A Friendly Hustle

by Blkdragon7

A few years after the Missing Mammal & Nighthowler cases, Nick and Judy are officially mates. They have managed to keep it a secret until they discover that their friends Lizz Fangmeyer and Mike Wolford are also in a mate level relationship. To help their friends, Nick and Judy draw Lizz and Mike to a restaurant to reveal their knowledge and their own relationship.

85. Chapter 85

Here is the 85th installment. Nothing else really to add at this time. Things are hitting the rotary oscillating air moving appliance, and it ain't gonna be pretty.

Additional notes live at the end of the chapter, when they exist, so here is the obligatory, on with the show.

Sadly, I do not own and thus can claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.

It continues…. Enjoy.

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Three days later Operation Wild Cards 130pm Zootopia time

Team Code: Wolfeyer

Members: Elizabeth Fangmeyer-Wolford Michael Wolfrod-Fangmeyer

Erik Delgato Jason Ket Carl Rootel Yax Chief Swiftspot

Primary Target: ZIA Agent Jacob Woollston

Secondary targets: Robert (Bobby) Sheered

Location: Al Jourgensheer's home, a formal herd gathering in progress

Four cruisers and two unmarked drove down the quiet, empty street of a gated neighborhood in the most exclusive section of the Meadowlands. Mammals like Gazelle and billionaire Bill Ekarts made their homes there, along with many other celebrities and rich mammals. The team pulled silently into the driveway of one of the homes, which was in fact literally across the street from Gazelle's home, the trailing cruiser blocking the entrance. Three others had broken off from the group as they entered the community and were blocking the other accesses to the neighborhood. No mammals in or out.

Exiting the lead cruiser, Mike and Lizz approached the door once the team was assembled. Four officers from the Canyon district directed to block exit Via the side yards and back fence.

Lizz turned to Chief Swiftspot. "Chief?"

Swiftspot shook her head. "Nope. I am a member of your team. I go where you say. This is your show."

Mike and Lizz shared a look and grin, causing Delgato to roll his eyes. "Gods, not you two, too."

Mike chuckled before speaking. "For a while now. Don't be jealous, Del." Schooling his features. "Alright. This is the home of Al Jourgensheer. Al is the head of the Jourgensheer herd and we know they are currently holding a herd event, and while Al is an inter, his mate is out of the house for that reason. No non-herd members allowed, especially not predators. Therefore, us predators are going to be a real disruption. We actually want to take advantage of that a little bit. So if you feel it will result in less push back, be intimidating. Show some fang if you feel that will reduce resistance. We want to make this go as fast as possible. That means we're also hoping to use our close acquaintance with Al to isolate our targets."

Lizz picked up from there. Targets are ZIA Agent Jacob Woollston and Robert (Bobby) Sheered. Bobby is supposed to be getting promoted from lamb to Ram today, making him a full member of the herd. It is in fact one of the listed reasons for todays gathering. Bobby is also just a kid, so be firm but gentle. Both are confirmed to be present based on cell pings.

Delgato. Chief. Go for Bobby. Yax. Rootel. Go left and right as we enter the gathering. Your option which does what. Ket. Berret. If we get in with Al escorting, you're to hold at the back door. Keep anyone from leaving the gathering. If he is less willing, which is very likely given the nature of the gathering, Berret, you'll hold Al here at the entrance way while Ket, you'll have to hold the back door solo. Jones. Heath. You hold here as backup."

Mike nodded. "Questions?"

Swiftspot spoke. "Expecting any issues?"

Mike shrugged. "Depends on Al, really. If he's cooperative, then we should be able to get to Woollston, who is the biggest threat, before he can become a more serious threat. If Al doesn't want to play, then be prepared to start shooting. Tranq's first for bystanders, but both Bobby and Woollston are lethal authorized. So do not hesitate. We are not in reaper protocol, but we are damn close, so do what you do best. Your lives are more important, but don't be trigger happy, either.

