
Murder Clinic begins this week's Case Closed with its story from September 22, 1942, The Scrap Of Lace. (28:02) We close the show with The Man From Homicide and his story, The Ice Pick Murder, from September 16, 1950. https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/CaseClosed953.mp3 Download CaseClosed953 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Case Closed
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Frank Knight
Welcome back to case closed. One hour of Old Time Radio Mystery every Wednesday at relicradio.com. our first story is from Murder Clinic. This week we'll hear the Scrap of lace from September 22, 1942. After that, it's the man from homicide and the Ice pick Murder. That story aired September 16, 1950. Murder Clinic. Stories of the world's great detectives. Men against murder. Each week at this time, WO Mutual turns the spotlight on one of the world's great detectives of fiction and invites you to listen to the story of his most exciting case. Tonight, Madame Rosika's story in the Scrap of late. Good evening, Madam Story. Your being at Murder Clinic is certainly a novelty.
Elizabeth Morgan
You're surprised to see a woman detected, Mr. Knight.
Frank Knight
That's right. And even more surprised to see a very beautiful detective. It's a queer business for a woman.
Elizabeth Morgan
Most people think so, Mr. Knight. But you see, being a woman gives me one great advantage. My adversaries usually underestimate me.
Frank Knight
Yes, I suppose they would. Now, what's the tale you're going to tell us, Madam Story?
Elizabeth Morgan
It's called the Scrap of Lace. I chose it because it seems to me so unusual a crime. A strange story of jealousy and death. Of course, you know the great family of Kruger, who ruled New York society for generations. When Mrs. Peter John Kruger III died, her mantle descended as a matter of course to Mrs. Peter John Kruger IV. This beautiful and charming young woman, Mimi by name, inherited not only her mother in law, scepter, but also Teresa de Guillon. Teresa de Guillon was the first and certainly the greatest of social secretaries. The story begins one summer morning at Caris woods, the enormous and rather monstrous Kruger estate in upper Westchester. Mimi and Teresa de Guillon were together in the breakfast room. Oh, Therese, must we go to that dull dinner at the Bransoms to night? I think I'll call it off. Mimi, you simply can't do that. The dinner's being given for you. I was most insistent that I be consulted about the other guests. After all, my dear, you have certain responsibilities. Your mother in law, Mrs. Kruger III. Yes, I know. She was a paragon of the social virtues. She didn't mind being bored to death. Oh, Mimi, you are so lax. What would you do without me? You worry too much, Theresa. You're living in the past. Your little assistant, Louise Mayfield, could possibly take over very well. Louise. Louise Mayfield. That's quite that child. My Dear Theresa, she's 21 and very competent. After all, you trained her. Yes, and I am very fond of Louise. She's like a daughter to me.
Frank Knight
A daughter?
Elizabeth Morgan
Take my place. Why, surely you're joking, my dear. Oh, yes. Yes, of course. You know, Mimi, I'm a bit worried about Louise. She's been acting very odd lately. This party she's going to tonight. I have no idea where it is or who her hostess is to be. Well, wherever it is, she'll have a better time than I will. You know, Teresa, I shouldn't be surprised if Louise has been acting strangely because she's trying to keep away from my handsome cousin, Jack Rawcliffe. She doesn't seem very grateful to you, Theresa, for arranging to marry him after Vera McPeek. Jack Rowcliffe and Vera McPeak are a splendid match. He has family position. Vera is young. She can be molded. She can be torn. Oh, certainly, yes. And her father has 100 millions. But I don't blame Jack for straying from the fold. Louise is very lovely. I found Vera a very trying guest. In fact, I find it all very trying. Oh, there's Louise. Louise, we're in the breakfast room. Come in here, my dear. Good morning, Mrs. Cougar. Mrs. Guillaume. Did you want me this morning? No, Louise, I did. Teresa insists we go to this dinner tonight. Jack and Vera are going with us. We'll be leaving around seven. Tell Jack won't you must die, Mrs. Kruger. Mrs. Krueger has asked you to deliver a message. Do so, my dear Jack. I came only to tell you about the dinner. Louise, please. Must we go through all this again? Why don't you leave me alone? Because I'm mad about you, Louise. Can't you understand? I'm in love with you. I want you to marry me. You marry and support a wife. Don't be silly, Jack. Does sound silly, doesn't it? But I'm changed, I tell you. You changed me. Louise. I love you. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. And what about Vera mcpeat? No, Jack. I'm afraid you've been bought, paid for and delivered. Vera won't let you go so easily. I'll tell her tonight that I'm through. Louise. I'll meet her at the dinner and tell her. And then I'll come back here to you. Come back if you like, Janet. Good. I'll be back in a box. But I won't be here. Where are you going, Louise? Why don't you tell me? It's another man. I know it's another man. Who is it? Who is it? Nonsense. Has gone far enough. What I do is my own business. Do you Understand that, Jack. No.
Frank Knight
It's my business.
Elizabeth Morgan
You're mine Louise, do you hear? You're mine. I'll have you or no one else will. Jack, let go my reason. Louise, tell me you're hurting me. Please, Louise, I want to know. Let me go. Well, Gad. Still making passes at the servants I see. Perhaps it's just as well you saw. Might as well have this out now. Shut up. I can handle this. It's pretty easy to see what Ms. Mayfield's little game is. She thinks she'll marry into the great Kruger clan. Well, let me tell you, Ms. Mayfield, Jack hasn't got a cent to his name and never will have. Vera, please. I understand perfectly, Ms. Mcpeed. I assure you I have no ambitions in Mr. Roker's direction. Quite the lady, aren't you Ms. Mayfield? Well, watch your step. Sure, I know what you all think of me. Vulgar, common. But let me tell you, we common Clay McPeeks from Pittsburgh know how to get what we want and we know how to keep it. Think that over, Ms. Mayfield. Think that over. Yes? Come in. Madame Kuga has sent me to help you dress for your engagement. Come in. How thoughtful of Mrs. Krueger to send you. Susanna, have they gone? Zikashi left long ago. They were not happy. Monsieur Jacques, you say nothing. And Mademoiselle, his fiance, the ugly one, she. Oh, you say? She's very angry. Even Madame, she want not to go. Well, let's not think of them. Suzanne. I'm happy and I'm going to have a wonderful time. Mademoiselle. Estreit Charmaine. Very lovely. It is a feast. You go to Nispas. It is for your young man that your eyes shine so. Maybe you're too smart, Suzanne. How do I look? Oh, ravish. Aunt said Misselle, he'll eat you up. You are so lovely, Suzanne. You are a darling. Yes?
