BONUS - Dollar Days: The Chesapeake Fraud Matter

Summary

Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives) Episode: BONUS - Dollar Days: The Chesapeake Fraud Matter Release Date: April 9, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling bonus episode of "Down These Mean Streets," Mean Streets Podcasts delves into one of Johnny Dollar's most intricate cases: The Chesapeake Fraud Matter. Originally aired on CBS between October 17th and October 20th, 1955, this five-part storyline showcases Johnny Dollar's relentless pursuit of truth, spanning from Hartford to Baltimore and then to Denver.

Case Overview

Johnny Dollar, portrayed by Bob Bailey, is approached by Pat Kelleher from the Universal Adjustment Bureau with a perplexing insurance claim. John Reardon, an insured party, was declared dead in a boating accident on Chesapeake Bay in 1950. However, an Eastern Fidelity officer, Paul Coombs, claims to have seen Reardon alive five years later, suggesting a potential insurance fraud.

Johnny Dollar [00:12]: "The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."

Investigation in Baltimore

Upon arriving in Baltimore, Johnny meets with Pat Kelleher to discuss the details of the case. The boating accident involved John Reardon, who was never found among the recovered bodies, unlike the other passengers. Eastern Fidelity honored the $20,000 claim to Reardon's wife, Elizabeth Reardon, after declaring him legally dead.

Johnny expresses skepticism about Reardon's widow needing the money, hinting at underlying tensions.

Johnny Dollar [07:18]: "Your wife's a beneficiary. Nice woman. Met her a couple of times. She didn't need money, I can tell you that much."

Meeting Paul Coombs

Johnny's investigation leads him to Paul Coombs, a high-ranking officer with Eastern Fidelity, who insists that Reardon is alive and introduces Johnny to the claim that he conversed with Reardon in Denver under the alias Frank Bauer. Johnny remains cautious, suspecting foul play behind Coombs' confident assertions.

Paul Coombs [09:15]: "John Reardon was a close friend of mine... I'm sure you'll know how to handle him when you meet him."

Encounter with Elizabeth Reardon

Johnny meets Elizabeth Reardon at a local bar, where she appears distressed and reluctant to discuss her deceased husband. Their conversation reveals cracks in their marriage, with Elizabeth expressing lingering doubts about Reardon's feelings for her.

Elizabeth Reardon [20:36]: "He hated his life here... He was in debt right up to his ears. Of course, there was your money."

Journey to Denver

Determined to uncover the truth, Johnny travels to Denver with the help of his detective friend, George Hanley. George conducts a thorough investigation into Frank Bowers' background, revealing that Bowers has no ties to Toledo, Ohio—a critical piece of John Reardon's history.

George Hanley [35:26]: "His bank account, his friends, his troubles, his enemies, everything. He doesn't seem like the kind of man who's hiding out from anybody here."

Confrontation at the Ship's Tavern

In Denver, Johnny confronts Frank Bowers at the Ship's Tavern. Despite Bowers' attempts to deflect and evade, Johnny presents evidence, including fingerprint comparisons, conclusively proving that Bowers is not John Reardon.

Johnny Dollar [40:20]: "I have to investigate him."

However, tensions escalate as Bowers becomes defensive and jealous of Johnny's probing, leading to a violent altercation where Johnny is left injured, and George Hanley is tragically killed.

Johnny Dollar [56:20]: "Frank Bowers was not only big, but fast. And he caught me off guard."

Unraveling the Truth

Back in Baltimore, Johnny ties the pieces together. Hugh Bryan, Reardon's attorney, and Elizabeth are revealed to have orchestrated Reardon's disappearance to collect the insurance money. The plot thickens as Elizabeth marries Hugh Bryan, solidifying their scheme to defraud Eastern Fidelity.

Hugh Bryan [68:05]: "He was in debt right up to his ears. Of course, there was your money."

Climactic Conclusion

In a final confrontation, Johnny presents irrefutable evidence to Lt. Tom O'Neill, exposing Hugh Bryan and Elizabeth Reardon's fraudulent activities. The Lieutenant commends Johnny's diligence, and justice prevails as the truth is unveiled.

Johnny Dollar [70:10]: "The proof that John Reardon's widow is guilty or not guilty of a fraudulent insurance claim is a matter for Eastern Fidelity to decide."

Conclusion

"The Chesapeake Fraud Matter" masterfully illustrates Johnny Dollar's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, even when faced with betrayal and danger. This episode not only highlights the complexities of insurance fraud but also delves into personal vendettas and moral dilemmas, cementing Johnny Dollar's legacy as America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

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Notable Quotes

• Johnny Dollar [00:12]: "The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."

• Paul Coombs [09:15]: "John Reardon was a close friend of mine... I'm sure you'll know how to handle him when you meet him."

• Elizabeth Reardon [20:36]: "He hated his life here... He was in debt right up to his ears. Of course, there was your money."

• George Hanley [35:26]: "His bank account, his friends, his troubles, his enemies, everything. He doesn't seem like the kind of man who's hiding out from anybody here."

• Johnny Dollar [56:20]: "Frank Bowers was not only big, but fast. And he caught me off guard."

• Hugh Bryan [68:05]: "He was in debt right up to his ears. Of course, there was your money."

• Johnny Dollar [70:10]: "The proof that John Reardon's widow is guilty or not guilty of a fraudulent insurance claim is a matter for Eastern Fidelity to decide."

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Cast and Crew

• Host/Author: Mean Streets Podcasts
• Star: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
• Supporting Cast: Gene Bates, DJ Thompson, Forest Lewis, Tony Barrett, Will Wright, John Dana
• Writer: John Dawson
• Producer/Director: Jack Johnstone

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Final Thoughts

"The Chesapeake Fraud Matter" stands out as a quintessential Johnny Dollar adventure, blending suspense, intricate plotting, and rich character development. For enthusiasts of Old Time Radio Detectives, this episode offers a nostalgic yet thrilling escape into the golden age of radio mysteries.

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Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave.

[Paul Coombs]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Johnny Dollar]

The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective the Adventures of the Saint Starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Hello and welcome to down these Mean Streets and our bonus series spotlighting the serialized adventures of Johnny Dollar. We continue today with one of my favorite five part storylines. Originally aired on CBS between October 17th and October 20th, 1955. It's the Chesapeake fraud matter. This was the third storyline to air after Johnny Dollar was revived in a 15 minute four format. And like the two stories that aired before, the Chesapeake Fraud Matter continues to set the table of the types of cases Johnny Dollar can tackle. In those first two stories we had a burglary and the sinking of a ship. And today Dollar is asked to investigate when a man who died five years earlier is apparently seen alive and well. It's a case that takes America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator from Hartford to Baltimore and then all the way to Denver as he tries to find out if a man in Colorado is actually the one who died in a boating accident years ago on the other side of the country. This is a great mystery, one that seemingly paints Johnny into a corner halfway through, only to come back with a fantastic series of twists and turns. And it's the first of these five part stories to be adapted from a previous half hour. Johnny Dollar Mystery the Chesapeake Fraud Matter is a reworked and expanded version of the Baltimore Matter, a show that aired in 1953 with John Lund as Johnny Dollar. That's a good episode, but comparing the two versions of the story really illustrates what a difference the extra time allowed the writers to do in adding new wrinkles to a previously used script. As always, the supporting cast is top notch. We've got D.J. thompson, Forest Lewis, Gene Bates, Tony Barrett, Will Wright, and one of my all time favorites, John Dana. Not to mention Bob Bailey in the main role as Johnny Dollar. So now pack your bags and let's join the man with the action packed expense account as he investigates the Chesapeake Fraud.

[Announcer]

From Hollywood. It's time now for Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

[Pat Kelleher]

Hi, Pat Kelleher, Universal Adjustment Bureau.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good to hear your voice, Patsy. Thought you were transferred to Baltimore.

[Pat Kelleher]

That's where I am. Say, John, can you handle one for me?

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of one?

[Pat Kelleher]

It's a life and accident policy Eastern Fidelity paid off five years ago. Man named John Reardon was the insured party. He died in 1950. Wife was a beneficiary. It's a crazy one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, go on.

[Pat Kelleher]

Eastern wants us to look into the matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Qt.

[Pat Kelleher]

One of their officers has reason to believe Reardon is still alive.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why would he think that?

[Pat Kelleher]

Because he saw him two days ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll get the first plane.

[Announcer]

Tonight and every weekday night. Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the Action Packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigators.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Chesapeake fraud. Matter expense account item one, $22.75. Plane fare and incidentals. Hartford to Baltimore. I arrived at 3:15 in the afternoon at Friendship International Airport. It was a cold, gray day. I took a cab directly to Pat Kelleher's office.

