New and exciting installment. I've got to thank Combat Engineer for his comment about the seemingly authoritarian response in part one, which made me reemphasize the civil liberties aspect in this part. In my defense in part one, I was thinking in terms of everyone being still a bit spooked by the threats of the Bellwether Incident so were quick to think in worst case reaction terms and failed to better present that.
As Judy drove the police cruiser to the first destination on their Important Mission, her face wrestled with conflicting emotions.
'Hum, Carrots?" Nick prompted cautiously.
"This is all so wrong in so many ways."
"I know, some scary new threat, and directed at you."
"No. It's not that at all. I'm worried about the really big picture. What if the posters were really about freedom of speech and the tension of freedom versus security?"
"oh? Oh! Yeah. That's - oh - a whole other ball game."
"Zootopia is as much a demonstration of freedom as it is a collection of different species. The freedom to be yourself among others who are also being themselves. True, there is the social contract to not go so far in being yourself that you are not eating your fellow citizen, for example."
Nick growled. "But I'm unenthusiastic about the freedom to be a dick to your fellow mammal."
"Yeah." Judy regarded her Partner with some sympathy, as he had all too often been the victim of other's prejudice. "But freedom of idea or expression shouldn't be to the point of actually attacking others. Like having a negative opinion of another species should not include actually acting on it."
"So, all we can do so far is just deal with the misdemeanor defacement. Actually squeezing suspects is going too far."
"Unless they demonstrated intent?"
"Slippery. What might be obvious at the moment of arrest can be argued out by the time it gets to court."
"Short of overt incitement to act, this is a real bug."
"And that's why I'm worried that it might be the real motive. Bellwether wanted authoritarian rule based on prey/pred prejudice. This could be some kind of push for an over-reaching security state. Like Bellwether said herself, fear always works."
They considered that for a while as they took care of the first couple of pick-ups.
When they arrived at the third, an apartment building, Nick made an observation. "Ya know, you need something bigger than that shoe box you're in. They have vacancies."
"Yes they... do..." Judy trailed off. Then pointed at a sign attached to the building.
Nick went, "Yeah - its a sign...?"
The sign was describing some other apartments by the same development company. "Yeah, Nick. Units made specifically for class C mammals, like Rabbits, and emphasizing safe, secure, and exclusive accommodations. And located in Rabbit majority neighborhoods."
"And?"
"And in neighborhoods in which there were no posters."
"oh"
"Yeah. But could a business be so blatant as to create a scare in order to drive Rabbits into their developments?" Judy took images and texted a message about her suspicion.
They got the security video and called in for further instructions. Dispatch instructed them to come back to headquarters, much to their surprise. Then, when the checked in they were instructed to report to Detective Post.
"You wanted to see us?" Judy had seen the earlier hostile reaction the Coyote had to the Fox so made a point of keeping between the two.
Detective Post had a computer screen up with Judy's sign image. "I saw what you found and can't discount the suggestion you made." He pulled up a new screen, a map of Zootopia with poster locations, superimposed on census data. "See it?" And there is was, a fairly systematic pattern of posters in areas where rabbits were a small to minimal portion of the populations as well as areas of substantial intermixing, such as major retail and transportation centers.
"Looks very much like a separatist effort. Keeping rabbits to themselves, discouraging communication." Judy grumbled.
Post continued, "Odd that they are targeting Rabbits, as they are something of a low profile group and a smallish portion of the overall population."
"Don't think so." Nick interjected, "Like Hopps mentioned earlier, this could be a more existential threat to the notion of Zootopia as an ideal of interspecies cooperation. All it needs is some species to overtly denied or segregated to make false the claim."
The Coyote sneered, "Do you really believe that for even an instant?" and he shook his head in dismissal then turned to Hopps. "But the idea of an underhanded developer scaring clients into his units does have some merit. As for Bernard Erd being that developer, hard to say. Depending on who you ask, I suppose."
Post consulted his computer for a quick second. "Here is someone to talk to get as much on him as might be possible. An old school investigative reporter. Still works for what's left of the Bugle."
The Bugle being the Daily Bugle, the major newspaper back when newspaper was still the primary source of news. The Building and the core of its talent pool was now part of the ZEG media conglomerate. There was still a ghost of a paper being printed, but the bulk of the reportage went on-line or to cable news.
