AN: Already posted on AO3 a couple days ago- the delay here was accidental.
Chapter 2- The World is Way Too Fast
In the last five months, Judy had been on no less than fifteen horrible dates with sixteen different guys she had been set up with by her mother and by the ever enthusiastic Benjamin Clawhauser once he heard she was dating. In fact, it was one of Clawhauser's picks that had switched with a friend half way through the movie thinking she was too stupid to notice. It had proved so trying at times, she had found herself wishing for a way she could communicate to Nick how badly she wanted out, which provided the birth of the Officer's Assistance Line. It was Nick's baby and once word got out, it proved to be quite popular with the civil servants in Center One who were single and subjected to bad dates. 'Of course,' Nick thought to himself one Tuesday afternoon, 'the rest of these guys don't know how easy they've got it compared to some of the morons poor Judy had been exposed to. However, the extra dough does come in handy when rescuing my partner.' Though Nick knew that Judy had managed to have a couple decent nights out and had seen one or two of the guys more than once; on the whole, the males she did not pick herself were never seen again, in large part because they all had a flaw that killed the evening before it could come to it's natural conclusion. On those evenings when Judy sent out a signal for him to swoop in with an excuse and get her out of there, he would try to meet her somewhere in between where she had been and her apartment where he knew she would go to curl up with whatever exotic dessert her parents had sent along that week. When he was still up and dressed, he would put in an appearance and attempt to catch her on her way home; surprising her the first few times it happened. Surprise gave way to relief after the first few encounters, at what he assumed was being able to see a friendly face and decompress before heading home. Lately, however, there was something else in her smile; he almost hoped it was excitement because she surely perked up at meeting with him. They'd go wander around one of the many unique neighborhoods the city offered, sometimes catching a comedy show or having a late dinner in a local dive. These secondary dates gave Nick time he craved with her away from work and a chance to boost her spirits if they were down. After, as he walked her home, they would enjoy the ambient city noise together.
The Officer's Assistance Line idea struck after the fifth bad date she'd had in two weeks. Some rabbit had taken Judy a play she had been dying to see that was in town for a few days, and had proceeded to sing throughout the performance much to the annoyance of those around him and the embarrassment of Nick's favorite bunny. Although he wasn't a fan of her dating, Nick found the whole event hysterical; part of that could be because he was the one who gave Clawhauser the idea to find some bunny who liked music and theater but even Nick couldn't have asked for this perfect specimen. As he and Judy sat in an ice cream shop near his apartment three evenings later, he listened to her tale of woe and tried his hardest to hide his mirth.
"…as if it wasn't bad enough that he's humming Black Sable during the part where the lead actress is sobbing over the loss of…" Nick was zoning in and out listening to her with a grin, he was truly enjoying watching her face as she rehashed the date from the bowels of a Vukodlak*, as she termed it. "… and all I wished is for you to call me and tell me I had to leave then and there because we had a case or something," she lamented, dropping her forehead to the table, narrowly missing her ice cream.
"I would always be willing to do that for you, Carrots, you know that. I've offered before, you just have to let me know," was that tenderness in his voice, he wondered, deciding to ignore the tingling in his cheeks. "Unfortunately, this," he gestured between the two of them with his spoon, swiping a bit of her peach and strawberry parfait as he went, "partnership of ours doesn't allow for long-distance mind reading," he replied congenially. Swiftly sitting up, Judy made to swat at him and pulled her treat closer to her chest as if that would protect it from his searching spoon.
"You've got your own," she scolded, "leave mine to me. I'm in pain over here. Dating is the worst!" With that dire pronouncement, his overly animated tablemate slumped back in her seat.
Looking down as his nearly finished blueberry sorbet cone, his indignant response slipped past his lips, "But you always pick the better desert!"
"Then order the same thing as me next time!" her exasperation with the situation was only as bad as it was because of what they had been discussing, he could see her trying to decide if it was worth attempting to steal a bite of his, and Nick wanting to set the peace, offered her a bite of before she could act. Watching as she delicately licked part of the cone froze his thoughts and he momentarily forgot what they were talking about and where they were as his poor brain forced a reboot. The way her tongue had darted out and gently stroked the cone to remove the treat sent his mind into overdrive and he forced himself to tuck the image away for a more appropriate time as he felt himself flush at her action and self-satisfied smile.
