THE MILK AND HONEY MATTER and THE BEN BRYSON MATTER YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers – Episode Summary

Episode: THE MILK AND HONEY MATTER and THE BEN BRYSON MATTER (Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar)
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Release Date: October 1, 2025

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Overview:

This episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers delivers two classic radio detective tales from the golden age: “The Milk & Honey Matter” and “The Ben Bryson Matter,” both drawn from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Each story spotlights Johnny Dollar—insurance investigator—unraveling complex frauds, murders, and insurance claims. The action moves from the glamorous casinos of Beirut to the moody wharves of Panama, punctuated by sharp noir wit and plot twists characteristic of the era.

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“The Milk & Honey Matter” – Key Discussion Points & Timeline

Setting the Stage

• Location: Primarily Beirut, Lebanon.
• Premise: Johnny Dollar is sent to investigate a suspicious $90,000 claim on a supposedly shipwrecked yacht, the Happy Times, owned by Brett Cunningham.

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Investigating the Claim

[02:19]

• Johnny flies into Beirut and quickly tracks Cunningham to the Escoaita Casino, immersed in gambling and champagne, showing little interest in serious conversation.
• Notable Quote:
  • Johnny (to Cunningham): "It's about that yacht of yours, Cunningham. Insurance?"
  • Cunningham: "Yeah, I figured. Stack ‘em up for me, Charlie. We miss you. It’s gonna be a big night, baby. A big night." [04:49]

[06:33]

• Dollar questions Port Commissioner Floreau, who confirms the official version: The yacht struck a derelict and sank. Only Cunningham and one sailor (Casimir Andescu) survived.
• Suspicion arises due to the calm weather and the low number of survivors:
  • Dollar: “I was just wondering why only two survivors out of a crew of eight.”
  • Floreau: “My duty ends with the factual reporting of what has occurred in the now.” [09:30]

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Meeting the Surviving Sailor

[11:06]

• Johnny finds Andescu, an eccentric bird fancier in the native quarter, who hints at bribery for details.
• Notable Quote:
  • Andescu: “I would not ask one dinar for myself. You understand what I am saying?”
  • Dollar: “Oh, sure. It’s strictly for the birds.” [13:46]

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Twists & Explosive Developments

[14:55]

• Cunningham, suddenly eager to settle, asks Dollar to meet at the casino to sign a waiver—but is killed by a car bomb before Johnny arrives.
• Discovery: Cunningham had just married Nadja, a casino girl, making her the insurance beneficiary.

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The Conspiracy Unfolds

[17:00]

• Nadja reveals Cunningham had promised her the insurance money, then shocks Johnny:
  • Nadja: “He married me. Nadia is Mrs. Brett Cunningham. Is that not real crazy, Mr. Dollar?” [17:25]

[18:30]

• Evidence links Kazimir Andescu with another ship, the El Hussein—a swap for the Happy Times to perpetrate insurance fraud.

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The Final Confrontation

[21:27]

• Johnny dredges up a lifeboat piece labeled “El Hussein,” exposing the switch.

[22:09]

• Johnny presses Nadja, who confesses: Cunningham lost big in Istanbul to Andescu, who hatched the insurance scheme. Afterward, Cunningham tried to back out, and Andescu killed him with the car bomb.

[23:34]

• Armed with Nadja’s tip, Johnny and Commissioner Floreau confront Andescu on the disguised yacht, arresting him for fraud and murder.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Andescu: "You have no idea how objectionable the noise is to Fatima and the other…"
  • Floreau: “Perfect. Well enough to provide grounds for your arrest on charges of fraud and murder.” [24:18]

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“The Ben Bryson Matter” – Key Discussion Points & Timeline

Initial Hook

[27:53]

• Johnny is called in by Ed Murphy of Keystone Mutual; Ben Bryson, a trusted friend and top claims adjuster, died recently in an apparent car accident. But $80,000 is missing from his accounts.

[28:38]

• Johnny: “Not Ben Bryson, Ed. Anybody else… Yes, but money never meant anything to Ben, Johnny.” [28:47]

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Long Trail to the Truth

[30:08]

• Johnny traces Bryson to the Franciscan Arms in San Francisco. He investigates with staff and discovers Bryson’s close relationship with Alvy Kern, a young widow, who is now missing and rumored to be in Panama.

[32:37]

• Bartender: “A doll like that’s born to be a widow. Was Ben in here the night he was killed? Yeah. Left about nine. Two hours later he was dead.” [32:34]

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Panama: Pursuit & Revelations

[37:28]

• Johnny finds Alvy Kern at Hotel Primesso in Panama City. She denies knowledge of Ben’s crimes, claiming he is dead.

[38:44]

• Johnny observes inconsistencies—cigarette stubs and signs of another in her room—and deduces Ben is alive and hiding nearby.

[39:56]

• Johnny: “They didn’t find a body because there wasn’t any body. He’s still alive. Hiding out. I know who hit me. It was Ben Bryson.”

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The Fugitive Confrontation

[43:16]

• With help from local police, Johnny discovers Bryson living on a fishing boat. Ben confesses: he stole the money under Alvy Kern’s influence, hoping to build a new life. Plans fell apart, and he’s on the run.
• Ben: “You’ve seen Alvy. Do you need any more answers? … She worked the price for me, sure.” [44:13]

[44:55]

• Johnny lets Ben escape, but pursuit leads to tragedy—Ben crashes a car over a cliff, similar to his staged “death” in San Francisco.

