Jeff Regan and Pat Novak

Summary

Podcast Summary: Case Closed! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Jeff Regan and Pat Novak
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Description: Crime stories from the golden age of radio, featuring cops, robbers, and private investigators. This episode reopens classic cases, bringing them to life once again.

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Story 1: Jeff Regan - "The Prodigal Daughter"

Characters Introduced:

• Jeff Regan: Private investigator.
• Anthony J. Lyon: Head of the International Detective Bureau.
• Daniel Carter: A distraught father seeking help.
• Melody (Janice King): Patrice Carter's roommate.
• Oliver Fig: Coroner.
• Rhonda (Red): Pat Novak's acquaintance.
• Patrice Carter: Missing daughter.

Plot Overview: Jeff Regan, a seasoned private investigator, is approached by Daniel Carter, a troubled father desperate to locate his daughter, Patrice, who vanished five years prior after her mother's death. Regan is offered a $2,000 fee by Anthony J. Lyon of the International Detective Bureau to track Patrice down in New Orleans.

Key Events:

1. Engagement of Jeff Regan ([03:08] - [04:17]):

   • Daniel Carter admits defeat in locating his daughter and offers Regan a substantial fee.
   • Regan expresses skepticism about Patrice's willingness to return, given her solitary departure.

2. Arrival in New Orleans ([05:13] - [05:53]):

   • Regan arrives at the Roosevelt Hotel, encountering a suspicious man posing as part of the Delta Cotton Growers convention.
   • Realizes the discrepancy in the convention details, hinting at foul play ([06:07]).

3. Investigation Begins ([06:52] - [09:21]):

   • Regan visits Patrice's dilapidated apartment only to find her deceased body, misleading him initially.
   • Melody (Janice King) denies any knowledge of Patrice's death, pushing Regan to suspect a setup.

4. Discovery at the Morgue ([10:00] - [12:05]):

   • Regan obtains Patrice's death certificate, which states leukemia as the cause of death.
   • Despite the official report, Regan remains unconvinced and returns to confront Lyon with his findings ([13:00] - [13:35]).

5. Confrontation and Deception Unveiled ([19:16] - [26:47]):

   • Regan uncovers that Patrice's death was staged to deceive Lyon and Daniel Carter.
   • Melody reveals she is, in fact, Patrice Carter, having faked her death to claim a trust fund her father set up for her.

6. Resolution ([26:47] - [28:26]):

   • The plot unravels as Regan confronts Lyon, exposing the intricate scheme involving fake identities and falsified death certificates.
   • Patrice asserts her independence, rejecting her father's attempts to reconnect, and the fraudulent nature of the International Detective Bureau is revealed.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Carter ([02:16]): "I've never heard from her, Mr. Regan, since she left. I don't know where she is, but I want her back."
• Jeff Regan ([25:19]): "Patrice Carter wasn't the type to do a striptease for a living."
• Melody ([25:37]): "I want that card too, Patsy. I want it ahead of Chris."

Insights and Themes:

• Deception and Truth: The story delves into the complexities of truth in investigative work, highlighting how easily false narratives can be constructed.
• Family and Estrangement: Patrice's strained relationship with her father underscores themes of familial obligations and personal autonomy.
• Corruption and Ethics: Anthony J. Lyon's morally ambiguous practices illustrate corruption within supposed institutions meant to uphold justice.

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Story 2: Pat Novak for Hire - "Jack of Clubs"

Characters Introduced:

• Pat Novak: Private investigator.
• Inspector Hellman: San Francisco Police Inspector.
• Connie Riley: A seductive woman linked to the case.
• Max Coleman (Kurt Toomey): An innocent thief caught in the scheme.
• Jocko Madigan: Ex-doctor assisting Novak.
• Christopher Downs (Chris): Suspect involved in the murders.

Plot Overview: Pat Novak, a private detective struggling to make ends meet, becomes embroiled in a complex scheme involving forgery, theft, and murder. When an unexpected $1,000 deposit appears in his bank account, Novak suspects foul play, leading him to uncover a tangled web of deceit centered around a mysterious "Jack of Clubs."

Key Events:

1. The Mysterious Deposit ([30:00] - [32:42]):

   • Novak notices an unaccounted $1,000 deposit labeled "Friday" in his bank account, questioning its origin.
   • Confronts the bank, leading to suspicions of FBI involvement and entangling him in a larger conspiracy.

2. Meeting Connie Riley ([33:51] - [36:17]):

   • At his apartment, Novak encounters Connie Riley, who seductively engages him, complicating his investigation.
   • They discuss the mysterious "Jack of Clubs" and its significance, hinting at deeper criminal activities.

3. Uncovering the Truth ([37:00] - [48:21]):

   • A series of events, including a murder in Novak's apartment and clues pointing to Max Coleman, unravel the conspiracy.
   • Inspector Hellman pressures Novak, leading to confrontations and the discovery that the "Jack of Clubs" was a fake used to manipulate funds.

4. Final Confrontation and Resolution ([55:35] - [58:25]):

   • Melody (Connie Riley) reveals her true intentions, aligning with Novak to expose Anthony J. Lyon's fraudulent operations.
   • The intricate plot involving fake identities, fabricated deaths, and stolen trust funds is fully exposed, leading to the downfall of the corrupt detective bureau.

Notable Quotes:

• Pat Novak ([31:43]): "Look, bloomer girl, just mark the slip, huh?"
• Inspector Hellman ([37:38]): "Who is he, your father?"
• Melody ([55:35]): "You're a funny guy, Novak."

Insights and Themes:

• Identity and Deception: The narrative underscores the fluidity of identity in criminal endeavors, where individuals adopt false personas to manipulate outcomes.
• Trust and Betrayal: Novak's interactions reveal themes of trust, both abused and rebuilt, highlighting the fragile nature of alliances in investigative work.
• Corruption within Law Enforcement: Inspector Hellman's duplicitous behavior illustrates the pervasive nature of corruption, blurring the lines between law enforcement and criminal activities.

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Overall Conclusions and Reflections

This episode of Case Closed! masterfully intertwines two gripping stories that explore the depths of human deception, the complexities of familial relationships, and the pervasive nature of corruption. Through the intricate investigations of Jeff Regan and Pat Novak, listeners are immersed in the golden age of radio's crime storytelling, complete with suspense, unexpected twists, and morally ambiguous characters.

Listener Takeaways:

• The Importance of Skepticism: Both stories emphasize the need for investigators to question official reports and dig deeper beyond surface-level truths.
• Complexity of Human Relationships: Familial bonds and personal vendettas play significant roles in driving characters' motivations and actions.
• Enduring Appeal of Classic Crime Narratives: The intricate plots and multifaceted characters reflect the timeless appeal of old-fashioned detective storytelling.

Final Notable Quote:

• Jeff Regan ([25:24]): "That's what you want. Cigarette?"

This quote encapsulates the essence of the deceptive interactions that drive both narratives forward, highlighting the blend of charm and suspicion that defines classic radio crime dramas.

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Credits:

• Jeff Regan: Played by Jack Webb
• Anthony J. Lyon: Played by Wilms Herbert
• Melody: Played by Lorette Philbrandt
• Pat Novak: Played by Tudor Owen
• Inspector Hellman: Played by Raymond Burr
• Additional Cast: Betty Lou Gerson, Victor Perrin, Ted De Courcia, and Herb Butterfield

Production:

• Written by: E. Jack Newman
• Produced and Directed by: Gordon T. Hughes
• Original Music: Del Castillo and Basil Adlam

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Support and Further Listening: For more thrilling crime stories from the golden age of radio, visit RelicRadio.com or listen to the show via their Shoutcast stream. Support the series by donating through their website to keep these classic tales alive for future audiences.

