And another woops, I replaced the art with a slightly revised version with Deputy Sylvan's head and neck made a bit better proportioned.

Yeah, a bit of a woops
Zootopia 5

What a relief to wake up after a proper nights' rest, thanks to that Fox. Judy half wished she were waking up with him still there. It would have been innocent enough, their grooming sessions often ended up in languorous little cuddles that could drift off into naps already.

After the stresses of the last couple days, having Nick massage away all her tension was such a relief. And she could tell that her efforts on his behave were just as welcome and likely needed. If only he'd open up about such things. He was so reticent about admitting to 'need' anything.

But enough of that, today already felt like it was going to be better. She got herself together and was about ready to go out when she heard Nick's knock on the door.

"Nick, you can't keep doing this." Judy knew that the poor fox found getting up in the morning was a real struggle when his nocturnal preference would have been to only then be going to bed. So, sleeping through the night was an only sometime thing, and this extra effort meant getting up even earlier.

"And a bright and cheerful morning to you." Nick beamed, and with a flourish, presented her with a veggie breakfast burrito. "No sacrifice is too great to escort my partner to our appointed rounds."

"Sounds like you got a proper night's sleep too."

"After the full Hopps treatment, I slumbered on the wings of angels." With an overly theatric sigh and pose. "And being abused by some scruffy varmint seems to have put the sparkle in your eye too."

"Yeah. Thanks again."

The Metro ride in was unremarkable, though there were only a couple other rabbits, both with escorts, in the car with them. The general mood was still wary. However Judy noticed some recognition in several of the other passenger. A gazelle leaned over, "Saw your message this morning. Good advice for everyone."

"Glad to be of service." Judy hoped that sounded sincere, as it had become a near-automatic response after so much time.

The tone at the precinct was still tense. Especially with Bogo's announcements.

"There were a total of nine attacks yesterday, six during the day, and three after dark. Another victim has died and two are still critical. There has only been one additional attack since."

"Two suspects are in custody and a third has been identified and there is an all points on him."

"In interrogation, the suspects claim they were paid to act. Just easy money for what were supposed to be non-lethal attacks. More to terrorize than anything else. That they didn't have any bias crime history seems to support that. They named a source, and he had a history that suggested he may well have been behind all this." Bogo scowled even harder, if that was even possible.

"Though exactly why looks like it will be left unanswered. A fire response to a warehouse found him dead inside. He'd been killed, a neck bite and break. The fire was not extensive, and looked like it was set more to muddy the scene and possible destroy evidence, rather than obscure or destroy the body."

Bogo took off his glasses and looked out at the collected force. "That there was only one attack in the eight hours after the killing suggests that the actors are realizing their paydays are over. It is my hope that this might be the end of that particular violence. I've just been cleared to make a press announcement about it to, in no small part, get the word out to any of the actors still out there who haven't heard."

"But things are still not back to normal. There have been other more violent attacks on rabbits, and other smaller mammals, pred and prey alike. Not many, and that they may have been hate crimes is not certain. There has been a bump-up in general crime the last couple days and this might be a part of that."

"And the copycat posters are still all over, including ones directly inciting violence. However, social media Intel suggests that they have been mainly empty rants by a very few malcontents. If anything, this whole episode, a bit like the fall-out from the Bellwether plot, seems to have increased awareness of interspecies conflict and has brought out the better angels of our nature."

Nick observed, "Now we can all go back to holding paws together and singing Kumbaya."

Bogo didn't take the bait, but, "You all still need to stay alert. Again, there has been an up-tick in routine criminality, as well as the uncaught actors."

After the more routine bits and the dismissal of the herd for the day's patrol, Bogo braced himself for his press announcement. Basically the same thing he told his officers, though a bit more long-windedly politic.

Then there were the routine Q and A after, mostly absurd requests to repeat what he had just said, maybe slower, and with smaller words, or so it seemed. And he had to repeatedly reaffirm his concern that, despite appearances, he could not guarantee that everything was not now magically safe and pure.

