Here is the 30th installment. Hope you enjoy.

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Late morning, 11am-ish, Precinct one Cube farm.

Returning to their cubes after meeting with Bogo to present the proposal, Mike and Nick sit down to make sure they have all their paperwork closed up. Wanting to have everything done before heading out to patrol and the follow up on the robbery case they were working.

Mike put his last notes into the system for the case he was reviewing and sighed. Rolling back he looked over at Nick. "Hey, Nick? That's three cases and every single one of them is so bogus it's absurd. One of the DAs is now a Judge."

"Flag that one for the judicial liaison for review then, and forward to Chromest and Ghalt. The liaison is empowered to put any Judges that this touches for review, but it needs sign off from Chromest or Ghalt. The point of the task force is really to just formalize and properly empower what we had already built as we started going through this stuff. Judy and I did the majority of the leg work, like you and I are doing now. We have Chromest and Ghalt review our work and if we've flagged something, such as that case you're talking about, they sign off on it. Once they have, the liaison for judicial, DA, or IA, pick it up."

Turning back to his desk for a moment, Mike flagged the case and forwarded it as Nick advised. "Okay, done. That's smart. Part of that double checking for bias thing I assume. So what do you want to get for lunch?"

"Exactly. It's already proved effective in preventing a defense from attacking the credibility of the conclusion because there are 2 independent checks on our work. As for lunch... Dunno. I'm kinda feeling Chinese. There is a nice place near the new complex. I can call Frank on the way over, maybe even have him meet us there."

"That sounds good. These cases are so bad they really don't need deep review."

"I know. These are from when these beasts got started. I figured it would be easy to clear out some of the earliest. Have an impact so that the task force can focus on the stuff later on when they actually started caring about covering their tracks."

"Makes sense. Get the low hanging fruit out of the way."

Nick's desk phone rings, turning to it, he hits the speaker seeing it was the front desk. "Officer Wilde."

Clawhauser from the phone. "Hey, Nick. There's a fox out here asking for you. Says his name is Gerald."

Nick smiled. "Great! That's the fox I've been hunting, Ben. I'll be right up." Hanging up, Nick grabed a thick folder and rolled back after locking his computer. "Finally. I was beginning to worry that he might not show and had decided to join her instead."

Mike nodded and stood up. "Would be hard to blame him."

"He was there last night. I think we were only an hour, maybe less, from him acting. I can't believe he showed up in Jesse's last night. I've gotten used to things like that since I've been with Judy, but it's still crazy. Lucky for Gerald. If Jesse hadn't called. We would likely be responding to his body. Maybe him standing out on the ice threatening officers in hopes one of us would shoot him." Standing, Nick headed towards the front desk, Mike following. "Judy recorded his memories last night, and his description of what happened. Need to get him to sign off on that being turned over for use in the prosecution too."

"Smart. That heartfelt, free form testimony, could be really impact full."

"For sure."

Walking around the front of the desk, Ben looking down at the fox. Nick smiled brightly. "Gerald. I was beginning to worry about you."

Gerald looked down, his ears folding in embarrassment. "Sorry. I overslept. I think that was the fist time I've slept in a long time that wasn't filled with nightmares of some kind."

"That's good..." Nick found himself suddenly the subject of a very tight hug.

"I've been so hopeless for so many years. Just surviving because she wouldn't want me to give up. I was there, though. If you hadn't found me last night. I know, in some way, I'd have found a way to join her."

Nick patted Gerald on the back, looking up at Ben as he gasped, clearly realizing who the fox was. Nick had spread the word far and wide as they tried to find this very fox. "I know it is going to be hard, and take some time, but I promise, with help and the support we all offered you last night, things will get better. Now come on, we have some paperwork to do so we can officially give you your life back."

Gerald released Nick. "Sorry. It is still all so raw, and the relief keeps hitting me. Knowing that justice is actually on the horizon, and that there are others I can turn to."

Nick nodded and Mike spoke. "It is more than okay, Gerald. I think anyone who has lost a mate, and those of us in inter-species relationships like yourself, can all empathize with what you must be feeling."

A few minutes later, they were sitting in an interview room off the cube farm. Mike sitting beside Nick opposite Gerald. Nick opened the folder he had grabbed. "First, here is the documentation that your record is completely expunged." Sliding the papers over and giving Gerald a moment to read them.

After going over the documents twice and touching them carefully. Gerald's surprise was evident in every line of his face, cant of his ears, and twitch of his whiskers. "Wow... This is real. Okay. What's next."

