Chapter 9: Shadows (Part 2)
POV (Judy)
We arrived at a quaint little cafe a couple blocks from the station. It was a part of town that I knew well, but I had never ventured into this particular establishment.
"Good day Officer Wilde and Officer Hopps." The engaging hostess greeted us, leading the way to our seats. "I have your table right over here. I must say, that is a lovely rose you have there Officer Hopps."
"Thank you very much." I said with a bit of pride. "Please call me Judy and this is Nick."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Heather; your server will be along shortly. You two have a wonderful meal and if you need anything, please let me know." The little Otter said graciously.
"We will, thank you." I smiled at her, as she left, before turning to Nick. "She is super nice, but I feel like I know her from somewhere."
"Maybe you do... she is Emit Otterton's niece." Nick told me casually.
"No way! Small world." I said, amazed at how things work out. "But, how did you?"
"Fluff, I told you when we first met... I know everybody." He said with a smirk. "Plus I asked Emit when I got your rose, his shop is just around the corner from here."
"Sly, Fox." I replied smiling gently and gazing into his eyes.
"Dumb bunny," He returned, before continuing sternly. "But I do recall saying none of this gushy stuff till after the meal."
"Aw... not even for me?" I asked, using my best innocent voice and pouty face.
"Now how can I say no to that... its just soooo CUTE." He said with a grin.
"NICK!" I screamed at him, kicking his shin. "How many times do I have to tell you."
"You know that could be considered abuse." He warned me.
"Don't you take anything seriously?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
"Of course... Abusive relationships are no laughing matter." He replied, before breaking into a huge smile.
"I hate you." I told him as I tried to fight a smile of my own.
"Do not." He said smugly.
"So what are you having?" I asked him.
"Well, I am debating between a couple options. There is a tie between the blueberry pancakes, a chicken blueberry lunch wrap, or the house soup of the day. I believe it is Minestrone." He replied as I just gave him a blank stare. "Ok, what Carrots?"
"We are on a date and you want to order pancakes?" I asked him a bit surprised.
"Well sure. When the world offers you blueberry pancakes, you don't just dismiss it." He told me.
"You're an idiot." I laughed.
"Well, ok, what about you?" He asked.
"I am going to get the berry salad." I said smiling just before our server arrived at the table.
"How are you fine folks doing today? My name is Aries. May I start you off with something to drink?" Our server, a young ram, politely asked, looking expectantly at me.
"Oh... um I'll have the mint lemonade please." I replied.
"And I'll take a blueberry iced tea." Nick added, "Thank you."
"My pleasure sir. Have you and the misses had a chance to look at the menu? Or would you like a minute?" He asked courteously as he took our drink order.
"Actually, I do have a question about one of your menu items." Nick began.
"Certainly sir. What can I assist with?" Aries replied.
"I was hoping you could tell me a bit about the Minestrone soup. Is it better than the pancakes?" Nick asked seriously.
"Well sir, that is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. If I would have to choose, however, I would go with the soup. However, it is made fresh from scratch and is never rewarmed. In addition, all ingredients are sourced from our garden out back. In addition, we makes ours with a bit more body to it, which enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes without overbalancing the other spices. But, I might be biased a little, I am not much of a breakfast fan." He informed us, "I will let you think about it while I grab your drinks."
"Thank you very much." Nick said with a nod.
As the server moved off, I looked over at Nick laughing. "I can't believe you." I said. "How can pancakes compare to soup? The soup does sound really good though."
"Because pancakes are the universes gift to us mere mortals... though easily screwed up." Nick replied, "But, I think I will have to go with the soup."
"Here are your drinks, and our complimentary bread fresh from the oven. You ready to order folks?" Aries asked returning.
"We are. I would like the berry salad please." I ordered passing over my menu.
"And I would like the Minestrone, please." Nick ordered in turn.
"Excellent choice. I will get your order in right away." He smiled, writing out our orders. "In the meanwhile, if there is anything else you should need, please let me know."