Transcript

[Narrator]

This is Case Closed Mystery and crime from the golden age of radio. Every Wednesday at relicradio.com we've got two stories featuring Jack Webb this week. First, from Jeff Regan, investigator, we'll hear the prodigal daughter from July 17, 1948. After that, it's Pat Novak for Hire and Jack of Clubs. That story aired February 20, 1949.

[Jeff Regan]

My name's Jeff Regan.

[Lion's Eye]

I'm the Lion's Eye, his private eye.

[Jeff Regan]

I work for Anthony J. Lyon, head of the International Detective Bureau. He doesn't care where the money comes from, just so long as it comes to him. He cashes in on trouble and for.

[Lion's Eye]

Him, it pays off. For me, it's work.

[Announcer]

Here's the kind of adventure you've been waiting to hear. Hard boiled action and mystery with radio's most exciting private detective, Jeff Regan. So stand by for trouble and suspense in tonight's story of the Prodigal Daughter. And now here's Jack Webb as Jeff Reg.

[Jeff Regan]

This is the way it started. Melody was sitting in the outer office wearing her horn rimmed glasses that told me that the client was in with a lion. I smiled at her and she blinked back, rolled her eyes toward the lion's den.

[Melody]

He's polite today.

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, I know.

[Lion's Eye]

On the phone I was.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Jeffrey, no.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah.

[Melody]

Why do you stand for it?

[Lion's Eye]

I wish I knew. Melody. Buzz me in, will you?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yes. Melody.

[Melody]

Mr. Regan, dear. Now, Mr. Lyon.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Oh, well, send him in, send him in. We're waiting.

[Melody]

Good luck.

[Lion's Eye]

Thanks.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Ah, Jeffrey. Jeffrey, my boy, my boy. Come in, come in. There's someone here I want you to meet. Now then, Jeffrey. Mr. Carter, this is Mr. Jeffrey Regan, one of my very best men. Jeffrey, this is Mr. Daniel Carter.

[Lion's Eye]

How do you do?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

How do you do, Mr. Regan? Mr. Lyon has assured me that you're a discreet young man. Well, I love discreetness, Mr. Carter. International detective Bureau is ethically bound to employ sympathetic, understanding personnel as well as alert, productive operators. I hope that's true, Mr. Lyon. In my publishing business, I never had the occasion to settle my trust on any one person. Very delicate situation, Jeffrey. Yeah, go ahead. Mr. Carter. Everything said in this room is in the strictest confidence. Well, I want you to know that it wasn't easy for me to come here. It's admitting defeat, in a way. Patrice is my daughter. Five years ago, she walked out. Oh, I. I can understand, in a way. When her mother died, I started sending her away to schools. I. I was no companion for her.

[Jeff Regan]

Have you heard from her at all? Do you know where she is?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I've Never heard from her, Mr. Regan, since she left. I don't know where she is, but I. I want her back.

[Lion's Eye]

Mr. Regan, I can see how you feel.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

International is in business to make people happy. Now, I've offered Mr. Lyon a $2,000 fee if he can find my daughter.

[Lion's Eye]

2,000 bucks. That figures.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Now you can trust International to find your daughter and bring her back. Well, then, I. I guess that's all. Mr. Regan. I. I'll go now. You'll let me know as soon as you find anything? Of course. Of course. Then good day, gentlemen. Trust International, Mr. Carter. Good day. Here's your ticket. We leave on the Sunset Limited at 1.45 today.

[Lion's Eye]

I do.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're going to New Orleans to pick up that dame and bring her back. She was 19 when she left home, and any dame who's 19 has a boyfriend next door. I found out that much in two phone calls. The boyfriend hasn't heard from her in over a year. But that means she's got another boyfriend down there. Here's the New Orleans address.

[Jeff Regan]

You knew all this.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Here's the picture of her. She's just been staying away from the old man. This is going to be a nice piece of change. Two grand for bringing her back, partial expenses.

[Jeff Regan]

How do you know she'll come back with me? She walked out all alone. That means she wants to be all alone.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Maybe we could make another thousand if some nosy newspaper guy just happens to get tipped and wants money to keep quiet.

[Jeff Regan]

You're crawling with ethics, aren't you, Melody?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I'll give you some travelers. Chicks.

[Jeff Regan]

Sympathetic, understanding.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Better pack some things before you miss your trade.

[Jeff Regan]

Just in business to make people happy.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I want to be happy, too. Beat it. Call me if you run into any trouble. Good to see you. Listen, them cotton boys are here for just one thing.

[Announcer]

I'll figure out.

[Jeff Regan]

Two days later in New Orleans at the Roosevelt Hotel, home of the original Ramos gin fizz.

[Lion's Eye]

I figured it'd take a lot of.

[Jeff Regan]

Fizz to pull away that Southern heat. But everybody in the lobby seemed cool enough in linens, tropicals and seersuckers. Except me and a big, perspiring man leaning against the CNS ticket counter. He smiled when he saw me and came across the lobby holding out his hand.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, well, well. I'm certainly glad to see you. We thought you'd never get here. Nice trip?

[Lion's Eye]

Was all right.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

See, the rest of the boys are headquartered in 8 10. They're mighty anxious to meet you.

[Lion's Eye]

They are?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Mighty anxious. The Delta cotton growers are going to make it or break it at this convention. Now I want.

[Jeff Regan]

He was talking real sincere and bent over to make a gesture. The accent was phony, but the bulge inside his double breasted gabardine coat was real enough. It was a.38 automatic.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I say I'll take you up right now.

[Jeff Regan]

Why don't I meet you up there later, huh?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, all right, if you'd rather. That's room 18. I'll go out and get a bite and eat. You do that.

[Jeff Regan]

About an hour.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Clerk. Yes, Mr. Regan?

[Jeff Regan]

How long are the Delta Cotton Growers been in town?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Delta Cotton Growers? I had their convention last May.

[Jeff Regan]

Last May? Who's registered in room 810?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, we have no 8 10, Mr. Reagan.

[Lion's Eye]

That's what I thought. Thanks.

[Jeff Regan]

What do you do with a big man, a phony accent.38 automatic. A no Delta Cotton Growers convention. You tell me. Two hours later, in a fresh shirt and a wrinkled suit, I was still working on that one as I climbed the stairs to the Ursuline street address where Patrice Carter lived. It was one of those dirty, unpainted apartment houses in the French Quarter, full.

[Lion's Eye]

Of heat and low watt light bulbs.

[Jeff Regan]

The girl who opened the door was.

[Lion's Eye]

Tall, black haired, wore a black dress. The picture lion had given me of.

[Jeff Regan]

Patrice Carter was a blonde.

[Melody]

Yes?

[Jeff Regan]

My name's Regan.

[Lion's Eye]

I wonder if I could see Patrice Carter. Patrice?

[Melody]

You're a friend of hers?

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, I'm from Los Angeles.

[Melody]

How do you do, Mr. Regan? I'm Janice King, Patrice's roommate. Please come in.

[Lion's Eye]

All right.

[Melody]

Right this way.

[Jeff Regan]

Maybe it was because the two big.

[Lion's Eye]

Rooms I followed her through were dimly littered. Maybe it was the sweet, sick smell of flowers, I don't know. But perspiration began to trickle down my.

[Jeff Regan]

Back and I braced myself when Janice King opened another door.

[Melody]

Here you are, Mr. Regan.

[Lion's Eye]

She was young, lovely and blonde, with a burning candle at her head and.

[Jeff Regan]

Feet, lying in state, very dead.

[Lion's Eye]

Patrice Carter.

[Jeff Regan]

I just stood there in the dark.

