Chapter 3: On The Trail

They had left ZPD and had gone to visit Mr. Big in Tundra Town. Snow was lightly falling and there was no wind to blow it around in the calm night. There were children of different sizes and species playing in the wide open spaces on the far side of the road. They passed the snow covered buildings that stretched high into the sky. The three officers drove in a normal vehicle to not alarm any of Mr. Big's security at the gate. Nick lowered the driver side window to speak with one of the polar bears. "Hey Tony."

"How's it going Nick?"

"We're here to talk with Mr. Big, there's another problem only he can help us in."

"Hold on." Tony walked over to an intercom and talked to someone on the other line. He nodded his head and walked back to Nick, "Alright you can enter."

"Thanks bud." Nick rolled his window up and proceeded after the chain was removed. In the room that had the ice water trap door where the officers waited for the polar bears and Mr. Big to show up.

"So, how is it you guys know this guy?" Robert asked.

"It's a bit of a long story, we had a bit of a misunderstanding after Nick and I were caught in one of his limousines as we investigated for clues in a missing mammal case. Luckily having saved his daughter from a giant doughnut that was heading for her got us his trust."

"I tell you, I thought we were goners that time, he nearly iced us." Nick tapped his foot on the carpet making a hollow sound from the boards underneath.

"And it was all because Nick sold him an expensive rug he shouldn't have."

Just then the polar bears entered the room, with the biggest one putting Mr. Big, his daughter Fru Fru and grand daughter Judy on the desk.

"Judy, Nick. So nice to see you two." He gives Judy a kiss on each cheek, "How have you two been? It's been a while."

"Yes it has. And my look how you've grown little Judy, love your dress."

"Thank you aunt Judy." Little Judy said in a shy flattered voice.

"So what can I help you… three in?" Mr. Big noticed Robert behind them.

"I'm Robert Lyle, new to the ZPD force and partnered with these two sir."

"Well Mr. Big I have something to ask you about the crime wave that's been going all around Zootopia and wanted to know if you know anything about it?" Judy was a bit nervous having asked him.

"I don't really know much about what's been going on. A mysterious organization appeared as of nowhere and started causing all this mayhem."

Nick stepped forward two steps coming next to Judy, "Are you in any way a part of it?"

"No of course not, this group had offered me to join up with them, but I refused on account of the disappearing officers. I don't roll that way."

"Can you tell us where we could find them by a chance?" Robert asked.

"I don't know where they have their center of operations. A representative had came to us. She was real lovely, but we couldn't accept her offer. She left this little souvenir just in case I changed my mind."

It was a glass cup that had "Have A Jolly Ol' Time At The Platinum Paws" designed on it.

Judy took out her notepad and began to write.

Robert then stepped up, "Was she a squirrel by a chance?"

"Yes she was, how did you know?"

"We interrogated a Gopher whom was given a job offer by her. He said he had been working with you."

Mr Big knew whom Robert was talking about, "Ah Gabriel, he was always doing things behind our backs. He's lucky you caught him otherwise I would've iced him."

Fru Fru placed her hands on her hips, "Dad what did we talk about discussing those things in front of Judy?"

"I'm sorry honey you know how back stabbers get to me."

"Do you know where she came from at least?"

"Judging by a scent that was on her, she had to have been in the swamp district for a while. I'm sure if you search there, you'll find her."

Judy finished writing and put her notepad and pen away, "Thank you so much Mr. Big it really helps getting closer to solving the cases."

"Any time my dear, the family hopes to see you two more often."

"Oh we will Mr. Big. Bye little Judy and Fru Fru."

"Bye aunt Judy."

"I hope to see you soon Judy, hopefully we can go shopping sometime." Fru Fru waved at her.

"We will, see you all later." She waved at them as she exited the room.

After having left Mr. Big's home, Nick dropped off Robert at his apartment. It was already night, time to retire for the day.

