Two against the world (Ep 6)

Story by zombiebell on SoFurry

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      Episode 6 "Revelations"____________________NICK'S APARTMENT / 7:00________________________The fox opened his eye's slowly and stared at the ceiling. His ear's perked a bit from the honk's of thepast by driving cars outside. He smiled and took a long stretch, making his joint's make satisfying popsound and he let out a small grunt after he was done. He exhaled the air and relaxed his body. He had good feeling about this morning. He took a quick peek at his clock on the nightstand and saw the digitsat 07:02. Aaaah, quite an early rise. This was rare to him. These past five days he had almost sleptway too long and ended up jogging his way to work. Now he was awake half an hour earlier than usually.His smirk came up as he sat up on his bed and took another satisfying stretch with his arms. "Pheeef." Nick let out and took out his phone. He swiped the lock combination with his claw and thefirst thing he saw was his screensaver. It was selfie of him with laughing Judy, standing at parkin their casual clothes. The warm feeling he felt in his stomach made him chuckle as he look'd at thatjoyful bunny, having time of her life. Beautiful as always. He swiped left to see if he had any messages.There was none of those but there was a call that had came from number unknown to him. It had beenregistered to be unanswered at three at night.Oh that's right. He did remember someone calling in the middle of the night now that he think'd of it.He had just thought that he accidentally set the morning alarm wrong and declined the call.I wonder who it was? Well whoever it was, he can always call again. Nick turned his phone on sleep modeagain and jumped up from his bed, pulling the curtains apart that blocked the window. The daylightshimmered against his fur. He felt the warmth take over his whole body, since he slept only in boxers.He smiled widely as he opened the window from the second floor. He smelled the fresh air making it's wayto his nose and he closed his eye's, exhaling out loudly."Good morning Zootopia!" He yelled with his arms spread out, leaning out from the window.He chuckled as couple of mammals look'd up in confusion, some yelling good mornings back to him.Nick turned his gaze from the main street to his left and could make out ZPD headquarters from the distance,just about six minute walk away. The clear blue sky took over the whole scene, without a cloud in sight.Nick closed the window and walked out of the bedroom, ending up staring the living room. His gaze driftedto the kitchen counters and then to his stove. He remembered something in that second. He had one of hisfavorite chicken stakes in the fridge, saved

just for the special occasion like this. No more of thefeta salad for this fox. Ohoho no. Nick walked over to the stove and put it on stage five and took outthe frying pan from the upper cupboards. He gave it a flip in his hand and put it on the stove.He opened the fridge and saw the "Harold's chicken" labeled plastic bag on the back. He wiggled his eyebrowsas he took it out with his paw, and opened it with the kitchen knife next to the stove. He suddenly felt his phone buzz.The fox took the cell out of his pocket and saw a message. It was from Judy."You better eat some breakfast, special agent fox. I did not catch lot of sleep last night, soi'll let you do your smooth talk to Garlow. I really lack energy today, but i'll try to keep up.If we really get more out of him than death threats to face, i will maybe let you drive the car."Nick laughed and started typing back."I'm up and eating rabbit stew right as we speak. It's kind of tasty. I can bring you some with onions if you like.I swear the stew is hopping in my pan. HOPPING. Get it? Oh, and you can certainly be ready for the silver tongue master to charm the grumpy panther.Prepare to be future number two in our car carrots. Maybe they should give that meter maid car back to you. You were the cutest meter maid ever."Nick gave satisfied chuckle to his text and wagged his tail as he sent it.It took about half a minute till he got his reply."..Ok first of all, you are horrible. Second. I knew you are having that stupid smirk on right now. Someone is going to be sorry fox when he comes to work. "Nick snickered like a kit and sent a text back."You know you love me."After a while came a reply."Yes i do. Just get in here so i can practice my police brutality again..."Nick knew that he was going to get a lesson of respect from his partner but knew that Judy was smiling as she was reading his messages."Sleepy bunnies can't aim. Doctor fox recommends of taking a cup of coffee, if you really are sleepy. I can swing by the snarl-bucks if you want?"After a while came a reply that just stated,"...Thank you Nick." Nick smiled and sighed deeply as he stared the background of his phone once again."I love you so much." He spoke as he stared the picture.He felt the warmth inside his chest as he thought about her again. Well, the faster the morning ritual is over,the faster you get to see her Wilde. Back to cooking.He dropped the huge stake on the pan with some butter. Nick opened the radio on the other counter,turning it to station, "Classic hit's Zootopia radio". He listened up as he was starting

