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"No," I ed "I need - "

His chin bu ht to get out of this situation, but nothing cah not by htly I couldn’tuntil I felt his palh

"Hey!"

"Woht see’t’ings you should not"

"Like what?"

Silence settled over us, broken only by the hu across the water I could have sworn I heard a laugh However, when he spoke, no humor colored his voice

"Curious cats should be careful"

"Was that a threat?"

"An observation, cher"

Cher? I hadn’t laid eyes on his face, and he was calling me dear? Talk about balls Or et free, or at least see hihtened the steel band he used for an are, but not bad - jiggled against his wrist Soainst my backside before he released ht my balance and whirled around, he’d escaped into the cover of the trees, race that re of when he arrived

His white T-shirt stood out in the encroaching night like a flare The sleeves had been hacked off in deference to the heat, oron sliy hair sifted across his shoulders I still couldn’t see his face

"Who are you?" I whispered

He didn’t answer, instead lighting a cigarette, cupping thebut tobacco A bronze bracelet, the same shade as his skin, encircled his wrist I’d never cared for jewelry on men, but on him the adornment only seemed to emphasize his masculinity

"Seen any wolves?" I asked

He took a deep drag, as if he hadn’t a care in the world, or an appointment in tins century Nevertheless, I sensed a wary interest

"Maybe a black coyote?" I pressed

The very thought excited etcat?" I continued when he did nothing but take another drag "Cougar?"

He blew sh his nose "No wolves this far south"

"Coyotes?"

"Got ’eht in to hunt nutria rats"

I’d read about those Large rodents that resembled beavers but with a ratlike tail I hoped the coyotes inning

"Cats?" I asked again "What about bears?"

"Bobcat A few bears Don’t see ’em much"

I was constantly amazed at how easy it was for creatures to hide in their native habitat

"I’ve heard there’ve been disappearances Tales of a wolf"

"There will always be tales"

"Where there’s sarette flared red on one end as he drew on the other "You a cop?"

"Scientist"

Saying I was a cryptozoologist only confused people

He grunted and tossed the butt to the ground The resulting hiss revealed he’d hit water

"Can you guide me?" I stepped forward "Do you know Adam Ruelle?"

"No"

His voice was- forever

A hty splash was followed by a thud on the dock I spun around, re there were more wild ani there

Just as there was nothing when I turned back to the trees - no man, no beast

Hell, I couldn’t even find the cigarette butt