Back at the hospital, Mariah was hobbling her way down the hall on a pair of crutches. Her cap left in Ryder’s cruiser, she made her way to Ben’s room and knocked on the door before pushing it open. 
“Hey.” She softly called out. 
“Mariah!” Ben joyfully exclaimed from the bed. “How’s my-“ Ben cut himself, realizing the mayor, a rather tall grey wolf with a grey button up suit was at his bedside along with two rabbits in suits. “Chief, how’s my chief doing?” He giggled. 
“Oh Ben.” Mariah sighed. “Mayor Hartwell. A pleasure my lady.” 
“Glad to see you on your feet again, Mariah.” She stood to greet her. “Well, foot.” She corrected herself. “How are you holding up?” 
“Broken leg, nothing I haven’t dealt with before. Any word on Wilde?” 
“That’s actually why these two are here. They told me they had some information relevant to your case.” 
“That’s good, let’s hope it’s useful information. How’s that big softy there.” Mariah insisted, making her way over and pulling a chair next to Ben, she clasped his paw. “How are you feeling?” 
“Oh I’m actually pretty good. Just a bump on the noggin, hehe. I guess I musta fainted when I fell outta the cruiser.” Clawhauser explained. 
“My big softy.” Mariah chuckled. 
“Mrs. Hartwell, may we have a moment alone with the chief and officer Clawhauser.” Jack Savage spoke up. 
“Just a moment, these two need their rest Agent Savage.” Mayor Hartwell replied. 
“Of course.” He politely bowed. 
“Mariah, these are agents Jack Savage and Gabriel Mckinnon from the ZIA. I hope whatever information they have will help you in your case.” The mayor informed them. 
“Believe me, I’ll take any lead I can get at this point.” Mariah sighed with relief. 
“If you’ll excuse me.” The mayor bowed out, leaving the room. Jack closed the blinds and clicked a small device in his pocket, setting it on the nightstand near Ben’s bed. 
“What’s-“ 
“A jammer. We don’t want any ears in here.” Jack informed her. 
“Yeah, sorry big guy.” Gabriel spoke up to Clawhauser. “Why I took your phone, you got a history of being a chatty cat.” Showcasing it before stashing it back in his pocket. 
“What’s going on here?” Mariah insisted, folding her arms. 
“I’m going to keep this brief, Chief Kasi. You’ve been asking for help from the ZIA for a long time, and now you’ve got it.” Jack began to explain. 
“You’ll help us bring in Nick Wilde and his cohorts?” 
“No. Let’s be clear about something. If you interfere with Nick and Parker again, you’ll be considered a threat to the nation, and removed from your position as chief.” 
“What!?” Mariah exclaimed. 
“Sh sh sh! Keep your voice down cheetah girl!” Gabriel hushed. 
“Nick is a key figure to our investigation into the inner workings of Raphael Barones criminal organization. He will be brought in on our terms, do you understand?” 
“Fat chance rabbit.” Mariah refuted. “You can’t intimidate me with these half-assed threats. This is my city and my jurisdiction, you meddle in my affairs and you’ll answer to me.” 
“Wrong.” Jack fired back, slamming an envelope down on the bed. “Don’t test me on this, Kasi. Nick, Parker, Barone, all of them. We’re after them for something bigger than felonies in your jurisdiction. Now, if you have sightings to report, his whereabouts, his actions, they will all come to me.” Jack explained while Mariah opened up the envelope and read the letter inside. 
“This is from Moira Pride.” She breathed. 
“Whoa.” Ben chimed in before Gabriel spoke up. 
“Please understand we’re on the same side here. But when it comes to this situation, well. Discretion is the better part of valor. Trust us when we say we have eyes on them too. But we can’t just catch them on the streets.” 
“Something else is happening isn’t it?” Mariah clued in.
“It’s best if you don’t know the details just yet.” Jack shook his head. 
“Tell me!” Mariah adamantly insisted. “I’m not gonna risk my officers lives on half-truths and hearsay.” Jack rubbed the bridge of his nose and took a good long sigh before replying. 
“Yes. But the details of what that is, are still being ironed out. Trust me when we say, when the time comes, you’ll be involved and we’ll need you. We’ll need the Predaton police on their A-game.” Jack informed them. 
“We’ll be in touch, but for now. Jack and I have a chopper to catch and a meeting with Judy Wilde.” Gabriel threw in. 
