
This week on Case Closed, Let George Do It brings us his story from February 6, 1950, titled, The Old Style. (29:36) Our final episode is Investigate Prowler, from Unit 99. That one aired January 31, 1958. https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/CaseClosed959.mp3 Download CaseClosed959 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Case Closed
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George Valentine
This is case closed Crime stories from.
Narrator
The golden age of radio.
George Valentine
Personal notice dangers, My stock in trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me. George Valentine. Write full details. Standard Oil company of California, on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the west, invite you to let George do it. The old style. Another adventure of George Valentine.
Jeremiah Stark
Mr. George Valentine. Dear sir, my name is Jeremiah Stark. Perhaps you've heard it in connection with crime. With the study of crime, that is. I am by vocation, an antiquarian, the owner of a modest curio shop on south lane. But by application, Mr. Valentine, I've become rather an authority, if I do say so myself, on those desperate and terrifying deeds which men have committed in the past. Mr. Valentine, I've only this morning stumbled into a mystery so intriguing that I am at a complete loss to solve its riddle. Perhaps you can. Or perhaps someone must die. Sincerely, Jeremiah Stark.
Brooksie
Huh. It's certainly a curio shop, all right. And he.
Narrator
Dead.
Brooksie
Dead? Nuff foxes. No porcelain.
George Valentine
Everything but a Venus with a clock in her stomach.
Brooksie
I don't know, George. There's Diana on a hat rack.
George Valentine
The kind of place you buy your relatives presents.
Brooksie
You mean if they happen to be spiders or bats?
George Valentine
Hey, wait a minute, Angel. The stuff on this counter here. Knife, piece of rope, and the stuff in the glass case.
Brooksie
This is the actual bully knife that figured so prominently in the Sykes Jefferson killings in October 1912.
George Valentine
There's a card on each item. 1893. Hangman's Noose.
Brooksie
This broken wine goblet was exhibit A in the state of Illinois's trial in early 1903 of Eric Stockworth.
Jeremiah Stark
He killed his wife, you know. She was a dancer.
Brooksie
What's that?
Jeremiah Stark
The old Sarah Bernhardt theater stage doorman. He died too, of course, but it was 14 years in the solving.
George Valentine
Well, so you're the authority, huh?
Jeremiah Stark
Yes, Mr. Valentine. Jeremiah Stark. Here, let me show you. If you look closely, you can still detect traces of the original blood.
Brooksie
Oh, no, no. Never mind. Thanks.
Jeremiah Stark
Fascinating case. In the old style. The grand tradition.
George Valentine
Yes, Wally. It's quite an exhibit you've got, Mr. Stark.
Jeremiah Stark
Just the one counter here for the choicest items. I'm rather discriminating, you know, regarding my hobby. But of course, alongside of you, Mr. Valentine. After all, murder is your business.
George Valentine
Well, it's not my pleasure, Mr. Stark. So let's have it. What's your problem?
Jeremiah Stark
Oh, of course, of course. Well, to begin with, this morning I received an item in the mail. I have no earthly Idea who might have sent it, mind you. But, Mr. Valentine, it too is in the old style.
George Valentine
What do you mean? What is it? Here.
Jeremiah Stark
Here it is. A little box.
Brooksie
Hmm. Little old fashioned flowers painted on it. And you have dusted my heart with your dainty smile Made sweet my soul with your own sweet glance Painted lids of our lives Only shield our shy love so lift them and murmur that I have a chance.
George Valentine
It's a little on the sentimental side, but what's in.
Jeremiah Stark
Go on, go on, open it. Open it.
Brooksie
A music box. Of course it's playing. Let me call you sweetheart.
George Valentine
All right.
Jeremiah Stark
So what?
George Valentine
So you got a music box in the mail with a little corn painted onto it.
Jeremiah Stark
Mr. Valentine, people from all over send me things. Send me souvenirs, mementos of death, great friends.
George Valentine
You go.
Jeremiah Stark
I have no friends. People send me little items for my collection, my hobby.
Brooksie
But you said in your letter that someone must die. I don't understand what? This music box.
Jeremiah Stark
Now, please, please. Would anyone send such an item without giving their name? With no note, with only a crudely printed address? Well, now I crash and, Mr. Valentine, you have seen for yourself every other item.
George Valentine
I have.
Jeremiah Stark
There's a tag with a date. The historical date of each separate murder. Well, look here. Here is the puzzle. The bottom of the music box, underneath is a tag. You see it? A tag with a crudely printed date. Just a date, that is all. But the date is tomorrow. Here's the paper it was sent in.
George Valentine
A memento of murder to come.
Jeremiah Stark
Huh?
George Valentine
It's the same printing as the wrapper, all right, isn't it? No name, no indication.
Brooksie
The wrapper with postmarked Karen's in the city. George.
Jeremiah Stark
Mr. Valentine, there's only one possible clue I can suggest. A man. A man who betrayed more than the usual interest in this box.
George Valentine
What man? When?
Jeremiah Stark
About noon. He came in, I remember. Big, bulky, wearing a brown overcoat. And he happened to glance at his counter. The man looked at the music box. He examined it. Then he noticed the date and. Mr. Valentine, that man left this store as though he had seen a ghost.
George Valentine
Why didn't you stop him? I tried to.
Jeremiah Stark
I was busy with another customer. He was a tall man, graying, a bit sad looking man, sensitive.
Brooksie
Had you ever seen him before?
Jeremiah Stark
Yes, just two days ago in Joe Murphy's barbershop down the street. Murphy might know his name, though, of course I don't. You know, Mr. Valentine, I had the peculiar impression of this happening before. When I read the poem on the music box, it struck me as funny.
George Valentine
But I don't know why.
Jeremiah Stark
Is the clue. That's all I remember.
