THE LYNN KNIGHT MURDER CASE and THE JEAN LOGAN MURDER CASE RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers: "The Lynn Knight Murder Case and The Jean Logan Murder Case"

Podcast Information:

• Title: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
• Host/Author: Jon Hagadorn
• Episode: THE LYNN KNIGHT MURDER CASE and THE JEAN LOGAN MURDER CASE
• Featuring: Richard Diamond, Private Detective
• Release Date: May 7, 2025

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Introduction

"The Lynn Knight Murder Case and The Jean Logan Murder Case" is a thrilling episode featuring Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, a seasoned private detective navigating the perilous streets of New York City. This episode intertwines complex character interactions, suspenseful investigations, and unexpected twists, capturing the essence of classic radio detective stories.

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Key Characters

• Richard Diamond (Dick Powell): A witty and resourceful private detective.
• Lynette Knight (Virginia Gregg): A distressed woman seeking Diamond's protection.
• Lieutenant Levinson (Ed Begley): Head of Homicide, involved in the investigation.
• Sergeant Otis (Wilms Herbert): A somewhat bumbling police sergeant.
• Lou Garzoni (Paul Dubob): A gangster connected to the case.
• Earl Cook (Sidney Miller): Father of a young man implicated in a manslaughter charge.

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Plot Summary

Meeting Lynette Knight

At [00:40], Richard Diamond introduces himself, setting the gritty New York scene. Shortly after, Diamond's first interaction with Lynette Knight unfolds:

• Lynette Knight: "Mr. Diamond, please, I've got to talk to you. My life is in danger." ([06:20])
• Richard Diamond: "My fee is $100 a day in expenses." ([07:55])

Despite her financial constraints, Lynette insists on Diamond's help after experiencing multiple attempts on her life, including an attempted break-in and a kidnapping. Diamond showcases his typical blend of sarcasm and professionalism as he navigates Lynette's pleas.

Conflict with the Police

Upon deciding to take the case, Diamond encounters resistance from Sergeant Otis and Lieutenant Levinson:

• Sergeant Otis: Engages in sarcastic banter, highlighting institutional incompetence.
• Lieutenant Levinson: Urges Diamond to protect Lynette, though initially dismissive.

Diamond's determination leads him to Lou Garzoni, a gangster with ties to previous murders, complicating the investigation further.

Investigation and Revelations

As Diamond delves deeper, he uncovers critical evidence:

• Camera Film: A pivotal piece showing Lou Garzoni with Lynette in the background ([22:39]).
• Blackmail Letters: Hidden in a magazine, linking Lynette to her ex-husband and unveiling motives for her murder attempts ([48:43]).
• Pawn Shop Connection: Tracing the gun used in Central Park to a pawn broker, revealing Louis Spiegel as the buyer ([44:45]).

Diamond's interactions with Wilbur Troitt at the Parrot Club provide him with the location of Spiegel, intensifying the race against time to protect Lynette.

Climactic Confrontation

In a high-stakes showdown at the freight yards:

• Diamond confronts Lou Spiegel: [52:00]
  • Dick Powell (as Diamond): "I'm selling Homicide, complete with samples." ([46:50])
  • Lou Spiegel: Armed and dangerous, poses a lethal threat.

Tensions escalate when Otis brings Tom Cook, Earl Cook's son, into the fray, forcing Diamond to reveal the murderer's identity.

• Revelation: Dick Powell's character, Earl Cook, is revealed to have a hidden agenda tied to his political aspirations and past criminal ties.

Resolution

The episode culminates with Diamond outsmarting the antagonists:

• Final Showdown: Diamond exposes John Cooper's true intentions, linking him to the blackmail and orchestrating his downfall.
• Character Development: Lynette and Diamond's interactions evolve from mistrust to a budding romantic connection, adding depth to Diamond's character.

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Notable Quotes

• Richard Diamond: "My fee is $100 a day in expenses." ([07:55])
• Lynette Knight: "Ms. Knight is in line for a murder or for kidnapping." ([14:05])
• Richard Diamond: "I can't lower my fee, Ms. Knight. I never have." ([08:14])
• Lynette Knight: "Mr. Diamond, put your eyes back in your head and please listen to me." ([06:44])
• Blackmail Letter Revelation: "The type is the same as the type in the magazine." ([49:43])

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Themes and Insights

1. Corruption and Power: The episode delves into the corrupting influence of power, evidenced by Earl Cook's manipulative actions to protect his political career.
2. Moral Ambiguity: Characters like Richard Diamond navigate a morally grey landscape, making tough decisions that blur the lines between right and wrong.
3. Romantic Tension: The evolving relationship between Diamond and Lynette adds a layer of complexity, showcasing vulnerability amidst chaos.
4. Resourcefulness: Diamond's clever tactics, such as using pawn shop records and undercover investigations, highlight his expertise and determination.

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Conclusions

"The Lynn Knight Murder Case and The Jean Logan Murder Case" masterfully blends suspense, character development, and intricate plotting, staying true to the golden age of radio detective storytelling. Richard Diamond emerges as a flawed yet heroic figure, whose interactions with both allies and adversaries drive the narrative forward. This episode not only entertains but also offers a commentary on the complexities of human nature and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Listeners who appreciate classic detective tales will find this episode engaging and rich with the charm and wit that define Richard Diamond's enduring legacy.

Transcript

[Dick Powell]

Here is another in NBC's great parade of new shows now. Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective.

[Rick Diamond]

Hello there. This is Diamond. You know, I'm sure a lot of you people have never seen this big city of New York that I live in. But you ought to. It's really worth seeing. I don't mean a four bit tour in a bus. I mean that one time that you stop along the way and really take a good look. Maybe it's from a building 40 floors up. You brace yourself against the stiff morning breeze. You lean out and watch the biggest city in the world wake up, stretch, roll up its progressive sleeves and go to work. Or maybe it's 6:00 in the evening and you're on your way home. You hold up at a busy intersection and you feel the Colossus even before you see it. You look behind, to the right, the left, and then up, and there it is. You can only take in three blocks maybe, but the pushing crowds and towering buildings are a common denominator for the Bronx, Park Avenue and Flatbush. The rest you have to imagine because your dinner's waiting. Well, I'm lucky in a way. My dinner's ready when I start throwing nickels in the automat. My. My meals and my time are freelance and my work is a ringside ticket to the biggest city in the world. Sure, it's lonely sometimes and trouble walks the streets on a 24 hour beat. But that's how I pay my rent. Trouble's my silent partner and he sends me everything from divorce labels to some marked city morgue. Doa. Dead on arrival. One night last week, old man Trouble was sitting curled up on a doorstep watching two thugs hiding in the shadows of a building. He. Trouble had a big smile because he was cooking up a king size mess for yours truly.

[Dick Powell]

Hello? Yeah. Ain't he ever gonna come out? He'll come out. We just gotta wait, that's all. Hello? Yeah, what is it? I hope he comes out soon. That cop car is due in a little while. Yeah. Hey, supposing they drive up the street just when he comes out. And we don't use the artillery. We don't wait. Follow him and get him someplace else. Okay. Okay. Halo. What? Here he comes. Yeah. You ready? Yeah, sure. Look, he's got his two big watchdogs with him. Get set. Now. We better get going. Don't run, stupid. You think we was being clocked? Hey, Lou. There's that lousy cop car. Come on. Where you go in this club? Come on, hurry.

[Rick Diamond]

Hello.

[Dick Powell]

Supposing the cops. Come down here. Shut up, devil. Gentlemen. Yeah? For my friend and me. Right this way.

[Lynette Knight]

Would you like me a picture to take?

[Dick Powell]

Oh, are you crazy? We can't sit down at no table. They'll have the whole neighborhood covered in a few minutes. We can sit for a second, then we'll go out the back door. Here you are, gentlemen. Is this all right? Just standing? This is just fine, thank you. Very good, sir. I'll send a waiter right over. Oh, now, come on, Lou, let's blow this joint. Wait till he gets further away. Please, Lou. Okay, now you go first. Take your time off. Molly.

[Lynette Knight]

Picture, sir?

[Dick Powell]

Huh? No, miss, we don't want no photographs. Yeah, we. We don't want none. Thanks just the same.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, that's okay. Pictures. Like a souvenir picture to take on. Well, come on.

[Dick Powell]

Right behind you.

[Lynette Knight]

Now, hold it right there. No, no, no, don't move. Thank you. That will be developed.

