Chapter 1 - Interesting first day

• I think you overdid it, Carrots.

The bunny smiled, very satisfied with herself, not looking at her partner by his side but to her newest achievement.- Why do you say that?

The fox returned his gaze to the unconscious robbers they had just apprehended. They had robbed a nearby bank and Nick and Judy were just on the other side of the street when they tried to escape.

• Well, it may be just me, but knocking two tigers, a rhino, and a leopard down and pawcuff them without a single scratch can be considered a sign that you are a little overpowered. Do you use cheat codes or something like that?

She laughed, hearing the sirens of the backup they had requested coming closer.

• If you accepted every once in a while my invitation to train a little, you would do that too.- She replied.

• Highly impossible, but thank you anyway.

The other officers stopped for a moment to admire the state in which the bank robbers had been captured, before dragging them into a police van to transport them to a temporary cell.

Chief Bogo stepped out of the car and walked directly to his star officers, even though he would never say that out loud. That couple had made very astonishing feats since they became partners two years ago.

• Excellent work, officer Hopps.

• Hey, what about me, Chief? I was here too!- Protested Nick.

• This has Hopps's name all over it, officer Wilde. Don't think I don't see that.

The fox smirked. Banters like that were daily routines for them. He knew his boss meant nothing wrong with that, but Nick liked to test his patience. So far, the buffalo hadn't fired him. Yet.

• I know your shift ends in an hour, but I would like to talk to you two in my office. So, return to HQ and meet me there.

• Yes, sir!- Answered both mammals before the buffalo turned and left, leaving the two friends a little confused. Normally, if there was anything to be said, Chief Bogo would tell them on the spot. If he wanted them to go to his office, it had to be something big.

• Maybe he decided to make us detectives. We deserve that promotion after this time.- Suggested Nick on the way to the precint. Judy snorted, obviously not believing that.

• After only two years? I doubt anyone has become a detective so fast.

• But you are an amazing cop, Judy. I am sure they see that. And what you've done today gives you even more points.

• Ok, I agree with that. But why then do you say "us"? I haven't seen you do the same as I.

• True, but we are a pack, Carrots. You rock because I am there to help. They MUST promote me if they want you to keep that level of soft awesomeness.

The bunny facepalmed while trying to contain a laugh. After so much time together, THAT she did not expect.

• O M Goodness, that's it! I finally understand the reason I have been able to be a good cop all these times! How could I not notice that before!

Nick feigned to be hurt, placing a paw on his heart.

• Your sarcasm wounds me, Carrots. I though I was your partner, your friend. And yet, you don't think me good enough.

• Oh, come on, Nick. What would I do without my dumb, lazy, rascal...

• Don't forget "handsome".

• ... and irritating fox?

Both friends burst in laughter while Judy drove into the ZPD's garage. After parking the car, they went through the door and entered the main lobby, were a familiar cheetah was waving his paw, inviting them to come closer.

• Hi there, guys! You are still not done for the day, what brings you here?

-Chief Bogo.- Answered Nick.- He has called us to his office, he wanted to discuss something with us.

• You don't know what could that be, do you?- Asked Judy. Clawhauser somehow managed to get every single rumor and gossip in the precint even before it was first whispered, and then he spread it like fire.

• Nope, no idea.- Replied. But then his eyes opened in sudden realization.- Oh! Maybe he wants to give you a special case! I know for a fact that all the detectives are swamped with work and could use some help. This may be your promotion!

Nick looked at the bunny, with a satisfied smirk on his face.- You see? It wasn't such a bad idea.

She shook her head, defeated by both males.

• We will never know unless we go there.

• Very well, I'll announce the Chief that you are on your way.- Said Clawhauser, pressing a dial at the base of his mic.- When you finish, tell me about it!

Both officers resumed their way to the buffalo's office. Once in front of it, Judy knocked and, after a voice inside gave them permission to enter, she opened the door and came in.

Chief Bogo was sitting behind his desk, with a few documents over it and one in his hoove. Without raising his gaze from the last one he indicated the seat in front of him, where Judy and Nick climbed and sat since both fitted on it.

• Thank you for coming.- Said the large mammal, resting both the document and his glasses on the desk and looking at the fox and bunny.- Here is the thing: starting tomorrow, you will be assigned another incorporation to our force.