to take out the plateon the table and fork to go with it."And that was the newest hit from Rodney junior with the Zootopia's famous beaver band. Ruth Valentinemy dear, what do we have next about the weather?"He could hear the snow leopard talk with soothing voice to the other radio host."Well James, it seems that the sun is going to be up all the day with at least the most promisingtwenty-six degrees. Once again it seems to be another great day for Zootopia! As the Dance and music festivalsare making their way to the Savannah central in two days, we can only hope for the same kind of weather.Fingers crossed! Back to you James."Nick still wondered in his mind if he should ask Judy. Dancing was one of his perk's that he knew well.It was kind of embarrassing side hobby of his, but it had made some of the vixens very excited abouthis company in youth. He could always spin their toes up and make them beg for more. He was especially goodwhen it came to slow and romantic dances too. The things you learn from tv. He wondered if it wouldmake nice and romantic impact on Judy, since he struggled with words. And fear of freaking her out.Just thinking about dancing with her and looking at those lavender eye's gave him butterflies in stomach."Indeed Ruth, let's hope so. For now we have something very classic to you folk's. Let's get this greatmorning started with some happy and easy going tunes, brought to you by the legendary The Jam Rat!The song is known as Town called Malice! I'm sure that many folks know this one!""Excellent choice James!" Ruth said happily.Nick's ear's perked up as he recognized the song title and his smile widened so much that if he would smile anymore,he would look goofy. This song reminded him from his hustling days.(If you want to catch the mood of Nick's morning, go on youtube and put on "The Jam - Town called Malice")"Oh boy. What a morning. Let the Wilde times begin!" Nick started to drum his feet on the floorand sing along as the song started to play. He flipped on the coffee machine to do his work.Nick slide'd on the wooden floor to his left like the floor was on ice and took out an empty soda bottle from his tv table, using it as a mic as he roamed the apartment. He turned the radio to the max, without caring if hewoke up his grumpy landlord panda."Cos it's the one we'll never know!" Nick started to sing."And quit running for that runaway bus, cos those rosy days are few!"He could already see the butter melting all over the chicken steak of his, bringing a bit of saliva in his

muzzle.He flipped the steak over one time and took a quick spin and kept singing to his bottle as he swing'd his tail."Cos time is short and life is cruel, but it's up to us to change! THIS TOWN CALLED MALICE!" Nick smiled as he walked around the living room,flipping the fork from the cabinet on the table. Nick sang from the heart, making sure that even neighbors heard.The idea of Judy seeing him like this in his boxers, singing and cooking food made him burst out of laughteras he returned to his steak.This was one hell of a morning. What could go any better?He flipped his chicken steak one more time, making it hop in the air and successfully landing on the pan."Damn i'm good!" He shouted as he kept on singing to the bottle."It's enough to make you stop believing, when tears come fast and furious! IN THE TOWN CALLED MALICE!"The fox took out the coffee mug and took a long smell of the fresh black morning coffee and mumbledas the song went on"Ba, ba, ba, badada.." He took a long sip of his hot coffee and flipped the stake one more time. It was already crispy and brownfrom both sides. The smell of the steak made him almost drool as he took a look of his wrist watch.It was only 07:25. Still plenty of time to enjoy the breakfast and put the uniform on. Life is good.He carried the medium rare stake on his plate at the table and kept singing."The atmosphere's a fine blend of ice, i'm almost stone cold dead, IN A TOWN CALLED MALICE!"Nick howled around the apartment with deep voice."UUuuuuu yeeeahhh!"He started to eat his steak like hungry savage and enjoyed the music to the fullest.Nick could feel the meat melt in his mouth with several other flavors. Now this is how you starta day at work. I have to start waking up more early. Nick could suddenly hear a furious knockfrom his front door. His ears perked up and he rose from his chair, leaving half eaten stake on the table.It must have been the cable man to fix his tv. Nick had no idea that they have habit of coming to fix thingsthis early. Nick snapped his finger as the song still went on. He was making his way to the doorand still sang along the last lines of the song."Sooner put some joy back in, IN THIS TOWN CALLED MALICE!" Nick howled and opened the door. The song went on the background as he opened the door with only his boxers on andsaw nobody front of him. Nick took his gaze down and saw Finnick on his door,looking at him with angry gaze but still a bit amused from the sight in front of him."TOWN CALLED MALICE!" Could be heard last time from the radio

