Broadway Is My Beat: The Mary Murdock Murder Case 01/07/1950

Summary

Broadway Is My Beat: The Mary Murdock Murder Case

Episode: 01/07/1950
Release Date: January 8, 2025
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Narrator: Choice Classic Radio
Main Characters:

• Detective Danny Clover (Anthony Ross)
• Peter Daly (Guest Character)
• Ben Cotton (Guest Character)
• Sergeant (Supporting Character)
• Detective Tom Donnelly (Guest Character)
• Mrs. Daly (Guest Character)

---

Introduction

Broadway Is My Beat introduces Detective Danny Clover, a seasoned investigator patrolling the vibrant and often perilous streets of New York City. The episode sets the stage for a gripping tale of blackmail, murder, and betrayal amidst the bustling backdrop of Broadway.

Narrator [00:25]:
"Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows... Broadway's My Beat, with Anthony Ross as Detective Danny Clover."

---

The Blackmail Case

The story unfolds as Peter Daly, a man visiting New York for a convention, seeks the assistance of Detective Clover in the squadroom of the 47th Street Station House. Daly is distressed over a blackmail attempt by a mysterious redheaded woman threatening to expose a compromising photograph unless he pays $500.

Peter Daly [01:23]:
"Lieutenant Clover, that's me, told me out front I'd find you here. You gotta help me."

As Daly explains the situation, it becomes evident that he is unaware of the redhead's motives and origins, heightening Clover's suspicions.

Detective Clover [01:03]:
"Broadway is my beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle... But today, trouble is waiting for me in the squadroom."

---

Discovery of Murder

While investigating the blackmail case, Sergeant informs Clover of a murder at Broadway Towers. Rita Rondell, a redheaded woman, has been found dead with a fractured skull, bringing a new dimension to the case.

Sergeant [05:15]:
"Looking all over for you, Lieutenant. Broadway Towers. Detective Tom Donnelly's already up there. Apartment 5E. Some dame there found dead, Lieutenant. Looks like murder."

Clover and Detective Donnelly examine the crime scene, uncovering crucial evidence—a photograph linking Peter Daly to Rita Rondell, suggesting a deeper conspiracy.

Detective Donnelly [06:25]:
"This is him with Rita Rondell. Taken against the bar at the Hi Hat Club."

---

Investigation and Evidence

As Clover delves deeper, he confronts Daly with the evidence. Despite Daly's pleas of innocence and his wife's unwavering support, inconsistencies in his story emerge, particularly regarding the missing hat found at Rita's apartment bearing Daly's initials.

Detective Clover [12:03]:
"Your hat... found on her fire escape as your initials."

Daly's growing desperation and fragmented alibi cast further doubt on his innocence, prompting Clover to intensify his investigation.

---

Interaction with Mrs. Daly

Clover meets Daly's wife, Mrs. Daly, whose steadfast belief in her husband's integrity adds emotional depth to the narrative. Her unwavering trust in Daly contrasts sharply with the mounting evidence, showcasing the personal turmoil engulfing the family.

Mrs. Daly [20:16]:
"His word's good enough for me. And if he says so, he was never even up in her apartment."

Her heartfelt defense of Daly underscores the themes of loyalty and the devastating impact of crime on personal relationships.

---

Revelation and Resolution

The turning point occurs when Ben Cotton, a close friend of Daly and a potential suspect, confesses to orchestrating the blackmail scheme. Driven by unrequited love for Mrs. Daly, Cotton's actions inadvertently lead to Rita Rondell's accidental death during a confrontation.

Ben Cotton [25:17]:
"I was up to that double crossing redhead's apartment, but I didn't mean to kill her."

Clover pieces together the clues, revealing that Cotton manipulated Daly into the compromising situation, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome. This revelation not only clears Daly's name but also exposes the tangled web of deceit and jealousy orchestrated by Cotton.

Detective Clover [26:18]:
"You arranged it too. You were in love with his wife. You wanted her to think the worst, maybe and throw him over for you."

---

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Detective Clover reflecting on the complexities of human emotions and the vulnerabilities that can lead to grave consequences. Daly and his wife express profound gratitude towards Clover for uncovering the truth, highlighting the detective's unwavering commitment to justice.

Detective Clover [27:47]:
"I want to see you both again, you know. So you know, miss, I don't often meet somebody like you."

