(A/N. This is the final story in the series that started with The Snack Strikes Back. Some of what goes on will probably only make sense if you read through from the first story)

The police officer shifted nervously under their gaze. "I'm sorry, but I have an arrest warrant for Velma Dinkley. It looks like someone is trying to set her up but the warrant has been issued and until it's withdrawn it's in effect. This is my first day on he job and they dump this on me" he complained "From what I can see she was here when someone looking like her was seen throwing rocks at a police car. But if you don't come it'll be resisting arrest." he said wretchedly. Even Velma was feeling pity for him now.

"That's ridiculous" said Daphne already on the phone to the Blake family lawyers.

"Look Miss Dinkley, it's against police procedures, but I won't use handcuffs on you, just pretend...please. The sooner we get to the station the sooner we can get this sorted out. Miss Blake has got the lawyers all lined up, I'd expect you'll be back here before they have even opened their briefcases."

"Very well, I'll come along. Daph get the lawyers wound up and I'll see you all down there shortly" sighed Velma reluctantly

"Thank you Miss Dinkley, the car is right at the front door so no-one will see" he said

Shaggy was looking quite nervous and Velma tried to comfort him "Don't worry Shag, we've been through worse. In any case the advanced guard of the Blake legal team are already heading for the courthouse and police station so we should get this sorted out soon."

"If you say so, we'll get ourselves sorted out then follow on" he replied, not wanting to let go of her

"Please?" asked the officer. Fred wondered if someone was playing a odd trick on him as it was his first day.

A couple of minutes later the squad car pulled away, discreetly as promised, no light, sirens, and the only thing the officer insisted that Velma wear was a seatbelt.

Five minutes later the gang were ready to go, they were just getting into the Mystery Machine when another squad car pulled up.

"Morning all" said the officer cheerily as he got out of his squad car, the gang brightened, this officer they had known for years and was one of their friends. The gang had an occasionally uncomfortable relationship with the local police but had managed to avoid personal animosity and had occasionally co-operated on cases at the request of the police. The police held the view that meddling kids they may be but they were their meddling kids.

"Morning Officer Sams" said Fred "Are you here about Velma?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" said a surprised Officer Sams. "I've been asked to come up and ask her a few questions we think someone is impersonating her. I know you folks are good but this hasn't even gone out on the police radio, the desk Sergeant asked me in person to come here."

"Sams, one of your officers has just come here and arrested her" said Daphne beginning to get annoyed "The first day on the job as well, he looked awful"

"Whoo there Miss Blake, what do you mean arrest? There's no warrant out for her arrest that I know off and I don't think we have anyone new starting today in this precinct. Let me check" replied Officer Sams as he went back to his squad car

"Ru-oh-Raggy" whispered Scooby

"I have an awfully bad feeling about this" whispered Shaggy

Officer Sams quickly returned shaking his head "Nothing on both counts, no arrest warrant, no new officers. What did..." he was interrupted by his radio

… All units in the vicinity of South Trevor Ave and all units able to respond, officer in trouble, officer reports... are we sure of this... officer reports that he was attacked about 30 minutes ago and his squad car stolen by... by 3 Velma Dinkleys, all made-up to look like clowns... sounds nuts to me, wait... we have had eye-witness conformation of this? It appears we do.

Sams and the gang shared looks, all coming to the same conclusion

"Sams to control, what was the ID of that stolen squad car?" He spoke to the gang "I know Velma is scared of clowns so that's not right. Something is wrong here"

"Stand by" came the reply "ID of stolen squad car is Bravo-3-9-Charlie"

Daphne checked the security camera footage, less than a minute later she ran back, by the look on her face everyone guessed the answer "It's the same car! Sams, do something, she's been kidnapped!"

"Sams to control, put out an APB for Velma Dinkley, suspect that she has just been abducted by someone impersonating an officer using the stolen squad car. Request you activate the secure tracker on the vehicle and take that car of the radio net."

he looked at the gang "Which way did they go?" they all pointed down in the direction the car had gone "Thanks, do you have any idea who would do this?"

"Many, but there is one in particular" said Daphne quietly "Gibby Norton. That officer was about his height."

"Sams to control, get an APB out for Gibson Norton aka Gibby Norton. He's to be arrested for assaulting a police officer, stealing police property , impersonating a police officer, the abduction of Velma Dinkley and for breaking his restraining order." he let go of his radio "We'll be in contact guys" he shouted as he raced back to his car and sped off in the direction the gang pointed in.

The gang stared at each other for a while. Finally Fred spoke up

"Well we'd better get back inside and try to come up with a plan to... to find out what we need to know to make a proper plan to rescue Velma."

Daphne and Scooby led Shaggy inside while Fred got out the police scanner and various maps of Coolsville and the surrounding area. In addition he found every bit of material they had on Gibby Norton. Coffee was started and everything was dumped on the biggest table they had.

"Right, lets go through this with a fine-tooth comb and for ideas. I've brought down a laptop so we can check out the more recent stuff" said Fred. When the coffee was done Fred went into the kitchen to bring the coffee and snacks in. Daphne came over to help

"What are we doing exactly Fred?" she asked quietly

"Keeping Shaggy busy till we get a lead of some kind, who knows we might hit on something. As Velma keeps saying chance favours the prepared mind. Right Shag..." Shaggy had gone. Fred and Daphne hunted around the house in desperation for a minute or so till they saw Shaggy come up from the basement carrying a couple of large box files.

"What's that Shag?" asked Daphne

"It's Velma's... nasty person files. She kept records on the people who have hurt her or threatened us to get at her. She keeps them for just-in-case reasons. These are the files on everything she knows about Gibby Norton and all his correspondence with her."

"Why would she spend ages doing such a horrible task?" asked Fred as he started to look through the material. It was obvious that Velma had spent a long time analysing and cross-referencing documents and facts.

"For quiet life, as Sun Tzu says in The Art of War 'keep your friends close and your enemies even closer'" he replied

"Wow Shag how did you know that?" said Daphne

"It's written on the front of the box file" and gave his first smile of the morning.

Velma looked out of the window of the squad car feeling uneasy about where they were going. There were no police stations in this part of town. Her unease increased when they slowed down in a fairly rough part of town. "Excuse me officer, but this isn't they way to the police station" she asked.

"Don't worry Velma, we've just a few friends to pick up" said the officer as he pulled over.

Both the back doors and the front passenger doors were opened and people got inside. Velma turned to see what was going on her eyes opened in horror and she began to desperately claw at the seatbelt. 3 identical versions of herself had got into the car, all wearing clown clothes, make-up and wigs; they all turned and gazed at her with a smiled fixed on their faces. The car doors all locked with a thud.

"C... C... C... C..." shivered Velma now almost paralysed with fear

"Don't worry Velma my love, these are Velbots, they are here to protect you and to serve you" said the officer in the front removing his mask.

She turned to see Gibby Norton in the drivers seat "Sedate her now Velbot 17"

Before Velma could react or scream she felt a sharp jab in her leg and the world went mercifully dark.