“That reminds me, Benjamin Clawhauser!” Jack fired his ears back and pointed. “I will only tell you this once, keep your mouth shut on this topic. You never saw Nick and you know nothing about him in Predaton, especially if Mrs. Wilde calls you. Understand!?” 
“Uh, ok. Yes sir.” Ben shyly agreed. 
“Chief, officer Clawhauser. I wish you an expedient recovery.” Gabriel bowed. Plucking the phone out of his pocket he tossed it back to Ben. “Use that thing wisely ok big guy?” 
“Ok.” 
“Don’t look so glum.” Gabriel winked. “I heard you like donuts right? Next time we’re in town I’ll bring ya a few from Zootopia, give ya a little taste of home.” 
“Oh em goodness, that would be so awesome!” Ben cheered. 
“Jeez, I just got you off them too.” Mariah shook her head with a smile. As the two agents left, Mariah moved from holding Ben’s paw, to stroking his arm. “I was really worried about you.” 
“I know, I’m sorry I worried you.” Ben cooed. 
“It’s just. I really do care about you but, it would look like favoritism if we are seen together on the force.” 
“You’ve told me this already.” Ben shied away. Mariah clasped his cheek and pulled him in for a good long kiss. “Mmm, that’s way better than any donut.” 
“Oh Ben.” Mariah shook her head, climbing into his bed and easing her broken leg on, she planted her head on his chest. 
“Mariah. Didn’t you just say-“
“We’re not at the PPD.” She cut in. “I need this. I need some time with my big softy pillow. Hear that sweet heart beat.” Mariah cooed, draping an arm across. She wanted nothing more than to stay the night with him, drifting off to the sound of his heartbeat. 

Nick stirred awake, the sound of the storm easing in the window. The rumble of thunder seemed off in the distance now, and the torrents of rain slowed to a drizzle. He was unaware of the cub in his arms until he tried to move, feeling the heft of his body and his breath across his chest. Nick couldn’t help but smile down on him, giving his muzzle a little kiss before nudging him awake. 
“Mmm, wha?” Jake moaned, his eyes still closed. 
“The storms let up.” Nick whispered. He carefully lifted Jake off and set him up against the wall. Pacing over to the clothes hanging on the radiator, he picked them up and pat through the shirt. “Still a bit wet but, least it’s not drenched like before.” Gathering up his clothes, Nick redressed himself and tossed the blanket across the room, flinching in the process. His shoulder was aching horribly and the blood stain on the blanket was quite noticeable. “Can’t believe Ben shot me. The jerk.” 
“Mmm.” Jake moaned again, his head butting on the box he had been standing on before. 
“Come on kido.” Nick said, grabbing Jake’s clothes. “Get dressed. We should get moving.” 
“Mmm, k.” Jake agreed, ditching the blanket and stretching out. Nick turned away to give him some privacy in getting dressed. “BUAH!! Whewww, that’s chilly.” 
“Yeah, you shoulda probably invested in some boxers or something.” Nick quipped. 
“Eh. Too expensive. Need money for food and stuff.” 
“Nah, it’s not too bad. We’ll head downtown tomorrow, I know a girl in a clothing store who can get ya set up with some nice threads.” Nick offered, picking up his phone. 
“Wow, thanks.” 
“No problem, you can pay me back whenever.” He winked as he dialed for Aiden. “Hey.” 
“Where’ve you been?” 
“Took a nap to wait out the storm. Things good on the road?” 
“Yeah, I’ll come get ya. Remember the street?” 
“Uhh, south summerside road?” 
“Yeah, be there in five minutes.” 

After making quick work of their dinners upon arriving home, Nick lead the damp cub back to the room and began setting up his spot to rest on the couch. Jake wiped at his eyes, clearly exhausted still from the day’s events and let loose with a good long yawn. In the process his phone fell out of his pocket, but the cub was quick to pick it up. Tapping the screen he remembered. 
“Oh right, dead.” 
“Here.” Nick insisted, taking the phone over by the TV, he plugged in the charger and set it down. “There, first thing tomorrow you should go snag your own cable from Max’s room.” 
“Alright.” He agreed with yet another yawn. Nick ushered himself into the bathroom. Frustrated with the wet clothes, he found his red shirt and decided to change that out for his soaked one and ditched the pants. Brushing his teeth and fur out, he felt more than ready to hit the sack. Lumbering out the door he gave a quick check in on Jake. 
“Alright, heading to bed.” 
