Dragnet: The Big Chick 06/29/1954

Summary

Summary of "Dragnet: The Big Chick" Episode

Podcast Information:

• Title: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
• Episode: Dragnet: The Big Chick
• Release Date: July 8, 2025
• Description: Old time radio fans! Choice Classic Radio brings to you old-time radio’s greatest detectives! Each day we feature a program chosen from the most popular shows of the period. So sit back and enjoy the best detectives The Golden Age of Radio has to offer!

---

1. Introduction to the Case

The episode begins with Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, being briefed about a troubling case. A man named Walter Gilmer was found dead in a public park lake, with physical evidence pointing to narcotics poisoning.

• Joe Friday: "Your message amplified." (00:01)
  (Note: This line is part of the ad and is skipped in the main content.)

2. Discovery of Walter Gilmer

On Monday, July 9th, in warm Los Angeles, Joe Friday and Frank Smith leave the narcotics detail office at 10:23 AM to investigate the homicide reported in Room 42. Upon arrival, they discover Walter Gilmer's identity through fingerprinting, revealing a history of extensive criminal activity and multiple arrests since the age of 14.

• Frank Smith: "Here's a picture where we found him." (02:25)
• Joe Friday: "How do you think of that, Jack?" (03:05)

3. Initial Investigation and Leads

The detectives analyze the autopsy report, which indicates that Gilmer died of either heroin or morphine poisoning. Despite increased efforts and cooperation with Mexican authorities to curb the influx of low-grade heroin, key figures in the drug operation remain elusive. Gilmer's death presents a potential lead worth pursuing.

• Joe Friday: "We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail." (01:21)
• Frank Smith: "Died of narcotics poisoning." (03:41)

4. Interrogation of David Flack

On Thursday, July 12th, Friday and Smith interview David Flack, a friend of Gilmer, who becomes the prime suspect. Flack claims innocence, stating he found Gilmer unwell and helped him by moving his body to the lake. However, inconsistencies in his story and physical impossibility of carrying Gilmer alone raise suspicions.

• Frank Smith: "You figure you can nail me down for murder, huh?" (05:28)
• Frank Smith: "You better tell us then, huh?" (06:16)

5. Planning the Undercover Operation

With Flack's arrest providing limited information, Captain Shy decides that Joe Friday must go undercover to infiltrate the narcotics ring. Equipped with marked bills and fake identification, Friday adopts the persona of a buyer from Northern California to engage with the drug operators.

• Joe Friday: "It was set up that he and Sergeant Roxy Lucarelli would keep me under surveillance." (12:00)
• Frank Smith: "What's that? Are you trying to make a buy?" (13:00)

6. The Undercover Encounter

Friday visits a local bar to establish contact. He interacts with Dolores Page, who represents the narcotics ring. Despite initial mistrust and negotiation over the price and quantity of heroin, Friday's persistence leads to arranging a deal.

• Joe Friday: "I'm willing to pay for it, lady." (16:40)
• Dolores Page: "You're doing it wrong, Al." (22:26)

7. The Botched Deal and Confrontation

As the deal unfolds in San Diego, tensions rise when the assigned officers culminate in a confrontation. Frank Smith becomes suspicious of Joe's actions, leading to a heated exchange where Joe reveals his undercover identity. Realizing the breach, the officers move to apprehend the suspects.

• Joe Friday: "You know you're not going to get away with it, don't you?" (22:57)
• Frank Smith: "We've been working it a long time without no hitch." (20:35)

8. Arrests and Resolution

The episode culminates with the successful arrest of Dolores Page, Alfred Giles Harnett, and others involved in the narcotics operation. Walter Gilmer's demise is resolved as justice is served, highlighting the effectiveness and diligence of Joe Friday and his team.

• Joe Friday: "Come on, let's get him to the car." (24:14)
• Frank Smith: "The story you have just heard is true." (24:54)

9. Conclusion

The narrative concludes with a wrap-up of the legal consequences faced by the perpetrators, emphasizing the severity of their crimes and the robust response of the law enforcement officers involved.

