Chapter 4 : All alone

Judy was awakened by the strong sunlight. She opened her eyes with difficulty and was waiting several seconds to adjust her gaze to the light in order to see where she was. Her vision was still blurry but she could already tell she was lying on a bed, covers recovering her up to the neck. She sat up and recognized Nick's room. This last one had probably brought her to his room and covered her in his own bed.

"Such a sweetheart fox." She mockingly thought, a bright smile on her face. The weather was nice outdoors. She could hear the birds singing. The room was very bright as the sun was shining high in the sky ! The light was gently warming Judy's face. She closed her eyes, trying as much as possible to enjoy this pure moment of calm and relaxation. But a thought made her stop daydreaming, what time could it be ?

She took a look on the nightstand next to her, there was a clock above it. It was already showing 2 PM ! They normally had to be at work !

The calm immediately changed into stress. She took off the covers and jumped out of the bed. She dressed quickly and left the room.

"Nick, are you there ?" She ran down the stairs. "Why did you not wake me earlier ? Damn I don't believe the morning is already over for hours ! "

Once downstairs, she looked around the floor. "Nick?" She walked over to the sofa where Nick had spent the night, the sofa-bed had been carefully made. Usually, it was Judy who was the early-riser one. She walked around the surrounding rooms, in the kitchen, the living room, even in the bathroom, but there was no sign of him. He even left his phone on the dining room table. He and his smartphone were never seperated too long ! She went this time outside, in the garden. "Nick ?"

Still no answers.

She noticed just one thing, his car wasn't there either. Probably he left somewhere... but where ? Would he go to work without her ? Without her partner ?

She remained perplexed for a moment. A fresh breeze made her shiver. In fact, it even made her cough. Her cough was fatter and stronger, making her bowing forward. That was true. She was still sick. Maybe he went on a mission without her because of her condition ? He didn't wake her up because he wanted her to continue to rest. Yes, it made sense. Nothing to worry about. But still, he could have warned her. Especially since without vehicle, she was forced to stay inside the house and could not go downtown.

"Dumb fox." She thought. "What are you thinking about ? Leaving me all alone. "

She hurried back inside to protect herself from the wind. She actually needed some rest. She was really feeling weak. Her muscles were tired, although she had slept several hours. The very rhythmic dance from the previous night hadn't helped her to feel better, even if it had allowed her to forget her real condition for a short time. She smiled as she remembered her jumping and running in all directions. "I really pushed my body too far". She thought. "I can't believe I did all of this."

She thought of her partner again, hoping he was okay. Anyway, Nick was a police officer now, and a good element of the ZPD, he could take care of himself. She had to trust him more, that was what she thought. She just hoped he would not be affected to too tough missions during her absence. There was a armchair next to the sofa. And a TV too. She knew she had to recover, but the appeal of the remote control was too strong. She took it and sat on the chair. She switched on the TV and watched what was coming. Nothing interesting, a drama in one channel, advertising in another one. She was flicking through until she'd find something that could make her killing time. Until she found... this.

A news channel was replaying a robbery report which had occurred in the late morning. "We actually have few informations for the moment." Began a journalist. "The break-in occurred shortly before noon at 15th Boulevard Haussmann in the large luxury horology Bell & Boss. The employees of the shop, all racoons, are nocturnal animals that had closed their shop shortly before the facts. More than a dozen high-value products were stolen, for a total of over 80 000 coins. "

"The Boulevard Haussmann," she thought, "It's not far from here."

Suddenly, she let go the remote control, covering her mouth instead. Her ears fell back and her eyes widened with surprise when she discovered the photo of the suspect.

"A surveillance camera was able to identify the silhouette of a red-haired fox escaping the scene shortly after the incident. Although the images are lacking of clearness, the estimated size and the physical characteristics of the animal are all fitting with the single fox currently living in Zootopia : Nicholas Wilde."

