Michael Shayne: Meet Me at Oakland Depot 04/02/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary: Michael Shayne – "Meet Me at Oakland Depot" (04/02/1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives
Episode Date: April 14, 2026 (rebroadcast)
Original Air Date: April 2, 1945
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Featured Show: The Adventures of Michael Shayne, Private Detective
Episode Title: "Meet Me at Oakland Depot"

---

Overview

This episode features the classic detective tale “Meet Me at Oakland Depot” from The Adventures of Michael Shayne, Private Detective. Mike Shayne and his assistant, Phyllis Knight, are swept into a web of intrigue involving a mysterious telegram, a missing diamond necklace, and murder, all beginning with an enigmatic meeting at the Oakland train depot. Clever dialogue, high tension, and a series of red herrings ensue as Shayne unravels the criminal plot and unmasks the killer.

---

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. The Mysterious Telegram and Train Station Chase

• Timestamp 01:19–02:44
  • Mike Shane and Phyllis Knight wait (for the third time) at the Oakland Depot to meet Frank Hewitt Newton, per a curt telegram.
    • "Twenty past three, Mike, do you realize that train is five whole hours late?" – Phyllis Knight [01:19]
  • Newton, accompanied by two men and a red-headed woman, ignores their attempts to call him and quickly departs in a sedan.

2. The Elusive Package and Unanswered Questions

• Timestamp 02:45–06:16
  • Mike calls Mrs. Newton, who is surprised by her husband’s return and confused about his dealings with Shane.
  • Mrs. Newton visits Shane’s office to probe about her husband’s mysterious errand and the anticipated express package.
  • The package, sent from Reno, is expected to be of great significance.

3. Escalating Threats & Fake Emergency

• Timestamp 06:36–10:17
  • Inspector Faraday enters as the package arrives.
  • Phyllis is tricked by a phony emergency call, drawing her (and Faraday) from the office and leaving the package vulnerable to theft.
    • "Mike's been hurt bad." – Inspector Faraday [07:44]
  • The ruse is exposed when a traffic officer indicates no accident occurred.
    • "Oh, yeah, a phony call. Somebody wanted you out of your office." – Inspector Faraday [10:01]

4. The Fairfax Hotel: A Deadly Rendezvous

• Timestamp 10:34–14:41
  • The group converges at the Fairfax Hotel to meet Newton.
  • They discover Newton’s murdered body—shot through a pillow (used as a silencer)—and his business partner, Carl Stanton, bound and gagged.
    • "Is he...?" – Mrs. Frank Newton (regarding her husband) [12:40]
  • Stanton explains Newton had bought a $42,000 diamond necklace for his wife; two dangerous accomplices (a red-haired woman and a man called George, later revealed as Slip Doyle) had forced them to the hotel.

5. Suspects Multiply – Greed, Jealousy, and Betrayal

• Timestamp 14:41–19:02
  • Warren Wilson, Mrs. Newton’s lawyer, arrives. Tensions flare over the mishandling of company funds and possible motives.
  • The police seek descriptions of the red-headed woman and her accomplice.
  • Mrs. Newton, grieving, reveals cracks in her relationship and defends herself against suspicion.

6. Car Chases and Tense Setups

• Timestamp 19:33–22:54
  • Phyllis spots Slip Doyle tailing them.
  • Mike devises a plan: lure Doyle into their office to settle matters once and for all.

7. The Office Showdown & Final Unmasking

• Timestamp 22:57–27:17
  • Slip Doyle, believing the necklace is hidden at Shane’s office, bursts in with a gun but is apprehended through a clever ruse.
    • "What big eyes you got." – Mike Shane (mocking Doyle) [24:28]
    • "You got a good pair of eyes, chum, but you don't raise them high enough. Next time you test a locked door, look up at the transom, huh?" – Mike Shane [24:45]
  • Evidence casts doubt on Doyle as the killer, despite threats he’d made.
  • The real breakthrough: Carl Stanton had motive and opportunity, framing Doyle while tying himself loosely to feign victimhood.
    • "Remember when you and Phil found me in the lobby?... that was before I talked to Frank Newton on the desk phone." – Mike Shane [26:32]

