[ WP ] `` All 9 crew members secure on board '' the intercom said . Were n't we only supposed to have 8 crew members ...

`` All 9 crew members secure on board'' the intercom said. `` Wait, were n't we only supposed to have 8 crew members...?'' 
 
 Jack Walker, private detective, leaned back in his chair, smoking a cigarette. Shafts of light shone from between the window blinds in his office, illuminating the smoky air and the katana he always wore on his back. 
 
 `` Dammit Sally,'' Jack said, holding down the intercom button. `` Of course there's supposed to be nine. You, me, the mayor, the Baron von Stuttgart, the Romanov twins, my buddy Frankie from the Air Force, Officer Wilkins, and Mr. Yamato.'' 
 
 There was a pause while Sally checked the list he'd given her with the people waiting. `` Of course, Mr. Walker. My mistake.'' 
 
 `` Do n't mention it Sally. Another thing, do n't call them crew members. We're investigating a murder, not crewing a space ship.'' 
 
 `` Right, sir.'' 
 
 Jack sighed. He was n't her superior officer; they were n't even in NASA anymore. But old habits die hard, and he knew his private detective service would fall apart without her. 
 
 He stood up, mentally preparing himself to confront the suspects. He made sure he had his Walther PPK, the best handgun ever designed, and his katana ( the Walther PPK of swords ), which had been folded a thousand times and could cut through steel like butter. 
 
 When he opened his office door he was confronted by eight other confused people. The mayor walked up to him. 
 
 `` Jack, what is going on here? Surely you do n't suspect me of planning the murder?'' 
 
 `` I do n't know who I can trust, Mr. Mayor.'' Jack replied. `` We'll get to the bottom of this soon enough.'' 
 
 `` Ladies and gentlemen,'' Jack said, moving to the center of the room. `` As you are all aware, the world-class opera singer Olivia Vermont was murdered between 2 and 3 AM last night. I have reason to suspect one of you may have had a part in her death.'' 
 
 `` Vell, certainly it vas n't me,'' the Baron spoke up. `` Vhy vould I kill the star singer at my opera house? I vould be ruined!'' 
 
 `` That's true, Baron. But certainly there would be a substantial insurance payout, would n't there? And have n't you been saying you would like to sell the opera house and return to your ancestral home in Bavaria?'' 
 
 `` In fifteen years or so, ja! Vhy vould I want to retire now?'' 
 
 `` Why indeed, Baron?'' the mayor spoke out. `` Perhaps to pursue that fortune in Nazi gold you're always talking about? Is that why you shot her with that MP40 you Germans are so fond of?'' 
 
 The Baron was about to shout back a reply, but Jack cut him off. `` Mr. Mayor,'' he began cautiously. `` Who said she was shot with an MP40?'' 
 
 The mayor's face went white as a ghost. `` Well, ah, Officer Wilkins, he --'' 
 
 `` I told him no such thing, Jack,'' the police man corrected. 
 
 `` As I thought, I knew we would discover the culprit with a little questioning. Sally, if you would prepare the cuffs.'' 
 
 Sally grabbed a pair of handcuffs, and walked over to the mayor to secure him. 
 
 `` One curious thing though, Mr. Mayor,'' Jack continued. `` Olivia was n't shot with an MP40. In fact the only person I told that was my secretary, Sally.'' 
 
 Sally froze for a split second, then pulled from the mayor's trousers a revolver, aiming it at Jack. 
 
 `` I ai n't going down like this, Jack,'' she said quietly. `` This has got nothing to do with you, so do n't go sticking your nose where it does n't belong.'' 
 
 `` Sally, all those years we spent at the Air Force academy together?'' Jack asked. `` Did our platonic friendship and intermittent love affairs mean nothing to you?'' 
 
 `` Not as much as cold, hard cash, Jack. You know what they say, diamonds are a girl's best friend.'' 
 
 `` Then I guess that makes me a girl's worst enemy.'' Olivia Vermont stepped out from behind a curtain, aiming an MP40 at Sally's head. 
 
 `` The game's up Sally.'' Jack said. `` Give it a rest.'' 
 
 Sally dropped the revolver, while Officer Wilkins rushed in to get her into handcuffs. 
 
 Mr. Yamato walked up to Jack. `` But Walker-san, was Olivia not murdered then?'' 
 
 `` No, she was n't, Mr. Yamato.'' Jack explained. `` I knew I had a mole, but I had to find out who. Olivia came up with this plan to find out, and it worked flawlessly.'' 
 
 `` I guess all those years as a secret agent really left an impression on me,'' Olivia said as she sauntered over, MP40 over her shoulder. 
 
 `` That they did, Olivia. Its a good thing you were here all along, to stop Sally before she did anything rash. If I'd had to unsheathe my katana, I do n't know if I could guarantee any of your safety.'' 
 
 `` Jack!'' Sally screamed, as Wilkins led her and the mayor out the door. `` I'll be back one day, Jack! I'll get my revenge!'' 
 
 `` I know you will Sally,'' Jack said to himself. `` Next time I'll be ready.''