The narrative wraps up with a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of trust and the far-reaching effects of deceit within personal and professional spheres.

---

Notable Quotes

• Detective Clover [01:03]:
  "Broadway is my beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle... But today, trouble is waiting for me in the squadroom."

• Peter Daly [04:08]:
  "Why should I pay her? Look, Lieutenant, believe me, I'm a happily married man."

• Mrs. Daly [20:16]:
  "His word's good enough for me. And if he says so, he was never even up in her apartment."

• Ben Cotton [25:17]:
  "I was up to that double crossing redhead's apartment, but I didn't mean to kill her."

• Detective Clover [26:18]:
  "You arranged it too. You were in love with his wife. You wanted her to think the worst, maybe and throw him over for you."

---

Final Thoughts

Broadway Is My Beat: The Mary Murdock Murder Case masterfully intertwines elements of suspense, emotional drama, and intricate character dynamics. Detective Danny Clover's relentless pursuit of the truth serves as a compelling anchor, ensuring listeners are thoroughly engaged from start to finish. This episode stands as a quintessential example of old-time radio's golden age, blending riveting storytelling with memorable performances.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

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. With Anthony Ross as Detective Danny Clover.

[Anthony Ross]

Broadway is my beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. That's the street I walk. But today, trouble is waiting for me in the squadroom on the 47th street station house.

[Peter Daly]

Lieutenant Clover, that's me, told me out front I'd find you here. You gotta help me.

[Anthony Ross]

Sure, sure. Hey, by those tags on your shoulders, I see you two fellas are in New York for a convention. What's your trouble?

[Peter Daly]

Well, you see, I've never been in the big city before and, well, I've heard about things like this happening, but I never thought it would happen to me. A girl is trying to blackmail me.

[Anthony Ross]

Blackmail?

[Peter Daly]

That's right. Now, there's nothing to it, but if my wife finds out about it.

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute, young fellow. Now, make me acquainted with you first and then we'll listen to your troubles.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, my name's Peter Daly. I'm stopping at the Cleveland Hotel. Exactly two hours my wife arrives in New York.

[Anthony Ross]

Hold on now, hold on. Where are you from? You sound like Kansas.

[Peter Daly]

No, Arkansas.

[Anthony Ross]

Close enough. Who's this gent with you here?

[Ben Cotton]

I'm his friend, Lieutenant. Name is Ben Cotton. Pete asked me to come up here to the station with him. Sort of moral support. Poor devil, he.

[Anthony Ross]

Ah, you're from his hometown.

[Ben Cotton]

Yes, sir, Little Rock. We're partners in our little business out there. We've been in New York a week now, Pete and I attending a convention.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, boys, boys, when will you out of towners learn how to relax in New York without getting into trouble? You attend a convention, you gotta go unconventional.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, sir, I don't even know that girl. She's a stranger to me.

[Anthony Ross]

Huh. Well, then I don't get it. I don't get it. Just what did happen?

[Peter Daly]

Well, a lot of the boys after yesterday's convention session, went down to the hi Hat Club. And? Well, I'm standing at the bar, Lieutenant, having a drink, minding my own business. The bar was pretty crowded. And this red headed girl takes a place next to me and asks for a light and I give it to her.

[Anthony Ross]

Lesson one, when a strange girl asks you for a light, zip your wallet. Yeah, yeah, go ahead. What then?

[Peter Daly]

Well, a little while later, the nightclub photographer passes by and this redhead stops her and says to her she'd like her picture taken right there against the bar. And just as the photographer is about to snap her picture, this redhead takes my arm with a laugh to include me, you see, and, well, I was feeling pretty good. So to enter into the fun of.

[Anthony Ross]

The hello, sucker, she must have been saying under her breath. So now you both listen to the birdie.

[Peter Daly]

Yeah, and when I got back to my hotel, I thought nothing more about it. This morning I got a phone call.

[Anthony Ross]

From the redhead?

[Peter Daly]

That's right.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, she'd sell you the picture for a price or show it to your wife, huh?

[Peter Daly]

That's right. Why, she wanted $500. I don't have money like that.

[Anthony Ross]

How'd she know you were married, Lieutenant?

[Peter Daly]

I never told her I was married. Hardly said a word to her.

[Anthony Ross]

What? Well, then how did she know?

