Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Malibu Mystery Matter 09/07/1958

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Malibu Mystery Matter"

Release Date: July 7, 2025
Original Air Date: September 7, 1958

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Introduction

"Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Malibu Mystery Matter" is a captivating episode from the Golden Age of Radio, presented by Choice Classic Radio Detectives. Hosted by Bob Bailey and featuring the insurance investigator Johnny Dollar, this episode delves into a complex case of yacht loss, insurance fraud, and deception set against the picturesque backdrop of Malibu Beach. Throughout the episode, listeners are immersed in Johnny Dollar's meticulous investigation, uncovering layers of deceit that challenge his detective prowess.

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Act One: The Mysterious Yacht Explosion

[00:56]
Johnny Dollar receives a call from Pete Hanley of Western Maritime and Property Insurance regarding a significant claim: the loss of the $150,000 diesel yacht, the Tatus. The yacht reportedly exploded off Malibu Beach, leaving only charred wreckage and a few survivors—Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Merrill, the steward, and the deckhand.

Key Points:

• Initial Investigation: Johnny travels to Malibu Pier, observing a crowded scene with Coast Guard vessels searching for the yacht.
• Survivors' Account: The Merrills recount the events leading to the explosion, highlighting unusual engine noises and a sudden series of explosions that claimed the skipper's life.
• Suspicion Arises: Johnny notes inconsistencies, particularly regarding Mrs. Merrill's jewelry, which were not accounted for in the claim.

Notable Quote:
Johnny Dollar reflects on the case, stating, "But now, suppose you tell me just what happened out there on the yacht... the engines started making strange sounds, shaking the whole yacht." [08:29]

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Act Two: Uncovering the Deception

[10:00]
Amidst his investigation, Johnny engages in a personal conversation with Pete Hanley about automobile safety, which serves as a brief respite before diving deeper into the case.

Key Points:

• Analyzing the Jewelry: Johnny discovers that the diamonds presented by Mrs. Merrill do not scratch glass, revealing them as mere paste instead of genuine gems.
• Strategic Confrontation: Realizing the potential for an insurance scam, Johnny decides to press further, suspecting that the Merills fabricated the yacht explosion to collect the insurance payout.
• Surveyor's Findings: Bringing in a surveyor named Barkley, Johnny and Pete analyze the explosion site, uncovering discrepancies in the reported location of the wreckage.

Notable Quote:
Upon discovering the fake diamonds, Johnny states, "Those highly insured jewels were paste." [13:25]

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Act Three: Exposing the Fraud

[17:28]
The investigation intensifies as Johnny and his team gather testimonies from local witnesses who observed the yacht explosion.

Key Points:

• Witness Testimonies: Multiple individuals confirm witnessing the sudden explosion, contradicting the officially reported location of the wreck.
• Strategic Mapping: Using the surveyor's data, Johnny plots the actual explosion site, revealing that Coast Guard efforts were misdirected.
• Confrontation with the Merills: Armed with evidence of fraudulent jewelry and the false wreck location, Johnny confronts Mr. and Mrs. Merrill. The confrontation exposes their scheme to stage the yacht explosion and claim the insurance money.

Notable Quotes:
Johnny confronts the Merills with the evidence:
"Why didn't you claim to lose them in the wreck? Oh, that would have been overplaying their hand." [23:05]
Mrs. Merrill defensively responds, "Dollar, there is a thing called sentiment that even money can't buy." [23:05]

Conclusion: Johnny's relentless pursuit of the truth leads to the unraveling of the Merills' insurance fraud. The episode concludes with Johnny securing the case, ensuring that justice prevails and the honest insurance company is protected from deceit.