George Valentine
Well, Brooksie, so far it strikes me as crazy. But take it easy, Mr. Stark. That doesn't mean I won't go chasing after your one clue. Crazy or not, I don't want any murders to happen tomorrow. Mr. Ellmington, that's his name. Always wears brown overcoats. The best material. Been coming in here for haircuts the past 10 years. Yes, it's Mr. Elmington. That's the man Stark means. Hey, hurry up. Where did you all. The old lady will chew my ears off. I'll be with you in just a minute, sir. Yes, Mr. Valentine. That's the man Stark referred to. Helmington, huh? Not the usual type in this part of town. He made his wad and moved out. Still faithful to the old barber, that's all.
Brooksie
What else do you know about him, Mr. Murphy? Where could we find him?
George Valentine
Telephone book, probably. We don't talk much. Why? Well, look, Joe, we're not trying. We're just trying. Made his money manufacturing barrel hoops, if that'll help you any.
Brooksie
Long way from music boxes, isn't it?
George Valentine
Yeah, okay. Thanks a lot, Joe. We can find. Just a minute, Mr. Valentine. Joe, for Gosh. Be right back. Did you say music box? Yeah. A particular music box plays Let Me Call youl Sweetheart has a poem on top. Yes, of course it does.
Brooksie
You mean you saw it down there in Mr. Stark's curio shop too?
George Valentine
No, but I know it. Music box belongs to Ms. Castor. What? Who's Ms. Castor? My manicurist, Mr. Valentine. Emily Castor. Very beautiful young girl. A real lady, huh?
Brooksie
And George, how did it get to, you know, matter?
George Valentine
I thought you were in here for something serious. Yes. Yes. And that's when Jeremiah Stark noticed Mr. Elmington in my shop here a couple of days ago. A music box? Sure. All right. Clear this up, will you, buster? What's the gag? Well, you saw it, didn't you? That's when Ms. Castor got it. A couple of days ago. Delivery boy brought it to her here. She'd no idea who sent it. But I remember she was manicuring Elmington's nails at the time. Sallow faced man was waiting. Helped her open the package. Got a big kick out of it. Jeremiah Stark. He was under the towel, half asleep.
Brooksie
George, Mr. Stark said he had the impression of it's happening before there being something funny about the poem. And if he was half asleep.
George Valentine
Course it's funny. Don't you think so? You'd have Dusted my heart with your dainty smile. Made sweep my soul with your own sweet glance. Ms. Castor. She nearly died of laughing. They all did. Oh, my sweet soul, she said. What corn? She said. On whose foot? I said. That killed them. I got the biggest laugh of all.
Brooksie
What's the matter?
George Valentine
What's serious about it, Joe? I really don't know. Just a thing. Somebody sent her for a gag.
Jeremiah Stark
On whose foot?
George Valentine
I said. Sure, I got the biggest laugh of all. But how did the music box get back into the mail and over to Stark's place? What did she do with it, huh? I figured she just threw it in the first cornfield. Well, where is she? Where is Emily Caster? Now? There you got me. Just out having fun, I figured.
Brooksie
What do you mean?
George Valentine
Well, she hasn't been to work all day. You don't think there's anything wrong, do you? Here we are, angel. Second door is Emily's.
Brooksie
Here's the landlady's key.
George Valentine
George.
Brooksie
Oh, George.
George Valentine
Yeah. Dead all right.
Brooksie
Stand it must be he. Brown overcoat, tall grain.
George Valentine
Sure, it's Mr. Elmington's body, all right. John H. Elmington. Wealthy, honest, no enemies. Manufactured barrel hoops. That's for us to jump through, of course. Just the facts, Lieutenant. Facts? What facts? We've been at it three hours and what have we got? Hurry up the pictures, will ya, boy?
Brooksie
But you said he was married.
George Valentine
And not too happily. Which does begin to explain his being killed in the room of a manicurist. I don't know how long this had been going on.
Brooksie
How long would have been going on? Oh, if that isn't just like a man adding two and two to get five.
George Valentine
Okay, okay, Mrs. Vaughn. When?
Brooksie
I told you already, she only seen him on Monday and he took her to the races, Mr. Lieutenant. So there. That much I do know. And now if you think anything goes on at the races but horses, then you're sadly mistaken.
George Valentine
Oh, now look here. We're really not drawing any conclusions or pointing any fingers either. But as her landlady, you'd know Emily is a girl who likes to have a good time, isn't she?
Brooksie
If an unhappy man with some money like this Mr. Elmin wants to take her to the races sometimes. Do you think she's crazy?
George Valentine
Maybe. I don't know who's a regular boyfriend?
Brooksie
That's what I mean. She doesn't have many. Only been in town three or four months. Nobody's steady. She isn't the type.
George Valentine
All right, all right. But who?
Brooksie
Well, there's one man a Little older, sort of near sighted. Then there's a boy called the Duke.
George Valentine
Oh, he's a real live wire.
Brooksie
He says the funniest things, but that's all there is except the occasionals. And I tell you, any girl is crazy if she don't go to the races.
George Valentine
Knife. Taking the knife.
Jeremiah Stark
Okay if we move the body off the rug?
George Valentine
Yeah, sure, Doc, go ahead.
Jeremiah Stark
Overcoat twisted under him.
George Valentine
Thought maybe. Yeah. Something in his pocket. Look out. It'll drop.
Brooksie
George. Yeah.
George Valentine
Music box, tune, poem on top.
Brooksie
George, it's the same box.
George Valentine
Is it? Angel? Things are finally beginning to make sense. What's the time, Johnson? Huh? Five minutes to midnight. Why? Because there's a tag on this box and it's dated today. And there's been a murder today.
Brooksie
But George.
George Valentine
I know, Angel. The other tag on Stark's box was tomorrow. Well, in a few minutes it'll be tomorrow. Come on.
Jeremiah Stark
Oh, my head. He struck me the head.
George Valentine
All right now, take it easy, Mr. Stark. Yeah, this is it. Valentine. An old vase must have been smacked down on him from behind. George. Angel.
Brooksie
George. The first music box is still back there on the counter. And the tag is just the same as it was too. Dated tomorrow.