[Peter Daly]

I don't know why she even knew my wife was arriving in New York at 2 today.

[Ben Cotton]

Can you beat that, Lieutenant?

[Anthony Ross]

Go on, go on daily.

[Peter Daly]

Well, she told me over the phone that unless I came across with the money, she'd mail that picture to my wife today.

[Anthony Ross]

So what'd you tell her?

[Peter Daly]

Well, I told her I wouldn't give her a cent. Why should I pay her? Look, Lieutenant, believe me, I'm a happily married man and I haven't done anything wrong. But what'll my wife think if she gets that picture?

[Anthony Ross]

Daley, what's the name of that redhead and where does she live?

[Peter Daly]

Well, I don't know that she didn't tell me.

[Anthony Ross]

Well, then how did she expect you to get to her with the dole?

[Peter Daly]

Well, she said if I was agreeable, she'd tell me where I could leave the money and keep. She'd later leave the picture in the same place. But I told her nothing doing, I'd go to the police first. Then she hung up.

[Anthony Ross]

Well, you did the right thing by coming to the police.

[Peter Daly]

Well, but if she sends that picture to my wife. My wife's an understanding woman, Lieutenant, but after all. Oh, if I could get my hands on that girl, I swear I'd kill her.

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, hey. Go on, pick up your wife at the station. Haley and relax. I'll drop into the high hat club, see if that red headed is known over there. And and daily make sure your wife puts you on a leash.

[Sergeant]

Lieutenant Clover.

[Anthony Ross]

Yes, Sergeant. What's up?

[Sergeant]

Looking all over for you, Lieutenant. Broadway Towers. Detective Tom Donnelly's already up there. Apartment 5E. Some dame there found dead, Lieutenant. Looks like murder.

[Anthony Ross]

How do you like that? Just when I was staring up at the skyscrapers, wishing I was a pigeon. All right, let's go, son. Broadway Towers. Who is she, Tom?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Name? Rita Rondell, Danny, according to the building superintendent.

[Anthony Ross]

Redhead, huh?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yep. Fractured skull.

[Anthony Ross]

Body was discovered by the super.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yeah. No witnesses, no one seen entering or leaving.

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, look over that back room, Sarge.

[Sergeant]

Right, Lieutenant.

[Anthony Ross]

So you found off the phone off the hook, Tom?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yeah.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, looks like the whole scuffle was over that phone.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yeah. What's this written on the calendar here, Danny? Bobo, 1pm yeah, let me see.

[Anthony Ross]

Bobo. Could be some guy. Ask around the stem, Tom. Any character's named Bobo.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Okay.

[Anthony Ross]

You say Doc places a death about 110, right. Well, whoever a visitor was, boy, they had quite a tussle.

[Sergeant]

Say, Danny, look here. I found some photographs hidden in the bottom of this drawer. Take a look.

[Anthony Ross]

Hmm. Well, what do you know?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

What's the matter, Danny?

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, you remember that nice guy, Daley from Little Rock? Came in the station house this noon about a blackmailing redhead? Yeah, yeah. This is him with Rita Rondell. Taken against the bar at the hi Hat Club.

[Ben Cotton]

Look.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, yeah.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

How about that, huh? This must have been the dame who was trying to shake him down. And this. This is the frame up picture she meant to sock him with.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah. So this is the redhead and me. I'm looking all over for her.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Open and shut. Remember he said he'd like to kill her? Never can tell. He didn't look that mad. Well, like I always say, cherchez le motive. And you got your man. Shall I bring him in?

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, hold your horses, Tom. There's no evidence he had anything to do with this. But I better drop in on him and have a little chat.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Question him, huh?

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, yeah. Anything else turns up, let me know and check.

[Mrs. Daly]

Bobo.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Right.

[Anthony Ross]

I'll keep in touch. Ah, poor Daly. I feel sorry for him. And with a wife just arrived in town, Tom, this is going to be a heartbreaker. Especially if the little lady from Arkansas answers the door.

[Mrs. Daly]

Coming. Just a moment.

[Anthony Ross]

Mrs. Daleyne?

[Mrs. Daly]

Yes?

[Anthony Ross]

Uh, is your husband in?

[Mrs. Daly]

Why, yes. He's just lying down for a bit. Who shall I say?

[Anthony Ross]

Uh, Mrs. Daley, I'm Lieutenant well, isn't.