Frank Knight
Yes.
Elizabeth Morgan
Who is it?
Frank Knight
A letter from Miss Mayfield.
Elizabeth Morgan
Oh, thanks. It is a letter for your bedwars. For me? It's a thick one, isn't it? Oh, how lovely. What an exquisite handkerchief. Why, who could have sent it to me? M. Kruger must have sent it. It is one of these six she bought in Paris. It is perfect, mademoiselle, for your costume. Oh, it's lovely. What a darling Mrs. Kruger is. She is most generous. Shall I put sussent the perfume Annette Mamzel? No, thank you. I'll do it myself. Suzanne. Oh, just put that bottle of Gardenia perfume on my dressing table. Please remind it. Now you can go Suzanne. I won't need you anymore. Mercy Mendel. Good night, Suzanne. And thank you. No, it's not lovely. One more. Suzanne. Susan, help. Suzanne. John. In all my years of experience, Mimi, I have never had to cope with anything so sordid. Teresa, how. How can you think of appearances with Louise? That beautiful child lying in there dead. But I must think of them. After all, Dr. Plummer refuses to sign a vet certificate. That old fafel with his hints of foul play. Maybe he's right, Vera. What do you mean, Jack? What do you know of Louise Mayfield's death?
Frank Knight
Well, I.
Elizabeth Morgan
Stop wrangling, you two. Dr. Plummer was kind enough to give us 36 hours. He's risking a brick deal going as far as that. Oh, why doesn't Madam Story get here? Are you sure you acted wisely in calling her a Mimi? Well, it was either she or the police. You said she had a reputation for discretion. Come in. Yes.
Frank Knight
Madame Rosita Story and Miss Bella Brickley.
Elizabeth Morgan
Thank heaven you're here, Madam Story. This is a terrible situation. Terrible. Oh, but let me introduce you. I am Teresa de guillon. This is Mrs. Peter John Kruger. II. How do you do, Ms. McPeak? Hello. Mr. Rowcliffe. How do you do? It was good of you to come so quickly, Madam Story. This unfortunate accident is likely to create a distressing scandal for Mrs. Kruger. Accident, Mr. Guillon? From what you told me over the phone, I gathered Louise Mayfield had been murdered.
Frank Knight
Nonsense.
Elizabeth Morgan
We don't know that, Madam Storey. Nobody does. We only know Louise is dead. Poor child. We found her when we returned last night from our dinner party. It is nonsense, Theresa, and you know it. Madame Story is perfectly right. It would be very foolish to ask her help and not give her all the facts. What facts, Mimi? Just because that old fossil of a Dr. Plummer won't give a death certificate. Yes, me. It's a nice little scheme to get you to hire this Dory woman and with whatever she can manage to get out of you, Sarah. That's an interesting idea, Miss McPeath. Though I must confess that so simple and clever a scheme would never have occurred to me. But surely Dr. Plummer offered some other reason for refusing a death certificate? Yes. He says, oh, it's impossible. But he says Louise was asphyxiating. No, fool. There isn't a gas outlet in the house. How helpful of you to know that, Mystic Peake. You won't mind, will you, if I check for myself? I don't mind what you do. What's the use of all this? We've nothing to tell all of us were at a dinner party 20 miles from here together. When we got home after 11, we found Louise. That is Ms. Mayfield. Dead. I see. Mr. Guillon, when you phoned me, you said something about some missing object. Suzanne, the maid insists a lace handkerchief came in the mail for Louise as she was dressing to leave when we found her. The handkerchief has disappeared. Very interesting. Suppose I start then by questioning this maid, Suzanne. Maybe she can tell me more about this missing handkerchief. Good morning, Bella. Good morning, Madam Story. Typing last night's notes, I see. Yes. Say, you look worried. What is it? Oh. How can one look out at that peaceful garden and realize that in this house there's someone carrying the mark of Cain on their stone? And you believe Louise Mayfield's death was not a natural one? That she was murdered? No doubt of it, fella. That girl was asphyxiated. Oh, how horrible. So young and so full of life. And it's our job to find out who killed it. Have you finished typing those notes you took at our interminable interviews last night? Not quite. I'm almost finished. Then I think I'll step out in the terrace. Maybe the fresh air will help me think. Something is bothering you. Yes. Bella, what happened to that lace handkerchief Louise Mayfield received in the mail? I'm sure that was the thing that killed her. I must find it. Do call me when you're through with those notes, please.
Frank Knight
Ah, Madam Story.
Elizabeth Morgan
You come out and shame the flowers and dim the sunlight. Do you always make such pretty speeches? Even so early in the morning, Mr. Rowcliffe. Ah, beautiful lady. You remember my name? Yours would be a difficult name to forget, Mr. Rowcliffe. Thanks to the Rotor review and the Picture Magazine. Oh, that. You know, I had no hope of ever meeting you. I can't aspire to your circle. Much too clever. It all depends. I should say that you were quite clever enough for your own purposes, Mr. Rowcliffe. I'm just a lightweight. I wonder. I see you're standing out under her window. That is Ms. Mayfield's room up there, isn't it? Yes, but that was her room. Ivy clad walls. Old English ivy. Sturdy and strong, too. I wonder why the vines are so torn and broken. Oh, are they? I. I hadn't noticed. You loved Louise Mayfield very much, didn't you? Yes. I loved her more than anything in life. And she. Why should she care for me? What am I? Nothing but a wastrel? She was in love with someone else. I know it. I could tell. But if I'd known who it was, I. Why didn't you tell me, Mr. Rowcliffe. You'd left your dinner party and came back here last night. How did you know that? I did. I didn't. You just told me. Thank you. There, you see? I. I told you. You're too clever for me. What time was it when you got here? I don't know. It was about 9:30, I think. See, you came around back here in the garden. You saw a light in her window, called her, got no answer. And you climbed that ivy up to her window, didn't you? Well, who saw me? Nobody, as far as I know. That broken ivy tells its own story, but not all of it. Tell me, what did you do when you got up there? I suppose you're thinking that I killed her. I wouldn't blame you if you did. I don't care much if you do. I've got nothing. Please. Please, Mr. Locke.
