Judy slammed the pedal to the metal in the family’s green sedan, down the main roadway in Savannah Central, desperate to make it to the court house and to follow the trail of her husband. Arriving nearby, the area had already been blockaded by police. Rushing out of her car, she tapped the lion officer on the thigh.
“Officer Johnson, please tell me what happened?”
“Judy!” He exclaimed. “We had reports of a prison break. Four suspects, three of them foxes, one of them a racoon. Parker Wilde has escaped with them.”
“Damn it.” Judy fumed. “Any ID on them?”
“We’re just getting the investigation underway, Judy. Head inside if you-“
“All units, all units. Chopper down on the Trans-Zootopian Highway. We need medical evac immediately.” The radio cut in.
“Roger that.” Delgato spoke through the radio. “All teams, we have confirmation on suspects. Check your consoles for further information, over.”
“The console.” Judy whispered. “Adam, can I take a look?”
“Go ahead Judy, I gotta take care of the perimeter.” He agreed. Leaping into his car, she pulled up the login screen and used her sign in. Sure enough a prompt was there regarding the attack on the court house. Images shown from the helicopter and cameras inside the building were being uploaded. Sure enough, in more than a few of them was Nick.
“No.” She whimpered. Pulling up the list of suspects, it validated her worst fears. “Finnick Fennec, Bryan Baxter, Aiden Valor, Patrick Frost.” She paused before reading the names. “Nick Wilde, Parker Wilde.” Clasping her mouth with her paw, she stammered exiting the vehicle.
“Judy?” Johnson called out. “Everything ok?” Judy ignored her fellow officer and raced back to the car. Peeling out once again, she bolted down the street and off onto the main roadway and through the tunnels. Finding her way out of the city and onto the northbound highway she was devastated by the wreckage. Several police cars off to the side of the road, some damaged from crashes, others with tires blown out. Paramedics on the scene, checking on the mammals that had been involved in the chopper crash while the smoldering wreckage was being doused by fire trucks. Leaping from the car, she rushed over and started to check on the wounded officers. The two wolves that were piloting the helicopter were being examined by two gazelle paramedics.
“Are you guys ok?” Judy asked.
“We’re fine.”
“Leave us alone, Wilde.” The other scowled. Judy eased back away and turned the officers on the highway. Many of them looking at her for a moment before turning away. Judy clasped her mouth, her ears flopped back as she sat down on the side of the road. Even though she had nothing to do with Nick’s escape, she felt responsible for the wreckage and destruction he left behind.
Much of what happened felt lost in a haze, she hardly noticed the chief arriving and taking her down to the station. She was set on the chair, paws clasped together sitting cross legged before Delgato.
“Judy?” He spoke softly. “Are you ok? You back with us yet?”
“Huh?” She glanced up, finally meeting him eye to eye.
“You’ve kind of been in shock since the accident on the highway. It’s getting pretty late, are your cubs ok at home right now?” Delgato asked in a soft and assuring tone.
“Uh, yeah. Ian. Ian was home.” Judy answered, grasping her shoulder.
“Ok, that’s good. Listen Judy, I know some of the guys were kinda rough on the road there. But you and I both know you had nothing to do with what happened tonight, right?” He tried to comfort her.
“I don’t know.” She stammered. “Maybe I drove him away. Maybe if I was just honest earlier with him, he’d still be here.”
“No no no.” Delgato insisted, rushing out from behind his desk he clasped her tiny paws in his. “Listen to me Judy. Something has been off with Nick for a while. I don’t think any of us could have suspected him to do something like this but. It is 100% not your fault.”
“It couldn’t have been him.” She cried. “I don’t understand why. Why would he run away? We were in love. I loved him so much. Our babies loved..” Judy couldn’t hold it back anymore. Delgato offered his shoulder and she washed it in tears, crying hysterically at the loss of her husband.
Diego drove her back home, offering to have Judy’s car towed back to the house later. Walking down the driveway, his hand in hers, he took her right to the front door and kneeled down, placing a paw on her shoulder.
“Judy. I want you to take some time here. I’ll call you in when I need you, ok? You know I’ll always need good cops like you.” He smiled. Judy kept her face low until Diego picked up her chin. “We have your back, ok? We’ll do whatever we can to bring Nick back. Alive.” He assured her.
