"Look, Fred, there's the place," Daphne pointed at the weathered wooden sign creaking in the breeze.
As the Mystery Machine turned into the parking lot with a spray of gravel, a slim young man in a thin grey jacket and jeans strolled out to meet them. "Hi, all. My name's Brock Knight. Are you here for a tour?" he asked hopefully.
"Not quite." Brock's face fell. "We're Mystery Incorporated. We just came from Frank's down the road, and he asked us to talk to you."
"Pleased to meet you" Brock shook hands with the gang as they introduced themselves. "Yeah, Frank's been one of my best friends for, like, ever. He even helped me get started out here. Is this about the swamp monster he's been having problems with?"
The gang nodded in agreement. "Have you had any problems with the monster?" Velma asked.
"No, and I'm glad of it. I have my own problems, as you can see." He gestured to the empty parking lot. "Ever since they built that new highway, no one comes by anymore. I might have to close up shop. You're welcome to look around; I've got nothing to hide."
"Shaggy, you and Scooby stay here and have a look around. The girls and I will go talk to Ms. Webb."
"Webb? As in Maria Webb?" Brock asked, stroking his day-old stubble. "That woman came around here a while back, askin' me to sell. Then the new highway popped up and I haven't seen her since. Good luck."
Fred and the girls piled into the Mystery Machine and drove off.
Brock turned to Shaggy and Scooby. "You're welcome to look around wherever. I can't afford to run the boat, so if you're going into the swamp, you'll have to go on foot. Don't worry. It's perfectly safe; there aren't any gators within miles of here. But you'll need headlamps." Brock ambled over to his docked airboat and rummaged through his gear. "Just strap them to your head and turn them on when you need them. The swamp can get pretty dark." He tossed the pair two headlamps, which they caught with ease.
"Like, groovy," Shaggy exclaimed. "Thanks, man."
"No problem. Hope you find the answers you need. I'll be in my office trying to salvage my business. And be careful. I can't afford a lawsuit either." With a weak chuckle, Brock strode off, leaving the pair alone.
"Into the swamp we go," Shaggy shuddered. "I hope there's, like, a snack bar in there."
While Shaggy and Scooby explored the swamp, the Mystery Machine pulled into the parking lot of the Mariawood mall. Daphne marveled at the buildings, all haphazardly interconnected in a dizzying configuration.
Windows shone with dazzling new outfits and shoes like sparkling gems. She made a mental note to check out Nerdstroms if there was time.
"According to my research," Velma said as she shut her laptop and exited the van. "Maria Webb is a very prominent woman. She built Mariawood from the ground up. It's now the most-visited shopping center in Florida. It's no wonder why she would want to expand."
They entered the bustling mall and trouped to Maria's main office (stopping to drag Daphne away from Stacy's Department Store.)
"Do you have an appointment?" Maria's secretary demanded in a droll tone.
"Um…no," Fred stuttered. "We wanted to talk to Ms. Webb about the swampland she wants to purchase."
"Oh, you're reporters," the secretary said. "Well, go on in, Ms. Webb will be here in a moment."
Fred and the girls strode into Maria's lush office. Moments later, they heard the staccato of Ms. Webb's heels down the hall.
"Ms. Webb, there are some reporters waiting for you," the secretary said in monotone. "I sent them on into your office. I bet it's about your upcoming expansion."
"Expansion?" Maria roared. "No one's supposed to know about that yet! Although it's almost a guarantee if everything goes well. It shouldn't hurt to talk about it."
Maria entered her office, a false smile plastered on her face. "Hello, dearies," Maria giggled. "I understand that you're looking for a charming front-page story about the fifth-time winner of 'Entrepreneur of the Year!"
"Actually, Ms. Webb, we're Mystery Incorporated," began Fred. "We wanted to talk to you about the swamp monster that's been haunting Frank Jenkins' swamp tours."
A shadow of concern crossed Maria's face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "I've heard of it. I just can't say I'm too sorry about it. That land is prime real estate for Mariawood; it's right off the highway and within driving distance of all the theme parks.
"But if you kids think I had anything to do with the swamp monster, you're sorely mistaken. First of all, I'm not going in that swamp. My heels would be devastated. Not that it matters, I have 47 pairs, but…" Maria giggled, then continued. "Second of all, as a candidate for 'Entrepreneur of the Year,' I can't be bothered with dressing up like a ridiculous ghost to get some choice land. Now, get out of my office!"
After being unceremoniously evicted, the gang piled into the Mystery Machine and drove back to Frank's shack in search of more clues.