21st Precinct 53-11-17 (020) Case of the Basket

Summary

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21st Precinct: “Case of the Basket”

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct 53-11-17 (020)
Aired: February 22, 2026
Main Theme:
This dramatic episode from the Golden Age radio series "21st Precinct" presents a realistic and suspenseful police procedural, focusing on the urgent search for a missing four-year-old girl, Gloria Sollen, who vanishes while her mother is doing laundry. The story offers a glimpse into the methods, pressures, and emotions behind real NYPD missing child investigations in the early 1950s.

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Episode Overview

The case begins when Gloria Sollen disappears from Jerry’s Launderette, igniting a citywide police response. Captain Frank Kennelly coordinates a meticulous search, involving patrolmen, detectives, and supervisors while interviewing witnesses and the distressed family. Layers of suspicion, tension, and procedure converge as clues lead them—ultimately—to an unexpected discovery.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Structure

1. The Initial Report & Police Mobilization

• Setting the Scene:

  • Sergeant Waters receives a call about a missing 4½-year-old girl, Gloria Sollen, last seen at Jerry’s Launderette with her mother, Mrs. Solent (00:35).
  • Captain Kennelly methodically describes policy, emphasizing urgency and thoroughness:

    “Few occurrences handled with more urgency than the report of a missing child.” (04:45, Kennelly)

• Rapid Response:

  • Immediate notification of senior officers, the detective squad, and City-wide alert issued.
  • Dispatch of multiple patrolmen and detectives to the launderette and neighborhood.
  • Description broadcast: “Blue jeans, white sweater over a red checked shirt, red shoes, white socks.” (03:20)

2. Investigation at the Scene

• Interviewing Key Witnesses:

  • Mrs. Solent recounts events—her daughter vanished while she was distracted (08:25-10:22):

    “[Gloria] was playing... and then I looked up to see where [she] was. And she was gone. I guess I let out a scream.” (09:27–09:56, Mrs. Solent)

  • The launderette proprietor, Jerry Asher, provides his account, expresses empathy (07:00):

    “Breaks my heart... I got a couple kids myself. You get to thinking what could happen.”

  • Mrs. Solent’s friend, Mrs. Navin, and other customers briefly questioned.

• Police Procedure Details:

  • Search teams check every building, courtyard, and alley within six blocks (14:22).
  • Detective assignments include canvassing acquaintances, playmates, and customers.

• Family Background:

  • Mrs. Solent reveals being separated from her husband, David Sollen, the girl’s father.

    “He comes to get [Gloria] on Sundays and brings her home.” (12:23, Mrs. Solent)

  • David is located at his butcher job, questioned, and ultimately ruled out as a suspect (18:09–19:32).

3. Escalating Tension & Community Response

• Worry and Theories:

  • Mrs. Solent’s mounting anxiety (17:32–18:01):

    “Maybe one of those maniacs... Kidnappers. What would kidnappers want? I haven’t got anything.” (17:36–17:48, Mrs. Solent)

  • The launderette is crowded with police, neighbors, and the family—all expressing anguish or offering assistance.

• Police Coordination:

  • Expansion of search force, request for rookie officers from the academy (14:22).
  • Discussion between Kennelly and Lt. King about next steps, covering ground block by block (15:00–16:30).
  • Notable quote about the pressure of the job:

    “Even if she’s all right, she’s probably too scared to tell anyone who she is or where she lives.” (15:43, Kennelly)

4. The Breakthrough: The Case of the Basket

• Crucial Detail Emerges:

  • Mrs. Solent recalls a laundry delivery man from the wholesale laundry was present (10:55, 21:51).
  • Captain Kennelly, Lt. King, and Jerry Asher theorize Gloria may have climbed into a canvas laundry basket and been taken onto the delivery truck (21:57–22:35).

    “There’s a chance the girl might have climbed into one of the laundry baskets this morning... Maybe it isn’t so ridiculous.” (22:26–22:34, Kennelly)

• Chasing the Truck:

  • Police reach out to the New Metro Laundry, learn the truck’s route, and scramble to intercept it (22:40–23:54).
  • Tension mounts as updates are awaited at Jerry’s; search continues on two fronts.

5. Resolution & Emotional Climax

• Gloria is Found:

  • News arrives: Gloria was accidentally taken with the laundry, hiding in the basket in the back of the delivery truck—scared, but unharmed (24:36).

