Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case 07/31/1950

Summary

Summary of "Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case
Release Date: July 16, 2025

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Introduction

"Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case" is a gripping episode from the Choice Classic Radio Detectives series, bringing listeners back to the thrilling world of old-time radio detective dramas. Set against the vibrant and often perilous backdrop of Broadway, this episode follows Detective Danny Clover as he unravels the mysterious murder of Harry Brett, a talented pianist at the notorious 34 Club.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens on the bustling streets of Broadway, described vividly by the narrator:

"Broadway is a place that can get excited about a lot of things. Joe Louis and War. Coming out of retirement, the terrible Turk pinned the referee at St. Nicholas Arena... I didn't have it so good. Reason a pianist named Harry Brett was shot on a revolving stage in a nightclub."
[03:06]

The 34 Club is introduced as the central location where the crime takes place, a nightclub known for its lively performances and darker undercurrents.

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The Murder

Detective Danny Clover arrives at the scene shortly after the murder of Harry Brett, a pianist renowned for his exceptional talent. The murder occurred on a circular platform above the bar, making it challenging to determine the shooter's position:

"It's just that in cases of murder... How to figure out from where the shot came from with that platform going."
Mr. Darby [04:27-04:32] [04:27]

Mr. Darby, the owner of the 34 Club, provides initial insights, revealing a possible motive tied to Brett's interactions with his wife, Kay:

"Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay. That could be motive, couldn't it?"
[05:19-05:28]

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Interviews and Clues

Detective Clover conducts interviews with key witnesses to piece together the events leading to Harry Brett's death.

Interview with Mr. Darby

Mr. Darby admits that Harry Brett had been flirting with his wife, Kay, which may have led to jealousy:

"Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay. That could be motive, couldn't it?"
[05:19-05:28]

He also mentions being "out in the sidewalk at the time communing with something or someone," hinting at possible alibis or distractions during the time of the murder.

Interview with Charlie Walker

Charlie Walker, a trumpet player at the club, provides a different perspective:

"Harry took it away from us. Nobody could play against what he was doing."
[06:45-06:52]

Charlie expresses his disdain for Harry, describing him as "egotistical, vain, selfish, snobbish," which paints a picture of potential personal conflicts within the band.

Encounter with Ray Richard

Detective Clover meets Ray Richard, the drummer, who showcases an emotional and almost ethereal reaction to the murder:

"For Harry Brett, pianist. His phrase for his dying. See, I'm lucky. And people, things, I react to them. Everything has its tempo. I don't need words."
[12:52-13:04]

Ray's behavior is suspicious, especially his feigned illness and unusual demeanor after the murder.

---

The Investigation Deepens

Detective Clover delves deeper into Ray Richard's background, uncovering inconsistencies in his story. Ray claims to have been drinking and not present at the club during the murder, but later evidence contradicts his alibi.

"Took the words out of my mouth. The shot could have come from any place."
Detective Tartaglia [15:10-15:20]

This mathematical perplexity adds another layer of complexity to the case, emphasizing the challenge in determining the murderer's exact position.

---

Discovery and Confrontation

The investigation takes a dramatic turn when Ray Richard is found dead, floating in the East River. Detective Clover deduces that Ray manipulated his identity to cover his tracks:

"Same size and build, you switch clothes with him, watch ring, kill him and throw him in the river with your identification."
[29:09-29:17]

Clover confronts Ray, revealing his true identity and connection to Harry Brett's murder:

"Ray Richard, please... By the way, Mr. Darby, where is Kay? I've been waiting for you to tell me why she isn't here."
[28:08-28:15]

Kay Darby's involvement is further scrutinized, linking her closely with both Harry and Ray, suggesting a possible love triangle and motive rooted in jealousy and personal vendetta.

---

Conclusion

In a climactic revelation, Detective Clover uncovers that Ray Richard orchestrated the murders to eliminate competition and secure his position within the band. His intricate plan involved impersonation and manipulation, exploiting his relationships to mask his true intentions.