Though remember, Bobby is just a kid and we're not actually sure how old he is. The records we got from the cell he's gotten pulled into put him at nineteen, but other city records imply younger. Also keep in mind that Woollston is a trained agent, and will be armed. He will shoot you if given the chance. The goal is to not give him that chance. Do not give him that chance if things go sideways and weapons come into play." With everyone clear on their roles, the team standing behind them as they stepped up to the door. Mike reached up, pausing to glance behind him.

They knew that there was a strong possibility that recent prison escapee and Bellwether lieutenant, Woolter, might be present as well. Bobby was Woolter's nephew and had been the reason Bobby had gotten hooked into the terrorist cell recruiting. Although Wollter was considered legally exiled from the herd, he was still a registered member of the Jourgensheer herd.

Lizz put her paw on Mike's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze, prompting him to knock. After the recording session, invitation for the barbeque, and his commitment to sign onto the pact, they would like to call Al a friend. Sadly, they also knew about the herd gathering going on, sheep only, which meant Al's mate was out of the house, and they, predators, would be disrupting it. Since it was a full herd gathering, and two targets were members of the herd, as much as they didn't want to disrupt a species specific cultural event like this, they had jobs to do and needed to take advantage of the gathering. The fact that it corresponded with the actions taking place across the city to apprehend as many members of the multiple prey supremacist terrorist cells as possible, was a lucky, if unfortunate, break.

Al opened the door to his home a few moments later, clearly expecting more family based on the smile. A smile that quickly turned to confusion then a frown as he looked over the two predator officers standing there, in full uniform. It was clear that it took Al a moment to recognize the two he'd only met previously in civilian clothes at the recording session. "Mike? Lizz?" Looking past them at the other officers, then the fact that both were clearly wearing their weapons in the open, unlocked, and read. Seeing this, his frown deepened into a scowl. "I'd say this was a bad time for a social call, especially one from predators as we're holding a major herd gathering. However, given the friends you have brought with you, I can only assume that this is not a social call." Straightening up and becoming completely formal, his voice tightening. "Good afternoon. What can I do for you, officers?"

Mike nodded, his ears flicking back. "Really sorry about this, Al… Mister Jourgensheer. We are here with a warrant and have good intelligence that one Jacob Wollston, who is a registered member of your herd, is present today. We are also seeking, if present, a young ram named Robert Sheered, often called Bobby." Mike held up a photo of Jacob that got a look of recognition and anger from Al. "Are either or both individuals present? If so, and with our sincerest apologies, please escort us to him directly, as well as Robert Sheered, that we may place them in custody and leave with minimal disruption to your gathering."

Al nodded grimly. "Nothing personal guys, but I'm gonna need to see that warrant, and it'll probably be better if those other two do the job." Indicating Yak and Ket. "That said, yeah. He's here. They both are. We just got done with Bobby's elevation ceremony."

Mike swapped the photo for the federal warrant they had. He had the full court order in his back pocket, but the single page order was something actually put in place under Bellwether. One of those rare good things she did while in power. The single page laid out in authoritative, but simple language, who they were after, a synopsis of why they were wanted, and what authorizations the officers had in performing the apprehension. In this case, the fact that those authorizations included the use of lethal force. "About that... As much as we would prefer that as it would reduce the disruption. It has to be Lizz and I, per the warrant. He's an active ZIA Agent and considered extremely dangerous. Only Lizz and I are authorized to arrest him. Please note the authorization at the bottom. The quicker we get him in custody, the less likely that is needed."

Al looked at the bottom and blanched. "Oh shit. That… That's some serious shit, Mike."

Lizz spoke up. "Al, if there were another way, but this is happening literally all over the city as we speak and we need to take him into custody before he can warn anyone else, or be warned."

Al nodded and motioned them to follow. "This is Bellwether level shit, isn't it?"

Ket was the one to actually respond. "Worse..." It was clearly meant to be to himself, but was loud enough for Al to hear and causing him to flinch.

Al grumbled to himself. "And we were just getting past all that."

Lizz chuckled darkly. "If it is any consolation, it's not just sheep this time, but prey across the board, and even some predators."

Al shook his head as he led the way through his home. "Not really."