“Ok.” She rasped, her voice worn out from crying.
“Ok.” He whispered, patting her head. “You have my number, you call if you need anything.” Judy gave her approval and headed back inside her house. Closing the door behind her, she leaned on it and tossed her keys on the table nearby. Hearing her come home, Ian rushed down the stairs to her side.
“Judy, oh gosh what happened?” He begged.
“Ian.” She tried to speak. Ian took her paws and held them tight. “Nick, broke his father out of prison. They’re... They’re gone. They fled the city.”
“Oh no.” Ian moaned. Prying her paws apart he took his sister in for a good long hug. “Oh sis, I’m so sorry.” He said into her shoulder. “Jeez Nick, what are you thinking?”
“I should tell the cubs.” She stammered.
“No don’t, not yet.” Ian cut in, pulling back from the hug. “I just got Jason to sleep. They’re good. I have kind of a late night planned so I’ll listen for Liam in case he has night terrors again.” Ian insisted, rubbing her cheek. “You go to bed, try to get some rest.”
“I can’t.” She cried. “How am I supposed to sleep in that bed without him? I just want Nick back, I just want him back.”
“Shhhhh.” Ian soothed, taking her back in for a hug. “I hear ya sis. I want him back too.”
After spending a good while wandering through the kitchen and living room, lost in a daze, Judy lumbered up the stairs, having finished her long crying fit and passed by Ian in the computer room. Ian stepped up and stood in the doorway, taking hold of his sisters arm.
“Get some food in you?” He whispered very quietly.
“Not really.” Judy dismissed, her ears drooping low along with her eyes.
“Well, get some rest sis. Do you want me to talk to the kids tomorrow? Let them know what happened?”
“No, no.” She refuted, pressing his paw down. “I’ll talk to them.”
“Well, alright. You just say the word though sis, I’ll jump in and take care of anything you need. My course will be finishing up soon and I can help full time around the house.”
“Thank you, Ian.” She nodded, heading toward her bedroom.
“Goodnight Judy.”
“Night.” She called back quietly, entering into the bedroom. Slowly closing the door she looked over the empty bedroom. Nick’s cloths on the floor, his backup uniform still hanging in the closet. She entered the bathroom and spotted his phone still there on the sink where he left it. Picking it up, she noticed he left it unlocked. No pin or pattern needed. Swiping it, she saw the same message. “I love you, Carrots.” On the screen. Closing the lid, she sat down on the toilet seat and started going through the pictures. A few of her and Nick together. Jason taking a few selfies along with a slew of blurred photos from the little cub. A couple of Parker doing dishes and sleeping with Liam on his chest on the couch. She started sobbing again, but after so many tears had been shed, she was scarce to find more. Just the throbbing pain in her head from spending the day crying and sore puffy lining around her eyes. Closing out the light, she shuffled over to Nick’s shirt on the floor and picked it up. She turned off the bedroom lights and climbed into bed, draping the shirt over his pillow so she could at least capture some of his scent. Stammering and struggling to cry, she did her best to try to sleep, a futile attempt as it took her hours to nod off.
Gabriel was half asleep while Jack drove through the town of Fairways in the small hours of the morning. The jet black, four door sedan coasting down the main road with hardly another vehicle to be found, as most of the town had yet to awaken. Though Gabriel could not say the same as a quick dip into a pothole bounced the car and bumped his head on the window.
“Jeez. They need to fix up the roads in this town.” Gabriel noted. Jack kept to his usual quiet self, his gaze fixed on the road ahead while they slowed for a red light. Gabriel gave a quick look out the window to see a rather long strip mall. A few clothing stores, arts and craft shops and a pair of restaurants comprised the bulk of it, including their advertisements on the rotating sign outside. The light finally changed and Jack drove in, parking the car rather swiftly and slapping on the parking break. Reaching into the back seat, he pulled two black cloaks out and tossed one to Gabriel.
“Here.”
“Well, not the most fashionable accessory but, it’ll do.”
“Gabe, knock it off. Do you remember what you were going to discuss with them from the dossier?” Jack insisted.