"Ray Richard. He was egotistical, vain... Loves it."
[29:26-29:35]

The episode concludes with Canary reflections on the dark side of Broadway, celebrating Clover's tenacity and the unmasking of a cunning murderer.

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Key Quotes

• Mr. Darby on Motive:
  "Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay."
  [05:19-05:28]

• Charlie Walker on Harry Brett:
  "He was egotistical, vain, selfish, snobbish. He loved himself."
  [10:52-11:03]

• Ray Richard's Evasion:
  "I gotta play him into the other world. I gotta."
  [07:08-07:14]

• Detective Tartaglia on the Murder's Complexity:
  "The line of the bullet being a seat can to a revolving circle whose formula is PI r squared to the nth power."
  [15:11-15:20]

---

Production Notes

"Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case" is a masterful blend of suspense, character development, and intricate plotting typical of the Golden Age of Radio. Produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed and conducted by Alexander Courage, the episode features exceptional performances by Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover and Charles Calvert as Detective Tartaglia.

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Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates the essence of classic radio detective stories, transporting listeners to a bygone era filled with glamour, danger, and intricate mysteries. Detective Danny Clover's relentless pursuit of the truth amidst the glittering facade of Broadway makes "Broadway Is My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case" a standout installment in the Choice Classic Radio Detectives series.

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Transcript

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[Broadway Narrator]

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

[Listener 1]

Broadway's My Beat the thrilling drama of murder and mystery in 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 Spearmint Chewing Gum Healthful, refreshing, delicious.

[Broadway Narrator]

A time comes finally to Broadway when the emptiness is big, when solitude walks the street arrogant and Braille. It's the time when the neon carnival is wound down, when the blazing furnace of light darkens and grows cold and on the pavements glistening with the tears of despair, the stragglers walk. They plead for a door to Open for a light to be turned on Solitude is at their heels. Please, kid. For a friend. But it's no good, kid. Broadway's closed for the night. But there are side streets where it's never clothes. Where trumpets scream and saxes weep. In the 50s, for instance, in a little joint called the 34 Club, for instance, where I was. Where death was. And this time it was a circular platform raised above the bar with a piano on it and a dead man resting his head on the keys. And all of it defined in the darkness by a spotlight that changed colors. And all of it revolving like a big toy, slow, round and round. And the man tries to explain to you why it wasn't turned off.

[Mr. Darby]

It isn't that we were sitting here enjoying the spectacle of it, Mr. Clover.

[Broadway Narrator]

It's just that in cases of murder.

[Mr. Darby]

I read some place you're not supposed to touch nothing, but nothing.

[Broadway Narrator]

It was gone around like that. When, before, during and after the murder.

[Mr. Darby]

Hey, you got yourself a puzzle. How to figure out from where the shot came from with that platform going.

[Broadway Narrator]

Round and round and round. Turn it off.

[Mr. Darby]

I'm glad somebody finally came through with an order there. I'm a man who doesn't function Very well, Mr. Clover, unless somebody gives me an order. Spineless, that's me.

[Broadway Narrator]

Still, you manage this place, Mr. Darby. You own it too, huh?

[Mr. Darby]

Sure, but what courage does that take? The decisions are made by Kay. She hires the musicians, pays the salaries. That's my wife, Kay. You ever heard her sing, Mr. Clover? Like a dream. You don't talk about to nobody.

[Broadway Narrator]

She hired the man up there?

[Mr. Darby]

Absolutely. Heard him playing piano in some forlorn joint. Hired him on the spot. He was very great. That boy on the piano.

[Broadway Narrator]

What else about him, Mr. Darby?

[Mr. Darby]

What else about Harry Brett? He's dead with a bullet hole in him.

[Broadway Narrator]

Maybe you can tell me why.

[Mr. Darby]

Maybe I can. Wanna hear, Mr. Clover?

[Broadway Narrator]

Huh? I got a good why.

[Mr. Darby]

Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay.