"Thanks for taking me here. Now tomorrow once we log in all the information into the system we'll be heading to the swamp district. If what Mr. Big said is true, we are getting closer to cracking this case."

"So soon?"

"Yes Hopps, I know you want to get nick settled at his new place, but that can wait a few days. We'll meet tomorrow around noon and head to the train station."

"Alright, we'll meet you there." Nick replied and drove off as Robert walked to the building.

"Boy he really is serious on solving this case isn't he?"

"Yeah, but I think there's more to him than what he led on."

"What do you mean?" Judy was confused at his remark.

"I don't exactly know, but it'll reveal itself soon."

At noon everyone was at the train station boarding the train destined for the swamp district. They sat in a booth for four having drinks on the side as they discussed what they were bound to do once they arrived.

"This is so awesome, we're going to go see a new district I have never been in."

"Focus Judy, I haven't been there myself, but from what I've been told it is not that great, for officers at least. It's more of a place to undermine the law, so do expect criminals among the population."

"Hey pal relax OK? We'll do just find, besides I have been there a few times even had a job there. What we need is to play cool and not be all flashing our badges." Nick insisted.

"Alright Wilde, how are we going to play this?" Robert leaned back on his seat.

"Easy: For starters, we're not going to be wearing our uniforms if we're going to be going into places. Blue bloods are not welcomed at almost every establishment there. We're going to have to blend in with the crowd if we don't want to attract attention and maybe scare off any body linked to the criminal organization."

Robert nodded his head, "You're right Wilde, that is why we'll be purchasing clothing at the nearest store and leave our uniforms at the ZPD station there." He then pulls out two small communicators designed to look like leafs, "Here."

"What are these?" Nick pointed at his leaf.

"Let's just say if either one of us gets into some sort of trouble we can find each other through these."

"How will we know where to look for any suspects and get on the organization's trail?"

Nick nodded, "Judy has a point, I mean are we going to be knocking on every door until we find our squirrel?"

"No. If this squirrel happens to be who I think she is, I'll be able to identify her. And as Mr. Big showed us, we'll have to look in the Platinum Paws." Robert looked out the window at the rain forest district's roads and a few homes that were built in the biggest trees, his breath lightly fogging the glass.

"You do know our suspect?" Judy squinted her eyes a bit leaning forward.

"I might, but as I said if it just so happens to be whom I think it is."

"Mind telling us who she is and how you know her?"

Robert gasped knowing he couldn't keep it from them, "Back in Jungnala I had a partner of my own. She was my informant, working with the scum that caused trouble time to time. I hadn't heard anything or seen her since the group back in Jungnala disappeared, I figured she left with them."

"Oh. I can see you really care for her."

Robert backed away from the window and looked at Judy, "It isn't that I care for her, I mean she's just my informant. Trading info to avoid being taken in. That's all."

"Come on buddy you know you got feelings for her." Nick teased pointing at him as he sat back placing his left arm over the seat, Judy smiling at what he was doing.

"Stop it Nick." She giggled.

"Any way, we should head to our cabins. I imagine we'll be arriving in the evening before night settles."

Robert slid to the end of the booth and headed to the stairs that led to the upstairs cabins for small animals.

"See what'd I tell yeah, sooner or later it would reveal itself."

"He's somewhat trying to hold back his feelings don't you think?"

"Well whatever, we'll just have to see how it all unravels when we get there. But I guess we should go and rest, it's going to be a long night."

As they left the booth the train reached the end of the rain forest district and went into a tunnel that would then be traveling through the meadow district. Everything was green and had a few trees on the landscape. A few rivers ran through separating the land, which had small towns with a wide distance from one another. Finally as Robert had said the train reached the swamp district. The sun had just set, but illuminated the orange horizon that was slowly being engulfed by a purple sky with a few stars becoming visible. The odd city was slowly coming to life as the lights began to illuminate the streets packed with all sorts of animals beginning their night of fun.