• Frank Smith: "Dolores Marie Page and Alfred Giles Harnett were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree." (25:08)
• Joe Friday: "The names were changed to protect the innocent." (24:57)

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Friday: "You better tell us then, huh?" (06:16)
• Frank Smith: "I had no part in it. None." (07:07)
• Dolores Page: "Making a big mistake, Joe." (22:30)
• Joe Friday: "I don't have to be that big." (20:55)
• Frank Smith: "We got the Rumble on you." (13:06)

---

Conclusion:

"Dragnet: The Big Chick" masterfully portrays the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his team. Through meticulous investigation, undercover operations, and unwavering determination, the episode underscores the challenges and triumphs in combating narcotics-related crimes during the era. For listeners unfamiliar with the episode, this summary provides a comprehensive overview of the plot, character dynamics, and the ultimate resolution of the case.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

Your message amplified.

[Frank Smith]

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

[Dolores Page]

Podbean the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Frank Smith]

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

[Dolores Page]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Frank Smith]

My school uses Podbean. My church too.

[Dolores Page]

I love it. I really do.

[Joe Friday]

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] Ladies and gentlemen, the.

[Frank Smith]

Story you are about to hear is true.

[Joe Friday]

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Frank Smith]

Dragnet.

[Joe Friday]

You'Re a detective sergeant.

[Frank Smith]

You're assigned a narcotics detail. The body of a man has been.

[Joe Friday]

Found in a public park lake. Physical evidence indicates he was killed by narcotics.

[Frank Smith]

Your job. Check it out.

[Joe Friday]

It was Monday, July 9th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Shy. My name's Friday. We were on our way out from the office and it was 10:23am when we got to room 42, homicide.

[Frank Smith]

You got a name on him? Yeah, hi, Joe. Frank. Oh, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Be right with you.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. What's the spelling on this? Yeah, I'll check it out.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Frank Smith]

I'll call you back. Bye.

[Joe Friday]

Jack, how's it going?

[Frank Smith]

Pretty good.

[Joe Friday]

With you it doesn't do much good to kick.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, never worked for me.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got for it?

[Frank Smith]

Wait a minute, I'll get the pictures. All right, we got it late Saturday night. Just got the results of the autopsy this morning. Thought maybe you and Frank would be interested. Now here, let me clear the table. What is it now? Here way we got the story goes together like this. A couple of kids on their way home from a late show. Walk through MacArthur Park. Must have been about 10:30.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Stopped by the side of the lake for a minute and they saw something in the water. Went down to check it and found the body of a man. Yeah, Here's a picture where we found him. Contacted the park authorities and they called the police. Tell me. Car answered and they called us.

[Joe Friday]

You know who he is?

[Frank Smith]

No ID on him. Made him till he's print. Name's Walter Gilmer. Appears to be his true name. Got several aliases.

[Joe Friday]

How about his background?

[Frank Smith]

Been picked up for just about everything in the code copy of his arrest record.

[Joe Friday]

First arrest when he was 14?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, been piling him up ever since. He added up he spent over half his life in prison. Wait. Looks he died someplace else.

[Joe Friday]

How do you think of that, Jack?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, here. This is a picture taken of the path leading to the lake. See here the tracks? Looks like he was dragged down the gravel path and then dropped into the water. See you later, Joe. What killed him had us for a while. No evidence of violence that could have done it in his record. There are half a dozen people in town who'd like to take care of it. Phil, Copy of the officer report. That'll explain why we thought you might want a piece of it. Died of narcotics poisoning.

[Joe Friday]