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Insights and Themes

• Integrity vs. Deception: The episode underscores the importance of honesty in professional dealings, highlighting how deceit can lead to downfall.
• Meticulous Investigation: Johnny Dollar's attention to detail and unwavering commitment serve as a testament to effective investigative practices.
• The Illusion of Wealth: The Merills' facade of affluence through a lavish yacht and expensive jewelry masks their fraudulent intentions.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Johnny Dollar on Initial Suspicion:
   "As a matter of fact, Dollar, I was thinking of selling potatoes for. Well, to be frank about it, for purely economic reasons." [07:54]

2. Revelation of Fake Jewelry:
   "Those highly insured jewels were paste." [13:25]

3. Confronting the Merills:
   "You know, overestimated his market over expanded. Matter of fact, I've been thankful these past couple years that I didn't fall for his pitch and invest in it." [23:03]

4. Final Exposé:
   "But, Merrill, the only thing around here that's been sunk is you." [23:14]

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Conclusion

"Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Malibu Mystery Matter" is a masterful blend of suspense, sharp dialogue, and intricate plotting. Through Johnny Dollar's adept investigation, listeners are treated to a classic tale of uncovering truth beneath layers of deception. This episode not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons on integrity, the perils of greed, and the unyielding pursuit of justice.

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Credits:
Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio
Producer: Jack Johnstone
Cast: Bob Bailey, Paula Winslow, Eleanor Odley, Gene Tatum, Ben Wright, Harry Bartel, Will Wright, Lawrence Dobkin, Barney Phillips
Presentation: United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service

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Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast Journey with Podbean. Podbean. Podbean. PodBean. PodBean the AI powered All in one podcast platform. Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts. Launch your podcast on podbean today. My school uses Podbean. My church too.

[Pete Hanley]

I love it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I really do.

[Narrator]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24,7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Johnny Dollar]

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] from Hollywood. It's time now for. Yeah. Johnny Dollar. This is Peter Hanley at Western Maritime and Property Insurance. Holy look. Do you always start making calls at 4am Mr. Henley? I had to phone clear across the country, Mr. Dollar, to find out that you're right here in Los Angeles. Yeah, that's right. The Beverly Hilton out here in Beverly Hills. Got it. But I've cleared up the case that brought me here, so as soon as I have breakfast, if they serve it at this unearthly hour, I'll pack up my bags and go back to Hartford. Please don't. Oh, what's up? One of our clients is about to present us with a claim that I think you ought to investigate. As long as you ride here. Yeah. What sort of a claim? For the loss of his yacht. How much of a client? Between 150 and $250,000. Wowee. You know where Malibu beach is? Yeah, sure, up the coast a few miles. Used to be a famous movie colony, that sort of thing. That's the place. Well, if you can find some means of transportation, I'll meet you at the Malibu Pier on expense account, Mr. Hanley. I can find anything. Well, now, look here. And on a claim that could run to a quarter of a. I'm sure you won't be chintzy, Mr. Duff. I'll see you at the Malibu pier. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the Action Packed Expense Account. America's Fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Doll. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to the Western Maritime and Property Insurance Company, Los Angeles, California. Following us, an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Malibu Myst expense account. Item one, two and a quarter for a fancy breakfast in my room at the Beverly Hilton. Item 2, $50 deposit on the best looking rental car I could find. I drove out Santa Monica Boulevard at the coast highway, then north along the edge of the Blue Pacific some 12 or 13 miles to Malibu, where a long fishing pier stuck out into the ocean. Cars were parked for half a mile on either side of the pier after the. And it looked as though half the population of LA was crowded out on the pier itself, thanks to an ambulance that pulled away from the curb and headed south toward town. I found a parking space. Mr. Donnelly here. Oh, hi, Mr. Henley. Come along out on the pier. All right. What's all the mob so early in the morning? Apparently word of an accident like this gets around quickly. What kind of an accident? Don't you see the Coast Guard vessels out there circling around? Yeah. Did this boat you were talking about sink out there? The Titus, Mr. Dolly. A $150,000 diesel yacht. What happened to her? Apparently, it just blew up. Survivors? Mr. And Mrs. Randolph Merrill and the steward and deckhand managed to get into the launch they used for a tender. They were picked up by the Coast Guard. The skipper went down with yacht. At least no trace of his body's been found as yet. Captain Rollins, a few people just have to get back off the. Oh, Ms. Hanley, this is Johnny Dolly, a special investigator for my insurance company. Captain Rawlins of the Coast Guard. Mr. Dollar. Hi, Captain. Have you found anything out there, Captain? Not a sign of the Tatus, Mr. Hanley. Yeah, it's mighty deep water and I'm afraid that like Mr. Merrill and his wife told us, she just blew herself to smithereen. Yeah, even from here I can see some wreckage floating in. Well, they're all working around the oil slick out there, so the grapples ought to be able to find something down below. Some traces of hull or machinery or something. When did it happen? Oh, two, two and a half hours ago. One of our craft got up here from Santa Monica harbor not more than 40 minutes after she went down. How'd you find out about it? Phone call from somebody living along the beach. Potato stood out there blowing a whistle and foghorn woke him up. By the time he got out of bed, he said it looked Like a regular fireworks display about a half mile offshore. You see where they put a marker? Boy, yeah. Wouldn't the wind and current move that slick? And whatever wreckage. There is no wind. That's why there's still some fog out there and they're allowing for drift. Don't worry. If there's anything left of the taters, those boys will find it. Now, excuse me, will you, please? I gotta keep a check on operations. Yeah, sure, captain. See you later. Henley. You say Mr. And Mrs. Merrill are okay, huh? Yes. If the Coast Guard and Santa Monica are through with them, they're probably back at their home in Westwood, I think I'd like to talk to them. By all means. Though I don't exactly see any particular reason for investigation. Policy, Mr. Dollar, on any claim over 100,000. Yeah, but the claim can't have been made yet. Don't worry, it will be. Wait a minute. $150,000 yacht? But you said the claim could go as high as a quarter million. Yes, that's because of Mrs. Merrill's jewelry, which she always took with her. Oh, was that lost, too? I don't know. I haven't yet talked to her. Then let's do it. Well, if it hadn't been for a friend of mine living up on the hill behind the beach who was also awakened and saw the explosion, I wouldn't have known about it even this soon. Yeah. Come on, let's talk to the Merrill. Pete Hanley had his own car, so I tailed him to the Merrill home in Westwood. It was in a nice, but certainly not a fancy section. I'd have thought a man with $150,000 yacht would live in the snooty Bel Air property. The Brentwood Hills, Pacific Palisades, one of the sections that displayed a little more wealth. However, Mr. Merrill pretty well explained it. And quite frankly, when I had to take such a loss in selling out my plastics business, I decided we'd better retrench a bit.