[Dick Powell]

Hey, Mel, hold it a minute. Yeah, what is it? That dame. This is no time to start looking at dames. No, you fathead, the one with the camera. So? She's got good looking legs, but we got, uh. Oh, what's the matter? There's a cop in the door. Get going. But take your time. I'll tell you about the dame later. Olin.

[Lynette Knight]

Yeah, what is it, Monsieur Davis?

[Dick Powell]

Where are you going?

[Lynette Knight]

Back to the dark room to develop these pictures. You always said not to keep the customers waiting, didn't you? Monsieur Davis?

[Dick Powell]

I'm glad to see you listen to your employer. I. I'll just come along to see how this batch turns out.

[Lynette Knight]

This batch isn't any different from the last hundred batches.

[Dick Powell]

We'll just go along and see.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, that does it.

[Dick Powell]

I beg your pardon?

[Lynette Knight]

I said, that does it. You cornered me in that dark room once and it was all I could do to keep you away from me. Lynn, you think that just because you run this place, you got a right to make passes at me? You better get yourself a new girl.

[Dick Powell]

Maybe that isn't such a bad idea.

[Lynette Knight]

Come to think of it, I kind of go for it myself. And as long as I'm quitting, here's something you've been asking for for a long time.

[Dick Powell]

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

[Lynette Knight]

Now get out of my way. That phony French accent may fool the customers, but it doesn't fool me.

[Dick Powell]

You get out of here. Pick up your check and get out of here this minute. You. You little.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, now what were you going to say, Mr. Davis?

[Dick Powell]

Get out.

[Rick Diamond]

Diamond Detective Agency. If you've lost a body. Let us dig it up.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, Rick, that's awful.

[Rick Diamond]

Depends on who we dig up and how long he's been there. Hello, Helen. Baby, you're simply gruesome. I know it, but my tongue matches my shirts.

[Lynette Knight]

What do you do when you wear stripes?

[Rick Diamond]

I tell everybody I've been licking barber pole. Thought you'd catch me, didn't you?

[Lynette Knight]

No, I don't think I'll ever catch you.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, I think you're the prettiest little old gal in the whole dang breasted date. Flatter.

[Lynette Knight]

It will get you nowhere. And we got a date tonight.

[Rick Diamond]

Only if the elevator is still running.

[Lynette Knight]

Mr. Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

H. Oh, I'll call you back later, honey. I think I just cited the client.

[Lynette Knight]

Mr. Diamond, please, I've got to talk to you.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, honey, go back and shut the door. If too much smoke gets out of here, the ceiling will cave in.

[Lynette Knight]

What? Oh, yes, all right. Rick, did I hear a girl's voice?

[Rick Diamond]

I think so, but maybe she just wears those clothes because her mother never had a haircut.

[Lynette Knight]

What does she look like?

[Rick Diamond]

I can't tell you right now. I'm parked behind a curb.

[Lynette Knight]

Where the door is closed. Mr. Diamond. Now, May I speak with you, please?

[Rick Diamond]

Helen, I'll call you later.

[Lynette Knight]

I don't care if she is a prospective client. You face the window when you're talking business.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, there's a cigarette ad out there. Why look out at an ad when the slogan's right here in my office?

[Lynette Knight]

Slogan?

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah, you know, so round, so firm, so. Bye, baby. Now, you were saying?

[Lynette Knight]

I. I want to hire you to protect me.

[Rick Diamond]

Mr. Diamond, I know an easier way. Wear a diving suit.

[Lynette Knight]

Mr. Diamond, put your eyes back in your head and please listen to me. My life is in danger.

[Rick Diamond]

There's an answer for that, too. But go on, tell me the story.

[Lynette Knight]

My name is Knight, Miss. Yes?

[Rick Diamond]

Yes.

[Lynette Knight]

In the last two days there have been several attempts on my life.

[Rick Diamond]

By whom?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, I don't know.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, do you know why anyone would want to kill you?

[Lynette Knight]

No. No, I don't.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, now we're getting someplace.

[Lynette Knight]

Don't be funny, Mr. Diamond. I tell you that twice has been made on my life.

[Rick Diamond]

How?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, the first time, a man followed me home and tried to break into my apartment. I screamed and then frightened him off.

[Rick Diamond]

Maybe he was lonesome. What about the other time?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, I don't know whether it was the same man or not, but the next night a man jumped out of a car and tried to make me go with him. I kicked him and Ran down the block.

[Rick Diamond]

Sounds more like a kidnapping than attempted homicide. Why didn't you tell this to the police?

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, I did. They investigated, but I couldn't give them enough to go on. So they just put a man watching my apartment.

[Rick Diamond]

I bet he has to stand in line. Didn't they give you an escort?

[Lynette Knight]

No, they seemed to think I was after some kind of publicity or something. They told me it was all right to go out in the daytime, but to stay in my apartment for the next couple of nights.

[Rick Diamond]

Sounds reasonable.

[Lynette Knight]

Will you help me, Mr. Diamond? I'm afraid this will happen again, my dear.

[Rick Diamond]

My fee is 100 a day in expenses.

[Lynette Knight]

100 a day? Oh, Mr. Diamond, I don't have that kind of money.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, neither do I, but if I starve, I do it with dignity. I can't lower my fee, Ms. Knight. I never have.

[Lynette Knight]

Well, then I just have to find another detective agency.

[Rick Diamond]

There are a lot of good ones. I'm sorry. The rule might bend a little, but it won't break. If I took the job knowing you couldn't pay half the fee. Ten minutes later some guy from Texas with an oil soaked wallet might want to hire me to count his gas stations. Ah, sorry, sorry, but it's a tough world, Ms. Knight.

[Lynette Knight]

Yeah, well, thanks, Mr. Diamond. Maybe you could recommend someone.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, any of them are good. Just close your eyes and open the classified.

[Lynette Knight]

Well, goodbye, Mr. Diamond. I'm sorry.

[Rick Diamond]

So am I. My conscience just slit its throat.

[Lynette Knight]

Like you said, Mr. Diamond, it's a tough world.

[Rick Diamond]

The toughest.

[Lynette Knight]

Goodbye.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. No nuts. Yeah, what is it, Diamond? He's hiding his head in the desk. I'll get him for you. Come on out, you heel.

[Dick Powell]

Look, I don't know who this is, but put diamond on the pipe.

[Rick Diamond]

This is Diamond. Wait till I get the bad taste out of my mouth.

[Dick Powell]

Look, you can wet your whistle later.

[Rick Diamond]

I've always wondered what happened to people who said that.

[Dick Powell]

Is there a dame in your office named Knight?

[Rick Diamond]

Well, there was. She left just before you called.

[Dick Powell]

Well, let me give you a little tip. If she hired you, you're gonna start feeling overworked right now. So tell her you don't want the job.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, I am, huh?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah. Or your nearest relative is gonna have to come down and identify the body.

[Rick Diamond]

You know something?

[Dick Powell]

No, what?

[Rick Diamond]

A couple minutes ago I proved that a good businessman can start looking like a big fat heel for a lousy 100 a day in expenses.

[Dick Powell]

Huh?

[Rick Diamond]

Don't work on it too long, but stop in sometime, buster. I'd like to help you spit out your teeth.

[Dick Powell]

You better listen to what I say, Shammas. You're way out of your class in this one.

[Rick Diamond]

I'm always out of my class when I talk with slobs. And if you don't like it, look me up. I'll be working for Ms. Night. I went out of my office in a hurry. When somebody tries to push me around, it's like giving a kid a slingshot in a hothouse. You can tell him all night not to do it, but by morning he's busted every window in the place. I hoped I might catch Ms. Knight before she got to the street. So I grabbed the elevator and went down to the first floor. I couldn't find her in the lobby, so I went out on the sidewalk. The street was crowded, but those curves showed up like a covered wagon on Madison Avenue. She was just starting across Broadway when a big black sedan pulled up and a guy climbed out after her. I took off as fast as my little £175 would carry me and cut the kitty corner across the street with an eye on the black sedan. The guy had her by the arm, and I knew when she stopped struggling he'd showed her his gun. I was on a dead run. Gonna make like a big hero. But his.38 changed my mind. He missed with the first one. Then he shoved the girl away from him and tried again. I could hear the slug whine past my head, so I hit the sidewalk right next to the girl. He jumped for the car. I just lay there and watched him drive off.

[Lynette Knight]

Did you get the license number?

[Rick Diamond]

It was covered with mud.

