Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 28
Chief Bogo had made himself comfortable in the chair stationed next to Judy's bed. For a simple moment, they just stared at each other. They basked in the joy of each other's presence as both boss to employee and friend to friend. But the cop in both of them immediately began to take over on their sentimental emotions.
"Explain Hopps." Chief Bogo ordered.
"Yes, Sir." Judy nodded obediently.
Judy went to great lengths to describe everything that happened. And with hesitation explained why she forced herself to change in a port-a-potty.
To say Chief Bogo was slightly disappointed at the fact Hopps allowed herself to be tied with the Shadow again was an understatement. But he composed himself and tried not to judge his best officer too harshly. However, it did leave the question of why Hopps felt like she needed to go to that damn fox and not him, the Chief of Police. He remained quiet though and allowed her to finish explaining everything.
Judy stumbled over her words a bit when it came to the standoff between her and Dean. At the moment she was prepared for the possibility that she could have been shot and killed. But now, when some of the dust had settled, it was difficult to get back in that headspace. The one everyone got when they were prepared to die for what they believe in.
"…Next thing I know it went blank. And then I remember being in a car. Then, I woke up here."
"You've had a tough time Hopps." Chief Bogo stated, giving her a pat on the back.
"You can say that again."
Judy and Chief Bogo glanced to the doorway where Nick had just walked in. He was carrying a glass of water in one hand, his phone in the other, and a pissed-off scowl on his face.
"Nick?" Judy asked, concerned for what made Nick mad.
He managed a small smile for her before placing the glass on the table beside Judy's bed. Then he glared at the useless water buffalo sitting beside her.
"I just got off the phone Chief." Nick began with a growl. "Mind explaining to me why Ermine's case is being pushed back for at least another few weeks?"
"What?!" Judy asked, alarmed.
"…Ermine's lawyer made an argument about the fact that we've brought forth a new witness. Plus, the evidence that this new witness is bringing forward. All without giving a reasonable amount of time for Ermine and his lawyer to build up their defense. And along with a bunch of other crap. In my personal opinion, someone from Ermines crew spooked the judge just enough to push back the trial date."
"…Tha-that's…BULLSHIT!" Judy yelled completely outraged.
Nick tried to stifle a laugh at her sudden outburst while Chief Bogo stared at her wide-eyed for a moment.
"…I agree." Chief Bogo eventually spoke.
Judy rubbed her forehead greatly annoyed by these circumstances.
"Damn it." Judy muttered under her breath.
Nick wanted to give Judy a comforting rub on the back. But he quickly remembered the place Judy had told him to stay in, the ex-boyfriend. So, he grabbed the glass cup filled with water again and handed it to Judy. Which she accepted happily, grateful for the distraction.
"So…now what?" Nick asked. "What do the fellow people of the ZPD do now?"
"For now." Chief Bogo began. "We keep Miss Mustela safe and the evidence she has that incriminates Ermine."
"They can stay here. No one will find them here. Press, P.I., hell even the mayor wouldn't be able to trace them back to here."
And I guess I just stay in bed, completely useless. Judy thought as she rested her head back against her pillow.
"Wilde. Could I have the room?"
Nick stared the buffalo down. He was prepared to decline until Judy spoke.
"Nick."
All she said was his name. But it carried so much weight.
"…Fine." Nick relented sparing Judy one last glance before leaving the room.
Chief Bogo waited a few seconds before turning to address Judy.
"Hopps, why did you go to the Shadow and not the ZPD for when you needed help?"
"Because I'm pretty sure there is a mole from Ermine in the ZPD."
Judy answered clearly and perfectly, without so much as a stutter. But they impacted Chief Bogo significantly as his heart skipped a beat.
"Who do you have in mind?" He eventually asked.
"I don't know for sure yet…but when I do, I will find a way to tell you. I couldn't use my phone because I believe Ermine had someone not only following us but hacking into our system to trace all my call and messages."
"Smart Hopps."
"Thank you, Sir."
"But I hope this is a one-time scenario and there won't be any future repeats."
Judy laughed before nodding in agreement.
Chief Bogo allowed himself a small laugh before his phone buzzed.
"Bogo." He answered the call. "Clawhauser?"
Judy restrained herself from listening in on the call. Instead, she focused on the glass of water settled calmly in her grasp.
"I understand." Chief Bogo hanged up the phone before turning to address Judy again. "I'm afraid duty calls."
"The wicked never rest as you once quoted to me."
Chief Bogo smiled before getting up to leave.
"Get well, Hopps."
"Stay safe, Chief." Judy smiled watching her friend leave.
Chief Bogo left the room, softly closing the door behind him. The cozy warm atmosphere in Hopps's room immediately dissipated. In its place was the cold dread from being in the presence of the Shadow.
"I can't talk Wilde. I'm needed at the ZPD Headquarters."
"I know." Nick sighed. "I just felt the need to say, that you do know if Judy had died because of your decision…you and I wouldn't be talking right now, right?"
"…I know." Chief Bogo answered as he quietly made his way out.
"I'm glad someone does." Nick stated aloud to himself.
Because Ermine certainly doesn't.
The sound of a door creaking interrupted Nick's train of thought.
"Is he gone?"
Nick stared at the stupid ferret, still greatly annoyed by her presence.
"Yes." He simply answered. "I still don't get why you had to hide from him though."
Tia hesitated to answer before coming up with an answer.
"I'm tired of being surrounded by people that can easily intimidate me."
"…Even when they are trying to help?" Nick countered.
"Those are the ones I'm most terrified of." Tia looked at Nick. "I figured you'd know the feeling."
"What are you talking about?"
"Isn't that why you and Judy broke up?" Tia asked not realizing the minefield she had just walked into. "Her position as an actual good cop intimidated you. And when you realized that all she ever wanted was to be there for you, you got scared and-"
"Shut. Up." Nick ordered as venom laced his voice.
He stood abruptly and stalked towards Cynthia.
"You. Don't. Know. Shit." Nick stated. "If you ever make assumptions or try to play buddy-buddy with me again, Judy be damned, I will make you regret it. Are we clear?"
Tia shook aggressively in fear. Even Ermine had never made her feel so small and useless before.
"Crystal." She answered under her breath in fear.
"Good," Nick answered heading back towards Judy's room. "I think you need some more rest. You don't look too well, Miss Mustela. Don't you agree?"
The smile he shot Tia made her flinch. It reminded her of the same feeling one gets when a weapon is being pointed at them. Helplessly she nodded in agreement before heading back towards her room.
How much longer do I have to endure being trapped in the Shadow's grasp?
AN: I am happy to report that my dog is still with us and currently not suffering from his cancer diagnosis. And I just had to post a chapter. Hope you all enjoyed reading this story so far.