(First Zootopia fanfic because why not? First crime fic too? Hope I get it right! I've got other updates to do, but here I am! Pardon if anybody is out of character. Anyway…All characters from the film belong to Disney.)

What Gets to You

Chapter 1

Sickening

Judy's ears flinched at the sharp cool breeze as she marched for work. It was late October in Zootopia and already animals were prepared for the chilly days with warmer coats and scarves. Already she saw things that reminded her of Bunny Burrows with the street vendors. They had bright red apples, shapely orange pumpkins and pies made from the juiciest berries. She liked this weather even more now. It reminded her that The Night Howler Case had been closed a year ago. It seemed like time had gone so quickly with the missing mammals and she had made a best friend, a predator like those missing.

Already the meeting room was full with the usual small talk, arm wrestling and coffee sipping. Nick Wilde was already waiting for her with all the rest of the ZPD. He was scrolling through his phone, looking at the many pictures taken, many with Judy. His dear rabbit friend had enough time to slide into the room and take her seat as if she was sneaking into a class late.

"Running late Carrots," chided Nick playfully. He cleared his throat which had been pestering him for two days.

"I had a rough night," smirked Judy. "Neighbors were fighting again. Earplugs don't help when you're a rabbit!" She gave a rub to one of her dark tinted ears.

"All right," boomed a familiar voice. Chief Bogo strode in with a pile of folders and they smacked against the podium. "We've got a heavy load on the docket today. As you may have overheard, last night, a young sheep went missing. Her mother is already here and I've promised her that I'd send top investigators. Hopps! Wilde! She's up front with Clawhauser. Get going."

"Whatever you say," said Nick casually as Judy took the folder. "Missing mammals is our specialty."

Chief Bogo eyed him, but it wasn't entirely from the comment. Nick seemed a little pale like the day before and had noticed the bag of cough drops sticking in his pocket.

Judy, meanwhile, flipped open the file and gave it a quick study. Nick looked over her shoulder, easily since he was taller, and the information was pretty simple. Rachel Woolverton was the sheep's name and apparently she was from the Downtown area of Zootopia. The best friends had done missing mammals before, even after The Night Howler case, but never children. If it was a teenager, they were just running away because of rebellion or grief over family fights.

The walk to the front desk seemed shorter than usual and already they could smell the fresh doughnuts and warm coffee from a certain cheetah's place. Sure enough, when they arrived to the entrance, Clawhauser had a huge plate of pastries and his favorite mug steaming hot. He was already chatting up a storm with an older coal black sheep.

"Look at this! See that!" he laughed excitedly as he held up a photograph of his favorite singer. "Gazelle signed it! Look what she wrote too 'You're one hot fan Benjamin Clawhauser, love Gazelle!' HaHa!"

"That's very nice sir," said the sheep hesitantly as she fiddled with her red purse.

"So you said your daughter is a fan-oh here they are." Clawhauser said with a big grin at his co-workers. "Don't Ms. Lambert. Judy and Nick will find your girl."

"Nice introduction Clawhauser," said Nick with a smile. "Kept her entertained with your collection didn't you?"

"Yvette Lambert," said Judy holding a paw out and ignoring the comment. "I'm Officer Judy Hopps and this is my partner Officer Nick Wilde. We'll be investigating for Rachel."

"Thank you," she said. She was trying to smile, but it was obvious she had been tearful with bloodshot eyes.

"We'll go to our investigation room and talk," said the rabbit kindly.

Yvette weakly followed, but she kept rubbing her eyes. Judy examined over her. She had a little weight from 7 kids and was dressed in jeans and pink polo. The purse was old and a little tattered on the edges. She wasn't rich, particularly with the dulled golden hoop earrings. She was quite motherly.

The room was a soft grey with wooden chairs and tables. It was more welcoming than the room for usual criminals. Judy grabbed a cup of water for Yvette and added another box of Kleenex. (Not only for Yvette, but also for her partner's supposed sickness.) When Nick had pulled a chair up for the mother, he had to cover his mouth from a hard cough.

"In your sleeve," she said. "That's what I taught my kids."

"Good moms teach those things," said Nick. "May need another cough drop soon."

"I know this must be tough," continued Judy who wanted to get down to business. "But we're here and will do everything to find your daughter. So you did call last and reported her missing." She flipped to the front page. "But let's hear it from you exactly. When did you see Rachel last?"

"Well, it was yesterday morning," Yvette said after clearing her throat. She stuffed some used Kleenex into her pocket. "I got all my children ready for school and walked them to their bus stop. My two oldest were at home. They both had an orthodontist appointment. Rachel was the first to get on the bus and that was the last I saw her."

