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Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
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
Radio Announcer / Program Host
you for donating@ChoiceClassicRadio.com the Equitable Life Assurance Society presents this is your FBI. This is your FBI. An official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Later in tonight's program, our sponsor, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Will have a special announcement for homeowners, future homeowners as well as present. Please have a pencil and paper handy. This is America's finest plan for home ownership. And it offers so many advantages in economy and security. That you will surely want to write down the instructions for getting further information. Get ready for the good news on America's finest plan for home ownership. Tonight's FBI file. Flowers for the corpse.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
Professional thieving is a business, and some forms of it. Just as some forms of legitimate business. Are conducted on a nationwide scale. With accomplices in major cities throughout the country. Acting as sales outlets for the stolen goods. But your FBI, one of whose jobs it is to smash these rings, also operates on a nationwide scale. And no matter how cunning the methods of the one. They are no match for the unrelenting vigilance of the other. And it is inevitable, as illustrated in tonight's case from the files of your FBI. It is inevitable that sometime at some point, the twain shall meet. The greenhouse floral business operated by Merle Sheridan and his widowed aunt. In the suburbs of a large Midwestern city. Had, until a few months ago, produced only a modest income. Then it began to prosper smartly. But at the moment, this sudden financial success means nothing to Merle Sheridan. He stands forlornly in his greenhouse, contemplating a flower.
Aunt Kathy
Merle. Oh, Merle.
Merle Sheridan
Yes, Aunt Kathy.
Aunt Kathy
I thought you were coming into the house for lunch.
Merle Sheridan
I was.
Aunt Kathy
Is something wrong?
Merle Sheridan
Yes, it's this virus.
Aunt Kathy
Oh, what about it?
Merle Sheridan
I'm convinced it deliberately committed suicide.
Aunt Kathy
But I thought it was doing so well.
Merle Sheridan
It was.
Aunt Kathy
Well, perhaps you can revive it.
Merle Sheridan
I wouldn't give the stupid thing another chance.
Aunt Kathy
Oh, look, look. Isn't that. Isn't that Mr. Durham outside?
Merle Sheridan
Oh, yes, I'm sorry to say.
Aunt Kathy
Why, Merle, he's our most profitable customer.
Merle Sheridan
I appreciate him, darling, but I don't trust him.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Well, good morning.
Merle Sheridan
Good morning.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I would have gotten here sooner, but traffic in the city was extraordinarily heavy.
Merle Sheridan
Mr. Durham?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Yes?
Merle Sheridan
You obviously received my telegram.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Oh, yes. You said you had a rare variety of tulip bulb that I might be interested in.
Merle Sheridan
Correct? Yes.
Aunt Kathy
I'll watch the office now.
Merle Sheridan
Very well. Aunt Kathy,
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
may I see the rare specimen?
Merle Sheridan
Certain a. Here we are.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Well, let me look at it.
Merle Sheridan
Be impatient. I'll handle it. Here, cup your hand.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Very well.
Merle Sheridan
That's it. Now I shall pull its false bottom out by the roots thusly and.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Good Lord.
Merle Sheridan
Sharon, does it please you?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Why, it's one of the most beautiful emeralds I've seen.
Merle Sheridan
It's the late property of some plushy dowager. I'd say it's.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
It's at least 20 carats.
Merle Sheridan
And Kathy and I will settle for 25,000.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, I'll.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I'll do the best I can.
Merle Sheridan
You'll probably sell it for twice that. But remember, you will still get only your usual 1/3 share.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Now, look here, Sheridan.
Merle Sheridan
I've told you before, you're entitled to a larger share.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I know this is a precarious enterprise
Radio Announcer / Program Host
for all of us.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
But I've spent nearly 20 years building my business. And if I'm caught in just One of these transactions, 1. What happens to the house of Durham? And where am I?
Merle Sheridan
Aunt Kathy and I will see to it that you have fresh flowers in your cell every day.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Now see here.
Merle Sheridan
That's enough. Just dash on back to the house of Durham. Oh, dear. And do the best you can. For one third.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
The same morning in that city's field office of the FBI agent in charge, Craig was sitting at his desk when Special Agent Hyland entered from the Teletype room.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Good morning, Mr. Craig.
Merle Sheridan
Hello, Hyland.