[Lion's Eye]

Room and I looked down at her. I think there were other people in.

[Jeff Regan]

The room feeling the same as me.

[Lion's Eye]

And thinking same thoughts. I must have stayed that way for five minutes.

[Jeff Regan]

Then I felt Janice King touch my arm.

[Melody]

Did you know Patrice very long? No, I didn't know she asked to have it this way. I know how you must feel being a friend, Mr. Regan.

[Jeff Regan]

Look, Ms. King, I didn't know her at all. And I didn't know that she was passed away. I'm a private investigator. I was hired by Daniel Carter to locate his daughter.

[Melody]

Daniel Carter?

[Lion's Eye]

You knew that she had a father.

[Melody]

Yes, Mr. Regan. I knew. She told me about him. She told me everything. Oh, you aren't the first one who's been here looking for her. There have been others. Detectives and lawyers trying to get her to go back.

[Jeff Regan]

Carter knew she was here.

[Melody]

If he'd loved her for just one unselfish moment, she'd never have left him. Well, Mr. Regan, she's where he can't bother her anymore. She's where he can't ever see her. Tell him that when you go back. Tell him she's going to be buried tomorrow. Tell him he can stop hiring lawyers and detectives to find us. Why don't you take him a copy of her death certificate? That ought to satisfy him. Now get out. Get out.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, the whole thing had looked too.

[Lion's Eye]

Easy right from the beginning.

[Jeff Regan]

I took her advice and I went.

[Lion's Eye]

Down to the morgue to get the dope on Patrice Carter's death. There was one white coat there, a.

[Jeff Regan]

Little man with a bald head who.

[Lion's Eye]

Introduced himself as Oliver Fig.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

So you're from Los Angeles. So how are things in Los Angeles? What'd you say your name was?

[Jeff Regan]

Regan. International Detective Bureau. Came here to locate a girl named Patrice Carter.

[Lion's Eye]

I just came from her apartment and she's dead. Yeah, I know.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

How might I wiggle herself to death? Did a dandy strip number at Joe Glorioso's joint.

[Lion's Eye]

Stripper?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah. You got him in Los Angeles. Ain't you seen that Carter dame? Lots of times. Great.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, I thought maybe you could give me a copy of the death certificate. I gotta take something back.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sure. Sure. Glad. The door. Oh, she was the real girl. Shame. Dirty shame. So, how's things in Los Angeles? Let's see. Blankie. Not the same guy. Blackley. Blacker. Homicide. They fished him out of the river. Mississippi mud. Get it?

[Lion's Eye]

Got it.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, how that sings. Los Angeles. Yeah. Carter. Patrice Carter. 7:31 Ursuline. Mm. Coroner's report refer to Dr. Emmett Swazi. He Dame died three days ago of leukemia.

[Jeff Regan]

Let me see that.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sure.

[Lion's Eye]

Leukemia.

[Jeff Regan]

Then she knew.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sure. You get tipped plenty in advance on leukemia. Any doctor will tell you almost to the day.

[Lion's Eye]

Nothing else mean?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Was there something fishy about it? Nah. Old cultures. So, how's things in Los Angeles?

[Lion's Eye]

Any relatives?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

None listed.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, that's it, I guess.

[Lion's Eye]

Can I have a copy of.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sure, sure. Take that. Muy got funny more. Lots of people want death certificates for legal reasons. I once knew a guy who saved them like cigar bands or stamps. One whole wall of his bedroom papered with nothing but death certificates. Imagine all homicide. So how's things? Los Angeles?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, this is fine, Oliver.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

See you around. Glad to hear things are better in Los Angele.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, there wasn't anything more to do after that but go back to the hotel and try to get a reservation out of town. When I asked for my key, the clerk passed me three printed messages telling me that a Mr. Lyon of Los.

[Lion's Eye]

Angeles had been calling.

[Jeff Regan]

When I got to my room, he called again.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Regan, is that you? Where you been?

[Lion's Eye]

Keep your shirt on.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Come on, tell me, did you see her?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, I saw her.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

What you say? She gonna play ball? How soon are you coming back?

[Jeff Regan]

She didn't say anything and we aren't coming back.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

What do you mean?

[Lion's Eye]

She's dead.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

What? Dead. Dead? She can't do that.

[Jeff Regan]

It happened three days ago.

[Lion's Eye]

Leukemia.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Now wait a minute. Old man Carter's paying us $2,000 to bring her back.

[Jeff Regan]

They're gonna bury her tomorrow morning and they don't want any interference. She was laid out. Her roommate laced me up and down for working for the old man. Name of Janice King.

[Lion's Eye]

Good looking brunette.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I told Carter we'd bring back his daughter and we will. There's 2,000 bucks in this and you know how I feel about money.

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, I know.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

So get busy.

[Jeff Regan]

Now look, I've done a lot of dirty, rotten things for you. But he's an old man and he's sick and I'm.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

And he doesn't wear dark glasses because it's a sunny day. He's almost blind. Now go on over and get that roommate and bring her back. He'd never know the difference.

[Lion's Eye]

I won't do it.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Offer her 500 bucks to come here and pose as Patrice Carter for a week and she could take a powder. I won't do it. I'm calling Carter first thing in the morning and telling him you found his daughter and that you're on your way back to Los Angeles. I won't.

[Lion's Eye]

Do it.

[Melody]

Sure is something they want that piano player flag.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Honey, let me take you away from all this. Come on, let's not argue anymore.

[Jeff Regan]

It was in the French Quarter. They served a thing called a Sazerac and promised a very good floor show at 1 o'.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Clock.

[Jeff Regan]

I sat there watching the piano player and feeling kind of sorry for myself. I figured I had more trouble than anybody else. So I had three for Regan. It was about then. A tall redhead with a long cigarette holder eased off her stool at the.

[Lion's Eye]

Other end of the.

[Jeff Regan]

Patted a ball headed guy on the head and came over my way. She gave Me? Time enough to get a whiff of her perfume and then leaned into me.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

James?

[Melody]

Me too. I'm the new headliner. I'm gonna dance pretty soon. You ain't antisocial, are you, mister?

[Lion's Eye]

No, Rhett.

[Jeff Regan]

I'm just lonesome for home.

[Melody]

Where's that?

[Jeff Regan]

Los Angeles.

[Melody]

Hey, that's a good town.

[Jeff Regan]

And what are you doing here?

[Melody]

Work. I'm the new stripper.

[Lion's Eye]

Oh, yeah, you told me.

[Melody]

That's a tough racket. Pick him up and put him down. Put him on, take him off. 10 years now.

[Lion's Eye]

Is that right? How about drink?

[Melody]

No, never. When I'm working. Later, maybe.

[Lion's Eye]

Maybe?

[Melody]

Are you sure you ain't antisocial? I look all right, Don't. I mean I ain't slipping. Let go.

[Jeff Regan]

No hard feelings, Red? I just want to see your face.

[Melody]

You crazy yourself.

[Jeff Regan]

Come on. Stand still now in the light.

[Melody]

What's the matter? Something wrong with me?

[Jeff Regan]

Oh, not a thing.

[Lion's Eye]

Not a thing, baby.

[Jeff Regan]

You're just fine. How long did you say you've been dancing?

[Melody]

I've been dancing 10 years. Let go.

[Jeff Regan]

Hold still. That makeup, you wear it all the time.

[Melody]

I have to in my business.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

All right.

[Melody]

You had me scared there for a minute. You oughtn't to grab hold of a girl like that.

[Jeff Regan]

Red, you mind if I ask you a personal question?

[Melody]

Well, now, wait a minute. I just met you.

[Jeff Regan]

No, it's about your face.

[Melody]

What's the matter with my face?

