Zootopia: More Than Partners, More Than Friends - Part 16

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#34 of Zootopia


Billy Joe Sullivan and Bobbie Sue Murphy were dead, blown away by Nick Wilde, and the entire Zootopia Police Department was thrilled to hear that Anthony and Amanda Skulk had been returned safely to their parents, and that Nick had been the one to take out the two villains. As far as the rank and file were concerned, Nick did nothing wrong, but the top cop of the city saw things very differently. Once Nick had returned from the scene of the deadly shooting, he, Jack Wolfard and Billy Mack were immediately summoned to Chief Bogo's office. The Cape Buffalo was absolutely livid.

"You two are both suspended until we have a Departmental trial to determine what's to be done with you," he roared at the fox and wolf, then turned his attention to Billy. "And as for you Detective Mack, I've been on the phone with your boss today, he's already started the paperwork to have your fired after I told him about your involvement in this vigilante operation."

Detective Billy Mack, never one to back down when he believed he was in the right, showed no signs of being intimidated by the Cape Buffalo. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his El Paso Police Department badge, throwing it on the Chief's desk. "You can send that back to my boss. Be sure to tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine."

"Get out of my office, coyote," snarled the angry Chief. Billy glared at him before turning around and marching out of the office. Bogo turned his attention back at his two officers. He was the very image of wrath. "Do you know how many department procedures you two broke? Huh? You go behind my back, use unauthorized weapons, you don't tell anyone where you are or what you're doing. You plow into someone's cabin, causing who knows how many dollars in property damage, and you, Nick, you never even gave those two raccoons the chance to surrender, did you?"

Defiant, Nick simply folded his arms, not saying a word to the Cape Buffalo. He had no regrets about what he'd done. Billy Joe Sullivan and Bobbie Sue Murphy had attacked his family, taken his siblings against their will and would have probably killed them anyway. His job didn't matter to him, not compared to the safety of his family. He wasn't going to grovel to keep his job. By this point, he was probably going to get fired anyway.

Bogo went on with his tirade. "You can also expect the FBI to look into this matter too. I'm going to speak with the Zootopia District Attorney today. My guess is they're going to file criminal charges against you two and that Texan coyote. In all my years of police work I've never seen such a blatant disregard for the chain of command . . ."

The sound of Benjamin Clawhauser came in through the Chief's intercom. "Chief?"

"Not now, Clawhauser. I'm busy," growled Bogo.

"But Chief, the mayor is outside your office. He wants to speak with you right away."

Bogo gnashed his teeth at the the fox and wolf. "Get the hell out, both of you, but don't go far. I'm far from finished dealing with you."

Nick and Jack casually strolled out of the Chief's office, seeing Zootopia's mayor, Leodore Lionheart passing them as they went back to the squad room. Bogo collected the papers on his desk regarding the incident. He was ready to give the mayor a very detailed briefing on what had transpired over the last twenty four hours. The lion walked into his office, taking a seat in front of the Cape Buffalo's desk.

"Mayor Lionheart," begun the Chief. "I'm sorry about this entire mess that my officers have created. I can assure you that we're doing everything possible to remedy this situation."

"What are you doing with Detective Wolfard and Detective Wilde?" inquired the lion, his face ambiguous as to how he felt about the situation.

"I've suspended them without pay, of course," stated Bogo.

"What? Why?" was the lion's response.

"Sir, if you read this report, I think that you'll understand the gravity of the situation. Two of my detectives and that Billy Mack went on an unauthorized investigation without my knowledge, and Detective Wilde is likely guilty of manslaughter, possibly even murder for gunning down those two raccoons in cold blood."

"Is that so?" asked the lion.

"Yes, sir," said Bogo.

Lionheart drummed his paws on the Chief's desk, making the Cape Buffalo wonder what he was up to. Eventually, the Mayor of Zootopia stood up, looking Bogo right in the face. "You're going to rescind Detective Wilde and Detective Wolfard's suspension, immediately."

Bogo's jaw practically hit the floor. "What? Are you being serious?"

"Like a heart attack," replied the lion. "Nothing is going to become of this, Chief. Nothing."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," said Bogo, shaking the lengthy report in front of the Mayor. "If you would just read this report, sir, I'm sure you would see that . . ."

"I don't care what the report says, Chief," interrupted the lion. "What do you think we're going to do here? Put Detective Wilde on trial for killing the two murdering, kidnapping scumbags who went after his family? I don't think so."

"Sir," said the Chief, growing impatient. "With all due respect . . ."