“K.” Jake acknowledged, flipping through the channels on TV. Just as Nick was about to enter his room however, Jake spoke up once more. “Nick?” 
“Yeah?” Jake sat himself up and kept his head a little low. 
“You know, if you don’t want to. You don’t have to adopt me you know? I mean like, I don’t want to like. You know.” He trailed off. Nick gave a half-hearted little smile and approached him again. 
“Go on.” 
“It’s just. I know I’m not much good at this kind of stuff and like.” 
“You can stop, right there kido. I meant what I said.” Nick assured him, stroking the cub’s head slowly. “Do you want to be Jake Wilde? Or just stay as Phase forever?” 
“Hehe.” Jake chuckled at the name. “I like that name you know? Wilde, sounds so cool.” 
“Come here.” Nick scooped up the cub and tapped the remote to turn off the TV. Bringing him into his bedroom, he set the cub down on his bed and climbed in himself. 
“What ya doing?” Jake whispered, glancing back as Nick kept the cub tight in his arms. 
“Slept pretty good earlier when we were curled up in that bunker. Kind of reminded me of home with my kids. But hey, if you want the couch, it’s all good.” 
“I guess.” Jake submitted, adjusting himself in bed. “I mean, you’re not going to make me do anything funny right?” Nick raised his brow and flicked the cub’s nose. 
“Remind me when we’re finished up with these next few jobs to go beat the crap out of that pig in the orphanage.” 
“Haha, that’d be awesome.” Jake chuckled with glee. “Night Nick, er I guess, dad.” 
“Good night kido.” 

The next day, Psych was hard at work in the garage alongside Bryan and Shea. While they were working on fixing the damages to Bryan’s car, Psych was tweaking the new gloves he was building. Soldering some of the wires inside, he lifted the goggles up and examined his work. 
“Still not quite right.” 
“Ow long ya gonna dick round with those punchy gloves there Psychey boy?” Shea bellowed from underneath Bryan’s car. 
“As long as I need to.” Psych answered, adjusting them on the vice that held them. “I decided to ditch taser prongs and installed a few pellets that disperse an intense electric shock. Problem is keeping the voltage consistent. Top it off, the current that runs through the blades is too strong, it’s frying the wiring inside.” 
“Not insulating them enough.” Shea suggested, rolling out from the car. “Ya know, ya ask me. Rip the damn electrical piece out, add an extra blade an be done wit er.” 
“Well, I like my stun gloves to actually stun.” Psych smiled. 
“Aye, ya like yer toys, that’s fer sure.” Shea agreed, heading over to one of the steel cabinets in the garage. “Ya know, I’ve been playin with these for a while. Figurin you could find a use for em.” Shea stated, tossing a pair of boots to Psych. 
“What’s this?” He smiled, picking them up. 
“Hehe, another wee toy fer ya. Gah head, try em on. Don’t be bashful.” Shea insisted. Psych strapped the boots on while Shea tossed him a small remote. “Now, that remote there. Ya hit the button and hydraulic cartridges give ya a good boost. Help ya clear shit that’d make a rabbit green.”
“Oh?” 
“Go on now, get yer ass outside, test em.” Shea insisted, shoving the fox out of the garage and onto the drive way. Psych was eager to give the little invention a test flight, and priming himself up, he leapt and pressed the button, causing the boots to fire him up quite high into the air.
“AHHH!!!” Psych cried out, landing hard on the grass. “Son of a..” 
“Aye, a few wee kinks to iron out.” 
“Did you break his hip?” Raphael called out with a laugh, coming down the driveway with Max and Jake. 
“Not fer a lack of tryin boss.” Shea proudly touted.
“Yeah.” Psych dusted himself off and riling his shoulder. “Some tweaks needed to say the least.” 
“Well iron them out quick boys.” Raphael stated. “I’m going to need you in top form for August. In the mean time, I’ve been worried about Nikolai and James. They are about to undertake a difficult job.” 
“What’s the job?” Psych inquired, as Max and Jake rushed into the garage to bug Bryan. 
“They have confirmed that Makai has retreated to his home in Luna Canta Estates. Tomorrow night they are hitting him full force. I’ll likely need you on jam cams to keep the police in the dark. Think you can handle that?” 
“Make it too easy for me.” Psych smiled. 
“I’ve been debating about going with them myself. I’m no slouch on the battlefield you know.” Raphael pointed out. 
