Claret Simpleson was a big handsome mountain lion, but when he hung up the phone he looked more like a scared kitten. His wolverine attorney, Tab Rotter, raised his eyebrows. "Now what's wrong?"
"That was the police," whispered Simpleson. "They want to talk to me. Today!" He threw down the phone and went over to the picture window of his penthouse at the top of the Lunar Resort, wringing his paws. "You told me when you killed Cooper it was all over!"
"Don't be a fool," said Rotter with contempt. "Did you think your wife's lawyer could get die and nobody would notice? Naturally there's going to be an investigation. There's no evidence linking us to the murder…"
Simpleson winced. "Do you have to use that word?"
Rotter clicked his tongue in exasperation. "To the death, then. There's nothing linking us to Johnny Cooper at all. We've never even met with him. He requested a list of your assets, and I mailed him the list. That's the extent of our connection."
"He had the number for the secret bank account in that folder," whined Simpleson.
"And I got it back. If you hadn't been so stupid as to leave it laying around, Belinda would never have got her paws on it in the first place."
"Belinda." Simpleson shook his head. "Marrying her was just a mistake."
"That's what you said about your last six wives."
The mountain lion gazed out the window. "I'm starting to think I'm not the marrying kind."
"Well, don't stop now." Rotter went over to the window. "I could use a little more in my portfolio. When are the cops coming?"
"Right now. They'll be here any minute. Tab, what if they know about the money?"
The wolverine shrugged. "No way. We would have heard something by now if Cooper had found it."
"But…"
"No buts!" Rotter snapped. "You put away a little cash for your retirement. And one third of it is mine, so don't lose your nerve now. We'll be all right as long as you stay calm."
"It's pretty hard to be calm married to Belinda."
"Well, you're going to stay married to her until the heat dies down," growled Rotter. "We can't afford a lot of attention right now, so you're going to make nice with your wife until I say it's safe to get rid of her."
The phone rang and Simpleson jumped, then went over to answer it. "Right now? It's not really a good time…" He listened for a moment. "Fine! Tell the elevator operator to bring you up." He slammed down the phone. "That was the cops, Tab. They're on their way!"
Rotter rolled his eyes. "They're on their way to ask you a few questions. That's all." He went over to the bar and poured a generous measure of brandy. "Here. Maybe this will settle your nerves."
The mountain lion gulped his drink, then tensed as the doorbell rang. Rotter gave him a hard look, then went over to the door and opened it with a pleasant smile. "How can I help you?"
Nick and Judy came in and the bunny said crisply, "I am Officer Judy Hopps and this is my partner, Officer Nick Wilde. We have some questions about Johnny Cooper."
"Tab Rotter." The wolverine shook paws warmly with them both. "I'm Claret's personal attorney."
Simpleson came forward, beaming. "Yes, I don't know what I would do without Tab here. He handles all my business, including my divorces."
"Divorces?" asked Nick.
Simpleson looked surprised. "I've been married six times. Don't you keep up with the news, Officer…"
"Wilde." Nick wore his most bored expression. "I've never even owned a TV, Mr…"
"Simpleson." The mountain lion's eyes narrowed and suddenly he looked a lot less benign.
Judy moved in. "Mr Simpleson, about Mr Cooper..."
"If it's about Johnny Cooper, my client has no comment," said Rotter. "He never even met Belinda's lawyer. And now that Claret and Belinda have reconciled…"
"Spur of the moment, right?" asked Nick, his eyes wide and innocent.
Claret smiled tightly. "You have to understand, Officer...Wilde, we both have very demanding careers. I'm a TV star. Belinda is a swimsuit model. We're under a lot of stress."
"I can see that." Nick looked around the luxurious penthouse, then walked over to the window and took in the view. "It must be tough to live like this."
"Speaking of which," said Judy demurely, "the list of your assets includes your salary for The Scrambled Badge. You make a hundred thousand dollars an episode. There have been twenty-two episodes a year for the past five years. That comes out to eleven million dollars. Yet you only have a million in the bank. Where did the rest of your money go?"
"While I compliment you on your math skills, Officer Hopps, you haven't taken Claret's generosity into account," said Rotter smoothly. "He gives a great deal of his money away."
"Not to charity he doesn't," Nick said absently, still absorbed in the view. He turned slowly. "There was only one charitable donation on that list. One hundred dollars a year to his alma mater, the Golden Sierra School of the Performing Arts. How many years would Mr Simpleson have to live for one hundred dollars a year to add up to ten million, Officer Hopps?"
"Oh, it would be a long time, Office Wilde," said Judy solemnly. "Of course, that bank account may hold some answers."
"Bank account?" squeaked Simpleson.
"You know, Claret," said Rotter swiftly. "That old bank account you cleaned out a few years ago when you bought your second townhouse." He smiled brightly at the two cops. "A lot of money moved in and out of that account. You know, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping, right, Claret?"
"Right." Simpleson made an effort to recover his composure. "I don't really keep track of how much I spend. In fact, I'm throwing a party here tonight and I have no idea what it cost."
"Party?" Judy raised her eyebrows.
"Yes, it's to celebrate Belinda and me getting back together. You both should come. Eight o'clock, black tie." The mountain lion was backing towards the door. "And now I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me. Lots to do." He hurried out.
The two cops looked thoughtfully at Rotter and the wolverine smiled widely. "Did you have any other questions?"
"Not at this time," said Nick dryly, "but we'll be looking forward to seeing both of you at the party tonight."