I will return

41

There I was, **watching Fred** from Tom's eyes, keeping a low profile as the crowd started asking questions. Fred smiled with that confidence he always had, answering questions about his career, about how they had solved some of the most complicated mysteries. Someone mentioned **Zombie Island** and Fred laughed, telling how, at that moment, everyone had doubted the veracity of what they saw. Then, the topic of the **Chest of Demons** came up, and it was there that I saw how his expression changed a little.

"At first, I couldn't believe it was all real," Fred said. It was a difficult case, because **Vilma and I were not with the team** at that time.

People laughed, but I, hidden inside the backpack, smiled differently. **It was the perfect time to intervene**.

"And if you weren't there," I said under Tom's lips, my voice perfectly controlled, "then how many members were on the team?"

Fred, somewhat surprised, looked towards where I was, but quickly regained his composure.

"Only four," he answered confidently. **Shaggy**, **Scooby**, **Daphne** and... a boy named **Flim-Flam**.

—And what happened to the **fifth member**? —I murmured again, slower this time, letting the words seep into his mind.

Fred became **visibly nervous**. I could see it in his expression, although he tried to keep his smile for the audience.

"No... I don't remember any fifth member," he answered, his voice a little more strained. As far as 

I know, there have always been five of us.

I laughed silently, noticing how he was trying to avoid what **he knew**. I knew **I** had been part of the team. I knew **there was another member**, but of course they **didn't want to talk about me**. They wanted to forget about **Scrappy-Doo**.

"As far as I remember," I continued, "we used to be six members in **Mystery Inc.**

Fred looked at me, more nervous now. He tried not to look upset, but he could feel how he was sweating, how his eyes were trying to escape the conversation.

"No..." he repeated, almost murmuring this time. There have only been five of us... always...

**I had him trapped**. I knew he was trying to hide something. And sooner or later, everyone would find out.