Night Beat

Chapter Two:Rescued Treasures

"What's it about Fred" Velma asked when Fred answered the door.

"Yeah, What's this about a ghost...what's for breakfast? If we're chasing ghosts, I need my nourishment" added Shaggy.

"G...Gh...Ghost?" Scooby sneezed. "I'm allergic to ghosts."

"Come on in guys...sit down...I don't know much more than you do now. Daph only said there was a ghost at the piano and to call you; that she would explain more when you got here and she got dressed, which is where she is now. I've got coffee ready and I'm working on my world famous omelets, toast and jam, your choice of hash browns or apple sauce. And Scooby Snacks for you-know-who."

"Bring it on, that sounds good for a beginning" Shaggy dished up plates for Velma, himself and some Scooby Snacks for Scooby while Fred filled coffee cups and passed them around.

"Where did you learn to cook, Fred?...these omelets are great" Velma took a bite of the omelet on her plate.

"With mom and dad at work, it was pretty much learn or starve" Fred answered while passing around a small serving dish. "Try this on your toast Velms...Cashew butter Daph and I found on one of her shopping spree's."

The sound of a huge commercial sized hair dryer could be heard coming from the direction of the master bedroom. Fred waited until he figured Daph was almost finished drying her hair before he rose and poured a cup of coffee. The hair dryer noise died away and Daphne swept into the room, taking the offered cup, taking three large droughts of the hot liquid.

"Thanks sweetheart, perfect timing, perfect coffee...hi guys!" Daphne kissed her husband, taking her place at the cafe style table with wrap around padded bench. It was easy to serve any one from one spot; which Fred did, placing a full plate in front of Daphne before sliding in beside her.

"Tell us what happened" Velma reached over to touch her friend on the arm. "We need to know Daph."

"I...I thought I'd let Fred sleep in while I started breakfast; enjoy a cup and enjoy the quietness." Her hands shook so badly, she used both to bring the cup to her lips. "I heard the piano start playing; I wondered who it was, Fred and I were here alone." She took a deep breath as if steeling herself to continue. "A young woman, about our age, was sitting at the piano playing so softly I thought I might still be dreaming...then a man entered the scene, placed his arm around her neck and dragged her away from the piano, she kicked the bench over...and then they both dissolved into thin air. That was when I called Fred and asked him to call you guys."

"How were they dressed?" Velma urged Daphne to continue.

"She had on an old, turn of the century style party dress, I've seen them in pictures. I only got a quick glance but I think I'm right. The man had on a dress shirt, trousers and suspenders, same style."

"Any thing else, did she have jewelry of any kind?" Velma prompted.

'Just like a woman' Shaggy thought, 'a ghost in the house and they worry about what accessories the ghost is wearing!'

"It happened so quick, I'm just not sure but I think she was wearing a necklace. Red and black alternating squares; it must have had a pendant but I'm not sure about that. I didn't see anything like a ring on the man. He had his arm around her throat, I think he was choking her."

"What else Daphne...you have to tell it all!"

"He pulled her off the bench...she kicked the bench over..." Daphne's eyes had filled with tears as she relived the scene. Quietly sobbing she said, "that's when...she cried out...'Help me...help me' but I couldn't help her! I couldn't even move! I've never felt so helpless!"

Fred put his arm around her shoulders, holding her tenderly as her whole body shook with sobs.

No one felt like finishing breakfast, not even Shaggy. Scooby squirmed his way under the table, placing his muzzle in her lap.

---------Xxxxxx

Daphne and Velma had excused themselves to retire to the master bath. When they returned Daphne was still red eyed from crying but the sobs were under control. They found Fred and Shaggy had cleaned the kitchen area and were now deep in a whispered conversation.

"What's going on between you three?" Velma included Scooby in her question.

"we thought it was time to split up..." Fred began.

"You're right Freddy, but I think we'll split up a bit differently this time" Daphne had a determined sound to her voice. "Thank you for cleaning up...now, the tuner is due this afternoon to clean and tune the piano; you two get the job of cleaning the outside of the piano so the tuner can clean inside. Velma and I are going back to 'Rescued Treasures' and talk to the manager."

"Rot raout re?" Scooby asked what he was to do.

"You supervise these two, make sure they do a good cleaning job" Daphne smiled but wiped a tear that had escaped and was running down her cheek. Surprisingly Fred and Shaggy agreed (at least they wouldn't have to go shopping).

Velma and Daphne found 'Rescued Treasures' wasn't busy when they arrived a short time later just before lunch. "We need to speak to the manager" Daphne batted her lashes at the young clerk behind the counter.

'I'd love to know how she does that' Velma thought.

"He was just about to leave for lunch but I think he'll see you" the clerk headed to the manager's office.

Mr. Richardson, the manager came out of his office with a smile that showed his white teeth, shaking hands with each of the girls.

"Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Rogers, so nice to see you again. How may I help you today? We just got in a new shipment."

"we came by to ask some questions about the piano" Daphne began.

"Not planning on returning it are you?" the smile had dropped to a grin; not so many teeth showed now.

"Why...has someone else tried to return it? We were just wondering where you picked it up?"

"We had just gotten the piano in and we have an 'all sales are final' policy because it gets too expensive taking pieces back...as far as where...let me see, yes, an estate sale in...New Orleans."

"Could we get the name of the estate? I'd really like to thank the people. It is a great piece of furniture."

The grin faded into a thoughtful look; the silence lengthened. Both girls knew from experience that the silence was a friend, Mr. Richardson would feel compelled to fill the deafening silence...hopefully with the information they sought.

"Unusual request but I don't see why not. Come into the office and I'll look it up in the files."

Twenty minutes later, the paper with the name and address safely tucked in Daphne's purse, the girls walked out of 'Rescued Treasures'. It hadn't been an estate sale; rather the gentleman's wife had passed away leaving him with the uncomfortable burden of disposing of possessions they had accumulated throughout their life together. The piano had been the last to go.

"I sure could use something to drink" Velma pointed to a coffee shop in the next block. The girls settled outside on a small picnic type table with their drinks. Velma watched as Daphne stared at the Styrofoam cup as if it might bite her at any moment; twisting it around and around. The tears may be under control but Daphne was showing the residue of one stressful day.

"The guys aren't around, it's just us now. Want to tell me the rest of the story? Daph, what you are holding back?" urged Velma. Daphne raised her eyes, looking at her friend for so many years.

"I never could hide anything from you, you know? We've seen a lot haven't we? Ghosts, hobgoblins monsters, real and imagined. I've never seen anything like what I saw this morning." Daphne took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and a long drought of her drink then continued.

"What I saw this morning shook me to the core! Velma...the ghost...had...red hair!"