[Peter Daly]

Old Artie Cleaver got our appointment, fella, huh? Darling, I want you to meet Art Smith. He was my lieutenant, 3rd Airborne. The old dog. Imagine meeting him at the convention after all these years.

[Mrs. Daly]

Oh, yeah, yeah, Mr. Smith. Just imagine. You two must be thrilled. I guess New York's a place one meets all.

[Peter Daly]

Be right with you, Art. I just put on my jacket.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, okay, I'll wait.

[Peter Daly]

How do you like the little Mrs. Art?

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, just fine. Pleased to meet you, ma'am. Step on it, Pete, huh?

[Peter Daly]

It won't take a minute.

[Mrs. Daly]

Why, where are you boys off to?

[Peter Daly]

Oh, Cookie, I forgot to tell you. I promised Art I'd have a cup of coffee with him. You know, catch up on the old gang. He leaves for Cincinnati in a little while.

[Anthony Ross]

Mrs. Daley, does your husband often go to conventions alone?

[Mrs. Daly]

Oh, heavens, no. This is the first time we've ever been separated in the three years we've been married.

[Anthony Ross]

I see.

[Mrs. Daly]

Ben Cotton, his partner, was going too, so there was nothing to worry about. Besides, I know that Peter wouldn't even look at anyone else.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, let's go, Art.

[Anthony Ross]

All right, Peter, let's go down to that coffee shop, then have that little chat. Yeah, we can talk right here in the lobby.

[Peter Daly]

Yeah, okay.

[Anthony Ross]

That's one sweet wife daily.

[Peter Daly]

Yeah, you can say that again. You can see why didn't want to let on you were a police officer.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, yeah, I got it.

[Peter Daly]

Well, Lieutenant Clover, did you ask in that nightclub like you promised to find out if anyone knows that red headed blackmailer? She hasn't sent that picture yet.

[Anthony Ross]

You wouldn't be kidding me, mister, would you?

[Peter Daly]

What do you mean?

[Anthony Ross]

When did you see her last, this. This Rita Rondell?

[Peter Daly]

Oh, is that her name? You found that out? Why, last night at that bar.

[Anthony Ross]

You didn't go to her apartment. Today at 1:00, same. You know, son, if you're on the level with me, I'd be about the happiest guy on earth.

[Peter Daly]

What do you mean, Lieutenant? If I'm on the level. What's up?

[Anthony Ross]

Rita's dead, son.

[Peter Daly]

Dead?

[Anthony Ross]

Mm. We found that picture you were talking about in her apartment.

[Peter Daly]

What happened?

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, there was a scuffle from the look of the place, and she fell against something in the struggle and fractured her skull. I don't know, probably accidental, but there'll be a manslaughter wrapped for somebody.

[Peter Daly]

My gosh, who do you suppose, Daley?

[Anthony Ross]

Right now, I don't have any idea. But my men are going over that apartment inch by inch. Police routine. I'LL get a report just as soon as I call headquarters. But before I put in that call, were you or were you not in Rita Rondell's apartment?

[Peter Daly]

No. Well, I told you before, I didn't even know where she lived.

[Anthony Ross]

Good, good. Come on now, let's walk over here. The phone. I'll call headquarters and if nothing else turned up, you can go back upstairs to your wife.

[Peter Daly]

Yeah, she'll think it's funny my leaving her to talk with you so soon after she gets to New York.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah. You wait outside the booth, will you? I'll only be a minute. Clothing sergeant, anything turn up on the Rondell dames place? Uh huh. Yeah, I see you. No, you didn't. There's nothing else. Huh? Out where? Oh, then he. I see. Thanks, Sergeant. Ellie, where's your hat?

[Peter Daly]

My hat?

[Anthony Ross]

Your hat.

[Peter Daly]

Well, I must have left it out in my room.

[Anthony Ross]

Shall we go up and see him?

[Peter Daly]

Well, I'm not sure. Maybe I lost it.

[Anthony Ross]

That's right, you lost it at Rita Rondell's apartment.

[Peter Daly]

What are you driving at, Clover?

[Anthony Ross]

It was found on her fire escape as your initials.

[Peter Daly]

Well, lots of people have initials.

[Anthony Ross]

Okay, then let your wife identify it.

