Broadway Is My Beat: Tom and Alice Corey Suicide Pact 08/21/1950

Summary

Broadway Is My Beat: Tom and Alice Corey Suicide Pact | Detailed Summary

Broadcast Date: July 30, 2025
Original Air Date: August 21, 1950
Presented by: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Title: "Broadway Is My Beat: Tom and Alice Corey Suicide Pact"

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1. Episode Introduction

Broadway’s Backdrop
The episode opens with Detective Danny Clover (voiced by Larry Thor) setting the scene of Broadway as a vibrant yet lonely stretch, teeming with hidden dramas and untold stories. The narrator paints Broadway as "the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world," emphasizing its duality of glamour and darkness (01:05).

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2. The Initial Call for Help

Desperate Plea
At [02:01], Tom Corey makes a frantic phone call to Detective Clover, pleading, "You gotta help. You gotta come here. You gotta come to my home" (02:07). This sets off the investigation into what appears to be a suicide pact between Tom and his wife, Alice Corey.

Detective's Curiosity
Detective Clover questions the authenticity of the suicide pact when Tom Corey later claims, “I’ve just killed my wife. Now it’s time for my dying” (02:25). However, discrepancies arise when calls back to the Coreys' residence reveal no one is home, leading Clover to suspect foul play.

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3. Unraveling the Suicide Pact

Diving into the Investigation
Detective Clover collaborates with his colleague, Dr. Haskell, to trace the 25 individuals named Corey. The first Corey they contact denies any deaths, which deepens the mystery (02:55).

Apartment Visit
Upon visiting the Coreys' apartment (06:16), they find the residence in perfect order with no sign of the couple. Suspicion heightens when Dr. Haskell mentions a woman trying to reach the Coreys without success, introducing Zella Stanley into the narrative (07:48).

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4. The Diamond Hotel and Zella Stanley

Zella's Testimony
Zella Stanley, running the Diamond Hotel, provides crucial information about a man registering as "John Smith" with blood on his coat (22:47). Her observations suggest that Tom Corey is involved in multiple suspicious activities, including the murder of Alice Corey.

Connection to Tom Corey
Stanley reveals that she had witnessed Tom’s partner, Henry Fairchild, exhibiting strange behavior and financial discrepancies, pointing towards embezzlement (10:00). This connection unravels the financial motives behind the Coreys' strained relationship.

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5. Fire Island Incident

Discovery at Fire Island
The investigation leads Detective Clover and Henry Fairchild to Fire Island (12:41), where they find an open cottage door. Inside, they discover Alice Corey dead from a gunshot wound to the heart, contradicting the initial claim of a suicide pact (13:18). The blood trail suggests that Tom Corey intended to commit suicide but was unable to, leading Clover to realize it was murder.

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6. The Hunt for Tom Corey

Following Clues
With Alice dead, Detective Clover pieces together Tom Corey’s movements using various clues:

• Thumbing Across Town: Tom attempted to flee multiple locations, leaving behind evidence like linker drapes and missing items (13:53).
• Connections to Henry Fairchild: Realizing that Henry Fairchild, Tom’s business partner, may hold the key to unraveling the mystery (16:30).

Final Confrontation
Clover’s pursuit narrows down to Henry Fairchild living on West 70th Street. However, before reaching Fairchild, Detective Clover receives a distressing call from Dr. Haskell, revealing that Tom Corey has a bullet wound and is in critical condition (19:43).

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7. The Climactic Resolution

Confronting the Culprit
Detective Clover intercepts Tom Corey, who has self-inflicted a non-fatal gunshot wound. In the tense exchange, Corey attempts to manipulate Clover by suggesting a conspiracy involving his wife and Zella Stanley. However, Clover remains steadfast, leading to a final showdown where Corey is apprehended (26:03).

Final Twist
Despite Corey’s claims that Tom and Zella orchestrated the events, Detective Clover uncovers the truth, confirming that Corey’s actions were driven by greed and desperation, not a premeditated pact (27:18).