--

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the telegram’s brevity:
  "15 word telegram. Can't say much more than meet me at the depot. Pioneer Limited." – Mike Shane [01:45]
• On frustration with the case:
  "If this is a divorce case, I'm getting out of it. Yet, somehow it doesn't smell like one." – Mike Shane [06:11]
• On realizing the phone call was a setup:
  "Oh, have I been a dope. They wanted that package. We've got to get back, Faraday." – Phyllis Knight [10:06]
• On catching the villain:
  "You got a good pair of eyes, chum, but you don't raise them high enough..." – Mike Shane [24:45]
• On revealing the real murderer:
  "Remind me when you and Phil found me in the lobby?... That was before I talked to Frank Newton on the desk phone." – Mike Shane [26:32]
• Closing romantic exchange:
  "If I had been injured, dear, what would you have done?" – Mike Shane
  "Oh, I'd come down to the hospital and kiss you. Make you well." – Phyllis Knight [28:18]

---

Important Timestamps

• 01:19 – Mike and Phyllis wait at the depot
• 04:09 – Reading the mysterious telegram aloud
• 06:56 – Package arrives at Shane’s office
• 10:01 – Discovery of the fake emergency call
• 12:10–12:45 – Discovery of Newton’s body, staged murder scene
• 13:47 – Stanton reveals presence of dangerous criminals (George and Gwen)
• 14:41 – Stanton reveals necklace’s backstory and kidnapping
• 16:13 – Key found on hotel door, raising suspicions
• 19:33 – Police dispatcher describes suspects
• 20:19 – Suspicious car tailing Shane, Phyllis, and Mrs. Newton
• 22:57 – Shane returns to ransacked office, sets his trap
• 24:28 – Office confrontation with Slip Doyle
• 26:32 – Mike pieces together the timeline, points to Stanton as killer
• 28:18 – Phyllis shows her concern for Mike in a tender moment

---

Tone and Style

• Classic hard-boiled detective banter dominates the episode, featuring fast-paced, witty exchanges, sardonic humor, and the mutual affection (often disguised) between Mike and Phyllis.
• Each character’s speech is authentic to the “golden age” radio drama feel: brisk, direct, laden with period slang and detective genre tropes.
• Danger and suspense are layered with humor and emotional touches, culminating in both dramatic confrontation and gentle romantic notes.

---

Conclusion

In “Meet Me at Oakland Depot,” Michael Shayne’s dogged determination and Phyllis Knight’s sharp intuition expose a tangled plot of jewel thieves, betrayals, and murder. After many misdirections, Shayne ingeniously unmasks the true killer, Carl Stanton, using a close reading of the sequence of events and knowledge of character motives. The episode blends tension, humor, and clever plotting, evoking the timeless appeal of radio’s classic detectives.

---

Perfect for fans of: Classic detective stories, golden-age radio drama, mystery lovers who prefer intricate plots with hearty dollops of wit and heart.

---

Transcript

[John Lang]

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]

[Narrator]

due to the illness of Wally Mayer, the part of Mike Shane will be played Tonight by Edmund McDonald in the Adventures of Michael Shane Private Detective. The people who make sepsis 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company presents the Adventures of Michael Shane Private Detective starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis. It's a bright and sunny San Francisco afternoon, the sort of day you want to close up your office, say to heck with work and go over the hill. Right now Mike Shane and Phyllis Knight have closed their office and gone over the bay. But they can't say to heck with work. In fact, work is calling them to the Oakland railroad terminal. As they enter the depot, Phyllis looks at her wristwatch.

[Phyllis Knight]

Twenty past three, Mike, do you realize that train is five whole hours late?

[Mike Shane]

I ought to. This makes our third trip across the bay to meet it, you know. Watch out for these swinging doors. Yeah, from Chicago, Des Moines, Denver, Salt Lake City. Oh, it's in. All right. Here comes the red cast with the bags.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hey, I'd still like to know why we had to come clear over here to the train to welcome Mr. Frank Hewitt Newton back to his own town.

[Mike Shane]

We know. What a minute, angel. 15 word telegram. Can't say much more than meet me at the depot. Pioneer Limited.

[Phyllis Knight]

Plus that little business about a package he's sending you Air Express.

[Mike Shane]

Uh huh. Something's wrong and I guess he wants fast action on us. Hey, there he is.

[Phyllis Knight]

Where? Where?

[Mike Shane]

Right ahead of us. Those two men and that red headed gal.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, glad to see you, Mr. Newton. Oh, Mr. Newton.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hey, Mr. Newton, it's me, Mike Shane.

[Mike Shane]

Well, just looked right through us.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, maybe he didn't hear us.

[Mike Shane]

Come on, we'll catch him at the taxi stand.

[Phyllis Knight]

Okay.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Excuse me.

[Phyllis Knight]

40,000 people and away.

[Mike Shane]

Excuse me, sir. This way, Phil. Hurry. Come on.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, they're outside already, Mike.

[Mike Shane]

There he is. Get into that sedan with the others.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, run for it, Mike. Right.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, Mr. Newton. Mr. Newton. Mr. Newton.

[Phyllis Knight]

Save your lungs. Save your lungs. Mike, he's gone.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, for the love of.

[Phyllis Knight]

You know, he's got a real cute sense of humor, hasn't he? Three trips across the bay to glad hand a guy and he gives you the glassy stare.

[Mike Shane]

Yeah, maybe it ain't from humor. Let's head back to the office. I want to do some phoning. Hello, this is Mike Shane calling Mr. Newton. In? No, no. He got back a half an hour ago. He wired me to meet him at the Oakland Depot, but something went wrong. Oh, you're Mrs. Newton. Yeah, that's right. Mike Shane, the detective. I don't know. I got his telegram from Reno telling me to meet him at the train. Yeah, yeah, it was sent from Reno. Well, if I knew, I'd tell you, Mrs. Newton. You'll have him phone me? Oh, thanks a lot. Goodbye. Oh.

[Phyllis Knight]

So friend, husband didn't tell the missus he was arriving home today?

[Mike Shane]

Guess not. She thought he was still in Chicago. Awfully curious why he was hiring Mike Shane, the detective.

[Phyllis Knight]

That makes three of us. Where's that telegram? I want to read it again.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, here on the desk.

[Phyllis Knight]

Thanks. Reno, 11:10pm sending package. Air Express. Hold for me. Stock. Meet me Oakland Depot tomorrow. Pioneer Limited. Frank Hewitt Newton. Well, he must have gotten off the train to send the mysterious package.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

But why?

[Mike Shane]

To make little girls ask big questions. So far, the score is double zero. No package, no client. I'll get it. Mike Shane speaking. Mr. Newton. Say, what went wrong? We went over the depot. We saw you, hollered at you, chased after, huh? Yeah. Well, all right, but. But it seemed funny. No, it hasn't. Where? Fairfax Hotel. Well, sure, if it comes before we close the office. Room 9 11. Okay. Would you not mind telling me what it's all about? Hello?

[Carl Stanton]

Hello?

[Mike Shane]

Mr. Newton? Hello? Hello? Oh, he hung up on me.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, did he tell you why he gave us the fast run around.

[Mike Shane]

Says he'll explain later. Wants me to bring the express package to him at the Fairfax Hotel when it comes.

[Phyllis Knight]

It sounds to me like he's dodging the sheriff or bill collectors.

[Mike Shane]

That sounds pretty worried to me. He's dodging something or. But what?

[Phyllis Knight]

Or who?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

You're Mr. Shane.

[Mike Shane]

That's right. Something we can do for you?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

I'm Mrs. Frank Newton.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, we talked on the phone.

[Phyllis Knight]

Won't you have a chair, Mrs. Newton?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

I've come here, Mr. Shane, to find out exactly why my husband hired you.

[Mike Shane]

I'm afraid you know as much about it as I do, Mrs. Newton.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

In other words, you won't tell. It's about me.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mr. Shane isn't in the habit of lying, Mrs. Newton. We do not.

[Mike Shane]

No, we think it has something to do with a package which your husband sent to us.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

A package?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, An Air Express from Reno he

[Mike Shane]

found a few minutes ago from the Fairfax Hotel. I'm to deliver it to him there. That's all I know.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Fairfax Hotel. Well, I'll see about that right now.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, that lady better watch her blood pressure.

[Mike Shane]

This is a divorce case. I'm getting out of it. Yet somehow it doesn't smell like one.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hey, hey, Mike. Now, where are you going?

[Mike Shane]

Fairfax Hotel. I'm going to find out what this hoopla is all about. I'll see you later.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, fine, fine. Now all I gotta do is sit here and just go crazy. I write letters, which is worse.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hi there, fellas.

[Phyllis Knight]

Fellas, if you want to see Mike, Inspector, you missed him by 15 seconds.

[Inspector Faraday]

He must have gone down the other hole. You mind if I sit down?

[Phyllis Knight]

Just make yourself comfortable. Just in time to see me go nuts. Batty telegrams, trains, late phone calls, people tearing in and out. Oh, there, you see?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

See what I did see?

[Narrator]

Air express for Mr. Michael Shane.

[Phyllis Knight]

Air. This is it. It's come. Let me see it.

[Slip Doyle]

Take it easy, lady.

[Mike Shane]

I just want you to sign it.

[Phyllis Knight]

No, sure, sure. The receipt. I'll sign it. Here. Here. Like that.

[Carl Stanton]

Thanks.

[Inspector Faraday]

You're welcome, I'm sure.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

Phil, what's gotten into you? Where's the package? What's the package? What is it all about?

[Phyllis Knight]

No bigger than a small book who doesn't even weigh as much. But this is the dear little darling that's got a skagger.

[Inspector Faraday]

Will you let me have that again?

[Phyllis Knight]

Third day we got a telegram sending you package. Air Express. Hold for me. He walked right past us at the train. Wants it delivered to the hotel. Wife says it's hers. And Faraday, have you got an aspirin?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, relax, me gal. I'll get it. Mike Shane's office. Huh? Oh, no.

[Mike Shane]

Where?

[Inspector Faraday]

Market and Gary. Right away.

[Phyllis Knight]

Faraday, what's the matter? What's wrong?

[Inspector Faraday]

Phil?

[Phyllis Knight]

What? What is it?

[Inspector Faraday]

Mike's been hurt bad.

[Narrator]

In just a moment, we'll rejoin Mike Shane and his assistant Phyllis in their adv. Regular lubrication for your car is, of course, most important. But proper lubrication is even more so. If your car is carelessly or hurriedly greased, important fittings may be missed or left dry. That is why Union Oil stopware lubrication means extra insurance against mechanical wear and depreciation. Stopware lubrication jobs are a matter of pride. With the Union Oil Minutemen, only the finest high quality greases are used. Each fitting is carefully and thoroughly lubricated according to the manufacturer's specifications. While your car is on the hoist, the Minutemen inspect out of sight points and check them for danger signs. Stop wear lubrication is so accurate and scientific that you receive a written guarantee with each job, which is Definite proof of reliable service. Your car will roll smoother, handle easier, stand up better with stop wear lubrication. So, ladies and gentlemen, for guaranteed reliable lubrication, ask your Union Oil minuteman for stopware. Stopware is an exclusive process available only at Union Oil minuteman stations. Phyllis and Inspector Faraday have reached the intersection of Market and Geary streets, where Mike was reported badly hurt.

[Phyllis Knight]

I'm scared. I'm scared, Verity. I'm just scared sick. If Mike is hurt so badly.

[Inspector Faraday]

I know what you mean. But where is he? There's no crowd, no ambulance.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, maybe they've taken him to the hospital.

[Inspector Faraday]

Perhaps. Let's ask that traffic officer over there.

[Phyllis Knight]

He's just gotta be all right. He's the best boss. The best guy who ever lived.

[Inspector Faraday]

Officer. Officer. Yes, sir? Did the ambulance take the man who was injured here? A few minutes ago.

[Slip Doyle]

What man?

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike Shane, my boss. The best guy. Who? He was run over.

[Slip Doyle]

Not on my Connor. Ain't been even a dented fool fended

[Mike Shane]

around here all day.

[Phyllis Knight]

But they said. Market and Gary, they said he. They said.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yeah, A phony call. Somebody wanted you out of your office.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, I have been a dope. They wanted that package. We've got to get back Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Too late now.

[Phyllis Knight]

I've lost it. Mike was to deliver it to the Fairfax Hotel. What'll he do to me?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm curious. Let's pick him up at the hotel and find out.

[Mike Shane]

Phil Faraday. What are you two doing here?

[Inspector Faraday]

Looking for Mike Shane, Lothario of the hotel lobby.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, golly, Mike. It's good to see you alive and whole, huh, Mike? The Air Express came and then we got a phone call saying you were hurting to come quick, and we ran out and I forgot the package. It's. It's stolen.

[Mike Shane]

Holy. We're the oldest trick in the book. Now, what'll I tell Newton?

[Inspector Faraday]

Nothing. Just hand him the package.

[Narrator]

Here it is, Faraday.

[Phyllis Knight]

In your pocket.

[Carl Stanton]

Yeah, sure.

[Inspector Faraday]

I grabbed it when we tore out.

[Phyllis Knight]

You knew it was a fake call and you let me go on worrying.

[Mike Shane]

I'd like to know who made that call.

[Inspector Faraday]

It was a woman's voice.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mrs. Newton. She tried to get the package before, maybe.

[Mike Shane]

I talked to Mr. Tootin on the lobby phone here. He said he'd be down in a minute.

[Phyllis Knight]

Did he tell you what this hide and seek is all about?

[Mike Shane]

No. I think he was holding a conference in his room. One of the men we saw with him at the depot got out of the elevator.

[Inspector Faraday]

Then you're waiting for Newton now?

[Mike Shane]

Yeah. If he Ever goes down.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, let's go up to his room and talk to him.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, I'd like to know what's on the fire myself.

[Mike Shane]

I suppose that. Okay. It's from 9 11.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, come on, Mike. The elevators are this way.

[Mike Shane]

Yes, and so is Mrs. Newton. She just stepped out of one.

[Narrator]

Uh.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, let's not tangle with her again.

[Mike Shane]

Amen. She's going through that arcade. All right, kids, let's make an end run for it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here it is, Mike. Number 9 11, huh?

[Mike Shane]

The key is on the outside of the door.

[Phyllis Knight]

I will be so glad when we get rid of this package. It's hexed.

[Mike Shane]

No answer. Suppose we might stick our heads inside.

[Inspector Faraday]

Go ahead. I've got the authority.

[Mike Shane]

Mr. Newton? Mr. Newton, it's Mike Shane.

[Phyllis Knight]

He must have gone downstairs.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, what's that noise?

[Mike Shane]

Come on, let's find out. I don't see anybody. Or the sofa.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, Is that.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Is he.

[Mike Shane]

Useless question, don't you think? Pillow over his face. Oh, it used to be a pillow. It's blown inside out.

[Inspector Faraday]

Stuck the gun into the pillow and used it as a silencer. Is that your man Newton?

[Mike Shane]

Must be. Yeah. Yeah, I can still recognize him.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, but this man's dead. And we heard sounds.

[Narrator]

Here he is.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Where?

[Phyllis Knight]

Tied up with bedsheets and gags.

[Inspector Faraday]

Slugged a couple of times too. Here, give me a hand, Mike.

[Mike Shane]

You bet. Hey. Hey. I know him. This is one of the guys who came out of the depot with Newton.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, he's not tied very tight. Let's get that gag out of his mouth.

[Carl Stanton]

Oh, thank heavens.

[Inspector Faraday]

I was choking.

[Mike Shane]

Can you stand up?

[Carl Stanton]

I think so. Dizzy. He hit me so hard.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who are you?

[Carl Stanton]

Carl Stanton. Frank's business partner.

[Mike Shane]

You were Mr. Stanton, you mean?

[Carl Stanton]

And he.

[Narrator]

He did it very thoroughly.

[Inspector Faraday]

You know who did it?

[Carl Stanton]

There were two of them. Man and a woman. She called him George.

[Phyllis Knight]

That's it, Mike. The other two who were with Newton at the depot.

[Carl Stanton]

Yes. Frank wired me to meet him there. They were with him, had guns and said they'd kill us if we called for help.

[Mike Shane]

That explains why Newton gave us the brush off at the station.

[Carl Stanton]

We didn't dare make a sign. They forced Frank to come to the hotel and get this room. They made him phone a detective. I guess it was you, sir. Bring the necklace here.

[Phyllis Knight]

You mean there. There's jewelry inside his package.

[Carl Stanton]

A diamond necklace. Cost Frank $42,000.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ooh.

[Mike Shane]

Then he sent it to me because he knew these two were after it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, confound it. They've cut the phone wires. I have to Go downstairs to call headquarters.

[Mike Shane]

Just a minute, Faraday. Let's get a description of the two. So you can broadcast an alarm.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't worry, I intend to. Now look, give us the whole story

[Mike Shane]

while you're about it, Mr. Stanton.

[Carl Stanton]

Well, Frank bought the necklace in Chicago for his wife. These people got on the train there, he said that, became so friendly, got suspicious, he sneaked off the train at Reno and shipped the necklace to Mr. Shane.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, somehow they must have figured out the trick.

[Carl Stanton]

They found the Air Express receipt and Frank's wallet. So they made him come to the hotel and then phone the detective. The red headed girl said she was going downstairs to the drugstore, but she didn't come back. And the other one got awfully excited. He said she was double crossing him.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, she made that phony call. She went to our building, watched for the express truck. And then tricked us, huh?

[Mike Shane]

Probably. Go on, Mr. Stanton.

[Carl Stanton]

Well, this fellow lost his head. Said he'd blow our brains out if we didn't give him money. We were to call a messenger here to the room with all our company cash. I tried to sneak the gun away from him and. Well, that's the last I knew.

[Mike Shane]

Uh huh.

[Inspector Faraday]

He slugged you, tied you up, then killed Newton. He really went haywire.

[Phyllis Knight]

I'll get it. I'll answer it.

[Mike Shane]

Is Mrs. Newton in? Well, come on in. Well, I. I didn't expect to find so many. Good Lord, Frank.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. Murdered couple of jewel thieves.

[Mike Shane]

What did you want? Why, I. I was to meet Mrs. Newton here.

[Inspector Faraday]

What for?

[Mike Shane]

I. I'm her attorney, Warren Wilson. We're going to discuss Edna's divorce and property settlement with. But him.

[Carl Stanton]

Looking out for interest very carefully, aren't you, Wilson?

