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Downtown - Mercy Hospital - Southern Savannah off Oasis Plaza Wednesday - 7:18 AM - Sporadic Clouds / Misty

"Grayz. Grayz! Wake up." A small voiced echoed through his brain.

"Please...call me Ralph." He muttered, shifting sluggishly in his sleep.

The wildebeest's eyes fluttered open, the harsh, glaring light causing them to sting from their brightness. A splitting headache slammed into his skull as he groaned from the sudden inhale of lingering stench. He lurched up out of bed, gagging as the memory of what had happened surged back into his mind. A soft, tiny paw was placed upon his chest, urging him to lie back onto the sterile hospital bed.

"Hey, big guy. Take it easy." A bunny was sitting beside his large form, her purple eyes regarding him warmly. "Yeah, the smell was pretty awful too when I awoke."

"Hnngh, Hopps?" He groaned. "What happened?"

"We both passed out. That's what happened." She stated matter-of-factly.

Ralph looked around his environs, blinking as he took stock of where he was. "How long have we been out?"

Judy glanced over at the atomic clock on the nightstand beside the bed, "Over 24 hours. We basically lost a day."

A grunt of disapproval emerged from his throat as he rose to get up again. "This is unacceptable. I need to get back to my family."

Judy placed her paw back onto his chest, gently, but firmly pressing him back. "Easy, Grayz. They aren't due to release us just yet. The doctor's given us a clean bill of health as soon as you were awake. There will be a perpetual aura of stink that we'll be experiencing for the remainder of the day, but he said that too will pass. Once the nurse gets back, we can take our final showers, get dressed and go home."

"Dressed?" He asked, confused. "What happened to our uniforms?"

Judy chuckled at his bafflement. "Officer Wilde came by and said he'd handle the cleaning of our uniforms."

"With a nose like his? That's brave of him." Grayz uttered with astonishment.

"That's my Nick." She said cheerfully. At a curious look from Grayz, she cleared her throat and continued, "Either way, he picked up some spare clothes from my home and your wife."

"My wife!" The memory of his need to get back home came back quite forcefully. "Did they ever come over yesterday to visit us while we were out?"

She shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. Only Wilde, Bogo and a few other colleagues came by from what I've heard. We were declared biohazards and civilians were not permitted to come within a building's distance of us."

"My son's probably worried so much." Ralph aggrieved.

"I never knew you had a son." She tilted her head, genuinely interested.

He nodded, "Only the one. I was actually visiting an orphanage the day of my first shift here to look for a playmate for him."

"Playmate? You aren't looking to have another calf?" She brought her other leg up from the side of the bed and sat cross-legged, facing him directly.

His shoulders sagged, his dark, grey eyes piercing hers. "We tried. Our son was very much a miracle. The doctors claimed he was not to be born at all, yet we had him. My wife had to be placed into intensive care just after the birth and then steril...I'm sorry." He choked up. "I usually don't speak of personal matters to many others."

Judy's face softened. "It's okay, Grayz. I wasn't trying to pry.

Ralph shook his head to allay her fears, "No, you're fine. I just didn't expect to unload that much onto you. I just feel really homesick right now."

She patted his leg a few times. "I know the feeling. You at least have the benefit of having your family living here in Zootopia with you. Mine are all the way out in Bunnyburrow. Not that I mind much. I do like the freedom I get here, and with Nick Wilde around, I don't really have to be worried about being alone."

"You two seem very close." He smiled. "I don't have many friends here just yet, being reassigned here and all. I barely got to know anyone at the precinct before I was out on the beat for my first shift. Hopefully, everyone doesn't think less of me being taken down on my first night on the job. It is kind of embarrassing."

She shared his mirth, "I wouldn't worry about it. I've had to work hard to get the respect I get around here and even I got taken down just the same as you. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not many people got as close as we did to capturing the Dark Flame Wolf."

The fur on the back of his mane bristled with unease. "Come close? You mean she hasn't been captured yet?"

Judy's face fell, "You didn't know? It's been over a decade and no one has caught this wolf."

"No one?" His jaw dropped, aghast. "But we almost had her last night! She was right between our hooves!" He brought his up for emphasis, angry now.

Ears drooping, she agreed, "I know. In fact, this was the first night I had seen her personally. I really felt I could take her on. Just when I thought we had the upper hand, she got the drop on us."