[Pete Hanley]

And really, Mr. Dollar, I don't miss that lovely big place we had in Bel Air one bit. After all, they're just the two of us, and we don't do a lot of entertaining. More coffee?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, thanks. As a matter of fact, Dollar, I was thinking of selling potatoes for. Well, to be frank about it, for purely economic reasons. Wouldn't it have been pretty hard to get your price for a boat like that? Possibly. Quite frankly, the maintenance on it alone became quite a burden after I lost my business. But no matter now. The insurance will pay for her, Mr. And Mrs. Merrill, there is one thing that I must find out. Yes, Mr. Hanley? Mrs. Merrill's jewelry. No, thank heavens, no. That's safe.

[Pete Hanley]

Careful, dear, of the glass top on that table.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sorry.

[Pete Hanley]

No, you see, Mr. Hanley, the jewels were the first thing I thought of when the engine on the Tater funny sounds and woke me up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I am glad of that.

[Pete Hanley]

Here they are, all safe and sound in the little casket I keep them in. Oh, look at them, Mr. Dollar. Aren't they beautiful?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, very. But now, suppose you tell me just what happened out there on the yacht. They said they'd been cruising peacefully up the coast, all hands on board, asleep, except for the skipper at the wheel. Then the engines started making strange sounds, shaking the whole yacht. The Merrills and the crew jumped out of their beds and rushed on deck. By then, the captain had discovered something wrong with the fuel system. So he ordered them off from the tender while he tried to operate the extinguisher system. Then, barely minutes after they'd cleared her side, came a series of explosions. And that was the last they saw the Tatus and her captain. As for the Merrills, they were humbly glad they'd been lucky enough to escape. Lucky? Suddenly, sitting there idly toying with the jewels, I discovered something that. Yeah. Believe me, this case did need investigation. Needed it. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Pete Hanley]

And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellwether, my husband. Hi, honey. Did you fix the windshield wipers?

