Of Wolves and Men by G. A. Hauser Page B

heart out.” Seeing the sickness wash over Butch’s expression, Charlie got his answer. “Ya know, I can see the buckshot in her. How would you explain that?”
    “I was gonna say I shot at something near it.”
    “Butch…” Charlie stood and approached him. “What happened to you? You and I, we got on all right. I thought you were a bright boy in the interview me and Vernon had with you. I expected more from you.”
    “And I thought you would be a good friend, Charlie. But you’re not the same either.”
    “How have I changed?” Charlie took his rope off his saddle and began to tie the hind legs of the dead deer together so they could drag it.
    “I don’t know. We used to go out and have a beer at the Other Side…now? Nothing. You won’t even go out with the girls and me so I can get to know them better. Then you go and befriend some wolf and call him Roman.”
    Charlie stood with the end of the rope in his hand. “There ain’t no Roman!” After he said it he glanced around to see if anything was watching them, particularly a crow. “And I don’t want to go out with you and the girls.” He tied the rope end around the horn on Butch’s saddle.
    “Why don’t you? I know they’re both keen on you. But once you pick one, I can date the other.”
    “Are you deaf? I am not datin’ either of Vernon’s girls.” Charlie said, “Get in the saddle. Go.”
    “Don’t tell Vernon, Charlie.” Butch stood beside him.
    “I have to. I can’t keep somethin’ like this from him.” He tugged on the knot to make sure it was tight. “Now go on. Take her way out yonder where no one can find her but the scavengers.”
    Charlie waited but Butch didn’t budge. “Why aren’t you getting’ on that horse, Butch?”
    “Because I’ve a feelin’ once I head that way,” he pointed and said, “You’ll go right to the ranch.”
    “I told you to go. It’s up to you to clean up the mess you made. Bad enough this poor thing had to die like that. Not to mention that deer huntin’ season ended last month.”
    “You’re going to report me to fish and game too?”
    “I’ve half a mind to!” Charlie was growing angry that Butch had already screwed up and now wanted complicity.
    “I’ll say you killed it! You and your wolf.”
    “Why do you keep goin’ on that I own a wolf?” Charlie was fed up with this argument. “And I’m not the one with blood on my coat sleeves. You are.”
    “Charlie, don’t. I need this job.” Butch grabbed Charlie’s lapels.
    “Then listen when I tell you to do somethin’ and stop actin’ like a fool.” Charlie brushed Butch’s hands off his jacket.
    “I swear, Charlie, don’t tell no one about this! It’s just you and me up here, and no one has to know.”
    Throwing up his hands in frustration, Charlie replied, “I can’t do that. You think I want to be involved with your messy deeds? I have enough to worry about.” He pushed Butch to the horse.
    “Now take this carcass up the mountain.”
    “Don’t you push me.” Butch spun around and glared at him.
    “Fine! You know what?” Charlie took his mobile phone out of his pocket. “I was goin’ to try and help you after you explained it to Vernon, but now? I’m goin’ to have Vernon ride up here to see this for himself.”
    Butch whacked the phone out of Charlie’s hand and it scattered to the frozen ground, skidding off under the brush.
    “You son of a bitch.” Charlie puffed up. “You think this is helpin’ you?”
    Butch reached for something on his belt. Charlie knew the man had to have his knife with him to have done the damage he did to the doe. He could see both of their shotguns hanging from Spirit and Scout’s saddles. Charlie grabbed Butch’s right wrist and held tight. Butch’s fingers were gripped around a five-inch fixed-blade knife.
    “Don’t be stupid!” Charlie tried to get Butch to drop the knife, twisting his arm. “You goin’ to kill me? You think that’ll get you out of, or into,