A few moments later they were in the back yard where the entire herd was gathered. There were several bleats of alarm as the large predators entered the backyard following Al. Al led the way directly to Jacob, Lizz and Mike following, while the others moved to block any exit through the house. Delgato and Swiftspot moved to locate Bobby in the direction Al had indicated as they entered the yard.

Al walked up to Jacob and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, cousin. Got a second?"

Jacob turned around with a smile on his muzzle. "Sure. Wha…" He never got to finish the statement. The oddly wet crunching sound of hoof on flesh echoed through the silence as Al, who had pulled he arm back, drove his hoof into Jacobs jaw with as much force as he could, throwing himself off balance with the strike and knocking Jacob flat to the ground. Al then leapt onto Jacob and hit him three more times while screaming. "What the fuck have you done? What horrors did you bring to the door of this herd, you shitty excuse for a ram?!"

The sudden violence surprised everyone, eliciting alarm bleats from several younger lambs as well as a few of the older sheep. Mike quickly leveraged Al off of Jacob and locked him up in a joint hold so he couldn't go back after the other ram, though desperately trying, and even kicking at him once. Lizz was on Jacob the moment Al was removed, had him flipped over on his stomach and both hooves bound behind his back. The restraints included a chain going to a shackle on one of his ankles. She then began to frisk him, locating several weapons, cuff keys, and other items.

Al let out a bleat of challenge. "What did you do! I'll have your horns!"

Mike held Al fast. "Calm down. I can't let you beat him."

Jacob screamed. "What is the meaning of this! You have no right. Get off me you filthy disgusting pred skank!"

Lizz chuckled. "I'd watch your language there, Jacob." Holding the warrant in front of his muzzle. "Jacob Woollston, you are under arrest for violations of the espionage act, your oath of position, as well as multiple terrorism charges. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand these rights?"

"Fuck you, pred. I understand them. I'll have your badge. When I get done with you, you won't be able to work at a Buggaburger! And Al! You're through! I'll own this house and the herd by the time I'm done with you. I expect you worthless moron beasts to arrest him for assault, as I will be pressing charges."

Lizz chuckled, waggling the warrant in front of his face again. "I suggest you read that warrant in front of you a bit more carefully. Notice who signed it. Notice the endorsements at the bottom. Alive is preferred, but because of the documented shit you have been up to, alive is optional." She put a bit of torque on his arm, causing him to bleat in pain. "Given that. It's probably a good thing Al nailed you like that, so I wouldn't try pressing charges. Knowing what you have been up to, he probably saved your life with that punch. Besides, this is a herd gathering, and herd rules apply. As the leader of the herd, he is within his rights to pound you into the dirt. If anything, he could file a complaint against us for restraining him."

Al chuckled and relaxed allowing Mike to release him, though he still kept a paw on Al. "Yeah, but I won't. You said there might be another? Bobby? What did that boy do to get himself tied up into whatever this piece of dung has done."

Erik spoke up from one side. "Already got him." Frog marching a younger ram, Swiftspot and his parents following and looking really worried.

Mike froze and then looked around, his nose flaring as he caught a whiff of a scent he knew but couldn't quite place. "You gonna be okay, Al? Not going to attack him again?"

"No, but I'll be happier once you have extracted him from this meeting so we can expel him from the herd. What did Bobby do?"

Erik frowned down at the young ram. "Got himself hooked into one of the Bellwether terrorist cells. He hadn't done anything yet as far as we can tell, but he was a member, so he's going to have to be processed. As long as further investigation proves he hasn't done anything as a member, the sentence will be light. Probation level. Having a herd like yours behind him to help rehabilitate him will help."

Al nodded, but Bobby, tears in his eyes, looked through the crowd before locking onto another ram. "Uncle Woolter! Help me! You've gotta help me! You promised nothing would happen and we'd make the world safe from predators!"

Mike snapped his head in the direction of the scent he'd picked up and where Bobby was looking as the scent clicked in recognition. He cursed internally. Damn the pups and their diapers, my nose was all out of whack. "Woolter! Step forward and surrender."