“Yeah, I remember.” Psych agreed. 
“Aye, not unlike the time ya were caught fuckin a hot little tigress while the twin dragon bar burned to ashes.” Shea playfully threw out. 
“Jeez Shea. Don’t talk about Diana like that.” Raphael covered his face, embarrassed. 
“Bah, ya know I loved the sweet lass. I jus remember that boy comin home, covered in scratches n scrapes and not a half of em from the fight if ya get me, hehehehe.” 
“You don’t get to talk.” Raphael laughed. “That sweet young wolf you brought home here back in spring, 2001? Tight bikini, what was his name again?” 
“HA! I almost forgot about that!” Psych laughed. 
“Shut yer gob. You were harder for that boy than I was, Psychey!” Shea protested. 
“Between the two of us, which one was married again?” 
“You sure got an eye full though didn’t you?” Raphael snickered helplessly. “Get to see the whole knot, or did you have to feel around to get confirmation?”
“I got work to do, can’t be dallyin around with you two smart asses.” Shea brushed off, heading toward the garage. “Get yer boys outta my garage! This ain’t no playground!” 
“He had to feel.” Psych and Raphael said in unison. The two quickly glanced to one another and erupted into laughter.  

Jake had just gotten changed into an old pair of Max’s swim trunks, eager to get outside to play with his friend. 
“Come on Phase! I mean, Jake. The pool’s not getting any cooler!” Max called out from the deck. 
“Coming!!” Jake answered, tugging the draw strings tight. In a rush, he flew out the door and blew right by Max, aiming for the pool. “Beat ya!” 
“No you don’t!!” Max bellowed, jumping right in after him. Jake started treading water while Max got his footing. “Cheated!” 
“It’s not cheating; I just got in before you could.” Jake chuckled. Max splashed at Jake who immediately returned fire until the two were in an all out splash fight. Max swam toward the lip of the pool and climbed out, snatching up a small stool and pulling it to the edge. 
“Watch this! Huah!” he cried out, flipping backward into the pool. Coming up from under water, he gave his head a quick shake and nodded to Jake. “Top that.” 
“Ok!” Jake happily agreed, diving underwater, he swam over to the same edge and climbed out. Jumping up onto the stool, he lost his footing and ended up, kicking it into the water while landing flat on his backside and falling in. Max busted out laughing, seeing the stool bob around in the water while Jake surfaced, spitting up all the water he swallowed. “Ow, that hurt.” 
“You alright!?” Max carried on chuckling away. 
“Yeah yeah.” Jake brushed off, shooting another splash at Max. Max fired one back, while Jake grabbed the stool and tossed it back up onto the side. Climbing out he made a more cautious attempt to get on. “Alright, round two.” He announced, attempting to do a back flip. Although not quite as elegant as Max’s, he managed to make a good splash into the pool without slapping the surface too harsh. “See, piece of cake.” 
“Yeah right.” Max brushed off. “You gotta land it feet first, not butt first. Like this.” Max showcased as he climbed out once again. Performing the same flip, he nailed the rotation and hit the water feet first. 
“Oh! Ok, so like, harder huh?” Jake noted. 
“Go ahead, you try.” Max invited, bobbing at the surface of the water. This time Jake was a little better, his heels hitting the water on the flip but it still looked rather sloppy compared to the perfect tuck and flip that Max had perfected. “Not bad, getting better!” 
“I’m getting dizzy.” Jake laughed, leaning back to float on the water for a minute. “How many times did you practice it to get it down?” 
“Tons, like. Maybe 50 or 60 times.” 
“Jeez.” 
“Young master!” Florence, the hyena maid called out. “Would you like me to set up the volley ball net again?”
“Oh! Yeah totally! Thanks Florence!” Max joyfully agreed. 
“Think you can help me out, carry the one bit to the other side?” She suggested. 
“Sure, toss it in!” Florence retrieved the net from the nearby shed and tossed a portion of it into the water. While she rigged up her side, Max went ahead and did the other. She took one more dig into the shed and pulled out a partially inflated beach ball and bumped it into the water. 
“Have fun boys!” She warmly smiled, carrying on with the rest of her duties. 
“Haha! Ok, so here’s the rules ok Jake? You can’t let it sit in the water for more than three seconds or else I get a point. First one to ten.” 