Frank Knight
I'm sorry.
Elizabeth Morgan
Well, I. I went in and found her lying there on the floor, dead like the coward I am.
Frank Knight
I got scared.
Elizabeth Morgan
How could I explain my being there? So I climbed down again the way I went up and drove back to Quaker Ridge. I suppose you don't believe me. Suppose I say I reserve judgment. Now, will you give me the handkerchief that you took from Louise Mayfield's hand? How did you know that? Obvious, I suppose, that you took it as a remembrance of her. Yes, I did. It was the last thing she had touched. Here it is, madam. Story. Madam. Story. Could you come into the office a moment? We'll continue this talk later. Mr. Rowcliffe, will you excuse me now, please? This letter was pushed under the door. Did you open it, Bella? No. I saw it was addressed to Louise Mayfield, so I called you. I see. Postmark Briarcliffe is a notation on the envelope in pencil. Not a very literate correspondent, Bella. If you want to buy any more info about this letter, we can make a deal. I'll drop around at 11. Well, you have long to wait. Now, let's read the letter. Darling, I can hardly wait till Tuesday night when I'll see you again. I'm moving heaven and earth to arrange things so we'll be together for always. All my love, dear. It's signed J. J? That must be Jack Rowcliffe. In the light of what we know of their relationship. Does it sound like Jack Rowcliffe? No. That's stupid of me. But the initial. It could be the J stands for John Peter. Peter. John Kruger. This must be our mysterious correspondent. Now. Come in.
Frank Knight
Well, ladies. There I am. Johnny, on the spot, like I says. Do we do business?
Elizabeth Morgan
You're the Kruger chauffeur, aren't you, Mr. Gargan's the name.
Frank Knight
Chauffeur and bodyguard.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'm sure you're efficient in both departments, Mr. Gargant. But why the bodyguard?
Frank Knight
Well, it's like this. Recruiters are important people, see? They're likely to be bothered by cranks and other undesirable citizens. Get it? They need protection. I'm the guy that can protect them.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes, I can see that, Gargan. But now, about this letter.
Frank Knight
Yeah, that's right. Well, do I sing or don't I?
Elizabeth Morgan
That depends on your song, Gargan. First, tell me, how did you manage to get hold of this letter?
Frank Knight
Well, it's like this. I always get the mail, see? And I always deliver it. But yesterday, Mrs. Kruger and the old dame are with me. I go in and get the mail, and I look through it to see if there's something for me, and I see this letter. When I come out to the car, Mrs. Krueger says, Give me the mail. I hands it to her, and when I get it back. This letter ain't with the others. Well, I don't think much about it till last night when this Mayfield name is bumped off. Then I begin to smell a retirement. And this morning I did a little mooching around, and here it is.
Elizabeth Morgan
Very graphic, Gargan.
Frank Knight
How's that?
Elizabeth Morgan
Oh, skip it. Now, what further information have you to give us, Gargan?
Frank Knight
I can tell you who sent that letter to the Mayfield dame.
Elizabeth Morgan
So how much?
Frank Knight
Apogee.
Elizabeth Morgan
$500. That's an expensive song, Gargan.
Frank Knight
Ah, nuts. You can put on the expense account.
Elizabeth Morgan
You're right. Nuts it is. The $500 is yours, tanks. There you are. Now, who sent this letter to Louise Mayfield?
Frank Knight
Well, it was a one.
Elizabeth Morgan
Gargan madam story. Is he dead? Yes. The shot came through that window. Why? To keep him from telling us who sent that letter to Louise. Help me put him in that closet over there. Physique. I won't let you. You can't. You've got to report it. If I report it now, the police would interfere with all my plans. I need 24 hours. You're risking your reputation. You're taking risks before this is concealing a murder. Why do you need 24 hours to learn the secret of this, Bella? Why? Why, that's one of Mrs. Krueger's handkerchiefs. No, Bella. It's the handkerchief. The one Roof found on Louise Mayfield's body. I'm staking my reputation on this little scrap of lace. Madam Story Potter is back oh, that's good. Bella, did he bring back the handkerchief from the laboratory report? Yes. Here they are. Just as I thought. Oh, what a horrible use for such a lovely thing. This handkerchief was the murder weapon, Bella. But how could it have been? Did our murderer knew that Louise Mayfield used gardenia toilet water? But can we find out who sent it? I rather think we can. Bella, get those four lace handkerchiefs that Suzanne got for me for Mrs. Kruger. What are you going to do now? Now, my dear Bella, I'm going out to present a noose to a murderer. Mr. I wanted to return this handkerchief to you for safekeeping. I'll want it back tomorrow morning. I don't know how at present, but I feel this handkerchief will be the means of proving who killed Louise Mayfield. So guard it carefully. Well, I'll do that. You can depend on me, Madam story. Thank you, Mr. Lock. Ms. McPeak, the greatest proof that I'm not against you is that I'm going to ask you to keep this handkerchief for me. The most important piece of evidence I have. I have no assurance the murderer would not kill me to get it back. But it would never be supposed that I'd given it to you. To God. Will you keep it for me until tomorrow morning? No, don't worry. I'll keep it safe. Thank you, Ms. McPeak. Mrs. Kruger, it's the handkerchief. It's the one that was sent to Louis Mayfield. Where'd you get it? Can't tell you that now, but I'm afraid it was the cause of her death. Oh, how horrible. What I'm going to ask you to do is to hold it for me just until tomorrow morning. But Ms. De Guillon, you can help. What is the real situation, Madam Stor? I wish I knew. I suspect, but I have no proof. I can go no further without the assistance from the chemists. Whom do you suspect? Oh, no, I'm afraid I do. What I want you to do is to keep this for me until tomorrow morning. Mrs. Krueger. I've asked you, Mr. Guillon, Ms. McPeek and Mr. Rowcliffe to meet me here this morning in order that we may determine