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“Bear.”

The contractor escapes the second Bear dismisses him, cowardice in motion.

Bear watches the guy jog away through the rain. “I wasn’t gonna eat him.”

“You definitely looked like you were considering it.”

“Only briefly.”

I step beneath the awning, rainwater dripping off my jacket sleeves.

Bear studies me. His eyes are deeper than people expect. Nothing lazy about the way he observes things.

“You look like somebody drove over your cat.”

I smirk. “I don’t own a cat.”

“Then somebody else’s cat.”

“I need a favor. Ben’s sister is in town,” I tell him. “Her sister Maggie’s missing.”

Bear’s forehead crinkles. “When?”

“Couple weeks now.”

“Police involved?”

“Not sure. It’s… complicated.”

He rolls his eyes. “Meaning?”

“Meaning maybe.”

Bear folds his arms. “What do you need?”

“I was hoping you might know somebody who could help look into it quietly.”

He’s silent, then he nods once. “I know a PI in Seattle. Ex cop. Mean disposition. Charges by the hour and insults people recreationally.”

“Sounds promising.”

“She’s excellent.”

I blink. “She?”

Bear looks offended. “You shocked a woman’s competent?”

“No.”

“Good. You sounded stupid for a second there.”

I rub a hand down my face.

Bear pulls out his phone, thick fingers already scrolling through contacts. Efficient. No wasted movement. The rain drums steadily on the awning above us.

“You close with Laurel?”

Rain hammers the awning hard enough to rattle it.