Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Martin Hyer Case 07/23/1949

Summary

Podcast Summary: Richard Diamond, Private Detective – "The Martin Hyer Case" (07/23/1949)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Martin Hyer Case
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Original Airing: July 23, 1949

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Overview

This episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective presents a tangled web of murder, blackmail, and betrayal. Detective Richard Diamond is hired by a captivating woman, June Hires, to follow her husband whom she suspects of infidelity. What begins as a simple tailing job quickly evolves into a murder investigation, where nothing is as it seems and everyone has ulterior motives. The episode is laced with Diamond’s trademark wisecracks and banter, offering a blend of suspense, noir atmosphere, and sharp humor—a classic example from the golden age of radio detective fiction.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Setup and the Double Cross (00:48 – 03:16)

• Diamond’s Opening Remarks: Diamond’s comedic retelling of a failed baseball game between police and private detectives sets a playful tone.
  • Quote (00:54): “I wound up stiffer than a pair of starched overalls because the private detectives are quick to take advantage...”
• June & Leon’s Plot: June Hires and her lover, Leon Fisk, scheme in a nightclub to murder their respective spouses and frame June’s husband, Martin.
  • They arrange for a letter to incriminate Martin and plan to use a private detective as a witness at the crime scene.

2. Diamond Is Hired (03:43 – 06:38)

• June Meets Diamond: June, playing the worried wife, hires Diamond to follow her husband.
  • Playful banter between Diamond and June, with flirtatious exchanges about her nylons.
    • Quote (03:57, Diamond): “Oh, you’d look good if they were sweatsock.”
    • Quote (05:18, Diamond): “I’m frisky, but I passed the foolish mark when I was three and a half.”
• Helen’s Jealousy: Diamond’s girlfriend, Helen, suspects him of flirting with his client, leading to a humorous interlude.
  • Quote (06:12, Helen): “With 52 gauge nylons. But you do count the threads. Oh, you wolf.”

3. Tailing Martin Hires (07:26 – 11:22)

• The Stakeout: Diamond and June surveil Martin’s movements from a parked car.
  • Witty repartee about competition, trouble, and college days.
• To Sally’s Apartment: They follow Martin to an apartment building belonging to Sally Maxwell, Martin's supposed paramour.
  • Diamond’s detective skills shine as he deduces which apartment Martin is headed to.
    • Quote (10:08, Diamond): “Elementary, my dear girl. Process of elimination... Only one single girl on the fourth floor. Sally Maxwell.”

4. Discovery and Arrest (11:22 – 18:12)

• The Crime Scene: Inside Sally’s apartment, Diamond and June find Sally dead and Martin holding a gun.
  • Martin proclaims his innocence but is caught red-handed.
  • Police, led by Lieutenant Levinson, arrive dramatically, bantering with Diamond and questioning Martin.
    • Quote (12:25, Diamond): “Hello, Walt.”
• Letter as Evidence: A torn letter is found—a key piece of evidence intended to frame Martin.
  • Diamond questions why the salutation is missing from the letter, nudging at a deeper plot.

5. Diamond’s Doubts and Reconstructing the Crime (14:24 – 18:12)

• Diamond’s Hunch: Diamond doesn’t think Martin could have killed Sally, especially since he didn’t hear a gunshot when entering the building.
  • He orchestrates a test, asking the police to fire a shot to see if it can be heard (highlighting the importance of the crime’s timing).
    • Quote (14:44, Diamond): “You want to solve a murder, don’t you?”
• The Letter’s Authenticity: Diamond questions the forgery of the letter and who could have actually sent it, causing confusion for the police.
  • Classic noir logic loop with Lieutenant Levinson:
    • Quote (17:42, Diamond): “If someone else did, the murdered girl couldn’t have. So anyone could have sent it... Isn't that right?”

6. Confronting Leon Fisk (19:14 – 24:23)

• The Showdown at the Cellar Club: Diamond visits Leon Fisk’s club, laying out his suspicions and bluffing with reconstructed letter evidence.
  • He accuses Fisk of plotting with June to kill his wife and frame Martin.
    • Quote (21:42, Diamond): “Your wife is killed tonight.”
    • Quote (22:13, Diamond): “You didn’t count on her starting a second one, so you went up to her apartment and killed her with Martin’s own gun.”
• June’s Involvement Revealed: Fisk brings June out, exposing her complicity. The two plan to kill Diamond to cover their tracks, but June hesitates.
  • Tension and threats escalate until June panics and tries to flee.