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Closure & Bittersweet End

[48:42]

• Johnny finds Ben dying. Ben admits Alvy never loved him, and that he’d do it all again for one chance at love.
• Ben: “Do you know something? I think I’d do this same thing again. Maybe there’s no answer for a guy like me.” [49:15]
• Johnny recovers most of the stolen funds and returns to Hartford.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny Dollar as the classic hard-boiled investigator:

  • “It’s strictly for the birds.” (Refusing Andescu’s bribery – [13:46])
  • “You’re missing a point somewhere, Nadja. Didn’t you know you can’t spend money in prison?” ([23:01])
  • “They didn’t find a body because there wasn’t any body. He’s still alive. Hiding out.” ([39:56])

• Nadja’s wry fatalism:

  • “Now Brett is real dead. So now Nadja like Mr. Dollar.” ([16:51])

• Ben Bryson’s doomed resignation:

  • “I bought her and paid for her, Johnny. I ought to be able to take her with me after all.” ([49:12])

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Important Timestamps

• Beirut Casino confrontation: [04:25]–[05:18]
• Cunningham’s car bomb death: [14:55]
• Nadja reveals she is Cunningham’s widow: [17:24]
• Johnny recovers lifeboat evidence: [21:27]
• Final confrontation with Andescu: [24:20]
• Ben Bryson case begins: [27:53]
• Panama showdown (Ben found): [43:16]
• Final, tragic talk with Ben Bryson: [48:42]–[49:36]

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Tone & Language

The episode is a textbook example of mid-century radio noir: dry, clever, conversational, and brisk—with world-weary narration, crackling banter, and fast-moving dialogue. Johnny Dollar’s sardonic observations set the pace, while supporting characters like Nadja and Ben offer a mix of humor, ambiguity, and fatalism.

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Conclusion

This episode blends intrigue, wit, and classic radio drama suspense as Johnny Dollar confronts greed, love, duplicity, and loss on two continents. Both stories end not with perfect justice but with reflection on the human cost beneath the insurance figures—a hallmark of the era’s radio detective storytelling.

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For fans and first-time listeners alike, this episode is a masterclass in golden age radio detective drama, with memorable characters, razor-sharp dialogue, and just the right measure of noir melancholy.

Transcript

[A]

For your listening enjoyment. John Lund as Johnny Daller Mitchell. Johnny, what do you know about the land of milk and honey? Oh, at 4:30 in the morning, the sun's been up for three hours in Beirut, Lebanon, and it's shining brightly on a happy man by the name of Brett Cunningham on a shipwrecked yacht insured by you. Uh huh. How much is Cunningham Happy? About $90,000. I don't blame him. You mind, Mitch. The app went down in calm weather on a smooth sea. Johnny. Johnny. Well, I've always wondered what milk and honey taste like. We'll return to our program in a moment, but first I'd like to talk to you about housekeeping. Recently, a woman was interviewing a prospective maid and asked her how she was on light housekeeping. Well, I'm sorry, ma', am, said the young lady. I never kept a lighthouse. I admit that's an old joke, but it generally gets a laugh. However, housekeeping is no joke. That's a job from which no one can escape, whether he lives in a house, an igloo, a military barracks or a governmental building. Yes, housekeeping is a very important job, even in our government. Someone has to see that the plumbing doesn't leak, that electricity, oil and coal aren't wasted, that the garden is kept in good shape, that the animals are fed, and that the people have a place outdoors in which to enjoy themselves. Actually, all these governmental household tasks are the work of the Department of the Interior, which at one time was called the Home Department. The biggest job of the department is conservation, the protection of the things that make our country a good place in which to live. The land, water, oil, coal, forests, minerals, fish and wildlife. These are our natural resources. If it weren't for the conservation work of the Interior Department, before too long, all the farm and grazing lands would be washed or blown away and all the wildlife would disappear from our fields and forests. Another important job of the Department is the development of new natural resources and the caring for our national parks, where people are free to go sightseeing or set up camp. And during wartime, the Secretary of the Interior has a special job, namely, making sure that sufficient oil and other fuels are available to our armed forces and defense industries. Yes, our governmental housekeeper, the Department of the Interior, has a most important and vital job in maintaining the comfort and welfare of every citizen of the United States. Expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to home office Eastern Indemnity and Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the milk and honey matter. Expense Account Item 1, $666.45 Airfare and Incidentals between Hartford and Beirut. Lebanon. Quite a fabulous land, this one of Lebanon, for ancient mosques and biblical ruins stand hand in hand with the most ultra of modern hotels. And quite a fabulous character is Brett Cunningham. I located them exactly 35 minutes after checking in at the St. George Hotel. He was just where everyone I questioned said he'd be. At the Escoaita, a swank gambling casino just outside of town on the Beirut Damascus highway. He was standing at of the wheels, all six foot four of them, face flushed and grinning, surrounded by stacks of chips and a young svelte brunette who clung to him with one hand and a champagne cocktail with the other. Please say we try 13 again.

[B]

That would be real jaw Fred. Real George.

[A]

Okay, baby. Thirteen and east. Are you Brett Cunningham? Uh huh. Okay, Charlie, let her spin. My name is Johnny Dollar. I'd like to talk to you for a minute, Cunningham. Some other time. It's pretty important. Don't spin her so hard the next time Charlie takes too long to get action for my money.

[B]

You are American, no, mister.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

Now you think you're really yours, Mr. American.

[A]

Well, thanks a lot. It's about that yacht of yours, Cunningham. Insurance? Yeah, I figured. Stack them up for me, Charlie. We miss you. It's gonna be a big night, baby. A big night.

[B]

Oh, wee bad. Real joyful.

