're welcome." (I knew rabbits were good at jumping, but I didn't think it applied to conclusions.)

So I saw that hammer sitting there and gave the padlock a good ol' whack.

Hold it!

"Did you really have to use the bloody murder weapon?"

"To be honest, my first thought was to use one of the decorative rocks around the Pleasure Pool, but with hooves, it's a little hard to-"

"Yes, I know, thank you!" Nick cut her off. "But that same quality also makes you a potential suspect."

"So predictable," Judy sighed. "Did you really think the prosecution had overlooked that fact?"

Nick smiled cheekily, a paw on the back of his head. "Uh...I was kind of hoping?"

"Shame, but we've already compared the witnesses's hoofprints to those left at the scene. Hers are far too small to be the culprit's."

"I see…"

Finnick slapped a paw to his face. "Every time we gain a bit of ground, she drags us further back down. How like a rabbit."

(Or an antlion.) Still...was Bellwether a suspect? He wasn't about to discount the possibility just yet. Not with what he'd noticed.

As it turned out, no one had gotten in after all.

Objection!

"Just one more question…" he spoke slowly. "Why exactly were you expecting something to be stolen in the first place?"

"Weren't you paying attention?" Judy replied. "The witness just testified about that."

"Oh, I was paying attention alright. Especially that part about the storeroom key and how only the witness had one."

"Didn't she say it was stolen from her?" asked Clawhauser. "Wouldn't that explain how someone could sneak in?"

"Yes, Your Honor, but when was it that we came to that conclusion? Just now, when we were talking about it. Before that, she only believed the key to be 'lost', not stolen." He slammed the desk with gusto. "And before that, she didn't even know she had lost it in the first place! So she had no reason to fear that someone had gotten into the storeroom!"

Bellwether flinched. "...I didn't say that."

To his surprise, Judy actually seemed to be considering it. "Hmm...but why would she lie about something like that?"

Nick smirked. "Obviously, because that was not her real reason for breaking into the storeroom."

"Then what was?" she challenged.

"Well, she must have...uh…" His smirk disappeared. "Maybe...she could've…no...but what if…"

"Did you seriously have no idea where you were going with that?"

"I got it!" he yelled confidently. "It can only mean something was stolen from the storeroom! By you, Bellwether!"

"WHAAAAAAAAT?!" He had to shield his eyes as her wool imploded once again.

(Oh hey, looks like I actually got it right.) "You can't hide your secrets from me!"

"That's preposterous!" Judy was quick to argue. ""The ZPD searched Ms. Bellwether as soon as they arrived on the scene. They found nothing out of the ordinary."

"Well of course. If she's smart enough to hide the sledgehammer, she would do the same with whatever she took out of there. Something she didn't want the ZPD to find."

Judy pinched her brow, trying to stave off a migraine. "You don't even know what this 'something' is and yet you're trying to build a case out of it? Your reputation is well-founded, Mr. Wilde Guess."

"Nick, be straight with me here," Finnick said dryly. "Is this all just a giant bluff?"

"I wouldn't say giant…"

"What a fun theory!" squeed Clawhauser, who actually seemed completely genuine about it. "But can you tell us where this hiding place is?"

"Yes, Mr. Wilde, can you?" Judy asked.

(No pressure or anything.) But Mystic Spring prided itself on being an open and transparent environment. Was there really any place to hide something around there? "Actually...I believe I can."

"Then show us," said Judy, unconvinced. On cue, Bailiff Bogo unfurled the Oasis diagram for all to see. Thankfully, Nick knew exactly what he was looking for as he extended his arm and pointed.

Got it!

"I'd like to conduct a search of the mud pit. No better place in a spa to exfoliate your evidence."

"NO!" Bellwether screeched. "I-I mean, there's no need to look there."

Clawhauser looked slowly from her to the bunny. "Hrmmm...what do you think, Prosecutor Hopps?"

"Because I am quickly losing faith in my witness, I will consent to this search," Judy conceded, already pulling out her phone.

"Really?" Nick was stunned. "Well...thank you."

"But if it turns up nothing, I do hope you are prepared to face the consequences."

(Yep. Thought so.)

Judy finished punching in the number and held the phone to one of her large ears as it rang, being quickly answered. "Detective Oates, have you returned to the crime scene yet?"

