Broadway Is My Beat: The Ted Forstek and Ruth Ballard Murder Case 06/09/1950

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Broadway Is My Beat: The Ted Forstek and Ruth Ballard Murder Case
Release Date: May 28, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives, host Choice Classic Radio transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio with the enthralling mystery of the Ted Forstek and Ruth Ballard murder case. Starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, this episode delves deep into the seedy underbelly of Broadway, unraveling a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and tragedy.

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Crime Scene Investigation

The story begins with Detective Danny Clover responding to a harrowing crime scene on the Manhattan side of the George Washington Bridge. Officer Murray briefs him on the grim discovery:

Detective Danny Clover [01:57]: "Ruth Ballard, is she dead, Mr. Ballard?"

Officer Murray [02:03]: "Like I said, I'm not a doc, but it wasn't robbery."

The scene depicts the brutal shooting of a young couple, Ted Forstek and Ruth Ballard, hinting at a motive rooted in personal vendetta rather than theft. Clues such as tire marks and scraped paint from a Model A car suggest a hasty escape by the perpetrator.

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Interview with Mr. Ballard

Detective Clover visits Mr. Ballard, Ruth’s father, to gather more information. Mr. Ballard paints a poignant picture of his relationship with Ruth:

Mr. Ballard [05:28]: "It's hard, Mr. Clover, to be a father. To take care of a girl properly... I didn't do so good, did I, Mr. Clover?"

The conversation reveals that Ruth was actually Mr. Ballard's stepdaughter, whom he had adopted. He expresses deep remorse, feeling responsible for not providing Ruth with a better life.

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Interview with Mr. Forstek

Subsequently, Clover turns his attention to Ted Forstek’s father, Mr. Forstek, uncovering a strained father-son relationship:

Mr. Forstek [07:17]: "I'm glad for Ted. He's a good boy."

Mr. Forstek reveals that Ted was involved with the Adonis Club, a social group for young men, and hints at his son's association with questionable friends. The detective suspects that Ted's involvement in the club may have led to his tragic fate.

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Workshop at the Adonis Club

Detective Clover’s investigation leads him to the Adonis Club, where he confronts George Kilbert, the club's manager. Kilbert’s evasive and defensive demeanor raises suspicions:

Detective Danny Clover [10:37]: "Where were you last night, George?"

George Kilbert [11:01]: "I said a girl. Because up there in that lover's lane, it's known that girls are sometimes killed."

Despite Kilbert’s attempts to deflect, Clover remains persistent, ultimately booking him for suspicion of murder. Kilbert’s volatile reaction only deepens the detective’s conviction of his involvement.

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Interrogation of Evelyn Sherman

The plot thickens as Clover brings in Evelyn Sherman, a neighbor connected to Ted. During her intense interrogation, subtle clues begin to surface:

Detective Danny Clover [24:50]: "He didn't have him."

Evelyn Sherman [25:26]: "Yes, I loved him because he was someone a woman could love and be jealous of."

Clover meticulously pieces together the evidence, revealing that Evelyn harbored deep-seated jealousy towards Ted’s affection for Ruth. The discovery of personal items and Evelyn’s emotional instability point directly to her as the perpetrator.

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Confrontation and Conclusion

In a climactic confrontation, Detective Clover accuses Evelyn Sherman of orchestrating the murders out of unreciprocated love and envy. Evelyn’s facade crumbles under the weight of the evidence:

Detective Danny Clover [25:37]: "So you killed the girl. Shot her four times in your fury."

Evelyn Sherman [25:43]: "I didn't mean I didn't mean to kill."

The narrative crescendos as Evelyn confesses, revealing the tragic culmination of jealousy and heartbreak that led to the double homicide.

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Closing Narration

The episode concludes with a reflective narration that encapsulates the relentless nature of Broadway’s allure and the personal demons that lurk within:

Detective Danny Clover [26:09]: "Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway My Beat."

This poignant ending underscores the timeless themes of love, loss, and the darker side of human emotions that Detective Clover navigates in his quest for justice.