And then there was the Wilde-Hopps part. Every time anything happened, the media insisted to know whether their favorite Fox and Hare had again single-handedly solved the case. He was not about to tell them that the two, had, in fact, provided crucial points to the investigation, especially in that any number of other officers had also contributed to the overall effort. So it was the team effort that he emphasized.

Too much media attention on any one or two officers was both bad for overall morale and could attract any number of other kinds of attention to them. He was never going to tell Hopps how he had a special security team on her in the first months after Bellwether, as there had been way too many credible threats on her life, and several that had been thwarted by both his and his 'friends' agencies.

For our favorite duo, it ended up being just another day, which was quite a relief after the last couple. When they checked in at the end of their shift, they did get a reminder that the Rabbit plot was not entirely over.

Clauhauser waved them over as they were leaving the building. "Hey you guys." He whispered warily, "Got word that they found a Zebra, garroted, in an abandoned building." The gentle Cheetah was clearly uncomfortable relaying that kind of news. "Forensics found traces that suggested that he had committed the first fatal attack on the Bunnies."

Nick flinched with that. Jerry had mentioned that the 'they' had taken care of someone who had gone too far, and this could be the one. "Thanks, Benji. And chin up, that might be the last gasp of this whole terrible thing."

"I sure hope so."

"As do we all."

Once out of the precinct, "So, what's for dinner?"

Nick considered, "While I don't want to jinx things by something akin to a celebration, but something more or different to mark the day?"

Judy was a bit les sanguine. "I'm still worried about the you know whos. That part isn't likely to be over anytime soon."

"Well, let's do something to distract the baleful bunny for at least a few, eh?" And with that, the Fox began to beat on his tablet. "Ahah! Just what we need!"

Good company, a delightful meal, and for the moment, the hope that the worst was behind them. Judy looked to her partner and wished the night wouldn't end. But it was getting rather late and they really couldn't afford the time to get to her place for a worthwhile groom. Even if he did stay over. Better to just call it a night, go their separate ways and crash. She resented that she was a responsible adult at times like that.

"And, Nick, you don't need to escort me in tomorrow. I know you need your beauty sleep."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I don't know how much longer I could keep it up." The goofy Fox gushed in mock relief. Of course, he wasn't about to admit how much he enjoyed those extra moments with her in the morning, regardless of cost.

And another particularly normal day, up before the alarm or the Boys. Get clean, reminded Nick to wake up. Of course he huffed that he was already fully up and in the midst of preparing, though his slurred speech suggested she had just woken him. A very typical day so far. The ride in to work was still a bit depressing, as rabbit ridership was still down.

Then she got a call. "Hopps, Bogo here. Where are you right now?"

"Still on the metro, ought to be at the station in just a few more minutes."

"You need to get in ASAP. There will be a car waiting for you."

"What's going on?"

"Not over the 'phone. I'll see you here."

This was bad. But what kind of bad? 'Not over the 'phone' implied a security matter, most likely. Fortunately she had only moments to worry before she arrived at the central station, where a police cruiser, lights flashing, waited.

It was Filmore, one of the over-night shift officers, driving.

"What's happened?" Judy gasped as she hopped up and in.

"Don't know, just got the call from Bogo direct to pick you up and over to HQ, ASAP."

As the station was only a short walk across the plaza from headquarters, they were there in a flash. Bogo was at the door, holding it open for Judy, while Nick stood besides, coat and tail poofed in anxiety.

"What's happened?" Judy was getting a little frantic. Nick could only give a dismayed shrug and Bogo was unreadable.

"In my office."

Once the three were inside, Bogo sat down on the floor to be on a better level with Judy, and in that gesture, she felt a special dread. "Hopps, Judy, I just got word from Bunny Burrow. Your Father has been attacked."

An hour earlier.