[Johnny Dollar]

I sure did, Reba. How's that?

[Pete Hanley]

Oh, you fixed him. Good for you, Donald.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you, my dear. Well, that's that. Now, if it rains, we're prepared for it.

[Pete Hanley]

Huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

I feel better now.

[Pete Hanley]

Me too. A driver has to see the danger if he expects to avoid it.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. And also, keep the back and side windows clear. And rain and snowy weather.

[Pete Hanley]

That's right. Oh, how about the horn?

[Johnny Dollar]

The horn?

[Pete Hanley]

The horn doesn't work, Sergeant. Aren't you going to fix it?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I don't think so. Frankly, Reba, I hate horns. Whenever there's a traffic jam, the first thing some guys do is blow their horns.

[Pete Hanley]

Which does absolutely, absolutely no good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Of course not. All it does is jar everyone's nerves. No, I. I don't think I'll fix them.

[Pete Hanley]

Oh, but now, wait a minute, Don. Look. Supposing we're driving along, and suddenly we see a youngster on his bicycle headed right out into the street. Sounding that horn will warn him and possibly avoid a tragic accident.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, that's true. But.

[Pete Hanley]

Or supposing we're driving on the highway and just as we're about to pass a car, that car decides to pull out into our lane and pass the car ahead of him. He obviously doesn't see us. He won't hear a shout. But one little beep on that horn and he'll automatically scoot back and avoid a collision.

[Johnny Dollar]

Reba, you've convinced me. Even though it can be a nuisance, the automobile horn is a necessity. Then you'll repair it immediately.

[Pete Hanley]

Oh, that's my Donald. That's my doll.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now, act two of yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and the Malibu Mystery Matter. Remember when you were a kid and first found out about how mercury would plate a piece of gold, make it look like silver? How you went around putting it on everything made of gold that you could find? And remember when you first learned that a diamond to put a scratch on glass, how you went around with your mother's engagement ring, cutting grooves and window panes, glass tabletops and so on? Okay. Sitting there listening to the Merrells tell about the explosion on their yacht, I toyed with some of the beautiful jewelry Mrs. Merrill had been able to save. Jewelry insured for a hundred thousand dollars. Absentmindedly, I dragged the diamond in one of her rings across the glass top of the coffee table a couple of times, then again with pressure, and it did not cut into the glass. I tried a couple of the other so called diamonds among her jewels. Same result, no result. Those highly insured jewels were paste. Well, Mr. Johnny, it looks like we have the whole story now. Yeah, it sure looks that way. And Mr. Merrill, whenever you're ready, you just file your claim and we'll take care of it. All right, Mr. Hanley. And quite frankly. Well, why kid about it? Now that I've lost my business, I can well use the money. Oh, then I'm kind of surprised you haven't sold some of these jewels. Dollar, there is a thing called sentiment that even money can't buy.

[Pete Hanley]

