[///ON HOLD///] Animal House (Rendezvous #2)

Chapter 21

For the rest of the weekend, Declan didn't fail to keep Nora company. While he was with her, they wasted no time discussing their future together. Of course, they would live as a family. However, the loft in the Animal House could not accommodate Declan. Therefore, Nora and Denora would have to move out and live with him at his house closer to the city. He also welcomed Mrs. Mills to continue being Denora's nanny at his home.

However, the question remained with her brothers. When Declan demanded them to come along, they were both reluctant to accept. Nora knew they must've thought they were intruding upon a newly wedded couple, but she assured them she and Declan had no such thoughts.

Of course, Declan teased them, saying he would just think that they were pets along with Archer, Raccoon, and Bandit—who he gladly welcomed into his home as well. He knew just what to say to get on their nerves. Once he received a scolding from her though, Declan admitted that he wanted Ace and Dane to live with them. Then he boasted about how his house was big enough to fit them and another batch of siblings with ease.

Though Nora didn't spend long living in the Animal House, she had quickly found herself calling it home. However, she also knew it would be good to have a clear line drawn between home and work. There was still two months left before the change, so Nora had plenty of time to figure out what to do with the loft once they moved out.

As she crept down the steps to start her Monday morning in the Animal House, Nora came face to face with Erika, who began the early shift with her today.

"Good morning," Nora greeted.

"Good morning," she replied back.

Nora noticed the troubled look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"Have you heard from the detective yet? About the break-in?"

"Yes," Nora answered. "He came and gave us a briefing last week, but we didn't come to any sort of conclusion. Why? What happened?"

"He showed me the photos your camera captured of the guys who broke in." Erika fidgetted. "I recognized them."

Nora's eyes popped and she quickly asked, "You did? Who are they?"

Erika shook her hands in front of her. "I only recognize their faces! I don't know them personally, but I remember seeing them around school before I graduated."

"Really?" Nora tilted her head. "Didn't you and Grant go to the same school? He didn't recognize them."

She looked taken aback. "Did he say that? He should've known who they were almost immediately! They might not be friends, but I've seen them hang out in the same crowd together!"

Nora tried to recall the look on Grant's face when he was shown the photograph, but it was a fuzzy memory. All she could really remember was that afterwards, he finished his shift like usual. If he hadn't revealed that he knew the two that broke in, did that mean he helped them? For what reason?

"I..." Nora met Erika's gaze. "I don't think Grant is that type of person."

Erika nodded eagerly. "I agree! I didn't want to make it seem as if I was calling him out, but Grant isn't that type of guy in the first place! He loves this job! He enjoys spending time with the animals, and he thinks you're a great boss! It's just...I don't know why he acted like he didn't know them."

"Did you tell the detective this as well?"

She hesitantly shrugged. "I told him I recognized them from the university I graduated from, but I didn't say anything about Grant. The detective didn't mention him, so I didn't either. I thought Grant would've said something!" Erika's eyes widened with fear. "Do you think it'll seem like I was covering for him? What if I get in trouble with the law?"