    “The girl was on the truck... She was playing in the basket and decided to hide under the laundry. She got scared... kept quiet from fright. She’s all right, got her a great big ice cream cone.” (24:52, Lt. King [to Kennelly])

• Reunited:

  • Emotional reunion—Mrs. Solent speaks with Gloria by phone; both parents are present (25:32–25:56):

    “Gloria! We found her.” (25:39, Kennelly) “David. How you love my baby... We’re here together, and we’re gonna come and get you together.” (25:43–25:56, Mrs. Solent)

• Police Relief & Reflection:

  • Light-hearted reaction from Asher and the police after the tension breaks (26:00).

    “You got a great job, Captain. Great. I should have been a cop.” (25:58, Jerry Asher)

  • Kennelly’s muted response reflects the fine line between crisis and relief:

    “Yeah, it seems great now, but the way I thought it was going to turn out, you could have had the job for two cents.” (26:01, Kennelly)

6. Classic 21st Precinct Sign-off

• A Sobering Perspective:
  • Scenes move swiftly to the next crisis, reflecting the endless and unpredictable nature of police work:

    “Around the clock, through the week, every day, every year, a police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry-go-round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.” (27:20, Narrator/Captain Kennelly)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “[Gloria] was playing... and then I looked up to see where [she] was. And she was gone. I guess I let out a scream.”
  — Mrs. Solent (09:27–09:56)

• “Few occurrences handled with more urgency than the report of a missing child.”
  — Captain Kennelly (04:45)

• “Child that age is pretty helpless. Even if she’s all right, she’s probably too scared to tell anyone who she is or where she lives.”
  — Captain Kennelly (15:43)

• “There’s a chance the girl might have climbed into one of the laundry baskets this morning... Maybe it isn’t so ridiculous.”
  — Captain Kennelly (22:26–22:34)

• “The girl was on the truck... She was playing in the basket and decided to hide under the laundry. She got scared... kept quiet from fright. She’s all right, got her a great big ice cream cone.”
  — Lt. King (24:52)

• “Gloria! We found her.”
  — Captain Kennelly (25:39)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:35–03:20: Missing child report received and initial details shared
• 08:21–10:56: First interview with the mother, key facts and emotions
• 12:01–12:30: Family background—father’s circumstances
• 14:22–15:43: Scaling up the search, neighborhood and citywide alerts
• 17:36–18:01: Rising family anxiety and speculation on foul play
• 21:57–22:35: Discovery of the crucial clue (the laundry basket theory)
• 24:52–25:56: Gloria found on the laundry truck; mother-daughter call
• 27:20: Classic closing narration reflecting the ongoing nature of police work

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Tone & Original Flavour

The episode is marked by anxious, matter-of-fact police professionalism and the raw, worried tone of Gloria’s parents. Authentic dialogue, understated compassion, and procedural detail heighten the drama—while moments of lightness and relief stress the very human side of the “precinct story.”

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Summary

A tense, hour-by-hour depiction of a missing person investigation, “Case of the Basket” immerses listeners in the methods, pressures, and emotional stakes of mid-century police work. The episode stands out for its realism, suspense, and the satisfying—but believable—resolution born from careful attention to routine procedures and a bit of luck. It’s a testament to the effectiveness and humanity of everyday policing in a bustling city—and a classic example of radio drama storytelling at its best.