At this, Judy had to contain herself to not squeal in joy, but she couldn't contain her tail from twitching vigorously, as Nick noticed while holding down the laughter. She always wanted to break in a new recruit, take him along and teach him how things worked around.

• He is a former SWAT from Animolia, a very old friend of mine asked me recently to allow his transfer to our precint and I accepted.

Both Judy and Nick looked at their boss with interest. Animolia was a city roughly the same size of Zootopia about 3 or 4 days away by train. The question "why would someone travel all that distance for a transfer" popped immediately on their heads.

• You will be in charge of showing him how we do things in here and help him acclimate. This comes with both perks and responsibilities, one of which is if he gets into trouble, so are you.

• Excuse me, sir, but that is not fair!- Intervened Nick, visibly upset because of that.- We are good cops, we do our job right. Why should we pay if he messes things up?

The buffalo gazed at him, unimpressed by the fox's reaction.- I consider myself a very understanding boss, Wilde. If he gets into trouble by his own hand, I will not sanction you, of course. This only applies if you are involved directly or indirectly. For example, I would not be pleased if I catch him calling me one of the "charming" nicknames you use to allude me.

Nick swallowed, nervous. None of those nicknames he spoke about were ill-intentioned or insulting, but they weren't made for Bogo to know their existence. He started to think he was the one with ears all over the ZPD and not Clawhauser.

• One of the perks, on the other hand, will be that you will use another cruiser to patrol. Since you will be three, a new transport is available with three seats on the front. I expect you take very good care of it.- Added looking intently to both officers, who nodded.

• When will we meet him, sir?- Asked Judy.

• Tomorrow morning. He was here a few hours ago to get his schedule, but since you were on duty, I deemed best to postpone your meeting until then. So, he will be your partner until he is ready to pair up with another officer or he decides to join our SWAT team, whatever he considers best. Until then, since you will be three officers and he is a more experienced one, you will be assigned more important cases. Any more questions?- Judy and Nick shook their heads in silence.- Very well, that is all then. Dismissed.

...

• A new partner! This is going to be so fun!- Said the bunny, once out of the office and on their way to the exit of the precint.

Judy was on the verge of jumping around like a bouncing ball from the excitement. The prospect of meeting someone new to work with improved even more her already good mood.

Nick, however, was not so happy about it. Not only it was still uncomfortable for him to meet new people despite leaving his old life behind, but also he would not be able to spend time alone with Judy. He was friends with their colleges at the ZPD, of course, but she was the only one he felt at ease with. He could open up and just be himself, which he will not be able to do with someone around every day.

• Are you ok, Nick?

The mention of his name made his mind come back to reality and find his friend looking at him with worry.

• Y-yeah, I'm alright. Just thinking about what kind of animal will our new partner be. He has been assigned to us and not other officers, so maybe he is our size.

• It's a possibility, but remember that he was in the SWAT team in Animolia. He will probably have a rather strong body to keep up with the others. Only the tests to get in are very hard.

• You are the very proof that even the small ones can beat those kind of tests, Carrots, and I think those robbers from today will agree.

Judy giggled at the memory of that while opening the big door of the building and stepping out. Nick followed and both directed their steps to the fox's car... if that could still be called a car.

• When are you going to get a new car? This is ancient!- Asked Judy, like she did every day. Nick's car was an old model he "rescued", as he puts it, from a junkyard they investigated half a year ago. Arguing it was a sin to let that beauty be destroyed, he bought and repaired it. Judy had to admit it looked amazing after the repairs and the paint job, it even suited the fox, more so when he wore those aviator sunglasses, but she always felt somewhat afraid it would fall apart without prior notice.

• Are you going to buy it for me, Fluff? A birthday present, perhaps?- Replied Nick with a smirk on his face.

• Keep dreaming, Wilde. If I ever buy a car, it will be for me.

• Then stop whining and get inside this precious and classic automobile.

She complied, still not feeling safe despite the number of times they had driven it around. Only igniting the engine made a sound louder than a lion's roar.

• It's tonight still up?- Asked the fox, driving out of the parking lot and joining the traffic.

• Of course. Chickening out, are we?- Replied the bunny with a sly grin.

• If I remember correctly, last time we saw a scary movie together you were the one hugging my arm in fear and gasping in surprise at every sudden sound.

