Hey everyone!
New chapter, at your service! :)
I'm planning some interesting things to happen in the next one, so keep on reading if you want to find out why Nick threatened Clawhauser to make him delete a certain photo :)
Chapter 9
On their way to the Junkyard, Nick was thinking intensively while giving the bunny directions.
*Need a plan, need a plan, needaplan!* His mind was shuffling possible escape routes and options at lightning speed. With their destination getting closer and closer, the fox's desperation grew. And to his anguish, they arrived at the place and he had no plan of action. Still, with his usual grin, he followed Judy, when she hopped out of the car and headed towards the run down barrack that served as the Junkyard's office.
As they walked inside a lazy voice greeted them with as much enthusiasm as if coming from a convict serving a life sentence. "What can I do for you?" A middle aged badger rolled into the room and behind a dirty desk.
"Hello, sir! I am officer Hopps and I came here to investigate the events of the last couple of nights." She beamed at him, almost vibrating from the barely contained devotion to duty.
The badger raised a brow, managing to emanate laziness even with this little gesture. "Uh-huh…" Then he noticed the other person in the room. "Nick?"
The fox waved at him without much enthusiasm of his own. "Sup' Bill? Mind if we take a look around?"
"You working with the fuzz now?" Badger's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Not… exactly. Just helping out a friend." He indicated the small bunny.
"Since when you're friends with Cherry Toppers?"
Nick noticed Judy's mouth opening and quickly stopped her with a paw from interjecting. "You know me, always full of surprises. So how 'bout it?"
The mammal stared at him for a while and eventually turned to the wall, where various keys were hanging on small hooks. He picked an old, rusty ring with several, big keys on it and threw it to Nick.
"Just bring 'em back when you're done." With those words he walked back to the room he emerged from before.
"Thanks, mammal." Nick called after him.
When they got outside and started in the direction of the gate Judy couldn't hold it in anymore. "All right, slick! What was that about? You know him? You've been here before? And what's this 'having friends in the police' thing?"
The fox held up his paws. "Whoa, whoa, slow down! One question at a time please."
She folded her arms with an annoyed expression. "You heard the questions. Now, one answer at a time, Nick."
He sighed in defeat. "From the start, it was the easiest way to deal with him and yes, I know him. I know everyone, remember?" They reached the gate and Nick unlocked it with the proper key. Judy didn't fail to notice that he already knew which was the right one. "And for the information of a certain persistent officer, I've been here in the past, doing something she wouldn't like to know."
Her eyes narrowed. "Spill it, Nick." Judy said slowly, now really itching to know everything.
The fox grinned at her. "What, want me to also give you her phone number?"
In an instant, the bunny's serious expression was replaced with blushed cheeks and opened mouth. "W-w-what?!" She stuttered.
Truly enjoying her reaction, Nick went on. "About the 'police thing', it's not a-"
But the bunny already recovered and interrupted him. "Now wait a moment! What's this about you and… a girl in the Junkyard?" She stared at the fox, thumping her foot in an increasing pace. An action he always liked to provoke in her, as he found it both funny and cute, but would never dare telling her this. He just smiled wickedly and stared back with his half lid eyes. Finally, realization dawned on his bunny friend. "You… you made it up!" She huffed at him.
"Guilty as charged." Nick admitted and laughed when Judy punched his arm.
"Very funny, wise guy. But you're not skipping the last question." She pointed a finger at Nick.
He sighed with a nod. "Then let me disillusion you, my little Cottontail. Not everyone likes the ZPD around the less fortunate city areas. And it has nothing to do with not following the letter of law. Police has a long and turbulent history when it comes to those districts. Usually rather rough and intolerant to even mild offences. It may keep up the fantasy about a peaceful city, but mammals there have nothing to lose and sometimes hustling someone for a loaf of bread is very often. So don't always expect a red carpet and a friendly 'what-can-I-help-you-with-officer?' attitude."
