THE MURDER
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HARM'S COMPARTMENT
Harm returned to his compartment and got ready for bed. He pulled the lever to drop the bunk down and nothing happened. He tried pulling it down manually but that didn't work either. He banged his fist against it, but all that happened was his hand got sore. He tried the top bunk and it didn't open either. He sighed and left his compartment and went to Sturgis's.
"Hey Sturgis, open up it's Harm." Harm said.
"What's up?" Sturgis asked opening the door.
"I can't get either bed to open. Can I sleep in your other bunk?" Harm asked.
"Sorry buddy, I only have one bunk." Sturgis said.
"Great," Harm muttered and walked away. Gunny and Tiner were sharing, the Admiral and Meredith were sharing, and naturally Bud and Harriet were in one room. That left the women, Coates was out of the question and Zoya was not an option. He walked to Mac's compartment and knocked on the door.
"Harm, what's wrong?" Mac asked.
"My beds won't open." Harm whined. "Can I bunk with you?"
"Why not bunk with Sturgis?" Mac asked.
"He only has one bunk in his compartment," Harm stated. "Please."
"Come on in, you take the top one," Mac sighed.
"You're the best," Harm smiled and walked in.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Mac rolled her eyes and shut the door.
"This is convenient," Harm stated.
"How's that?" Mac asked.
"Well, since we are a team in this mystery, we can discuss it in private." Harm smiled.
"Harm, the murder hasn't even happened yet." Mac said. "Besides, tomorrow you can ask a steward to fix your bunks."
"Oh right, tomorrow." Harm said as he tried to lower the top bunk. "Mac, this bunk is jammed."
"No it's not," Mac said pushing the lever, "You just have to… it's stuck."
"Well, no bed here and no bed in my room. I guess I can sleep on the floor." Harm sighed. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Night, Harm." Mac smiled and Harm went back to his compartment. Not a minute later Harm was knocking on Mac's door.
"Mac, I forgot my key card thing in the compartment," Harm announced. "Let me in."
"If that doesn't beat all," Mac laughed.
"I guess we're gonna have to hot bunk it roomie," Harm joked.
"I guess you're gonna have to sleep on the floor," Mac replied and handed him a pillow and blanket.
"That's what I meant," Harm shrugged and made a home for himself on the floor.
"Night night, Harm," Mac said as she turned out the light.
"Night," Harm replied. "Ouch!"
"What's wrong?" Mac asked.
"I think I just got goosed by the heel of your shoe." Harm said.
"Sorry," Mac laughed.
"Mac, move over." Harm said standing up.
"Harm there is barely enough room for me," Mac stated.
"Mac, it's not comfortable," Harm whined. "Come on."
"Fine," Mac sighed and moved over.
"I appreciate this," Harm smiled. "So when do you think the murder is going to happen?"
"I don't know," Mac sighed. "Just go to sleep."
After several minutes of squirming and shifting, they found comfortable positions and started to nod off.
"Hey Mac, I wonder if there will be a butler," Harm stated and turned on the light.
"What?" Mac asked.
"A butler, you know in old time murder mysteries, the butler is the one who always did it." Harm stated.
"Harm, go to sleep." Mac said, turning out the light.
"Hey Mac, what perfume are you wearing?" Harm asked and turned the light on again.
"Eau du Marine," Mac said, "Would you go to sleep."
"Seriously, it smells nice, what is it?" Harm asked.
"I'm not wearing any," Mac said. "Go to sleep." And she turned out the light.
"You're not?" Harm asked and turned the light back on.
"No," Mac said and shut the light.
"Wow, I never noticed your natural scent before." Harm mumbled.
"Harm, it's late, I'm tired – GO TO SLEEP!" Mac said firmly.
Twenty minutes later they heard a scream.
"I guess that's the start of the mystery," Harm said and bolted up.
"Either that or we have real trouble." Mac said.
"Someone, help my husband," A voice called out.
They heard noise outside in the corridor and a knock at the door.
"Come on Mac," Zoya said, "It's starting."
"We're coming," Mac called out and opened the door.
"Well, well, well what do we have here?" AJ asked standing in front of the door.
