Chapter Four: The Docks
Henri's wasn't as crowded as at other times. Daphne walked in; grabbed a small basket and went about selecting some cheese, specialty crackers and two cans of kippers.
The sailor had come in behind her, also grabbing a small basket. Tall, light brown hair and side whiskers, he carried himself with a quiet confidence. He also selected several cans of kippers among other specialty items before standing behind Daphne as she paid for her purchases.
Daphne turned to leave when she bumped into the sailor; dumping both baskets onto the floor. "So sorry, clumsy of me" the sailor knelt to help her pick up the scattered items.
"one car, dark Ford sedan" he whispered.
"Not very good, I nearly lost him twice. Three Mill" Daphne whispered. "Thank you" she said, rising.
"Doing anything tonight?"
"I'm married; anything I will be doing will be with my husband!"
He tipped his sailors hat as she waited for the old woman, bent nearly double, being helped by her young granddaughter, to leave the store. Daphne waited, and then rushed out of the store. The old woman and her granddaughter turned up the street and turned left.
The sailor watched Daphne appreciably until she left the store. Paying for his purchases he added "I need a new flask, mine went overboard. Luckily I wasn't attached to it."
With his purchases, the sailor crossed the street; getting into the Jeep and drove down one block and turned left. "Get in, no one around" he said to the old woman.
"About time Shaggy' this really hurts my back" Velma got into the Jeep with Hanna.
"Spot any one of interest?" Shaggy asked as they drove away, Hanna helping Velma in removing the disguise.
"No, they're very good or they don't care. I don't know which scares me more."
"Daphne?" Hanna asked.
"Let's find out" Shaggy pulled to a stop under a streetlight. Rummaging through the bag he came up with two pieces of paper; one the sales slip, the other a quickly written note:
"Ty dks—hrd shps"
"Translation for us islanders?" Hanna grinned.
"Try the docks—I heard ship noises in background" Velma offered the requested translation.
"You got all that from what four misspelled words?" an astonished Hanna asked.
"They're not misspelled, it's a code Daphne and I worked out, like when she asked about Henry, I knew she meant Henri's. It changes depending on context."
"They're asking for three million" Shaggy added. "The docks? Might as well be the moon: three miles of berthing space, industrial area of a hundred twenty acres, one hundred sixty buildings, not counting the surrounding dives, run down apartment buildings and motels. It's still early, I'll take you girls home then Scooby and I will do a little checking."
"No, I'm coming too" Hanna exclaimed.
Velma reached over to squeeze Hanna's hand "WE are coming, where's Scooby?"
"Rear" Scooby crawled from under a blanket between the girls. "Rscoby Racks"
"Oh, all right! We all go then visit Fred" Shaggy gave in. "Hopefully we'll find something."
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Daphne returned home, pretending to go through the bag of Fred's clothes, then returned to the living room. "I found this while going through Fred's clothes; he must have torn it from one of the kidnappers when they took Tommy." She handed the button that Shaggy had returned at Henri's to Agent Brand.
"Thanks, and we'll have no more surprise 'shopping sprees'. I've heard of Mystery Inc, but this is out of your ballpark."
Daphne looked defiantly at Agent Brand but turned her eyes away; if not in full surrender at least a guarded truce…for now. "I'm going to see Fred, make your selves at home. I'll be home late, if I come home at all."
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The docks were quiet; security lights on as the Jeep made its way slowly along Front Street. "I didn't expect a welcome sign but something! A car out of place, anything!" a disappointed Shaggy commented as he stopped the Jeep. "Vel, take the wheel. Scooby and I will take a walk."
Hanna started to get out, "No Hanna, I can explain Scooby if it comes to that, I can't explain you and Scooby. now I need you to stay with Velma. Scooby, you take this side of the street, I'll take the other side, no noise."
"Rokay" Scooby started up the street as Shaggy crossed the street.
"Does Scooby really understand what Shaggy says?" Hanna wondered out loud.
"I've seen those two do some pretty amazing things. I wouldn't doubt it a minute." Velma drove slowly to the next block and stopped.
"Let me out! This blanket is too hot! Drive to the next block." The voice came from under the blanket making Hanna jump. "Shaggy throwing his voice, trying to be funny"
Velma moved to the next block; Shaggy and Scooby meeting them there, "let's go see Fred and give Daph the bad news: nothing! We need something to narrow our search, this could take forever!"
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Tommy recognized the sound of the Jeep as it passed by. The man sitting at the lone table glanced up at the sound and started to rise. "I could use some water, I'm awfully thirsty" Tommy tried to distract the man "and some food. I won't try to escape."
"Why's that kid?"
"Aunt Daphne will find me and when she does, she's going to kick your butt, I'm going to enjoy that."
The man left, returning momentarily with a glass, "Food is on its way."
"How much ransom you asking for? Thanks."
"Three Mill if it's any of your business!"
"Only three? I got more than that in my savings account!"
The seed had been planted, now to water it just a little…
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"We got nothing" Shaggy whispered in Daphne's ear when he entered Fred's room, giving her a hug, "we'll try again tomorrow. Hey Fred, about time the couch potato woke up" he added, seeing Fred's eyes were open.
"I'll show you who the couch potato is. Doc says I can get out of here tomorrow morning" Fred took the good natured ribbing.
"You up to some company? Vel and Hanna are waiting downstairs…that okay with you agent?" Shaggy addressed the F.B.I. agent in the room.
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The only light was from a small lamp that gave off a meager light when Tommy woke; the same man dozed at the table "you ever hear of Mystery Inc?" he asked the startled man.
"I heard about those meddling kids, yeah, so?"
"Kids!?" 'time to water' Tommy thought.
"You don't have a clue do you? You don't really know who you kidnapped do you? You'll never see a dime of that three million."
"And why is that kid?"
"You broke the rules. Aunt Daphne isn't going to pay a ransom, in fact, If I know Aunt Daphne she'll put that three million up as a reward, you know, 'for information leading to the capture and conviction…'
"And what rule are we supposed to have broken?"
"Mystery Inc has been all over the world solving other people's mysteries…you made it personal! But, I have a plan whereby you can get double what you asked for and not get your butt kicked, interested?"