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Cast and Production Credits

• Detective Danny Clover: Larry Thor
• Sergeant Gino Tartaglia: Charles Calvert
• Supporting Cast: Lillian Byeff, B. Benadari, Jerry Hausner, Lou Merrill, Jack Crucian, Anthony Barret
• Produced and Directed by: Elliot Lewis
• Musical Score by: Alexander Courage
• Presented by: United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

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Conclusion

Broadway Is My Beat masterfully intertwines suspenseful investigation with rich character development, offering listeners a captivating journey through a tragic crime on Broadway. With its meticulous attention to detail, memorable dialogues, and emotional depth, this episode stands as a testament to the enduring charm of old-time radio detective stories.

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Notable Quotes:

• Detective Danny Clover [01:57]: "Ruth Ballard, is she dead, Mr. Ballard?"
• Mr. Ballard [05:28]: "It's hard, Mr. Clover, to be a father..."
• George Kilbert [11:01]: "I said a girl. Because up there in that lover's lane, it's known that girls are sometimes killed."
• Evelyn Sherman [25:26]: "Yes, I loved him because he was someone a woman could love and be jealous of."
• Detective Danny Clover [26:09]: "Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway My Beat."

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key plot points, character interactions, and emotional undertones, making it an engaging read for those unfamiliar with the original broadcast.

Transcript

[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].

[Detective Danny Clover]

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

[Narrator]

Broadway's My Beats with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The sound that eddies upward from Broadway is the sound of shock. A thing composed of laughter, trumpet, the clack of heels, a cry from the lonely bed. You stand at the window at police headquarters waiting for some part of it to touch you. And in one way or another, it does. The frightened voice through a phone, the impersonal alarm of a teletype or a tired officer walks into your office, tugs at your sleeve, gives you a message. Shooting on the Manhattan side of the George Washington Bridge, it says. Take the last side road on your right. Before you get there, Officer Murray will meet you. The siren on your squad car spills into the empty pockets of the them with its own brand of shocks. You're there and Officer Murray meets you this way.

[Officer Murray]

Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That car parked over there. What happened?

[Officer Murray]

Boy and a girl. You'll see him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How bad?

[Officer Murray]

I'm no doc, Danny. Ambulance is on its way. Lost a lot of blood when I found him. The car was open, the boy's position, like he was trying to get out of the car.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What about the girl?

[Officer Murray]

Four shots from up pretty close.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Looks like dead motive.

[Officer Murray]

Like I said, I'm not a doc, but it wasn't robbery. Here. Wallets from both. With just the amount of money, you'd expect neatly dressed kids like that to have identification too.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's see. Boy's name Ted Forrestec. Girls, Ruth Ballard. Both kids. Both of them just touching 20.

[Officer Murray]

There's something else, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Officer Murray]

Other side of the road. Come on.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Somebody picked a nice secluded place for killing.

[Officer Murray]

Yeah. This road's blocked off, Danny. But kids slip around wooden roadblocks. That makes it a lover's lane. Makes it more thrilling. Here, look. See?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Huh. Looks like somebody made a U turn in an awful hurry.

[Officer Murray]

Yeah. Narrow tire threads, I guess. Model A smack. This tree. Some paint scraped off. Oh, comes the ambulance, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then to the whispered muffled sounds of the night in the river is added the furied lament of the and the attendance of the dead and the dying are there. They lift the boy gently carry him to the waiting ambulance. Then the girl. There's less need to be gentle. They close the doors and the boy and girl belong to them. To the attendants of death. And for a fragment of an instant, there's silence. Then the night returns to fury. At headquarters. You make your initial report. You leave orders to trace a car that left tire marks and paint scrap across the road from the scene of death. You look for duties that will delay you, and there are none. And you know you must go to an address and tell whoever is there that a girl has been murdered. A man, is there. A man who's been watching the fights on television, drinking a glass of beer?

[Mr. Ballard]

Just a moment, Mr. Clover.

[George Kilbert]

I'll turn the sound down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There. Now we can still see the picture. We won't be interrupted.

[Mr. Ballard]

You enjoying the fights, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ruth Ballard, is she Ruth?

[Mr. Ballard]

Ruth is my daughter, Mr. Clover. Is that why you're here? Because of ruth?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ruth's mother, Mr. Ballard. Maybe she should be here, too.

[Mr. Ballard]

Ruth's mother's dead. She died three years ago. What about Ruth, Mr. Clover? Something wrong? She been in an accident?

[George Kilbert]

Please, Mr. Clover, don't just stand there.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What is it? Why are you here, Mr. Ballard? It's a.