The smile on the fox's face grew wider at the sight of a very red Judy avoiding his eyes.- I wasn't scared! I was... um... Concerned! For the safety of the characters, of course. I was just too into the movie.

• I see.- Said Nick, still with a wide smile.- Then that call at 2:30 am asking me if I was going to pick you up to go to work, which I always do anyway, was just to confirm it, right?

Her ears seemed to radiate heat because of how much she was blushing.- Dumb fox.

He giggled.

-I am really gonna miss this during work.- Said the fox a couple of minutes later, attracting the attention of a distracted Judy.

• What?

• This.- Said gesturing to them both.- Tomorrow we will get a new partner, we won't be alone anymore. I was just saying that I will miss our time just being us.

Judy softly punched him in the arm, acknowledging she felt the same as her friend.- It won't be that bad. We still can hang out after work. He may even be a nice guy and end up coming with us. And if he turns out to be a pain, we can ask Chief Bogo to get him another partner. He did say it was only until he had accustomed to things here.

"That is not what I meant."- Thought Nick, but he smiled at his partner anyway.

...

...

...

Next morning came and Judy and Nick were on their way to the precint.

• For the last time, Nick, I DID NOT!

• You can argue all you want, Carrots, but facts speak for themselves.

Judy sent a death glare his way, obviously embarrassed if the color of her cheeks were any indication. The previous night, they had been watching a scary movie together in his house. At first, everything was going well, until the film reached the second half and things started to get serious. At some point during one of the scary moments, Judy, who by then was already hugging a pillow in her arms, suddenly excused herself and went to the bathroom. She didn't step outside until the movie was over. In addition, and for some reason she never specified, she decided to sleep over Nick's house.

• I still don't understand how can you be so fearless when we are working, even capable of facing 5 criminals at least 10 times your size each and even bigger, but when it comes to scary movies you need to hide in my bathroom.

• I-DID-NOT.- Repeated the bunny, in vain.

• Did too! Come on, Carrots, it's actually cute! You even had to sleep on my couch! I suppose you would have preferred to sleep with me in my bed, but you were already glowing red without me suggesting that.

• Nicholas Phibeus Wilde.- Started Judy in a very serious tone, which alerted Nick that he had crossed a line he shouldn't.- If you ever mention last night again, I will show everyone on the precint your photo on my birthday last year, the one when you lost that bet and had to wear certain "costume".

The fox didn't open his muzzle for the rest of the drive, which made Judy smile.

They arrived at the precint and got inside, waving at Clawhauser on their way to the ball pen. Once there, they looked around in search for a new face but found none.

• Seems the new guy is late.- Commented Nick while he climbed to their seat on the front row and helped her do the same.

After a couple of minutes, Judy heard Chief Bogo's voice from the other side of the door that connected to another section of the building, and also another one she couldn't identify. Due to the chit-chat around her, she couldn't make out the words they were saying, but they had already finished since the water buffalo opened the door and walked in. Conversations around them were replaced for howlings, bellows, trumpets and more sounds the other officers made to greet their boss, a morning ritual of sorts that he quickly ordered to stop. Behind him, and on his way to a free chair nearby, was a Macaque. He was about 1,06 meters tall (3,48 feet) as he looked slightly taller than Nick, his body seemed athletic but the uniform hid everything but his arms, so it has hard to tell; the tail was almost 40 cm long (15.75 inches) and he was all but his face covered in a short light brown fur. His face was a light shade of pink, his eyes were dark brown and wore a friendly smile.

• First of all, as you can see we have a new recruit with us. You will know him soon enough, so no presentations needed.

Everybody chuckled, being that the norm for every new rookie that joined them. Bogo didn't want anyone to feel special, so he never presented the recruits to the others and let them present themselves while on the job.

• Now, assignments: Delgato, Higgins, and Wolford, you take the Mathew case.- He said giving a folder to the trio.- Fangmire, McHorn, and Snarlof, you take Johnson's.- Another folder was given to them.- Hopps, Wilde, and Rhesus, you get Malcom's.- Finished giving Judy the last folder.- The rest of you, you are on patrol. Dismissed.

All officers left the room, chatting with each other, except Judy, Nick, and the macaque, who offered his hand to the duo.