"I got locked out of my room," Harm explained.
"I thought your bunks wouldn't open," Sturgis said.
"They don't, but then I locked myself out." Harm stated.
"Why didn't you use the top bunk?" Harriet asked.
"It wouldn't open," Mac offered.
"Really?" Zoya said and banged her fist against the top bunk, which easily dropped open, "Looks like it works to me."
"Don't we have a murder to solve?" Harm asked turning red.
SETTING THE STAGE
The 'cast' was already assembled in the dining car when the participants arrived.
"Someone help! I think my husband is dead." The wife, Mandy Weaver, yelled again.
"Now now, Mrs. Weaver what's going on?" An actor, 'Mr. Mathers', asked.
"I went into our compartment and he was lying there with his eyes open." Mrs. Weaver said.
"Is there a doctor here?" Mr. Mathers asked.
"I'm a doctor," Dr. Cronson stated walking in. "What seems to be the problem?"
"My, my, my husband, I don't think he's breathing." Mrs. Weaver wailed.
"Take me to your compartment," Dr. Cronson advised and they left.
The rest of the actors played out the little scene before everyone. They talked about the 'victim' while they waited for Dr. Cronson to return. Ten minutes later, Dr. Cronson and Mrs. Weaver came back.
"He's dead," Dr. Cronson announced.
"Was it a heart attack?" A blonde actress asked.
"I don't believe so, had strange markings around his neck. I think he was strangled." Dr. Cronson stated.
"Why would someone do this to him?" Mrs. Weaver cried. "He was the kindest, sweetest man in the world."
"Do you know if he had any problems?" Mr. Mathers asked.
"Problems, he had no problems." Mrs. Weaver stated. "Why would someone do this to him?"
Another person came forward and spoke to the group. He was the 'host' of the event and was there to set the ground rules.
"We seem to have a murder on our hands. There are no authorities for miles and it appears that we have a murderer among us. Be careful and please keep your doors locked." Kevin announced in an ominous tone.
The amateur sleuths huddled together and starting making notes.
"Sir, do you have any ideas?" Coates asked Sturgis.
"You can call me Sturgis and there is something about Mr. Mathers that just doesn't seem right." Sturgis said.
"I think the wife did it," Bud said to Harriet.
"But she said they had a perfect marriage." Harriet reminded him.
"AJ, there is something sinister about that Doctor." Meredith commented.
"I think that secretary has something to do with this." AJ replied.
"Hey Mac, there's no butler." Harm stated.
"Harm, are you going to be serious about this?" Mac asked.
"Gunny, did you see that blonde?" Tiner asked.
"Oh yeah," Gunny laughed. "She's a looker."
Zoya sat and carefully thought about everything that had transpired. She pulled out her palm pilot and started making notes.
Victim strangled
Wife hysterical
Doctor – who does he know?
Mr. Mathers – knows too much what does he do?
Blonde – bimbo – faking?
Ms. Torrez – victim's secretary – is she more?
Motives??????
"What are you doing there, Zoya?" Harm asked, trying to peek at her notes.
"Never you mind," Zoya said and waved him off. "Go back to your own notes."
"Well, we're going to go back to our compartment and work on this," Bud announced.
"That's a good idea," AJ said getting up.
"Remember to lock your doors," Meredith laughed.
"Commander how about we meet for an early breakfast and discuss this?" Coates suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Sturgis replied and they left.
"Good night all," Harm said.
"Gunny, I think I have a plan on how to solve this," Tiner announced and the remaining people looked at him.
"Tiner, let's go back to the compartment and discuss this," Gunny said.
"I think I am going to hit the sack, too." Mac said with a yawn.
"Right behind you," Harm smiled.
"Oh Harm, you can probably get another key now," Zoya smiled.
"Well, uh, yeah good idea." Harm said. "Thanks."
Zoya was left alone in the dining car. She didn't really mind not having a partner. She was used to doing things on her own. Being an only child and orphaned young, you learned to adapt. After a cup of coffee she made her way back to her compartment. She opened the door and fumbled around for the light switch. As she reached out into the darkness, someone grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her.
"What the hell," Zoya said.