[Peter Daly]

No, no, no. I'll leave my wife out of it. I'll tell you why I lost it. Come to think of it, I remember now. Yeah? Yeah, at that bar last night where I met her. That's right. I missed it when I got back to the hotel.

[Podbean Announcer]

So?

[Anthony Ross]

So?

[Peter Daly]

So either that girl or someone else picked it up and, well, maybe that explains how.

[Anthony Ross]

Mother, you kill me. You were wearing that hat in the station. How's this noon? I'm sorry, Daley, I'll have to take you to headquarters. I'm charging you with manslaughter.

[Narrator]

You're listening to Broadway's My Beat. We'll continue in just a minute. But first, Sunday nights on CBS are famous for their top comedy with Jack Benny, Amos and Andy and the other great comedians. For the splendid drama that Helen Hayes brings each week and for the appearance of one of the greatest detectives in modern times, Sam Spade. Created by Dashiell Hammett, Sam Spade's approach to crime detection has now become the pattern for many another sleuth. But none so well combines the hard boiled view toward a fast dollar, a down to earth appreciation of a well formed ankle and the readiness with a wisecrack. A best seller in the fiction field, Sam Spade's adventures on the air are now among the top rating mystery shows you will find here tonight and every Sunday night. On most of these Same stations. Sam Spade ready for rough and tumble action. And a battle of wits in the best Dashiell Hammett tradition. And now back to the 16th Precinct and Detective Danny Clover.

[Ben Cotton]

Why, this is awful. Look, Lieutenant, I'm from Daley's hometown and I've known him for years. Why, he couldn't have had anything to do with this.

[Anthony Ross]

Mr. Cotton, I know you're Daley's friend, and I know how you feel. I simply phoned you, seeing as you're a friend of the family, to notify Mrs. Daley of her husband's arrest.

[Ben Cotton]

Yes, of course. Well, she wasn't in her room when I stepped by, so I rushed down here as fast as I could. Those two are so much in love, Lieutenant. I just don't have the heart to tell her.

[Anthony Ross]

Any luck this time, Tom?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Nah. Try to persuade Daley again. But no Soap, Danny.

[Anthony Ross]

See, Mr. Cotton, we offered to allow your friend a few minutes to call his wife, tell her himself about his arrest. But he says he can't do it.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yeah, that's right. Mr. Cotton says it'd kill him to tell her. Why don't you tell her?

[Ben Cotton]

She's such a sweet kid. She's gonna take this awful hard. You see, in a way, I feel kind of responsible for this. Being here with Ben. I just don't believe I could face her, Tom.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Unless it's an order, Lieutenant, I'd rather be included out.

[Anthony Ross]

Okay. I guess a policeman's job can include almost anything. I'll get over there right now. Oh. Oh, Tom, come here a minute.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Yes, Lieutenant. Yeah, Danny?

[Anthony Ross]

You didn't find any guy anywhere named Bobo?

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

No Bobo?

[Anthony Ross]

No Bobo. All right, then. That's that. Okay, fellas, I'm on my way. Oh, believe me, this is gonna be tough breaking the bad news to the little lady from Arkansas.

[Mrs. Daly]

I'm coming. Peter. Peter. Oh, why, it's you, Mr. Smith. Where'd you two boys get lost? Where's Peter? Isn't he with you?

[Anthony Ross]

Uh, well, no, no, Mrs. Daly. Say, let's go inside. I want to talk to you.

[Mrs. Daly]

But I. I don't understand, Mr. Smith. Where is Pete?

[Anthony Ross]

Well, the fact is, Mrs. Daly is.

[Mrs. Daly]

For goodness sake.

[Anthony Ross]

Well, I mean, the fact is, Mrs. Daly, I'm. I'm not.

[Mrs. Daly]

I looked downstairs for you two and couldn't find you anywhere. Now, you come back alone and do tell me. You frightened me. Has something happened to him, Mr. Smith? I thought you had to catch a chance.

[Anthony Ross]

Well, now, you see, that's just what I wanted to explain, Mrs. Daley.

[Mrs. Daly]

I. Oh, I get it now. You went to a bar instead of the coffee shop. So you missed your train and he. Oh, Mr. Smith, why didn't you say so in the first place? You had me so worried.

[Anthony Ross]

I'm sorry.