• Hi. Mark Rhesus. Glad to meet you.

• Judy Hopps, and he is Nick Wilde. Welcome to Zootopia.- Said the bunny, taking the offered hand in her paw and shaking it. Nick shook it too but simply nodded.

• Thank you. It is as big as I've heard. Took me a while to get oriented to come here.

• Yeah, that is bound to happen the first time. Get one of those pamphlets with a map of the city, it helps a lot until you get used to everything.- Replied Judy with a smile.

• Will do, thanks. By the way, I hope my presence does not cause any problem for you two. I've been told you form quite a duo and I know how special this kind of partnerships are.

• Oh, don't worry about it. We will figure things out as they come.- Assured her dismissing those worries with a wave of her paw.- Besides, you were in the SWAT team, you must be used to teamwork.

• It's not the same, but I see your point. I'll just try to follow your lead.

With a nod of agreement, Judy opened the file and started to read.- Ok, this is a drug case. A new group has been detected distributing in the Rainforest District. So far, none of the members have been identified and we have no leads to start with. Asking questions around seems a good idea for now.

Nick hummed, deep in thought, which told the bunny he may have a better option. She was right- I know someone who might be able to help us with this. Not precisely the life of the party and he doesn't like cops, though.- A look to the bunny explained the reason to Judy: this mammal probably was a "friend" from his time as a con man. It wouldn't be the first time they had used contacts like that before, but they had to be careful never to say anything in their reports that could point at them. And that, obviously, made Judy uncomfortable.

Mark, on the other hand, didn't catch that.

• Then we need to convince him that we are there to help. If he can indeed help somehow, there is no point ignoring the opportunity. We should go speak to him now.

Judy and Nick share another look, realizing that having him as a new partner would be more complicated than expected. They didn't know how would he take Nick's past and its influence on the present. Judy shrugged her shoulders as in "Well figure it out later".

• Let's go then. There is no other lead we can follow anyway.

So, the three of them went on their way to the garage through the lobby, where Clawhauser called for them.

• Hey, Missy. You got a new friend there. Care to introduce?

• Sure. Clawhauser, this is Mark Rhesus. Mark, this is benjamin Clawhauser. He is the best contact with HQ you can have, and also one of the biggest Gazelle fans around.

• Nice to meet you, big guy.

• Likewise. Welcome to the ZPD. You are in good hands with this two. Oh, before I forget.- He searched in one of the drawers in his desk for something and handed it to Judy.- Here, this is the key to your new car. Return me the other key and I will take care of it.

After the exchange and a couple more pleasantries, the trio resumed their way to the garage and located the new car. It looked less "monstrous" than the other one, but it still was quite menacing: It was a smaller version of a monster truck but with more normal sized wheels and the secured space in the back to transport perps.

Mark whistled amazed by it.- You guys drive these things on a normal basis? No wonder why Zootopia is so secure!

• Actually, this one seems a little "mellow".- Argued Nick, a little displeased.- The one we had before had more "teeth", so to speak.- Then pointed to their old cruiser, parked at the back of the garage. Bigger wheels and a more robust bumper and overall design had given that cruiser the nickname of "Urban Tank". A longer whistle came out from the monkey.

• Get in, we have work to do!- Judy's voice pulled Mark from wild dreams of driving that cruiser through wild terrain and jumped inside, sitting in the farthest co-pilot seat. The bunny ignited the engine, who roared into life like an angry lion before settling for a low mechanical growl. Nick curved a half smile.

• Ok, I take back what I said. Maybe this one doesn't have "teeth", but it's "roar" will do a very good job scaring the bad guys.

• Indeed. I suddenly feel like a predator would.- Agreed Mark, also smiling and buckling his seatbelt.

Judy rolled her eyes and sighed.- Men...

...

• So, tell us: How is Animolia? Why did you decide to come to Zootopia?

After a couple of minutes of getting used to the power the new cruiser had, she started a conversation to know Mark better. They had some time to kill before they reached the Rainforest District.

• Well, it's not as big as Zootopia, that's for sure. Not so sunny, either. There are too many skyscrapers blocking sunlight and factories polluting the air.

• That bad?- Asked Judy, surprised of his words.- Aren't there any measures to fix that?

