(Revised)


Seduction, armed robbery and attempted murder are the undercurrents to the lavish entertainment the SSC women enjoy in Las Vegas. Shortly after arriving in the city, they begin work to solve the criminal plot to steal Dame Kate Maugham's ancient Egyptian cat collar. After fighting off another robebry attempt, they discover the real reason why the thief was so anxious to get the collar: there are high value loose diamonds hidden inside it.

Hans Richter, intent upon finding out more about the SSC women's secret activities, succeeds in seducing Beth Hunter. This affair beomes even more dangerous when the two adversaries begin to fall in love. Thus, Hans will not participate in the diamond theft, and he puts himself at risk when he refuses to help one of his criminal associates, Vincent Prize, steal the gems. Vincent threatens retaliation.

The action centers around the Masked Ball, an extravagent charity affair held in one of the large Las Vegas hotels. Everyone goes to great trouble to rent splendid costumes for the ball, including Tasha Khoury, who has also come to Las Vegas for the event. Tasha hopes to begin promoting her line of Egyptian style cosmetics in Vegas.

The SSC women meet a new associate, Alan Quickman, an actor and drama professor who is an old friend of Dame Kate. They soon learn that Alan does undercover espionage work for U.S. and international intelligence agencies, and they agree to work with him on cases of mutual interest. He agrees to help them with the case of the plot to steal the diamonds in the Egyptian cat collar. Alan also takes a romantic interest in a friend of the SSC women, Belle Pharr.

The night of the ball arrives; the SSC women attend in their clever costumes, and commence their plan of hiding the diamonds and waiting for the thief to act.  Alan, keeping a watchful eye out, dances with Belle. Tasha makes a grand entrance that falls flat, but she recovers her composure and patiently stays at the ball with her associates.

Hans participates in an exciting equestrian performance with other partygoers. Then he and Beth sneak away to a private room off the main ballroom so they can be alone together. There they are confronted by Vincent Prize, aiming a gun at them. He tries to shoot Beth when Hans still refuses to tell him where the diamonds are, but the bullet hits Hans, who collapses with a severe wound. The ball continues uninterrupted, with most people unaware there has been a shooting because the noise level at the party is so high. Tasha wins Best Costume prize.

Beth accompanies Hans to the hospital and agrees to his request not to tell the police who Vincent is or why he shot at them. Claudia Hunter and Dame Kate are attacked in the hotel restroom by the diamond thief.  According to their prearranged plan, they give the thief a set of fake diamonds in a package fitted with a tracking device. The plan was for the device to help the SSC women find out who was behind the theft, since they realize the actual thief is just a hired hand. However, the thief is killed in a freak auto accident before he can lead them to the mastermind.