Nick and Francine (with some difficulty) boarded the train
towards the canals. Usually there was a long line, but being a police officer
had its perks. They badged their way on the next train North. During most of
the ride, they sat in companiable silence. That was something Nick appreciated about
the elephant. She was always happy to talk, but generally could tell when Nick
wanted to be left alone and wouldn’t pester him. They wound their way through
the main city, then alongside Tundratown, where the passengers could adjust
their thermostats to compensate for the frigid air. Nick and Judy often cranked
the thermostat on their trips, but this time he didn’t mind. The cold sharpened
his senses, and besides, Francine didn’t need the warm air. As they traveled,
Nick looked through the case file. It was as Francine had said: a couple of
missing young beavers, male and female, had disappeared. They weren’t related,
so possibly a teen couple running away? The family had filed the report 2 days
ago, and the beavers had been missing a total of 3 days. Longer than a quick
elope then.
Nick broke the silence. “We need to check hotels and the
cameras” he mused. “It’s unlikely they would still be missing if this was just
a stunt they pulled, but you never know.” Francine quirked an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t
we be better off starting by interviewing the family, and anyone on the street
who may have seen which direction they went?”
“Not if we want any answers. The canal district folk won’t
talk to outsiders. That’s just the way it is. Besides, Camera’s don’t lie.”
Francine nodded at his advice. She had never been this way before, and trusted
the fox t know what he was talking about. The train was now passing through the
Rainforest District, and through it’s impressive waterfall. As a youngling, she
would often open the window and stick her trunk out to drink from the waterfall
as they passed under it. Now that she was an officer, she found she often had
to downplay her quirky nature.
2 comments:
Often had to downplay her quirky nature though eh? Sounds like she was the white elephant in the room one too many times!
Quirky elephant! :) I love those little details. It makes me happy to know she's a fun character, even if we only get glimpses.
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