"I'm very well aware of the situation of the mammals in the poor areas of Zootopia. No need to remind me of that."
Nick's face tensed as he heard her answer. "Well, sorry for coming from a poor area." He murmured and walked onwards, leaving the surprised bunny behind. This wasn't really like him, emotions getting the better of him. It was the serum all over again or it happened because it was Carrots?
*This girl always slips past my defenses… why does it happen… again?*
Being lost in his thoughts he barely noticed that she caught up to him wearing a very remorseful expression. "Nick, I'm so-"
"Forget it."
"But I'm real-"
He quickly turned to her. "Just drop it, Carrots. It's not a topic I'm willing to discuss right now and I know you're itching to dwell more on this, so sorry, but this is where I draw the line, ok? And for the record, I'm not angry, I only dislike others nosing in my past, all right? So leave it and we're good."
Her eyes widened from the sermon she received, ears flat against the back of her head. She had her mouth open to say something, but couldn't get any words out. All in all, she decided that being quiet would be the best course of action. She wiped off the tears that started appearing in the corners of her eyes, trying to make a good front.
Nick softened up seeing her reaction. *Maybe that was a bit overboard…* He sighed and crouched in front of the bunny to be on the same level. "Sorry, Carrots. I'm no good in talking about myself. The last person I talked this much about my life was my mother and that was years ago." He instantly raised a paw when Judy opened her mouth again. "No, you can't ask about my mother. Or anything else regarding my family or my history. So let's just focus on the task at hand, hm?"
She considered his words and nodded. "Fine. Let's do this." She pointed a finger at him. "But I'm not letting you go that easily, remember that." With those words she strode off, not giving him a chance to reply. Nick found her words confusing, as he wasn't sure if she was talking about their conversation or… something more literal.
Both of them remained silent for the rest of their walk and finally, circling another mountain of garbage, they reached a spot Nick hoped Judy would never see.
"What the heck is that?" She asked out loud and approached the opened cage.
"That my, fluffy friend, is what we technically call a steel cage. The name derives from the material used for its construction. It was invented in-"
"Oh shut it, Nick! That's not what I'm talking about."
The fox shrugged, all gears in his mind whirling at a crazy speed. Since they were already here, he'd need one hell of a hustle to get himself out of this mess.
"It's just another piece of junk, Carrots. You'd be surprised what crazy stuff you can find here."
The bunny entered the cage and examined the metal bars. "With claw marks? I don't think so…" Judy's fingers ran over the scratches. "It looks like a work of a monster. You know, like from that movie…"
In his mind her voice trailed off and disappeared while a single word rushed forward – monster. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He'd been called many things by other mammals over the course of years and it never got to him. Even the nastiest comments weren't able to put him off.
*So why…* Why one single word from this little, cheerful bunny hurt him so much. Because she was his friend? Because she was one of the only two mammals in existence that he could fully trust? This one, simple word that caused him to feel both burning fire and chilling ice in the deepest part of his heart. All this, happening behind the impeccable mask of a smiling fox.
"Claw marks?" Nick forced a surprised tone.
"There's even some blood on the ground! This has to be the place." She took out her iCarrot and took pictures of the marks and blood. "Maybe someone was fighting here."
When she said that, Nick saw a ray of hope, that replaced the uncomfortable feeling brooding in his chest.
*Fights! That's it!* He almost jumped with joy at the sudden idea. "Fights… fights…" He mumbled.
Judy's sensitive ears picked that up. "You know something about this?"
"Maybe." He said, thoughtfully tapping the end of his muzzle with a finger. "I know someone who could tell us more."
She immediately brightened up. "Really? That's great, Nick!" She rushed out of the cage and to his side. "Thanks to your help we might find what happened here really quick!"
"Yeah, we might…" Said the guy who'd sooner bite off his own paw than let Judy know what actually happened in this place.
.
.
After returning the keys the two mammals got back to the patrol car and hit the road.
"So, where to, partner?" Judy asked in a enthusiastic tone.