who murdered Louise Mayfield. What do you mean? You know, Madam Story. You. You know who killed her? I believe I do, Mrs. Kruger, but I hope to prove it. I know that lace handkerchief was sent to her through the mail. Was the murder weapon. Perhaps that can tell us something. May I have the handkerchief, please? Why, certainly. Oh, here you are. Why, I thought. I don't understand. I say, what is this? So A trick. That's right, Ms. McPeek, a trick. But one only a guilty person need fear. Really, Madam Story, I don't understand. Yes, Madam Story. Please take the handkerchiefs one at a time. Mark each in pencil with the initials of the person from whom you receive it. May I have the handkerchiefs, please? One at a time. All right. Now, Bella, spread them out on your desk with the initials turned face down. As you probably surmised, none of you had the original handkerchief. That has never left my possession. Here it is. But I don't understand. This handkerchief in my hand is impregnated with a deadly poison. When moistened with alcohol, it releases a lethal gas which is instantly fatal. May I remind you that perfume is 90% alcohol. And a young girl about to go out on a romantic tryst would inevitably moisten it with perfume. How horrible. Yes, Mr. Guillon, I agree with you. But surely you don't suspect any of us. Why not, Ms. McPeak? I found that a murderer is usually actuated by fear. Fear of what the victim might do to them. All of you face that fear as far as Louise Mayfield was concerned. But one of you feared so deeply that you dared risk murder to protect what you had. You feared loss of position, prestige, supplanting by a younger, more attractive girl. Loss of all that had made life worth living. That one person alone knew what the fatal handkerchief contained. I gave each one of you what you thought was that handkerchief. I was curious to see what disposition you would make of the evidence. Bella. Yes? Please examine those four handkerchiefs carefully. And when you've done that, tell me if any of them are changed since they left our hands last evening. Yes. This one has been washed. Washed? Well, I don't understand. Read the initials on it. T, D, E, G. Theresa. Teresa. Get away from the. Keep away from me.
Frank Knight
I beg. Keep away from me.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'll shoot. Why.
Frank Knight
Cat.
Elizabeth Morgan
She shot herself. Oh, it's all my fault. Poor Theresa. Poor thing. She. She was old. She couldn't stand it. She did. Couldn't stand it. Oh, no, Mrs. Krueger. It wasn't your fault. It was better so. The end of a passing world. Exit an era.
Frank Knight
You have been listening to. Murder Clinic. Murder Clinic, the wor mutual series which brings you each week one exciting case.
Elizabeth Morgan
One member from the select band of.
Frank Knight
The world's great detectives. Next week, Murder Clinic will bring you Sir Henry Merrivale, known to his host.
Elizabeth Morgan
Of admirers as HM In Death in.
Frank Knight
The Dressing Room, this famous detective finds a brilliantly clever pickpocket and discovers an even more clever murderer. Tonight's detective was Madame Rosika's story, played by Elizabeth Morgan. Original music was composed by Ralph Barnhart and conducted by Bob Stanley. This program was an international exchange feature over the coast to coast network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Tales told on Murder Clinic are adaptations by authors Lee Wright and John A. Bassett. Murder Clinic is produced under the direction of Alvin Flanagan. Frank Knight speaking. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System. The man from Homicide, a new dramatic series starring Charles McGraw as Lieutenant Dana. According to Webster's unabridged dictionary, homicide is the killing of one human being by another. According to a man from Homicide, it's just the beginning of a dirty, dangerous job that doesn't end until a killer is found. But I like it. Maybe because I don't like killers. We don't bother much with names at headquarters. We give them a number and a file card. When they're in and the case is closed, we file a card and forget it. Only sometimes we don't forget that easy. A perfect cop would have a computing machine for a brain and a hydraulic pump for a heart. The perfect cop would never get hurt. I'm not a perfect cop. Terminal street pitches up sharp from San Miguel Harbor. It's not the kind of street you'd be taking a walk on unless you were a cop like me. On a case that started with a dead man in a ditch. A dead man who'd collected too many ice picks. I walked up, turn the street at night with only the shadows for company until you in a hurry. What do you want? Let's go inside. Where you just came from.
Elizabeth Morgan
I can't. I. I gotta find a policeman.
Frank Knight
You found one.
Elizabeth Morgan
You?
Frank Knight
But no uniform. No, no. But the city gives me a badge to carry around.
Elizabeth Morgan
Oh.
Frank Knight
Lieutenant Dana, Homicide. Come on.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'm so glad you were here. I'm frightened. I almost fell into that garbage can.
Frank Knight
Sorry. Sorry, but we'll still have to go into that house. I know. Door's locked. Let me have your key. All right, I. Never mind. Turns out it wasn't locked. It's nice to know you have a key. It's nice carpet.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes.
Frank Knight
Houses around here don't run to carpets often. You left the lights on.
Elizabeth Morgan
I.
Frank Knight
Where is he?
Elizabeth Morgan
The living room door on your left.
Frank Knight
Thanks. Why don't you sit down for a minute? Now, the corpse was male, white, in its early 30s. What might have been a look of surprise on his pretty face probably meant nothing because of the two bullet holes placed less than an inch apart in his chest. The expression on the faces of the dead being incapable of verification. Corpse wore silk socks. Silk socks?
Elizabeth Morgan
What?
Frank Knight
Whose house?
Elizabeth Morgan
I live here, if that's what you mean.
Frank Knight
That isn't what I mean.
Elizabeth Morgan
It's a rented house.
Frank Knight
The rent receipts being among his souvenirs. What's his name?