• None.- He replied, looking grim.- Many of the builders and CEOs from the companies pay bribes so the City Hall look elsewhere. That is one of the reasons I came here.

• What about the Police Department there?- Asked Nick, now interested in his story.- Can't they do anything?

• They do what they can within their power, but if their paws are tied up, there is not much they can do. Thieves, drug dealers, rapers, killers... we are used to deal with... Sorry, THEY are used to deal with them and they get them behind bars, but those corrupted...- He stopped there and breathed. He had gotten a little angry remembering his native city's situation.- They are just out of justice reach.

• And you discovered that in Zootopia we all get together around a fire camp and sing Kumbaya and decided to move here, right?- Guessed the fox, provoking soft laugh on Judy. Mark shrugged and looked at the fox.

• That is not the only reason, but pretty much.- Answered, bringing back a smile.- By the way, how long have you been on the force? Not much, I assume? Being a fox, I mean.

Nick's ears went flat against his head and for a second he looked very pissed off, but then he put on his indifference mask, the one Judy knew too well from when they started together. He didn't let anyone see that they got to him, but she knew better: that hurt him, and her too. She did not expect a specieist comment from the macaque, and never so direct and natural.

• What do you mean by that?- asked him very coldly.

• Well, you intend to be a detective, don't you?

Both pairs of ears of the fox and the rabbit straightened in surprise, Judy having to force

herself into driving instead of looking at Mark.

• Wha-me? Detective? Why?

• Well, it's a fox's job. In Animolia at least. A great portion of the foxes living there are detectives, either private or public, or have a similar occupation. Your cunning, intelligence and quick thinking are assets detectives need. So, I thought, since you are still a cop, that you were new on the force and had some training to do before going for the big prize.

Nick scratched the back of his head, unable to say anything. Since he thought Mark was going to say something against him, or more accurately his species, he didn't expect to hear just the contrary. He was somewhat used to hear some praise and recognition from others because of his job, but foxes were still considered shifty and untrustworthy. To hear good words to describe his kind, except coming from Judy, was very new to him.

• Well, I-I actually haven't thought about it.- Was all the fox could say in response. Mark was confused but detected that it was a topic he shouldn't touch, at least for now.

• Sooooo, where do you live right now? Have you found a nice place?- Asked Judy, trying to change the subject.

• Well, I did find a place, but it's only until I have enough time to find another. It's a one-room apartment, so it's too small even for me. I will start looking for a better one soon.

• I know the feeling. I did the same when I moved to Zootopia two years ago. We could help you find one if you want.

• That would be nice, thank you!

Judy smiled at the macaque. At their right, she saw one of the places where Nick and her used to go eat.

• Out of curiosity, what kind of food do you eat? To tell you the truth, I don't even know if macaques are preds or prey.

• We are prey, we eat vegetables, fruits, and some insects.

. Oh, come on!- Exclaimed Nick, raising his paws to the air in feigned frustration.- Am I going to be the third wheel every time we eat together? It is already hard with Carrots here! I am omnivore, but I'd like to eat meat from time to time, not only lettuce leafs!

• Ha!- The loud laugh escaped from Judy, who pointed a finger at nick, in a triumphant fashion.- Now we are two against one, I will make you eat vegetables more often and you can't complain about it!

The fox looked at her with half lidded eyes and a not amused expression.- Cruel bunny.

• Dumb fox.- Replied her with a half-smile. Mark had to put a hand over his mouth to block a laugh at the two mammals.

...

...

A couple of minutes later, Judy stopped the car close to the address Nick had told her where his contact would probably be. They were in an abandoned section of the port near the border between the Reinforest District and Tundratown. The close proximity of the arctic environment made it unhealthy to store there certain products such as fruits or vegetables, as they would freeze in minutes, only to thaw on the way down the river. So it was decided to leave the storehouses in case someday they would be needed and transferred the transport service down the river, where the climate was more stable and couldn't affect the products in such a way.

That left many storehouses abandoned and ready to be used for less legal business. Every day, many black market items, stolen goods, and even darker merchandise was bought and sold there. Of course, there was some security there, but the place was quite big and not easy to keep under control.

And leaning against the wall of one of those buildings was, according to Nick, "his old friend".