"There's a guy who took part in slightly less than legal fights in Zootopia's underground. He's retired now but he still hears the buzz and knows a lot about the stuff." Nick said it while typing on his phone.
"Ok, but aren't you going to give me some directions?" She said while eying her partner.
"Turn left on the next junction." He replied without even lifting his head from the small screen.
Judy raised her eyebrow doubtfully. "You're not looking at the road at all."
"Arnold's bakery on your right, an old red neon above the entrance, Kevin the shoemaker has his shop on your left, he usually works outside with his black, leather apron and there's Julietta's right on the corner, with the best vegetable soups you'll ever have a chance to taste." He said, eyes not moving from the phone. Judy looked around only to find that Nick's information was 100% accurate. She glanced sideways at him with newfound respect. The bunny knew that her friend possessed great knowledge about the city's layout but this exceeded her expectations.
What she didn't know, was that Nick was in the middle of writing a text to a particular rhino.
In 10 minutes you will tell her that bloody cage fights sometimes happen at the Junkyard and you WILL direct us to Basker or she'll learn about your basement.
NW
With this, the next part of the plan was in motion. *Now for the step three.* He thought.
"How long did it take you to learn all this?" Judy dared asking, curious about the time she would need to memorize it.
"Twenty years." Came a straight answer.
The bunny's jaw dropped. "T-twenty?!"
"It's always a process, Carrots. You learn all the time and add new stuff on top of the things you already know. The city changes. I started twenty years ago and I still can encounter something new." Judy looked crestfallen for a second, when Nick continued. "But don't panic, it will come to you, eventually. After dozens and hundreds of patrols you won't even notice that you've memorized so much. Even a dumb bunny can do it."
Her face crunched in annoyance. "I'm NOT a dumb bunny!" She exclaimed.
Nick smirked, finally turning his head towards Judy. "I never said you are." He leaned in. "In fact, I think you're a very smart bunny." He stared deeply into her amethyst eyes.
She was speechless for a second, slightly surprised at his actions and closeness, but recovered immediately. "It's enough if I'm smarter than you." Judy stared back. Nick kept her gaze locked for a second before his smile widened. "Shouldn't you be driving?" He asked innocently.
The bunny gasped and snapped her head towards the road. And just in time to stop at a red light.
.
.
When they finally arrived at the place Nick directed them to, Judy jumped out of the car and headed towards the address given by the fox, Nick trailing after her. They stood outside a huge door to a brown semi-detached house and the bunny officer rang the doorbell. There was a sound of heavy footsteps and the door swung open. An angry rhino with a face full of scars stood at the entrance, glaring at the intruder. He noticed the police uniform and leaned down his head to Judy's level.
"Whaddya want, fur ball?!" He snarled directly at her face.
Nick was genuinely impressed when Judy didn't even bat an eye at this rough welcome.
"It's OFFICER Hopps and I'd like to ask for your assistance in a case we're investigating." She stated firmly and pointed at her partner. Nick waved at the rhino and send him a discreet wink. The huge mammal had a puzzled expression for a moment and straightened up.
"You-" He began but Nick quickly cut in.
"Hey Wrecker! It would be great if you could help us out." He slightly leaned forward. "You see, we'd really like to get to the bottom of this."
The rhino swallowed, which for Nick was a good enough sign that he got the message.
"Whatever…" The former fighter folded his massive arms. "What's this got to do with me?"
Judy took out her notebook and a pen. She had to use a regular one, since the carrot pen was kept as evidence for the time being. "Nick said that you might know something about illegal fights in Zootopia."
Wrecker gave the fox a cold stare. "Oh, did he?"
"And I was wondering if you happen to know anything about fights in the Junkyard."
"Well, sometimes they hang around that place, yeah."
"Do you know anything more specific?" She inquired.
"They spill some blood from time to time, but I never heard of anyone dying." The rhino shrugged.
