I steeled myself as I gripped my phone tightly, the number already dialed and ready.
"Here we go," I muttered, and pressed call. The phone rang twice before someone answered.
"Detective Howlton, make it quick." I sucked in a bit of air. Hopefully, Bogo was right that they'd be helpful.
"Hey, detective, this is Officer Wilde. I've got a potential two-one-seven we're helping Wolfard and Fangmeyer with. Chief Bogo recommended I reach out to you and your partner to get a few pointers."
There was a pause.
"Give me a minute," Howlton replied. There was a grunt, followed by the swishing of fur and fabric. I could hear Howlton speaking to his partner.
"It's that fuckin' fox."
Breathe in. Breathe out. Smile, he'll be able to hear it. I heard someone else pick up the phone.
"Officer Wilde?" The mask slid on. It felt like slipping into an old pair of jeans you were sure you had outgrown, only to find they still fit perfectly. It made me a little…sad, just how comfortable and familiar it was.
"Howdy. Detective Lowell, right?" I kept my voice light and playful, affecting just the slightest bit of a folksy accent to layer in the charm. "Don't know how much your partner might have filled you in on, but I'm looking at an assault with possible intent to murder, and Bogo said you two might be able to weigh in a little. Spoke very highly of you two." I figured greasing his wheels a little couldn't hurt, especially after Howlton's reaction.
"Sure, you're taking over for Wolfard and Fangmeyer, right?" My brow furrowed. Taking over the case? What was that about?
"Eh…not sure about that, but we could use your help if you've got some time to meet today."
"Shoot, lemme check what we've got going on…could you make 11:30 work?" I checked my watch. About fifteen minutes away.
"Sure thing, that'll give me time to gather up the case file and bring it on over."
"Sounds good, Wilde," he responded. I was moving to hang up when he spoke again. "Actually, on second thought, maybe we'll meet in conference room C, that work for you?"
"Room C, sounds great. See you then." There was a click on the other end, and I pocketed my phone.
"I think I'll stay here and keep working this end, Nick." Judy tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. I pretended not to notice.
"Sure thing, Carrots. Need me to pick anything up for lunch when I'm done?" She leaned back into her chair, chewing on the end of a pencil thoughtfully.
"You can pick, I'm drawing a blank," she replied, turning back to her computer.
Lowell arrived in the conference room a few minutes late, a carry-out tray of coffees in paw.
"I come bearing gifts," he proclaimed. He was youngish, more so than I thought he'd be for a detective. He was probably a red wolf, judging by his scrawny build. Well, scrawny for a wolf. He still stood nearly head and shoulders over me. He seemed like a nice guy.
But all I could think about when I looked at him was the way he'd made Judy cry.
"Thanks for the help, detective. Your partner not able to make it?" His expression turned sheepish as he slid the coffees onto the table.
"Ah," he replied rather lamely. "That's sort of why I brought coffee." He took a deep breath. "Wilde, I'm sure your partner and the chief have, uh, told you about my and my partner's behavior. I just—I just wanted to apologize. I've wanted to since we took Hopps out, in fact. I just…haven't been able to make myself."
Stunned, all I could think to do was to grab one of the coffees.
"We said some things that got pretty ugly, but, I felt awful as soon as I said them," he continued. "Bogo pretty near tore us both a new one, too, but that's not why I'm apologizing." He took the other cup to occupy his paws. "I shouldn'ta been saying that stuff, least of all to you or your partner. Can you forgive me?" He was very careful not to make eye contact, baring his neck as much as he could.
Wolves. I resisted the urge to shake my head and laugh.
"Honestly, Lowell? I haven't got a problem with you or your partner. I've heard that crap all my life. But Hopps was—still is, really—pretty shaken up." He looked pained at that, and bowed his head, ears flat.
"I'm sorry. What can I do?" I gave it a thought.
"Well," I replied eventually. "I know she loves carrot cake, and I'm heading out to pick up lunch after this little tête-à-tête." He perked up.