[Pat Kelleher]

Good to see you, john.

[Johnny Dollar]

He was 10 pounds heavier. Outside of that, he looks swell.

[Pat Kelleher]

We'll have to have dinner once a week. My wife. Where are your bags? You didn't go to a hotel?

[Johnny Dollar]

I checked my stuff at the airport. Patsy. I didn't know how long I'd be here. Over the Alleghenies. On the plane, I got to thinking about the number of alive but dead reports I've investigated at one time or another. They happen all the time, but they never pan out.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah, well, this one isn't like that. John. Sit down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks.

[Pat Kelleher]

No. When a man like Paul Coombs, chairman of the board for Eastern Fidelity, not to mention vice president of two oil companies and one construction company when he romps in here and says somebody's still alive, it's supposed to be dead. We gotta listen to him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure you do, Pat. It's your job.

[Pat Kelleher]

Your job. Now, Combs claims he not only saw Reardon, but talked to him. I'll go into that later. Policy was issued in 1944. My wife's a beneficiary.

[Johnny Dollar]

Elizabeth Jane Reardon. $10,000.

[Pat Kelleher]

20, John. Double indemnity on the accident clause.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, look, I'll look at this stuff later. Maybe you better tell me about that first.

[Pat Kelleher]

Okay. John Reardon was lost in a boat accident out on chesapeake bay.

[Johnny Dollar]

When?

[Pat Kelleher]

August 13, 1950. There were four people in the party. They went out for the afternoon on a power cruiser and the thing exploded in the middle of the bay.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I may have read about it. Was there a man named Sharpston involved?

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah. Yeah, Sharpston owned the boat. He and his wife were aboard and another man named Blaine.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did all of them go down?

[Pat Kelleher]

That's right. They recovered Mr. And Mrs. Sharpton's body and Blaine's. They never found John Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

What caused the explosion?

[Pat Kelleher]

No explainable reason was never determined.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, there's always a reason.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah, well, that probably blew up with the boat, too. As it happened, we conducted the investigation for Atlantic States Limited. They held the insurance on the Sharpstons and the boat. These are our findings in the matter. We found no reason for Atlantic not to honor the claim made by Sharpston's estate.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about the other man who was killed?

[Pat Kelleher]

His case was adjusted by another company.

[Johnny Dollar]

So that leaves us John Reardon.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah. About a month after the accident, his wife filed claim for payment and our investigation was ended by then. We notified the Insurance Commission of the circumstances of his death and requested a judgment.

[Johnny Dollar]

Routine. Did it go through all right?

[Pat Kelleher]

Yep. The appellate court declared John Reardon legally dead after the required three year waiting period. Pretty standard when there's no body.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure.

[Pat Kelleher]

Eastern honored the claim and paid Mrs. Reardon $20,000. So that's about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Except that now somebody thinks he's alive.

[Pat Kelleher]

Not just somebody. Paul Coombs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Yeah, and if that's so, Easton's been swindled for $20,000. Tell me about the beneficiary, Ms. Reardon.

[Pat Kelleher]

Nice woman. Met her a couple of times. She didn't need money, I can tell you that much.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat Kelleher]

Worth over $200,000. Never married again.

[Johnny Dollar]

You say she didn't file her claim until a month after the accident?

[Pat Kelleher]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

She ever give any reason for waiting that long?

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, she was pretty broken up about it. The money wasn't important particularly. Maybe she just forgot.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pat, I've got a question.

[Pat Kelleher]

What's that, John?

[Johnny Dollar]

How can you forget $20,000? Expense account, item 2. $10 for drinks I had with Pat Kelleher while we talk some more about the ridden kids. At 7 o'clock that night, I had on a fresh shirt and a press suit. They seemed to impress. Paul Coombs, Vice President, chairman of boards, etc.

[Paul Coombs]

$.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. Mr. Combs, universal adjustment.

[Paul Coombs]

Oh, yes, yes, of course. Come in, come in. I talked with Mr. Kelleher there. He sent you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, sir.

[Paul Coombs]

Yes. Oh, yes, yes. I recall your name now. Yeah.

[Hugh Bryan]

Mm.

[Paul Coombs]

Well, we can sit here, Mr. Dollar. Now, you hear about John Reardon, of course.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right.

[Paul Coombs]

I'm glad they sent a man like you. I'm glad you're the one who's gonna look into it.

[Johnny Dollar]

You puzzle me, Mr. Coombs.

[Paul Coombs]

No, I don't. And that's a compliment to your perceptive abilities, young man. As a matter of fact, you're here because you're only curious about me. You want to have a look at the man who thinks he saw John Reardon alive, right?

[Johnny Dollar]

I suppose so.

[Paul Coombs]

You don't believe he is alive?

[Johnny Dollar]

I didn't say that.

[Paul Coombs]

Hmm. I admire your caution. I'm glad you're the one who's gonna look into it because, well, John Reardon was a close friend of mine.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[Paul Coombs]

Yes, I knew him for a number of years. And Mrs. Reardon, he was a fine, sensitive man. I'm sure you'll know how to handle him when you meet him.

[Johnny Dollar]

You sound very certain that I will meet him, Mr. Coombs.

[Paul Coombs]

There's no doubt in my mind about that. Three nights ago at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado, I saw John Reardon. I walked up and spoke to him. I talked with him for 15 or 20 minutes. I know it was him.

[Johnny Dollar]

He didn't admit it.

[Paul Coombs]

He denied it completely. He told me his name was Frank Bauer and that he had lived in Denver ever since the war.

[Johnny Dollar]

Frank Bauer?

[Paul Coombs]

Yes. I was so certain it was John Reardon, I insisted. He laughed at me. Seemed good natured about it. Even bought me a drink.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see.

[Paul Coombs]

I asked him where he had lived before Denver. He said something about Toledo. I asked him if he'd gone to college there. He told me he'd gone to Ohio State. Told him he was an engineer on a mining engineer. Everything he told me seemed plausible and reasonable. Except that all the time I knew he was lying. I knew his name wasn't Frank Bowers. That was John Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

How did you leave it with him?

[Paul Coombs]

Well, the whole thing unnerved me somewhat. I'm afraid I looked like rather a fool. I simply caught my limousine out of the airport and came back here to Baltimore.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you get his address in Denver?

[Paul Coombs]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any of his business connections, anything like that?

[Paul Coombs]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Was he alone when you met him?

[Paul Coombs]

There was no one with him at the bar. He even ordered his drink the way John always ordered. You know, like this.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah. Well, a lot of people make that signal for two fingers of bourbon.

[Paul Coombs]

Wore clothes the same way, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you spoken of this matter to anyone outside of Pat Kelleher?

[Paul Coombs]

No. No, I thought it should be looked into before I called up Elizabeth.

[Johnny Dollar]

Elizabeth?

[Paul Coombs]

Elizabeth Reardon. John's widow. Oh, yes, it'd do no Good. Bothering her just now.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm afraid she'll have to be bothered.

[Paul Coombs]

Why can't you investigate the information I've given you without upsetting everyone?

[Johnny Dollar]

With this kind of information, somebody's bound to get upset. Look, don't put restrictions on me, Mr. Coombs, or we won't get anywhere. You say John Reardon was a close friend of yours?

[Paul Coombs]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

I presume his wife was, too.

[Paul Coombs]

That's right. A lovely, lovely person.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll keep that in mind when I talk to her.

[Paul Coombs]

Maybe you aren't the man for this.

[Johnny Dollar]

You can get somebody else, Mr. Coombs.

[Paul Coombs]

No, no, no. It's just that I suddenly had a strange feeling about it all. Depressing.

[Johnny Dollar]

If John Reardon is alive, and you seem to be certain of it, then I understand your feeling.

[Paul Coombs]

How's that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Your friend's party to a $20,000 fraud. Not to mention his wife. Possibly he's not as sensitive and she's not as lovely as you thought. I spent the rest of the evening with Pat Kelleher and his wife, hoping to see the bright lights and listen to some laughter. We picked a couple of fancy bistros and started the rounds to watch champagne flow and eavesdrop on the happy stories of success, promotion and love. But it didn't work.

[Pat Kelleher]

Like the place, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

Swell.

[Pat Kelleher]

You're as low as a cricket's ankle.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, today a man kept telling me a friend of his was alive who's supposed to be dead. He told me what a fine fella this friend is. Or was.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

99 times out of a hundred I tell him to go jump in the lake. But Paul Coombs comes under the title Reliable Witness in anybody's book. Give me a match here.