"Surely someone has investigated this and tracked the evidence!" He protested; feeling a need to rant. "You said she's been making these sorts of killings for over a decade? There must be some sort of pattern to her targets. Some evidence left behind at each crime scene. Maybe Officer Wilde or other scent-savvy troopers can track her scent?"

She glumly shook her head, "The killings seem to be as random as they are brutal. Not much is left behind to be of much use and she masks her scent behind a façade of skunk musk. The only thing we've been able to determine is that she is a female wolf."

Ralph fell back onto the bed in frustration, "So everyone is just going to give up on tracking her down? Hasn't anyone decided to isolate the skunk musk and figure out who it is from?"

Judy shrugged, "I hear you. I don't like this criminal any better than you do. I'd stop her myself if I had a lead on her whereabouts, and maybe you can see if you can find a mammal willing enough to smell skunk intimately to track down the scent she uses."

The gnu crossed his arms gruffly, "I really can't believe that Chief Bogo would just give up on this. After all she has done, you'd think she would be priority number one for the entire ZPD!"

"She is, if you look at the community bulletin board." She shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "I read every posting on that board my first day in the bullpen. Her case is buried under a bunch of other more immediate cases, but she's there. It just seems she's gone the way of ghost stories or the Boogey Cat. Chief Bogo just doesn't have the resources, time or money to send many out on the hunt for someone that isn't actively making headline news."

"Headline news?" He tapped a hoof finger on his arm. "What do you mean? She's burning people alive. How is this not making headline news?"

Judy looked away, holding an arm with a paw, not wanting to say what was to come. She knew it would make him more upset. "Because it seems...she actually has a following."

"What? There are more mammals out there killing?!" He roared.

"No!" Her ears shot up, a bit shocked at how violently he reacted. "Nothing like that! Rather, that she has the support of people because of who was killed."

"I don't understand." Ralph began.

Just then, the nurse rapped on the door softly. Both of them turned to see a caribou in polka-dotted scrubs, holding up a clipboard of paperwork for them to sign. "I hope I'm not intruding." She beamed. "I'm Grisele and I'm here to help file your discharge papers." She strode into the room and handed them each a pen and a sheet. "Please read over these for accuracy and sign at the bottom and you'll be free to go."

They each signed hastily before returning the papers back to the caribou. "Thank you." Judy nodded, giving her a big smile.

"No problem, ma'am." She bowed at the two of them. "Feel free to use the showers and collect your belongings and leave when you are ready." With another look, she headed out into the hallway and out of sight.

"Well, that's our cue." Judy clapped her paws and bounded off the bed.

"Will I see you at the station?" Ralph inquired, turning his lower half to dangle his legs off the side.

She cocked an eyebrow at him, "No. I'll be at home resting today. Chief Bogo has given us the day off to recuperate from this. He'll want us in his office first thing tomorrow for a full debrief however."

Ralph grunted, not pleased. "That's unusual."

"Not really." Judy chimed in, now more intent on gathering her stack of neatly pressed clothes and picking them up under one arm. "The Chief may act surly and gruff all the time, but inside I know he's a big softie. It's things like this that give him away." She gave him a bright look before giving a wave, "There is a taxi card on the stand over there. It's already prepaid by the ZPD. Just give them a call when you're ready to head home. See you tomorrow, Grayz."

"See you." He waved back, not feeling as cheerful.

How could she be so nonchalant about all of this? Did they both not witness a murder being committed before their very eyes? Did they both not get assaulted by a villain in a red suit? It seemed surreal that he was expected to just continue his day as if nothing was wrong. With the enduring scent of musk hovering in his nostrils, he headed off to the showers to give himself a quick rinse down before heading home. His mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions.

---

Savannah Central - Grand Pangolin Arms - Economy Family Floor - Room 412 Wednesday - 8:51 AM - Sporadic Clouds / Slightly Windy

Grayz looked up from the frame of the doorway as he struggled to get out of the rather small cab that had come to pick him up from the hospital. The clouds had cleared a bit since the past few days and the sun was peeking through the gloom, shining shafts of light onto the tall, gleaming spires below. He had directed the driver to escort him to the Grand Pangolin Arms, a rather economy-priced apartment complex that wasn't exactly the best, but served the purpose of his paycheck until he could promote into a better paying position in the ZPD.

