Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 38: The Art Of The Deal

Nancy looked at Barry with a newfound sense of wonder.

Jacob had mentioned that Barry was a medical prodigy. He’d entered a top-tier medical school at fifteen and completed his doctorate by twenty-two. He should have taken over the Goodman family’s pharmaceutical empire immediately, but his stepmother had schemed to have him sent abroad as a combat medic instead.

That kind of life was more than just exhausting—it was harrowing.

He would have faced hundreds of casualties a day, tending to horrific wounds while never getting enough sleep. He lived in a cycle of saving lives and scavenging for supplies, all while dodging bullets, avoiding landmines, and fighting off infectious diseases.

As Nancy looked at him, her gaze softened with a mixture of respect and a trace of pity she didn't even realize was there.

Barry, however, felt a prickle of annoyance at the way she was looking at him—it was the exact same way she looked at a wounded animal.

He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "What has Star been telling you now?"

That dog had no filter. He was probably leaking all of Barry’s secrets.

Nancy’s tone was much gentler than before. "Star said you’ve been through a lot of pain, so he wants to be as brave as you are."

A flicker of warmth finally touched Barry’s cold eyes. When he looked at the wolfhound, it was clear he viewed the animal as his only real family.

Just then, Jacob poked his head in.

Meeting Barry’s piercing gaze, Jacob shrank back slightly. "Mr. Goodman, I’m just here to check on Star..."

Barry gave him a flat look. "You’re here to check on the supercars in my garage."

Jacob chuckled and found a seat. He was the middleman for this consultation, after all, and he was expecting a cut.

Nancy refocused and performed a series of psychological tests and communications with Star. Finally, she delivered her diagnosis: "Star is suffering from Canine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

"It likely wasn't obvious when you first returned, but it’s worsened over time. He’s frequently confusing reality with his memories of the war zone, which triggers these violent outbursts."

Barry went still.

Jacob gasped. "Mr. Goodman, isn't that exactly what you have?"

He turned to Nancy. "Can you actually cure him?"

Nancy tightened her grip on her medical kit, her eyes resolute. "I can try. I’d say there’s an eighty percent chance of success."

"My advantage is that I can communicate with him directly. I can adapt human psychological trauma treatments into signals he understands to help him strip away those bloody memories."

Jacob slapped his thigh in excitement. "Perfect! I knew I found the right person!"

"Mr. Goodman has severe PTSD too. He suffers from chronic insomnia and nightmares. He can only get a few hours of sleep if Star is right there beside him."

Nancy glanced at the faint dark circles under Barry’s eyes. It seemed the man's insomnia was even worse than she’d imagined.

"But Star is getting more unstable," Jacob continued. "When the dog loses it at night, Mr. Goodman can’t sleep either. It’s a vicious cycle."

Jacob pressed his hands together in a silent plea to Nancy. "If you save Star, you’re saving Mr. Goodman. That’s double the merit! It deserves a bonus!"

Nancy caught the hint immediately. Jacob was signaling for her to push for more money. Having a middleman who knew the game was incredibly helpful.

Barry’s face darkened. He looked like he wanted to toss Jacob out the window. Both the human and the dog in this room seemed to be siding with Nancy against him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Twenty million."

Nancy’s heart skipped a beat at the number. Her head spun with the sound of imaginary gold coins clinking together.

"Ten million is the base fee, paid in installments," Barry said coldly. "The other ten million is a bonus, to be transferred the moment Star is fully recovered."

"Furthermore, I will grant you one personal request, provided it is within my power."

Nancy was ready to agree on the spot, but Barry wasn't finished.

"However, for the duration of the treatment, you must stay by my side and Star’s side. You will be on call twenty-four hours a day."

He looked at her frail frame, already calculating how to feed her properly and fix her poor health during her stay. She looked so sickly that he was worried his "lead doctor" might drop dead if he didn't keep an eye on her. After all, he probably wouldn't find another animal communicator in this lifetime.

"During this time," Barry added, "you are not to take leave unless it is an emergency. You will follow my arrangements."

The smile vanished from Nancy’s face. How was this any different from a prison sentence?

"Star’s treatment doesn't require twenty-four-hour supervision," she argued, trying to be reasonable. "I only need to do two or three sessions a week and adjust based on his progress. If there’s an emergency, you can just call me."

"In an emergency," Barry countered, "being right here is faster."

Nancy arched an eyebrow. "Then why don't you just let me take Star back to my sanctuary?"

"I told you," Barry said, his tone brooks no argument, "I need him there so I can sleep."

Nancy bit her lip, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "Fine! Then you should just move into the sanctuary with him!"