Paradise Lake: A Love Story

Chapter Six: A Warning

Fred

'Dreams can be dangerous things' Fred thought. He was driving the rented Mustang slowly along Hillcrest Drive while Daphne scanned the sidewalk for the man they thought could give them a clue in the disappearance of Ashley.

Daphne had always been at the center of his dreams, appearing as an angel or as a witch casting a spell depending on his mood. He took a moment to glance over at the red head, noting with pleasure the figure she fought so hard to keep trim. His nerves were tingling, his hands would be trembling if not for the grip on the wheel. The storm in his heart refused to abate from the kiss they had so recently shared.

"Maybe he doesn't want to be found," Fred wanted to say something, anything to ease the tingling running along his back.

"Don't be silly, Fred," Daphne answered, "if he didn't want to be found, he never would have approached us in the restaurant."

"So why is he hiding now?"

"We'll ask when we find him," exasperated, Daphne returned to watching the sidewalk, "there he is!" Daphne shook a well manicured finger in the direction of a man who turned the corner ahead. Fred maneuvered the Mustang smoothly onto Pine Street and pulled to the curb. The man looked around suspiciously then slipped into an alley. Fred and Daphne exited the car and followed quickly, fearful of losing their target.

The man wrung his hands together as if trying to rid them of grime only he could see. He turned his head back and forth, constantly searching for unseen enemies.

"You are Dwight Saunders aren't you?" Daphne asked as she approached the man. The man didn't look at her, looking instead back the way they had come.

"Yes. I have a message for you from Ashley." His voice was low, his eyes red rimmed and bloodshot; either from lack of sleep or some other reason.

"I don't think you've met my friend, Fred Jones," Daphne interrupted when Dwight seemed about to go on, "Fred, this is Dwight Saunders, Ashley's husband. Sorry, I forgot, ex husband." The emphasis showed Daphne had not forgotten and if asked, there would be no question on which side she would land on the subject of the divorce. The vehemence was so uncharacteristic of Daphne, Fred looked askance and her without losing sight of the man in front of him.

The man refused to make eye contact; several heart beats passed before Dwight acknowledged Fred's outstretched hand with a nod of his head. He turned his attention to Daphne, "We may be divorced but we've remained friendly. Ash called and asked if I'd deliver a message to you." His voice was bitterly cold as if he was biting each word off before delivering them.

"She said you'd come looking; she said she was leaving for a rest and didn't want to be found..."

"A 'rest'? All she'd have to do would be to ask my parents for some time off, not disappear."

"That's the message. Go home! Did I mention, you and your friends are in danger?"

"Danger? No, you didn't mention that." Fred interjected.

"All of you are in danger! There's more to this than Ash disappearing. Valuable jewelry has been vanishing also; the police think Ash has something to do with the thefts. I've said too much! Go home!" Fred and Daphne watched Dwight walk away, still wringing his hands.

"Kitten, we have to check on Velms." Fred touched her shoulder. Daphne let herself be pulled into a hug. Stunned at the conversation she let Fred lead her towards the car.

They stopped in their tracks as a police cruiser passed the entrance to the alley. They turned back to check on Dwight but he had vanished into the crisp air.

"Fred, Dwight said we were all in danger. I think we should get to the hospital as soon as possible. I'll drive, I know the way."

She flipped a U-turn returning to Hillcrest Drive.

"Look, Fred," she swept her arm indicating the little town had been decorated for the upcoming holiday. "We've been so focused on Ashley's disappearance and now the intrigue of missing jewels, we've missed all this." She slowed the vehicle taking in the many decorations. "And look," she pointed at a sign displayed in one shop window, "a dance on Valentine night...and I have nothing to wear!"

Fred

'Great!' Fred thought. 'Valentine Day is so close and here I still don't have a present for Kitten and now here is a dance'. He looked at the sign Daphne had pointed out; it was a beauty salon. He guessed Daphne would come here to have her hair fixed up for the dance. What caught his attention was a small cardboard box a few shops down. That would work into his plans perfectly.

-Xxxxxx

Shaggy: At the Hospital

Velma had been transferred to room 317 West (3rd floor, room 17, West wing). The rooms, 30 in all, were arranged in a circular fashion around 4 nurses stations. 317 was typical.

A bathroom stood on the right with a sink and cupboards on the left just inside the wooden door. A curtain on a half circular track offered the only privacy before entering the room proper. The room was small; a hospital bed next to the wall, a computer sat in the corner. A medium sized television was attached to the wall opposite the bed. A blood pressure machine stood beside the bed.

Shaggy had called Fred as soon as he knew which room Velma would be in, he placed Velma's clothes bag in one cupboard then turned to check on Velma. Shaggy didn't like hospitals; visiting or as a patient.

Velma's eyes were closed. 'must be asleep', Shaggy thought as he pulled up a chair beside her bed. A light tap announced the arrival of Fred and Daphne.

"How is she?" Daphne came in first, dropping her coat onto the other chair.

"Sleeping I think." Shaggy rose, "any luck with that man?"

"Yes, we found him," Fred answered.

"He said we were all in danger. I don't think we should leave Velma alone. Shaggy, why don't you and Fred go get something to eat? I'll get something when you get back."

"Sounds good." Shaggy agreed, "I need to see about Scooby too, he's been cooped up in the Mystery Machine all this time."

Daphne and Velma talk

When Fred and Shaggy had left the room, Daphne took the chair Shaggy had vacated, looking down at the sleeping form of her best friend.

"You can stop faking it, Velma. I know you are awake. The guys are gone and we can have a nice long talk. I don't like secrets between us."

"I might feel better if I talked about it. You'll probably think I'm crazy." Velma opened her eyes, looking at her long time friend.

"That'll never happen, Velma. Now, tell your big sister what happened between you and Shaggy?"

"What makes you so sure it's about Shaggy?"

"It's written all over your face. You're in love with Shaggy aren't you?"

"I'm not sure about that. You remember our case with the Master Puppeteer?"

And Velma began telling Daphne the whole story.

TBC