"Thank you kindly." He handed the driver a fold of bills as tip before shutting the door and clopping into the front entrance of the building.

The aged pangolin looked up from her tabloid magazine, regarding him through her ridiculous spectacles, before dismissing his presence to continue reading about the latest celebrity gossip. Pressing the fourth floor button on the elevator, the wildebeest leaned uncomfortably up against the metal bar around the interior of the carriage, his eyes on the ever increasing floor number.

The Grand Pangolin Arms was not really meant for luxury, but for economy. Most floors were for primarily single mammals, but the fourth and fifth levels were regarded as the family floors where there were bigger rooms to accommodate such tenants. He paced down the grimy, wallpapered hallways as the elevator doors opened; their patterns of palm trees faded and torn from neglect. Some loud banging and yelling could be heard elsewhere on another floor as he stopped in front of his own apartment: Room 412.

Taking a small sniff of his armpits and breathing a heavy sigh, he turned the keys in the knob and opened the door. It wasn't much to look at: the main room consisted of a small kitchenette off in the corner with nothing but a sink and microwave, a small table with three wooden chairs and a TV on a dresser in the opposite corner. Only one door led off the main room which led to the bedroom that he shared with his wife and son and a small one-toilet bathroom branching off from that. The communal showers were down the hall. It wasn't much, but it was home.

His wife looked up from washing a stubbornly dirty plate in the sink and instantly melted with relief. "Ralph! You're alive!"

She dropped the plate with a clatter and rushed into his arms, her hooves gripping his back tight as they sank into each other's embrace. He petted her head, sifting through her tawny mane, reassuring her, "Of course, my love. You'd think some silly stink bomb would put me out to pasture?"

She was a head shorter than him, but no less bulky of a wildebeest. She had on a dandelion sundress that was covered over in front by a dirty cleaning apron, but Grayz did not care one bit. They had been together through a lot of hard times and this situation was like any other they've experienced. Together, he knew they could make it through.

"Papa?" A small voice came from the bedroom as a youthful calf pounded out into the main living space on crutches that seemed too big for his frame.

Ralph's expression warmed as he beheld his son. His legs were shriveled husks that ended just above the knees. He was unfortunately born with the defect and as a result had to be cared for most of his life. He didn't have many friends at home in Bunnyburrow and absolutely none here in Zootopia, and it broke his heart that he remained here all day with his mother with nobody else to talk to. The main reason Ralph even took this transfer was to get medical help for his son to improve his standard of living, a possibility that only existed in Zootopia.

"Rodney, my boy!" He extended his other hoof as he walked his wife over to both pick the calf up in their arms and enjoy a family hug.

At length, he set Rodney down and situated him back onto his crutches before sitting in a seat at the table, looking rather exhausted. His wife set down before him a small plate of greens for his breakfast as she sat opposite him. He looked at her appreciatively, "Thank you, Stella. I'm quite famished."

Her brow furrowed as she put a hoof on his leg, giving it a squeeze. "Didn't they feed you in the hospital?"

He shook his head as he spoke in-between bites, "No. I was completely comatose the moment I got knocked out by that criminal's stink bomb."

"I heard. They wouldn't even let us come see you. I was so worried!" Stella exhaled, a great burden being released from her chest now that her husband was home.

Grayz rose a hoof up to allay her fears, "I wouldn't have wanted you and Rodney to come in the condition I was in. I must have smelled something awful and it would have put you in a position to pass out. You know how you are with your asthma."

She nodded dolefully. Rodney wasn't the only reason they had come to Zootopia. So many promises of medical treatments surrounded this city and they couldn't chance waiting any longer in moving here. Her condition was getting worse. As if on cue, she began coughing violently and had to reach for a handkerchief to cover her muzzle as she hacked it out. The only thing worrying Ralph was how expensive it was to live here. Would he be promoted in time to get the money needed to pay for these treatments?

After her spasm has passed, she set the scarf down, hiding the dark stain on the other side from her husband. "So did they manage to catch the one that did this to you?" She probed hopefully.

Grayz finished his final bite of the delicious spring mix, leaning back into his chair and shaking his head. "Sadly, no. It seemed the moment Officer Hopps and I were gassed, all pursuit of this criminal halted. Nobody seems interested in going after her."

