Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 451: Nancy’s Realization

Barry looked at Antonio, his speech quickening. "Antonio, please make sure Nancy returns safely."

Back at the police station, Nancy’s mind was anything but calm.

Her thoughts swirled like the snow flurries outside the window. Infrasonic bird deterrents, soil scents to interfere with animals... their opponent didn't just understand biology; he was intimately familiar with their investigative methods.

Beside her, Antonio looked equally grave as he let out a low sigh.

"Mr. Langstrom certainly lives up to his reputation as a top biologist. This approach is as professional as it is efficient. He likely anticipated that if he stole the core reagents, we would use a beast-language consultant to track them down, given how many animals roam the snowy plains. He set up this animal-repelling barrier in advance, clearing out every potential animal witness within a ten-mile radius."

Nancy remained silent for a moment, her expression downcast. "Maybe... I shouldn't have started those live-streamed animal consultations? Mr. Langstrom was fired two months ago; he’s been planning this theft since then. He must have researched those viral clips of my streams and realized I could communicate with animals."

Simon reached out, gently ruffling his sister’s hair. "Nancy, don’t say that. Think about it. If people didn't know you could talk to animals, then the lives you’ve saved through those streams…"

"Jacob, who was being poisoned by his nanny, or Stella, who had a psychopath hiding in her closet... they likely wouldn't have made it. And there's no telling what would have happened to their animal companions."

Simon analyzed the situation for her with earnest concern. "Your existence is essentially a civilian animal dispatch center. Whenever people notice something wrong with a small animal, they know exactly who to call."

Antonio nodded in agreement. "In police work, most of what we see are irreversible crime scenes. We solve the case and catch the killer, but the victims... they don't come back."

As he spoke, images of grieving families flashed through his mind, and his voice grew heavy. "Some say the loss of a loved one is a dampness that lingers for a lifetime. You aren't just saving victims; you’re saving the entire family behind them. The more people who know about you, the more lives can be saved and the more potential crimes can be deterred."

Nancy looked up, her brow still furrowed. "But now that we have a case like Mr. Langstrom... will more criminals start guarding against animals or even harming them while committing crimes?"

Hearing this, Antonio couldn't help but shake his head.

He picked up an old-fashioned porcelain mug from the desk, brewed a cup of hot tea for Nancy, and pushed it toward her.

"Nancy," he said, his tone carrying the broad-mindedness of an elder. "Are you... imagining all criminals to be like those hyper-intelligent, flawless supervillains from the movies?"

He began counting off on his fingers.

"Who is Mr. Langstrom? He was the head of a top-tier national research project, a legitimate PhD in biology. He has the means to acquire professional sonic equipment and the expertise to develop specialized chemical agents that can repel animals for miles."

Antonio lifted his own mug, blowing on the steam before looking at Nancy.

"How many people like that do you think there are in all of Dracovia? You could count them on one hand. The vast majority of criminals don't even know where their next meal is coming from. You expect them to have the brains and the resources to pull off anti-animal counter-surveillance?"

Amidst the rising steam, Antonio’s smile was simple and reassuring.

Nancy had a moment of clarity.

If the world were crawling with high-IQ criminals like Langstrom, society would have collapsed long ago.

How would ordinary people survive?

Most people simply sought a stable life where they and their families were safe.

Those who committed crimes were a minority.

And those with elite knowledge capable of designing precision crimes were the minority within that minority.

Antonio gripped his mug, his voice reflecting the seasoned wisdom of a twenty-year career in criminal investigation.

"I’ve spent two decades in this field, and I can tell you the reality: over sixty percent of homicides start with an argument at a table. Someone loses their temper, grabs whatever is within reach, and strikes. In that moment, their brain is clouded with rage. Do you think they’ll stop and say, 'Wait, let me check if there’s a cat watching first?'"

Antonio paused. "As for those who plan their crimes, they used to worry about two things: being caught on camera or being seen by a person. Now? Well, thanks to you, they have to worry about cats, dogs, and birds too. Before they kill someone, are they going to have to write up a formal survey of the local wildlife?"

Nancy’s lashes fluttered as a look of realization dawned in her eyes.

"Even if they clear out every animal in sight, what if a stray cat leaps onto a wall and runs off right as they're doing the deed? Do they finish the job, or do they chase the cat to silence it? Do they hire a lookout just for animals? And who’s to say the lookout won't be spotted?"