"Impossible ! "

Simultaneously, she saw through the window a car from the ZPD coming at full speed. It stopped right in front of the house, the siren still active. Officiers Humps and Spitz came out of the car, armed with guns and handcuffs. The two policemen forced the entry, although the door wasn't locked, and rushed into the living room. The two officers stopped when they noticed the presence of their bunny colleague.

"Officer Judy ?" Started one of them. "What are you doing here ?"

"I-I ..." She couldn't finish her sentence, as the confusion was invading her mind.

"Where's Nick?" Asked the other one, while the first of them hastened to tour the house.

"I don't know." She finally let go with a stronger voice. "Please, don't mistake yourself, Nick has certainly nothing to do with all of this, it's a misunderstanding!"

"Sorry officer, but orders are orders. Where is he ? "He asked again calmly, believing firmly that Judy wasn't telling him all the truth.

"I swear I don't know !" She shouted, feeling herself loosing her calm.

"I don't see him anywhere !" Shouted the officer Spitz from upstairs.

Downstairs, officer Humps looked back into Judy eyes. She was still kneeling on the armchair. Her gaze still filled in confusion but also with anger towards her two colleagues who were looking for her best friend.

"Officier Hopps." He began with a calm tone. "Please put your uniform and get in the car with us. The chief certainly have questions for you. "

Later that day, Judy and the two other officers arrived at the police station. The lobby was empty since the other officers were already gone on mission for a while. Clawhauser was still faithful to his post. But today was a different day. He was not the cheerfulness cheetah he used to be as he sadly watched Judy in the eyes, not hiding the compassion he felt for her. There was somehow a heavy and cold atmosphere as the three officers walked to Bogo's office. Barely inside, they could see all the rage that Bogo was trying to contain. He was definitly upset as he stared at the rabbit that stood before him.

"What is the meaning of this !? Officer Judy ?" Judy didn't seem destabilized, as she was trying to stay strong to calm down the situation.

"Chief, I watched the news, I was as surprised as you, but let me tell you that-"

"What were you doing in Wilde's house ?" He curtly interrupted, hitting the table with his fist. His cheeks were reddened by the anger and his eyes were even more threatening.

"He invited me to his house the time I heal." She said as firmly as possible. "He considered the state of my apartment too dilapidated to help my recovery."

"And you think I'd trust you for saying that ?"

"That's the truth, chief. But if I may say, I would like you to know you are mistaken. Nick is innocent. "

"Oh..." He frowned and tilted his head toward her, staring into her eyes. "And what make you so confident about this ?"

Judy didn't flinch, trying to stay as persuasive as she could.

"Nick is my friend ! And also a valuable member of the ZPD ! He helped us many times and has already proved he was worth working here." She frowned in return, not afraid with arguing with her superior. "Of course I'd not doubt him !"

"Even though the videos show him fleeing away from the store ?"

"I'm sure it wasn't him, it should probably be another..."

"There is no other red fox in Zootopia !" Shouted back the buffalo. His deep voice could be heard from the entire building. His scream frozed her on the spot, as she lowered her head before him, eyes closed. She had never felt intimidated by her superior like that before. There was a brief silence. Bogo wasn't wrong, though, Nick was the only one red fox of Zootopia, despite the presence of another arctic fox and a fennec. Bogo then resumed with a calmer tone. "Officer Judy, look into my eyes." She slowly raised her head, a fragile expression in her eyes.

"Were you aware that Nick Wilde was a con-artist ?"

Judy was surprised by the unexpected question. "What?" Was all she managed to get out.

"Were you aware that Nick Wilde was a con-artist?" He repeated firmly.

She opened her mouth as she wanted to answer him, but she couldn't. She sighed and closed her eyes, lowering her head again with floppy ears.

The buffalo stood up and walked a few steps toward the broad window of his office. "That's what I thought." He looked a moment at the view of Zootopia he had before him. Oddly, one ounce of disappointment seemed to replace his anger. "Why am I the last to be aware of that ?" He said looking through the window.

