6

Judy woke to the sound of knocking against her front door.

Pushing up onto an elbow, Judy rubbed sleep from her eyes and looked over at her alarm clock. It was almost three in the afternoon. Late, yet she could have easily gone back to sleep for the rest of the day.

The knocking came again, gentle but insistent. Even half-asleep, Judy recognized it. She'd heard it enough times on early school mornings and after bad days where all she had wanted to do was hide in her room.

Her parents had arrived.

She rose from bed cautiously, grateful when the room didn't spin and all her stomach did was growl. The blaring headache from last night had settled into a low thrum behind her temple. Annoying but manageable. Some aspirin and coffee and she'd be good to go.

She shuffled out into the living room. The curtains to her single set of windows were a cheerful yellow, and with the sun as a backlight they painted the whole living room in a soft golden glow.

She had to hop to reach the cord that opened them. Still, at least she lived in a place that had curtains now. Clawhauser had recently moved into a new apartment a few blocks away and had managed to convince the landlord to pass his lease on to Judy. It still wasn't as nice as Nick's place, and all the furniture was too big because it had been designed for medium sized animals and not a small bunny, but it was better than the apartment she had first lived in after moving to Zootopia. And as a bonus, it smelled like doughnuts and her bed was huge.

She made her way over to the couch. Nick was sprawled out on his back, snoring softly. One arm had been thrown across his eyes. The other hung over the side of the couch, dangling above his walkie and cell phone. Judy took both and placed them on the coffee table before giving the fox's shoulder a shake.

"Nick. Nick, wake up."

"Wassit—" Green eyes blinked up at her from under his arm. "Carrots? You should still be resting."

"I think rest time has officially ended," said Judy. She nodded towards the door where voices had now joined the knocking. "My parents are here."

"You're parents?" Nick surged to his feet. "But—I'm—" He looked down at his filthy clothes, which had not improved with having been slept in. His gaze shot to the window.

"Don't even think about it," said Judy. "This is the ninth floor."

"There's a fire escape."

She rolled her eyes. "I've been wanting to properly introduce you to my parents for forever anyway. Might as well do it now."

"Or, I could hide and we can put this off for a whole 'nother year if we're lucky."

"Oh, stop it. They're going to love you."

"Judy?" Her mother's voice sounded worried. "Judy, are you in there?"

"I'm coming, Mom. Just a second." To Nick, she whispered, "Relax. And try to smile."

"So I can hear your parents say, 'My, what big teeth you have?'"

"That's wolves. And they're not going to—"

"Judy, honey?" It was her dad this time.

"Don't rush her, Stu. She said she was coming."

"I'm just asking. She said a second and it's been more than a second now."

"Don't be so literal."

Judy opened the door and watched as relief lit her parents' faces. They pulled her in their arms and Judy sunk into the dual embrace, savoring it. Though she adored her life in Zootopia and couldn't imagine ever giving it up, she did miss her family. Phone calls and face time were just not the same as seeing them in person like this.

Eventually they pulled far enough away to look her over. Though all of the bruises she had sustained were hidden by her fur, somehow her parents sill seemed to be able to sense where they were, poking and rubbing in just the right spots to make Judy wince, their wordless noises of concern more effective than any guilt trip.

"Are you sure you shouldn't be in the hospital?" asked Stu.

"No, Dad. I promise, I'm fine. Just a little sore."

"Well we brought you some food," said Bonnie. She gestured to her husband, who held up a basket of vegetables almost big as he was. "You better eat all of it, too. None of that frozen stuff until you're healthy again."

"I'm healthy now," said Judy. But at her mother's frown, she added, "I won't let it go to waste. I promise."

She looked over her shoulder at Nick, who had hung back while she'd greeted her parents. At her wave, he ambled over, all his earlier nervousness firmly locked down behind his failsafe persona of smooth confidence man, his con artist's smirk firmly in place. Judy hid her exasperation. At least he wasn't trying to make a break for the fire escape.