and the music went quiet after a while, leaving awkward silence on the hallway.Finnick quirked his eyebrows and look'd at Nick with look that screamed him as traitor."Nice morning huh Nick? Think you can avoid me by not answering to ya phone huh? Singing Town called Malice and all that.Good for you officer. You want to give explanation on why you arrested Mike you fucking asshole?!"Nick's eye's widened as he stared at his angry friend, in complete loss of words.________________________ZPD / 07:50________________________The rabbit walked with slow steps towards the front desk of the ZPD. She yawned quietly and took a look of her phone once again."Sleepy bunnies can't aim. Doctor fox recommends of taking a cup of coffee, if you really are sleepy. I can swing by the snarl-bucks if you want?"The text had came from Nick. she rolled her eye's and and smiled as she finished reading. She started texting back."... Thank you Nick."After that she slid the phone back to her pocket and raised her gaze to the smiling cheetah, looking at her with mischievous smile."Someone look's sleepy.""What gave it away?" She asked rhetorically.The cheetah chuckled as Judy reached for one donut from the counter."Take the white chocolate one. It has nicely sugar to get your day started."Thanks Ben." She quietly said and stared at the donut with half lidded gaze and started to quietly take bites.After she was half way finishing it, Benjamin spoke."Something keeping you awake? Is it those loud neighbors you complain about?""Annoying foxes and my hormones...." She muttered quietly as she rubbed the morning dust from her eye's."What's that?" Benjamin ask'd, not quite sure he heard right.Judy's eye's popped up in terror until she realized Ben had not heard her. Thank god."Yeah uhhh, neighbors. Loud. Very. I have to consider about moving. Or something.""You totally should Judy. I don't get why you live in that small apartment of yours after all this time.""But in the end.. Do i need a bigger place? I'm not exactly very large animal so it would feel kinda... Weird.""Nick would probably hang out with you half of the time in there anyway Judy. You would not feel lonely at all.""I rather hang out on his place. It has nice vibe in it. Even if it's in a need of a cleaning."Benjamin raised his eyebrow's and suddenly look'd like he had best idea ever."Why don't you just ask if you could live with him? I can already feel the romantic night's of you two watching movies and getting into littlekissy kissy." The cheetah purred and was again thinking probably something naughty."What? Benjamin, that is inappropriate..." Judy scolded but still smiled a bit."I really doubt that he would say no to kissing you." Judy blushed a bit and avoided eye contact. She started to mutter back."It takes all my energy to handle him trough the day of work, there is no way that i could handle mister super-cop Wilde around the clock from day to day.""MMmhhhm. Lying to yourself is kinda cute. You like him, admit it. You probably spoke with him on the phone the whole night and that's why you are all sleepy."Voice inside her head answered to clawhouser.Yea he did speak to me trough the whole night but not trough the phone. He was whispering in my ear. Annoyingly Sexy, smug smiling, constantly joking and heartstring pulling dumb fox."Nah, i just could not sleep this time. I might have to visita doctor. It's not Nick.""Lies."She rubber her eye's again yawned a little."Ben, that shipping of yours is way too forced. We are just best friends. Stop being weird." Judy giggled a bit and rubbed her eye's again."Denial is real." Ben said like he had not heard single word she said."Whatever Ben. We are best friends. Nothing else." Judy shook her head."Judy.. Judy... You just don't see it?" He sighed."What do you mean?" Judy rolled her eye's, getting a bit annoyed."Well ohh i don't know... He has like hundred selfies of you two in his phone?""So what? So do i.""He calls you with nicknames like a kit to hide the fact that when he uses your real name, he can't say it without being emotional.""Now you are just being silly." Judy giggled but knew that it was kind of true."He zones out and stares you with a freaky smile when he knows you are not looking. He look's like he wants to kiss you all the time."Judy did not know if Ben was messing with her now but the possibility of what he was saying was true, made her heart beat a bit faster.Did Nick really do that? It could be nothing but making something like this up would be kind of cruel to her."Daydreaming about vixens or food probably..." Judy said, ignoring his words."He look's at your butt and your wagging tail when you walk in front of him." Benjamin purred."BEN! He does not!" Judy shook her head and now laughed, her ears burning a bit pink."How do you