“Of course.”
“Good. I want to keep this short and sweet.”
“Where are they at?”
“Should be at the Tradewinds by now. I told sat-cams to keep an eye on em.” Jack explained, cracking open his phone. Gabriel did the same and checked the location of the motel.
“You’re kidding, it’s like 10 blocks from here. Why are we parked at the mall?” Gabriel scowled. Jack rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed.
“What happens if we pull up and one of Barone’s lackeys is at the motel? The mission would be over in an instant.” Jack elaborated.
“When did the wolf say she was coming? Oh right, around 10 in the morning. It’s 5AM! Jeez, prodded me outta bed for this.” Gabriel trailed off.
“Ugh.” Jack sighed. “Come on, we have a job to do.”
“Alright, alright. Whatever you say, partner.” Gabriel winked. Stepping out of the car, he landed right into a rather large puddle. “Ick!”
“Don’t get your fur ruffled, it’s just rain water.”
“Still, nasty. Jeez it must have been raining really good last night.”
“Being out in the field isn’t as cushy as working in the lab.” Jack answered with a quick smirk.
“You know.” Gabe trailed off.
“I’m sure I don’t. You were the one who wanted to transfer to the field.” He stated, tapping the crosswalk button.
“I was hoping it would get us some more time together since our hours never seemed to line up. Gets cold in that bed Mr. Savage.”
“That’s why, if I’m working a big case like this, I just sleep in the office.”
“Don’t even get me started on that disgusting futon in your office, that thing is gross.” Gabriel refuted with a swipe of his paw.
“You’ve slept on it.”
“Only because you were there.”
“Exactly, sometimes we have to make sacrifices to do the things we desire.”
“Har har.” Gabriel brushed off. “With six figures a year, you can afford to renovate your whole office.”
“Can you focus more on the mission and less on my office?”
“Fine.” Gabriel glanced up, taking a good few strides before speaking again. “You nervous about Parker?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because, if he does betray us I’ll put three bullets in his skull.” Jack answered rather casually.
“Don’t think his boy will appreciate that.”
“Don’t care.” Jack shrugged. “All that matters is he stays on track. It was a good suggestion to bring Nick in.”
“Yeah. I doubt Parker or Aiden would keep their paws clean if they got back with that tiger with no supervision.” Gabriel chortled.
“We could get leverage on Aiden by tracking down his mate. The civilian we never recovered from the house.” Jack noted.
“Sure it’s his mate? Maybe it’s his wife.”
“Aiden’s no fool, too much paperwork behind getting married. Not that finding him was overly difficult, the fact he kept contact with Baxter pretty well gave him away.” Jack and Gabriel carried on walking a good while, down the street, taking their first right, cutting through an alley and then back onto the main road.
“How much further?”
“I thought only children asked if we’re there yet.” Jack threw up his brow.
“Shut up. Oh hey! Tradewinds.”
“Mmm.” Jack nodded, the two of them sweeping the parking lot. “There.”
“Right, there’s the car. Oh and wouldn’t you know it, no Carvelle.” Gabriel stated.
“Ugh. Like it would kill you to walk a little.”
“Come on, you think the info we got from Scout was bad?” He asked, walking up the stairs.
“No, I trust him reasonably well.” Jack answered quietly, knocking on the door.
The next morning, Judy shuffled downstairs. Jason, Liam and Hannah were on the couch with an exhausted Ian. Checking her phone, she could see it was already 10:15 in the morning.
“Ian, you’re still up?” She spoke softly. The kids and Ian all glanced back over the couch.
“Oh thank god. So I can sleep now?” He moaned.
“Yeah, go ahead.” She smiled, nodding off toward the stairs.
“MOMMY!!” Jason leapt off the couch into his mother’s arms.
“Hey baby.” Judy cooed, kissing his neck. Hannah and Liam were bouncing on the couch, waiting their turn for affection while Ian rushed off upstairs to get some much needed sleep. “You guys sleep ok?” She asked, sitting down on the couch with them.
“Uh huh!” Jason happily replied from her lap.
“No night terrors mommy!” Liam threw in.
“And it’s true!” Hannah joined in. “I was watching to see, if Liam would start getting scared, and he was so quiet!”
