Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 256: The Conflict Of Interest

"I pointed out a massive flaw in their nutritional ratios right then and there," Nina said. "I actually suggested they consult a real professional, someone like Nancy."

She paused, looking at Nancy with a puzzled expression. "Are you related to them? You share the same last name."

Nancy shook her head, a cold, mocking smile playing on her lips. "I used to live with the Summers family. I left quite a bit of research behind when I moved out, but instead of paying me royalties, they simply plagiarized my work and claimed it as their own."

Nina’s mind was sharp. Her expression shifted from confusion to dawning horror. "Wait. You think because I turned down their partnership, and they heard I was coming to team up with you, they lashed out like this?"

She shook her head, visibly shaken. "That is incredibly petty. Thank god I didn't sign anything with them. Who knows what they would have done to my business."

One of Nina’s students suddenly gasped, timidly raising a hand.

"Now that you mention it, I remember now. While you were talking to Mr. Chandler, I checked the time and hurried you along. I told you if we didn't leave right then, the delivery for the zoo would be late."

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "They definitely heard me say the truck was headed here."

"That’s it. Everything fits!"

Nina turned to Neil, her voice urgent.

"Officer, the trail is clear. You shouldn't be wasting your time here with us. You need to go pick up the Summers family and start questioning them immediately!"

Neil shook his head, his expression heavy. "At this point, it’s all speculation. We don't have a single piece of physical evidence linking Chandler or his daughter to the arson."

He added firmly, "I trust that Jack’s family wouldn't resort to this. We can't jump to conclusions without proof. We will question them as part of the procedure, but only when we have something concrete to back it up."

Nancy narrowed her eyes.

She was certain the Summers family was behind this. Now, she just needed to find the evidence to bury them.

Simon was clearly on the same page.

He tightened his grip, his face a mask of cold determination. "If they only found out about the delivery after meeting Nina, then the window for planting that handle was very small. It had to happen after the truck left the agricultural base."

Simon turned to the driver. "Think back. Did you stop anywhere on the way here?"

The driver frowned, racking his brain. "I stopped twice. Once at a convenience store to grab a pack of cigarettes, and once at the East Suburb gas station to use the restroom. After that, I came straight to the zoo."

Nancy caught the opening. "The zoo cameras show no one approached the truck after it arrived. The tampering happened during those two stops."

Simon didn't miss a beat. "Give me the exact times and locations for those stops."

He turned back to Neil. "We need to pull the surveillance footage from those two spots immediately."

Neil frowned. "You’re really that sure it’s Chandler? The man just lost a major business deal. He’s probably just nursing his pride. We work on evidence, Simon, not on personal grudges you and your sister have against the family."

Simon looked at his senior officer, his gaze calm.

Neil looked at the younger man, someone who had already headed major task forces, and felt a prickle of professional jealousy.

"Since we see things differently," Simon said, his voice quiet but steady, "let’s both look for the proof to support our claims."

Neil raised a brow. "Fine by me."

Nina seized the moment. "Does that mean we’re free to go?"

Neil had no reason left to hold them. He gave a sharp nod of dismissal.

Nancy started toward the truck to grab a sample of the feed for testing, but Neil cut her off. "The department will handle the laboratory testing through official channels. This is evidence now. We follow the protocol."

Nina reached out and took Nancy’s hand, her voice warm and eager. "Nancy, let the police handle the samples. I actually have a proposal for you. Are you interested in a partnership?"

Simon ruffled Nancy’s hair. "Go ahead and talk to Nina. I’ve got the investigation covered."

His eyes told her he had everything under control. Nancy nodded.

Once they were settled in the office, Nina got straight to the point.

"Ms. Nancy, we’ve been having a real headache with the test fields at our base."