Of Wolves and Men (16 page)

Roman pecked at Nick’s shoe.
Listen to him, ya jerk!

Nick nudged Roman away and backed up.

Charlie grew concerned and crouched down. “Don’t hurt him. You hear me?”

“Take that thing outside. There’s no way you’re going to convince me that’s Agent Burk.”

“I tried, Roman.”

I know, babe
. Roman waddled over to Charlie and stood on his boot.

“Hoff?” Phil poked his head in. “I’ve got Suzanne Norman here, she’s—” He blinked and asked, “What’s with the bird?”

“Mr. Mosby says that’s Agent Burk.”

Roman dove at Phil and flapped against his chest.
It’s me again, you moron! Remember the bird
in the parking lot?

“You better get that thing away from me, or I’ll hurt it.”

“Roman,” Charlie said, hurrying towards him. “Please. They don’t believe us.”

Suzie poked her head in. “Yup. Told you. That’s him.”

“I’m getting the feeling this is just some nasty prank.” Nick put his pad into his pocket.

Phil said, “Ms. Norman gave me the same cock and bull story that Mr. Mosby did.”

Roman grew furious and pecked at Phil’s shoe.
Hello? How stupid are you? Bird from incident
where, me-Roman disappeared? Anyone home?
Roman tried to see if either of their thoughts were picking up on the memory of what he did the day he was changed. They were highly suspicious of Charlie and Suzie’s motives at the moment. He could hear Nick thinking about arresting them on false reporting charges.

Phil! Phil! You remember. Come on
. Roman used his talons to climb Phil’s trousers. The man nearly jumped out of his skin and whacked Roman off.

“I said, take it easy!” Charlie rushed towards Roman and caressed his dark feathers.

“Oh, Roman.” Suzie hurried over. “Are you okay?”

“You two are sick. How dare you play this kind of stunt?” Phil was breathing fire. “Do you know how well loved and respected Agent Burk was?”

“We love him too. Especially Charlie.” Suzie sat next to Roman on the floor. “And Roman loves him.”

“Suzie, we don’t know what information Roman would prefer keepin’ quiet.” Charlie shook his head at her.

They know, Charlie. You tell them what we mean to each other
. Roman tried to hug Charlie’s leg with his wings.

“Look, Charlie. He’s holding onto you.” Suzie petted Roman’s feathers.

“This is a waste of time.” Phil ground his jaw. Roman could see the muscles in him tense.

Nick walked towards the door. “This investigation will remain open. And if you pull another stunt, like calling the field office and stating you’re Roman Burk…”

It was me! Hello?
Roman flapped over to Nick and tried to get his attention.
I called you. What is
wrong with you guys? Have you ever seen a bird act this way? Come on, change me!

Change me now!
Roman held his wings as wide as they would spread, hoping he’d turn into himself in front of them. “I think Roman is trying to tell you it was him, sir.”

“Let’s go, Hoff. This is pathetic.” Phil opened the door wider.

Get Dean’s phone number!
Roman hopped up and down in front of Charlie frantically.
Get his
number!

Charlie stared at him in confusion.

Roman flew to the table, picked up Charlie’s cell phone with his feet and poked it into his chest.

Charlie got it. He took the phone and asked, “Agent Dean, can I have your office number?

Roman couldn’t remember it. That’s why he had us look up the field office on the computer.”

“I don’t believe this.” Phil threw up his hands.

Roman was growing just as angry. He flew up and pecked Phil in the head.
You idiot! Give him
your number!

“I’m about to shoot that bird.” Phil covered his head with his arms, when the look on his face changed.

Roman landed on the floor in front of him, staring at him.
Yes. Remember now? Remember the
bird at the scene everyone wanted to shoot?

Phil took his card out of his pocket. “Here. This is my direct line.” He handed the card to Charlie.

“He appreciates it. And I have no doubt you’ll get a phone call from him…” Charlie looked at Roman. “Very soon. Right, Roman?”

Roman waddled over to Phil’s foot and pecked his shoe.
I will call you the minute I have
fingers, you dickhead.

Phil stepped back from Roman, giving him a long look. Roman knew he was thinking things out. How can two crazy crows manage to appear in less than a week?

The agents left.

At his intense frustration of not being able to communicate, Roman began to feel something coming on. He waddled into a corner of the room and spread his wings, bracing himself.