Woolter did not take that advice and started running. Mike spun and there was a thunk against the fence Woolter was running along towards a back gate. All eyes turned to find Woolter frozen, a knife embedded in the fence, flat of the blade parallel with the ground and right above his muzzle. Everyone watched as some wool slowly floated on the breeze and a small trickle of blood could be seen staining his muzzle from a cut on his brow.

Mike stood. "Woolter. You are not on our list, just a bonus. That said, we are authorized to use lethal force in the apprehension of our targets, and well… You have had a dead or alive wanted poster on you since your escape. Kinda like Jacob here. Alive is preferred, but dead is just fine too. So unless you plan on opting to end your existence here and now, I wouldn't move if I were you. Ket, pull Jones forward, then if you wouldn't mind retrieving mister Woolter would you? Oh, and once he's restrained, please retrieve my blade. Thank you."

Ket smirked as he moved through the collected sheep once Jones took his place. "With pleasure, sir."

Lizz grinned. "Nice throw. Were you going for the trim?"

Mike nodded. "I was, actually. Though my aim was still slightly off. Going to have to practice a bit more. Nick would be disappointed."

Lizz looked down at Jacob as she lifted him up and he struggled. "Nah! That was your first live throw, I'm sure he'll be quite pleased with it, given the circumstances. He'll also agree that more practice is in order." Lifting Jacob by his restraints in such a way that his struggling threatened to tip him muzzle first into the ground, only prevented by Lizz holding onto him. "Don't bother. These were designed by and to restrain a certain rabbit and fox when they have been dosed by the likes of you with Nighthowler."

Al then spoke up. "You see! Even within our own herd, the fear and hate of Bellwether still festers! Who brought the traitor here? Who allowed Woolter into our fold again?"

Bobby bleated! "I just wanted to show you that he wasn't a bad mammal! He showed me the truth!"

Al sighed and walked over to the younger and slightly smaller ram, looking at him and then his parents sadly. Gently placing a hoof on Bobby's shoulder. "Bobby. Boy. That mammal, and I use that term loosely, caused the deaths of untold mammals because of hate. Both predator, and prey died, and for no reason other than fear. Because of fear. Fear of something that happened centuries, even millennia ago." Speaking up, Al addressed the gathering as a whole. "This is the entire point of the pact I have been speaking to you of. It is to get us past these old fears. To get us past these old prejudices that have no basis in reality in our world.

Yes, a thousand years ago we had to worry that Mike or Lizz here might seek to make meal of us. Neither of them would consider that now. They have no need or desire to do so. At this point. In our world as it is now, it is only the truly insane that even think that way. The savage predators. They were caused by a drug that affects all mammals and were targeted to play on those ancient fears. They were drugged by Woolter and his cohorts in places specifically chosen to cause the most damage. Not because the predator wanted to do that, but because they were drugged against their will.

Remember! It was a prey mammal. An ewe, along with traitors to our species like Woolter that nearly caused the murder of millions of innocents for things they had no say in. For things they did not do, that their parents did not do, nor their parents, parents, parents. Should any of us be held responsible for the horrors of the Lanolin Revival? The Reformation? The Lanolin Purges of three thousand years ago‽" Pointing a hoof off into the distance. "We have in the past of this herd, members of the Lanolin priesthood. Should we be held responsible for the crimes, the undeniable evil they committed? If the answer is no, then why do we hold predators responsible for things done by their ancient ancestors? If your answer, like that of Woolter, is to think that their actions were justified, then there is no place in this herd for you.

This is why I will be signing this herd onto that pact in two months. Anyone in this herd that doesn't want to be part of that is free to leave and find a new herd. So you know. That means that these two mammals." Indicating Mike and Lizz. "That means that they will be treated as members of this herd."

Mike nodded and stood straight, standing next to Al and placing a paw again on his shoulder, though not with the intent to restrain him, but as a sign of friendship. "I am the Designate for Wolford Pack, Zootopia. Lizz is the Regent and my mate. That's right. When my parents step down and we take over as Alphas, there will be a tigress as Alpha of a wolf pack. Wolford pack is a founding signer of the pact Al speaks of. We sign onto it as a reaffirmation of a pact signed in ancient times. If you are signed onto that pact as members of this herd being signed onto it. That means you will be, in a time of need or strife, treated as a Wolford wolf. This herd essentially becomes a satellite pack to Wolford pack. Just as you will be expected to stand with us, and treat a Wolford wolf as a member of this herd, so too will we stand with you. As we stand with Al as the leader of this herd."