[Pat Kelleher]

How you fix for plans.

[Johnny Dollar]

Start somebody looking into Frank whatever his name is in Denver who's supposed to be Reardon. I'll start with a beneficiary.

[Pat Kelleher]

But Ms. Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. I'll march out and say, let me look at some pictures of your husband. What kind of a guy was he? Did you enjoy each other or try to kill each other? Did you ever. Why didn't Coombs look into it himself? Why didn't he go out to the widow and tell her about his meeting a guy in Denver?

[Pat Kelleher]

Because he came to us, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know, Patsy. I'm sorry. But the prospect of going to somebody, anybody, with a flimsy story like that makes me sore. It might get her hopes up that her husband's alive. That's a lousy thing to do. Reliable or not, Coombs is probably all wet. Probably sour racket.

[Pat Kelleher]

Sour racket?

[Johnny Dollar]

You being a parrot?

[Pat Kelleher]

Just being agreeable, John. You want to be sad? I'll be sad with you. We both know situations like this part of the trade.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I should have been. Oh, let's have another belt. Sure.

[Pat Kelleher]

Waiter. Well, John, maybe another way to handle Mrs. Reardon with that. That's her over there at the bar. Nice, isn't she?

[Johnny Dollar]

She is lovely.

[George Hanley]

Nothing.

[Johnny Dollar]

She looks a little tight.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah, well, I hear she gets that way quite a bit these days. You want me to introduce you like a friend? It might make it easier.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I'll handle it myself. Who's with her?

[Pat Kelleher]

Beats me.

[Johnny Dollar]

He's looking for a phone booth. Pat.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

I may be able to find out what I want and not let her know what it's about.

[Pat Kelleher]

You mean right now?

[Johnny Dollar]

I mean right now. Hello. You're Elizabeth Reardon, aren't you?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Why, yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, probably you don't remember me. My name's Johnny Dollar. We met some time ago.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I'm afraid I don't remember, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm in the insurance business. Don't remember.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Well, where was it we met?

[Johnny Dollar]

Now I can't remember. May I sit down?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Well, I'm expecting someone. He'll be back in a minute. Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Would you care for a drink?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I have this one. Thank you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, how's John these days?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

John?

[Johnny Dollar]

Your husband, Mrs. Ritten. His name is John, isn't it?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

My husband's been dead nearly five years.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I. I mean, it must be. This is very awkward.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

That's all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Five years. I could have sworn it was just three years ago I met you and John in Denver.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

It couldn't have been. We were never there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, pardon me, I. I sit here making bad conversation with you, and it's. It's very apparent you're distressed. Look, I'm. I'm very sorry I upset you. Is there anything I could do?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

No. No, Mr. Dolly. You didn't upset me. He looked like a very nice person. How long are you going to be in Baltimore?

[Johnny Dollar]

A few more days.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Perhaps you'll come out to the house for a drink before you go back, say, tomorrow?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I'd like that, Mrs. Reardon.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

You can call me. I'm in the book.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. John Reardon.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Yes, I will.

[Johnny Dollar]

Again, I'm sorry that I brought her.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Do me a favor, Mr. Dollar. When you come to my house for a drink, call me Elizabeth. And please don't mention my husband's name. I'd appreciate it very much if I never heard it again.

[Announcer]

There'll be another exciting episode in our story of the Chesapeake fraud matter tomorrow.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tomorrow, a little talk to a widow who might not be a widow at all. And a strong feeling that a smile can sometimes be more dangerous than a gun. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by John Dawson, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

[Pat Kelleher]

Pat Gallaherd, Universal. How'd you make out with Ms. Reardon?

[Johnny Dollar]

I met her. She thinks I'm an insurance broker or something. I told her I knew her husband when he was alive.

[Pat Kelleher]

Industrial hazard, lying part of the business. John, did you find out anything that'll help you?

[Johnny Dollar]

I found out she's pretty upset about everything in the world.

[Pat Kelleher]

That's the only report you have for Universal Adjustment Bureau?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, she invited me for cocktails. I'm going to call her later this afternoon and keep the date. Maybe I'll get some information then.

[Pat Kelleher]

Cocktails. Say you made out okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, shut up.

[Announcer]

Tonight and every weekday night, Bob Bailey in the transcribed Adventures of the man with the Action Packed Expense Account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigators.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Shiny Doll. Expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Chesapeake fraud. Matter expense account item 3, $23.60. Long distance telephone call to George Hanley in Denver, Colorado. George is an old friend of mine in the private detective business. I told him about the report that John Reardon was still alive and living in Denver under the name of Frank Bowers. I requested him to gather information that would help in determining whether Bowers was really John Reardon or not. I spent the remainder of the day reading over the facts of the case as supplied to me by Pat Kelleher of Universal Adjustment expense account item 4, 10 cents. Another phone call. This one to John reardon's widow.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Hello?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. Ritten? Yes, this is Johnny Dollar.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Yes, Mr. Dollar? You're the man who used to know John?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I asked you over for a drink. I hope you're coming.

[Johnny Dollar]

What time?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Seven would be fine.

[Johnny Dollar]

I was at her home at 7:00, knocking on the door. It was a nice home and she seemed like a nice person. Even nicer than the night before.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I asked you to call me Elizabeth. Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I remember. Yes. You also asked me not to mention your husband's name.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I wish you'd forget that. I was upset last night when we met. Forgive me. How's your drink?

[Johnny Dollar]

Not swell.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I don't know why, but I feel I should explain myself a little more. About saying what I did about John. I. I was very shocked at his death. I suppose I still am. Even though it was five years ago. It always disturbs me when I'm reminded of it. Yet it's good to be reminded, I suppose. To know that he really is dead. That he won't come through that door anymore. That he won't telephone me from the office or make any plans with me. Does that make sense?

[Johnny Dollar]

I suppose so.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

We can drink another one. Sometimes things make more sense with a few drinks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sometimes they don't make any sense at all. Elizabeth.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

That's right too. Johnny. You know I like you.

[Johnny Dollar]

I like you.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Tell me about your business. You said insurance.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

You're a broker?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, not exactly.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

A salesman?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I'm an investigator.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

That must be terribly interesting work. I suppose you travel everywhere.

[Johnny Dollar]

She had a nice mouth. Soft, frank, wide open eyes. A couple of times I was on the verge of telling her exactly what I was working on and why I was talking to her. But I didn't. Somehow I felt comfortable in the house. Over the drinks and music, we eventually got around to John Reardon. She told me of their four years marriage that ended with his sudden death.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Everything I could possibly want to have. Why do I tell you all this? I never talk to anybody about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know. Possibly because you just want to talk to somebody about it.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

You're easy to talk to. Johnny. I was 19 when I was married. I'd never known another man. It was wonderful at first. Wonderful all the time. I suppose I just wasn't grown up enough to realize it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Can I ask you a question?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Surely.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you really love him?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm not convinced.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just a feeling.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Well, I did. I'm not so sure he loved me. That's an awful thing to say.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I don't think so. It's probably been on your mind a long time. You don't know me from a load of coal, but we've sat here and talked an hour. I think I know you.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I think so too.

[Johnny Dollar]

You still seem very despondent about his death. Yet you aren't sure he loved you.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I loved him. Here I am explaining things again, I suppose because they sound so foolish. Once we both loved each other very much. But we kicked it away. We just didn't get along. He was out spending his money on other people and I was taking up this pastime. Can you tell when I've had too much?

[Johnny Dollar]

Don, thank you.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Thank you awfully. Oh, Hugh.

[Hugh Bryan]

Elizabeth.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Johnny, this is Hugh Bryan. This is Mr. Dollar. Hugh.

[Hugh Bryan]

Hello, Mr. Dollar. How's your drink, Liz?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Fine.

[Hugh Bryan]

Now, tell me again, who is this?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

This is Mr. Dollar.

[Hugh Bryan]

What's your business, Mr. Dollar? I haven't seen you around before. Obviously you just met Ms. Reardon or you would never, never start drinking with her.

[Johnny Dollar]

I wouldn't?

[Hugh Bryan]

No, that's true, Liz, isn't it?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

He was a friend of John's. Hugh.

[Hugh Bryan]

Well, that's nice. I don't think I ever heard him mention your name. I was a friend of his, too. As a matter of fact, his attorney.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Hugh, you don't have to do this in some way.

[Hugh Bryan]

Since John is no longer here, I've undertaken to look after some of the problems he left behind him as an old friend would. Elizabeth, say goodnight to Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, look here.