[Lynette Knight]

Gee, I guess you must look pretty silly just sitting here.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Got some jacks? I'm a wizard, forzies.

[Lynette Knight]

Maybe you believe me now, Mr. Diamond?

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Here, let me give you a hand up.

[Lynette Knight]

Thanks.

[Rick Diamond]

Now, come on, let's get out of here. We're collecting a crowd.

[Lynette Knight]

Where are we going?

[Rick Diamond]

I know a policeman who can't understand attempted assault. He says it's not necessary. And believe me, baby, he's got a cure for it. Come on.

[Dick Powell]

In just a moment, we will return to Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Powell. But first, the National Safety Council reports that in almost every motor vehicle accident there is one or more violations of the law. Speed, drink and carelessness being the worst offenders. The difficulty is that people continue to think of the horror of accidents as always happening to someone else. It never occurs to us that we may be killed dashing out to lunch tomorrow. Yes, it can and does happen. For it's the careless little chances. Each one of us takes every day that cause the big accident totals. Every motorist and pedestrian is urged to support actively the safety movement in his own community. Be careful. The life you save may be your own. And now back to Dick Powell and the second act of Richard Diamond. Private Detective diamond is hurrying with his pretty client to see Lt. Levinson, head of Homicide.

[Rick Diamond]

I hailed a cab and 10 minutes later Len Knight and I were walking into the 5th Precinct Police Station. Sergeant Otis looked up and started to say something, but when he saw it I was with, he changed into a low whistle. Oh, stop puckering, Otis. You look like you've been unstopping sinks.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, very funny, wise guy.

[Rick Diamond]

How about introduction, Mr. Knight? Sergeant Otis, Homicide's answer to mercy killings.

[Lynette Knight]

Hello, Sergeant.

[Dick Powell]

Don't pay no attention to him, Ms. Knight. He was born with a nasty disposition.

[Rick Diamond]

Is the lieutenant in, Sergeant?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah, go ahead. He'll see you. Nice meeting you, Ms. Knight.

[Lynette Knight]

Nice meeting you, Sergeant Oris.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah, stop clucking. You'll have every rooster in town in here. Hello, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

Who's that with you?

[Rick Diamond]

This is Ms. Knight.

[Dick Powell]

Is she dead?

[Rick Diamond]

Walt, say something nice to the lieutenant, dear.

[Lynette Knight]

After that last remark.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, look, Ms. Knight, I'm sorry, but this guy you're with has a talent for finding homicides. I'm suspicious of everyone I see him with because even if they walk into my office with him, he'd do it just to confuse me.

[Lynette Knight]

Well, I'm quite alive, Lieutenant.

[Dick Powell]

Then let me give you a friendly tip, Ms. Knight. Stay away from this guy. His sense of humor will turn your hair white.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, isn't he a dream, Walt? Ms. Knight wants protection.

[Dick Powell]

Yeah, I see what you mean, Walt.

[Rick Diamond]

Now stop gnawing on the desk and listen to me. Ms. Knight is in line for a murder or for kidnapping. I knew it. She wants protection and you're gonna give it to her.

[Dick Powell]

That's not my department.

[Rick Diamond]

This is homicide, isn't it?

[Dick Powell]

Of course it is. But you know very well we don't go to work until you're dead.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, honey, I guess you'll just have to rall it and get yourself killed. That's the only way.

[Dick Powell]

Now you stop that. Send her to another department. They'll give her all the protection she needs.

[Rick Diamond]

She's been there. They stuck a guy out in front of her apartment. Now look, I just saw a hood try to muscle her into a car. He took a shot at me and you know, bullets give me that let down feeling. Now put one of your boys with her until I can do something about clearing this thing up.

[Dick Powell]

What's Your full name, Ms. Knight?

[Lynette Knight]

Lynette Lynn for short.

[Dick Powell]

Where do you live and where do you work?

[Lynette Knight]

I live at 419 West 48th Street, Apartment 309. I quit my job three days ago.

[Dick Powell]

Where was this job?

[Lynette Knight]

The Circus Club on 52nd Street. I took pictures.

[Dick Powell]

Took pictures?

[Lynette Knight]

Yeah, you know, souvenirs of the customers.

[Dick Powell]

Oh. Why'd you quit?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, my boss got grabby. I slapped him around.

[Rick Diamond]

Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute, honey. Did. Did you say Circus Club, 52nd Street?

[Lynette Knight]

Yeah. What about it, Walt?

[Rick Diamond]

Didn't somebody gun down al Rigoletta and two of his boys right near there? See?

[Dick Powell]

You're right. Three nights ago.

[Rick Diamond]

You didn't see that shooting, did you, Ms. Knight?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, no, but I read about it the next day.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, if you didn't see it, they couldn't want to get at you just because you were a witness.

[Dick Powell]

This is screwy. What have we got to work on?

[Rick Diamond]

You just put a man to guard her. I'm gonna see what I can do. All right.

[Dick Powell]

But only because I owe you a favor. Otis. Yeah, Lieutenant? Get in here, Otis. Yes, Otis. He's not as stupid as he looks.

[Rick Diamond]

Want to bet?

[Dick Powell]

He couldn't be. And live. You want me, Lieutenant? Not for keeps. I want you to stay with Ms. Night here until I tell you to come home. Somebody's trying to get rough with her. Got it? Yeah.

[Rick Diamond]

Walt, have you found any eggs around the office? Eggs? Otis, where do you hide your nest?

[Dick Powell]

Ah, Lieutenant, make this guy lay off for me. Yeah, Rick, lay off the poor guy. Otis. Yaddleton, stop standing on one leg and wait outside, you mallet head. Oh. Oh, Yellow.

[Rick Diamond]

Walt. I'll keep in touch.

[Lynette Knight]

Okay, Mr. Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

Yes, thanks.

[Lynette Knight]

I'll make it up to you some way.

[Rick Diamond]

Don't strain yourself. I like an obligation to be fun.

[Lynette Knight]

It will be, Rick.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Bye. I left the 5th Precinct and headed for the Circus Club. It was a small place with sawdust on the floor and colored decorations like the inside of a circus tent. The place was still closed, but a short, dapper little guy in a gray business suit answered my knock.

[Dick Powell]

Yes? You're from the police.

[Rick Diamond]

Why? You need them?

[Dick Powell]

I just put in a call. Someone burglarized the place last night.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh. You know a girl named Knight?

[Dick Powell]

Lynn Knight?

[Rick Diamond]

That's it.

[Dick Powell]

I most certainly do. I fired her three nights ago. If she's in some kind of trouble with the police, she deserves it.

[Rick Diamond]

You must run this place.

[Dick Powell]

That's right. My name's Davis. Would you like to take a look at the room that was broken into.

[Rick Diamond]

I certainly would. What do they steal?

[Dick Powell]

That's just it. I don't know. They turned it upside down. But I can't imagine what they were after. It's a dark room.

[Rick Diamond]

A dark room? Yes.

[Dick Powell]

I have several girls that take pictures of the customers. They developed the prints in the back of the cafe. Right this way.

[Rick Diamond]

Forget it.

[Dick Powell]

But I thought you wanted.

[Rick Diamond]

I'm not from the police, Mr. Davis. I'm a private detective. Tommy, did Ms. Night turn in all her film the night she quit?

[Dick Powell]

I fired her.

[Rick Diamond]

Difference of opinion. Did she turn in all her film?

[Dick Powell]

I know. As a matter of fact, she didn't. She left with her camera. And several customers got rather angry when the pictures weren't developed.

[Rick Diamond]

You mean her last roll was still in that camera?

[Dick Powell]

It must have been. She didn't leave it in the dark room. I looked.

[Rick Diamond]

Where's the phone?

[Dick Powell]

Right over there. Lieutenant Levinson, Homicide.

[Rick Diamond]

What? I think I've got something.

[Dick Powell]

Diamond. I've got something too. A sour stomach and headache.

[Rick Diamond]

What's the matter?

[Dick Powell]

Otis followed that night dame halfway home when some guy stepped out of an alley and split his head with a SAP. He's down an emergency, getting his skull crocheted.

[Rick Diamond]

What about the girl?

[Dick Powell]

We don't know. Otis can't remember.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, that's dandy. I'll call you back.

[Dick Powell]

Now you wait a minute.

[Rick Diamond]

I can't. Bye. I had one of those muscle bound hunches and I had to work fast or Lynn Knight was gonna get herself kicked around and maybe end up in the city morgue. I remembered her dress and 15 minutes later I was standing in front of room 309. I could hear the phone ringing from somewhere inside. So I waited to see if anyone answered it. On the third ring I tried the door. Well, well, well. Hello?

