by GA Hauser
"I agree." Charlie thought it may be a good idea for Roman to get out and stretch his legs, splash his face.
Roman gave Charlie's fingers a squeeze and released them.
Charlie took off his cowboy hat, rubbed his head tiredly and closed his eyes. Control, Roman…just learn how to control your emotions…
Charlie began drifting off. He was exhausted. Unable to sleep without the nightmarish dreams, he could relate to Roman's tendency to become easily angered. When you don't sleep well at night, you're on edge. Dozing where he sat, in the warmth of the truck, a strange memory hit Charlie.
"You're him."
Roman jolted and crouched down. "Who am I?"
"The red witch turned you."
In the noise, Nick shouted, "Hang on! Quiet down." He asked the roving team, "Is the house secure?"
"Yes, sir."
"Go on, Roman." Nick gestured for him to talk to the man. "Get them out." Nick waved.
"Wait!" Roman stopped him.
"Roman, we need to interview them separately. This is a homicide investigation."
Roman gripped the man by his shirt and sat him upright. Behind him the suspects were being led outside.
"Can you change me back?" Roman asked.
"We were doing a cleansing ritual." The man nodded to a smoking bundle of twigs. "Sacred Sage."
"To cleanse what?" Roman glanced around him as each suspect was being evacuated.
"To cleanse what the red witch did to you."
"Nick!" Roman called out but his excitement was obviously causing him pain. "Nick! Get back here!"
"Roman, I agreed to allow you on the scene. But as lead agent I have to do my job."
"Tell him what you just told me." Roman pointed to Nick.
"We were just doing a cleansing ritual to fix what that witch did to this man."
"Nick, come on!" Roman begged.
Nick appeared conflicted.
"How far were you in the ritual?" Roman asked. He spotted men beginning to turn the home inside out. "Hold it! Do not touch anything!"
They checked with Nick. He nodded to the uniformed men. "Step outside."
When only Nick, Roman, and the one man were left in the house, Nick knelt beside the man whose hands were tied in flex cuffs behind his back. "You better tell me what's going on now."
"Ophelia found a book of spells." The man tried to scratch his nose with his shoulder. "She had us doing animal sacrifices and experimenting with strange toxic potions. She went overboard. We were scared to death of her."
"Who killed her?" Nick asked.
"I don't know. Something dark. I don't think it was human."
Charlie tried to open his eyes but he was lulled by the truck's movement, the heat inside the cab and fell into the strange dream again…
"Hold the Sacred Sage." A woman took the book of spells and placed it on the floor near burning candles.
Charlie watched Roman hold the smoldering herb as Phil, Nick, and the rest of the ATF team stayed perfectly still.
The group from the cult held hands completing the circle.
The woman took a deep breath and read, "In the name of all ye spirits of the earth, wind, darkness, and light. In the name of the Sacred wolf and crow…of the red witch who cast this curse against these mortals and who ever shall cast them into a curse…with the burning of the Sacred Sage let the curse be banished. What was done unto them, be gone. Undo the pain of their transformation."
Charlie began to sweat and feel weak. He gripped Roman, but Roman was unsteady on his legs as well.
"Be it now undone," the woman read, "By the light of the stars and heavenly bodies, remove the curse. Reverse the sign of the wolf and crow, and let them return to their human souls…
"Lift this venomous curse and allow them to enter the sacred place where peace and love rule. Accept our pain in what was done, and our apologies. Disperse the evil, set free the wolf and crow spirits and all be gone by morning's light."
Charlie hit the floor with his knees and choked. He heard a thump and Roman had dropped, out cold beside him.
An image of a white wolf came up on Charlie, making him wake up and jolt upright from his relaxed position on the seat.
Butch had pulled up to a gas pump and shut off the truck.
Charlie rubbed his face and put his hat back on his head as Roman opened the back door for him. "Come on, Charlie. Let's take a piss."
Charlie scooted out of the truck and stood unsteadily in his boots as Roman walked to the men's restroom with him while Butch pumped gas.
"It was a crazy time, back then, Roman." Charlie held the men's room door open as Roman entered first, standing at a urinal.