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8. Notable Quotes

• Detective Muggervin (Danny Clover): "Don’t be a fool." (02:32)
• Tom Corey: "But no Tom. Where is he? You said he committed suicide." (13:53)
• Zella Stanley: "I run the Diamond Hotel on 37th Street. A little while ago, a man came in my place to register." (22:42)
• Detective Muggervin: "When someone kills someone else like that, we call it murder." (16:19)
• Tom Corey: "I’d wanted to kill myself, I’d have succeeded. How could Tom only have wounded himself, Mr. Clover?" (15:49)

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9. Episode Conclusion

Detective’s Reflection
As the dust settles, Detective Clover reflects on the complexities of human emotions and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Broadway remains the eternal stage where tragedies and dramas unfold, leaving Clover poised for his next adventure (27:55).

Closing Remarks
Henry Fairchild wraps up the episode, acknowledging the talents behind the scenes and teasing future adventures of Detective Danny Clover, ensuring listeners are eager for the next installment (29:17).

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10. Time Stamps Reference

For quick reference, notable moments in the episode are marked with timestamps:

• Introduction to Broadway: 01:05
• Initial Call by Tom Corey: 02:01
• Apartment Visit: 06:16
• Diamond Hotel Testimony: 22:47
• Fire Island Discovery: 12:41
• Final Confrontation: 26:03
• Notable Quotes Throughout: Various timestamps as noted above

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Broadway Is My Beat masterfully intertwines suspense, drama, and the relentless pursuit of truth, encapsulating the essence of old-time radio detective stories. Through Detective Danny Clover's keen investigative skills, listeners are taken on a journey through the glamorous yet perilous streets of Broadway, uncovering the dark secrets that lie beneath its bright lights.

Transcript

[Danny Clover]

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[Tom Corey]

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[Detective Muggervin]

Podbean.

[Tom Corey]

Podbean.

[Detective Muggervin]

Podbean.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Henry Fairchild]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Danny Clover]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Henry Fairchild]

My school uses Podbean.

[Tom Corey]

My church too.

[Danny Clover]

I love it. I really do.

[Henry Fairchild]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook.

[Tom Corey]

Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank.

[Henry Fairchild]

You for [e-mail] Arthur Godfrey, who usually comes around with his talent scouts at this time on Monday, has just about finished his summer holiday. Godfrey will be back with us one week from tonight on August 28th.

[Detective Muggervin]

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

[Henry Fairchild]

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

[Detective Muggervin]

Broadway. It's the place you drift to because the other promises you made to yourself never happened. You leave your life behind and stand on a street corner beating down the scream in your throat. It's the best of the thousand and one nights you dreamed of the one place in the world where something happens to you. Outside of the movies. It always happens. Something starts it. The tap on the shoulder. The laughter that floats down to your end of the bar. The smile. The special delivery.

[Tom Corey]

The phone call.

[Zella Stanley]

Your phone's ringing, Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

Thanks, Gino. Danny Clover speaking.

[Danny Clover]

You gotta help. You gotta come here. You gotta come to my home.

[Detective Muggervin]

Who is this?

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Corey, please. Please. My husband.

[Detective Muggervin]

What is it, Ms. Corey?

[Danny Clover]

A suicide pack. He's trying to make me. He's trying to force me to kill myself. I don't want to die. He's going to make me.

[Detective Muggervin]

Hello? Hello? Hello?

[Zella Stanley]

Hello?

[Detective Muggervin]

Who is this?

[Tom Corey]

What happened, Mr. Corey? I've just killed my wife. Now it's the time for my dying.

[Detective Muggervin]

Listen, don't be a fool. Hello? Hello, Tartaglia?

[Zella Stanley]

Wait a minute, Danny. What'd you say, operator? Oh, uh huh. Oh, yeah. Party hung up too soon. Couldn't trace it, Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

It began that way. With a desperate protest against private agonies. The protest that can't face the loneliness of death and must kill the loved one so that the path into darkness will not be walked alone. The man Corey murdered his wife and then himself. And the glittering blood spangled shriek for attention. Final identity set into motion only an old a familiar routine. The official collecting of the dead. But first we had to find them. Detective Muggerman Brought in the phone book. We sat over it, turned to the seas. Found there were 25 Coreys. We divided them, went our way. The treasure hunt for the dead. The first Corey was very much alive. She told me so we.

[Danny Clover]

Nobody dead here, mister. Everybody much, much alive. Come on in and I'll prove it to you.

[Detective Muggervin]

You live here alone?

[Danny Clover]

Uh huh.