[Broadway Narrator]

That could be motive, couldn't it? Yeah.

[Mr. Darby]

It could.

[Broadway Narrator]

Did your wife listen?

[Mr. Darby]

My wife, Kay, you. You won't mind asking her yourself. You won't mind at all.

[Broadway Narrator]

Now, tell me how it happened.

[Mr. Darby]

I Wish I could, Mr. Clover, but. But I just can't.

[Broadway Narrator]

Try.

[Mr. Darby]

Oh, it's no use. Because I was out in the sidewalk at the time communing with something or someone.

[Broadway Narrator]

Has no name. This something?

[Mr. Darby]

No. But I can give you a list of witnesses on the street who witnessed me communing. They know the look that comes over me. That's how they know you want the list.

[Broadway Narrator]

Yeah, but later you'll stick around so you can give it to me later.

[Mr. Darby]

I got no place else to go. Just no place.

[Broadway Narrator]

Who can tell me how it happened?

[Mr. Darby]

Jack over there. Jack Gage. The boy sitting at the bar crying because his friend is dead.

[Broadway Narrator]

He's sorry. The pianist is dead. Sure.

[Mr. Darby]

Somebody has to play a dirge at a funeral. Don't they, Mr. Clover? Don't they?

[Listener 1]

Harry?

[Broadway Narrator]

Harry. You were too good to die, kid. Too good. Mr. Gage, I have to ask you some questions from the police. You have to tell me what happened. We were on the platform up there, turning round and round, playing good. Harry was playing so good at her. Chin side. I still hear it. It still hurts. Just you and Harry were up there.

[Charlie Walker]

Me on clarinet and Harry on piano.

[Broadway Narrator]

And the trumpet. The trumpet. Charlie Walker.

[Charlie Walker]

Charlie, the trumpet and I. The clarinet were out. Harry took it away from us. Nobody could play against what he was doing.

[Broadway Narrator]

It was. It hurt that Swannie was shot? Yeah, there was a shot. At first I thought it was a drum, but then I knew it wasn't a drum because there's no drum in the number. The drum's out with the rum.

[Ray Richard]

Who talks about me? Who talks about me when my back is turned out of my way. It's burning. I gotta put it out.

[Broadway Narrator]

Take a minute. Who are you?

[Ray Richard]

You don't know Ray Richard? I beat out heartbeats for the people on the drums. What are you, an agent?

[Mr. Darby]

Hey, Jack, why the tears?

[Broadway Narrator]

Without tears I'll go die. Beat out your own march and go die.

[Ray Richard]

I'll do that. It was burning me up and I didn't know what. A death march. That's what's inside me. A jazz time death march. Hey, who died beside me?

[Broadway Narrator]

Harry Brett. He was murdered.

[Ray Richard]

I gotta play him into the other world. I gotta.

[Broadway Narrator]

Hey, you kill him, Jack.

[Ray Richard]

You kill him cause you love him so much.

[Broadway Narrator]

Look at that dirty rocking trollin Jack. He's drunk. Don't give him the right. Listen to him play. Listen to that crazy, crazy man. You haven't thr me yet. How it was, Jack? Huh?

[Listener 1]

Oh, about Harry. Well, there was this shot and Harry.

[Broadway Narrator]

Goes oh, like that.

[Listener 1]

Oh, he puts his head on the.

[Broadway Narrator]

Keys and dies and nobody cares. Everybody runs away.

[Listener 1]

Harry dies and they run away.

[Broadway Narrator]

Where did they run?

[Listener 1]

Where did who run? Be specific. It's the time to be specific.

[Broadway Narrator]

The trumpet. Charlie Walker. Who knows? Kay Darby.

[Mr. Darby]

To her apartment, I bet.

[Charlie Walker]

Right down the street, number 16.

[Broadway Narrator]

Call on her. Tell her I sent you. Tell her that.

[Charlie Walker]

Yeah.

[Broadway Narrator]

What k Darby live here? You're who? Danny Clover. Police.

