9 The Hunt
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After finally making the time to work on this story (life seems to happen, even when I'm retired) I managed to sit down and pump out nearly 7K words, which I figured was a bit too long so I split it into 2 chapters.
Anyway, here we go, enjoy …
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Heading down from the Nick's room, Judy's suddenly glad that she's had the opportunity to make up with one of her chief tormenters from her kithood.
Entering the rehab room and seeing no one, Judy looks around and notices that Darci is taking a break in the staff break room.
"Hey Darci ..." Judy greets her sibling.
"Hey Judes …" answers the brown doe. "What can I do for ya?" she asks in a curious tone.
"I – I need a huge favor. I need to find a good obstetrician. Deb can't recommend one, so I thought that I'd see if you had any suggestions."
"JUDY! … You really hadn't looked for one before now? Why on earth not?"
"I know, I know. Look … things have been more than a bit hectic since I found out that I'm expecting, and it kept slipping my mind until earlier today when both Deb and Nick made a point of 'reminding' me (using finger quotes). Please tell me that you might know of someone … you know that I can't use the warren's help since dad banished me and Deb can't because she's on staff!"
"I don't have anyone scheduled for a few minutes yet, so let's sit down and we'll see if I can come up with someone …"
…
While Judy is busy conferring with her sister trying to find a good ob/gyn, Lola is on a mission of her own.
Driving the non-descript vehicle that she drew from the ZPD motor pool for this assignment, the hare doe makes her way to the best motel in Bunnyburrow, the Howliday Inn.
Once checked in, Lola decides to use the room as her base of operations as long as her search for Jack Savage stays in the immediate area.
Taking a quick shower to refresh herself, the doe decides to continue to wear professional clothes for the immediate future – slacks, button-up shirt and jacket - for her interviews in the local areas. No sense dressing down until she can at least figure out where Jack might be.
Clipping her badge to her belt on the way out the door, Lola heads for The Burrow, the local watering hole that Judy mentioned in her interview.
The short drive from the motel to The Burrow gives the doe a first impression of the small town. Very orderly, mostly rabbits, definitely a typical farming community.
After parking her car, Lola walks the half block to the bar and enters, noticing that even though it's past noon, there are still quite a few patrons, mostly bucks nursing beers and eating the snacks provided.
"Kin ah hep ya?" asks the barkeep, a two-tone brown rabbit with white tipped ears.
Knowing that the buck has definitely spotted the badge on her belt, and with her being nearly twice the size of the average rabbit, Lola decides on the direct approach.
"Yes … are you the owner of this establishment?"
"Owner, head bartender an' cook. So, what'll it be officer?
"Actually, it's detective. I need to ask you a few questions if you've got a few minutes."
"An' if'n ah don't?"
"Then I guess I'll need to check your license to sell alcohol, which I see isn't properly displayed, your food vendor's license which is also missing, and…"
"Okay, okay, ah git the pitcher … what 'cha need?" comes the sullen reply.
Taking out her notebook, Lola begins – "Do you know a Hopps doe named Judy?"
"A'course ah do. Ev'er body knows her."
"And just why do you sound so disproving of her?" asks Lola, now curious as to a local townsmammal would be so adamant in his apparent dislike of Judy, a known lifetime resident.
"She wouldn't never take time fer us common folk when she wuz younger. Wouldn't date nobody, never gave none of us much of a chance ta date her. Then she goes an' gets knocked up by some strange buck, then took up with a damned pelt, a fox of all mammals. Serves her right if'n ya ask me…"
"In speaking with Judy, I learned that she spent all of her time and energy from when she was in grade and high school to try to get into the Zootopia Police Department. Maybe that would be why she didn't date?"
"Wull … maybe so, but-"
"And since you already know that she's pregnant, which has been spread by her father from what I understand, I'm here to try to find the mammal that got her pregnant. Judy was raped, just in case Mr. Hopps failed to mention that!" interrupts Lola.
"… No … Stu did kinda lef' thet part out ah guess …" as the buck scratched the back of his neck.
"And I wonder if Mr. Hopps also left out the part that he banished her from the warren as well, simply because she defended a mammal that she almost ran over and killed!" muses Lola out loud.
"No, I guess Stu kinda fergot ta mention thet as well…"
"And I'm guessing that Mr. Hopps also forgot to mention that 'that damned fox' that Judy took up with seems to be the only mammal in the area to help a then suddenly destitute Judy."