George Valentine
You mean now? It's today, Angel. It's 10 minutes after 12, Doc. Must have been attacked just after midnight. Just a second before we got here. Oh, it's a great case, Johnson. The old fashioned style. Yeah, and the grand tradition. We're up against a killer who keeps his promises. I wonder how many more music boxes he sent around town. We'll return to tonight's adventure of George Valentine in just a moment. When was the last time your car's battery had a drink? One of the biggest reasons automobile batteries fail is. Is simply because of lack of water. That's why it's important to get regular battery check where they specialize in protective service at standard stations and independent Chevron gas stations. They'll make certain that water in the battery is kept at the right level. They'll inspect the battery cables for signs of wear or corrosion. Take a hydrometer reading. Make sure terminal posts and clamps are clean and tight. Remember, a battery kept in a one condition helps your car start faster, helps keeps lights bright, helps the radio and heater to do their best. So why not ask for a battery check tomorrow? It's another protective service available at independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations where they say and mean we take better care of your car. And now back to tonight's adventure of George Valentine. A little old fashioned music box but the only trouble is there seems to be more than one. And so far there's been more than one attempt at murder. Mr. Elmington is dead. The man who started this case, the man whose hobby is collecting mementos of death, has very nearly collected death himself.
Jeremiah Stark
Just sitting here making out some bills. That's all I was doing.
George Valentine
Sure, sure, like a sitting duck. And the vase you were hit with, Mr. Stark, was grabbed right off the counter there behind you. If we hadn't come in here so fast after midnight, you'd have been a dead duck.
Jeremiah Stark
It was the desk, I think. The roll top.
George Valentine
What's that, Mr. Stark?
Jeremiah Stark
The top of the desk here took part of the blow too. You see, that's what saved me. I was leaning over. I'm near sighted. Be thankful for your infirmities.
George Valentine
Well, you're all right now. Yeah, but your head must be soft to start with. Sitting here alone at night when you'd already received a music box.
Jeremiah Stark
But it was for my collection. It had nothing to do with me.
Brooksie
You thought it didn't have anything to do with you.
Jeremiah Stark
Well, how could it? Why would anyone want to kill me? I have no enemies, no debts, no money to steal.
George Valentine
Don't ask us to make any sense out of it, Mr. Stark. You're the one who likes mysteries and riddles.
Jeremiah Stark
Well, I grant you, but I prefer the type that are already solved.
George Valentine
Oh, sure, sure, the old style. All neatly laid away in a glass case with clues and motives.
Jeremiah Stark
But this is like some of those cases, the terrifying type, without rhyme or reason. Now it must have been the same man who attacked us both Mr. Elmington and me. Yet we have absolutely nothing in common. We've never even been introduced.
George Valentine
You don't have to rub it in. We know we're up against a lunatic. Who else? It's in music boxes with dates on it. Wait a minute, Johnson. Wait a minute. Maybe it makes both rhyme and reason. At least there's a poor minute. And at least we know now why Elmington acted so funny when he was in the store here today.
Brooksie
Yes, he must have already received his music box. And when he saw the one here with a different date, sure, Brooksy, he.
George Valentine
Tore out of here and up to the girl's place to ask questions. Maybe only he got killed for his trouble. You say your near sighted, eh, Mr. Stark?
Jeremiah Stark
Well, yes. I need correction in both eyes, but the left one.
George Valentine
She doesn't have any steady boyfriends, but there's one called Duke and one man, a little older, sort of nearsighted.
Brooksie
George.
George Valentine
Hey, I beg your pardon? Miss Emily Castor. There's something you had in common with Mr. Elmington, isn't it? An interest in the same girl. The manicurist. Well, come on. You are the one the landlady was referring to.
Jeremiah Stark
No, Mr. Valentine, I. I mean, yes, in a way, but you wouldn't exactly call it an interest. I've only escorted her out a few times.
George Valentine
Yeah, yeah, it's a pattern all right. Duke, come on. Who's he?
Jeremiah Stark
Duke?
George Valentine
Yes, Duke. He's the other one, isn't he? The other boyfriend.
Jeremiah Stark
Oh, really? I don't believe I've ever heard his name.
George Valentine
Well, come on. Think, will ya? Landlady wasn't any help. What's he look like? What's the rest of his name? Forget it, Lieutenant. There isn't time. Isn't time? The girl's good looking. There's liable to be hundreds of boyfriends. Johnson. I'll buy we're up against the crackpot. Sure, fine. Do find everybody. But it's the music boxes we're after. So get every comp in town after Emily Castor.
Brooksie
Sure.
George Valentine
Find the girl and quick. She's the one we know. Got a music box first. Now, you want to make any bets? She's dead. Valentine, do you happen to know, did Emily Castor have her manicure stuff yesterday? What's that, Johnson? A pair of manicure scissors. Her initials, E.K. where'd you find them? They just turned up in the police department's own lost and found. Oh, excuse me. Hey, wait a minute, Joe. Where are you going so fast? Mr. Valentine. Ms. Brooks. Good evening. Well, you see, I was. Come on, Joe. When did your manicurist lose her scissors?
Jeremiah Stark
What?
Brooksie
Her manicure scissors. You know, they had her initials on them.
George Valentine
Yes, I understood. But why? I don't remember her losing them. So it is a lead, angel. She didn't lose them until yesterday. The day she disappeared.
Brooksie
Mr. Murphy, did you ever see one of her boyfriends named Duke?
George Valentine
The police have already asked me. I've never pried into her personal life. Never dated her. Yourself? My own employee? I wouldn't presume to.
Brooksie
Why?
Jeremiah Stark
Why do you ask?