[Detective Muggervin]

I'll take a look.

[Danny Clover]

Love it. Come on in. See? Alone. Just you and me. Touch me. I ain't dead.

[Tom Corey]

Yeah, sure. My name's Corey. Why do you have to know?

[Detective Muggervin]

Man named Corey killed his wife. Said he was going to kill himself.

[Tom Corey]

Killed his wife, huh? Guts.

[Zella Stanley]

That takes guts.

[Detective Muggervin]

Where's your wife, Mr. Cory?

[Zella Stanley]

She's in the kitchen, washing on my.

[Tom Corey]

Work pants so I can go out and look for work.

[Zella Stanley]

Come on, I'll show it to you.

[Tom Corey]

Look, mister, even if you're a policeman, it doesn't give you a right to ask me a thing like that. I love my wife. We never say a harsh word.

[Detective Muggervin]

Where is she?

[Tom Corey]

She's asleep.

[Detective Muggervin]

This late?

[Tom Corey]

She sleeps this late every morning. I was just preparing her breakfast.

[Detective Muggervin]

Call her.

[Tom Corey]

Look mister, you don't know what you're asking.

[Detective Muggervin]

Call her.

[Tom Corey]

Fanny. Fanny, wake up for a minute. It's a policeman. He wants to know did we have a suicide pact. Fanny. Fanny.

[Danny Clover]

Suicide pact? Tell him no, but thank him for the suggestion.

[Tom Corey]

You finish your list, Danny?

[Detective Muggervin]

Yeah. Mugaman.

[Tom Corey]

Find him?

[Detective Muggervin]

No. You?

[Tom Corey]

No. Maybe it was a joke, huh, Danny? A practical joke?

[Detective Muggervin]

I don't think so. Did you finish your list?

[Tom Corey]

No, I. I got two more to go.

[Detective Muggervin]

I'll take them.

[Tom Corey]

The reason I didn't finish, Danny, I. I had to come back to headquarters to. I just got tired.

[Detective Muggervin]

Forget it. Give them to me.

[Tom Corey]

Yeah. Here, Danny, two more.

[Detective Muggervin]

Maybe McEvin was right. Maybe it had been a joke. Someone's grisly idea of a joke to play on the gullible police. There are people like that. There are people who make a pact to die. The first Cory on Muggervin's remaining list of two was an invalid. A bedridden woman tended by her middle aged bachelor son. He asked me to stay and chat with them. It was such an interesting thing to have happen to them at the last place. The manager of a plush apartment house just off the park told me. Indeed. Yes, indeed. He had a Mr. And Mrs. Corey.

[Dr. Haskell]

Oh, yes indeed. They've been with us, let me see. Five years, I should say.

[Detective Muggervin]

What apartment are they in?

[Tom Corey]

3A.

[Dr. Haskell]

You understand of course, that solicitors and peddlers are not allowed on the premises.

[Detective Muggervin]

No, I'M from the police, see? Police?

[Dr. Haskell]

Hmm.

[Detective Muggervin]

Police.

[Dr. Haskell]

What is your interest in Mr. And Mrs. Corey?

[Detective Muggervin]

You're perfectly right. Which way is 3A?

[Dr. Haskell]

Down this center hall. But we'll announce ourselves first, shall.

[Tom Corey]

Hmm.

[Dr. Haskell]

No answer. Well, they're either not at home or they've overslept. With Mr. And Mrs. Corey. I should say they are not at home.

[Detective Muggervin]

Let's go find out. And bring the key.

[Dr. Haskell]

But that's.

[Detective Muggervin]

Bring the key.

[Dr. Haskell]

Oh, very well. Here it is. After me, please. Mr. Corey. Mr. Corey. I'm sorry, but there's someone from the police. Mr. Corey. Mrs. Corey.

[Detective Muggervin]

Open it. But I. Open it.

[Dr. Haskell]

See? There's no one at home. They've gone out.

[Detective Muggervin]

Where's the bedroom?

[Dr. Haskell]

Through here. But I don't believe you have the right to intrude like this. As you can see, everything is in apple pie order. What are you looking for? Why do you pry so?

[Detective Muggervin]

They're dead, that's why.

[Dr. Haskell]

Oh. Oh, well, in that case, you might be interested in something.

