Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 52: The Collision

Barry intentionally looked down at the girl in his arms, a trace of a smirk on his lips. "You can't even stand on your own, yet you're so insistent on clinging to me."

Nancy’s fingers tightened in frustration, her nails nearly digging into the lean muscle of Barry’s arm. The nerve of this man! He made it sound like she was the one taking advantage of him. She had pushed herself to the limit just to lead the way and help the Goodman family find the killer, and now he was twisting the facts?

"Stop talking nonsense and put me down this instant!"

Nancy struggled to get free, but the moment her feet hit the ground, her knees buckled. She would have collapsed if Simon hadn't been quick enough to catch her.

Simon steadied his sister, subtly stepping in to put distance between her and Barry. His large, warm hand supported the small of Nancy’s back, while his other hand moved instinctively toward the baton at his waist.

"Hey!"

Nancy quickly pressed down on Simon's wrist. "The suspect is caught, and the boy is safe. Let's just get back to the villa. I haven't eaten all day—I’m absolutely starving."

She turned back to Barry. "Let's head back. I still haven't had that meal room service was supposed to bring me."

Both men let out a simultaneous huff of cold annoyance. The air between them crackled with an invisible, silent tension.

Simon pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and handed it to Nancy. "Eat this for now." Ever since he learned about his sister’s fragile health, he made sure to carry snacks with him everywhere.

As Nancy took the chocolate, she noticed a purplish bruise on Simon’s brow. His elbows and fingers were also covered in small, angry scrapes.

"How did you get these injuries?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"It's nothing. I took a spill on the motorcycle; I wasn't paying enough attention," Simon replied, shaking his head dismissively. "The station got a call about a homicide at Critters Villa. I remembered you were here because of the storm and I couldn't reach you. I was worried sick..."

Nancy realized then that she’d had no signal while in the pine forest. Her brother must have been frantic.

"Jack refused to let me fly with him, claiming the helicopter was at capacity," Simon said, his tone casual despite the grueling journey he’d just made. "Since the mountain pass is closed to cars, I borrowed a motorcycle from a friend in traffic enforcement to make the climb."

Simon made it sound simple, but Nancy knew exactly how treacherous those roads were in this weather. Her heart swelled with emotion. "Don't worry, I'll take better care of myself."

Simon patted her head. "I believe you." He didn't hold back his praise. "You've cracked another case. You did good."

Nancy gave a cheeky grin. "We’re one step closer to that house and car bonus!"

While the siblings shared their warm moment, Barry walked ahead of them, his solitary silhouette looking cold and detached in the rain.

Suddenly remembering there was one more loose end, Nancy jogged a few steps to catch up. "When I was tracking the suspect toward the pine forest east of the fountain, I didn't run into the killer at first. Instead, I ran into a creep who tried to assault me."

Simon’s body tensed instantly. "Nancy! Are you hurt?"

Nancy shook her head, a hint of pride in her voice. "I have the local wildlife watching my back!" She turned back to Barry. "I managed to subdue the lecher and tied him to a tree. Could you have your guards bring him in for police questioning?"

Barry gave a sharp nod to his men, and two guards immediately vanished into the woods toward the location she described.

By the time the group returned to the guest wing of Critters Villa, the lobby was a scene of controlled chaos. Jack was in the middle of a massive sweep, flanked by officers and security guards.

Dozens of people—both guests and staff—were lined up for inspection.

Jack adjusted his metal-rimmed glasses, his voice authoritative. "Every male with a size 41 shoe and a lean, tall build needs to be brought forward for questioning immediately."

Norman sat on a chair a servant had brought out, watching the slow process with growing agitation. At this rate, when would they ever find his grandson?

Errol sat beside him, offering hollow comforts. "Trust the police, Norman. They know what they're doing."

When Nancy, Barry, and Simon appeared at the entrance, every eye in the room turned toward them.

Jack’s expression soured the moment he locked eyes with Simon. A flash of pure loathing crossed his face. He couldn't believe this eyesore of a man had managed to show up at Critters Villa after all.

"Simon, you're just in time," Jack said, his tone dripping with condescension. "We're short-handed for the sweep. Get over here and help with the processing."

Simon didn't have a pleasant word for anyone other than his sister. "I refuse."

"This method of yours is a waste of time. It's laughably inefficient."

Jack’s brow furrowed. "And I suppose a lowly officer transferred from a rural station has a superior perspective?"

Ginnie, who was hovering near Jack pretending to be helpful, froze the moment she saw Simon. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Why was her poor excuse of a brother—the man who had scraped together every penny to put her through university—here?

She gripped her clipboard so hard her nails nearly pierced the paper. Was Simon here to humiliate her? Was he going to demand she pay back the tuition and living expenses he’d spent years working to provide?