7. Resolution and Aftermath (24:23 – End)

• Diamond’s Daring Escape: In the chaos, Leon attacks Diamond and flees. Diamond manages to shoot at Leon as he drives off.
• Epilogue at Helen’s: Diamond, wounded again, goes to Helen’s for first aid and some needed comfort.
  • Light romantic banter and an impromptu serenade with “Sleepy Time Gal” round out the tale.
    • Quote (27:25, Diamond, singing): “Sleepy time gal, you’re turning night into day...”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Flirtations and Trouble:
  • Diamond (06:38): “Well, there you are. You sit around and wait for a meal ticket to come in, and just because it happens to be fitted with curves, your best girl digs up the green-eyed monster.”
• Diamond’s Methods:
  • Diamond (10:08): “Elementary, my dear girl. Process of elimination. We're lucky this time. Only one single girl on the fourth floor. Sally Maxwell. Come on, it's 406.”
• Police Comedy:
  • Lieutenant Levinson (12:33): “Otis, didn’t you see if it was unlocked?”
  • Otis: “I forgot, Lieutenant. You mallet head.”
• Noir Logic:
  • Diamond (17:41): “Well, if he didn’t send it to himself, then someone else did. And if someone else did, the murdered girl couldn’t have. So anyone could have sent it. Isn’t that right?”
• Final Confrontation:
  • Leon Fisk (24:13): “You and Diamond go swimming together.”
  • Diamond (24:16): “Leon, give me that gun.”
• Romantic Wind-down:
  • Helen (26:18): “Oh, I like your poor little messed-up face.”
  • Diamond (27:26, singing): “Don’t be mad now, baby. Sleepy time gal...”

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Key Timestamps

• 00:48: Beginning of Diamond’s narration
• 02:32: June & Leon conspire to kill their spouses
• 03:43: June hires Diamond
• 07:26: Diamond & June tail Martin
• 10:34: Arrival at Sally Maxwell’s apartment
• 11:22: Discovery of the murder & police arrival
• 14:24: Diamond disputes Martin’s guilt
• 17:41: Noir logic loop with evidence
• 19:14: Diamond confronts June; drives to see Fisk
• 20:20: Enters the Cellar Club; confronts Fisk
• 21:49: Fisk confronted with reconstructed letter
• 23:29: June’s involvement revealed
• 24:23: Aftermath and resolution
• 25:38: Diamond’s arrival at Helen’s for first aid
• 27:26: Musical coda with “Sleepy Time Gal”

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Tone & Style

The episode typifies classic radio noir: snappy dialogue, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a strong undercurrent of danger. Dick Powell’s Diamond is charmingly cynical, quick-witted, and flirts with both trouble and the women around him. The show moves briskly, blending hard-boiled detective tropes with light-hearted asides and romantic moments.

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Conclusion

The Martin Hyer Case delivers a satisfying mix of intrigue and entertainment, encapsulating the sly humor and sharp plotting that made Richard Diamond, Private Detective a staple of radio’s golden age. Fans of old-time radio and noir mysteries will find plenty to love in the episode’s tangled web of deception, culminating in a classic Diamond serenade and a wink to both danger and romance.

Transcript

[Richard Diamond]

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].

[Announcer]

Here's Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective.

[Richard Diamond]

Hello there. This is Diamond. About the most strenuous effort I might give out during a working year is maybe chasing some thug up the escalator at Bloomingdale's department store. But last week I really outdid myself. The all stars of the police force challenged the private detectives to a baseball game for the benefit of the vice squad. And I wound up stiffer than a pair of starched overalls because the private detectives are quick to take advantage of the slightest opportunity. By the eighth inning, we realized the need for some immediate strategy. The score at that point was six to four, the cops leading. So I got a hold of a little blonde I knew and had her walk across the inn in a sweater. The idea was to disturb the opposing team and take their minds off the game. It would work. But it seemed that since I had last seen my little blonde friend, she'd become quite a favorite with the police force. So they just waved hello and went about their business. My drooling colleagues, however, had not come in contact with said hunk of fluff. And before the game was over, three of them had picked up the bat boy and tried to bunt with him.

[Announcer]

You may have read where the police.

[Richard Diamond]

Force finally beat us close game, 37 to 4. But I want to say right here and now, they never could have done it without that sweater. Oh, yeah, I got mixed up on a little honest murder the next day. It all started in the back booth of a middle class nightclub. A couple of people were busy trying to think up the fastest way to make a homicide billiard. Oh, that's the three cushion variety killing to frame up to the electric chair.

[June Hires]

Leon, are you sure this will work?

[Leon Fisk]

You want to get rid of that old man of yours, don't you?

[June Hires]

You know I do.

[Leon Fisk]

Well, I got a wife that I want to dump too. This letter from her is going to fix it so we both end up very unmarried.

[June Hires]

Are you sure they'll blame it on Martin?

[Leon Fisk]

Sure I'm sure. When they find him with this letter and his own gun and the dead body of my dear little wife, they'll slap him in the chair so fast he won't know what happened.

[June Hires]

Who's going to find him with the body?

[Leon Fisk]

That's your job, baby. I'll get the letter to your husband and you swipe his gun and get it to me. And you go get yourself a private detective and tell the Shammas that you suspect your husband of running around with another girl. You and the Shammas tail your husband. I'll have it.

[Richard Diamond]

Time.

[Leon Fisk]

So you catch him with the goods right after the killing.

[June Hires]

Well, all right. I hope it works.

[Leon Fisk]

It will if you want it to.

[June Hires]

Baby, I want it to because I want you.

[Leon Fisk]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah.

[Leon Fisk]

And all that nice money your husband's gonna leave you. Leon. Come in, June.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, Come in.

[June Hires]

Mr. Diamond?

[Richard Diamond]

That's right.

[June Hires]

I want to hire a private detective.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, good for you. Sit down.

[June Hires]

Thank you. What is your fee? What's the matter?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, stand up and sit down again.

[June Hires]

They're 52 gauge, Mr. Diamond. Like them?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, you'd look good if they were sweatsock.

[June Hires]

I don't think they'd go with a high heel.

[Richard Diamond]

You got a point. Now, what were you saying?

[June Hires]

I wanted to know what your fee is.

[Richard Diamond]

A hundred a day in expenses.

[June Hires]

Isn't that a little high?

[Richard Diamond]

I stopped eating at the Automat six years ago.

[June Hires]

All right, I'll give you a routine.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, wait a minute.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now, wait a minute.

[Richard Diamond]

What's the job?

[June Hires]

I think my husband is running around with another woman.

[Richard Diamond]

What do you want me to do, hustle him off to the nut house?

[June Hires]

Aren't you nice? I want you to go with me as a witness.

[Richard Diamond]

You know, any other time I might get shy. But I'm really interested in seeing a girl who could beat your time. When do I start?

[June Hires]

Meet me in front of my house at 10 minutes to 8. My husband leaves around 8.

[Richard Diamond]

What's the address?

[June Hires]

521 East 58th Street. My name is Hires, Mr. Diamond. June Hires.

[Richard Diamond]

All right, June, I'll see you at 10 to 8. Now, excuse me, but about that retainer.

[June Hires]

Oh, yes, that. Here's a hundred dollars. Is that enough?

[Richard Diamond]

It'll keep me interested. What's your husband's name?

[June Hires]

Martin. I'll see you this evening, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, one more question.

[June Hires]

Yes?

[Richard Diamond]

Why haven't you and your husband been getting along?

[June Hires]

A lot of reasons. By the way, Mr. Diamond, how old are you?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh. Oh, well, I'm frisky, but I passed the foolish mark when I was three and a half.

[June Hires]

Did you? Goodbye, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

I wonder if I did. Diamond Detective Agency with men who know the corpses best. It's Diamond. Two to one, Rick. Oh. Oh, Helen. Hello, baby.

[June Hires]

What are you doing?

[Richard Diamond]

What gauge nylons do you wear, dear?

[June Hires]

52. Why?

[Richard Diamond]

No, nothing.

[June Hires]

Oh, Rick, are you going to buy me a present?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, you never can tell. I was just looking at a pair a few minutes ago.

[June Hires]

Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah?

[June Hires]

Where were you looking at them?

[Richard Diamond]

Now what kind of a question is that?

[June Hires]

A very good question. Have you got a girl up in that office?

[Richard Diamond]

Hello.

[June Hires]

Don't you Helen me. Have you?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, I give you my word I haven't. All right.

[June Hires]

Was there a girl in your office? Was there?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, a client. I got a hundred dollar retainer.

[June Hires]

I don't care if she gave you the George Washington. You were obviously looking at her leg.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, I couldn't help it. She sat on that way. Now look, honey, she's just another client.

[June Hires]

With 52 gauge nylons. But you do count the threads.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, can you do that?

[June Hires]

Oh, you wolf.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, but you're the only one who gets the benefit of my talents.

[June Hires]

You can put the soft soap away.

[Richard Diamond]

I got some business at 8. I'll be over later.

[June Hires]

Well, gonna stay mad until you get here. And you're going to tell me all about those nylons.

[Richard Diamond]

I'll be sure and do some research. Bye. Well, there you are. You sit around and wait for a meal ticket to come in and just because it happens to be fitted with curves, your best girl digs up the green eyed monster. I don't know why gals get sore at a guy just because they catch him panting a little. After all, it's hot in New York. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to hit a big horse fly with a rubber band and some paper clips. And by six o' clock we shook hands and called it to draw. I closed the office and went home. I got into some clean clothes and grabbed a bite to eat at the Corner Drugstore. At 10 minutes to 8 I was sitting in June Hire's car parked across the street from her front door.

[June Hires]

Mr. Diamond. How did you ever get to be a private detective?

[Richard Diamond]

Mrs. Hym, how did you ever get to be a housewife?

[June Hires]

You think things up in a hurry, don't you?

[Richard Diamond]

Only when I got the competition.

[June Hires]

You like competition?

[Richard Diamond]

Up to a point. After that I get tired of the struggle.

[June Hires]

I feel like I was back in college, sitting in a parked car with a good looking man.

[Richard Diamond]

Your education must have been pretty tame. I haven't moved once.

[June Hires]

Well, I really started to study after I graduated.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, I bet you got straight A's.

[June Hires]

Must you top everything?

[Richard Diamond]

I play around with a lot of trouble, Mrs. Hyen. I've got to stay one step ahead of it.

[June Hires]

Do I look like trouble?

[Richard Diamond]

When's your husband coming out of that house?

[June Hires]

Any minute now. You didn't answer my question.

[Richard Diamond]

I'll tell you soon as I see your husband.

[June Hires]

Well, how will that tell you?

[Richard Diamond]

If he's wearing a beanie with a propeller on it, I'll know. You've been giving him a lot of trouble.

[June Hires]

So I've been giving him trouble. That mean I'll do the same for somebody else?

[Richard Diamond]

What's the difference? A husband or a private detective? They both got their names from a guy named Adam.

[June Hires]

Oh, look, a cab pulled up to the front door.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, I see it.

[June Hires]

And here comes Martin.

[Richard Diamond]

He's getting into the cab. Well, what do you know?

[June Hires]

What's the matter?

[Richard Diamond]

No beanie. We both sat and watched while Martin Hyer got into the cab and pulled away. Mrs. Hire put a car in gear and we started the tail giving it a safe distance. He led us across town to a middle class of pipe run. And we stopped the car and waited up the street.

[June Hires]

He's getting out and going into that building.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on.

[Martin Hires]

What for?

[June Hires]

Shouldn't we let him get up there first and then.

[Richard Diamond]

Look, look, baby, do you know who this gal is?

[June Hires]

No, no, of course not.

[Richard Diamond]

Then come on. I want to see what dory goes in.

[June Hires]

But won't he see us?

[Richard Diamond]

Honey, I don't tell you how to put your lipstick on. Don't tell me how to make it. Like a bloodhound.

[June Hires]

The lobby is empty.

[Richard Diamond]

Now watch the elevator. Oh, it's stopping on the fourth floor.

[June Hires]

Hadn't we better go up?

[Richard Diamond]

Look, look, lover, the fourth floor probably comes equipped with a lot of doors. Now, if you want to just knock on any of them, go hire yourself Humphrey Bogart.

[June Hires]

Then what do we do?

[Richard Diamond]

You stand by and watch like you make like you knew what I was doing. See, the little old elevator's coming back down. Now you just hold it there while I look at the mailboxes. Mrs. B. Callahan. Mrs. Lillian McEdward. Mrs. Mike. Well, and Ms. Sally Maxwell. Okay, now we push the button for the fourth floor and away we go. Fun.

[June Hires]

How do you know where to go?

[Richard Diamond]

I got the name off the mailbox.

[June Hires]

But you said yourself there must be a lot of people in the fourth floor floor.

[Richard Diamond]

Elementary, my dear girl. Process of elimination. We're lucky this time. Only one single girl on the fourth floor. Sally Maxwell. Come on, it's 406.

[June Hires]

What if there'd been more than one single girl?

[Richard Diamond]

So I make some new friends. Now stop asking questions and stick close.

[June Hires]

I'd love it.

[Richard Diamond]

Now here it is, 406. Now hold it down.

[June Hires]

Can you hear anything?

[Richard Diamond]

No. Yeah, somebody's moving around oh. Oh, Doug.

[June Hires]

What?

[Martin Hires]

Too late, June.

[Richard Diamond]

Good evening. I represent the Great Nothing Life Insurance Company.

[Martin Hires]

What are you doing here, June?

[June Hires]

I might ask you the same thing.

[Richard Diamond]

Do you mind if we come in? I'd like to interest you in our indemnity clause.

[Martin Hires]

Stop pushing. Get out of my way.

[Richard Diamond]

You don't know what you're missing. You get $3 million if a Python bites you in the middle of Times Square.

[Martin Hires]

You can't force your way in here like that.

[Richard Diamond]

You. Oh, now you've hurt my feelings.

[Martin Hires]

Take your hands off me or I'll strike you again.

[Richard Diamond]

Sure, but you need two more to put you out. Here, have one on me. Now, the next time you go striking people. Mr. Diamond, look, I looked past the little guy. In spite of the body, she was blonde and I didn't know why she was hanging onto the rug. That way she wasn't going anywhere.

[Martin Hires]

All right, you get out of my way, huh?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, what a lovely gun.

[June Hires]

Martin, you killed that girl.

[Martin Hires]

No, I did not. I came in here and found her like that. But I didn't kill her.

[Richard Diamond]

She's been shot.

[Martin Hires]

I know that. I found the gun by her body. You don't think I'd kill her. I was in love with her.

[Richard Diamond]

Martin, is that the gun that did it?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yes.

[Martin Hires]

I mean, no. I. Oh, I don't know what I mean, but you stand right there. Don't take another step.

[June Hires]

That's your gun, Martin.

[Martin Hires]

Shut up. I didn't kill Sally, but I know I haven't got a chance of proving it. So if you come any closer, I will most certainly shoot you.

[Richard Diamond]

I hate to look like an idiot, but it's against the law to shoot people.

[June Hires]

Mr. Diamond, be careful.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on, Martin, give me the gun.

[Martin Hires]

You don't think I'll shoot, do you?

[Richard Diamond]

Come on, give it to me.

[Martin Hires]

Just one more click out.

[June Hires]

He's going to shoot.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on, open up in there. What? Better drop it. Martin, you got company.

[Martin Hires]

Stay back. Stay back.

[Richard Diamond]

This is police.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Open up.

[Richard Diamond]

We'll break the door in.

[Martin Hires]

Police.

[Richard Diamond]

Give me the gun, Martin.

[June Hires]

No, no.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Let him in. June.

[Richard Diamond]

They've all left them tears down the whole wall. I've got. Martin.

[June Hires]

Yes.

[Richard Diamond]

All right.

[Martin Hires]

I didn't do it. I didn't do it.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What's going on in here?

[Richard Diamond]

Hello, Walt.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Hey, Lieutenant, look, it's the Gum Shoe Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

Why do you guys always have to break down doors? Why don't you try turning the knob first?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Otis, didn't you see if it was unlocked? I forgot. Lieutenant, you mallet head. We got a report that someone heard A shot from this apartment.

[Richard Diamond]

There's the body. Walt.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Who's this guy?

[Richard Diamond]

Martin Hire. Here's his gun. He was going to use it on me.

[Martin Hires]

I didn't kill her. I came in and found her that way.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, shut up. Who's the girl with you?

[Richard Diamond]

Diamond, this is Mrs. Hyer. Martin is her husband.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

I don't say the old triangle, huh, rick?

[June Hires]

I engaged Mr. Diamond to follow my husband.

[Richard Diamond]

That's right, Walt. We caught Martin trying to sneak out on the corpse.

[Martin Hires]

I told you I didn't kill her.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

And I told you to shut up. This your gun?

[Martin Hires]

Yes, but I found it lying by the body. I knew I'd be blamed if someone found my gun, so I put it in my pocket.

[Leon Fisk]

Sir.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Timerick.

[Richard Diamond]

Haven't had time.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Shake him down, Otis. Yeah, Lieutenant?

[Martin Hires]

I want my lawyer. And you get away from me.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You open your trap just once more. Okay, butthole.

[June Hires]

Please, Mr. Diamond, I'd like to get out of here.

[Richard Diamond]

Sure. Okay, Walt.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah, but I want to talk to both of you down at the station later. Here's something, Lieutenant. What is it?

[Richard Diamond]

Letter.

[June Hires]

Are you coming, Mr. Diamond?

[Richard Diamond]

You go on down. I'll be right with you. All right, Walt. What does the letter say?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Can't continue this way. Decided to break it off once and for all. It will do no good to see me, so please stay away and leave me alone. Sign Sally.

[Richard Diamond]

Let me see that.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah, well, what about it?

[Leon Fisk]

You.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Is the dead girl named Sally?

[Richard Diamond]

Yes.

[Martin Hires]

I don't know why she sent it. We were both in love.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Sure, sure. What were you going to do about your wife?

[Martin Hires]

I was going to tell her this evening. Then I received this note. I came right over to seize tally. But believe me, I didn't kill her.

[Richard Diamond]

Tell me something, Martin. Is this the way you receive the letter?

[Martin Hires]

Yes, why?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now you wait a minute, Rick. I'm very happy with what I've got. So don't start making like Sherlock Holmes.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, well, I. I guess you're right, Walt. He admits it's his gun. And this letter is certainly motive enough.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah, Otis called for the wagon and put the cuffs on Hire. Right, Lieutenant.

[Richard Diamond]

Walt, why would someone send a letter after tearing off the top of it, huh? See, the top of this letter is missing the part that usually reads Dear Julius or something. So what? Do me a favor, will you, Walt?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, what is it?

[Richard Diamond]

Give me three minutes and then have Otis fire a shot from this apartment.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What?

[Richard Diamond]

Is that all you can say? Have Otis fire a shot in about three minutes after I leave.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

I will not. The police department can't go around making like it was the fourth of July.

[Richard Diamond]

You want to solve a murder, don't you?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

I have solved it. What more do I need? I got a suspect, the murder weapon, and a good motive.

[Richard Diamond]

What if you just killed someone and a guy caught you at it?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What would you do, knock him off too?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, I caught higher in the act, and he didn't pull the trigger.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You said yourself he was going to.

[Richard Diamond]

But he didn't. And he took too much time thinking about it. Walt, I can't remember hearing a shot when I came in this building.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

So you didn't hear a shot. Maybe you couldn't.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, that's what I want to find out. I was right behind Martin all the way up to this apartment. I didn't hear a shot. Maybe you didn't kill her.

[Martin Hires]

That's right. I didn't. Please. I didn't kill her.

[Richard Diamond]

You see, Walt?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, you always start something like this.

[Richard Diamond]

Martin, did your girlfriend Sally have any enemies?

[Martin Hires]

No. At least she never told me about any.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now, where are you? Brain trust.

[Richard Diamond]

Just a little more sure of myself. First Martin can't make up his mind about shooting me. Then he claims that the murdered girl didn't have any enemies. Does that sound like a killer trying to cover up?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You've run into smart killers before. I'm surprised at you, Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

I called the station, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

I'm proud of you. Go on in the other room and shoot that cannon of yours off when I tell you. The what, Lieutenant? You heard me. Shoot it into a mattress. But don't muffle a shot. Okay, but not till I tell you you might think it's fun and blow.

[Richard Diamond]

Up the whole building. Thanks, Rob.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What are you doing?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, just looking around this desk to see if I can find the top piece of this letter. Oh, Martin, are you sure that your girlfriend didn't know anyone who might want to kill her?

[Martin Hires]

She never said she was in danger, but you might ask her husband.

[Richard Diamond]

Her husband?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, swear. Why didn't you say something about her husband before this?

[Martin Hires]

You didn't ask who is her husband? His name's Leon Fisk.

[Richard Diamond]

The gambler?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yes.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, by Walt.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now you wait a minute.

[Richard Diamond]

Have orders. Start making like a Roman candle three minutes after I leave.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What's that you've got in your hand?

[Richard Diamond]

Huh? Well, it's a piece of stationary from the desk that matches the stationary this letter was written on.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You can't take that letter. It's evidence.

[Richard Diamond]

What is?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

That letter the murdered girl wrote to this guy.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, how do you know she wrote it?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Because this guy said so?

[Martin Hires]

Yes, but I'm not sure. It could be forged.

[Richard Diamond]

See, Walt, Maybe she didn't write it.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Well, that's why I want it. The lab will be able to tell from other samples of her handwriting.

[Richard Diamond]

Tell what, Walt?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Who wrote that letter?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, don't you know?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Of course I don't know, but we found it on this guy and it's police evidence.

[Leon Fisk]

Why?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Why? Because it just is, that's all.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, anybody could have written it. You could have written it, Martin.

[Martin Hires]

Yes, I guess I could.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

And send it to yourself?

[Martin Hires]

Why would I send it to myself, Lieutenant?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You wouldn't. That's why it's important.

[Richard Diamond]

You mean the letter itself or the fact that he couldn't have sent it to himself?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Both reasons.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, if he couldn't have sent it to himself, that eliminates him as a suspect. It does. He didn't do it. Did you, Martin? No. Seawall.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Why do I always get into something like this?

[Martin Hires]

You asked me if I sent the letter to myself.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You shut up.

[Richard Diamond]

And you said he couldn't have.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

That's right, he couldn't.

[Richard Diamond]

Then someone else did.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Of course they did.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay, then. As long as you're not so sure it's important. Important? I'm going to take it with me.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Who says it's not important?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, if he didn't send it to himself, then someone else did. And if someone else did, the murdered girl couldn't have. So anyone could have sent it. Isn't that right?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Say that again.

[Martin Hires]

He said if I didn't send the letter to myself, then I couldn't have gotten it.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

No, no. He said you couldn't have sent a letter to. No, no. Wait a minute. You couldn't have written it to.

[Martin Hires]

To myself?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

So someone else wrote it and sent it to the murdered girl and.

[Martin Hires]

No, no, no, no, no, no. Send it to me.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You're crazy. I distinctly heard him say.

[Martin Hires]

Walt.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah? After you figure it out, be sure and have Otis fire that shot. I'm going to see Leon Fisk. Okay. Okay.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now let's start it again. If I didn't. If somebody didn't. If you didn't.

[Martin Hires]

If I didn't want.

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[Martin Hires]

Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh.

[Martin Hires]

What is the matter, Lieutenant?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

He did it again. And you helped him, you rat. I'll see that you get the chair. Even if you didn't kill her.

[Martin Hires]

What did I do?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You shut up.

[June Hires]

What took you so long?

[Richard Diamond]

I had to get a merry go round started.

[June Hires]

Can I drop you somewhere?

[Richard Diamond]

Just relax for a second. I've got to think something out.

[June Hires]

Well, I didn't ever think Martin could kill anyone. Yeah, what was that?

[Richard Diamond]

Just. Just a backfire. Look, drive me across town. I want to talk to a guy named Leon Fisk.

[June Hires]

Leon Fisk?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah. Runs a nightclub with an iron claw in the back room.

[June Hires]

What's the address?

[Richard Diamond]

222 East 45th. I remember it because when I was on the force, I used to raid his place for exercise.

[June Hires]

Thinking of doing some gambling.

[Richard Diamond]

That's the way it'll probably end up. Go. She drove me across town and 10 minutes later we pulled up in front of a low building with a flight of steps leading down to a basement door. A large sign over the door read Cellar Club. I got out and thanked June for the lift and watched her drive off. I went down the steps and through the door.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Something I can do for you?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, I'd like to see Leon Fisk.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Maybe you don't want to see it.

[Richard Diamond]

What's the name? Just tell him, Diamond. Okay. You got a phone booth?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah, right over there.

[Richard Diamond]

Thanks. I found the phone booth and went in. In my business, you work with hunches and sometimes they pay off. I knew that the torn letter had to be sent to someone. The dead girl was going to slough. I didn't think it was higher. So the next best prospect was her husband, Leon Fisk. I didn't have a thing to pin on him, but a good bluff can open a lot of doors. I took out the letter and copied the handwriting on the other piece of stationary. I wrote the name Leon at the top. And then the words we can't continue, so they'd correspond with the first part of the original. Yeah.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

What was your writing?

[Richard Diamond]

What's it to you?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You don't have to get sore. I just thought maybe you was getting a tip and horses. And I sure could use a winner. The nags have been beating me to death.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, no. Tell. Okay.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

The boys will see you. That door right over there.

[Richard Diamond]

Thanks.

[Leon Fisk]

Well, diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

It's been a long time I haven't missed you. Leon.

[Leon Fisk]

What brings you here?

[Richard Diamond]

Your wife is killed tonight.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Sally.

[Richard Diamond]

One's usually the lemon.

[Leon Fisk]

That's Too bad. How'd it happen?

[Richard Diamond]

I thought maybe you could tell me.

[Leon Fisk]

I don't know anything about it.

[Richard Diamond]

Ever see this letter before? Hey, what's the matter? That's your wife's handwriting, isn't it?

[Leon Fisk]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

It says, leon, we can't continue. Then the writing stopped.

[Leon Fisk]

So what?

[Richard Diamond]

The guy the police are holding got a letter from Sally, too. It started the same way, but it wasn't addressed to anyone. The top was torn off. You know what I think now?

[Leon Fisk]

Tell me.

[Richard Diamond]

I think she started one letter to you, then threw it away and wrote another one. I think you sent the second to Martin Har after tearing off the name Leon.

[Leon Fisk]

Go on, Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

You didn't count on her starting a second one, so you went up to her apartment and killed her with Martin's own gun.

[Leon Fisk]

Oh, with his own gun. Maybe you can tell me how I got it.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, I think so. You had to know a lot of things before you could kill your wife. About time. Martin would arrive, so the time of death would be close. You had to have his gun to leave by the body. And you had to have a witness who would swear Martin killed her. It had to be timed just right.

[Leon Fisk]

You're talking yourself into a corner. How would I get all these things?

[Richard Diamond]

By working with someone who was close enough to Martin. Maybe like his wife.

[Leon Fisk]

You're crazy.

[Richard Diamond]

Am I? She just drove me to this place.

[Leon Fisk]

So what? A lot of people know this place.

[Richard Diamond]

She told me she didn't. So I gave her an address eight doors down. But she pulled up right in your front of your door.

[Leon Fisk]

Well, that could happen.

[Richard Diamond]

It was too pat, Leon. Getting me to come to her place at 10 minutes to 8 and knowing her husband would leave close to 8. She had to know it because that letter was delivered just before I got there.

[Leon Fisk]

Think you can prove it?

[Richard Diamond]

You made one mistake. I didn't hear a shot. When I got to your wife's apartment, I found out later that you could hear one all the way down in the street. Your wife was killed before Martin went into that building. Probably when you saw his cab pull up. Well, anyway, it's enough to hold you on. And I think we can prove later on that you've been seeing June Hires.

[Leon Fisk]

You're pretty smart.

[Richard Diamond]

Sham estimate. You admit it?

[Leon Fisk]

Okay, baby. Come on in.

[Richard Diamond]

June.

[Leon Fisk]

Come on out of there.

[June Hires]

Leon, are you crazy?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, well, well. I didn't know you kept your back room stocked with nylons, Leon. Yeah.

[Leon Fisk]

Yeah, I guess you two don't need any introduction.

[June Hires]

Why did you have to drag me into this?

[Leon Fisk]

You heard What? Diamond said he knows all about it. You got the car out back?

[June Hires]

Yes. What are we going to do with him?

[Leon Fisk]

Diamond? He's going swimming with a barrel of cement.

[Richard Diamond]

Lieutenant Levinson wouldn't like that. He knows I came here. You're lying.

[June Hires]

Wait a minute. Maybe he isn't. Diamond was upstairs with him for quite a while.

[Leon Fisk]

Okay. So we'll have to hurry things up.

[June Hires]

Leon, you can't shoot him.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, you should know. It's not polite. The point?

[Leon Fisk]

I'm not gonna knock him off here in the office. We'll take him in the car and do it later.

[June Hires]

No, Leon.

[Leon Fisk]

What do you mean, no?

[June Hires]

It was your idea to kill your wife. I just helped get the gun. I'm not going to be along if you kill Diamond.

[Leon Fisk]

You're going to be right with me, baby. Because you're in this up to your pretty neck.

[Richard Diamond]

And I need that car.

[June Hires]

I'm not going to do it.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, yes, you are.

[Leon Fisk]

You and diamond go swimming together.

[Richard Diamond]

Leon, give me that gun. Let me.

[Martin Hires]

Let me go.

[Leon Fisk]

Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

Drop it.

[Leon Fisk]

You go to the devil.

[June Hires]

June.

[Martin Hires]

June, come back here.

[June Hires]

I'm getting off. You got me into this, Mace.

[Martin Hires]

Come back here, you. You dirty little tramp. Don't you take that car.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You're not going anywhere, Leon.

[Martin Hires]

You want to bet?

[June Hires]

I'll fix you.

[Martin Hires]

Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

He hit me with the butt of his. And I went down like the price of wheat in July. As I picked myself up, I watched him run for the back door. June, wait for me. You're not going to leave me here.

[Martin Hires]

To take a rock.

[Richard Diamond]

I got my gun out and stumbled over to the window and looked out. Just as the car started up, I spotted Leon with a gun in his hand. He looked mean enough to start shooting with it. He did. He started running up the alley. Then I suppose I could have said something like, Stop or I'll shoot. But I was too tired. I just rested my arm on the window and let him have it. Well, Walt finally showed and cleaned things up. I was bleeding again, so I headed for 975 Park Avenue and my usual first aid station.

[June Hires]

Yes?

[Richard Diamond]

Hello, Francis. Ms. Acheron. Oh, my goodness. Mr. Diamond. Come in, sir.

[June Hires]

Come in. You've been hurt again.

[Richard Diamond]

I guess you'll have to answer the door a little quicker after this, Francis. Or build a first aid station in the hall. Usual, sir. No, you can forget the plasma, Francis. I had liver for dinner. I can stand the loss.

[June Hires]

Just as you say, sir. Ms. Asher is in the study.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, thank you. Why don't you go to bed? You look tired.

[June Hires]

Yes. Good night.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Boo.

[June Hires]

Oh, Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah?

[June Hires]

Isn't it awful what happened to your chin?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, I got it caught on the.38. Wanted to go.

[June Hires]

Want you to go.

[Richard Diamond]

Why? Well, I thought maybe my poor little face scared you.

[June Hires]

Oh, I like your poor little messed up face.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, thanks, boy.

[June Hires]

How about some music?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, I'm too tired. Turn on the radio. All right.

[June Hires]

Now let me look at that chair.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, that's soothing.

[Martin Hires]

Hey, don't shut that radio off. I'm trying to sleep.

[Richard Diamond]

Now, what is that?

[June Hires]

Oh, it's that crabby old neighbor.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, it is, huh?

[June Hires]

Now, Rick, don't get mad. I'll turn it off.

[Richard Diamond]

You want something, Max?

[Martin Hires]

Yeah, some sleep. Is that too much to ask?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, stick your head in a closet.

[Martin Hires]

Now look, bud, you look.

[Richard Diamond]

That radio wouldn't wake a two year old.

[Martin Hires]

Well, just pretend I haven't stopped teething white guy. All I want is some sleep.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, you do, huh?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Sleepy time gal, you're turning night in a day.

[Leon Fisk]

Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, that guy upsets me.

[June Hires]

All right. He upsets you. That's too pretty a song to sing like that.

[Richard Diamond]

No.

[June Hires]

Now you do it right or I'm gonna be mad.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, honey, then that's the last thing I want you to be. Now, cuddle up on the sofa. You comfy?

[June Hires]

Mm.

[Richard Diamond]

Don't be mad now, baby. Sleepy time gal, you're turning night into day. Sleepy time gal, you dance the evening away.

[June Hires]

Oh, that's wonderful.

[Richard Diamond]

Before each silvery star, it's out of sight. Please give me one little kiss. Then let us whisper good night. It's getting late and baby, your pillow's waiting. Sleepy time gal, when all your dancing is through. Sleepy time gal, I'll find a cottage for you. You'll learn to keep cook and to sew. What's more, you'll love it. I know when you're stay at home. Play at home. Eight o'. Clock. Sleepy time. G. Well, how was that, baby? Helen. Helen. Well, how do you like that? She snores too. Hey, you, Max.

[June Hires]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Now what do you want? How about a game of gin? I'm lonesome.

[Announcer]

You have just heard Richard diamond, private detective starring Dick Powell. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley. Also in our cast were Wilms Herbert, Jane Ovelo, Joan Banks and Stacy Harris. Music was under the direction of Frank Worth. Richard diamond is written by Blake Edwards and directed by William P. Rousseau. Dick Powell soon will be seen in the screen version of the best selling novel, Mrs. Mike. Now, this is Eddie King inviting her to be with us again at the same time next week when we will again bring you Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective. This program has come to you from Hollywood. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.