know? You can't see because he's behind you.""You are just saying things to embarrass me...""He spends almost all his free time after work with you.""... Isn't that something best friends should be doing?""He spent all his vacations from the academy to take you to movies, to dinner, to carnivals, to walks in the park-"Now that she started to listen , the more Ben started to put ideas in her head."Yeah? I don't... See how that-""Tsk, tsk. Girl. He is crazy about you.""Ben, first of all, i am a bunny. He is a fox. I am a prey. He is a predator.""You are the one that made the whole city understand that such things won't matter. Do i smell hypocrisy?" Benjamin teased and leaned in the desk with his tail wagging."In living with each other and filling our dreams. You are talking about romance.Nick would never be interested in such things. He... You know how society thinks about prey and predator relationships.""Judy. I know that you are too pure hearted to think like them. Who cares if it's very rare? It really would not be that crazy. I also really doubt thatNick would be one of those extremists that hate on such things. The city is different now and much more accepting than it was in a long time."Judy tried to not sound interested in topic as much that she actually was."Ben, do you actually know any couples that are predator and prey?" ask'd like she was bored of the subject already."I don't. Well to be honest, i have not ever even heard of one.""See?" Judy tried to keep the disappointment from her tone."You and Nick could be the first one!" Benjamin squealed."Ben. I don't see that happening." Judy spoke with a bit of annoyance, but from the inside she was sad. In reality she wanted to try being with Nick.Talking about this subject just made her mood go down, since she knew it was all wishful thinking. Life is not one of your romance novels.Benjamin suddenly changed the topic, seeing that Judy was getting a bit uncomfortable."Where is that fox anyway? He is going to be late if he still linger any lo-""You are lying Nick! He would never do such a thing!" The cheetah and bunny turned their attention to the front doors as they heard someone yell in gruff voice, full of disbelief and frustration.Judy recognized Finnick immediately. She watched as Nick tried his best to calm his friend down but it look'd really hard. Nick had two cups of coffeeon his paw as he clearly tried to hurry towards them, almost like he would be safe form some kind of surprise beating if he went behind her."Finnick just wait a second, these cups burn my paws!" Nick pleaded and put the cups on Clawhouser's desk. "Whatever." the sand fox said and put his arm's on akimbo, as he still followed Nick's every move like hawk."Your coffee. You owe me. Save me from murderous friend, please carrots." Nick desperately whispered to confused Judy and look'd behind him. Finnick had heard him."Ohoohoh, no. Nicky boy i swear that if you won't let me see him right now, i will make you regret it."Benjamin tried to quietly say something between."Um, mister. I don't think it's wise to give threats to police officer in middle of the ZP-""Shut up." Finnick gave piercing look to clawhouser like thunder, startling him a bit."Okay." He just quickly said and kept following the situation."Look, Finnick right? I believe we haven't met for a while." Judy came next to Nick and spoke warmly."Oh great, this is just what i needed. A counter hustler." Finnick rolled his eye's."Look, if you could just clear me what you two are arguing about, i could help o-""Mike. We are talking about Mike. He is still locked in here, i know it. You arrested an honestly working car salesman, who also happens to be like a brother to me.And even Nick here should feel the same. You have known him since he was twelve Nick! And you really are telling me that he is selling night howlers to Steve fucking Levron!?That is a lie! He would never deal with such mammals! Steve Levron is known to be one of the most dangerous and influential mammals in Zootopia!"Nick and Judy gazed at each other quickly and Nick started talking carefully."Look Fin, I was never even suppose to tell you about Mike's involvement in this. He begged me to not tell anything to his parent's or you and Ben.""So you still expected me to believe that he, a predator himself, was selling night howlers to Levron? Who happens to be most dangerous rabbit on earth?"Nick and Judy really didn't know that the bunny they released yesterday was such a big shot as Finnick claimed. That might explain why Mayor was so scared.Judy cleared her throat and spoke."Look, i was with Nick the whole time when we spoke with Mike. I normally should not give details since it's against the law but i can clear out the info a bit,since you are so close to him. Mike was not the one selling the actual night howlers to mister Levron. He was a bodyguard of the mammal that did.He told us sincerely that he did not know about his employers product. Nick believed him, so it's enough to convince me that he was talking truth.It still does not take away the fact that he was involved in it, so it still