[Charlie Walker]

All right. He'll be in the way, but all right.

[Broadway Narrator]

I was told I'd be able to find Kay Darby here.

[Charlie Walker]

Who can find K. Darby? Guys like you, people who come knocking on a door. Ask me about K. Darby. I'll try to translate it to you.

[Broadway Narrator]

Let's not bother, huh? Where is she?

[Charlie Walker]

That's a little late, isn't it? 3:30 in the a and the M the next room.

[Broadway Narrator]

Get her.

[Charlie Walker]

If so, say you. But only because you got a badge tucked away.

[Mr. Darby]

Kay.

[Ray Richard]

Visitor.

[Charlie Walker]

Kay. Man from the police. Kay. He wants to find you.

[Broadway Narrator]

Danny Clover. There's some things I want to ask you.

[Kay Darby]

Yes?

[Broadway Narrator]

About Harry Brett.

[Kay Darby]

Ah, don't mind him, Mr. Clover. Charlie here thinks anyone who doesn't play a trumpet might as well be making music with a comb and tissue paper.

[Broadway Narrator]

You feel that way, huh, Charlie? Charlie who?

[Charlie Walker]

Hey, what's the matter with you, Mr. Clover? Been away from the world for six years.

[Listener 1]

I'm Charlie Walker.

[Kay Darby]

Charlie blows a trumpet, you sing.

[Broadway Narrator]

Isn't that right, Kate?

[Kay Darby]

That's right.

[Broadway Narrator]

Why did you leave the 34 Club after the shooting?

[Kay Darby]

I was upset.

[Charlie Walker]

She was upset. Leaned on old Charlie Walker for strength in time of need.

[Broadway Narrator]

You came here with Charlie?

[Kay Darby]

Yeah. I left word about leaving, seeing Harry.

[Broadway Narrator]

Did.

[Kay Darby]

I knew what would happen if I stayed.

[Broadway Narrator]

Oh, what?

[Kay Darby]

I'd want to keep looking at him lying there. I wanted to see him. Doesn't matter. Just that I left word that I'd be here with Charlie. So if the police wanted to question us, we'd be here.

[Broadway Narrator]

What can you tell me about Harry?

[Kay Darby]

A lot. He could play the piano like an angel. His fingers touched my arm too much when we talked. I hated the sight of him. Does that take care of it?

[Broadway Narrator]

Where were you when Harry was shot?

[Charlie Walker]

Sitting with me at the bar.

[Kay Darby]

That's right, Charlie.

[Charlie Walker]

Ah, why a mess about a lousy piano player?

[Broadway Narrator]

You hated him, too, huh?

[Charlie Walker]

From the top of his toupee to tippy toes. He was egotistical, vain, selfish, snobbish. He loved himself. Know the kind of guy I mean?

[Broadway Narrator]

He had me there. And after that, a moth started to whirr around the light bulb. We all saw it at the same time. We watched it. There was nothing more to say. Suddenly, we all got tired and wished everybody'd go away. I walked Charlie out to the street. He hailed his cab, I hailed mine. I went home, went to sleep. The next morning, I went through the motions. Get up and breakfast and the morning papers propped against the sugar bowl, and to work Check in at headquarters and let them know you're calling on Ray Richard, drummer. Because when you saw Ray Richard a little while ago, he wasn't in condition to talk about murder. Maybe the morning would change it all. When I got to his door, Ray's Hymn to the sun had a feathery quality to it. Ray looked better.

[Ray Richard]

Hi.

[Broadway Narrator]

Come on in. Thanks. Did I interrupt? No.

[Ray Richard]

Sit down. Me too. I'm woozy, really woozy. Almost knocking over my drums.

[Broadway Narrator]

There's quite an outfit of drums you got there. Uh huh. I heard you play a little bit last night. Interesting.

[Ray Richard]

Interesting? Why was it interesting?

[Broadway Narrator]

I don't know.

[Ray Richard]

I'm grateful you remember me. Because of my drums.

