Judy stood on the picnic table looking over the members of the Task Force. They had just completed the last, as far as they knew, arrests in the follow up of Nighthowler conspiracy. It had taken actual years to dig up everything, and there were a number of mammals that, while going to prison, would not be charged for crimes associated with their actions in support of the conspiracy. Either because their actions were not technically illegal, were not at the time but the spawn of new laws, or the statute of limitations had expired before their crime was discovered.
That said, they had put a lot of rich mammals behind bars and truly made the world, and the city, a better place. She and Nick had managed to talk Bogo into letting the team take the day off, with pay, as long as it was, as a team. So… a barbeque was planned. No uniforms allowed, and at least somewhat informal. They were all still on call, but Bogo had promised to try and not call. Something about paying enough overtime as it was already.
Judy had a speech she needed to give before they got to the actual fun. Everyone was paying attention but Wolford and the two wolves he was chatting with, Henrik and Fescue. Both were Wolford wolves, and from what she could hear, they were discussing the upcoming christening of Judy and Nick's Guide pups. They had settled on pups, at least when speaking to canines. It was all actually kinda fluid.
Judy was giving him a glare that he seemed impervious to as he chatted with the other wolves. "Wolford…" Raising her voice again. "Wolford!" Mike seemed immune. Finally frustrated, Judy yelled. "Mike!" This finally captured his attention, though he hadn't stopped talking. She tossed the ball in her paw up, watching his eyes track it with a smirk, his voice slowing to a stop.
Judy gave a Nick worthy smirk. "Now that I have your attention…" With a quick motion, she did a spin and threw it with as much force as she could muster, Mike's head spinning to try and follow the ball, his conversation fully stalled.
Mike's head tracked to her and back towards the direction of the apparent throw a few times, ending on her. "Did … Did … Did you just act like you were throwing that ball to get me to shut up?"
Judy looked around, down at her empty paws, then back up at him. "No..?" Doing her best innocent look.
Looking back where she appeared to have thrown the ball he frowned. "I… I'll be right back." Turning and jogging in the direction of the throw.
Everyone watched him go before turning at her suppressed chuckle and the sound of Nick about to explode, holding in his laugh. Lizz chuckled. "Okay, rabbit. Where is the ball?"
She reached back behind her head and removed the ball held there against the back of her head by her ears. "You mean, this ball, Lizz?"
Lizz face pawed herself. "That's just mean." Her chuckle not lost on the rest.
The wolves looked at the ball with deep frowns. The taller of the two, a junior ZBI agent, spoke. "I… How? Just… How. I mean, he'll figure it out in a second or two more. But… How?"
Judy laughed openly. "Just a little slight of paw. Stashed it during the spin."
Lizz laughed at the incredulous looks. "You're new to the team. Lesson one. The Rabbit Fox pairs can, and will, do things you are absolutely certain they should not be able to. And then rub your muzzle in it for fun."
Mike returned a few minutes later, seeing Judy toss the ball from paw to paw, and giving him an evil smirk. "Do I have your attention now, Sergeant?"
Mike just nodded, glaring at her and the ball.