does not look good for him. But i assure that since he is cooperating withthe police quite willingly and has given lot of information about the events, he might even walk out with mild consequences."Finnick stood without saying a word, pondering on what she had just said. He raised his paw and was about to protest."Why would he work as bodyguard to shady mammals if he is working as car salesman on Tundra Avenue?! It does not ass-""He lied." Nick blurted out."... What?"Nick cleared his throat and tried to avoid eye contact with his angry friend."Look, the whole car salesman thing is a front. He does not work there. It... It really would be better for you to talk with Mike personally Fin.We can't tell these things to civilians. I am sure that they let you talk to him if you just ask from the permission to visit a friend. They willrecord the conversation and-""Yayay whatever, who do i have to talk in this shit hole to see my frie-""KRHM."Nick, Judy, Finnick and Benjamin all saw that Chied Bogo was standing behind Finnick, looking at him first and then his two officers.After a while he spoke with frustrated voice."Officer Wilde and officer Hopps. Do you have an explanation of why you two are five minutes late from where you were suppose to be?"Nick and Judy look'd a bit terrified as they took a look at the clock. It was six minutes over eight.This was first time Judy had ever missed the bullpen count."I-i can explain Chief! We were helping a civilian with his urgent request to meet someone in here! We are both so sorry that we were late, it won't happen a-""Ease down Hopps, sheehs. As long as you had and valid explanation, it works for me. Just try to not make this an everyday habit. Now,where is the civilian and what is his request?""Down here buffalo butt." Finnick said as he stared the mountain like figure without fear.Nick's eye's widened as he was sure what Finnick had just said. Judy's and Benjamin's jaws dropped as Bogo stared at the mere feet long mammal staring at him back."... Excuse me?" Bogo's voice got bit aggressive, making Nick cringe from it. He joked around Bogo constantly but that was a bit over board."Yea, you heard me big dude, where is Mike Rollins? I am here to speak with him, and i won't take no as an answer."Bogo was a bit stunned about such a small mammal showing absolutely no fear, but it only made him angrier."Is that so?""Just let me see him.""I don't like your tone mister.""And i don't like annoying

cops."Bogo's eye twitched a bit and he gave a small smile."Well here is my answer. How abouuuttt... NO.""You have reason for that?""Aggressive and poor mannered mammals give me headache.""So you want to play games huh?""Maybe i do."All three stared from the side in terror as the banter went on between the two. Judy saw that the tension was getting way too over bearing and stepped between them.None of the two even gave a look at her as she spoke."Hooow about we settle down a bit here? I'm sure that if we all just relax a bit we can-""NO." came from both Bogo and Finnick at the same time as they kept staring at each other.Judy took a deep breath and tried again."Listen, Finnick here is just concerned about his good friend and wants to see if he is okay. You see he happens to be also a good friend of Nick's here,so you can kind of expect him to be a little... Unexperienced when it comes to talking officers the respectable way .""Hey! What is that suppose to mean?" Nick said until Judy shot him a glare and he realized she was referring to Nick's manners against her around the firstcouple of times they met.A grin came on Nick as he spoke."Ok she has a point Chief. How about you two start off with another paw? I'm sure you will become best friends in no time. You have lot inco-""Shut up Wilde!" Bogo and Finnick shot on Nick's way. Benjamin tried to contain his laughter and Nick went quiet, knowing more words from him promised death sentence.Judy shake'd her head and turned to Finnick."Ok Finnick, let's start this over. You require to see mister Rollins as soon as possible?"Finnick seemed to calm down a bit and now look'd at Judy."Yeah."Judy continued."Aaand i'm sure that Chief here would be more than welcome to-""No. If your friend here would have spoken with more manners and less insults, i would have had time to answer that mister Rollins is no longer at the station.""What do you mean he is not at the station?" Finnick felt the aggressive tone coming back."Mister Rollins was released quite early this morning. If officer Hopps and Wilde would had been where they was suppose to be, i would had informed them about hisrelease. I watched the interrogation tape we had, from Wilde's request. After watching the tape i personally went to talk with mister Rollins, who i might addwas WAY MORE WELL MANNERED THAN HIS FRIENDS..."Bogo stopped to glare at Finnick and continued."I