Inhaling a deep breath redolent with dairy, sugar and a hint of fruit, he cleared his throat, "I can't, and you always make me go first because you need the extra time to make up your mind."
Groaning, Judy dropped her head to her palm and Nick took the opportunity to swipe another taste. It was not that bad, was not blueberry, but was not bad at all. Getting back to the matter at hand, Nick stated, "I know you worry about being rude because your parents drilled manners but what if these guys really liked you and by going to the end of the date you're unconsciously leading them on? Did you ever consider that?"
"I highly doubt that's even a part of their thought process."
'Hmm, the sarcasm is strong with this one,' he thought. "Look, all I'm saying is shoot me a text and I'll find a way to get you out of there without any bunny's feelings getting hurt," he thought he sounded reasonable.
"Pbht, yeah, and when my date sees me texting someone named 'Nick' that I'm having a horrible time, please rescue me, I'll be a paragon of politeness," the derisive disbelief in her voice spurred him forward.
"So do it in code. Keep your phone out of sight- if possible- and send me a word, it just has to be one word and I'll call you to get you out of there," he was really warming up to this idea. He could get her out of whatever bad date she was on and maybe they could hang out if there was still time that same night.
"Even in silent mode, you're muzzle is all over my screen when you call. And thank heavens I was able to silence that ringtone you made for your contact," the practicality in her voice was doing a poor job of masking her frustration. "I might have to get Skippy to fix what you did."
"That would require you explaining to your younger brother what I did and why I did it. Anyway, I can get a new number, you can create new contact, and we'll go from there," Nick's voice bled excitement and he could feel his face light up at the idea. "Zoogle has a thing where you can get a free number from them; we'll get it to look as close to one from dispatch as possible, and we can even have an outgoing voice message that says it's an unmonitored line part of the ZPD if one of them gets overly suspicious and decides to call." This was the greatest idea he'd had in a while, and since it was to directly benefit his beautiful best friend- and possibly him- his enthusiasm was boiling over. If he could only get Judy to go for it, they would be golden.
"All legal, and a get out of a bad date free card? Seems to good to be true," he could hear the skepticism in her tone but- and in his eyes- more importantly, hope was starting to leak into her eyes. He was nearly there and he knew what would push her over the edge.
"You aren't the only one suffering through bad dates in the department; have you listened to Fangmeyer lately? Poor guy attracts crazy like no one I've ever met. Finnick included! We can share the number with the others if you want, but you'll have to help me if it gets overloaded," he warned.
"Deal," her answer was swift and unwavering like the paw she thrust toward him. Her bright eyes looking like the weight was lifting; deep down, Nick knew this subject had been taking its toll on her but he had not been able to come up with a solution- an easy solution- before now. Taking her paw and delivering a deal setting firm shake, he stole another bite of her treat. "Nick!" she admonished.
He shrugged, "We've got no champagne to seal the deal I thought it would be fine to share ice cream instead." The innocence in his voice shocked him, but he was not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. He suddenly felt happier about her dating than when she'd announced it all those months ago on that fateful run. Nick was aware how his annoyance with her dating had grown since she had first mentioned the idea of it to him months before, he could acknowledge that the annoyance stemmed from the fact he was miserable with her misery at some of the more classless idiots she had been exposed to, but it failed to explain why it grew when she enjoyed herself on the few occasions it had happened. Logically, Nick could identify the cause; emotionally, he knew accepting that truth would cripple him and their friendship: that she was the best thing that had happened in his life in longer than he could remember.
Smiling at him, Judy offered him the remainder of her treat, "Then here's to the Nick Wilde Rescue Aid Society."
The name hadn't stuck, which Judy could understand but since she had been the one to think of it, it did little to ease the burn of rejection. She could admit to the brilliance of it, and some weekends she helped him man the line, keeping an eye on those requesting an assist on getting out of a bad night out. Those that knew of it had a code word they would text in and Nick or Judy knew it meant how they had to respond. True to what Nick mentioned, Fangmeyer was one of their most frequent fliers. One night, his date had snatched up the phone as Judy had called to give him an excuse to leave. After the, ahem, young lady finished spewing her vitriol at Judy, Judy pretended to be Fangmeyer's mother in hopes that the tiger would be able to extricate himself from his companion without the aggressive female trying to keep in touch. Also, because what his date had said was so offensive, that Judy had a hard time not reading the girl the riot act over the phone. Nick thought she had gained a servant for life in the grateful officer.
