Chapter 9: Disguises, a potential lead and discussion

Maggie was mostly silent as her brother and his friends explained everything that had happened, only nodding intently when encouraging them to continue.

She frowned when they mentioned how it started with the fight on the school bus that Monday and being sentenced to serve detention in the school library for six weeks as a result of the damage to the flagpole.

Although appearing skeptical, Maggie made no comment when the gang brought up the two ghosts showing up in the library, then crashing the prep rally, where the Witch warned the faculty to stay away.

She looked concerned when they subsequently mentioned the librarian's death and how they were subsequently suspended, and her worries certainly did not dampen when they mentioned their adventures last night, particularly with the run-in with the two ghosts and Shaggy and Scooby getting locked in the freezer.

As the gang explained, Maggie also took the time to observe his friends.

She wasn't sure what to think as she took a good look at Fred Jones, Jr. With his white shirt, orange ascot, light blue jeans and neatly-combed blonde hair, he's certainly the projection of the all-American boy-type.

The blonde sure looked neatly-dressed, and having had gathered about his father's background, Maggie came to figure that he likely came from a privileged background.

Velma's analytical mind left an impression on Maggie, though noting her orange turtleneck and the freckles on her face, Maggie observed that she doesn't has as much fashion sense as Daphne.

For some reason, there was something in Daphne that Maggie felt she could relate to.

Maybe it was the redhead's fashion sense with a purple hairband, purple dress and a green scarf that matches her brother's shirt, and the red lipstick on Daphne's lips and the black makeup on her eyelashes. Or maybe it was her easy-going demeanour that gave Maggie ease.

"I must say that is quite the adventure you guys went through." Maggie finally said after the explanations, then eying her brother and Scooby, she added, "And also explains why you guys are wet."

"It does." Shaggy nodded. "Like, I hope you're not thinking we're crazy when we told you about those ghosts, Mags, especially when Scooby was saying 'ghost' and not 'roast' when he crashed into my room last Friday."

"Yeah, it does make sense, Norville." Maggie said. "Though it also sound like you guys are in quite a jam."

"Indeed." Fred nodded before he turned around briefly and added, "But it will be good for us to head back to your place so we can discuss our next steps before the sheriff gives us grief for staying on school property for too long."

"The sheriff?" Maggie asked before she looked towards the school entrance. Stone was still standing there with his arms folded while his deputies were at work ins securing the school building.

"He threatened to have us arrested for trespassing if he catches us on school property, plus he also mentioned that your father used to give him grief back when he was serving in the Marine Corps." Daphne explained.

"Right, right, let's head out." Maggie nodded thoughtfully.

Stone continued to look on sternly as the gang finally continued to leave, then he scoffed and shook his head before turning towards Bucky.

"Can you do me a favour, Bucky?" Stone asked.

"Yes, sir." Bucky nodded. "What is it?"

"When you return to HQ, I want you to get Detectives Neville and Chan, Lieutenant Franks, and Lieutenant Colson of the SIU (Special Investigative Unit) to my office straight away and that they are not to speak with anyone else until I get back." Stone ordered.

"Right away, sir." Bucky saluted before he hurried off to his car, leaving Stone to resume looking towards where the gang were at.

Seeing that they are further down the street, the sheriff's eyes narrowed as his adjutant drove off.


"So what do you think we should do next, gang?" Fred asked as they sat in Shaggy's room.

"Honestly, I suspect that our next steps should be to go back to the library and see if there is anything in Mrs. Gates' office that would provide us an insight on who would want her dead." Velma said. "After all, I did overheard her mentioning budget troubles before she left us to serve detention on Monday."

"Do you think she may have been up to something about the school library's budget or anything related to the matter?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.

"It's certainly possible." Velma said. "It's also our only option if we want to clear our names for good."

"Indeed, especially since we still have yet to identify any suspects." Fred agreed before frowning and added. "But then, that leaves us with another question. How do we get back into school to investigate any potential lead at her office? We can't be seen anywhere near the school."

"Exactly." Daphne agreed when she thought of something. "That's the key."

"What do you mean?" Maggie asked. "Are you guys talking about an invisibility serum?"

"Actually, I was thinking of a more theatrical approach." Daphne said.

At Daphne's remark, the others exchanged looks with one another.


A short while later, Daphne was using a pair of tweezers as she worked on Velma's eyebrows in Shaggy's washroom while Maggie looked on.

"Hold still." Daphne instructed Velma, who has her hair covered by a pink towel and her face covered by green facial cream.

Maggie almost winced as Daphne managed to pull out a stray hair from Velma's right eyebrow, leading the normally-bespectacled girl to yelp out in pain.

"Ouch!" Velma protested. "Honestly, Daphne, I don't recall how exactly did you talk me into doing this."

Her remark prompted Maggie to momentarily arch her eyebrows and cover her mouth in amusement, during which Daphne said, "Just stop squirming and trust me."

"I don't know, Daphne." Velma exhaled.

"Don't worry, it'll be over before you know it." Daphne said.

"Fine, let's just get this over with." Velma sighed.

"Okay." Daphne nodded before picking up the tweezers and proceeded to yank out another stray hair.

Once again, Velma yelp out in pain. "Ow! Oh..."

Placing her hands up as she tried to get up, Velma continued, "Okay, on second thought-"

"Hey, hey, hey." Daphne stopped her. "Don't be such a baby, okay?"

As Velma only glared at her in response, the redhead continued, "You'll be surprised how far a little bit of brush and a simple pair of tweezers can go."

"Please, it's not like there would be any noticeable differences." Velma scoffed as Daphne brought a mirror for her to look at.

Upon seeing her reflection, Velma said, "Correction, it does remind me of metamorphosis."

"You see, Maggie?" Daphne asked as she turned towards the younger girl.

"Oh yes, I do." Maggie nodded with a smile. "I guess when you devote an extra ten minutes a day, the phone doesn't stop ringing."

As Daphne nodded and worked on Velma's fingernails, the latter said, "An extra ten minutes? Well, I've already had difficulties devoting enough time to my extra-curriculars and volunteer work as it is."

"Oh, come on." Daphne scoffed. "There are always time for makeup. And boys."

Velma chuckled. "Well, I could definitely use someone to escort me to the chess club socials."

"Now we're talking." Daphne smiled.

Outside the washroom, Shaggy and Fred were seated at the stairs with the latter playing with a small soccer ball and the former reading a Commander Cool comic book.

Noticing the comic book Shaggy is reading, Fred remarked, "I don't suppose you watch or follow any sports, do you, Shag?"

"Not really, no." Shaggy shook his head as he put the book down. "Comic books are more my thing."

"I can see that." Fred nodded. "What's Commander Cool about?"

"Well, it follows the adventures of the superhero Commander Cool, who started out his crime-fighting career as the Blue Scarab's partner and sidekick under the name Crabman, before growing out of the role and subsequently relocating to chart his own path." Shaggy explained. "Gotta say, though, the original comics were much more kid-friendly while the ones from since the mid-1980s are much more action-oriented, darker and more serious."

"I see." Fred nodded again. "I gathered that he had a tragic origin, did he?"

"Yes indeed." Shaggy nodded. "Like his mentor, Commander Cool was orphaned at a young age after his parents refused to play along with a gangster's protection racket and were subsequently poisoned in retaliation during a business luncheon attended by Owen Garrison, who is the secret identity of the Blue Scarab."

"Wow." Fred remarked. "Talk about a darker turn of the comic book franchise."

"Actually, like, that was Commander Cool's origin story right from the start when he made his debut as Crabman in Adventure Comics Issue #41, first published on August 1949." Shaggy said. "As for the Blue Scarab, who debuted in Issue #29 the previous year, his parents were killed in a phony boating accident."

"I see." Fred nodded understandingly.

It was then that Daphne and Maggie emerged from the washroom and the former said, "While you boys are busy discussing Commander Cool and his mentor the Blue Scarab, I believe we have just found our next Gorgeous Gal."

Daphne's remark prompted Shaggy to raise an eyebrow before exchanging looks with Fred and Scooby, and then the redhead continued, "May I present..."

Gesturing towards the opened door, Daphne said, "...the new and improved Velma Dinkley."

Fred and Shaggy looked on, only to find themselves speechless when Velma walked right out.

The bespectacled girl looked radically different with her hair much smoother and longer, and the first thing they noticed was how visibly attractive Velma looked.

She wasn't wearing her glasses, and she was wearing a green hairband, coupled with a pair of white pants and a black blouse and earrings.

"Jinkies..." Fred remarked as Shaggy dropped his comic book, while Scooby whistled.

"Hubba, hubba." Scooby remarked.

"Like, you can say that again, Scoob." Shaggy finally said.

"Hubba, hubba." Scooby repeated before panting.

By this point, Maggie, who had her cellphone out and had captured a few shots with it, put her phone down and said, "I think that's enough, guys. Stare any longer and you might give Velma a lobotomy."

Velma nodded as she added, "It's just a disguise, guys."

"Uh-huh." Daphne agreed as she walked to Velma and adjusted her hair.

"Great, so what's ours?" Shaggy asked as Fred looked at him.


"What do you mean the school's closed?" Velma later asked in a strongly-accented English as she speaks with the deputy stationed at the main entrance.

Daphne, who was disguised as a goth girl, was accompanying her as the deputy simply stood at the main entrance door. His nameplate read "Finnigan".

"I'm sorry, but due to severe vandalism caused by punks, the school board superintendent has ordered classes to be suspended here until further notice." Deputy Finnigan responded with his hands on his hips.

"Vandalism?" Velma asked before waving her hands in exasperation. "Honestly, the least you can do is let me go in to pick up my laptop from my locker."

"It's not just the outside walls that were vandalised, Miss." Finnigan said. "The inside is all trashed up and it's simply not safe for you to go inside..."

While the deputy was speaking, a cyclist was wildly performing stunts on the school driveway while blasting loud, heavy metal through the speakerphones.

It was clear the cyclist was not paying much attention to his surroundings, given he had no indication of seeing that he was biking towards a skateboarder.

"Please, my friend Vanessa's left her laptop in the building and she needs it for her Skype calls back home." Daphne pleaded with Finnigan.

Before the deputy could respond, their attention was drawn by a sharp application of the brakes from the cyclist, followed by a crash.

"Hey, watch you're going, punk!" The skateboarder yelled after the near-collision.

"Punk?" The cyclist retorted as he stormed towards the skateboarder. "You're the one who should be watching where you're skateboarding on the sidewalk, no less."

"At least I'm not blasting music at high volume, guess when you're busy listening to pots and pans and screaming, you don't really pay any attention to your surroundings and accidents can happen like that." The skateboarder growled.

Just then, the cyclist shoved the skateboarder and demanded, "What did you say about my music?"

"Pots, pans and screaming." The skateboarder responded defiantly. "Who the h*ll listens to this monstrosity?"

"Are you challenging my taste in music, boy?" The cyclist responded as he raised his voice aggressively.

"Maybe we should settle this like men if you can't take it." The skateboarder said as he rolled up his sleeves.

"Sure, maybe you need your a** kicked to learn a lesson." The cyclist retorted.

Seeing the two men were about to break into a fight, the deputy frowned and began walking towards the arguing duo.

"Hey!" The deputy shouted as he placed his hands on his baton. "Knock it off, you punks!"

As the arguing duo continued with their staring match, the deputy continued, "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

With the deputy's attention focused on the cyclist and the skateboarder, Daphne and Velma quickly took the opportunity to slip into the school building.

"Don't make me drag you both to the station." Finnigan snarled as he approached the arguing duo, who were by now noticing him approaching.

Without missing a beat, the cyclist and the skateboarder quickly scuttled off, prompting the deputy to snort and yell, "If I catch you lads fighting on school property, it's the cuffs for you!"

He then turned around, in time to see the two girls from earlier walking away from the building in the distance.

"Hm." Finnigan grunted as he returned to his post at the main entrance, unaware that in fact, the two girls he had spoken to weren't even supposed to be anywhere on school property or that they weren't even walking away from the building.

Inside the building, Daphne and Velma wasted no time making their way to the school library.

"I must say, that was quite shrewd of the guys to stage that near-crash and argument and for Maggie and Scooby to make the deputy think we've thrown in the towel." Daphne remarked.

"Yeah, now we just need to be quick." Velma responded with the same heavy Ukrainian accent in her voice.

Soon, the two girls made it to the library. The crime scene tape from Monday was already taken down, likely after forensics have taken all the photos and gathered all the evidence there is.

It was still messy inside the library as the duo darted to the office, where they spent the next five minutes scavenging through the documents and books before Velma found the files for the finances.

"Looks like we've hit the jackpot." Velma declared as she held up the folder, prompting Daphne to briefly suspend her search and perk up.

Walking over to join Velma, the redhead looked on as Velma flipped through the files and said, "Looks like the operating budget's shrank considerably for the past couple of years."

"Not surprising, considering the ripple effects from the financial crash." Velma responded. "Though the figures don't seem to be complete, unless..."

She trailed off as she put on her glasses and turned towards the computer and added, "...Mrs. Gates has something on her personal drive on the school computer network."

Moving the mouse, the screen came to life and immediately requested the password for Martha Taylor Gates.

"Of course it requires a password to log in." Daphne remarked.

Velma nodded as she glanced at the time on the nearby clock. "Don't suppose we've got time for that, looks like we're gonna have to figure another way into the school network and access her personal drive. I wonder..."

Daphne didn't say a word as Velma thought briefly, then she said, "...theoretically, I could enter the network via a backdoor and try to piggy back on the signal connections and onto the school board's server to access the personal drive, though doing so could certainly risk getting us in bigger trouble with the law than we already are."

"At this point, we really don't have a choice if we want to find any potential motive for her suspicious death, do we?" Daphne pointed out.

Velma shook her head. "I don't suppose we do."

Looking around, she then added, "Since we don't have much time, I think we'd better gather what we can and get the h*ll outta here before the deputy at the front becomes wise to our deception."

Daphne nodded before the girls scavenged through the office in search for any financial records that could pertain to the budget woes Mrs. Gates had mentioned, then upon deciding they've got all they needed, the duo darted towards the office door.

Along the way, Daphne's foot kicked onto something on the floor, prompting them to pause and look down.

"Jeepers, what's this?" Daphne asked as she knelt down.

At her foot was a box containing an old book, and the redhead frowned as she picked it up.

"Volume One: Ghostly Hauntings, A History." Daphne read the title as she flipped the book open, during which Velma leaned closer and frowned when she saw something on the .

Before the redhead could continue, Velma exclaimed, "Jinkies, this book is the key to everything about these ghost appearances!"

"Wha-?" Daphne enquired, only for the bespectacled girl to cut in.

"I'll explain when we get back to base, right now we gotta get outta here." Velma said as she tugged Daphne out of the office.

Daphne nodded as she followed Velma out of the library and back onto the hallway.


Over in Shaggy and Maggie's home, the boys and Scooby gathered in Shaggy's room upon discarding their disguises.

"I gotta say you were swell as that skateboarder, Shag." Fred said as he removed the fake beard from his chin.

"Thanks, you weren't bad as the cyclist." Shaggy responded with a nod as he finished drying his arms with a towel upon washing off the fake tattoos. "I do hope the girls have found something."

Just then, the door to his room from outside opened and in came the girls with Velma saying, "You bet my Bunsen burner that we did."

Shaggy raised an eyebrow as the girls made their way into his room, then he closed the door as they gathered at the sofa.

"What have you girls got?" Fred asked as Maggie now joined them.

"Besides files pertaining to the school library's finances, including the budgets, we found something in a box of old books." Velma declared as she held up the book and added, "Take a look at this."

"It's the first volume of a three-volume set of books on the supernatural." Daphne explained.

"Volume One: Ghostly Hauntings, A History." Fred read the title on the book.

Velma nodded before opening the book, prompting Maggie and Shaggy to lean closer to read the titles of the accompanying books in the set.

"Volume Two: Common Spells, Curses, and Hexes." Maggie read.

As Velma nodded, Shaggy read. "And Volume Three: A Practical Guide on Resurrection and its Applications."

At the realization, he added, "That's the one we need to get our hands on."

"Yes, but it's checked out from the library." Velma explained before pulling out the check-out slip and added, "And look who checked it out last."

Pointing at the slip, Velma looked on as Fred, Shaggy, Maggie and Daphne looked closer.

"Vice Principal Grimes?" Daphne asked. "But why? How does he gain by resurrecting those two ghosts?"

"Not to mention what does he have to gain from the librarian's death, assuming he is responsible for ordering those two ghosts to whack her." Maggie added.

"We'd definitely need to check him out." Fred nodded. "Velma, could you find out where he lives?"

"Already on it." Velma said as she opened her laptop and began typing.

As Velma searches, Maggie asked, "Are you guys seriously going to pay him a visit? After he literally had you suspended from school and probably wouldn't be above having you arrested for trespassing at his home?"

"It cannot wait, besides we'd be armed with the evidence of him expressing interest in resurrecting ghosts." Fred replied.

"And that's it?" Maggie asked. "If I'm being honest, confronting him based on him likely checking out the last of a three-volume set of books is circumstantial at best."

"True, though you can consider it as a camouflage for us while we search for solid evidence of actual wrong-doing, like embezzlement, which may be what Mrs. Gates was up to prior to her untimely death." Daphne pointed out, prompting Fred to nod.

"Exactly." Fred agreed.

It was then that Velma groaned when she finished her search, prompting the others to turn towards her.

"Oh no..." Velma groaned. "He lives all the way out in Watson's Pass, which is a good distance from Coolsville."

As she spoke, Velma turned the laptop towards the others so they could see the Google Maps search she just did.

"Well, I have my driver's license, so driving wouldn't be a problem." Fred said. "But neither of us have a ride."

"Maybe not, but my dad does." Daphne spoke up. "It does become mine once I get my license, so we can definitely use it, but we'll have to sneak it out."

"Alright, then it's settled." Fred declared. "We'll meet up at Daphne's place tonight after our parents are sleeping."

"In the meantime, what should I do?" Maggie asked.

Without a word, Velma took the files they've obtained from the office and placed it on the desk.

"See if you could dig through the files and find anything that doesn't add up." Velma offered. "Shag's mentioned you're good with numbers."

"Sure, I guess." Maggie exhaled.

"In the meantime, I think we should head home and get ready for supper." Fred said, prompting the girls to nod.

"Then, we'll see you at Daph's place." Shaggy nodded back as Fred made his way to the door.

"See you, Shag." Fred said as he took his leave, followed closely by Velma.

Daphne was seemingly motioned to follow Fred and Velma out as Shaggy and Scooby waved her goodbye and climbed up the stairs, only for the redhead to beckon Maggie to follow her out the door.

"Maggie, can I have a word with you?" Daphne asked once Fred and Velma were out of earshot and Maggie had closed the door behind them.

"Of course." Maggie nodded. "It's about my brother, isn't it?"

As Maggie made the remark, Daphne arched her eyebrows briefly as she studied her.

With her long dusty brown hair, thin frame face and wearing a light brown hairband, a pair of pearl earrings, pink blouse, brown scarf, a pair of jeans and a pair of brown heeled shoes, Maggie certainly has her own sense of fashion not unlike her own.

She certainly can see Maggie's resemblance to her older brother, and Daphne relaxed her eyebrows as she asked, "How did you figure?"

"Just the way you and him interacted, specifically the eye contact and all." Maggie shrugged. "Quite simple enough for me to conclude you've likely got some questions about him, especially since he certainly didn't look comfortable with how observant you were."

Daphne nodded as she asked, "Is my being observant a problem?"

"Not in particular." Maggie shook her head. "Especially given the way he looked more...haunted whenever parents or military service are mentioned."

"Hope you don't mind me asking, but I take it that your father served?" Daphne said.

"Yes, he did." Maggie nodded. "But he passed this past March after an ambush in Afghanistan."

"I'm sorry to hear." Daphne exhaled. "Shag's must not have taken the news well."

"Well..." Maggie hesitated. "Actually, it's more than that."

"How so?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.

"Norville has been kicking himself a lot, ever since Dad died." Maggie explained.

"What for?" Daphne asked.

"Well...to be honest with you, Daphne, it actually began almost a year ago, around five months before Dad was KIA." Maggie said. "You see, Norville and his class at Abraham Lincoln High were returning home from a school field trip when it happened."

"What happened?" Daphne now arched her eyebrows as she folded her arms.

"The school bus was crossing an intersection when a tractor-trailer, who was speeding, travelling on the intersecting road and was supposed to stop at the red light when it experienced brake problems, collided right into the middle of the school bus." Maggie replied. "11 of his classmates were killed, all of whom were seated at the middle of the bus."

"Jeepers..." Daphne covered her mouth in shock. "And Shaggy?"

"He was the only one at the middle of the bus to have survived the crash, but it wasn't without its implications." Maggie explained. "The doctors botched his surgery, resulting in him getting addicted to the prescribed painkillers."

With a sigh, Maggie continued, "The side effects from the painkillers led to Norville getting dragged into a cycle of dependency in the drugs in order to counter balance the side effects of the other drugs, and it was only a matter of time before he came close to fatally overdosing."

"So what happened afterwards?" Daphne asked, concerned.

"Mom and Dad finally convinced him to go into a second surgery and then check into rehab, though it wasn't without its struggles." Maggie continued. "In fact, the whole situation pushed Norville and Dad apart and in their last conversation prior to Dad's final deployment, he tried to convince Norville to kick the habit for good, considering the relapses Norville has experienced while in rehab numerous times."

"And I take it that it didn't quite end well, did it?" Daphne folded her arms as she connected the dots.

"Exactly." Maggie nodded and sighed. "It took the news of Dad's death and the military funeral to finally push Norville to agree to go under the knife again to fix his left arm and kick the addiction for good."

"And did it work?" Daphne asked.

"Well..." Maggie hesitated again. "Norville's been clean since that second surgery"

"But?" Daphne asked, judging from the look of hesitation on Maggie's face.

"He hasn't been himself since that accident." Maggie said. "Before the accident, he was more happy, cheerful, always cracking jokes and easy-going. Now, while he does cheer up from time to time, the recovery and the news of Dad's death have taken a toll on him."

She frowned as she continued, "In fact, come to think of it, I don't think that Norville has relaxed and sleep well compared to before the accident and Dad's passing, but when I keep asking him about how he's feeling, Norville always changes the topic and avoids discussing the issue with me."

Daphne nodded understandingly as Maggie looked at her in the eye, the emotional tone in her voice becoming apparent as her eyes appeared to be welling up.

"Trust me, Daphne." Maggie said, trying hard not to sob. "Norville may have his armed fixed, but I can guarantee that if he doesn't find someone to open up to and let go of all of those bottled-up feelings from his chest, he's gonna have another-"

Maggie couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, as it was then that her emotions began to pour out.

Without another word, Daphne reached over to give Maggie a hug, one hand on her back while the other hand stoked her hair.

Letting Maggie cry in her chest, Daphne comforted her as she noticed Scooby snuggled up against Maggie's leg.

"It's okay." Daphne said as she comforted Maggie, stoking her hair as she spoke gently. "I'll keep an eye on your brother, Maggie. I promise."

Maggie sobbed and didn't say another word, though she nodded gently at Daphne's words.


Unbeknownst to anyone that were in the basement, after the gang had split, the Blue Scarab's face in the poster morphed into a ghastly form before Ebenezer Crabbe's ghost emerged from the poster.

Concurrent to that, Gorgeous Gal's face on the poster similarly morphed into a demonic look before Sarah Ravencroft's ghost emerged from it.

Both ghost cackled as they flew away, just as Maggie stepped back into the room.

She frowned when she noticed the faint residual glow left behind by the two ghosts on the ceiling, then she blinked.

"Norville?" Maggie called out when that glow dissipated.

"Yeah?" Her brother responded from the kitchen.

"Was there anything glowing in your room while we were gathered down here?" Maggie asked.

"No, why?" Shaggy asked.

Maggie looked up towards the ceiling again, but nothing out of the ordinary can be seen.

"Um, nothing." Maggie responded before walking towards the desk and picked up the stack of files Velma and Daphne had procured from the library.


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