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Transcript

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

21st briefing, Sergeant Waters. What do you mean, missing, Ross? Well, how old is the little girl? Four and a half. Who is she with? Her mother? Yeah. Where? What's that address? You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right, tell her I'm sending the officers right over. No, tell her not to go out looking for them. The officer will be right there. That's right. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I am the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in Command of the 21st. I was working my day tour. After I turned out the platoon at 8am and conferred with Lt. Gorman, the desk officer, about a patrol problem, I went into my office to read, digest and sign nearly 100 reports and communications that had accumulated since I was last on duty 24 hours before. At 9:20, I was still at the paperwork. 21st Precinct. Captain Kennelly. This is Sergeant Warden on T.S. captain, we got a child under seven reported missing. Where is this? 1130 Second Avenue. Is that the residence? No, sir. It's a launderette. Mother was in there with the family. Wash. The kid was with him and just disappeared. Okay, I'll be right out. Yes, sir. Waters at 21st. Desk officer here. Lieutenant Coleman wants to speak to Captain Fler. Just Detective District Captain. Yeah. No, he won't talk to anyone else. It's a Notification on a missing girl under child under seven. All right, that. Hold on. You notify CD Pat. Yes, sir. First thing. Hold on. Captain Piker. Lieutenant Gorman, Captain Spicer on the line. Okay. Captain Fryscher. This is Lieutenant Gorman, desk officer, 21st. We have a report of a missing child under seven. The name is Gloria Sollen, S O L E n T. Age four and a half. Daughter of Mrs. David Sollent David. 278 East 60th Street. That's right. He's 60th. She was in the company of her mother in Jerry's launderette at 1132nd Avenue. Disappeared. We got it at 9. 17. No, sir, not yet. I'm going to as soon as I get through with you. You're welcome, Captain. You notify the 21st Squad Commander. Pat, I'm going to do it right now. Sergeant, would you ring up certain Lieutenant King? Yes, sir. Lieutenant King on the job today? I found command a little while ago, Captain. You can charge him. Orders on cs, Lieutenant. Lieutenant Gorman would like to talk to you. Yes, sir. Lieutenant King's out of line with him. Okay. Hello, Matt. Yeah. Missing charge. I'm good at it, Sergeant ON Protester Vaquero, the owner of Lonerette, went out on the street and got him. He rang in with it. I called up and down a block in every store. He can't find a kid. What'd you send over there? Set the tires two and three, Captain. What about a sergeant? Sergeant Burns, one sick. Captain. Just had a bad wreck on the East River Drive. Sergeant Collins over there. You better get a patrolman in here to leave you on ts. Bill, we'll need a sergeant over there to take charge of the uniform men. Yes, sir. She was wearing blue jeans, a white sweater over a red checked shirt, red shoes, white socks. Yeah, man. Let me talk to Lt. King when you finish, Pat. Yes, sir, Captain. No, no, no. Four and a half. Yeah, well, that's about all we got so far. Just a second, Matt. Captain Kennelli wants to talk to you. Okay, Captain. Thanks. Hello, Matt. Captain, I have five patrolmen and a sergeant over there, Matt. They're yours and any more you need. Thanks, Captain. I'm going myself right now. How about you? You want to ride? All right, I'll wait down here for you. Yes, sir. Hello, C.B. this is Sergeant Warden 23. You have a six.

[Mrs. Solent]

Eight.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Okay, Pat. Keep your finger on this thing up to a minute. Stay on their tails until that kid is found. Yes, sir, I will. You can count on it. There are few occurrences which are handled with more urgency than the report of a missing child. On the basis of 100 years experience, the police Department of the City of New York has found that although nearly all missing children are eventually located and returned home safely, prompt and thorough police action might prevent an accident or crime involving the child. The action to be taken is described in great detail in the Manual of Procedure and rules and regulations. 316. With or without suspicion of a crime being involved, the desk officer is obliged to refer the report to the detective squad commander for immediate investigation as required. In no other type of case, the desk officer must, in addition, personally and forthwith notify the captain in charge of the detective district, the immediate superior of the squad commander. Assistance in the form of men, radio, motor patrol cars, police launchers, emergency service squads, transit police and the facilities of any other department of the city must be made available forthwith on request of the detective commander in charge. All superior officers of the patrol force must cooperate with the detective commander and render any assistance requested in compliance with Lt. King. I drove over to 1130 Second Avenue, Jerry's launderette from where the search was commenced. Okay, Johnny. Captain. See on that. Find a place to park, Johnny. We'll see you inside. Yes, sir. There's Vacaro. Vaccaro? Yes, sir. Any sign of the child? Vaccaro? No, sir. I've just been rechecking in the stores all along the block. Nobody's seen it. Who's on the garbage here? Cochran and Giordano, Inspector Card two. Lieutenant. And Eisman and Nelson. Inspector Card three. Where are they? Eisman and Nelson are cruising around to see if they can locate the girl on the street. Copper and Giordano are climbing stairs in the building's up and down the block. Where's the mother? Inside. She brought in the family wash and was sitting, talking and reading a magazine after it was in the machine. Let's go in. She looked up and this kid was gone. Go ahead. Yes? Where is it? In back. The proprietor has a little office in back. Is that the proprietor? Yes, sir. Mr. Asher. Just a second. 41 3, $6, $23, 45, $91. Excuse me if I don't keep these figures going. I get way ahead of me. Mr. Asher, Captain Kennelli and Lieutenant King, Mr. Jerry Asher. How do you do? Hello. How are you? Were you here when the child is prepared, Mr. Etcher? Yeah, sure I was. Right here. I'm telling you. Everything was faithful. Nothing but the machines going. And all of a sudden she lets off this screen. Mrs. Silence. I thought she got her hand stuck in the machine or something. I ran up there and she's yelling something about Gloria, my baby. I don't know. I thought the baby was in the machine. Well, then this other lady, her friend, she told me, the lady's kid is gone. I said, calm down. How far could she go? So we looked around, the store in front and the back. Nothing. We went out on the sidewalk and looked around. It was still nothing. Then I was getting worried, too. This policeman came by and I told him. And that's all I know. The mother's in back? Yeah, in a little office I got back there. Who's with us? I left a friend there with her. Well, that friend had to go home, officer. She said she had some soup home on her stove and she had to turn it off before it boiled away. She said she'd be back. They got her name. Patel? Yes, sir. Mrs. Annabelle Navin. 278 and 60. Yeah, that's right, Mrs. Navin. The same building as the mother. Well, let's talk to her. Yes. Listen, do you need me? Breaks my heart, I don't know. I got a couple kids myself. You get to thinking what could happen. That's all right, Mr. Ecker. You stay here. Write him back. There, on a left. Thank you very much. In here.