Judy glanced up to see Nick step away from his still new desk to take a call on his cell phone; she wondered why he would take the call with less than forty-five minutes left on their shift.
"Carrots, I've got to go. Can you cover for me for the rest of the shift?" The urgent voice broke into her day dreams. Nick was looking panicked and shifting his weight, like he was getting ready to bolt for the doors.
"Nick, what's wrong?" Responding to the alarm in his voice, Judy took him by the elbow and led him to a more private area of the bull pen.
He made a move to shake her paw from his arm, "It's nothing," he dismissed. "I just have to leave now."
"Nick, we're partners. Just tell me," Judy felt her own terror rising, she hoped nothing was seriously wrong. Trying to bring him out of the fight-or-flight mode he was descending into, Judy tried calm logic, "You're still under your probationary period, tell me so I can help. Please?!" Her voice rose a bit but a quick look around showed no one paying any interest.
"My mom called. She's having issues with her apartment and needs my help," the nervous energy was rolling off of him and beginning to infect her. He turned away to eye the door.
"Then we'll go together. We're partners, if one of us stays behind, it'll look suspicious. If we both are gone, then we should be fine. We can tell the chief we were following up a tip on the purse snatcher case," Judy reasoned.
Nick shook his head, "I don't want to drag you into a family issue." He began to walk away.
"I thought she had a problem with her apartment?" Judy was prying, she knew it but she could also see her partner struggling with something. Nick had helped so much recently; she just wanted to return the favor.
"Hopps, please, just give me this? If I catch hell for it I will but I'm not bringing you down with me," he murmured looking past her shoulder. "The landlord is harassing her."
Trying to regain so control of the situation, Judy thought quickly and knew what she needed to do. Striving to keep her voice calm, she began to mentally build the wall she was going to need to force the issue. "I'll let you drive and I won't change clothes; I'll get the car pulled around and we can leave as soon as you're ready to go."
Nick swung around to stare at her. "You'd take that chance for me?"
"Yes." She wasn't sure if he was talking about them getting caught or his driving but she wasn't willing to ask for clarification at the moment.
"Fine, but you can drive, if you don't mind me changing in the car," he offered.
"Deal. I'll do you one better. Go change in the locker room and I'll pull the car around the back and pick you up," Judy wondered if her joy at being able to keep him from running off was palpable anyone else or if it was just her. Nick gave a brief nod before grabbing his bag and heading for the locker rooms. Judy snagged her own and her keys and went to the parking lot. Once there, she saw Francine slam the door to her cruiser; jogging over, Judy called out to the friendly elephant, "Hey Francine, what's wrong?"
"The streets are clogged all around City Center. I just spent the last forty minutes stuck a block from here. Can't believe I made it at all. Should have just left the damn car behind," Francine replied angrily.
"Oh, crackers," was all Judy could muster. Thanking the elephant for the information, she high-tailed it to the exit where Nick would be appearing any moment. Pulling out her phone, she checked the map of the local area- it was much worse than Francine let on; then she pulled up the subway schedule; she had a rough idea where Ms. Wilde lived, and if they could hurry there was a train that could get them there quickly despite the road traffic.
Seeing Nick's red head as he exited the locker room, she ran up to him, calling his name. When he turned to look at her, she caught his arm and started them towards the subway station. "Carrots, what's going on?" Judy could hear the warning in his voice.
"Surface streets are blocked for at least a half a mile around us. Some big to do today, but I can't remember what right now. There is a subway that will be leaving for your mother's area of town within five minutes if we can make it to the station in time. But we got to run, now." Picking up on the urgency, Nick took her bag from her and helped her make it through the busy surface streets to the subway. Once on the train car, he turned to look at her.
"I gotta give you points for quick thinking, Fluff. But how do you know where my mother lives?" Nick breathed roughly. The question seemed innocent enough but Judy felt guilt she was not expecting.
"I saw the emergency contact form you filled it out when you started. I think it's great you two live near-ish to one another," she panted lightly, out of breath from struggling through the herds of mammals. Judy swore she could feel his eyes digging into her, and kept her own eyes shut in hopes the shame she felt could be contained.
Nick gave a wry laugh, "Smart bunny."