"…"
Extending a paw, Lola tries another tactic "So … what say we start this conversation again. I'm detective Lola Bunnee from the Zootopia Police Department. I'm here at the request of my senior partner Nicholas Wilde, who is presently in the Tri-Burrow hospital here in Bunnyburrow."
Somewhat gingerly taking the much larger hare's paw, the buck introduces himself "I'm LeRoy Leaps, owner of this here place. Sorry 'bout the attitude earlier, but we seldom git strange mammals in here, 'specially big city cops."
"Understandable. Now … would you happen to have any information for me from the night of January 13th that I could possibly use? Strange bucks in the place? Fur color, what he might be wearing, that kind of thing?"
After thinking for several minutes, "Now thet ya mention it, there wuz a buck in here one night with a suit on. We never git's anyone with a suit on in here at night, 'less it's a local lawyer or sumbunny lahk thet."
"Anything else about the strange buck that might be of help? Fur color, tattoos or other markings?"
"Nope, when we're busy an' the lights is low lahk they usually is, it's hard ta tell thet kinda stuff. Sorry."
"Okay, thanks, I appreciate it…"
"Hole up a second, mebe Alice there kin hep ya … She wuz in here thet night an' she's one a Judy's susters .…" adds the buck as he nods towards an attractive, professional looking doe who had just entered the bar.
Nodding her thanks to the owner, Lola heads over to speak with the new mammal of interest.
Stopping at the table that Judy's sister had taken, Lola extends a paw and introduces herself. "Alice Hopps? My name is detective Lola Bunnee. I'm investigating your sister Judy's alleged rape and I was informed that you might have some information that could be of some help."
Looking at the proffered paw as if it were a snake, the smaller doe give an icy response "Look, I have no idea who you are for real, but if you ask me, Judy got exactly what she deserved. And the name is Alicia, officer."
Ignoring the intentional slight, and partially taken aback, Lola's confusion at the statement was evident to even the most casual observer.
"Why would you even say that about your own sister?"
"Lady, it's obvious to me that you have absolutely no clue. To begin with, Judy was always too good to help with most of the chores around the warren even as a small kit. Yeah, I know focused on becoming a cop and all that … lots of us kits did other things besides work the land. I myself for instance happen to be the warren's top tax attorney. If Judy wanted to be a cop around the tri-Burrow, no one would have batted an eye, but noooo, Miss big shot wanted to go to Zootopia to 'Make the world a better place!" using finger quotes.
"Then she goes and gets herself knocked up by some unknown buck 'cause she got drunk. And to top it all off, she sticks up for some filthy pelt that she runs over and nearly kills … shoulda left him die in the ditch if you ask me!"
Somehow managing to keep a suddenly white-hot anger in check, Lola manages a mostly civil response. "That so-called pelt is a highly decorated and respected detective in the ZPD, as well as my senior partner. Detective Wilde has more compassion in his little finger than your entire family seems to have. He could have thrown the book at Judy but instead had mercy and offered to fund her dreams at the academy, no strings attached."
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to eat my lunch and return to my office. In parting I will offer one bit of information to you detective …" says the doe with a sarcastic smile "Judy is not truly a Hopps. Now, if you'll excuse me …" as she begins eating her tempura asparagus which was just placed in front of her by an attractive skunk doe.
Still in a bit of a shock because of the coldly indifferent attitude by the Hopps doe, and pondering the slightly cryptic last statement, Lola retreats to the open bar.
"Don't mind Alice she's always been a bit of a bitch, no disrespect to my numerous canine friends." remarks the skunk.
"Really! Mind me asking why?" asks Lola, glad to finally meet a friendly mammal.
"I've known Judy most of my life, and she was always kind to me and most of my friends, even after she and Gideon had their little tiff."
Seeing the predator doe ready to explain, Lola interrupts "I've read Judy's academy packet, so I'm familiar with her set-to with a certain fox todd."
"Well, that makes things a bit easier … my names Meg by the way-" as the opposing doe extends a black paw.
"Meg …." As Lola draws out the seeming request, grasping her paw.
Rolling her eyes, Meg sighs and tells her full name "Megan Black … happy?"
"Sorry Meg, professional habit. Detective Lola Bunnee, ZPD. Glad to meet you. Now, what were you saying about miss Hopps there?" nodding towards a certain rabbit do who is now giving them both the stink eye.
"Yeah, Alice there has always had it in for Judy for some reason, not sure why, sorry."
"She made the statement about Judy not being a real Hopps doe, any idea what she meant?"
