Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 103: The Eyewitnesses Of The River

As the green-haired youth finished speaking, his voice dropped, heavy with regret. "Who would’ve thought... we haven't even filmed the video yet, and his grandfather is already..."

The shorter youth looked equally defeated. "Even those top-tier choreographers respect Errol. They call him 'The Kid.' They said his ideas were brilliant and let him take the lead on a lot of the design because Errol actually understands the history behind it."

"Even the cultural department and the sponsors said this was a huge opportunity to show off Dracovian culture to the world."

"If we make it to the world championships, there’s prize money, and it’ll be all over the news, both here and abroad."

"That’s why tomorrow afternoon is so critical!" the yellow-haired youth pleaded. "It’s not just for Errol’s future—it’s so his grandfather’s life’s work can be shown to the world."

"And Errol isn't just a talker," the green-haired youth added, remembering something vital. "He’s incredibly agile! He’s been dodging his family's hits since he was a kid."

"Backflips, elbow spins, all the heavy power moves—he’s a pro. There’s a specific 'Dragon’s Eye' move in this routine that’s the climax of the whole dance. He’s the only one who can do it. Without him, the whole performance loses its soul!"

The boys spoke all at once, their explanations a bit chaotic as they struggled to find the right terms for artifacts and traditions. But despite their lack of polish, the urgency of their message was clear.

Nancy realized why they were so desperate. Errol carried the weight of showcasing his grandfather’s legacy through dance. The timing was razor-sharp; if he wasn't there at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon in top form, everyone's hard work would be wasted.

The youths turned to the officers with desperate eyes. The yellow-haired boy clasped his hands together in a traditional plea. "Officers, please, you have to find a way to get Errol out."

"He couldn't have killed his own family," the green-haired boy said, his face crumpled. "He’s a good guy. He led our practice and even helped us get commercial gigs so we could earn some real money. Errol never kept his share—he gave it to me so I could buy medicine for my grandmother."

Nancy and Simon exchanged a look, both seeing the same complexity and gravity in the other's eyes.

"We’ll do our best," Nancy promised.

The siblings spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the outdoor spots where Errol supposedly practiced. They found nothing but woods and open lawns—places without a single surveillance camera. There was no way to verify when he arrived or how long he stayed. They had no direct evidence to clear his name.

As dusk approached, Nancy brought Master Crow along as she and Simon returned to the crime scene at the Ninesmokes River. Simon carried a bucket of small fish Nancy had bought at the market—bounties for the local water birds.

The river was eerily quiet under the twilight sky. The area where Professor Korbin’s body had been found remained cordoned off.

Nancy fed a morsel to Master Crow in his cage, acting the part of a loyal assistant. "That’s the situation, Boss. Think you can help us find some 'eyewitness' birds?"

She was fully prepared for the crow to demand an extortionate price for the favor. To her surprise, Master Crow simply flapped his wings with an air of cold superiority. "Just stay there, and I'll get my boys to ask around."

Did he suddenly lose his greed? Nancy wondered. "You actually have connections by the river?"

Master Crow puffed out his chest, looking incredibly smug. "The heron flies everywhere, and the birds down the creek answer only to him."

Nancy reached out and gently poked his round chest. "Right. My brother says the body was likely dragged ashore, not washed down from upstream. Start by asking around downstream."

Master Crow immediately turned his head away and tucked his wings across his chest, looking offended. "Hmph! Obviously! I already knew that!"

He blinked his beady eyes, gauging the flow of the water, before letting out a sharp, haughty caw. "But, which way is upstream and which way is downstream! Gosh, can't you just state everything clearer!"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong," Nancy laughed, pointing him in the right direction.

The crow took flight, heading toward the riverbank. He flew a few paces before circling back to give a sharp cry. "Hey um… Don't forget… the cookies! I want a new flavor! It's not that I want to eat them… I just want to reward my boys!"

"I know, you grumpy bird!" Nancy laughed as she watched his silhouette disappear into the gloom.

While they waited for word from the crow, Nancy and Simon stood by the railing, their reflections shimmering in the dark water.

Nancy leaned against the cold metal and finally asked the question she’d been holding back. "You haven't really told me about our parents."

Since Simon had been seconded to the city bureau, he had been a ghost. Nancy had been bursting with questions.

At the mention of their parents, Simon’s tone grew heavy. "Our father’s name was James. He was a regular patrol officer. His grave is about fifty kilometers away; I’ll take you there when I get some time off. Our mother’s maiden name was Summers. Tammy Summers. She was highly educated, but she left when I was six. Dad never found out where she went."

Nancy’s heart skipped a beat at the name. "Summers? Is there any connection between her and the Summers family in Townsville?"