Judy cracked an eye at him and responded with her usual, "Dumb fox." Taking in his crumpled Hawaiian shirt and khaki's that had seen better days, Judy settled into the seat next to her friend. They rode the rest of the way to Ms. Wilde's apartment building in silence. Once they disembarked the train, Judy began asking questions, "What kind of trouble is the landlord giving you mom?"
"Mom didn't say, just that he was badgering her. Or that he is a badger, I can't really remember anything after she said she was in trouble except for feeling angry," Nick admitted, flattening his ears against his skull. "Thanks, by the way, for talking me down back at the station."
"Don't mention it. You've done so much for me lately, I owe you; besides, I really don't feel like breaking in a new partner just yet," Judy replied evenly, a faint smile ghosting her lips. Nick's footsteps were picking up and Judy figured they were close.
"I've told her I'd help her move; that she doesn't need to stay here- we can get her a nicer place. She says she likes it here, knows her neighbors and I just don't know some days…" Nick did not seem to be aware he was speaking out loud, and Judy was not sure how to respond to his words. Taking stock of her surroundings, Judy noticed that was an older neighborhood on the west side of the city, with well kept streets but the buildings could use some love. At a grayed brick building, Nick bounded up the entry stairs; pulling out his keys and opened the door for them, ushering Judy ahead of him.
"Mom's on the third floor, apartment E," Nick advised her, as he stepped in front of her again to lead the way. In the small vestibule, to her right looked like the community mailboxes abused by years of use, an old-fashioned lift sat sadly to her left and a worn out staircase in front of her. Nick continued quickly up the stairs, that to Judy looked like they would barely hold her weight – let alone her partners- before hurrying up after the nearly frantic fox, who was so inside his own head he forgot to make sure his partner was keeping up. As he came to the door labeled '3E,' he paused to allow her to catch up before knocking on the door. "Hey Ma, its Nick!"
There was the sound of soft footfalls behind the door and a chain being released; after a moment, the door cracked open before being pulled wide. Judy smiled at seeing mother and son together, as the vague family resemblance became more apparent. Even with the different shades in their fur, Judy could see that Nick took after his mother more than she had originally thought; beyond sharing an eye color, they shared a similar way of holding themselves and the confidence that leaked out struck her as amusing. Smiling brighter at Nick greeting his mother, Judy turned her attention to the hallway as waited to be invited in; it was not necessarily dim and she was sure that if the windows were cleaned from the outside it would brighten the area considerably. So would removing the dingy wallpaper and changing out the worn out industrial carpet.
"Nicholas, you're early!" the surprise in the vixen's voice was as evident as the smile. She threw her arms about her son, "I wasn't expecting you for another hour at least. I'm still getting dinner ready; you'll just have to wait a little while or help me in the kitchen to get it out sooner."
"No- ugh, Mother, no. We're not here for dinner, you said you were having issues with the landlord?" the distress Nick was feeling came out heavily in his voice. "Seriously, what's going on?" Judy watched as he tried to negotiate his mother back into the apartment.
"Nicholas, I know I have told you about my feelings and trusting people who call their mothers 'Mother.' I won't have it," the affectionate warning had Judy cocking her ears; she missed those interactions with her mom. "Did you say 'We?' Who did you bring-" Judy smiled around Nick's shoulder and offered an embarrassed wave.
"Judy, dear! How wonderful to see you again, won't you come in?" Pulling away from her son, Ms. Wilde came forward and greeted Judy just as warmly as she had Nick, with a big hug that reminded Judy of home and made her a little sad. As Ms. Wilde stepped back, she cupped the left side of Judy's face giving her an apprising glance, "Dear, you are looking like you could use a good meal, I've got coffee on. Would you like to come in and rest a bit before its ready?"
"Ah," Judy shot a panicked glance at Nick, who was standing in the middle of the hallway looking confused. She had never brought up the afternoon coffee from all those months ago; having never found a way to bring it up without feeling self-conscious about waiting to mention it. Ms. Wilde, with her lean arm slung around Judy's shoulders, led her into a well appointed apartment, the windows were clean and warm sunlight was streaming in on the cozy space. The couch was overstuffed and looked like a cloud waiting to cradle the body that sat there. There was a small television in the corner and a reading chair with a lamp over the right side of it. Judy was impressed with the three oversized bookshelves that were filled to the point of overflowing with books. Different titles and genres she would not have expected to see popped out at her.
