Jak Phoenix: Paid in Full (A Short Story) Read online

  ***

  “Are you sure we’re in the right place?”

  “This is the location he gave us,” answered Baxter.

  As soon as Jak saw the wooden lake house from the air he was intrigued. The view of the crystal clear lake water against the rocky shores was one of those sights that calmed your nerves the instant you took it in.

  They brought the ship to a gentle stop.

  “You don’t really see enough old wooden cottages these days,” said Jak. Baxter saw the look of wonder on his face as they walked up the rock path from their ship’s resting place, just a few steps from the edge of the lake. With Jak’s odd affection for out-dated items, Baxter sometimes worried that he would try to use wooden boards to fix the Tempest without telling him.

  An electronic panel on the right side of the door provided a stark contrast against the rustic exterior.

  “Looks like it’s a little more durable than it seems.” Jak pulled the security card from his chest pocket and slipped it through the door lock. A light turned from red to green and a click sounded. Jak turned the old fashioned wrought-iron handle and opened the heavy door.

  “Wow, fancy,” said Baxter.

  “It’s alright, I guess,” said Jak, secretly admiring the open concept layout with a lake view through floor-to-ceiling windows. It was expensive, but still minimalist in a way. Heavy wood decorative moldings lined the walls, punctuated by the odd ornament, all carved or set in various precious stones. Jak didn’t miss the two security cameras mounted up in amongst the exposed wooden rafters. His view moved to the front corner of the room. “What’s that by the fireplace?”

  They both walked over to the bulky box on the floor to satisfy their curiosity.

  “It’s a thermal jet relaxation tub,” answered Baxter.

  “What, like a bath?” asked Jak, slowly putting the potential uses together in his mind.

  “They say they’re good for the back…and great for stress relief.”

  “Yeah,” said Jak, “I’m sure that’s what old Herrold uses it for. Ten bucks says he’s either a bachelor or he’s got a mistress.”

  “I guess.” Baxter was still mentally reviewing the therapeutic uses as Jak darted off to a tall circular table in the center of the main room, where a folded hand written note stood propped up in the center. Jak swept it up and read the words.

  Thank you for your services. Payment is at:

  43.07995370754557

  -79.0764570236206

  “Pretty straight forward,” said Baxter, peeking around from behind Jak.

  Jak didn’t say anything. He quietly brought the talisman out of his pocket and laid it safely upon the varnished table.

  “Cameras are on us, Bax. We’d better get out of here.”

  The two men walked out of the nicest place they had visited in years and shut the door behind them. Jak tried the handle, just out of reflex, but it stayed in place, and the light on the card lock remained red. Within a minute they were off in the Tempest, en route toward the supplied coordinates.