Elizabeth Morgan
Winthrop. Harold Winthrop.
Frank Knight
Yours?
Elizabeth Morgan
Claire Thorpe.
Frank Knight
You know, that suit he's wearing will never be the same. It's too bad. It's nice. Tailor.
Elizabeth Morgan
I didn't kill him. I was in the kitchen mixing drinks for us. I heard the shots and ran in here. I. I was frightened. I ran out to find a policeman.
Frank Knight
You know it surprise you to hear the actual figures on telephones in use in a city of this size.
Elizabeth Morgan
I was afraid to stay in the house. I should have phoned the police. I know.
Frank Knight
Call me. The kitchen, would you, please? All right. I wonder how many men wearing silk socks ever walk up Terminal Street.
Elizabeth Morgan
The kitchen.
Frank Knight
The back door is wide open.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'll close it.
Frank Knight
We have it. Don't touch it. Don't touch that knob. Kick it shut. The drinks. The ice cubes are beginning to melt. Was he married?
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes.
Frank Knight
The pretty ones usually are. You know, this is a funny neighborhood for a man wearing silk socks to be found dead in. I'll bet he's embarrassed. The mills be began to grind. I phoned in and after a little while during which none of us said anything. Me, Claire Thorpe. The corpse company came on, boys. Let's get at it. A handful of educated cops who did things with fingerprints and blood stains and photographs from 19 different angles. The gun that killed Winthrop was among the missing. A special escort arrived for Claire Thorpe. All right, miss, let's go.
Elizabeth Morgan
No, wait a minute.
Frank Knight
She started to cry again, so I decided to leave. Anyway, somebody had to notify the new widow. She was a widow. I went down Terminal street the way Clar Thorp had run. Stopped at the garbage can she'd stumbled over. There was nothing in it but garbage. The place covered what seemed like a couple of acres. The house undoubtedly had come over on the Mayflower. Even the trees look refined. I rang the bell and decided the next time I visited I'd be sure and get my shoe shined.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes?
Frank Knight
Are you Mrs. Winthrop? Mrs. Harold Winthrop?
Elizabeth Morgan
I am.
Frank Knight
It's late.
Elizabeth Morgan
Are you going to give me the weather report next?
Frank Knight
No. You mind if I come in?
Elizabeth Morgan
I don't suppose I do. Come in.
Frank Knight
Thanks. We don't need that music.
Elizabeth Morgan
It's Mozart. Yeah, his 39th in D, I think. But you wouldn't know about that, would you?
Frank Knight
No, I wouldn't know anything about that. Would you turn it off, please?
Elizabeth Morgan
All right. Not important. Sometimes very important things aren't important. Why don't you sit down or something?
Frank Knight
You got a big place here?
Elizabeth Morgan
Oui. My husband and I like it.
Frank Knight
Any children?
Elizabeth Morgan
You're from the Census Bureau?
Frank Knight
No. Any children?
Elizabeth Morgan
None.
Frank Knight
Okay.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'm glad you approve. Or were you approving?
Frank Knight
I'm Lieutenant Dana, Homicide.
Elizabeth Morgan
Oh. I've read about you men in the papers. I'm very much impressed. I don't know exactly what I would have expected one of you to look like, but I'm sorry. I keep forgetting. You must have had a reason for coming here. Beside the fact that it's late.
Frank Knight
I had a reason. Your husband isn't home?
Elizabeth Morgan
No.
Frank Knight
He's down on a sleazy shack on Terminal Street. That's near the harbor.
Elizabeth Morgan
Am I supposed to ask you what he's doing there?
Frank Knight
You can if you like.
Elizabeth Morgan
All right. What is my husband doing in a sleazy shack on Terminal Street?
Frank Knight
He's lying on an imitation Oriental rug with a couple of bullets in his heart.
Elizabeth Morgan
You shouldn't wear your hat indoors, Lieutenant.
Frank Knight
I'm sorry.
Elizabeth Morgan
You won't mind if I don't try to squeeze out a tear.
Frank Knight
No.
Elizabeth Morgan
Harold hasn't meant anything to me for a long time. Alive or her. Death hasn't changed that. He wasn't very much of a man. I suppose that's why he had to go slinking down back alleys trying to prove something to himself. Who killed him?
Frank Knight
Did you ever hear of a woman named Claire Thorpe?
Elizabeth Morgan
No, but he'd hardly tell me about her, would he?
Frank Knight
Where are the servants?
Elizabeth Morgan
Asleep.
Frank Knight
Been home all evening, Mrs. Winthrop?
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes?
Frank Knight
What time the servants turn in?
Elizabeth Morgan
Around 10. What time was was Harold killed?
Frank Knight
10:30. Good night, Mrs. Winthrop.
Elizabeth Morgan
Lieutenant Dana.
Frank Knight
Yeah?
Elizabeth Morgan
That question, it means I'm going to see you again, doesn't it? You might have answered that more quickly. All I meant was in the line of duty.
Frank Knight
You're beautiful, Mrs. Winthrop.
Elizabeth Morgan
If you're going to say things like that, better make it.
Frank Knight
Nearest I ever came to silk socks turned out to be rayon. Oh, one thing more.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes?
Frank Knight
Mozart's 39th is in E flat. Good night. At first interview with Mrs. Winthrop ascertained that she had no alibi for the time of her husband's murder, no grief for his death. Failed to discover possible motive, if any. Ignore a female, white, middle 20s, dark eyes, olive skin, soft black hair. A cop would give his pension to whine around his hands. Heading south on Claremont, I picked up a trailing car in my Rear view mirror. His left beam was weaker, which led to recognition. After a half a mile, proceeding south on Claremont, I swung my car across the road. I got out and I was waiting for him. He was fumbling for the reverse when I got his door open. You looking for me? Your car is blocking traffic. What traffic? I'm in a hurry, mister. Get out, I said. I said get out. Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? Okay, okay, I turn around. All right, Dana, give me that gun. Hey, you got a license for him? I. Who put you on me? Wouldn't you like to know? I. Who put you on me? You can't get away with beating. You're a hood carrying a gun. Maybe you never heard. I don't like hoods who pull a gun on me. I lose my temper with him. Stop it. Who put you on me? Crybaby Reddick. I know. He owns the Avon Club. Roulette and dice. The wheel's square, but the dice are loaded. Let's go visit. Okay. Want to go in my car? No. No. My car. The city pays for the gas. The spoiler dried his tears. Beside me, I had thoughts about Mr. Reddick. The Department had been interested in him for quite a while. Crooked gambler. Man had a string of hoods in the payroll. A man who'd maybe seen to it that a rival wound up dead in a ditch punctured with ice picks. Also a man who liked women, not to mention vice versa. Oh, me, Spoiler. You, I can recognize with, pardon the expression, the naked eye. Whose muscles? Lou, Dana. Benny. Social call, copper. We'll leave it at that. We'll do even better than that, copper. You'll leave? No. Got a search warrant? No. Ah. Goodbye, copper. Keep your finger off that buzzer. What are you. This isn't a raid. I don't care for right now. What's going on in the club? I'm visiting Reddick. He ain't in. I'm gonna try that again. Stop crowding me, copper. You don't like crowds, Benny?
Elizabeth Morgan
No?
Frank Knight
How'd you like to join a crowd down at the lineup? You've got nothing on me. I can dream, Benny, about a guy found dead in a ditch. A guy on the receiving end of ice picks. Stanley was trying to muscle in on your boss. What's the matter, boy? Don't you boys believe in free enterprise? Down the hall, Dana. Thanks. Come on, Spoiler. Yes, speak up. Spoiler. Spoiler. Mr. Redding, come in, Spoiler. I thought you were supposed to. He is trailing me. Trail me right into your office, Reddick. Hello, Lieutenant. Other side of the door, Spoiler. Do we want to be alone, lieutenant? We do, Mr. Reddick. He's got my rod. Oh, Spoiler. Doesn't feel right without his protection. Lieutenant. Here's the license for that gun. Pretty engraving. It's a shame I can't read. You could get in trouble taking the Spoiler's gun. He could get in worse trouble. He's a little careless. Now that you mention, Mr. Reddick. It ain't my fault he beat up on me. Look at my face. It's swollen. Biggest mosquitoes you ever saw, Mr. Red.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yeah?
Frank Knight
Do something about it. You sent me after him, you know. Spoiler. Yeah, Mr. Ray. Yeah, sure. Okay. But, Mr. Reddick, you ain't. You ain't sorry at me? No. I mean, I couldn't send that if you were sorry. Get out. I couldn't help it if the guy. He wouldn't have tried it if I'd had a chance to get a gun on him. He. Spoiler. I don't want to talk to you. Here's your gun. Catch. Now you got a gun on me. I. Out. Spoiler. Yeah. Not a strong character, the Spoiler. It wasn't the character analysis of Spoiler that brought you here. No. I don't want any trouble with you, Dana. I realize perfectly well that you can make trouble. But perhaps I should remind you that my clientele happens to be composed of some of the finest people in the city. You mean the best heeled. How's Harold Winthrop these days? Harold Winthrop? Oh, yes, yes, he's patronized the club on occasion. Mr. Winthrop, Lieutenant, is a gentleman of the highest social standing. The last time I saw him, he was lying down. Oh, I want a gun, Reddick. Lose your own. The gun I want has two bullets missing. Bullets that wound up in Winthrop's chest. Oh, yes, yes. I can see why you would want that gun. Tell me, where were you tonight at 10:30? Reading a good book. How many witnesses? Three, I think. The spoiler, Benny. Who's a third? Claire Thorpe. Oh, she's the little blonde girl, isn't she? I heard tell you used to play together. She's the girl you picked up and booked, Lieutenant, at 10:30. 1040 Terminal street is only a few blocks from here. Yeah, I hadn't realized. Then think about it. Three witnesses for her, too. And I'm only one dumb copper. Good night, Reddick. Good night. It was dark in the alley back of the gambling club. I was close to my car and maybe careless. They were peeling the Layers of black velvet off me. After a while, they got them all off. The place was maybe 20 miles outside the city limits. I had a gun in my hand. Mine maybe four feet from me. Spoiler was resting. I got up out of the sand and went over to him and decided he wasn't resting. A number of bullets had worn him down. Bullets out of my gun. That wasn't a good frame. It wasn't intended to be. Spoiler's death was insurance, nuisance value. And it consumed time. Wake up, Dave. Oh, hi, Lieutenant. I'm wide awake. Clair Thorpe. What about her? I want to talk to her. She's been sprung, Lou. The angle. Habeas corpus. No murder weapon on the premises. No way she got rid of it. DA didn't care for her. Why, that's stupid. Say, Dave, would you get Malone in a first aid kit? Blood stickling in the back of my neck. Holy mackerel. Who slugged you? Little boy Blue. One thing more. Locate Winthrop's lawyer. Find out who inherits, huh? Whatever you say. First thing in the morning. No, no, no. Tonight. Who's assigned to Clare Thorpe? Nobody's. Taylor. We didn't think it was nobody, but find her, pappy, and find her quick. I sat around headquarters and waited. Plenty of reports came in. The weather was going to be fine tomorrow. Captain O' Malley had a baby over in the 16th Precinct. Mrs. Winthrop was the sole heir to the Winthrop estate. But nothing on Claire Thorpe. The department would turn her up in time, but I got tired of waiting. Maybe she'd gone back to the house on Terminal Street. Oh, Claire Thorpe had gone back to the house on Terminal street for keeps. I phoned the sergeant. Then I sat on the flimsy bench in front of the vanity, staring at my bandage in the mirror, stirring the Rochelle powder in the open box on the table. Claire Thorpe stopped eating when the fingerprint boys in the meat wagon got there. I got out fast. By the time I got to Reddick's club, the finest people he'd mentioned had gone home. I'm afraid you're a little late. Oh, you're not kidding. I mean, the. The club's closing. All these mink coats and no roulette. Yes, sir. My badge isn't going to look good compared to the gold braids you've got on your epaulets, cop. Lieutenant Dana, if you want to be formal, I. I didn't notice any other cops around. There aren't any. But if this is a race. It isn't. All I want is Reddick. He's busy. He's going to be busier. Look, Lieutenant, I don't want to get into this. I got a job.
Elizabeth Morgan
It pays off.
Frank Knight
You don't have to get into it. Where are they? Well, office down the hallway from the main room. But I didn't tell you, see? You didn't tell me. I like it. Mr. Rick. Good evening, dear. Dear Lieutenant Lou Dana. Glad you remembered me from the last time. Benny, take your hand out of your pocket. Sure, copper. See gun. Got a license for it? Never mind. Mr. Reddick will have one on file. Oddly enough, Lieutenant, I have. Makes it nice and legal. Checking in all the guns in the city, Lieutenant? No. I got a report for you from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Indeed? Yeah, yeah, indeed. The population of the city's dropped within the last couple of hours by two. Two? The spoiler. But that wouldn't be news to you. You said two. Oh, imagine my forgetting. Claire Thorpe. Claire dead. As dead as they ever get. And they get very dead, Reddick. You had her sprung. Yes, but that was brought her out in the open. The open's a good place to get shot. You have to do any further talking with my attorney. Oh, why don't you stop? I haven't got a whereas on me. Harold Winthrop. The spoiler. Claire Snorp. Let's think about the spoiler, Reddick. He was my boy. How'd you happen to know he was dead? Don't bother. Benny told you. How'd Benny know? Benny shot him with my gun. Benny wise copper. That wasn't nice. Especially when you had a gun of your own, licensed and all. Spoiler fell down on the job. He let me spot him trailing me. He wasn't a strong character, so he died. You're doing fine. The rest is tougher. Reddick, you never were a big man. Now you are. How come merit is always recognized and rewarded? Oh, yeah, and the copy books you moved up when the heavy money boys started dropping in at your club. Why, they were treated properly. They were robbed blind. But what made them suddenly decide you were a nice boy to play with, huh? Oh, no, wait a minute. Don't bother thinking up the answer. We got it from a stoolie weeks ago. The name is Winthrop. One of the oldest and classiest names in the city. I was proud to be numbered among his friends. That case. Then you're the one to ask. What was a guy like that doing in a house in Terminal Street? Lieutenant, you've seen Claire? Oh, yeah, sure. Right after Winthrop was killed, she made a break from the house and ran into Me, I took her back inside, Reddick. Before I did, she stumbled over a garbage can. The poor girl must have been nervous. Poor girl was smart. You know what she did, Reddy? She got rid of a hot gun in that garbage can. Then all you had to do was search it. At the time, I couldn't know about the gun. Afterwards, all I came up with was garbage. Just like a cop. She stuck her neck out. Why? She was in love with you, that's why. She must have thought she was covering for you. You had the house staked out. Somebody spotted her act, fished the gun out of the can. That was Benny. No, it was this. Correction, Spoiler. Who do I get for him, Reddick? I. Actually, as I told you before, I know nothing about the spoiler's death. It's a blow to me, Dana. Very sad blow. I don't think you realize how much of a blow. They let accessories smell the cyanide gas just as quick as killers. I wasn't porn during an after the fact, Reddick. No, I. Who do I get for the spoiler, Dana? I will admit that. Well, one of my employees may have lost his head. Shut up, Reddick. I wouldn't know. Of course, true. Benny did happen to. To go out for a while. What time was the spoiler shot? Roughly 1:40am that roughly is when Benny went out, Mr. Reddick. Don't do that. Well, Benny, I'm sorry. I. I'll get you the finest lawyer. You. You. You. You needn't worry about his fee. I. I'll take care of that. We must be sensible about this, Benny. I. I can help you. I'm dying. Let's have your gun, Benny. Why don't you come and get it, Copa? All right, I will. You better stop right where you are, copper. Maybe it ain't supposed to be smart, blasting a cup. I want your gun, Benny. All right. Another step. Just one step. I don't mean the rot either. I mean bullets in your belly. Your gun, Benny. What's the matter?
Elizabeth Morgan
What's the matter?
Frank Knight
What's wrong with you? You think bullets won't hit you? You think you're different from other guys just because you're a cop? Will you stop moving in on me?
Elizabeth Morgan
What's wrong with you?
Frank Knight
You? I'm Ludana, Benny.
Elizabeth Morgan
All right, all right, all right, all right.
Frank Knight
Take it. No, no, Benny. Pick it up. Hand it to me. Thank you, Benny. Reddick, you're coming with us. What? You all right, Lieutenant? I'll be glad to. Of course, it's only for a little while. That'll be between you and the District Attorney's office. Oh, one thing more. Yeah? The other gun, Reddick, the one that was used on Winthrop. You're sure? I've got it. What kind of a question is that? All right, Dana. It's in the drawer. Here. I'll take it. Be careful. Don't take the handkerchief off that gun. Don't worry. I'll keep it warm. I took him down and the desk sergeant made marks on his brand new blotter. Benny Carolla, alias Benjamin Carter, alias Benjamin Wilde, along with Vincent Reddick, was charged with murder. The murder of a man referred to as the Spoiler. We left the other deaths off the blotter. A man can die only once. And then I got my shoes shined.
Elizabeth Morgan
Come in. Lieutenant Dana. You'll have to overlook my dressing gown. I was just about to go to bed.
Frank Knight
I'm sorry, Mrs. Winthrop.
Elizabeth Morgan
Lieutenant. What's your first name?
Frank Knight
Lou. Why?
Elizabeth Morgan
I don't know. I just wanted. I don't know why.
Frank Knight
That's not important.
Elizabeth Morgan
Let's not discuss things being important. Or are you being unkind and trying to remind me that I thought Mozart's 39th was indeed?
Frank Knight
Mozart's dead.
Elizabeth Morgan
Yes, and so is my husband. But won't you call me Kate anyway? All right, never mind. I know you're here on business. All right, Lieutenant. You found out that I inherit Harold's estate, haven't you?
Frank Knight
Yes.
Elizabeth Morgan
That's why you're here, isn't it?
Frank Knight
I know. That's for me? Yes, Baby. Uh huh. You're fine. All right, go back to sleep.
Elizabeth Morgan
What was that, Lieutenant?
Frank Knight
Further check to find out just what it was you inherited.
Elizabeth Morgan
And you found out Harold Winthrop had.
Frank Knight
Nothing to his name but the silk socks he died in.
Elizabeth Morgan
That's true.
Frank Knight
He wasn't killed because of anything anybody would inherit from him.
Elizabeth Morgan
Thank you. And now I suppose I don't interest you anymore in the line of duty. So you'll be going away.
Frank Knight
I'd like to tell you something first.
Elizabeth Morgan
All right.
Frank Knight
When your husband got shot, a girl named Claire Thorpe gave the gun that did the killing to Reddick. She was in love with him. She thought that he killed her husband. I got that gun from Reddick. It was carefully wrapped in a handkerchief.
Elizabeth Morgan
Does that mean something?
Frank Knight
It means Reddick didn't shoot your husband. He would have been careful about preserving the prints on that gun if he had.
Elizabeth Morgan
You've got more to tell me.
Frank Knight
Yeah. Way it's set up, your husband and Claire Thorpe were keeping house on Terminal Street. Your husband was steering all his rich friends to the Avon Club for a split of the take.
Elizabeth Morgan
I can't believe that of Harold. It's true, I suppose, but it isn't true. It isn't.
Frank Knight
But then somebody was keeping us on Terminal Street. Sure. But it wasn't Claire Thorpe. Because she had the whitest skin on a woman I've ever seen.
Elizabeth Morgan
I'm not especially interested in Ms. Thorpe's attractions.
Frank Knight
On the vanity table in that house, there was a box of face powder. Rochelle bonds with very white skin. Don't use Rochelle. Brunettes do. A brunette was keeping house with someone on Terminal street. You're a brunette, Mrs. Winthrop. You were keeping house on Terminal street with Reddick.
Elizabeth Morgan
No.
Frank Knight
Your husband found you there, didn't he? And all he found was death.
Elizabeth Morgan
I. I don't think I'm going to say anything.
Frank Knight
Don't. Wouldn't do any good. We've got a date with the desk sergeant, Mrs. Winthrop.
Elizabeth Morgan
All right. But you wouldn't want to take a girl to headquarters in her night clothes, would you?
Frank Knight
No, I wouldn't.
Elizabeth Morgan
Then you won't mind if I get dressed in my bedroom?
Frank Knight
No.
Elizabeth Morgan
You shouldn't have whipped my dressing gown off.
Frank Knight
I had to make sure you were wearing street clothes underneath. You are. Claire Thorpe was killed only a little while ago. That finishes it.
Elizabeth Morgan
All right. But I wish you'd take your head off indoors. Lieutenant.
Frank Knight
Lena. I'm sorry. Let's go, Kate. Catherine Winthrop was booked at the 14th Precinct for the murder of her husband, Harold Winthrop for the murder of Claire Thorpe. Her prints on the murder gun clinched it. We gave her a file card, a.
Elizabeth Morgan
Number.
Frank Knight
And the eyes, the warm lips, the hair a man would give his soul to get his hands on. Didn't mean a thing. I don't like killers. You have just heard the Man From Homicide, starring Charles McGraw. Mr. McGraw appears by arrangement with RKO Radio Pictures Incorporated, and will soon be seen starring in the Target. The script was written by Lewis Bitties and was produced and directed by Helen Mack. Music was composed and conducted by Robert Armbruster. In tonight's cast, Reddick was played by James Bacchus, Kate Winthrop, Joan Banks, Benny, Larry Dobkin, Claire Thorpe, Maggie Morley. Spoiler. Lamont Johnson. The sergeant, Tom Tully, the doorman, Arthur Q. Bryan and Lieutenant Lou Dana, Charles McGraw.
Podcast Summary: "Murder Clinic and The Man From Homicide"
Case Closed! (Old Time Radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Episode Title: Murder Clinic and The Man From Homicide
Timeframe: 00:00 – 26:46
Overview: The "Murder Clinic" segment delves into the mysterious case titled "Scrap of Lace," featuring the brilliant and unconventional female detective, Madame Rosika Story, portrayed by Elizabeth Morgan. Set against the backdrop of the early 1950s, this story explores themes of jealousy, deception, and the quest for social standing within the affluent Kruger family in New York.
Key Characters:
Plot Highlights:
Introduction to the Kruger Family Dynamics (00:00 – 03:16):
Rising Tensions and Louise’s Behavior (03:16 – 10:17):
The Tragic Incident (10:17 – 17:33):
Investigation and Revelations (17:33 – 25:20):
Climactic Conclusion (25:20 – 26:46):
Insights:
Timeframe: 26:46 – End of Episode
Overview: Transitioning from the "Murder Clinic," the episode introduces a thrilling new series, "The Man From Homicide," starring Charles McGraw as Lieutenant Dana. This segment presents a gritty, noir-inspired narrative centered around a series of murders involving ice picks, weaving a tale of deceit, vice, and relentless police work.
Key Characters:
Plot Highlights:
Discovery of the First Murder (26:46 – 31:56):
Investigation Deepens (31:56 – 39:20):
Confrontation with Vincent Reddick (39:20 – 49:51):
Resolution and Arrest (49:51 – 55:15):
Closing Remarks (55:15 – End):
Insights:
This episode of Case Closed! (Old Time Radio) masterfully intertwines two compelling narratives—Murder Clinic's psychological intrigue and The Man From Homicide's hard-boiled detective drama. Through rich storytelling, nuanced characters, and pivotal quotes, listeners are immersed in the golden age of radio mysteries, offering both suspense and insight into the complexities of human motives and justice.
Notable Quotes:
Listeners who enjoy intricate plots, character-driven mysteries, and the nostalgic charm of old-time radio will find this episode both engaging and memorable.