Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 109: The Apology

The three adult water snakes nodded in immediate unison.

The largest and sturdiest of the trio couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Nancy, I noticed that Fog Tooth and the others get paid for being instructors." It shifted its weight, its long body wriggling bashfully. "Can we get paid for being guides?"

The other two snakes chimed in eagerly, "We want to earn our own keep too."

"That way, Ms. Nancy won't have to work so hard!"

To them, Ms. Nancy seemed so delicate, yet she looked after an entire zoo of animals. It was far too much for her to shoulder alone.

Hearing their concern, Nancy felt a sharp sting in her nose. She turned to Sam, her voice softening. "Sam, the three water snake comrades were wondering... do they get a salary for acting as guides for the Archaeological Research Institute?"

Sam looked down at the three bashful water snakes. Suddenly, these massive, dark creatures seemed almost endearing.

"Yes, of course they do!" Sam declared. "I’ll make sure to squeeze a hefty labor dispatch fee out of those old geezers at the Institute for you!"

The three snakes burst into an excited, undulating water snake dance. Nancy smiled, tossing them a few small fish as a reward.

Just then, a forensic officer stepped off the fishing boat, having finished collecting evidence. "Sam, we found this wedged in the gaps of the deck planks."

He held up a transparent evidence bag containing a fountain pen. It was elegant and ornate, engraved with the words: Distinguished Worker of the Northwest Archaeological Research Institute.

Simon’s breath hitched. "Professor Korbin used to work at the Northwest Institute. This is his pen."

"There’s more," the officer added, nodding. "This confirms it."

He produced a second bag containing a crumpled shopping receipt. The front showed a purchase Professor Korbin had made: a pair of dance knee pads. On the back, written in shaky, crooked characters, were three words:

"I am sorry."

"The receipt was wrapped tightly around the pen," the officer explained. "Professor Korbin must have been held in isolation. He likely waited for a moment when the tomb raiders weren't looking to jam it into the deck. He probably hoped that one day, the police would find it and know he had been on this boat. It was also..."

The officer trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

It was Professor Korbin’s final message to his grandson, Errol.

Silence fell over the group as they stared at the two pieces of evidence. Nancy looked at Sam, her expression solemn. "Can Errol leave the interrogation room now? He has a major recording session tomorrow. He’s supposed to show his grandfather’s life’s work to the world. He needs to rest tonight to be at his best."

Sam nodded. "Organize the files. We’re heading back to headquarters. Leave three officers to secure the scene."

The group departed in a somber procession, heading back to Townsville Police Headquarters.

Inside the interrogation room at headquarters, the harsh, pale light beat down on Errol’s exhausted face. He clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.

"The bracelet broke because I snatched it during an argument with my grandfather," he rasped. "My aunt bought that insurance policy for him. The beneficiary was changed three months ago because she decided to settle in Murica and never come back. My grandfather did it out of spite."

Jack watched him with cold indifference. "Keep spinning your stories. I know your type. Your grandfather raised you with his blood and sweat, and you’re just an ungrateful brat who did nothing but break his heart."

Errol snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You don't understand anything!" His voice was raw. "Tomorrow is the World Urban Dance Championship recording. Our choreography is going to show my grandfather's discoveries to the entire world!"

"To the world?" Jack interrupted with a mocking sneer. "With you? Stop lying to yourself." He leaned in, his shadow looming over Errol like a shroud. "You've been crooked from the start. There's no saving someone like you."

"I got the answers wrong!" Errol suddenly exploded, lunging forward. "But that doesn't make me a bad person! Everyone is good at different things!" He was shaking uncontrollably. "Grandfather’s discoveries... I’m reinterpreting them through street dance... that was what he was most proud of..."

Jack shook his head. "You were never his pride."

Suddenly, the door to the interrogation room slammed open!

Nancy and Simon stood in the doorway. Jack narrowed his eyes, his lip curling. "Interrupting an interrogation is a serious disciplinary offense! You two—"

Before he could finish, Nancy had already crossed the room in a few swift strides.

"The real culprits are in custody."

Nancy slapped the crime scene evidence reports directly onto the table in front of Jack. "Under Article 118 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the discovery of new evidence requires the immediate termination of an interrogation." She let a cold, sharp smile play on her lips. "Or have you forgotten the basic laws of your own profession?"