[Lynette Knight]

Who is this?

[Rick Diamond]

This is Diamond.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, thank goodness. This is Lynn Knight.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, where the devil are you? Lieutenant Levinson said you disappeared.

[Lynette Knight]

I'm in a bar on 50th Street. That man who tried to shove me into his car this afternoon hit Sergeant Otis on the head. And I've been running ever since.

[Rick Diamond]

How did you know I was here?

[Lynette Knight]

I didn't. I called your office and got no answer. So I just took a chance maybe you'd gone looking for me.

[Rick Diamond]

I was. But I was looking for something else too. Tell me, baby, have you got a camera?

[Dick Powell]

Right.

[Lynette Knight]

I did have.

[Rick Diamond]

Did have. What happened to it?

[Lynette Knight]

Well, I sort of sold it.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, you mean you hocked it?

[Lynette Knight]

I didn't need it anymore. And I did need the Money, you.

[Rick Diamond]

Stay right where you are and I'll be down. What's the name of the place?

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, 2320 Club. Please hurry. Mr. Diamond, I'm scared.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay. I want to ask you something else.

[Lynette Knight]

Hello?

[Rick Diamond]

Hello?

[Lynette Knight]

I thought you'd hung up.

[Rick Diamond]

No, I thought you. Lynn?

[Lynette Knight]

Yeah.

[Rick Diamond]

Is there an extension on this phone?

[Lynette Knight]

Why, yes, in the bedroom. So you don't think.

[Rick Diamond]

I don't know. Wait a minute. Hey, what are you guys.

[Dick Powell]

Oh.

[Lynette Knight]

Mr. Diamond. Mr. Diamond, are you still on the.

[Dick Powell]

Okay, Mel, let's go get the dame. Hey, that was pretty smart, waiting around and listening in on the extension. What do you want me to do with the shammers? He looks like he can still hear things. Well, turn him off. Sure. Okay. Okay, let's go. What are you limping for? I kicked him with the wrong foot. I got a lousy ingrown toenail.

[Rick Diamond]

I laid there trying to crawl back to a more sensible way of life. He'd kicked me so hard that it shook my eyes loose and they'd run back into my head to hide. Everything was suddenly crammed into a long fl. Had disappeared into the floor and I felt pretty sick. I was stuck in an acre of colored molasses and trying to get myself loose was like pulling a pillow through a garden hose. When I finally made it, I stuck my head under a sink and let the cold water bring me back to normal. Then I headed for the 2320 club in a hurry.

[Dick Powell]

Something I could do for you?

[Rick Diamond]

I'm looking for a girl, but I don't see her.

[Dick Powell]

They come and go. It's like that around here.

[Rick Diamond]

She had on a green skirt and a Jersey blouse. Couldn't miss her. Unless you don't like girls.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, her. She used the phone and then she left.

[Rick Diamond]

Alone?

[Dick Powell]

No. A couple of ugly looking guys came in and she left with them. Hey, you know her? Yeah, well, she forgot her purse. You might tell her.

[Rick Diamond]

Her purse? Let me see it.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, no.

[Rick Diamond]

Here's the badge, buster.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, okay.

[Rick Diamond]

He handed me the purse and I went through it. Nothing much but a pawn ticket. I looked at it and that hunch started biting my leg. So I took off for the pog shop.

[Dick Powell]

Good afternoon.

[Rick Diamond]

Here's a ticket. I want to claim the article.

[Dick Powell]

Sure, sure. A11249. Here it is. Ah, lovely camera.

[Rick Diamond]

Bingo.

[Dick Powell]

Did the girl sell it to you?

[Rick Diamond]

No, she just wants me to claim it for her.

[Dick Powell]

Well, be careful. She said there was still some film in it. She wanted to come back and get it when she got a new job. $15, please.

[Rick Diamond]

Here you are. Is there a place around here where I can get the film developed?

[Dick Powell]

Right across the street. You can see it from here.

[Rick Diamond]

Ah, thanks.

[Dick Powell]

Here it comes. Yep, yep, it's coming up, but we'll. We'll leave it in a little longer. Say, maybe I'm nosy, but what's so important about this roll film?

[Rick Diamond]

I'll tell you better when I look at it.

[Dick Powell]

May not turn on the light. There you are.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah, well, nothing on this one. Nope. Hey, look at this.

[Dick Powell]

It was some old guy with his wife. Is that what you wanted to find?

[Rick Diamond]

You see those two guys in the background that look like they're just sneaking out of a chicken house?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah, so what?

[Rick Diamond]

The one in the back is Lou Garzoni.

[Dick Powell]

The gangster?

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Give me that negative. Let's get out of here.

[Dick Powell]

Well, you two holding hands in there? Hey, who are you and what's the gun for?

[Rick Diamond]

Take it easy, Doc. He shoots people.

[Dick Powell]

That's right. Now back into the room. All right, but take it easy with that gun. Give me that negative, Shams. Okay, now where's the picture? It's still in the juice. Well, get it.

[Rick Diamond]

I'll get it.

[Dick Powell]

That's better. Well, come on, come on.

[Rick Diamond]

I can't seem to find it.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, yeah?

[Rick Diamond]

Look for yourself.

[Dick Powell]

I'll look.

[Rick Diamond]

See?

[Dick Powell]

Say you threw it in his face.

[Lynette Knight]

That stuffed my slime.

[Rick Diamond]

So now I can't see to kill you.

[Dick Powell]

My eyes. Get me to the doctor, quick.

[Rick Diamond]

After you tell me where the girl is.

[Dick Powell]

212 West 45th street, apartment 513. Harry, I can't stand it.

[Rick Diamond]

Call a doctor for this guy and then get a hold of Lieutenant Labers in 5th Precinct. Tell him to meet me in front of 212 West 45th and to step on it.

[Dick Powell]

Yes, I'll take those pictures. I can't stand it.

[Rick Diamond]

I'm ah, sure you can. It's no fun looking at the electric chair anyway.

[Dick Powell]

Apartment 513, he said. Oh, but here it is.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. If Lou Garzoni's in there, we gotta take him by surprise or he'll knock off the girl.

[Dick Powell]

Otis is down the alley, so he won't get out that way. Well, here goes. I hope it works. Yeah, who is it?

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, Mel had an accident. He sent me up to tell you.

[Dick Powell]

What's your name?

[Rick Diamond]

Tony Vega.

[Dick Powell]

Wow. Why you say so? I thought you was in St. Coppers. You dirty dog.

[Rick Diamond]

How about it, Walt?

[Dick Powell]

He's on his way. Where's the girl?

[Rick Diamond]

Probably in the other room. Yeah, yeah. Take it easy, baby. All right, I'll get the gag on. There you are.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, Mr. Diamond. Mr. Diamond. He was going to kill me.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah, I know.

[Dick Powell]

Is he all right?

[Rick Diamond]

Sure, Alt. How. How about Garzoni?

[Dick Powell]

No hurry for the wagon. Now, will you please tell me how you knew Lou Garzoni was in this apartment?

[Rick Diamond]

Well, he and his boy were after a picture Ms. Knight took. Yeah, this one.

[Dick Powell]

Here they are in the background.

[Rick Diamond]

He was an old enemy of Al Rigoletta, wasn't he, Walt?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah.

[Rick Diamond]

Why, I bet he was the one who rubbed him out. Then he and his boy ducked into the nightclub. Garzoni saw his picture taken, so they went after Lynn.

[Lynette Knight]

Why, Mr. Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

What's the matter?

[Lynette Knight]

You finally called me Lin.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, Lynn, you go home and take it easy. I might stop by tomorrow.

[Lynette Knight]

What's the matter with tonight?

[Rick Diamond]

I've got a piano lesson. Bye.

[Dick Powell]

Otis. Yeah, okay. Is it all over? Yes, you hammerhead. Now get out of that garbage can and see if you can find your way back to the station.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, Rick, stop it.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay.

[Lynette Knight]

Rick, tell me about the girl in your office.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, nice kid. Lovely eyes.

[Lynette Knight]

I'm jealous.

[Rick Diamond]

Good for you.

[Lynette Knight]

I'm mad you're so busy. You like the new piano?

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, yes, yes, It's a big one. Must have taken a herd of elements to make the keyboard sing something. What does R Baby want?