[Mr. Ballard]

Something's happened to Ruth, hasn't it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tell me. I have a right to know. Ruth is dead, Mr. Ballard.

[Evelyn Sherman]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I know of no other way to say it, Mr. Ballard.

[Officer Murray]

There's no.

[Mr. Ballard]

It's all right, Mr. Clover. It's all right. You have to do things. I understand.

[Officer Murray]

I'll.

[Mr. Ballard]

How?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ruth.

[Evelyn Sherman]

How?

[Detective Danny Clover]

They found her in a car. Shot. Murdered.

[Mr. Ballard]

Mr. Miller in Ted's car.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ted Foster? Yes, the boy. He'll be shot too, but he's alive. Unconscious, but alive.

[Mr. Ballard]

I'm glad for Ted. He's a good boy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You knew him, Mr. Beller?

[Mr. Ballard]

Only when it came to take Ruth out. We'd talk a little about the fights. I'd offer him a beer. Then Ruth would be all dressed. They'd go out. I'd wait up for Ruth because I don't get much chance to talk to her. I work all day, so I wait up for her. I was doing that tonight.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Her other friends, Mr. Ballard, who were they?

[Mr. Ballard]

I. I don't know. I know very little of how Ruth lived when I was away from her. It's hard, Mr. Clover, to be a father. To take care of a girl properly, to buy her clothes, food, make it so she could hold her head up among her friends. I didn't do so good, did I, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No good, Mr. Baller.

[Mr. Ballard]

You know something, Mr. Clover? Ruth wasn't really my daughter. She was my stepdaughter. I adopted her because I loved her mother. Then I loved Ruth like She was.

[Officer Murray]

My own flesh and blood.

[Mr. Ballard]

Now it's my fault. I should have taken her away where a child could live decently.

[Officer Murray]

It's all my fault.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Ballard. If I can help in some way. Thank you.

[Mr. Ballard]

Just go away, Mr. Car.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Just go.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You leave quietly. Because the words are never there to touch a bowed down heart. It's almost midnight, but you've another call to make. The address is on Amsterdam Avenue. The address in the wounded boy's wallet. The front of it is a store stationary candy and cigarettes. The peeling guilt says walk in and face the lady. And the man who are about ready to close. For the.

[Mr. Forstek]

Phone is right over there in back of candy counter.

[Officer Murray]

Perhaps the Mr. Wants to buy something, Anna.

[Mr. Forstek]

Perhaps he doesn't this time of night. You know, Mikhail, this time of night is always to use phone.

[Officer Murray]

No, I'm to buy something, Anna.

[Detective Danny Clover]

From the police.

[Mr. Forstek]

Yesterday we had sent money for license to sell cigarettes. Check. Check is good one.

[Officer Murray]

Please, Anna. The Mr. Said nothing of the check. Police.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny Clover. You're Mr. And Mrs. Forstek. So maybe.

[Officer Murray]

What do you want of us?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Your son. Your son. Ted.

[Mr. Forstek]

Yeah, Ted and police. Finally. He has hit a man. Robbed a man.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's been shot.

[Mr. Forstek]

Robbed the man and was shot.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, not like that.

[Officer Murray]

That bad? Hurt bad?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Pretty bad, Mr. Fosdick.

[Officer Murray]

And it hurts Ted.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's unconscious. He's in the Hospital St. Agnes. He's being taken care of.

[Mr. Forstek]

What happened to Ted?

[Detective Danny Clover]

We don't know exactly. He was parked in a car with a girl. With Ruth Ballard. She was shot to death. We don't know exactly what happened. Maybe you can help.

[Mr. Forstek]

A boy of mine, his friends, hoodlums from garter. This is help I give you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What about his friends?

[Officer Murray]

He belongs to a club, as a young man should. For social, for context. The. The Adonis Club it is called Our Baby.

[Mr. Forstek]

Living his life with.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right. And the girl? Ruth Ballard.

[Officer Murray]

He mentioned her name, I think, but it was not frequent name. I. I'm sorry. Portrait.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Good evening.

[Mr. Forstek]

Oh, customer and not customer. Evelyn.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Oh, then I invite him too. Where's Ted? I brought a cake from the party. A whole cake with white frosting. Nobody touched a drop. Where's Ted?