"Thank you Aries, you have been most helpful." I told him with a smile, before looking at Nick.
POV (Nick)
As the server walked away, Judy looked up and our eyes met. To finally be on a date with her was a dream come true. Sure so far we have been more or less ourselves, but now that ordering was out of the way, w could really talk.
"So... what shall we talk about?" I asked brightly.
"Well, who do you think is behind these robberies?" Judy began. "I mean you do a lot of the mammals in the city."
I just shook my head and put my paw up to stop her. At first she gave me a questioning glare until I spoke. "Judy, no work talk. We are on a date remember?" I reminded her. "So with that in mind, what do you want to talk about?"
"Well, what about us?" She replied, going a bit pink in the ears from missing the obvious. "Are we officially a couple? I mean its ok if you aren't ready to call us that, I don't want you to feel pressured or anything."
"Easy there, Carrots. No need to get worked up." I said with a chuckle. "I told buffalo butt we were a couple, so... yeah... I guess we are."
"You told the chief too?" She asked me with a smile. "How did he respond?"
"I did. Figured that it was the responsible thing to do. I assume this means that you did as well?" I asked rhetorically. "He took it in stride and said he was happy for us."
"You think we should tell the other officers?" She asked me excitedly.
"They can figure it out on their own. Hell some have probably already guessed." I replied dismissing the idea.
"Well, what about our families?" Judy asked.
"What about them?" I answered a bit more coldly then I anticipated. Judy didn't miss it.
"Nick, what is it?" She asked.
"It's nothing." I began to tell her, but stopped with a sigh. "I really don't have a family to tell."
"You... you serious? Oh Nick, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Other then the one story about the ranger scouts, I have never heard you talk about family." Judy said getting misty eyed.
"Don't cry Carrots. I can't stand it when you cry. We will talk about this later, alright? Right now lets just have a good time together." I said, not really wanting to go down that path just yet.
"Ok, slick, but I don't want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me." Judy said wiping her eyes.
"I will work on it. Promise." I told her. "So what about you. Ready to tell your family you are dating a fox? How do you think they will take it?"
"They may be surprised, but not because you are a fox, just that I am dating outside the species. Other than that they don't care as long as I am happy. They have grown a lot these past few years. Besides, I think my mom already figured it out. She was the one that made me go to your place." She told me.
"So you going to tell them?" I asked, a bit nervous.
"No. Not until you are ready." She said reaching across the table to grab my paw.
"Thanks Fluff." I told her as our food arrived.
POV (Judy)
I looked across the table at Nick. Though he was putting on a brave face for me, I could still see the sadness in his eyes, if only for a moment before he hide behind a wall again. My heart ached for him. But he was right, today was suppose to be a happy day and all unpleasantness would have to wait for another time. Luckily for us, our lunch arrived at the same moment, providing a welcome distraction.
"Oh my god Nick! Look at the size of this salad! It probably weighs more than I do!" I nearly shouted as the bowl was set in front of me. The salad so heaping I could barely see around it to look at Nick.
"You think that is big Fluff? Look at my soup. It is big enough for you to use as a hot tub." He retorted.
"Well there is an idea." I said, thinking about how great it would be to share a hot tub with my sexy fox.
"If I found you in my soup, I would have to eat you." He said jokingly.
"Nick, you can EAT me anytime you want." I purred, giving him a wink.
"Don't tempt me, Carrots." Nick said blushing, the cream fur around his muzzle turning a pinkish color.
"Why not? Don't you want a taste of your little bunny?" I teased.
"Wow Carrots, subtle. Is sex the only thing you think about?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Nope. Just sex with you. Plus I have a high libido, all bunnies do, and I just like teasing you." I replied not breaking eye contact.
"I'm flattered, I think, but you remember this morning. " He warned, looking a bit sheepish.
"Sure I do. I remember us agreeing to talk about it too. So lets talk." I said excitedly.
"You sure you want to talk about this here?" He asked, voice lowered.
