Logan, the wolf tamer

It was somewhere in early, cold January. Logan got up in a bad mood; rose from the bed and stomped his feet on the wooden floor to fit the heels inside the boots. “No man aint goin’ throug’ a hell of a hangover trippin’ over his own shoes.”. Then he lumped into the bathroom, where he faced the sink and gave it a harsh, mean look. “Here ya go, pal”, he thought to himself, and then forced his head into the freezing water. Up again moments later, dried up his beard with a hand and pushed the hair back roughly, to shake up those bones. And wake up all the alcohol…
Back to the motel’s stinky bedroom, Logan pulled on the clothes he wore the night before, and the night before that. His dog was up already, sitting very straight by the door. “You actually performed very good back there, ye know Budd?” he said to the dog. “That was some asskickin’, gotta tell ya.”. “Yes, no need saying thanks, Big L.” replied Budd, wrapping his tail. “Saving your arse since 1988. Man, that’s a slogan.”
- C’mon, don’t get funny on me. It was good, not brilliant. Or do I have to bring up that one when pest control got you impound?
- That’s low, Logan. Even for dog standards. That guy had a Taser.
- Yeah right - Logan snorted - Is this the moment when you say you need a hug, and I get you a cookie before we play ball in the park?
- Rather have my malehood clipped.
- Youch.
- Indeed. Anyways, what’s up for the daily?
- We’re seeing Rosemary.
- What?! Why?
- Shes got something I need. That boy biologist she’s got cuddled on her lap.
- Her lap? You wish. I’d bet my whiskers its not her lap his cuddl…
- Okay, that’s it, you got the nose strap coming.


- Huy, Lugon, gut mu ths thng uff.
- oh, lemme think… what about “keep”?
- kupp whoot?
- Keep dreamin.
- O sud U’m surry! Yoo knuw Rusemury us o fuyne chock…
- Yes, she is a fine chick, but that doesn’t mean everyone can get their hands on her!
- Hunds? - he coughed and grunted - Dunt goot suntimuntool.
- Argh, gimme that thing, I don’t get a rat’s ass of what you’re saying.
- well, thank you! About time, don’t you think? And you could stop whining for a sec. - said Budd, straitening up on the seat. - Be a man, man! She likes them with some brains, and you cant win them all…
- Shut up, will ‘ya, we’re here.
- Gotta love to see you pissed.
- To hell, four legs. - and he slammed the truck’s door.



- So, what happened of such a matter that got you sniffing around my door, Logan? - she asked, while pouring a soda in a glass.
- Remember that thing we went to do in Canada…
- How could I forget, Logan… - the plastic bottle squeaked in her hand. Her voice was heavy on the consonants.
- Don’t gime that look, darlin, I got tangled in some stuff…
- And left me there, no money, no sat phone, no papers, two hundred miles from a living soul besides God forgotten caribous, with a wrangler short on gas…
- I told you, I…
- And don’t you darling me. Ever. - She was biting her teeth. Budd let escape a little mocking snort, and Logan promptly applied a boot on his tail.
- Whatevs. - Short sight - I gotta go back.
She looked at him very narrowly. - Who’s paying your wild wolfhunts this time? The Society? Or another of your private investors?
- Aint got none on my tail. - he said smiling, ironically - It’s just myself, I’m goin in on my wallet.
- To the mountains? Tell me you’re joking.
- No, not the mountains. Actually that’s what I came here for. I need your help.
- On what, exactly?
- I need to know where am I going to stick my nose. And I was hopin you knew who to ask. Here. - Logan handed her a bunch of photos. - Those are from ma old spies. I didn’ expect them to be workin after so long, but hey… I’m glad they did. Check out what they caught.
The pictures showed a blazing red wolf, throwing young cougars around as if they were opossums.
- Where were these taken?
- Somewhere in Tongass. Not even I am quite sure where, I was planting those cameras everywhere. Have you ever seen that species?
- Not by any chance. Maybe a extraordinarily huge wolf, covered in some kind of red pigment?
- Yeah, probably a new brand of shampoo he was trying out, and steroids for the size. Or even a bear with a sense of humor and a lotta blush…
She rose from the sofa, turning her back on him. - I could ask my… a friend of mine. He’s a biologist, and might know something.
- Thanks a lot, Rose. I’m goin then. - the unspoken word after “my” hit his heart like a thorn. He rose from the sofa, Budd followed him closely, and headed for the door.
- Already? Stay a little longer, I’ll fetch a pair of books that might have some information…
- On an unseen beast? Nope. I’m headin ma way.
- I’ll call you, then, if I find anything.
- Roger that. On the sat, if you mind. Like I said, am goin.
She got startled. - Wait, you mean going?!
- Yep, aint that what I said?
- But… like this, in a sudden? Have you packed, already?
- Got all I need on the wheels. - She had followed him through the door, all the way back to the truck.
- But… - she sighed, trying to calm down. - Tell me you’re not going there alone.
- Of course not. Budd’s comin. - and they both winked at her.