needed to clarify some of the questions and required also all the possible dates of his contacts with the employer, to get better image of time table and digginginformation of any other possible crimes his employer was involved in. He gave me little and probably not everything possible... But he gave me enough.After that i saw to keeping my promise to not tell his parents about any of the crimes he was involved in. I also released him, but i told him that he is nowon ZPD's radar control, which means that if we catch him doing any kind of work like this again, he goes straight to jail. I assume that i was quite fair."Everyone went quiet and after a while Finnick spoke."Where is Mike now?" He tried not to sound a bit disturbed by the fact that Mike was indeed involved in night howlers. If the same story came from everyone,it could not be lies.Bogo shrugged his shoulders."I don't know. I don't care. Probably home?"Finnick started walking straight towards the front doors and mumbled by himself."Mike, i am going to strangle you.."Nick yelled back to him as he was at the doors."Hey Fin, i'm sorry okay buddy!?""Whatever!" Finnick yelled and exited the ZPD.There was quiet for a while between all four mammals and after a while Bogo cleared his throat and turned to Judy and Nick."I believe you two have some certain panther to interrogate?"Judy and Nick look'd at each other and nodded to Bogo."Great. Get to it then."Bogo turned around and headed to the elevators.Benjamin let out air loudly, like he had been holding it for eternity."I have never seen Chief that angry. That was most tense couple of minutes of my life. Your friend is quite brave. No one has ever talked to Chief like that.""I know right?" Nick chuckled.´Judy shook her head."All this only proved to me that foxes act like kits.""But you still love me don't you?" Nick leaned in and gave his smile again to sleepy looking bunny.She giggled and pushed Nick from front of her face with her paws."Yeah yeah i do, now let's get going. Bogo will kill us if we linger out work hours any longer."Nick chuckled and fixed his tie."Do i look good? The panther might not be so grumpy if he starts off with such a charming sight.""Let's just get going you goof." Judy laughed and pushed Nick by the waist to start walking."Okay okay, i'm going, i'm going." Nick chuckled and turned towards the pointed direction.Judy could

feel the cheetah's gaze on her back and turned around to see him looking at them like a romantic movie again."Benjamin, stop it. Don't say anything.""Mmmmm, i am just counting the days..." He whispered."Har har....""Their lips slowly touched with the moon on the backgro-""BEN!" _____________________________THE INTERROGATION HALLWAY / 08:25_____________________________"You like the coffee carrots?" Nick ask'd as they were still outside of the room where panther was banging his head on the table."It's really good. How did you know that i like double cream with one sugar?"Nick turned to her and smiled."I pay attention to important things."Judy smiled and sipped her coffee again."How do you think this will go?" Judy ask'd."Let's hope for the best. He does not look to be in the best mood, but spending two days straight in that small cell and a punk bed does that to you.""I guess so. Should we bring him coffee too?""Then he would have more energy to shout at us. I prefer him a bit sleepy. Like you. You look cute when you are sleepy."Judy sighed and face palmed herself while smiling."Stop calling me cute.""Never."Nick chuckled and opened the door to Garlow's room.The panther raised his gaze right away and frowned as he saw who the two were."Noooo fucking wayyyyy...""Pleasant to see you too Jack. How are we doing this morning?" Nick chuckled as they made their way to their seats."Completely fucking horrible, thanks for asking.""Sweet cheese and crackers, can you watch that language a bit?" Judy scolded and panther stared at him wide eye'd."What are you, my mother or something?""Well who ever your mother is, she should had teach'd some manners to his son.""Whatever, i assume you two are here to waste your time like all the rest? I ain't telling shit."Nick sighed started to speak with grin."You do understand that you are last one held here? Roy, Mike and Steve have already been released out of the ZPD."Now panther raised an eyebrow at the two and snarled."Let me assume what happened. Levron was saved by his lawyers, Mike made up some cover story and Briggs told you both to fuck off."Judy and Nick gave confused look at each other, giving Jack confirmation that he was right. Not completely right but almost."How did you.." Judy started."I know the mammals i work with.""Did you also know that Briggs said that he will beat you up after you get out? Maybe even give you something sharp?"Nick could have sworn that Jack's face flashed with fear for a moment."W-why would he do that?""It seems that even maniacs with knifes have morals. Once he heard that you were dealing night howlers to Levron, he went pretty mad."Jack was quiet for a moment and stared at the table, almost like considering odds of his survival."What about Mike? Is he okay?"The question took Nick and Judy a bit off guard."Mike... Is okay. Why do you ask?""Because he is important to me. I am sorry that i put him in this situation.Briggs can go fuck himself but Mike probably took this a bit harder.. Am i right?""He did. So you care to explain why you, a predator, were dealing stuff that was suppose the banned from everywhere?""I got about million reasons in cash to explain myself.""... So you are really that petty? You are ready to risk hundreds of life's to get money?" Judy ask'd in disgust."So what?""Jack have you ever seen animal going savage?" Nick ask'd with concern."No.""We have.""Yes, the whole city knows about you two superstars, so what?""Well the thing is, once mammal goes savage, he does not feel fear. He does not feel remorse. All he wants to do is hunt and eat you.And you become fast. Fast and deadly. Imagine if let's say savage lion was released in school full of kits? Is that something you want totake blame for? The last time mammals went savage, we were lucky. We had to only deal with one. He happened to also be a panther like you,and i can say that i have never been so scared in my life. Think about the mammals that could have died because of you."Jack look'd a bit concerned now and rubbed the back of his head. He spoke out in a bit defensive tone."Look, how do you even know that Levron was going to use them to do such crap? Believe when i say that he is not the type who hates predators.His boss is a predator. Their respect for each other is something that controls the whol-"Suddenly panther stop'd, seeing that Judy and Nick had cornered him to accidentally spill out a lot of info."Please do keep going." Nick wiggled his eyebrows."Screw you both! I have told enough. I do not gain anything by telling this shit to you.""Mister Garlow, any information that you share with us right now, may take much away from your final sentence." Judy