Why, of course, Mr. Dollar. Before I part with these jewels.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, I'm sure. Shall we go, Henley? Now, if you're perfectly satis with the Merrill's account of the wreck, why go back to Malibu? Did I say I was perfectly satisfied? Henley, look, wouldn't you feel a lot better if that wreck could be located, maybe brought up for examination? Yes, but you're certainly lucky Mrs. Merrill saved that fortune in jewelry. What jewelry? What are you talking about? You saw it yourself and I. Now it's covered for $100,000. That jewelry that she showed me, of course. What are you getting at? $look, I take it Merrill's business came a cropper, huh? Why, yes. He simply bit off more than he could chew. You know, overestimated his market over expanded. Matter of fact, I've been thankful these past couple of years that I didn't fall for his pitch and invest in it. Merrill's quite a promoter, you know. You mean a crook? Well, I didn't say that. No. But his Bel Air estate where they used to live, his yacht, her jewelry, that sort of thing. They were all to impress the people he got to finance his ventures. A real fast guy with somebody else's buck, huh? Yeah, I guess you could say that about him. So that's why you wanted me to investigate this so called accident to a shot. No, not at all, as I told you. What do you mean by so called, Hanley? You say a friend of yours actually saw the explosion? That's how I learned of it almost as soon as the Coast Guard. But now, if you know the address, that's where we're going. I told you, he lives up on a hill overlooking Malibu Beach. Only first we're going to stop at the Santa Monica Coast Guard Station and pick up a chart or two. Why, also, if you know a good surveyor, we'll take him along with us. Dollar? Yeah. Hanley, I've got an idea that may save your company a lot of money. At the Coast Guard station, we picked up a navigation chart. And a topographical map of the Malibu area. Then we picked up a surveyor named Barkley. Who dragged along one of those tripod surveying instruments. Then on to the house of Hanley's friend up in the Malibu Hills. And from him we got some information. And began to bear out some of my suspicions. Yeah, that's right. That's right. When I heard the yacht's whistle on the foghorn, I hopped out of bed and I stood right here in this doorway to the port. Leaning against it. The way you are right now, Mr. Duncan. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Of course, it was so dark, was so foggy out there over the ocean. I was about to go back to bed, and then, boom. The boat exploded. Where? Oh, I can tell you exactly where. From here, that is. What do you mean? For the flash the flash had made. It was right square between those two trees. All right, Mr. Barkley, set up your transit and get a line on that. Yep. Then plot the line on this map. Right. Dolly. Look. You look, Hanley. See that marker, boy? Where the Coast Guard boats are looking for the wreck. Well, the line Mr. Dobkin has given us is nowhere near that. Well, yeah. Mr. Dobkin, do you suppose any of your neighbors heard the noise and got up for a look? I certainly would think so. Then we really have something to work on. But Dolly, I still don't understand. You will, Mr. Hanley. You will. Well, plenty. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Times have changed and so has the man. How often do we hear the phrase, ah, those were the good old days. But were they? Podbean, your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform. Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts. Use Podbean to record your podcast. Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast. Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast. Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere. Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Narrator]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24. 7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let's look at the record. During the War of 1812, the man who discharged a missile of destruction had a pretty simple job. A lighted taper, a fuse, some gunpowder, a metal ball. Then an explosion. And the metal ball was propelled toward its target, located a few hundred yards away. Now go back in time to the year 1327. Again, the operation was simple. The taper, the gunpowder. But this time, an enlarged arrow fitted into a block of metal. A man in mail. A smoky explosion and the arrow flies a few hundred feet. Now come up to the present. Seated before a complicated control panel is another man ready to discharge a missile. He, however, is a far cry from that artilleryman of 1812 or the cannoneer of 1327. This man is a skilled tutored technician. He knows his job. He pushes a button and a sleek, slim, pointed missile blasts its way into the heavens. Its trajectory has been predetermined by other men with modern day technological know how the missile lands not a few hundred feet or yards from its launching site, but 3,000 4,000 or 5,000 miles away. Quite a difference, isn't it? Yes. Times have changed and so has the man. And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Malibu mystery matter. Pete Hanley, the insurance man, and Barkley, the surveyor, and I continued our interviews that people living along Malibu beach who'd seen the yacht explode.

[Pete Hanley]

Yes, sir. I just rose right up in bed and I could see straight out my front window.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you saw the actual explosion, Mrs. Gray?

[Pete Hanley]

I certainly did. Dropped right out through there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Barkley, get a bead on it with your surveying instrument. Then plot it on the map. Right you are, Ms. Stark. That's right, sir. I see the flash right the other side of that big oleander bush out there in the yard. And you were standing right here, Mr. Phillips. Exactly here? Yes, sir. Why, like, lit up the whole sky. Okay, Mr. Barkley. Right. Why, even through the fog, I could see it just plain as day.

[Pete Hanley]

I'll say I did. Gee, you see, we was having a little party. And I was just going in the kitchen to make us some scrambled eggs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, well, now, just where now it is.

[Pete Hanley]

After being up all night and having some drink.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, where were you standing?

[Pete Hanley]

The whistle started and the fog warned.

