Broadway Is My Beat: The Frank Briscoe Murder Case 07/10/1950

Summary

Broadway Is My Beat: The Frank Briscoe Murder Case

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Release Date: June 25, 2025
Episode: Broadway Is My Beat: The Frank Briscoe Murder Case
Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio
Description: Dive into the riveting world of old-time radio detectives with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, unraveling the mysterious murder case of Frank Briscoe on the bustling streets of Broadway.

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1. Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Detective Danny Clover describing Broadway as "the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world" (01:04). Broadway serves as both the vibrant backdrop and the central stage for the unfolding drama.

2. Discovery of Frank Briscoe's Murder

Detective Clover receives a call about a dead man in an apartment hotel near police headquarters.

• Apartment Manager Interaction:
  • Detective Clover: "They told me a man was killed here." (02:16)
  • Apartment Manager: "Mr. Frank Briscoe. A pleasant gentleman who always had a joke for me." (03:57)

Upon arrival, Clover finds Mr. Briscoe unresponsive, locked inside his apartment. The scene includes a burning waste basket and a malfunctioning phone left unattended.

3. Initial Investigation and Interviews

3.1. Phone Call Mystery

Clover attempts to contact Frank Briscoe, only to accidentally speak with Eddie Cutler, a man associated with Briscoe.

• Eddie Cutler: "It's Eddie. You're not Frank. Who are you?" (04:56)
• Detective Clover: "The police." (04:44)

This miscommunication hints at underlying tensions and concealed relationships.

3.2. Interview with Sylvia Briscoe

Clover visits Sylvia Briscoe, Frank's separated wife, seeking insights.

• Sylvia Briscoe: "Della Sloane was dead. Syliva's apathy raises suspicion." (06:40)
• Detective Clover: "Frank Briscoe was murdered." (07:08)

Sylvia reveals that Frank had a substantial insurance policy of $100,000, originally intended to be in her name—a detail that piques Clover's interest.

4. The Second Murder: Della Sloane

4.1. Unveiling Della's Death

During the investigation, Clover encounters Della Sloane, who is violently murdered in an apparent self-defense or accidental shootout.

• Detective Clover: "Della Sloane was dead. Della Sloane had been murder." (13:55)

4.2. Linking Della to Frank's Case

Clover connects Della's murder to the earlier case, suggesting a deeper conspiracy.

5. Gathering Clues and New Suspects

5.1. Encounter with Joseph Petty

Detective Clover visits Joseph Petty's pharmacy to probe Della Sloan's background.

• Joseph Petty: "Della Sloane. She called here, told me her name." (19:13)
• Detective Clover: "Think about it, Mr. Petty, and fast." (19:07)

Petty provides information about a man connected to Sylvia Briscoe, deepening the investigation's complexity.

5.2. Revisiting Sylvia Briscoe

Clover confronts Sylvia again, challenging her alibi and probing her relationship with the suspects.

• Sylvia Briscoe: "I never saw him before. I wouldn't know him if I did." (07:00)
• Detective Clover: "You talked to a man." (22:14)

Despite Sylvia's evasive responses, inconsistencies begin to surface.

6. The Climax: Unmasking the Culprits

6.1. Confrontation with Sylvia and Eddie Cutler

The investigation culminates in a tense showdown where Clover accuses Sylvia and Eddie of orchestrating the murders.

• Detective Clover: "You fell for that stupid trick. You brought the policeman here, Eddie." (26:33)
• Sylvia Briscoe: "It was me, Eddie. Understand, Mr. Clover." (27:12)

6.2. Revelation of the Motive

The motive centers around the $100,000 insurance policy and the desire to silence Della Sloane, who threatened to expose their scheme.

• Detective Clover: "Della, she shot Della to keep her quiet." (27:01)
• Sylvia Briscoe: "I couldn’t take a chance with that girl losing a hundred thousand dollars because a girl like that is alive." (27:12)

6.3. Final Capture

Through meticulous detective work and piecing together testimonies, Clover successfully brings Sylvia and Eddie to justice.

7. Conclusion and Reflections

Detective Clover reflects on the case, emphasizing the intricate web of deceit and the perilous allure of Broadway.

• Clover: "In the minutes before the dawn, Broadway lies huddled in a dreamless sleep... Broadway, my beat." (28:06)

The episode underscores themes of greed, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth in the heart of New York City's most iconic avenue.