"Why Nicholas P. Wilde, are you embarrassed to talk about sex?" I asked him with a giggle.
"What no... just doesn't seem like the proper setting." He countered.
"Nick, its just me... ok? No one else is listening." I pointed out.
"Fine. What do you want to know?" He said giving in.
"Well, and I know it sounds stupid, but this morning... did you stop because of me?" I asked, a bit insecure.
"In short... yes." He replied, eating a spoonful of soup. I did the same with a bite of my salad, waiting for him to continue, but when he didn't I chimed in.
"Could you be more specific? Right now I am feeling like you don't find me attractive." I couldn't help but have a little bit of fear taint my words as I spoke them.
"What? Judy, no. That isn't it at all. I find you very attractive, extremely sexy and entirely appealing to me. My body wants nothing more that to explore all the pleasures you possess, but the problem is my mind isn't." He began.
"I am not sure I understand." I told him.
"Look. I love you, and I can't stand the thought of hurting you. What happened in my previous relationship... I just can't go through that again. I can't stand to see you go through that. It literally terrifies me." He told me.
"Nick if you are afraid that you will get me pregnant, you needn't worry. What happened was awful, but not your fault. And if I do get pregnant, I know that you would be there for me." I told him, giving him a little smile.
"But, it's more than that. I'm not just talking physical hurt. I am talking emotional. I don't let many mammals in. As you know I am guarded... always have been. Sadly, that goes for love and sex as well. You see, I can't detach myself from sex. For me, sex is the ultimate expression of my feelings for a mammal. It only creates a stronger emotional attachment to the other being and leaves me the most vulnerable. I don't give my heart easily, and when I do it and it gets broken, I am devastated. To have someone that close to me, suddenly push me away is a huge betrayal. That is why I let so few get close to me. In the end I always get hurt." He tried explaining. Some of it made sense but I was having a hard time following.
"So... what you are saying is you need an emotional connection first?" I asked. "And I would never hurt you Nick, you know that. I care more about you than anything in my whole life."
"No one ever intentionally goes into a relationship with the intent to hurt someone, but it can't always be avoided. Every mammal that I have ever put faith in, and allowed in has ended up hurting me." He replied, "But, yes that is one way to put it. I must be emotionally committed and feel the mammal I am with feels the same."
"Nick, if you haven't noticed, we really can't get any more emotionally attached. We spent the better part of this past week, miserable and crying because of the other." I said pointedly.
"You're just saying that because you want in my pants." He countered with his iconic smirk, feeling a bit vulnerable and trying to deflect the attention..
"I am not!" I protested, shoving a bite of my salad into my mouth.
"Hmmm... You know you are a pretty poor liar sometimes." Nick teased. "Don't be shy tell me what you want to tell me."
"I want you, dumb fox! I want to have you every way possible. I want to feel your paws on me, your penis in me. I want to get lost in the carnal pleasures of your body! Ok? Is that so wrong?" I said rather loudly, frustrated with him. To my surprise, Nick looked rather amused. I was about to ask what was so funny, when another voice chimed in.
"Wow... that sounds like a fun time. I am kinda sorry I missed the rest of the conversation." Heather said standing next to me, laughing, along with Nick. "But, I just wanted to check on the two of you. See if you needed anything, since your server is on break."
"Oh sweet cheese and crackers." I mumbled, terribly embarrassed.
"No, I think we are good. We might need some containers for our left overs though." Nick said when he was able to catch his breath.
"Of course... I always have to take mine home with me." Heather nodded sympathetically.
"Its just so big." I said, "no way I could fit it all."
"Are we talking about the food, or are we still on your sex life?" Heather asked, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I mean I have no problem with either."
"What? Oh god! NO! My salad! I swear." I half shouted, kicking myself for leaving such an obvious opening. Nick was practically rolling on the ground laughing. "Shut up Nick!"
"Judy, relax. I am just having a bit of fun. I'll be right back with those containers and check." Heather consoled as she left to get the containers.
