After a night of partying and an extensive interview with Chief Bogo at the ZPD later that same night, Judy slept in the next day. Bogo had given her the day off so that Rattigan wouldn't see her in the raid the next morning. She went home, fell into bed, and slept the sleep of the just after such a harrowing night.
When she woke up, she showered, dressed, and got her morning coffee. Then she checked her phone. There were messages in the group text from her friends.
Fru Fru: Hope u had fun last night, girls!
Genevieve: It was a blast! Can't wait 4 ur next party.
Beatrice: I had fun, but I want 2 know how Jru's night went.
Fru Fru: If ur all up 4 it, we can have brunch at that new restaurant in City Center. Just let me know.
Genevieve: I'm in!
Beatrice: Me 2.
Fru Fru: What about u, Jru?
Beatrice: She's probably still sleeping. Give her some time.
Judy read through the text chain then texted back.
Judy: I think it's 2 l8 for brunch, but lunch sounds good. Just let me know when 2 be ready.
No sooner had she set her phone down than it began to buzz with incoming texts. Judy read them as they came in, and she soon knew what the plan was. Fru Fru was going to use one of her father's limousines and pick up Beatrice and Genevieve to go to the restaurant. When she asked Judy if she wanted a ride, Judy stated that the restaurant was only a few blocks away and she'd rather walk and loosen up her stiff body.
When the phone finally fell silent, Judy knew it was time to get ready. But what should she wear to such a fancy place? Her party outfit from the night before was ruined from Felix's claws. The flowing material was shredded beyond repair, so said Beatrice, and Judy trusted her expertise. So that was out. But she had quite a few outfits from her girls' days that she could pick. Fru Fru always gave Judy whatever outfit she'd picked for that day's outing, and over time she'd been gifted a few different wigs and some makeup, too. Time to make use of them.
Judy began rifling through the back of her closet where she kept the expensive clothes Fru Fru had given her. She finally selected a rich forest green dress that she'd worn to the opening of an art museum. She pulled the smooth dress up then zipped it up. Thankfully Beatrice had taught her how to do that by herself a few girls' days ago. When she looked in the mirror, her nose twitched as she considered how far she wanted to go. Did she want to be Jru or Judy today?
She decided on Jru simply because she wanted to be at ease at that restaurant. It was a new one with standards for how its customers dressed, and that was just the beginning. It was hard to get a reservation unless you knew people. Thankfully, Fru Fru knew people. Besides, being Jru and dressing up gave her confidence. Beatrice had once told her that how somebody dresses can give them confidence, and Judy finally understood that entirely. It had taken a lot of girls' days to get it, but she did, and since she had the means, she would take full advantage of it.
So Judy got to work, carefully applying her makeup the way Dara had taught her. She went with a dusky gold eyeshadow, a light blush, and finished with some gold lip gloss. As much as she enjoyed the rest of it, lipstick was too high-maintenance for her today, so she went with a shimmery gloss instead. Then she went to select a wig.
She had four now, including the one from the night before. There was the red wig from the party, a dark chestnut wig that matched Fru Fru's usual hairstyle from her first ever girls' day, a black one with braids that Aster usually twisted and placed together to make a beautifully complicated hairstyle, and a long, blonde one with nice waves.
Judy decided she didn't want the braids because she couldn't do up her hair into the hairdo like Aster could, so she looked at all her options before selecting the one that matched Fru Fru's usual look. She liked the way it looked on her, and she really did like matching Fru Fru. While a lot of her siblings were twins, triplets, or even quadruplets, Judy was a single sibling, as they called them in Bunnyburrow. She really liked the idea of having a twin out there, even if it wasn't her biological one.
Once she was ready, Judy decided to leave. She'd be there a bit early, but she didn't mind. After grabbing her purse and everything else she'd need, she slung the strap over her shoulder and headed out the door. After a moment of looking around to make sure she was going in the right direction, she set off for the restaurant. She knew the walk would hurt in heels, so she'd selected a pair of black flats to take the walk in.
As she made her way down the street, somebody came up and started walking beside her. Before she turned her head, she heard Nick's low chuckle.
"Well now. What have we here, Miss Bunny Bumpkin? All dolled up, I see. Where are you going looking like that?"
Judy snorted and rolled her eyes as she looked at the fox. "For your information, sweetie, I'm going to lunch," she said.
"Sweetie?" Nick scoffed. "Haven't been called that since I was a kid. You don't say sweetie."
Judy cocked a brow. "Oh yeah? Maybe I discovered I like talking like that. What do ya think about that, doll?"
Nice stared at her with bright eyes and spoke casually, but there was an intensity about his words. "Sweetie is fine. Don't call me doll."