Lionheart interrupted him again. "Let me try to get this through that thick skull of yours, Bogo. This is an election year for me, and I plan on giving Detective Wilde all the praise in the world for his actions. You know what everyone in town is calling him? A hero."

"He's a vigilante," snarled the Cape Buffalo.

"So he's a vigilante," laughed the Mayor. "Do you think the voters out there give a shit about that? No. You've been behind that desk too long, Bogo. You seem to forget that people love the vigilante that goes after the ones who hurt his family. Right or wrong, it's animal nature. End of story."

"Sir," snarled Bogo, ready to lose his temper. "I have to seriously question your judgment in this matter."

"Question it all you want, Chief. I've spoken to the District Attorney. He's not going to be indicting any of those guys for their involvement in this. It'll just turn your officers against you and make Officer Wilde out to be a martyr. Beasts love a martyr, but they hate the one who persecutes the martyr, Chief."

"And the FBI?" asked Bogo, folding his arms in disgust.

"The FBI?" laughed Lionheart. "You know what kind of reputation they have? They've screwed up so many kidnapping investigations they should probably be charged with aiding and abetting the kidnappers. Besides, I've spoken with the FBI Director personally. He has no interest in kicking up a fuss about this. If anything, what Detective Wilde did has saved them millions of dollars on their already strained budget."

"I can't believe you," growled the Chief.

"Believe this, Chief," spat the Mayor. "You know that contract of yours that you signed to be Chief of Police? It states that you serve at my pleasure."

"Are you threatening me, sir?" asked the shock Cape Buffalo.

"I promise you that if you go after Wilde or Wolfard, you can kiss your job, your pension, all of it good bye. You're not going to retaliate against either Wilde or Wolfard either. That means if they take the Sergeant's test and pass, you promote them in proper order. If I get a call from the Police Union President saying that you passed them over for a promotion, I won't hesitate to fire your ass."

Bogo stood in complete shock at what the Mayor was laying on him. He knew that Lionheart played politics, but never like this. His back was up against the wall. He had no choice in the matter now.

"Do we understand each other, Chief?" asked Lionheart, his voice oozing with intimidation.

"Perfectly . . . sir," said Bogo, all the fight taken out of him.

"Good," said the Mayor, heading for the door. "I expect you, Wilde, Wolfard and Detective Billy Mack to be at a press conference in an hour. You do anything to screw it up, and you're gone. Just like that. Got it?"

The Cape Buffalo nodded his understanding, watching the Mayor smile at him as the left the office. Bogo looked at the papers in his paws regarding the case. Disgusted, he threw them in the trash can.

Three days later, Nick, Judy, Jack, Billy were over at Skulk Mansion with Nick's parents and siblings. Detective Mack was having the time of his life, listening to young Anthony play some sizzling Texas blues on an old Stratocaster cranked up through a Fender Super Reverb. The coyote couldn't believe that such a young kid could play like an old soul.

"Son," said Billy, a huge grin showing on his face. "That might be the finest Texas blues I've ever heard in my life, and I've heard my share."

"Thanks, Mr. Mack," said Anthony smiling. "I'm glad I'm actually alive to play it for you."

Nick did have one regret about what he had done. His actions had cost Billy his job back in El Paso. He put his paw on the coyote's shoulder.

"Billy," he said, trying to find the words. "I'm sorry about you losing your job on my account. You deserved better than that, really."

"Think nothin' of it, Nick. I got me a better job now anyway," the coyote informed him.

"Really? Where?"

Norman, still in pain from his beating, answered that question. "Billy is going to be my new Chief of Security. I think I owe him that much after what he did for us."

"Your Daddy's payin' me way more than I ever made at that damn fool police department. Besides, I got another reason to stay in Zootopia."

"What's that?" asked Judy, putting a paw on her protruding belly.

"I'll show you," grinned the coyote. He went out to his car, coming back with a familiar face. Nick and Jack grinned from ear to ear when they saw who it was. "Boys, you remember our waitress Felicity from that dive Lucky's?"

"Sure do," said Nick.

"Hi, everybody," said the vixen, waving to them.

"How much DID you tip her?" joked Jack.

"You watch it now, Jack," said the coyote, giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder. "I'm one happy coyote. Got me a lovely vixen, a new, high payin' job, and I'll get to hear young Anthony pickin' that blues of his. Yep, I'd say Zootopia is just the place for me."

"That's great," said Judy, standing up. "Oh!"

"What's wrong?" asked Nick, going to his wife's aid.

"My . . . my water just broke," said Judy.

Nick looked at his honey bunny excitedly. It was time.