Caden laid himself out on the couch, shirt tossed on the ground while Kayla kneeled down, stroking his head. His fur had been completely sprayed black, from head to toe he was barely recognizable save for his eyes.  
“You comfy big guy?” She whispered. 
“Totally.” He replied just as softly. Kayla glided her hooves through the fur on his chest, tickling him before pulling his muzzle in for a kiss. “Mmm.” He moaned, as her lips smacked on his. 
“You ever seen what a doe can do with her tongue?” She lightly chuckled. 
“No.” Caden smiled, closing his eyes. Kayla pressed her nose against his chest and began to stroke him down to his waist with her long tongue. Unbuttoning his shorts, she slid them down along with his boxers and found his flesh had begun to crest its sheath. “Oh boy.” He stammered. 
“Shhh, you let me take care of you now.” She hushed. Wrapping her tongue around his shaft, she took it whole into her mouth and moaned with pleasure. Caden could barely contain himself, her tongue rolling all around his growing shaft. Kayla’s phone began to buzz on the table and with a quick slurp she withdrew his meat and checked it. Dismissing the call she returned her attention to her toy and enveloped it once more in her muzzle. The phone buzzed once again, it was clear whoever this was had no interest in being ignored. Fuming she spat up Caden’s cock and answered angrily. “What? What the hell is it?” 
“Don’t ever ignore us again.” 
“I’m busy, I’m in the middle of something.” She protested. 
“It can’t wait. We need you and your runner here. Now.” 
“What is it?” 
“Don’t make us ask twice. We know where to find you. We’ll collect you if needed.” 
“Fine, we’re on our way.” Kayla huffed, hanging up the phone. “God damn it.” 
“What? We have to stop? Now?” Caden protested. 
“I know, I know. I’m not a fan of this either. Frankly I’m pretty pissed off they want to drag us out, out of the blue like this.” 
“So, just ignore them.” Caden suggested. 
“No, we can’t do that. We’re out of a job if we do, along with a whole bunch of other problems. Get your pants and shirt back on handsome. We’ll get a little more intimate later.” She advised. 

After a quick ride over to Sahara Square, they approached the site of the old explosives testing facility. The once massive building that hosted several testing grounds and processing facilities looked torn and frayed. Some parts of the ceiling dilapidated along with holes in the fence and abandoned cars in the parking lot. Kayla and Caden made their way toward the front door and had to work together to get them open. Once inside, Kayla led the way through a good chunk of debris before encroaching on one of the warehouse doors. Inside were two stairwells, one only about seven steps down before another going the opposite direction almost thirty more down. Inside was a well lit room with several small offices circling what seemed like a circular cage fighting pit. The top of which was made of steel mesh and inside filled with sand, stained with blood and bones strewn about. 
“What is this?” Caden whispered. 
“I don’t know, I don’t come here often.” Kayla replied. 
“You brought the boy, good!” Alex Stamper, the big elephant stated. “Bout time you did something right.” 
“Easy Alex.” A racoon in a lab coat cut in, revealing herself from one of the offices. “It’s not her fault her runner almost got busted. It’s his.”
“Who are you?” Caden questioned right away. 
“Ah, Shelly Yorik.” She greeted with a bow. “I was the general manager of this facility until those scum sucking ZPD intervened.” 
“Nice to see you again, Shelly.” Kayla nodded. 
“And you.” She glanced up with a rather arrogant look. “Alex, get the boy rigged up. We could use him for the test.” 
“Test? What test?” Caden backed off, bumping into a rhino behind him. “Oh jeez.” 
“Hey! No!” Kayla argued, cutting in front of him. “This one’s mine, you hear me? You don’t get to touch him!” 
“Like I give a shit about what some cubophilic doe thinks.” Shelly scoffed. “You’ve fucked him haven’t you? His use has expired.” 
“I said no!” Kayla barked loud enough to startle Caden. Shelly continued to glare at her while George Rhyhorn and Alex Stamper waited for her order. Shelly took a good long sigh before answering. “Fine. Rig the slut up for the test.” 
“What!?” Kayla exclaimed as she was scooped up by Rhyhorn. 
“Hey! Stop it!” Caden tried to protest but Stamper snatched him up with his trunk. 
“Shut your punk mouth up, you stinking mongrel.” 