"Tell me about it. The closer we get to the ranch, the more the waves of the whole incident are washing over me."
Charlie stood at the urinal beside him and relieved himself. "Yeah. Me too. I don't know if I can handle much more of the 'fun'."
"You have to, Charlie." Roman glanced at him over the divider. "If you don't help me stay strong, I'm lost."
Charlie nodded, but didn't want to tell Roman…as the miles grew shorter to the spot where this spell was cast, he became weaker. A sense of helplessness began to invade him. "I'm here." Charlie finished up and flushed the urinal, walking to the sink with Roman. "I'll do the best I can. Ya know that."
"I know." Roman met his eyes in the mirror.
Butch entered the men's room and stood at a urinal. As he released his stream he said, "Damn. Been holding that coffee too long."
Charlie smiled at Roman and he smiled back.
Chapter 10
The drive up to the ranch house felt like coming home to Butch. The other two men were quiet, deep in their thoughts, or maybe dozing. Butch had his country music to keep him company. It was nearly three o'clock and the winter light had already faded to dusk.
Turning off the roadway into Vernon and Connie Norman's ranch, Butch slowed down on the snowy gravel lane, seeing Christmas lights shimmering on every tree. Strings of white lights adorned the small evergreens on the left side of the property. As he drove closer, between the enormous barn and the large ranch house, the home looked inviting with its porch wrapping around the entire front. Butch could see the house was a rainbow of lights on the eaves and icicle lighting hung from the gutters. Tears came to his eyes he missed the place so much.
At the sound of their truck coming up the ice crusted gravel, JP Martin and Hal 'Goat' Groates hurried from their cabin to meet them, big smiles on their faces.
As he shut off the engine, Butch glanced at Roman and Charlie who were getting out of the truck to greet the men.
"Well! Look what the cat dragged in!" JP, the oldest of the ranch hands at forty, reached out for a warm hug from Butch.
Butch held him and patted his back. "Son-of-a-bitch, JP, ya got so dang gray!"
JP pushed Butch playfully. "From worryin' about you three nuts."
Butch waited for Charlie to hug Goat and then smiled at him. "Damn. You losin' weight?"
"I don't know how I can with Connie's home cookin'." Goat gave Butch a hug. "An' you look old as me!"
"Shut up! I ain't in my thirties, ya dumb schmuck." Butch laughed and tugged the brim of Goat's cowboy hat down his forehead.
"Butch! Charlie!" were yelled from the main house.
Butch spun around and spotted Suzie and Sherlane standing at the door of the ranch home.
JP said, "I'll get your luggage, boys." He walked to the back of the truck. "Jus' tell me which one's Butch's so I can take it back to Goat's and my cabin."
Butch caught Roman's eye quickly but before something could be said about sleeping arrangements, the girls were racing towards them for an embrace.
Sherlane landed on Butch, hugging him and kissing his cheek. "Handsome as ever!" She leaned back and her bright brown eyes shined in the sunlight. "You're twenty-one now…and you can drink with me at the tavern legally. Finally!"
Butch blushed and lowered his lashes. "Yeah. Finally
."
"Not like it stopped you two years ago." Sherlane held his waist and smiled adoringly at him. "I sure missed you."
"Don't hog him all to yourself!" Suzie nudged her sister out of her way and embraced Butch. "Mmm, you feel so nice."
"Damn!" Butch backed up, laughing. "I heard you had a boyfriend."
"Not really. We see other people. There isn't a ring on my finger yet." She held up her left hand and laughed.
Butch saw JP carrying his bag to the larger of the two cabins, while Goat took Charlie and Roman's bags to the one bedroom cabin, the one Charlie used to stay in by himself. It occurred to Butch the girls assumed he was straight, and he was the only young man who was attractive enough to date one of them. They knew Roman and Charlie were a couple.
Butch adjusted his hat as Suzie said hello to Roman.
"You never change, Agt. Burk. Handsome as ever." She touched his jaw. "Miss the designer stubble."
"Just shaved it this morning." Roman gave her a warm hug and released her quickly.