[Hugh Bryan]

Good night to him. He's just leaving.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Maybe it's better right now, Johnny. Good night.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you want me to leave?

[Hugh Bryan]

She just said it would be better.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I'll call you at your hotel. Good night.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good night, Mr. No, no.

[Hugh Bryan]

You still have something in your glass. Finish your drink.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay.

[Hugh Bryan]

An old friend of John's. That's good. Very good.

[Johnny Dollar]

It is.

[Hugh Bryan]

She picked you up in a bar last night. I saw her. I was with her. You never knew John Reardon in your life. You have no business being here. And I don't like cheap opportunists invading her home.

[Johnny Dollar]

Evidently, you can talk to her any way you want to and she'll take it.

[Pat Kelleher]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know. But don't talk to me that way. I don't have to take anything.

[Hugh Bryan]

You were just leaving, weren't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hugh Bryan was a large, bristling sort of man with a smooth manner. I didn't like him and he didn't like me. Expense account item 5, $18. Even cab fares, lunches, et cetera, in and about Chesapeake Bay. Talking to the principals connected with the boat explosion death of John Reardon. One of these was Lieutenant Jack Halverson, United States Coast Guard.

[Pat Kelleher]

You want some coffee?

[Johnny Dollar]

If I have to go out in that wind to get it.

[Pat Kelleher]

No, make it right here for just such occasions. Just a sec. I'll plug her in there, brother.

[Johnny Dollar]

Someday.

[Pat Kelleher]

It's nice in the summertime. Now, what can I do for you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me about the boat going Down. You made out the report for the Coast Guard.

[Pat Kelleher]

You mean the Sharpston's boat?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. We have a reliable witness who thinks that one of the passengers, a man named John Reardon, didn't go down with it at all. That he's still alive.

[Pat Kelleher]

You said you had my report. Those are the facts.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you picked up three bodies. Why not the fourth? Why not Reardon's?

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, we searched the bay for a solid week looking for his body. We used to have a piece of equipment at our disposal. We did everything we could.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you didn't find him.

[Pat Kelleher]

First you come in here complaining about our weather. Now you're mad about the way we're on the Coast Guard.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry.

[Pat Kelleher]

It's a very lousy sounding apology. What do you want?

[Johnny Dollar]

To find out how that boat exploded. Why you couldn't find Reardon's body if you found the others.

[Pat Kelleher]

Now look, if a bunch of rich jerks want to take a high powered boat out and they don't know the first thing about high test fuel or engine running, they're doing it at their own risk. That help?

[Johnny Dollar]

Here's something I wish you could have put it on the report.

[Pat Kelleher]

That's my ideas, buddy. The report just has the facts. Now for the other. About finding Reardon. I don't know why he blew up, went down or drifted out to sea. If his body had been in the bay, we'd found it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Was there a chance he might have survived and been rescued?

[Pat Kelleher]

All we had left of the boat was pieces of wreckage. And if he was rescued, it was never reported. And I wouldn't know about that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Could that have happened?

[Pat Kelleher]

Sure. I could be an admiral tomorrow.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon when I got to Elizabeth Reardon's house. You. Hello, Mr. Bryan. Is Mrs. Reardon in?

[Hugh Bryan]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then I'll wait. It's important that I see her.

[Hugh Bryan]

I thought I made it clear to you last night. I didn't want her being molested.

[Johnny Dollar]

You did make it clear. And cruel, Mr. Bryan. Now I'm here.

[Hugh Bryan]

Any business for her comes to me first.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm an insurance investigator.

[Hugh Bryan]

I know that. She told me.

[Johnny Dollar]

But she didn't tell you because she didn't know. And I didn't want her to know that I'm working on a case that involves her.

[I]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

I have a report that her husband might still be alive.

[Hugh Bryan]

Come in, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll have to admit that Hugh Bryan's concern was as genuine as his surprise. He led me into the house and we sat at the bar. Only this time no one had a drink. He listened while I told him about the report of Paul Coombs that John Reardon was living in Denver under the name of Frank Bowers.

[Hugh Bryan]

Do you think there's any truth to him?

[Johnny Dollar]

It doesn't matter what I think, Mr. Bryan. I have to investigate him.

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes, of course. And if he were alive, it'd be the best thing in the world.

[Johnny Dollar]

Would it?

[Hugh Bryan]

Of course. She's been lost without him all these years. She needs him, Mr. Dollar. She always needed him. This little bit of drinking has been going on too long. These tearful little episodes with one man or another. Yes, I mistook you for one of those last night. I apologize for that, sincerely. Actually, Mr. Dollar, she. She's been quite a task.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, maybe I better talk to her now.

[Hugh Bryan]

Do you have to?

[Johnny Dollar]

There's certain information I'd like to get. I think she's the only one who can give it to me.

[Hugh Bryan]

You'll have to tell her about the report.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes.

[Hugh Bryan]

And there's probably so much talk, but it'll give her a terrible kind of hope. All right, I'll get her. No, you'd better mix one for her. She'll need it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute. Yes? I need vital statistics on Reardon. Pictures, handwriting samples, everything. Could you help me gather them?

[Hugh Bryan]

I'll do anything I can.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then, there's no need to bother her, is there?

[Hugh Bryan]

You're a gentleman, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know why I do.

[Hugh Bryan]

You don't want to hurt her any more than I do.

[Johnny Dollar]

An hour later, I was back in my hotel room. The next day I had an appointment to meet Hugh Brian and get all the material I had asked for. I was more depressed than ever about the case. About then, the phone rang. Johnny Dollar.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Johnny. Yes, this is Elizabeth Rears.

[Pat Kelleher]

Please.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Please don't look for him.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Just forget it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did Hugh Bryan tell you what I was about?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I overheard you two talking. Don't bother with it.

[Johnny Dollar]

John's dead and that's that.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Promise me. Promise you won't do anything else.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I have to investigate it.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Johnny. Is. Is that final?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry. I don't have any choice. Elizabeth. Elizabeth.

[Announcer]

There'll be another exciting episode in our story of the Chesapeake fraud matter tomorrow.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tomorrow? A trip to Denver and a look at a man whose gun makes it pretty emphatic that he doesn't want to be looked at. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by John Dawson. It is Produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Bob Bailey as.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny dollar.

[Pat Kelleher]

Hugh Bryan.

[Hugh Bryan]

Mr. Dollar, how are you this morning?

[Johnny Dollar]

Not so good. I didn't sleep very well. How'd you do?

[Hugh Bryan]

I think I have about what you want on John Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, if you haven't, I can get it from Mrs. Reardon. What?

[Hugh Bryan]

Well, I thought you didn't want to.

[Pat Kelleher]

Tell her about the report that her.

[Hugh Bryan]

Husband might still be alive.

[Johnny Dollar]

She knows. She overheard us talking last night.

[George Hanley]

Oh.

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, what do you want to do?

[Johnny Dollar]

I might as well look at what you have and get this over with. How about an hour from now?

[Hugh Bryan]

I'll be waiting for you.

[Announcer]

Tonight. In every weekday night, Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Shawni Dollar. Expense accounts submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Chesapeake fraud matter. Expense account item six, dollar and a half, one collect telegram from Denver, Colorado.

[George Hanley]

I've located Frank Bowers, as per your request. Cursory investigation discloses little evidence that would lead me to believe he might be the John Ritten of Baltimore. Looks like a hambone to me, Johnny. What do I do now? Sign George Hanley. George Hanley Investigations Incorporated, Denver, Colorado.

[Johnny Dollar]

Item 7, $2. Same thing. Telegram from me.

[George Hanley]

Things are about the same way here. Sit tight. I'll see you in a day or two. Love, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Once the telegrams were out of the way, I walked three blocks from my hotel to the office building of Hugh Bryan. It was an impressive place, full of lawyers and doctors. Hugh Bryan looked a little haggard when I saw him.

[Hugh Bryan]

It took me a while to get all this together.

[Johnny Dollar]

Half the night there wasn't that big a rush.

[Hugh Bryan]

Oh, get it out of the way. The sooner you have what you need, the sooner you can make sure. And the sooner I won't worry about it anymore. Did you talk to Elizabeth yet today?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, just last night.

[Hugh Bryan]

I thought maybe she might have called you this morning. I'm so sorry for that girl.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, don't feel Too bad, Mr. Bryan. We both did everything we could to keep the report that her husband might be alive from her, awkward as it was.