“Get her strapped in, the test will begin right away.” Shelly ordered. Rhyhorn took her down into a small passage that seemed to feed into the pit. Stamper followed Shelly to the main monitor, she began to open up a live chat with a rather enigmatic looking stag. “Well, hello Reginald.” She greeted. 
“Oh Shelly! My wonderful little ringtail. How are the kids? Husband? Still in school?” He chuckled. 
“Stop being a smart ass, doctor. As for the cubs you speak of, well, they’re getting their last lessons. After all, we need to test tolerances at every range.” Yorik replied. 
“Indeed indeed! Can’t have anyone developing a special tolerance to our little project now can we? Hehehhehe!” 
“Did you get the package?” 
“Just delivered today care of the boss himself!” He showcased a large cylinder with a smile. 
“Excellent. That’s Alpha five you’re holding there. I’m conducting clinical trials on the beta right now.” 
“Oh! Hohohoho, you sent me the real deal did you? Perfect, perfect.” He riled his shoulders with delight. 
“Rhyhorn, are we ready?”
“Yes ma’am.” He acknowledged, coming up from the pit. 
“Good. Let the boy get a front row seat.” Yorik pointed to Stamper. The elephant raised the bound up cub high, giving him a bird’s eye view of the pit. “Project Bloodlust: beta test 1 begin!” She decreed, slamming a large red button. Inside the pit the sound of gas could be heard spewing into the chambers below. A faint red mist secreted under the doors as they slowly opened. “Hold your breath, wolf.” Yorik advised. Caden decided to heed the warning, though barely any mist reached him. Low grunts and growls could be heard resonating within the ring. Feral creatures began to emerge, down on all fours a cub panther, adult ram, elder hyena, adolescent giraffe and Kayla crept out. Slowly at first, they seemed to be in agonizing pain until the growls turned to roars, and the frenzy began. Caden watched as the five of them surged the center of the ring in what seemed like a haze of bloodied howls and yelps of pain. Caden cringed and shot away from the scene, hearing the bones snap and blood burst as the creatures tore each other apart. As the last whimpers and whines subsided, he chanced a look into the ring. They were all dead, some with torn and disfigured limbs, including the doe he had fawned over the last few weeks. Caden couldn’t hold back his tears while Alex Stamper began to laugh. 
“Awww, look at the little baby wolf losing his fuck toy.” 
“Shelly, I must say!” Reginald spoke over the monitor. “This was a bit more violent than intended. Isn’t the goal to keep some form of sentience while under the effects of project Bloodlust?” 
“Yes, agreed. We’ll have to modify the dosage of mindicampum holosynthias and increase the dopamine and epinephrine inhibitors.” Yorik noted. 
“An astute suggestion. The goal is to keep them bipedal after all; feral beasts are next to useless to us. I’ll begin to make modifications to the sample you brought me and keep you abreast of my results.” 
“Stamper, get the dog in a kennel. We’ll need him for Beta test 2.” Yorik ordered. 
“You got it.” Alex agreed. “Come on you piece of shit, let’s find you a cell.” While Shelly and Reginald continued their discussion, Alex took Caden back near the stairwell they had come in through. Tapping 46293 on the key pad and opening up a door to the far right, Caden could see inside the glass cells where other mammals were being kept. Remembering a trick his father taught him, he tucked himself tight into Stamper’s trunk and managed to slide enough to get his jaws on him. Biting down hard, Stamper yowled in pain and tried to shake the wolf from his trunk. In the process he slashed Caden’s back with his tusk, forcing the young wolf to release and fall to the ground. “God damn it, you’ll pay for that!” Alex bellowed. 
Caden found his feet and ran for the stairwell door, making it inside and slamming it shut as Stamper hit it. Caden locked it and rushed up the stairs as best he could, his back stung with every step and panic was setting in. He took to the top on all fours, just as Stamper broke through the door. Rushing through the field of debris, he managed to get outside and spotted Kayla’s car still in the lot outside. He produced the keys from his pocket, a spare set she had entrusted to him and snatched up a large rock. Darting into the car, he turned the engine over just as Stamper made the door. Dropping the rock on the gas pedal, Caden aimed the car at Stamper and rolled out. Massive mammal he was, the speeding car hit him head on, bowling him back through the door and into the building and pinned up against a pillar. Stamper mustered all of his strength and hoisted the car up and tossed it onto its side. Skittering its back end hit him again before plowing into the side of the building. Stamper was badly winded and tried to rush back out to the streets to follow Caden but he was already well on his way. Scurrying down the streets of Sahara square, he aimed for the only refuge he could think of. Savannah Central. 

The clock had just rolled to 3:15AM, but an incessant knock was coming from downstairs. Fluttering her eyes, she listened for it again and without hesitation it did. Louder and louder, sounding more and more like a fist pounding at the door. Judy took the situation more seriously and picked up the stun gun she kept in the drawer beside her bed. Exiting her room, the knocking still going on, she found that she wasn’t the only one awoken by the sound. Ian and Bonnie were both out of bed at the top of the stairs, but Judy showcased the stun gun and led the way. Encroaching on the door, she slowly opened it to reveal a black furred wolf breathing heavily. 
“Judy, please! Please let me in!” Caden cried. 
“Caden!? Is that!? What happened to your fur? What are you doing here so late!?” Judy interrogated, opening the door wider. Caden stumbled in and fell to all fours again, crying audibly. Even in the dark Judy could see his tears hitting the floor. Hitting the lights she was horrified to see the cut on his back. “Oh jeez! Mom! There’s a first aid kit in the kitchen!” 
“Already on it hun!” 
“Mommy, what’s happening?” Jason questioned, peeking out from his room. Ian rushed over and ushered the cub back in. 
“Just go back to bed ok, come on.” Ian insisted. 
“Caden, what happened?” Judy firmly questioned. 
“It’s Kayla.” He whimpered. 
“What did she do to you?” Caden paused and sniffled before answering. 
“She’s dead. Those jerks killed her.” 
“What jerks? Caden, we’ll get you patched up and let’s talk ok?” 

“You what!?” Shelly bellowed at the top of her lungs. 
“He got away, the little fucker bit me and managed to get upstairs and send that fucking car into me.” Alex Stamper explained back within the lab. 
“You stupid, incompetent, pot bellied buffoon! How could you let one little wolf cub get the best of you!!?” Shelly carried on. 
“Boss, we gotta focus up here. What’re we gonna do?” George Rhyhorn suggested. 
“We have no choice.” Shelly stated. “Blow the lab, the terminals, all of it. The ZPD cannot find out what we’re working on.” 
“Where we gonna go?” Alex questioned. 
“Tundratown. Unless your incompetence knows no bounds, the ZPD have no idea about the work station there.” Shelly stomped the ground with anger. 
“And the hostages?” George questioned. 
“Leave nothing, behind. There’s only a bit of C-4 left here, use it to blow the work stations. Douse the holding cells with gas and burn them down.” Shelly ordered. 

“This is Wolford.” Ryan answered, sitting at Delgato’s desk. 
“Ryan, it’s Wilde.” Judy spoke over the phone, struggling to get dressed. “We need to scramble all units to the fennerite testing site in Sahara Square, ASAP.” 
“What? The dilapidated, place? Why?” 
“Just trust me. I got a major tip off, part of the missing cubs case. We need to get there right now.” Judy urged. 
“I only have a handful of officers on right now, Judy but. I’ll head down myself. I’ll give a call to Grizzoli too, be there soon.” 
“Alright.” Judy agreed, hanging up the phone. 
“Judy, you need me to come with you.” Caden tried to plead but Judy wasn’t having it. 
“You’ve been through enough and nothing personal Caden, I don’t entirely trust you right now.” 
“Listen to me!” He bellowed. “I have to make this right. This is my mess, I have to clean it up.” 
“Caden!” 
“Dad would never forgive me for it!” Caden cried out. “Please, I know the place. I can get us into the lab fast. I don’t care what happens to me, there’s other hostages in there. I have to save them. I won’t let them end up like Kayla. Like I almost did.” Caden hung his head. Judy pulled on her ears and fumed around the bedroom for a bit before caving in to the cub’s request. “Fine! Here!” Judy all but snarled, snatching up Nick’s old vest and tossing it at him. “Might be a little loose, but I won’t have you going in without protection.” 
“Thanks Judy.” 

Driving up to the building, Judy found several cruisers outside along with fire trucks. The building was already going up in flames, plumes of smoke were billowing out from the windows and skylight. Rushing from the car with Caden behind her, she met up with Wolford and Grizzoli.
“Caden!? Caden!!” Matt shouted at the top of his lungs. Scooping up the young cub, he cringed a little at the hug because of his injury but was happy to embrace his father’s friend. “I’m so glad you’re ok.” 
“I’m glad to see you too.”  
