Chapter 3: Lunchtime (written from April 28th to April 29th, 2018)
Later in the day, Judy and Nick met up at the Camel Café for their lunch break. On a table set up outside, they sat across from each other. While waiting for the server to come, Nick laid out a bunch of papers. His partner looked through them and noticed the mess before reaching in and organizing everything.
"Gee, keep your files together. The last thing you want is to have confidential information blowing in the wind." Suddenly, a piece of paper caught her eye as it nearly fell out of the pile. It was a receipt from a jewelry store. Before she could inspect further, a set of hands snatched it from her hands.
"Sorry, Carrots. You're on a need-to-know basis with that one." He made a smirk that Judy vehemently dismissed with a smirk of her own.
"Nick... how are we gonna do our job when we keep secrets from each other?"
"Think of it more as a provisional enigma."
"I'm sure Chief Bogo would understand that," she replied sarcastically.
"It has nothing to do with our investigations. That's the most I can tell you." He began to chuckle. "I promise I'm not a part of any conspiracy to topple society, so could ya loosen the glare?" Judy sighed, realizing this was one of her partner's shenanigans.
"Hello, fellas! Welcome to the Camel Café! What would you like to order? We have special services given to our dedicated law enforcement!"
"That won't be necessary, but I'd like to have the Saharan collard greens, please," said Judy. "Hold the croutons." The camel at their service proceeded to write it down on his tiny notepad.
"Escargot, please."
"Got it, fox. Will that be all, fellas?"
"Yeah. Here's a tip."
"Aw, that's okay! The pays here are high. But you can tip our janitor over there." He pointed to a small animal inside the restaurant wearing a trench coat, standing near the restrooms with a broom in his hands.
As Judy went away, Nick motioned the waiter to come closer to him.
"Hey, I'm trying to set up something special for her. If you guys aren't super busy, I would love it if you guys could stuff this in her food. If you know what I mean." Nick cautiously brought out a silver bracelet hidden behind his badge.
"Ohhh, yeah, yeah! Anything for a special someone!"
"Cool. And if I could suggest, add a mango scent to it. That's like her go-to fragrance."
"Of course!"
Meanwhile...
"Hey, man. I'd like to give you a tip for your cleaning. You've done a wonderful job." The animal turned around. It was a white male rabbit who had a chipped front tooth. He appeared unhappy and under his eyes were dark circles.
"Oi, thanks." He snatched the money from her hand. Immediately afterward, he resumed playing an app on his phone.
"Umm, okay?"
"I like getting free money."
"Free?"
"Yeah. I don't do anythin' here."
"Then where's the janitor?"
"In there." He gestured to the female bathroom.
"Sorry." She proceeded to enter. At that moment, the rabbit quickly followed her inside, a fox taser in his right hand.