new method, and the results have been staggering," said President Keyes as he showed them a complicated graph chart that meant little to nothing to the humble folks of Bunny Burrow. "Better crops, more abundant, less strain on the soil, and with far less work and effort than the traditional method. It's a win-win scenario for all."

"It's a win-win for you, buster!" came a loud voice from the audience.

Everyone turned and saw Cletus Hareington standing on his chair.

"But where's the catch, kindly tell us all!" said Cletus.

"My dear sir," said President Keyes smoothly. "I understand your concern and reticence, it is natural to feel apprehensive before a new and innovative prospect such as that which my firm is proposing."

"Don't you spew fancy words and try to muddle everybody up, mister!" yelled Cletus. "When something's too good to be true, it's 'cause it ain't true!"

Several people murmured in approval. Judy looked at Nick, reading his mind.

"Wise words there," whispered Nick.

"Totally," said Judy, remembering that Nick had said the same not long ago.

"I understand your position, dear sir," said President Keyes. "I assure you, I have only your best interest in my heart when I say that this project shall benefit both parts mutually."

Bonnie Hopps had an idea. She quietly moved away from her seat and hid behind a large old ram, then spoke loudly in a slurred voice.

"I heard you done bought up all them farms and kicked out the owners! Is that true?"

Judy and Nick noticed a twitch in Preston Keyes's face. He was caught.

"Um…dear lady…" said President Keyes, looking in a general direction, as he had not seen who had spoken. "The lands were indeed purchased by our firm…but the residents were not evicted, that is a false rumour raised by our competitors. I assure you everybody shall be free to live on their land for as long as they like and work in association with our firm…"

"Well, ain't that just dandy!" shouted Cletus loudly, playing to the crowd. "He's giving us permission to live on our land! Ain't that just the nicest thing in the world?!"

Several voices, now encouraged, spoke up. Judy noticed that Sheriff Shepard and his deputies did not make any move to stop Cletus or the neighbours from speaking. For once, they were in full agreement with Cletus and did not like the sound of this city rabbit's plan at all.

"Well, I'll hear no more of this tommyrot!" said Cletus. "I say you take your fancy clothes and words and all your tomfoolery with you, Mister Fancy-Pants, and go on back to your big ol' fancy rich city-slicker condo or penthouse or whatever and leave this town to its owners who know a darn thing or twenty 'bout putting seeds in the ground and makin' good crops! Go on! Git!"

The crowd was getting riled up. Several people booed and told President Keyes to get lost. President Keyes took his phone out and spoke to someone. Immediately, the door to the hall opened and three enormous grizzly bears walked down the aisle and to the stage, escorting President Keyes to the door. Several people followed, booing and telling him to leave. Cletus was at the front of the crowd.

As they got outside, a large black car stopped in front of the city hall.

"And don't you ever come back, you side-winding swindler!" shouted Cletus. "You want our land?! Here, this is all you'll get!"

He bent down and took a pawful of damp dirt. Then, with all his might, he flung it at President Keyes, getting the dirt all over his pristine suit and face.

One of the grizzly bears advanced upon Cletus. The old rabbit stood there, with his fists up.

"You want a piece o' me, you overgrown hearthrug?! Come an' get some!"

But before the bear could do anything else, Preston Keyes spoke.

"Jacques, enough."

The bear stopped. President Keyes looked at Cletus and…smiled. He bowed.

"My sincere apologies, good sir," said President Keyes. "I shall take my leave at once."

He climbed into the car, followed by his bodyguards, and they drove away.

"Way to go, Mr Hareington," said Nick. "You sure showed that old windbag."

Cletus turned to Nick. He said nothing, just gave the fox a dirty look. Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

"We cling to our roots," said Sheriff Shepard as he walked up beside Nick, watching Cletus leave. "For better and for worse, I'm afraid."

As the townsfolk returned to their homes, the black car drove back to the Mayor's home, where President Keyes was staying. Inside the car, President Keyes turned his head to look at the mole sitting next to him.

"Is it done?" he asked.

"M-Mission accomplished, sir," said George Jenkins nervously.