[Mrs. Daly]

Where is he? Is he in bad shape? You just bring him back here, no matter what condition he's in, and I'll take care of him. Maybe some coffee would help. Do you hear me, Mr. Smith? Mr. Smith.

[Anthony Ross]

Mrs. Daley, I'm not Mr. Smith.

[Mrs. Daly]

What? You're not?

[Anthony Ross]

I. It was all just an act. I'm sorry. I mean, your husband called me that when I came in before and, well, I played along.

[Mrs. Daly]

An act? What in heaven's name are you talking about? And who are you?

[Anthony Ross]

Detective Lieutenant Danny Clover, ma'am, of the 16th Precinct. Your husband. Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Here, let me help you. Hey, perhaps. Perhaps you better sit down.

[Mrs. Daly]

No, I'm all right. Please go on. Something happened to him. An accident or something. Is he hurt badly?

[Anthony Ross]

No, no, he isn't hurt.

[Mrs. Daly]

Oh, that's good.

[Anthony Ross]

Ma'am, your husband is under arrest.

[Mrs. Daly]

Under arrest? Peter? Nonsense. What for?

[Anthony Ross]

Well, you see, it. Well, it dates back to before you arrived, naturally. You see, last night he got into a jam at a nightclub.

[Mrs. Daly]

A jam?

[Anthony Ross]

I mean, that is, there was a girl at the barn next to him.

[Narrator]

A girl?

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, don't get me wrong there, ma'am. In that respect, I assure you. But it's something else that happened and. Now, Mrs. Daley, let me tell you the whole story. From the beginning.

[Mrs. Daly]

He wouldn't do anything.

[Anthony Ross]

But please don't get me wrong, ma'am, I.

[Mrs. Daly]

You mean he got mixed up with a girl, but he couldn't.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, no, no, it's not that. There was this red headed redheaded. Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait. Oh, I'm no good at this sort of thing, Mrs. David. Go on. Well, look, it was all a framed up thing. Your husband came up to the station this morning and told us the whole thing. Your husband was blackmailed.

[Mrs. Daly]

Blackmailed? But you said he was framed.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, well, as far as the red hat, I mean, the girl is concerned, there's nothing to it.

[Mrs. Daly]

Oh, of course, I should have known.

[Anthony Ross]

He was framed with a picture taken at a bar and. Well, to protect you. To keep you from seeing that picture.

[Mrs. Daly]

Well, a picture? What would I have cared about an old picture? There's nothing to it. Everything's all right. But you said Peter was arrested.

[Anthony Ross]

Well, you see, ma'am, to keep you from seeing that picture, I figure maybe he went up to that girl's room. And there was a little fight or a struggle or something, and this girl fell.

[Mrs. Daly]

Oh, she's hurt.

[Anthony Ross]

She's dead.

[Mrs. Daly]

Dead.

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[Mrs. Daly]

She's dead.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, no. He didn't mean to. To. Well, it's a charge we call manslaughter.

[Mrs. Daly]

Manslaughter? He didn't. He couldn't have killed anyone. Does he say he didn't?

[Anthony Ross]

Yes, ma'am. He denies he was even in her apartment. But you see, there's some evidence.

[Mrs. Daly]

Then I believe him. And you've got to believe him. Lieutenant, my husband's never told a lie in his life. He's incapable of lying. Ask anyone in Little Rock where he's loved and respected, and they'll tell you.

[Anthony Ross]

But, Mrs. Daley, the evidence.

[Mrs. Daly]

I don't care what evidence you say you've got. His word's good enough for me. And I'll tell you something else, sir. If he was guilty, he'd have told me so in our whole married life, he's never held back one single little thing. Lieutenant, my husband didn't kill that girl. And if he says so, he was never even up in her apartment.

[Anthony Ross]

Ma'am, I'm glad to hear you talk like that. I was pretty sold your husband was holding out on me, but maybe there's a chance he was telling the truth. Could be he was framed again. I'll go back and have another talk with him.

[Mrs. Daly]

I'll be praying, lieutenant.

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah, yeah, Mrs. Daley, you do that.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

Danny. Danny, Peter Daly's confessed.

[Anthony Ross]

Confess? Oh, no.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

I just visited him again in his cell with his friend Mr. Cotton here. Darned if Daley didn't say.

[Ben Cotton]

Wait, wait, wait, wait a minute. Detective Donnelly, Peter did not confess, at least not to killing that girl. He just admitted that he went up to her apartment and he saw a line with her head in the kitchenette against a milk bottle. She was already dead.

