Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 418: Professional Standards

"When it comes to acting, I am a professional."

Nancy had another concern. She had learned from Ramsay that the lead role Devon was auditioning for was for a new film by an international director known for making blockbusters. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"If this affects your audition, do not worry," Nancy promised. "Once I have cleared the air on my end, I will personally explain the situation to the organizers and ensure you get a fair shot."

To her surprise, Devon let out a soft, relaxed chuckle. His tone was remarkably level-headed.

"Nancy, there will always be other auditions. But right now, rooting out the people around me who mean me harm is the priority. It is a matter of safety and principle. I know how to pick my battles. Besides, I am confident I can still pull this off."

No wonder the guy managed to sweep the awards at such a young age, Nancy thought. That kind of composure and professional instinct was rare.

She quickly gave him her final instructions. "Try to push your spot in the order as late as possible to buy us some time. Our people will arrive ahead of schedule to monitor everyone moving between the lounge and the audition room. We will find our opening."

"Understood," Devon replied firmly.

Suddenly, his voice dropped an octave. "They are here."

The sound of an assistant’s footsteps and voice came through clearly. "Devon, your tea is ready."

Nancy’s expression hardened. "Follow the plan. Keep the line open." She hung up and sped toward the Wonder Hotel with the officers.

They arrived in record time. Once inside the lobby, Nancy sent a quick text to Devon’s phone: "In position."

Inside the lounge, Devon was already putting on a performance. He let out a series of suppressed, painful-sounding coughs, his brow furrowed in distress.

His assistant was pacing frantically. "Devon, we can't wait any longer! There is only one person left before you! But my throat..." Devon’s voice was raspy, every word sounding like a struggle. "...There is no choice. I have to go in."

He took a deep breath, wearing an expression of desperate determination as he headed toward the audition room.

Almost the second he stepped inside, an undercover officer disguised as a janitor entered the lounge with a cleaning cart. While wiping down the corner of a table, he discreetly released a tiny gecko onto the top of the curtain rod.

It was the same little detective that had proven its worth in the chimney corpse case. It had a nearly zero presence and was almost impossible to spot.

The gecko clung to the high wall, its miniature tracker working silently. It stared with wide, unblinking eyes at the specific tea cup on the coffee table. Nancy said to follow whoever touches that cup!

After all the insect buffets it had enjoyed at the zoo, it was determined to pay Nancy back.

Before long, the door to the lounge opened and closed as three staff members cycled through. The gecko’s head followed each shadow until the third person entered. A young man in a hotel waiter’s uniform wearing white gloves.

He went through the motions of clearing the tables, but as he passed the coffee table, he moved with lightning speed, snatching the dedicated tea cup and saucer and sliding them into the bottom of his cleaning cart.

The gecko tensed. "He moved! The tea is gone!"

The tiny body blurred into a gray shadow, darting across the walls, ceiling, and door frames with incredible speed. It slipped out of the lounge unnoticed, staying glued to the trail of the cleaning cart.

Simultaneously, the dot representing the gecko on Nancy’s monitoring tablet began to move rapidly.

"The gecko is on the move!" an officer reported. "It has left the lounge and is heading toward the service corridor!"

"Perfect!" Nancy looked up. "Notify Team B to tail them immediately. Stay out of sight. We are closing the net!"

The suspect glanced around warily, confirming he wasn't being followed before breaking into a fast walk and ducking into an employee passage.

Seconds later, he re-emerged in a nondescript hotel work uniform, attempting to blend into the crowd and slip away. He thought his transition was flawless, completely unaware that a small gecko was trailing him like a silent shadow.

The man kept up a brisk pace until he was clear of the hotel, stopping finally at a secluded trash collection point. He scanned the area one last time, then unscrewed the lid of a thermos, preparing to pour the tea and its dregs into a bin.