“That’s good.” Judy smiled, ruffling her head. “Oh my little babies.” She cried, pulling them all in for a good long hug.
“Mom, where’s daddy?” Jason asked, muffled in her arms. “Is he working like a big job?” Judy dreaded answering this question; she wasn’t even sure how to do it. Should she lie and just say he’s on a big assignment, or tell the truth that he might never come home. In the end, she took one good long sigh and committed to her decision, to put it as softly as possible to her cubs.
“Come here guys, come.” Judy insisted, taking Hannah and Jason’s paws with Liam front and center in her lap. “I have something to tell you about daddy. It’s something sad. That’s why mommy is so sad today.”
“What happened mommy, why are you sad?” Jason begged.
“Remember how we said that, grandpa had done bad things in the past, and he had to go in front of a judge and answer for them?” She asked them. The three cubs nodded and said almost in unison.
“Uh huh.”
“Well the judge decided that grampa needed a very harsh punishment. Daddy didn’t like it. So last night, he snuck out and broke grampa free from jail.” Judy explained.
“Oh.” Jason pondered. “So is daddy like, gonna bring him back?”
“I don’t know baby.” Judy started stammering. “Doing what daddy did, is a bad thing. It’s something police aren’t supposed to do, it’s not something anyone is supposed to do. So daddy...” She started crying. “Daddy’s gone away. I don’t know when he’s coming back.”
“But, he has to come back. He’s our daddy.” Jason begged, yanking on Judy’s arm.
“I don’t know if he can. That’s ... That’s why I’m so sad. It hurts so badly.” Judy started really crying to which Hannah, Liam and Jason quickly followed suit, falling into her chest and bawling.
“Daddy has to come home! He has to!” Jason cried.
“I want daddy back!” Hannah cried as well.
“So do I baby, so do I. I want him back.” Judy sobbed, keeping her cubs held close. Judy could only sit on the couch, holding her babies while they cried in her arms. She was scared, unsure of what to do or where to turn next. Thankfully a distraction came in the form of a ring at the door. Judy kissed each of her cub’s heads before getting off the couch. Wiping her nose, she opened the door and was greeted by a rather unexpected surprise.
“Hey Jude! Jude the dude, remember that one?” Stu greeted warmly before getting nudged by his wife.
“Oh Stu, come on. Judy, my baby come here!” Bonnie insisted, opening her arms for her daughter. Judy leapt into them with Stu wrapping both of them up, kissing his daughter’s head.
“There ya go honey, just let it all out.” Stu consoled her.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Judy cried, pulling herself back. “But how?”
“Oh Ian called us bright and early.” Bonnie explained.
“Yeah, gave us the whole low down on what happened.” Stu threw in. “I put Adam and his fiancée in charge of things at the farm and came right down.”
“I hope we’re not intruding.” Bonnie suggested.
“No! Oh gosh are you kidding? I’m so glad you’re here.” Judy leapt into their arms again. “You’re the first good news I’ve gotten today.”
“Aw, there there munchkin. You know we’re here for you.” Stu pat her head.
“That’s right, come on.” Bonnie urged, leading them back inside.
“Granny!? GRAMPA!!” The cubs cried out, rushing over to Stu and Bonnie.
“Hey! There’s our three little rascals, haha! Come on, give you’re ol grampa a hug!” He beamed, picking them up. Bonnie gave them all big kisses on the cheeks and bellies.
“Oh good heavens, listen to those tummies rumble. Stu, Judy. You entertain the little ones and I’ll whip up some breakfast.”
“Sounds fantastic.” Stu agreed.
“Grampa, did you hear about daddy?” Jason asked right away.
“Oh I did little fella, I certainly did. I know things must be pretty tough right now, but we’re gonna help ya through it all. Granny, me, Uncle Ian and mama, you got lots of love in this house.” He winked, playfully bopping his nose. “Come on, let’s see what’s on TV huh? Take our mind off all these tears and droopy ears, hehe.”
Within the hour the mood in the house had lightened up thanks to Stu and Bonnie. She was hard at work in the kitchen while Stu was set on the couch with the trio of cubs, playfully bouncing Liam and Hannah on each lap.
