A/N Hey guys I know it has been forever (like 4 months) since I have updated, but I'm finally getting back to writing! This story has over 400 views which is amazing and at one point it was in the top 1000 fics in the mystery tag (#983/1000 to be exact) which I was really proud of considering that this just has 5 chapters. Anyway thank all of you guys who have stuck with me and please to continue to vote and comment! Now gang back to your regularly scheduled mystery...

So far my job shadowing experience with V at Cotex Crime labs has been going great. It's a nice break from the mundane routine of school and my ever so lacking social life. Not only do V and I get along swimmingly as we have a lot in common, but the projects we are working on are extremely interesting. My favorite so far is a case involving some shady business that has been going down at the Coolsville Museum I can't go that much into detail with it but I love tagging along with V to investigate there. 

I spend a lot of time out of the house thanks to this new gig which is a great change for once; however my parents still haven't even questioned that much about where I sneak off to every Tuesday and Thursday for the most part of the day. I mean who's to blame them they are both basically running their own companies which takes a lot of their time out of their schedules and come home usually just in time for dinner. Thank God Wilkinson is here because he basically keeps this household running as he cooks, cleans, and run errands for us when nobody is there to do it. 

Speaking of Wilkinson, I notice something interesting that sparks my interest on the fridge that is a neon green post-it note with some somewhat legible writing on it. I take a break from reading my book as I place my bookmark in my current page and go find out what this secret message reads. Peeling the post-it off and taking it back to my seat on the island I quickly realize that it's from Wilkinson and reads "Carter: Considering that you have the day off and I have to be out all day tending to your parents' wishes can you walk Hank for me. That would be ever so appreciated - Wilkinson"

It was true I did have this lovely Wednesday off due to it being a teacher work day, gotta love those, I look to my right and on the floor lies hank chewing on his favorite tennis ball looking rather bored. I look out the kitchen window to be greeted by a lovely sunny day "Hey Hank? Today seems like the perfect day to go to the dog park isn't it boy?" I ask him enthusiastically. He then stands up and approaches me wagging his tail in delight as he sees me unhook his blue leash from the nearby hooks upon the wall. 

I grab my phone, keys, some dog  treats, a water bottle, and some plastic baggies then we both head out together to the garage. Thinking ahead I decide against taking my car as it is more compact and not that accommodating for a Bernese and I head over to my parents' matte black Land Rover and fold the back seats down allowing Hank to jump in and lay down comfortably for the 20 minute trip to the Coolsville dog park. 

Since it was such a beautiful day outside, I roll down the windows inviting Hank to stick his head outside and feel the breeze for the remainder of the ride. Finally, we reach our destination and I park in the lot then let Hank out after I hook him up to his leash. Locking the car, I shove the car keys into my jacket pocket holding them secure with one hand and gripping the leash in the other. Not to my surprise there were a bunch of dogs occupying the dog park today ranging from different shapes and sizes and breeds. As soon as I open the gate and unlatch Hank from his leash, he bounds off to go play with all the other dogs. A smile allows itself to appear on my face as I see him in his element and so happy, I mean what's better than one dog? The answer is more dogs of course! 

I soon find the nearest bench as I prepare to spend my day watching Hank play to his heart's content. As the dog park became more busy I found my bench being approached by another dog owner asking to sit next to me since all the other benches were currently occupied. I look up  to see an older, tall, lanky man sporting a somewhat splotchy goatee as I peer my eyes trying not to look directly in the brightly shinning sunlight.

Suddenly he asks "Hey like excuse me Miss but would it be alright if I joined you?" in which I respond with a quick nod trying to avoid all awkward social conversation. Sitting down I get a closer look and come to the deduction that he must be around my parent's age as he is starting to sport some grey in his beard. I can just tell by the way he is fidgeting in his seat that he is a talker and I mentally prepare myself for the upcoming conversation.

As I predicted, he is the first one to talk as he introduces himself. "Name's Shaggy Rodgers by the way common frequenter of this dog park" he declares offering his hand out. I shake it politely and reply "I'm C.J. glad to be your acquaintance" I say formally. I can only hope that is the end of our interaction however unfortunately I was wrong. 

After a few minuets of peaceful silence he points out to the field saying "You see that Great Dane over there? That's my dog Scooby, me and him have been pals for as long as I can remember. How about you? Which one is yours?"

I try to find my beast in the herd of dogs and finally stumble upon his encompassing black silky coat realizing that he and the Great Dane were actually playing together at the moment. "Oh actually my dog is that Bernese Mountain dog playing alongside yours. His name is Hank". 