Sheriff Clark didn't know exactly what to make of the new probationary Deputy. It was not that she was a she; about a third of the force was female. Nor that she was a White Tail Deer, most of the force was prey and half of them were hooved. And it wasn't that she was so young, well she was 21, but any more, that seemed like a baby to that old Black Bear.

No, what he couldn't figure was her relentless cheerfulness. "And no singing on patrol." He reminded her yet again.

The radio popped to life, "Sheriff, Dispatch. We got a call from the Hopps farm. The caller was hysterical, I couldn't make out exactly who or what was wrong, other than it was something really bad."

"Did they say where on the farm?" Though not the largest spread in the county, it was big enough that they didn't want to waste time going in the wrong direction.

"Utility shed, northwest parcel."

"Send an ambulance too." Most farm incidents involve heavy loads or powerful machinery, with messy results, more so with smaller folk.

"That was my plan. Dispatch out."

"Sheriff?" The Doe was driving, both to acquaint herself with the area, as well as the old Bear was finally acknowledging that his eyesight was not all it could be anymore.

"Punch it, hard. Due North until we hit Route 7, then a left, West. Three miles on, there will be a big tilled field on your right and a little barn at the far North end."

And punch it she did. The big SUV squealed tires and rocketed down the country road. It wasn't the newest thing, and in that, had a particularly big and unfashionably gas-guzzling engine that was now screaming almost as loud as the siren. Clark glanced down at the pegged speedometer, he had never actually gone that fast, felt that the vehicle got a bit squirrelly and thought better than to attempt it.

"Deputy Sylvan, are you okay driving it this fast?" Not that he was afraid, but did want to get to the destination in one piece.

"E-Haw! Sheriff, all my Brothers are gear heads from day one, Bobby is a pro stock car driver now, and - Hang on Sir!" She downshifted and pulled the massive machine into a full four wheel drift into the left turn. "And my Baby Brother is working the dirt track sprint car circuit." She saw the barn and backed off just a bit for the final approach. "Uhm, Sheriff, there looks like a few kids over by the fence, 'bout fifty yards East of the structure."

"Pull up between them and the barn. I sure hope it isn't going to be something they shouldn't see."

He glanced at her and for the first time saw real fear in the Deputy. "Oh my Hooves, this could be bad?"

"Remember your training and follow my lead and you'll be alright."

They pulled up in front of a cluster of young bunnies, huddled together behind a wire fence, all tearing, some crying openly. But even before they got out of the SUV, they heard it. A Fox's wail of despair, punctuated with sobs and shrieks.

Several of the youngsters began babble and the Sheriff had to blow his whistle to get them to focus and be quiet. Finally, one of the little Does took a deep breath and tried to carefully explain. "We heard cryin' from the barn. Mister Grey and Poppa are in the barn, I think. An' Mister Grey said something bad happened and that we should stay away until you came. An' he just keeps cryin'."

"You did good to stay here. We will see what has happened to Mr. Grey and your Poppa. But it would be best that you all go home now. Okay?"

Those who could, nodded, then the cluster scattered in a near-panic run back to the South then West to home.

"Who's Mr. Grey?"

"Local baker, does the fruit pastries for the Hopps farm. He's a Fox. Would never have thought him to get into baking. Was a good-for-nothing as a kit, but really cleaned up good when he finally grew up."

The Deputy bit her lip, "Could this be a pred/prey thing?"

"Gideon and Stu? Not a chance." Then he stopped, the critical hint about the night howlers came from the pair years ago, and the farm had used the potentially deadly flower up until the terrible connection was revealed. "Oh, fertilizer. Maybe we'd better do it tactical after all."

They approached the building, starting at the North and South corners of the East side. Then approached the big equipment doors set in the middle. There was a medium size mammal door inset into the North half. The wails had subsided to loud sobbing.

Sheriff Clark pointed to his Deputy to have her stunner ready. He also had a stunner and a dart gun, but he rested his paw on his pistol. He had never actually fired it in the line of duty, but there had been some close calls. He knocked on the door.