"Now, you said she was wearing a-"

"A jean skirt and a red shirt," interrupted Yvette. "That's her favorite color and it matched her backpack. I've got her recent school photo if that helps."

Yvette dug into her purse and pulled out a small picture, 2x2 inches, showing the sweet girl. She had white wool instead from her father and hazel eyes. She was wearing a red blouse, definitely her favorite color, and had a little bead necklace.

"I feel like I should mention that I'm divorced," added Yvette.

"Where does he live?" asked Nick. He gave a loud sniff that made Judy wrinkle her nose in disgust.

"He moved to the Bunny Burrow last year," said Yvette. "My kids go out by the train to visit every other weekend. He's with them right now. I was too worried about sending them to school."

"Yvette is there anybody that you don't get along with?" asked Judy. "Someone could be taking revenge on you?"

"Can't imagine that! I've lived on Oak Street for 12 years and the neighbors are nice. Rachel doesn't have any bullies. There are no hard feelings with my ex. No family issues."

"That does rule her out as a runaway," said Judy hopefully. "Usually kids that go missing are just upset and will leave for a day."

Despite that theory knocked down and being positive that they were a step closer, Judy knew that something darker must've happened. Strangely, Oak Street was downtown and a quaint area with 100-year-old houses. It wasn't a common area for foul play, but looks could be deceiving.

"It's not like her to wander off," choked Yvette. "She just turned 15 yesterday. She wouldn't leave on her birthday! We had cake, presents, and her dad was coming down for a dinner out."

"How far is the bus stop from your house?" asked Nick while he pocketed a blueberry flavored cough drop and tossed the wrapper easily to the wastebasket.

"At least four blocks," answered Yvette.

"What about your other children?" asked Judy as she tapped a pencil against her notes. "Do they all walk together?"

"They do, but Rachel said she was going to soccer tryouts that day at the park near our house. Oh why did I say she was old enough to walk alone? I should've picked her up!" Yvette held back a sob.

"You didn't know," comforted Judy holding her hoof. "It's not your fault that Rachel went missing."

"I know, but…I kept calling her cell and…she always picks up! Officer Hopps, if she's been taken by some murder, I will always blame myself!"

"Carrots," said Nick. "We better check those jam cams." He had been quiet save for his coughs, but was rubbing his head and ears from a headache that had been slowly pounding.

"That and the whole area on foot," replied Judy. "Ms. Lambert, do you know who the coach was too?"

"Yes. She was doing the tryouts at the park while the boys were trying out at school." Yvette seemed to stiffen at the thought of the coach doing something wrong.

"Better give us the address for the school so we can talk to her," Judy said as she scribbled down more notes. "Nick and I will-"

Nick interrupted with strong sneeze and hung his head with a moan.

"You don't look too well," Yvette said softly.

"I'm fine," he said. "Sorry Carrots. What were you saying?"

"We're going to check with Rachel's soccer coach as well as the park for clues. Ms. Lambert, we'll keep you posted and hold on to the picture of Rachel. We'll send it down for posters. Oh and we'll check the jam cams around the area too for her direction. Now…we'd like to talk with your ex-husband too."

"Oh good," said Yvette with a glint of hope. "Shall I give him a call too and-"

She didn't get to finish. Instead there was a revolting gagging and coughing. Judy nearly jumped to see Nick was hunched over a trashcan, vomiting. He had it gripped tightly and had his face ridiculously low inside that she couldn't see his eyes. Yvette raced over the patted his back.

"You alright Officer?" she asked with concern. "I said you didn't look well."

"You're never off-duty of being a mom are you?" said Nick hoarsely, but giving a meek smile.

"I take it you're not a father yet," said Yvette returning a small grin.

"Nick," sighed Judy compassionately. "Pardon us Ms. Lambert." She grabbed Nick by the arm and pulled him aside. "Nick, you're seriously not well to do this. You're coughing, sniffling and now puking. Best you go home."

"I'm not leaving you," said Nick with a frown. "She's counting on us." He gestured a claw to Yvette.

"Yes she is," said Judy. "She's counting on cops to be at their top game to find her daughter."

Judy could've demanded and begged all she could for Nick to head home, but she could tell this wasn't going to be easy. If she had to, she'd call for Bogo to give the order, who had quietly told her that if he got worse, he'd send him packing.

"Let it go Carrots," sighed Nick. He was about to return to his seat when he smelled that reek from the trashcan and gulped. Yvette was sitting again, patiently. Nick swayed and suddenly bolted off, covering his mouth. Judy only shook her head knowing how the day would be going.

"Dumb fox."