“Alright! You’re on, I’m gonna own ya in this one! Haha!” Jake gleefully cheered as Max finished blowing up the ball. Psych watched the cubs playing from the lip of the patio while Aiden was on the computer, checking on the city data bases. Nick walked in, gently closing the door behind him and stepped out onto the patio.
“What’s up?” 
“Mmm, look.” Psych gestured down toward the backyard. Nick peered over and folded his arms on the rail to watch alongside his father. Max and Jake were playing in the water, shouting back and forth who had what score and what shots were coming. “Reminds me of old times.” 
“Heh, I know what you mean. I’m glad Jake found a new friend too. The poor kid, he’s been through a lot.”
“I’ve been having Aiden look into that.” Psych informed his son. 
“Oh?” Nick perked up, following his father inside. Passing through the curtain, Psych placed a paw on Aiden’s forearm. 
“Anything?” 
“Yeah, found him.” Aiden acknowledged. “Born Jacob Vash. Son of Clara June Vash, she was only 15 when she had him. She was raped by a fox named Thomas Todd, serving 25 years right now for rape and attempted murder. She immediately surrendered the cub to the city upon birth at the request of her parents.” 
“Wow, kid wasn’t lying when he told me he was an accident.” Nick noted. 
“Jacob was sent to Predaton Orphanage in the north end of Pantharia. Same one I grew up in but, in 2016 the old matron stepped down. Retirement. The new one, Orton Boaragard was hired on, previously he was a city councilman. He was popular with the locals, did lots of charity work for cubs.” Aiden carried on. 
“Yeah, sure. Till he started fucking them.” Nick quipped. 
“What?” Psych exclaimed. 
“Jake was going into hypothermia when we got trapped by the storm, I let him get changed out of his clothes into a blanket and he showed me the scars that pig left on him. Apparently, this guy has a funny idea on punishment.” Nick explained. 
“Despicable.” Psych spat. “Remind me if I see him to shoot him in the head.” He offered with a smile and raise of his brow.
“Wouldn’t stop ya.” 
“Well.” Aiden nodded along. “Disgusting as he might be, we need to keep level heads here. We’re getting closer to August, you know what that means.” 
“Yes.” Psych sighed in dismay. Reaching into his pocket he produced his jammer and hit it. “Speaking of which, I’m not going to lie here. I’m having some second thoughts.” 
“Second thoughts?” Nick grit his teeth. 
“Nicky, I’ve known Barone since he was a cub. I’ve watched not only him grow up, but his son as well. To betray him like this.” Psych started pacing the room, but kept his tone quiet. “I can’t do it. I know he’s done horrible things but, he’s damn near family to me.” 
“You can’t be serious.” Nick leaned in. “The guy twisted the heads off cubs like bottle caps and you think he should get off free?” 
“I know it’s hard to understand. But I warned you Nicky, this is a different world.” Psych insisted, while Aiden simply shook his head and turned back to the computer screen. 
“Different world!? What the fuck is wrong with you? What world do you live in where it’s ok to butcher families and develop chemical weapons?” Nick argued. 
“Look, we can sabotage him getting those weapons, that will get the ZIA off his back.” Psych tried to suggest. 
“Uh huh. And my wife and cubs just get left in Zootopia. What about Aiden’s girl, she just gonna rot here undercover for life? Oh, let’s not forget poor Jas-“ 
“I’ll find a way to get you out.” Psych cut in, keeping his tone hushed. “Just trust me Nicky.” 
“No!” Nick refuted, giving his father a shove. “You’re gonna stay on track and help us bring him down; even if I have to bring you along bloodied, battered and bruised.” 
“Don’t you try to tell me what to do, I’m your father damn it!” Psych shouted with a shove of his own.  
“Not right now you’re not, Psych.” Nick countered with another shove. Psych shoved him back and it was enough to provoke Nick into tackling him. Soon enough the two were in an all out brawl that spilled into the living room. Psych and Nick took turns toppling and pummeling each other before Aiden had had enough, kicking the chair back and stepping outside he yanked them both by the collar and separated them. 
“Both of you, knock it off before we’re discovered.” He hushed. “Nick, go cool off and watch the cubs. Psych, act your fucking age. I need help with something here anyway.” 
“Fine.” Nick brushed off, dropping from Aiden’s grasp he left the room and slammed the door. Psych cleared his throat, noting that Aiden was still suspending him by his collar. 