"Mom, Dad, this is Nick. My partner."

Her parents exchanged looks. Judy waited, unbothered by their moment of silent communication. It was something they had done all her life. Their way of checking each other's opinions to make sure they were both on the same page before responding.

But Nick saw the looks, too. And Judy could tell, even though his easy expression didn't change, that he was interpreting her parents' silence as rejection.

She reached over and caught his paw in her own, ignoring the pinprick of hurt she felt when he flinched.

"Let go, Carrots." The words were forced through clenched teeth. He tried to pull free, but Judy tightened her grip, replying matter-of-factly, "No."

"You're scaring your parents."

By touching him? Please. Maybe if they'd never made peace of Gideon Grey, but they had. And her parents had learned, just like she had, that you couldn't judge an animal based on stereotypes, or even past behavior. Besides, she worked for the ZPD now. This "risk" wouldn't even rate.

She leaned into him. "They're fine. Just give them a second."

"Hopps..."

But that was as far as he got before her parents finished their wordless talk and turned to them. Nick immediately went silent and straight, raising his chin another inch. Despite the cocky gesture, worry showed in his eyes. To Judy, he looked more like a fox prepared to take a blow.

Bonnie smiled at him and took his free paw in her own. "Officer Wilde. You're the one who called us last night. It's so good to finally meet you. Judy talks about you so often I feel like we've already met."

"Thank you for looking out for her," said Stu. "We know she can be a handful."

"Dad."

Nick nodded awkwardly. "It's, ah, my pleasure. Sir."

Stu patted him on the chest. Dirt broke off in flakes and everyone watched as they fluttered to the floor.

Nick cleared his throat self-consciously. "Sorry about that. It's been a long night."

"We understand," said Bonnie.

"We're farmers," said Stu. "A little dirt doesn't scare us."

Judy looked sharply at her father. He winked.

"I—" stammered Nick, glancing down at Judy. "I'm relieved to hear that, sir."

"Oh, and we have something for you," said Bonnie. She handed him an envelope. Inside was a yellow card with a circle of cutely drawn bunnies dancing around a vegetable patch "It's an invitation to Bunnyburrow's Carrot Day Festival next spring. You should come. It'll be fun! And our Judy here could use somebody who can give her decent competition in the games. No one else can keep up with her."

Stu chuckled. "She annihilated in the sack race last year."

"I did not! Don't listen to them," Judy told Nick. "They're exaggerating."

"Oh, well..." Nick scratched at his ear. "I'm not exactly a sack race kind of fox…"

"The winner gets three free blueberry pies."

He quickly took the card. "So spring, you said?"

Judy grinned, surprised and pleased that her mother had remembered her mentioning Nick's fondness for the sweet blue fruit.

From the coffee table, Nick's phone started to ring. Excusing himself, he went to answer it.

"Clawhauser, what's—" Nick glanced sharply at Judy. "Yeah, she's awake. When… No. No, we'll be right over. Yeah. Talk to you later."

"What is it?" asked Judy.

Nick pocketed the phone and reached for his walkie. "They found Craven Corsac. He's in the ICU. Looks like he wasn't as good a swimmer as you were."

"Oh my goodness," said Bonnie. "I hope he's okay."

"We need to get over there," said Judy.

"Yeah." Nick looked down at his muddy clothes and then at Judy in her pajamas. "Meet you at the station in an hour?"

"Sounds good."

Nick started to leave, then stopped. He turned back to her parents. He hesitated, then he held out a paw. "It was nice meeting both of you."

"And you," said Bonnie as Stu took his paw and shook it. "Be careful out there."

Nick gave her a lopsided smile. "I'll try."

"I'll walk you out," said Judy.

Nick held the door for her. Once they were out in the hall, Judy checked to make sure none of her snoopier neighbors were about before turning to her partner, who waited with a bemused expression.