[Detective Tom Donnelly]

That's an old one, Danny. You know she was already dead.

[Ben Cotton]

Lieutenant, you got to believe him.

[Anthony Ross]

I'll tell you what I think. I'll have a talk with him myself. Hello, Danny.

[Peter Daly]

They told you? Lieutenant Clover?

[Anthony Ross]

Yeah. Yeah. So you were holding out on me. You were in that Rondell Dane's apartment.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, I. I was afraid to admit.

[Anthony Ross]

You know, you should have told me everything right from the beginning.

[Peter Daly]

Well, after I left here this morning, I stopped back at the hotel, and she called me again. Said she had settled for $25. So I figured it'd be worth that much to get the thing over with. I didn't tell you about it because I. Well, I was afraid it'd get in the paper.

[Anthony Ross]

It'll make the papers now. All right, go on.

[Peter Daly]

Well, she gave me her address. I went up there, and the door was partly open.

[Anthony Ross]

Mm.

[Peter Daly]

I didn't go in, but I could see through the open door. And she was lying on the floor.

[Anthony Ross]

When you were talking to Donnelly and your friend just now, you. You told them she was lying with her head in the kitchenette?

[Peter Daly]

Oh, no, I couldn't see her head.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, I see. Then what'd you do?

[Peter Daly]

Well, then I heard someone coming. I got scared, so I ran down the fire escape.

[Anthony Ross]

Mm.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, please believe me, Lieutenant. Poor Joan. She comes to New York for once in her life, and this has to happen.

[Anthony Ross]

Daley, how long have you known this pal of yours? What's his name? Cotton? Yeah.

[Peter Daly]

Oh, way back from school days.

[Anthony Ross]

How does he get along with your wife?

[Peter Daly]

Oh, fine. Well, you see, Lieutenant, he. Well, he and Joan were sort of engaged at one time. Before I met her. That is, naturally, when Joan and I fell in love.

[Anthony Ross]

So that's the way it goes, huh? Did he marry someone else?

[Peter Daly]

No, Ben's still a bachelor.

[Anthony Ross]

Still a bachelor, huh?

[Peter Daly]

What's so strange about that?

[Anthony Ross]

Well, what do you know?

[Ellie]

Lieutenant Clover, you back again? This is the third time today. What gives?

[Anthony Ross]

Like this. Like that. Hey, a couple of perfectos, lover.

[Ellie]

Did you come in here to see me, or did I see you keeping an open eye on that gentleman from 305 that just got on the elevator?

[Anthony Ross]

Hey, you know him?

[Ellie]

Shouldn't I? He smokes cigars.

[Anthony Ross]

His name's Ben Cotton from Little Rock. I think I'll go up and have a word.

[Ellie]

Give Bobo my best. You know, for an out of towner, the tips he hands out.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, Bobo, did you say?

[Ellie]

Yeah, Bobo. You know how it is at these conventions, the nicknames you pick up. I've heard some good ones, but Bobo, that kills me. Everyone around here calls him that.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, thanks, Ellie. Thanks a lot.

[Ellie]

Thanks for what?

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, nothing, lover. I'll be seeing you.

[Ben Cotton]

Oh. Why, Lieutenant Clover.

[Anthony Ross]

What's the matter? Mr. Cotton, you going somewhere?

[Ben Cotton]

Why, what do you.

[Anthony Ross]

I see your suitcase is all packed there on the bed.

[Ben Cotton]

Oh, yes, Lieutenant. Yeah, I'm going back home.

[Anthony Ross]

Bobo. A note on Rita Rondell's calendar. Probably expecting some guy named Bobo at 1:00. You know any Bobo?

[Ben Cotton]

Why? Well, that happens to be sort of a nickname of mine. I picked it up here at the convention.

[Peter Daly]

Why?

[Anthony Ross]

Well, you said you didn't even know the girl. You know the inside of Rita's apartment better than Peter did. Bobo. He didn't tell you her head was against a milk bottle?

[Ben Cotton]

I never said.

[Anthony Ross]

So you arranged for Rita to bump into Peter, like at that nightclub, get a picture taken with him, and then she was to send it to his wife. I'll tell you why. You arranged it too. You were in love with his wife. You wanted her to think the worst, maybe and throw him over for you. Come on, come on. Come clean, Bobo.