Judy's ears perked up. "I never said anything about blood…"
*Oh great, nice job Wrecker…* Nick thought and fought an impulse to cover his eyes with a paw.
Rhino's eyes darted from side to side. "Uh… you know… that happens during fights…" He tried to explain in a clumsy manner, but he wasn't fooling Judy.
"Sir, do you happen to know anything else?" She pressured and took a step forward. Wrecker actually stepped back. Despite his tricky situation, Nick was amazed at the sight of this scene. A 5000 pound rhino was backing away from a bunny.
"N-no… I don't…" He glanced at Nick with a pleading look in his eyes. The fox silently tapped at his leg and pointed to the side. Wrecker blinked, realizing the meaning of this signal. "Look," He said. "I know of nothing else. You can talk to the goat if you want to hear more."
Judy noted this down. "What goat?"
"They call him Basker. He got a night club at the 23rd street in Sahara Square. The Golden Hoof"
The bunny wrote everything in her notebook. "All right. Thank you very much for your cooperation, sir." She gave him an innocent smile, that could fool anyone but Nick, as he rolled his eyes.
"Way to go, girl." Said the fox when they got back to the patrol car. "Who knows, maybe we'll actually make a real cop out of you." He quipped while bucking his belt.
"Har, har… Better tell me the best way to that club." Judy said and ignited the engine.
"Um, I might…"
"You might? What do you mean?"
Nick sighed and rubbed his temples. "Carrots, I know you're really keen on solving the case but don't push it, ok?"
She glanced at him with narrow eyes. "Nick, is there anything you're not telling me?"
He felt a sudden chill in his stomach. *Don't tell me, she already…*
"You've been acting slightly off ever since we've started this case, it's like… you're hiding something from me." She placed a paw on his knee. "Talk to me, Nick."
*Sweet cheese and crackers, this girl is way too sharp!* He thought in panic. *How the hell she could tell?! Where did I slip?* But he still didn't resign himself to defeat.
"All right, all right… You win. It's just… slightly embarrassing." He hanged down his head.
"Nick, it's me. You don't need to be embarrassed. I won't make fun of you or anything. Unlike some nasty fox I know." She tried to lighten the mood.
He chuckled at her words. "Hey, that's how I am. But, you know… I kind of had a feeling right from the start where this could lead us. And when Wrecker mentioned Basker it really got me worried. He is not the nicest guy around, Carrots. And he's not in the league of people you can threaten with your badge of those fluffy feet of yours." His silver tongue was doing its best to keep up with the story he was making up in his head.
She gave him a long stare and eventually adorned a smirk. "Wait… You're basically saying that you were worried about me?" The bunny asked sweetly.
"Well… yes." Nick confessed and was shocked, when he realized that it was actually the truth. She forced herself into his life not so long ago and already Nick couldn't stand the thought of loosing her. She was like a breeze of fresh air in the stifling room he locked himself in.
She squeezed his paw. "Hey, I'm tougher than I look, trust me. I'll be just fine."
The fox sighed. "Fine, but promise me that you won't try any Rambo stuff, ok?"
Judy laughed and her laughter really warmed him up. "Sure, slick. Whatever you say."
Nick was glad that he could avoid a dangerous situation and wanted to focus on calming his racing heart, but had a more pressing matter – meeting with Basker. This guy was no pushover and Nick didn't have anything on him like with Wrecker. The last step of his plan meant treading on very thin ice.
.
.
After their conversation they drove to the location of the club, Nick once again shuffling possible scenarios in his head. He gave himself a 65% chance of success. Considering Basker's reputation it was pretty high and he even considered the risk of Judy interfering or reading too much into his words. But first he could have some fun.
"Carrots." He said when they approached the neon lit entrance. "Remember the time I took you to the Mystic Spring Oasis?"
Judy rolled her eyes. "I don't think I'll ever be able to forget that." She groaned.
"We-ell," He leaned down. "I think this place could be a similar if not worse experience for you, Fluff."
The bunny's eyes widened a little and her hears dropped down.