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Notable Quotes

• Detective Danny Clover: "Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world." (01:04)

• Sylvia Briscoe: "What have I done?" (21:51)

• Detective Danny Clover: "Frank Briscoe was murdered." (07:08)

• Sylvia Briscoe: "It was me, Eddie. Understand, Mr. Clover." (27:12)

• Detective Danny Clover: "Della Sloane was dead. Della Sloane had been murder." (13:55)

• Eddie Cutler: "I know you're there, Danny." (24:17)

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Cast Highlight

• Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover
• Charles Calvert as Tartaglia
• Mary Shipp, Kathy Lewis, Jay Novello, Lou Krugman, Joe Forte, and Jack Krushman in supporting roles.

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Production Notes

Broadway Is My Beat is penned by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, directed by Elliot Lewis, with music composed and conducted by Alexander Curry. The episode masterfully blends suspense, character development, and the vibrant ambiance of 1950s Broadway, delivering a memorable detective story that captivates old-time radio enthusiasts.

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Final Thoughts

This episode exemplifies the Golden Age of Radio's ability to weave complex narratives through compelling dialogue and soundscapes. Detective Danny Clover's relentless pursuit of justice amidst the neon lights and shadows of Broadway offers listeners a thrilling journey into the heart of mystery and intrigue.

Transcript

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[Radio Announcer]

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[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat From Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Radio Announcer]

Broadway's My Beat. The thrilling drama of murder and mystery and the people who walk the Great White Way with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. The cool, long lasting mint flavor refreshes you. The smooth, steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum Healthful, refreshing, delicious.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The sea mist covers the sun, hangs a veil over Broadway. And for a time, Broadway is dimly seen, dimly heard. For an instant, Broadway is stunned. But then it recovers. It leaps to embrace the false night. The neon flares, the spectaculars explode. The banners are hung. Welcome night. And for the time of the mist. It's good on Broadway. But then the sun breaks through again and spoils it. And the lights are turned off in sullenness and backs are turned on the day. At police headquarters, you stand at a window and consider it, but you're interrupted. A man is dead in an apartment hotel maybe two minutes from headquarters. Look into it, Danny, and you nod because you know that's the way it would come out. It takes two minutes. You know that because when you get out of the elevator, a man is standing there with a watch in his hand.

[Apartment Manager]

2:20 on the nose. Oh, I'll put my money on the nose of you boys from headquarters every time you're death in a sprint.

[Detective Danny Clover]

They told me a man was killed here.

[Apartment Manager]

Yes, they told you true. Care for A look, see?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's look anyway.

[Apartment Manager]

It's right down the hall in 4B.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Come along, fellow.

[Apartment Manager]

Here we are, fellow.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's locked.

[Apartment Manager]

Of course it is.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I locked it. You took it on yourself to do that?

[Apartment Manager]

Naturally. I'm the manager. I do many things by night. By day I perform it. I like it when you make it seem I've done something criminal. I only lock the door to keep the snoopers out. You know how they are. Messing about, fingering clues, sticking their noses.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Shant. You found him like this?

[Apartment Manager]

Exactly. He hasn't moved an inch.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who was he?

[Apartment Manager]

Mr. Frank Briscoe. A pleasant gentleman who always had a joke for me.

[Eddie Cutler]

I remember.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Whenever you're through.

[Apartment Manager]

Oh. Oh, yes, yes. He's been a tenant here for four or five months, I'd say.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tell me about it. When you heard the shot, what you did, Was he alive?

[Apartment Manager]

Oh, I didn't.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Didn't what?

[Apartment Manager]

Well, I didn't hear a shot. What attracted me was a smell of smoke. I rushed in, the waste basket was on fire and. Mr. Bristol.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's that?

[Apartment Manager]

Oh, phone in there. It's been doing that ever since. It receive is just dangling there. I wouldn't touch it.

[Frank Briscoe]

Hello?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hello, Frank.

[Frank Briscoe]

What's the idea keeping me waiting? What happened? You told me to.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hang on.

[Frank Briscoe]

It's Eddie. You're not Frank. Who are you?

[Detective Danny Clover]

The police.

[Frank Briscoe]

The police? What's happened? What's happened up there?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're talking to Mr. Briscoe. Yes.

