In the original plot, Nick was framed for a crime. They changed it now. AFAIK, Nick is either just an eye witness or a last person seen with the missing animal. He doesn't have a stake in his partnership with Judy in this plot they went with. So I wonder why he stays with her for the rest of the story. He's a conman so maybe he's working some kind of money related angle. Maybe a reward. Plus I don't think Judy's the type to ask him for help more than the info he can share. Cops don't ask civilians to accompany them in investigation work. I wonder how they're forced into this partnership.