“What’s he doing?” Suzie asked.

“Changing. Shit!” Charlie hurried out of the cabin. “Wait! Agent Dean! Agent Hoffman!”

Roman knew this would not be good. He was turning wolf not man.

“Roman?” Suzie crouched beside him. “Does it hurt real bad?”

Yes.
Roman opened his beak to gain air and heard his bird squawks turning into canine vocalizations.

“Uh oh,” Suzie said as she backed up.

“He’s turning into himself right now.” Charlie sounded breathless as he convinced the agents to return.

Suzie hurried to the door and shook her head. “No, Charlie. He’s not.”

Roman faced the men at the door. The change complete he caught their scent and recognized Phil’s cologne. He met Charlie’s eyes. “Oh no.” Charlie appeared pale.

Nick and Phil entered the room, stopping short at the sight of Roman.

Roman felt the hairs stand on his back and neck from his fear.

Phil unholstered his gun.

Charlie blocked his shot. “Don’t. It’s Roman. Don’t even think about it.”

“Now you’re telling me Roman is that wolf?” Phil held the gun by his side.

“You see a crow?” Charlie waved around. “Magic! The crow is a big, black timber wolf.”

“More like bullshit.” Phil left the cabin in anger.

Nick warned Charlie, “This crap has got to stop. You’re wasting our time and are very close to being arrested for false reporting.”

Roman crept closer.

“Sir, I thought he would turn back into himself. I swear. If I knew he was goin’ to turn wolf I’d—” Charlie spotted Roman stalking Nick from behind. “Uh. You may want to move away from the door, sir.”

Nick spun around, his eyes wide in fear.

Roman lunged for the open space and between them and left the cabin, using his nose to quickly lock onto Phil. He leapt on his back from behind, knocking him to the gravel driveway by his SUV. Phil panicked and spun around under Roman’s large paws. Roman snarled, showing his teeth.

Charlie, Suzie, and Nick closed the gap, staring in shock.

“Don’t hurt him, Roman,” Charlie said.

I don’t want to hurt him. I want to knock some sense into him
. Roman glanced back at Nick who had his hand on his holstered gun. Roman stared at Phil as he shivered under him. He gave Phil a lick under his jaw which shocked Phil. Phil winced as if he was going to get his face eaten off.

You taste good, babe
.

Roman began lapping Phil’s neck.

“What is this animal doing? Get him off me!” Phil tried to

stop the licking.

Roman heard Charlie let out a loud exhale and Nick said, “So? Big deal.

You tamed a wolf cub from birth. It’s been done before, Mr. Mosby.”

In order to keep Phil pinned down until he changed into a man, Roman lay on top of him, his paws on his shoulders, looking at his eyes.
You see me yet? You see me in here?

“Please get him off me.” Phil sounded nervous.

“Believe me. I can’t tell Roman what to do.”

Charlie laughed softly.

Roman rested his head on Phil’s chest. He had thought about Phil as a lover. But Phil was straight. And Roman wasn’t the kind of man to pursue a dead end. Since they traveled so often together, Roman knew all about Phil’s dreams of becoming a husband and father, and retiring at an early age.

“Is he going to sleep on me?” Phil kept his hands on the ground beside him.

“He knows you. And I think you’re beginnin’ to know who he is too,” Charlie said.

You tell him, Charlie
. Roman stuck his snout under Phil’s arm and sniffed.
Mm. Nice
. He wriggled on Phil’s body.

“This wolf is getting off on me!” Phil’s eyes widened. “Roman? Is that you?”

Roman’s ears perked up and he stared into Phil’s eyes again. They connected and Roman felt a slight sense of hope. The thoughts in Phil’s head were muddled, but he was beginning to question the possibility.

Roman licked his chin again.

Nick stood over them. “This is pathetic. Come on, Phil. We have to get back to the office. Get that beast off of you.”

Roman snarled at Nick and he stepped back from the threat. Once his supervisor moved away, Roman rested his head on Phil again. In amazement, he felt Phil petting his fur.

“Is it you, Roman? Is this what happened to you that day?”

Roman made a squeaking noise because he’d tried to bark and couldn’t.

“Fine. I’m not quite buying it yet, but how about one noise for yes, two for no. Okay?’

Roman glanced back at the other three who were watching closely.