George Valentine
Why do we ask anything? For instance, what are you doing out so late leaving your quarters here in such a hurry? Well, I was just. Just coming to see you, Mr. Valentine. Yeah? I found this left at my door tonight. See? A music box. All right, Valentine. All right. So everybody's getting one. Maybe you'll get a music box yourself. How many music boxes are there? And we're not protecting the girl, are we, Johnson? And where's Duke? We haven't even found him yet. Forget it. There isn't time. Listen, if you just check the place the boxes were made or sold. If we only knew how many there may be in town. There isn't time. It was your idea. Get in the car. Find the girl, you said. Well, don't get your hopes up, but we found the newsboy who turned in the manicure scissors till lost and found. He found them in the lobby of an apartment building. Well, this is the last chance. Top floor. Any building that hasn't got an elevator ought to have the rent reduced. Probably did 50 years ago. What a joint. Nobody knows anybody. No janitor. Place hasn't even been swept out since McKinley's election. If Emily dropped the scissors here, maybe she was someplace in the building. Hold it. There's only one door. One apartment. Yeah, yeah, one door. With cloth stuffed in the keyhole, huh? On the outside. Cloth stuck in the crack under the door, too. Put out that cigarette. But here goes. And you're wasting your time. Come on, hit this. A man. The body of a man. Every time we go looking for that dame, what do we find? A dame. Oh, no. Just men. The bodies of men. As if that ain't tough enough. Listen. Just listen to it, will you? This guy didn't die from gas, Johnson. He was shot. Shot? A long time ago. He's been dead for hours. Yeah, and he's a young guy, wears flashy suspenders. A real fancy tie, huh? What are you talking about, Johnson? We have now found the Duke. Lieutenant, come here, huh? And Joe, Mr. Stark. You both stick around. Look at this, Lieutenant. More cloth stuffed around the street window and the windows. Nails shut. All right, so the murderer planned to turn the gas on this guy Duke and shot him instead. That's a radiator, friend. This place has steam heat. No gas. Oh, yeah, and this overturned chair. And a bunch of neckties standing by. Some of them still knotted, torn. See? Look here. Lipstick on one of them.
Narrator
Hey, yeah.
George Valentine
Someplace around here. Wait a second. Top floor, isn't it? I looked in the closet once, but maybe. Yeah, yeah, here we are. It's been banged into place. Valentine, hand me that chair. No, no, the one right here. Sure, it's the one she used, and it kicked over. Escape door to the roof, Johnson. It's in all these old buildings. Hey, hey, look here in their edge. Blood on these splinters, Brett. Sure, of course. She just got out of here a few minutes ago. Never mind. Never mind. Stark. Race. My leg, Johnson. This trapdoor, is he There we are. Yep. Okay. Come on. Y. Boy, it's windy up here. Yeah. Okay. Swing your flashlight. Hey, beyond that stack over there by the edge. Oh, yeah. There she is. Turn it off. Turn that light off.
Brooksie
Don't touch me.
George Valentine
I'll go.
Brooksie
I'll tell.
George Valentine
It's her, all right. Mr. Valentine. It's my manicurist, Ms. Castor. Only, what in the world is she. Yeah, I know. Joe. Turn the flashlight on your badge, Johnson. Huh? But. Come on. No, no. Stand still. The flashlight on badge. She knows me, Mr. Valentine. Knows my voice. Ms. Castor. No, no, Joe, stand still. You too. Oh, but that girl. That girl over there, so scared, she's out of her mind. Stand still, Joe. Yeah, she must have finally clawed away out here when she heard us coming upstairs to Duke's apartment. Must have thought we were somebody else. The same guy who left her there with Duke's body. Left her tied up in that chair with those neckties. She's not moving. Maybe. No. No, she's frozen. There, you idiot. Better keep watching us. Maybe it'll finally sink in. We're all right. And if we're lucky, there won't be any more deaths. Any more music boxes? What do you mean? I mean, Duke has a sallow face, doesn't he? Pale. Well, yes, I've noticed, as I've shaved him. So he's the last one. Everybody's accounted for? Elmington. Elmington was getting a manicure. The sallow faced Duke. He was waiting. And Jeremiah Stark, he was under the towel, half asleep. Well, I know, but Everybody who is in your barbershop, Joe, the day the first music box came to Emily tonight, the police were at your place. And you never told them about the music box you said you received. Why not, Mr. Valentine? Because that one was Emily's, wasn't it? The first music box, the one that started it all. Started you killing people. That's why the boys in the barbershop, the boys with more nerve. Who took her out? She. She was a lady. I didn't do those things, Mr. Valentine. I love her. And she probably never even suspected how you felt until you sent her up here with her scissors and stuff to give Duke a mannequin. Not sure who else would she take orders from but her boss. Then you followed along and locked her in until you could finish the other boy. Oh, that's. What was the big plan? Were you gonna come back here and jump off the building together with her big romantic deaths? Only we move too fast for Mr. Valentine. I'm here, aren't I. I'm here on the roof. Sure, you're here, buster. I'm here. And you're not touching me. And if you grab, I can run. If she see me coming. Nobody's gonna hurt anybody, Joe. Stand still, lieutenant. You won't stop me. Not before Emily and I go. Oh, Joe, I like you. I wouldn't like Joe Johnson. Let him go. It'll be a big romantic death and people will laugh their heads off. What? Oh, what a sucker, they'll say. What a jerk. It'll be in the newspapers and everyone Joe, you killed. Stop that. The poem. The poem. I can see it on the front page. Silly little flowers all around it. You have dusted my heart with your dainty smile Made sweet my soul. Oh, my sweet soul. They'll say that. That Joe Murphy's a car. I laughed, didn't I? I laughed at the poem too. Sure, because you had to. Because you said it. Corn on whose foot, you said. And it killed them. You got the biggest laugh of all. And no wonder. A guy like you dreaming about a blonde manicure. Stop laughing. Just a gal. But what a laugh you'll get this time. Hey, I got him. Good work, Valentine. Getting him sore enough to rush us. The girl, can you see her? She okay? Yeah. She saw what happened. She's crawling from the edge by. That poor kid. She's been near this same abyss for months and never knew it.
Brooksie
George, I wish I'd had a chance to meet Emily Cass.
George Valentine
Oh, she's not your type, Brooksie. Besides, she'll need a week or two in the hospital to get over that.