[Mike Shane]

Somebody has to, the way you're milking the company.

[Narrator]

That's a lie.

[Carl Stanton]

If anybody was milking it, it was frank. $42,000 for a string of dimes.

[Mike Shane]

You mean the company bought the necklace?

[Carl Stanton]

It did. Frank phoned me from Chicago for the money. I told him it would take all our cash we had in the bank.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just a minute, Mr. Wilson. Is this the first time you've been to this room?

[Mike Shane]

Certainly.

[Inspector Faraday]

We found the key on the outside of the door. Anybody could unlock it and come in.

[Mike Shane]

Right. What about Mrs. Newton? We saw her come out of the elevator.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, but Mike, Mr. Stanton didn't mention her. Of course, he was unconscious. Wouldn't know.

[Mike Shane]

Phil, you looked up Newton's house phone. You remember the street number?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, yeah.

[Mike Shane]

Let's get going. I want to swap one diamond necklace for one piece of information.

[Inspector Faraday]

Send a cop up to the room, will you, Mike? I'm going down to headquarters and broadcast a pickup for the Chicago page.

[Mike Shane]

Okay, but don't talk to the newspapers yet, or you'll be sorry.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

What do you wish to see me about, Mr. Shane?

[Mike Shane]

The Air Express package just came, Mrs. Newton. We understand it's for you.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

May I have it, please?

[Phyllis Knight]

Certainly. Here you are.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Thank you.

[Phyllis Knight]

Your. Your eyes are red, Mrs. Newton. Is there something wrong? Why, no.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

I. I'm just upset. I'm getting a divorce.

[Mike Shane]

Warren Wilson is your attorney, I believe.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Oh. I suppose Frank has set you on his trail.

[Mike Shane]

Gentleman seems very interested in protecting your financial interests.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

I don't believe that concerns you.

[Mike Shane]

Excuse me. By the way, I saw you in the lobby of the Fairfax Hotel a while ago. Did you talk over the divorce with your husband?

[Phyllis Knight]

I.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Yes.

[Mike Shane]

How did he take it?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Mr. Shane, if you came here to pry into my private affairs.

[Mike Shane]

I came here, Mrs. Newton, to tell you that your husband is dead.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

He's dead?

[Phyllis Knight]

Who did it?

[Mike Shane]

I didn't say he was murdered.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Oh, no, no, of course not. I just assumed from the way you spoke.

[Mike Shane]

As a matter of fact, he was shot to death.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes. They're looking for the killers right now. Two jewel thieves followed Mr. Newton from Chicago.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Oh, well, then it was for this. This my anniversary present.

[Phyllis Knight]

That's a pretty costly one for a man who was going to leave you.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Well, if I'd only known. We were in Chicago, and I told Frank I wanted some diamonds for our 15th anniversary. He said no. We quarreled, and I came home without him.

[Mike Shane]

This attorney, Warren Wilson, he wanted you to get a divorce, didn't he?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Well, he said it was my only protection. That Frank and Carl Stanton were robbing the company. And Warren was worried about my property.

[Mike Shane]

Which, of course, he would be glad to protect if he married you.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Oh, never. I told him so. I. I respect him as an attorney, but as a man, a husband. No.

[Mike Shane]

He's probably heard that women change their minds. That would pay off. Even as executor of your husband's estate.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

You mean, Warren might have. Oh, no. He couldn't be smart enough to use a pillow, Mike.

[Mike Shane]

No, I guess he wouldn't, Mrs. Newton. In fact, it's pretty ingenious for a woman.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

I didn't do it. I swear I didn't. I opened the door and Frank was on the couch. And I just turned and ran. And I didn't know what to do. I was afraid to tell anybody. What would the police say?

[Mike Shane]

That's easy to find out, Mrs. Newton. Put on your hat and coat and we'll go down to headquarters.

[Police Dispatcher]

Age 26, 28. Height 5ft 3. Weight 105. Red hair.

[Mike Shane]

Butterfield. Turn it up with it repeating.

[Police Dispatcher]

Pick up. Man and woman. George Highland, alias slip Doyle. Age 36. Height 5ft 9. Weight 155. Blonde hair. Woman. Gwen Evans, alias Clara Bloomberg. Age 26, 28. Height 5ft 3. Weight 105, red hair. Warning. They are killers. They are killers.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, Faraday got a real description of the two.

[Mike Shane]

Stanton must have identified them from police photographs.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Well, then what's the sense of dragging me in? They're the ones. They killed Frank.

[Mike Shane]

Now, did they, Mrs. Newton? I wouldn't be known.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, that coupe behind us.

[Mike Shane]

Yeah?

[Phyllis Knight]

I saw it park across the street when we rang Mrs. Newton's doorbell.

[Mike Shane]

You sure of it?

[Phyllis Knight]

I'm positive.

[Mike Shane]

Okay, I'll turn up this corner and see what happens.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, it's still behind us, Mike. It went so dark, I could see who's driving. Wait a minute. The street lamp.

[Mike Shane]

That. Yeah, I caught it in the rear vision. His pal, Georgie, alias Slipjoy the killer.

[Phyllis Knight]

He's alone. He's alone in the car. Oh.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Oh. He's after my necklace. He's after me.

[Phyllis Knight]

He's after all three of us. Mike. Head for a policeman. Police station.

[Mike Shane]

Save our necks and lose. We're heading for the office of Shane detective agents.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, you're playing crazy.

[Mike Shane]

Maybe we'll decide that after the trap is set.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, fine. If we're still alive to decide anything.

[Narrator]

We'll return to Mike and Phyllis in just a moment. Ladies and gentlemen, the entire weight of your automobile rides directly on the wheel bearings. Now, wheel bearings are round, must revolve rapidly and yet support the heavy weight of the car. Because of this concentrated pressure, and because they are also liable to damage from brake dust, grit and water, the front wheel bearings need the best possible lubrication. Failure to keep these bearings properly lubricated may result in expensive repairs requiring parts now hard to get. Your neighborhood Union Oil minuteman knows this. That's why he takes such pains to do a thorough job of lubricating the front wheel bearings. First, he washes out all the old grease and dirt with solvents. Then the bearings and races are individually cleaned until they are dry and shiny. Finally, the clean, polished bearings are replaced in the races and greased with special equipment to make certain that every surface is snugly sealed in a thick coating of Union Oil wheel bearing grease. Then your front wheels are all set for months of well lubricated, easy Rolling. The cost for the entire service of your front wheel bearing assembly is nominal. So for safer, easier driving, just stop in wherever you see the sign of the big orange and blue 76. And take advantage of Union Oil's front wheel bearing service. Thank you. Mike thinks he has a plan to capture the murderer who is trailing him with Phyllis and Mrs. Newton. He is just entering his office.

[Mike Shane]

Turn on the lights. Phil.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, Mike? This room, it's been ransacked.

[Mike Shane]

Sure. Except Doyle's redheaded gal friend. That fake phone call you got, remember?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Well, he'll be here any second, Mr. Shane. By the next elevator.

[Mike Shane]

Phil, you get into your office, do exactly as I told you.

[Phyllis Knight]

Okay? All right. But this better work.

[Inspector Faraday]

Good.

[Mike Shane]

And lock your door from the other side.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Mr. Shane, the man's desperate. He'll kill us. I know.

[Mike Shane]

I don't think so. If he sees I'm a mom.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Nodded so with my husband.

[Phyllis Knight]

Shh. Footstep.

[Mike Shane]

Good evening. Do you always enter with your hat on and a gun in your hand?

[Slip Doyle]

I saw three of you get out of the car. Where's the girl, Phil?

[Mike Shane]

Oh, she went down the hall. She went down the hall?

[Slip Doyle]

Maybe. Or maybe she's in the next room. Locked. You. Why hand over the necklace.

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

Well, I haven't got it. Really, I haven't. Mr. Shane, he.

[Slip Doyle]

He's got it, all right.

[Mike Shane]

Shane. Sorry. I'm fresh out of diamonds, too. Wasting your time, pal. No diamonds in that desk. Your red headed Valentine gave this place the frisk hours ago.

[Slip Doyle]

Dirty little double crosser. You've got the necklace here somewhere. I saw you go into that house with a package and come out again with it.

[Mike Shane]

Grandma. What big eyes you got.

[Slip Doyle]

I'll give you 10 seconds. I'd hate to spoil your nice carpet with a lot of blood.

[Mike Shane]

Oh, don't.

[Phyllis Knight]

Don't.

[Mike Shane]

I can have the carpet cleaned. And I'll have to unless you hand me your gun right now.

[Slip Doyle]

What are you giving me?

[Mike Shane]

You got a good pair of eyes, chum, but you don't raise them high enough. Next time you test a locked door, look up at the transom, huh? It's open and a gun's sticking right through it.

[Phyllis Knight]

And it's aimed right at your heart. Mister.

[Inspector Faraday]

I got some bad news for you kids. I just talked with ballistics.

[Mike Shane]

What do they say?

[Inspector Faraday]

Slip Doyle's gun hasn't been fired for some time.

[Slip Doyle]

Why don't I tell you? I didn't do it.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, maybe he used the girl's gun.

[Inspector Faraday]

We'll have to wait on that. They just picked her up over In Oakland.

[Mike Shane]

He might have used another gun. We know he threatened to kill Newton.

[Slip Doyle]

Well, I was just bluffing. He and that other guy knew it. He said I'd be scared of the noise. I told him there wouldn't be any. I'd stuff a pillow in his face and shove the gun into it. But I didn't kill him.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, you just got bored with the whole thing. You walked out, leaving two guys to turn in the alarm.

[Slip Doyle]

No, I locked them in.

[Mike Shane]

That's the catch. The key was on the outside of the door. Anybody could walk in and do the job.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. Then I'd pick Newton's wife.

[Mike Shane]

She's in the next room with Stanton and that attorney, isn't she?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. Let's have a talk with him. And you're coming too, Slip.

[Mike Shane]

Well, all cleared up. Can we go now?

[Inspector Faraday]

Not yet. We're not dead sure this is the killer.

[Phyllis Knight]

What?

[Mrs. Frank Newton]

But you all said he was.

[Mike Shane]

You might have that honor. Mrs. Newton, you tried to cover up the fact that you were in that hotel room.

[Phyllis Knight]

But I explained that maybe. You sure had blood in your eye when you left our office this afternoon.

[Mike Shane]

Preposterous. It's this jewel thief, undoubtedly.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, perhaps an attorney who tried to get Mrs. Newton away from her husband.

[Mike Shane]

I was protecting her from Frank and Carl. They were stripping the business.

[Carl Stanton]

How very noble of you, Mr. Wilson. However, I agree it must have been this thief.

[Slip Doyle]

Oh, you're all trying to frame.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now, wait a minute. Nobody's trying to frame you. You said you threatened to kill Newton. Now he's dead. You said you were gonna fire your gun through that pillar. That's how we found it. The exact way.

[Mike Shane]

Say that again. Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Huh?

[Mike Shane]

Never mind. Have we been slow? Remember when you and Phil found me in the lobby? I said I saw the Chicago guy going out of the lobby?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, sure.

[Mike Shane]

That was before I talked to Frank Newton on the desk phone.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, then. Then Newton was still alive when Slip Doyle left the hotel.

[Slip Doyle]

I told you so.

[Mike Shane]

Slip Doyle made the threats. He told exactly how he'd killed Newton, but he didn't follow through. There was one other person. The only other one in the room to hear the. Threatened to carry it out in detail.

[Inspector Faraday]

Carl Stanwood.

[Mike Shane]

Right. Like a cinch. The jewel thief was a perfect fall guy.

[Carl Stanton]

No, no, you're wrong.

[Mike Shane]

I told you Carl was stealing from the company. With Newton out of the way, he could lay all the blame on his partner. So the two crooks had a falling out.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's why Stanton was tied up.

[Carl Stanton]

So sloppy.

[Inspector Faraday]

He did it himself. Okay. I'LL send a man to the hotel to find his gun. That'll cinch.

[Mike Shane]

It's cinch. Right now we've got the motive. We've got Doyle's testimony. We've got our own.

[Carl Stanton]

You'll never convict me. I'll kill myself.

[Mike Shane]

I don't think you will, Mr. Stanton. They tell me the suicide rate in the county jail is very low.

[Phyllis Knight]

You. You don't have to see me to my door, Mike. I'm not afraid of the dark anymore.

[Mike Shane]

Please, angel, allow me one little touch of Irish gallantry.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, all right. Here we are. If I can just find my keys.

[Mike Shane]

Phil Faraday told me how busted up you were when you thought I was injured. The best boss. The best guy who ever lived.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, Faraday is an old gossip. You know better than to believe his stories. Oh, jeepers. These keys are here somewhere.

[Mike Shane]

If I had been injured, dear, what would you have done?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, I. I'd come down to the hospital and kiss you. Make you well.

[Mike Shane]

You would, huh? Kiss me?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, here are my keys. Well, good night, Mike.

[Mike Shane]

Oh.

[Phyllis Knight]

What? What's the matter? What's wrong?

[Mike Shane]

Oh, I'm hurt. I just bit my l.

[Narrator]

Tune in again next week at 8:30 for another adventure with Michael Shane. Private Detective, starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis. With Joe Forte as Inspector Faraday. Ed McDonald substituted for Wally Mayer, whose appearance was prevented by illness. Tonight's story was written by Richard DeGraff and based on the character created by Brett Holladay. Music was composed and directed by Bernard Katz. This is John Lang saying good night for the people who make 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company. This is the mutual don lee broadcasting system. Sa.