[A]

How about that yacht? You got my check with you? Now, that comes later. What comes now? Some routine questions. Such as? Such as how come your yacht went down in a smooth sea in calm weather? Worried about a fraudulent claim, are you? Put these on. Double o, Charlie. Well, Mr. Cunningham. Eh? Oh. Oh, yeah. Well, she hit it. Derelict stove in the bow. Went down in less than three minutes. Just like that. Why not? I don't know. But maybe you'd like to find out, huh? Well, no harm trying. Oh, sure. You do that Dollar. You'll find me right here when you're ready to pay off Expense Account Item 2. $7.50 Cab Fare to the casino and back to the harbor in Beirut. Obviously I was getting nowhere trying to compete with a wind streak in the sultry nadja for Brett Cunningham's attention. But I figured I might do better with the man who'd sent in the official report on the sinking of Cunningham's yacht. Court Commissioner Floreau. I found Commissioner Floreau on the second floor of a baked clay office building, which was surrounded by bales of drying sheepskins and casts of olive oil and dates. A wheezing electric fan fought a losing battle with the overpowering heat, but it did succeed in spreading the odors around to maximum effect. I regret that they have been welcomed by this unseasonable heat wave, Monsieur Dolan. It's a very unusual weather for Beirut at this season of the year. I'll overlook the weather, Commissioner, in exchange for some information. Oh, you have not read my official report on the sinking of M. Cunningham's yacht? I've read it, yes. Ah, then it is not explicit enough for your purposes. Well, I'm not sure. Would you mind running over the highlights for me again? Not at all. At approximately 10:23 the evening of 28 November, M. Cunningham's yacht, the Happy Times, struck a submerged derelict some 200 meters off the coast of Lebanon. It went down within three minutes time. There's no question about that being the cause of the sinking. We have a swarm happy daily to that effect. Signed by Monsieur Cunningham and one sailor out of the crew of eight who survived the sinking. Reading no other witnesses? None. Anything else to back up their statement? A Lebanese gunboat proceeded to the scene the next day. He found considerable floating debris, such as the chair, life preservers and a large pool of oil. Also it located the derelict which was reportedly responsible for the accident and destroyed it with gunfire. No sign of the yacht itself. Sounding equipment located it resting on the bottom in some 70 fathoms of water. Where was Cunningham going when he hit that derelict off? He was en route from Istanbul, Turkey to Beirut. Pleasure trip a week. What about Cunningham? And south? He has visited Baruch several times during the past year. Apparently wealthy. His source of income is unknown to us. He devotes much of his time to gambling while here. Any business associates, friends? Ah, only the croupier and that girl, Nadie? Oh, there are many like her here in Bell with Monsieur Cunningham. It is a different one each visit. Well, thanks for your trouble, Commissioner. Monsieur Dolan, I rather I have the feeling you are not entirely satisfied with the results of this interview. It was a clear, moonlit night, Commissioner. A calm sea. There must have been lifeboats aboard that he saw it. I was just wondering why only two survivors out of a crew of eight. You find he said he stopped being backed on with you, don't you? Yeah. My duty ends with the factual reporting of what has occurred in the now. So does mine. Before I left him, Commissioner Floro gave me the name and the address of the sailor who survived the sinking. I found him deep in the native quarter behind the bazaar on a narrow twisting street. Black with shadows. That was called El Ekbad. Oh, it is to be regrettable, effendi. It is to be most regrettable. What is my sweetheart effendi? They are so delicate, so. So sensitive. It is their feeding time. Interruptions disturb them, you understand? You're talking about those birds in there. My sweetheart effendi, my lovely feathered darlings. They are so sensitive. I cannot talk now, you understand? You will excuse me now just a minute. You're Kazimir Andescu? That is so, eh, Andre. My name is Dollar, insurance investigator. I'd like to ask you a few questions about the sinking of Brett Cunningham's yacht. But what is there that Kazimir Andescu, a humble saint, could tell you about that? That's what I'd like to find out. Very well. Come in. If you please be seated on the chapel. If it does not offend you by its humbleness. Well, it'll do fine now. And now, if you do not mind, I will feed the heart of my heart well, because they are so hungry, poor things, and they're so satisfied. I'll go right ahead. I have collected them from all over the world. My favorites such as Fatima Hill, I take with me and all my varieties. I'm interested in your last voyage. What happened? It was so unfortunate, attendee. It was about 10 o' clock on the night on 28 November, some 200 meters off the shore of Lebanon. The arches took a derelict and went down in less than three minutes. So unfortunate. Now tell me what really happened? That fang. I've sworn to this information before the commissioner of the door. I read the report. I don't have to believe it. Krishna, beloved of all, Beloved for you, my precious one. Well, Mr. Andesco attend you? I am but a poor man. How much you understand? It is not for myself that I ask of any reasons for these poor ones here. How much undespute is he a reasonable man? He will ask only for the 10% of the claim. $9,000. Oh, I couldn't ask anyone to be that reasonable. Is it at a 6000? Perhaps? 500? Apparently my ancestors would shun me in paradise. Well, that'd show pretty good taste. 500 it is most regrettable, attendee, but undescue can tell you nothing. Okay. It is not that I am mercenary attendee so far as money is concerned. I would not ask one dinar for myself. You understand what I am saying? Oh, sure. It's strictly for the birds. Expense account item 3. 3. $27.50. A radiogram to intelligence division. Turkish police in Istanbul. Expense account, item 4. $3.50. Cab fare out of the Esawaido Casino. The return trip being occasioned by a phone call just as I was climbing into bed for the night. Johnny Dollar. Rhett Cunningham. Dollar. What's on your mind, Cunningham? That check for 90 grand. What do you sound anxious? Your wind streak, Peter? Us? No, still doing all right. But you've just hit all over the board. Being cryptic doesn't suit your personality. How about honesty? I'll be happy to read any character references in the morning. Wouldn't you rather read my signature on a quit claim to that insurance tonight? You don't sound as though you've been drinking. I haven't. Why the sudden change of attitude? Are you interested in analyzing me or in that quit clave? Where are you? At the casino. I'll be right there. You know, many great men have attained the highest office in our land. The presidency of the United States. Can you guess the name of this man? The son of a Baptist minister, he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York at the age of 15. He was the fourth vice president to become president through the death of the chief executive. One of his first acts as president was the signing of the Civil Service Act. The territory of Alaska was organized during his administration and standard time was adopted throughout the country. If you don't know his name by now, here are two more clues. While he was president, the American Federation of Labor was organized and the Brooklyn Bridge was completed. Who was he? Chester Allen Arthur, 21st President of the United States. His life is part of your American heritage. And now with our star, John Lund, we bring you the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. I was stopped at the edge of the casino parking area by an efficient looking Lebanese police sergeant. Over his shoulder I could see portable floodlight, a rope, back crowd, a twisted heap of metal that was once an automobile and the slim dapper figure of Port Commissioner Floreau. I managed to catch Floro's eye and he waved me inside the rope and passed the guard. May I ask why you have returned here to the casino at Isar, Monsieur Delar? Well, I'm not a gambling man, Commissioner. Good to see Monsieur Cunningham, then. That's a reasonable guess. You've arrived too late, monsieur. Is that Cunningham's car? We explosive wire to the starter. As you can see, his death must have been practically instantaneous. Yeah. Efficient is not needed. Where did you wish to see Monsieur Cunningham at this hour? He called me. He said he was ready to sign a release on his Insurance claim. Oh, and why should he do that? I don't know. And this won't help to clarify it any. For the next three quarters of an hour, Commissioner Floro conducted a crisp, thorough investigation and came up with nothing. One of the police sergeants drove me back to my hotel. Nadja was waiting for me in the lobby.