Manners ingrained from birth came forward and helped Judy find her way past the awkwardness she felt, "Your home is lovely, Ms. Wilde."
"You've met Judy before, Mom?" Judy heard the tremor of disbelief in his voice and mentally cringed, trying to figure out how she could explain to Nick what happened and not have him hate her.
"Not officially, no. You've never formally introduced us," the light censure in her tone had Judy trying to catch Nick's eyes and figure out what was going on as she was turned to face him. "I did bump into her at your graduation but we really didn't have a chance to talk much beyond polite 'How-do-you-dos.'" Looking at the female next to her, Judy was trying to put together what was going on. It was completely true that the two had seen each other at Nick's graduation from the academy and had barely exchanged pleasantries before Judy was called away for photos. Focusing on Nick, she saw as a blush began to climb his features; rubbing his paw over his face, Nick gave a sigh she knew too well: the one of a long-suffering offspring in the face of their creator's antics.
"Mothe- uh, Mom," the annoyed undertone in his voice amused Judy for a reason she could not name and she could not suppress her grin, "Ugh, ok, ok, fine. I'll introduce you." Nick came over to the two females and once he had removed his mother's arm from Judy's shoulders, he replaced it with his own and pulled Judy into his side next to him, taking a few steps back. "Mom, I'd like for you to meet Judy Hopps, my co-worker on the ZPD, my friend, and current partner in crime," Nick swept his arm from his mother to Judy and bent his body toward her, almost as if he was preparing to wrap himself around her to protect her something unpleasant; Judy felt her cheeks warm at the closeness and his gesture. When he turned his gaze down to hers, he froze a moment before continuing, "Judy, allow me to present the amazing and talented Ms. Eugenia Wilde, the woman who raised me from a kit by herself after my father passed, who didn't end me although she probably should have many times, also known as Mother Extraordinaire." The pride in his voice and the way he motioned lovingly at the vixen before them warmed Judy's heart.
Stepping from the warmth of Nick's body, Judy bowed her head a little and shyly extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance, Ms. Wilde." Judy was thrown off guard when she was pulled forward into another hug.
"The pleasure is mine, my dear, now we don't stand on ceremony in this house," Nick's groan begged otherwise from behind her. His mother turned and directed a "Hush, you," in his direction before guiding Judy to the center seat of the sofa, "Have a seat, dear, I'll bring the coffee and check on dinner. Nicholas, talk to our guest." Judy swore she heard Nick's paw connect with his muzzle.
As Nick moved toward the pink reading chair, his mother's voice rang from the kitchen, "And don't think about sitting in my seat, now!" Another deep groan was pulled from his chest as he sat down in the corner of the sofa, pulling a still standing Judy down with him.
'I was right,' Judy thought. "It feels like I'm sitting on a cloud," she whispered, nervous at being overheard. Nick gave a wry laugh, his forearm over his eyes, head thrown back into the cushions.
"I feel like I owe you an apology and maybe an explanation," he whispered in her ear, making her shiver. "I rushed you over here for what looks like nothing more than my mother wanting me to visit. I mean, it has been a couple weeks since I've seen her but I didn't expect her to do this." Nick waved his paw around between the two of them. "I'm sorry I ran out of work and dragged you with me, but thanks for coming," he offered with a weak smile.
"Its fine," Judy leaned over and bumped his shoulder with hers, "You're really lucky to have your mom around like this." Judy turned her face away as she felt the telltale burn behind her eyes of tears trying to come forward. A sniffle snuck past her defenses.
"Carrots, you okay?" Nick sat forward, his paw coming to her shoulders, rubbing the knot that had formed between them. Looking up at him, Judy went with honesty because it was easiest.
"It makes me miss home," she said simply.
"Oh, Fluff." The sympathy in his voice had Judy jumping up to pace in front of the couch. She could feel his eyes on her back; it felt like they penetrating into her soul and she quickly turned to face him.
"Don't," she warned. "Please, don't. Give me thirty seconds, give me fifteen and I'll be fine. Don't be nice with me right now."
A wry, one-sided smile graced his face, "Okay then. But you're going to want to sit down before she gets back because she'll just fret over you some more."
"Oh," Judy looked down at her feet, "Okay, thanks for the warning." As she moved to sit back down on the dream couch, Nick pulled her closer to his seat.