[Officer Murray]

A neighbor, this woman, Mr. Evelyn Sherman. She shows doll puppets to parties. Sometimes she brings something to us from party.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Ms. Sherman.

[Evelyn Sherman]

What's the matter with Ted?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's been shot.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Liar. Show me. You're from the police?

[Officer Murray]

Evelyn, the man.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Show me. But he's a baby. Ted's a little baby. I watched him grow Up. Shot.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You better come with me, all of you. I'll take you to the hospital. At the hospital, a nun told us softly that we couldn't see the boy. He was still unconscious. Dr. Sinski was with him, had left orders no one was to be permitted to disturb him, not even a Mr. Clover. We'd have to wait until Dr. Sinski said it was all right. So we waited. Then a nun walked through the dark corridor and ushered the shadows of night away. And it was daylight. The city yawned and began its day long scream. And we waited. Then a voice whispered to me that there was a phone call for Lieutenant Clover in the office. This way. Thank you, Sister. Danny Clover speaking.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Danny, this is Sergeant Gino Tartaglia. How's the boy?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's not out of it yet. What do you want, Titaglia?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

We traced the car, Danny. That car that left its fingerprints at the scene of the crime. We tracked it down, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where is it?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It is a delivery truck in the alley back of Kilbert's Cleaning and dyeing establishment. 1845 West 125th Street. Registered to George Kilbert. On the ball, huh, Donnie?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. You can paste a gold star in your notebook. A little gin.

[George Kilbert]

Be with you in a minute, pal. Ah, these pleated skirts, they take the life out of a man. These pleated skirts make you old before your time.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're Kelbert? George Calbert.

[George Kilbert]

Yeah. I told you I'd be with you in a minute, pal.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There.

[George Kilbert]

This doll will love me for the way I press her skirt.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're big with the ladies, huh, George?

[George Kilbert]

Well, let's put it this way. Not one of them has sent in her resignation as yet.

[Narrator]

Ha, ha.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where were you last night, George?

[George Kilbert]

You must have a reason to ask me something personal like that. You a wounded husband or something?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just a policeman, George.

[George Kilbert]

Don't show me your badge. I can tell by your sloppy suit.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where were you last night, George?

[George Kilbert]

I don't think you got a right to ask me without you showing me I committed a sin or something.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll do that, George. Where you were, where your car was. A murder was committed.

[George Kilbert]

You mean up there near the George Washington Bridge a girl was murdered?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I didn't say a girl.

[George Kilbert]

Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Don't pin me to the wall. I said a girl. Because up there in that lover's lane, it's known that girls are sometimes killed. There are guys who go around doing that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were there, huh, George?

[George Kilbert]

Alone, you got nothing says I was there. You're trying, policeman, that's all you're doing?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Trying. There was a tire mark off your delivery truck. Your fender scraped on a tree, left paint left. What was the matter, George? Were you in a hurry to get away?

[George Kilbert]

No, I wasn't in a hurry. She just wanted another kiss. She likes to cuddle up and kiss me while I'm driving. This is bound to make me lose a little control.

[Detective Danny Clover]

See? Who, George?

[George Kilbert]

The once a weeker. We date once a week. June Leonard lives in Brooklyn someplace. You go ask her. She was with me all the time. I don't know anything about a murder. Ask her and fix her so she don't lie.

[Detective Danny Clover]

June Leonard, huh? We'll ask her. While you were up there, George, with June Leonard, did you hear shots? A series of shots?

[George Kilbert]

We heard nothing. Nothing at all. Except each other. That's how it is when you're in love.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You should know, George. Let's go. Go?

[Officer Murray]

Go?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Go where?

[George Kilbert]

What are you talking about?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Booking you for suspicion of murder.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Are you crazy?

[George Kilbert]

You're crazy. You stinking, rotten cop. You walk into my place of business.

[Evelyn Sherman]

And take me away from murder.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He was scared and protesting when I took him with me at headquarters. I had a thing to do. I called the hospital and told Dr. Sinski I was on my way down. And Dr. Sinski said, Room three. Wait for me by the elevator door. It took 10 minutes to get there. And Dr. Sinski was waiting.

[Mr. Ballard]

Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Dr. Sinski. How's the boy?

[Mr. Ballard]

Danny? Why is it that our conversation must always open on. Sorry.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Can I see him?

