The Christmas Planet and Other Stories (Beta Version) by Al Macy

Author:Al Macy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-28T09:18:02+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

This story line was originally part of my book, Contact Us. Several of my critique partners complained that it was too much of a detour from the main plot, and besides, it wasn’t very science-fictiony. I agreed and drastically reduced this subplot in the book.

I missed it, though, so I’ve reconstituted here. There’s some overlap between this and some early scenes in my book, but even if you’ve read Contact Us, you might enjoy finding out what happened “behind the scenes.”

* * *

In his jazz club, Jake Corby played “Lullaby of Birdland,” achieving his favorite feeling of “flow” as he moved into the bridge. Nice! He played best when he wasn’t trying to make it sound good—when he was simply listening. The club was eight steps below street level with an atmosphere suited to alcoholics and die-hard jazz fans. It was shabby-chic, with a faint odor of cigarette smoke left over from a more permissive time. Like an old woman hiding her wrinkles with makeup, Jake kept the lights low but put a spotlight on the Steinway grand. Six regulars watched him play.

It was the spring of 2018, but Jake liked to escape into the persona of a 1940s jazz musician. He wore a dark suit with a narrow tie. His clothes were usually rumpled as if he’d been to an all-night jam session. His salt-and-pepper hair and rough face suggested a life of tough gigs in dark bars. If he’d had a cigarette hanging from his lips, the image would have been complete.

From the corner of his eye, Jake caught Stephanie rushing over. Uh-oh, here comes trouble. Stephanie reached him and poked him in the thigh with the cordless phone. He shook his head.

She put her hand on his forearm and leaned over to his ear. “This sounds really, really important. She says it’s an emergency.”

He nodded, improvised a quick ending, and took the phone.

“Jake, it’s someone named Renata. She says Sophia has been kidnapped.”

“Renata?” Jake froze and frowned as he switched gears between his new life and the old. Images of working with Renata at his security firm ran through his head. He closed the keyboard cover on the piano, took the phone, and talked quietly for several minutes.

When he hung up, Stephanie was still standing by the low stage. “What is it? What happened?”

“An old friend of mine needs my help.”

“Did she say someone was kidnapped?”

“Do you remember the four-year-old I took care of for three months last summer?” Jake stepped off the stage and walked to the coat rack.

“Of course. Sophia. Your goddaughter.”

“She’s been …” He cleared his throat. “She’s been kidnapped in Mexico City, and I have to go help rescue her.”

“But how can you …?” She went silent.

“It’s a long story, Steph.”

“You were some kind of black-ops person, right? I knew it.” Stephanie followed him out the door to his car.

“Not exactly. I’ll fill you in someday, I promise.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I have to go. Please have Darius fill in for me.

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