"Gideon? Gideon Grey, is that you?"

A choked voice from inside, "Sheriff is that you?"

"Yes, and my Deputy. I also have an ambulance coming, is Stu Hopps in there with you?"

A brief sob, then, "Are the young-uns away? They can't see it."

"What happened?"

A new round of sobbing and wailing.

The old Bear dreaded what he might find, but if the Rabbit was in there and hurt, they had to act faster. He signed to his Deputy that he was going to open the door.

Bang, it was thrust open and a beam of sunlight entered the dark space within and spotlighted the figure of a Fox, on his knees, his paws outstretched as though pleading. His only motion was that of him sobbing, the stench of blood was near-gagging. The Bear was able to just squeeze through the door. He sidestepped out of the sunlight and pause a second to adjust to the dark interior.

"Deputy, it is pretty stiff in here. Do you think you can handle it?"

"Oh, doodle- arp!" He heard her vomiting. Even as a long time veteran of this kind of thing, and a pred, it had his guts in a bit of knot. This was her first, and likely worst possible exposure.

"No shame it that. Give me a sign when you're ready. I'm still adjusting to the - Wait. Open the South main door, more light and more air."

Even before she could do so, he was able to make out the scene. Just beyond the sitting Fox was the sprawled body of a Rabbit. He cautiously approached. The body was a bloody mess. "Gideon, what happened?"

The sobbing stopped, and after a few deep breaths, Gideon spoke. "I dunno Sheriff. He was like this and his blood - a gasp - On me. My claws. My mouth"- a wail - "My Mouth!" he folded forward in a new fit of sobs.

"Opening the door now" announced the Deputy.

The extra light exposed a more detailed horror. Blood smeared the Fox's paws and face; more was splattered down the front of his overalls. The rabbit's body was torn, several claw rakes across his upper body, his head lay at an awkward angle, his neck somewhat torn, as though bitten and shaken for a neck breaking. There was a lot of blood on the body and on the ground.

The old Bear knelt down next to the Fox. "I'm going to cuff you now, okay? Then, as you can, tell me more about what happened." Gideon sniffled and nodded.

"Oh Cheeze and Crackers." Deputy Sylvan whispered. The Sheriff nodded his head towards the door and mouthed 'CSI kit'.

Belatedly, the Sheriff turned on his 'phone's vid recorder. There was so little action that the Jurisdiction had not felt there was a need for body cams. While he understood the necessity of the ritual of reading the suspect his rights, he also felt that this was a tortured soul that may well be as much a victim as the body behind him. So he was going to take a terrible risk in not doing so, making any confession inadmissible.

"So, start from the beginning."

Between sobs and new breakdowns of wails, Gideon recounted how he and Mr. Hopps were sampling some experiments in fermentation of the farm's surplus fruit. He was not an experienced drinker, but thought it strange how potent the product was, as he seems to have blacked out. Then when he came to this morning, this was what he found.

Off to the side and behind them, the Deputy was taking photos. When she approached to take shots of Gideon, he again broke down, wailing, then held out his paws again, "See my shameful guilt! The blood of my best friend on my hands!"

The Doe suddenly cocked her ears, "Sir, did you touch anything or try to wash any of that away?"

"No!" he howled. "I could never wash this stain away!"

"Sheriff, can I take a closer look?"

He nodded to her and then put a paw on the Fox's shoulder to reassure and steady him, "Gideon, will you let my Deputy examine you?"

"To document my crime, please!"

She did a series of close-ups of his hands and his mouth, including him opening up to get views of his dentation. She then stopped and reviewed the images of the body, making faces. She then put on gloves to handle his paws, taking scrapings of the now dried blood and poking around the claws. She made more faces. "Excuse me a sec."

She went back to the body to take a closer look at the various wounds. "Sir, there is something - "she touched one of the wound areas on the neck and shrieked.