FBI Agent Craig
What have you got there?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Special bulletin to all field officers from Washington.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
Oh, what's up?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
A series of jewel robberies. Three cities along the eastern seaboard, one right after the other.
FBI Agent Craig
Sounds like the work of one gang.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Yes, here's the bulletin. None of the stuff is turning up in the cities where it was stolen. So the police figure the gang is fencing it out around the country.
FBI Agent Craig
I don't see any description of the stuff here.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
There's a follow up teletype coming in. Quite a long list.
FBI Agent Craig
I see.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I don't imagine any of the stones are in their original mounting now though.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
No.
FBI Agent Craig
Jewel gangs are usually smart enough to unmount the stones before trying to dispose of them. They're harder to identify that way and
FBI Special Agent Hyland
reduces the chances of finding them to about one in a million too.
FBI Agent Craig
Don't be so pessimistic. You said there's quite a long list of it, right?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Yeah, but I also.
FBI Agent Craig
All the FBI has to do is find just one piece of the jewelry or just one of the stones.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
But the tough part is finding that one stone.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
I know.
FBI Agent Craig
And maybe none of this stuff will ever turn up in our particular bailiwick. But we've got to go on the assumption that it will. So let's get busy.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
What?
FBI Agent Craig
First for start, let's alert the police, all pawn shops and all insurance companies which insure jewelry.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Right.
Merle Sheridan
Hello.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Hello, Sheridan.
Merle Sheridan
Oh, hello, Durham.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I've just deposited my personal check for $20,000 to your bank account.
Merle Sheridan
For what?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I sold the stone for 30,000 and kept my 1/3 10,000. Isn't that good news?
Merle Sheridan
No.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Why not?
Merle Sheridan
A little birdie told me you collected $6,000 more as federal luxury tax. Well, didn't you?
FBI Agent Craig
Yes.
Merle Sheridan
Then deposit $4,000 of it to my account at once.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Now look, the tax money belongs to the government.
Merle Sheridan
You're not paying taxes on stolen gems and you know it.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Sheridan, I told you I wanted more than one third share. And I'm keeping that $6,000 as a bonus until you're ready to revise our agreement.
Merle Sheridan
What kind of flowers do you want?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Never mind threatening me.
Merle Sheridan
Listen, Durham. Well, all right. Keep your bonus.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
That's just.
Aunt Kathy
What? What?
Merle Sheridan
I've just decided that from now on we're going to do business on a different basis.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
What do you mean?
Merle Sheridan
I'll fix the amount that Aunt Kathy and I are to have and you pay it to us in cash on the spot. Then whatever you sell the article for later is your business. How's that?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
But what if I don't agree with your price?
Merle Sheridan
You can take it or leave it.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Very well.
Merle Sheridan
Good. And we'll start tomorrow. Tomorrow? I'll have an article by then that will be worth $10,000 to Aunt Kathy and me. So bring that much cash with you. You will not be obligated to buy. Just be prepared to. And make it about 1 o'. Clock.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I'll be there.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
You sent for me, Mr. Craig?
FBI Agent Craig
Yes, Island. You were kind of pessimistic yesterday, weren't you? About our chances of ever finding any of those stolen jewels?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, yes.
FBI Agent Craig
I've just had an interesting telephone call.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
You don't mean one of them has turned up already?
FBI Agent Craig
One of the stolen jewels described on that list was a 20 carat emerald, wasn't it?
Merle Sheridan
Yes.
FBI Agent Craig
An insurance company that we alerted yesterday just phoned a report that they'd been asked to insure a 20 carat emerald.
Merle Sheridan
What?
FBI Agent Craig
It was brought to them by Mrs. V.A. madison. Her husband is the head of the power and light company.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I know, but you don't think that either he or his wife are buying a stolen emerald?
Merle Sheridan
No.
FBI Agent Craig
They wouldn't have to know it had been stolen. He purchased the emerald yesterday.
Merle Sheridan
Where?
FBI Agent Craig
Why don't you go ask him?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I'm on my way now.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Good afternoon, ma'.
Radio Announcer / Program Host
Am.
Aunt Kathy
Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Durham. What can I do for you?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I have an appointment with your nephew.