Stella looked stunned, "They aren't even following any leads?" After another shake of his head, "This would have never happened in Bunnyburrow."

"Well, you'd be right now, this wouldn't have happened there." He leaned forward onto the table, placing his snout in his hooves. "You have to remember though, it is a smaller community out there, very close-knit. Zootopia is a far bigger place and has far less cops than is ground to cover. Not many people could hide for long in Bunnyburrow, but plenty can sneak away here in the big city."

"It just doesn't seem right." She said, looking upset as she took his empty plate to go wash in the sink with the others.

Rodney, who had been quietly listening to the entire conversation, piped up. "You weren't able to catch the bad guys?"

Ralph peeked over the side of one hoof at his son. "Well actually, a lot of bad guys were caught, just not the one that got me." He shifted his attention to his wife. "Apparently, the rest of the gang wrangled up a huge drug deal going down that night. I was left with Hopps and Wilde to chase down some crazy, masked wolf."

"Hopps and Wilde..." Stella ruminated. "Isn't that that fox and bunny duo at your work? They seemed very nice when I met them the other day."

"I like them!" Rodney chippered, a beaming grin on his face. "Judy gave me a carrot to munch on and talked with me!" He seemed lost in reminiscence over that nice rabbit who chose to spend her time with him when they came to visit the station.

"Yeah, being a greenhorn to Zootopia, the Chief thought it best I tag along with them my first night. I technically wasn't supposed to be out there until today, but you know me, I was eager. Thankfully, another colleague, Anthony, decided to give me his shift last Monday." He explained, giving his son's small mane a ruffle.

"That explains that." She confirmed to herself as she finished drying the plate and setting it in the rack on the counter. She stifled another cough before drying her hooves on the apron. "So, will you be back out there today? With that wolf character still on the loose?"

"No. The Chief said Hopps and I were to take the day off and recuperate." He answered.

A wave of relief washed over her face, "Oh, thank goodness. I would have had another anxiety attack again if you had to go right back out there. I'm starting to feel like coming here wasn't such a good idea. It is too dangerous here in Zootopia."

"Oh, honey, no..." He soothed, getting up from the chair, Rodney's eyes tracking him as he moved to hold her tight. "You and I both knew this was a necessary decision. For Rodney."

"For Rodney." She repeated softly, holding him tight again.

Her nostrils began twitching as she caught a whiff of his fur. Noticing her reaction, he separated, "Yeah, I still don't think I'm fully clean. We got any cans of tomato juice? I'll take one with me to the showers and wash one more time."

"We have one left in the cupboard." Stella motioned at the cabinet doors beneath the sink. "I'll have to buy more later today."

"Thank you, love." He grabbed the can and gave her a peck on the cheek before waving to his boy. "See you in a few, squirt."

Slapping a fresh towel from the bedroom over his shoulder, Ralph exited their apartment and headed to the showers. He neatly set aside his belongings and prepped the showerhead. As the water flowed through his fur, across his rippling pecs and six-pack, he turned the events of that night and this morning over in his head. Something just wasn't adding up.

Nick Wilde knew who the Dark Flame Wolf was the moment he laid eyes on her. Judy Hopps knew who she was and even knew the decade-long investigation surrounding this mysterious figure. Two relatively new cops to the precinct knew more about this wolf than he did the moment he stepped foot out onto the streets that night. He was woefully underprepared, and now both cops just graduating from rookie status were going to just ignore this individual and act like Monday never happened.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. What justice is being served here when a vigilante killer is on the loose in Zootopia and has been for over ten years? He smacked a hooved fist into the tiled, shower wall. He knew the moment he stepped foot in that station tomorrow, he would be tasked to tackle some other case. He would be drawn away, be made busy with other things, and this would get swept under the rug like it had so many times before.

His wife was terrified for his life and he hadn't even been on the beat for a single day here in Zootopia. They came here to get better medical care for both her and their son, not to turn tail at the first sign of trouble. If any progress was going to be made on this case of the burning wolf, it would have to be today. He would need to be the one to do it.

With firm resolve, he quickly finished up his rinse, almost forgetting to apply the tomato juice. Fully dried and fluffy, he paced down the hallway back to their apartment. It wasn't until he began putting on his brown jacket over his t-shirt and strapping on his jeans that Stella took notice of what he was doing.