"Good," said President Keyes. He made no further questions.

Jenkins sighed mentally with relief. Then suddenly…

"I have one more mission for you, Jenkins," said President Keyes.

"Y-Yes, sir?"

"I do not appreciate rabble rousers getting in the way of my business," said President Keyes. "That uppity old rabbit. You saw him."

"Yes, s-sir, I witnessed the unfortunate event," said Jenkins.

"Good. Then you know what to do," said President Keyes. "Jacques?"

Jacques the bodyguard nodded and took a briefcase from under his seat, giving it to Jenkins. Jenkins opened it.

Inside was a dart gun. And three darts, filled with white liquid.

"Morris shall stay behind with the other car, just to make sure," said President Keyes. "Quick and clean. Call me when it's done."

"Y-Yes, sir," said Jenkins nervously as he closed the briefcase once more.

"Good," said Keyes with a nasty look on his face. "I shall tell Mrs Jenkins you will be a little late for your reunion. But you'll make it in the end."

"Y-Yes," said Jenkins, shaking a bit. "Thank you, s-sir…"

Garth was showing everyone the recording of George Jenkins he had captured while everyone was at the meeting. Judy and Nick watched and listened triumphantly as Jenkins incriminated not only himself, but President Preston Keyes as well.

"This is it!" said Judy. "Our golden ticket!"

"I'm sending this to Bea as we speak in an encrypted file," said Garth. "Along with the passkey to open it. If she shows this to the folks over there at the EPC, we've won half the battle!"

"Well done, Garth!" said Nick.

"Couldn't have done it without my partner!" said Garth, putting his paw on little Kevin's shoulder.

"Aww, it was nothin', Uncle Garth," said Kevin.

Amber kneeled down and kissed Kevin's cheek, hugging him snugly while Garth and the rest chanted: "Kevin Levin Little Colt! Faster than a lightning bolt!"

"Aww, shucks…." said Kevin, blushing pink.

"So what do we do now?" asked Bonnie.

"We wait for Bea to give us news," said Judy. "It's in her paws now."

Everyone nodded.

It had been a long day, filled with excitement. Everyone was happy to turn in early. Amber happily helped Bonnie and Judy to tuck the girls in and she read them a story before they drifted off to dreamland.

Bonnie and Stu said good night and retired. Judy and Nick hugged warmly and said goodnight, their hearts filled with hope that they'd soon bring the wicked to justice. Garth retired to his hammock up in the loft and was soon fast asleep.

The Hopps household slept peacefully that night. For the first time since this crisis had started, they all felt serene and confident that everything would turn out a-okay.

Monday morning was chilly but sunny. Nick watched the movement around the town square as he and Judy walked along the sidewalk beside Stu and Bonnie.

Amber and Garth were close behind, looking at the monuments in front of the city hall and taking in the lovely atmosphere of a small town in late October. Many folks were already carving their pumpkins with spooky faces, getting ready for the holiday.

"I could definitely get used to this," said Nick as he took a deep breath and watched the townsfolk going about their various concerns.

Cletus Hareington walked up the steps of the general store with a list in his paws. Everyone waited at the corner for Garth and Amber to catch up.

And it was then that Judy saw it. Parked halfway down the block, shining in the early morning light, was a black car. It was pristine, and its license plate was polished and spotless.

Like a carpet of fire in her mind, Judy remembered! She shook Nick's arm and pointed at the license plate.

"Nick! Look!"

He did, and it took him a few seconds to realise.

"43KFQ75," read Nick. "Wait a minute! That's…that's…"

"Yes!" said Judy.

They exchanged looks. That was the license plate of the car Judy had chased last Wednesday night, the night of the explosion that almost killed James Otterton.

"Is everything alright?" asked Bonnie, approaching them.

And right then, the car started to move. It drove slowly towards the general store, just as Cletus Hareington walked out with bags of supplies.

"C'mon, Carrots!" said Nick and they raced after the car. They ran past Amber and Garth, who saw them and immediately knew something was wrong. The opossum and coyote ran after their friends.

The car

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