Aunt Kathy
Oh, yes. He's back in the greenhouse. Shall I go?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
No, no, I'll find him. Sheridan. Sheridan.
Merle Sheridan
Don't shout, Mr. Durham.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Sheridan. You said you'd have an article for me to look at.
Merle Sheridan
That's right, I did. Well, I also told you it would cost you $10,000 in cash.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Provided I want to buy it.
Merle Sheridan
Are you prepared to? Certainly. I don't see anything green. That isn't a plant, old boy.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
All right, here's the money.
FBI Agent Craig
Look at it.
Merle Sheridan
How much is there?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
$10,000.
Merle Sheridan
I can't afford to trust you anymore. It's much too expensive.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Well, here. Count it yourself.
Merle Sheridan
I'd be delighted.
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Merle Sheridan
All hundreds.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Each of those packages contains $1,000.
Merle Sheridan
Fine, then I'll take four of them, huh? Here, you may have the rest back.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
What are you doing?
Merle Sheridan
Just evening the score, that's all. What? My dear fellow, you held out $4,000 on me yesterday, didn't you?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Oh, I get it. This was all just a trick.
Merle Sheridan
Rather clever one, don't you think?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Give me back that money.
Merle Sheridan
Not a chance, old dear. Now I must look after the petunia. Will you please go away before I sic the snapdragons on you?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Either you give me back that money this minute, Sheridan.
Merle Sheridan
Or you'll do what?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
I'll tell the police that you commissioned me to sell a 20 carat emerald for you yesterday.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Really?
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
And after I had innocently incriminated myself, you confessed that it was stolen and offered me more stolen jewels to get rid of.
Merle Sheridan
That would be very unwise.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Look, I want to get out of this business anyway. You keep the $4,000. I'm going to the police.
Aunt Kathy
Just a minute, Mr. Durham.
FBI Agent Craig
What?
Aunt Kathy
You are not going to make trouble for us.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Get out of my way.
Aunt Kathy
Sorry.
Merle Sheridan
Thank you, Aunt Kathy. You're so consider.
Radio Announcer / Program Host
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Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
Professional jewel thieves and their accomplices, so often glamorized by authors of mystery adventure fiction and endowed with almost supernatural talents, are neither glamorous nor supernatural to your FBI or to law enforcement agencies cooperating in their capture. To them they're just another lot of criminals. Just another patch of scum fouling the waters of decent society and just as vulnerable as any other kind of criminal. At about the time the jeweler Durham was making his fatal visit to the Sheraton Greenhouse, Special Agent Hyland of the FBI was concluding his visit to VA Madison, purchaser of the stolen emerald. A little later, accompanied by agent in charge Craig, he visited Durham's office.
Aunt Kathy
I'm sorry, but Mr. Durham isn't in.
FBI Agent Craig
Are you his secretary?
Aunt Kathy
Yes.
FBI Agent Craig
Well, then perhaps you can help us. We're special agents of the FBI.
Aunt Kathy
The. The FBI?
Merle Sheridan
That's right.
Aunt Kathy
But. But what?
FBI Agent Craig
It's about a stone which Mr. V.A. madison purchased here a couple of days ago. A 20 carat emerald.
Aunt Kathy
What about it?
FBI Agent Craig
Mr. Durham told Mr. Madison he had obtained the stone through the liquidation of an estate that same day.
Aunt Kathy
Yes, that's true.
FBI Agent Craig
We've just checked and there is no record of any such estate liquidation.
Aunt Kathy
What?
FBI Agent Craig
The emerald exactly fits the description of one stolen in an eastern city recently.
Aunt Kathy
Good heavens. There must be some mistake.
FBI Agent Craig
I'm afraid the mistake is Mr. Durham's in knowingly receiving and disposing of stolen goods. Now, where did he really get the emerald?
Aunt Kathy
I don't know.
FBI Agent Craig
Has he gotten other stones the same way?
Aunt Kathy
Well, yes. I mean, that is how you're convinced
FBI Agent Craig
Mr. Durham is dealing with agents of
Merle Sheridan
a ring of jewel thieves, miss?
Aunt Kathy
Well, if he is, I don't know it. They don't come here.
FBI Agent Craig
Yeah.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I found this on Durham's desk.
FBI Agent Island
What?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Flowers are my hobby, you know. And this is a Dutch variety of tulip bulb.