[Broadway Narrator]

Just that it was strange. Man gets killed and you react by.

[Ray Richard]

By doing this. By doing that.

[Broadway Narrator]

Uh huh.

[Ray Richard]

For Harry Brett, pianist. His phrase for his dying. See, I'm lucky.

[Broadway Narrator]

Lucky.

[Ray Richard]

And people, things, I react to them. Everything has its tempo. I don't need words.

[Broadway Narrator]

I see you.

[Ray Richard]

You a policeman?

[Broadway Narrator]

Look, Ray.

[Ray Richard]

Kay Darby.

[Broadway Narrator]

You know her?

[Ray Richard]

That's Kay. Exactly her.

[Broadway Narrator]

What about yourself?

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, it works out. End of show.

[Broadway Narrator]

Not really that. Ray. I'm trying to find out whether you.

[Ray Richard]

Killed Harry Brett, not me. You're wrong about that. I mourned for him. Yeah, I heard when you left the club. Later. After that, I took a walk. A skid row type walk as the night. And the thing that happened to Harry needed that. You can't leave death quickly. You can't have it touch you and go home and forget it. Ray had to do it gently. So I went back to the dying and the half alive. And I came home and tried to hold the feel of it, the tempo of it, with my drums. And I could let it go. But I couldn't work that out either.

[Broadway Narrator]

I was trying when I came up here.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah?

[Broadway Narrator]

Where were you when Harry was killed?

[Ray Richard]

I can't give you addresses.

[Broadway Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Ray Richard]

I had a half hour break from bandstand. Boozed it up and a couple of joints around.

[Broadway Narrator]

Why didn't you stay at the 34 Club? They got a liquor license. It's enough to play there.

[Ray Richard]

I don't have to live my half hour breaks there.

[Broadway Narrator]

Are you glad Harry's dead?

[Ray Richard]

Doesn't make any difference. I'll hire another piano player.

[Broadway Narrator]

Did you kill him?

[Ray Richard]

No, I'd be afraid to kill.

[Broadway Narrator]

You've got a tempo for that too?

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, I have. Would you like to hear it?

[Broadway Narrator]

Not now, Ray. But stick around your drums in case the yen suddenly hits.

[Detective Tartaglia]

Danny.

[Broadway Narrator]

Come in. Tartaglia.

[Detective Tartaglia]

Ah, thanks. A toughie, huh? What is this murder of this piano player? It isn't fair to the ballistics department how this murder of this piano player was performed.

[Broadway Narrator]

Got them worried, huh?

[Detective Tartaglia]

Yeah, indeed. This guy getting shot on a revolving stage. How are they supposed to find out where the shot came from?

[Broadway Narrator]

Puppy, huh?

[Detective Tartaglia]

You took the words out of my mouth. The shot could have come from any place. The line of the bullet being a seat can to a revolving circle whose formula is PI r squared to the nth power.

[Broadway Narrator]

How will explain. Excuse me.

[Detective Tartaglia]

That goes without saying.

[Broadway Narrator]

Thank you.

[Detective Tartaglia]

You're welcome, I'm sure.

[Broadway Narrator]

Danny Clover speaking.

[Mr. Darby]

I told you I was afraid.

[Ray Richard]

Mr. Clover.

[Broadway Narrator]

Who is this? Ray.

[Ray Richard]

Ray Richard, please.

[Broadway Narrator]

Drummer, of course. Of course it is. What's the matter with you?

[Ray Richard]

A guy's been hanging around out front.

[Broadway Narrator]

What guy? What are you trying to say?

[Ray Richard]

I just saw him come into the house.

[Broadway Narrator]

Listen. I don't hear anything. Ray. No. Ray. Ray. What is it? The shots and the scream held the tight blend of terror. And I rode it, followed it behind the siren, gouging a channel through the streets. It took six minutes to get to Ray's room. The room was empty. No Ray, nothing. Correction. The room was flooded with music coming from a phonograph. That and a streak of blood on the rug, lending its own touch to the shrieking room. But most of all, it was the music. A record. I looked at it. Tempo for timpani, it was called. The room didn't need it. It needed another quality. The quality that came after violence. The tempo of silence, maybe of death. And wherever Ray Richard was right now, I had a feeling he was covered with.

