His canines take a haunch out of a portobello shroom steak, "Leopold and I go way back. He always tried to get me to put on a badge, and I always tried to get him to toss his. We both seek justice you see. I just do it without the red tape. He called me a wacko for it." He works his knife for another large bite, he could've devoured his steak already, but he's the kind of wolf that wants to enjoy the flavor, "When I steal, it's from the corrupt and greedy. When I hurt people, it's to stop them from hurting someone else. Leopold didn't approve of my methods, but I have my ears on the ground and my snout in the air, and I've stopped bad things from happening before they happened. The ZPD has always been a reactionary force, you see? They never stop the crime before it happens. They merely pursue those who've already done it. That is where I am different."

Judy is disarmed by the words. This is suppose to be Junior. A notorious criminal that the ZPD was never able to put a muzzle on. Slippery and clever, supposedly a foul beast to never cross paths with, all while keeping a single piece of evidence away from his name, but this wolf paints an abstract picture. He doesn't strike her as the kind of animal that would harm someone unless he had a good reason for it. His demeanor is even lackluster of what you'd expect from a wanted mammal. He's genuine and kind with a charismatic air about him, yet the scars give him the look of a hardened criminal whose seen more than his share of injuries. She wants to believe that this is just clever misdirection, but it isn't, and if it is he is one damn fine liar.

Junior puts his knife and fork down, cleans his mouth and takes a sip of water, not once breaking eye contact to the point that Judy feels the need to do it herself. He just smiles at her, "Not what you expected?"

"Far from it. Nick, you've been quiet. Is there anything you have to say."

It takes a second for Judy's words to register, "That bulletin of pictures. I can't help, but recognize a lot of people there."

Junior eases his attention at the bulletin, its been swarmed by pictures of all types of animals sharing the same profession, "Officers of the law. You have your wanted board, we got our 'awareness' board."

"In the wrong paws that can be dangerous."

"Then it's a good thing that they're not in the wrong paws."

"Leopold protected you didn't he?"

Junior chuckles at the statement, "We were rivals, and oftentimes we'd cross paths. He wanted to put them behind bars. I wanted to just put them down. But at the end of the day we were on the same side." Another chuckle of nostalgia hits Junior, "He always joked about how good I'll look wearing an orange jumpsuit. 'One day I'm going to slap some cuffs on those filthy paws of yours, Junior.' Guess there's no chance of that ever happening now."

Those words clear the room in silence leaving Junior staring at nothing, but memories, until Judy interjects, "You were close friends. I see that. So you'll help us right?

"The funny thing is. I never helped Leopold. Sends a bad message siding with the law, but I'll make an exception. He was a friend, and I had a lot of respect for him."

Nick pulls out his paper and pen and Judy leans in ready to deliver the first question, "What do you know about his death?"

"The case file the ZPD has is wrong. He didn't just cross paths with some wack job with a few screws loose. It was a calculated move by Professor... Rodham."

Junior's tone goes dark. The mention of the name is enough to give him a pause for words, and Judy a rope to grab on, "Whose Professor Rodham?"

"No one you ever want to cross paths with. Next question?"

"No, same question. If he's the killer we need to know everything you got about him."

"I don't know anything about him, just that he protects other criminals."

Whether he's telling the truth or not Judy knows a dead line of questions when she sees one, "Okay. Did you at least see Leopold being accompanied by a porcupine."

"Yea, Ned. He went missing about around the time Leo bit it. Probably skipped town."

Judy doesn't relent, "We'll find out where he is."

"No need for any of that." Junior takes a deep breath, "Tuck probably got to him already."

"Tuck?"

"I already said enough. Interview's over," Junior rises and escorts them to the door.

"You said you'd help."

"I did. And this is all the help I can give you. It was better than what Leo got."

Judy gets up, but isn't quite ready to leave yet, "One last question. The porcupine. He had a package with him. What was in the package?"

"I honestly don't know. And I don't want to know. Now leave." He takes a second as the thoughts weigh heavy on his shoulders, "Look, I like you guys, and I wish I could do more, but Rodham's the king of the criminal underworld. He has a lot of investments both legal and illegal. Leo made the mistake of going after Rodham. If you follow in his footsteps you'll end up dead too."

Junior's eyes says enough for them to know that there is nothing more they can say to change his mind. He just gives them a dead-mammal-walking look as they leave the door and out of Coco Lobo's. Nick does feels the impact of the words though, Professor Rodham, he's suppose to be a ghost, a legend concocted for the minds of all the young hustlers and criminals of the world. Juniors words were all too real though, Professor Rodham does exist. A look at Judy just shows her even more determined than ever to avenge Leo's death. This is no a longer a simple murder, and there's no way he can talk her down now. She's either going to crack this case or find a home in a casket.

Nick has no choice now. He has to be by her side. If she goes down, he'll go down with her. Together.