Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 126: The Golden Career Path

"If they accumulate enough merit—say, by solving five major criminal cases or providing ten critical leads..."

He paused, enunciating every word with deliberate clarity: "We could consider granting them a 'Special Commission' as Official Animal Forensic Experts."

"A commission?!" Nancy’s heart skipped a beat. "You mean... like a state-level... government position?!"

The term, applied to animals, was absolutely staggering. Could these little creatures actually earn a permanent spot at the state's table?

"Exactly," Captain Simmons nodded firmly. "They would be integrated into a special sequence, with all their expenses covered by a dedicated national fund."

"Top-tier rations, private quarters, and the best medical care for life—until their very last day. Their names and photos would be officially recorded in the Police Merit Archives."

Nancy was too stunned to speak. She could only stare at Captain Simmons in a daze.

But he wasn't finished. He smiled and upped the ante: "Furthermore, if your zoo’s 'case conversion rate' reaches a certain threshold—say, a success rate of over seventy percent for leads..."

He scanned the room, revealing the ultimate vision: "We could apply to establish the 'National Base for Rare Animal Behavioral Research and Investigative Assistance.' We would station a top-tier official veterinary team on-site and fully upgrade your hardware and software facilities."

Looking at the frozen Nancy, he added with a touch of humor: "We can't have our little detectives relying on your personal pocket money for dried fish forever, can we? They deserve professional aspirations and security."

"They contribute to the nation, and the nation will take care of them for life!"

In that moment, Nancy felt as if a shimmering, golden road to the future had rolled out beneath her feet and those of her animal companions.

Meanwhile, Jack’s ears were ringing. He could see Captain Simmons' lips moving, but the words felt like poisoned needles pricking his eardrums.

"Special commission," "National fund," "Lifelong security," "Research base"...

Every phrase felt like a repeated slap to Jack's face. He had just given away a five-million-dollar painting just to get a lead from a collector! A bitter, metallic taste of blood rose in the back of his throat. He only managed to steady himself by grasping at a sudden, desperate thought.

Nancy suppressed her excitement and crouched down, using the simplest terms to share the details of Captain Simmons' plan with the animals.

The second she finished, the animal group erupted.

Master Crow was the first to flap his wings and fly toward her, his black eyes shining with an intense light. "Bonus! Can you give us gold coins? I would love to count the coins myself!" With a crow's hoarding instincts, he had thousands of potential treasure troves already mapped out.

Corry the squirrel immediately stopped gnawing on his pinecone. He instinctively adjusted an imaginary pair of glasses on his nose, trying to adopt the air of a serious scholar. "A specialist? Is it like the awesome specialists from the news?" He was already wondering if he should get himself a tiny bow tie.

His brother, Bobby, popped his head out from a pile of pinecone scales, his eyes wide as he focused on a different priority. "Wait! Does this mean I can eat as must as I want, whatever I want? And the government's gonna pay for it?" He began counting on his paws. "Imported pine nuts, grade-A hazelnuts, select pumpkin seeds..." The dizzying sensation of happiness nearly made him tumble off the table.

The Tabby gracefully lowered its paw, its glass-like eyes scanning the other animals before its tail gave a lazy, elegant flick. His voice carried its usual cold arrogance, but a hint of satisfaction could be detected. "Animal specialists huh? It does sound pretty fitting of myb grandeur!"

At that moment, the cockatiel—who had been obsessively chanting "Bonus! Bonus!"—finally shut her beak, satisfied with the Captain's finalized reward plan.

A second later, her little head dipped down with lightning speed. Whoosh! She submerged her entire head into Captain Simmons' untouched teacup, drinking with loud, thirsty gulps!

Simmons was startled for a moment before shaking his head with a helpless, indulgent smile. "Drink up, little one. You must be parched after all that shouting."

The cockatiel finished her fill and looked up, several bright yellow feathers still dripping with water droplets. She turned triumphantly to Master Crow, her eyes sparkling for praise. "Master Crow! How did I do? My shouting helped secure that bonus, didn't it?"

Master Crow looked down at her, tilting his head for two seconds of deep thought before speaking in a condescending, "benevolent" tone. "Tsk. Barely passing. Although you didn't actually participate in the arrest..." He paused, as if making a monumental sacrifice. "Fine. Since you were so loud and persistent, I suppose I’ll share a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of my bonus with you this once."

Nancy’s jaw dropped. She couldn't help but whisper, "Heavens! The iron-fisted crow is actually parting with some treasure? To get money out of Master Crow’s beak... that must be true love!"

She shook her head with a smile, turning her gaze away from the "Debt-Collecting Duo." She looked at the quiet Simon beside her and, remembering something important, turned back to Captain Simmons.