"Ralph? Where are you going? You just got home! Aren't you going to stay for the day and hang out with your son?" It was a tactic she used often and as heartfelt the sentiment that was behind it, he hated it when she used Rodney against him.

Exasperated, he turned to her, "Stella, please understand. This is something I have to do, ok? No one else is going to do this but me."

"Can't you just wait until tomorrow and do it then?" She pleaded. Rodney's eyes shifting back and forth between them as they argued.

He vehemently shook his head, "No. I'll just be reassigned somewhere else. This day off is just the opportunity I need to track this wolf down. Did you want to feel safe here? Wouldn't putting her behind bars accomplish that?"

"Y-yes..." She admitted haltingly. After a moment, she added, "Just...just promise me you won't go after her yourself, ok?"

Grayz gave her a swift hug and kiss on the head before parting, "I don't expect to leave the station much at all today, alright?" After another bow of her head, he went over to squeeze Rodney's shoulder before opening the door to leave. "You be good today, squirt. Take care of your mother, you hear?"

"Sure thing, dad!" Rodney rejoined, putting on a brave face.

Secure that all was okay, he shut the door, leaving behind a deflated Stella and a concerned son, curious as to what was actually going on with his parents.

---

Savannah Central - Zootopia Police Department - Off Freedom Circle Across from City Hall Wednesday - 10:20 AM - Scattered Clouds / Light Winds

Ralph felt awful for leaving his family so suddenly like that, but his conscience couldn't rest until he did everything he was capable of doing to stop this wolf who had hospitalized him. Lacking money to get another taxi, he walked the distance from his apartment to the station. It was a great day anyhow. The clouds had actually dispersed for the most part and he reveled in the rays of sun beaming down from above.

It was a short stroll through downtown until the streets opened out into Freedom Circle, the central hub of the Savannah District. Lining the exterior of the circle were major landmarks such as the Museum of History, City Hall and of course, the ZPD. The oasis lake in the center, flanked by a grove of palms, was a beautiful sight and a testament to the majesty of this great city. It was a shame, he thought, that it had an undercurrent of filth just beneath its perfect surface.

The gleaming, bronze spires protruding from the grassy rooftop of the ZPD framed the impressive structure as Ralph filtered through the morning traffic and into its front façade. The triple-decker tiered foyer was striking to behold and impressed him the first time he stepped foot into his new job. Several floors above had balcony railings overlooking the atrium below, the entire structure centered on the welcoming counter, manned primarily by a rotund cheetah of a particular donut fascination.

"Good morning, Officer Clawhauser!" Ralph boomed as he stepped up, placing an arm on the marble top, trying to act casual.

The cheetah didn't seem to have noticed him until being addressed directly. Fumbling with a cell phone, some loud pop music playing loudly from it, he shoved the device in a cubby hole underneath his desk and flashed a big smile at the gnu. "Morning! What a fantastic day it is today." He looked confused as he studied Ralph's face. "Have we met before? You look really familiar to me."

Ralph sighed, putting a hoof to his temple. Nick had warned him of the attention span of this cheetah. "Officer Grayz. You met me just this past Monday."

Throwing his paws up in supplication, "Right, right, right, right, right! I knew that! Was just testing you." A loud cough. "So how can I help you today, Officer Grayz?"

Tapping the counter top a few times, "Can you tell me if my paperwork went through today? For my system access clearance?"

After a few blinks, realization dawned on Clawhauser's face as he scrambled through a haphazard mess of papers and folders. "Of course. I remember seeing it somewhere in here this morning." Ralph raised an eyebrow at this. At length, with a satisfied purr of accomplishment, Clawhauser pulled out a semi-crumpled piece of paper. "Yes, it says it was approved right here as of 0600."

"Great!" Ralph beamed as he opened up the top donut box to see a variety of sprinkles, icing and sugared fat. Not really relishing the idea of eating one, but still feeling extremely hungry, he pointing to a glazed plain. "Mind if I take one?"

"Of course," the cat waved a paw off in his direction, "Some tell me they make me fat. I could stand to lose a few pounds." He exhaled morosely, looking off in the distance.

"You? Naw..." The gnu sheepishly comforted. "You appear to be in the prime of your life." He finished, taking a bite of his freshly procured pastry.

