Finder's Keepers/Ice House on Medicine Lake
From Torg Adventure
The wind was calm, but the temperature was cold outside. Inside the wooden ice shack, the propane heater kept things toasty. I sat on the built-in stool, folded down from the wall, with a thick cushion beneath me. At my feet, the ice fishing tip-up sat across the hole in the floor, red flag held down by the spring. I sipped from my Irish coffee and read the sports page. I was trying to see if I wanted to trade anyone in my fantasy football league. Trades were due on Tuesday. This was Monday.
Fishing had been good. The fishing was always good, since I could tell where the fish were. A fish locker near the door held eight crappies and four walleye. I'd have to go home soon, having caught my limit. One more walleye and two more crappies.
I felt the vibration of my cell phone at my belt before the ring. I answered, "Hello. This is Jack."
"Hello. I'm Jessica Banks. Matthew Christiansen gave me your number." The voice had a rough quality under the feminine lilt. Matthew's name meant this was wasn't a mundane matter. It was Finder business.
"What do you need Found, Jessica?" I emphasized the 'Found'.
"Oh, that was fast. Um, someone stole a necklace from me that has a lot of sentimental value as well as being expensive. The police haven't been able to find it or the thief. I've run out of options. I know Matthew from work, and he said you could help."
"Matt explained that I charge real money for my services, right?"
"Yes, he said that, depending on how hard it is to find, it could cost thousands of dollars. I willing to pay," she said with a certainty that told me she was serious.
"Okay, can you meet me tomorrow morning at the Riverview Cafe in south Minneapolis? It's kitty-corner from the Riverview Theater. We can discuss the details." The thought of a tall mocha and a chocolate chip cookie bigger than my head was exquisite. My Irish coffee helped with the cold, but the coffee wasn't that good. "Say, ten o'clock?"
"Okay, I vaguely know the area."
"Call this number if you can't find it. I'll be wearing a red shirt. I'm about six feet tall, and I have shoulder-length brown hair and glasses. I'll see you there."
What next?
- Scene 2: The Coffeehouse