"Did you know she was there?" I asked Nick when she was gone.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah... saw her walking up." Nick grinned.
"Officer Wilde... you... are... dead." I threatened him. Or at least tried to, actually finding the situation a bit humorous myself.
"Don't believe you." Nick scoffed before getting serious. "But, to get back on subject, just be patient with me. Its been a while, and I need to work through some things. I just need time. Ok?"
"Ok, I will do my best." I agreed, playfully pouting. "But you are just soooo sexy, its tough to not just jump your bones."
"Bad time? I can come back?" Heather asked from behind me. I just buried my head in my paws as she and Nick laughed.
POV (Nick)
I laughed lightly as I handed my debit card to Heather to pay the bill. As she walked away to run the card, I began boxing up our remaining food. "You ok Judy?" I asked a bit concerned since the gray ball of fluff was still hiding in her hands.
"This is so embarrassing." Her muffled voice replied.
"Aw come on, it wasn't that bad. We are all adults here." I said consoling her.
"Yeah, but I just pretty much told the whole restaurant that I want to fuck you." She continued.
"Oh... you bunnies... You didn't tell the whole restaurant. Just me... and Heather. But that's it." I countered.
"You sure?" She asked peeking through her fingers.
"Positive." I said giving her a smile. "And for the record, I like knowing that you want me this badly."
"Really?" She asked. "And since we are putting things on record, you are quiet big you know."
"Oh is he? If you had to compare it to a fruit or vegetable which one would it be?" Heather chimed in handing a blushing Nick his card back.
"For the love of... I can't fucking win today!" Judy said as she stood up from the table. "Heather, nice to meet you, Nick I'll be in the car before I saw anything else."
I watched as Judy stormed out of the cafe to our waiting cruiser. I just sighed and shook my head.
"I hope I didn't go to far." Heather said remorsefully.
"No reason to feel sorry. She is fine, promise." I told her with a smile. After signing the receipt, I grabbed out food and went to meet Judy. As I walked to the car, I couldn't help but notice Judy staring at me dreamily. I just chuckled and walked around to the drivers side and climbed in.
"Like the view?" I teased.
"Mmhmmm." She replied. "Sorry for walking out."
"No big, Fluff." I said sincerely. "I wasn't making it easy on you. In my defense though, you were quite adorable... and if I dare say it, I rather enjoyed your... forwardness."
"Yeah? Well, good. Come here." She said learning over and pulling me into a kiss. As I got lost in the kiss, I failed to notice Judy's paw begin to wander, placing it on my knee. Slowly, she began rubbing my leg getting higher. After a few seconds, she found her target. Without warning, she placed her paw in my crotch, slowly rubbing my hardening penis through my pants.
"Mmmmm..." I moaned through the kiss. This only had the effect of spurring her on. For the next few seconds, I was in bliss. The sensation of feeling her touching me was incredible, but almost as suddenly as she started, she pulled away. As the kiss broke, I was left hanging in midair, a small whimper escaping my lips.
"Ah... whats the matter? The sexy fox want more?" Judy teased.
I opened my eyes slightly and stared at the bunny glaring sexily back. "You are the devil. Know that?" I told her sitting back, my pants rather restrictive now.
"Yeah, but look at the bright side. You seemed to enjoy it. I call that progress." She chuckled. "And its payback for in the cafe."
"Yeah... sure it is Fluff. How about we get you back to the station before you cause anymore problems." I said to her.
"What you call problems, I call fun." She said seductively, biting her lip staring at my lap.
"You know my face is up here right?" I joked.
"Yeah, but what I want is down here." She replied.
"Oh... so I am just your boy toy then?" I asked pretending to be hurt.
"Yep... you got it. You are just my piece of meat." She said playing along, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek as we pulled back up to the station. "So? What are you going to this afternoon? Wanna come in and look over the case file some more?"
"Actually, I figured I would head home." I told her. From the way her ears fell, I could tell she didn't like the news. "That ok?"