"I'll cover your lunch," he said quickly. "No problem."
"I think you should also apologize to Hopps in person, but maybe give her a little more time to cool off." He nodded vigorously, eager to please. I couldn't help it. I gave him a smile, a real one. "Anyway, here's what we've got so far on our case. Anything you can suggest?"
Lowell picked up the folder and began to leaf through its pages. He was silent for a few minutes.
"Your vic, Loxley," he said eventually. "You need to widen your pool of suspects close to him. It says he's unemployed; find out where the last place he worked was. Find out if he frequented a soup kitchen, a church, hell, a strip club, something regularly." He closed the file. "Re-interview everyone at his apartment complex. Nine times out of ten, mammals are assaulted and even murdered by someone they know."
"We might have DNA from his wallet and phone, though," I replied. He shook his head.
"And you might not. Or you might get something, only for your perp not to be in the system. If you have a solid suspect and enough evidence for a judge, you can get a warrant to pull their DNA for testing." He stood, pulling out his own wallet. "I've got to go, but keep me updated on the case. If you need any more help, just let me know." He peeled a few bills out and handed them to me. "For lunch. And next time, use my number—Howlton…is still…"
I cut him off.
"I get it," I said, pocketing the money. "I heard him over the phone. It's fine." He winced and opened his mouth. "No, seriously," I said before he could speak. "It's okay. Thanks for all the help."
"Veggie wrap and a slice of carrot cake, courtesy of one very apologetic Detective Lowell," I greeted as I re-entered the cubicle, dropping a bag in front of Judy's startled face.
"Really?" she asked, opening the bag hesitantly. I nodded.
"He seemed really embarrassed about the whole thing," I said, collapsing into my chair and opening up my own wrap. Judy studied her food intently for a few minutes before succumbing to hunger and digging in.
"I've been thinking about what you and your mom can do this weekend," I said between bites. "There's the botanical gardens, unless your mom wants to get away from all things green and growing for a few days, in which case the art museum has free admission on Sundays." Judy swallowed the bite of cake she had taken.
"Actually, Nick, I was kind of wondering if I could ask another favor…"
I sat up straighter in my chair.
"What's up?" She fidgeted a little, tidying up the remains of her lunch.
"Will you go with me and my mom this weekend? I just—if it's just me and her, I'm worried she'll just talk about me coming home the whole time. If you come," she said, turning to face me, "then she probably won't try anything like that, and hopefully just enjoy herself." Judy's eyes grew large as she clasped her paws together in a pleading motion. "Please?"
God, if she only knew how much she had me wrapped around her finger.
"Yeah, I can probably make it," I replied casually, turning away to my computer. Ignoring the heart palpitations I seemed to be having, I opened up my email.
Hey Chief, I wrote. Met with Homocide and got some new directions to chase down. Lowell mentioned something about me and Hopps taking over for Wolfard and Fangmeyer, though, just wanted to know what that was about. Wilde. I hit send.
It didn't take long for Bogo to respond.
Officers Wolfard and Fangmeyer have put in for two weeks PTO starting Monday. I was planning on bringing it up during roll call then. Let me know if you and Hopps feel unable to take their caseload. Chief Bogo.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What's up?" Judy asked.
"Oh, Lowell mentioned something about us taking the case over for Wolfard and Fangmeyer," I replied. "I asked Bogo what that was about—apparently they're taking the next two weeks off. Probably some romantic getaway planned." She looked puzzled.
"Two weeks is a long time to take off," she said thoughtfully.
"What, are you worried we can't handle the case?" She shook her head.
"No, it's something else…forget about it."
…
Why, oh, why, did I agree to this?
Two full days of interacting with Judy's mother. I am absolutely convinced that mothers have some sixth sense when it comes to their children, and I was even more sure Bonnie Hopps would be able to read me like a book and forbid me from going near her daughter.
I just gotta breathe. Breathe in and out. Slide that mask on, turn up the charm—
Judy whacked me in the arm.
"Stop that!" she scolded.
"Ow." I rubbed my arm. "Stop what?"
"I can see you freaking out and putting on your old swindler face. I don't want my mom to meet Nick Wilde, pawpsicle scam artist. I want her to meet my best friend, the real Nick."
That…was a terrifying notion. A lot more than Judy realized. If I didn't hide anything, Mrs. Hopps wouldn't be the only one to notice my feelings for Judy.
"I'll try my best," I said, shifting my weight uncomfortably.
It was early, for my Saturday, at least, and we were waiting for the first train from Bunnyburrow to arrive. I had a long two days ahead of me.
I'd start Judy and her mother off at this vegetarian place that did breakfast, followed by the Zootopia Botanical Gardens. Plant husbandry, as Judy said, was big in her family, and she was sure her mother would want to see the more exotic specimens that they had. I figured we'd do some window-shopping in the city center, a light lunch, maybe catch a show after. There was a theater close to Judy's place. Finish off the evening with a nice dinner at a glitzy establishment where a certain cook owed me a favor, and they'd be ready to turn in. Judy said she could handle Sunday, so I left it to her.
Judy grabbed my arm suddenly.
"There's the train," she said, her foot tapping rapidly against the pavement. She sounded tense—as nervous as I felt, in fact. I took her paw from my arm, though not before giving it a quick squeeze.
"It'll be okay," I murmured. "We've got a fun weekend planned."
With a hiss of steam and squealing of brakes, the train pulled slowly into the station. The doors opened, revealing a fairly small crowd of mammals. As they dispersed, I felt my tail go rigid in anticipation.
"Judy?"
Bonnie Hopps was more or less what I'd expected for a country bunny. Clad in almost the same denim and flannel as Judy. Definitely rounder than Judy was. Hesitant, eyes darting around at all the larger mammals around her, her gaze lingering just a moment longer on the predators.
But twenty-odd years ago? I could see her as—well, maybe not the spitting image of Judy, but certainly along the same lines. She had similar coloring; from the grey fur that gave way to a lighter color around her muzzle, to the same shade of violet eyes. And even though I could see she was nervous, there was a curiosity there, something I'd seen in Judy.
"Mom!" Judy cried, and rushed forward to embrace the older rabbit. Though some remained, I could see a lot of the anxiety she'd been feeling melt away the minute she hugged her mother.
I found myself tearing up slightly, and worse, thinking about—
No. I will not be thinking about her this weekend. I shook my head clear and pressed forward.
"—You're looking too thin, Judy, I'm worried about what you're eating." Judy cried out in disbelief.
"This is not malnutrition, mom! This is actually keeping fit, and not just for work!" I cleared my throat. To Mrs. Hopps' credit, she didn't flinch or jump at my sudden presence.
"Hiya, Mrs. Hopps," I greeted, offering her my paw. "I'm Nick Wilde, Judy's partner." Once again, to my surprise, the older rabbit gripped my paw tightly, not seeming to notice the claws.
"Please, call me Bonnie. And I'm so glad to finally meet you! You're all Judy talks about when she calls home." Judy's ears went very red and dipped quickly behind her.
"Mom," she stated very firmly. Mrs. Hopps—Bonnie, I suppose, gave a little chuckle.
"Oh, calm down, Judy." She turned to me. "Don't you think she's too skinny, Nick? She needs to take better care of herself."
Oh, no, no, no. I'm not stepping into that snake pit.
"I'm afraid I must recuse myself, ma'am; as a police officer I'm here to serve and protect, not judge." She laughed loudly this time, taking my paw between both of hers now.
"It's just so nice to meet you. You've been such a good friend to Judy, and we've been so worried about her out in the city alone."
There was an incredible lump in my throat that I struggled to push down before responding.
"I can't take all the credit, Mrs.—Bonnie, I mean—we certainly weren't friends at first. And I'm sure she's been a better friend to me than I ever could be in return."
Even Judy's cheeks were pink at this point.