She must have looked at him funny, because he gave a half shrug as he said, "She'll notice if you've moved and give me an interrogation about it later." Judy could only nod, so overwhelmed by the feeling of being home and missing her family as she was. Yet there was a part of her that was enjoying being in that apartment right then.
The cheery voice came from the kitchen, "How do you kids want your coffee?"
Judy felt the rumble of his reply in his chest as he turned his head and spoke in the direction of what Judy assumed was the kitchen area, "Mom, I told you: we didn't come for dinner, or coffee. You said you were having a problem with the landlord?"
The subtle clinking of dishware began to grow louder from behind Judy, as Ms. Wilde came in from the kitchen carrying a tray with a bedecked with a light snack and anything they could have needed for their drinks, the older vixen had used what looked like an heirloom tea set for their coffee, patterned blue flowers danced across the porcelain pot and cups, which were tinkling delicately on their matching saucers as she gracefully entered the living room with a tray laden with their snack. Ignoring her son, she turned to Judy, "Dinner will be ready shortly; I hope you'll join us, it's a simple vegetable soup." Based on the smells Ms. Wilde carried in with her, Judy could tell it was homemade.
Her stomach rumbled in answer for her; and Ms. Wilde answered with a full on belly laugh. Feeling Nick's body quivering lightly in his humor next to her, a mortified Judy spoke up, "If it's not too much trouble. Dinner smells spectacular." The bashful answer was the correct one, apparently, as Ms. Wilde gave Judy a sly wink.
"So, Mom, how are you?" Nick inquired from beside Judy, his voice carefully concealing his irritation. Judy smiled briefly down at her paws, proud she could pick up on the little cues he gave, like the way he shifted next to her and how he controlled his voice.
As his mother poured the cups of coffee, she turned to her son, "I'm so upset, dear. This business with the landlord is no good," She handed Judy then Nick their coffee before fixing her own. "Poor Mr. Biederman is especially distressed, and most of the neighbors just feel vulnerable anymore." Judy followed Ms. Wilde's cue and prepared hers with a little cream, just like she liked it. Next to her, Judy turned her head as Nick poured enough cream and sugar into his drink that it nearly matched the color of his mother's fur. Containing her involuntary gag, Judy set her coffee on the table before her and tried to discreetly pull out her notepad and pen.
"Yeah, Mom, I gathered you were having trouble with him, that's why we rushed over before the end of work. To see what we could do to help?" The aggravation was coming back in his tone; hoping to stave off another roundabout match, Judy place a paw lightly on Nick's knee which stopped him from further jabbing at the issue.
"Ms. Wilde," Judy interjected smoothly, "What happened with Mr. Biederman? Do you feel comfortable discussing it right now?"
"Hopps, we're not here-" Nick was cut off by a shushing noise from his mother. Judy felt as he threw himself back into the couch, another growl of frustration issuing from his jaws.
"Nicholas, I'm getting tired of you not listening," the scold was swift and said with love but even Judy could still feel the sting. With his ears flattened to his skull, Nick sat back and made a gesture with his hands for the women to continue.
Judy returned her attention to Nick's mother, and on closer inspection, it seemed the older fox was still gathering her wool, so to speak. Judy waited with her pad and pen, before seizing on an idea. "Ms. Wilde, do you mind if I record this conversation? Would that make it easier on you?" When the vixen nodded, Judy hopped up and went to her bag on the floor by the door. Grabbing her smart phone, she accessed the app and began, "This is Officer Judy Hopps of Prescient One interviewing Ms. Eugenia Wilde regarding a landlord and tenant dispute. Ms. Wilde, do you give your consent to have this conversation recorded?" Judy sat back down next to Nick, who was looking on with veiled interest.
"I consent," Ms. Wilde replied as Judy set the phone on the coffee table between them.
"Excellent. Ms. Wilde, could you please explain what is happening between you and the landlord for me?" Judy kept the professional tone and could see Nick's mother respond favorably to it.
"I will. Recently, the landlord—that's Mr. Cranford Johnson—he came to me about my rent being late and demanding I pay him my missed rent and late fees in cash. When I told him he was mistaken, that I paid by check and I paid before it was due; he told me the owner's were unable to cash my check because the bank wouldn't accept the check, the funds weren't… Available and he said some other impolite things I don't care to repeat in mixed company." With that, she nodded her head like everything was decided. Judy felt Nick lean forward, and before he could speak, Judy cut in.