assured."It's not enough."Nick step'd in the conversation."Look buddy, if you hold back with all this information that can lead to catching more mammals that are involved, you end up in jail.Which i believe has someone already in there maybe by now. Someone who likes sharp things? Remember that it was also kind of your faultthat he ended up there?"The panthers eye's widened in realization and he banged his head to against the desk and mumbled.".. I am so fucked...""Garlow, if you tell us all that we need to know, this won't end up so badly." Judy now spoke and winked to Nick for good job."So you keep saying. I don't buy it. If only you would know the mammals that i am dealing with, you would not speak word either.""Like mister Big?" Judy blurted out.Jack slowly raised his head from the table and look'd at her."What about him?""Yooouu do know that he wants to ice you?" Judy ask'd carefully.The panther look'd at her with annoyed look and banged his head on the table again."Yes i know. He has been searching for me for about a week now."Nick sighed and spoke now."Mike kind of spoke us about the issues between you and him already."The panther mumbled."I love that damn dog but sometimes he should keep his mouth shut.""Look, he wasn't very precise about the events but he told that you started having trouble with mister Big while working with him?"There was silence for a while in the room. Jack seemed to think if to talk or not. After a while he mumbled."You are godmother to her granddaughter, aren't you Hopps? Mike told me that mister Big told him that."".... Yeah i am." Judy answered carefully. This was going to be a problem since this conversation was being recorded.Judy had told that she was a close friend of mister Big to Chief Bogo but she never told that she was this close. She would have to explain later. For now it was just best to get Garlow talk."So you are quite close to him.""Weeee talk occasionally yes. I visit him once to two times a month."".... If i talk, will you convince him not to ice me, if i get out and dodge the prison?"Judy wondered if she would be capable to convince the shrew to contain his anger, where ever it came from.After a while she spoke."Yes."Jack sighed deeply and raised his head from the table collecting his thoughts before he started to talk."It all started about a month ago. I have been working with mister Big for

like.... half a year now? He has even met my family and everything.I worked with him as his right hand. I counseled meetings, collected information, was there to represent his word when he could not make it.We did not always see eye to eye on things but we respected each other. It was my brother-in-law that introduced and recommended me for mister Big.You both know him. The mammal that went savage and attacked you. Mr. Manchas.""... Small world." Nick blurted out."... Anyway, it all went well for a while. Mister Big moved me to more... Dangerous type of jobs. I started to make exporting, dealing stolen stuff on the alleywayswith Mike and Roy. The thing is, i got paid well enough but i wanted more. I had to pay quite a lot to Roy for protection and to Mike just because i wanted to.The thing is, my way of dealing things so smoothly got out on the streets and finally to the other mob.""Other mob? What other mob?" Judy interrupted Jack in middle of talk."Are you talking about Mister Jones?" Nick ask'd. Judy look'd at him in confusion."Yeah. His mammals started to pay attention to-""Whohohohoh, who is Mister Jones?" Judy motioned the conversation to stop."... How long has this bunny been in this city again?" The panther ask'd in frustrated tone from being interrupted all the time."She's quite new. She's lived here like seven months, so can't really blame her for not knowing.""So any of you like to explain to me who he is?" Judy ask'd, getting clearly annoyed.Jack sighed and started explaining."Mister Big controls Rain-forest district and Tundra town. Mister Jones is the wolf that own's Savannah and Sahara district. Simple shit.They are the two biggest crime bosses in Zootopia. Mister Big's way of working is more of a shady and rough. You know, old school type of mob activity.Jones is more of a political and clean. Owning businesses to laundry dirty money. He even owns the Mayor they say."Judy turned her gaze to Nick. That explained a lot."You had any intention to light these things up for me at all?" Judy scolded the fox."I did not know that Levron was working with mister Jones. I thought that mister Big has told you about Jones anyway." Nick shrugged his shoulders.Jack cleared his throat."It would make sense if he didn't. The love between Big and Jones is kind of one sided. Jones sees mister Big as a god. Big on the other paw sees Jonesas annoying arrogant wolf , who is way too young for his role, and who's way of dealing with things is way too new school for his taste.You should see the meetings they have, when they have to be in the same room talking about business and