"It's okay. You don't have to lie to make me feel better. I know how people look at me." He glanced askance at the wildebeest.

Ralph winced. He did not want to get entangled in a story that would take the better part of the morning when he had so much to do. "Well, I think you are fine just the way you are." He patted the cheetah's shoulders a few times, giving him a consoling smile.

"Thanks, buddy." Clawhauser gave a furtive smirk, but then turned back to his station, wondering if he should go after his phone again or another donut to make him feel better.

With a final nod, Ralph finished up his own donut and headed over to the greenhorn cube farm. It wasn't glamorous and it was definitely where they placed the newbie cops who joined the precinct. He didn't mind though. He knew his place in the grand ladder hierarchy here. He would have to prove himself to his superiors that he could get a job done. If he could at least make some headway on this Dark Flame Wolf case, then that could go a long way for a better position within the force.

It was already during the busiest part of the morning. The early morning bullpen brief had finished and people were actively working on their cases, setting up plans for the remainder of the day on how best to go about completing them. Technically his day off, he could arrange his own personal outline of tasks with a bit more freedom. Slipping into an unmarked and empty cubicle, he pulled out the rolling chair and sat down before the computer.

Inwardly celebrating that his new username and password got him past the initial login screen, he was in the police system and able to do some research. He double-clicked on the icon symbolizing the database, bringing up a non-intuitive search and results display screen. This seemed like ancient programming. Even his own unit back in Bunnyburrow had a more advanced search and tracking tool than this.

Disregarding the dated tool he was using, Ralph put in the plain text words of Dark Flame Wolf into the system and hit enter. Hundreds of hits came back, almost a dizzying array of them. Leaning back in his chair, he felt daunted by the sheer number of cases that involved this individual. He marveled that after all this time, they still had not caught this criminal. With renewed determination, he resolved that she would be caught soon.

First things first, he needed to know how she operated. He opened up a case at random and read through the report. A rhino was burned alive in front of a flower shop. Had no family in the city and worked as a tax consultant at a prestigious firm. Pulling up another file: This time it was an anteater, also burned alive. Had a wife and two kids. Worked for a car manufacturing plant. Ralph puzzled over these two separate cases. These two victims couldn't be further apart in terms of relating factors.

It was clear that she liked to burn her victims, letting the flames finish the job, but how was she accomplishing this? Reading through a few more files, multiple lab results came back positive for a toxin that was known to induce paralysis in their subjects. So she immobilized them first before delivering the coup de grâce. This would explain why there were no pawprints on scene, she never touched her targets if she could help it.

What mystified the gnu was the sheer variety of victims. There was no distinction between prey or predator, small or large, male or female, criminal scum or family man. Every one of them died the same way. So trying to link up a common thread between the targets by way of life or what they did for a living wasn't going to produce anything worthwhile. In fact, some of those burned didn't even have a single spot on their record. They appeared to be completely innocent.

He brayed, frustrated, slouching back in the chair with his arms crossed. It had been over an hour and he was still no closer to figuring out a direct lead on how best to track down this masked killer. Pawprints, none. Cause of death articles available, none. Witness testimonies, none. Everywhere he turned, there were dead ends. He was so close to catching her Monday night and she slipped right through their hooves.

Ralph's eyes shot open as he thought about it. They were extremely close to capturing her on Monday! Perhaps a report had already been put into the system of that incident? It was worth a shot. He researched the name and scrolled to the most recent entry. It appeared to be a draft and uploaded as of 1845 the previous evening. It didn't matter, a report in any form of that night might prove useful here.

It was penned by Officer Wilde. The prose and formatting were atrocious, but it was still readable. What was of special interest to him was the fact that the ocelot was named Javier Sanchez and he was taken in critical condition to Mercy Hospital. That meant he might actually have a witness and someone to question once he recovered. More things of note was that several items from the criminal were tagged, bagged and were being analyzed in the laboratory now!

Excited, he picked up the desk phone and began dialing the numbers that would connect him to the evidence lab technician. After an obnoxious amount of ringing, a click was heard as the voice on the other end began to drone, "This...is...Raina. How...may...I...help...you?"

Ralph groaned as he recognized the unmistakable talking gait of a sloth. Of course they would have someone like that working the evidence storage and lab. You would need someone detail-oriented who wouldn't rush things. Still, that would make this current request that much more aggravating.