"Thank you, Ms. Wilde; I would like to note here that your son, Officer Nicholas P. Wilde is sitting in on this interview to help facilitate it." Shooting Nick a warning glance coupled with a restraining paw on his knee, Judy continued, "Ms. Wilde, you said you pay by check and that you paid early this month, any reason why?"
"Rent's due by the fourth of the month; I can drop it off anytime after the twentieth. I like to pay before the last day of the month because my bank statements close out on the third of the month, and generally it shows my rent check has been cashed by then. This month it shows my check was cashed on the first; my dear, it might sound jaded but I'm a fox, and not everybody is that trusting. I like doing things aboveboard but I also like making sure I'm as protected as I can be," this final statement changed Ms. Wilde's voice from cleanly professional to sadly disconnected.
Pushing her sympathy for her best friend and his mother out of the way, Judy struggled to find the words to continue. Remembering the mention of her neighbors, Judy tried that avenue. "Are you the only one having this issue?"
Ms. Wilde shook her head. "Unfortunately no. Mr. Biederman has apparently been having issues for sometime. His daughter is talking about moving him to an assisted living facility in part because of this; he's the delightful badger than lives in 2C, remember him, Nicholas? He used to be a minister of some sort." Ms. Wilde smiled softly at the mention of her neighbor. Judy wondered if there was more to the story there; Nick was looking like he wanted to say something but wanted to avoid being hauled over the coals again. "Several others have already left, they didn't appreciate the turn management had taken."
Nick finally interjected, "Mom, you know you don't have to stay here. We can find you somewhere nicer in another part of the city." The tenderness in his voice was enough that Judy took a moment to bow her head and gather her already wayward emotions. She had known he was an amazing friend, but seeing the caring son side was doing things to her she wasn't prepared for.
"And I've told you, Son, I'm not leaving. I'll not be chased from the home I shared with your father; the home where I raised you," the gentle rebuke caused Judy's breath to catch in her throat. She could understand why now, why Ms. Wilde would refuse to leave. "Nor the friendships I've spent years cultivating."
Nick's heavy sigh broke Judy's revelry, "But Mom…" Whatever Nick had been about to say was interrupted the rough banging on the front door causing both officers to jump to their feet.
"Oi, Mrs. Vixen, you got my money?" The voice on the other side was even crasser than the fist on the door. Nick was up and unlocking the door open before Judy realized he had moved from next to her. Ms. Wilde stood up and moved to block Judy's view of Nick's back. Judy glanced down at the recorder, glad to see that it is still recording and for the foresight to download the recording app. As the door swung open to reveal the intruder, Judy was struck because Mr. Johnson failed to meet her preconceived notions based on what Ms. Wilde had said. He was a skunk, and he was much shorter than Nick; no longer could he be called muscular as his physique had gone to seed. His gray fur was tinged with black mottle dye that had begun to wash out onto his clothes, which were ragged and in need of a good wash. As Mr. Johnson eyed Nick, Judy readied herself for what ever was about to come. The snarl came quickly, "Who da hell are you?"
Nick allowed a bit of growl to slip into his voice as he answered tightly, "Her son."
"Ah, the good-for-nothing grifter; you come to pay off your mommy's debts?" The sheer nastiness in the voice curdled Judy's stomach. She noticed Ms. Wilde had moved to stand beside her son and had put a restraining paw on his arm.
"Actually, Mr. Johnson, my son is a member of the Zootopia police force," Ms. Wilde informed him as she stood tall with pride bearing a sweet smile on her face. Judy saw as the older fox attempted to move the younger from near the door as the skunk walked in.
"Yeah, right. Foxes don't be cops. I'm not stupid; you gots my money or no?" The snide tone he took wasn't sitting well with Judy and she decided she it was time to step in.
"Um, Hi!" Judy popped up across from Nick and his mother, she could not be sure but that glare he gave her might have meant 'Butt out,' although it's was too late for him that she had found her opening. Using the most accommodating voice she was able to summon, she plunged on, "Excuse me but you weren't about to try to extort money from this nice lady just because she is a fox, were you? 'Cause, ya know, that would violate statute 760.23.2 of the Housing Code for Zootopia, and as a privately owned building the owners could face a fine of $550.00 for each instance of extortion?" By this point, she was not sure which male was sending her a better withering look. Nick looked like he wanted to lock her up back at the station but Mr. Johnson looked like he could not fathom a rabbit in a police uniform, which Judy was glad she had not changed out of.