[Mrs. Solent]

Did you find me the way?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, not yet.

[Mrs. Solent]

I don't understand. Where's it going to go? I just don't understand.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mr. Solomon, this is Captain Pinelli. Hello. And Lieutenant King.

[Mrs. Solent]

Mr. Sahlins, I'm so sorry to cause all this trouble. And I appreciate your help. I really appreciate it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's our job, Mr. Solomon. You better go on opposite, see what she'll do. Yes. Okay, Captain, go ahead. Look out. We'll find him, Mr. Collins.

[Mrs. Solent]

I hope so. I just hope so.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It's all right if I shut the door, Mr. Collins?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Be a little quiet now. You gave the officer a description of your little girl. You said she was four and a half.

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes, and she's wearing blue jeans and she had on white sweater and red shoes with white socks.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What's the color of her hair?

[Mrs. Solent]

Red hair, sort of. Listen, I get scarlet. Circus is gone. That's what I don't understand. Say it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

We're gonna try to find that out. Ms. Stalin. What time did you leave the house this morning?

[Mrs. Solent]

Well, it was about. Let's see, it was about 10 minutes to 9 o'. Clock. I took the wharf and I took Gloria and I came over here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Were you near the front door or toward the back?

[Mrs. Solent]

Oh, toward the Back. I like to get toward the back because there's less traffic in and out. And I favorite machine, number 11. I was putting that first load in the machine. And I told Laura to be a good girl and play. And I got the war team, and she was playing. And I started to talk to Mrs. McNavin. He was working right next to me. And I was talking and looking at the pictures in a magazine. And then I looked up to see where Gloria Horse. And she was gone. I guess I let out a scream. That's what Jerry said.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I did, anyway. Then you started to look for her?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes. We looked all over the store. In front and back, under the counter. Even in here. There was a lady up in front washing one of the first machines. And we asked her. She saw Gloria go out? Well, she didn't think so. She didn't remember. She was busy with the war. So we went out on the street and we looked around. We couldn't find her. We looked in stores. And then Gary said finally we'd just better tell the cop on the beach. So we saw him on the corner and we told him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Were there any other children in here at the time, Mrs. Soames?

[Mrs. Solent]

Well, usually there are. Let's see. No, not this morning when I came. But that didn't make any difference. Cause Lorisin plays very nice by herself. And Jerry's got blocks and toys over in the corner for when mothers bring their children in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you see anyone come or go?

[Mrs. Solent]

What? What do you mean?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did anyone come into the store? You noticed particularly?

[Mrs. Solent]

Well, no. I was talking to Mrs. Nagin and reading notes. Nobody I noticed. Oh, there was just a laundry man, I think.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What laundry man?