territories. It's awkward. Also kinda fucking funny."There was a moment of silence after. Jack continued from where he left off."So anyway, i got a call from Levron about month before you two busted us. He told me that if anything interesting came to the market, he would want to dealwith me personally. It was an honor to me. There was one side point though. Mister Big does not want to do deals with Jones and his mammals.I mean more than it is necessary. I still had to tell him about Levron's offer. He told me strictly no. We had umm... Quite a vocal banter in his office.He told me that i should obey him and not speak with Levron again. I did smuggling to Levron behind his back. The money was so good. But of course he found out. He punished me and moved me from my position as his right hand. He told me that one more deal behind his back and he would ice me. I started drinking a lot.I had never brought anyone else but Mike with me on these alleyway deals when it came to Levron, so i feared that Big might punish him too, if he found out thatMike had been helping me. I had to get us both out of this. Then it came out of nowhere. A mammal i had never met before called me and said that he hadsomething interesting to give for me, if i would deliver it to mister Levron and nobody else. He told me the suitcase contained night howlers.""You thought it was good idea to keep doing these deals behind mister Big's back, when he just told he would ice you for doing so?Why would you risk your and Mike's life like that?" Judy ask'd in disbelief."ONE MILLION FUCKING DOLLARS! I could have hired so much protection that mister Big could have not done anything to us.I called Levron and that was his offer for the suitcase! I could have maybe even joined Jones and his crew ifthe deal went perfectly! Levron even hinted me about working with their side in the future. So i could not let this offer go. I hired Briggsand took Mike with me just in case. And then you two fucked it all up. That is all i know. There is nothing more that i can tell."The panther leaned back on his chair after finishing the whole story and gave Nick and Judy some time to think what he had just said.Nick raised his paw to ask something more and got annoyed look from Jack, who seemed a bit broken at the moment."Garlow, you have told us a lot of useful information. It will be noted on the court. You might even dodge jail but you will still end up in parole,maybe do quite a lot of community service, and the fines will be pretty huge. Also you need a good lawyer. See? This might end up way more bright than you think.""Well yippee fucking hurray. It won't still make out the fact that i am now officially a snitch and have to probably move out of

Zootopia for a long time,after all this court hassle that will make drink even more for the following months.""It was worth it though." Nick added."How?" The panther once again laid his head in the desk."You won't get iced, stabbed, and you can start all over.""Crime is all iv'e ever known. What on earth would i start doing now?"Judy spoke up."Well, how about an honest job or maybe even a family? Nick right here was not always on the good side of the law. Now he is a cop.In Zootopia anyone-""Can be anything, yes yes, excuse me while i puke on the floor from the sunshine attitude Hopps. Can someone bring me a fucking cigar or something?I think iv'e earned a smoke."Nick grinned."Will do, if you tell us only one more thing."Jack groaned from frustration and sat up."What?""Who was the mammal you bought the night howlers from?"Jack wondered for a while and then answered to them."A ram named Doug."Nick and Judy dropped their jaws and look'd at each other.Jack look'd puzzled."Did the name ring a bell or something?"".. You could say that..." Nick answered quietly."Whatever, now bring me my god damn cigar!"The two left the room and stood on the hallway in silence.Judy spoke after a while."We never did caught him. He just vanished after everything. I can't believe he is is still in middle of all this! This whole thing is coming together like pieces of the puzzle. Nick, we are close of solving something very big here. This is great!"Judy placed her paw under her jaw and started to think about something.Nick suddenly realized something and spoke in excited voice."You know what else is great!?" "What?""I made him talk! I get to drive the car now!""Oh for the love of-"