"What's up, Carrots?"

"Two things, actually. First, I wanted to say thank you. For last night."

Nick made a face. "Please don't. I hardly did anything. I wasn't even there for—"

Judy cut him off. "You were there exactly when I needed you to be, Nick. Believe me."

"If you say so."

"I do." Judy was tempted to take his paw again. Partly because he looked so uncomfortable and partly because… well, she just wanted to.

But she refrained.

Instead, she continued. "As for the second thing... please keep an eye out for the Corsacs. They were after you, remember, even if they accidentally got me instead. They might try again."

"I think they're too busy hiding from the ZPD and whoever that raccoon is to have time for me," said Nick.

"Still."

"Still, I'll be careful," agreed Nick

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He cocked his head. "So is that it? Are we finished with the touchy-feely moment now? Am I free to go? You know there is a case still going on here that we should be investigating…"

Annoying fox. Judy turned on her heel and stomped back inside, shutting the door on her partner's smirking face. Still, she could hear him through the wood as he said, "I'll meet you at the station, Carrots. One hour. You better wait for me!"

"What a nice young fox," said her mother.

"He has his moments," mumbled Judy.

"I have to get ready for work," she told her parents. "But please, feel free to stay. Take a nap. You must be tired after that long trip. Or go do some sightseeing if you're feeling up to it. I would say we could do dinner, but I don't know how late I'll be…"

"Oh, don't worry about us, honey," said Stu. "We'll be fine."

Judy hugged them again, just because she could, then hurried off to go wash up and change.

As she was digging through her closet for a clean uniform, she could hear her parents puttering around in the kitchen, cleaning and putting away the vegetables they'd brought her. Judy rolled her eyes in fond exasperation. They couldn't stop working even when they were off the farm.

"Honey, look at this!" her father suddenly exclaimed. "This carrot's made of wax."

Judy poked her head out of her bedroom. "It's a get well present from Nick," she told him.

"Well what good is a wax carrot going to do you? You can't get nutrients just by looking at it."

"Maybe he thought it would make her feel better," said her mother.

"You know what would make me feel better? A vegetable I could actually eat."

"Stu."

"Just saying." Her father turned the carrot over. "Product of the Cottontail Corporation. Isn't that that brand we're always seeing in the grocery store?"

"I told you that food wasn't healthy," whispered Bonnie. "Talk about a preservative."

"Let me see that," said Judy. Her father handed the carrot over. Well, that answered the question of where Nick had been yesterday.

I knew the gift shop didn't sell wax carrots.

She put the carrot away in her nightstand drawer for safekeeping, then made sure her parents were settled before heading out. She reached the station ahead of Nick, but didn't make it any farther than the reception desk. When her partner finally came in, she was still there, reassuring a teary-eyed Clawhauser that she was all right.

Nick stopped in front of the desk and raised an eyebrow. "Clawhauser. You've got a little something… right there." Nick pointed to where the cheetah had Judy smooshed up under his chin.

"What? Oh, sorry." Clawhauser released her, looking chagrined. Judy patted his arm and hopped down, landing lightly next to her partner, who was looking much cleaner than he had an hour ago. His fur was damp from a shower and he had forgone a full uniform and instead just wore a pair of navy slacks and a light blue button down shirt. And because that apparently wasn't casual enough, he had rolled up the sleeves and left the top two buttons undone. No tie. Of course.

Nick gave her a once over as well. "How are we feeling?"

Judy smiled brightly and struck a pose, hands on hips, chest puffed out. "Back and ready for action!"

"Is that so?" He held up a small bakery box. The smell of fresh bread and fruit jelly wafted up, making Judy's empty stomach growl.

"I thought you might need some food," he told her. "For energy."

Eyes lighting, Judy reached for the box. But Nick pulled it away before she could take it, adding, "However, it looks like you're already good to go. So I'll just eat this myself, I guess, and you can—"

Judy made a grab for the box. Nick whisked it out of her reach, tsking. "Really, Carrots. Where are your manners?"