“Ryan, did we get anyone out?” Judy asked. 
“No one inside, we swept the main area best we could but the structure of the building has been compromised.” 
“There’s a door not too far inside, it leads down a big stairway to the lab, I can show you where it is, come on!” Caden exclaimed. Judy, Matt and Ryan followed suit, passing fire crews who were trying to contain the encroaching flames. Pressing through the door, they scurried passed the few bits of debris that were on fire on the floor while thankfully the interior seemed to be only partially covered in smoke. Caden found his way to the door and swung it open, rushing down into the lab. To the left he found the control and briefly recalled the pattern to unlock it. Cracking it on the first attempt, the door swung open with a billowing cloud of smoke. 
“Is anyone alive in here!” Judy called out to the long corridor. 
“Please! Get us out of here!” They could hear someone shouting. Matt and Ryan crept down to the floor, but the gushing smoke began searing their eyes. Judy however had no problem scurrying along, finding five remaining hostages, each varying in age. 
“Caden! What’s the passcode for the cells!?” Judy called back. He was already catching up to her, crawling along the floor.
“I don’t know! Try 46293 again!” He suggested. Judy tried it but a red error message appeared underneath. 
“No good, we gotta find a way to-“ 
“77730.” An elderly camel announced from one of the cells. “Try that.” Judy entered it in and got a green confirmation light and the cell door swung open. Ushering out the young polar bear within. 
“Thank you!” 
“No sweat, it’s what we do.” Judy smiled. 
“Do it faster damn it!” A goat from the other cell shouted. “My beds on fire! I can’t hold out here!” Judy rushed over to his cell and entered the password the camel suggested. Caden released the camel and racoon on the other side and began escorting them out. Judy approached the last cell to see the giraffe inside had already collapsed. Typing in the passcode she scurried up his neck and into the smoke to feel for a heartbeat, only to find the cold still body. 
“Oh I’m so sorry.” Judy whimpered. The roof began to creek and buckle, snapping beams could be heard coming from the lab as the structure was set to crumble. Judy took to the rear, following behind the goat that she had released. Matt had scooped up the polar bear cub while Ryan had the camel over his shoulder. 
“Come on! Move it!” Ryan bellowed, heading toward the door. They rushed up the stairwell as fast as they could, but just as Judy made the second last step the stairwell gave way. She caught the mangled chunk of metal that was the last step and cringed as it sliced open her paw. She could feel blood soaking through, loosening her grip. 
“Judy!!” Caden called out, turning around he reached for her other good paw and pulled her up. They made the last bend of the stairs in time for it to give way and exit out the door. The floor of the warehouse began to sink like a massive crater collapsing into itself. Firemammals were at the door, holding it open and ushering the victims out, just as the back end of the building ignited a skid of fennerite and exploded. The bright light and shockwave sent the officers and firemammals to the floor, but Judy, Ryan and Matt were quick to pick themselves up and get clear of the area. Matt took a set the polar bear cub down and gave his cheek a pat. 
“You ok?” 
“I’m so scared, I just want to go home.” He sniffled. 
“What’s your name kido?” 
“Dommy, Korslav.” 
“Dommy.” Grizzoli smiled. “Your parents have been very worried about you. You ran away right?” 
“Yes. I did. I feel so ashamed for it.” He cried. 
“I know what that’s like.” Caden joined in, patting the polar bears arm. “I ran away too. Guess it didn’t work out too well for either of us, huh?” 
“No.” Dommy agreed. Judy grasped her wounded paw tight while Ryan took care of the remaining victims along with paramedics. The fire carried on billowing through the building and lighting the streets and cruisers in its eerie glow, but the fire department seemed to be getting it under control. 
“Matt. Can you ever forgive me?” Caden whimpered. Matt just smiled and pulled the cub in close, stroking his head. 
“You gave us a real scare, Caden. I was so worried about you.” 
“I know.” 
“It was hard enough losing Jason. If anything had happened to you. Caden I don’t think I could take it.” Matt let a few tears escape holding Caden close to him. 
“I love you, Uncle Matt. I’m so sorry.” Caden cried. 
“I love you too, Cade.” 
“Judy!” Ryan called, rushing up to her side. “You ok? Did you get that looked at?” 
“Yeah, I will right away.” Judy nodded her approval and placed a paw on Caden’s back. “You did good in there, Caden. Your father would be very proud of you.” Caden gave her a moments glance from within Matt’s arms. 