"Hmm... oh yeah. I just like spending time with you." She replied honestly.
"I do to, but technically I am not back on the force yet. Tell you what, how about you come over to my place after work. I'll make you dinner, and we can go over the case files and prepare for our meeting tomorrow. Sound good?" I asked her.
"A second date at your place already Officer Wilde? A bit naughty of you... should I bring an overnight bag?" She teased with a wink.
"Its a work date... Sounds like we will have a long road ahead of us on this one. As far as and overnight bag, you know you are always welcome at my place, so do what you feel comfortable with." I answered evenly, almost business like. My tone seemed to catch Judy off guard.
"O...Oh. Ok. Well, I will bring the files with me. I guess I will be there around 1630." She said in a professional tone. The mischievous light wasn't gone from her eyes, but I could tell she was unsure of what to make of this.
"Sounds perfect. See you then." I said leaning in and giving her a slow, passionate kiss before getting out of the car to walk back to my apartment, grabbing our leftovers as I went. This time, it was Judy left wanting more.
POV (Judy)
I sat there watching Nick walk away through the mirror until he turned the corner out of site. "Dumb Fox you are driving me crazy." I thought. "But if you want to play games, I'll play games. See you tonight." Reluctantly, I climbed out of the car and started heading back to my desk. It took every bit of will power I had to not chase after Nick, but alas as a police officer, I had a job to do.
As I walked into the lobby, I was greeted by the ever friendly Clawhauser. "Judy! Judy! I have been looking all over for you..." The puffy Cheetah said as he ran over.
"What is it Benji?" I asked a bit concerned by his labored breathing from his sort run.
"He wanted to give you the inventory lists from the stores. It looks like Nick was right. Several chemicals were nowhere to be found. Including acetone solvents and hydrogen peroxide." He said handing over the file in his paws.
"Those are used to make TATP alright. Easy explosive to manufacture, but sure not the safest. Shock trauma to it can cause it to detonate." I said mechanically, having done some research on the subject before talking to the chief earlier. I looked up from the file and noticed Clawhauser still staring at me. "Was there anything else?"
"Soooooo... what is going on with you and Nick?" He asked coyly.
"Wha... what do you mean? Why would something be up?" I asked trying my best to sound perplexed by the question.
"Well, he showed up dressed nice, gave you a flower, took you to lunch. Seemed like a date." He counted off on his pudgy claws.
"He was dressed nice because he was meeting with the chief and I told him it would make a good impression. He got me the rose to say sorry for everything, and we went to lunch like we usually do as partners so that I could bring him up to speed on the case." I countered in turn.
For a second Clawhauser just gave me a sideways glance before he broke into a grin. "Ok, if you say so." He conceded as he turned to head back to the front desk.
"That was a bit close," I said to myself, not quite ready for the whole precinct to know. As I walked to my desk though, I couldn't help but wonder about Clawhauser's grin. "What was he so happy about? I mean happier than normal." I thought to myself, shrugging it off.
Before making back to my desk, I decided to make a pit-stop in the ladies room. Unfortunately, the one down side to being a bunny meant having a relatively small bladder. It was after finishing my business and I made my way to the sinks to wash that I noticed my mistake. "Oh... god dammit!" There staring me in the face, clear as day, was the damning evidence. Little orange furs stuck in my fur about my face and neck, some even graced the fringe of my uniform collar. Now sure, if it was just a few I could easily brush it off as innocent transfer. However, the sheer amount stuck in my fur was giving my face a bit of a rusty appearance. Frantically, I began trying to brush as much of the fur off as possible before heading back to my desk.
It took several minutes, but I was finally able to get myself mostly free of Nicks fur. "God... that fur was everywhere. I don't even know how it got to some of those places." I scowled at myself in the mirror as I grabbed my file and headed out.
Reaching my desk, I pulled out my phone. I needed to let Nick know a few things. Mainly that he sheds something terrible, but also about the case. Not knowing what exactly Nick was up too, and also not really wanting to make a personal call at work, I opted to send him a text.