"That should be my line," said Judy.

She leapt again.

Again, Nick pulled it away.

Okay, time to change tactics.

Hunching over, Judy bowed her head, rubbing her temples and groaning. "Oh, my head. Oh, it hurts…"

Nick shook his head, eyes twinkling. "Shameless."

She added a cough. "A-hack… All that marsh water… A-hack, a-hack…"

"I've thought it before," said Nick. "but you're acting is just beyond the pale. Really. Where did you pick up such skills?"

"I took theater in primary school."

"That explains it."

Judy shot him a mock glare. "Do you mind? I'm choking here."

"Oh, please, by all means." Nick gestured for her to continue.

"A-hack, a-hack… can't breathe… need danish…"

"Mm, that's not how you fix choking."

"What are you… a-hack… a doctor?"

"Wilde. Hopps."

They turned. Chief Bogo stood behind them, looking as grumpy as ever. Judy immediately dropped her sick act.

"Let me guess," said Nick. "Your office?"

"For your sake, I hope your skills of deduction prove similarly competent when it comes to this case," said their boss. "Follow me."

Nick sighed. "Now the fun starts."

Handing Judy the bakery box, he ushered her ahead him with a nudge to the back. "After you, Carrots."

"Why do I have to go first?"

"Because you just survived a kidnapping and a flood. He's not going to gore you."

"And if you're wrong?"

"You can bribe him with breakfast."

Judy clutched the sweet smelling bakery box to her chest. "Never."

"Well then I guess I'll be walking out of that office either with a partner or with breakfast. Sounds like a win-win to me."

"Just for that, I am not sharing with you."

"Spiteful bunny."

When it came to life and breakfast foods? Darn straight, she was.


Judy ate the danish on the way, just in case. Nick, surprisingly enough, didn't even try to steal a piece.

They took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Chief Bogo's desk, the now-empty bakery box between them. Chief Bogo turned his computer screen around so Judy and Nick could see. It was the home page for the Daily Heron. In giant bold font it read:

DANGEROUS COLLAPSE IN RAINFOREST DISTRICT!

COULD YOUR DISTRICT BE NEXT?

"This was the headline of the paper this morning," he told them.

"Well it's properly dramatic, I'll give them that," said Nick.

"It's ridiculous," said Judy. "What exactly are they trying to imply?"

"Read it," said Chief Bogo.

Judy read.

Late last night the Rainforest District was rocked by tragedy when three miles of marshland unexpectedly collapsed, flooding roadways and causing several serious injuries. Hundreds of commuters were stranded for over two hours while police and road crew worked to clear the way of debris—and even bodies.

Judy looked at Chief Bogo. "When they say bodies…"

"Presumably they mean you and Craven Corsac. No one else was found, unconscious or otherwise."

"They make it sound like we died."

"Keep reading."

So far four suspects have been released: Marian Corsac, Craven Corsac, Reynard Corsac, and one unnamed minor. All foxes. Craven Corsac was found on site and is currently under watch at the Rainforest District hospital. His status has not been officially released, but witnesses say he was last seen being wheeled into the ICU.

"How is Craven?" Judy asked.

"Still in critical condition," said Bogo. "I hope you weren't relying on him for answers."

Judy rubbed at her temples as her headache gave an extra painful throb. She had forgotten to take something before leaving her apartment and all the little aches from yesterday were starting to make themselves felt. The stress of this article wasn't helping.

Nick made an angry noise in the back of his throat. When Judy looked over at him, he pointed to a paragraph farther down in the article. "Read it." He looked disgusted.

