The White Russian
Chapter seven:
Coolsville, 9:00 am, a certain office in a certain office building
The lone man sat playing solitaire with an old deck of cards on a battered desk. The only thing on the desk, other than the cards was a black phone that hadn't rang since the man came on duty at six o'clock.
He went through the cards, unable to make a play. Another game lost; it was a good thing he wasn't playing in Vegas or he'd be down to pawning his shirt and shoes. Gathering the worn cards up he began to shuffle once more. If that phone didn't ring soon he'd be ready for the looney bin.
As if on cue, the phone rang, startling the man into inactivity. The second ring brought him out of the trance.
"Go."
"Sorry, haven't been able to report sooner. It's a mad house around here." The caller didn't explain where 'here' was.
"Cut the small talk and make your report." Actually the man would love to chat but that wasn't allowed.
He was there to field and pass on the operator's reports to...well, truthfully he didn't know and didn't want to know. In this business, the less you knew, the better off you were.
"Two of our guys were picked up by the police last night. They're in jail now. Get this, they're being charged with kidnapping the Dinkley broad along with a long list of other crimes. The kidnapping hold water because we had nothing to do with her and her groupies disappearance."
"You sure of this, the Dinkley gang has disappeared?"
"Lock, stock and barrel. Sometime during the night; we were keeping tabs on Jones and the Professor and didn't know about the disappearance until we heard about the arrests."
"You know the routine, call back in an hour for further orders. Somebody isn't going to be happy about this turn of events."
"Tell me about it. I'm thinking of disappearing myself."
"Stay put. Don't go doing something stupid."
One hour later
"Go!" He answered on the first ring this time.
"New orders?"
"The two men have been cut loose...same thing will happen to you if you cut and run. Find Dinkley group. Observe but do not interfere. Report when you have them under surveillance."
Xxx
Coolsville Police Department, Interrogation room 3, 10:00 am
The police chief himself came into the room. He carried a portable tape recorder and a manila envelope.
"Good morning, gentlemen. I hope you spent a comfortable night and enjoyed your breakfast. You've been read your Miranda rights and you will be given an opportunity to one phone call after we're through here. You don't mind if I record our conversation do you?" Both men nodded in the affirmative.
After turning on the recorder and stating his rank, name, date and time he asked the men if they were agreeing to this conversation of their own volition and had not been coerced in any way? Again the men nodded in agreement.
"Normally, gentlemen, you would be interrogated separately but this is an unusual case." He upended the envelope, two black wallets dropped to the desk. "It's unusual in that we've got two FBI agents caught red handed breaking and entering into a private citizens home. A citizen, I might add, that I know personally and have a lot of respect for.
"Now, gentlemen, it says right here that if found these badges are to be returned post haste to Federal Building, Washington, D. C. and that's exactly what I am going to do unless I get some answers.
"First, so you'll know where you stand when you talk to your lawyer, in this state, kidnapping carries a life sentence without parole. That's a long time, gentlemen. I'm willing to drop the kidnapping charge if you tell me where Miss Dinkley is and she hasn't been harmed."
"Oh, one last thing then you can make your calls. One of these badges is for an agent Washington. Which one of you is Agent Washington?"
"I am, Chief." The taller of the two men stated.
"Fine, thank you. But, you see, I know Agent Washington personally. Worked with her on several cases in Washington, D. C. when I was stationed there. We'll be adding impersonating a Federal Officer to your charges.
"Have a nice day, gentlemen."
Xxx
Coolsville, late afternoon, homeless section of city
Shaggy and Velma led the group of friends, each carried large paper bags filled with sandwiches, chips, canned drinks. Anya and Scooby walked together, she carried a pic-nic sized chest of ice while Scooby drooled over images of sandwiches. Fred and Daphne served as rear guard; they had dropped back a few paces.
"You have any clue what Shaggy has in mind, Fred?" Daphne moved closer to Fred in order to talk without worrying about being overheard.
"Not exactly, Daphne. Shag has pulled some crazy stunts in the past but Velma seems to have settled him down. They do make a nice looking couple. We'll learn soon enough what he's got in mind."
"Speaking of having something in mind...I guess I owe you an apology."
"Whatever for, Daphne?" He glanced over at her, noticing the smile playing at the corner of her lips.
"For last night. It's kind of funny, all these years I've pursued you and when you stop and I catch you...it's me that runs away..."
"I did have that dinner with Anya..." Fred tried to give her an out but she was having none of it.
"And I used it as an excuse. We'd have had a time limit, that's true, but we had time." She stopped, giggling as her cheeks blushed. "I was about as naked as you can get without being completely nude, and I got cold feet."
"When you're ready, I'll be the one waiting. Maybe I should take you to the Casbah, we could make beautiful music together." The feel of soft breasts in his hands danced in his head like sugar plums at Christmas time.
"What about Anya, don't you two have something going on?"
"Do I detect the green eyed monster making an appearance?"
"My eyes are naturally green, Freddie. I was thinking more of that torn blouse in the back seat."
"I give you my word, all we did was share dinner, good food by the way, we talked about truth. She
told me I should marry you and kissed my cheek.
"Her blouse was ripped in the struggle with those two men. She used the coat as a screen while she changed blouses, then tossed both items into the back seat."
"She said...you should marry me? Really? Are you...?"
"Let's get this mystery solved then we'll talk. They're stopping, waiting for us. Let's see what Shaggy has in mind."
They closed the short distance quickly, gathering together. "We've been made." Fred had spotted two men while he and Daphne talked.
"Any idea who?" Shaggy asked.
"Not F. B. I. I don't think. Other than that I have no idea." Fred replied.
Before anyone could react to Fred's news, Anya's cell phone rang. Retrieving it, she checked the caller I. D.
"What do you want?" Her voice was shaken, fearful.
"Now, is that any way to talk? I was just wondering if your new lover was there with you?"
"That is none of your business! Leave me alone!" She disconnected the call.
"Well, we know how we were made. Anya, I think it's time to have a nice long truthful talk." Fred took the phone from her, slipping it into his pocket.
TBC