"Sure thing, sweetie," Judy said, backing off. She didn't like to push too far with Nick. Sometimes she could still sense the pain of that stupid press conference lingering between them. But he gave a real smile and swished his tail as they walked along.
"So, where are you going, Carrots?" Nick asked.
"The Polar Palace," Judy said.
"Oooh, fancy," Nick said. "And I take it you aren't going alone?"
"I'm going with the girls," Judy said. "Fru made the reservations."
"Sounds too posh for me, cottontail. I'll stick with Mac's cooking. Besides, I don't have to wear a suit."
"You'd look nice in a suit," Judy argued.
Nick shrugged. "It gets hot, and you're not supposed to pant in polite company. And that's the only time I wear a suit. So pass. But you look nice today. Is that Chantal Purrview?"
"A gift from Fru Fru," Judy explained.
"Very nice," Nick said. "And nice hair. I didn't know you wore wigs."
"Fru got me into them. I only wear them on girls days." She paused. "I know I can't wear them to work. Too much of a hazard. But I think I'll start wearing them more often when I'm not on duty. What do you think?"
"I think it's your choice," Nick said. "But you are snappy with that cut. Kinda reminds me of Ms. Frubelina."
"Exactly, sweetie," Judy said, her nose twitching with pleasure. "Now, I thought you were on the raid."
"I was," Nick replied. "Just got off work and came by to tell you about it."
"Well, start talking then," Judy pressed. "I don't think you could get into the restaurant in that getup."
Nick snorted then began to detail the raid. A lot of the force had been called in last night an hour before Judy got there to give her report. As soon as Judy had arrived, unbeknownst to her at the time, everybody else had leaped into action. The camera and recorder Kevin had retrieved for her before she'd left the party as well as the sunglasses with the camera and the necklace with Mr. Big's recorder had been handed off to separate officers so they could process what she had. As she was giving her full account to the chief, the entire station was watching or listening to Rattigan's drug deal and her struggle with Rattigan's goons.
There was a pause for a few moments as Nick kept his gaze on the sidewalk. Then, "I'm glad you're okay, Carrots. I've seen cats attack before. You're lucky."
"I am," Judy agreed. "I'm just glad I actually know about plants. Fru told me to pick something I know, and that was all I had besides policing, which wouldn't do."
"Actually writing out those notes was the smartest thing you could have done," Nick said seriously as they finally got to the restaurant. He stopped and met her eyes. "Judy, it is always a good idea to become what you're pretending to be in those situations. I would have done the same thing, though I wouldn't have gone with plants."
"Yeah, no surprise there, sweetie," Judy giggled. "But what would you have gone with? Popsicles?"
Nick shook his head as his eyes sparkled. "I believe your entourage is here, Judy. That looks like Mr. Big's car."
Judy turned around and saw the long, white car pulling to the curb. Judy turned back to Nick and smiled up at him. "You go get some rest. I'll hear the rest later."
"Sure thing," Nick said. "Later, Carrots."
With a swish of his tail, Nick headed toward his apartment as Jasper parked the car and got out to open the door for his passengers. Beatrice got out first and Genevieve carefully passed Fru Fru over before hopping out and stretching.
"Thanks," Genevieve said.
"Oh my gawd!" Fru Fru squealed. She wore her usual wig and had actually chosen the same shade of green as Judy, though the dress was cut differently. Judy grinned at her friend.
"Guess we're twinsies today, Fru," Judy said, winking.
"You're tellin' me!" Fru Fru exclaimed. "Ooh, you look good. Didn't expect you to go all out for lunch."
"I feel like Jru today," Judy replied.
"Excuse me, Ms. Fru Fru." Jasper said politely. "But your reservation is in only a few minutes, and you cannot be late."
Fru Fru gasped. "Thanks, Jasper! Come on, we'll talk once we get seated."
They walked into the restaurant, which was large enough to accommodate the biggest mammal of they wanted to dine. The hostess smiled at them and cheerily checked Fru Fru and the party in.
"If you'll go into our bar lounge to wait, madams," the beautiful wolf said. "Your table is not quite ready. Feel free to order a drink and an appetizer if you want. Your personal server will be by to get you just as soon as your table is ready."
"Thanks, sweetie," Fru Fru said.
The four friends headed into the bar lounge and looked around. A large television was set on the wall, playing the news. Some otters were watching it and talking in low voices. They appeared to be there on business.
Judy and her friends each selected a drink from a short list. The bartender, a sleek deer, assured them of the high quality of the ingredients and entertained them by making their drinks into a performance, tossing and catching and showing off. They were delighted, and they had just taken their first sip when the television was suddenly turned up.
"In an important turn of events, local business owner Rattigan Fullcheesy has been arrested in connection with a large purchase of Trully's Syrum this morning."