[Detective Muggervin]

In what?

[Dr. Haskell]

A woman called me just a while ago. Said she'd been trying to reach Mr. And Mrs. Corey all morning on their private phone. There was no answer, so she left the message with me.

[Detective Muggervin]

What message?

[Dr. Haskell]

Her name, her phone number. They interest you?

[Detective Muggervin]

Get them for me. Now. Get them. This time it was easier. The message was from one Zella Stanley with a phone number to match. As easy as investing a nickel in the nearest phone booth and telling Zella Stanley you were the police, asking her if she had been calling the Coreys and would she be home and I wanted to talk with her. Ms. Stanley was in turn, non committal, puzzled, cooperative. Please come up, Mr. Clover. The address is 1520 West 46th, apartment 2AMr.

[Danny Clover]

Clover?

[Detective Muggervin]

Yes.

[Danny Clover]

Please come in. Will you sit down? Let me get these things out of here. I. I was so tired when I came home last night. I undressed. Walking into the bedroom. Now, won't you sit down?

[Detective Muggervin]

Thank you. About Mr. And Ms. Corey.

[Danny Clover]

Now, don't put me on the defensive, Mr. Clover. I want to help you with whatever it is, so just let me tell you.

[Detective Muggervin]

Good. Go ahead.

[Danny Clover]

I've been calling Alice all morning.

[Detective Muggervin]

That's Alice Corey?

[Danny Clover]

That's right. There's been no answer at her apartment.

[Detective Muggervin]

Is that something unusual?

[Danny Clover]

Not in itself. I've called people before and I suppose you have called them and no one answers.

[Detective Muggervin]

Was it important that you get in touch with Mrs. Corey?

[Danny Clover]

Not in itself. I. I just wanted to talk to her.

[Detective Muggervin]

I see. Just a kind of. Good morning, Alice. How are you? Is that it?

[Danny Clover]

Something like that Just let me tell you. Will that Be all right, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Muggervin]

Be just fine.

[Danny Clover]

I was at the Corey's last night for bridge. There was something in that house that had never been there before.

[Detective Muggervin]

What?

[Danny Clover]

Please.

[Detective Muggervin]

Sorry.

[Danny Clover]

Something was wrong. No laughter between the two. Silence, mostly. And now and then a bitter word. I've known them for years. The Coreys have been the cliche of matrimonial bliss. It embarrassed me. I left early.

[Detective Muggervin]

May I?

[Danny Clover]

Of course.

[Detective Muggervin]

You said you were playing bridge. You, Mr. Corey, Mrs. Corey? Who else?

[Danny Clover]

And Tom's partner.

[Detective Muggervin]

Tom Corey's partner?

[Danny Clover]

His business partner, Henry.

[Detective Muggervin]

Henry who, Miss Stanley?

[Danny Clover]

Henry Fairchild. Fairchild? Of Cory and Fairchild? You know.

[Detective Muggervin]

No, I don't, Miss Stanley.

[Danny Clover]

A factory. They make small things. Electrical parts or something. I don't know.

[Detective Muggervin]

Tell me a bit more about last night.

[Danny Clover]

Well, just that Tom was depressed. Alice looked. Well, frightened. I never seen Alice look frightened, but I think that's what it was. Henry did everything he could to brighten things up. It didn't work. You go ask him. Ask Henry. Henry Fairchild of Cory and Fairchild? Ask him.

[Tom Corey]

My secretary tells me you're from the police. I can't tell you how delighted I am to see you. Delighted.

[Detective Muggervin]

Thank you, Mr. Fairchild.

[Tom Corey]

Come over here, Mr. Clover. Quick, come over. I want you to see something. I'll draw these drapes back so you can see something. Look down there. What do you think?

[Detective Muggervin]

Yeah. It's quite a little factory you have there.

[Tom Corey]

It's more than that, Mr. Clover. It's ten years of our lives. Ten years of blood, sweat, tears. No other way to say it. Ten years of that, and he walks on it. Squashes it like it was a cockroach we'd built. Oh, we're ruined. Destroyed. Milk dry. All that work sucked dry because he was greedy. Hungry for more money. $50,000 like that. Like he was taking it out of a piggy bank. Arrest him, Mr. Clover. Go arrest him.

