The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 80

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**Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**
**Chapter 80**

The air was thick with tension as Andrew and the others implored Nina and Simon for assistance. Their voices mingled in a desperate chorus, each word laced with urgency.

“Please, we need your help to get Ian out of this mess, and fast!” Andrew’s eyes were wide with worry, pleading for understanding.

Paul stood beside him, his voice trembling, on the brink of tears. “He would never hurt his grandpa! Ian is a good guy. He’s always been there for us.”

With a deep breath, he continued, “He taught us how to dance on the streets and even got us gigs so we could finally make some money. He never kept a dime for himself. He gave his share to me so I could buy medicine for my grandma.”

Nina and Simon exchanged a glance, their expressions heavy with the weight of the situation. The complexity of the case loomed over them like a dark cloud, casting shadows on their resolve.

Nina nodded slowly, determination flickering in her eyes. “We’ll do everything we can.”

With that, Nina and Simon set off to investigate the locations where Andrew had said Ian often practiced. They combed through open-air spots—wooded groves and grassy fields—but all were devoid of any security cameras. The absence of surveillance left them in a frustrating void, unable to pinpoint when Ian had been there or how long he had stayed. Without concrete evidence, proving his innocence would be an uphill battle.

As twilight descended, Nina picked up Little Crow, cradling him gently in her arms, and headed back toward the crime scene at Misty River with Simon trailing behind. Simon carried a bucket filled with small fish, a reward Nina had procured from the market, intended for any waterfowl that might have witnessed the tragic events.

The river appeared hauntingly still in the dimming light. The murder that had recently shocked the community hung heavily in the air, leaving the area eerily deserted. The spot where Leonard’s body had been discovered remained cordoned off, a grim reminder of the violence that had shattered their peace.

Nina busied herself feeding Little Crow in his cage, attempting to sweeten him up for the task ahead. “Alright, Mr. Crow, here’s the deal: can you help us track down any eyewitness birds?” she asked, her tone light but earnest.

She half-expected Little Crow to dismiss her request, as he had done before. Instead, to her astonishment, he flapped his wings with an air of cool detachment. “Don’t wander off. Let me ask around.”

Nina was caught off guard by his willingness to cooperate. “You’ve got friends down by the river?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Little Crow puffed up with pride, his attitude radiating confidence. “My pal Golden Eagle runs this place. Any water birds hanging around here? The moment they spot him, they’d be groveling for mercy.”

Nina crouched down and playfully poked Little Crow in his round chest. “Oh, by the way, the body was probably dragged ashore, not washed down from upstream. Please start asking around downstream.”

Little Crow turned his head dramatically, crossing his wings with a huff. “Well, do you really think I need you to spell out something so basic? I’ve known that since forever!”

His beady little eyes flickered as he contemplated the river’s flow, and then he puffed himself up, asking in a haughty tone, “Well then, where’s upstream and where’s downstream? You never bother to explain these things.”

“Alright, my bad,” Nina chuckled softly, stifling her laughter as she pointed out the direction of the river’s flow.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Little Crow strutted toward the water, head held high. But just a few steps in, he spun around, reminding her, “Oh, don’t forget the bird snacks! Make sure they’re the new flavors. Not for me, okay? I’m gonna hand them out as bonuses to my crew.”

Nina couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of Little Crow actually having a crew. “Well, Mr. Crow actually has a crew now?” she mused, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Hearing his smug yet gleeful declaration, Nina finally let out a hearty laugh. “Yeah, I hear you, kiddo.”

As they waited for Little Crow’s update, Nina and Simon stood by the river, their reflections mingling in the water, the shadows of their shared family features flickering just beneath the surface.

Nina leaned over the railing, curiosity bubbling inside her. “Simon, you’ve never told me about Mom and Dad.”

Since Simon had been seconded to the city police, he had been working tirelessly, leaving Nina with a myriad of unanswered questions. She had kept them bottled up, wary of bringing them up until now, when the quiet moment finally afforded her the chance.

When it came to their parents, Simon’s voice turned somber. “Our dad’s name was John Reed. He was just an ordinary cop. His grave is about fifty miles away. I’ll take you there when I manage to get some time off.”

He paused, gathering his thoughts. “Our mom’s last name was Summer. Her first name was Tanya, I think. She was very well-educated, but she left when I was six. Dad never knew where she went.”

Nina’s heart sank at the mention of their mother’s last name. “So, is she connected to the Summer family here in Jelasburg?” she asked, a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Simon shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes. “No, it’s just a coincidence. That’s probably one of the reasons people got so confused about us being switched at birth.”

Disappointment flickered across Nina’s face, but Simon continued, “Mom left behind some handwritten notes. I didn’t want to lose them, so I put them in a safe deposit box at the bank. But honestly, the writing is pretty much incomprehensible to me. There are sketches of animal bones and cellular structures.”

“Honestly, I think you’ll be able to make sense of them. Once we wrap up this case, I’ll show them to you,” he added, a glimmer of hope returning to his expression.