The ZPD has little to say on the matter so far, but they do admit that the cause of all this damage comes from the collapse of an illegal burrow similar to the smuggler tunnels found two years ago in the outskirts of the Sahara. While speculation points to this being another smuggling case, one has to wonder why these criminals would choose the Rainforest District over one of the more arid parts of Zootopia where burrows can be dug without risk of collapse. That is, if it is another simple case of smuggling and not something more insidious. Citizens great and small are well aware that the entire lower level of the Rainforest district is a flood zone. With a few tunnels and a small amount of explosive, an animal could take out everything but the Rainforest's canopy.

"This article makes it sound like they're planning attacks!" Judy turned to Bogo. "Chief, these foxes, the Corsacs... sure, they've broken a few laws, but—"

"A few laws? So far they're wanted for breaking and entering, destruction of public property, burrowing in a class 5 restricted zone, inciting a panic, assault, kidnapping, resisting arrest—have I missed anything?"

"But they're not terrorists," said Judy.

She looked to her partner for backup, but he was studying at the ceiling as if it had just insulted him and he was contemplating how he could take revenge on it.

"Nick. Tell him."

"Hm? Oh, sure. They've also been witnessed making threats to Benjamin Cottontail. I have a copy of the statement."

Judy glared at him. "Not helpful."

"Oh, you wanted me to help you. Okay, well, huh." He pretended to think about it. "I'll give you that they're probably not terrorists."

"Thank y—"

"Because their actions show a complete lack of forethought that's almost scary. Really, it's anyone's guess what they'll try next. But I can guarantee that it'll be poorly thought out and probably cause a lot of problems for all of us." He folded his arms and looked at Judy. "There. Helpful enough?"

Judy was tempted to take the bakery box and hit him with it. "Why are you being like this? You're not still angry at them, are you?"

"The facts speak for themselves. Isn't that what you said before?"

"And I told you last night that I was wrong."

"Well you weren't. Take the win, Carrots. You earned it."

"That's not—"

"Enough," snapped Chief Bogo. He turned his computer screen back around. "I don't have the time or the patience to listen to you two bicker about this. I have a meeting with Mayor Lionheart in an hour where I will have to personally assure him that the ZPD has everything under control, which he will then be relaying to all of the citizens of Zootopia tonight on the evening news. So the only answer I want from you two right now is this—do you have things under control?"

Judy hopped up and saluted. "Sir, we will find the Corsacs and you will see that all of this is just a big misunderstanding."

Chief Bogo looked at her partner.

"We'll get them," promised Nick.

"Then you're dismissed."

Nick scooped up the bakery box and left. Judy started to follow after him but was called back by Chief Bogo. "Hopps."

"Yes, sir?"

He tossed her a new walkie and her cell phone. "Glad to see you're all right."

"You are?" said Judy, surprised and oddly touched. "I mean, thank you, sir. That really means a lot coming from—"

He waved her off. "Yeah-yeah-yeah, just get out of here, Hopps. I've got an argument with the Mayor to plan for."

"Yes, sir." Judy hurried out.

She caught up to Nick in the hallway as he was tossing the bakery box into a nearby garbage can.

"What was that in there?" she demanded. "It's like you want the Corsacs to go to jail."

He gave her a tired look and kept walking. Judy fell into step beside him.

"Look," he said. "We both agree that we need to find the Corsacs and bring them in. That's all that matters, right?"

"Wrong. We need to be on the same page on this."

"You mean you want me to agree with your opinion."

"I'm trying to get you to agree to your own opinion, you stubborn fox."

"Well my opinion's changed."

"Because of what happened to me?"

"Because I realized that I needed to start acting like a real cop."

That threw Judy. She flung out an arm, forcing him to stop. "Whoa-whoa-whoa, wait a second. What are you talking about? You are a real cop."

"You're right, I am. So it's time I start acting like it, don't you think?"

"Nick, what exactly is going on with—"

"Hopps?" Francine stuck her trunk out of the officer's work room. "I thought I heard you out here. It's good to see you back safe."

"Thank you."

"You have a visitor. He's waiting at your desk."