[Detective Muggervin]

Who?

[Tom Corey]

My partner, Tom Corey. Arrest him for grand larceny. Arrest him for dipping his fingers into our till. Arrest him for being an ungrateful, greedy.

[Detective Muggervin]

Tom Corey did that.

[Tom Corey]

Here are the books. Look for yourself. But you wouldn't know about a thing like that. Your experts will, though. They'll see how? Month after month he's told. 5,000 here, 3 here, 10 here, 2 here.

[Detective Muggervin]

When did you see Corey last?

[Tom Corey]

Last night. We were playing bridge. He was moody, new to his wife, Dallas. I tried to cheer him up because I thought it was dyspepsia or something. This morning I find it was this. When you arrest him, Mr. Clover? Tell him I'll make it a point to visit him in jail. He'll give me kicks to see him there every chance I get.

[Detective Muggervin]

Corey killed his wife this morning, then himself. Huh?

[Tom Corey]

He didn't have to do that. He could have come to me. I would have. I'd have helped him. Honest type.

[Detective Muggervin]

We can't find them and not at the apartment.

[Tom Corey]

How about that place on Fire island where they have a house? On Fire Island? You think we should try there, Mr. Kohler?

[Detective Muggervin]

We did. Mr. Fairchild. Drove me out to the landing dock, hired the power launch that took us to Fire Island. Then the short walk across the bone white sands and a small cottage. The front of it was draped with a yellowed fishing net and life preservers whitewashed for the season. Starfish had been nailed over the door. The top of the door was glass, porthole. And the door was open.

[Tom Corey]

First time this has ever happened.

[Detective Muggervin]

What?

[Tom Corey]

Leaving that door open like this. Come on.

[Detective Muggervin]

Where's the phone?

[Tom Corey]

In the other room. Ms. Clover? Uh huh?

[Detective Muggervin]

Yeah.

[Tom Corey]

What?

[Detective Muggervin]

Oh. Dead. Shot through the heart.

[Tom Corey]

Poor Alice. She had nothing to do with it.

[Detective Muggervin]

What about her husband? What? Where is he? If he shot himself, where is he? That's what I said, Mr. Fairchild. Where is he? Wait a minute. Blood. Here on the floor. See it trailing toward the back door. Here. Now the blood stops.

[Tom Corey]

But no Tom. Where is he? You said he committed suicide.

[Detective Muggervin]

I was wrong. He committed murder.

[Henry Fairchild]

You were listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Next week, along about this time, Arthur Godfrey and his talent scouts will be on hand again to delight and entertain you. You'll find that Godfrey's amateur, but knowing scouting, have dug up some wonderful new discoveries for you. And they'll be here Monday after Monday all season long. By the way, next Monday also marks the return of my friend Irma. The Lux Radio Theater and the Bob Hawk show on most of these same CBS stations. Don't miss next Monday evening with cbs, the network of the stars.

[Detective Muggervin]

There's this about Broadway. It wants everything neat and in place. A word misspelled on a spectacular can stop traffic. A girl lamenting a run in her nylons. Likewise for longer, the scream of the loudspeakers has to be adjusted just so. In the deep, anguished weeping in a darkened doorway. Not too much. Even death and violence have to meet Broadway standards. The death of Alice Corey by a bullet through the heart, that would measure up. This violence committed upon her by her husband. It would measure up, too. Very poignant. Very class A. We've stood in line for worse, huh, kid? A man makes a pact with his wife to commit double suicide. Kills his wife, only wounds himself. That's hard to do when you're hungry for dying. And harder still to be wounded and disappear from an island.

[Tom Corey]

I'd wanted to kill myself, I'd have succeeded. How could Tom only have wounded himself, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Muggervin]

Maybe that's all he intended to do.

[Tom Corey]

Meant to murder Alice.

[Detective Muggervin]

A policeman has to consider the possibility, Mr. Fairchild.

[Tom Corey]

Then how would I ask you before how could he have only wounded himself?

[Detective Muggervin]

He shot Mrs. Corey in the heart. He must have thought that was the best way. In the heart? When he shot himself, he must have flinched. A reflex against his own death. He flinched. He saw he wasn't dead. He liked it that way. It's been that way before.

[Tom Corey]

You said he committed murder.

