She swallowed. She’d suspected that he’d been faking his illness, but had stood over him and taken his temperature herself. It had never occurred to her that he was just normally hot. Or that it was part of some freaky biological shift into a bear. She took a deep breath, trying to think. This just wasn’t possible, and yet…apparently it was.
“Also,” continued Mr. Max, “he told Amy that he felt like there was a creature just underneath his skin and it was making him crazy.” His expression turned sympathetic. “Sure, a lot of this could be passed off as normal adolescence, but put together, there are plenty of signs for those who know what to look for.”
She hated that Theo had confided in Amy and not her, but the girl was closer to his age, and some things just weren’t expressed to a parent. That was a natural part of growing up.
“And there’s one more thing,” he added. “All of Frank’s children have become shifters.”
She frowned. “Just how many are there?”
“At last count, seven. Four of them have turned old enough to shift.”
Seven? Holy shit, Theo had six half brothers and sisters out there. She didn’t know if the kid would be happy or freaked out by that. And wasn’t that the most irrelevant thing for her to focus on?
“So now it’s Theo’s turn. And you think he did it and is headed up here.”
“Yes.” That was the detective answering, her tone dry. “This is a normal part of a grizzly shifter’s life. That makes it a regular spring ritual, and Gladwin PD is well used to handling it. That’s fine for the local kids.” She glanced at Marty. “But the minute they start traveling from outside the county, things get dicey. We’ve got friendly eyes all over Michigan, but that’s not always enough.”
Of course not. Because if she were the Kalamazoo PD, she’d shoot a wandering bear on sight. They didn’t belong in a populated area.
“Are there usual trails that they take?” she asked. “Someplace you watch?”
“Sure there are,” said Marty. “And we got people watching them.” She patted Becca’s arm, and it was so comforting she wasn’t even bothered by the woman’s unnaturally warm touch.
Oh, hell. She finally understood now about Theo’s fevers because his skin had felt just as hot as Marty’s.
She swallowed and did her best to focus. “But Theo was in Kalamazoo. And you’re just watching locally. Places in the park and in Gladwin.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Max as he once again stepped much too close. For all that his tone was conciliatory, his presence all but beat her into submission. “You need to trust us. We’ve been through this every spring since the Gladwins first settled here hundreds of years ago. People don’t mess with bears, and there are natural instincts, too.”
“Our boys will be just fine,” said Marty.
Becca nodded, trying to feel reassured. Mostly she just felt unsteady. “So what’s next? What do I do?”
“You? Nothing,” said the detective. “You let us do our jobs.”
“I know it’s hard,” Mr. Max said soothingly.
“Hard nothing,” huffed Marty. “It’s a nightmare only a mother can understand.” She looked harshly at the other two, then she turned back to Becca. “Here’s what we do, honey. We cook. It’s hard, cold work sitting out there watching for our boys. The kitchen’s set up, and I’ve made stew, but it’s not going to last all night. Plus coffee and cookies?—”
“Beef stew?” interrupted Mr. Max. “Thank God! I’m?—”
“Hungry as a bear?” quipped Becca before she could stop her mouth. Gallows humor was something she excelled at.
“Look at you!” Mr. Max said with a grin. “Making shifter jokes and everything. You’re going to fit in just fine.”
Tonya rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, she’s a regular comedian. I’m spelling the sheriff at the first checkpoint. You know how to reach me.” Then she spun on her heel before heading out. All crisp, clean efficiency.
“She doesn’t like me much,” Becca said, once again proving that she was completely off her game. She didn’t normally comment on stuff like that. Or let it bother her.
“She doesn’t like anyone new,” Mr. Max drawled. “They’re unknowns, and she likes to keep things safe and contained.”
Becca couldn’t fault her for that. That was her usual choice as well. But there was nothing contained about bear shifters. Meanwhile, Marty headed for the door. “Come on,” she said over her shoulder. “If you want something in your belly before you go out, you gotta get it now.”
“I’m right behind you,” returned Mr. Max, though he didn’t leave. Instead, he stood by Becca’s side, a large, overwhelming presence that didn’t understand the words “personal space.” He waited until Marty was out the door before he spoke. “You okay?”
“Nope,” she answered honestly. “But I’m dealing.”
“You’re doing better than anyone else I’ve seen. The last two outsiders had to be sedated.”