[Lynette Knight]

I don't care.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay. Oh, I don't care. I don't care, Rick. Well, that's what you said. You said that. Yes, you did.

[Lynette Knight]

Something nice. All right.

[Dick Powell]

Everywhere you go.

[Rick Diamond]

Sunshine follows you oh.

[Lynette Knight]

That'S such a beautiful table.

[Rick Diamond]

Really. Everywhere you go the sky's not always blue Red. I'm gonna finish it. Children love you they seem to know you Bring the roses right out of the snow the whole world says hello Everywhere you go do you suppose the guy who wrote that song ever got shot at?

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, Rick, you idiot.

[Rick Diamond]

Come here. Oh, this is much more fun than piano lessons.

[Dick Powell]

You have just heard Richard diamond, private detective, starring Dick Powell. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley. Also in our cast were Wilms Herbert, Joan Banks, Paul Dubob, Herbert Ellis and Sidney Miller. Music was under the direction of Frank Worth. Richard diamond is written by Blake Edwards and directed by Richard Sandville. And now, Dick Powell.

[Rick Diamond]

Friends, I want to remind you of the wonderful group of programs NBC has on tap for tomorrow afternoon and evening. Shows like Hollywood Calling, Guy Lombardo, Four Star Playhouse, the Ethel Merman show and the NBC Symphony for the best in radio listening tomorrow. And always keep your dial tuned to your favorite NBC station, Dick Powell.

[Dick Powell]

Soon will be seen in the screen version of the best selling novel Mrs. Mike. And don't miss the interesting story my Mr. Powell and his Mr. Diamond in the September issue of Radio Mirror. Now on your newsstand now, this is Eddie King inviting you to be with us again at this same time next week when we will again bring you Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.

[Rick Diamond]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24,7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch. You'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Dick Powell]

Here is another in NBC's great parade of new shows. Now. Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, Private detective.

[Rick Diamond]

Hello there. This is Diamond. You know, there are a lot of people in a big city like this, good ones and bad ones. They walk down Broadway and rub elbows and you can't tell them apart. Why can't you? Because a lot of them were poured out of the same mold, brought up in the middle of garbage cans and gang wars, weaned on the smell of slums and conditioned to the taste of dirt and a kick in the ribs. By the time they get old enough to raise their fist, they're given two choices. Two ways to beat the gang wars and garbage cans. One guy picks himself up, shakes off the filth and jumps over on the right side of the fence. The other guy picks himself up too. But when he does, he raises that fist and shakes it at the whole world because he wants things the easy way. He continues to shake his fist until someone shoves a gun at it. Then he's a swaggering giant. Sometimes he climbs over with his little bag of rot and hides in the lap of society. But take away the gun and he ends up right back in the middle of the garbage cans with his face in the dirt. What about the guy on the right side of the fence? Well, you rarely ever hear of him unless he becomes president or gets mixed up with the guy on the wrong side of the fence. Like the case I bumped into a couple of days ago. It all started in Central Park.

[Dick Powell]

What happened? Some girl got run over. That young guy over there ran over with his car.

[Lynette Knight]

I came up right after it happened. He was Leaning over her and crying. Little late for crying, I'd say.

[Dick Powell]

Says he didn't kill her. Says someone pushed her in front of his car. Ain't that a good one? All right, everybody back. Here comes the ambulance. Come on, you. But I tell you I didn't kill her.

[Rick Diamond]

I was in love with her.

[Dick Powell]

That's the last thing you should have said.

[Rick Diamond]

But I swear I didn't do it. I was going to meet her about. About a half a block up the street and someone pushed her out in front of my car.

[Dick Powell]

I couldn't stop in time. Look, I just got to write a report and take you down to the station. You can tell it to the inspector now. Look out. Here's the amulet. Hello, cracker. You're too late. The body's ready for the mall.

[Rick Diamond]

Ah, Central Park's turning into a graveyard. I'm going to start taking my girl someplace else.

[Dick Powell]

What do you mean somebody else got to run over in the park? Somebody got shot full of holes.

[Rick Diamond]

Call came in just for this one. That gangster, Chino Scarbo.

[Dick Powell]

Scarbo got knocked off.

[Rick Diamond]

He was do, wasn't he? Please, officer, can I get to a phone?

[Dick Powell]

Shut up. One of the biggest gangsters in town gets rubbed out and I gotta show up at the station with you. You know, Sonny, I'm not pleased with you at all.

[Rick Diamond]

Diamond Detective Agency. Corpses designed with you in mind.

[Lynette Knight]

Rick.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, hello, Helen.

[Lynette Knight]

Baby, where do you get all those awful slogans?

[Rick Diamond]

Ghost Rider. Get it? Rick wasn't a riot.

[Lynette Knight]

No, Rick was a bomb.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay, maybe this will get a yuck. Oh, oh, here's a beaut. Are you lonely? Join the Lonely Souls Club and find your perfect soul mate. All ages guarantee satisfaction and money refunded. I wonder if Mighty Joe Young knows about this.

[Dick Powell]

Rick.

[Lynette Knight]

What are you talking about?

[Rick Diamond]

I'm reading the personals. Hey, get a load of this. One will give ride to coast. Must be young companion. Pretty easy on the eyes. Think I ought to apply?

[Lynette Knight]

Baby, you're ridiculous.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, here's an odd one. Anyone witnessing unusual accident at the 7772nd street transverse. 11pm Wednesday night when young girl was killed called Skyler 6036 urgent.

[Lynette Knight]

That's in Central Park.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Somebody's got troubles.

[Dick Powell]

Mr. Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

Hold it a minute. Baby. Yeah, I'm Diamond. What can I do for you? I want to hire you, Helen.

[Lynette Knight]

Yes, I know.

[Rick Diamond]

$100 a day in expenses, sir.

[Dick Powell]

That's your fee?

[Rick Diamond]

Yep. I like to give it to the prospective client first. If he turns green and faints, we both save a lot of time. And talk. How do you feel about the fee? Fine. Well, what else is bothering you?

[Dick Powell]

My son is being held on a manslaughter charge.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, if he kills somebody, that's a job for the police.

[Dick Powell]

But he didn't do it intentionally. The girl was shoved in front of his car.

[Rick Diamond]

That's his story.

[Dick Powell]

Yes, it is. And I believe him.

[Rick Diamond]

Who was the girl and why do you think anyone would want to kill her?

[Dick Powell]

Her name was Gene Cooper. My son was in love with him. Why anyone would want to kill her, I really can't say.

[Rick Diamond]

Uh huh. Your name and your son's name, where he's being held.

[Dick Powell]

My name is Cook.

[Rick Diamond]

Earl Cook.

[Dick Powell]

My son's name is Tom. He's at the fifth Precinct police station.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, wouldn't you know it?

[Dick Powell]

I beg your pardon?

[Rick Diamond]

Forget it. What's your business, Mr. Cook?

[Dick Powell]

Politics.

[Rick Diamond]

Where can I reach you?

[Dick Powell]

I live at 261 Riverside Drive. My phone is Skyler 6036.

[Rick Diamond]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Dick Powell]

What's the matter?

[Rick Diamond]

I don't know. That phone number's familiar. Where did your son run over this girl, Mr. Cook?

[Dick Powell]

The 72nd street transverse.

[Rick Diamond]

11 o'clock Wednesday night? Why, yes.

[Dick Powell]

How did you know?

[Rick Diamond]

I read the papers. This your ad in the personal column? Yes.

[Dick Powell]

Yes, it is. You see, the police claim there were no witnesses, but I had hopes that there might have been someone who had seen the accident.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, if anyone called, you let me know. Now, I'll take $100, Mr. Cook. That's a retainer in case I run into trouble and have to get buried in a hurry. I hate to strain my relatives. He wrote me out a check and I closed the office and headed for the 5th Precinct Police Station. An automobile death isn't exactly up my alley. But if someone had pushed the girl out in front of the car, then it was murder. And that was a territory I knew my way around in. Well. Well, good morning, Sergeant Otis.

[Dick Powell]

Where did you come from? Shamas.

[Rick Diamond]

Sugar and spice and everything. Nice, huh? That's what little boys are made of.

[Dick Powell]

You're crazy. That's what little girls are made of.

[Rick Diamond]

My sergeant. You peaked.

[Dick Powell]

You want to see the lieutenant?

[Rick Diamond]

I think that would be lovely.

[Dick Powell]

Go on in.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, notice I just had a horrible thought.

[Dick Powell]

Yeah.