We went over the dead man's effects without coming up with any additional information. From the report of the coroner's office, we knew that Gilmer had died of narcotics poisoning. We were not able to tell the type of the narcotics used, but it was listed as either heroin or morphine. During the past three months, the Southland had been flooded with an inferior grade of heroin. From chemical analysis, we knew that it was being processed in Mexico. We'd been in touch with Mexican authorities. But in spite of our joint activity, the drug continued to cross the border and it continued to be circulated. Arrests of mules and pushers had been made. Suspects had been interrogated and all other leads had been checked out. But we were still unable to come up with the key people in the operation. The death of Walter Gilmer gave us a possible lead. We couldn't be sure that he died of the low grade drug, but it was worth looking into. Working with Sergeant Jack McCready and Danny Galindo of Homicide detail, we pulled Gilmer's package and we went over all of the available information on him. We made out a list of his known friends and his associates. All of the places he was known to frequent were checked for the next two days. Anyone who had been seen in Gilmer's company was talked to. Apparently, we were at a dead end. Thursday, July 12, 11:14am Frank and I got back from talking to an informant. There was a note in the book to call McCready. McCready there? Yeah. Oh, Jack. Joe. Friday. Mm. Well, where is he now? No, we'll be right over. Thank you. What's he got? One of Gilmer's friends? Yeah. Says he was with Gilmer when he died. Frank and I left the central police station and walked over to the city Hall. By the time we'd gotten there, McCready had pulled the suspect's package and had what background information there was on the man. The three of us talked to him in the Interrogation room. For the record. What's your name? David Flack. How old are you?

[Frank Smith]

26.

[Joe Friday]

That's still your address?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

How well did you know this Walter Gilmer?

[Frank Smith]

We roomed together.

[Joe Friday]

How long?

[Frank Smith]

A couple years.

[Joe Friday]

According to your package here, you've had several arrests for being a user. Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

You got the paper. Told us you were with Gilmer when he died. Now, look. There you go again. What? I said I was with him when he was sick, that's all. We got together Saturday night, had dinner and Walt didn't feel so good. He shoved off. Said he was going home and get some rest. It's the last time I saw him. He went home to get some rest.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

With what? There ain't no more to say. You guys asked me, remember? We talked to the manager of your apartment house. Real goof, ain't she? She said you and Gilmer came in together Saturday night. Puts the time about 8:30. The two of you stayed there till about 9:30. Then she heard you come out of the elevator with Gilmore.

[Joe Friday]

She's got real big ears. That's what she says.

[Frank Smith]

Goes on to tell us that she went to the door of her apartment, looked out into the hall. Says she saw you carry Gilmer out of the apartment building. I carried. Walled off.

[Joe Friday]

That's what she says.

[Frank Smith]

You know how big Walt is? You got an idea? Well, you know I couldn't carry him anyplace. Guy weighs me about £50. I ain't that strong. The landlady's willing to testify to it. She talks a lot. She's going to talk you right into the joint. We find Gilmer now, later, dead. You're the last person seen with him. Fit you real good Black. From here it looks like you're right for a 187 charge. You figure you can nail me down for murder, huh? Worth a try. Yeah, but can you make it go? We think so. Now, one thing's gonna lous it up.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

I didn't do it. I had no part in it. None. You better tell us then, huh? If I give it to you, it'll make a difference? Depends on the words. Go ahead. Where do I start? The beginning will do. Yeah, I guess Saturday afternoon's as good as any. We'll listen. Old Walt got himself a new connection. Said it was a good one.

[Joe Friday]

For heroin?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Got a good buy and a couple of bindles. Said it was a real good deal.

[Joe Friday]

You know where?

[Frank Smith]

No, he wouldn't tell me. He just said it was his and that when I needed Some stuff. He'd set it up for me.

[Joe Friday]

You're on H2, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Well, I lie to you, a couple of days in the tank will bring it out anyway. Yeah, I'm swinging a pretty good habit.

[Joe Friday]

How much shooting? Three a day. All right. Go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, Walt had a fix about 4 in the afternoon. We were going out for dinner, and Walt said he had enough H SOS he could take one for free. After that, we went out, got something to eat. Walt didn't eat much. Said he felt way out. Didn't hardly eat at all. Went back to the apartment, Sat around, talked. Tried to get him to tell me where he made the connection. He just laughed and said it was the best thing he ever fell into.

[Joe Friday]

Didn't he give you any idea?

[Frank Smith]

No. Not a smell.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

Well, pretty soon he said he didn't feel so good. I thought maybe he'd need another papa. Asked him if he wanted me to cook it for him. He said no. Said he just wanted to get some air. Told me he couldn't breathe too good. Just lay there on the bed, grabbing for air. I asked him if he wanted me to call a doctor, get somebody up there to fix him. He looked pretty bad.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

He told me he didn't want anybody just to leave him alone. About an hour later, I checked with him and I wanted to see if he felt any better. He was dead. You took him out of the apartment then? Yeah. I got scared. I didn't know what had happened, but I could see you guys landed on me. What'd you do? Took him out to the park.