“Thanks Auntie Judy.” 

Laura could hear the phone buzzing on the nightstand beside her bed. Groaning she rolled over and wiped at her eyes. It was 5:11 AM and Matt was calling. Her heart suddenly sank. There was only one reason he would call this early she thought. Uneasily she answered it. 
“Hello?” 
“Hello Laura, sorry to bother you so early. Could you come to the door please?”
“Ugh, ok give me a moment.” She stammered. Laura was incredibly nervous, wrapping herself up in a bath robe before fumbling her way down the hall and toward the front door. Unlocking it, she slowly opened it up to see a young black wolf and Matt standing before her. She did a double take looking at Caden, his scent hitting her nose was all the confirmation she needed. Clasping her muzzle she clenched her eyes and started to cry. “My baby!” 
“Hi mom.” Caden nervously greeted, scratching the back of his head. Laura fell to her knees and pulled him in tight, she was almost hysterical with her crying. 
“Oh my baby! You’re home! Oh god I missed you so much! I’m so sorry baby, I’m so so sorry. Please don’t ever leave again.” She carried on, squeezing him tighter and tighter. 
“Ok.” Caden whimpered, finding himself unable to hold back his own tears. Matt leaned down and pulled them both in for a good long hug while Derek found himself woken up by all the commotion at the door. Wiping his eyes, he came down the hall and caught sight of what was going on. In an instant he charged in and joined the big group hug with drawn out whimper. 
“Cade! You’re home!” 
“Yeah, I’m back.” Caden answered, patting his brother’s head. 
“Let’s keep it that way, shall we?” Matt suggested, withdrawing from the group. 
“Matt. Thank you, thank you so much!” Laura praised, clasping his paw. 
“I can’t take all the credit. Caden was the one who turned it around, he helped rescue a good handful of mammals tonight.” 
“You did?” Laura exclaimed with joy. 
“Yeah.” Caden confessed, rubbing his arm. Laura pulled his muzzle in and kissed his cheek over and over. 
“My baby boy, I’m so proud of you!” 
“You know, Cade.” Matt thought aloud for a moment. “There’s still quite a few missing mammals out there. Maybe after things get settled up here, you can help me track them down. You have firsthand experience what these cubs are in for.” 
“Really?” Caden glanced up to him with a smile. 
“Sure, I don’t see why not. But spend a little time with your family here first. Lani and I will come over later, we’ll bring the cubs and I’ll roast us up some steaks. How does that sound?” 
“Sounds good to me.” Caden agreed, wiping his nose. 
“I’m so sorry too bro.” Derek whimpered again. “I shouldn’t have dumped all that stuff on ya. I didn’t think you’d run away.” 
“Well.” He thought for a moment. “You can make it up by giving me your allowance for a month.” He joked. 
“Psh, as if.” 
“Yeah, you’re right. You earn chump change compared to me.” He giggled, batting his brother’s arm. The two had a quick laugh before Derek lunged in to steal another hug. 
“I missed ya big bro.” 
“I missed you too.” 

Judy had arrived at home, Bonnie was up waiting for her on the couch alongside Stu who fell fast asleep, snoring rather loudly to boot. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and with a swift bound, Bonnie was up and ready at the door. 
“How did it go honey bun, are you ok? Oh gosh!” She exclaimed snatching up Judy’s paw. “My stars, my sweet little girl’s got herself a bad one.” 
“What’s that Bon?” Stu wiped his eyes as he fumbled off the couch. 
“I’m fine mom, dad. I got cut on the stairwell at the factory. Paramedics checked it out, doesn’t even need stitches, I got really lucky. It’s just gonna itch.” Judy brushed off. 
“Well that’s super.” Stu approved with a tug of his overalls. “Kido, glad to have ya home. How did it go with the wolf we had visiting?” 
“It went good. He’s headed back home right now with Matt. Hopefully he’s staying this time.” Judy chuckled. 
“Wonderful. A job well done by our bunny in blue.” Bonnie complimented. 
“I could really use a shower.” Judy yawned while stretching. Unbuckling her vest she hung it on the rails. “So tired and I’m covered in soot from the fire.” 
“You go on and rest up baby, we’ll take care of the little ones.” Bonnie informed her. 
“Ian should be able to handle it.” 
