Bearly Holding On Read Free Page B

Awen.
    “W-we came to ask you some questions,” Awen stammered. She tried to snap out of it; she had work to do. “There was a body found not far from the Nez Perce reservation. We were wondering if you might know anything.”
    The man stepped out into the daylight, his bare chest glistening with sweat. She took note of the bear claw tattoos lining his skin and the way he held himself. He towered over Awen as she stepped back to give him more room—not that she wanted to; everything in her wanted to touch him, and he seemed to notice that. Although, she noted, he didn’t seem to mind.
    “A body, you say?” he asked, taking a sip of water from a canteen lying on his bench.
    “Yes.” She scrutinized him. “A man. A girl said that she saw the Ghost Bear. I hear that’s a common legend around this area. Have you heard anything?”
    The huge man huffed a laugh.
    “Sounds like an incredible story,” he snickered, giving her a sly grin.
    “W-well,” she continued, “I could see how you might be mistaken for a bear...easily, in fact.”
    “Does my size intimidate you?” he asked in a deep and husky voice, stepping closer into her personal space.
    “Just answer the question,” her father piped in from behind her, fingering his rifle threateningly. “Do you know anything or not?”
    The man seemed to consider this. He was silent for a long time.
    “It was around dusk,” Awen prompted, trying to be friendly. “Anything at all would be helpful.”
    “There's been a bear or two in these parts, sure, but I’ve never seen a bear turn into a man,” he answered, keeping a steady gaze on the woman in front of him. “Or vice-versa, for that matter. What's your name?”
    “Awenasa.”
    A flicker of sadness crossed his face.
    “Awenasa,” he repeated, taking a step back. “Beautiful name. I don't know what to tell you. I don't remember seeing a little girl last night, and I don't kill innocent men.”
    She noted his choice of words.
    “He may not have been so innocent,” Awen offered. “It seems that he was following the little girl in question.”
    “Hmph,” the large man grumbled. “Then he got what was coming to him.”
    “Why do you say that?” she asked suspiciously. “I only said he was following her.”
    “What kind of man follows a little girl into the forest at night?” he retorted.
    “Right.” She nodded and turned to her father. “I think we're okay here. Could you give us a minute.”
    “I'll be right over there.” Her father paused as he walked away and brandished his rifle at the man one more time, adding, “Easily within firing range.”
    The big man chuckled at the threat and turned his attention to Awen.
    “This is the fourth body that's been found close to the Nez Perce reservation,” she explained. “They all appear to be bear attacks, but something’s off with them. All the bodies were dragged from the original location of death and the tracks appear to be covered up.”
    “Maybe it was a bear man,” the man snickered. “If you're looking for fairytales, you can come inside. I'll show you one.”
    “Tempting.” She smirked. “You live out here alone. I would appreciate your cooperation. No one is accusing you, but I figure you know these woods better than most.”
    “I do.” He swaggered into her personal space. “I trap and trade quite a bit with the city folk. I bring some goods back to my people. What of it?”
    There was an aura about this man that prickled her. It made her blood boil and her hair stand on end.
    “Where were you last night around dusk?” she asked, taking her notepad out of her pocket. “What is your name?”
    “Lots of questions. It’s Mati,” he answered in his deep voice, “and I was at one of the bars in town. Tim's.”
    “Short for Uzumati?” She quirked an eyebrow as he nodded. “Can anyone vouch for you, Mati?”
    “Sure.” He stepped closer. Her face flushed at his nearness. “Just ask the owner. He traded me some pelts in