[Mrs. Solent]

From the wholesale laundry. You know, some of the customers like to get things like sheets and shirts finished. Gary has his service, and you can get sheets and shirts and things like that all done for you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He's the only one you noticed? The man from the wholesale laundry?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yeah. Yeah, that's right. You know, I was worried before, but now I'm getting scared. I'm really getting scared. Do you think it would do any good if I just went out again and looked?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, the officers have a good description. They'll know. Come in. Oh, come in, Sergeant. I got so much to burn on cs, Captain. Good. What do you want Sergeant Waters to do, man? I'll tell you what I think would be the best thing. Bill. Yes, sir. Do you supervise the members of the patrol force who are making the search? Yes, sir. You'll find Vaccaro, Cochrane, Giordano and EISMAN on the job. There'll probably be more to come. Yes, sir. I'll get right on it. Excuse me, Johnson. That's all right, sir. Come in, darling. Yes, sir. Mrs. Sons, this is Detective Bender.

[Mrs. Solent]

How do you do?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I went over to your house, Mrs. Sons. I thought maybe somebody might have found the child and brought her home.

[Mrs. Solent]

But they didn't?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No. What's your husband's first name, Mr. Solomons?

[Mrs. Solent]

David.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What's his occupation?

[Mrs. Solent]

He's a butcher. He works in Morse Market.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Have you notified him that you are missing? No. Why not?

[Mrs. Solent]

Well, you see, we're separated.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

For how long?

[Mrs. Solent]

Since the middle of August.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where's he been living?

[Mrs. Solent]

In a furnished room in the Village someplace. I don't know, just where.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Have you seen him, Mrs. Sellens? Oh, yes.

[Mrs. Solent]

He comes to get dry on Sundays and brings her home.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is that the arrangement?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes, every Sunday. And if he wants her more, all that too.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is he contributing to your support?

[Mrs. Solent]

Oh, yes. Everywhere. He's just like Clark.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is he satisfied with the arrangement?

[Mrs. Solent]

Well, he never said anything that he wasn't. He's the one that wanted to break up. Now me, I was satisfied. Listen, we don't. Oh, not. No, not Dave.

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

We'll find out whether he would or not. Bender. Yes, sir. Check him out. Yes, sir. Right away. Call me one way or the other. Yes.

[Mrs. Solent]

Oh, I don't think so. I really don't think so. I wouldn't believe Dave could do a thing like that. Why, I couldn't believe that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, in this job, Mrs. Sonds, what we believe to be the case doesn't work matter. It's what we find out that counts. You are listening to 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city.

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Within the next half hour, 13 men from the various commands joined the hunt and the 17 patrolmen under the immediate supervision of Sergeant Waters began a search of every building from the basement to the roof in a six block area. They looked in courtyards and in alleyways. They talked to storekeepers and pedestrians. Meanwhile, four detectives from the 21st Squad and two detailed from six detective district headquarters were assigned by Lt. King to seek out all acquaintances of the mother in the neighborhood, the parents of all the girls playmates, all the customers known to have been in the launderette at the time of the disappearance, and to make personal inquiry concerning the child. An alarm describing the girl was tele typed to every precinct in the city and a radio message concerning her was broadcast to all motor patrol cars in the borough of Manhattan. Despite all the efforts, at 10:38am There was still no sign of her. As I stood by, Lt. King telephoned to Capt. Fleischer, the commander of the 6th Detective District from the counter in the long direction could use you would Captain. All right. Who was possible. Ma', am. Hold on a second. Captain Fleischer. Yes, Captain? If we're going to expand the search, maybe he could put in for some rookies from the academy. We'd get a lot of men and they could cover a lot of ground. That's a good idea. Captain Pinelli suggests instead of draining men from the precincts, you might want to put in a request for some rookies from the academy. Yeah, it could be a big help in searching all the buildings around here. Yes, sir. All right. Yes, sir. I'll keep the taxi. Thought that was good about the rookies still asking for them. In the meantime, he's requesting the 19th, 20th and 23rd to send over a car in. Three men each. That's good. He's sending up two detective leads from the 19th and 23rd squads and he's asking the division inspector for four plane closures. They all ought to be here within 15 or 20 minutes. Boy, this neighborhood is sure jumping. Well, it'll be jumping more. Mr. Escher. I gotta give you credit. When you do something, you do it. You don't kid around. Child that age is pretty helpless. Even if she's all right, she's probably too scared to tell anyone who she is or where she lives. How's the mother doing? How do you think? Yeah. Can you excuse me a minute? I can get in there. Yeah, sure. Oh, this is the headache end of the business. The finished work. A lot of bookkeeping, a lot of complaints. Not much proper, but it's a service you got to have. Mama can come in here and work the machines all she wants. The papa wants to sh professional, so I'm stuck with it. There's another load from the knocker. Buttons off, Mr. Er, if we're getting in your way around here. I'm sorry. Who said you're getting in my way? Well, we're required to conduct a search from the point where the child was last seen. Listen, Captain, everybody's doing their part. I'll do mine. We're just about finishing up our next slot, Lieutenant. Every building, Sergeant. Every building, top to bottom, basements, roofs. They're knocking on every door. Nothing. We'll just have to keep at it. Well, which way do you want us to go next? Next block east. Do you want us to go up town? Another block? What do you think, Captain? It's a toss up, man. Tell you what'll help. Start your men on the next block east. I just spoke to Captain Fletcher. We're getting nine more patrolmen in here any minute. Oh, good. We've got your men east. When they get here, we'll start them on the next block uptown from where you left off. Yes, sir. I'll get them going. Better check the desk off here again. Yeah, that's a good idea, Matt. Maybe I want to see how the mother's doing. Yeah, what you would. Hello, this is Lieutenant Queen. Oh, excuse me, Ms. Racker. Help yourself.

