The docks at two in the morning is an obscure place, far enough away to keep your business in the shadows. The specific area they are going to is surrounded by fronts owned by Mr. Big and company, yet what they're walking into doesn't feel like a Mr. Big operation. If you're going to off somebody this would be the place to do it though, Nick is certain of that detail at least.

Nick notices a shake in Judy's nerves. All of the danger they faced she never quite showed it until now. She looks over to nick and says, "You sure you couldn't get anyone to help out?"

"Finnick would be the only one and he won't work with the cops even if its me."

Judy finally points out the obvious, "This is a trap isn't it?"

Nick just looks on ahead not acknowledging the comment, "We'll be fine." He mustered all of his confidence to say that and Judy bought it. No point in getting her shaken before they even reach Gerard.

And off in the distance they see the silhouette of the moose. He waves at them, "It needs to be kept cool. I have it inside. Follow me." He doesn't wait for them to catch up, he just goes straight in. A bit skittish, thought Nick, but understandable given the circumstances.

The small door was locked leaving Nick and Judy to take the large mammal door. It took all of their strength to force the steel door open, and when it finally gave, Nick, caught the whiff of something foreign yet all too familiar to his instincts. The smell was delectable and his mouth began to salivate at whatever it was.

Judy caught notice of this, "Nick, what's up?"

"Nothing just a smell."

"I may not smell like a fox, but at least Gerard left us a light," She points at the source of illumination bleeding through the maze of boxes stacked on top of each other. Together they make their way through. To Nick he didn't need no light to find his way through, the smell was potent enough, and it traced its way to the center where the light was emanating from. He looked at Judy and saw that the fear hasn't been shaken off of her. For the first time in this entire odyssey, she is afraid. Nick was comfortable letting her lead, but he sees now that he needs to take point from here. Maybe Judy is finally thinking what nick has all along, that this entire investigation was overall a terrible idea. Too late to turn back though, they've gone too far on the deep end at this point. Nick grabbed the courage that Judy lacked and walked on ahead, Judy was closely behind.

Making the bend to the proper alley between the racks of boxes, there they see the package, but no Gerard. Nick creeped closer and tried to get a whiff of him, but the scent from the package was far too dominant for him to pick up anyone else. He had no choice, but to pipe up, "Gerard. Its Nick. I'm here with Judy. You can come out. We're alone."

After a few decade long seconds someone responded. It wasn't Gerard, "The box. Open it." Realizing Nick's apprehension it added a few more words, "Don't worry. Its safe."

That was the least convincing part of what he said. Nick gave another glance at Judy, and saw her take a deep breath, and with a nod walked ahead. She tapped into every bit of courage she can muster and made her way to the box. Nick wasn't going to leave her alone. Together they stood over the package. Judy extended her hand over the box when flood lights beamed on from all trails leading out of the center. Judy pulled her arm back and looked around, Nick saw no point in catching a feel for his surroundings, he had already accepted this outcome and here he stood awaiting for what comes next.

"All doors and windows are locked. You won't be able to leave. Now open the package."

Judy's ears were on high alert, her nose was twitching at a hundred ticks a minute, she looked up at Nick and realized the mistake she made. Not just today's mistake, but the one that started it all. That hunch she had at the funeral, that fateful blasted hunch that brought this on them.

Her eyes grew wide and her ears fell to the floor, "Nick. I'm sorry."

Nick wanted to say something reassuring, but he had enough doubts of his own to let his idea slip into optimism for a way out. This whole set up screams Rodham. All the stories he was told as a hustler went like this. When Rodham comes after you, it ain't just a bat to the head or cement shoes, he plays games and sets you up as a toy. All to leave a message. Don't mess with Rodham. A new story is being added to the enigma that is Rodham. Nick and Judy are prime players in it and their deaths will scream out to all of the ZPD out there. No one would dare come near him after tonight.

"The box, Nick. Open it."

No reason to resist at this point, it may just make things worse. Nick opens the box and once again the smell overwhelms him. He looks at last at what lies before him. It's meat. Prey meat. His ears twitch and he hears the sound of hooves encroaching upon him. He catches the silhouette of antlers overshadowing him, and their before him is a deer standing over him wearing a trench coat and a hat with gloves to keep his fingerprints sealed.

"Hello Nick. Hello Judy. I'm sorry that your investigation had to end like this, but it was either us or you. My employer was kind enough however to let you know at least what it is you were going after. That their is rabbit meat. One of the many fine choices available to our special clients."

Judy's mouth drops and she takes a step back, "You monster."

"It's just a message sweetheart. We decided rabbit was an appropriate choice given your predatory nature, Nick." The deer does not play dumb to the hopelessness of the situation for Nick and Judy. He stands tall, his arms behind his back watching the fear drill its way to Judy's head. She's never seen meat before. Nick knows this, and the deer most certainly knows this.

If this is it might as well keep a stiff back about it. Nick shields himself in front of Judy, "You're Tuck aren't you?"

"Yes I am."

"Where's Gerard?"

Tuck smiles and turns his head and nods. A chain is released and Gerard plummets from the ceiling. His neck snaps instantly, but that doesn't stop him from twitching. Judy lets out a scream, and Nick shows the horror on his face. He knew this was going to be bad, but not like this. Tuck keeps his smile on, getting a kick from their emotions, "We don't usually take meat from Zootopia natives, but you gave us no choice Nick. Moose will be on the menu soon. Our clients will appreciate that"

"If you're going to serve us up you'll get claws and fangs."

Tuck doesn't let the threat break his smile, "No. No fox or rabbit today. Professor Rodham gave me specific instructions for you two."

Nick felt a pinch in his neck. He turned to make sure Judy was doing okay, but she was already on the floor with a dart sticking out of her neck. Nick pulled the dart out and saw it triple before his eyes. He goes down on the floor.

Before everything went black Nick could hear Tuck utter a few final words, "Get em tied and in the van. They got a funeral they need to go to."