Judy looked at him again. "Chief, I assure you it doesn't change anything."

"This changes absolutly everything!" He shouted, turning back to her. "How do you want me to trust my own subordinates if you guys hide me illegal activities from one of them ?"

"But he has changed !"

"Do you think so ? So why would he not be there ? What about his missing car ? "

She could not answer that question. She looked away again and bit her lower lip. She was frustrated feeling so hopeless.

But she hadn't said her last word yet. She had imagined this scenario. She wanted to try asking one more thing, determinedly.

"Please chief, let me investigate." She was unfortunately interrupted by her own cough. It happened several times, and at such a bad time. She was losing all credibility, and she was well aware of it.

"Some teams are already on the spot. I will not let you go there, officer Hopps, for two reasons. Firstly, because a police officer must be impartial during an investigation, and I doubt your friendship for that fox will not influence your judgment. Plus, you are sick... Go home ! And treat yourself ! "

"Chief, please, I-"

"Don't discuss my orders." He sharply said, sitting in his chair. "I authorize you to return to your former partner home just to take back your bag, but soon after, I want you to go back home."

Judy guessed through his final sentences he meant to break their partnership. But it wasn't such a big surprise, it was pure logic when a police officer was officially suspected of a crime. She left her superior's office and headed out of the ZPD with the most depressed face she ever had. She put her paw on the door, but then heard a voice calling her from behind.

"Judy !" It was Clawhauser. She turned around to notice the cheetah looking at her with the same saddened expression.

"Hm- I heard the discussion coming from above and... I'm sorry."

She looked away. "Oh ... Don't worry about it." She pushed the door to open it.

"I- I think Nick is innocent too."

She stopped moving and looked back at the feline's eyes.

"Thank you, Clawhauser." She left.

Because she was not allowed to take her police car, strictly limited for professional use, she was willing to use public transport. She feared the bus, and she had some reasons. She was famous in almost all Zootopia. Not that it bothered her to be questioned by countless fans, but today just wasn't the right day for it. Onboard the bus, she was shaken by two journalists who were unfortunately there, and then came a horde of animals that inundated her with questions. All of them concerning Nick. "Are you aware of the last robbery that occurred in the city ?" "Do you think your partner has actually commited the crime ?" "Is he still officier ?" "Where is he ? "" What do you know about this case ? " She did her best to avoid answering, apologizing politely as she pushed back the mics out of her trajectory. She made her way through the crowd and went out at the first stop, starting running on the street, before the stunned eyes of people who saw her fleeing away. She had to go all the way on foot. However, it took her a good hour walk to Nick's house. His car was still missing outside. She opened the door. Still no signs of him. The house seemed so empty, so sad, as Judy walked in all dejected, heading Nick's room. Everything was so quiet, only the creaking of the door could be audible. She remained still for a moment, in the center of the room. Her suitcase was there, next door, but she didn't feel to leave immediately. She stared at Nick's bed for a while. It looked so comfortable. She fell on it, without even removing her uniform.

"Nick." She thought. Her paw grabbed the pillow and pressed it against her face. She went under the bedclothes. She could recognize the smell of her friend emanating from the pillow. Somehow, it brought her comfort. She tightened her grip further. "Nick." She thought again.

The sun had disappeared, the birds she had heard before weren't singing anymore. The room had become much darker, colder and was awfully quiet. Judy pressed against her chest the only source of heat she was holding between her paws. She curled and, without realizing it, she fell asleep. It lasted several hours. This cursed day was definitely exhausting her up to the hilt. Her thoughts was exclusively turning over Nick, even in her dreams. Her sleep was agitated, she was stirring in all directions, her eyebrows didn't stop frowning. She was developping a headache, and when it became troublesome enough, she woke up. She was sweating and gasping heavily. She had body aches all over her weakened body. And... on top of that, she still coughed. She was still lying on the bed, forever tired, both physically and mentally. Nick obsessed her.