[Frank Briscoe]

My name's Eddie Cutler. I called Frank for a golf date. He said, Excuse me, there's someone at the door. Hang on. He said.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where are you now, Mr. Cutler?

[Frank Briscoe]

At my place of business on Wall Street. What's happened?

[Detective Danny Clover]

A murder. Stick around, Mr. Cutler. I'll want to talk to you.

[Apartment Manager]

Well, what do you know about that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

All the time things for you to do, Manager. Go do them. After that, it was a matter of getting out of the way while the boys with the dusting powder tried to raise fingerprints and the boys with the cameras tried to get present presentable photographs of a dead man. Known as routine. The impersonal proddings as to why time and circumstance conspired to make Frank Briscoe a victim of murder. My part of it was to get back to headquarters and make phone calls and have other people make phone calls and get out such and such file and finally come up with a starting point. Frank Briscoe was married now separated from his wife, Sylvia. More phone calls and prodding. Sylvia managed an employment agency in the Empire State Building. An agency for Executive placements only. I went there.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Please sit down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you, Ms. Briscoe.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Smoke if you like. Relax.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Mrs. Briscoe.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh. Name?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny Clover.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Let me understand you. If you're working now, why do you come to see me?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Because of your husband.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Why ruin a sunshiny day? Look at it out there. People drowning themselves in it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Your husband's dead. Don't let me stop you. Have your reaction and we'll talk.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

It's funny, you know. Things you leave behind, you forget about and something happens. Comes back in a rush. Sunshine, sidewalks down there and the wonderful news you just brought me. I'm a little girl again and I want to play hopscotch on the pavement.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm happy for you, Ms. Burns.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Thank you. You see, Frank was such a nothing. Now that you understand. Not quite a nothing, Mr. Clover, is a nothing. Zero in an empty box.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yet you married him and stayed that.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Way for three months. One morning I stepped out of the house into the sunshine and like that better.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why didn't you get a divorce?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Frank wouldn't give me1 for five years. Now our conversation runs like this. Me, Frank, I want a divorce. Frank, no.

[Detective Danny Clover]

One thing I didn't tell you. Frank was murdered.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

I'm glad for him. He had a horror of just wasting away. He. I wonder if that changes anything.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Like what?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

His insurance policy. A large one. $100,000. Oh, Frank was a tricky one. He tried to woo me back by having it made out in my name. Tricky Frank.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's where the happiness comes in, huh?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Sure. Of course, Frank's been dead's nothing. I blow on my fingernails about that. But a hundred thousand dollars. Oh, Mr. Clover, that's really something. Really something.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Her girlish ecstasy over the sunshine. The hundred thousand dollars. The dead husband made it harder because it made me sick. Because it made me greedy to book her for murder. But the happy, happy widow had answers that held. She had seen Frank only rarely from the day she'd walked out on him. Her lawyers handled it with him. No, she hadn't left her office that morning. Her secretaries, her clients, could verify if I didn't care to take her word. Then she began to tell me what she'd do with all that money. About the time she was a white queen in the African jungle. I walked out on her then. The search for a kind word over a dead man. Maybe Eddie Cutler, the man on the phone, the man from Wall street, had one. Maybe he'd look up from his ticker tape and give me one.

[Frank Briscoe]

Mr. Cutler, another moment, please. I wish I could let you in on this one. Now, if you retain me as your investment broker.

[Detective Danny Clover]

About Frank Breast.

[Frank Briscoe]

Just one more minute. I can't let this get away. My clients come first. Pete, will you get me down?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I say, put it down. Your clients will have to do without you for an hour. Maybe longer, maybe for days.

[Frank Briscoe]

Well, I was only. All right, Pete. I'll call you back as soon as I'm read of. Yeah. Now, just what is it you want?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I told you.

[Frank Briscoe]

Oh. Oh, yes, but Frank. Poor Frank. Now, who would have dreamed?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Dreamed what, Mr. Cutler?

[Frank Briscoe]

Isn't it plain that he'd be murdered? Die like that? You play golf with a man, you don't expect things like this to happen to him. Not to your golf buddies.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How well did you know him?

[Frank Briscoe]

About that. Well, he'd call me, I'd call him. We'd arrange a little match for drinks. As a matter of fact, I was just calling him when. Oh, was it. Was it you I talked to on the phone in Frank's apartment?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Frank Briscoe]

I thought your voice sounded familiar. You. Pardon me for saying so, but you have a very pleasant voice.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mrs. Briscoe. Do you know her?

