Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 384: Backing And High Stakes

Before the victory banquet wrapped up, Graham delivered on every promise he had made to Nancy, plus a few surprises.

He gestured to two soldiers standing nearby. "Nancy, for your protection, we have assigned two security officers to you."

The two officers stood tall and snapped into a crisp salute. Nancy felt the weight of it. This was real backing.

"On top of that, your zoo is being officially designated as a Military-Civilian Cooperation Pilot Site," Graham announced. "The military will put up over five million in annual operating funds. We are also doing a complete overhaul of your security systems. Everything from the cameras and fencing to the infrared sensors and scanning gear will be upgraded to military grade."

Nancy did some quick math and her eyes lit up. That security system alone would save her tens of millions, and it would be far more advanced than anything she could buy on her own.

"Finally," Graham said as he took an official appointment letter from his aide and handed it to Nancy. "We are formally hiring you as a Strategic Animal Communications Consultant for the Northwest Military Region. You will have the full status and benefits of a technical officer."

Nancy skimmed the contract. The list of benefits was huge. She had landed another consulting gig with a base monthly salary over thirty thousand. Between the talent subsidies and performance bonuses, she was looking at over a million a year in guaranteed pay.

As they walked, Graham led Nancy to the system to record her facial recognition and fingerprints. "Since you live in Townsville, the military will open a special channel for you. If a mission comes up, you can take a military flight directly to the Northwest with door to door transport."

"Military airfields?" Nancy’s eyes widened. She actually had access to them now.

Holding the appointment letter and looking at her new security detail, she realized her zoo was no longer just a local attraction.

Simon, who had acted as Nancy’s shadow during the mission, was awarded a medal of honor and a special award for military and police cooperation. Graham pinned the medal to Simon’s chest and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"I have already sent a recommendation letter to the National Police Headquarters," Graham said with visible respect.

Simon’s performance had been perfect. His targets were not people, but the devices in their hands. His precision was so high that the resulting shrapnel had not even scratched the suspects. Anyone in the business would know how much skill that took.

"I almost want to steal you for the army," Graham admitted. "With your talent, you should have been a household name in the service years ago." He paused, remembering something. "Why didn't you compete in the National Sniper Trials last year?"

Simon’s expression remained calm. "I was just a patrol officer at a small town station then. I did not have the standing to enter."

Graham’s gaze sharpened. He caught the inconsistency immediately. "I have seen your file. Top of your class at the National Police University, countless awards. A resume like that ending up in a remote rural station does not make sense." He lowered his voice. "I suspect someone was pulling strings. Missing that competition probably was not an accident either."

"I think so too!" Nancy chimed in, her face set in a look of absolute certainty.

Simon nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on something distant. "I suspect the hand behind it is in Bellwood. I just don't know if it is the Summers family trying to keep me down, or if it has something to do with the old case involving my father." He looked at Graham. "Next month, I am heading to Bellwood with the provincial leads for the Elite Exchange Summit. We will see who loses their cool and makes a move then."

"Good!" Graham nodded firmly. "If you need anything, just say the word. Clearing obstacles for you is clearing risks for our own operations. I have old friends in the police force who will have your back."

The military kept its word.

With the mission over, Graham arranged for the siblings to head to the Northwest’s most famous desert resort to unwind. It was a high end tourist destination that featured a massive wildlife park, a place Nancy had wanted to visit for a long time.

That evening, the security detail drove Nancy and Simon toward the resort hotel. The SUV sped along the vast desert highway as the sun set like a ball of fire in the distance.

As they reached an open stretch of dunes, a sudden, blinding light appeared ahead, completely out of place in the natural landscape. Nancy looked through the window and saw a section of the dunes lit up as bright as day.