[Listener 1]

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, helpful, 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.

[Broadway Narrator]

Broadway is a place that can get excited about a lot of things. Joe Louis and War. Coming out of retirement, the terrible Turk pinned the referee at St. Nicholas Arena. And up in Central Park, Robert the Rhinoceros had twins and had his name changed to Alice. Broadway stands in front of the Paramount building and gawks at the Trans Lux. I didn't have it so good. Reason a pianist named Harry Brett was shot on a revolving stage in a nightclub. Reason a trap drum player named Ray Richard had left testimony of death in his room. Reason I had to go to work. I called headquarters, had an all points bulletin sent out on Ray Richard, let them know I was on my way Back to the 34 Club. In the early afternoon, the place was bleak, without reason, pointless, like an old false face that hung on a dime store shelf for too many Halloweens. Kay Darby was sitting at the bar, making a pattern of wet stains for the bottom of her glass. When she saw me, she looked as if she wished I'd never happened.

[Kay Darby]

Ah, not again, Mr. Clover.

[Broadway Narrator]

Why not?

[Kay Darby]

Many's a time I meet someone and say to myself, oh, not again.

[Broadway Narrator]

And you're telling yourself that now, huh?

[Kay Darby]

Sit down if you want. I only make the offer because sometimes breeding gets the better of me.

[Broadway Narrator]

Maybe I should tell you, Katie.

[Kay Darby]

Don't tell me. You want me to shiver when you point your finger at me and say I'm a suspect for murder. Save it. I wouldn't even shrug.

[Broadway Narrator]

Did you kill Harry?

[Ray Richard]

Uh, no.

[Kay Darby]

Nope. Look, you don't understand, do you?

[Broadway Narrator]

Understand what?

[Kay Darby]

About me. I'm trying to get it over to you. I'm being in a dull gray mist. I was getting ready to salt my beer with a tear when you walked in. Oh, yepper. This whole thing that's killing, it's gonna break Lou to the nub.

[Broadway Narrator]

Lou? Your husband? You mean the publicity?

[Kay Darby]

He was just getting this little gin mellow float.

[Broadway Narrator]

Tell me this, Kay. How close were you with Ray Richard?

[Kay Darby]

Drummer boy Ray?

[Broadway Narrator]

That's right.

[Kay Darby]

What would I want with him?

[Broadway Narrator]

You tell me.

[Kay Darby]

He's talented.

[Broadway Narrator]

I know.

[Kay Darby]

Once I was with him where people drink out of glass thimbles and listen to violin music. He beat out for my amusement. A rhythm with the fiddle with pickle forks.

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[Kay Darby]

What about Ray?

[Broadway Narrator]

He's missing. Maybe.

[Kay Darby]

Wait a minute. The bar phone. Yes. Yes, he's here. Someone from your side of the tracks wants to talk to Mr. Clover.

[Broadway Narrator]

Thanks. Hello?

[Detective Tartaglia]

Danny. We got Richard, Danny. Found him.

[Broadway Narrator]

Hold him, Gino. I'll be right down.

[Detective Tartaglia]

Go by way of the east river docks, Danny. That's where they fished him out. Drowned, dead.

[Broadway Narrator]

At the docks. The heat clawed at the mounted policemen, at their horses, and they in turn clawed at the crowd. The crowd with the pale, sullen face rejecting the heat, the stain of heat on its body and its clothes, dodging, scurrying from under the hooves of the rearing, sweating animals. Because the spectacle of death was for free. The crowd would not be denied by man or beast or element. From the river, the vapors of night were beginning to rise in the distant moan of a ship as it entered into the horizons of night. And death had shaped itself a proper setting. And someone known to you moved across or pushed his way through the supernumerary sponge and spoke to you. Yeah.