"Next I have some things for you to sign." Sliding some papers across the table. "These will take care of your acceptance of the clearing of your record." Handing over a pen. "The next papers require that I ask you if you want to get a lawyer to review them for you."

Gerald smiled. "I studied while I was in. Was better than just stewing in my thoughts. With my record cleared, I think I am going to study a bit more and challenge the bar. So I will take my chances, what are these?"

Smiling, Nick slid the next sheet over, taking back the four sheets Gerald had just signed, handing them to Mike to made a quick copy on the machine in the room. "This one is a release to turn over the audio and video recording that Judy and her sister Jess made of you last night. It will be turned over to the prosecution. The defense will of course get a copy as well."

Gerald signed it freely. "So, was that why you had me tell all those stories?"

"No. The idea of getting you to tell us stories was to keep you occupied so we could prevent you from hurting yourself. I didn't know either had done that until afterwards. You were a few stories in when it occurred to Judy that your retelling, especially of the actual incident could be evidence gold. Her sister started recording when we walked in because she didn't know the situation and thought it was going to be an arrest. As a bonus, with the recording, if you get called to the stand, you won't have to recount the story, just confirm the account in the video."

Gerald nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad you found me. I was so very close. I can still feel the desire, because it still hurts so much, but knowing that the real murderers are finally being brought to justice. That is enough reason for me to stay. As much as I want to testify, retelling all of it would be hard without the lubrication of alcohol, so that would be nice. What next?" He signed the docs quickly and passed them over, accepting the copies back from Mike.

Nick slid a packet over to Gerald, getting the original copy of the last form back and adding to a pile on his side after Mike made copies. "Next, and this is where having a lawyer looking it over would really come into play. This is the agreement to not sue the city, hold the current and future administrations free of culpability, and an acceptance that the check I have here, the amount listed somewhere in that pile of paper, is sufficient compensation, etc... Essentially it is the city trying to cover it's ass while admitting to the wrong that was done to you without admitting to it."

Gerald chuckled with a wry smile. "Okay, I was wondering when that would show up. Give me a minute to look this over."

"Take your time, Gerald. And again, if you want to call a lawyer to look it over for you, I can get you a phone book."

Smiling. "I think I'm okay, but thank you."

Mike stood. "I'm going to grab a coffee. Nick, Gerald, you want anything?"

Nick nodded. "My usual mid-day."

Gerald smiled. "Coffee, please. Black."

Mike smiled with a nod. "Be right back."

Gerald began to read the agreement, chuckling every so often as he went through it. Once finished, he signed it without hesitation just as Mike walked back in. "With a clear head, this is what I expected. Considering everything, this is well written, and while there really isn't any value that could be set for what happened. The compensation is enough, taking into account the loss of my business, the loss of Terry, and so many other factors. What you have there is enough to hold me over for the rest of my life quite comfortably if I wanted."

Nick nodded. "Right." Taking back the agreement, taking one of the two signed back pages, and then sliding the packet back to Gerald. "That copy is of course yours, I just need this page." Nick picked up the check and held it over to Gerald, but keeping a hold of it when Gerald moved to take it. "Just confirming. We haven't left the room yet. You're sure you don't want a lawyer to look it over?"

Gerald nodded, the check held taught between himself and Nick. "It is actually more than I expected of the city. Fifteen million, plus the deed to the property my bar once stood on. No taxes due on either. I will be selling that. I can't reopen. Not there, but I think I will go into partnership with Jesse. Maybe open another bar with him and name it after her. If I pass the bar and become an actual lawyer, I think I will take pro-bono cases for mammals that are getting a raw deal from the system."

Nick grinned with a nod releasing the check. "Great. I recommend some counseling too. You have a lot to work through."

"Already set up my first appointment tomorrow. What's next, as I guess I need to go open a bank account, need to get my ID situated, etc..."

Nick laughed and slid an envelope across to Gerald. "You are right about the bank, the rest. Already taken care of by the city."

Gerald opened the envelope and found a current ID, license, passport, and all the other documents he needed to actually and fully reclaim his life, as well as the property deed. "Oh, wow. I guess that is it then? I don't see anything left over there."

"Just a few more things." Nick reached into a pocket and handed over a set of business cards. "First. These are both Judy and my cards. Also, you'll find a card for the MMSF. The Marginalized Mammal Support Fund. If you need help. Call them. If you need help. Call me or Judy. And if you do pass the bar, I know the MMSF is building a legal team that is right in line with what you are talking about doing."

