Catharsis (Book 2): Catalyst by D. Andrew Campbell

choice."
                Sheesh.  He can be so melodramatic sometimes .
                "I'm sorry, Ren.  They're just words.  I was trying to lighten the mood after what happened."
                "Words have power.  Don't forget that," I can hear him sigh on his side before continuing.  "And to answer your question, you're free and clear.  I don't think the police even knew you were there.  Good job."
                I let his last two words hang in the air before replying.  "Was that a compliment, Renny?  Did you just say something nice about me?  I think we're bonding, big guy."
                His voice rumbles across the next words as he says, "Remember, Cat, words..."
                "...have power," I finish in my deepest, raspiest imitation of him.  "Yeah, I know.  And yours do, too.  And thanks."
                I know my current overly jubilant attitude will grate on Ren, but it is just a side effect of having satiated myself with an overabundance of blood from the three men.  As my body processes the nutrients, it kicks out some extra endorphins in my system.  I get...let's call it giggle-silly...for a while until it all hits a sort of equilibrium in my body.  We both just have to put up with my elevated mood for a few hours, and then I'm back to (mostly) normal.
                This is also a good reason why I shouldn't be ransacking drug dens in my current state.  It's a bit counter-productive to be feeling like Rainbow Brite while attempting to imitate Rambo (Thanks again dad for those classic cultural references!).
                But once again, Chadwick?  I think if I wait much longer, then he might disappear.  Just vanish.  I have a feeling he is way too brilliant to just stick around and wait for me.  If I don't get to him soon, then I might not get to him at all.  And a little emotional slap from the happy stick might be enough to keep me from killing him when that happens.  It's no guarantee, but he could use everything he can get in his favor when we meet.  Because something tells me that the next time he and I meet face to face, someone is going to die.
               
     

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
                "Thanks, Ren.  Let me know if anything pops with our friends in the Escalade.  Three of them won't have much to say, but the fourth could very well sing like the proverbial canary.  I don't know if it will be to the police, but I doubt it.  I think we have some time before he gets back and talks to someone high enough to make actual decisions."
                "But for now I'm headed back to Chadwick's place so we can continue our conversation from earlier.  I believe he is going to have some more information to tell me."  I pause for a moment as I swing the bike around a slow-moving truck in the fast lane and accelerate through a yellow light.  "Whether he likes it or not.
                "And if things go the way I want tonight," I say as I come to a stop at a red light (no point bringing more attention to myself than necessary just yet).  "Then it won't be in the 'things he likes' category."
                "Be smart Cat,” Ren tells me as I wait out the light on the quietly humming bike.  "He's smart and he's scary.  I know you're juiced right now and looking for a reason to burn off that extra energy, but I think this guy has earned a little of our respect."
                I'm astounded by his words, and I let him know it.  "Uhm.  What was that Ren?  You respect this guy?"
                "Don't misunderstand me, Cat.  He's earned my respect as an opponent, not for what he's done.  He's still a horrible person.  But he's also a horribly brilliant person.  He's remained untouched by the police, and he ran into you and lived."  He pauses before continuing.  "And, technically, he also beat you.  You had to run from that last