[Lion's Eye]

Well, that's beautiful.

[Melody]

Oh, I see a grease paint and makeup.

[Jeff Regan]

Using it heavy like that for a long time, it's hard to get off, huh?

[Melody]

Oh, can't ever get all of it off when you've been in the business as long as I have. Always going to have some of it on.

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Melody]

Is that what you wanted to ask me?

[Jeff Regan]

That's it.

[Melody]

Well, you can get more personal than that. You're a little screwy, but I like you.

[Jeff Regan]

Not like you, Rhett. Thanks.

[Melody]

Hey, where you going? What about the drink? After my number.

[Jeff Regan]

Rain check me, Red. I got things to do. I had to go back to Janice King's apartment.

[Lion's Eye]

It was a sticky, sick kind of New Orleans night.

[Jeff Regan]

From One Lighted Street I turned off On Ursuline, a darker, dirtier street.

[Lion's Eye]

I stopped right in the middle of the block.

[Jeff Regan]

All kinds of people have followed me at one time or another. And I followed all kinds of people.

[Lion's Eye]

But this had a professional feel to it.

[Jeff Regan]

Stood there listening, remembering my automatic in.

[Lion's Eye]

My suitcase back at the hotel.

[Jeff Regan]

It only took him a second. He was a professional, all right. All I could see was well pressed gabbarding, two arms and a hand painted tie. The next thing was a gun butt, carefully wrapped in a white linen handkerchief, settled slowly against the side of my head. One of the well pressed arms reached over and held me under the shoulders. I yelled at the top of my lungs, but there wasn't any noise. Regan of International was out as cold as a can of beer.

[Announcer]

We'll return to Jeff Regan, investigator, in just a moment. An easy way to save for future security is by a payroll deduction for savings bonds. Or if you're not paid on a salary basis, you can purchase savings bonds at your nearest post office, bank or Savings and Loan association office. Now is the time to ask your employer to start deducting for savings bonds or to buy a bond on your own. If no other plan is feasible, your bank will deduct enough each month from your savings or checking account to buy a savings bond. For money in the future, buy United States savings bonds. You'll be glad you did. And now back to the story of the prodigal daughter and Jeff Regan, investigator.

[Melody]

Oh, honey, I declare, you amazed me when you look at that. Oh, isn't that awful? And him all dressed up.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

We won't pay any attention to him, honey.

[Jeff Regan]

The next thing I knew, a man in a straw hat and a polo shirt was kneeling down beside me, carefully smelling my breath.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Easy. Easy now, buddy.

[Jeff Regan]

Easy.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You've been making whoopee. Yep. That Sazerac'll do it every time. You know, you folks visiting down here ought to be more careful. Get your suit all dirty.

[Jeff Regan]

It hit me on the side of the head.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sometimes the side of the head, sometimes the back. No difference at all. Always wind up in same place on the street somewhere. Had enough for the night? Yeah, plenty.

[Lion's Eye]

Mm.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I'll take you to your hotel, huh? That's my cab. I nearly ran over you your first trip. Yeah, well, you know better next time. Easy now.

[Lion's Eye]

Did you see my friend?

[Jeff Regan]

Big man, gabardine suit.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

See? Nobody want to look for him. Later. See what you hunting for?

[Jeff Regan]

My wallet.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Somebody take it?

[Jeff Regan]

No, nothing's missing. Everything's right here.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Mm. Honest town.

[Jeff Regan]

Oh, yeah, you're so right.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, you feel better when you get back to your place?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, sure, sure.

[Jeff Regan]

It wasn't quite right. I didn't feel better until the next morning when I got a telegram that read, found out Carter's broke. Come back. Forget the whole thing. Lion. And that was the first good news I'd had in three days.

[Melody]

Oh, it's you. What are you doing here? She's buried. Gone.

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, I know. I came back to see you.

[Melody]

Wait a minute. You can't come in here.

[Lion's Eye]

I just did.

[Melody]

What do you want now?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You.

[Jeff Regan]

Yes, you. I was hired to come to New Orleans and bring Patrice Carter back to Los Angeles.

[Melody]

She's dead and buried, and you know it.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's what you say.

[Jeff Regan]

That's what Odette. There's only one thing I learned lately. Don't believe what people say. Don't believe what death certificates say.

[Melody]

I don't know what you're trying to do, but.

[Jeff Regan]

Ah, stop it, will ya? I know you're Patrice Carter. And I know the girl was buried yesterday was the real Janice King. And I know somebody's trying to make a monkey out of you and a monkey out of me. Now, listen to me.

[Lion's Eye]

If.

[Jeff Regan]

If I have to, I can have that body exhumed. I can go into fingerprints and birthmarch.

[Lion's Eye]

And a lot of things, but I don't think I'll have to.

[Jeff Regan]

You see, Patrice Carter wasn't the type.

[Lion's Eye]

To do as striptease for a living.

[Melody]

You're just trying to make something out of nothing. I'll call the police and have them arrested.

[Jeff Regan]

Last night, I ran into the redhead.

[Lion's Eye]

Who took her place.

[Jeff Regan]

She told me what a tough life it is.

[Lion's Eye]

10 years of wearing grease paint can be kind of rough on your skin.

[Jeff Regan]

The dead girl I saw had those kind of marks. The girl I'm looking for couldn't have been in the business that long.

[Melody]

Why don't you leave me alone?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I don't know who talked you into.

[Jeff Regan]

A thing like this, but it's all wrong. He's an old man now. He's broke and lonely, and he wants to see you. I don't know what your differences are.

[Lion's Eye]

But I want to take you back.

[Jeff Regan]

What do you say?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

He was so off.

[Melody]

He hated. I know he did. I never want to see him again.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

What's he been telling you, honey?

[Melody]

Oh, Tim.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Oh, Tim.

[Melody]

He knows everything.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

He doesn't know anything. He'll never know anything. Miss.

[Lion's Eye]

Your boyfriend.

[Jeff Regan]

He had a phony accent when he tried to shake me down in the hotel lobby.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Get out of here, Reagan.

[Jeff Regan]

I played ball, and you had to quit trying. It all fits now. This guy's been holding your hand for the last year. He's been real sympathetic.

[Lion's Eye]

Get out before I throw you out.

[Jeff Regan]

He told you how to trade names with that poor kid who was dying of leukemia. He told you to send me to that morgue for a death certificate. And he dropped me in the gutter. Last night to make sure I had it. You know why Allison has carried the babies off is not. He's a private detective from Los Angeles who's been getting paid to make love to you.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No.

[Melody]

No reason.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I told you to shut up.

[Jeff Regan]

Oh, he was good at the side street work, but this was an apartment and he didn't have enough room to move fast. I let him have the top of my head under his chin for a.

[Lion's Eye]

Starter.

[Jeff Regan]

And then I took a lot of feet in my face. But when he started across the carpet pulling for that. 38, I saw my chance. She stood there and watched him go down.

[Melody]

It's not true. It's not true. You. You're just here to make more trouble for me. You're just here to make.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Am I?

[Jeff Regan]

I thought I recognized the touch.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Here.

[Jeff Regan]

Here's his wallet. Look for yourself.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Here, catch.

[Jeff Regan]

Timothy Conover, Private Investigation.

[Lion's Eye]

Well.

[Jeff Regan]

Come on, kid, I'll take you back home.

[Melody]

You're back. How was New Orleans? I. Oh, I didn't know you had someone with you.

[Jeff Regan]

I'll see you later, Melody.

[Lion's Eye]

The lion in?

[Melody]

Oh, yes, but I wouldn't go in. He's in a bad mood.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Uh huh.

[Jeff Regan]

What else?