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes, I know, I know. I still don't understand it, I guess.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, a man named Coombs, an insurance official, thinks he saw Reardon in Denver last week. Using the name Frank Bowers. He's sure that Bowers was Reardon. If he turns out to be Reardon, the insurance company's been taken for $20,000. They paid to Elizabeth Reardon just to set you straight.

[Hugh Bryan]

That'd make Elizabeth party to a fraud. And John, Lord knows that's silly.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, silly or not.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yes.

[Hugh Bryan]

Well, here's what I have. Now, this is one of the last pictures taken of John Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have the negatives?

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here.

[Hugh Bryan]

And these are some vital statistics on him. The physical part I got from his doctor. He stood an examination about a month before the accident.

[Johnny Dollar]

This the doctor's name here?

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes. Now, these other things are in his background in education. Here, a copy of his marriage license, birth certificate.

[Johnny Dollar]

How did you get a hold of these things?

[Hugh Bryan]

Well, I handled a lot of business for John. Filed a lot of his papers for him. These were just packed away. It took a while to find them.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey.

[Pat Kelleher]

Hmm?

[Johnny Dollar]

A copy of his fingerprints. Would those help more than any of this other stuff? Fingerprints aren't standard papers in anybody's file.

[Hugh Bryan]

Before John went in the army, he did some engineering work for the proving grounds in Aberdeen. He was fingerprinted there. It was a gag at the time. He had a set of his own blown up and put on the wall in a picture frame. You know, just a joke. I dug them out of his personal things. Now, then, here's a copy of his financial records, tax returns and whatnot.

[Johnny Dollar]

I spent about an hour in Hugh Bryan's office going over material that would help me in the investigation. The pictures and fingerprints were the most helpful items. After I'd finished, I went back to my hotel, packed my bags and checked out. Expense account, item 8. $398. My hotel and incidentals in Baltimore and Plainfair to Denver. I got there at 9 in the morning, the air crisp, thin and full of sunshine. I rented a car at the airport and drove into town. A half an hour later. I was talking to my detective friend, George Hanley.

[I]

How do you like Denver, old pal?

[Johnny Dollar]

I haven't been here for a few years. Doesn't look the same.

[I]

Bigger and better, huh? They're thinking of putting up buildings as big as those mountains over there. I love it. So does the wife.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm glad.

[I]

You ought to try a place like this for a while, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe I will.

[I]

Ought to find yourself a girl and settle down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let's us settle down, Georgie, huh?

[I]

Oh, sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

How'd it go?

[I]

You asked me to look into Frank Bowers. I looked into him as much as I Could without talking to him. There you are, Johnny. His bank account, his friends, his troubles, his enemies, everything.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about his police record?

[I]

One traffic violation two years ago. Never been in any kind of trouble around here. Gets along fine with everybody.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, tell me about everybody, Georgie.

[I]

His laundry man, the milkman, the guy who tends bar in his neighborhood, the man he buys gas from. I talk to all of them.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about the people he works with?

[I]

Well, he don't do much of that as far as I can see. He's got an office downtown. Calls himself a consulting engineer. Goes there once or twice a week to pick up his mail.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, now, that's a very nice way to be able to live. Is he starving to death, Georgie? No.

[I]

He's got a good bank account. Makes regular deposits. Money comes from a New York bonding firm. He owns a little two bedroom house out beyond Park Hill. Paid $38,000 for it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wow.

[I]

Sleeps in one bedroom, uses the other one for a kind of studio. Putters around with clay oils. And according to the nosy dame who lives across the street, he tries to write.

[Johnny Dollar]

How about his friends?

[I]

Lots of them. Pays his bills, gets drunk now and then. Normal.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me about his wife.

[I]

He hasn't got one. Lives alone.

[Johnny Dollar]

Find out who he goes with, Georgie?

[Pat Kelleher]

No.

[I]

As much as I could find out, he doesn't go with anybody.

[Johnny Dollar]

Enemies?

[I]

Well, the guy in the cleaning shop hates his guts. Bowers. Doesn't like his shirts with starch.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you check out the residency business?

[I]

As far as I could. He bought that house out in Park Hill in 1951. Paid cash for it. Record of the sale gives his former residence is Toledo, Ohio.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, how long has he been a resident here?

[I]

As near as I can figure, and this is just rough. Four or five years ago. The first financial transaction was the house he bought. The next was a car. He could have been here a long time before that, though.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, the time element would fit for Reardon. What do you think, Georgie?

[I]

I think you're probably wasting a lot of money investigating this guy. He doesn't seem like the kind of man who's hiding out from anybody here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look at this photo. Is this Frank Bowers?

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah.

[I]

Yeah, I'd say so.

[Johnny Dollar]

511, 170, olive complexion, no scars, no glasses, brown hair, about 35.

[I]

Could be him from that. Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is a picture of John Reardon and the description is Reardon's.

[I]

What do you want to do now?

[Johnny Dollar]

Keep on it. I got George Hanley busy making a check with some people in Toledo who could find out whether or not A Frank Bauer had once lived there. Then I took my rented car and drove out to the address Hanley had given me. It was in the east side of the city near the airport. A one story frame house. A 53 Merc in the driveway. I'm looking for Mr. Frank Bowers.

[George Hanley]

Oh, who are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[George Hanley]

I'm Frank Barr.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I'm an insurance investigator, Mr. Bowers. I'd like to talk to you.

[George Hanley]

Oh, come on in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you.

[George Hanley]

Take chair anywhere, son.

[Johnny Dollar]

You might just Making a routine check. Mr. Bowers. Thought perhaps you could help me.

[George Hanley]

I don't know anything about my neighbors, if that's that kind of thing.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I'm running down a report that came across our office in Baltimore.

[George Hanley]

Baltimore?

[Johnny Dollar]

Ever been there, Mr. Bowers?

[George Hanley]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Swell place on Chesapeake Bay.

[George Hanley]

Well, I like Denver. What's this all about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, do you happen to remember a few days ago when you were at a place called the Ship's Tavern?

[George Hanley]

That's in the Brown Palace.

[Johnny Dollar]

This was last Friday, to be exact.

[George Hanley]

Should I remember when I do, steal an ashtray or walk out on a check?

[Johnny Dollar]

A man from Baltimore was there that day. Mr. Powers. His name was Coombs. Paul Coombs. You met him.

[George Hanley]

Didn't I?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, right at the bar. You had a drink or two with him.

[George Hanley]

Well, I might have. Don't know whether to admit it or not. What are you getting at? I don't understand this.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know it seems confusing. Maybe this will help. Take a look at this. Mm. Now, you must admit you look a great deal like the man in that picture.

[George Hanley]

Yeah, I suppose I do. Well, I'll be darn. Hey, I'd do it that. You know, this could be a picture of me.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's why I'm here, Mr. Powers. You see, the company I represent insured the man in this picture for quite an amount of money. His name was John Reardon. He was lost in a boat accident in Chesapeake Bay five years ago. The Mr. Coombs who met you at the bar here last week thought you were John Reardon.

[George Hanley]

I don't blame him. But I'm not close, though. Want a smoke?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, thanks. Thanks.

[George Hanley]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Coombs was a lifelong friend of John Reardon's. I have his sworn statement here about that meeting with you and the certainty of his identity. You do? Yes, right here. Would you like to see it?

[George Hanley]

Well, not particularly.

[Johnny Dollar]

I understand you went to Ohio State. What year did you graduate?

[George Hanley]

I didn't go to Ohio State.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look.

[George Hanley]

What is this?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that's what you told Mr. Coombs it's in the statement.

[George Hanley]

Oh, I remember that bird now. Oh, I might have told him anything, Mr. Dolly. You know, he's one of those inquisitive kind, real sure of himself. Yeah, Yeah, I remember. Look, don't tell me they sent you all the way out here from Baltimore.

[Johnny Dollar]

They did.

[George Hanley]

And that guy say so.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mm.

[George Hanley]

That's funny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you go to college, Mr. Powers? I'd like to clear up that detail. Did you go to college?

[George Hanley]

Well, yes. Yes, I went to Carnegie Tech, 36 through 40.

[Johnny Dollar]

You haven't lived all your life in Colorado. Then where else have you lived?

[George Hanley]

Look, do you have any right to ask me questions like this?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, but you'll help me a lot if you'll answer them.

[George Hanley]

Well, why not? Okay, I've lived in New York, Pittsburgh, Kansas City. Toled around the country. Came here a few years ago. My health seemed good to my asthma.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ever been married?

[George Hanley]

Once, in 1942. It didn't last long. What else you want to know?

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, you in a hurry? I can come back later.

[George Hanley]

No, no, it's not that.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's.