[Frank Briscoe]

I never had the pleasure. Frank told me a lot about her lots of times. No, I never had the pleasure. Anything else?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. The phone call you made to Briscoe. Tell me about that.

[Frank Briscoe]

Well, I already did. When?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tell me again. Did you hear a shot after Brisco asked you to hang on?

[Frank Briscoe]

A shot? No. I did hear a door open and muffled voices. Nothing intelligible. Then there was a funny kind of noise, a kind of.

[Eddie Cutler]

A.

[Frank Briscoe]

Kind of a pop. After that. Well, you know, about after that. Anything else?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, you. Are you glad Frank Briscoe's dead?

[Frank Briscoe]

Am I dead? What a question. What a thing to say to a man.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just thought I'd ask. Try the ticker tape, Mr. Cutler. Maybe that'll console you.

[Eddie Cutler]

Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You may take three giant steps. Tartaglia. Come on in.

[Eddie Cutler]

I'm sorry, Danny, but I am not in the mood for levity today. We've got business to attend to.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I apologize.

[Eddie Cutler]

Accepted.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you. Now, what can I do for you?

[Eddie Cutler]

Just sit there and admire the rapid manner in which New York's finest have come to your assistance.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why should I do that?

[Eddie Cutler]

Because I have in my hand a complete report of the dwellers who dwelt on the same floor of the apartment house in which Frank Briscoe was found deceased.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm proud. Tell me about it.

[Eddie Cutler]

Roger. Wilco.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's not much to tell, but you'll Tell me, huh?

[Eddie Cutler]

Only this, Danny, there were three other denizens of that floor, Mr. And Mrs. C.P. meston, who are living there for nigh onto 13 years and who are no trouble at all. In fact, the manager was more than profuse in his plaudits of old CP he likes to play cribbage with him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you. Who else?

[Eddie Cutler]

Then there's Mr. And Mrs. Milburn Jeffries, who live on a pension and a canasta board. Also no trouble.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Happy home, eh?

[Eddie Cutler]

Then there is a Ms. Della Sloan.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Spinster and a double solitaire fan.

[Eddie Cutler]

Oh, no, Danny, no. This Della Sloan is a young lady of 27 with a now and then kind of police record.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Now and then what?

[Eddie Cutler]

Disturbing the peace, drunkenness.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What was she doing in an apartment house like that?

[Eddie Cutler]

You know, that's what I can't figure. She checked in for one day, then checked out. Whimsical, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where is this Della Sloan?

[Joseph Petty]

Now wait a minute.

[Eddie Cutler]

Here it is at the tag end of my report. Central Park West, 2002. I answered all your questions, Danny. I did good, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tartaglia did real fine. He even supplied a good question. What made Della Sloan so whimsical? It was a question that begged an answer. I had to find out what it was. The address on Central park west was a study in red brick respectability, overlooking the park, neat, scrubbed and peaceful. A gray haired man at the desk smiled and told me Ms. Sloan lived on the third floor and said that was just to the left of the elevator, sir. It was all so peaceful that I hated to break it up.

[Della Sloan]

Well, it's a long way from the bottle, so come on in. I'll show you where.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ms. Sloan.

[Della Sloan]

Come on in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Come on. Come on.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Better, better, better.

[Della Sloan]

Drinky? You want a little drinky, don't you?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Drinky?

[Della Sloan]

No.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh, come on, mister.

[Della Sloan]

Come on.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Listen to me.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh, honey, you're strong.

[Della Sloan]

I like it when you hold me. Come on, dance with me. So radio and everything.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Come on.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Now look.

[Della Sloan]

Palm, chin, turn by. Come on, move your feet. Come on. That's better.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ms. Sloane. Della. She went limp in my arms and her head fell downward against my chest like a tired dancer when the night's dancing is through. But the bullet hole in her back gave the setting another texture. There was no tiredness in her face, only the expression that is suddenly and forever caught in an instant of time. Della Sloane was dead. Della Sloane had been murder.