[Joe Friday]

Got him in the backseat of the.

[Frank Smith]

Car and took him out there. Sat in the car for about 15 minutes, waiting for a couple of kids to leave. I was sitting on the bench near their talk and I had to wait for them to leave.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

After they'd gone, I dragged Walt down the water and dumped him in the lake.

[Joe Friday]

What about his identification?

[Frank Smith]

Took it out of his pocket. Figured he'd give me a couple of days to try and grow an alibi. Figured it'd take that long for you to find out who he was.

[Joe Friday]

You just left him in the lake then, huh? Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Drove back to the house and tried to figure what to do. Thinking somebody would go me an alibi.

[Joe Friday]

You haven't got any idea where Gilmer made the connection, huh? No.

[Frank Smith]

You know where he went Saturday afternoon? No. He left the place about 10 in the morning. I didn't see him until about 3 or maybe 3:30. He was holding pretty good then. Real happy, laughing it up all over the place. Oh, Walt, he had a real good laugh when he was feeling good. I still can't get it straight that he's dead.

[Joe Friday]

Gilmer have any close friends that you know of?

[Frank Smith]

Couple. Not more than that.

[Joe Friday]

Want to give us their name?

[Frank Smith]

I guess. Long as they don't find out.

[Joe Friday]

You meet any new people he told you about?

[Frank Smith]

If he did, he didn't say nothing. I'm sorry. I'd sure like to help you. It's a lousy trick making Walt think he was getting such a good deal. Then having to turn out like this. It's a lousy deal. He was real happy because he thought he scored real big. Got it real cheap. Told me he hardly paid anything for it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he had it wrong, didn't he, huh? It was overcharged. We continued to talk to David Flack. From him we got additional names of people Walter Gilmer had dealings with. We also got the addresses of bars and restaurants the dead man was known to have frequented. In our interrogation of Flack, he was unable to give us any lead as to where Gilmer might have bought the lethal narcotics. Thursday afternoon at 4:21pm Flack was taken to the main jail to be booked in on suspicion of violation of the State Narcotic Act, a felony. Frank and I went back to the office and talked with Captain Shy. We told him what had happened and we reviewed the progress we'd made in attempting to apprehend the leaders of the narcotic ring. After talking over all the possibilities, it was decided that the only way we had of getting to the higher ups in the operation was for one of us to go underground. Was decided that I would act the part of a buyer from Northern California and try to make the contact with the members of the ring. I was given a quantity of marked bills and fictitious identification. Before I left the office, Frank and I worked out a method for communication and I went home to change my clothes. I left all of my police identification there was. And the next morning I began to be seen in the bars and restaurants where Walter Gilmer was known. For the first week, it went slow. The people involved were cautious of all newcomers. On Saturday, July 21, I had breakfast and then I walked over to a small place on East 7th Street.

[Frank Smith]

Not open for business yet, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

No problem. I got some time to kill. Thought I'd do it here if you got no beef.

[Frank Smith]

No, sit down. Just get my booze up from downstairs and. You want something? A Coke, maybe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Got one that's cold.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I could put A shot in it, if you want.

[Joe Friday]

No, it's all right. It's too early.

[Frank Smith]

Boss don't like it if I pour before it can.

[Joe Friday]

How's business?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, not bad. Guess it's a little slow all over.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

How's it going with you, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Slow.

[Frank Smith]

How long you figured to be in town?

[Joe Friday]

Only got a couple more days. I got to get back up north.

[Frank Smith]

Never heard you say what you did.

[Joe Friday]

I told you, I'm a promoter.

[Frank Smith]

You mean like price fights?

[Joe Friday]

No. Anything I can make a buck on.

[Frank Smith]

What are you working on now?

[Joe Friday]

I got a deal. Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

I guess you'd rather I didn't get too nosy.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, it might be better that way. Mm.