[Mr. Ballard]

This way. Danny. In here. You know these people, Danny? Mr. And Mrs. Forrest. Ms. Sherman.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, yeah, I do, Doctor.

[Officer Murray]

It look. Seemed like My son. His lips were moving just as you left the room.

[Mr. Ballard]

Yes, Danny, what? Quietly.

[Narrator]

Danny, please.

[Mr. Ballard]

The stethoscope on the table.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right.

[Officer Murray]

Here.

[Evelyn Sherman]

My son. My son. My son. My son.

[Mr. Ballard]

He's dead. Danny?

[Narrator]

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

[Detective Danny Clover]

In the late summer afternoon, Broadway stands on a corner, sips its penny plane and sums up the day. Some days are better than others. Some days you break even. The horse don't come in. But you don't get fired that day either. You get a play and you don't. But take today. Now, here's a day DiMaggio miracled with bases Loaded. The rainmakers worked up a due. And a boy, a lover, died of bullet wounds inflicted by a person of persons unknown thus holding in final embrace the girl he loved. The girl who was also shot to death in Lovers Lane. Here's maybe a tragic day, but here is a day. Or as Sergeant Gino Tataglia presented it.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

To me, Danny, I give you the end of a perfect day. When you come to the end of a perfect.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're singing again.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, Danny, Danny, you are like my wife. Like Mrs. Tartaglia. You deny me and yourself the pleasures of life.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

At home, every time I start singing, Mrs. Tartaglia turns on to Hoover. She says it's to vacuum clean the Tartaglia rug. But all the time I think it's because she's jealous of my vocal cords. Well, Danny, what progress have we made?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, no. You tell me. Remember?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Narrator]

Item.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

The boy. Ted Forrestek. Like a million other kids in our city. Too tough, too smart, from a poor family. Consorted with others of his type. In a club called the Adonis Club.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I know the girl. Ruth?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Nah. No connection with the Adonis Club. No close connection with anybody except their stepfather and the boy. From what we can find out, nobody wanted her dead. From what we can find out.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Anything else?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah. Yeah. We have picked up June Leonard. That dry cleaning man's girlfriend.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why didn't you tell me? Where is she?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Right outside, Danny. Should I bring her in?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Miss Leonard?

[Evelyn Sherman]

Yeah. Miss Leonard.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Come in. Sit down, Miss Leonard.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Why was I arrested? Why was I brought here? I never done nothing.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Last night, Miss Leonard, where were you?

[Evelyn Sherman]

I was home. I was sitting at home listening to the radio.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're lying, Miss Leonard. George Calbert says you were with him.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Promised me. All right, so I was with George.

[Mr. Forstek]

Is that wrong?

[Evelyn Sherman]

To be with a fella? You arrest girls for that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We do. And there's been a murder. Two murders.

[Evelyn Sherman]

What are you talking about, murder? I don't know nothing about a murder. All I know is I work and try to have a little fun. All of a sudden. Murder.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Miss Ballard. Did you know her, June?

[Evelyn Sherman]

No, I didn't know any girl by that name. Please let me go, will ya? My father will throw me out if they find out I got mixed up in that forestack.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you know him?

[Evelyn Sherman]

No, I never heard of him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

George Calbert. Did he know them?

[Evelyn Sherman]

How do I know who George knows? All I know is he thinks he shows me good times sometimes. Asking no personal questions.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ruth Ballard and Ted Forstick were shot to death near the George Washington Bridge last night. You were there, June.

[Mr. Ballard]

No, I wasn't.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were June. George said you were. How long were you there?

[Evelyn Sherman]

I don't know. An hour, maybe two hours.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you hear shots while you were up there? With George?

[Evelyn Sherman]

Shots.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Pistol shots. Shots from a revolver.

[Evelyn Sherman]

No, I didn't hear anything like that. Didn't hear anything except George whispering to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

George says he heard shots.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Why that dirty look? All right, all right. I heard him. I heard a lot of shots. I got scared. I made George drive us away from there real fast. Cause I was scared.