Putting on his most cheerful tone, "Raina! This is Officer Grayz. I am new to Precinct 1, but I do have clearance to the system and database. I know it isn't my case, but can I make a request to have a look at the evidence collected from this past Monday involving the Javier Sanchez murder attempt?"

"Of...course...Let...me...e...mail...you...the...form...to...fill...out...Just...one...moment...please." She chirped happily, feeling needed for once.

"Thank you so much!" He said, swiftly hanging up the phone before Raina could say anything further and delaying this investigation more.

He nearly leaped out of his skin as he was waiting for the email when a brazen, yet sultry voice spoke behind him. "Don't get too wrapped up in this work on your day off or the Chief might have a mind to not give you anymore!"

Ralph swiveled his chair around to see a short pig dressed in her blues leaning on his cubicle with an arm. She was round and voluptuous as only a mother pig could be with those hips after childbirth. She was regarding him with amused interest. "I apologize, but have we met?" He asked, confused.

She shot out a hoof for him to shake with a grin, "The name is Officer Swinton. Pleasure to meet you. What brings the newbie in today when he was given the day off to recoup?"

The gnu stopped a moment before answering. It wasn't like what he was doing was anything illegal or against the rules. However, it was rather unusual that he would be investigating a case that wasn't his without proper paperwork authorization, and that might land him in some hot water with the Chief when he shouldn't even be here at all. Against his better judgment, he knew his conscience wouldn't rest until he had made some headway today on the case, so he had to come up with something that would assuage Swinton.

He motioned back to his monitor, "I'm just waiting on an e-mail from Raina to see when I can recover something of mine from the crime scene I was involved in."

"Oh, that?" She tittered, taking pity on the new recruit. "If your personal property got mired in that mess, it'll be ages before it is cleared to be released back to you and not just because Raina is a sloth!" More laughter.

Ralph lowered his ears in irritation, "Are you saying she can't be fast?"

She wiped a tear from her eye, "No, no, no. What I'm saying is that you'll have to wait until the full investigation is complete and all items are verified and filed in the report before they'll start going through each piece of evidence and assigning it back to their proper owners, if they have any and it isn't necessary for the resolution of the case. If you're expecting an email regarding that, you might as well check back next month!"

"Hmmm, that isn't how we did things back at Bunnyburrow." He grumbled.

"Well, you're not in Bunnyburrow, hun." She gave him a wink. "We do things differently here in the big city."

"Yes, so I've gathered." He was still not happy with how much things were different, and sometimes not for the better.

"You should take advantage of this rare opportunity Chief Bogo has extended to you and head on home. Be with your wife and kid. They need you more right now." She suggested softly.

"How would you know that?" Ralph was a bit unnerved. News about family and personal life seemed to travel fast around the precinct. Were people here just that close or were they just nosy? At least in Bunnyburrow, there was a protocol of privacy that was followed, despite it being a close-knit community.

"I'm a mother." Swinton stated matter-of-factly. "And another parent can spot their own. Go home, Grayz. You need the day off." She reached out and gave his hoof a small squeeze before waving and sauntering down the row of cubicles.

Ralph knew that she was probably right. Even just getting the paperwork approval to access items of interest from that night would be mired in bureaucracy. He glanced over at the screen again and saw his sparse inbox still empty of new e-mails. It would probably take Raina another hour or two to even get it ready for him, let alone getting it ready to send it to him to fill out. With another sigh, he signed out of his workstation and got out of the chair, pushing it in as he did so.

He knew he didn't have much to go off of here. He knew it wasn't his place to go off to Mercy Hospital and see if he could question Javier on his connections with the Dark Flame Wolf. This was probably one big fool's errand, but if there was a single chance he could make a name for himself on the force in Zootopia, he had to take it. He needed to do this for his family. Something about this case screamed that he needed to be the one to solve it.

Flipping back on his brown jacket that he had put on the back of his chair, Ralph surveyed the cubicle before heading out. Resolving himself to his course of action, he headed out to the foyer and studied the city map mural on the back wall behind the central tower where Clawhauser sat. The hospital wasn't that far away, so he could walk there with minimal effort.

With a nod to a few colleagues he hadn't the faintest clue what their names were, Ralph exited out the doors and into the midday sun.