Chapter Five: Sunday, Day Two

Sunday dawned; it would be another warm day for Coolsville, it was already warm in the room when Tommy woke. "When's breakfast?" he addressed the man at the table, this was a different man than the night before.
"On its way" the man said gruffly.

"I hope they remember milk, I like milk…I hope you guys didn't ask for small bills when you asked for that three million that you'll never see. Let's see, three million in small bills….that'll take six, eight suitcases, maybe even ten. Where you going to hide ten suitcases? Personally, I'd ask for a bank transfer into an unnumbered account, or better yet, untraceable high quality gems." 'Let's see if he takes the bait.' Tommy thought.

"How did you know we asked for three million?" again with the gruff voice.
"Your buddy from last night…it would take two, three days to set up the transfer but I'm willing to double that three if I go home safe and sound."
"He talks too much! How are you, a kid, gonna pay six million?"
'He's playing with the bait, time to set the hook.'

"Simple…I call Aunt Daphne, tell her I'm buying my freedom, she gets it and bingo! You're rich by six instead of three and I'm home, safe and sound."

"And what is 'It'?"

"You guys are dumber than a Conch shell! Haven't you heard of the McDuff treasure? My name is McDuff! The treasure they found is so huge they're still counting it. They cut me in for a measly 15 % for a college fund and trust, and I have to go to college to collect that! I went down into the treasure room several times; pocketing what I thought was worth some money, you might say I started my own trust fund."

"Smart, kid. So where did you hid 'it'?" 'Let's land this sucker' Tommy had an answer ready.
"No way! It's hidden where only I know and it stays that way unless I get my phone call!"

"How do we know you won't run to the cops if we do release you, and I'm not saying we will!"

"I've thought of that too…you don't!...look, first, I'm just a kid but everyone will believe me if I say you had me blindfolded except when you brought food, whatever, and you all wore masks when I wasn't blindfolded, I have no way to identify you…second, I have to trust you to release me safe and sound right?...you guys have to trust me not to say anything to anybody…third, I'm just a kid, like you said, but what's the advantage if I do talk?...none! I'm smart enough to know it takes money to live and I plan on living well!"

---------Xxxxxx

While Tommy talked, selling his plan, Hanna woke, showered, dressed and was walking down the hall when Velma called "Shaggy, Hanna come in here, I have something to show you." 'Here' was the study where Velma had set up her computer and ran the business for the store.
"What did you find, Vel?" Shaggy asked, walking into the cluttered room. "You need to straighten this room up, Vel. It's a mess!"

"Later. I did some research this morning. Here's what I found. There have been three kidnappings over the past year with the same M.O.. I know it doesn't prove our kidnappers are the same that did these, but I'd bet on it. It is good news/bad news/ more bad news. Bad news is I think our kidnappers have done this before and they're professionals. Good news is that after the ransom was paid, all three victims were found unharmed."

"You said more bad news, what bad news?" Hanna said worriedly.
"Honey, I think you deserve to know…those other three…were younger than Tommy, this is the first time they've taken a teen…"

"Let me guess…this is also the first time they've asked for this much ransom?"
"Yes Hanna, it is…they're getting bolder."

"It's time we got bolder also. Hanna, Let's get breakfast then we'll see about narrowing our search." Shaggy said.
"Why can't we go now?" Hanna wanted to know.

"Hanna", Velma took her hand, "I know you like Tommy, maybe even love him, but you won't do Tommy or us any good if you run off without eating something. Your mind won't be sharp, you'll fell tired quicker and you'll make a mistake at the wrong time. You and Shaggy go have breakfast, I'll call Daph, and she's probably at the hospital."

"What a fool I've been! Worrying about that couch potato must have warped my brain!
Breakfast, of course! Vel, pull up Coolsville, zero in on the dock area. Hanna" Shaggy placed his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eye, "the next few hours, days, are going to be rough on all of us but especially you. We need you to be strong, for us and Tommy. Can you do that?"

"Try me! I'm stronger than I look."

"I know you are…here is what I'm thinking…Vel, I'm looking for diners in the area that offer take out or have those catering trucks. Also I don't think the surrounding apartment buildings have kitchenettes but check anyway."

"Way ahead of you Buck, I think I know where you're headed with this. I'm adding delivery to your list."

"We have four people, including Tommy, that have to eat too. Either they have stocked up and have a kitchenette which I doubt, those apartment buildings are too old or you have to be within walking distance of a diner that offers carry out. Good thought on the delivery, Vel. Anything?"

"You've got four hits…the 'Harbor Hutch', 'Lunch Box', 'Ship's Mast' and 'Crow's Nest'. Shaggy, you forgot the bars and Lounges around the area."

'Not really, we'll keep those for later if need be…we'll eliminate these four diners first."

"Which one do we look at first?" Hanna wanted to know.
"The 'Harbor Hutch'. It's the closest from this side of town. Hanna, don't get your hopes up too high, unless we fall into something, this search may take a while."

"I wish you would've picked a better way of saying that" Velma winced.

-------Xxxxxx

The 'Harbor Hutch' wasn't much to look at, outside or inside, cracked linoleum covered a floor that looked like it hadn't seen a broom or mop for a week. If it had seen a food inspector in the last decade, he had retired on the bribes. On the fringe of the dry-dock berths, the main customers would be from the machine shops and sail warehouses.

"Two coffee's…do you have carry out, wife is in the car?" Shaggy asked the waitress.
"Buck for the coffee, Buck-fifty for carry out. Owner says we have to pay for those plastic containers." She sounded like a cop reading off a Miranda card.
Shaggy handed her four ones, picked up the coffee's and left.

"Scratch one…coffee alone tells me they wouldn't come here more than once. Coffee is stronger than that stuff I use to remove rust on the Highboy. Tastes about the same too…and don't ask how I know! Take my word for it. Let's circle around and hit the 'Crow's Nest."

The 'Crow's Nest' wasn't much better than the 'Harbor Hutch'. Both had the same problems, bad location and bad coffee. It did have a couple things going for it: a catering truck was parked in the rear, being loaded for its next run. The other thing was a much prettier waitress whose uniform showed off her ample cleavage. Shaggy watched the two dollar tip (no surcharge on carry out) disappear into the cleavage.

"It'll cost you to see where that tip went…I'm off at two." She winked.

"I'd count this as a possibility, but I doubt it, unless they're into cleavage and lots of it. Where are Hanna and Scooby?" Shaggy looked around.

"I don't know…they were here just moments ago" Velma sounded worried.