Brooksie
Scare the poor thing. Haven't you ever suspected how Joe felt about her?
George Valentine
No. No, just her boss, that's all. Quiet, polite, didn't talk much. Only the longer she was there, the higher he put her on a pedestal, the crazier his dream got.
Brooksie
Until he finally got up courage and said, of the music box.
George Valentine
Yep, and then she laughed and the boys laughed and the dream blew up.
Brooksie
Just because of that. All those murders.
George Valentine
No point trying to explain a guy like Joe Brooks. But he happens sometimes. Too much loneliness. Too much under his lip.
Brooksie
Makes you wonder, doesn't it? But she shouldn't have laughed. Well, she shouldn't have. I know some girls like to go out a lot and have a good time and be happy and everything, but. Well, she shouldn't have laughed. I mean, who was she? You have dusted my heart with your dainty smile. Made sweet my soul with your own sweet prayer. Now, what's funny about it? What if it is sentimental. Why should people be so self conscious nowadays about sentimental things?
George Valentine
Well, don't look at me that way. I'm not left.
Brooksie
I'll say you're not.
George Valentine
The old style, huh? Play that again. It may be very cold or rainy where you are, but you may be sure your car doesn't mind what the weather's doing so long as you use premium quality Chevron supreme gasoline. Based on year round weather records, it's blended for each season and for the West's different altitude and temperature zones. So to get the best out of your car all winter and wherever you drive, go on Chevron supreme gasoline with the first tank full. You'll notice right away how much better your car performs. Faster starting on cold mornings, smoother pickup in traffic, powerful ping free performance on hills. You can't buy a better gasoline for today's high compression engines. Try Chevron supreme tomorrow. Get it at independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations where they say and mean we take better care of your car. Tonight's adventure of George Valentine has been brought to you by Standard Oil Co. Of California on behalf of independent, independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West. Robert Daly is starred as George. Let George do it is written by David Victor and Jackson Gillis and directed by Don Clark. Virginia Gregg appeared as Brooksie. Ken Christie was heard as Lieutenant Johnson, Ed Begley as Joe, Bob Griffin as Stark and Frank Hale as the landlady. The music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunstetter. Your announcer John Hester. Listen again next week, same time, same station to Let George Do It. This is the Mutual Don lee Broadcasting System.
Lieutenant Johnson
KMA 907. Sacramento Police.
Brooksie
Unit 99, are you in the clear?
Narrator
Unit 99 to KMA 907, unit 99. Sergeant Meredith 909 in service on the air. This is Sergeant Dan Meredith of unit 99, unit 99 at Headquarters Police Department, City of Sacramento, California. My detail is to ride in unit 99 our tape recorder equipped radio car and to respond whenever the dispatcher transmits a signal to one of our other units on duty somewhere in the city at the scene. We make the recordings which we provide for this program. Now to tell you More about Unit 99, here is our chief, James V. Hicks, Sacramento Police. The job of a police officer is your protection. The cases you hear on this radio program are real cases. The police are real, the victims and the criminals are real. We are glad to provide Unit 99 and Sergeant Meredith so that you will hear how the police of a great city work night and Day for your protection. Make no mistake about it, there are no actors on these tapes. They are real from beginning to end. Now to unit 99. Sergeant Dan Meredith on duty.
Lieutenant Johnson
Unit 4, 910 at 2611 28th Street.
Narrator
4A, 9 10A Prowler. Call unit 4. Got it. Let's cover in with him. That's up near the O. Park district for the units here. Let's get out. Let's go around the back. The unit must be around the back. There's somebody there. No man. Marty, See anything? Huh? Who's this lady? Here's sister used to own this house and she sold it. She wants to. She was sleeping here in the backyard. What do you sleep back here for?
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, I just don't like down on down in the little hotels down in there, sir. Because at time you go down through there, some of those old men is hollering, go to bed. And they think I'm, you know. And I just prefer hiding out up around here where she used to live, see?
Narrator
Is this house occupied now? No, it's empty now. I should think you ought to get some other place besides the back.
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, I tell you what. Now, aren't you married? Well, I have been. But, you see, my husband and I separate and I just feel like I'm just. I don't know. And I just got over with a traffic ticket I got 1952 C. And while I was trying to settle that. You don't have to show us 12th Avenue, see? Well, I just want to show you to be true. That's why I'm here. And, well, I got a notice. I had to move, see? So for two or three nights I stayed down there in some of those old hotels. And I don't. Roaches and bugs and me and my folk don't get along at all. I've done for them and general finance, see? I was two notes behind in my car after having all that traffic trouble. And you can call Jill and finance, he went and he asked me, well, won't you see? Well, she owed me $90 for keeping her kids back here in January, and she didn't pay me. Well, rather than to get back in trouble and fuss and fight with them. I'd just rather stay here until I can get me a house, see? I'm trying to. Look, I have this man here now.
Narrator
Well, this isn't the proper place for you to be.
Lieutenant Johnson
I know that, but I just thought probably, you know, she was on it. She used to own it.
Narrator
And she does know it now, though.
Lieutenant Johnson
No, she doesn't She's. She's bought over here on. On fourth Avenue. And I just don't want to bother my people, period. And I didn't.
Narrator
Well, you can't come around sleeping backyards where people complain about you.
Lieutenant Johnson
Oh, I wasn't going to disturb nobody.
Narrator
Well, evidently you have. We got a call on it here.
Lieutenant Johnson
Yeah, when I walked down. Down the sidewalk there.
Narrator
When you're in the backyard here. Well, where Nobody know who you were around here. Oh, well, they evidently knew that you didn't have any business here. Yeah, she's sleeping a pile of bricks.
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, sir, I'd rather sleep there and be comfy Bob at all.
Narrator
You weren't very comfortable there.
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, I was trying to get comfortable.
Narrator
Do you have any place to go now?
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, no more one down there on third or fourth or either. And I just hate to bother my neighbors because I'm always.