Ket spoke up where he held Woolter in the same manner Lizz was holding Jacob keeping him just off balance. "My herd is signing the pact. Even if they wouldn't. I would myself. This is bigger than so many realize."

Mike nodded. "It is. However, we have a job we must get back to, and so will leave you to your gathering. Our deepest apologies for the disruption." Accepting the knife back from Ket, he quickly vanished it back into the hidden sheath in his pants.

Al chuckled. "Think nothing of it. If anything, we must thank you for helping us to identify the lame within our herd and removing them, strengthening the whole. Not as you would in ancient times, to be sure. Something many forget, in ancient times when we were only just growing past being mere beasts and becoming intelligent. In those earliest days, we as a herd honored the predator. They eliminated the weak, the lame, the sick and dying, those who could not keep up and placed the herd in danger. The predator made the herd stronger. We become weak when we forget that we are not alone in the world, and that others live in it too, and in their own ways, can bring strength to our herd. We clearly need to discuss Bobby and how we as a herd can help him overcome the lies Woolter and others have fed him."

With that, Al turned to the herd, his flock, and the officers left, leaving the gathering with the three rams. As they left the backyard, they could overhear the parents of Bobby, who was crying openly, saying how they didn't know. That they thought it was just a young lambs group to help them learn to better socialize with other sheep in a digital world. They loaded the three into the cruisers and headed out, on alert for more mammals on their lists. Woolter and Woollston in the cruiser driven by Delgato and Ket. Bobby in the back of Mike and Lizz's cruiser.

Mike drove as Lizz turned to look at the crying ram, really only just past being a lamb. "Bobby. How old are you?"

"Fifteen." The response was quiet. Resigned. Clearly terrified. The scent of fear rolling off him.

Lizz made a quick note, given that the documentation they had from the terror cell said he was 19. They had noted that as odd, given that young rams were usually recognized as such by their herd no later than 16. If he really was only 15, that only made it worse. "Fifteen. Wow. Younger than you look. With those horns I would have pegged you for 18 at least." That got a weak smile from him. "Look, I don't want you to be scared, but at the same time, you really should be. You got hooked into some really bad things and some really bad mammals."

Looking up, still terrified, but defiant. "What would you know?" He clearly wanted to spit an epitaph at Lizz, but seemed to realize that might not be wise.

Lizz gave him a soft smile. "Because the wolf driving is my mate and father of my cubs. Because my best friend in the world is a rabbit. Because I work with dozens of dedicated prey officers, like the ones you saw. Like Ket, the deer, or Yax. Officers who are some of the best mammals I know. Because it hurts me to see a good young mammal like you, no matter the species, get pulled into the lies and fear. You were part of a terrorist organization, Bobby. You probably don't know what they were up to, but we do. If they got away with it, the number of mammals murdered by what that group was trying to do… It would make some of the worst atrocities in history pale in comparison."

Bobby looked at her horrified. "What? What are you talking about? Uncle Woolter said we were just standing up for prey pride, after all the hate that got heaped on us."

"You do realize that your uncle Woolter was part of the core of Bellwether's conspiracy? He was one of those that actually poisoned a few of the predators with the NightHowler toxin. He was given life in prison, but escaped when the wall of the prison was damaged by the recent earthquake. He, along with Dawn, Doug, and others, cannot be kept with the regular prison population. I mean, obviously gotta keep them away from predators, but they cannot be kept around most prey mammals either.

They tried putting them with the regular prey population, and while some of the most specist prey were willing to tolerate them, most couldn't stand them. Doug has a permanent limp now because of a beating he took before the guards could get to him. At the hooves of prey."

Bobby's eyes were wide. "Oh gods. You mean?"