[Lion's Eye]

Come on, Pat.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Regan. So you finally got back, did you? I suppose you run an expense account? That'd choke a horse, let me tell you that. It's all coming out of your salary. We didn't make a nickel on that Carter thing. And who's this?

[Lion's Eye]

Patrice Carter.

[Melody]

How do you do, Mr. Lyons.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I thought I told you to leave her down there because that old schmo was giving us the run around and hasn't got a nickel to his name. Besides, she's dead. Yes, she's dead, that's right.

[Jeff Regan]

Here's a death certificate to prove it. Now listen to me before you blow the rest of your cylinders. I went to a lot of trouble to bring this girl here.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, you can send her back where she came from and I'll take her fare out of your salary on the plane coming back.

[Melody]

Mr. Reed explained a great many things to me about myself and about you, Mr. Lyons.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, I wish you'd explain something to me.

[Melody]

When I was a baby, my father placed a trust in a large holding company under my name. $50,000. And I can claim it anytime after my 21st birthday.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah. How old are you now?

[Melody]

Old enough, Mr. Regan. Found out that much, I made a.

[Jeff Regan]

Phone call to Dun and Bradstreet.

[Lion's Eye]

Know a lot of things.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Go on, go on.

[Melody]

Nothing more, Mr. Lyon. Except I claimed that trust today and I'LL be glad to pay you the $2,000 fee that my father promised you.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, well, now, that's very generous of you, Ms. Carter. International Detective Bureau is proud to have had a small part in bringing you and your estranged father together.

[Melody]

I'm not going Back to him, Mr. Lyon. I don't want to see you.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, no, my dear, you're upset.

[Jeff Regan]

Leave her alone, Lyon. Now, look, I tussled with a private detective named Conover down in New Orleans. He'd been hired by old man Carter.

[Lion's Eye]

To convince Pat that she should switch.

[Jeff Regan]

Names with a burlesque girl who was dying of leukemia. Conover does a good job. When the girl dies, Conover wires Carter, Carter comes to you, you call me in and hustle me off to New Orleans, where, according to a perfect setup, I find a phony Patrice Carter dead, bring back a death certificate, which you turn over to Carter, and then he walks right down and collects that trust fund, which reverts to the original maker only on death.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

And him, with that story about being old and lonely and wanting only to see his daughter, telling me he'd pay me a $2,000 fee. Why, that dirty crook is no better than I am. He tried to make a sucker out of me, he did.

[Lion's Eye]

You fell for the whole thing.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Trust fund in your name. Well, well, young lady, you can sit right down here at my desk and make out your check. And then I think that as long as you're in town, you might just drop over and see your old father. International detective. We're always in business to make people happy, that's all.

[Melody]

Did everything come out all right?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Jeff Regan]

She's writing a check.

[Lion's Eye]

That's what he wants. Cigarette? Yeah, thank you.

[Melody]

Why do you do it, Jeff?

[Lion's Eye]

Hot in here, isn't it?

[Jeff Regan]

The air feels good.

[Lion's Eye]

Makes you clean.

[Jeff Regan]

He doesn't care whether it's homicide or arson or a lost daughter or just people getting kicked around. He makes money on it.

[Lion's Eye]

I help him.

[Melody]

He didn't answer me. Why do you do it?

[Lion's Eye]

I don't know, Melody. I don't know.

[Announcer]

Remember, an easy way to save for the future is to buy United States Savings Bonds. You can buy bonds at your nearest post office, bank or savings and loan association. Or you can ask your employer to start deducting for a bond a month on the payroll savings plan. A bond a month is good security for the years to come. For money in the future, buy United States Savings Bonds now. You'll be glad you did. Jack Webb is featured as Jeff Regan, investigator with Wilms Herbert as Anthony J. Lyon and Lorette Philbrandt as Melody. Tonight's cast included Betty Lou Gerson as Red, Lou Krugman as Conover, Theodore von Eltz as Mr. Daniel Carter, Eve McVeigh as Patrice Carter and Harry Lang as.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

How's things in Los Angeles?

[Announcer]

Remember, at CBS same time next week for Hard Boiled, Action and mystery with radio's most exciting private detective, Jeff Regan, as he tells the story of the Lonesome Lady. Jeff Regan, investigator, is written by E. Jack Newman, produced and directed by Gordon T. Hughes with original music by Del Castillo. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. The American Broadcasting Company brings to its.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Entire network one of radio's most unusual programs. Pat Novak for hire.

[Lion's Eye]

Sure, I'm Pat Novak or higher. That's what the sign out in front of my shop says, Pat Novak for hire. Down here on the San Francisco waterfront, it's got to be that way. You gotta rob a few graves if you want cigarette money. You need lots of work and roomy sleeves if you're gonna play a pat hand. Sometimes in a good week you conduct trouble three or four days in a row. And then it creeps up on you like an old charger con. Well, I should have known that when I went to the bank I was up to my knees in mud and didn't even know it was rainy season. It was Tuesday. I went by the bank to drop a hundred bucks. It was about time because they were beginning to play handball with my checks. Must have been about 11 o' clock when I got to the window.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Hello, Mr. Novak. Isn't it a grand morning?

[Lion's Eye]

If it's your choice, stay with it.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Ah, yes.

[Lion's Eye]

Deposit a hundred bucks. Yes.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Let me get your card. It's right here, I think. Yes, here we are.

[Lion's Eye]

All right. Hundred bucks. Give me a duplicate, will you?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Certainly. My, this isn't as big as the last deposit.

[Lion's Eye]

Look, bloomer girl, just mark the slip, huh?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Novak, I.

[Lion's Eye]

Yes? I'm not used to thousand dollar deposits. What thousand dollars?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Your Friday deposit.

[Lion's Eye]

I wasn't in here Friday.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Oh, you must have been. The card says you put in $1,000 on Friday.

[Lion's Eye]

Give me that card. What did Santa look like? But who put the dough in? What'd the guy look like?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Oh, didn't you? No.

[Lion's Eye]

Look, we'll double back and try to hang on this time, will you?

[Jeff Regan]

I wasn't in here Friday.

[Lion's Eye]

I don't know anything about an extra grand. Now, what did the guy look like?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I wasn't on duty Friday. Yeah, I'm not even sure about the fellow today.

[Lion's Eye]

What fellow?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

There was a man in here to.

[Lion's Eye]

Ask about the account. Did this good fairy have a name?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, just credentials.

[Lion's Eye]

He was from the FBI. I see.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Is there anything wrong, Mr. Milford?

[Lion's Eye]

No, don't mind that complexion. I forgot my foundation cream. Oh, I should have known right then. A mysterious grand tossed into the till. I didn't wake up to trouble, but I'm a smart boy who'd be the village idiot in a town the size of New York? Well, I left the bank and went up to my apartment. That thousand bucks was already drawing interest. When I came in, she was sitting on the couch drinking my whiskey. She could have all she wanted. A 1949 Panther model, just the right amount of size 12. And a dress that looked like a well tailored fig leaf. When she was through looking you over, you felt like the Sunday supplement.

[Melody]

Hello, Mr. Nova. I like your apartment.

[Lion's Eye]

That's good.

[Melody]

The view is wonderful.

[Lion's Eye]

So, yours? What's on your mind?

[Melody]

How about a drink?

[Lion's Eye]

How poor you talk.

[Melody]

My name is Connie Riley. Make me one, too.

[Lion's Eye]

Sure.

[Melody]

As you were saying, my name is Connie Riley.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, well, I've memorized that much. Go on. There's your drink.

[Melody]

Thanks. Put it out.

[Lion's Eye]

All right.

[Melody]

Over next to me. I won't buy it.

[Lion's Eye]

It's too bad. Go on.