[Johnny Dollar]

We came out here right where you're standing.

[Pete Hanley]

All of a sudden, Bluey. Gee, me and my friends, we thought it was the Fourth of July all over again. And see, what a noise.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, sir. So, according to our survey, Captain Rollins, your boats have been looking in the wrong area for that wreck. Yeah, Mr. Dollar, according to this chart, the surveyor made potatoes. Went down right on top of Calico Rocks. That's a formation only about 30ft below the surface. That means that our divers will have no trouble at all finding the wreck. Then go to it, Captain. We'll be at the Beverly Hilton. Let me know what you find. Well done, Mr. Darling. Item three, five, 25 for some lunch. Then we went up to my room and waited. Finally, a couple of hours later, came the call from Captain Rollin. No, Mr. Dollar, our divers didn't find a sign of her. Not a sign of the tatus or any part of her. But yes, Captain, we did find a lot of. Well, they looked like heavy cans that had burst open. Like maybe they'd contain some kind of explosive. Exactly like that. And some heavy logs and tie chain wedged into the rocks. Like an explosion had driven them in a raft, maybe loaded with dynamite or something to make the explosion. Everybody saw. Exactly. But what I don't understand is the oil slick. We found the wreckage floating Around. Captain, I think that oil slick and the flotsam were planted out there. Well, then listen. Look, check every port on the Mexican coast, large or small, for the Tatus. I'll talk to you later. Come on, Henley. We're going out to see the Merrells. On the way out to Westwood, I wondered. I was satisfied. I was sure I knew just how Merrill had pulled his little fraud. Little? What's little about a few hundred thousand bucks? But I needed more than that for the sake of the insurance company who'd have to prosecute. So when we got there, I decided to try a bluff. Come in. Mr. Dollar. Mr. Hanley. I didn't expect to see you back here so soon.

[Pete Hanley]

Yes. Won't you gentlemen sit down?

[Johnny Dollar]

Merle, I. I think you ought to know the Coast Guard finally found something out there off Malibu. Oh, yeah? The remains of your skipper on the Taters. What?

[Pete Hanley]

That's impossible, Nancy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Also evidence that he'd been murdered. Murdered? Probably by you, Merrill.

[Pete Hanley]

No, he's still alive.

[Johnny Dollar]

What? Wait, Nancy. Can you prove it?

[Pete Hanley]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Would you rather have your husband charged with his murder?

[Pete Hanley]

No. He's in Mexico with the yacht.

[Johnny Dollar]

Nancy, be quiet. That's what I figured. At some remote little port on the coast of Mexico. He in the Tatus Dollar, where the yacht can be completely gone over disguised. Meanwhile, of course, you thought you'd collect the insurance on her because of the completely phony wreck you almost got away with, thanks to the fog in the darkness. Nancy, you fool. Like it all right. How did you find out, Mr. Dolan? Your wife's phony jewels tip me off that you're not exactly paragons of virtue. Phony, Mr. Dolan. Haste, Hanley, and nothing else. And I'll lay odds they'll sell the originals that they plan to carefully lose the fakes. Why didn't they claim to lose them in the wreck? Oh, that would have been overplaying their hand. Apparently, having saved those jewels made the wreck look all the more legitimate. But the really clever stunt was dumping oil on the water and some odd bits of wreckage away from the spot where they blew up the ramp. Yeah, it almost kept the Coast Guard from finding the cans of explosives they'd use for the little fireworks display. But, Merrill, the only thing around here that's been sunk is you. $. I'll fight you and this. This insurance company with every legal trick in the book. You know something, Mr. Merrill? I don't think you'll get the. When a crook tries to pull a fast one on an honest insurance company. Well, you'll see what I mean when the courts get through with Merrill and his wife. Expense account total, including mileage on the rental car and a couple of extra days to Beverly Hilton. 100. 150. Yours truly, Johnny Dol. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Paula Winslow, Eleanor Odley, Gene Tatum, Ben Wright, Harry Bartel, Will Wright, Lawrence Dobkin and Barney Phillips. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Roy Rowan, spe. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar has been a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.