"Really? Who is it?"

"Don't know. Some fancy bunny in a suit."

"Cottontail?"

"This day just keeps getting better and better," muttered Nick.

With a warning look at her partner, Judy ducked into the room. Cottontail was indeed standing next to her desk, holding a giant bouquet of Persian clover. With his long straight ears and pale gold fur, he looked like he should be hopping around an enchanted forest somewhere.

"Flowers too," said Francine. "Your boyfriend, Hopps?"

"No. A client."

"Well you're client looks awful anxious to see you."

"I think I need more coffee," said Nick, backing up from the doorway.

"Where are you going?" said Judy. "He's your client too."

"Somehow I don't think Cottonbutt will mind if I'm not here. Let me know when you're ready to go, Hopps."

"Wait—Nick, get back here. Nick."

But he kept going, disappearing around the corner without so much as a glance back.

"What is going on with him lately?" Judy wondered. She looked up at Francine. "Do you know?"

The elephant held up her trunk. "Oh no. I make it a point to never get involved in other partners' problems."

"Officer Hopps? Is that you?" Cottontail had spotted her.

Wishing she could sneak away as easily as Nick, Judy pasted on a polite smile and join the other bunny at her desk. "Mr. Cottontail! What a surprise to see you here."

"Ben, please." He handed her the clover. "For you."

"Oh, um, thank you."

"I'm so relieved to see that you're all right. When I heard about what had happened… and who was responsible… I just—well, I feared the worst."

"I'm fine," said Judy. "Really. In fact, I should be apologizing to you. I know how much you wanted to keep this matter private. But due to, well, obvious circumstances, we were forced to make the case public."

Cottontail waved off her apology. "Please. I understand completely. Do not worry about it. I'm just glad that you're safe."

"Oh well, that's a relief to hear." The clover was tickling her chin. There really was an awful lot of it. Judy laid it down on her desk. "I admit I thought you might be more upset."

"Of course not," said Cottontail. "There really was no help for it. They brought it on themselves, even when we tried so hard to help them. It's unfortunate, but what can you do?"

"Lots of things, I'm hoping," said Judy. "I still plan on ending this happily if at all possible."

"Really? How wonderful! I knew I was right in coming to you. And I hear that you have one of them in custody already? That's really something. I hope he's okay. I was led to believe his injuries were quite severe."

"Yes," said Judy, "but we're optimistic he will make a full recovery." At least, she wanted to be.

"What a relief." Cottontail held out his hand. "Well, I guess I better let you get back on the case then."

"Yes. Thank you for stopping by. And for the clover. It's lovely."

"Consider it a get well gift."

Judy thought of the wax carrot Nick had given her and smiled. Between clover and silly fake vegetables, she knew which one she preferred—even if she suspected the later had been swiped off of some fancy bunny's desk in a fit of spite.

Or was it jealousy?

Just the thought made Judy want to laugh, but not in a happy way. Nick, jealous? Over her? What a ridiculous idea to have. Nick cared about her, she knew that he did. But to imagine it was anything more than friendship was just asking for heartbreak, and Judy was not a dumb bunny; she knew better. Nick's attitude stemmed from his dislike of Cottontail and his frustration with the case. Nothing more, nothing less.

And she was okay with that. Whatever these feelings for him were that kept bubbling up, she would deal with them. She would pop them one by one if she had to. And then she would move on and everything would be fine. She would be fine. And their relationship would be...

"All right?"

Judy blinked. Cottontail was watching her, expression concerned.

"I'm sorry. Did you say something?"

"I asked if you were all right. You looked a little..."

"I'm fine," said Judy. "Just still tired from last night."

"You shouldn't neglect your health."

"Rest can wait. The case can't."

"It's good that you're so dedicated. But you should also know your limits."

"Well when I find one," said Judy, "I'll be sure to stop and say hi."