• Please, tell me he is not the very same skunk you got that rug from.- Said Judy when she saw the mammal from inside the car. Nick had suggested to stay away from sight and let him handle his friend alone since he is the only one the skunk knew and, somewhat, trusted.

• Ok, he is not the very same skunk I got that rug from.- Replied the fox, with a sly smirk on his face, provoking a groan from the bunny. Mark didn't understand what was that about but felt it wasn't time to ask that.

• Are you sure you want to go alone? You yourself said he doesn't like cops. How do you know he will talk to you alone?

Judy and Nick exchanged worried looks, not sure how to proceed. They didn't want to leave Mark in the dark about Nick's past, but what would happen if they told him?

Letting a long sigh out, the fox put a jacket on.- Might as well tell him. Fill him in while I interrogate my friend there.- Said to the bunny and left the car, going directly to the skunk. Mark looked at Nick for a moment and then to Judy, whose preoccupied look told him this conversation would be important.

• You must understand this first: things for certain mammals here are very different from what you are used to in Animolia. There, foxes are regarded as outstanding citizens and law enforcers, even detectives, as you said earlier. Here, they have been discriminated for a very long time, accused of being shifty, untrustworthy and many other things. They have never been allowed to be what they wanted because of it. Nick is not an exception.

Her gaze was directed to Nick, who was close enough to the skunk for him to notice the fox going in his direction. He did not look happy.- When he was younger, he tried to be a junior scout. He didn't care he was the only pred, he just wanted to fit in and make friends. But the other scouts didn't see it like that and rejected and bullied him horribly. Even went so far as to muzzle Nick.

• But why? Had he done anything to make them so angry?- Asked Mark completely disturbed by that.

• Just being a fox- Replied the bunny, still with her eyes fixed on Nick. They had started talking, but the skunk didn't seem too happy to be with the fox. Suddenly, Nick grabbed the other mammal by the collar, shoved him against the wall and then dragged him to a close door, pushing him in. At this, Mark was about to leave the car and go after them, thinking the fox might actually use violence, but Judy stopped him.- It's just an act, so if someone is looking they don't think he is giving information to the cops.

Mark relaxed and sat again on the car seat, waiting for Judy to continue.

-That incident scarred Nick deeply. He decided to give others exactly what they expected of him: to be shifty and a liar. Why try to be good if they would only expect him to be bad? So, he became a con artist. Since he was 12, he gained money by scamming others. Nothing really big to avoid bringing attention to him, but some were very creative scams. When I met him, two and half years ago, he actually scammed me, in my first day on the force.

• What did you do then?- Questioned the macaque, noticing a little smile on Judy's face remembering all that.

• At that time, nothing. I couldn't do anything. He had permits to do certain "business" and he did all in a way the law could not actually arrest him. And, you haven't yet seen him use that silver tongue of his. When I tried to arrest him I ended physically and emotionally sunken. I was so proud of being a cop, of showing everyone that bunnies could be police officers if we wanted to, that I couldn't accept they Zootopia wasn't as perfect as I grew to believe. I myself wasn't even considered a cop because I am a bunny. I was assigned to parking duty instead of solving any case or even patrolling. That is why he reacted so coldly when you asked how long has he been on the force. We both thought you were going to say something specieist about foxes.

Mark exhaled, trying to take all what Judy had told him in. Even in Animolia, Zootopia was considered a place filled with wonders where anyone could be anything. Finding out it was not true hurt.

• How did you two end up as partners, then? An underappreciated bunny and a con artist fox don't seem to be a likely pair to become friends.

• The whole story would be too long to tell you right now.- Said Judy, half lost in her memories of those times.- But the short version is that I got my paws on a case and I hustled him into helping me. Obviously, he did not like that and tried to get on my nerves every time. But after a few things happened we warmed up to each other. I discovered that under all the sarcasm was a fox that only wanted to be trusted, and so my prejudices towards foxes, because I also had them, just went out the window. After the Nighthowlers case, he went to the academy and joined the ZPD to become my partner. He left his old life and began to work to be accepted and trusted by others, which leaves us to the matter at paw.

At this point, the macaque could make a good guess of what was going on and the reason they were so reluctant to tell him at first, but nevertheless, he wanted to hear it from Judy.