"Where are you ? Dumb fox. " Her eyes became wet again. She remained motionless for a moment, then, a thought crossed her mind. Not a good thought.

"What if ..." She lifted her head and ears. Her face seemed more stressed than ever ! She jumped out of the bed and ran downstairs. She then left the house and ran outside. She was heading the Boulevard Haussmann, still running, despite her deplorable condition.

"Nick!" She shouted in the street. She was ignoring passersby who looked at her all concerned by her strange behavior. "Nick!" She screamed his name several times in the neighborhood. It was late outside, darkness was already falling. Judy was pretty sure of one thing, Nick had been kidnapped ! She could not explain it, but it was the only thing that get into her mind. Or at least, she couldn't find other explanations !

"Nick" She thought. "Are you going well ?" She approached the boulevard. "Don't worry, I'll find you !" Above her, one could read a plate indicating Boulevard Haussmann. She was panting heavily and was sometimes forced to slow down to catch her breath, then immediately resumed her furious race when she felt ready to continue. "Wait for me ! I will save you !" She arrived at the gates of the famous shop. The one which all media were talking about since this morning, the Bell & Boss horology, 15th Boulevard Haussmann.

She went inside the building. It was a rather large shop, and as luxurious as it was suggested on television. The doors of the shop were open despite the recent incident. There was no customers but only employees. The flight had indeed taken place, some glass have been broken, and some stands were emptied of their contents. There were still several watches in the surroundings, but one could guess that the most valued items were all gone. The managers, all racoons, were rehabilitating their store. Sweeping away broken glass lying around on the floor.

"Sorry ma'am, but we still don't welcome customers at the moment." Said one of them to the rabbit.

"Officer Judy." She said, showing her card, still panting. She coughed briefly. "I guess my colleagues already asked you several questions about the robbery."

"Indeed." Said the racoon looking down. They directly knocked to our respective house to warn us of the flight. Some of us rushed to see the damage caused. The only thing we were able to do was to discover with them the videos from our camera."

"May I take a look at the videos please ? I need to check something. It's urgent !"

"I'm sorry officer, but your colleagues already took the records with them to the ZPD."

Judy was still unable to resume her normal breathing. She closed her eyes and put a paw on her hot forehead, she was really frustrated for coming in this place way too late. She tried to keep calm and stay strong before the civilians. She would not allow herself showing any sign of weakness. Yet, another thought of Nick caused her eyes to get wet again. She tried to hold back her tears before the racoons who wondered what was going on.

"At least we know the guilty." Said a voice from the back of the store.

"Yes, it's true." Said another one.

Judy straightened her ears as the voices get her attention.

"It's all the fault of this fox !"

"Yes, this young Mr. Wilde, or whatever his name ! He fooled us ! "

"It's wrong ! " Judy thought. She clenched her fists, still trying to appear cool-headed.

"According to the people outside, he has been recruited as a cop !"

"Do you imagine that ? A fox ? As a police officer ?"

"And to think he's just another criminal. They're all the same ! "

"You're all wrong! Nick ! He's in danger ! I know it ! "Judy's breath was becoming shorter.

She oddly felt more and more oppressed. Droplets of sweats were now running down her fur. She felt a weakness in the knees, not yet recovered from her race.

"These people don't deserve to live." Continued one of the animals.

Several racoons nodded in response. Judy could no longer remain strong. She was tired… of all of this.

Her head was hurting ! So badly ! She coughed again. One of the racoons turned to face her.

"Hey, are you okay ?"

She was feeling dizzy as her knees became increasingly sensitive. She could no longer breathe normally, and gasped louder and louder.

More and more animals were gathering around her.

"Hey, are you sure you're feeling okay ?"

She no longer thought of anything. The image of Nick has been the last image in her mind as she suddenly fell on the ground, eyes closed, sweating profusely. She was panting heavily.

"She's hyperventilating !" Shouted one of them. "Someone, call for help ! "