“Breakfast!” Bonnie called from the dining room, having set the last plate down. Judy smiled bringing up the rear of the crowd rushing in and stood in amazement in the doorway.
“What in the!?” She breathed at the sight before her. Bonnie had made pancakes, waffles, crepes, a bowl of assorted fruits, a serving plate of half jam and half peanut-butter toast, a bowl of scrambled eggs, a trio of hard boiled ones and small side of lettuce to garnish or eat. Every empty plate came with a side of orange juice and had been neatly laid out along the table. “How did you cook this much!? Where did you find the food!?” Judy insisted, rushing over to her mother. “I didn’t have this much food.” She whispered with her ears folded back, pleading into her mother’s eyes.
“Oh please, this is nothing. I’ve been cooking for 300 for years baby girl! Have a seat and fill that belly.” She chuckled, pulling out a chair for her daughter. Stu was serving the kids anything they requested but snuck the crepes onto his own plate. He even came around and took Judy’s order, to have a few pancakes, slice of toast and pieces of fruit to round it out. She smiled looking over the plate of delicious food before taking a brief moment to think back on the funny shapes Nick used to make for her. It grasped her tight, nearly halting the sweet moment until Stu kissed her between the ears.
“Hey honey, come on now. You’re not gonna do anyone any good on an empty belly.” He insisted with a big smile. Judy giggled and leaned on his shoulder for a second.
“Thank you daddy.”
“You’re welcome sweet-heart.”
Not long after breakfast while Judy was in the kitchen helping her mother clean dishes, a ring came from the doorbell. Stu jovially waddled over and answered it, flopping his ears back before the large lion and lioness standing on the step.
“Ha, haa... hello?” He nervously chuckled. Matt and Lani just offered up a warm smile and asked.
“Hey, is Judy home? We heard about what happened, thought we’d come over and visit.”
“Matt!?” Judy leapt from the kitchen, nearly clearing the living room in a single bound before arriving at the door, leaping into his arms for a hug. “Oh Matt! Lani! It’s so wonderful to see you!” She all but cried.
“Aw, Judy you sweet little bunny.” Lani cooed, hugging her and her husband tight. The cubs snuck around them and rushed inside.
“Hey Jason!” Elena called out.
“Kissy time!!” Kendra joined in. Jason’s ears shot up, as he rushed into the kitchen, playfully screaming as the girls chased him. Liam and Hannah rushed along, hot on the lionesses tails, giggling the whole way. Letting Judy down, they ducked the doorway and squeezed inside.
“So, lions now too huh?” Stu nervously tented his fingers.
“Dad, stop.” Judy giggled, batting her paw. “This is Matt and Lani Grizzoli. Matt and I work at the ZPD together, Nick and I usually get teamed up with him a lot. And Lani is our family doctor.” She explained.
“Oh! Hey, you know I’ve been getting this weird kink in my back lately, think you could have a look?” Stu suggested.
“Haha, maybe. I’m off duty today, but if it’s really bothering you come on down to my clinic, I’d be happy to take a look.”
“That’s swell.” He smiled.
“Oh my!” Bonnie exclaimed seeing the lions at the door. “Well I had a hunch mom and dad couldn’t be far away when the cubs nearly tumbled me over in the kitchen.”
“Yikes, sorry bout that.” Matt nervously scratched his neck.
“Judy, we’re gonna meet up with Laura and Derek at the park in about twenty minutes. Did you want to come along and bring the kids?” Lani offered.
“Sure! Just let me get my phone and leave a note for Ian. Mom, dad, can you round up the kids?” Judy asked.
“Course!” Stu beamed with delight. “Kids, come on, we’re going to the park!” Stu bellowed as Judy rushed up the stairs. Grabbing the phone by the dresser, she rushed back downstairs and into the kitchen. Near the phone, she ran through a short gauntlet of dried up pens before writing on a sticky note. Went to the park with Matt/Lani, back later. Breakfast in fridge. Tearing it off, she swooped up her keys, she stuck it to the door and closed it, gathering everyone into the car. Stu and Bonnie were in a little close in the front but managed to fit well enough to wear a seat belt, as Judy followed behind Matt and Lani for a short drive to the park.