Narrator
Well, you're bothering the neighbors here. If you have a place uptown, my suggestion or our suggestions are for you to go up there, not to stay here.
Lieutenant Johnson
Up there?
Narrator
Them old hotels, well, you can find places where they don't have roaches and bugs.
Lieutenant Johnson
And my people, we can't get along. We just. We said, I'd rather not be fighting.
Narrator
Let's get out of here. Because. Because these people next door might be trying to sleep. Your Tour with Unit 99 tonight will offer something of a cross section of the activities of a police cruiser, a neighborhood disturbance, a prowler and an auto accident. In this case, the little old lady who didn't like hotels was persuaded to find accommodation somewhere other than in the backyard she had selected.
Lieutenant Johnson
Unit 8. Unit 8. A Fort 15F at 51st and 15th Avenue. Code 2. Check 8.
Narrator
Came in on a 7 disturbance family. 5100 block on 15th Avenue. It's right off of Stockton Boulevard. We're not too far away. Let's take it in.
Brooksie
There's a big fight over here.
Lieutenant Johnson
There's a lot of trouble.
Narrator
Where is it? How are you back here? Just hurry up. Where is it right now? Right here. Right through there. Manuel, please. All right, knock it off over there.
George Valentine
I lay off. Get back. Leave me alone.
Narrator
What are you doing here?
Lieutenant Johnson
Yeah, I got a restraining order.
Narrator
What's the matter with you? You know. You see him come out of the house.
Lieutenant Johnson
What they done to me.
Narrator
How she beat me and hit me and everything.
Lieutenant Johnson
Crying. Look what he did.
Narrator
Come over. Look at my son.
Lieutenant Johnson
Look. He knows.
George Valentine
Not ex. We're still married, sir.
Narrator
I come home. That's it. We're still married.
George Valentine
This is My wife.
Narrator
Oh, that's his car right there. Keep your voice down.
Lieutenant Johnson
Crying out loud, screaming and everything else.
Narrator
How long have you two been separated?
Lieutenant Johnson
For about a month now. I just had to move away from him. I got a restraining order against him.
Narrator
There is a restraining order. He says I come see my boy to be coming around while I was over here. 10 o'.
Lieutenant Johnson
Clock. Just a minute. Listen.
George Valentine
Just a minute.
Lieutenant Johnson
He knows where our boy is and he tried to tell me at the door. He's hurt.
Brooksie
He's hurt. I want you. He's hurt.
Narrator
You've aroused the. You've aroused the whole neighborhood. It's 1:30 in the morning. Two blocks down the street.
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, sure.
Narrator
Who was that? I was asleep. Across reach.
George Valentine
Sergeant.
Lieutenant Johnson
There.
Brooksie
Store your clothes?
Narrator
Yes.
Brooksie
You came over looking for.
Narrator
Let's talk. This other fell over here. Manuel, what's this about here? I'm trying to. Just a second, will you, please? Yeah, he's a little winded right now. Okay, go ahead with it. You tell us your story now, just what's your side of it? Well, just. Just start talking. You'll be all right. Now, you said that they're trying to get divorced from him. She has a restraining order on him. I. Measures and the race salesman. I met her. So you came over here tonight? I met her tonight. We went out, had a couple drinks, went down to the barbecue, had dinner. I brought her home and was sitting there and you coming up on the door. I decided to go out and get in the car, come around the back door. That's when it started. Anyway, I got a hold of him. I got up against the fence like you seen me.
George Valentine
Yeah.
Narrator
I tried to hold him there, so I told her to call the police. Now, as far as the altercation goes, was he fighting with you or with her? With me. With you. Was she involved in it? Did she become involved? She come out hollering. He grabbed a hold of her. Did he strike her at any time? I really couldn't tell him. This couple. Did he strike you? I don't know. Turn the flashlight on that. You're not marked up too much. I noticed she was marked up a little bit. Yeah, she had. I think she did hit her. So when, you know, I'm dry, I can't even talk. How long have you known her for? A couple, three months, I guess. Yes. All this happened outside? Yeah, backyard. I noticed a lot of people here from the neighborhood who are yelling, help. Police were beaten up on them. What's that? He kept yelling, help. Police were beaten up on them. Two of them are beaten up on you, and the lady were beating up on him.
Lieutenant Johnson
Here's my restraining order.
Narrator
What's this?
Lieutenant Johnson
That's my restraining order.
Narrator
Restraining order? You want to check this? Lopez and Les Clark. All right.
Lieutenant Johnson
All that man's done is give me trouble since he's been here.
Brooksie
In fact, he just got out on.
Lieutenant Johnson
Bail today from another beaten up.
Narrator
You better take care of your mouth. It looks like it's pretty well cut up a little bit. What's that? I said her boyfriend shouldn't hit her like that. Why should. Why should he hit her?
George Valentine
But he swinging at me.
Narrator
That's the reason. She got in the way and he hit her. Do you wish this man arrested?
Lieutenant Johnson
He's deep into it now. I don't know if he's ever going to get out or not.
Narrator
Well, this is your promise. It's not his problem. He's already done his part. Now, whether you want him arrested or not is up to you. Well, do you want him to continue coming over here and beating you up?
Lieutenant Johnson
No, sir. No, sir.
Narrator
Was he the one that struck you tonight?
Lieutenant Johnson
Sure, he struck me tonight.
Narrator
You sure it wasn't the other fellow?
Lieutenant Johnson
No, sir. No, sir. That was him right there.
Narrator
This fellow here?
Lieutenant Johnson
No, sir. It's my husband.
Narrator
Have you been drinking tonight, ma'?
George Valentine
Am?
Lieutenant Johnson
I had a cup of high mouse, yeah.
Narrator
How long have you known this fellow?
Lieutenant Johnson
About five months.
Narrator
Mm. How long have you and your husband been separated?
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, officially, in about a month.
Narrator
And has your husband been continuing to molest you during all that time?
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, yes. That's why I've had to get the restraining order.