[Rick Diamond]

Wouldn't it be awful if there was a whole room full of you? Hello, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

Diamond. You get out of here. Every time you wander into this office, I grow another ulcer.

[Rick Diamond]

Why, Walt, I'm surprised at you.

[Dick Powell]

You wouldn't be if you had to listen to Otis belly aching all over the precinct 12 hours a day. Why don't you leave that poor guy alone?

[Rick Diamond]

Don't listen to him.

[Dick Powell]

Don't listen to him. How can I help it? He screams so loud only dogs can get with it.

[Rick Diamond]

Have you got a boy booked here on the manslaughter charge? Tom Cook?

[Dick Powell]

Yes, we have. I knew darn good and well you'd be springing something before you'd sit down and act like a normal human being. What do you want Cook for? He ran over a dame last night and that's that. Maybe you want to give him a driving lesson.

[Rick Diamond]

You're turning blue again, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

I'll light up like a pinball machine if you don't start giving me some peace and quiet.

[Rick Diamond]

Can I see Cook?

[Dick Powell]

No, you can't.

[Rick Diamond]

Why not?

[Dick Powell]

I know you. You'll end up by proving he wasn't even in the city last night. Before the day is gone, we'll be booking Otis for the credit killing.

[Rick Diamond]

Did he do it?

[Dick Powell]

Who? Otis. Oh, you stop that. Don't you dare start that routine again. I'm the biggest sucker in the world for that thing, and I admit it. But I am prepared. I know who's on first base today.

[Rick Diamond]

Who?

[Dick Powell]

Williams. He's playing for Otis. Yeah, Lieutenant. Yeah, Lieutenant. Yeah, Lieutenant. Is that all you can say? Take diamond down to see that guy Cook, and if you let him back in this office, I'll break every bone in your fat head. Yellow tenant. Oh, where is that bicarbonate?

[Rick Diamond]

Bye, Walt. I left Walt coming on like Vesuvius. And Otis took me down in the Tombs to see Tom Cook. Cook was a man about 25 or 26, put together like a high jumper. He had sandy hair and a nice face. Also, he looked pretty worried. I tell you, Mr. Diamond, I didn't.

[Dick Powell]

Intentionally run over Gene. She called and asked me to meet her in the park.

[Rick Diamond]

Why?

[Dick Powell]

Well, we always met there.

[Rick Diamond]

You say she was pushed in front of the car?

[Dick Powell]

Well, that's what it looked like. There are some bushes right near the sidewalk. She came flying out of them and.

[Rick Diamond]

Fell in front of me before I.

[Dick Powell]

Could put on the brakes.

[Rick Diamond]

What did she want to see you about?

[Dick Powell]

It was personal.

[Rick Diamond]

Now, look. Look, you're up on a manslaughter charge. You can get a lot of time for that. Now, what did she want to see you about? I can't tell you.

[Dick Powell]

I just can't tell you. It would ruin someone.

[Rick Diamond]

It's going to wreck you if you don't. Then it'll have to. Okay, okay. Did she have any enemies at all? Boyfriends? Girlfriends, ex husbands, jealous ice men. She had an ex husband. When did she separate from him?

[Dick Powell]

About a year ago.

[Rick Diamond]

Why? Do you think maybe Cooper was jealous? Is his name Cooper?

[Dick Powell]

Yes, John Cooper.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, live in town?

[Dick Powell]

Well, he was living at 498 West 81st street, but that was a year ago.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay. Tell me where your girl was living.

[Dick Powell]

383 Madison Avenue, apartment 206. She was living under her married name, Cooper.

[Rick Diamond]

Sure you don't want to tell me what she wanted to see you about?

[Dick Powell]

I can't, Mr. Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay. But I hope the person you're protecting appreciates it. Five years in Sing Sing is stretching loyalty a long way.

[Dick Powell]

This person's worth it. Otis.

[Rick Diamond]

Let me out of here. You locked me up with a boy.

[Dick Powell]

Sc. Yes?

[Rick Diamond]

Mr. Cook?

[Dick Powell]

Yes. Who is this?

[Rick Diamond]

This is Diamond.

[Dick Powell]

Diamond, I'm so glad you phoned. Oh, remember my ad in the personal columns?

[Rick Diamond]

Yes.

[Dick Powell]

Well, I just received a call from someone who claims he saw a man push a girl in front of my son's car. He said he was in a hurry, so he didn't wait around to see the rest. Can you imagine that? In too much of a hurry to stay round?

[Rick Diamond]

No, I can't imagine. Unless he was running away from something, didn't want to be caught. Did he tell you anything else?

[Dick Powell]

No, I. I asked his name, but he hung up.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh. Well, if you hear from him again, call Lieutenant Levinson at the Fifth Precinct and I'll call you later.

[Dick Powell]

All right, Mr. Diamond. But now I'm sure my son is innocent.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, I hope I can come up with more than your confidence. I knew a guy who yelled frame all the way to the electric chair. They fried him like a lean pork chop. I left the phone booth and took off for John Cooper's apartment. I found the place and gave my rabbit's foot a pat on the hawk. The little bunny was still with me because a John Cooper was listed on the mailboxes. I took the steps two at a time.

[Dick Powell]

Yeah, who is it?

[Rick Diamond]

The name's Diamond.

[Dick Powell]

I don't want any.

[Rick Diamond]

I'm selling Homicide, complete with samples. You better open up.

[Dick Powell]

Hey, what are you talking about?

[Rick Diamond]

I'm talking about your ex wife. She was killed last night. What? Mind if I come in?

[Dick Powell]

No, no, no. Come on in. She ain't dead. How did it happen?

[Rick Diamond]

She was run over by car.

[Dick Powell]

That's awful. Are you from the police?

[Rick Diamond]

You got a gold star. Where were you at 11 o'clock Wednesday night?

[Dick Powell]

I was right here in my apartment.

[Rick Diamond]

You can prove it?

[Dick Powell]

What I didn't leave. I don't guess I can prove it. I hope you don't think I ran over, Gene.

[Rick Diamond]

I know who ran over. I'm trying to find out who aimed her.

[Dick Powell]

I don't understand.

[Rick Diamond]

She was pushed in front of the car.

[Dick Powell]

How do you know that?

[Rick Diamond]

Why shouldn't I know that?

[Dick Powell]

Well, I don't know. I guess you should.

[Rick Diamond]

When was the last time you saw your ex wife?

[Dick Powell]

About eight months ago. We didn't get along, so we didn't speak after we split up.

[Rick Diamond]

You haven't seen her since?

[Dick Powell]

No.

[Rick Diamond]

Were you jealous of her new boyfriend?

[Dick Powell]

Jealous? Why should I be?

[Rick Diamond]

Good question. I'll see you later, Mr. Cooper.

[Dick Powell]

I hope I've been at some help.

[Rick Diamond]

You've been dandy. I left Cooper pinning up his gold star and headed for the dead girl's apartment. I knew the law had already been there and that it would probably be locked tighter than a wine truck on skid row. I found the landlady's door and gave it a jolt.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, what do you want?

[Rick Diamond]

I'm looking for the landlady.

[Lynette Knight]

You want an apartment? We got one coming up in a couple of days. The dame that was in it croaked. You can pay in advance if you want it.

[Rick Diamond]

Can I take a look at it?

[Dick Powell]

Nah.

[Lynette Knight]

Lousy coppers told me not to let anyone in. You got my word. It's a good one.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, well, then you'd better let me talk to your mother.

[Lynette Knight]

My mother? My old lady's been dead for 20 years.

[Rick Diamond]

She has? Aren't you a little young to be running an apartment all by yourself?

[Lynette Knight]

Hey, sonny.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah?

[Lynette Knight]

How old do you think I am?

[Rick Diamond]

Well, it's hard to tell. I'd say, oh, about 28.

[Lynette Knight]

Come on, I'll show you the apartment. But watch those steps. I think you could use some glasses. Right up here, handsome.

[Rick Diamond]

Was the poor girl who died married?

[Lynette Knight]

Used to be, but she got divorced. Here it is. There you are, honey. Go on in, take a look around. I'll go on back downstairs in case the law comes back. I'll have to stall them, I guess.

[Rick Diamond]

Thanks, beautiful.

[Lynette Knight]

Oh, that's all right, honey. When you're done, stop in at my place and I'll give you a drink of gin.