Lizz nodded and turned around. "Yeah. That group you joined is a terrorist cell left behind by Dawn and her evil. We're part of a task force trying to locate them all. You need to be worried, but you're also lucky. Once they confirm you're only 15, and if you can prove to Al that you really want to be better. I'm sure with a herd like that in good standing at your back, you'll be alright, but you have a rough time ahead of you."

"What… What do I do?"

Mike spoke up as they pulled into the precinct. "Best thing you can do is talk to your lawyer and be honest. As cops, we probably shouldn't tell you this, but really. Don't tell us anything until you talk to your lawyer. Especially if you really are only 15. Make sure that lawyer is one from your herd and not from this group you got hooked into."

Bobby nodded and looked down as his shackled hooves again. "Yeah. I guess I'm not sure what the truth is. They had videos and stuff."

Lizz nodded. "I'm sure they did and were pretty convincing. Probably taken way out of context too. Like Mike said. Best you don't say anything until you have talked to your herd provided attorney."

"Make sure they prove that they're from the herd too. Given the lies you have been fed by this group, best you get advice that isn't tainted by that group."

They parked and took the three rams in for processing, making sure Bobby was put separate from the rest. Lizz made a call while Mike did the paperwork and intake interview.

"Hey, Al, it's Lizz. … Yeah, can you confirm how old Bobby is? … Fifteen, as of last week? Oh, wow. Good to know. … That's what I was going to ask. Name? …" Scribbling the name on a notepad and handing it to Bobby while Mike entered the name on a form. "Harvel Wooler. … Got it. Seriously, what's up with all the… Fair enough. Mammals need to get more creative. … Yes. We're keeping him separate because of his age, thank you for confirming. … Very unlikely, but his parents can probably see him after his lawyer meets with him, probably some time tomorrow at the earliest. There are a lot of mammals being picked up, and it's going to take days to arraign them all. Younger mammals like Bobby will get first billing of course. The lawyer will be able to give you the details and arrange that. … Yeah. Thank you." Lizz turned to Mike and Bobby. "You catch that name?" Bobby nodded glancing at the sticky note in his hoof. "Good, do you know who that is?"

Bobby nodded a second time. "Yeah. He's from a different herd, but a top notch lawyer. Why?"

"That's who your herd has hired. Make sure it is really them. When your lawyer is in the room with you, the microphones are off, but there will be someone in the room on the other side of the mirror."

"Just like the cop shows."

Mike chuckled as Lizz continued. "Yeah, like the cop shows. They are there to observe. Make sure you are not being threatened, intimidated, anything like that. If you are, you just need to signal the person in there and they'll interrupt and ensure you are safe."

Bobby nodded. "Okay. … Uhm. I know it's weird, but can one of you be the one to do that?"

"Not sure who it will be, but it'll be one of us that was there. We trust all of the mammals without question. Everyone you saw is part of the same special task force."

Bobby nodded and took a deep breath looking out the window. "Okay."

xxxXXXxxx

Several hours later.

Bobby had been escorted from his cell. As they walked him past the other hold cells, he saw that there were dozens of mammals squeezed into the holding cells. It surprised him and he asked the officer escorting him about it once they were in the elevator.

"Uhm… Sir?"

The wolf officer looked over. "Yeah?"

"How come I was all by myself and those others were… well, stuffed in there like that?"

The wolf smiled tiredly at Bobby. "Simple, kid. You're fifteen, right?" At Bobby's nod he shook his head. "That's why. You're under age. Since the juvenile detention facilities are currently full, to the point of exploding, and the fact that we cannot legally put you with adults. You get a cell all to yourself."

Bobby looked down at his bound hooves. "Oh. I guess that makes sense."

They didn't talk further. Bobby was then led to an interview room just like you see on any given cop show. He'd been sitting in the interview room for longer than he could tell and was quite literally terrified. It was fun watching cop shows and seeing the bad guys get grilled, break down, and spill their guts. It was not fun being the bad guy and waiting to get grilled. His imagination was going wild with all sorts of nightmare scenarios. If he saw a phone book, he might just pee himself and pass out from fear.