"A good stallion always returns to the stable after the morning run."

"I'll take that as a yes. Listen, I need you to search the mud pit for...well, we don't actually know yet."

"Wilde?"

"Wilde."

"You got it, ma'am. My boys will sweep the hay until it-"

She hung up. "Your Honor, I hereby request a 15-minute recess while the crime scene is searched."

Clawhauser nodded eagerly, all too quick to agree. "Request granted!" He then not-so-discreetly leaned down and whispered into Bogo's ear. "I bet you twenty bucks they find something."

He snorted. "No thanks. I've been in too many of Wilde's cases to take a bet like that."

(Am I really that predictable?)

Not that he was worried. One look at Bellwether's panic-stricken face was enough to tell him he was right on the money. "Oh, mutton chops…"

"Until then, court is adjourned!" Clawhauser slammed down the gavel with finality. He went to take another bite before remembering he had no more donut on there. The feline narrowed his eyes at the empty space. "Bailiff...I need you to conduct a search of your own."

Bogo sighed. "Yes, Your Honor."

11: 09 AM

Zootopian Central Courthouse - Defendant Lobby No. 2

"Well that was just fantastic!" Finnick yelled the second the doors closed behind them, once again dragging his briefcase through the lobby. "Fifteen minutes of sitting around while the outcome of this trial rests inside a pool of mud! Frankly, it seems pretty fitting for us."

"Hey, I think that prosecutor was slinging way more mud than the two of us," Nick said, much more calmly.

"You sure seem relaxed about this."

"Come on, you can't tell me that sheep isn't hiding something."

"Yeah, but how do you know she doesn't just want to keep anyone from reading her diary?"

"Because the mud would ruin the pages." He swiftly sidestepped Finnick's attempt to swing the briefcase into his groin. "Woah there! If you have an objection, you can just yell it like normal people."

"Hey now, there's no need to fight. We're all friends here." Yax stepped out behind them, mellow as usual and oblivious to all the trouble he'd caused during the trial.

"Hope your cellmate feels the same way," Finnick muttered.

"Huh?"

"What my partner means is that we're not out of the woods yet," Nick amended. "We still need to figure out what kind of piece Bellwether's holding onto before we can put this puzzle together."

"Better be a signed confession with video evidence at this rate," Finnick grumbled again.

"The point is, we can't make any conclusions yet one way or another. But whatever's underneath that mud pit, we'll be ready for it."

"Are you always this insufferably optimistic?"

"Finn, seriously-"

"Did that sound like me to you?"

Blinking in confusion, Nick froze as he suddenly picked up a new scent in their midst. One that his instincts identified as meek prey, but the rest of him already knew better. "Hello to you too, Prosecutor Hopps."

The rabbit stared back at him. Well, more like stared up at him. Actually, she was really staring into him, as if hoping to see what he was all about if she just looked hard enough. (Good luck, sweetheart. I haven't lost a poker game in twenty years straight.)

Sure enough, she soon gave up the effort, frowning in dissatisfaction. "Hmph. You're not like other defense attorneys I've met. There's something different about you that I just can't put my finger on…"

"Great deductive skills. I can see why you're such a revered prosecutor, Carrots."

"I said don't call me that!" It was almost cute the way she stood up on her tiptoes to gain more height, but he didn't dare say as much, not without the gavel to get away with it. The two lawyers locked eyes, engaged in a battle of wills.

"Hey, we're kinda in the middle of something here!" Finnick forcibly pulled them apart. "And we don't have to tell you anything, so about you scurry on back to your own side?"

"Now now, let's not be hasty." Nick looked down at him patiently. "Ms. Hopps wants to know more about me and it is a gentlemammal's duty to oblige."

Judy glared. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Wouldn't dream of it. Now, what can I do to help the fuzzy wuzzy bunny put things together?"

Another battle of wills had begun, this one to see whether or not Judy would slap him before the recess was over. "You can start by answering my question. Are you always so optimistic about your trials?"

He had to stifle a laugh on that one. "Oh no, not at all. I'm not even optimistic about this one, just..confident."

"Is that so?" She seemed disappointed. "With all due respect, your particular skill-set does not strike me as one to inspire such confidence."