[Rick Diamond]

I waited until I heard the old bat fly down the stairs. Then I took the place apart. It took me exactly 10 minutes. And even if I do say so, it was a pretty neat job. I was on the last lap going through the wastebaskets when I spotted something on the magazine stand. It was just Below eye level. It was a late issue of a magazine, and it was addressed to Mr. John Cooper, 498 W. 81st St. I grabbed it and picked up the phone.

[Dick Powell]

Homicide, Sergeant Otis.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, this is Wooly. Wish you talking to Lieutenant Levinson.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, how are you, Wooly get it for you?

[Lynette Knight]

Chop, chop.

[Dick Powell]

Pretty good, huh?

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, very fine. Chop, chop. Your head maybe, huh? Woolly say very fine. You speak very fine Chinese.

[Dick Powell]

Lieutenant Levinson.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, this. This is Diamond, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

It is? I told Otis I didn't want to talk to you. He said Wu Lee was on the pipe.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, this a Woolie too, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, that lame brain, Otis. What is it now, Diamond?

[Rick Diamond]

I got a liar in the balcony, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

What are you talking about?

[Rick Diamond]

I spoke to three people about the girl that was run over. One of them lied to me. Now I believe the kid's story. I think she was pushed.

[Dick Powell]

So she was pushed. I can't be bothered with that right now. I'm all tangled up in the Scarbo killing. We found the gun that did the job lying in the bushes in Central Park.

[Rick Diamond]

Wait a minute. In Central Park?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah. We traced it to a pawn shop. And the pawn broker identified one Louis Spiegel as the one that bought the gun.

[Rick Diamond]

Walt, what time was Scarborough knocked off?

[Dick Powell]

Shots were heard about five minutes to 11. Hey, that's just about the same time that Cook ran over the girl.

[Rick Diamond]

You are so right. And Scarborough got killed on the other side of the park. About five minutes to run to where the girl got run over.

[Dick Powell]

Now, what are you getting at? If you know something about this Scarborough killing.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, some guy called Tom Cook's father and said he saw the girl shoved in front of the car. He wouldn't tell his name because he said he'd get in trouble.

[Dick Powell]

Probably a crank. No one would duck out on a.

[Rick Diamond]

Deliberate murder unless he just rubbed out New York's biggest gangster.

[Dick Powell]

Hey.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah? Have you got Louis Spiegel on tap?

[Dick Powell]

No, he's hiding out.

[Rick Diamond]

Do me a favor. Check your files and see if you've got a record on a John Cooper.

[Dick Powell]

The dead girl's ex husband.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Then I'll call you back. I've got a guy who might show us where we can find Louis Spiegel and the guy who pushed the girl in front of the car.

[Dick Powell]

Killed two birds with one stone.

[Rick Diamond]

It's quite a billiard shot, but give my little stool pigeon two bottles of fermented grape juice and he can run the table. I left the apartment and slipped by the landlady's door. I knew she was building a party because I could smell the hundred proof clear out in the hall. I ducked out on the street and headed for skid row in a place called the Parrot Club. When I went in, I spotted my man sitting in his usual spot at the bar. His name is Wilbur Troitt.

[Dick Powell]

Ah, greetings, bucko. You have come just in the nick. Not having the necessary funds to purchase another bottle of Strength, I asked John.

[Rick Diamond]

Bartender to put it on the cuff. Wilbur.

[Dick Powell]

Whereupon he handed me this can of rat poison. It turned out to be rather soothing in a toxic sort of way. Bucko, you know me. I do not wish to deprive the little rodents of their daily constitution, so I would much rather nurse on the succulent end of a bottle.

[Rick Diamond]

Wilbur, I'm looking for someone.

[Dick Powell]

I have been looking for someone all my life. Preferably a brewery owner.

[Rick Diamond]

Bartender, bring me a bottle.

[Dick Powell]

Noble sir, your over kindness doth wring tears from me. I do embrace your offer.

[Rick Diamond]

Now, you don't wrap your hooks around this jug until I find out where Louis Spiegel is.

[Dick Powell]

That is indeed a difficult problem. Mr. Spiegel carried a rather large gun under his arm. Then if I sit here and gaze at that bottle for any great period, I shall become cotton mouthed and surely choked to death. Mr. Louis Spiegel might be found in the freight yards, hiding in an old shack at the end of 50th Street. Now, bucko, I'm rusting.

[Rick Diamond]

Here you are, Wilbur, and thanks.

[Dick Powell]

Farewell.

[Rick Diamond]

Lord knows when we shall meet again.

[Dick Powell]

I have faint, cold fear thrills through my veins. But no matter. I have never let a cork confuse me before. Bartender, a corkscrew.

[Rick Diamond]

And bring the cat.

[Dick Powell]

I owe him a drink. Homicide, Lieutenant Levinson.

[Rick Diamond]

Diamond. Walt, what did you find out?

[Dick Powell]

John Cooper has no record. Uh, but George Kingsley has.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, alias.

[Dick Powell]

Yeah. George Kingsley, alias John Cooper did 10 years for embezzlement.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, fine. Thanks for. Now, here's the pitch. Lou Spiegel is in the shack in the freight yards at the end of 49th Street, North River. Get some men to surround the place and have Otis pick up John Cooper and bring him down there. I'll be there in half an hour and give you a couple of killers. All I needed was a motive. So I hung up the phone and headed for the house of my client, Earl Cook.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, come in, Mr. Diamond. I am very glad you've come, Mr. Cook.

[Rick Diamond]

Did you?

[Dick Powell]

I want to show you something. Here.

[Rick Diamond]

What are they?

[Dick Powell]

Letters to my son. Blackmail letters, huh?

[Rick Diamond]

Where'd you find them?

[Dick Powell]

I was going through my son's things. Trying to find something that might help uncover the motive for his accident.

[Rick Diamond]

Mind if I take a look?

[Dick Powell]

Well, I can save you the trouble. They're about me.

[Rick Diamond]

About you?

[Dick Powell]

Yes. I told you, I'm in politics. Well, I am. And I'm a big power. When I began my rise, I was a young criminal lawyer. I had to accept a lot of cases that I might have turned down under different circumstances. And the opposition tried everything to discredit me. Smear campaigns saying that I was getting acquittals for common thugs who were known to be guilty. Later, when I became a judge, they switched the campaign and said that the men I sentenced were innocent.

[Rick Diamond]

Were they?

[Dick Powell]

Of course not. But in those letters to my son, the blackmailer said that he had definite proof that could ruin me. My son knew about my past. And when he started receiving the letters he was afraid to confront me with the evidence for fear I might have to admit my dishonesty.

[Rick Diamond]

Have you talked with your son?

[Dick Powell]

I just left him. That's why he didn't tell you anything. He thought he was protecting me. His girl Jean found out who was sending him the letters and, well, she was killed before she could tell him.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, that fits. If the girl found out, then the blackmailer would not only have to know your son pretty well, but he'd also have to know her.

[Dick Powell]

You think you know who he is?

[Rick Diamond]

See this magazine? Well, some of the pages are cut up. Now, take a look at these blackmail notes. They're formed with cut out letters to spell out the words. The type is the same as the type in the magazine.

[Dick Powell]

Where did you get that magazine?

[Rick Diamond]

In the girl's apartment.

[Dick Powell]

Well, then she must have had something to do with it.

[Rick Diamond]

She found the magazine all right, but it wasn't hers. Look. Mr. Cook? Yes? Did you ever send a man to prison named Kingsley?

[Dick Powell]

Yes, I believe so for embezzling?

[Rick Diamond]

Thanks.

[Dick Powell]

Where are you going?

[Rick Diamond]

I'll call you later. I've got a date at the freight routes.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, hello. Rick. We've got Spiegel boxed up. He's in that shack down there.

[Rick Diamond]

Will he come out?

[Dick Powell]

If he does, it'll be feet first.

[Rick Diamond]

I guess he'd rather have it that way. Any shooting?

[Dick Powell]

He tried a couple, but I had the boys hold their fire until you got here.

[Rick Diamond]

I see. Where's John Cooper?

[Dick Powell]

Otis hasn't showed up with him yet.

[Rick Diamond]

Let me use your loudspeaker, Walt.

[Dick Powell]

Sure, go ahead. But keep your head down.

[Rick Diamond]

Spiegel. Spiegel.

[Dick Powell]

Louis. Why, that low life? I'll blast him to kingdom. Come.

[Rick Diamond]

Hold it. Walt Spiegel knows me. Louie.

[Dick Powell]

Louie, this is Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

I want to talk with you.