[B]

Hello, Mr. Dollar.

[A]

Well, hello, Nadja. I see you're not wearing mourning.

[B]

You know, you're real cute, Mr. Dollar. Nadia like you.

[A]

Nadja like Brett Cunningham, too.

[B]

Oh, sure, Brett. He was real Jaws.

[A]

Only now Brett is real dead. So now Nadja like Mr. Dollar.

[B]

Well, sure. Only Nadia likes something better than both of you.

[A]

Well, now, that couldn't possibly be money, could it?

[B]

You're so funny, Mr. Dollar. But of course it is money. $90,000American.

[A]

Did Cunningham promise you that insurance money?

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

Oh, you're too smart to have fallen for a line like that. You must know that. Now, if the claim proves valid, it goes to Cunningham's heirs.

[B]

Sure. That is where Nadia comes in.

[A]

He named you in his will?

[B]

No, he married me. Nadia is Mrs. Brett Cunningham. Is that not real crazy? Mr. Dallas?

[A]

After Nadja dropped her little bombshell and took her giggling departure, I checked with Commissioner Floro, who in turn checked with the Public Records Administration. Brett Cunningham and Nadja had been married the even in the manager's office at the Esawaido Casino. Expense account item 6, $17.25. Radio phone call to Istanbul, Turkey. I spoke with Chief Inspector De for not having replied to your radiogram before this, but we have been having some difficulty in obtaining the information you request. Well, that happens. Inspector, what have you run into? We know that Mr. Cunningham's yacht, the Happy Times, sailed from Istanbul on the afternoon of the 24th of November, bound for Beirut. Our trouble has been with this motor schooner, the El Hussein. The El Hussein? What's that? Oh, a ship of Lebanese registry, 400 tons, launched in 1923. Being told by Mr. Cunningham's yacht. Who is the registered owner, Inspector? That is what has taken the time, Mr. D. We have no record of him in our files. May be not able to learn anything about. His name is Castler Andescu. A quick run over to the native quarter verified what I was already pretty sure of. Andescu had flown with his Birds of a Feather expense account item 6, $55 for the rental of a motor launch. Equipped with skipper hand winch, a hundred fathoms of good steel chain and a number of grappling hooks, we sailed out of Beirut harbor and headed northward up the coast. Of Lebanon. Some four hours and 35 boring minutes later, the boatman roused me from a sun induced goat. There, Cindy, upon the shore. That is the rune tower, which you see. It's Commissioner Flores. Description. All right. And now attend it. We'll do some fishing. I dropped about 70 fathoms of chain overboard with rappling hooks attached. And we began trolling slowly back and forth. Some 200m offshore. Approximately two hours before sundown we got our first flight. We have hooked something effective. Well, it's about time. Let's see what it is. Suddenly someone objected to our finishing the job. Destroying a building. It is coming from the shore that ruined power, I think. Come on, let's get out of here. Is that yours? You don't have. Yeah, that's me. Commissioner, I have expected you back hours ago. I was beginning to be concerned that something had happened to you. It almost did. I will try your opinion. Okay, watch it.

[B]

Ah.

[A]

Did you have any success on your search, Monsieur Dala? Well, that's a matter of definition. I've acquired a bad case of sunburn, a healthy respect for Tommy Gun and this. That. What is it, monsieur? Well, it looks like part of the transom of a lifeboat. Care to look at the name on it?

[B]

Excuse me.