“Yeah, he counts as one of em.” Stu winked. Judy playfully giggled and headed up the stairs, passed the kids rooms and into her bedroom. Taking off her top and sliding out of her pants and underwear, she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. Looking over her fur in the mirror, she brushed her left ear with her paw and produced a small cloud of soot in the process. 
“Bleh, hope there’s still some body wash left.” She whispered. Turning the dial, she waited for the water to get nice and warm before stepping inside. Letting the water wash over her, she took a deep breath and sighed, enjoying the good soak she needed after everything tonight. Looking down, she could see a small trail of light brown, circling the drain and eventually fading away. The sight seemed familiar and she tipped her head, letting the shower soak her other ear. Again another light brown trail swirled around the drain. The familiarity of it washed over her more than the shower. Closing her eyes, she could picture it so clearly. Lying in his lap as Nick washed the dye out of her fur back when she first moved in with him. She could almost feel his paws gliding across her body, even recalling the smell of the shampoo they used. Her back began to tingle reminded of how tranquil it felt, listening to the water rush by her ears as he worked over her legs. His breath on her neck, even the moment of discomfort seemed welcome when he penetrated her. She reached down and brushed her fingers down her legs and across her belly as the water washed through her fur and the realization hit her. Nick was gone. Opening her eyes, her return to reality hit her hard. The empty bed, the fading scent from his clothes, remembering the cubs giggling at his silly jokes. Throwing her paws over her eyes she let the tears flow as fast as the shower, pressing her head against the wall. “It’s not.. It’s not fair.” She whimpered, falling onto her backside. “Why didn’t you come home? Where are you?” Judy whimpered. 
The next day, Judy showed up for an evening shift at work and hopped right onto the computer. Cracking her knuckles, she opened up the police database and searched his name. 
“Nicholas, Wilde.” She whispered as she typed. Giving the computer a moment, the ones at work not being the most swift of machines took their time to produce any results. When they did however, Judy found herself perplexed at the results on the screen. “What? Not on file.” Judy wondered, scratching her chin. Typing it in again, she kept it short with just Nick Wilde and waited once again. However, just like before, the result came up. “Not on file. What gives!?” 
“Something wrong?” A voice spoke up from behind her. Kate was leaning on Judy’s cubicle and seemed to be peering in. 
“Yeah, I can’t find Nick’s file on the computer.” 
“Did you look under all directories?” 
“Yeah, why it took so long.” 
“Huh.” Kate seemed just as stumped, leaning over she took over the keyboard and went to Zoogle and typed in Nicholas Wilde. A few results came up, but mostly just social media pages of mammals with similar names. “Weird, I remember seeing him and his father on at least one or two articles on here.” 
“Oooo!” Judy fumed, slamming her fists on the desk. “This is Psych’s handy work. I knew it! He’s back to his old tricks.” 
“You think he’s gone back to being Psych?” Kate proposed. 
“Who else could access our database and take down articles on sites?” Judy insisted, gesturing at the screen. 
“Valid points all around fluff butt.” Kate agreed. 
“I’m gonna call up Ben, see if he’s heard any news about Psych being in town.” Judy decided. Searching her contacts, she found Ben and waited for him to answer. 
“JUDY!!” He gleefully exclaimed, causing Judy to almost drop her phone. With a bashful laugh she replied. 
“Hey Clawhauser, how are you doing? Things going ok over in Predaton?” 
“Oh you know, work is work. Mariah’s been keeping me on this no donuts diet for a while now.” 
“Jeez, how’s that working for you?” 
“Not too hard to be honest. There’s only a few chain places around here that do them, and to be honest, they just can’t measure up to the ones we got at the ZPD. Half the time they’re stale or smooshed toppings you know? Just lousy. Sweets are definitely not a Predaton delicacy, you know what I mean?” 
“That’s a shame Ben; but hey, I’ll bet you’re looking real snappy now without all those sweets. But I was calling about-“ 
“Oh oh oh! Let me guess, Nick, am I right?” Judy’s ears perked right up at the name. 
“Yeah, how’d you know!?” 
“Well, to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ve seen him or not.” 
“What do you mean?” 
“Well ok. Here’s the skinny bunny bud, I was called to a house fire and gang related violence over in Oakwood right? Sure enough when we get there, it’s all fire and big cars fleeing the scene, except for this exceptionally sporty one ok? I figure it’s another racer, maybe a runner for Barone or Makai, one of the big families out here. So I go into pursuit mode, I’m just going VRRRRR and pow pow! Trying to shoot out the tires. But this fox pokes his head out and blamo! Fires on the power lines and they come down right on me and launch me off the road. Nasty bruise on my shoulder but otherwise I’m all good but. That fox that shot at me, I’m sure it was a red fox.” Ben regaled her with his story. 