Still, as he sat there and lost himself in the terror inducing what-if of his imagination, fueled by all the cop shows he loved to watch. He wanted to be a cop most of his life, now he was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen. Bobby shivered despite it not actually being cold. The chair was even more uncomfortable than the shows made it out to be. Having to lean forward because of how his hooves were chained to the table, he sighed and rested his muzzle on the table with a sniff. He'd already cried himself out, but that didn't stop the occasional tear from running down his face. This wasn't like the cop shows. It was far worse, and far scarier. The cop shows never showed the scary parts. The TV couldn't really show you what being cuffed felt like. The cold metal on your wrists… It was one of the scariest things he'd experienced in his entire life.

Looking up as a large Awassi sheep entered the room with a briefcase, Bobby started to freak out. Bleating like crazy, looking at the mirror with terror in his eyes. "NO! Get away from me! You're not him!"

The ram sat down and put up a hoof. Calm down, Bobby. I'm your lawyer. I work with your main lawyer."

Bobby shook his head. "NO! If you do, then have him come here and tell me to trust you!" Bleating loudly again. The door burst open and Ket rushed in.

Ket looked at Bobby and stepped over to his side of the table. "What's the matter, Bobby?"

Bobby shook with fear. "That… That's not my lawyer. That's not Harvel Wooler."

Ket looked up at the ram who realized he had a problem. "Look. I'll just make a call, we can have Mr. Wooler come and confirm that I work for him. They all looked up as a smallish Dorper sheep with his black head and white body entered.

The actual Harvel Woller looked up from a file in his hooves at the ram already in the room and frowned. "You used to work for me, Edward. You were fired when I found out you were moonlighting for specist prey supremacist groups and helped write that accursed collar law Bellwether tried to get passed. Last I checked, you also happened to have lost your law license." Glancing at Ket. "Officer, I would suggest you arrest this mammal for impersonating me, for impersonating a lawyer, and generally getting in here to try and access my client before I could."

Ket nodded with a grim frown, cuffs suddenly dandling from his own hoof. "Turn around and face the wall." The ram stood moving as if to grab his briefcase and froze and the barrel of a gun was pointed at him. Ket frowning deeper. "Sir, I suggest you cease that move and move very slowly to stand and face the wall. Given what I just heard, and the fact that you were escorted in here under a false name and false documents. Adding to the fact that we have standing lethal force authority given the situation. Pushing your luck right now would be… inadvisable."

The ram nodded slowly and did as he was told. Mike arrived a few moments later and escorted Bobby and his actual lawyer to a different room, while Lizz examined the briefcase. Ket holding the ram secure. After a few moments, Lizz popped open a hidden compartment of the briefcase and frowned. Hitting her radio. "This is Fangmeyer. I need CSI, in hazmat, in interview twelve. Looks like possible Nighthowler."

The ram broke free of Ket and made a charge for the table and the briefcase only to be stopped by Lizz, paw around his neck and held up against the glass of the two way mirror, cracking it slightly from the impact. "Bad move." Ket, get a full restraint set on this mammal."

Ket stepped out for a moment and returned with the same restraints that they'd used on Jacob. Once secure, the would-be lawyer was escorted out to be processed. After that, all attorneys had to undergo additional verification that they were who they said they were and their briefcases, recorders, etc… were carefully examined. Bobby's attorney, Mister Wooler, was more than happy to allow his things to be gone through, especially after what had nearly happened to his client.

There were five other would-be attorney's arrested just in Precinct One, either for not being who they claimed, and in four cases, having hidden compartments in their briefcases containing things like nighthowler, and worse. One had outright poison meant for one of the more high profile mammals they had captured. The poor mammal in question didn't even know about it. They were just a homeless mammal picked up, cleaned up, and given the briefcase and IDs. Their instructions were simple. All they had to do was get in, open the case, and hand over the supposed message inside. They had been given a thousand up front, which turned out to be counterfeit, and were supposed to get another thousand when they finished the job. What they didn't know was that the message was death. A death that would have included themselves. Sadly, there were a few that got through and eighteen mammals, including three officers, were killed before the higher lock-downs were fully in place everywhere.

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A/N

Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to dcballard . com ( Direct: ascensionnovel . / scribblings (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)

If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."

You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come.

So keep those reviews and comments coming. 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.