[Detective Muggervin]

That's right. When someone kills someone else like that, we call it murder. Is there anywhere else on the island he might be, Mr. Fairchild?

[Tom Corey]

Well, we've covered all of it. Places I never knew existed. I don't mind telling you I'm tired, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Muggervin]

And he must have crossed over to the mainland. You know these people at the landing dock, Mr. Fairchild? Most of them call out and ask if anyone took Tom Corey across.

[Tom Corey]

All right. Did anyone here take Tom Cory across today? Did anyone take.

[Zella Stanley]

Oh, Graham did. Mr. Fairchild.

[Tom Corey]

Where is he?

[Zella Stanley]

Just the other side of the landing. Cheers, Bo.

[Detective Muggervin]

Let's go fetch on.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean. Your message amplified.

[Tom Corey]

Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Henry Fairchild]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Danny Clover]

Use Podbean to record your podcast.

[Tom Corey]

Use Podbean AI to optimize your podcast.

[Detective Muggervin]

Use Podbean to turn your blog into a podcast.

[Tom Corey]

Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere.

[Danny Clover]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Detective Muggervin]

You Joe Graham.

[Zella Stanley]

Hi there, Mr. Fairchild.

[Tom Corey]

Hello, Joe. This is Mr. Clover, Joe. He's a detective. He wants.

[Detective Muggervin]

I want to know if you took Tom Corey across today.

[Zella Stanley]

You want to know too, Mr. Fairchild?

[Tom Corey]

We do, Joe.

[Zella Stanley]

Yeah, I took Tom across. When you say something, Mr. Fairchild.

[Tom Corey]

When did you take him across, Joe?

[Zella Stanley]

Early Today, around noon, Mr. Fairchild.

[Detective Muggervin]

Did he say anything to you?

[Zella Stanley]

Tell your friend I'm a very sociable man, Mr. Fairchild. People talk to me. I talk to people. People I care about.

[Tom Corey]

Mr. Clover asked that. Because Tom Cory is a murderer. He killed Mrs. Corey this morning.

[Zella Stanley]

Guess that's why Tom wasn't very talkative had things on his mind. Just kept biting his lip. Just sat huddled there. Didn't think it proper to ask him why. Glad I didn't.

[Detective Muggervin]

Where'd you take him?

[Zella Stanley]

Well, I always took him, Mr. Fairchild. Like I've taken you and him and Alice many times.

[Tom Corey]

So you could go back to your factory over there.

[Detective Muggervin]

Ask him if he'll take us back.

[Tom Corey]

Will you take us back, Joe?

[Zella Stanley]

You and the detective?

[Tom Corey]

Yes.

[Zella Stanley]

It'll cost you more for him, apple boy. I'll take you, Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

Come on in, Gino. What's on your mind?

[Zella Stanley]

It came through, Danny. I'm going to miss you.

[Detective Muggervin]

Why are you going to miss me, Gino? What came through?

[Zella Stanley]

But Captain Julius okayed your vacation request. And so did the inspector, and so did the commissioner. Then back again through the inspector and Captain Julius. So here it is. Where you going, Danny?

[Detective Muggervin]

I haven't made up my mind.

[Zella Stanley]

I've been mulling over the travel folders. Me and Mrs. Tartaglia. And we feel the place for you is Mexico.

[Detective Muggervin]

Mexico, huh?

[Zella Stanley]

Si. In Ensenada. In Mexico. In the Riviera Pacifico. Imagine you with a serape over your shoulder, huarachas on your feet and a la cucaracha on your lips. C Mexico, man.

[Detective Muggervin]

Amigo. Mi amigo.

[Zella Stanley]

We are friends, aren't we, Gino?

[Detective Muggervin]

Lieutenant Clover? Yes, what is it?

[Dr. Haskell]

I'm Dr. Haskell. They told me to come right in.

[Detective Muggervin]

Of course. What is it, Doctor?

[Dr. Haskell]

They said you'd want to see me, that you were working on something that might have something to do with what I want to see you about.

[Detective Muggervin]

All right. What is it?

[Dr. Haskell]

About 20 minutes ago, a man forced his way into my office. I say forced himself because he had a gun.

[Detective Muggervin]

What did the man look like? Oh, about 40.