“Aiden, kindly let me down.” Psych arrogantly demanded. Clenching his teeth he let the lightest hiss escape and hurled Psych through the curtains, into the computer room and smack into the wall. Hitting the ground hard, he struggled to pick himself up but Aiden snatched him up and slammed him up against the wall. “What the-“ 
“Shut your mouth.” He growled.
“Aiden, we could-“
“What? Bring my girl and cubs up in this place, groom them to be murderers and thieves?” He quietly growled. “Did you even think of what I want for my family in this little scheme of yours? Don’t bullshit me, or yourself. Even if Eve were to come, Vanessa would make her life a living hell here. I want better for the girl I love, I want better for my family.” Aiden reinforced. “So let’s get this straight. This is happening, with or without you. You want to go down with Barone, let’s end it here. I’ll make it quick for you.” Aiden offered drawing his claws. 
“Alright alright, I get it.” Psych choked. “Put me down.” 
“You think so much of Barone, don’t you?” Aiden shook his head. “Take a look at what your “Baby Brother” was doing earlier. Tell me after that, that you want to stick around.” Aiden ordered, leaving the room. “If you’ll excuse me, Psych.” Psych took a deep breath and disabled the jammer in his pocket. After a few seconds, the internet came back online and he watched on the monitor what had been going on in Barone’s office. It was a recording of the night before. Barone had three mammals in his office, a male lion and two rather young female lionesses; neither of them much older than 10. He was clearly interrogating them, but the audio wasn’t too great. In the midst of the interrogation, he cut one of the girls loose and stripped them. The male got angry, jolting around in his chair trying to get loose but Vanessa held him down. Barone asked more questions, but didn’t seem to be getting the answers he wanted. Without hesitation, he penetrated the young lioness, her scream the most audible sound on the video. Psych shook his head and took a good long breath before chancing another look at the monitor. By the time he had, the girl was dead. Psych’s mind flashed back to the very first time Raphael had taken a cub as part of an interrogation. 

(25 years earlier) 
“You’ll talk, that is, if you value the life of your cubs.” Raphael grinned at the leopards strapped to the chair. One elder male and two young male cubs, both of them trembling and terrified. Raphael was in a white tank top shirt and denim shorts, a plaid green overshirt was tied off across his waist as well and he did not lack for muscle. They were in the basement of the mansion. Cleaning supplies and a hammock in the corner were the only other things within, and it was a fairly tight room that had a fairly strong smell of bleach. 
“Please, I don’t know anything! I swear to you!” The leopard cried. “Don’t hurt my boys. They just lost their mother to a car accident two years ago!” 
“Then they’ll be delighted to see her again, won’t they?” Raphael chuckled. “Psych, make sure you’re recording this. Niko, block the door.” 
“No problem, Raphy.” 
“Better hurry.” Psych insisted. “We got about, oh. 20 minutes of tape left.” 
“You heard the fox.” Raphael grinned. “So talk.” 
“Please.” He stammered. “I’m 100% serious. I don’t know who you’re talking about. I don’t even get mixed up with you guys, ever. I try my best to stay away. I’m just a steel worker.” 
“Dad, I’m scared!” One of the cubs cried out. 
“Shut the fuck up! You hear me!? You know where you are? You know what we’ll do if you don’t talk!? Huh!?” Raphael shouted, slapping the cub across the face. 
“Johnny!!” The leopard cried out. “Please stop it!” 
“What the hell’s going on in here!?” A voice boomed from behind the door. Raphael and everyone else’s ears fell back as Niko flung open the door. 
“Master Barone, sir!” Nikolai saluted. Allesandro Barone had arrived; the middle aged white tiger with brown eyes was dressed in an immaculate dark blue suit and cigar between his fingers. He surveyed the room in disgust before eyeing down his son in anger. 
“You, bear. Get the fuck out of here.” Allesandro ordered. 
“Sir!” Niko bowed out and rushed from the basement. 
“Father I-“
“SILENCEO!!” Allesandro screeched. The cubs in the room started really crying while Allesandro walked over, shoving Raphael out of the way. He kneeled down to the cub and put a paw on his cheek. “Shh, It’s ok little one. This tiger hurt you, yes?” 
“Yes.” He sniffled. 
“Sh sh sh sh.” Allesandro pat the cubs head and cheek. Producing a cloth from his pocket he wiped at the boys eyes. “There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore little one. Hold still, I’ll take these tight ropes off, ok?” 
“Yes please.” 