[Melody]

Well, here's the new bank account, Patsy.

[Lion's Eye]

Look, sis, if you're here just for.

[Jeff Regan]

The field trials, all right.

[Lion's Eye]

But if you got a bill of goods, trot it out.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I will.

[Melody]

I want that card too, Patsy. I want it ahead of Chris.

[Lion's Eye]

Catch up with another drink. In the meantime, you fill in and help me.

[Melody]

Will you stop sitting on your hands, angel?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You didn't get that thousand bucks with.

[Melody]

A sweat of your bra.

[Lion's Eye]

Not yet.

[Melody]

Somebody patted your account so you'd be a nice boy. I want you to be a nice.

[Lion's Eye]

Boy for me at the same rate.

[Melody]

The Monterey Rose docks today. A passenger named Kurt Toomey is carrying a Jack of Clubs and it means.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

A lot to me.

[Lion's Eye]

It doesn't mean a thing to me, except the FBI is on my tail.

[Melody]

Mr. Novak, you're turning a momentary advantage.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Into a pro ball.

[Lion's Eye]

You take your deal to some other broker.

[Melody]

You're in business whether you like it or not. Patsy, you're gonna stub your toe either way. Only to me, it'll be more fun.

[Lion's Eye]

How about the FBI?

[Melody]

You're being frightened by a group of bureaucrats.

[Lion's Eye]

That's what Trotsky thought.

[Melody]

How much? Patsy, how much for that card when.

[Lion's Eye]

You get it, the price is a grand.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're an amusing guy.

[Lion's Eye]

Patsy. Yeah, the grand I can afford to be.

[Melody]

You don't even know what the Jack.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Of Clubs is all about.

[Melody]

You never heard of Kirk Toomey till five minutes ago. But you take things in stride as.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

If the whole world along.

[Melody]

Do you?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah.

[Melody]

You're like Adam when he first spotted the Garden of Eden.

[Lion's Eye]

All right, little Eve.

[Jeff Regan]

It's a thousand bucks. Remember, you're sitting on my doorstep. Now, either go on home or come in the house.

[Melody]

Good. I'll take the cash at your price. Now I can relax.

[Lion's Eye]

I bet you can.

[Melody]

Pour another drink, Betsy.

[Lion's Eye]

Sure, in a minute.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

What comes next?

[Melody]

Do I get three guesses?

[Lion's Eye]

You got time to take them?

[Melody]

I won't need them anymore.

[Lion's Eye]

It's up to you. Come here, angel. You ever hear the early bird?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, do I make a nice worm?

[Lion's Eye]

You wriggle like one.

[Melody]

Aren'T you a razor straight?

[Lion's Eye]

18%, darling.

[Melody]

That's too bad. I wasn't even gonna scream.

[Lion's Eye]

Next place I knew, there's gonna be a cave. Just a minute, will you?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Hello, Novec.

[Lion's Eye]

Oh, Hellman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Well, well. Am I interrupting anything?

[Lion's Eye]

No, we were just going over an old seed catalog. Ms. Riley, this is Inspector Hellman, San Francisco Police.

[Melody]

Good morning, inspector. Don't bother to arrest me now. I'm just leaving.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

So soon?

[Melody]

My sentiments exactly, inspector.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Bye.

[Melody]

Bye. Patsy, you can get me at the Concord on push speed. See you around, dad.

[Lion's Eye]

Sure.

[Announcer]

Well, you're slipping, Novak.

[Lion's Eye]

Hm.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No rain check.

[Lion's Eye]

All right, funny man, what's your problem?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You ever see this guy before?

[Lion's Eye]

Let me see. He's an awful looking thug. Yeah? Who is he, your father?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Guy by the name of Max Coleman. The FBI trailed him to your bank Friday. They think he gave you a thousand bucks.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Where'd you get the thousand bucks, Novak?

[Jeff Regan]

What do you care, Hellman? Maybe a relative. Maybe I made an aunt.

[Announcer]

Nobody's related to you, Novak.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're in a jam, lover, and I'm.

[Announcer]

Here to push you farther in.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Max Coleman buys his groceries with foreign dough.

[Lion's Eye]

What are you weeping about? Arrest the guy if you don't like him.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

There's government microfilm coming in on the Monterey Rose. That thousand bucks makes you a contact man for Coleman.

[Lion's Eye]

Send the FBI over, then. Where do you fit in? Waiting for somebody to drop some loose change?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're my project, Novak. When they ask us for help, I stuff the ballot box to get you. Yeah, so relax. I'm gonna spend the rest of the day here. You're not gonna leave the living room.

[Lion's Eye]

If I gotta spend the day with you, I'll take knockout drops.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Suit Yourself.

[Lion's Eye]

That's good scotch. You wouldn't know the cheap liquor's out in the kitchen closet. That's for you.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

All right.

[Announcer]

Over by the stove here?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's right. What do you keep in here, Novak, Mops and drums? Where'd you buy this one?

[Lion's Eye]

What are you talking about?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Where'd you buy this one? Smart man.

[Lion's Eye]

Hellman was right. I could tell right away it wasn't a mop when Hellman pushed him out. He rolled out onto the linoleum a dapper little guy, except for a piece of cord around his throat tied in a funny knot. It was deader than a broken drum. Somebody pulled too hard on that piece of cord. The veins were standing out from his face. Horrid. His face looked like a road map lying there on the floor. He wasn't pretty. Helman thought so too.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Who is he, Novak? Your father.

[Lion's Eye]

I've never seen him in my closet before.

[Announcer]

Who is he, Novak?

[Jeff Regan]

I don't know, Hellman. Finders keepers.

[Lion's Eye]

You roll him.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

There.

[Lion's Eye]

Just get there by instinct.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah, yeah, here it is. Name is Kirk Toomey.

[Lion's Eye]

That helped.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Who is he?

[Lion's Eye]

The guy on the Monterey road.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

The one with the microfilm?

[Lion's Eye]

Yes.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I thought you didn't know anything about it. How'd you know he came from the Monterey road?

[Lion's Eye]

My dream book, Hellman. What happens now?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Nothing. Except I'm on the case now and you got trouble in a major key.

[Lion's Eye]

You don't think I killed this guy?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I don't know. Did you?

[Lion's Eye]

You better hop out and tail that girl. She was making herself at home when I got here.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah? How do I know you're not in it together?

[Lion's Eye]

You don't, copper.

[Jeff Regan]

Maybe she's Loeb and I'm Leopold.

[Lion's Eye]

When you're through with her, you might hit the Monterey and start looking for a Jack of Clubs some more.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Dream book, Novak.

[Lion's Eye]

Everybody's looking for a Jack of Clubs, Hellman. It must be the end of the rainbow. That's where you're gonna find that microfilm.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

In the meantime, you stay handy, Novak. I want to split you with the FBI.

[Lion's Eye]

You don't think I'm gonna take the rat for junior here, do you?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

It says that in my book. Just relax until I'm ready to pick you up. I only have to find a couple of things.

[Lion's Eye]

That'll be a long time, Hellman. You can't find your hip pocket with Radar. Yeah.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I'll be around soon, Novak. Don't bother to pack your bags. We'll be traveling life.

[Lion's Eye]

Well, when Hellman left, I knew I was a second Division Club, that phony plant in the bank. The tie up with Max Coleman and that stiff in the kitchen made me look real bad. I had to do something in a hurry because the way things stood, I had about as much chance as a lawn party in a monsoon. There were a lot of faces to tag, so I looked up Jocko Madigan. An ex doctor who invented the hangover, but a good guy. I finally found him over in north beach at a little joint called Lupo's. He was eating pizza with one hand and strangling a bottle of wine with the other.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Hello, Patchy. Oh, Frank. Bottle of wine for Mr. Novak.