• Nick is not a con artist anymore, but he still has contacts from that time. Some of them are friends that do legal work, but others are people he met at some point in his scams. We do not mention them in our reports so they can help us in the future without risk. Every time we go to meet one of them it endangers them. If anyone from their groups or other criminals knew that they are snitches, they would probably end up dead along with their families if they have any. Nick's contacts are not the worst criminals in the city, just mammals that had very bad luck in their lives and ended doing the wrong things. They still want to help the police if they can, so we just let them be. In exchange, they give us leads to follow in our cases.

As if he knew Judy had finished, Nick stepped out of the storehouse, checked if there was anyone around and walked to the car. Both Mark and Judy watched him come closer, though the bunny glanced over to the macaque too every few seconds, unsure if he was ok with what they do or if he would ask to be with other officers once they were back at the precinct.

A few meters before Nick got to the car, Marc climbed down to let the fox sit in the middle like before. Nick, however, stopped in front of him, looked at Judy and back to him, looking very serious.- I only ask this of you: if you are going to tell Bogo about this, keep Judy out of it. This are my contacts, I am the only one relating with criminals. She has nothing to do with any of this. Are we clear?

Marc opened his eyes, looking surprised and then confused.- What do you mean? I only saw you talking with someone and asking some questions. What is so strange about it?- Said with an accomplice smile. Nick sighed and seemed to relax greatly, giving his partner a thankful smile of his own and both climbed inside the car. Judy was equally relieved this had ended well.

• So? Could he tell you anything?- Asked the bunny.

• I'm afraid not.- He replied, making the other too groan in frustration, but he kept the smile on.- He told me EVERYTHING we need to close this case. It seems my friend like those guys less than he does cops.

Judy punched him lightly in the arm for the joke.- Then tell us.

• Not only it is a new group, they are total rookies on the selling drugs business. They are even still in a "nursery". That means they are using as base of operation the very first place they have found instead of the most secure for what they want to do.- Added to the confused monkey.- As their group grows and gets enough experience, they will move to a better place, or places, the "nest", and will use the "nursery" to recruit and test their new people. If any of them happen to be arrested or betrays them, the location of their main hideout remains unknown.

• That means they are not even correctly organized yet. They should be easy to capture if we find out their "nursery".- Deduced Marc.

• No need to find out, I have it too. What he couldn't say is how many they are and their species, but he has seen at least four different members: a sheep, a panther, a lynx and a wolf. New criminal groups tend to be small. Worst case scenario, we should expect one or two more.

• So, six members if we are not lucky.- Said Judy. She seemed very comfortable with those odds.

• I'll call HQ and ask for backup to arrest them.- Said Marc, but Nick gently stopped his hand from reaching the communication device.

• Don't worry about that. Judy and I are used to deal with bigger threads.

• I AM used to that, Nick. Don't take undeserved credit.- Interrupted the bunny feigning being angry, but the smile on her face betrayed her.

• My point is we can deal with this too. And if you are with us, it will be even easier. First, we will check things out, and if it looks like too much we call for reinforcements.

• What are we waiting for then?

...

The phone on the desk rang twice before the hoof of Chief Bogo grabbed the ear piece and answered. The voice on the other side, one of the guys in administration, reminded him that they needed some documents to close a case file. The buffalo assured they would have them within the hour and hanged the phone, before letting out an exasperated sigh. He was working on those precise document at that very moment. He had barely sat at the chair for the first time that day before that call came through. An appointment with the mayor had taken all morning, so all the paperwork had been delayed too much for his taste.

So, when a very energetic knock on his door perturbed once again his peace he could not refrain from sounding very impatient.

• Yes! What is it?

As the door opened, the round body of Clawhauser entered his office, with a happy smile decorating his face.

• I have new Chief, I thought you wanted to hear about this!

• At this moment I have no time for news about Gazelle, so I hope for your sake that it is important.

• Officers Hopps, Wilde and Rhesus have arrested all members of the drug case you gave them this morning, Chief. They have requested another unit to be sent since they can't bring them all here in their cruiser.

• And have you sent someone as they asked for?- Asked Bogo with a very dangerous tone, to which the cheetah froze and slowly stepped outside the office. Even with the door closed, Bogo could hear him running down the hall.

Once alone again he allowed himself to inhale deeply and feel somewhat better. It has been a good idea to put those three together after all.