[A]

I couldn't make happy times out of it either, eh, l'. Hussein. What do you think now, Monsieur Dala? I think I'd better get some sunburn lotion.

[B]

Oh, it is you, Mr. Dollar. Oh, what has happened to your face? He looks so funny.

[A]

I was hoping you'd skip the compliments and invite me in.

[B]

Oh, sure, Johnny.

[A]

Thanks.

[B]

You come here not to pay Nigel's check, Johnny.

[A]

I'm gonna do something better than that.

[B]

You're real crazy, Johnny. Neither likes you.

[A]

How well do you like Casimir Andescu?

[B]

Him even? Nothing. Why do we talk about him?

[A]

Well, if we don't, somebody might get the idea that you're guilty of fraud and murder.

[B]

John. Me? Now you're not being real crazy anymore. Nadia didn't do these things.

[A]

You say somebody murdered her husband, Brett Cunningham?

[B]

Oh, sure. But Nada didn't do this.

[A]

And somebody tried to defraud an insurance company out of $90,000 by sinking an ancient wreck called the Al Hussein instead of a yacht.

[B]

Oh, Johnny, can you know about this? And now Nadia would not get the money.

[A]

That's the general idea.

[B]

That is not nice, Johnny. Why should you tell anyone? If Nadia gave the money, she would give you half. That would be real Jaws.

[A]

No, you're missing a point somewhere, Nadja. But didn't you know that you can't spend money in prison.

[B]

If Nadia tell you about Cassimy Andescu, then she does not have to go.

[A]

That depends on what she tells me.

[B]

Nadia will tell you the truth.

[A]

Oh, that'll be refreshing.

[B]

You see my bread? He was gambling Istanbul. He lose much money to Casimir Andescu. $15,000. And he cannot pay. Casimir does not like this.

[A]

Well, I don't blame him. That's a lot of money for a sailor not to collect.

[B]

Johnny, Casimir is no sailor. He's a big gambler. Big smuggler. A real businessman.

[A]

My apologies.

[B]

Anyway, for Brett to pay off Kazima, tell him what to do about the boat and they will make me 50. 50 on insurance. That was good sense.

[A]

No, let's not stop to discuss ethics at this point, shall we?

[B]

Well, anyway, afterwards Brett comes here. He gamble and win big. So you want to pay casino back what he owes from Istanbul.

[A]

Brett figured he could collect all the insurance himself.

[B]

Then we. It was smart of you, no?

[A]

Oh, sure.

[B]

But Casimir saying no.

[A]

And that's when he pulled his dog in the manger bit. He told Casimir that if he couldn't have it all, he'd see that Casimir didn't have any. So he phoned me to call the whole thing off. Just a bluff to scare Casimir into giving him a better deal.

[B]

Oui. Only Casimir, he got angry too and.

[A]

Wired Brett's car for him.

[B]

Oui.

[A]

Where's Casimir now?

[B]

I think he'd be the yacht journey.

[A]

And where is that?

[B]

Abnor. Just beside Tripoli is a small fishing village, Kabadi. Maybe you'll find him there.

[A]