FBI Agent Craig
Well, what about it?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, it's not only an odd place for a tulip bulb to be, but this is a very odd bulb.
FBI Agent Craig
What do you mean?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Take hold of the roots at the bottom and pull. That's it.
Merle Sheridan
Well, what. Why, the.
FBI Agent Craig
The bottom comes out.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Yeah. And the bulb is hollow inside.
Merle Sheridan
Oh, for the love of Pete.
FBI Agent Craig
What do you know about this, Miss?
Aunt Kathy
I didn't know that about it.
FBI Agent Craig
What do you mean?
Aunt Kathy
Well, I mean Mr. Durham buys a lot of tulip bulbs.
FBI Agent Craig
From whom?
Aunt Kathy
A greenhouse out in Millville.
Merle Sheridan
Yes.
Aunt Kathy
Every time they have some of a certain special variety, they let Mr. Durham
FBI Special Agent Hyland
know I'll say it's a special variety.
FBI Agent Craig
Sounds like the florist could be the fence.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Sure, and hides the stuff in hollow tulip bulbs.
FBI Agent Craig
What's the name of that greenhouse, miss?
Aunt Kathy
It's Sheridan's Highland.
FBI Agent Craig
I'll stick here and wait for Durham. Right. And since you speak the flower language,
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I'll get out there and start speaking it right now.
Merle Sheridan
And Kathy?
Aunt Kathy
Yes?
Merle Sheridan
I think we should be getting out of here, Merle.
Aunt Kathy
Running away is just the thing not to do, darling.
Merle Sheridan
After all, you have committed a murder. And I believe there's a law against that sort of thing.
Aunt Kathy
But closing up the greenhouse and running away would immediately pin suspicion on us.
Merle Sheridan
Then what is your idea, my sweet?
Aunt Kathy
To dispose of Durham's body and his car.
Merle Sheridan
How, when and where?
Aunt Kathy
We'll drive up to the cabin tonight, lock the body in the car and roll it into the lake.
Merle Sheridan
Aunt Kathy, you're a genius. I would never have. Wait.
Aunt Kathy
What's the matter?
Merle Sheridan
Someone just drove up.
Aunt Kathy
What of it? Probably a customer.
Merle Sheridan
He's no regular customer. I've never seen him before.
Aunt Kathy
Well, we can't turn him down because of that.
Merle Sheridan
Suppose I have to take him back in the greenhouse?
Aunt Kathy
He won't know there's a body hidden under the benches. Unless you tell him.
Merle Sheridan
Oh.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
How do you do?
Aunt Kathy
Hello. What can we do for you?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I'd like to get a few tulip bulbs, please.
Merle Sheridan
Some what?
Aunt Kathy
Tulip bulbs, Merle.
FBI Agent Island
Oh.
Merle Sheridan
Oh, yes. Well, if you'll tell me what kind you want, I'll go back in the greenhouse.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
That's all right.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I'll come with you, if I may.
Aunt Kathy
Well, take the gentleman back, Merle. I'll watch the office.
Merle Sheridan
Come this way, please.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Surely.
Merle Sheridan
After you.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Thank you.
Merle Sheridan
Any particular variety you're interested in?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Pride of Harlem is my favorite Dutch bulb.
FBI Agent Island
Oh.
Merle Sheridan
Oh, yes.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
The reason I came here. A friend of mine who trades with you recommended your place to me.
Merle Sheridan
Who's that? Pardon? Your friend, I mean.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
The jeweler, J.P. durham.
Merle Sheridan
Just a minute.
FBI Agent Island
Yes?
Merle Sheridan
Who are you and what do you want here?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, I don't understand.
Merle Sheridan
You're lying to me. You're no friend of Durham's. And you didn't come here to buy tulip bulbs.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
You're making my work awfully easy for me, Mr. Sheridan.
Merle Sheridan
What?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
So I may as well admit now that I'm not a friend of Durham's. I'm a special agent of the FBI FBI? And I'm not concerned with the bulbs themselves. But the jewels that you conceal inside some of them.
Merle Sheridan
Look here.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Furthermore, I'd like an Explanation for what looks like blood on the floor over there. Also, the car outside with the monogram JPD on the door.
Aunt Kathy
You'd better put your hands up, Mr. FBI.
Merle Sheridan
Thanks again, Aunt Kathy.
Aunt Kathy
Merle, I think we'll have two passengers in that car up at the lake tonight.
FBI Agent Craig
What time is it, Brian?
FBI Agent Island
5:35. Why?
FBI Agent Craig
Hyland should have reported back here by now.
FBI Agent Island
Maybe he had trouble finding the place.
FBI Agent Craig
Shouldn't have had too much trouble. He knew the name of the town or the name of the greenhouse owner.
FBI Agent Island
Well, maybe he wasn't in and Hyland is waiting for him. There wouldn't be any sense in calling us unless he had some information.
FBI Agent Craig
No, perhaps you're right, but.
Merle Sheridan
But what?
FBI Agent Craig
I don't like the whole setup.
FBI Agent Island
What do you mean?
FBI Agent Craig
Well, in addition to not hearing from Hyland, we can't find Durham.
FBI Agent Island
I'm not exactly crazy about that part of it myself.
FBI Agent Craig
He's mixed up in this, and if he's running out, I don't want to give him too much of a lead.
FBI Agent Island
If he's running out and the man who owns the greenhouse isn't in, maybe they're both taking the trip together.
FBI Agent Craig
Yeah, well, one thing is sure.
Merle Sheridan
What's that?
FBI Agent Craig
We're not doing anybody any good sitting around here. Let's get out to that greenhouse.
Aunt Kathy
Merle, did you get Durham's body in the car?
FBI Agent Island
Yes.
Merle Sheridan
I didn't realize my own strength is.
Aunt Kathy
Is there anything else we have to do?
Merle Sheridan
Not that I can think of.
Aunt Kathy
Well, then I think we'd better be going. It's a long drive to the cabin and the FBI is no 1 man organization, you know.
Merle Sheridan
What do you mean?
Aunt Kathy
Well, they'll be sending some other men along to look for this one when he doesn't show up.
Merle Sheridan
You're right. I'll be ready to go in a minute.
Aunt Kathy
What are you doing there, Mr. FBI?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Nothing. Just rearranging some of the flowers.
Aunt Kathy
What are you doing that for?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, I'm rather fond of flowers myself, and the colors you had in this centerpiece bothered me.
Merle Sheridan
We're not interested in what bothers you.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
I always heard that they allowed the condemned man to do what he liked during the last hours.
Merle Sheridan
Stop fixing those flowers, Merle. What?
Aunt Kathy
Did you check the gas and oil in Durham's car? It won't be a very good idea to be stopping anywhere with our passengers.
Merle Sheridan
Everything is taken care of. Let's go.
FBI Agent Island
Hmm. They sure seem a deserted tree. Yeah. Got your flash right here.
FBI Agent Craig
Let's see if we can get in the greenhouse and have A look around. Try this door here.
FBI Agent Island
Oh, doesn't bother to lock up anyway.
FBI Agent Craig
No. Throw your light around. Come on, let's take a walk down this aisle and see what we can.
FBI Agent Island
Craig. Yeah?
Merle Sheridan
Look.
FBI Agent Island
Yeah.
FBI Agent Craig
Looks like blood.
FBI Agent Island
I hope it's not Highland's blood.
FBI Agent Craig
Wait a minute. Shine your light over there.
Merle Sheridan
What is it?
FBI Agent Craig
Highland's identification card.
FBI Agent Island
What?
FBI Agent Craig
It was lying on the table with this bunch of flowers.
FBI Agent Island
Say, those flowers seem to be arranged in a special way.
FBI Agent Craig
Yes, and I've got a hunch it's supposed to mean something.
FBI Agent Island
You think Highland managed to leave us some kind of clue?
FBI Agent Craig
Yes, he knew his flowers. And flowers have special meanings. What kind of these?
FBI Agent Island
I think one of them's a verbena.
Merle Sheridan
Yeah.
FBI Agent Island
Yeah, my wife planted something to make a border.
FBI Agent Craig
Let's get on the phone and call the Daily Journal's library and find out what a verbena means.
FBI Agent Island
Right.
FBI Agent Craig
If that doesn't tell us enough, we'll find out what these others mean and
FBI Special Agent Hyland
get the whole story.
Merle Sheridan
This is getting to be a bore.
Aunt Kathy
Now, Merle, just relax. After all, we can't roll a car and two bodies into the lake as long as that. That moonstruck couple is parked down there.
Merle Sheridan
Well, you'd think they would have had enough smooching in two hours.
Aunt Kathy
Wait a minute. I believe that. Yes, they are. They're driving off now.
Merle Sheridan
Thank heaven.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, Mr. FBI, I think I know what you mean.
Aunt Kathy
You'll please walk out of the cabin to the car and get in beside the late Dr. Durham.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Well, I guess the message I left for my associates to find has failed me.
Aunt Kathy
What do you mean?
Merle Sheridan
What message?
FBI Special Agent Hyland
The flowers. You made me drop my identification card. You didn't see me drop what? Surely you know the language of flowers. The verbena meant pray for me. That was to let them know I was in your power. And the milkwort means hermitage, which they could easily translate into this isolated cabin of yours.
Merle Sheridan
Very clever. But I'm afraid they wouldn't know where this cabin is.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Your friends and neighbors do. And they'd gladly cooperate with the FBI.
Merle Sheridan
Then, Aunt Kathy, I'd say let's get this over with and move away from here.
Aunt Kathy
Yes.
Merle Sheridan
Get up from there and start for the door.
Mazda Car Dealer Announcer
Okay.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
Stop that gun.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
Craig, am I glad to see you.
FBI Agent Craig
We finally figured out your message, Hyland, but we were afraid we'd be too late.
FBI Special Agent Hyland
It is too late for Durham, and it could have been for me. Unless. Well, do you know what? Smooching is fine. I'm very thankful for it.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
Tried on the more serious charge of murder. Merle Sheridan's aunt was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Her nephew received a long term in a federal penitentiary for receiving and disposing of stolen goods. And the arrest of these two led eventually to the apprehension of the gang of jewel thieves all of whom are now serving prison terms. Yes, professional thievery is a business operating sometimes on a nationwide scale. But likewise, the law operates on a nationwide scale. And no matter how cunning the methods of the one they are no match for the unrelenting vigilance of the other. And it is inevitable, always, that sometime, at some point, the twain shall meet.
Radio Announcer / Program Host
Next week, another thrilling case from the files of your FBI. We'll tell you about it in just a moment. But first let me refresh your memory on the more important features of the Equitable Society's Assured Home Ownership Plan. Remember that the mortgage interest is only 4%. Remember that if the owner dies, the widow owns the home without any mortgage at all. Yes, the Assured Home Ownership Plan is practically foreclosure proof. To get the full story, talk to an Equitable Society representative in your community. Ask him for literature that gives all details. You'll find him in your local phone book under the name Equitable Equi. T A B L E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
Narrator / FBI Agent Craig
Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Friendly Killers.
Radio Announcer / Program Host
The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance Society's broadcast are adapted from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight, the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Farey's and your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your. FBI is a Jerry Devine production. Now, this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community and inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time when the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Friendly Killers. On this is your fvr. Have you ever been hungry? Really hungry. So hungry that it hurts. It's an unpleasant sensation, even for a few hours. Well, imagine how it is to feel that way month after month. To live for years on a starvation diet. And then remember that right now 500 million people in the world are desperately hungry. Millions of them will die unless we send them whatever food we can spare. Support your local food collection campaign or send a contribution direct to Emergency Food Collection New York City. That's Emergency Food Collection New York City. Give so the starving may live.
Narrator / FBI Agent Durham
This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.
This episode of "This Is Your FBI," titled Flowers for the Corpse, presents a suspenseful story of a jewel theft ring, a greedy florist, and dedicated FBI agents determined to apprehend criminals operating under the guise of a legitimate business. The episode spotlights federal law enforcement’s perseverance and ingenuity in tackling organized crime, while weaving an intricate tale of double-crossing, deception, and eventual justice—all wrapped around the unassuming front of a suburban greenhouse.
“Flowers for the Corpse” is a textbook This Is Your FBI episode: crime flourishes under cover of ordinary life, but persistent, detail-oriented investigation wins. The language of crime, flowers, and human greed is deciphered not just by clues, but through human nature and teamwork—themes as resonant today as they were in the 1940s’ golden age of radio detective stories.