[Ben Cotton]

All right, all right. I was up to that double crossing redhead's apartment, but I didn't mean to kill her.

[Anthony Ross]

Let's have the story.

[Ben Cotton]

Well, I told her yesterday I'd give her a hundred dollars if she could manage to get her picture taken with him and send it to his wife.

[Anthony Ross]

Oh, and then Ms. Rita pulled a fast one, asked Daley for $500 for it.

[Ben Cotton]

Yeah, that's right. But when Peter went to the police about it, I got scared.

[Anthony Ross]

So you went up to her apartment today at 1, huh?

[Ben Cotton]

Yes, I did. To make a call the whole thing off.

[Anthony Ross]

And she demanded from you the price she was asking from Peter. 500.

[Ben Cotton]

That's right. And when I refused, threatened to expose.

[Anthony Ross]

You to your friend Daley, began to phone him at his hotel.

[Ben Cotton]

Yes, yes, that's just the way it happened. I struggled with her for the phone. I gave her a push and she fell. But I swear, Lieutenant, it was an accident.

[Anthony Ross]

Ah, so that's.

[Ben Cotton]

Well, okay, Lieutenant, I'm ready to go to jail. But I don't know what got into me trying to do something like that to my best friend.

[Anthony Ross]

The old triangle, huh?

[Ben Cotton]

Well, you see, I've been in love with Joan for a long time. Longer than Peter. But he came along and she married him. And, well, ever since I've been hoping, waiting for chance.

[Anthony Ross]

Chance to break them up.

[Ben Cotton]

Yeah, that's right. But I didn't mean to go so far once I got into it.

[Anthony Ross]

You got into it all right.

[Ben Cotton]

Yeah, I guess I've been a real.

[Anthony Ross]

Number one heel, huh, Mister, that's the greatest understatement since. Ah, come on.

[Peter Daly]

That'S us, John.

[Mrs. Daly]

All right, Peter. Lieutenant Clover, I. I don't know how to say.

[Peter Daly]

We'll never be able to thank you for all you've done.

[Anthony Ross]

Ah, skip it, Arkansas. Hey, just promise me one thing, will you?

[Mrs. Daly]

What's that?

[Anthony Ross]

Well, I mean, you've come to New York. This is the first time for both of you, isn't it?

[Peter Daly]

That's right.

[Anthony Ross]

You've had a pretty rough time. You got one impression of New York, the wrong one. Come back and give it another whirl, will you?

[Mrs. Daly]

That's a promise.

[Anthony Ross]

I want to see you both again, you know. So you know, miss, I don't often meet somebody like you. Why, the faith, the trust you have in your husband.

[Peter Daly]

Ah, you see, Lieutenant, we're in love.

[Anthony Ross]

It's getting late now. A million lights have gone out. But I. I'm thinking about people on Broadway in Arkansas. Good, bad. They get into trouble here like everywhere else. Only maybe here it's just a little bit easier on the gordiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My Beat.

[Narrator]

Columbia has just brought you. Broadway's My Beat with Anthony Ross as detective Danny Clover. Gene Carson was Sally. John Forsyth was Tom. Today's broadcast was written by Joseph Rusko and produced and directed by John Dietz. The musical score was composed and conducted by Robert Stringer. This is Bernd Bennett, Spe. In just a moment, CBS begins the presentation of its 10 great Sunday evening entertainments in order. Tonight you'll hear Barbara Stanwyck starring on the Prudential Hour, followed by the unsurpassed comedy of Ozzy and Harriet, Jack Benny and Amos and Andy in succession. Sam Spade takes over next and then on to Lum and Abner's delightful jot em down store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas. Then from Pine Ridge to England as the first lady of Broadway, Helen Hayes brings you Noel Coward's famous motion picture Brief Encounter. A solid hour and a half of laughs follow with Eve Arden as the ardent schoolmistress, our Miss Brooks, with J. Carol Nash as Luigi and the little Italian immigrant. And with the geniuses on, it pays to be ignorant. They'll all be heard on most of these same CBS stations, with Jack Benny, of course, coming to you on all of them. So start your stay tuned Sunday evening with CBS now as Barbara Stanwyck stars on the Prudential Hour. This is cbs, the Columbia broadcasting System.