[Detective Danny Clover]

George was with you all the time.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Leave me alone. Can't you please leave me alone? I want my father.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tiger.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah. Danny. Yeah. Come with me, Miss Leonard. Come along.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sergeant Tatagli was gentle when he took her away. Then I made a phone call to the Adonis Club. No one was there. A voice told me, try later, when everybody would be there at the dance. Daddy O, the voice said, starts at 10. Come one, come all. Daddy O, Daddy O. Got there at 10:30 to the basement clubhouse on 3rd Avenue got pointed out the chief Adonis, a youth who leaned against the barn, was having fun looking at the dancer through a beer bottle held by, like a telescope. I ruined it for him.

[Narrator]

Ah, you're in the way, buster.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want to talk to you. Huh?

[Narrator]

All right. What's your big need, buster?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police.

[Narrator]

Oh, well, make me think. So you're hiding your buzzer under the lapel.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let me look. See? Yeah.

[Narrator]

I'm Dalinesio. You?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny Clover.

[Narrator]

All right. We got no back room here, if that's.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What about Ted Forstack? He was a member here.

[Narrator]

A cub, an apprentice. We were breaking him in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You celebrating his memory with this dance? No, no.

[Narrator]

Life goes on. The book says the dance was scheduled before Ted's dying. Was poor Ted.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who killed him, Dolly? Who killed him?

[Narrator]

Mr. Clove. Look, Dolly, what do you want me to say? Mr. Clove, I don't know who killed him. I know Forrest. That sure played cards with him, Hoisted a glass with him, exchanged phone numbers with him. That's the thick and thin I went through with him. So now let me talk to him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So, nothing else, huh?

[Narrator]

He was a fortunate boy, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's dead.

[Narrator]

But when he was in that way, he was fortunate. So let's not pop it here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Fortunate girls.

[Narrator]

He was a boy. Girls were happy with.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And happy girls are generous girls.

[Narrator]

One of them was real happy. One of them was real generous. Give him nice things. Shirts to wear. Wallets stripped from alligators. Money stripped from who knows where. Expensive watches to make his wrist look pretty.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What girl did that?

[Mr. Ballard]

They never said.

[Narrator]

That's a number we never exchanged. But real expensive stuff, Mr. Clover, you'd never believe it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not an idea. Who, if I did.

[Narrator]

I'd take over. None of our girls could afford that stuff. Hey, go look at that loot, Mr. Club. It's still around. I guess you'll see what I mean.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Forte. Mr. Forstack. Wake up.

[Officer Murray]

I was not asleep. Oh, it's you, Mr. Clover. The messenger of death who died today. Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. For.

[Officer Murray]

Look at my little store, Mr. Clover. Look at how it's covered with dust. I don't take care anymore. All my life I build something, Keep it clean. Gets covered with dust. My boy too.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Foster. I came to grieve with us.

[Officer Murray]

With me. With my wife, Anna. Tis hard to understand Anna. Sometime, Mr. Clover, her mouth says to you she hates our boy. But now he is dead. And Anna lies on our bed and does not speak, does not weep. But in the night she cries out our boy's name. Thank you, Mr. Clover. Goodbye.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Your boy's room, Mr. Foster. There may be something in it that will help us find Ted's murderer.

[Officer Murray]

It will not bring our boy back. It will not make him answer his mother's cry.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I have to get into that room, Mr. Fosdick. If not me, someone else. But we'll get into it. It.

[Officer Murray]

You will be quiet.

[Mr. Ballard]

You will be very quiet.

[Officer Murray]

You will not say a word to Anna.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where is it?

[Officer Murray]

In the back. What is left of our life hides in the back. Thermistor Club.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Faust.

[Officer Murray]

Quiet. I told you. Anna's not to know you're here. This is Ted's room.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where'd he keep his things?

[Officer Murray]

What things? All over the room are things that belong to my boy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Personal things. Jewelry, wallet. Things like that.

[Officer Murray]

Oh, here in the dresser drawer. Here they are, Mr. Clover. Expensive things. This watch. This wallet of alligator money.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where'd he get em?

[Officer Murray]

I do not know. Anna thought he robbed them.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What do you think, Mr. Foster?

[Officer Murray]

They are rich. I never knew things like these. I could not get them for Ted. Ted could not for himself.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What do you think you got him, Mr. Foster?

[Officer Murray]

I told you, I do not know. I asked Ted. I beat him to tell me. I beat him. He could have broken me, he said. It's none of your business, old man.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want to take these with me.