In reply to Phil’s initial query, Roman made one noise.

Phil looked at the others and then asked so only Roman could hear, “Are you gay?’

Roman pressed his paws harder into Phil and made a little noise, licking his chin again.

“Stop. I wouldn’t let you do that to me even when you were human.”

Roman pressed himself up by his front paws and met Phil’s gaze.
You believe me? You do?

Phil asked, “What month did we start working together. Make a noise when I say it. January, February, March…”

Roman hit Phil in the chest with his paw and made a yelp noise.
March! March fifteenth we
were assigned to the same field office
.

“Hoff,” Phil said in defeat. “It’s Roman.”

Roman jumped off Phil and spun around with his tail high in the air.

“Good job, Roman.” Charlie knelt down by him, cuddling and petting him.

I knew it. I knew I could convince him
. Roman rubbed his face against Charlie in excitement.

“Everything okay out here, gentlemen?” Vernon walked down the path from the ranch house.

Phil got to his feet, brushing himself off.

When Vernon caught sight of Roman, he panicked. “I’ll get the shotgun!”

In unison everyone yelled, “No!”

Roman hid behind Charlie.

Phil approached Vernon. “We have it under control. That’s uh…that’s one of our trained canine dogs.”

“That ain’t no dog.” Vernon’s eyes were wide.

“Yeah. He gets that all the time.” Phil gave Roman a quick glance. “He’s a wolf-shepherd mix.

One of our best. So no need to worry.” Phil tried to get Vernon to go back into the house.

Roman walked in front of Nick and sat down, looking at him.
You believe too, Nick?

“Is it true? Is it really you, Roman?”

Roman used one paw to poke at his leg.
It’s me
.

“You men want to head back to the cabin again?” Charlie asked, “Now that you believe us?”

A stabbing pain hit Roman where he sat. The discussion became a ringing in his ears and he fell to his side.

Charlie immediately held him close. “Hang in there, babe. Ride it out.”

Roman clenched his teeth and shut his eyes hating this life, the changing sapped all his energy and he was sick of it.

He howled in pain and the sound got stuck in his throat. Shivering and cold, Roman used his nails to claw the ground and pray for it to pass.

When he could breathe again Roman could see his arm around Charlie where he held onto him.

“I’m me.”

“You are,” Charlie said, “Believe us now?”

Nick and Phil hurried to Roman’s side. “How can this be possible?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know.”

Charlie helped Roman to his feet. “He’s freezing. I need to get him warm.”

“Phil…”

“Yes, Roman.” Phil gripped Roman’s hand as they made their way back to the cabin.

“The graffiti in that room. The one I was in before this happened…”

“I remember some of it. It was pitch dark in that building.”

“Go back and photograph it. Every inch.”

Phil took out his phone.

Roman’s head began to ache. He spotted the clothing on the floor and slipped the sweatpants on while Charlie helped steady him.

Suzie said, “I’ll make a pot of coffee,” and headed to the kitchen.

Needing a nap, Roman allowed Charlie to escort him to the couch, sitting with him, holding onto him for comfort. “Thank you, Charlie.” He pecked him on the lips.

“You’re welcome, Roman.” Charlie glanced nervously at the men at their overt sign of attachment.

“They know I’m gay.”

Charlie nodded but didn’t reply.

Phil flipped his phone closed and said, “The tech boys are on their way. You think the room had something to do with this?” Both Phil and Nick sat on the sofa opposite them.

“Yes. It had to. The last thing I remember was Phil taking the right side of the hall and I was searching the left.” Phil nodded in agreement. “I could see some of the paint on the walls with my flashlight, but soon there was a mist or smoke, and my light was ineffective.”

Suzie returned with a tray carrying a pot of coffee and mugs, placing it down.

“Thank you, Suzie.” Charlie smiled at her.

She nodded and sat on the floor beside them.

“I recall smelling something strong, but I couldn’t identify the odor,” Phil said as he stirred milk into a mug.

“It nearly knocked me out. I fell to the floor and that’s when everything became a blur.” Roman rubbed his face tiredly.

Charlie squeezed Roman’s hand.

“You fucking vanished, Roman. Completely,” Phil said.

“Not completely. I was there watching you guys regroup at the hotel. Remember that crow you all were trying to kill?”

Phil looked defeated. “How the hell were we supposed to know that was you?’