"Still want to go in?" He grinned.
Judy clenched her little paws. "Yes!" She walked in with a determined expression.
Still smiling, Nick followed her with his gaze. "Boy, that's the spirit." He trailed after his friend.
.
.
When inside, Judy was far less confident and noticeably red on her cheeks. While Mystic Springs Oasis was a shock due to all the nudity around, it had a casual ring to it and mammals there acted perfectly natural, as if nothing was out of ordinary. Still, it was nothing compared to The Golden Hoof. Brought up in a very proper environment, Judy had trouble how to describe what she saw inside. She'd had to start with 'sensual', then move on to 'suggestive', but at the end she'd be forced to use the word 'erotic'.
The club was bustling with mammals of all kinds and species, that were obviously not so self-conscious about their choice of clothing as the innocent bunny officer. Judy tried not look too closely at anyone dressed 'indecently', but the mass lack of shirts on males and very low cut tops and dresses worn by females made it quite difficult for her.
"See anything you like?" Whispered a smooth voice right next to her ear. Judy refrained herself from letting out a surprised yelp, but couldn't help jumping in the air.
"Nick!" She hissed back. "You want to give me a heart attack?!"
"Hardly, just wanted to know what's your fancy." He grinned wickedly, the dim, red light of the club giving him a devilish look.
The bunny's ears sprung up, almost vibrating from irritation. "None of your business, dumb fox!" She stabbed his chest with a finger.
"Fine, but since we're already here, let me just check out the goods…" Nick raised a paw to his brows in a theatrical gesture, as if he was looking for something in the distance.
Judy shifted her weight to the side and placed a paw on her hip. "Oh really? So what's your fancy, slick?" She mocked the fox.
*Interested, my little bunny friend? Well, let's see how you like this…*
He clicked his tongue and folded his arms. "You know, now that I think of it… I never saw any rabbit dancers here." Nick indicated the cages where scantily dressed females seductively flexed their bodies. At the same time he carefully observed Judy's reaction with the corner of his eye.
The bunny was silent at first and her face was unreadable, even for Nick. But then she spoke in a low voice that was almost a snarl. "You'd like to see a rabbit dancer that much?" And before Nick could reply or even crack a smile, her paw shot forward, yanked his tie and pulled the surprised fox down to her level. "Then help me solve this case today and maybe I'll dress up for you." She purred into his ear.
Nick's jaw dropped down and eyes shot wide open. *HUH?!*
He stayed frozen like that when she let him go and walked away with triumphant smile, but paused just to turn her head and stick out her tiny tongue.
It took him few more seconds to fully comprehend what just happened, but when he finally was able to move again, Nick felt a pleasant mixture of shock and joy. *I'll be damned. Still water really runs deep…* He followed his partner, while desperately fighting the mental image of Judy wearing that kind of outfit.
Nick lost the bunny in the crowd at the dance floor and pushed forward to find her while shooting glances at several vixens. An action that was very pleasant but, to his utmost disbelief, didn't cause a exciting shiver like the idea of seeing Judy as a dancer. He shook his head frantically. *Damn that serum! I'm turning into a freak!*
Then he noticed her in the corner of the room, apparently talking to someone seated behind a VIP table. And when he saw who she was talking too, he dashed forward to prevent an incoming catastrophe.
.
.
The elderly goat glanced up as Nick approached them. A nasty smile crept up his lips.
"Nicky boy." He greeted the former conmammal with a voice hoarse from drinking. "How nice of you to join us."
"Yeah, very nice…" Nick replied coldly. He had to tread lightly with this but he never felt comfortable with this guy.
The goat sniggered. "Aww, don't be like that. The history we had together… But that's all dead and buried, am I right?"
The fox nodded slowly. "Water under the bridge." He replied, hoping that Judy won't catch the true meaning of goats' words.
An interrupting cough came from the level of his elbow. "Like I was saying, we want to talk about what was taking place at the Junkyard for the last few nights."