Maybe. It's some 80km up the coast road from Beirut to Kabaddi. Commissioner Floreau's car made it in slightly less than an hour. It took some 40 minutes longer to make a few discreet inquiries and to locate the yacht in a well concealed inlet. Even in the dark, the hasty remodeling work was apparent. A dummy stacked paint job, some false superstructure work. She couldn't have looked much like the trim yacht that had departed Istanbul a week or so ago. And even in the pitch dark below deck, it wasn't too tough to tell where Casimir Andescu was keeping himself. The plead effendi, I regret, but that is far enough. We want to talk with you, Andescu. That is so regrettable, effendi. But it is night and sweet time for my sweetheart. They are so sensitive. To have their slumber disturbed would upset them for days. You weren't that considerate about Brett Cunningham. Zip. Oh. Oh, that one a Man of immoral stature. Appendix without honesty or scruple to such a one. The fate which befell him was not just you pulled a few fast shuffles in your time too. Appendage. You are attempting to approach with me. I should dislike very much to disturb my beloved with the sound of firearms in. You have no idea how objectionable the noise is to Fatima and the other. You weren't so particular about the noise you made with that tommy gun. Ah, yes. A regrettable incident. Unfortunately, the heat reflection upon the water disturbed my aim. Obviously your fishing expedition was successful. Perfect. Well enough to provide grounds for your arrest on charges of fraud and murder. Monsieur d', Escut. That is not regrettable. Appendi. I must ask you to drop whatever weapons you have and return to Baruch in my custody. Oh, but. But you must understand that I. I cannot do that, effendi. I simply cannot do that. There would be no one left to care for my sweetheart. Watch it, Paul. Floral. Have a rice with you, Don. Shine your light into that corner. Unless you should not have attempted to battle his way out. Dollar was the wrong thing for him to do. He was right about one thing, though. Those birds did it to the noise. Expense account item 7. $703 airfare and incidentals from Beirut, Lebanon, back to Hartford. Expense account total $1,480.20. Incidental remarks. I'd still like to know what milk and honey taste like. Yours truly, Johnny Dallas, for your listening enjoyment. John Lund as Johnny Dollar. Is that Murphy, Johnny? Keystone Mutual. Oh, hi, Ed. Not so good. Johnny. Could you come over to the office right away? Well, sure, Ed, but. What? I don't want to go into it on the phone. Johnny, it's. Well, it's going to be quite a shock to you. It's about Ben Bryson. Ben Bryson? Yeah. A good friend of yours, isn't he? Yeah, he was. Too bad he had to die that way. You're wrong, Johnny. Too bad he didn't die a year sooner. Come on over to the office. Expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to home office, Keystone Mutual Assurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Ben Bryson matter. Expense account item 1. $2.40 taxi fare for my apartment to the Keystone Building and the office of Ed Murphy, Vice President. I thought as much of Brent as I would my own son and watched him work his way up to the top job in this company. Chief adjuster for the west coast. Head of our San Francisco Claims Office. Not bad for a young man. I was Proud of Ben. Yeah, I know, Ed. And then that accident last month, boggy night, he missed curve. Drove his car off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean. That was that. The end. Only it wasn't the end or you wouldn't call me over here. No, it wasn't, Johnny. Within two weeks after Ben's death, we started getting complaints from some of our clients out there. Demands for adjustment on claims Ben had reported, paid weeks before. Requests were settlement, so on. We couldn't figure it. Ben went to work quietly and we found out. Oh, you found out what? Ben's accounts had been dusted for a long time, Johnny. They were short. Way short. In the months before he was killed, he'd embezzled nearly $80,000 from the company. Not Ben Bryson, Ed. Anybody else. Yes, but money never meant anything to Ben, Johnny. Here. Here's a ticket to San Francisco. Plane leaves in two hours. Now wait a second, Ed. I think I'd like to pass this one. Yeah, so would I. But we can't, you know that left a lot of questions, Johnny. They've got to be answered. And $80,000 of the company's money is missing. Has to be accounted for. Yeah, I know, but maybe you ought to get somebody else in. I'd be awful grateful if you do it, Johnny. You'd have the best chance. You knew him. He was your friend. Yeah, he was my friend. I know how he feels, Johnny. All right, Ed. Somebody's got to do it. And like you said, Ben was my friend. Let's have the ticket. Expense Account, Item 2, $8.90 Tips, Incidentals and taxi from the San Francisco airport to the Fairmont Hotel where I registered to Ben's last address, the Franciscan Arms apartment. Ben had always been the two room, bachelor, walk up type. But the Franciscan Arms was equal parts of glitter, glass, swank and price, with a uniformed doorman, bar off the lobby and a manager with a gardenia in his lapel. A real gardenia. I'm most desirous of assisting you in every way possible, Ms. Madalla, but I'm terribly afraid there's simply very little I can tell you about the latency. Discretion, you mean. Policy of the house. No, of course. We do try to protect privacy of our residence. Even to the extent of turning down $20. Well, under the circumstances. Thank you. Gratuities of this nature are always welcome. Pardon me. Yes? Oh, yes, Madame Render. Yes, I'll send one of the boys up. Little Coco. Yes, right away, Madame Rendezvous. Nasty little poodle. She had to walk out herself. Take some weight off her. Now, about Mr. Bryson. He'd been our guest for about six months at the time of his tragic accident. A true gentleman, bon vivant. And, well, on the crassly materialistic side. A free spender. I'm sorry. 20 is all I'll go for, Mr. Dollar. What about visitors, Friends here in the building? None that I can recall, or except Mrs. Kern, of course. Mrs. Kern. One of the loveliest and most charming guests we've ever had the pleasure of.

[B]

Pardon.

[A]

Yes? Yes, Madame Rendrick. The boy is on his way. Oh, yes. Well, please tell Coco I'm so sorry. Coco. What a ridiculous name for a dog. Yeah. Now, about Mrs. Kern. Well, she and Mr. Bryson were inseparable. And Mr. Kern? Deceased early this year, I believe. Wonder if I could talk to Mrs. Kern? I'm afraid not, Mr. Dollar. She's been gone for 10 days. Gone? Where?

[B]

I haven't seen a stadia.

[A]

She'll be back eventually, though. She still has her apartment here. Oh, my poor dear. Such a tragic coincidence. What do you mean, tragic coincidence? Well, as I understand it, Mrs. Kern's husband also died in some sort of accident. Sure. I've been tending bar here for two years, Mr. Dollar. I was here before Mr. Bryson moved in and I'm still here now that he's gone. I guess I knew as much about him as a bartender usually knows. You were his friend, though. How come you're asking me the questions? Well, I hadn't seen him for quite a while. He got out of touch. You know how it goes. Yeah. Friends drift apart. The mixed up world. Getting more mixed up all the time. Yes, sir. The usual. Wants a double martini. Always wants a double martini. Yeah. Mr. Blyson spent a lot of time in here. Always with Alvy, of course. Alvy? Mrs. Kern. Young widow that lives here in the building. Everybody calls her Alvy. You know, makes friends easy. And one of her friends was Ben. The main one. With her every night. I guess he was nuts about her. He was nuts about something. Well, can't see as I blame him. You ought to see her personally, though. I'd hate to be married to a doll like that. He'd go right through a man, leave him high and dry. A doll like that's born to be a widow. Was Ben in here the night he was killed? Yeah. Left about nine. Two hours later he was dead. He left alone, I suppose. No, Elvie was with him. Expensive gun. Item 3. $20 tip to the apartment house manager and a dollar and a quarter taxi to my hotel. I couldn't figure the next step, Alvy Kern was the key. And without her, I was stopped cold. None of Ben's old friends had seen him since he started going around with her. His office girl knew how to type and not much else was a cold trail. $80,000 had disappeared and Ben had driven off a cliff and died. There weren't many answers left behind. Then two days later, I got a phone call. Johnny Dollar. Oh, this is Maurice, Mr. Dollar. It's a Franciscan arm. Oh, yeah, Yeah. I have some very interesting information. Well, well. Oh, all right, $20. What's the information? Well, I've just received a letter from Mrs. Kern. She wants me to forward her mail in care of American Express, Panama City. Panama City. Okay, Maurice. Thanks. Thanks a lot. Expense Account Item 4, $92.47 Hotel Telegrams and incidentals in San Francisco. Expense account item 5, $267.20. Airfare and incidentals to Panama City, Panama. We have received your radiogram, senor, and I have been instructed to cooperate with you intentionally. Oh, good. What about Mrs. Kern? Had any luck finding her? But of course, he's registered the hotel primesso. Most unusual. It is small locate on the waterfront. One would think to find her in surrounding small sea. Is she alone? So I am. So what are your plans in your Dollar? Well, I want to talk to her first. After that, we'll see. I'll check with you later, Cap.