[George Hanley]

Well, look, you seem like a nice guy, Della, but it just makes me uncomfortable answering these questions of yours.

[Johnny Dollar]

I appreciate the time you've given me already, Mr. Bauer. Please understand it's a matter of establishing identity.

[George Hanley]

But you know who I am. I just told you.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's true.

[George Hanley]

I don't like this business much. Is there any way you can eliminate it?

[Johnny Dollar]

The most positive identification would be from fingerprints. Oh, now, Mr. Bauer, I'm not so much interested in who you are as in proving that you're not John Reardon. If you volunteered a set of fingerprints, it'd save me a great deal of work and you a great deal of trouble.

[George Hanley]

Well, sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why not? We drove downtown together to George Hanley's office and used the portable fingerprint kit. I took a complete set of Frank Bauer's prints. He attached. I thanked him for his time and trouble, and he left. If he was trying to cover something, it certainly wasn't apparent from his conversational reactions. There had been a moment when I was sure he wasn't Frank Bauer. On the other hand, I was sure that he wasn't John Ritten.

[I]

That cuts it, Johnny. Right thumb and index prints don't match at all?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, not even close, George.

[I]

And I thought I was getting somewhere. I found out he was never in Toledo. Or at least never registered or licensed as an engineer. Well, these prints do it. When are you going home, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Uh, I don't know.

[I]

There's no reason to stick around any longer.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is crazy.

[I]

He approved your case with the Prince.

[Johnny Dollar]

He was too anxious to help me prove it. Georgie, you ask any ordinary man on the street two personal questions about himself and he'll tell you to go jump on the lake. You're asking for his fingerprints and he's liable to smash you. So get on him. Stay with him 24 hours a day. Get a couple of other men.

[I]

It'll cost you money.

[Johnny Dollar]

Get busy. Expense account, item nine. $200. Detective Service. I didn't believe Frank Bowers. I didn't believe his background. And most of all, I didn't believe his fingerprints.

[Announcer]

There'll be another exciting episode in our story of the Chesapeake fraud matter. Tomorrow.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tomorrow another man comes to Denver. He doesn't check in a hotel or carry luggage. At least not much luggage, just a 38 coat. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by John Dawson, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours truly, Johnny Deller. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

[George Hanley]

This is Western Union. Mr. Dollar, message for you from Baltimore, Maryland.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, go ahead.

[George Hanley]

Received your air special regarding investigation of the Chesapeake matter. You've proved Frank Bowers of Denver is not John Ridden of Baltimore. Fingerprints don't lie. Therefore logical to believe John Ridden really dead. Come on home. Your expenses are running too high. That signed, Pat Kelleher, Universal Adjustment Bureau. Should I mail this to you?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, that's all right. Can I send an answer?

[George Hanley]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pat Kelleher, Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. Fingerprints don't lie. But people do all the time. For all sorts of reasons. It may be finished as far as you're concerned, but I'm just beginning. Love, Johnny.

[Announcer]

Tonight and every weekday night, Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Chesapeake fraud matter I'd sent out to prove that John Reardon had not died back in 1950 in a boat accident on Chesapeake Bay. To prove that he was still very much alive in the person of one Frank Bowers, currently living here in Denver, Colorado. Everything. All I could learn of the man's history, reports from his neighbors, friends, even his fingerprints. Everything indicated he really was Frank Bowers. And yet, for some fool reason or other, I wasn't convinced. Expense account continued. Item 1060. Three bucks for one overcoat. Denver can be a very cold city when the wind comes in from the north and it decides to snow. Almost as cold as the damp wind off Chesapeake Bay on a certain day back in 1950. Hi. Hiya, George. How's it going?

[I]

Well, I watched Bowers house from 6 last night till 2 this morning. He read a book last night in the living room. He made a phone call and then he went to bed. And then I went home and went to bed.

[Johnny Dollar]

How many men have you got working?

[I]

Two others beside myself. We're keeping an eye on Bowers around the clock. I go on again at six.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. Good.

[I]

I don't know why, Johnny. He isn't your guy and you know it. Fingerprints proved it. We can watch him from now till doomsday and nothing's gonna change that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, look, don't you start, Georgie, huh? I got a wire from my home office this morning telling me to close it up and come on home.

[I]

Why don't you close it up and come on home? I like to make dough. I'm in the private detective business. But I hate to see an old pal doing a lot of work on nothing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why don't you shut up?

[I]

Sure, we can go on like this forever, can't we, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah.

[I]

Goodbye, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I walked around the streets of Denver trying to enjoy the sights. But mostly I wasn't enjoying anything. I was thinking about the whole case from beginning to end. And my only reason for hanging on and being stubborn about it was the fact that Frank Bowers had been too anxious to cooperate. Too anxious to help me prove so easily that he was not John Reardon. And then something else happened. He got anxious once more. Yeah?

[George Hanley]

Mr. Donald is frank Bowers.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, hello.

[George Hanley]

He didn't tell me where you were stopping. Phoned everywhere in town. Wondered how you made out.

[Johnny Dollar]

Made out?

[George Hanley]

Yeah, with my fingerprints.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah. Well, they don't match at all.

[George Hanley]

Then I'm not your man.

[Johnny Dollar]

Guess not. Mr. Bowers.

[George Hanley]

I was just curious. Didn't hear from you after you took the sample of my prints.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that was pretty nice of you to help me out. How can I thank you?

[George Hanley]

Well, you could buy me a drink if you want to.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, you're on.

[George Hanley]

All right. Meet you at six at the Ship's Tavern.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was the voice of a confident man again. An overconfident man. The kind who sandbags in a poker game. Who knows about a boat ride and a horse Race. And so help me, I knew I was right about him. Expense account. Item 11, $14 Brady Booze for Frank Bowers and myself in the Ship's Tavern. The same bar, incidentally, where a week before, a close friend of the deceased, John Reardon, had run into Bowers and sworn he was John Reardon. When Bowers came in, he was followed by George Hanley, as per my instructions. I saw George pick a stool at the far end of the bar.

[George Hanley]

Well, I suppose you'll be packing up and leaving the old mile High city pretty quick now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did I say that, Frank?

[George Hanley]

No, but I just suppose it. You will, won't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I haven't decided yet. What do you think I should do? Huh? I said, what do you think I should do?

[George Hanley]

Are you kidding me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, maybe I'm just kidding myself, but you don't seem like the kind of fellow you should be.

[George Hanley]

Somehow I don't.

[Johnny Dollar]

No. Now, you were too nice about answering questions when I came out to your house the other day. Too nice about letting me fingerprint you so I could compare the samples with John Reardon's prints. Too nice about calling up and asking how it all came out. Came out bad. Thank you.

[George Hanley]

I'm pretty nice fella.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's what the book says. What book? I had a private detective friend make one up on you before I even got here. Friends, enemies, money and whatnot. All very nice.

[George Hanley]

Of course it is. You know what your trouble is, Dolly?

[Johnny Dollar]

You.

[George Hanley]

You don't trust anybody. I'm a nice fella and you don't trust me. You don't believe what you see.

[Johnny Dollar]

I believe the fingerprints don't match, if that's what you mean. You're the bird I don't believe.

[George Hanley]

Hey, should I get sore?

[Johnny Dollar]

If you want.

[George Hanley]

I'm not gonna. You know why? Cause I'm a nice fellow.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure you are. But you ought to get mad when a man calls you a liar.

[George Hanley]

Oh, you didn't call me a liar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I meant to. You're a liar.

[George Hanley]

You know what? I'm not a nice fella all the time. I kind of like to hit you in the face or something. Right now you're needling.

[Johnny Dollar]

Am I? Mm.

[George Hanley]

I think I better call up a girl I know, See what she's doing for dinner.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, see if she's got a friend.

[George Hanley]

No, no, you're too nasty. Friend. You sit tight. Order me a drink. I'll be back in a jiffy.

[I]

He's a little drunk.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure he is, George. He's also worried.

[I]

Any particular reason for getting him that way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny? Yes. He's using the booth in the lobby. Scoot out there and see if you can get a line on who he might be calling. Right. A long 10 minutes later, Frank Bowers came back to the bar. He was weaving a little when he got on the stool next to me. George Hanley followed him back inside and took his place at the end of the bar again.

[George Hanley]

She's busy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Took her a long time to tell you that.

[George Hanley]

She's a girl who takes a long time with everything.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's her name?

[George Hanley]

Matt.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's her name? The girl you just called.

[George Hanley]

Oh, Raiden.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here's Dorita. Come on, drink up. You might have to eat with me.

