The sight of what is unmistakably a man in what looks like a plague doctor's mask certainly leaves the couple in shock. A flood of memories rushing through their heads of every mask that had faced before this moment.
Daphne reaches out and squeezes Shaggy's hand because she can sense him beginning to freeze up. Her touch manages to bring him back to reality and he responds by gently tugging her closer to him.
And that's the first time they realize that this masked individual has been talking (about Elmira according to their daughter) in a clearly disguised voice.
"…those are my final words for you Thornes…your daughter says hi. Don't worry, I'm not planning on leaving her there alone…I've got a large pool to pick from…" The voice is muffled from the mask and being purposely deepened and it's all just a little too unsettling.
A shiver runs down Daphne's spine and finds herself inching even closer to Shags.
"Coolsville is in need of a wake-up call…and I am just so happy to oblige…continue to keep those reigns loose parents…makes my job so much easier…" There's a chilling, almost happy twinge to the voice, as if the person under the mask can barely contain their smile.
A second of dead silence passes while the figure leans forward to fiddle with the camera that's recording them. And then…nothing. A few seconds of static and the M*A*S*H* theme song is filling up the living room.
The kids quickly recognize that finally something other than freaky bird-guy is playing on the TV and shove their way through Mom and Dad to change the channel back to Cagney and Lacey. There's a mixed chorus of praise as well as concern that they missed something good.
Shag and Daph haven't said a word.
As the kids return to their previous activity like nothing had ever interrupted them, they both back up and plop onto the couch. Daphne still holding his hand.
For several minutes they don't say anything, both simply processing what they've just seen. Processing the situation Coolsville is in at this very second.
And then, Daphne stands up from the couch. Shaggy's eyes follow her and he gives her an expectant look, waiting for her to reveal her thoughts. She finds comfort in the way his brown eyes are looking up at her and the horrible feeling that's been clawing into her shoulders eases up. Squeezing his hand, she nods her head in the direction of the dining room table. He nods and gets up.
Once they're both seated, Daphne sends an assessing glance towards the kids – trying to figure out if they'll be capable of eavesdropping. Luckily, that hardly seems likely as they are all completely enamored by their show.
"You're sure there's no way to get a hold of them?" Shaggy asks softly, a small hint of desperation in his tone.
Daphne presses her lips together and shakes her head, "We could try and call the hotel they were staying at but…"
She didn't need to finish that sentence; she knew he understood. That had been months ago, and letters from Fred and Velma were few and far between these past couple of years.
She remembers the arrogant tone of the masked man – like he had already won before the game even started. It was unsettling, and a little too familiar. She had heard that same tone many times. Confidence gained from an untouchable identity and a few stumped cops.
"The kids aren't safe like this…" Shag sighs out.
Daphne nods, "None of them are… He's not planning to stop at Elmira he – This guy likes stirring everybody up." She tries to swallow the bite her tone has taken on. The last thing she should be doing is getting pissed off. She wasn't sixteen anymore.
Shag is quick to recognize the venom in her voice and begins to trace circles on the back of her hand, "Unless…somebody stops him…"
Shocked, Daphne looks up at him, surprised by what he's insinuating. Him of all people.
He's not looking at her and it doesn't take much investigating for her to know that he's looking at the kids. Their kids. Their family. Whom they quit mystery solving for.
"What are you saying babe?" Daphne asks, even though it's not needed. But it's possible she might be misunderstanding things. Jumping to conclusions.
Finally, his eyes find her's and she finds herself robbed of her breath by his assertive gaze, "Look… Like, I know that I was that one who was all gung-ho about swearing off the regular life-endangerment when we moved here. And I would never, ever, not in a trillion years be suggesting this under any other circumstances but…" He bit his lip, realizing that this was his last chance to keep his thoughts to himself and propose a different plan. But her violet eyes are shining up at him with so much trust and support and…damn it she's too gorgeous for her own good, "Our kids could be in danger…and that is something I simply cannot let slide."
"You want us to catch this guy?" Daphne finally spelled out what was being left unsaid and her words made her husband go stiff.
Clearly, he's also shocked that it's him who's making the suggestion to begin with.
But then there's a clear uproar coming from the living room, an argument has broken out amongst the kids. She sees his eyes sparkle fondly and she knows that he's steeled his resolve. She bites her lip.
"Look – Like, Elmira has been missing for a while. Long enough for that asshole to get bored and decide to shove himself front and center into the spotlight." Daphne normally would chastise him for cursing so close to the kids, but he was on a role, and she dare not interrupt it. "And I'm not saying that we'd do a better job then the cops but…" His tone is guilty. He knew nearly everyone on that police force personally since his dad was a part of it up until this year when he finally retired.
Daph nods in understanding, "But that's been our standard track record…"
"Exactly. I just – I think we'll be able to solve this problem faster and then it'll be safer for them." He nods in the direction of the kids. "We'll poke our nose around for a bit, hopefully de-mask a whack job and then we can go back to the whole 'done mystery solving' thing."
He gives her a look, waiting to hear what she thinks.
Daphne is processing his words, letting them sit in her head and attempting to consider her thoughts on them. It's been a long time since their last real investigation and even longer since they did an investigation without Fred and Velma manning the helm. Not to mention the risk of pushing themselves into a potentially dangerous situation. Easily the most negative association she has with their past. She gulps at all the images of Shag being put in direct danger. But then, the ruckus coming from the living room permeates her thoughts and she doesn't need anymore time.
"Hey! You monsters better chill out or guess what I'm gonna do?" She shouts out, the pack of them go silent, "TV is getting turned off."
She sends Shag a smile as they all grumble out apologies and shuffle to watching the screen. Her heart lurched at the sight of them, she loved each of them so dearly and she knew that were no lengths she wouldn't go to protect them.
Her mind is brought back to where they are in the moment when she feels Shag softly brushing his thumb along her knuckles. The action was almost reflex for them at this point.
"I'm in." She says softly.
He nods but his expression is grim.
Excited to get some actual detectiving done now that the plot has actually started.