"Sorry, no clue. But if the rumors about what's going on about Judy being raped, I might be able to provide something."
Bringing out her notebook and voice recorder, Lola prompts the doe to continue.
"I remember the night because it's really unusual for Judy to come in here and drink. Don't get me wrong, she's not the lightweight drinker that you might think. Her brothers have a still somewhere and I know that she can put down the 'shine with the best of 'em.
"I know that that night, her being in here being social had to be special 'cause she'd been accepted to the police academy. As usual, most of the non-Hopps bucks were hitting on her, she is cute by the way!"
Not seeing a condemning look come from Lola for the unintentional use of the 'C' word, Meg continues "Anyways, some strange buck buys her a drink, I go light on the booze since she's a friend. Before long, she's acting kinda strange, and I know it's not from the drink so I kinda keep and eye on her, you know, to look out for an old friend.
"Before long this strange buck is guiding her towards the door and out to his car."
"Would you remember anything about the stranger? Fur color, clothing, anything like that?"
"Yeah … average height, kinda muddy brown fur, didn't look quite right but I couldn't tell why, low lights and all. Wrinkled black suit that didn't fit quite right, white button-up shirt and black tie."
"Anything else?"
"Now that you mention it, I watched them get into his car … older black Beamer if I remember correctly. Really weird tag on the car …"
"Weird? How so?"
"Had to be a special plate 'cause of the number. 8675309. I only remembered the number because of the old song with those numbers in it! What?"
"If I were into does I think I'd kiss you!" remarks Lola. "Thanks to you I not only have a prime suspect but I have an idea about how to find him. Thank you soooo much!"
"Could you possibly do me one or two favors?" asks Meg.
"If I can, sure."
"First, beat him to a pulp when you find him! Judy is a good friend and I hate what happened to her. Second, please find out if they might have an opening in the Burrow sheriff's department. I've gotta get otta here before I hurt somebunny. And if I may ask …"
"What?"
"Is it true that Judy's taken up with a fox todd?"
Seeing a bit of concern on the larger doe's face, Meg quickly explains "As long as Judy's happy, I'm happy for her. She's always been kinda partial to predators, so I'm just kinda curious."
Giving the smaller doe a soft smile Lola tells her "Yes, it's true, and in fact that same todd will soon be my ex-partner on the force. I may be kind of partial, because Nick Wilde is, or rather soon will be, my ex-partner, but they seem to be very happy with each other."
"Wait! Is that the same todd that everyone says that Judy ran over on the highway?"
"The very same. Karma seems to affect Nick that way! I always told Nick that when he found his true love it'd hit him like a runaway truck! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my motel room and do some research to try and find my prime suspect, as well as update my superiors on my progress. Thanks a ton Meg!"
…
Hurrying back to her room, Lola stops at the front desk and asks if a strange rabbit had booked a room in the last month or so. Needing to be more specific, the doe provides the license number, knowing that by law it needed to be on the check-in information. After receiving a negative answer, Lola made a note to check out the other motels, especially the less-than reputable ones, in the morning.
Making a quick conference call to both Chief Bogo and to Nick (knowing there'd be hell to pay if she left him out of the loop) giving them all the info that she'd gotten so far, Lola knew that the ZPD could and would run the tag to make sure that Jack was still their prime suspect, and check with the surrounding flea-bag motels between Zootopia and Bunnyburrow and around the Tri-Burrow area for Jack's latest stays.
Making sure to include the Hopps doe's snide remark that Judy wasn't a true Hopps doe in her report, Lola decided to go to bed for the night so she could get an early start in the morning.
…
Waking early the next morning, Lola turns on her laptop and lets it load while she takes a quick shower.
While toweling off and quickly using the fur dryer, she is amazed at the quick work that had been accomplished overnight by the ZPD. The only real unanswered question was the one about Judy's seeming questionable heritage.
Staring at the leads on the motels that Jack had stayed in, Lola knew that stopping in the last town on the list, a place called Vermillion, would be her next stop. As a college town, there were bound to be a lot of possible targets for a certain leporine male whore/serial rapist.
Settling up with the desk clerk, the large doe fuels her car and grabs a few snacks and some water for the road.
After 180 miles or so, Lola cruises slowly past a truly run-down looking motel called the Piney Rest that had an almost pristine '81 325i with the correct tag number sitting in front of one of the rooms. 'That thing's definitely out of place there' goes through her mind.
'Glad the buck was so hung up on the song.' she thinks to herself, wondering why he had a thing about that particular number, considering the fact that that particular 325i and the song both came out in the same year, 1981.