[Dr. Haskell]

Strongly built. I wrote it all down here because I knew you'd want to know. Here. I knew you'd ask me.

[Detective Muggervin]

About 20 minutes ago, he came to see you about a bullet wound, didn't he?

[Dr. Haskell]

Yes. How did you know?

[Detective Muggervin]

We're looking for this man. How badly is he hurt?

[Dr. Haskell]

He'll die. Unless a miracle, then. I'm only a doctor. I gave him plasma. Extracted the bullet, shot under the heart. He wouldn't let me give him anesthetic. He's hurt. Unless he's found immediately, he'll die.

[Detective Muggervin]

You let him go?

[Dr. Haskell]

I told you he had a gun.

[Detective Muggervin]

Oh, I see. Where do you live, Doctor?

[Dr. Haskell]

Here. Here's my car.

[Detective Muggervin]

Thank you. Is there anything else you want to tell me?

[Dr. Haskell]

No, I believe that's all.

[Tom Corey]

It just came in. Danny. Over the Teletype. What did item about a woman you talked to earlier. Zella Stanley.

[Detective Muggervin]

Half the dime, Muggerman. What about her?

[Tom Corey]

She was found in her apartment, shot to death. Pretty expensive dress she's wearing, Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

Uh huh.

[Tom Corey]

She must have been very pretty once. Zella. New girl in high school. The name of Zella. Wait. She's lying. He must have shot her the minute she opened the door, huh?

[Detective Muggervin]

Yeah. Take the other room, Mugaban. I'll go through this one.

[Tom Corey]

Okay. Danny. Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

Yeah.

[Tom Corey]

Radio. Radio. Phonograph combo. Also very expensive. The bed, also the furnishings. Wonder how she managed. Maybe she was rich, huh?

[Detective Muggervin]

Maybe.

[Tom Corey]

I think I find out how. Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

How what?

[Tom Corey]

How she managed. These men's shirts in the bedroom closet. This robe.

[Detective Muggervin]

Let's see them.

[Tom Corey]

Embroidered initials in silk. Wish I could afford things like that. TC Tom Cory and Danny.

[Detective Muggervin]

Uh huh. TC Tom Corey. So it began to take shape. Tom Curry had killed his wife, turned the gun on himself, had missed his heart. Then he had decided to rid himself of the source of his trouble. Zealous Stanley committed grand larceny, committed murder. Two murders. Now he was a dying man someplace in the city. Find him. We tried all points bulletins, newspaper releases. Call on the hospitals, then back to headquarters and wait, then nod at a man who nudged his head through a door, listened to his story.

[Zella Stanley]

I run the Diamond Hotel on 37th Street. A little while ago, a man came in my place to register.

[Detective Muggervin]

Why do you think that's of interest to me?

[Zella Stanley]

The man had no bags. I saw that right away when I handed him the pen to write. And on top of that he said, you write my name for me. It's Smith. That's what he said. Write John Smith. I said, why? He said, because I got my hands in my pockets, that's why. I said, oh, do you?

[Detective Muggervin]

Come to the point, will you?

[Zella Stanley]

The point is this. I looked over the desk at these hands in his pockets just to see what went. What went was. The side of his coat was blood. Then I got cagey, cagey, cagey. I said, how long you want the room? Month, day, week? Then he looked funny and said all he wanted to do was rest a while. I said, uh, because I saw trouble. He left. I came here. I did right, didn't I?

[Detective Muggervin]

Danny Clover speaking.

[Danny Clover]

There's a man in my house.

[Detective Muggervin]

Who is this?

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Barry? I live on West 57th Street. 1209. I'm frightened. There's a man.

[Detective Muggervin]

What man?

[Danny Clover]

He rang my bell and pointed a gun at me and walked into my house.

[Detective Muggervin]

Is he still there?

[Danny Clover]

Yes, he looked tired. He sat in the big chair in the parlor. He fell asleep. He's there now, sleeping.

[Detective Muggervin]

I'll be right there.

[Danny Clover]

Can't you understand? He's gone.

[Detective Muggervin]

Just 10 minutes ago. You called.

[Danny Clover]

10 minutes ago. He was sitting in that chair sleeping. He woke up and left. He had a gun.

[Detective Muggervin]

All right, all right, all right.