Laura was already at the park when Judy and the rest of the crew arrived. She was set on the bench with Derek right beside her, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Lani awed and came over right away along with Judy and Bonnie. Stu and Matt took the cubs up to the playground and hoisted them up onto the jungle gym.
“Laura, are you ok?”
“Oh I’m alright. As well as I can be I guess. Derek, why don’t you go play with the cubs.” She offered.
“Sure mom.” He agreed, leaping from the bench to join them. Laura wrapped a paw around Judy and gave her a good solid hug.
“I heard about Nick, oh you poor girl.” Laura cooed.
“Well, we both got something to cry about lately huh?” Judy tried to joke. “Mom, this is Laura Fangmeyer, another friend of the family.”
“Hello there!” Bonnie rather jovially greeted. “Bonnie Hopps.”
“My pleasure.” Laura returned the greeting with quick handshake.
“So what has you all teary eyed?” Bonnie asked.
“Oh my son. My baby Caden, he’s run off. Gone for weeks now.”
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” Bonnie sympathised. “Jeez, it’s just tragedy all around lately huh? First Nick goes off the handle and your baby’s missing, knock on wood that’s the end of it.”
“Judy, how you really holding up.” Lani asked softly. “Just between us girls, you know?”
“It hurts, a lot.” Judy nodded. “With Nick running off the way he did, I’m left with more questions than answers. He left his phone in the bathroom with the note, I love you Carrots and that’s it.”
“No warning, no nothing?” Laura gasped.
“No, not a word.”
“Well I hope you forgive me for saying this Judy but, what a complete asshole.” Lani fumed.
“Hey now, take it easy.” Bonnie insisted.
“I’m sorry, but what a horrible thing to do. I knew Nick could be stubborn but this is next level. What a nerve.” Lani carried on.
“Maybe, but like you said honey.” Bonnie took a deep breath. “If all he’s done is left you with questions than by gosh, go out and find those answers. I still get nervous you being a cop in this big city but gosh darn it, you’ve proven yourself capable of doing anything. If there’s one bunny in this world that can drag that fox back by his haunches, it’s you.”
“Aww, mom.” Judy smiled, squeezing her tight. “Thank you.”
“Got that right Mrs Hopps.” Laura echoed.
“And if you need any help, you know you can ask us, right?” Lani insisted. “I’ll make sure Matt helps you out, right after we find Caden!”
“Oh! Hey that’s right! Didn’t Matt tell you? Right before all this with Nick went down, we got a lead! Brandon, the camel we brought in finally cracked. Looks like he’s coughed up the name of a distributer in the Rainforest District named Kayla.”
“Oh my gosh! Judy that’s great!” Laura exclaimed clasping her paws together.
“Matt and I were supposed to go after it tomorrow but, something tells me Delgato won’t bring me in.” Judy shrugged.
“You let me talk to my hubby tonight, I’ll get him to talk with the chief.” Lani winked. “I’m sure he can persuade Delgato to see it his way.”
“Wonderful, mom you and dad staying for a while?” Judy asked.
“Of course baby, as long as you need. Adam’s holding down the fort at home, he’s done just super in the past so I got nothing but free time for my little Judy.” She cooed, kissing her head.
“Mom!” Judy giggled, playfully pushing her off. “I’m with my friends.”
“I think it’s adorable.” Laura smiled.
“Mmhmm.”
“Haha, here. Let’s get a picture.” Judy opened the phone and realized quickly that there was no passcode. “Huh, I know I put a screen lock on- .. Oh.” She halted herself, slowly lowering the phone to her lap. “I picked up Nick’s phone by mistake.”
“Happens with me all the time.” Lani threw in.
“Nick, where are you?” Judy showcased the note he left after a little scrolling.
“I love you, Carrots. Hmm. Why would he do that, was he taken by force?”
“You don’t suppose there’s a link between him and Caden do you?” Laura surmised.
“Maybe, maybe not. Either way Judy, you got a lead to follow.” Lani insisted.
The next day, Matt went in early as per his wife’s advice and spoke with Delgato. Judy was anxiously waiting by her phone after breakfast, hoping to get the call to come back in to work. It took a fair amount of negotiation, but Grizzoli convinced him that she was needed to help track down Caden.