[B]

I've heard your name before, Mr. Dollar. Ben. Mr. Brighton mentioned you.

[A]

Was it Ben or Mr. Bryson?

[B]

It has been faith. I'd rather not Talk about it, Mr. Dollar. Ever since that terrible accident, all I wanted to do is forget. That's why I came down here to get away and try to forget.

[A]

You thought quite a lot of them, huh?

[B]

We were going to be married.

[A]

Well, too bad it didn't work out. You'd have had a good life. Ben's wealth and your.

[B]

Well, I had the idea that he'd just work for an insurance company and.

[A]

Live the way he did. Oh, come now, Mrs. Kern.

[B]

Well, actually, that side of it didn't seem to matter much. My husband left me quite well off.

[A]

How long were you married before he died?

[B]

Only ten months.

[A]

You do have bad luck, don't you, Mr. Darlock?

[B]

I'm not sure I understand this attitude.

[A]

Relax. Here, have a cigarette.

[B]

No, thanks. My advices don't include smoking.

[A]

Oh. Mind if I do?

[B]

Of course not.

[A]

Thanks. You have a suite here, Mrs. Kern, or just this room?

[B]

Just this room. Why?

[A]

Well, then I imagine this door leads to the bath.

[B]

What are you doing Mm.

[A]

It does. But it's empty.

[B]

Of course it's empty.

[A]

Then the only other possibility is that closet.

[B]

Stay away from there.

[A]

There was cigarette smoke in the air when I came in. Stubs in the ashtray. If you don't smoke, where do they come from?

[B]

There's no one here. Stay back or I'll look.

[A]

Mrs. Kern, turning out the lights may be romantic, but it's not the best. Oh. I shook my head, trying to clear it. Finally staggered to my feet and found the light switch. Albie Kern was cowering against the wall, staring at me, scared but not saying anything. I stumbled toward the door. The corridor was empty.

[B]

You're wrong, Johnny. There wasn't anybody here. I'm the one who hit you.

[A]

To hit like that, you have to grow a fist three times your size. Now, I know what the game is now. I should have caught on sooner, but I didn't.

[B]

There's no game. I don't know what you mean.

[A]

Look, only one person I know tears cigarettes apart and shreds the paper that way.

[B]

No, Johnny, you're wrong.

[A]

The two of you in it together all along. They didn't find a body because there wasn't anybody. He's still alive. Hiding out. I know who hit me. It was Ben Bryson. And now, with our star, John Lund, we bring you the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expensive gun. Item five. 40 cents US currency for a handful of aspirin tablets. Ben, or whoever it was who slugged me, had got away from the hotel without being caught. I gave Ben the to Captain Davano and I went to bed. At breakfast in the morning, I still hadn't heard from Davano, but I did get a repeat performance from my other little playmate.

[B]

Good morning, Johnny.

[A]

Oh, morning, Mrs. Kearns.

[B]

Mind if I sit down?

[A]

Not if you don't double up your fist again.

[B]

I can explain that, Johnny.

[A]

With all night to think it over. I'll bet you can.

[B]

I mean, really, I. I wasn't the one who hit you. Of course, it was silly to claim such a thing, but it wasn't Ben, either. Johnny. You don't mind if I call you Johnny? I mean, you were a close friend.

[A]

All right, Mrs. Kern. If it wasn't you and it wasn't Ben, who was it?

[B]

Well, the name doesn't really matter. Let's just. It was a friend who'd rather not be brought into the picture.

[A]

And let's also say that wasn't a bad attempt. But I still don't buy it.

[B]

It's true, Johnny.

[A]

Ben.

[B]

Was drowned in San Francisco when his car ran off into the ocean. He's dead.

[A]

He can't be dead in San Francisco and still be tearing up cigarettes in Panama.

[B]

I did that. I didn't smoke him, but I tore them that way. I picked up the habit from Ben. You took a guess and you were wrong. So forget it. Let's be friends.

[A]

Sorry, I can't afford it.

[B]

Do you think I sell my friendship?

[A]

It cost Ben $80,000 of the company's money. Did you get half of it, Mrs. Kerr?

[B]

No.

[A]

How much did he have left?

[B]

Stop it. Can't you understand anything? Ben is dead.

[A]

No, he's not. But I wish he were.

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

Just that.

[B]

But he. He was your friend.

[A]

That's right. I thought a lot of him. It hit pretty hard when I learned he'd been stealing from his company.

[B]

Johnny.

[A]

So I took the job of digging into the mess and trying to straighten it out. And now I find out he's still alive.

[B]

No.

[A]

So now I've got to catch him and take him back. That's going to be even tougher.

[B]

Oh, you wouldn't have to, Johnny. That is, if he were alive.

