Paradise Lake: A Love Story

Chapter Thirteen: Midnight Magic and Black Lace

Daphne

Only seconds had passed since Shaggy had made his announcement. The crowd was stunned into silence; they hung onto each word as he continued, "Velma, please bring a large glass and a towel from the bar." He watched as she walked away.

"When we arrived and checked in with the Sheriff's office, Sheriff Fisher and Lieutenant Roberts were in a meeting; they were not aware of our arrival. We were ushered into Sergeant Whitley's office; he was with us the whole time with no time to give any orders outside his office. It was easy to find out that Daphne had rented a car and give orders to Thorne to give all of us a more threatening warning.

"We gave out the news that Daphne would be wearing the family pearls knowing it was too tempting for the thieves to resist. As you can see, we were right. But as I said, we knew Thorne wasn't smart enough to be the head of the gang. Thanks, Velma." He took the towel from Velma.

"Isn't that right, Miss Drake?"

"What is going on here!" Sheriff Fisher stumbled over his words, "that's my dispatcher!"

"I've been watching you, Miss Drake. That's a large wine glass you've been carrying around but I haven't seen you take one sip. I ask myself, 'why would someone carry an oversized glass of wine but never take a sip?'

"I'm not a wine drinker but would you mind if I tried your wine?" Without waiting Shaggy took the glass from the woman. "Why are you so nervous, Miss Drake? Oh, this is horrible! It has turned sour hasn't it?

"My friends would be surprised to know I actually read a book but I checked while Daphne and I were at the library. Did you know that Cleopatra once dissolved pearls in wine and drank it to show her love for Marc Anthony..."

"That's what you were doing at the library! I did wonder, I've never known you to read a book!" Daphne interrupted, astonished at this new side of her friend.

"Pearls, real pearls, dissolve in sour wine." Shaggy continued after a nod of acknowledgment, "is that why you're acting so nervous? You afraid the pearls are gone? Don't worry, those were fake pearls; they don't dissolve."

Taking the glass from Velma, Shaggy poured the wine into the glass. A string of pearls lay at the bottom; using the towel to dry the pearls off he handed the pearls to the Sheriff. "I think that will be enough evidence to put your dispatcher in jail."

"We'd have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for.." the ex-dispatcher started.

"Please don't say it! We're not meddling this time, we were invited! And we're not kids." Shaggy interrupted.

"Any more surprises?" Sheriff Fisher sputtered as the woman was led away.

"The District Attorney may have more based on what Ashley Saunders has to say," Daphne said, looking over the crowd. "Speaking of Saunders, where is Dwight? I saw him earlier.

"There he is!" Daphne added, pointing at a man slipping out an unguarded exit.

"Don't worry, Daph. Mr. Saunders will find that door is guarded. We wanted to see who would try to leave early. Bring him back in here, Officer Goodwin."

"Goodwin! You are supposed to be on administrative leave!" Dwight Saunders stuttered.

"That's what the Sheriff and I wanted everyone to believe. It wasn't mentioned outside the office, so how did you know?"

"The way the thieves knew which house to hit," Velma spoke up, "the dispatcher had the perfect cover to get inside information. Mr. Saunders has been working with the thieves as a 'fence' I believe it's called. That's why Ms. Drake was acting so nervous. She hadn't had time to pass them on to Mr. Saunders; he would plant them in his ex wife's apartment for the police to find. As an antique dealer he could make business trips without raising any questions."

"It's your collar, Officer Goodwin. Put this trash in a cell."

"No thanks, Sheriff. I haven't had time to tell you but I need to leave immediately. And I need you to change my administrative leave to vacation time. I've asked Ashley to marry me, she said, "yes". We've been waiting for her name to be cleared and the case closed. I think this wraps both up nicely. We can be married tomorrow."

"Congratulations! Better get a move on before she gets smart and changes her mind."

"Before you leave do you know what Ashley is telling the D. A.?" Daphne asked.

"Dwight had been spending more money than a simple antique store would account for. She saw Ms. Drake passing money to Saunders; he'd been blackmailing Drake for a split of the action on top of what he was taking as their fence. She and Thorne were heading to the Blake estate when Ashley saw them coming and ran. I showed up and they had to change their plans."

"Get out of here, Paul. Ashley will be glad to see you and good luck." Daphne smiled and looked at Fred, "I think that solves the mystery of Ashley's disappearance and the jewelry thefts."

Several minutes passed as the crowd recovered from the impact of what had happened and turned their attention to the party as the band took their place and began to play a slow tempo song.

Daphne slipped into Fred's arms, snuggling close, "Look." she nodded her head at Shaggy and Velma leaving hand in hand. "Fred, would you mind if we left too? I have a surprise for you."

"That's okay, kitten. We've been so busy, I haven't had time to give you my Valentine present."

-Xxxxxx

"Pick out a movie for us. I'll be right back. And nothing to do with traps please. I've had enough traps for one night" Daphne kissed his cheek and walked into the kitchen area. Scooby had only lifted his head when Fred and Daphne walked in. Still sulking he placed his muzzle back on his paws and continued his dogie dreams.

Fred picked out a movie he thought Daphne would like (it contained not one reference to a trap) then slipped down the hall to retrieve a certain box he had arranged before the party. He was beginning to wonder about Daphne, wondering if he should check on her when she returned carrying a tray with two cups.

"Real cocoa with cinnamon and heart shaped marshmallows. Just for the two of us." She let Fred take one cup then settled beside him, cuddling close. They enjoyed the movie and cocoa for awhile with sweet kisses between sips.

"Oh, I almost forgot your present...again." Fred remembered the box, reaching down to lift the box into sight. "Happy Valentine's Day, Kitten."

A black ribbon secured the lid but Daphne made quick work of removing the ribbon and lid. "Meow!" the little black kitten yawned and looked up.

"Oh, Fred! He's adorable!" Daphne picked up the kitten, holding him in the palm of her hand. "Not a speck of white anywhere...I'll name him Midnight Magic."

"I can understand the Midnight part but Magic?" Fred was perplexed.

"Freddie, everyone knows that magic happens at midnight. And it's almost midnight." Daphne smiled mischievously. "My parents and Maxwell are gone, I don't think Shaggy and Velma will be back for hours. We are all alone and you have a girl in revealing black lace," her hand strayed suggestively across the bodice, "What more could you want?"

"Some more of this cocoa would be great. It's delicious!"

TBC