"What's this? You hire a cute stripper to pretend to be a cop?" The question had clearly sent Nick over the edge, as Judy was sure he would have hit the foul creature before them if his mother had not stepped in the way of his paw; the growl he let loose was enough to set Judy's fur to attention.
Trying for tougher than she had originally wanted to be, Judy tried to educate the man with her best smile on. "No sir, not a stripper. My name is Judy Hopps; I'm with the ZPD out of Prescient One." At his blank look, she pulled the trump card that generally caused recognition, "My partner, Officer Wilde," she motioned to Nick, "and I broke the Night Howler case." She was smiling politely, trying to follow Nick's dictate to not let him see he was getting to her.
"You called the fricken' cops? Are you crazy, lady?" The skunk reeled around, incredulous; Judy could work with this.
Mustering all the wide eyed innocence she could, Judy answered the man before Nick could, "No sir, I was on this side of town with my friend and partner, meeting his mother." Judy caught Nick's paw hitting his forehead as she gestured toward the foxes. "It's just lucky that I was in the right place at the right time, I guess." She gave a shrug of artlessness.
The sneer that came across the man's face as he pushed his way past the two at the door had Judy worried for what was coming next. "Then good, evict her. Now. She ain't paid rent this month, and refuses to."
Sending a warning look at Nick to stay back, Judy replied amicably, "Then, sir, you need to go through the housing commission and file the proper paperwork. As a property owner, you should be aware that eviction can take months in some cases; I'm sure you have documented all infractions properly?"
"Forget that, I justs collect rents, I don't own this dump. If the owner's want it, I serve it up," the ambiguity of the statement sounded to Judy like almost enough of a confession.
Prodding the wound, Judy replied, "I'm sorry, I don't take your meaning?"
"I does what the owner's want and if they want a filthy fox out, I gets her out," he announced proudly. Judy was grateful the dimwitted skunk had moved out of range of the Wildes as they both looked ready to take him out.
Letting her indignant feelings seep into her voice, Judy asked coldly, "And did they request it?"
"Not telling you," he began before making a move to hit Judy. She tried to duck as his large paw hit her left shoulder and tossed her toward the bookshelves. Catching herself midflight, she aimed her hit for the ground in front of the shelves and rebounded back to the idiot landlord. "You bi-"his crude reply was cut off as Judy dove for Mr. Johnson's fist before Nick could reach him.
"Officer Wilde, stay back!" she commanded. Nick's ears once again flattened to his skull, standing between his mother and Judy; Judy could feel as they watched her tussle briefly with the skunk before cuffing him and informing him of his rights. "Mr. Johnson, you are being arrested for attempted extortion, intimidation, and assault of a police officer. Wilde, will you call headquarters? My phone is still recording." Heaving a heavy sigh, Judy raised herself off the offensive beast; turning to Ms. Wilde, Judy apologized for the ruckus as she motioned between her phone and Mr. Johnson.
Nodding her understanding, a shaken Ms. Wilde said, "Thank you, dear, for handling the situation. If it's okay with you, I think I'll go check on dinner while you two sort this mess out. I'm sorry to leave a guest to deal with the trash, though."
Judy smiled at the older female before turning her attention toward Nick, who had moved to the hallway to call for assistance. Seeing that he was properly distracted, Judy gathered her phone and shut of the recording before quickly backing it up to her cloud storage and sending a copy to her work e-mail. The dazed mutterings of the landlord caught Judy's attention, and while she most decidedly did not appreciate the description as a 'damn bunny cop stripper,' she did not know how Nick would feel about her using her belt to muzzle the fool. Sighing, Judy tried to counsel the skunk, "You really need to learn to respect your right to remain silent."
*Vukodlak- (Slavic) Undead vampire werewolf
*Basing Zoogle talk off of Google Talk, a free service by Google attached to your email that let's you sign up for a second number.
*The fair share of this chapter was written in a junk-food induced haze from multiple Krispy Kremes and potato chips (but not mixed together.)
*The idea that eviction can take months is true in some cases, more so in private rentals rather than from a management company although I have seen it happen in both in days and over months.