[Frank Smith]

Words. Aren't you trying to make a buy?

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Frank Smith]

I say, where's that? You're trying to make a buy.

[Joe Friday]

Is that so?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, that's what the word is.

[Joe Friday]

Where's it from?

[Frank Smith]

Around. No place you can point to.

[Joe Friday]

Just around anything of what I'm looking for.

[Frank Smith]

I understand it's H. That what you think? I don't know. Just tell me what the word is, understand. You're a good friend of Walt Gilmer?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I know him. We didn't live together. I knew him.

[Frank Smith]

Rough thing about Walt.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Yes, it is.

[Frank Smith]

Did you ever find out what killed him?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I don't read the papers much. Was it in the papers?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Uh, rumble is. He got some bad stuff.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

That's what they're saying.

[Joe Friday]

There might be. I told you, I don't know.

[Frank Smith]

I guess if you're a friend of his, you'd like to talk to his connection, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Well, it doesn't make any difference to me one way or the other.

[Frank Smith]

You ain't sure about walking, huh?

[Joe Friday]

I told you I knew him. I didn't know him good. Just enough to say hello, that's all.

[Frank Smith]

Rough the way it went.

[Joe Friday]

Call it your way. Well, I'll see you around, Al.

[Frank Smith]

You gotta leave, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Told you I only got a couple more days in town. I gotta line something up before I go back.

[Frank Smith]

Well, maybe I can give you a hand. Yeah, Depends on what you're after. I got a lot of friends around. Might be able to do you some good.

[Joe Friday]

Now, how you gonna work that?

[Frank Smith]

How much you want to buy?

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Frank Smith]

Come off it, Joe. We got the Rumble on you. You're down here from Sacramento. You're here to make a buy. It's a simple question. How much you want to take back with you?

[Joe Friday]

If I wanted to make a connection you the guy I'm supposed to see? If I wanted to make a connection.

[Frank Smith]

Might work out that way.

[Joe Friday]

You holding now? A little. How big?

[Frank Smith]

Enough to handle your ration.

[Joe Friday]

I want a couple ounces. A lot of stuff I don't sell. Cut rate now. You holding that much or aren't you?

[Frank Smith]

No. I can line it up for you.

[Joe Friday]

Where do you take your piece?

[Frank Smith]

Off the top. I make the deal for you.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, no, I'll go. Huh? I don't know how you work things here, but I only do business with a gun.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, well, this one don't work that way.

[Joe Friday]

Well, then let's forget the whole thing.

[Frank Smith]

Hey, wait a minute. Hold it. Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

You got the cash?

[Joe Friday]

I can get it.

[Frank Smith]

Well, it'll work out. I'll have to see.

[Joe Friday]

I deal with the gun or the buy's off.

[Frank Smith]

I'll check it.

[Joe Friday]

Is it good stuff?

[Frank Smith]

Best we got to offer.

[Joe Friday]

That's not much of an answer, is it?

[Frank Smith]

It's good.

[Joe Friday]

When will you know? When will you know?

[Frank Smith]

Wait here, I'll make a phone call.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Dolores Page]

Podbean, your message amplified.

[Frank Smith]

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

[Dolores Page]

Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Frank Smith]

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

[Dolores Page]

Use Podbean to record your podcast.

[Frank Smith]

Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast.

[Dolores Page]

Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast.

[Frank Smith]

Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere.

[Dolores Page]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Frank Smith]

This is Al. Yeah, I know, I know, but this is important. Got a guy here wants to buy a couple of shirts. All large size.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Frank Smith]

As far as we know, he is. I talked to you about him. Yeah, that's the one. Yeah. No, he says he won't buy them from anybody else. That's what I told him. He says he's got it. Just a minute, I'll check. He'll be here about seven. Tonight.

[Joe Friday]

Huh?

[Frank Smith]

He'll be here tonight, about seven.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we can make the deal. Sure.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, yeah, he can make it.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I know. I told you we'd check. He's all right. Uh huh. Yeah, right. Goodbye. Deal's made.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

You heard seven. Make it sharp, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Frank Smith]

You meet the boss?

