Broadway Is My Beat: The Dr. Robert Stafford Murder Case 03/10/1950

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Summary: "Broadway Is My Beat: The Dr. Robert Stafford Murder Case"
Release Date: March 5, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives, titled "Broadway Is My Beat: The Dr. Robert Stafford Murder Case," listeners are plunged into the shadowy underbelly of Broadway's most enigmatic mysteries. Hosted by Larry Thor, who portrays the astute Detective Danny Clover, the story unfolds against the vibrant yet perilous backdrop of New York City's iconic Broadway district. This episode masterfully blends suspense, intricate character dynamics, and sharp dialogue to deliver a quintessential old-time radio detective experience.

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Setting the Scene

Detective Danny Clover introduces Broadway as both an "enchanted island" and a "prison cut off from the rest of the world" (00:54). This duality sets the tone for the mystery that ensues—a murder that disrupts the seemingly lively yet lonely atmosphere of Broadway.

Larry Thor (Danny Clover) [00:54]: "Broadway. It's an enchanted island or a prison cut off from the rest of the world."

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The Murder Case

At [00:25], Detective Clover receives a distressing call via telephone, which he ominously describes as an "instrument of mayhem." The call informs him of a murder at the Ramsey apartments, specifically in an elevator near the head of the stairs. Upon arriving, Clover discovers the victim: an unidentified, well-dressed man who has been shot to death.

Larry Thor (Danny Clover) [02:00]: "This man's too well dressed to go around without a wallet or some kind of identification."

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Initial Investigation

Clover interviews Eddie Amboy, the elevator operator, who provides a crucial account of the events leading up to the murder ([02:31]-[03:34]). Eddie describes the victim's sudden request to go to the sixth floor, his apparent distress, and the horrifying discovery of bullet wounds masquerading as a tummy ache.

Eddie Amboy [03:08]: "The guy buzzes. I bring the car up. I open the door. This guy gets in. He's holding his tummy like it aches him... turns out to be caused by bullets."

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Introducing Key Characters

• Martha Conrad: A mysterious woman connected to the victim ([04:44]-[07:25]). Her evasive and nervous demeanor raises suspicions.

  Martha Conrad [06:37]: "Would it make it easier for you if I didn't?"

• Sergeant Tartaglia: A seasoned police officer who collaborates with Clover ([14:06]-[16:16]). His insights into the case highlight underlying tensions within the police department.

  Sergeant Tartaglia [14:06]: "It ain't easy, Danny. 20 years into business and it still ain't easy."

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Uncovering Clues

Detective Clover delves deeper, uncovering discrepancies between the time of the murder call and the estimated time of death ([11:07]-[12:12]). The investigation reveals that the elevator's signal system was tampered with, indicating premeditation. Eddie Amboy emerges as a prime suspect due to his delayed call to the police and his potential motives.

Sergeant Tartaglia [11:12]: "This means the boy cut off the signal system. He should not be disturbed."

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The Conrad Sisters

The plot thickens with the introduction of Mary and Martha Conrad, twin sisters living in the same apartment building. Mary's alibi appears solid, backed by Sergeant Tartaglia and mutual statements from the Conrad sisters ([22:15]-[24:22]). However, inconsistencies in their stories and Martha's volatile behavior cast doubt on their testimonies.

Martha Conrad [17:25]: "I tried to help, but Mend is killing. Oh, Mary. Don't touch me."

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Climactic Confrontation

In a tense showdown, Detective Clover confronts Martha Conrad ([25:05]-[26:19]). Martha's emotional instability becomes evident as she attempts to protect her sister, Mary, leading to a dramatic revelation of the true culprit.

Martha Conrad [25:36]: "Murdered two men. Yes. Yes."

The climax reveals that Martha, driven by jealousy and madness, orchestrated the murders of Dr. Robert Stafford and Eddie Amboy. Her confrontation with Mary culminates in her attempted suicide, symbolizing the unraveling of her sanity.

Larry Thor (Narration) [27:20]: "She stood there, her body taut, her mind clutching for one fleeting instant of sanity... Then she rejected everything."

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Resolution

With Martha apprehended, Detective Clover reflects on the complexities of Broadway and the elusive nature of justice within its glittering streets ([29:05]-[29:34]). The episode concludes with a somber acknowledgment of the perpetual struggle between order and chaos that defines Broadway's most violent and lonely mile.

Larry Thor (Narration) [29:34]: "It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent. The lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My beat."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Larry Thor (Danny Clover) [00:54]: "Broadway. It's an enchanted island or a prison cut off from the rest of the world."

• Eddie Amboy [03:08]: "The guy buzzes. I bring the car up. I open the door. This guy gets in. He's holding his tummy like it aches him... turns out to be caused by bullets."

• Martha Conrad [06:37]: "Would it make it easier for you if I didn't?"

• Sergeant Tartaglia [14:06]: "It ain't easy, Danny. 20 years into business and it still ain't easy."

• Martha Conrad [17:25]: "I tried to help, but Mend is killing. Oh, Mary. Don't touch me."

• Larry Thor (Narration) [27:20]: "She stood there, her body taut, her mind clutching for one fleeting instant of sanity... Then she rejected everything."

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Conclusion

"Broadway Is My Beat: The Dr. Robert Stafford Murder Case" encapsulates the essence of classic detective storytelling, blending suspense, character depth, and a richly depicted setting. Detective Danny Clover's journey through deception and madness serves as a timeless reminder of the complexities lurking beneath Broadway's dazzling facade. This episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of old-time radio mysteries, captivating both longtime aficionados and new listeners alike.

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Produced and directed by Elliot Lewis
Musical Score by Alexander Curry
Starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover and Charles Calvert as Sergeant Tartaglia

Transcript

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[Larry Thor]

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[Eddie Amboy]

Welcome to Choice Classic radio, where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Broadway's My Beat From.

[Larry Thor]

Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Mary Conrad]

Broadway's my beat. With Larry Thor as detective Danny Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Broadway. It's an enchanted island or a prison cut off from the rest of the world. It all depends upon the mood you're in. The sudden sounds that dart from doorways? Call them fury or make yourself believe their promises dimly heard. Or con yourself that the stair that just trailed by you had nothing to do with hung. You can kid yourself on Broadway because that's what it's here for. It's Broadway. My beat. To a policeman, a telephone is an instrument of mayhem. It carries the after images of violent death with the speed of sound. The telephone told me there'd been a murder. It told me just now. It told me where. It told me to climb six flights of steps at the Ramsey apartments and I'd find death waiting for me in an elevator near the head of the stairs.

[Eddie Amboy]

Right over here, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Hi, mugman.

[Eddie Amboy]

In here, in the elevator. There he is, Danny on the floor.

[Larry Thor]

Who is he?

[Eddie Amboy]

No identification. Person unknown. Shot to death by person unknown. Whereabouts of the shooting is a moot point.

[Larry Thor]

This man's too well dressed to go around without a wallet or some kind of identification.

[Eddie Amboy]

Maybe he was heisted.

[Larry Thor]

Who are you?

[Eddie Amboy]

Elevator man. Yeah, Danny runs the elevator. He called in the precinct. I got the call. Maybe the guy's wallet was heisted.

[Mary Conrad]

Robbery, huh?

[Eddie Amboy]

With a deadly weapon. You funny man.

[Larry Thor]

What's your name, elevator man?

[Eddie Amboy]

Eddie Amboy, 1212. He's 54. You walk up, too. Turn right, turn left, then walk up a half till there's nothing but a door. Eddie Amboy. My place.

[Larry Thor]

Okay, Eddie. Tell me about it.

[Eddie Amboy]

About what?

[Larry Thor]

Book him, Mugavin. I'm tired.

[Eddie Amboy]

Oh, about the guy here. I already did that. Asked this Mugavin here. I did the story to him. Mr. Clover's tired. Do the story again. Yeah, yeah. The guy Pushes a buzz on the first floor.

[Larry Thor]

Where were you?

[Eddie Amboy]

In a sub basement. Little things wrong with this elevator. I was fixing it. I'm conscientious.

[Larry Thor]

Go ahead.

[Eddie Amboy]

The guy buzzes. I bring the car up. I open the door. This guy gets in. He's holding his tummy like it aches him. He says, six floor, please. I close the door. I turn the handle. We ride. Now comes the sixth floor. We stop. I open the door. I look around. The guy's on the floor, dead. Tummy ache turns out to be caused by bullets.

[Larry Thor]

The story he told you, Muggleman?

[Eddie Amboy]

The same. If it gets too complicated, I'll be glad to do it again. Start all over in the sub basement.

[Larry Thor]

You did good.

[Eddie Amboy]

Thanks. Can I have my elevator back now?

[Larry Thor]

It's not yours anymore, kid. When a man gets murdered on an elevator, the elevator suddenly belongs to the world. A man's dying takes many shapes, occurs in many places. It's rare that he has a choice. But the unknown, unnamed man, whose face was now gaunt against the pressure of his cheekbones, whose eyes held no reflection of the light shining into them, seemed to have made one. He chose not to die in the street, but to crawl within the metal walls of an elevator. And a plain. The prosaic words, the dying words on his lips, he must have chosen too, because for him, they had meaning. It was my job to find out their meaning. At headquarters, we put trace. Who was he? If we knew that, maybe we'd know why he had to die. And in the morning, I went back to the sixth floor he'd wanted. I had Mugavin's list of the tenants in the three apartments on that floor. I rang the first bell on the list.

[Martha Conrad]

What do you want?

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, Ms. Conrad.

[Martha Conrad]

What do you want?

[Larry Thor]

I'm from the police.

[Martha Conrad]

Who is it?

[Larry Thor]

Don't you think you'd better tell her?

[Martha Conrad]

Martha. How dare you not answer me. Who is it? And don't tell me it's no one, because I heard you whispering. Who is it? Martha, it's the police. Oh. Oh, how wonderful. The police. What is it? At the end. Show them in, Martha. No, no, wait, darling. First I want to paint my face. Come in.

[Larry Thor]

But I.

[Martha Conrad]

It's all right. She's already done her face. Come in. Down this hole, please. No, sir. Don't come any closer. I want you both to stand right where you are. Especially you, policeman.

[Larry Thor]

You, Miss Conrad.

[Martha Conrad]

Mary Conrad. You may call me Mary. Because Mary's a grand old name. Martha. Yes, Martha? Get the policeman and me something. A libation. A morning martini? Anything the policeman wants. Don't go away, Martha. You afraid to be left alone with me? Policeman?

[Larry Thor]

Miss Conrad, a man was murdered in this building last night.

[Martha Conrad]

Murdered in this building? That's the end. Martha, did you hear what the beautiful man said?

[Larry Thor]

He got in the elevator and asked for the sixth floor. Was it you he wanted to see, Miss Conrad?

[Martha Conrad]

The policeman must want a dress. No, Mary. He wants. Do as I say, Martha. Don't be angry with me, darling. Just always do as I say. Now, where were we? Oh. Oh, yes. The murdered man. Who was he?

[Larry Thor]

We don't know. But I have a picture.

[Martha Conrad]

A picture. How wonderful. Guinea giddy, giddy here. Very distinguished. So dead. So horribly dead.

[Larry Thor]

Do you know him?

[Martha Conrad]

Would it make it easier for you if I didn't?

[Larry Thor]

Policeman, do you know him, Miss Conrad?

[Martha Conrad]

I'm sorry. Dreadfully sorry. We don't know this man, do we, Martha? Do we? No. No, we don't know him.

[Larry Thor]

Where were you last night, Ms. Conrad?

[Martha Conrad]

I was here all day, all evening, all night. I didn't go out once, did I, Martha? No.

[Larry Thor]

The commotion in the hall when the man was found, it didn't wake you.

[Martha Conrad]

Did it wake me, Martha? No. You slept very soundly.

[Larry Thor]

You sleep in the same room with Ms. Conrad, Martha.

[Martha Conrad]

Well, I. Policeman, you talk to Martha as if she were a servant. But that's dreadful. Of course, Martha's not a servant. She's my sister, isn't she? The end.

[Larry Thor]

Maybe I said something after that. I don't remember. What I do remember is waving my jaw a few times and trying to smile and give the impression of, of course she's your sister. What else? Then I left. The apartment door across the hall had a nameplate that said Jonathan Quill and was equipped with a door knocker. A brass dragon sticking his tongue out at me. I lifted him up and pushed his face against the door. And then it happened. The door swung open. I stepped inside. How was I to know I was standing in the middle of a train crossing?

[Martha Conrad]

Jump over it, boy. Jump over it. You want to get hit by a train? You sure had a narrow street now, didn't you? Could have taken off a troll.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah. Hey, what goes on?

[Martha Conrad]

Look at it go. The exact replica of the Super Chief.

[Eddie Amboy]

And almost as fast.

[Martha Conrad]

I always wanted to be a brakeman, boy. Became a millionaire, sir. What did you want?

[Larry Thor]

To become a millionaire? I got to be a policeman instead.

[Martha Conrad]

Glad you came. Never had a policeman watch my trains.

[Eddie Amboy]

Never thought about arson.

[Larry Thor]

Well, now that you're delighted, Mr. Quill, I hope I won't do anything to break up your fun. I'm a policeman come to see about a murder.

[Martha Conrad]

Murder?

[Eddie Amboy]

Wait till I throw the switch.

[Martha Conrad]

Boy, where't I throw the switch? Did you see a murder?

[Eddie Amboy]

You mean the one down the hall? The elevator murder?

[Martha Conrad]

I didn't do it.

[Eddie Amboy]

And I'll prove it to you, Mr. Quill.

[Martha Conrad]

You bet I'll prove it to you. You want an alibi, don't you? That's why you came here. I know all about policemen. You want alibis. Harold. Harold.

[Harold Blake]

Yeah?

[Martha Conrad]

Come in here.

[Eddie Amboy]

Harold.

[Martha Conrad]

That's a policeman.

[Larry Thor]

You know what to do. Harold.

[Martha Conrad]

Right over there. That's a policeman right there.

[Larry Thor]

Hello.

[Harold Blake]

My name is Harold Blake. Jonathan's partner.

[Larry Thor]

Danny Clover.

[Harold Blake]

You seem to have gotten Jonathan excited. Jonathan gets excited.

[Martha Conrad]

Tell him, Harold. Terry, you know what to do now. I did.

[Harold Blake]

Well, ever since the elevator boy was.

[Larry Thor]

In here last night, he didn't say anything about that. I didn't know he came in the.

[Harold Blake]

Apartment where he reported the murder from here.

[Larry Thor]

You mean he used your phone to call the police?

[Harold Blake]

Yes, that's right. To call the police. I was here visiting with Jonathan. I live in the next apartment, you see.

[Larry Thor]

I see. Pretty late for visiting, wasn't it?

[Harold Blake]

By some standards.

[Martha Conrad]

By some standards.

[Harold Blake]

Frankly, Mr. Clover. And you've probably never gotten an alibi like this in your life. We wanted to watch the trains on what we call the milk run. It's our alibi.

[Martha Conrad]

Tell him what else, Hal.

[Larry Thor]

I don't think that's enough. Go ahead, Tell me what else.

[Harold Blake]

It's about the elevator operator. About Eddie. Jonathan thinks Eddie is the murderer.

[Eddie Amboy]

That's what I think.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, why?

[Martha Conrad]

Because Eddie is mean and spiteful and tried every which way to make an unhonest dollar. He's the type that murders other types.

[Larry Thor]

What else?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Need there be anything else?

[Eddie Amboy]

Eddie is the killer.

[Martha Conrad]

It's a hunch. I have. I have made a million dollars with my hunches.

[Harold Blake]

You see how it is, Mr. Cloven?

[Larry Thor]

No, I don't see, but I'm going to try. Where there's peace, gentlemen. And quiet away from trains. Gentle.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Hey, Danny, you in the mood for heat? Big pow, wow, huh?

[Larry Thor]

Say that again. Tataglia.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Powwow. That's Indian talk. A throwback.

[Larry Thor]

Try me once more. Tataglia.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Well, a throwback to last night. Every night I play cowboys and Indians with Mrs. Tataglia and my six boys. Yeah, and I am always an Indian. Hey, you should see my teepee, Danny. Surplus army blanket.

[Larry Thor]

There must be a string of beads around here somewhat to attack. Go play someplace else, Danny.

[Eddie Amboy]

Please.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Be Serious? We got work to do.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, well, who makes medicine first, you or me?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Huh? Oh, oh, oh. Me, Danny, me. Now, this is a very grave matter. The technical boys say the signal system on the elevator where deceased unknown was found murdered. You follow me? They say said signal system was disconnected when they went over it.

[Larry Thor]

So?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

So what makes the mystery into a big pile is that somewhere there is a discrepancy.

[Larry Thor]

Like what?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Like a discrepancy in time. Detective Mugavan received the murder call at his precinct at 2:55 in the a.m. he noted it down.

[Larry Thor]

So?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

So Dr. Sinski says after examination of said unknown deceased, that said unknown deceased was deceased for at least two hours when found. Which would place the time of his murder, considering the here and there of police routine at about 1 in the morning. Not at 2:55, as was called in by the elevator operator. Now, this means the boy cut off the signal system. He should not be disturbed. Danny. Danny. I ain't finished. I can't never get a word out edgewise.

[Martha Conrad]

Danny.

[Larry Thor]

The doorman told me I'd find you here, Eddie.

[Eddie Amboy]

Oh, well, it's the hard, hard detective, huh? Where else would you find this elevator boy, huh? I'll answer that. In the sub basement, fixing his stinking elevator last night.

[Larry Thor]

Eddie, did you have to fix the elevator before you called the police?

[Eddie Amboy]

That's a very interesting question. Because I can't figure out what it means. Very mystical.

[Larry Thor]

I'll explain it to you, elevator boy.

[Eddie Amboy]

Now, go back, bloodhound. You come under here with me. You might get your throat caught in a steel cable or something. Under here is for experts.

[Larry Thor]

From here, then the call you made to the police, Eddie, how come it was almost an hour late? That's a long time. An hour.

[Eddie Amboy]

Hey, you're good. You boys are real good to find out a thing like that.

[Larry Thor]

We got experts too, Eddie. So maybe you better put your elevator away someplace and come out here and talk to me, expert to expert.

[Eddie Amboy]

Yeah, yeah, I'll do that. One more tap in its tummy. Hey, who's that?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Eddie, get out.

[Martha Conrad]

Get out. I. I can't.

[Eddie Amboy]

My foot is caught.

[Martha Conrad]

Help.

[Larry Thor]

No, no, no.

[Mary Conrad]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Broadway is a place that mourns the dead only in passing. The cold whisper of death winds its way through the neon chasm and Broadway notes it shudders and huddles in on itself. To the murder of an anonymous man in an elevator. To the crushing out of another man's life by that same elevator. Broadway reacted true to form. It read the headlines, shrugged, and flipped them neatly into the nearest trash can. But at headquarters, it isn't that easy. Even Sergeant Tartaglia didn't think so.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

It ain't easy, Danny. 20 years into business and it still ain't easy.

[Larry Thor]

What isn't, Tartaglia?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

To be in a business where the product is dead bodies, where the clients are murderers. I've often commented thusly to Mrs. Tartaglia.

[Larry Thor]

Does she comfort you then?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Tartaglia, like an angel. She goes to the mixmaster, beats up a recipe and presents me with a confection. I happen to have one here now, Danny. Homemade Challava. Yeah, have a piece. Come on.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks.

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[Larry Thor]

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[Larry Thor]

Good. Okay. Have a brief, man.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Just hollow for her. It's like chewing on a dream, huh, Daddy?

[Larry Thor]

My compliments to the Mrs. Brief me, Tatagli.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Yeah, well. Item. The unknown man found dead in the elevator of the first part is still, to all intents and purposes, unknown.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, but you'll keep after it.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Oh, like a old hound dog. Item the death of the elevator operator, Eddie Amboy. The boys in technical concur with your opinion that he was indubitably. Indubitably murdered.

[Larry Thor]

Well, it's generous of them.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Yeah, they thought so. They said the hacksaw you found on the roof of the apartment building, plus the evidence that the elevator cable had been sawed through, this made it murder.

[Larry Thor]

What else, Titaglia?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Well, we have checked on the background of Eddie Amboy. Found he ran an elevator and in his room had a wife. Mrs. Eddie Amboy.

[Larry Thor]

She there now?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Oh, yeah. Danny. Yeah. The boys are even now keeping tabs on her.

[Larry Thor]

Detaglia. Give me the rest of that halva. I may need it for comfort.

[Martha Conrad]

Yeah.

[Larry Thor]

Mrs. Amboy?

[Martha Conrad]

Who are you?

[Larry Thor]

I'm from the police. Danny Clover. Well, may I come in?

[Martha Conrad]

You're from the police? Want to see me? About what?

[Larry Thor]

About Eddie. About your husband.

[Martha Conrad]

He's dead. You're late. You should have come months ago. Eddie's dead? Last night he got married to an Elevator.

[Larry Thor]

Eddie was murdered, Mrs. Amboy.

[Martha Conrad]

You'd want to take the trouble. Come on in. Sit over there if you want to.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks. You said I should have come months ago. Why?

[Martha Conrad]

Could have arrested him. Could have had him sentenced for every little petty crime he committed. I edited it up one night. Come to 157 years.

[Larry Thor]

That way, huh?

[Martha Conrad]

This way, Mr. Clover. I could have visited him in jail. Brought him pineapple upside down cake. He liked pineapple upside down cake. It's a dream. I had to watch him eating pineapple upside down cake behind bars.

[Larry Thor]

You sound bitter enough to want to.

[Martha Conrad]

Kill him and erect. That dream I told you about myself. That was Eddie's department.

[Larry Thor]

You were around when Eddie was killed.

[Martha Conrad]

Still doubt me, Mr. Clover? Don't doubt me. I've been on vacation, mister. To Washington, the District of Columbia, to our nation's capital. 2 day all expense tour by bus to gawk at the White House, Lincoln's Memorial. Eddie sent me away. He had a girl.

[Larry Thor]

When did you get back, Mrs. Amboy?

[Martha Conrad]

This morning. Time to read the paper. Time to know that Eddie was dead. Time to come back here and sniff perfume. I never had another woman.

[Larry Thor]

Well, check that. About the trip to Washington, I mean.

[Martha Conrad]

Yes, sure. You know what I was just thinking, Mr. Clover?

[Larry Thor]

What?

[Martha Conrad]

Six years. I get my first two day vacation in six years and it becomes a matter for the police. How long will it be before Eddie leaves me alone? Ah, you've seen women like me before, mister. Help me out. How long will it be?

[Larry Thor]

We'll just check about. On a bus trip. No longer than that.

[Martha Conrad]

Wait a minute. Don't go yet, Mr. Clover. I got it right here. Here, take this wallet.

[Larry Thor]

What about it?

[Martha Conrad]

Before I burned Eddie's clothes this morning, I went through them. Maybe. Left me $5 insurance money. I found this wallet Eddie never had. No wallet like this. Any house empty?

[Larry Thor]

Not quite empty. A picture of a man, an identification card.

[Martha Conrad]

You know.

[Larry Thor]

Not really, Mrs. Amboy, but I know about him. He's a man who didn't get off an elevator. He tried, but he didn't make it. Mrs. Amboy's eyes glittered through the shadows of the room filled with shadows, and all that was in them was the hard crust of a hatred finally resolved. It was not only Eddie's clothes she had burned, but his touch, his gaze on her whispered night words. There was nothing more I could ask her about Eddie that she would answer. So I got out the picture, the identification card and the wallet she gave me belonged to the man who had been murdered and found in the Elevator. Now, I knew who he was, but I needed more than that. There was an address on the card. I went to it.

[Eddie Amboy]

Oh, well, I'm afraid you'll have to. Dr. Stafford is not in.

[Larry Thor]

I know that. I'm from the police. Danny Clover. And you?

[Eddie Amboy]

The attendant. I helped Dr. Stafford leave a small hospital here. Only Dr. Stafford and myself. Police?

[Larry Thor]

Yes. I want to.

[Eddie Amboy]

Well, I'm afraid you'll have to take up whatever it is you want with Dr. Stafford. I'm not in a position. What is you want, Mr. Crawley?

[Larry Thor]

Something like this. How is it you don't seem to know that Dr. Robert Stafford is dead?

[Eddie Amboy]

He often takes trips away from me for two or three days at a time. I never quit. Dead?

[Larry Thor]

Murdered?

[Eddie Amboy]

That's impossible. Well, he was so hale and hardy when he left him.

[Larry Thor]

He was murdered.

[Eddie Amboy]

I knew it would happen someday. I knew it and I told him so many times.

[Larry Thor]

Why? Why did you tell him that?

[Eddie Amboy]

Because of the nature of his profession. Dr. Stafford was a psychiatrist. A very competent one. Some of the people he treated were mad. Murderous and mad. He wanted to read their records, calling.

[Larry Thor]

Where are they?

[Eddie Amboy]

Where?

[Larry Thor]

The records. Where are they?

[Eddie Amboy]

Oh, in his office.

[Martha Conrad]

But you've no right. You have no right. Those are Dr. Stafford's.

[Larry Thor]

Please, Mr. Clover, these papers here on the desk, are these records? Yes.

[Martha Conrad]

Dr. Stafford was studying those the night he went away.

[Eddie Amboy]

I haven't touched them. Dr. Stafford didn't like anyone.

[Larry Thor]

This is history, Conrad. Doesn't make sense. I can't understand what's written here.

[Eddie Amboy]

Psychiatrist records are like that. Mr. Clover. Mr. Clover, you can't take those with you.

[Martha Conrad]

They belong to Dr. Strafford.

[Eddie Amboy]

Welcome, Danny. Welcome to the office that Freud built with the taxpayers money down.

[Larry Thor]

Dr. French, how are you?

[Eddie Amboy]

All right, Danny. All right. What brings you to the city? Psychiatrist Problem.

[Larry Thor]

A problem off the record. On it, Doctor, I've got a file here. It's filled with words and parts of words that I don't understand. A file about a sick woman.

[Eddie Amboy]

Illness requires a special language. Danny, let me take a look here.

[Larry Thor]

Anything, Dr. Gently.

[Eddie Amboy]

Danny Gently. This is quite a history.

[Larry Thor]

Sum it up for me, Doctor. Tell me so I can understand.

[Eddie Amboy]

Can the lay mind understand insanity.

[Larry Thor]

For.

[Eddie Amboy]

The woman named Conrad? It says here that she's insane.

[Larry Thor]

How insane?

[Eddie Amboy]

The insanity of the headlines, Danny. The sensational insanity. The woman named Conrad is a homicidal maniac.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Amboy]

This woman needs attention. According to these notes, she was going to be committed.

[Larry Thor]

I know, but which one?

[Eddie Amboy]

I don't understand.

[Larry Thor]

Which one, Doctor? Which Conrad? Martha or Mary? Which is A homicidal maniac. Which d'itaglia? Get in here.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Yeah, Danny. Yeah, I was just in the. Hey, what are you doing with your gun, Danny? The old ammunition don't please you?

[Larry Thor]

Something like that. I've got a thing for you to do.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Always a pressure.

[Larry Thor]

Danny, tell the boys in the press room we've captured a homicidal maniac.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Oh, that's nice, huh? Hey, where, Danny? Where is he?

[Larry Thor]

A woman, Tataglia. A mad woman named Conrad. Tell the reporters we're holding her for the murders of Dr. Robert Stafford and Eddie Amboy.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Huh? You have spoken, Danny, But.

[Larry Thor]

But what, Tadaglia?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Well, me, a policeman. It makes me ashamed to confess it. But I don't know what's going on in the police department.

[Larry Thor]

I'll whisper it in your ear. Then you'll know. Eddie Amboy, he was the key to Taglio.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

The key to what, then?

[Larry Thor]

To the murder of Dr. Robert Stafford. To his own, because he saw the Conrad woman kill Stafford, then blackmailed her in his own special way. Eddie had special ways?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Well, if I could only understand it, it would explain something.

[Larry Thor]

That explains Eddie's delay in calling the police. He had to fix it up with a murderer. It took him an hour. When he finally convinced her, he called us. He didn't know he was playing games with a mad woman.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Oh, and this Conrad was the woman who sawed through the cable and thereby dropped an elevator on him.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Hey, but wait a minute, Danny. There are two Conrad, Mary and Martha. Now, don't play hard with my emotions, Danny. Which one was it? Mary or Martha?

[Larry Thor]

How would I know? Another thing to Tagle. One of the Conrad sisters is in her apartment. Now, I checked Carol Mugavan not to let the other sister get to her. Under no circumstances is one sister to contact the other. You got that?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Got it.

[Larry Thor]

Then one more thing. If anyone wants me, anyone, they can reach me at home. Is it all clear now? To Taglia? So I went home. I tapped on the land lady's door, told her I was expecting visitors, told her to send them up in my apartment. I hung my shoulder holster with a gun across a chair, then sat facing the window, trying to hold on to at least one of the answers that kept nudging themselves through my mind. But they were fleeting and of no consequence. A murderer might come calling tonight. This was the thought that crowded out the rest of the thoughts. And then, below me, captured in the pool of light spread by the street lamp, a silhouette.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

A woman.

[Larry Thor]

A woman who looked for a house number, found it, walked to the door beneath me found me. Good evening, Miss Conrad.

[Martha Conrad]

May I come in?

[Larry Thor]

I want you to. Over there, Miss Conrad. Sit down.

[Martha Conrad]

No, no, I'd rather stand.

[Larry Thor]

All right. Why did you come here?

[Martha Conrad]

What have you done with her? Mr. Crover. What have you done with my sister?

[Larry Thor]

Martha, You've seen the newspapers. The police have her. She'll see the psychiatrist in the morning. You know that. Ms. Conrad. You know she needs medical attention.

[Martha Conrad]

I know. I know that. But you'll put her away. You'll put her away like an animal. She'll die in a cage. My sister.

[Larry Thor]

Your sister murdered two men.

[Martha Conrad]

Yes. Yes.

[Larry Thor]

Why didn't you come to the police? You KNEW she murdered Dr. Stafford, knew about Eddie Amboy.

[Martha Conrad]

She'll die in a cage, crawling in the cage.

[Larry Thor]

Come in.

[Martha Conrad]

Martha. Martha, what are you doing here? I don't understand that. He. That policeman, he said. The papers said. Holding you.

[Eddie Amboy]

Mary.

[Martha Conrad]

I thought they'd finally caught you. Finally. Oh, Mary. Mary. It's a trick. It's a trick. Let's run. Let's get out of here. No more running. No more you. Let's go. Sick, Mary. Huh? Don't you know that? Huh? I tried to help, but Mend is killing. Oh, Mary. Don't touch me. You've turned on me. Now he knows. Now he knows. And you. I'll kill you, boy. Mary, put down that gun. I'll kill you. Kill you. Kill him.

[Larry Thor]

The smoke from a gun curled up and mixed with her hair. And behind the smoke, her face, fury disintegrating, dissolving into disbelief. She stood there, her body taut, her mind clutching for one fleeting instant of sanity that it was through, over, done. With the simple recognition that the gun had been harmlessly loaded. Then she rejected everything. A little while later, some men came, men who knew about these things. They picked her up and carried her away. Broadway is deserted now, except for those who never quit, those who wear peepholes for eyes. The dream walkers, the people who want to laugh. They search behind doorways, in alleys, through shuttered windows. And they never go home because they can't. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent. The lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My beat.

[Mary Conrad]

Broadway's my Beat. Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. With Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Curry.

[Larry Thor]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.