[George Hanley]

I don't want to drink, Dorita. And I don't want to have dinner with you. What do you think of that?

[Johnny Dollar]

I thought you were a nice fella. Remember? God bless you. Hold on. Hey.

[I]

Johnny. You may have something with this bird at that.

[Johnny Dollar]

How come?

[I]

George, that call he just made. Long distance to Baltimore. I got that much.

[Johnny Dollar]

He said he'd never been there. Didn't know anyone there. Keep an eye on us, Georgie.

[I]

You betcha, pal.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey. Hey, Frank. Hey. Hey, look. What's the matter, friend?

[George Hanley]

I just left you. I thought for good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, come on. I'll buy you dinner.

[George Hanley]

You buy me nothing. $.

[Johnny Dollar]

Go on back to Baltimore, why don't you?

[George Hanley]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

Why don't you go back to Baltimore?

[George Hanley]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just what it means.

[George Hanley]

Well, maybe we better talk some more.

[Johnny Dollar]

Fine. Fine.

[George Hanley]

My car is in the lot here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay.

[George Hanley]

You're after me, aren't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, let's say I met you yesterday to get some facts. Let's say I drank with you tonight to find out what kind of a guy you are. I've done most of the talking up to date. Now it's your turn.

[George Hanley]

Mm. Well, I don't know whether I got anything to say to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, make up your mind, will you?

[George Hanley]

Look, suppose I were John ridden. I'm not, but suppose I were.

[Johnny Dollar]

I can't tell you what a court would do about an insurance fraud.

[George Hanley]

No, no. You're just a clumsy ox stumbling around for some answers. And you haven't got any yet.

[Johnny Dollar]

Get out of my way. Oh.

[I]

He'S a very handy fella. I didn't want to interfere.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny, stay on him. See where he goes, what he does. Georgie, hurry.

[I]

You all right, pal?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Hurry. I wasn't all right at all. Frank Bowers was not only big, but fast. And he caught me off guard. I went back through the Hotel lobby. Up to my room and lay down on the bed and I waited for the phone to ring. Sooner or later it'd be George Hanley or Frank Bowers tale reporting some development that had solved the whole case. But the phone didn't ring. Nothing happened. No one phoned. No one came by. I went to sleep. About one o'clock the next morning, George Hanley called and asked me how I was feeling after the punching session in the parking lot. He reported that Frank Bowers had jumped in his car, driven straight home and gone straight to bed. Expense account, item 12, 48 cents postage. Cost of mailing a sample of Bowers fingerprints to Washington D.C. at 8 o'clock that night, I had another phone call.

[Pat Kelleher]

Hi, baby.

[I]

This is George Hanley.

[Hugh Bryan]

How do you feel?

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. What's up, Georgie?

[I]

I'm still keeping my eye on Frank Bowers. He's nervous all right. Been staying in the house all day. I can see him walking back and forth in the living room. He must have smoked a package of cigarettes every hour.

[Johnny Dollar]

Has he used the phone? Yeah. Yeah.

[I]

Looks like long distance stuff again. You know, place the call, hang up, then wait for the operator to call back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Possibly Baltimore again. Possible.

[I]

How about it?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm thinking. I'm thinking. Where are you?

[I]

Right across the street from his house.

[Johnny Dollar]

Be right out. The heater in my rented car wasn't working that night. I remember that part very well. My feet and hands were numb with the 10 below weather when I flicked off the lights and pulled up alongside George Hanley, stationed across the street from Frank Bowers home.

[I]

Hey, it's some weather.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. How's Bauer doing?

[I]

I think he's got a visitor with him now. Johnny must have showed up while I was calling you. Big guy wrapped in an overcoat. I seen him move around the room a couple of times.

[Johnny Dollar]

George, let's go in and shake him up. I'm tired of all this.

[I]

You think he's rude?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know, but I want to wind it up one way or the other.

[I]

Okay. Want to wait for his friend to leave?

[Johnny Dollar]

Nope. No, It's a nutty thing.

[I]

You're the one who's nutty. You already proved he isn't John Reardon. That's all you wanted.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know, I know. Now I want to prove I'm getting old and crotchety and don't believe what I see in here. Bear with me, Georgie.

[I]

Sure, pal. You're crazy, but I love you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey.

[I]

Visitors leaving. Make them?

[Johnny Dollar]

No. An overcoat and a hat aren't much to go on. He's Georgie. Come on. Hey, Johnny, look out. The gun of the man in the overcoat had gone off a couple more times. The nearest bullet came six inches from the. Without my gun, all I could do was hug the ground for cover and try to stay out of his line of fire. The shots deafened me for a moment. When my hearing came back, I heard someone very close to me. It was Georgie. He was dying.

[Announcer]

There'll be another exciting episode in our story of the Chesapeake fraud matter tomorrow.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tomorrow. Proof that an insurance case is one thing, murder of a pal is something else. Tomorrow, the windup. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by John Dawson, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

This is the operator ready with your call to Mr. Pat Kelleher in Baltimore. Go ahead, please.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello? Hello, Pat.

[Pat Kelleher]

I got your wire. What's all this? What happened?

[Johnny Dollar]

We're still trying to find out. The man calling himself Frank Bowers was killed an hour ago. George Hanley, one of the operatives I had watching him, was killed, too. We've got a vague description of the killer.

[Pat Kelleher]

Are you all right?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, but I'm gonna be tied up with the police here.

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, you need money for bail or anything like that, just draw a draft on the company. I'll confirm it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks, Pat.

[Pat Kelleher]

Too bad about your friend.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, he was a good guy. I want to find out who killed him.

[Announcer]

Tonight and every weekday night. Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to Universal Adjustment Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Chesapeake fraud. Matter expense account continued item 13. A quarter for some aspirin. It turned out to be a long night. Several homicide officers arrived at the double murder scene within a matter of minutes and got right down to the business at hand. Frank Bowers had been shot to death. George Hanley had been shot to death. Lieutenant Tom O'Neill was in charge. A big blonde man who seemed to know what he was about. Okay, let's see that ID again. There you go. Insurance investigator. That's right. Okay, what was your business here with these two men? My home office in Baltimore had reason to believe that Frank Bowers was really a man named John Reardon. Reardon was supposed to have died five years ago. I was sent out here to investigate it since there had been a $20,000 claim in the matter. Sure, sure. I hired George Hanley to help me out. He was keeping an eye on Frank Bowers. I came out earlier tonight to give him a hand in the shooting began. Any idea who did it? A big man in a top coat and a hat. I really didn't get a look at him, Lieutenant. I was busy. With George Hanley? Sure. You carry a gun? Sometimes. I didn't have one tonight. You tried to chase the killer. I said I was busy with my friend. That's right. You did. Well, how was your investigation coming along? Frank Bauer's fingerprints didn't match the samples I had for John Reardon, but it didn't satisfy me. There were a lot of things about him personally I couldn't accept. I harassed him a little last night, and he got pretty excited and slugged me. This was after I found out he'd been trying to call Baltimore. Who in Baltimore? I don't know. Tell me about this heresy. You'll make a check with the phone company. Well, I needled him purposely, trying to scare him into a blunder. I think I was doing pretty good. I'll never know now. What else you got to say about your case? Well, that's about it, Lieutenant. It is, eh? Well, that's all I gotta say, because that's all I know about it. Next time, be careful with your needling tactics. I was doing what I thought best on the case here. You were? You were doing swell. You let a friend of yours get shot down in front of your eyes. Not to mention the other guy. You can't give us a description of the killer or a hint at the motive. Maybe George Hanley wasn't a friend of yours at that. Why, you. Take it easy, kiddo. Take it easy. That was below the belt. I'm sorry. You've had quite a night. Nobody in your business or mine knows what's behind the door when he kicks it in. I'm just a cop trying to get straightened out. So I push too hard sometimes. We'll get it taken care of. Nobody walks in a man's house and shoots him down without somebody hearing something or seeing something. I mean somebody besides you. My men will cover every house in the block in this whole area, if we have to. Bound to be somebody somewhere. The dogged Lieutenant O'Neill turned out to be 100% correct. In fact, he turned out to be 300% correct. For by 11 o'clock the following morning, his men had located three different people who had information about the brutal murders of Frank Bowers and George Hanley. The first was a man named Randall who had lived across the street. He had seen Bowers open his front door and admit the unknown killer. He said he wore glasses. The second was a paper boy who had come to collect while the killer was there. He stated that the killer and Bowers were arguing when he came up to the door. The third witness, a housewife, gave the most important information. As to the man's description, he was.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

A good deal taller than Mr. Bowers.

[Johnny Dollar]

How much taller? Three, four inches at least. I saw him standing in the doorway from here. He had on a brown tweed topcoat. My husband has one just like it. How old would you say he was?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

45.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you ever seen him before? No. Would you know him if you saw him again? Yes. Anywhere. You got that good look at him, huh?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

The porch light was on. Here's something. $. Lt. O'Neill had issued an all points bulletin based on the combined description given by the witnesses. In the meantime, his men had checked the local cab companies and found out that one of the drivers had carried a fare to Frank Bowers home at 8:00 at night. Evening. The cab driver verified the housewife's description of the suspect and added the important information that he picked up the man at the airport. When that was checked, it was found the man had come in on a plane from the east at 5:45 in the afternoon. He had used the name Oren Williams. Expense account. Item 14, $8.95. Another long distance phone call to Baltimore and Pat Kelleher.

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, I'll be tired. Do you have to stay there, John?

[Johnny Dollar]

Of course I have to stay here. I'm a material witness. Not to mention the fact that a pal of mine was shot down.

[Pat Kelleher]

Don't get on your high horse, John. It was just a question. Have any idea what it was all about?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, at the moment I'm just sure a guy named Orrin Williams flew in, shot up two people and beat it. If we had Williams, I'd give you the whole thing on a silver platter.

[Pat Kelleher]

You're awfully touchy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, this thing has gotten out of hand.

[Pat Kelleher]

Well, I won't press you on it anymore, John. You do what you think is best. As far as the company's concerned, it's really not our business anymore, is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

It's our business until it's cleared up.

[Pat Kelleher]

I mean, Bowers, he wasn't John Reardon.

[Johnny Dollar]

$Hold it, Pat. Yeah. Answer from Washington on your wire. Yeah. Here, Let me see, Pat.

[Pat Kelleher]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

It is our business after all, huh? The lieutenant here sent a hurry up request to Washington on some of Bauer's fingerprints. I mailed a couple of days ago. They check out.

[Pat Kelleher]

I don't get it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bowers was John Reardon.

[Pat Kelleher]

Oh. Well, where'd you get the samples of Reardon's prints that didn't check out?

[Johnny Dollar]

From Hugh Bryan, Reardon's attorney.

[Pat Kelleher]

I better call him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you dare. Don't open your mouth. I'll handle it when I get there. Tell me about this fella, Hugh Bryan. According to the phone company, that's the man Bowers was trying to call in Baltimore. I told him all I knew, and Lieutenant O'Neill listened thoughtfully. It became apparent from that point on, since Bauer's true identity had been established through army records, that the bulk of the case could be concluded not in Denver, but in Baltimore. Expense account, item 16. $216. Plane fare and incidentals. Denver to Baltimore. I arrived at 10:15 in the evening, checked with the Baltimore police who had been informed by Tom O'Neill in Denver. @ his request, they'd taken no action as yet. From the police station, I went directly to Hugh Bryan's residence. The house was English, conservative and expensive. The fire in the living room looked cheerful. When the door opened. Elizabeth Reardon did not look so cheerful.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Hello, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello, Mrs. Reardon. Didn't expect to find you here.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

No, I suppose not. I never expected to see you again.

[Johnny Dollar]

Elizabeth, I have something to tell you.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Don't tell me now, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's about your husband.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

All right.

[Johnny Dollar]

I want to tell Mr. Bryant, too.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

He's upstairs in his study.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait. Look, I've done what I thought best about all this, and I'm trying to do what's best now.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

It doesn't make any difference, Johnny. I'm a married woman again, huh? Yes. You and I were married this morning. Excuse me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I walked in and watched John Reardon's widow, alias Frank Bauer's widow, now Hugh Bo bride disappear up a column stairway. The news that she had married Hugh Bryan cleared up some of the small doubts in my mind. When Brian came back down the stairs with her, he looked anything but the happy bridegroom.

[Hugh Bryan]

Hello? $. You're a late caller.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Congratulations.

[Hugh Bryan]

Thank you. How did you come out in Denver? Everything okay?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, everything's not okay.

[Hugh Bryan]

Well, what's the matter?

[Johnny Dollar]

Do I have to tell you?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I'll run along Upstairs, Hugh. It's getting terribly late.

[Hugh Bryan]

All right, dear.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Good night, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good night, Mrs. Bryan. There'll be some men out to see you pretty soon, Brian. Policemen.

[Hugh Bryan]

Oh, Liz.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Yes, dear?

[Hugh Bryan]

I think you'll be interested in what Mr. Dollar has to say.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

What?

[Hugh Bryan]

What?

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I don't understand, Hugh.

[Hugh Bryan]

I wasn't in Philadelphia yesterday, Liz. I was in Denver, Colorado.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

What?

[Hugh Bryan]

I flew there to see John. He's been alive and living there all this time. Hugh, I'm sorry. This is only for her benefit, $. I'll tell it just once. When it gets into court, it'll be different.

[Johnny Dollar]

How did it happen, Brian? John Reardon didn't die in that boat. No.

[Hugh Bryan]

He was picked up in a bay by a fishing boat on his way to Florida. They didn't have a radio on the fishing boat. The first port they came to was Charleston. John phoned me from there and told me all about it. Now, this was 10 days after we all thought he was dead. That part was all accident.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure.

[Hugh Bryan]

The rest of it was a little different. Liz, it was his idea. You've got to believe that.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

What was his idea?

[Hugh Bryan]

Not showing up ever again. Letting everyone think he was really dead. Making you a widow.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

I don't believe it.

[Hugh Bryan]

He hated his life here. Everything about it. He was in debt right up to his ears. Of course, there was your money. But he. Well, I flew down to Charleston to talk to him. He was like a crazy man. Kept saying there was a way out. I didn't know what he meant at first. Then he came right out and said it was his chance to get away from all the things he hated. He knew how I felt about you then, how I feel about you now. He said I could have you for a price.

[Johnny Dollar]

What was the price? Those checks he got every week from a New York bonding concern.

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

What did they come to?

[Hugh Bryan]

25,000 a year, regular weekly payments. I could afford it. I could afford anything for you, Liz.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Did he come right out and tell you he hated me?

[Hugh Bryan]

He just said he wanted to get away from everything. It went that way for five years. I believe I asked you to marry me every six months. Yes, but that didn't work out either. And then one day, along came Johnny Dollar. How does it feel to be so efficient, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

We don't have to go into that, do we? No, I'll admit you did everything to throw me off. And it threw me off. Especially the fingerprints you provided.

[Hugh Bryan]

Didn't John Reardon insist his name was Frank Bowers and do everything he could to make you believe that? Was true.

[Johnny Dollar]

He did too much to make me think it was true.

[Elizabeth Reardon]

Where is he now? Where's John?

[Johnny Dollar]

He's dead, Mrs. Bryan. Oh, truly dead now. He was shot to death last night by Mr. Bryan. Mr. Bryan also shot a friend of mine. Didn't you, Brian?

[Hugh Bryan]

Yes. John got scared, called me, Said he was going to tell everything to Dollar blow the whole thing. Hugh, all I wanted out of this was you. Liz. He didn't want you. I did. Last week you decided to marry me. It took you five years to do that. And it took him one afternoon to decide he was going to come back to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

The proof that John Reardon's widow is guilty or not guilty of a fraudulent in insurance claim is a matter for Eastern Fidelity to decide. The matter of Hugh Bryan and two murders is matter for the courts. Expense account, item 17, same as item 1. Expenses from Baltimore to Hartford, item 18, $89. Even car rentals, miscellaneous, etc. Expense account total $1124.98. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Announcer]

Remember, please. There'll be a new exciting story on Johnny Dollar beginning next Monday.

[Johnny Dollar]

Next week, a quiet, sleepy little town in Mexico and a beautiful senorita that, well, things didn't stay quiet and sleepy for long. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by John Dawson, it is produced and directed by Jackson Johnstone. Heard in this week's cast were Gene Bates, DJ Thompson High Averback, Will Wright, John Danar, Tony Barrett, Paul Dubov and Forrest Lewis. Be sure to join us on Monday night same time in station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan Spence.

[Narrator]

That will do it for another Johnny Dollar bonus episode. Thanks so much for joining me. I'll be back soon with another of these five part stories and I'll be back on Sunday with the next regular episode of the podcast. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other old Time radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing. Don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com meansts OTR. I'll be back soon with more Old Time radio crime fighters. But until then, good night and happy listening.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now, here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen, in a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.