Beastars: A Steep Fall From Light

Chapter 46: Picture Perfect

"And there's nothing else you remember?" Yahya asked.

"That's all that happened," the mayor said through his muzzle. "He just came in, killed and butchered those guards and then forced blood down my throat."

"Well thank you," the horse said, standing with his cane. "Mayor Watsuji."

"Ex-mayor now," the lion reminded him.

"Yes," the beastar nodded, turning for the door.

"There was one other thing," the carnivore said. "I shot him in the leg and he got right back up as if nothing had happened to him."

Yahya nodded.

"Our prime suspect is a dead hybrid child so I'll just add that to the list of oddities," he said.

"If I can remember anything else I'll let you know," the lion said as the guards came in to escort him back to his cell.

Yahya walked from the interrogation room and out of the courthouse building, his cane tapping the only sound that accompanied him as he walked into the conjoined CPD building, which was empty and sounded as quiet as the grave. Everyone was out at the bombing or the bank. A skeleton crew was all that remained. He was now on his way to an appointment scheduled with the sergeant who got his face removed. The wolf had been in critical condition last night, and still was, but after hours of operation, the doctors deemed him able to see visitors and communicate. His face had even been surgically put back on. In the wake of all the damage this morning, it was one good thing that shone like a blazing sun.

The police had shut down parts of the city in the wake of the bombing and there wouldn't be any cabs on the road. He'd have to take a cruiser; one of the three on reserve and left there in case of anything else. He signed it out, and drove to the hospital. The streets were eerily empty. It made sense given everyone had to stay home given the shut down. Despite his best efforts, there was still an air of fear. He was still hopeful, but Razor had brought the city to its knees in less than twelve hours. They were all waiting for the killing blow now. Unless Yahya could bring the city back to its feet and catch him before it was too late.

The hospital was overwhelmingly busy. Severely injured animals from the bombing and the shooting at the bank were being brought in by ambulances. He probably wouldn't have been allowed in while they were in such a state of emergency if he hadn't scheduled this meeting last night. He walked in and was almost immediately stopped by a nurse.

"Sir, do you have a medical emergency?" the capybara asked.

"No, but I-"

"Then we can't let you in sir I'm sorry," she apologized. "We have a city wide emergency we are dealing with at the moment."

"It's alright Tane," said a stork doctor. "He is here on police business. Please escort him to Sergeant Kona's room."

The nurse paused slightly, but ultimately gave in.

"Yes sir," she said with a slight groan. "Please follow me."

She led with a speed and agility through the crowd that made it difficult for him to follow, leaning on his walking stick. She led him down the hall, into a crowded elevator, up to the fourth floor and down another hall to a room with four beds in it. The curtains were drawn around all of them, concealing the resting patients.

"He's in that one," she said, pointing to the one in the back left corner. "I'm sorry but we can't move him to a more private room. And please keep your voice down as there are patients resting. He can't talk, out of risk of his stitches tearing, so he'll write his answers on a notepad he has."