Silent Enemy

Chapter 10: Homeward Bound

The news anchor sat behind his desk, a look of solemnity on his muzzle. Images of an industrial building played behind him, then shifted to rows and rows of body bags, being loaded into the backs of ambulances. "Last evening, there was an incident at the Mewling Brother's factory in Savannah Central that resulted in the deaths of 16 mammals." The moose news anchor shifted in his seat, antlers swaying so they rested parallel to his shoulders, while the image beside him shifted to that of Precinct 1. " The ZPD hasn't released the names of the victims, but in a statement to the press, Police Chief Bogo of Precinct One confirmed that the perpetrator of the crime is in custody, and reaffirmed the commitment of the ZPD to keeping the mammals of Zootopia safe. ZNN will get the whole story once the investigation has concluded..." Bogo turned the television off, and turned to appraise the officers in his office. They were both tired, emotionally drained, and angry. As far as cases were concerned, this was turning out to be a bad one. But it was their duty to see it through, and if he knew anything, it was the tenacity of his senior officers. The pair waited patiently for their chief to speak, ready to accept whatever criticism he had to offer. "So, where are we on this case?"

Jonathon Wolfard cleared his throat, then gestured to allow his partner to answer.

"We've got the suspect, but no idea why he is the way he is." The Rhino tossed his head.

"Nothing from the lab yet," Wolfard added, his throat sticky from the copious amount of coffee he had been guzzling since the previous evening. It had been a long day. He had barely gotten 8 hours of sleep over the past 72, and the methods he had been utilizing to stay awake were really starting to get to him.

"Naturally." Bogo muttered, and turned his attention to the papers on his desk. "We have another case of a savage predator and little explanation. Has anything turned up at the crime scene?"

McHorn's frown deepened, and he shook his head in the negative. They were no closer to solving this mystery then they had been two days ago. There was only one thing they knew for sure. "It isn't Night Howler serum."

Bogo nodded, "It seems we're clueless here." His nose flared, and he looked up from the papers, the personal files of each of the victims. "Go home."

Wolfard started, and turned to see the puzzled expression on his partner's muzzle.

"You heard me. You two need to sleep. Take a day to recover yourselves, the report back to me. In the meantime, Delgado and Fangmeyer will take over the investigation. I will see to it that you are informed if anything major comes up during your absence.

"Sir, with all due respect..." McHorn began.

"Save it," Bogo said, cutting him off. "I need you two sharp for this and you've been running all over the city for three days. Get some sleep, see your families, and report back."

It looked as if McHorn was going to argue, but one look to his partner silenced his complaints. Slowly, Wolfard shook his head back and forth at the Rhino. McHorn sighed, then nodded. The pair stood then, and saluted the Chief, before turning on their heels and striding out the door.

Once they were gone, Bogo allowed himself to slouch into his chair. A chief had a duty to his mammals. He could not afford the luxury of showing fatigue in front of his officers. Now that he had a moment alone, however, he allowed himself the courtesy of an exhausted yawn. In truth, he had barely managed 6 hours himself over the past three days, and in time, he knew he would have to pay the piper. For now though, he kept himself going through grim determination if nothing else. He turned to look at his map. The spot in the middle standing out to him, even as it blended in with the others. For now, he had work to do.