Judy nearly fell off her seat as she spun around to see the newscaster staring seriously at the screen. The male jaguar continued to speak.
"Chief Bogo has released this press statement. 'At this time, we have Fullcheesy on a number of illegal activities. Due to the cooperation of another business owner, we have managed to obtain crucial evidence that leaves no doubt as to Fullcheesy's intentions with his order. We will be looking closely at his other businesses and if there is any other illegal activity, those charges will be added. If the public has any any information about Trully's Syrum distribution, please remember to contact the ZPD.'"
The press release faded from the screen and the jaguar gazed at the camera again. "Mr. Fullcheesy was apprehended with fifty vials of Trully's Syrum, with intent to distribute all of it, but not for cash. Let that sink in. Remember folks, Trully's Syrum is one drug you want to stay away from if you want to remain alive. Animals are allowed to shoot to kill if it is believed rabies are involved. Trully's Syrum mimics rabies symptoms so perfectly that it's impossible to tell without waiting. But nobody's going to wait if they think you've got rabies. And this is also a favorite form of suicide-by-cop. So please, remember to stay away from this horrible drug. If you know anybody thinking of trying this drug, do what you can to help then report it to the ZPD. Now, onto sports."
The otters turned the television down, and Judy's sharp ears caught the low voice of the shorter one. "I told him he was pushing it. And now he's gotten himself arrested."
"It wasn't you, was it?" the other otter said.
"Who reported him? No. I'm not that stupid. I wonder how he got caught."
"We might never know," the other one said.
"Table of four for Ms. Fru Fru," a boar said from the doorway.
"Oh, that's us," Fru Fru said.
"I'm Angelina and I'll be your server. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to your table."
Fru Fru hopped into Beatrice's paw as the four friends followed Angelina to a private table. She showcased the menu, explaining each option down to the ingredients and where they came from, then took their orders. She brought them a basket of delicious bread that they split. Once Angelina had left. Judy looked at the others.
"They got him," she said, relieved.
"Course they did, and Daddy helped write the press release to imply it was all him instead of you. Just in case Fullcheesy gets out and wants revenge."
"Tell him thanks," Judy said. "You know, I'm glad I saved you from that donut. I got a best friend for life out of it."
"Not only that," Beatrice said with a smile. "Your twinsies, too."
Judy and Fru Fru looked at each other. "What do you say, Fru? BFF twinsies for life?"
"Oh, for sure!" Fru Fru exclaimed, and she toasted her with her little glass.
Judy held up her bigger one and let Fru Fru clink the tiny martini glass against hers. "BFF twinsies for life!" they both declared.
The whole table erupted in laughter. Genevieve leaned forward once Angelina had brought them another bread basket.
"Okay now, sheila. Spill. What happened once Kevin took you back? What was the plan?"
Judy took a fortifying drunk then began to explain her encounter with Tom, Sylvester, Felix, and Rattigan to her rapt audience. They gasped and oohed at all the right places, and as she talked about it, some of the lingering anxiety began to loosen its hold on Judy. When she was done, their meal had arrived. Judy was a bit quiet, so Beatrice reached out to cover her smaller paw with her bigger one.
"You did very well, Jru," she said.
"I tried, doll," Judy said tiredly. "But after this, I want to go to bed."
"So you don't want a massage?" Fru Fru asked. "I arranged for one this afternoon, but I can call and let them know you ain't gonna be there."
Judy thought about this. "You know what, Fru? A massage might be just what I need. I'm hurting all over from that scuffle with that cat. But then I need to go home and sleep."
"I'll have Jasper drop you off first," Fru Fru said. "Now that's enough talk! I'm starvin'."
With that, the four friends dug into their meals with no more talking. They'd have time for talking during their massages.
Judy was grateful for Fru Fru and her friends, who had somehow helped her pull off the biggest undercover job she'd ever been a part of. She had outsmarted a mob boss and his goons and gotten out without a scratch on her person.
"Care for a picture, ladies?" a suave goat with a camera asked as he came trotting up. "For a small fee."
"Take one of them first," Beatrice ordered.
"Yeah, it'd be a great one on your wall, Jru," Genevieve said, winking.
Fru Fru padded over and hopped into Judy's paw. Judy held her up next to her face and the goat held up the camera. "Say cheese!"
They posed for several shots, and the goat was clearly happy to have found such a wonderful group. He took as many as they wanted, and when Judy left, she had several momentos of the day she had embraced the part of her that really was Jru Jru Fields. She hung them in her living room so she wouldn't forget, and the picture of just her and Fru Fru posing together was front and center.
And that is all for this story! Thanks to Arandomperson2567 for requesting this story, and I hope you enjoyed it especially. Thanks for reading. God bless.