[Dick Powell]

You better get out of here, Diamond. Ain't none of your business, Lou.

[Rick Diamond]

You've got my word there'll be no shooting. I want to talk to you.

[Dick Powell]

Look, Diamond, I know they want me for the Scarbo killing and I say okay, I've done the job. But I'm allergic to electricity and I don't like cops. You blow this place apart, I say okay, too. That's the way I want it. How do you still want to talk?

[Rick Diamond]

I want five minutes.

[Dick Powell]

Okay. Come on, John. But keep your hands behind your neck.

[Rick Diamond]

Walt, no shooting, huh?

[Dick Powell]

Okay, but I think you're crazy. He kills guys for practice.

[Rick Diamond]

I moved out from behind the boxcar and put my hands behind my head. I started down toward the shack and I could see Spiga looking at me over the barrel of the.45. One bad move from any of the men stationed around the yards and I was going to get dead quick. I walked up to the shack and went in.

[Dick Powell]

That's far enough, Diamond. You've got five minutes.

[Rick Diamond]

It won't take that long, Lou.

[Dick Powell]

Keep your hands where they are.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, I thought you might want a cigarette.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, yeah. As a matter of fact, I'm all out.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Keep the pack.

[Dick Powell]

Just one. I got a date light. I can make it four minutes.

[Rick Diamond]

Diamond, did you see a girl shoved in front of a car the night you knocked off Scarbo?

[Dick Powell]

Yeah. I called some guy and I told him about it. I read his ad in the personals. But I couldn't do anything about it.

[Rick Diamond]

Now because then the law would know you were in the park.

[Dick Powell]

Looks like it don't make much difference now.

[Rick Diamond]

The kid who ran over the girl is in on a manslaughter rap. You'll get five or ten.

[Dick Powell]

That's tough. You got three and a half minutes.

[Rick Diamond]

Lou, did you get a good look at the man who gave the girl the shove?

[Dick Powell]

Sure, I'd remember him. Rick. What do they want?

[Rick Diamond]

I'll see.

[Dick Powell]

With your hands up. You'll see.

[Rick Diamond]

Sure.

[Dick Powell]

What is it, Walt? Otis has got Cooper.

[Rick Diamond]

Lou, will you do me a favor?

[Dick Powell]

I don't know.

[Rick Diamond]

I want you to tell me if a guy they've got up there is the one who pushed the girl.

[Dick Powell]

Sure, but I can't see him from here.

[Rick Diamond]

I'll have him brought down.

[Dick Powell]

I hope you ain't up to something. I don't want to see no kid get sent up on a bum rap. But if you get funny, you get holes.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, how about us bring Cooper halfway down to the shack?

[Dick Powell]

He doesn't want to go. Then drag him. I've only got two minutes. They bringing him?

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Here he comes.

[Dick Powell]

Okay, out that door.

[Rick Diamond]

What are you doing?

[Dick Powell]

I'm doing you a favor. I'm tired of this shack and I'm walking out with you in front of me.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay.

[Dick Powell]

Don't get too far ahead, Rick. What's Spiegel up to?

[Rick Diamond]

I don't know. Hold your fire.

[Dick Powell]

Not surprised at you. Even if I identified this guy, it wouldn't hold water. I got a bad reputation. Hey, what's going on?

[Rick Diamond]

Take it easy, Otis.

[Dick Powell]

You can't do this to me. What's this all about? That's the guy, Diamond. I don't know what you're talking about. Sure you do. I saw you push that dam in front of the car. You're crazy. I don't like that. You got just 10 seconds to admit it. I won't admit anything. Then I shoot you. Hey, you can't. Shut up, flatfoot.

[Rick Diamond]

Stay out of this. Orders.

[Dick Powell]

I tell you, I won't admit anything. Five seconds.

[Rick Diamond]

Come on, Cooper. I found out all about your prison record. I know Cook sent you up and you wanted to get even. You found those letters Tom wrote to your ex wife. So you started blackmailing him. And I know you lied when you said you hadn't seen your ex wife. I found a magazine in her apartment with your address on it.

[Dick Powell]

Time's up. No.

[Rick Diamond]

No.

[Dick Powell]

No. No. All right, I did it. I did it. You're too late. I'm on schedule.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, you idiot. Why did you shoot him?

[Dick Powell]

What's the difference? I kill people. He kills people. Besides, he wasn't polite. It's a long diamond. You got your favorite. He's making it bright.

[Rick Diamond]

You'll never make it, Spiegel. Spiegel.

[Dick Powell]

In the name of the law, stop. Yeah, they got him.

[Rick Diamond]

They sure did.

[Dick Powell]

You know something? He wasn't such a bad guy.

[Rick Diamond]

Wasn't he? I guess he's killed a dozen people in his time, but maybe you're right. Maybe he kissed them all goodbye before he pulled the trigger.

[Dick Powell]

Well, I got a right to an opinion. Yeah?

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah, and it scares me a little. You're lucky you didn't try to pull a gun on him. You look pretty silly telling everybody what a nice guy he was after he'd shot off the top of your head.

[Lynette Knight]

Rick. How do you want it?

[Rick Diamond]

Lots of lemon, honey.

[Lynette Knight]

What's that you're playing?

[Rick Diamond]

I don't know. It says on the sheet music for Kazoo and voice, you idiot.

[Dick Powell]

Here.

[Lynette Knight]

See how this tastes?

[Rick Diamond]

Ah, that's wow. But can't you drop a muscle in it or something?

[Lynette Knight]

Now, that's plenty strong. The last time you complained about my weak drinks, Francis had to carry you home piggyback.

[Rick Diamond]

Yeah. Remind me to buy him a saddle.

[Lynette Knight]

I hear they let the cook boy out of jail this evening.

[Rick Diamond]

How the diggings? Did you know that?

[Lynette Knight]

Never mind. I find out.

[Rick Diamond]

Then you have been snooping.

[Lynette Knight]

Well, you won't tell me anything about your cases.

[Rick Diamond]

How did you find out? Helen. No, you'll be sorry.

[Lynette Knight]

Here, you sing this, and I'll tell you how I found out.

[Rick Diamond]

Well, I don't know whether I care. Your lips tell me no, no.

[Dick Powell]

But there's yes, yes.

[Rick Diamond]

In your eyes. I've been missing your kissing. Just because I wasn't wise. I'll stop my scheming and dreaming. Cause I realize you're.

[Lynette Knight]

That's wonderful.

[Rick Diamond]

Okay, now make like a truth serum or I sing 20 courses of McNamara's band.

[Lynette Knight]

Well, I was looking for you, so I called Walt Levinson. He told me all about it. Very elementary, my dear Diamond.

[Rick Diamond]

Oh, get her.

[Lynette Knight]

Do I look smug?

[Rick Diamond]

Close your eyes and let's see.

[Lynette Knight]

Now, that's silly. Why do I have to close my eyes?

[Rick Diamond]

Close your eyes. That's better.

[Lynette Knight]

Rick, aren't you nice?

[Rick Diamond]

I certainly am, but people always notice my dimples first.

[Lynette Knight]

Can you.

[Rick Diamond]

Hello. You're looking smug again.

[Dick Powell]

You have just heard Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Powell. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley. Also in our cast were Wills Herbert, Eleanor Audley, William Johnstone, Sam Edwards, David Ellis and Frank Lovejoy. Music was under the direction of Frank Worth. Richard diamond is written by Blake Edwards and directed by Richard Sandel. And now, Dick Powell.

[Rick Diamond]

Friends, I want to remind you of the wonderful group of programs NBC has on tap for tomorrow afternoon and evening. Shows like Hollywood Calling, Guy Lombardo, Four Star Playhouse, the Ethel Merman show and the NBC Symphony. For the best in radio listening tomorrow. And always keep your dial tuned to your favorite NBC station. Time is precious, and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24. 7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments. And shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind. When it comes to their vet care. Marketing is hard, but I'll tell you a little secret. It doesn't have to be. Let me point something out. You're listening to a podcast right now, and it's great. You love the host. You seek it out and download it. You listen to it while driving, working out, cooking, even going to the bathroom. Podcasts are a pretty close companion. And this is a podcast ad. Did I get your attention? You can reach great listeners like yourself with podcast advertising from Libsyn Ads. Choose from hundreds of top podcasts offering host endorsements, or run a pre produced ad like this one across thousands of shows. To reach your target audience in their favorite podcasts with Libsyn ads, go to Libsynads.com that's L I B S Y N ads.com today.