[Lion's Eye]

No, I'm short on time, Jocko.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's where you're wrong, Patsy. People always say it, but it's a lie.

[Lion's Eye]

Will you calm down a minute?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You say you're short on time, but you have all the time there is. It's the one thing that keeps you from being a beggar. There are only 24 hours in a day and that gives you as much time as Napoleon or Alexander had.

[Lion's Eye]

Will you shut up a minute and put on that wine?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I'm celebrating, Patsy. I'm celebrating Mission Day.

[Lion's Eye]

Mission Day's over.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I'm a native son. We celebrate longer now.

[Lion's Eye]

Look, I'm behind the eight ball again.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Isn't it getting kind of crowded back there? What's the matter?

[Lion's Eye]

Somebody strangled a guy and put him in my broom closet.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

When did you find him?

[Lion's Eye]

I didn't. Hellman did. There's a girl named Connie Riley. Looks good for the job.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Why doesn't Hellman Booker then?

[Lion's Eye]

He's still picking up the pieces. The dead guy is Kurt Toomey. He was set to smuggle in some microfilm. It says here I'm contact. You gotta help me, Jocko.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You've got me confused with the travel agency.

[Lion's Eye]

I want you to hop down to headquarters. Get all the dope you can on this guy to me. I'm gonna look up Connie Riley.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

How did she get in the picture?

[Lion's Eye]

What difference does it make? She's a wrestler I met this morning. Now, get on the headquarters, will you?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's why I like you, Patch. You're like a piece of blank verse. A bad piece of blank version.

[Lion's Eye]

All right, Jocko. I'm gonna make like a strip of bacon if I don't get going. Now. Stay close to headquarters. If anything looks good, contact me at. Connie Riley's here at this address.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

All right. How many times shall I not love it?

[Lion's Eye]

I left Jocko and dropped by the apartment. I was smart, full of courage. Field Mousett Bay. The police had already been there with fingerprint powder all over. The two bottles of whiskey were gone. They'd moved Laughing Boy out of the kitchen. I sat down, trying to add things up. I had a short list of friends to see. Connie, Max Coleman and whoever this guy Chris was. I had to show up with one of them or prove that Kirk Toomey hung himself in my quasi. I was getting ready to borrow a piece of cord myself when the phone rang. Yeah?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Hello, Novak? This is Hellman.

[Lion's Eye]

I'm thrilled. What's on your mind?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I just called on your girlfriend.

[Lion's Eye]

What'd she say?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Nothing. She wasn't there. Hasn't been there since 10 o' clock this morning.

[Lion's Eye]

That's funny.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah. You know where she is?

[Lion's Eye]

How would I know?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Just thought she might be in your closet. I picked up Toomey stuff on the Monterey road.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah? What'd you find?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Unusual stuff. Few clothes. Some shaving equipment to me. Razor blades, toothpaste and a pack of playing cards.

[Lion's Eye]

Pack of cards. Well, do you know where to go from there, Hellman?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I thought I did.

[Jeff Regan]

Grab that jack of clubs.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Will a ten of hearts do?

[Lion's Eye]

Huh?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's right, Novak. A nice fat deck. But the jack of clubs is missing.

[Lion's Eye]

Oh, you're always too little too late, Hellman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I just thought I'd let you know, friend, in case you start a bridge game with 53 cards in the deck. Good night.

[Lion's Eye]

I was losing money fast, like a street carnival in Death Valley. Well, one of two things happened. Somebody got on that boat and took the jack of clubs while Toomey was at my apartment. Or maybe he brought it with him. If he brought it with him, Connie was a possibility. Or somebody that got there ahead of Connie. Well, anyway, I had to work fast now because whoever had that card wasn't going to put it on a market street float. About 10 minutes later, I cut across Union Square and up Bush Street. When I got to Connie's apartment, It was about 10 o'. Clock. I got in the back door and started through. She wasn't there. So I went to work looking for that jack of clubs. It was real easy. I tied the desk and her bureau drawer. You know, that black chiffon's coming back in style? Because that's where I found the card. It looked nice. And that's on there. Put it in my pocket and that's as far as I got.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You run the lingerie counter here?

[Lion's Eye]

Nova, you sound like a guy named Chris.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

If it makes you feel better.

[Lion's Eye]

Should we put on the light?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, no, let's don't put on the light. This gun might upset you.

[Lion's Eye]

The police are looking for you, Chris. You need more than the dark.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I understand they're looking for you, Novak. That Riley girl kind of put you on the spot.

[Lion's Eye]

Tell you what I'll do, though. Yeah? You'll give me a thousand dollars for the Jack of Clubs.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I started to say 500.

[Jeff Regan]

Around here, that's a whisper and even grand.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Mister, you're trying to collect too many places. Want the 500?

[Lion's Eye]

No, I don't. All right.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

But I think you're a bum businessman.

[Lion's Eye]

Jocko found me catnapping on Connie's bare rug. Must have been right after the. When I woke up, Jocko was thumbing my head like a housewife with a bowl of margarine. I fell around and waited for him to put the floor in again. I reached in my pocket. The Jack of Clubs was gone. Then I started to talk.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Jocko, did you expect someone Better help me out, Will. I've helped to get up so much, I feel like one of the Wright brothers.

[Lion's Eye]

I just lost round three.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah, I saw him getting into the car. Did you get a number like Hellman's got yours? Here it is.

[Lion's Eye]

Let me see. Anything break down at Homicide?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

They got all the dope on to me. They had to piece it together. He had no fingerprint record and they finally confirmed things with a set of false teeth.

[Lion's Eye]

What does it prove?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Nothing much, except you probably killed him. He was a foreign agent who picked up microfilm at Shanghai. Your girlfriend is pretty.

[Lion's Eye]

Did they find her?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah.

[Lion's Eye]

Dead.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No. Patsy, you gotta stop thinking of people as being dead all the time. It's demoralizing.

[Lion's Eye]

What'd she say?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

She denied knowing anything about you, me, Jaco.

[Lion's Eye]

I'm sure she killed that guy up in my apartment. I'd stake my life on it.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Expertly put. Patsy, I think Hellman believes her. After all, she's the only lead.

[Lion's Eye]

What about Max Coleman, the guy that rigged my bank account? Are they letting him die on the vine?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

I was getting to that. Your friend Max Coleman has disappeared.

[Lion's Eye]

I thought he was being tailed.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

The kite got away. Here, use my aspirin.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, I took a boat out to.

[Lion's Eye]

The Monterey Rose, but that was a waste of time. Hellman had it covered like a tarpaulin. I still had the license number to Chris's car, but that didn't do any good. Even if I found him, all I could do was point my finger. There were still a lot of things that didn't fall into place. One of them was how Come. That jack of clubs was so easy to find in Connie's apartment. She hadn't hit it very well. But after all, maybe that was a habit with her. Things didn't look any better. The next morning I went into a restaurant next to the Press Club for some breakfast. The Chronicle was lying on the counter. We were in second place because it was a torso murder all over page one. That second cup of coffee saved me because right after that I spotted it on one of the back pages. A picture and a small story about some unidentified guy who'd been killed over in Oakland. I couldn't match the picture too well with Hellman's snapshot of Max Coleman. But it looked like my best break so far. I got over to Oakland and I went straight to the morgue. The guy in the morgue was chatting.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Which fellow you want to stay?

[Lion's Eye]

The unidentified guy must have come in last night.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Sure. Down this way. Okay. How do you like our morgue?

[Lion's Eye]

One of my favorites.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

It's bigger than San Francisco.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, I figured that. Sure.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Most people don't know that, but it's true. Bigger than San Francisco.