[Joe Friday]

I got in touch with Frank and I filled him in on what had happened. For the first time in several months, it appeared as if we had a concrete lead to the operators of the dope ring. It was arranged to keep the bar under surveillance, but not to take anybody into custody until a buy had been made. I went back to the room I was renting and I waited. I left at 5:30, had something to eat, and at five minutes of seven, I walked into the bar. The place was crowded. There wasn't an empty stool and most of the boots were taken. I edged up to the bar and caught the bartender's attention.

[Frank Smith]

Fine. It's Joe. You're early.

[Joe Friday]

No, you said seven sharp.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

We gonna do business?

[Frank Smith]

Where'll I get out from? Behind the bar.

[Joe Friday]

Here.

[Frank Smith]

Back here, Joe. Here it is.

[Joe Friday]

You're joking, aren't you?

[Frank Smith]

No. Joe, this is the boss.

[Joe Friday]

All right. It figured a little different.

[Dolores Page]

Yeah, everybody does.

[Joe Friday]

The woman sitting in the booth was in her late 30s or early 40s. It was hard to tell. She had dark hair and blue eyes. The suit she was wearing was gray and it looked expensive. After the bartender introduced us, she told him to bring a drink. And then she motioned me to sit down.

[Dolores Page]

Her name's Jeffrey Z. Is that right?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Dolores Page]

Alf tells me he wants some action.

[Joe Friday]

Nelly gave you the story.

[Dolores Page]

How do I know you're a legitimate dealer?

[Joe Friday]

You know.

[Dolores Page]

You want me to go out on a limb and turn over 2 ounces of heroin for you?

[Joe Friday]

I'm willing to pay for it, lady.

[Dolores Page]

Where's it gonna go?

[Joe Friday]

Up north.

[Frank Smith]

A lot of ground.

[Joe Friday]

Sacramento.

[Dolores Page]

You got the rat to get rid of it?

[Joe Friday]

They're waiting for it now.

[Dolores Page]

Oh, and then I should tell you I haven't got 2 ounces.

[Joe Friday]

Well. And I'm wasting my time.

[Dolores Page]

But I can get it.

[Joe Friday]

How soon?

[Frank Smith]

Sit down.

[Dolores Page]

How quick do you need it?

[Joe Friday]

I want to leave town a couple of days. I told Al.

[Dolores Page]

You working alone.

[Joe Friday]

I don't see how that figures in the price.

[Frank Smith]

You're wrong.

[Dolores Page]

H we've got goes for 450 an ounce.

[Joe Friday]

Pretty high.

[Frank Smith]

The best we can get should be.

[Dolores Page]

You want to make a deal? The price comes down.

[Joe Friday]

No, I can't swing more than 2 ounces.

[Dolores Page]

Even if the price has dropped.

[Joe Friday]

How much?

[Dolores Page]

To 350.

[Joe Friday]

No, it doesn't fit. What's the angle?

[Dolores Page]

If you're on your own. Must get a little tiresome to have to carry the load by yourself.

[Joe Friday]

Maybe.

[Dolores Page]

I was thinking that maybe you'd like a partner.

[Joe Friday]

You?

[Dolores Page]

That's what I had in mind.

[Joe Friday]

No go.

[Frank Smith]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

A lot of reasons. Mainly because I don't need anybody.

[Dolores Page]

Then it's going to cost you 450.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I figured that going in.

[Dolores Page]

When do you want the stuff?

[Joe Friday]

Tomorrow night will do.

[Dolores Page]

It'll have to be late. We Got it coming in then.

[Joe Friday]

From where?

[Dolores Page]

Price doesn't include. Then.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Where do I pick the H up?

[Dolores Page]

Alpha call you? He'll give you the time and the place.

[Joe Friday]

Well, if it's high grade, I might want some more.

[Dolores Page]

You can pay our price. You'll get it.

[Joe Friday]

Sorry.

[Dolores Page]

Making a big mistake, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

That's all.

[Dolores Page]

Yeah, I got LA sewed up good and tight. Good distribution, all the product I need. You got the north. We put them together, we could both come out real well.

[Joe Friday]

No, I told you before, I don't need partners.

[Dolores Page]

You might be wrong, Joe. You might already have one.

[Joe Friday]

I stopped by the bar and gave the bartender my phone number. He said he'd call me as soon as he had any information. I left the place and walked over to fifth Street. At a corner restaurant, I put in a call to Frank and I filled him in on what had happened. It was set up that he and Sergeant Roxy Lucarelli would keep me under surveillance all the following day. In the meantime, the woman, Dolores Page, would be watched also. I went back to the hotel where I was staying. I went to bed. At 3:30am the phone rang and the bartender, Alf, told me to get dressed and meet him in front of the hotel right away. He said we were leaving town immediately to make the narcotics by. I tried to call Frank and fill him in on what had happened, but I couldn't reach him. I got in touch with the office and left word regarding the meat and then went downstairs to wait for Al. At 3:45am Alf drove up to the entrance. I tried to stall as long as possible to give the men from the office time to get there. But finally we left the hotel before they arrived. In the car with Alf and myself were a man who introduced himself as Earl and the woman, Dolores Page. We drove down to the beach and turned south on Highway 101. We continued down to San Diego. At 6:30am we checked into a small hotel and Alf, along with Earl, left to make the meat and the buy. I tried to find out where they were going, but they refused to give me any information. Dolores Page and I waited for him to come back. I was unable to contact the San Diego authorities, telling them what to watch out for. Apparently, I'd lost contact with Frank and Lucarelli. The only hope now was that someplace along the line the Page woman and her associates would make some kind of a mistake. We waited at the hotel until 12:15 when Alf and Earl returned.

[Dolores Page]

Where's Earl?

[Frank Smith]

Downstairs in the car.

[Dolores Page]

How come you're so late?

[Frank Smith]

We got hung up on the other side of national city. Customs inspection went through the car.

[Dolores Page]

Find anything?

[Frank Smith]

No, but there's something wrong about the whole deal.

[Dolores Page]

What do you mean?

[Frank Smith]

Looked like they were waiting for us. Like somebody had tipped them off we were coming through.

[Dolores Page]

What makes you think fast?

[Frank Smith]

The way they acted. Other cars, they just looked over ours. They went all the way through. Took the seats out, checked the tires, even climbed underneath. I tell you, somebody tipped them off.

[Joe Friday]

They were waiting. Anything wrong with this, I want no part of it. You understand that?

[Frank Smith]

We've been working it a long time without no hitch. All of a sudden, you come along, we got trouble.

[Joe Friday]

What are you trying to build?

[Frank Smith]

Just that it's funny it had happened now, first time you're here, you trying.

[Joe Friday]

To say that I got something to do with the shakedown?

[Frank Smith]

If it fits, wear it.

[Joe Friday]

Now, you listen, you two bit punk. I more to lose than you have. I'm paying top price for this product. I got customers waiting. Now, you come breezing in here and try to lay one of your own mistakes on me, and I'll break your back.

[Frank Smith]

You talk like a man 12 foot tall.

[Joe Friday]

I don't have to be that big.

[Dolores Page]

All right, knock it off, you two. Beefing isn't going to do any good. They didn't find anything. Got no call to figure it was a tip, alf. No reason at all. Now let's get out of here.

[Joe Friday]

Tell your boy to get off my back.

[Dolores Page]

Don't worry about it. There won't be any more trouble.

[Frank Smith]

Better not be, because I'll spell it out for you.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right? There is.

[Frank Smith]

And I'm going to cause it.

[Joe Friday]

The three of us went downstairs and got into the car. We started to drive back to los angeles. From what I could find out, the narcotics buy had been made in mexico. But the heroin was not in the car we were driving. We continued up the coast, Just south of oceanside, california. We began to follow a large bus. As we drove, I noticed that alf was being careful to keep the vehicle in sight. At san clemente, the bus pulled into a small roadside restaurant for a rest stop. We parked immediately in back of it. Alf got out of the car and approached the bus. He walked up to the rear of the vehicle, Reached under the rear bumper and removed a small package wrapped in waterproof material. He checked the contents and then he walked back to the car.

[Dolores Page]

Get it?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, Right where we put the stuff.

[Dolores Page]

Get in. Let me have it.

[Joe Friday]

Here.

[Dolores Page]

There it is, joe. Got the money?

[Joe Friday]

You want to wrap it up right here?

[Dolores Page]

No reason not to.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't we wait when we get back to town? It'll be easier there.

[Dolores Page]

You got any special reason to wait?

[Joe Friday]

No.

[Dolores Page]

Got the money?

[Frank Smith]

Yep.

[Dolores Page]

Then why wait?

[Joe Friday]

Well, let me see what I'm buying here. It looks all right.

[Dolores Page]

Best wouldn't buy. You don't have to taste it.

[Joe Friday]

What are you trying to pull?

[Dolores Page]

What?

[Joe Friday]

What are you trying to sell me? This stuff's no good. You're not gonna stick me $4.50 for this junk. You made the deal and I'm leaving it. I want no part of it.

[Frank Smith]

It's a little late to come up with that.

[Joe Friday]

You haven't been paid yet.

[Frank Smith]

We will.

[Dolores Page]

Leave him alone, Alf.

[Frank Smith]

We've done it your way all along. It hasn't worked out from here, and I'm going to call it.

[Dolores Page]

You're doing it wrong, Al.

[Joe Friday]

You let me worry about that.

[Frank Smith]

Get out, mister. Go on.

[Joe Friday]

Where to?

[Frank Smith]

Let's take a walk around the back of the buildings. Go ahead.

[Joe Friday]

I figured to kill me and come up with the money, too. Is that it?

[Frank Smith]

Keep walking.

[Joe Friday]

You know you're not going to get away with it, don't you?

[Frank Smith]

You keep buying those fairy tales, maybe.

[Joe Friday]

We can make a deal. Al. Yeah. If you get the money, it doesn't make any difference about me, does it?

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Now, wait a minute. Suppose I give you the money. You got it clean. You don't have to rouse me then, do you?

[Frank Smith]

Maybe I like showing you around. I never did figure you on our side.

[Joe Friday]

Why?

[Frank Smith]

Because you knew Walt Gilmore?

[Joe Friday]

What happened to him doesn't make any difference to me.

[Frank Smith]

It don't read good, Joe. Right from the beginning, I didn't figure you.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean? You set the deal up, didn't you?

[Frank Smith]

Looked like some fast change. I didn't count on as much. McGill. It's not worth it all.

[Joe Friday]

Let's talk about Walt. What's he got to do with it?

[Frank Smith]

He was working with us, pushing. Got two wise, thought he could do it without us.

[Joe Friday]

So you gave him a connection with Bad H. Is that it?

[Frank Smith]

That's it.

[Joe Friday]

You kill me and Dolores isn't going to like it. You know that, don't you?

[Frank Smith]

The wheel just passed out of her hands. Come on.

[Joe Friday]

Let's get it over with. All right, where to?

[Frank Smith]

Back there. What are you trying to prove?

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on now.

[Frank Smith]

Drop that gun. Joe. Joe, you all right? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

We've been right behind you since you left Dago. Yeah? How'd you work that? Well, I got the message you left at the office. We had a tail on the Page woman picked you up down south. How about her and that other fellow back there? Roxy's got him. Let me have your handcuffs, will you?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Here. Bartender. Yeah, he copped out to giving Walt Gilmer the bad junk, huh? That takes care of it then, huh? Yeah. Come on, let's get him to the car. All right, come on. Get up. Well, I'm glad this one's over.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you don't look any the worse for wear. All right. Sure. You didn't really have anything to worry about. Is that right? Well, sure. You don't mind me telling you that, do you? It's a good thing you weren't two minutes later, huh? I might not have heard you.

[Frank Smith]

The story you have just heard is true.

[Joe Friday]

The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Frank Smith]

Dolores Marie Page and Alfred Giles Harnett were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. David Alcott Flack was tried and convicted of using narcotics. And Earl Tyler Rockland was tried and convicted of possession of narcotics. They all received sentence as prescribed by law. Murder in the first degree is punishable by life imprisonment in the state penitentiary. Possession of narcotics, first offense, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one year. Using narcotics is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one year. Dragnet, the story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.