Case Closed! – Episode Summary: “Diamond and Holmes” (February 18, 2026)

Episode Overview

This week’s Case Closed! presents two classic detective dramas:

1. Richard Diamond, Private Detective: “The Martin Heyer Case” (July 23, 1949)
2. Sherlock Holmes: “The Well-Staged Murder” (November 16, 1947)

Listeners are treated to tales of murder, deception, deduction, and classic banter from the golden age of radio crime stories. The episode showcases sharply contrasting detective styles—Diamond’s wisecracking street smarts followed by Holmes’ razor-sharp logical reasoning.

1. Richard Diamond, Private Detective: “The Martin Heyer Case”

Main Theme

Diamond, the wisecracking detective, is hired to follow a client’s allegedly cheating husband—only to be swept into a deadly frame-up involving infidelity, a murdered lover, and a scheme to pin the crime on an innocent man.

Key Points and Insights

• Diamond’s Opening Banter (01:07–03:00)
  • Sets a lighthearted, sardonic tone, regaling tales of private eye baseball with the cops.
  • Memorable quote:

    “My drooling colleagues … tried to bunt with the bat boy. Police beat us, close game, 37 to 4.” (01:07)

• The Murder Plot is Hatched (03:03–03:56)
  • Leon and June, both eager to get rid of their respective spouses, concoct a plan:
    • Frame June’s husband, Martin, for the murder of Leon’s wife using Martin’s own gun and a fake letter. • June is to hire a private detective as a witness.
  • Notable exchange:

    Leon: “This letter from her is gonna fix it so we both end up very unmarried.” (03:08)

• June Hires Diamond (04:15–05:50)
  • June approaches Diamond, feigning suspicion of her husband’s infidelity as cover for their plot.
  • Diamond’s trademark flirtation and witty repartee are on display:

    June: “I want to hire a private detective.” Diamond: “Good for you. Sit down... Stand up and sit down again.” (04:16–04:29)

• The Tailing Begins (07:57–10:58)
  • Diamond joins June to tail Martin across the city to an apartment building.
  • Humorous and flirtatious interplay continues:

    June: “Do I look like trouble?”
    Diamond: “When’s your husband coming out of that house?” (08:33)

• Discovery of the Body (11:00–12:47)
  • Diamond and June catch Martin at Sally Maxwell’s apartment—she is dead, gun by her side. Martin is confused, claims innocence but is caught literally holding the gun.
  • Martin: “You don’t think I’d kill her? I was in love with her.” (11:58)
• Police Arrive – Classic Cop Banter (12:47–14:52)
  • Lt. Walt Levinson and Otis storm in; rapid-fire exchanges ensue:

    Walt: “Why do you guys always have to break down doors? Why don’t you try turning the knob first, Otis?” (12:51)

  • Evidence points to Martin—he’s arrested despite Diamond’s skepticism.
• The Clue: The Letter’s Torn Top (14:54–17:25)
  • Diamond spots that the letter supposedly from Sally is missing its salutation—a sign of tampering. He pushes for verification.
• Diamond’s Deduction and The Setup (17:26–19:17)
  • The roundabout logic about the letter’s authorship—and who could have sent it—hints something is off.
  • Quote:

    Levinson: “Why do I always get into something like this?” (18:46)

• Diamond Tracks Down the Villain (19:18–24:40)
  • Diamond confronts Leon Fisk, connecting the forged letter, timing, and the setup.
  • Proves June and Leon are colluding, catching June in a lie about knowing Leon's club address.
  • Tense scene as Leon and June turn on each other and try to dispose of Diamond; Diamond outsmarts them in the scuffle.
• Shootout and Resolution (24:35–25:44)
  • June flees; Diamond is attacked but manages to take down Leon as he tries to escape.
• Classic Diamond Closing (25:44–28:44)
  • After medical attention, Diamond decompresses with Helen Asher, closing the case with signature humor, flirtation, and crooning "Sleepy Time Gal"—a whimsical, soothing wrap-up.
  • Funny neighborly banter:

    Neighbor Max: “Yeah, now what do you want?” Diamond: “How about a game of gin? I’m lonesome.” (28:44)

Notable Quotes

• Diamond wisecracking about fees:

  “100 a day and expenses. I stopped eating at the Automat six years ago.” (04:39)

• On suspects and evidence:

  Diamond (to Walt): “What if you killed someone, and a guy caught you at it? … I caught Hyer in the act, and he didn’t pull the trigger. … He took too much time thinking about it.” (15:12–15:24)

• Unraveling the frame-up:

  Diamond: “You made one mistake. I didn’t hear a shot when I got to your wife’s apartment. Your wife was killed before Martin went into that building.” (22:59)

Segment Timestamps

• 01:07 – Diamond’s intro and setup
• 03:03 – The murder plot
• 04:15 – June hires Diamond
• 07:57 – Tailing Martin begins
• 11:00 – Discovery of Sally's body
• 12:47 – Walt and police arrive
• 14:54 – Diamond’s doubts about the letter
• 17:26 – Debate about letter’s authorship
• 19:18 – Diamond tracks Fisk
• 22:59 – Diamond reveals the catch in the setup
• 24:35 – Showdown with Leon and June
• 25:44 – Winding down with Helen

2. Sherlock Holmes: “The Well-Staged Murder”

Main Theme

Holmes and Watson stumble onto a park shooting that looks indisputable—wrong man, wrong motive, and a perfect setup. But Holmes' skepticism exposes jealousy, double-crossing, and the fatal error that reveals the true criminal.

Key Points and Insights

• Rainy Night in London; Holmes and Watson Roam the Park (32:54–33:39)
  • Both out for air to ease nerves; setting perfectly eerie and tense.
  • Holmes:

    “The thief or murderer could roam London on a night like this as the tiger does his jungle…” (34:37)

• Gunshots in the Dark (35:06–35:29)
  • Holmes and Watson hear two shots, rush to help.
  • Mrs. Sydney, a matron, calls for help—claims she’s witnessed a shooting.
• Victim is a Hospital Superintendent (36:48–37:13)
  • Dr. Jeffers, medical superintendent, shot in the neck.
  • Two nurses (Matron Sydney and Nellie) tend to him, revealing tangled relationships.
  • Watson’s focus is medical urgency; Holmes is instantly curious about details.
• Old Rivalries and Red Herrings (39:32–41:21)
  • Old George McGowan, a discharged, embittered patient, becomes immediate suspect.
  • McGowan’s cap and revolver found at the scene.
• Holmes Digs Deeper (43:07–44:00)
  • Holmes finds George's cap, revolver, and only one bullet discharged—mismatch between wounds and shots.
  • Points out:

    “Two shots were fired, however, I heard them myself.” (44:03)

• Ballistics Reveal the Truth (49:06–51:29)
  • Holmes demonstrates, via microscope analysis, that the bullet from Jeffers’ neck was not shot from George's revolver—establishing George’s innocence.
  • Brilliant explanation:

    “Every gun…leaves on that bullet a pattern of its own. As individual as a man’s fingerprints…” (50:52)

• Returning to the Scene for the Culprit (54:00–56:23)
  • Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade spy on Jeffers’ hospital room.
  • The real murderer—matron—tries to poison Jeffers out of jealousy (she loved him; he loved Nellie).
  • Holmes:

    “You’ve just given us the strongest motive that exists for murder. Jealousy.” (56:01)

  • Matron drinks the poison herself when discovered.
• Holmes Wraps Up the Logic (56:48–57:31)
  • Only one person (the matron) could have committed the crime.
  • “There was only one entrance to the circle, the one through which the matron ran practically into our arms…” (56:54)

Notable Quotes

• Holmes on Crime and Darkness:

  “The stage is set for something somber, sinister, violent.” (34:52)

• Holmes’ science lesson to Lestrade:

  “This bullet could not possibly have been fired from George McGowan’s revolver. The bore patterns are entirely different.” (50:14)

• Unmasking the motive:

  Holmes: “You’ve just given us the strongest motive that exists for murder. Jealousy.” (56:01)

• Watson on Nursing Wounds and Closure:

  “Oh, there was nothing Holmes or I could do…prussic acid. She was dead inside of two minutes.” (56:23–56:48)

Segment Timestamps

• 32:54 – Holmes and Watson take a night stroll
• 35:06 – Gunshots; discovery of victim
• 39:32 – Motives among staff/patients revealed
• 43:07 – Holmes finds cap and revolver
• 44:00 – Investigation of evidence
• 49:06 – Ballistics demonstration
• 54:00 – Stakeout at hospital
• 56:01 – Matron confesses and takes poison
• 56:48 – Holmes explains deductions

Final Thoughts

Listeners are treated to two very different, equally compelling detective stories:

• In Diamond’s world, the humor is as sharp as the action, with a twist-laden frame job unraveled through street smarts and timing.
• In Holmes’, intricate logic and patient deduction shatter a perfect setup, with forensic insight and human motives—jealousy, hurt, and pride—at the heart of the crime.

Both stories exemplify their eras and their sleuths—clever plots, vivid characters, and memorable, snappy dialogue.