[Charlie Walker]

Come on, Danny.

[Broadway Narrator]

I'll get through the crowd. Where is he, Mugavan?

[Charlie Walker]

Down at the edge of the dock. Boys have fished him out, Laid him out in one of the machine sheds.

[Broadway Narrator]

All right, one side.

[Charlie Walker]

One side, please.

[Broadway Narrator]

Oh.

[Charlie Walker]

Will you please step aside?

[Listener 1]

Down here, Danny.

[Charlie Walker]

Here, I'll uncover him. Oh, yeah, they shot him up good from up close and threw him in the river.

[Broadway Narrator]

How long did you say he'd been in the river? Oh, not long, Danny.

[Charlie Walker]

Just long enough to. There's no blood on them.

[Broadway Narrator]

Yeah. Identification?

[Charlie Walker]

Yeah. This Musician's Union card, Local 802, issued to Ray Richard. Driver's license issued to Ray Richard. This check from the 34 club signed by Kay Darby, made out to Ray Richard. Description tallies in this gold Longines watch, Danny, with the initials RR on the back. That spells Ray Richard, huh?

[Talkspace Announcer]

Yeah.

[Broadway Narrator]

I Remember it. Do something for me, Muggle.

[Charlie Walker]

Well, sure.

[Broadway Narrator]

Danny, call headquarters. Have him pick up Lou and Kay Darby and a trumpet. Huh? A trumpet named Charlie Walker.

[Charlie Walker]

Next time you invite a trumpet player, Danny, pick a spot with better acoustics. This offends the ear, this hole. Listen how it echoes.

[Broadway Narrator]

Hey.

[Charlie Walker]

See what I mean, huh? Reminds me of a dance crib I played once in Selma out of bmi. Same acoustics, same type of studio response. I was playing the trumpet in a manner unknown to this world. And those yokels just lay there like these stiff.

[Broadway Narrator]

Stop it, Charlie.

[Mr. Darby]

You're disgusting.

[Listener 1]

What's the matter, Lou?

[Charlie Walker]

You develop a set of taste all of a sudden?

[Mr. Darby]

No, just that with all these dead around me, gives me the feeling I should commune with something. Why did you bring Charlie and me here, Mr. Clover?

[Broadway Narrator]

I want you to identify a body we found in the East River.

[Charlie Walker]

Someone we have pleased. Or vice versa.

[Broadway Narrator]

That's a good question. Take all the time you need. I want you to be sure.

[Charlie Walker]

The shape is familiar, but the face, it's hard to tell.

[Broadway Narrator]

Mr. Darby.

[Mr. Darby]

I recognize the suit. Uh huh, I recognize it. You know who it is, of course, don't you? I've seen him wear it many times. Therefore, the body belongs to.

[Broadway Narrator]

To Ray Richard.

[Mr. Darby]

Of course.

[Broadway Narrator]

Ray Richard.

[Mr. Darby]

I only hesitated because a man doesn't rush into a thing like this.

[Broadway Narrator]

What do you say, Charlie?

[Charlie Walker]

Ray Richard.

[Broadway Narrator]

Recognize this ring?

[Mr. Darby]

Of course I do, Mr. Clover. That's Ray's all right. He partnered with me many times when he needed more money for more booze.

[Broadway Narrator]

All right, that's.

[Charlie Walker]

He was murdered.

[Broadway Narrator]

Huh?

[Charlie Walker]

Huh, Charlie, what makes Lou and me your darlings? Other people could have killed Ray, tossed him in the water.

[Broadway Narrator]

Like who, Charlie?

[Charlie Walker]

Like the clarinet, Jack Gage. Like Kay. The Song of Songs.

[Broadway Narrator]

By the way, Mr. Darby, where is Kay? I've been waiting for you to tell me why she isn't here. She.

[Mr. Darby]

She was at the club the last time I saw her.