The caprid gave her a thoughtful look over a glass of whisky. "Then you're talking to the wrong person." He leaned back on the luxurious couch and gulped down the alcohol. "In case you haven't noticed, I run a club, not a trash dump."
"Drop the act Basker, I know you got your cronies all over Zootopia and they aren't boy scouts." Nick said sharply.
The goat narrowed his eyes. "What are you getting at, Nicky?"
The fox folded his arms. "We know that some of your guys were around the Junkyard recently. So be a good citizen for once and tell us what you know."
Basker eyed him with a suspicious gaze. Nick knew that this guy was no fool, so he could play with more subtle cards than with the rhino. He seriously hoped that the old gangster will catch the bait. It was a relatively safe way to grab his attention without Judy noticing, since normally Nick wouldn't ever talk to him this way. It was a gamble, will the goat realize that the fox didn't turn insane and just wanted to convey something else through his words. And a glint in Basker's eye told him that he got a bullseye. *Yes! Now just to-*
"Sir." To Nick's horror Judy stepped forward. "We have a witness who confirmed that you may possess crucial information to this case. I'd be grateful if you could share your knowledge with us."
The goat raised a brow. "Us?" He turned to Nick. "So it's true Nicky? That you play for the blue team now?"
Nick wanted to reply but Judy was faster. "Mr Wilde is merely assisting me in this investigation as a witness. Please do not mix together police officers and conmammals. Now, are you going to answer my question or not?"
*Did she just… stand up for me?* Nick thought.
Basker reached to the table for a cigar. "And if I don't?"
The bunny crossed her arms. "Then I'll have to bring in an inspection from the proper authorities to verify if all your employees are over eighteen, if you have a valid permit to sell alcohol and if your club is compliant with proper work and safety regulations." She stated in a calm and professional manner.
The gangster froze for a second but then he burst out laughing. "Nice! Very nice! A feisty one, you sure know how to pick them, Nicky!"
Nick didn't have to peek at his friend to know that Judy shot him a you'll-explain-this-to-me-later look.
"Fine! We have deal." The club owner snapped his hoof and a couple of employees immediately brought chairs for the half-police duo. Nick sat down with both relief and uncertainty. He knew that the last sentence was directed at him and he'll be safe from the cage incident, but Basker will definitely make him pay the price for this favor. *Sweet cheese and crackers, out of the frying pan and into the fire.*
On the second chair Judy already had the notebook in her paw. "So, about the Junkyard…"
Basker leaned towards her. "Hypothetically speaking, some of my boys may have been there for the last couple of days."
Judy cocked her head to the side. "May have?"
"Let's just say that from time to time they misbehave a little."
"A little?" Nick cut in. "We're talking about a bloodied cage!" He had to slip in this information somehow, so the goat won't say something contradictory to the case.
"Ah!" Basker tapped his forehead as if remembered something. "That again…" He lit up the cigar. "You see, some of the boys are sometimes really stressed out and need to let off some steam. They could have borrowed the cage to… you know, beat some pressure out of them."
Judy blinked and shook her head. "Wait… you're telling me that all that was about some thugs beating each other for… fun?"
The elderly gangster shrugged. "Boy will be boys."
.
.
Several minutes later the pair of friends strolled out of the club and headed for the car.
"I can't believe this!" Judy huffed at the world in general. "Such a promising case and it was just a dead end right from the start!"
"Don't be like that, Fluff. It happens more often than you think. Besides, isn't it fine? At least you know nobody got hurt, that should count the most."
She sighed and opened the door with the pilot. "Yes, I suppose you're right. I just hope that Bogo won't give me parking duty tomorrow."
As they got to their seats Nick smiled at the bunny. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like it's still Monday, so about that dancer costuAUCH!" He yelped as he got kicked in the shin.
"Oops, sorry. My foot slipped." She said with an innocent smile.
"Heh, sly bunny." Nick massaged his leg.
"Dumb fox." Judy replied and they drove off.