Sherlane hooked Butch's elbow. "Come on in. Mom and Dad are thrilled you came early."
Butch took off his coat as he entered the house. An enormous Christmas tree, loaded with lights and ornaments, stood in the living room, its top -an angel- towering towards the high ceiling. The hearth was exposed stone, roaring with a fire, and heating the room. The interior was as familiar to Butch as his own room back home in Nevada; the large overstuffed printed sofa and loveseat, the country-feel of the oak tables and paintings of barns and horses on the walls. The fireplace mantel was not only decorated with strings of holly leaves, it was loaded with greeting cards and stockings hanging.
Butch was about to bring in the gifts from the truck but he noticed Charlie had carried them in, setting them aside as he took off his coat and cowboy hat.
Connie emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Butch hurried to greet her. He picked her up and spun her around, making smooching noises of kisses on her neck.
She took off Butch's hat and began hitting him with it. "Put me down, ya rascal!"
Butch did and took his hat back. "I missed yer cookin' so much, I am so glad ta be back!"
"All you boys think with yer stomachs. Y'all need wives." She reached out for Charlie and he held her close and swung her around.
Butch dabbed at his eyes from emotion. Connie, her gruff but loving demeanor, her matronly form, was more of a mother to him than his own.
Last but not least, the head of the household, Vernon Norman, a man in his early sixties, strong, always holding onto his beliefs and values, met them from the hall that led to his office and bedroom. In the two years since Butch had seen Vernon, he thought he had aged as well. Butch reached out his hand for a shake.
"Come 'ere, son." Vernon hauled Butch into an embrace and hugged him. "I missed you."
Butch's eyes nearly overflowed. "Me too, Vernon. More than ya know." Butch backed up and let Vernon greet the other two men while he wiped his eyes on his sleeve discreetly and hung his hat on a rack by the door.
The room was filled with noise of chatting as the group tried to catch up. Connie brought out a pitcher of lemonade and homemade cookies to snack on until her dinner was ready. The scent of roasting meat was competing with the burnt wood in the hearth.
Butch heard barking outside the door. He shook his head, smiling and walked towards it. When he opened it, the rambunctious Jack Russell, Harley, began barking at everyone, zipping through their legs like a hyperactive snake.
"Wondered where you were," Butch said, crouching down to the crazy dog as it seemed to sniff everyone at once.
It growled at Roman and backed up.
Vernon noticed and asked, "He smell wolf?"
Butch spotted Charlie and Roman exchange glances.
Charlie said, "I don't know. Maybe."
"Wolf?" Suzie asked, sitting down on the couch and pouring glasses of the lemonade to hand out. "I thought all that was in the past."
Butch watched Vernon's reaction, wondering how much Roman and Charlie would reveal. He certainly wasn't going to be responsible for telling them it was back.
Harley finally found his way towards him. Butch picked the small dog up in his arms and held onto him in the chaos. JP and Goat entered the house, taking off their hats and coats.
"Got your stuff in your old cabin, Butch," JP said, "You're stuck sharing with me though. We turned one of the bedrooms into a computer-game room. Sorry."
The dog began squirming in Butch's arms to get down. He crouched to the floor and it scrambled out of his hold, nipping at Charlie and Roman and then standing by the door near JP and Goat.
"What's got Harley crazy?" JP asked, tucking in his red flannel shirt into his baggy jeans.
"Let him out. He'll eat the cookies," Sherlane said.
JP opened the door and nudged the excited dog out with his boot.
Sherlane patted the spot on the sofa beside her. "Come here, Butch. Catch me up on what you three have been up to."
Butch cleared his throat and met Roman's gaze quickly as he sat down beside her. She handed Butch a glass of lemonade.
"Thank you."
"I know you'd rather have a beer." She smiled, looking pretty in her V-neck sweater, her brown hair swept up in a ponytail.
Suzie sat on the opposite side of him, holding out the plate of cookies. "Your favorite. Peanut butter and chocolate chips."
"Mm." He took one and bit it, nodding. "Good."
"You look so handsome." Sherlane gave him a dreamy smile.