The reporter, named Rodgers, was an ancient Badger, his pelt nearly all silver with age. "It's a delight to finally meet the pair of you. And I take it you seek my help in your new case?"
"Yes sir." Judy pulled out her tablet, "I assume you are aware of the posters that have been put up, apparently to intimidate rabbits?" She showed him an image.
"Oh, yeah, nasty business, that. But what could I do to help?"
"Well, I saw this," Showing him the poster next to the sign, "And wondered if there was any connection. Detective Post suggested you might have enough history and insight on Bernard Erd or any other major business player who might have a motive."
The Badger took a long look at the image, then, "Bucky Erd would never be that crude. He can be ruthless in business, but he's too media savvy to pull a stunt like that. His Father, now there was a nasty Jack, but again, too smart to risk blow back, though it was the kind of thing he'd want to do if he could get away with it. Then the Grandfather, he simply didn't need to."
Seeing Judy's incomprehension, Rodgers explained. "Well, as you're new in town, and from your various speeches, still have a rather slight and naive view of Zootopia, eh?" Gesturing to the pair to have a seat, "I'm going to bore you with a bit of real history so's you'll have a better understanding of some of the darker dynamics of the city."
"Back in the bad old days, Zootopia was the shining city where the various species could mingle for commerce and communication, but glob forbid anyone had to live next to each other. The various neighborhoods self-selected by species or pred/prey simply as a matter of course. Compliance was simply a given. The occasional renegade was dealt with social and economic pressure or a little vigilante attention."
Judy was shocked and Nick's initial impulse to give her an 'I told you so' was halted when he realized how it hurt her.
The old Badger saw it too, but though it better to give her the whole story. "As both general business and govenment officialdom became more dominate and less accommodating to local ad hoc how things were done, progressives pushed for legislation that guaranteed equal protection and access. That's when things started to get more overtly ugly."
Rodgers got up and went over to a rather nasty looking old vintage coffee maker, "Care for a cup?"
The two officers shook 'no'.
"Separatists wanted to keep things the way they were. Civil liberties types were concerned over some of the legislation that delved into limits of freedom of speech. You'd hope it was a fair point, with some of the provisions about hate speech and freedom of assembly and association. But what they were more worried about was someone daring to have the freedom to suggest the status quo was not all it could be." The Badger all but hissed that last.
"I was a journalism student back then and the cowardly hypocrisy was stunning. The only freedom of speech was that which echoed the common conformity."
"And there was a depressingly large part of the population that chose to not see or not believe that there anything wrong. And many others were against it all out of ideology. As Zootopia was already 'perfect', enacting new laws would acknowledge that there was an imperfection."
"Remember, in the bad old days, keeping to your own and knowing your place were simply givens. But, as new laws were proposed to free things up, there was a backlash and various overt signs, literal and figurative showed up. At first they were nearly as bad as this new poster, though most were, at least, more politely neutral. Like 'such and such species need not apply'. But, in general, when folks needed to say what had previous been unsaid, it usually came out fairly nasty."
"Then, when various laws were passed, and, Glob forbid, were actually being enforced, overt separatism or discriminatory treatment was pushed underground, so to speak. Lots of euphemisms and coded language though." He exchanged a knowing glance to Nick, who nodded in acknowledgement.
Rodgers gave Judy a sympathetic look, "But it isn't all bad. There has been progress, often slow and grudging, but real progress. Things are still not perfect, but your busting the Bellwether Plot forced a re-examination of where we are and how much further we need to go."
"But back to the question. Basically, no, I don't think Erd did this. And if you're wondering, largely doubt that any of his competitors would try anything to discredit him in such a way. Mainly too dim or disorganized to do it and largely too cheap to spend the money to have anyone else do it."
"Any guesses as to other possible sources or motives?"
"I'm just an old reporter, but can't help but wonder about some kind of 'artistic' prank. I've seen any number of really stupid stunts pulled by fools with more money than sense. At least that's what I'd hope."