[Broadway Narrator]

Why she's not there anymore. Upstairs, they say she's not anywhere. Where is she, Mr. Darby?

[Mr. Darby]

You mean Kay's disappeared? You mean you can't find her?

[Broadway Narrator]

You gotta find her.

[Mr. Darby]

I'm nothing without Kay.

[Broadway Narrator]

You gotta find her, you hear? I hear. And we will, Mr. Darby. Honest, we will.

[Charlie Walker]

Attention all cars. Attention all cars. 9:33pm Pick up K. Darby. She's 5ft 4 inches tall, weight about 121. She has black hair, dark brown eyes.

[Broadway Narrator]

Danny Clover speaking.

[Listener 1]

You fellas looking for K. Darby?

[Broadway Narrator]

Who is this?

[Listener 1]

Jeet Brooks. I run the KitKat in Harlem. She's Here, now.

[Broadway Narrator]

Hold her there.

[Listener 1]

You come get her.

[Broadway Narrator]

We're late.

[Listener 1]

She's gone. She's a long time gone.

[Broadway Narrator]

Where'd she go?

[Listener 1]

She said she wanted to wear. The music was real secret. I told her where.

[Broadway Narrator]

Where?

[Listener 1]

Brick Wall Club, Lenox Avenue.

[Kay Darby]

Who?

[Broadway Narrator]

K. Darby.

[Listener 1]

She been in here, been left.

[Broadway Narrator]

Where'd she go?

[Kay Darby]

I know there's great piano around the corner. Maybe there.

[Broadway Narrator]

I said. Kay Darby.

[Charlie Walker]

I know was, but not now.

[Broadway Narrator]

You know where she went?

[Charlie Walker]

Yeah, I know all right.

[Broadway Narrator]

Where? What she was looking for. Where?

[Charlie Walker]

Room upstairs. Stairs all the way upstairs, far as you can go. One room on the last row.

[Broadway Narrator]

Try K. K? She stood there before me in the corridor, blocking the open door, her eyes closed, head moving back and forth to the rhythm of her wordless song. The music that came from the room and back of her dream touched her, lolled over her.

[Kay Darby]

What do you want? Here.

[Broadway Narrator]

You found him, huh?

[Ray Richard]

Okay.

[Kay Darby]

He won't let me in. He and the other two, huh? They're worshiping something in there. They won't let anybody in. I'll wait.

[Broadway Narrator]

Get out of the way, K. No. Get out of the way. You two, out. Hello, ray.

[Charlie Walker]

Hi.

[Ray Richard]

Hi, Mr. Clover.

[Broadway Narrator]

We've been looking for you, Ray.

[Ray Richard]

That's funny. I didn't think you would be.

[Broadway Narrator]

You made a mistake, Ray.

[Charlie Walker]

Me?

[Broadway Narrator]

Uh huh. Man shot up like that. Saw a little blood in your room. A mistake? Who was he?

[Ray Richard]

Nothing. I looked for a man who was nothing. I found him on that walk you.

[Broadway Narrator]

Took in skid row.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, that's when a derelict of the.

[Broadway Narrator]

Same size and build, you switch clothes with him, watch ring, kill him and throw him in the river with your identification.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, and didn't fool you, huh?

[Broadway Narrator]

At least the pianist, Harry Brett, did he need killing, too, Ray, huh?

[Ray Richard]

Kay hated him. He bothered her. I like Kay around me.

[Broadway Narrator]

She likes it, too.

[Ray Richard]

Loves it.

[Broadway Narrator]

Let's go.

[Charlie Walker]

Loves it.

[Broadway Narrator]

Loves it. I didn't stop at Ray's frenzy the girl stood in the doorway watching him. In a little while she came into the room and sat at his feet. Then it was over all over the nighttime leaps down on Broadway the revelers swarm the streets to embrace it Laughter pours into the shadowed places and for a time, kid, no despair just explosions and the sweet promise and have a drink on me for time For a little time It's Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world Broadway, my beat.

[Listener 1]

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