[Radio Announcer]

To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley spearmint chewing Gum. The lively, full bodied, real mint flavor cools your mouth, moistens your throat, freshens your taste. And the chewing itself gives you a little lift, helps you keep going at your best. So for real chewing enjoyment that's refreshing and long lasting, always keep Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. Healthful, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum will make every day more enjoyable. We now continue with Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

When the trade winds blow in from the Hudson and summertime comes to Broadway, it's a season of rare and cheerful enchantment. Then the palm trees sway in the corner, lunch stands to the whir of the electric fan, and the gourmet nods with satisfaction over the exotic tidbits. The juice from the papaya, the coconut milk, the knish. And Broadway lolls in its island paradise to a native tune entitled Hoop Dee Doo and occasionally glances at the newspapers from the mainland. Man murdered in an apartment house. What the beachcombers hadn't found out about yet was about me. Woman shot to death while dancing with policemen. I put Della Sloan on the couch, walked over to the window. There was no one on the fire escape. A shot had come from there, but the murderer had fled. Only the small hole in the window, the fragments of broken glass on the rug. I called headquarters, reported it. Then I turned off the radio. Two minutes after that, the door opened. It was too soon. It couldn't have been the police.

[Della Sloan]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know Della had a caller.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

I'll go.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, don't go. Come in. Close the door.

[Della Sloan]

I don't bust nothing up for Della, mister.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Close the door.

[Della Sloan]

Sure enough. Hey, what's the matter?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm a policeman. Hi.

[Della Sloan]

Hey, look at Della when you're out again.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who are you?

[Della Sloan]

I'm Della's roommate, Bet. Gene Owen. Now look at him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Della didn't come home last night, did she? So did she?

[Della Sloan]

No, I'm trying to tell you I'm a hard.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why wasn't she home? All right, let's go to headquarters. Betty.

[Della Sloan]

Mister, Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Yesterday afternoon, Della had a phone call and she wasn't in, so I took it. I gave her the number when she came in a few minutes later. That's all I know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What number?

[Della Sloan]

Well, I guess it's still over here on the pad. Yeah. Yeah, here. Here it is.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks.

[Della Sloan]

Hey, you want some help with Dell? I know what to do. Come on, sugar, wake up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Betty.

[Della Sloan]

I missed you. Better Give me a. Handle the clothes, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

She's dead, Betty. Murdered.

[Della Sloan]

Murdered? Hey, what is this?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, you got the wrong idea. I didn't do it. What?

[Joseph Petty]

Petty's Pharmacy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hmm?

[Joseph Petty]

Patty's Pharmacy. Joseph Petty, pharmacist speaking. Your order, please.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where are you located, Mr. Petty?

[Joseph Petty]

1654 West 12. Right next to the Mobile gas station. You can't miss it. And hurry down for the $0.01 sale. This is the last day, you know. We're about to close many.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll do that, Mr. Petty.

[Joseph Petty]

Are you being helped?

[Frank Briscoe]

Please.

[Joseph Petty]

We have many wonderful bargains. These beach balls, for instance, do for the price of. Well, you see the signs and we blow them up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

House of Petty. Where is he?

[Joseph Petty]

I'm Mr. Petty. You have a prescription you want filled? We can even take care of you in that department.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Mr. Petty. Oh, official.

[Joseph Petty]

Oh, you want a discount? I'm afraid official. Oh, but everything's in order. I haven't been robbed to my knowledge. My prescription books are examined regularly by the state.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Della Sloan. You know her?

[Frank Briscoe]

Della Sloan.

[Joseph Petty]

Let me see now. It registers. That name registers.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Think about it, Mr. Petty, and fast.

[Joseph Petty]

Oh, don't do that. I get all flustered when people rush me. I have it. Della Sloan, of course.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You'll tell me too, huh? Please.

[Joseph Petty]

I don't know Della Sloan from Adam or Eve, but she called here, told me her name. Interesting voice. Why did she do that yesterday morning?

[Detective Danny Clover]

What did she want?

[Joseph Petty]

She gave me her name, said a man had called her from this number. Said he must be here waiting for her to call back. Would I page him, please? Page like this was a hotel or some sort.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But you did that because her voice was interesting.

[Joseph Petty]

Exactly.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Was the man here?

[Joseph Petty]

He was, yes. He was eating a cheese nut burger, the special of the day at the Fountainia. When I called out, was there someone waiting for a call from a Ms. Dallas Sloan? He put down his nut baked burger and said he was. Thank you. That's as far as I ever got with Ms. Della Sloan.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who was the man?