"I'll look into it. So what is that second thing?"

Mike leaned forward, holding out cards as well. "These are Lizz and my cards. As with Nick and Judy. If you ever hit a wall, need to talk, vent, scream, just give us a call."

Gerald smiled, misting up but holding it in as he placed the cards with his ID and other documents. "I will."

Nick nodded. "Now, before we send you on your way to the bank. There are a pair of phone calls that we need to make. Then Mike and I need to head out on patrol, so we will give you a ride to the bank of your preference. No charge."

Gerald leaned back, suspecting he knew who was going to be called. "Now? Can't you make them without me?"

I have to make these calls, you do not have to say anything at all and if you don't want, I will not acknowledge your presence in the room. Yo don't need to be here for it, but I think you should at least here them being made, for your own piece of mind."

Gerald nodded. "Okay. Don't mention I'm here. If I feel it, I'll make my presence known."

Nick nodded and lifted the last piece of paper in his folder, handing a large manila envelope over to Gerald to put everything on his side into. Pulling the conference phone over to himself, he dialed the first number. It rang three times and then was picked up.

From the phone came a feminine voice. "Hello?"

Nick nodded. "Hello. This is Sargent Nick Wilde of the ZPD. I have Sargent Mike Wolford on the phone with me."

Mike smiled. "Hello."

From the phone. "What is this about? What does the ZPD want? Arn't you the one that has been leaving messages? That could be considered harassment you know. Don't tell me you're calling to let me know that my son has committed another crime after you let him out." The sarcasm was deep in the voice. "If so, don't bother."

Nick shook his head. "Not exactly. You see, we're calling to let you know that his record has been completed expunged and he is not only a free mammal, but no longer has a criminal record. Not only that. The officers that arrested him at the scene of the accident, and the prosecutor in his case are facing charges of their own for what happened that day. The actually people responsible for his mate, Terry's death are being brought to justice, for her death, and for framing Gerald."

Silence came over the phone for a moment, followed by a humorless chuckle. "This is a joke."

Mike spoke up. "No ma'am. We have confirmed that your son was never guilty of what he was charged and convicted. His record is completely clean, and while we cannot replace the lost time, or the losses he has experienced. Justice is coming on swift wings for those actually responsible."

"What happened?"

Nick spoke. "We cannot go into a lot of details, as there are a lot of active cases being reviewed. What we can tell you is that there was a conspiracy of officers, prosecutors, and others who targeted inter-species couples, framing one of both of them for crimes. In the unfortunate case of your son, the death of his wife, which is now being investigated as being possibly caused by, or even ensured by the actions of the on scene officers. It looks as though the accident gave them the perfect crime to frame him for, and they took it. The fact that he was a fox just made it easier to make stick."

From the phone, sarcasm and disdain dripping from the words. "And how would you know that, officer?"

Nick smiled. "Officer Nickolas Wilde, ma'am. First fox in the ZPD."

"Oh... Can I talk to him, Officer Wilde?"

Gerald shook his head. "Not at the moment ma'am. He's getting all the paperwork in order to ensure he can try and reclaim his life as a free mammal. I will pass on your current number to him if you wish."

"Please. I guess it's good he isn't there. I'm not sure what I would say."

"When the time comes ma'am, I'm sure you will know. Do you have any other questions for me?"

"No, not at this time. Thank you for calling... You're sure? He really didn't do it? Can I get your badge number?"

Nick smiled. "Yes ma'am, I am certain that he did not do what he was accused of. The evidence was clear enough once looked into, that a three judge panel signed off on clearing him. My badge number is ZPDF485519. You can call the main ZPD number and they'll be happy to confirm that for you."

"Thank you. I'll do that."

"Have a good day ma'am."

"You too, officer."

Hanging up, Nick looks up at Gerald. "Well, that went well. I've already written both phone numbers on the envelope for you, if you want to call them." Dialing the second number, it rings twice before being picked up.

A feminine and very irritated voice coming from the phone. "What does the ZPD want this time? I'm going to call my lawyer and sue you for harassment."

Shaking his head and rolling his eyes, Nick shook his head. "Hello Ma'am. Sargent Nick Wilde of the ZPD with Sargent Mike Wolford. We're calling you today about the case of your daughters death."

The voice almost sounded like it was growling. "What? That worthless fox finally confess? He do something smart for once and kill himself."

Gerald recoiled at the venom in the speakers voice as Nick shook his head. "We are calling to let you know that those actually responsible for her death are in custody and will be facing charges for the death of your daughter, the false imprisonment of Gerald Wick, as well as many others."

Silence greeted that statement for several seconds. "What are you saying? You can't mean that he wasn't responsible, he was convicted, sentenced to thirty years for murdering my daughter."

"He was framed for her death ma'am, and those that did it are now going to be held to account. The evidence of this was sufficient to have a three judge panel unanimously sign off on having his conviction completely expunged from his record."

The voice was clearly astonished, cracking slightly. "He didn't do it?"

"No ma'am. In fact, the evidence supports his original account."

Tears were clear in the voice as she responded. "But... That would mean that she might have been saved if they had listened to him."

"Yes ma'am. The mammals responsible were part of a group who were specifically targeting and arranging for inter-species couples to be framed for crimes. The evidence suggests that your daughter and her husband were targeted, and they took advantage of the accident to frame him."

A gasp could be heard over the phone. "Oh gods. You're saying I have hated and wished death on the wrong mammal this whole time?"

"I am just calling to inform you of the facts ma'am. Not to pass judgment on you."

Sounding angry, her voice getting angrier as she spoke. "Well then, I will. Gerald made Terry happy. All of us could see that, even if we were not comfortable with the fact that he was a fox. When she died. Accepting that he did it was so easy, because he was a fox. Because we didn't agree with their relationship, so it was easy to blame him. No. I will judge me and my whole family for it. We should have supported him. He was never anything but nice, caring, and willing to do anything to show us that he wanted to be a part of our family. He spent a month learning our customs just so he could make a good first impression. So yes, Officer. If what you say is in fact true and we spoke against his release, wished and prayed for the worst to befall him. Then yes, I am going to judge me and my family for that. We should have known he wasn't capable of doing that."

Gerald wiped a tear. "Ann. Don't. Please. Terry wouldn't want you to beat yourself up for such an easy mistake. They manufactured evidence, wrote the reports to paint things a certain way, and rushed the trial with an unqualified public defender. They did everything they could to make sure I was convicted and that it looked like I did it. Officer Wilde is why I am a free mammal today. Terry would just want us to remember her and move past what we cannot undo. I just want to be able to visit her. That is the only thing I ask of you. I never blamed you for blaming me. I would have in your position, so please don't be hard on yourself. It isn't what she would have wanted. When I tried to visit her, after the released me on parole, which was only a few days before they expunged my record. Edward was standing guard and chased me off. I just want to visit her."

There was again silence on the other end of the line for a moment. "Gerald? How can you forgive me for what I did? I attacked you while you were recovering from injuries from the crash."

"In that moment, Ann. I truly hoped you would hit something vital so I could join her. I almost did it last night, if Officer Wilde and his mate hadn't found me. However, forgiving you is easy. I totally understand it. Plus, it is what Terry would want. If I am not going to join her by my own paw, then I am going to live my life according to what she would have wanted. It is forgiving myself that is going to be hard. Because we were targeted because of me. Because I dared love her."

"Oh Gerald... I'm so sorry. If what the officer is saying is true, it isn't your fault. I know you probably don't trust me. Not after everything. I don't blame you for that, but if you ever need anything. Please, you just call me. I'll make sure you can visit her without being harrassed."

Nick spoke up. "I will pass your number on to him. Do you have any other questions?"

"Lots of questions, but I'm guessing that you cannot tell me more because you are still investigating things."

"That is correct ma'am."

"Then no. I suppose I will have to watch the news."

"There are already a few stories about it."

"Thank you for calling officers. Gerald, for what it is worth. I am sorry." The line then went dead.

Gerald sighed. "She's right, I don't trust her. She won't be satisfied until she comes here and then hears it from your muzzle directly. That said. If there is nothing else. I think I want to get a real start on living again. Last night I was already dead, I just hadn't died yet. Today... I don't have Terry, but I can look forward to living a life that she would be proud of. Thank you again."

Nick collected the piles of completed documents and closed his folder, Gerald stuffing his in the manila envelope Nick had given him. "As Judy would say. We're just doing our jobs to try and make the world a better place."

Gerald nodded. "One day at a time. That was Terry's motto. Live each day. Learn from the past, but don't live in it. That last part can be hard to do sometimes."

Nick nodded knowingly. "I know that all too well."

They finished up at that point, escorting Gerald to his chosen bank, at which point Nick and Mike started their patrol over to where they planned on having lunch. Nick pulling out his phone to call the apartment complex.

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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.

If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: ( Direct: dcballard (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.) and then select Scribblings Blog ( Scribblings ).