The Fire Triangle -- Part II, Oxidizer

The Fire Triangle: Book II - Chapter 66

Disclaimer: Zootopia stories, characters, settings, and properties belong to the Walt Disney Co. This story is written under Fair Use Copyright laws.

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The Fire Triangle

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Part Two:

Oxidizer

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Chapter 9: Conor's Story
(Continued...Part 17)

♪ "I've got my head, but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control; can't keep track of where it's traveling
I've got my heart, but my heart is no good
And you're the only one that's understood

I come along, but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go, but you're wrenching, dragging, shaking me
Turn off the sun; pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you, the more I die" ♫

Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug

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"Kits...For Cash?" Vern Rodenberg repeated the words tentatively, as if they'd been spoken in a foreign tongue that he didn't quite understand.

"Yep...That's right, that's what AKER called it." Conor's ears were turning backwards and his head was hanging low between his shoulders; the fur on the back of his neck had spiked into quills. Even now, the rat attorney realized, the memory still infuriated his young client. He was almost afraid to ask what those words referred to.

He would ask though; this was why he had come here in the first place.

"All right, then; what is-or was-Kits for Cash?"

Conor's lip curled upwards, exposing first one fang and then the other.

"Heyyy, take it easy, Charcoal Boy!" It was Erin Hopps, trying not to sound alarmed-and only barely succeeding.

Barely or not, it was enough to get the job done. Taking a long, deep breath, the fugitive young silver fox shut his eyes, and balled-up his fists. After a short moment, his fangs went away and his eyes blinked open once more.

"Sorry," he said, speaking to the bunny-girl before turning his attention back to Mr. Rodenberg. "It goes like this," he said, "For every kid that gets sent to one of their juvie institutions, AKER Correctional gets a payment from the State of Zoo Jersey. Are you with me so far?"

"Yes, they're a private corrections company," the grey rat answered. Now HE was the one trying to maintain control. It had not escaped his attention that Conor was speaking in the present tense.

"Right," the young fox nodded, "So, what AKER did was come to a little arrangement with these two Zoo Jersey judges. For every kid they sent to Juvie-instead of community service, or probation, or whatever-they got paid a kickback..."

"Oy!"

"NO!"

Both Erin and Vern Rodenberg were gaping in openmouthed shock.