Burdens of the Son

Chapter 8

 Judy sat next to Nick as they rode in the police boat through the darkening night. He flinched when she grabbed his paw and looked at her with haunted eyes.

"Sorry, Carrots. I... "

He trailed off as Judy clasped her paws together in her lap and looked away to avoid his gaze. "No Nick, I'm sorry--"

"Judy, you're bleeding!"

It was just a scratch on the back of my neck, but Nick got extremely agitated and wouldn't stop freaking out until I went to have one of the other officers look at it. After I got it bandaged, I came back and found Nick curled up in the blanket, asleep. I desperately wanted to hold him as he twitched and whined from troubled dreams, but I was afraid I'd startle him again.

When we got to the dock, I didn't want to let Nick out of my sight, but the paramedic made me ride in the front of the ambulance. Right after I climbed into the passenger seat, Chief Bogo called and told me to wait for him at the hospital. My head was a jumbled mess, or I would have realized why the Chief needed to talk to me.

The press must have gotten wind of what was going on because a few camera crews were waiting for us when we arrived. Nick was hyped up on painkillers, so he barely noticed when they crowded around while he was pulled out of the ambulance and wheeled into the hospital.

"I'm sorry Miss, but only family members are allowed in the treatment area."

"But, I'm his... partner."

The leopard shrugged. "Sorry, it's hospital policy. I don't make the rules."

"Go home Judy. Holly needs you," Nick sleepily slurred his words as the leopard wheeled the gurney through the door.

"I'll come by with her tomorrow--" The door shut and Nick was gone before Judy could finish.

Judy walked to the waiting room, where she flopped down in a chair and rubbed her eyes.

"Miss Hopps?"

A nurse towered over her. Judy looked up at the rhino, who smiled as she continued. "I remember you, from when you were a patient here, and of course your cute daughter." She shook her head as she continued. "And Nick... he pestered all of us until one of the nurses finally showed him how to feed your little bunny."

The rhino chuckled before she continued. "After that, he brought us donuts every day, in return for us distracting your mom so he would get his fair share of turns at feeding time. Don't worry, I'll go check on him and let you know how he's doing."

Oh geez, my mom. I hadn't returned her frantic voicemail after Nick went missing. I texted her and told her everything was fine and ignored the twenty other voicemails she and my dad left. I just couldn't deal with the added stress of their overprotective worrying on top of everything else.

I'd also completely neglected to tell them about the badger attack, and I should probably tell them we found Nick, and then there was all the dangerous stuff I did today. I dreaded it, but I knew I had to prepare them for what they would be seeing on the news soon.

After I finally dialed her number, my mom answered on the first ring. They took things pretty well, at least after they got in fifteen solid minutes of scolding me for not calling them sooner.

"He's dehydrated, and aside from a bite wound on his shoulder and a few broken ribs, he's in good shape..." The nurse paused and smiled encouragingly as she continued. "The forensics guys are taking pictures of his injuries and interviewing him. Visiting hours start at 8am, so he should be settled in a room by then."

Chief Bogo came by to tell me they found the body of the wolf I shot. He had drowned after he fell off the ledge. I should have filed a report before I left the scene, but he reassured me that, given the circumstances, I shouldn't worry.

Chief Bogo confiscated my weapon and gave me a replacement. I also had to get blood drawn and describe to him in detail what happened after I found Nick. He told me again not to worry, this was standard procedure in situations like this. Of course, I remember reading about how they check your blood to make sure you weren't impaired and they verify that your weapon was loaded with the proper darts, but that isn't the same as having to actually go through all of it after a deadly shooting.

Even though I shot him in self-defense, it still bothers me. I've never taken a mammal's life before. I don't even like to squash bugs. I need to think about this more, but my brain is too overloaded right now to process it.

The Chief wanted me to talk to a shrink, but I said I'd see one tomorrow. I just wanted to go home. I needed to check on Holly and try to get some sleep. I'm now on paid leave until the mammals at internal affairs can sort things out. I tried to ask how the investigation was going, but the Chief shook his head and told me to worry about it tomorrow.

I caught a ride home with Francine, who was relieving Delgato and Wolford. I don't know how much longer Bogo will assign officers to protect us, but I'm glad to have another one around tonight.

"Just text me if you want to come in later and take a break," Judy said before she hopped out of the oversized police cruiser.

"Oh, I will. I had a few cups of coffee earlier, so..." Judy and Francine both laughed as Judy struggled for a moment to close the large passenger door.

Judy came in through the smaller front entrance and locked it behind her. She made her way down the dim hallway to check on Holly, who was sound asleep in her crib. Quietly shutting the door, she yawned and stepped into the guest bathroom.

As the steam from the shower fogged the mirror, Judy removed the bandage on her neck and checked the wound. She stood and stared at the splotch of red on the dressing for a few moments before tossing it in the trash. Judy touched the torn fabric where her badge had been before stripping down and stepping into the shower.

Dressed in a clean ZPD tank top and gray sweatpants, Judy dried the fur on her head and ears as she walked into the living room, where she was surprised to find Rita sitting on the couch.

"Hi, Judy." Rita yawned and patted the couch. "Come sit next to me so we can talk."

Judy grinned. "Sorry if I woke you, but I'm glad you're awake."

I'm still so very thankful for Rita. She already heard from one of the other officers that we had rescued Nick. She tried to take my mind off of things, telling me how Holly was babbling but still not really saying any words besides mom, and how the officers protecting us really enjoy seeing Holly. I even had a welcome laugh when Rita told me about the first time Officer Delgato picked her up and she pulled on the tiger's whiskers. Then I cried for a bit as she hugged me with her trunk.

The morning news was all about the events of the day before. Pictures of me, the rescued bunny, and Nick were plastered everywhere. They talked about the bunny we had rescued, along with Nick. They showed the video of Nick in the bloody purple shirt being wheeled into the hospital. They also mentioned the remains of the first missing rabbit had been found, and the death of the wolf during the raid. Boris, five wolves, and the raccoon were all in custody. Speculation was rampant, as everyone waited for an official announcement from the mayor's office, scheduled for later today.

But the worst news of all was still waiting for me at the hospital when I got there with Holly at 8am.