[A]

No, I wouldn't have to. But I'm going to. Johnny. Senor Dolo. Oh, Mone. Captain. It is possible to speak a word with you, senor? Sure. Excuse me, Mrs. Khan.

[B]

Certainly.

[A]

I did not wish to mention the matter before the senora Find that something, Senor? My men have located Senor Bryson here. This is the place. I see this man is leaving one of the little fishing boats which are tied to the Embarcadero. The number three one which is blue painted, you see? Yeah, yeah, I see it. Well, it sort of figures if he wanted to hide out, this would be safer than living in a hotel. You're pretty sure it's him, huh, kid? Very, Senor Boss. Cl I think so. Miguel Pascaro, who is on the boat, said this man from one month ago. And pay plenty money just to live on the boat tied over the shore. Andy is like you described, senora? I think so. All right. I'll go on board and talk to him. I think it'll work better if I go alone. I wait for you here. Good. Well, Ben. Ben, where are you? Cabin's unlocked. Come on in. Well, it's been a long time, Ben. Come in, Johnny. Have a seat. Thanks. You'll have to overlook this litter. Temporary quarters. Johnny, why did it have to be you? It had to be somebody, Ben. Sooner or later. You should have known that I. Yes, How'd you get onto it? Alvy? Yeah. I traced her. Followed her down here. She fouled up, Johnny. She wasn't supposed to come for six months, and the first thing I know, she's here. Bet you couldn't wait. Why did you do it then? You've seen Alvy. Do you need any more answers? She worked the price for me, sure. This face of mine always stopped the dame. And Alvy was different. He fell as hard as I did. I didn't know women like her even existed. She's for me all the way. But you still had to buy her. Price tag, $80,000. You're wrong. It was only that Alvy always lived high. And I had to live that way too, to be around her. What were your plans, Ben? What were you going to do? Go to Rio, Argentina, Maybe start a new life together. That's why I needed all that money. I didn't spend that much. And Alvy agreed to that idea? Oh, she was all for it. And why did she keep her apartment in San Francisco? She didn't. Oh, you're wrong, Johnny. Somebody gave you a bum stair. She cut loose from everything. She told me she did? Well, we can check on it when we get back there. Easy, Johnny. Easy. I've had this gun on you ever since you came aboard. Now, don't make me use it. Would you use it, Ben? I'm up a dead end, Johnny, and I know it. But I'm still going on as far as I can. Don't try to stop me, Johnny. I don't want to kill you. But if I have to, I will. I let him go. He backed out the cabin door, closed it behind him and barred it on the outside. I heard his steps cross the deck and run along the wharf. And I waited for Captain Davano to call out, challenge him. But the only sound was a car motor starting up and speeding away. Then I heard somebody come running down the horse. Your daughter. Are you there? Yeah. Get the door open. Where is he? What happened? He's gone, senor. He takes the car. It needs me to blame, senor. I'm not alert before. I know. Never mind. Where's the nearest telephone? Been over an hour. I should have found him by now. Are they with Senorin Panama? We do not have too many roads, and they're all. How is he? Blockaded. They might have slipped through before we got to a phone. Oh, there was no time. At the hotel they say, hey, la queen elo. They have been punching your dollar. Yeah. Where they have tried to go by the old road on the cliffs. It is too dangerous. They have missed the curve and go into the ocean. What? The car is under 10 meters of water. There is no signs of life. Expense Account, Item 6. $92 to charter a power launch and hire the services of a diver. The sea was calm, but the water wasn't clear enough. See more than just the outline of the car lying on the bottom. We waited for the diver to come up and I looked up at the cliff towering over. There's been another cliff like that in San Francisco. I hope. What's the matter, Captain? He has found only the body of Mrs. Kern. And your Bryson's body is not in the scar. The same pattern. A car plunging off a cliff into the ocean and a body missing from it. Only this time I knew it wasn't fate. Ben couldn't have done a thing like that to Al. Not to Alby. I looked up at the cliff. Steep but not vertical. A car would have rolled and bounced coming down. I had Captain Davana run the launch in close and I jumped onto the rocks and started to climb. I'd made it halfway to the top before I found him lying jammed in a crevasse, broken and dying. Yeah. We didn't make it, Johnny. You didn't have a chance, Ben. I know. It's kind of funny. Listen, Just like we did it in San Francisco. For me, this time it's real. Yeah. This time it's real. Yeah. Better not try to talk then we'll get some ropes down from the top, get you out of here. It's no use, Johnny. Is how the is that, Ben? You were right about her, Johnny. Forget it. I made her come with me in the car. Held a grandmother. She got mad. Still, the whole story. She didn't love me. Not any of the times she admitted it. Look, I thought you did and that was fine. Nobody else ever let me even think it. Ben, it's no good talking with you. It won't matter. Johnny. Like you said, I don't have a chance. Do you know something? I think I'd do this same thing again. Maybe there's no answer for guy like me. I don't know, Ben. I'm not a judge kind of figure, you know. I'll be dying soon. I bought her and paid for her, Johnny. I ought to be able to take her with me after all. Easy bird. Johnny. The money. What's left of it. Inside. My coat. Give it to Ed. Tell him outside. Make him. He will. He'll come. Johnny, I. I'm sorry. You don't know what else to say. Forget it, Mary. You'll think I'd do it again. Crazy. A lot of times we all get crazy, Ben. Yeah. Thanks, Darren. Hey. Expense account item 7, $26.30. Hotel, taxi and miscellaneous one in Panama. Expense account item 8, $312.90. Airfare and incidentals back to Hartford. Expense account total $823.82. I'm enclosing a cashier's check for $72,652 recovered from Ben Bryson. 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.