[Lion's Eye]

Here we are, right here.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Help me slide it out.

[Lion's Eye]

Sure. Roller bearings makes it a lot easier. Yeah. Here, let me get that sheet.

[Melody]

Well, well.

[Lion's Eye]

Recognize him? Yeah. What time did he die?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Coroner's report here on the tow tank. About 11 o' clock last night. Two gunshots,38 caliber pistols.

[Lion's Eye]

That's good. Don't look at the mate.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Was he a friend of yours? Relative something?

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah, a relative. He's my maiden aunt. It was Max Coleman, all right. But that was only half the problem. I had some of the answers, but not enough. It's like trying to weave a rug with a spinning wheel and a bucket of sand. Well, anyway, I got to a payphone and I called Jocko. I told him to run down that license number and I headed back across the bridge. When I found Jocko, he said the car was registered in the name of Christopher Downs who lived up on Taylor Street. That was enough of a lead, so I telephoned Hellman. Took about a half a minute to draw a map.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Hello? Hellman talking.

[Lion's Eye]

This is Novak. You still got Connie Riley down there?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, I saved Matchbox. Why?

[Lion's Eye]

When did she leave last night?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

About 9:30.

[Lion's Eye]

That was smart, Hellman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Why?

[Lion's Eye]

You better put a guard on her.

[Jeff Regan]

Front door and get up to 720 Taylor St.

[Lion's Eye]

The apartment of Christopher Downs.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Who's he?

[Lion's Eye]

A late entry.

[Jeff Regan]

Now climb out of that coma and get going.

[Lion's Eye]

I'll meet you up there in 10 minutes.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

720 Taylor Street?

[Jeff Regan]

Yeah, it's up on the hill.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

That's good, Novak. I can roll you all the way down.

[Jeff Regan]

When Jocko and I got up to.

[Lion's Eye]

Down's apartment, there was nobody home. I said a fast prayer for Connie. And I began going through down stuff for a.38 caliber revolver. Jocko was looking, too, over in the liquor cabinet. That's as far as we got cabins.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're hunting, Mr. Novak.

[Lion's Eye]

Hello, Chris.

[Jeff Regan]

You haven't seen the.38 around?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Just one that's in my pocket.

[Lion's Eye]

The same one that killed Max Coleman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You're gonna run out of breath, Novak. Slow down.

[Jeff Regan]

I'm in second already, mister.

[Lion's Eye]

I can't stop.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Then you won't mind the short ride out the door and down the back stairs.

[Lion's Eye]

Should we bring the lap robe?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

There's nothing to worry about. It's a short trip. You won't even have to wire the folks.

[Lion's Eye]

We went down the back way and into the garage next door. We started for a big car in the corner. All right, get in.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Out the airport road, Joe. Sure. Now relax, Novak. From here you look like a duck in the pond. All right, Joe. Watch out, Joe. Joe, watch out. There's another cock coming in.

[Jeff Regan]

You're right, Chris. It was a short ride.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You all right, Novak?

[Jeff Regan]

Stop acting like the mother hen. Helman, take this guy's gun.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

All right, mister, get out. Who is he?

[Lion's Eye]

Christopher Downs. He killed Max Coleman last night.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Does he convince you, mister? Not entirely.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, at.38, will the Oakland police have.

[Lion's Eye]

Two slugs that fit that gun? You need more?

[Anthony J. Lyon]

No, I'm afraid you've got all the trumps now. That all right, let's go, you. Let's see. Earn it, copper.

[Melody]

Stop him. Nowhere.

[Jeff Regan]

He ain't going far.

[Lion's Eye]

Well, Hellman, now you can arrest him for jaywalking.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Yeah, too bad.

[Lion's Eye]

He could have told you a lot about that stiff in my closet. Well, go pick him up, Hellman. And don't forget that jack of clubs in his pocket.

[Jeff Regan]

Well, it worked out all right.

[Lion's Eye]

I left Hellman dropped by headquarters to leave a note and I went home to my apartment. Connie was there. Whiskey was out again. She looked real good. Sitting there in a white crepe dress. Was one of those tight fitting babies that make a bathing suit look like a toga. I told her all about Chris and Max Coleman and we forgot about everything but the Olympics. When she put her arms around you, it was a real squeeze. Felt like an old tube of shaving cream. I was pouring a drink when the doorbell ra. Hello, Hellman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You ready, Novak?

[Lion's Eye]

Sure. Well, don't stand there gaping. Arrested for murder.

[Melody]

Wait a minute. Slow down, Patsy.

[Lion's Eye]

Sorry, chum, it's you or me.

[Melody]

Be a nice boy.

[Lion's Eye]

I am. That's why you go to Hellman.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Come on, lady.

[Lion's Eye]

You dig up an answer for that guy that you left in my closet.

[Melody]

I didn't leave any guy in your closet.

[Jeff Regan]

You'll have to say it louder, baby. They found the story about the cord.

[Melody]

That cord came out of your kitchen.

[Lion's Eye]

You're a big mouth.

[Melody]

Yeah, you can put that in full face. How did you know?

[Lion's Eye]

You're the only one could have taken that jacket club here in the department. That and one other thing.

[Melody]

Yeah?

[Lion's Eye]

That knot in the cord was a funny knot. You got an elastic garter there. Too big. So you tied a knot in it. The same funny knot that choked Kirk to me.

[Melody]

You're a funny guy, Novak.

[Lion's Eye]

Yeah. You're nice, but you're hard to handle. I should have killed you and married you.

[Melody]

Ready, Hellman?

[Lion's Eye]

Well, Jack of Clubs was a phony right from the start. Somebody told Kirk Toomey to deal with me. When he came to my apartment, Connie was waiting. She got jumpy and filled him. I got there too soon, so she had to stall me off. When she got home, she found out that the Jack of Clubs was a phony. She left it in plain sight and Chris gobbled up the bait. When he discovered there was no microfilm, he went gunning for Max Coleman. Max was an innocent thief lying low, waiting to buy from me. So all three of them were after a phony card. I began to suspect it was phony because everybody hung around. If it was the McCoy, Connie would have cleared out. Same for Chris. The microphone. It was in Hellman's desk, but he didn't know it. Jocko finally tumbled. The report said that Kurt Toomey had false teeth. When Hellman picked up his stuff on the ship was a tube of toothpaste. We don't clean false teeth with toothpaste. Word must have gotten around that the microfilm was inside that Jack of Clubs. So Kirk crossed them up and put it in the tube of toothpaste. Well, that's all, except they canceled my thousand dollar deposit. Hellman said it was lucky I noticed her guide her lucky? Well, she had to straighten her seams, didn't she?

[Announcer]

The American Broadcasting Company has just brought you the second of a new series, Pat Novak for Hire, starring Jack Webb. Jocko Madigan is played by Tudor Owen. Inspector Hellman is played by Raymond Burr. Music was composed and conducted by radio and television Life Award winner Basil Adlam. In our cast were Betty Lou Gerson, Victor Perrin, Ted De Courcia and Herb Butterfield. Today we're happy to welcome a new.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

Member of the ABC family as station.

[Announcer]

K A R M in Fresno, California, joins our network. And now, this is George Feniman reminding.

[Anthony J. Lyon]

You to be with us again next week when over most of these same.

[Announcer]

ABC stations we'll bring you Pat Novak or hire. This program came to you from Hollywood. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.

[Narrator]

There's more from Pat Novak, Jeff Regan, Case Closed alongside all of the other Relic Radio podcasts and our shoutcast stream@ Relicradio.com there's lots to listen to there, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of those support links in the show notes. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back again next Wednesday with another hour of crime on Case Closed.