When Cottontail frowned, Judy shook her head apologetically. "Sorry. Too much time around Nick, I guess."

"That's quite all right. And please know that I find your commitment admirable, Officer Hopps. Truly, I do. I just worry about you."

"That's nice of you, but really, there's no need," said Judy.

"Nevertheless, please remember that you are welcome to call me anytime. For anything."

It only sounded like a proposition to Judy because Francine had put the thought into her head. If only he hadn't given her so much clover.

Cottontail left after that. As soon as he was gone, Judy went in search of her partner.

She found him in the break room talking to Officer Howle.

Instead of going over, Judy found herself pausing in the doorway to watch them. Or, really, to watch Nick.

Even if she couldn't give in to any of these feelings, that didn't mean she couldn't… appreciate them in the meantime, did it?

Nick saw her and wrapped up his conversation with the wolf. He loped over to her, no sign of the strange mood that had sent him running off in the first place.

In his paw was an envelope. Judy nodded to it. "What's in there?"

"Pictures. Howle was telling me that they dug up some duffel bags from the collapsed burrow site. Three of them."

"I think I remember seeing them when I was down there. What did they find inside?"

"That's just it." Nick handed her the envelope. "They expected to find valuables. You know, money, expensive jewelry, stolen items. Instead it's all junk. The Corsac's junk as far as they can tell."

"Junk?" Judy pulled out the pictures. All of the items had been laid out on a table and photographed from different angles. There were framed photographs of Carol Hopson, an old quilt, a stuffed fox doll, a dress several decades out of date…

"See?" said Nick. "Worthless. All of it."

"Not worthless," Judy disagreed, looking through the shots a second time. "I'm guessing all of this stuff had a lot of sentimental value for them."

"Really, Carrots?"

"Well, look at the stuff. It's all items only the owners would find important, right?"

"Maybe. But it's not exactly what criminals take on the run now, is it? I mean, there's no money, no change of clothes—that dress does not count. There's not even snacks for the road."

"But the Corsacs weren't on the run," said Judy. "Not then. They didn't even know the ZPD was out looking for them until I told them about it. I suppose they could've been preparing for it, but again—"

"Who takes framed photographs with them?" finished Nick. "You're right. And I don't know about you, but they haven't struck me as the type to plan ahead."

"No." Judy stopped on the picture of the fox toy. Like everything else, it looked old and worn. Well-loved, her mother would say. Stuffing was coming from the seams and the nose looked close to falling off. As a child, she'd had a similar bunny doll that had eventually gotten passed down to a sibling. "So what does that leave?"

Nick shrugged. "Got me. Maybe they're a family of kleptomaniacs?"

"Somehow I don't think that's it."

A sudden thought struck Judy. She stuffed the photos back into the envelope and handed it over to him. "But I might know someone we can ask."

"Let me guess: Robin Swift."

She grinned at him. "You read my mind."

"I read your files."

"Does that mean you're up for a little ride?"

Nick pulled the car keys from his pocket. "Don't you mean drive?"

"Nope." She smiled and held out her paw. "I meant ride."

Her partner rolled his eyes and dropped the keys into her palm.

"No lecture that I should be resting?" asked Judy.

"What would be the point?" said Nick. "Besides, you have more energy after a near-death experience than I do after a full night's sleep. I trust you."

Judy eyed him. "You want to nap on the way, don't you?"

"Carrots, I'm insulted. The thought never even crossed my mind. But now that you mention it, it might be a good idea to rest up while I can. You'll keep the radio down, right?"

He started off down the hall. Judy shook her head and started after him, but stopped when she adjusted her grip on the keys and something small and plastic fell out onto the floor.

She bent to pick it up. It was a medicine packet for one dose of aspirin. Nick must have slipped it to her when he'd given her the keys.

"You coming, Carrots?"

Nick cared. It was enough.

She would make it be enough.

"Yeah." She pocketed the packet of pills. "Yeah, I'm coming."