The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Nina carefully helped Amber out of the dim, musty basement, where Amber looked utterly exhausted and shaken. The entire squad stood frozen, their jaws slack with disbelief at the unexpected scene before them.

Grant’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Nina? Is that really you again?”

Alex’s shock was even more intense. His mind churned with frustration and resentment. *Why does she keep stealing my thunder? Who does she think she is?* he thought bitterly.

Suddenly, Simon appeared, dragging the subdued killer behind him. “Reporting, Captain Cole. We’ve got your suspect right here. We also found his weapon and the head of the zoo victim hidden down in the basement,” Simon announced, his voice steady and authoritative.

Grant blinked, a mixture of surprise and doubt flickering across his face. He motioned for two officers to seize the man. “So, you two siblings caught another one, huh?”

Alex adjusted his glasses, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. “Last time, I could chalk it up to luck. But this time? What’s your story? How did you uncover the killer’s hideout?”

He paused, then smirked, dripping with sarcasm. “Or did you just rat out a partner-in-crime for some quick cash?”

Grant shot a long, searching look at Nina and Simon, silently demanding answers.

All eyes were locked on them, the tension thick in the air.

Nina remained composed, her voice calm and steady. “I’m an expert animal communicator. I read animals’ signals and talk to them—that’s it.”

The Summers family had built their business empire around pets, and even Alex, with his criminal justice background, had heard whispers about animal communicators before.

Alex gave her a doubtful look. “You’ve been with the Summers for over twenty years, and I never knew you had this so-called ‘talent.’ An expert animal communicator, huh?” He air-quoted “expert” and let out a derisive laugh.

Nina simply shrugged. “You never asked.”

Alex was left momentarily speechless.

Grant, nearing forty and usually unshakable, looked completely bewildered. “Am I out of the loop? What exactly does an animal communicator do? Like, they actually *talk* to cats and dogs?”

Alex jumped in, eager to explain. “Captain, it’s a relatively new thing. With how obsessed people are with their pets these days, owners want to know what’s going on in their animals’ heads—why a dog suddenly stops eating or why a cat’s tearing up the couch.”

He glanced pointedly at Nina. “Animal communicators claim they can ‘telepathically’ connect with animals to help owners understand them.”

Grant frowned deeply. “Telepathy? Sounds like mystical nonsense to me.” The detective squad was all about hard evidence and scientific facts.

Alex snorted and shot Nina a pointed glare. “Honestly, ninety-nine percent of these so-called animal communicators are con artists. Maybe a couple are legit, but most? They just use psychology tricks, like fortune tellers.”

He narrowed his eyes, suspicion thick in his voice. “Nina, I wouldn’t put it past you to have cooked this whole story up just to cover your tracks.”

Nina stood her ground, her tone sharp and unwavering. “Maybe you’re just out of your depth. I’m not some fraud.”

“No way Nina’s a fake!” Amber suddenly blurted out, still trembling from the ordeal. “It was really her and Simon—and that Little Crow—they saved me. You should’ve seen how naturally she talked to that crow, like it was nothing.”

Alex glanced at his watch, clearly impatient. “Where are the medics? The victim’s already hallucinating and babbling nonsense.”

Amber shot him a fierce glare, frazzled and defensive. “Hey, I nearly got killed. I can vouch for them. Nina and Simon had nothing to do with that psycho.”

Clinging to Nina’s sleeve, she pleaded, “Nina, show them. Prove you really can talk to animals.”

Nina nodded and called softly to Little Crow, perched on a nearby tree branch. “Come on down, Little Crow.”

Everyone looked up expectantly, but the crow remained still.

Alex scoffed. “Seriously? You’re just making a fool of yourself.”

Grant frowned, ready to end the charade. “Nina, Simon, let’s head back to the station for questioning. If you’re innocent—”

Just then, the crow squawked at Nina, “That’s gonna cost you extra.”

Nina’s patience was wearing thin. She gritted her teeth. “Behave today, and when I get my bonus, I’ll buy you a necklace.”

Immediately, the crow swooped down excitedly, landing on her shoulder and nuzzling her affectionately. “Ms. Summer, you really are the best!”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify