The next day, the gang were able to meet Paul.
"Paul, these are your contest winners," Perry told him when they saw Paul up close.
They then introduced themselves to Paul.
"Nice to meet you finally, kids. I came up with this idea just to make it fun."
"It was something that caught our eye, Paul. This is why we were one of the few other callers you had before choosing us to be the winners," Velma told him.
"I got a lot of hits, that's for sure."
So they were able to stay in Paul's office for a while so the gang could get to know Paul a bit.
"It's too bad you're allergic to dogs, Paul. Scooby is a very friendly dog, even when it comes to strangers," Shaggy said.
"I'm sure he is, but I would love to hear a dog talk."
"We already have, Paul."
"Maybe you, Perry, but I haven't had that chance yet."
"You will."
The gang stayed at the office for about ten minutes or so, since they would get the chance to meet Perry's own mother and see what she could remember before his father was murdered.
"That's quite hard on you when a family member is murdered, Perry," Daphne said.
"It is especially when you didn't get the chance to say good – bye."
"That's rough. I'm happy I still have my own family," Shaggy said.
"Us too," everyone agreed.
"Well, Paul, I'm going to take these kids to meet my mother. She would love to meet them."
"That's fine. Are you going to tell Della where you're going?"
"I plan to do just that, Paul. We will talk with you later."
"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Drake. We'll see you again soon."
"I enjoyed meeting you kids as well. Have a nice rest of your day if I don't see you again later."
"Same to you, Paul," Fred said.
Fred the last one out of the office and closed the door.
"That's a nice office he has there," Daphne said.
"One of the nicest ones I've seen in a while," Fred told her.
So they followed Perry out of the parking lot and to his parents' house.
"This should be fun watching him in court."
Everybody agreed with Velma.
No doubt about that.
They talked about different things, even though no mysteries were brought up. There is no telling what their next adventure would be.
This is one of the things they enjoy – solving mysteries. They have been hoping that this could be something that could be solved, but let's wait and see.
Traffic today wasn't that bad for a weekday, so that was normal.
They played some music while following Perry's car to his parents'.
Music is always nice.
There wasn't much conversation on the way over, and that was fine.
They arrived about an hour later. The drive gave the gang something to look was the scenery.
"Looks like we're here," Velma said as they saw Perry getting out of his car.
He didn't see the need to call his mother and let her know he was coming over with the contest winners. She knew about it because Perry mentioned it to her.
They got out of the Mystery Machine, but decided to leave Scooby in the van.
"Perry, do you want us to keep Scooby in the van?"
"That would be a good idea. My mother isn't crazy about dogs very much. She's more of a cat person."
"Sorry, Scoob. We'll be back."
"All right, Raggy."
Scooby then put on a sad face once Fred locked up the van.
"What's your mother's name?" Daphne asked.
"It's Ada."
He knocked on the door. It didn't take his mother very long to answer the door.
"Perry! Come in!" Ada said.
"Thanks, Mom. These are the contest winners I mentioned on the phone not long ago."
"Welcome, kids. Do you want anything?" she asked.
"No thank you, Mrs. Mason."
They introduced themselves to Perry's mother, but there was no need for their last names.
She showed them a seat in the living room.
"Mom, tell these kids what you told me about Dad."
"I'll do my best, Perry, but it's been so hard lately."
"I understand, Mom. These kids get to watch me in court after this whole thing with Dad's murder is solved."
"What do you kids like to do?"
"We like solving mysteries, but we don't get involved with murder often at all."
"That's good. Murder is dangerous," Ada told them.
They nodded their heads.
So she told them the story.
"We're so sorry, Mrs. Mason. Do you remember where you were when this happened?" Velma asked.
"I was in town, shopping. When I got back, I found him like that. I don't know who could've done this to such a wonderful man."
"He was a good father, that's for sure."
"When was the last time you talked to him, Perry?"
"Shaggy, that was over Easter, I believe. I don't remember."
"It will take time for you both to heal."
"Yes, it would. At least work will keep me distracted from grieving."
"You're a hard worker, Perry. That's what we love about you."
"Thanks, Mom. You're a good mother too."
"I like hearing that."
"I know you do."
So they all stayed over at her house for a while longer.
"You kids can stay here if you want."
"We'll follow you, Perry. We had fun meeting you, Mrs. Mason."
"I enjoyed meeting you too, kids. Stay out of trouble."
"We will."
They didn't bother telling his mother about having a talking dog. She wouldn't understand that.
The gang ended up talking about the day they're having so far.
"Maybe we'll see his mother again before we go, would you think?" Daphne asked.
"No clue, but it's a nice thought. She was a nice lady," Velma agreed.
"I think this might just be one time we'll see her, girls."
"You may never know, Fred."
"True."
They made it back to Perry's office.
"Do you want us here the rest of the day, Perry?" Shaggy asked.
"No. You can do whatever you wish to do. I'll see you later."
"It was fun meeting your mother," Velma told him.
"I'm sure she had fun meeting you too. She does well with strangers," he told them.
"What time do you expect us to be back?" Fred asked.
"Maybe five. It looks to be a busy day."
"Have a good one. We'll see you then."
"Go have fun."
Then they went back to the Mystery Machine and drove away from the office.
"What should we do?" Shaggy asked.
"Mind if we go looking around for a mall? It's good to pass the time," Daphne said.
"Are you going to buy anything, Daphne?"
"I don't know. I just want to look."
So they did that. There was no need to return to his office and ask for directions for a mall.
The closest one was only about twenty minutes away, and that's where they went.
When they reached the mall, Scooby asked, "Can I come too?"
"Sure. Sorry about leaving you behind earlier, Scoob."
"That's okay, Freddy."
He locked the vehicle and entered the mall.
So the first thing they did was split up.
"We'll see you girls later."
"See you later."
Today was a fun day.