“Just stay still.” He spoke softly. As the ropes fell away, the father tried to get up but Allesandro pressed on his shoulder and sat him back down. “Hold on a moment.” Allesandro insisted, taking a good long drag from his cigar as he stepped in front of him. “You know who I am, yes?” 
“Yes.” 
“No you don’t.” He politely corrected. 
“No sir, no I don’t.” He immediately complied. 
“I am a patient mammal. I have ways of finding out the truth from those I need it from. The fool, standing in the corner there? He is young and impetuous. You must forgive him.” Allesandro stated. “I am a mammal of business, and I do not do business with cubs. But, make no mistake sir. I have no tolerance for those who lie to me. A liar to me, is a mammal without integrity.” He leaned in close. “I despise the mammal I meet without integrity, comprende? Is that you? Are you the mammal who will make the mistake of lying to me?” 
“Sir, I promise you. On my life. I don’t know anything about what he was asking. He asked about a master assassin from some club in Lunar District. A few of our staff go there, but I’m a single dad. I just. I don’t have time anymore. I’m barely making rent and I have the kids schooling, clothes, and bills to pay for. Not to mention groceries and the damage from that last hurricane. I swear, I don’t know who he’s asking for.” He stammered. 
“This is good. I believe you.” Allesandro welcomed the answer with open arms. “You see Raphael. A mammal will tell you anything when you both have integrity. You two.” He gestured to the cubs. “Be thankful for your father, he’s a good mammal, he takes good care of you, yes?” 
“Yes sir.” 
“Yes sir, he does.” The other little one agreed. 
“Good good. Eh, Maria!” He called up the stairs. “Heat up a few slices of the pizza from last night, we got a couple of hungry young boys here who’ve had a rough day!” 
“Of course of course!” She called from upstairs. “Send them up!” 
“Go on then.” Allesandro gestured out the door, the trio of leopards quickly left. Raphael tried to follow behind but Allesandro slapped his chest, and shoved his son toward the chairs. Briefly turning to Psych he growled. 
“You were supposed to be the mature one here, Parker. The fuck did you think you were doing!?” 
“I’m very sorry sir. Raphael was adamant on interrogating them himself. I didn’t think he’d go this far.” Psych bowed. 
“Keep the camera rolling.” He threatened quietly, shaking out his cigar. He raised it to his lips and took one good long drag, blowing the smoke in Raphael’s face. “Now, what to do with you?” 
“Father-“ Raphael tried to speak but was cut off by a slap to his face. Raphael shook off the slap and lowered his eyes to his father. 
“Now I warned you.” He leaned in close. “I have a reputation to maintain here. This family is not some common rabble of thieves and butchers; no. I did not work my tail to the bone to have you run around playing killer like a damn fool, did I raise you to be a fucking blunt instrument!?” He bellowed with another slap. 
“No sir.” 
“You.” He warned quietly, shaking his fingers with the cigar in his hand. “Cross a line today.” In a rather sudden burst, he tossed the cigar and shoved Raphael back into one of the chairs. Snaring up the ropes he strapped Raphael in and pulled it tight. “You embarrass us! Make us look like a pack of dogs! No son of mine will bring shame like this to us!!” He bellowed, tightening the knot. “You can rot down here for all I care. Psych! Get the fuck out!” 
“Yes sir!” Psych scurried away. Turning out the lights, he slammed the door and locked it from the outside.
“Father!! Let me out!! I was just trying to help you! Please, let me out!!” Raphael screamed. Allesandro ignored him, pulling out a gold case from his coat pocket and produced another cigar. Cutting and lighting it, he passed the doe maid that was heading toward the basement. 
“Take the night off, louise.” 
“Oh, thank you sir.”

(Present) 

“A mammal of integrity.” Psych pondered the words for a moment longer. Another scream came from the monitor; Raphael was mounted atop of the second lioness. Closing his eyes, he grasped his ears and knocked off his glasses. “If he was here, I can’t imagine what Allesandro would do to Raphael after seeing this.” He whispered. Turning off the monitor, Psych rose up from the chair and returned to his previous spot on the patio. Nick was watching over Jake and Max playing in the pool while sipping on a tall glass of what he assumed was a stiff drink. He produced from his shirt, his old engagement ring and played with it in his fingers. “I have a hunch, you wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t follow through.” Psych spoke to himself. Kissing the ring, he replaced it under his shirt and turned back inside. “This is the job I’m supposed to be working on. Time to close this chapter; once and for all.”