Narrator
I see. I see. And since this restraining order was issued, how many times has he molested you?
Lieutenant Johnson
Oh, Judas. He was around the apartment. He broke in over there where I lived. I had to move out, in fact, on account of him. He wasn't even supposed to know where I lived.
Narrator
How many times can you approximate it?
Lieutenant Johnson
Well, I had the police out four times over one weekend, as I recall.
Narrator
Now, I was there myself one time. I remember the incident now. Well, I think that you've been at fault, ma', am, in not having this thing enforced. You. You have the. The right to go to the city. City prosecuting attorney and have a. And have this man arrested, Get a warrant for him.
Lieutenant Johnson
That's what I've got to do.
Narrator
That's what I told you that last time we talked.
George Valentine
You remember?
Lieutenant Johnson
Yes, I did.
Narrator
Now, you see, you've let this thing go to the point where he feels that you're not going to do Anything about it. He's molested you time after time, and he knows that there is a restraining order.
Lieutenant Johnson
Yeah.
Narrator
And you've done nothing about it. So I think that probably now is the time for you to definitely do.
Lieutenant Johnson
Something, because he just won't leave me alone.
Narrator
What do you want the police to do tonight?
Lieutenant Johnson
Take him and lock him up. I can ride him here.
Narrator
Do you want us to arrest him? We'll have to take you along to sign the. Sign a waiver on it.
Lieutenant Johnson
Are you hurt?
Narrator
Procedure, generally, and when placing someone under arrest in a case where we don't observe the violation is that the arresting citizen, which would in this case would be. You will have to sign a waiver so that we can place him under arrest. Then we're acting merely as transportation for him.
George Valentine
And.
Narrator
And you are responsible for the arrest. Do you understand that?
Lieutenant Johnson
Yes.
Narrator
Because the violation of the. The criminal act was committed in your presence and it's a misdemeanor. So I guess under the circumstances, we can take him down and lock him up now. He could bail out, you know. In half an hour's time, he can bail out again.
Lieutenant Johnson
I don't know how many more bails he can put up. He's on tour. He's got two or three up against him now.
Narrator
How many charges has he lodged against him at this time? Do you know? And for what? Was it all for the same thing?
Lieutenant Johnson
No, it's for other people. He's been beating up all kinds of people.
Narrator
This man was jailed on a citizen's arrest by his wife. The case, however, follows a pattern very familiar to the police. The husband interfering in the life of a wife from whom he has separated. We encounter it frequently and have no explanation for it.
Lieutenant Johnson
901A at 4. Front and J. John, code 3. Check 56. Came in on 70.
Narrator
A traffic accident with an injury. Front and J. We're just a block away. Let's check it out. Well, here it is now. We're right on it. The southwest corner of the intersection, there's a station wagon. Jump 56, knock down the street signal and also into the hydrant. Let's get on out. Somebody's hurt. Man on the inside here. Oh.
Lieutenant Johnson
Get him, please.
George Valentine
That's all right.
Jeremiah Stark
He's all right.
Narrator
There's a deep laceration before. It's lying right there, boy. Ambulance is on its way right now. Are you part of this family here?
Brooksie
I was just driving.
Narrator
You were driving? Is this your husband?
Lieutenant Johnson
No.
Narrator
Friend of yours? Why don't you sit in our car over there?
George Valentine
There.
Narrator
You'Re all right. Are you? Are you all right? Stay right there now.
Lieutenant Johnson
Please help him.
Narrator
We'll. We'll do the best we can. Now you just don't worry about it.
Brooksie
What if you die?
Narrator
He won't. That's all right. He's all right. Where were you?
George Valentine
Coming down this way.
Brooksie
And I wanted to turn and he.
Lieutenant Johnson
Didn'T tell me to turn.
Brooksie
And I was just learning how to get out.
Narrator
You got bandages there, Chitoyan? Yes. We got. Better cover him up there. Very deep laceration of the forehead. Bleeding profusely. Well, you just had a little bump on the head, boy. You just cut your hand a little bit. You're all right. Officers Clark and Chaturian are getting out bandages, preparing to bandage the forehead and stop the blood as best he can. They put that one on first, and I'll go right around it too. Henry. That a boy. Handed right across the forehead. All right. What's that? Don't you know what happened, partner? He just had a little accident here is all. You just relax now. Is that too tight on your head now? Can you feel that? No. No, I can't. Okay, you'll be all right now.
George Valentine
Don't worry about it.
Narrator
This one right here, Henry. Here's the ambulance. Look at how we hit that wall, Dan. Yeah, yeah. You better bring a stretcher, bird. He crashed into the concrete building here across the sidewalk. Completely demolished the front end of this station wagon. That's all right, boy. Don't worry about it. You just cut your head. Just cut your head.
George Valentine
You're okay.
Narrator
You just cut your head just a little. You just cut your head a little bit, so don't worry about it. What's that? I feel like I'm bleeding up here. No, you're just on the head on the forehead. You gotta cut. Just a small one. Okay? Okay. Wipe his. Where's that dripping off of his head, is it? Got a buddy nose, too? Yeah, he probably had a little, but it's all right. Get him in there. Yeah, better get him in there as soon as you can. Let the officers do it now. Just let them carry you. Atta boy. Placing the victim on the gurney. There's a blanket. You want to throw the blanket over him? Yeah. No, just lay still there. I think your head is injured. Just a little bleeding from the nose. The officers are attempting to allay fear here. The head injury is quite severe. The officers are talking now with the witness or the driver of the car. She's now getting out of the OUR unit and coming across to the ambulance here. Come on over here now. How is your leg? Is it better be careful of this box. He's going to be all right, so don't you worry. Where's your purse? You go with him. Are you going into the ambulance with him? The officers tell you where to sit. You're going to counting your emergency. Emergency. Okay, we'll follow you down. I guess I'll get rid of the car. Officers Clark and Chitoyan are going to clear up the intersection here. And the condition have the car towed in front end, as I say, is completely demolished and damaged. The brick building itself as well as a street sign and also the water hydrant. Let's go on in. Just turned at the wrong time?