[Joseph Petty]

I haven't the vaguest, except I gathered he was a friend of one of my sometime customers.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who would that be?

[Joseph Petty]

Mrs. Sylvia Briscoe. She comes in here, as I said, sometimes for a tonic or a special.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You said you thought they were friends, the man and Mrs. Briscoe. Why?

[Joseph Petty]

Because yesterday when Mrs. Briscoe walked in, the man got up from the soda fountain, tipped his hat to her and talked quietly. From my observation of the world, friends do that. You know another reason?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I don't Mr. Petty, I really don't. After that, there wasn't much of the day to work in. I called on Mrs. Briscoe, but she wasn't home. Then I phoned headquarters and found they'd released very Owen. Her alibi that she'd spent the whole day with friends checked. Then I went home for some sleep. At 7:30 I had my breakfast. A little after 8, I was at Sylvia Briscoe's apartment. It was a sorry hour to disturb a lady, but the lady had attained the status of number one murder suspect.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

You got your nerve.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I didn't want to disturb you at your office.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Disturb me? You disturbed me once. That's your quota. Now get away from here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Can't do that. You better invite me in, Mrs. Briscol.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Invite? You must be out of your mind, you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Police. Slip on a coat. The squad car is downstairs.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Why?

[Detective Danny Clover]

May I come in?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

All right. You won't be here long enough to want to sit down, will you?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Have you collected your insurance yet?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

My lawyers told me yesterday. It'll be a matter of a few weeks.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you'll play hopscotch all over the world. I doubt it.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh, I apologize, Mr. Clover. I was rude. A woman doesn't like to be caught with her hair up. Please sit down. Give me a cigarette.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right. Light.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

What have I done?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You tell me. Murder.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Don't be a fool. Would you like coffee?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, thanks. Ms. Briscoe, a man named Joseph Petty, a druggist not far from here, says.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

He knows you and I know him. Does that make your case stronger?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He said you were in his store yesterday morning for a prescription.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

A tonic. Is there a heading in the penal code for that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You talked to a man.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

The things a woman will do nowadays. Disgraceful. What man?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm asking you that. You want to think about it?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh, no, no. I remember a man tipped his hat to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's right.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

That one, he said, and I'll try to quote him exactly, hi, baby Doll. And he went on from there. Mr. Clover, he said, I'll buy you a molten. Who knows what wonderful things can happen from therein. That's what he said. Look, Mrs. No, you look. That's what he said. Hi, baby Doll. Well, I've been taught a defense against that. I flounced my bustle, pointed my thumb and said, 23 skidoo. And so help me, I never saw the cad before. And you know I wouldn't know him if I ever saw him again.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And that's how it blew up in my face. There was no Link between her and the murder of Della Sloane. Still, I knew Della's murder was somehow a part of the earlier killing. An afterthought in the death of Frank Briscoe at headquarters. I went round and round with it, round and round. Yes, Fattaglia?

[Eddie Cutler]

Danny, in the matter of Della Sloane, we have been digging through the records and.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And what?

[Eddie Cutler]

Not much, Danny, but I will give you a rundown. There may be something you can climb onto.

[Frank Briscoe]

Can you come with me for a minute?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hold on, Tartaglia. What do you got, Magavan?

[Frank Briscoe]

Lab boys have got the pictures developed in Della Sloan, her apartment, the fire escape, things like that. Want to take a look?

[Radio Announcer]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's go.

[Eddie Cutler]

Hey, Danny, I heard that. Who you gonna take care of first, me or him?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Him. Tartaglia, call me back. Come on, McElman. Yeah.

[Frank Briscoe]

I don't know if there's anything in the pictures, Danny, but you'll be in there at the time.

[Detective Danny Clover]

They might have a message for you.

[Frank Briscoe]

Yeah, in here, Danny. Over on my desk.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Nothing I didn't see before. I'll take him back with me, though, okay? Sure, take him.

[Frank Briscoe]

Hello? Hello? Hello?

[Eddie Cutler]

I know you're there, Danny. I heard you walk back into your office. Come on, answer me, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm sorry, Gino. I thought I hung up. The phone must have slipped off the hook. Wait a minute. Say that again, huh?

[Eddie Cutler]

Hello?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hello?

[Eddie Cutler]

Hello? That what you want me to say?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You've been hanging on the phone all this time.

[Eddie Cutler]

Yeah, you told me. Hold on. Remember now, about Della. Slow.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, do something for me. Call this number.

[Eddie Cutler]

What number?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Walker 8671.

[Eddie Cutler]

Walker 8671.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tell whoever answers it's no good. The insurance people won't pay off. You got it?

[Eddie Cutler]

Yeah, I got it. But, Danny, what does it mean?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Right now, Tartaglia, you got the whole day to worry about what it means. Car 26. Car 26. Over. Go ahead, 26. Suspect just left the building, Danny.

[Apartment Manager]

Entering a cab.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tail it. No siren.

[Eddie Cutler]

Okay.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Car 26. Still with us, Danny? Yeah, go ahead. Cab is now entering Grand Central Overpass.

[Eddie Cutler]

Maybe you better put someone else on with us.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We might lose it. Okay, keep on it. Dy. Over. Go ahead. Suspect entered apartment building on Madison. Shall we take him? No, just relax. I'll be right up.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Oh, hello, Mr. Clover. Say, we're practically going steady, aren't we?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then I get invited in, huh?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Sure, come on in. Oh, you know Mr. Cutler.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We've talked.

[Frank Briscoe]

Sylvia, what kind of a trick is this? What are you trying to do with me?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Relax, darling. I thought I'D finished with you, Mr. Clover. What do you want?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You. Him.

[Frank Briscoe]

Mr. Clover, I. Well, let me explain it to you. There's some things of Frank's golf clubs.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Don't be so stupid, Eddie. It's obvious what the gentleman wants you for. Murder.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You didn't hear me, Ms. Briscoe. You too.

[Frank Briscoe]

I'm getting out of here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Stay where you are.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

You followed Eddie here, didn't you? It was you who called him Eddie.

[Frank Briscoe]

Uh huh.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

You fell for that stupid trick. You brought the policeman here, Eddie. Stupid, stupid man.

[Frank Briscoe]

Don't forget, you planned it with me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Pretty cleverly, too. Your idea, Eddie?

[Frank Briscoe]

No, hers.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But it was. You got Della to take a room near Briscoe's apartment. Eddie. When you heard him come home, you called him, told him to hold the phone, then walked down the hall into his room and shot him.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

My Eddie. He did that? Well.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Shot him, then set a fire in the wastebasket to attract attention. Walked back to Della's room and waited till someone picked up the phone.

[Frank Briscoe]

How could you have known that? How?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I was lucky it happened to me today. The same pattern. But Della, she.

[Frank Briscoe]

She shot Della to keep her quiet. Della would have kept quiet for me.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Be miserable, Mr. Clover. Eddie shot that girl.

[Frank Briscoe]

I did not. You did. You didn't.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You know it.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

It gets worse and worse.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What about it, Ms. Bris?

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Look at him. Just look. He went to pot after his first killing.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It was you. You.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

It was me, Eddie. Understand, Mr. Clover. I couldn't take a chance with that girl losing a hundred thousand dollars because a girl like that is alive.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Come on, Sylvia.

[Frank Briscoe]

They'll kill us. You made me do it, you know. You made me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Put out your hands, Eddie.

[Frank Briscoe]

We didn't have to kill poor Frank. You made me. I. I didn't want to do it, Mrs. Briscoe. Mr. Clover, listen to me. It was her. It was her all the time. It was her fault.

[Sylvia Briscoe]

Shut up, Eddie. You're really nothing. Zero in an empty box. Nothing.

[Detective Danny Clover]

In the minutes before the dawn, Broadway lies huddled in a dreamless sleep. The silent street is part of it. The long black night, the time of no stars, the muted wind. And from far away the whispers. Start running, kid, or you'll never get home again. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, my beat.

[Radio Announcer]

Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. You feel better, work better, get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some healthful, refreshing Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy to make every day more enjoyable. Treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum hope you've enjoyed tonight's story and that you're enjoying Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at this time when Detective Danny Clover returns again with Broadway's My Beat. Broadway's My Beat Brought to you by Wrigley's Spearmint Gum is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, with music composed and conducted by Alexander Curry. The program is written by Morton Fine and David Friedgren and stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Klober with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. And included in tonight's cast were Mary Shipp, Kathy Lewis, Jay Novello, Lou Krugman, Joe Forte and Jack Krushman. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

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