“Honey, come on have a seat. Do you want some more coffee?” Bonnie offered, pulling out a chair. While Judy took the seat, she refused the drink.
“No, I’m good. Anymore and it’s gonna come back to haunt me.” She smiled. Judy’s phone started to buzz, snatching it up with near lightning speed she swiped it and answered. “This is Wilde.”
“Judy, how are you doing?” Diego asked.
“I’m ok, all things considered. My mom and dad came down to help around the house.”
“Good to hear! Are the cubs taking the news ok?”
“It was hard on them, yeah. But go figure, they’re tough little guys. They seem just fine today.”
“Alright then. Matt, rather persuasively, asked me to bring you back in today to help with Caden’s case. Think you’re up for it?”
“Of course sir!”
“Good, but take it easy Judy. I know you’re eager to get back out there but you need to pace yourself.”
“Yes sir.”
“I’ll expect you in at 10:00. We’ll meet up in the bullpen as per usual, ok?”
“Got it, I’ll be right there!” Judy hung up the phone and cheered. “Yes! I’m back on. Be right back mom, gotta change!”
Down at the station, Delgato had rallied everyone in the bullpen a little early to speak with officers regarding what to do. The meeting was kept discrete and off the records as far as Judy was concerned.
“Listen up, all of you.” Delgato announced. “Mrs. Wilde is set to return to work today. I know many of you feel frustrated and angry over what has happened with Nick. Let’s make this perfectly clear, Judy had NOTHING to do with Nick’s behavior or his escape from the city. A few of you are still recovering from the injuries sustained in their escape, others just sore feelings. Put them aside. Judy Wilde has served this city with great dedication for years now, and this is no time for grudges. When it comes to Nick and Parker. Your official mandate is to bring them in alive. However, I know the danger Parker poses to this city, the threat that he can become. While I stand adamantly by the notion that I want Nick brought in alive, I have more or less minimal standards on Parker’s condition on arrival. Don’t do anything you don’t have to but, I won’t blame the officer who turns to lethal force dealing with him.” Delgato finished, picking up the stack of papers before him he sorted them in his hands and placed them back down. “At ease boys, at least until.” Delgato glanced to the door as it slowly opened. “Mrs. Wilde arrives.” He smiled.
“Hey Judy!” Kate beamed with joy, waving to Judy and offering up a seat. “Come on bunny buddy, I got a spot for ya right here.”
“Welcome back, Judy.” Ryan pat her back as she walked in.
“Welcome back.” Many others in the room echoed.
“Thank you.” Judy bowed before the room.
“Anything you wish to say?” Delgato offered the stand to her.
“No-no sir, I’m just eager to get back to it. Put this all behind me.” Judy insisted.
“Splendid, have a seat.” Delgato gestured to the chair beside Kate with a smile. Kate welcomed her up with a big toothy grin of her own.
“So excited, oh yesterday was so much fun out on the streets.” She whispered.
“You’re out in the field now?” Judy whispered back.
“Yep! Got my promotion and passed my tests.”
“Quiet please!” Delgato bellowed. “Alright, let’s get to it. We have a total of five missing cubs in the city and a whole new problem. Two banks have been robbed over the last 24hrs. The suspects are two rather notoriously known criminals. Alex Stamper and George Rhyhorn. Smash and grab is putting it lightly when it comes to these two, an elephant and rhino combination.” Delgato showcased on his dossier. “They’re hold up right now in Tundratown and I need a solid team to bring them in. As far as the missing cubs go, thanks to Ryan’s rather persuasive interrogation of Brandon Humperdink.” Kate interrupted with a giggle. “Seriously? He’s given us a name of one of his many dealers. Kayla. This corresponds with Caden Fangmeyer’s ongoing investigation and we’ll be assigning a few officers to hunt this dealer down in the Rainforest District. Assignments! Rhinowitz, Trunkaby, Anderson, Johnson, you four will team up with Wolford. Suit up in full SWAT gear and sweep the streets in Tundratown. Macuihtl, Davis you two are on Savannah Central patrols. Wilde, Rosa, Grizzoli. You three are on Rainforest District. Dismissed.”