[Officer Murray]

All right. But you will return Mr. Clover before Anna knows they are gone. You will return them. Please, Mr. Clover.

[Mr. Ballard]

Danny, can I see you for a minute?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sure, Dr. Sinski. Anytime. Sit down.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's on your mind, Doctor? Nothing.

[Mr. Ballard]

Except I dropped in here to conform with standard operating procedure.

[Officer Murray]

Autopsy report.

[Mr. Ballard]

You in the mood to listen? I think you should.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right. Go Ahead, Ruth Ballard, shot four times.

[Mr. Ballard]

Supplementary report from Ballistics showed the bullets from the same gun that killed the boy four times. Danny. Any one of the shots would have killed her instantaneously.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What else about the girl?

[Mr. Ballard]

Nothing else.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then she was killed. Only because someone wanted her dead.

[Mr. Ballard]

What?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Someone wanted her dead.

[Mr. Ballard]

Doctor, I know.

[Narrator]

Four shots.

[Mr. Ballard]

Person in animal fury would have done that. From what I can tell, I'd say she was sitting in the car, a person came up to her, shot her four times. Nothing more than two. That, huh? Do you know who did that, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

A person who was jealous of him. A person who loved Ted Forster. The person who gave Ted expensive presents.

[Mr. Ballard]

Do you know who?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Don't make me repeat myself, doctor. Then who? Stick around. I'll show the person to you.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Yes? Oh, it's Mr. Clover, isn't it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

May I come in, Ms. Sherman?

[Evelyn Sherman]

Well, I was just practicing my puppets for a party tomorrow. Kitty's party.

[Detective Danny Clover]

May I come in?

[Evelyn Sherman]

All right, come in. What do you want, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

About Ted.

[Evelyn Sherman]

About his murderer?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Then why are you here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go ahead, Miss Sherman. Practice your puppets. I'll just look around.

[Evelyn Sherman]

But I don't see why you'd be.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go ahead, Sherman. Hey, Sherman, wait a minute.

[Evelyn Sherman]

What is it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

This photograph of 10.

[Evelyn Sherman]

He gave it to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This ribbon from a track meet tucked in the frame.

[Evelyn Sherman]

He won it. He gave it to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why should he give them to you?

[Evelyn Sherman]

I asked him something.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He liked me.

[Evelyn Sherman]

He gave them to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Huh? These two.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Put them down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Man's gloves. Ted's.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Put them down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ted's gloves, huh?

[Evelyn Sherman]

If you're through, you can get out.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not yet. I want to show you some things.

[Evelyn Sherman]

You've got nothing to show me. Get out.

[Detective Danny Clover]

A wallet, a wristwatch. You gave them to Ted. Look at them, Evelyn.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Give them to me. You've got no right to touch them.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Presents to Ted from you, Evelyn.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Give them to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Because you love the boy, really loved him. Like a woman loves a man.

[Evelyn Sherman]

All right. Yes, I loved him because he was someone a woman could love and be jealous of. Yes.

[Officer Murray]

Yes.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But he didn't love you.

[Evelyn Sherman]

You're lying.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He didn't. That's why he was with Ruth.

[Evelyn Sherman]

Ruth was nothing to him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He always came back to me for the rich presence. He didn't love.

[Evelyn Sherman]

You lie. You're a liar.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So you killed the girl. Shot her four times in your fury. And Ted, Why did you shoot him? Because he tried to stop you. Because you knew he didn't love you. He didn't.

[Officer Murray]

Look.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He didn't have him.

[Evelyn Sherman]

I didn't mean I didn't mean to kill.

[Detective Danny Clover]

She stood there, her body swaying, her fingertips pressed into her cheeks. Then a thing happened. She looked suddenly old. The youth she attracted fled from her all at once. She accepted it, knew there was nothing left. She made no protest when I took her arm and led her through the door. Broadway where the people of the swarm Race against the fugitive night each in his own way make time stand still that's the threat but dawn comes and the gutters are choked with the waste of minutes the infinite man hours of loneliness It's Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway My Beat.

[Narrator]

Broadway's My Beat Stars Larry Thor as Detective Lieutenant Danny Clover. With Charles Calvert as Cartaglia. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Included in tonight's cast were Lillian Byeff, B. Benedarit, Jerry Hausner, Lou Merrill, Jack Crucian and Anthony Barret. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.