Readily Exports and Imports. A small business with only a little warehouse to manage all of their coming and goings. The perfect place to send something elusive while staying under the radar. If this is a front for a contraband smuggling operation then walking in wearing a police officers uniform is a guaranteed way to ensure that everyone will put up a show. And for Nick, that's not a bad thing. Anyone can lie, and depending to whom, you'll get away with it, but Nick knows people. He had to for what he did. In the art of hustling you got to pick the right target, and Nick knows how. He can find someone to spill it all if he wants to. He doesn't feel like he should though.
Judy won't get far if she leads the line of questioning, and she knows it, which is why they agreed that Nick should do the talking while they're in there. This should be the part where Nick comes in and works his charm to further the investigation. But is that a good idea though? Nick doesn't know. To him, he feels that the closer they get to uncovering the truth the more dangerous their lives will become. And if today goes the way Judy wants it to they'll most certainly get the attention they're not looking for. The kind of danger that will put him in harms way, and even worse, Judy's.
This is all he can think of as they drive over to Readily's. It was a silent car ride full of one sentence answers and eyes focused on the road ahead. Judy finally did say something about it though, "Nick, I gotta say. You've been very quiet today. And yesterday too now that I think about it."
"Oh... well. Its just that. A lot of this is..."
"Memory lane?"
"Yea. Something like that."
Judy plants her paw on his lap, "Listen. I know this is something beat cops should not be doing, but someone has to. And it has to be us because no one else will. I'm glad that you're here with me, Nick"
Her hand goes back to her side of the car and Nick feels his heart speed up a few beats. He's confused about the feeling. Is it what she said and did? Or is it because of what he is about to do? He would appreciate more time to let his thoughts sort out, but they're here.
They pull up to the parking lot, and walk up to the main entrance to an empty room hosting a glass display of packaging tools, boxes, and other things the usual clientele would appreciate. By the counter with its absent worker is a bell, Nick looks at Judy and she looks back, they nod, and he taps the bell.
A short wait later a hippo greets them, "Can I help you officer?"
Nick smiles and says, "Yes. We're handling an investigation on the disappearance of Ned Shively. He was a porcupine that worked here. He disappeared last week."
The Hippo responds with fake sympathy, "Ned, yea. I remember him. He was a good guy. I wish I can help you, but I only spoke to him at work."
Nick's smile goes smug, "You only knew him at work?"
"Uhh. Yea."
"That's strange. Because his social media profile has pictures of you and him hanging out at The Busted Tusk."
"It was a work party. Yea. One of those."
Nick bows his nose at him, "A work party at The Busted Tusk?"
The hippo's sweating that's for sure, but he'll just scratch out more excuses and eventually dismiss them for the lack of a warrant so Nick decided he should say something before he does, "Its alright. I understand. He's gone and he might be gone for good. You don't want to be that jerk at the workplace that never liked him."
"Yea! That's right. You know how it is."
"I do. I knew a colleague who passed away recently. I do need to continue with this investigation however. Would you mind if I walked around and asked a few questions to the other employees?"
"No not at all," his face betrays him, Nick spoke too fast for him to register the right response leaving him wishing he ate those words instead.
"Great. It's through this door right?" The hippo just nods, he opened up a can of worms, and they both know it. The pressure is on and if the face gave way then the rest should go tumbling down after him.
And sure enough Nick was right. It didn't take him long to single out the one worker wearing doubt in his face, his name was Gerard Nunez, and he felt for the porcupine, so the moose spilled it all. It started with all the predators getting fired three years back, being blamed for workplace mishaps and other "arranged events" to justify their release from the workforce. Then the bribing started, at first he was okay with it, but in time it became clear that something criminal was happening, and everyone got a raise to not ask why. It did have something to do with the refrigerator room, that much was certain. Ned handled that section, and there was one package that needed special instructions. To the point that, Ned, received a visit from a trench coat wearing deer to receive said instructions. As for where the package went? Ned had to deliver it himself. Where? He never spoke of it to anyone.
Except Leo, Nick, thought, but the Leopard's dead, "Thank you for all the information, Gerard."
Gerard looks around like he's being watched, "Look, whatever happened to, Ned, I'm sure it had to do with that package. You'll find him right?"
Nick didn't have the heart to tell him that he's most certainly dead by now, "Yea. It starts with that package though. Here's my number. Give us a call if you want to help us any further. And we'll make sure you're safe."
"I'm telling you all this, because I'm quitting. This place is rotten, so I'm working at a warehouse in Sahara Square starting next week. I hope you stop whatever is going on around here. For Ned."
"Don't worry. We'll stop 'em."