"Is it lonely sharing a house with Roman and Charlie?" Suzie asked, "You know, since they're a couple?"
"Um." Butch stuffed the rest of the cookie in his mouth and sipped the sugary lemonade. He heard Charlie talking to Vernon about the recent sacrificial killings at the reservoir.
"Are you dating at all, Butch?" Sherlane touched his knee.
"No. Uh. I've got too much work to do." Butch wanted to scoot back but Suzie was right beside him. He set the glass down and brushed the crumbs off his lap.
Goat said, "Been here all of five minutes and the women can't keep their hands off ya." He laughed and JP smiled at Butch.
Butch felt his cheek heat up in embarrassment.
"Well?" Sherlane put her arm around Butch affectionately. "He's the only handsome young available man here!"
"I'm not married." Goat pressed his hand to his chest.
"You're old!" JP slapped his shoulder playfully.
"I ain't that old."
"Ya ain't twenty-one!"
Butch ran his hand over his hair nervously. "I should wash up a bit. We've been on the road all day."
"Okay," Suzie said, "Mom's planning on dinner at five."
"Okay. Good." Butch tried to stand and maneuver around the girls' legs to get to the front door.
"Where' you goin'?" Vernon asked, a glass of lemonade in his hand.
"Just gonna wash up a bit. I'll be back." Butch glanced at Roman and Charlie, put his coat and hat on, and left the ranch house. He could hear Harley barking at something, way off in the distance, but ignored it. That dog barked at everything.
He stood on the spot-lit porch, looking out over the expanse of land, the large barn, capable of holding sixty horses, and the shadowy snowy mountains, purple in the setting sun. Inhaling the cold evening air, which was mixed with wood burning from the fireplace, he headed down the path to the cabins. Passing the one Charlie and Roman would share, Butch yearned to move his bag into theirs, knowing the judgment may not be harsh, but the surprise would sting, not to mention the teasing he'd get from Goat and JP.
No one knew. No one but the two men.
He opened the door to the log cabin JP and Goat shared, turned on the overhead light, and noticed they had it nice and tidy for him. It was small but had its own kitchen and a bathroom with a tub and separate shower. There were two bedrooms now, one with two queen beds, one with a twin. He took a look into the third bedroom, the one that had been his, and
spotted the large screen television and computer in it. He felt disappointed but what was he supposed to do?
He entered the room he was going to share with JP. On the dresser were recent photos of JP's children, since he had been divorced but had kids with his ex.
After tossing his coat down, Butch noticed his bag was near the second queen bed, where he figured it would be. He opened it, taking out his shaving kit for his soap and toothbrush.
Entering the small bathroom, turning on the light, he placed his things on the shelf over the sink and looked in the mirror. He took off his hat and placed it on the closed toilet seat, then washed his face and hands, scrubbing up with the pine scented soap.
He dried his face and met his brown eyes in the mirror. A week sleeping here? Or? Telling them I'm gay and staying with my boys?
Butch didn't like the decision, either way. He grabbed his hat, shut off the bathroom light and returned to the bedroom. Falling back on the bed, he stared at the vaulted ceiling and exposed logs and sighed.
~
Roman was antsy.
Though the reception was warm, he could feel something strong present around the ranch and also sense Vernon's apprehension. He and Charlie were not honest with the man. He had asked if they were done with the wolf business and they did not answer his question.
Roman checked his phone, looking for something from Phil. He needed hard copies of the reports. He assumed Phil would stop by the ranch, not mail them. And if Roman knew Nick? He would tell Phil to set up camp on the cabin's couch. He wouldn't let Roman out of his sight.
Though Roman needed the ally, he didn't want the presence of a fellow agent who was not happy to be a part of the investigation and would pounce on Roman the minute he turned wolf…or crow.
Crow.
Why hadn't Roman changed into a crow yet? Could he?
For a moment Roman was lost in the sense of flying. Soaring over the tree tops.
"Roman?"
"Hm?" He stopped daydreaming to pay attention to Vernon.
"If you and Charlie need to rest up a bit before dinner, go. I know the drive from your place ain't too bad, but it's still a long trip."