"Hey. Got inventories from the sites. You were right. Chemicals consistent with explosive manufacture uncounted for. Also, I think Benji is on to us."
After I hit send, I went back to the files, expecting a quick answer from Nick. When it didn't come, I was a bit let down but not surprised. I figured he was just busy getting ready for tonight. The thought of him busily cleaning and preparing food, made me smile. Though he claimed tonight was for work, it still seemed really romantic. "I'm definitely taking an overnight bag." I decided, better to be prepared.
Work momentarily forgotten, I began to drift off into one of my fantasies, imagining how the evening would unfold, what clothes I was going to wear... or more ideally not wear. So lost in my debauchery was I, that I almost failed to hear my phone ringing on my desk. Snapping to, I hurriedly answered.
"Hello?" I asked not checking the caller I.D.
"Carrots! I... need you, the chief... a team... and... a bus... at 1527 1st avenue." Nick replied over the phone out of breath.
"Nick is everything ok?" I asked worried. "You alright?"
"I'm fine Fluff, but Judy? Hurry, I think things just got much worse." He answered before hanging up. Heeding his warning, I quickly shut down my computer, stashed my file and left my desk.
As I walked to find the chief, my phone buzzed alerting me to a received text. I looked, saw it was from Nick and opened it immediately. The picture made my blood run cold and my walk became a run.
POV (Nick)
I walked away from the car fighting the urge to look back. I wanted to sure, but I was playing the "unaffected tough guy" card. Judy wanted to play games, so I was going to show her that I could play too, and right now we were playing by my rules.
As I turned the corner to start heading back to my apartment, I started planning the evenings events. While I fully intended to work on the case, I wanted to capitalize on the event as well. It wasn't everyday that I got to have dinner with a sexy, adorable bunny. Ok... us hanging out after work together was actually a common occurance, but this was different. It isn't everyday that I to have dinner with MY sexy, adorable bunny.
"Dinner is going to be perfect." I thought, "Home made spinach cannelloni, fresh from scratch garlic bread sticks, side salad, nice white wine to compliment it all. Then for dessert, a nice mascarpone cheese fruit pizza. And if I am lucky, Judy will bring that overnight bag."
"Oh? Planning on a midnight snack are we?" My devious side asked. "Maybe try a little taste of a certain bunny?" I couldn't deny that lunch really had turned me on, and that I would like nothing more than to give into those urges, but I pushed them aside. "All good things are worth waiting for. And Judy is the best thing to happen to me."
As I continued down the street, I occupied my time with further fantasies of my beloved bunny. While I wasn't planning on anything sexual happening, I figured there was nothing wrong with indulging in fantasy. In my head I could picture her naked form laying on my bed, soft silky gray fur shimmering in the dim light from the window. Her amethyst eyes, shining like two perfect gems, beckoning me to join her. I imagined crawling behind her and pressing my own nakedness against her as I engaged her in an intense kiss. Slowly our paws explored each other until she reached down and slowly slid me into her. It was a rather appealing fantasy, and one that I intended to make happen. However, for the moment, I was perfectly content with just holding her close as I slept. It was a level of intimacy that I hadn't had in a long time and the physical presence was highly welcome.
"Oh shit!" My brain screamed, pulling me back to reality. "I need to get to the store. I don't have half the shit I need for dinner tonight." Quickly, I changed directions and started heading to the store. The thought of having to carry groceries back to my apartment didn't thrill me, feeling a bit lazy and all, but it was a nice day and a cab would be ridiculously expensive for the rather short distance of travel.
"I hope Judy appreciate the sacrifice I'm making." I thought with a small chuckle. "Hmm... I should probably ask her if she has any food allergies." I pulled out my phone to text her, but got distracted by a sound off to my right.