"I do have a thought though. You might want to talk to Erd, point out that he might have a PR crisis coming." Rodgers seemed to get a little joy out of that prospect. "Though you might want to consider which one of you might do it." The Badger waved to Judy. "He has an eye for the Does, and that form-fitting tactical suit would give him an eye full."
As they left, Nick could tell that Judy was a bit down. "Sorry about the history lesson back there. I know you've already gotten a more balanced view of the realities of Zootopia, but he was pretty straight about the bad old days I'm afraid."
"I don't know. This case isn't going anywhere, and yeah, another round of proving to the naive hick that Zootopia is actually a distopian hell-scape."
"Well, lets go and get you self-esteem bumped-up by turning the heads of all the Bucks, eh?" Nick tried to joke.
Judy rolled her eyes, but did try a flashy pose, to which Nick made an appreciative leer. "Let's do this thing."
The Bernard 'Bucky' Erd main office was in a wide, low business block, the executive level only a couple floors to the top.
The elevator opened to a wide-open bay of low cubicles with a range of mammals, mostly burrowing species. A Hedgehog was waiting for her. "Officer Hopps, Buck Erd will be delighted to see you. Please follow me."
Judy followed him? Her? through the thicket of cubicles. She noticed that, though, while they were just that, low partitions describing individual work areas, they were also highly individualized to their inhabitants, with all manner of personal touches and adornments, as well as accommodations for species-specific requirements.
Judy wasn't sure what to think. Critics would say this level of accommodation was simply a matter of his over-arching patronizing attitude; He was merely taking care of those he considered his own.
They arrived outside a literal corner office, a paneled private space, not all that large from the outside. Given some of the ostentatious offices she had toured as The Hero of Zootopia over the last year, this was a bit unexpected for what was reputed to be the richest Rabbit in the city.
The Hedgehog cracked a door open and whispered inside then ushered Judy though. "I'll be right outside as you need anything."
"Officer Hopps! Finally we meet!" Bernard "Buck" Erd beamed at Judy, holding out a hand for a hearty handshake. Judy was a bit stunned, as she did not expect him to be so- "perfect"
Not the exquisitely groomed or perfectly tailored "perfect", but the thinking rather personal thoughts in private image of "perfect" might be. Even his coloring, the exact match for her greys, a touch of image bias for many Rabbits, as well as his healthy maleness, made her blush just a tad. That he was also exquisitely groomed and perfectly tailored didn't hurt.
"The two most famous Rabbits in Zootopia come together at last. For business, or pleasure?" The last said without the expected leer. "There isn't enough visibility for us in the city nowadays." He waved to a wall of vintage photos, Rabbit celebrities of years past. "And now, with the Savior of Zootopia, and," said in a self-deprecating down tone," hottest property developer, stepping out, we'll be a hit in this tired town!" He ended with a dramatic pose and jazz hands.
Judy pulled back in surprise, if not a little dismay. "Excuse me?"
Buck stopped in mid-gesture, "Too much?" Then really noticing Judy's expression, "Oh, I'm sorry. Way too much. I got a message that you wanted to see me, and there was a hint that it was about something related to PR, so I got all wound-up that it might be a thing." While that introduction was a bit flamboyant, Judy did not get the vib that he was merely a smarmy salesmammal.
"No, it is very much not a thing."
"Sit, sit" Buck waved Judy to a collection of chairs in front of the prerequisite Big Desk, but he chose to take one beside her. The office was an actual working office, not an image of power space. While there was the Big Desk, there was also a couple layout tables and computer work stations off to the side covered in clutter. And while the one wall was decorated with famous photos and various accolades, the others were covered in charts and maps, festooned with post-its and pushpins. "So... what's up?"
"I'm investigating this poster." Judy held out her tablet, "And how it coincided with your current ad campaign" She pulled up the shot of the poster beside the Erd development sign.
Buck looked at the image for a long moment. "oh?" Then an instant later, "OH! My teeth and whiskers, that's..." He kneaded his brow. "Hang on a minute." And he went to the door and summoned the Hedgehog. "Get me Todd and call Barker and Squeak, tell them to pull the entire round of ads immediately."
"There will be penalties."
"Penalties are the least of my worries at the moment. And I want Todd here NOW."