"I'm not talking about my skills."

"Oh?"

"I mean that I'm confident in my client," he said, pointing over to Yax. The bovine smiled and waved at her as if she weren't currently trying to put him in jail. "And no matter what you say or do, I believe in his innocence."

"I hope you realize how naive that is."

He shrugged. "Maybe, but that's always been my motto. Because I know better than anyone the value of having someone who believes in you."

"I see..." Judy wasn't looking at him, yet clearly interested. "That's all I needed to hear. Thank you." She spun on her heel and made to leave.

"Wait, that's it?"

"That's it." She stopped in place, but kept her back to him. "I now know for sure that you are a different breed of attorney. Nevertheless, I have a duty to fulfill and I will see it through to the end."

"Even if the end is an innocent mammal going to jail? Is that really what you want?"

He couldn't see her reaction, but she gave it away, subconsciously reaching up to touch the scars on her cheek. "...It doesn't matter what I want."

He didn't get to ask for clarification before she stormed off. When he saw her in the courtroom again, he knew that brief moment of weakness would be long gone, replaced by the same hardened prosecutor he'd become familiar with.

Finnick spat. "Geez, what was her problem?"

"I don't know," Nick said, watching as she disappeared around the corner. "But I think I'd like to find out."

The hardest part about this whole thing was not coming up with a murder mystery to solve, but doing so with only a handful of evidence from the getgo, then having to introduce it seamlessly into the trial. I know a lot of Ace Attorney fans aren't crazy about the investigation portions, but I almost wish I could have added one here. Small hints of Judy's alternate backstory in this chapter, as well as Nick's. Expect to see more on that as we go along.

Court Record:

Attorney's Badge

The symbol of my profession, icon of my status, yadda yadda. It's not exactly pretty, but it does let me keep my job.

Nangi's Autopsy Report

Death caused by drowning after being struck with a sledgehammer. Estimated time of death is between 10 and 12 PM on July 12th.

Crime Scene Photo

Shows the victim slumped over in the Pleasure Pool, small and large rocks surrounding her on each side. The victim's blood can be seen mixed into the water along with a large amount of mud. Hardened concrete residue can be seen behind the victim. Yax is lying nearby, unconscious.

Oasis Diagram

A simple diagram showing the lobby and the main lounge, with the doors connecting them. The Pleasure Pool is shown in the middle of the lounge. The storeroom is at the back and Nangi's office in the upper-left corner. The renovations area is directly behind the pool, obscured from view. Other attractions like the volleyball court and mud pit are also labeled.

Sledgehammer

Used to render the victim unconscious. Blood splatter and location of the wound shows that it was swung from overhead. Was found submerged in the Pleasure Pool after being used by Bellwether to bash open the storeroom.

Renovations Photo

Shows the area the workers were reconstructing after the pipe burst, the pipe itself with a giant hole left in it. A pool of wet concrete shows clear hoofprints. Water is still flowing through.

Storeroom Key

A key used by Dawn Bellwether to open the storeroom. Went missing the day of the murder and is believed to have been stolen.

Profiles:

Nick Wilde

Age: 32

Me, myself, and I. I've been a defense attorney for a long time now, but I'm still not exactly what you'd call a professional. Good thing I'm not asking you.

Finnick

Age: 35

The ray of sunshine who serves as my co-counsel. He may not be very confident in the job, but he knows how to keep me going in his own special way.

Yaxley Matton

Age: 28

A long-time member of the Mystic Spring Oasis, and a firm believer in all things natural. He's a nice guy, but could do a better job keeping his mouth shut. Was found konked out at the crime scene, which is how he got himself arrested.

Judy Hopps

Age: 24

The prosecutor on this case. Apparently a big deal out in the sticks, and not exactly the sweet, cuddly bunny I would expect. Seems to have some weird knack for being able to empathize with any species, but clearly not me.

Bailey Oates

Age: 46

A veteran detective on the ZPD, but that doesn't mean he's wise with experience. I'd say his old age is getting to him, but it sounds like he's always been kind of a kook.

Dawn Bellwether

Age: 36

A neurotic sheep who interns at Mystic Spring in the storeroom. Doesn't have much of a commitment to the lifestyle. May also be slightly insane.