[Danny Clover]

He says he had a gun pointed at my nose. What did you want me to do? Hit him over the head with a candlestick? Not me. He left. Look. Left blood too. All over my rug.

[Detective Muggervin]

Back to headquarters again. Then a phone call from a pedestrian who had just seen a man who fitted Tom Cory's description on West 62nd. The man was staggering. Mr. Clover. So Mr. Clover dispatched a squad car to the area. The man was nowhere in sight. Then Mr. Clover sat down and thought about it. Tom Corey left Fire island by boat. Found a doctor on 12th street in the village. Put a thumbtack on the man. Tom Corey has tried to get a room at the diamond hotel on West 37th. Thumbtack. Tom Corey had murdered Zella Stanley. West 46th. Tom Corey had been asleep in a parlor on West 57th. Thumbtack. Then a phone man, probably Tom Corey, was seen staggering on West 62nd. Thumbtack. Tom Corey was headed uptown. Tom Corey was crazed with pain. Then a recheck of my notebook. Tom Cory had a partner named Henry Fairchild. Henry Fairchild lived uptown. He lived on West 70th. Maybe I could get there before Tom Corey.

[Tom Corey]

Who is it?

[Detective Muggervin]

The police. Danny Clover.

[Tom Corey]

Come in quickly. I'm glad it's you.

[Detective Muggervin]

Afraid of something, Mr. Fairchild? The door Bolted. Locked. What are you afraid of?

[Tom Corey]

I read it in the newspapers. Tom still loose?

[Detective Muggervin]

You still haven't answered my question. What are you afraid of?

[Tom Corey]

Isn't it obvious? Tom has killed his wife. Killed Zella. Now he's. That's why you're here, Mr. Clover. You know Tom is on his way.

[Detective Muggervin]

Uh huh. I figure he is. I'm just wondering why you figured it.

[Tom Corey]

You just said it's obvious. Tom is out of his mind. He killed Zella, didn't he? You know why too, don't you? No.

[Detective Muggervin]

No. Tell me why.

[Tom Corey]

You found his shirts there, didn't you? Zealous.

[Detective Muggervin]

How did you know that, Mr. Fairchild? It wasn't in the newspapers.

[Tom Corey]

Why, no, it wasn't. It's simply that Tom told me all about it. About Tom and Zella. How expensive she was. That's why he stole all that money.

[Detective Muggervin]

I. Mr. Clover, put down that gun. Give it to me, Sid. Give it to me. Now. Stand right where you are. I'll take care of it. Come in, Tom.

[Dr. Haskell]

Shoot him.

[Danny Clover]

Shoot him.

[Zella Stanley]

He'll kill me.

[Detective Muggervin]

I'll take that gun, Corey. Come on. I'll help you. Sit down over here. There.

[Tom Corey]

Don't believe him, Mr. Clover. Don't believe anything Corey says. He's going to tell you I killed his wife, that I shot him, that I stole the money. Ridiculous things. Crazy things. Because he's crazy.

[Detective Muggervin]

Now, Tom.

[Tom Corey]

Of course, Tom. He's crazy. He's going to say that Zella and I arranged the whole thing to make it look like a suicide pact. That I killed Zella. Tom. Tom.

[Detective Muggervin]

That's right. Tom's dead. He just confessed to a dead man. Broadway stretches out in front of you. A livid scar slashed into the night. It's a cruel and fantastic carousel. Palace of fun, a hall of mirrors. You pay your way and you take your choice. Me, I get in on a pass on Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My Beat.

[Henry Fairchild]

Broadway's My Beat stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis, with musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Included in tonight's cast were Herb Butterfield, Janet Logan, Ann Stone, Junius Matthews, Byron Cain and Jack Crucian. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's program concludes the present series of Broadway's My Beat. We thank you for listening and hope to return in the near future when Danny Clover will bring you more adventures along the Great White Way. Meanwhile, listen to Arthur Godfrey, who returns at the same time next Monday with his talent scout. There's always plenty of fun on hand when you hear Columbia's Monday night program, Too Many Cooks, the hilarious misadventures of a father, mother and 10 children. Stay tuned now for Too Many Cooks, which follows immediately over most of these Columbia stations. Bob Stevenson speaking. This is cbs, where you live life with Luigi. On Tuesday night, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Detective Muggervin]

Sam.