"We should get going, we have a lot to do today," she said, pulling Bonnie away by the arm. "Do you want to drop your bags off at my apartment first?" Bonnie nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, I want to see how it is you've been living out here on your own." Judy rolled her eyes. I laughed.
…
Things went surprisingly well at first. Bonnie seemed more interested in Judy's living conditions, diet, and general well-being than she did in grilling me about virtually anything, which suited me just fine. She didn't push Judy too hard on moving back, either; just a few occasional reminders that she should visit home more often. She adored the Botanical Gardens, as did Judy, who had also never been. Frankly, it was for all intents and purposes my first time too, as my official first time there I had been more focused on setting up a booth to pass off cheap tchotchkes as official Gardens Gift Shop merchandise.
After lunch, however, the trouble started. With time to burn and not much to do until the evening, I suggested either window-shopping or a movie. Judy and Bonnie both seemed receptive to the thought of getting off their feet for a few hours.
And then that goddamn trailer started playing.
I had been avoiding any further news about Robin Hood since the day of my exam, and so had not seen the second trailer that had been released. Boy, oh boy, let me tell you: they did not hold back this time.
I mean, I'm talking a full-on love song backing the whole trailer. Long, uninterrupted shots staring into each other's eyes. And a passionate kiss right at the end. Two actors—practically our doppelgängers, basically standing in for us—sharing an incredibly intimate moment on a screen twenty feet high. I sank so far into my seat that I was practically eye level with Judy and her mother.
"What's wrong with you?" Judy whispered between bites of popcorn. I clutched my stomach.
"I think something I ate for lunch, probably." I excused myself and stepped out of the theater, making a beeline for the bathroom. I scrubbed my face with cold water, trying to get the image of myself and Judy in that same pose, lips pressed together—
God, I hadn't felt anything this—this—terrifying—in all my life. I just wanted to hold her. Wrap my arms around her and press upon her just how much I cared about her. My chest hurt. My breathing was erratic, and my paws were shaking.
Slowly, I got my breathing under control. Drying my muzzle off with some paper towels, I made my way back to the theater.
"Better?" Judy asked. I nodded weakly.
"A little," I whispered back. She offered me her bucket of popcorn, which I declined. "Still a little queasy." Bonnie leaned forward to talk around Judy.
"Are you all right, dear? I might have an antacid if you're feeling sick." I shook my head. "Or excedrin, or ibuprofen. Just let me know."
"Thanks, Bonnie, I'll be fine."
The movie itself did not help things. For starters, it was a romantic comedy, which meant the theater was full of couples. In fact, myself, Judy, and her mother were the only ones that were not here with significant others.
But worse still was Judy. Judy, it seemed, had become accustomed to our little movie nights at her apartment, and lifted my armrest up about twenty minutes into the movie. She then promptly tucked herself into my side. My ears burned and I thanked God that the theater was dark because I was sure they were smoking. Bonnie gave the two of us a funny look when Judy first leaned over and my stomach churned even faster.
…
The interrogation started innocently enough at dinner. How old are you, Nick? Did you grow up in the city? Did you go to college? Has Judy finally found herself a boyfriend? Are you seeing anyone? How is a handsome fox-of-the-law like yourself single?
I was quickly becoming an absolute wreck. Luckily, Judy wrote my worsening state off as food poisoning from lunch, but I could see behind the cordiality and the country charm the shrewd look in Bonnie's eyes.
She was on to me. I was a dead fox walking.
"I hope you're feeling better by tomorrow, Nick," Judy said, face pressed into my chest in one of her classic rib-crushing embraces. "I want to do a Mother's Day lunch at my apartment around noon; if you're feeling up to it, maybe come around 11:30?" I nodded.
"I think I just need to sleep it off," I replied. "I'll be there tomorrow for sure." Bonnie seemed a little put-out that I wouldn't be around any longer tonight for further questioning, but held her tongue nonetheless.
I wanted to pull away from Judy's hug before things got even more out of paw, but I found myself entirely unable. My whole body was shaking; my arms completely unresponsive to any impulse other than to return Judy's embrace.