Lieutenant Johnson
No, I didn't even start to turn.
Brooksie
I just kept right on going.
Lieutenant Johnson
And we were coming down the street and we were gonna go home, but he was. I was trying to learn how to drive and I didn't turn the corner right.
Narrator
Well, you haven't driven before?
Lieutenant Johnson
No.
Narrator
You don't have a driver's license?
Lieutenant Johnson
No.
Narrator
You were driving tonight. Now, can you tell me just what happened tonight at that.
Lieutenant Johnson
Yes, I was driving fine until I. And then we stopped by those trekkers, you know that place. And he didn't tell me to turn. I didn't know whether he wanted me to keep on going or turn that corner. And I asked him and I don't know, he just. He got panicky, I guess, and I didn't know. I just kept on going. I kept on going. I just put it harder on the.
George Valentine
Gas, I guess, instead of the brakes.
Narrator
Yes, you just have a seat there and the doctor will be in just a moment. Have you checked over now? Let's go into the other room. The doctor's working on the more seriously hurt person in the car. He has very deep laceration of the forehead. They're preparing sutures now for it. He's lost a great deal of blood. He seems to be unconscious at the time. Is he out? No, he's partly conscious. He talks a little bit now and then. Seems to be unconscious now. Well, he's lost quite a bit of blonde. Is he critical? He's. I wouldn't say he's critical from that point of view. Whether he has some deeper head injury or not remains to be seen. We stopped bleeding. His temporal artery was divided there and he must have bled quite a bit from that. He's not in shock right now or he's not in deep shock. Is he going out the county now? Yes, Victorian. You finished the investigation of this accident? Well, the woman was driving without a.
George Valentine
License, she will be cited for operating a motor vehicle without a license.
Narrator
And if the owner of the car had knowledge that she didn't have a license, he will be cited for permitting an unlicensed operator to operate his vehicle. An automobile in the hands of an inexperienced driver is a dangerous thing. And the man who let his girlfriend learn to drive in his car almost.
George Valentine
Paid with his life.
Narrator
He was seriously injured but recovered. Both were charged and fined for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code.
George Valentine
This is unit 99 in Sacramento, California. These on the scene tape recordings were provided by the Sacramento Police Department and were made on duty by Sergeant Dan Meredith in unit 99. Your host is Chief James B. Hicks of the Sacramento Police Department. Unit 99 was directed by Tony Kester and came to you from Sacramento.
Narrator
Unit 99 to KMA 907. Unit 99, 908 coming in.
George Valentine
End of tour.
Lieutenant Johnson
Check 99, KMA 908.
Podcast Summary: "Let George Do It and Unit 99"
Podcast Information:
The episode titled "Let George Do It and Unit 99" intertwines two gripping narratives: the classic detective work of George Valentine and the procedural insights from Sacramento's Unit 99 police team. Hosted by RelicRadio.com, this episode delves into intertwined mysteries and real-life police operations, providing listeners with a rich tapestry of crime-solving from different perspectives.
The episode opens with Jeremiah Stark reaching out to George Valentine for assistance with a baffling mystery. Stark, an antiquarian with a penchant for historical crimes, presents George with a peculiar case involving a series of murders linked by old-style mementos.
"Mr. Valentine, I've only this morning stumbled into a mystery so intriguing that I am at a complete loss to solve its riddle."
— Jeremiah Stark [02:12]
George, accompanied by Brooksie, visits Stark's curio shop, which houses artifacts related to past crimes. They examine items like the "bully knife" from the Sykes Jefferson killings and a broken wine goblet from Eric Stockworth's trial.
"There's a tag with a date. The historical date of each separate murder."
— Jeremiah Stark [05:02]
Stark reveals that he recently received a mysterious music box with a date inscribed as "tomorrow," suggesting an impending murder. This revelation propels George and Brooksie into immediate action to prevent the crime.
Their investigation leads them to Joe Murphy's barbershop, where they learn about a suspicious man, Mr. Elmington, who had visited Stark's shop days prior. Elmington's background as a successful barrel hoop manufacturer makes him an unlikely suspect, adding complexity to the case.
"Now, Mr. Valentine, that man left this store as though he had seen a ghost."
— Jeremiah Stark [05:43]
George and Brooksie deduce that Elmington may be the key to unraveling the mystery, especially after discovering his body, indicating that the killer is targeting individuals connected to the historical mementos.
As the investigation intensifies, another murder occurs. George and Brooksie deduce that the killer is sending out music boxes as grim reminders of upcoming crimes. The tension peaks when Stark is attacked and nearly killed by the same assailant. They realize that the murderer is meticulously orchestrating these killings based on dates inscribed on the music boxes.
"We're up against a killer who keeps his promises."
— George Valentine [12:36]
In a dramatic confrontation, the killer attempts to execute one final murder but is apprehended by Valentine and Brooksie just in time, preventing further loss of life.
The episode concludes with the apprehension of the deranged murderer, Joe Murphy, who reveals his twisted motivations tied to unrequited love for Emily Castor. His obsession led him to use the historical mementos as a macabre signature for his crimes.
"I love her. And she probably never even suspected how you felt until you sent her up here with her scissors and stuff to give Duke a mannequin."
— George Valentine [51:56]
This episode masterfully blends classic detective fiction with real-life police procedural elements, offering a multifaceted view of crime investigation. Themes of obsession, the impact of the past on the present, and the fine line between sanity and madness are intricately explored. The narrative underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by both private investigators and law enforcement officers.
"Let George Do It and Unit 99" serves as a captivating tribute to the golden age of radio crime dramas. By intertwining George Valentine's classic sleuthing with the authentic recordings from Sacramento's Unit 99, the episode offers a rich, immersive experience that honors traditional storytelling while incorporating modern procedural elements. Listeners are treated to a well-crafted narrative filled with suspense, intricate plotting, and memorable characters that bring the era's charm to life.
Production Credits: