Page 7 of Catalyst

So, I asked:

Why me? There are plenty of actual tour guides. Why do you need me?

The email reply read:

Because it is you I saw.

They saw me? Shit, was I bugged? Being stalked? Watched?

My fingers danced over the keyboard as I typed my reply:

How did you see me? Where?

The ping of the notification, seconds later, made me jump.

Do not worry, Charlie. I saw you in a premonition. I know you are the one we need.

My goosebumps were telling me this was too fucking weird. If this was a prank, then they were really playing into the paranormal race vibe. If this was a crazy person, then they were answering surprisingly logically. And I didn’t think any of my past acquaintances would be this mysterious.

Who was this?

I needed to know. They wanted to meet in Pigeon Park, then we’d meet in Pigeon Park.

I replied:

Okay. See you tomorrow.

The reply was instant:

Tomorrow. I hope you have an interesting itinerary planned. We are very curious about mummies.

I laughed, the thrill of a chase making me buoyant, and Clawdia peered up at me questioningly. I scratched her chin and told her, “I’m having visitors tomorrow. Before I let them into my humble abode, I need to check them out.”

I closed down my computer and pushed Clawdia off my lap, leaving a cold spot on my legs. She huffed and licked her paw daintily as I rifled through my draws and picked out a few cameras and listening devices. I grabbed an overall and a high-visibility jacket. Just as I turned to leave the house, Clawdia meowed.

“Go home, Clawdia. I’ve got stuff to do before tomorrow.”

Shutting the front door, I pressed the button on my car keys, and the lights flashed as it unlocked. I drove about ten minutes down the road to Pigeon Park. It would have been five, but the one-way system around town was never kind.

I looked around the square, a small pair of ladders in one hand, my other hand holding a bag of equipment.

The entrance to the cathedral was the most sensible place to wait. Spring showers meant the weather was unpredictable. Sitting on a bench or the grass to wait would likely cause a soggy arse.

I set the cameras in the direction of the cathedral’s entrance and also put some on the gates around the square, just in case. No one questioned me as I climbed up and situated my devices. The high-vis made me just as unnoticeable as any other maintenance workers.

I threw keys on the kitchen table as I walked back into the office. Wiggling the mouse, I sat back in my chair as the screen came back to life and I activated all the devices. The picture was clear, the sound even better, which was a relief since I hadn’t had to use them for this kind of reconnaissance in years.

I smirked and kicked my shoes off, throwing my feet onto the desk and leaning back into the chair.

I’m going to get you, you fuckers.

* * *

The next day,I woke up excited. It was time to get some answers. I ate my corn flakes and watchedThis Morning. At half eight, Clawdia came into the living room and jumped onto the sofa to sit with me. So distracted by the telly, I didn’t look at her. I just stroked her once and continued spooning flakes into my mouth. When something touched my leg and Clawdia meowed, I looked down absently and then again once the picture resonated in my brain. She’d dropped a flower on my lap.

“Er, thanks, Clawdicat. Aren’t you supposed to give me a mouse or a bird? What kind of cat catches a fucking flower for someone?” I asked and stroked her head since she looked so proud of herself.

Clawdia meowed and nudged the flower. Sighing, I picked it up and muttered something about being bossed around by a flower-catching cat.

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