As we continued to talk, I found out that he is actually a chef at a local food truck called 'Scoob's Snackz' which is apparently really successful, man I really need to get out more. I can just tell by the way that he talks about Scooby that they have a special bond. As we both watched our dogs play and talk to each other some more, I realized that we shared a lot of things in common which made it so much more easier to talk to him. For example we are both really big dog people (what a shocker huh?), we both share a passion for food, and we both love video games. I don't know why it is so much easier to talk to grownups rather than kids my age for me because so far I have made a pretty solid bond with both V and Mr. Rodgers so far. Maybe I should be a tad concerned, but who am I kidding it's probably fine anyways. 

It was drawing closer to dinner time as I noticed from looking down upon my apple watch indicating that it was time to go. I bid my farewell to Shaggy upon doing so he invited me to stop by his food truck sometime soon as he gave me a retro looking flyer. 

"Hey it was nice meeting you, like feel free to stop by for a bite anytime meals on the house"

I eagerly took the flyer feeling the rough paper in my hand and said that I'd for sure be there. It was a little difficult separating Scoob and Hank, but eventually we made our way back to the car.  As I put my keys in the ignition I heard a tap on the window and saw Mr. Rodgers yet again.

"I totally forgot, but I wanted to know if you would like to take some dog treats for Hank with you for the road. I make them myself they are so organic that even humans can eat them too, which I admit I've done sometimes on occasion" he says that last part under his breath. 

I let out a small laugh at this fact and take in the brightly colored box of treats appropriately named 'Scooby Snacks' bid him a final goodbye and head on route to home sweet home. It has been a long day and when we arrive home Hank immediately finds his dog bed and collapses from exhaustion. I put the leash away back on its hook and throw the treats in the upper cabinet in the laundry room where most of Hank's things are stored. 

Just as I close the cabinet the garage door opens with a swish signifying my parents' arrival from what appeared to be a busy day at work based on their tired expressions. It's cute when they both come home late at the same time because it's a rare occasion seeing them all disheveled and cranky. To me it makes them seem more human because I have no idea how they manage to keep up their perfect appearances for the media of them balancing both work and home life. 

My dad flings his work bag across the table and slouches down in the nearest chair letting out a long sigh. 

"Rough day at work guys huh?" I ask sarcastically

My mom groans as she sits down on the nearest seat which happened to be my father's lap and replies "You have no idea, all I want to do right now is eat some dinner and take a nice hot bath then drift off to a peaceful sleep."

"I second that Daph. And speaking of food do you happen to know what's for dinner Carter because I'm starved"  my dad asks.

I look at the clock noticing that it is almost 7pm and wonder where Wilkinson could be. He couldn't have spent this entire day out and about could he?

"Actually, I just got back from the dog park, and I haven't seen or heard from Wilks all day" I say as I walk to the fridge noticing yet another note stuck on. "However I have a strange feeling it's leftovers" I mention showing them the note from Wilkinson. 

"You know what I don't care what it is as long as it is food" my dad speaks out as he rubs the temple of his forehead in attempt to subdue a headache. 

I heat up our leftover Mexican and help my mom set the table then we all dig in. Within 15 minutes we finish our meal. I decide to give Hank, who had been begging at my side the entire time, some of the scraps on my plate which he quickly devoured. 

"So how was the dog park? It must had to be busy today considering that it was so nice out" my mother asks as she assists me with drying our dishes. 

I pause for a moment to reflect off of my eventful day and answer back "It was good. Hank let out a lot of energy and even found a friend to play with. Me and his owner bonded and we will probably arrange another play date for them soon"

After hearing this, my dad pats Hank on the head and says "Wow! Hank way to go making a new pal."

I smile at them two as my dad tends to get Hank riled up most times. "Ya and his owner is like a mega dog lover he makes homemade treats just for his dog and gave Hank some"

My parents pause and both look at each other for a second with what looks like some sorta revelation, but then quickly shake the thought out as they go back to cleaning up.

"Well sounds like a exciting day none the less" my dad says breaking the silence. "However, I'm beat so I think I will retire for the night" he then offers his arm to my mom "M'lady care to join?" 

She softly laughs at this gesture and locks her arm with his and they both walk out the double doors leading from the kitchen to the foyer. As they leave they look back "Goodnight C.J. I hope you had an enjoyable day off and have a great day back at school tomorrow. Learn something new OK kid?" my dad says biding me goodnight.

"Will do. Night guys. Sleep well" I say before I turn back around placing the last remaining fork in the drawer. Realizing that I too am extremely tired from a long day I write a note back to Wilkinson for when he returns hopefully sometime tonight telling him all the things he missed that day and bidding him a goodnight as well. I then head out and ascend up the staircase to my welcoming bedroom and quickly change into my PJs then crash in my bed dreaming of what exciting things will happen to me tomorrow at Cotex Labs with V. 

Yay chapter 6 is finally done! I hope you guys enjoyed meeting Shaggy and Scooby which means that Carter is one step closer to piecing the clues together to find out more about her parent's past also the villain will be introduced soon so look forward to that. As always please comment and vote! I will try to update more often and keep on top of this story the best I can, so until the next chapter gang...