When I looked up, I realized that I had stopped walking in front of an alley. The noise I heard, appeared to be coming from it and from what I could hear, it sounded like some sort of struggle was going on. Instinctively, my police mind took over and I started to creep forward, trying to get eyes on. By the time I made it to the end of the alley where it connected to the alley running the length of the block parallel to me, the scuffle appeared to be over. Undeterred, I sat motionless for a moment trying to hear if the suspects were still around. Just as I was about to give up, I heard a rhythmic hissing sound coming from the left. Carefully, I moved down the alley. It was a slow processes, jumping from what little cover I could find to the next. "Huh... I'm like a real predator now. I am stalking my prey." I thought with an ironic smile.
After what seemed like ages, I finally made it to the alley that the hissing was coming from. I hugged the wall of the building as I edged closer to the corner, all my senses in overdrive. My breathing was shallow and fast, the adrenaline pumping in my ears, eyes darting to every possible hiding place and bit of trash. My ears where pointed up and forward, pinched slightly over my head, my own set of radar dishes trying to local my unknown foe, and my sensitive nose attempting to identify all the mysterious perfumes of the setting.
Slowly, new bits of information began to trickle in. A faint sound of metallic rattling in between hisses, the unmistakable smell of gas based propellant, a weird iron smell that I couldn't quite place. As the pieces cam together I just shook my head... "A tagger... misdemeanor offense. No real need to call it in, I'll just run him off and be done with it." I thought.
"Police! What's going on here?" I said loudly as I rounded the corner, startling the tagger, a mysterious figure with a hoodie pulled tight over his face. Immediately upon announcing my presence, the suspect took off. I chased after him halfheartedly down the alley until he vanished into the normal street crowd. Satisfied with what I had done, I turned to go back to my shopping.
Walking back up the alley, I approached the section of wall that had been hit. What I saw stopped me in my tracks. There, laying on the ground behind a dumpster was the bodies of two mammals. Each had been bound, and shot once in the head execution style. Eyes wide, I quickly glanced around my surroundings, noticing for the first time what the graffiti on the wall said. As my mind caught up with my eyes, a knot formed in my stomach. Quickly, I took out my phone and snapped a picture before running back to the main street. I needed to make a call. After checking the street, I dialed the first person that I could think of.
"Hello?" Judy answered.
"Carrots! I... need you, the chief... a team... and... a bus... at 1527 1st avenue." I puffed out a bit out of breath from the excitement.
"Nick is everything ok?" She asked worried. "You alright?"
"I'm fine Fluff, but Judy? Hurry, I think things just got much worse." I answered before hanging up.
After the call disconnected, I opened my inbox to send the photo I took to Judy. I scrolled to her name and opened the conversation, revealing that I had missed an earlier text from her. Apparently, in all the excitement it had gone unnoticed. "Hey. Got inventories from the sites. You were right. Chemicals consistent with explosive manufacture uncounted for. Also, I think Benji is on to us." I read. "Great if we didn't have enough to worry about, now Benji is poking around. FOCUS! BIGGER PROBLEMS AT THE MOMENT!" Pulling myself back to the task at hand, I attached the photo. Once I checked that the attachment worked properly, I added a simple message.
"We are in for a long night."
POV (Judy)
"Chief!" I shouted as I saw Chief Bogo walking down the hall.
"Yes, what is it Hopps." He asked.
"Sir we need to go now." I puffed, getting a characteristic brow raise in response. "Its important. Look."
I held up my phone with the picture displayed. While he didn't say anything, the look on his face told me all I needed to know.
"Who found this?" He asked.
"Nick, I don't know specifics. He just called and said that you, myself and a forensics team need to get down there. He asked for a bus too. From the picture I see at least two bodies." I told him.
"Ok, we keep this quiet for now. You drive, I will have the forensic team meet us there." He said sternly. "Get the car, we leave in two minutes."
I only nodded before I spun on my heals and sprinted out of the building. Though we still seemed to be wanting for answers, one thing was becoming quite clear; we were racing the clock and time was running out.
* Evening all! Nothing big to report today. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for the support.