Quickly moving on and getting a room at the local HoJo's, Lola considers trying a possible hook-up with Savage that evening, just as quickly abandoning the idea. With Jack being in that particular location for 3 days already, he'd be at least moving to a different motel in the next day or so. His standard MO was moving every three to four days so it would be best to wait and set up camp, waiting for an update provided by the vice squad back at Zootopia.
Making her way back to the Piney Rest, Lola was trying to figure out how to keep track of her target without watching him 24 hours a day, an opportunity suddenly presented itself.
When 3 vehicles suddenly pull in and parked in the lot, Lola quickly pulls on a somewhat raggedy hoodie and headed towards the office along with the drivers of the incoming vehicles.
Passing the rear of the little 325i, she deftly placed a small remote-control tracker that she had prepped before leaving Bunnyburrow behind the license plate and entered the office, asking directions to the nearest restaurant.
Walking back past the car, she quickly triggered the tracker, then turned it off once she was satisfied that it was working properly.
Heading back to her own motel, Lola figured she'd might as well get some rest before heading back to the Piney Rest just after dark.
…
As darkness began to fall, a large hare doe makes her way to a certain less than reputable motel to keep tabs on her suspect.
Arriving shortly before her quarry leaves, sloppy fur dye job in place, Lola manages to find a mostly comfortable out-of-the-way spot to observe Jack's motel room.
Several hours later, Jack's car pulls into a parking spot only a few doors down from his room.
Exiting the vehicle and moving around to the passenger side, the buck opens the door and guides his barely ambulatory victim into the motel room.
Waiting around 15 minutes, Lola has conundrum on her paws – on the one paw, she needs to go and rescue the poor doe, but on the other paw, she can't risk a fight or a possible shootout with an innocent mammal inside the room.
Hating her choice, Lola opts to replace the previous tracker with a new one that Jack is bound to find, while placing one more remote tracker on the vehicle, inside the passenger side rear wheel well.
…
After roughly an hour, Jack emerges, appearing to be freshly showered, and climbs into his car and drives away.
Waiting a few minutes to be sure the former agent doesn't double back, Lola emerges from her hiding place and heads directly to the manager's office.
Flashing her badge and directing the desk clerk to call the local PD and EMT's to report a possible rape, Lola takes a spare key card and goes to the room that Jack had just vacated.
Several minutes later 2 squad cars arrive, flashing blue lights lighting up the dingy parking lot, followed closely by a small animal EMT van.
After explaining the situation to both the cops and medical personnel, Lola swipes the key card and enters the room.
Thankful that the local PD had sent several female officers and detectives, Lola and the other females enter the room to find the poor doe naked on the bed with all of her delicate parts exposed.
Securing the crime scene (which the room now was) and hurriedly taking needed photos, the unnamed doe was covered and whisked off to the local hospital for the much-needed documentation (name, address etc. as well as the required rape kit).
Assuring the lead detective that the Vermillion PD could have dibs on the case in general and Jack Savage in particular, Lola gives her e-mail address and asks the lead detective to forward any and all documentation to her and to Chief Bogo when available, ESPECIALLY the results of the rape kit.
Returning to her rented room, Lola decides to do a quick micro-burst dump of the well-hidden tracker on Jack's car to see his present location. Thankfully it was another seedy motel well within the city limits, meaning she could keep her present location for at least the time being.
…
After a quick shower and heading for a well-deserved rest, Lola is up reasonably early the next morning
A quick trip to the motel's 'continental' breakfast offerings and filling her thermos with coffee, the doe fires off a preliminary report of the previous night's activities to both Bogo and Nick.
Using her laptop, Lola decides to do a search of all of the bars and bistros that would cater to college students in the area around Jack's last location.
Seeing that there were three, a determined Lepus* doe decides to take a field trip early to scout out the establishments and get a feel for the clientele before making her appearance.
With only one bar, the Den, catering to small mammals, particularily rabbits, Lola decides to prep for the next few evenings.
Setting out her all too revealing garments that she has brought along, Lola finally decides on her old college basketball trunks and jersey. Since they still fit and show as much fur as needed in this particular case, the doe decides to take one final precaution.
Knowing that her prescription for anti-date-rape drugs thoughtfully provided by the ZBI should still be in effect, Lola takes a booster dose just in case. 'Can't be too careful' she thinks while painting her claws.
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AN: hare, (genus Lepus), any of about 30 species of mammals related to rabbits and belonging to the same family (Leporidae).
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