Buck turned back to Judy. "I heard about the posters, of course, thought it was just an inconsequential prank, in poor taste, but didn't consider that it could be coupled with my ads." He seemed genuinely dismayed and clearly understood the implications.
"Could this be some kind of effort to discredit you?"
He considered for a moment. "There are a couple who would delight in the opportunity, but none who have the guts, the wits, or willing to spend the kind of money needed to do the deed." A little laugh, "Considering the kind of budgets these guys work with, and the relative nickel-and-dime amount likely needed for the act, the stinginess is appalling."
"Any ideas to other possibilities?"
"A stunt? A political gesture? Some kind of troublemaker? I heard it has a lot of folks scared."
Judy sighed. More lack of progress, well, at least a process of elimination. Meeting Bucky Erd was 'interesting'. A good thing she had given herself a good dose of mask-all. As she allowed herself an idle thought, it was briefly not that of a prime Buck.
That wasn't right. Sure, she had see Nick in his altogether, they had been mutual groomers for a good while now. A perfectly normal act for social mammals, regardless of species or gender. And an act that had been doubly important to her early on as a gesture of trust in those days when emotions were still a bit raw.
After a life enveloped in rabbity kin, having close contact with any other species had been a novelty, and with a Fox, an exotic thrill. And her time with Nick was now special. They had shared deathly danger and saved each other's lives more than once. They now had the kind of complete and unwavering reliance on each other than most cops spent a lifetime cultivating. She felt completely safe and secure with him; his presence was a comfort to her...
Okay, back to business. At least Nick, who had been waiting in the cruiser, playing with his laptop, seemed up for an otherwise unproductive day.
"Good News! We got a real lead." He gushed as she got in the vehicle, "One of the characters who was recruiting critters to do the postings revealed who his source was. Seems she wanted preds and class C size mammals of any type, other than rabbit, for the job."
"Wow, sounds very much like a targeted separatist act." Judy was delightfully back on track, now that she had something to gnaw on. "So, what's the plan?"
"They're picking her up now for questioning and we've been invited to observe." Nick seemed rather uncharacteristically keen on the prospect. Coming from the street and knowing that at least some actors fell into crime out of desperation or disenfranchisement, he was not enthusiastic about the punishment end of the system. But bias crimes were his hot button exception.
As the headed back to the Precinct, Nick observed, with a suggestive waggle of eyebrows, "So- How did it go with Bucky?" And made an ostentatious sniff. "Pretty good, I take it?"
Judy huffed. That nose of his would be the death of her yet. "Yes, Nick. I was overwhelmed by his raging masculinity and we rutted like rabbits for hours." While she meant it as a light joke, she instantly realized it surely didn't come out that way.
So did Nick. "oh" And he became very quiet and contrite.
Then both tried to apologize at that same time. After a moment's word tangle, "Sorry Nick, this case has me a bit rattled, and I've got all kinds of other stuff on my mind at the same time. I really, really didn't intend to sound so snippy."
"'S'alright. Nothing like alienating my best Bud on the cusp of breaking our next big case." He made a particularly apologetic face, "And, though I am a gentlefox, I am also your partner, and must remind you that you've forgot your suppressant again this week."
Judy could only gape in shock. That nose again. Finally, "Thanks."
They found the suspect already in interrogation, an Elk Cow named Sherman, with Post sitting across from her. Snarlov was in the observation room and filled them in. "She's been grudgingly cooperative, especially once it was pointed out that she could be liable for any of the incidents that were now piling up."
"There have been several assaults, even some injuries, and she could charged with incitement."
"We hadn't heard. Anything useful so far?"
"As you can hear, she's going on about the logistics, how she organized the bodies to get the deed done. She said she got the specifics of where to put them from her clients."
"Who were?"
"She said they were rabbits. Big brown bucks with funny accents."
Judy flinched at that, and immediately began to search her tablet. Finding a thing, she went into the interrogation room.
Post was not happy about being interrupted. "You'd better have a very good reason for this, Hopps."
"Yes Sir. I was told the rabbits in question had an odd accent?" She looked to the Elk. "Did it sound anything like this?" And she keyed her tablet. It was just some common conversation, the cadence and vowels a bit stilted to Zootopian ears.
"Yeah, just like that." Sherman confirmed.
"Oh, Cheese!"