“But was it Nick?” Judy urged. 
“Well, that’s the tricky part see. Both Barone and Makai have no problems with hiring foxes, there’s tons of em out here. This guy was in a red and white shirt I think so, I don’t know. Doesn’t Nick usually wear that old green shirt and tie combo?” 
“Yeah, but he left that at home.” 
“Huh.” Clawhauser took a moment to think. 
“Ben, he wouldn’t.” Judy folded her ears back while Kate came in and placed her paw on her shoulder. “He wouldn’t shoot to kill you. Right?” 
“No.” Ben dismissed. “No I think your right. Maybe it wasn’t him.” 
“What about Parker Wilde? Anything about Psych being back in town?” Judy carried on. 
“Not really, I mean. I haven’t heard anything but, if I were Parker, that’s probably the first place I’d go back to.” 
“To who?” 
“Raphael Barone. He’s kinda like Mr. Big out here, but like in a super big scary kill-kill kind of way. Mariah’s been cracking down on him hard. We estimate now aside from the few members in his house. He’s got less than two hundred gang members on the street.” 
“Hmm, lots to think about. I’ll ask the chief about coming down to maybe help with the investigation there.” Judy suggested. 
“Well sure but, make sure to wait till Mariah gives ya the go ahead. For all we know, they’re not here. But honey bunny, I promise ya, the moment I hear a peep about him, you’ll be the first to know.” Clawhauser proudly touted. 
“Thanks Ben.” 
“Take care bunny bud! Stay safe out there!” 
“You too.” Judy sighed, hanging up the phone. 
“Dead end?” Kate questioned. 
“Probably. But I’m not about to give up the search now. Nick is really good at covering his tracks, but those other guys, probably not. Finnick, Frost, Baxter, one of em is gonna slip up and when they do, I’ll be hot on their tail.” 

“You’re asking a great deal from me, racoon.” Raphael Barone scolded. Shelly had him on a video conference call along with Reginald. 
“Though not entirely unexpected.” He added in. “Shelly my dear girl, I love you to death but foresight isn’t your strong point. Perhaps you should simply submit your data to me and let your dear sweet buck handle things, hmmm?” 
“No no, please. I need this job. Boss I’m begging you, just a few grand to get this new place up and running and I swear I’ll produce results.” Shelly pleaded. 
“I’ve already made my decision. Your incompetence in handling your previous duty has left me with little choice. You’ll focus only on the development of the chemical side of Operation Apex only. I’ve contracted the explosives work to a good friend of mine in San Canido.” 
“But please sir!” Shelly begged, shaking the phone in her paws. 
“Enough!” Barone bellowed. Taking a moment to compose himself he gave a good long sigh. “I can see handling the ZPD is not your forte, but perhaps I should furnish you with some basic explosives. A deterrent should they attempt to interrupt your work again.” 
“A novel idea sir, most novel!” Reginald agreed. 
“You’ll have the funding you need to carry on your research. Do not fail me again, Yorik. Do so once more and I will see to it that Vanessa’s pets deal with you.” 
“So what’s the verdict boss?” Alex questioned. 
“We have work to do.” Shelly stated, kicking open the door to an old warehouse. The building seemed in fair shape, though much of the interior was in disarray. Insulation on the side was flapping in the wind, over shadowed by the giant dome of glass that encompassed the ceiling. A few stairways leading up to the rafters of the building and off to the right was a small office. “I’ve worked in worse, but this will do.” 
“What about Frankie?” 
“He keeps to the high end part of the district, I wouldn’t fuss about him down here. In the mean time, George?” The big rhino nodded to Shelly. “Get the word back out to your runners. Our supply lines will reopen soon. We’ll charge the junkies in this town a little extra to make sure we can get the funding we need to out class that damn stag in Predaton.” 
“Aren’t you too like-“ 
“No!” Shelly growled, stomping her way into the interior of the building. “That dick headed stag just likes to tease me about my divorce all those years ago. He might be brilliant in regards to bio-chemistry, but he’s nothing short of an immature buffoon. Enjoys making light of the fact that my ex husband got the kids and the money. Well. I’ll show this city what happens when you mess with a master chemist!”