[Mrs. Solent]

Did you find her?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, not yet, Mrs. Allen.

[Mrs. Solent]

I'm sitting here thinking what could have happened to her. Now, where did you go? Maybe one of those maniacs. That's the only thing I can think of.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, Mrs. Well, what else?

[Mrs. Solent]

Kidnappers. What would kidnappers want? I haven't got anything. Dave hasn't got anything.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I don't think you ought to jump to conclusions.

[Mrs. Solent]

It's been two hours old. He's just a little girl. Four and a half. He couldn't just disappear the wares. He wasn't out of my sight two minutes. Not two minutes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

We'll find her.

[Mrs. Solent]

Sure. Yeah, but how? When alive? Not two minutes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Come in. Captain, Lieutenant King would like to see you.

[Mrs. Solent]

Any news? Did you?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, Mrs. Collins. Excuse me, Mrs. Collins.

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You're. I brought the husband up, Captain. Lieutenant King. Lady, if you want to bring your own soap out. How can I stay in business. Captain Kelly. Mr. David Sullen. Mr. Stalin. It's something more than she's just lost, isn't it? You know as much as we do. Mr. Sullin, you were at work when this detective came down to the market. Yeah, I was at work. In the stall, I was cutting a side of beef. Is that right? He was at work, all right. How long have you and your wife been separated, Mr. Sellin? Two, three months, something like that. What was the reason for the separation? Is it necessary to go into that? I think it is. Seven years. We're married since the month after I got out of the Army. Seven years. Nag, nag, nag. Be a big shot. Talk better dress night to move to Long Island. Seven years. Nagging words for glorious. Would have happened a long time ago. But even with glory, enough is enough. Mr. Sullen, we know that you love your daughter. And we know you were at work when this thing happened. But if you have anything to do with this. Me? Well, I mean, if you sent a friend or a relative or anybody else up here to take that child, we'll find out about it. Listen, you're barking up the wrong twist. I'm assuming that I am. But just in case I'm not, I want to tell you that we've got 30 men on the job right now and there are more coming. Your wife is in there worried to death. I'm worried to death, too. Now, if you're behind this in any way, mister, calling you in for a lot of trouble.

[Mrs. Solent]

I'm not behind.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Now is the time to get it straightened out. I'm telling you. All right. I just want you to understand. I understand. Send him. Yes, sir. Please tell me. Taking the store. Find his plot. Jerry's launderette. Give him a hand. Okay, Lieutenant. Right away. All right. Lieutenant King, telephone. Thanks. Are you the father, King? You got my deepest tell where'd yet, Captain. All right, sir. Yes, sir. I'll watch out for you. Yes, sir. Captain Fryer. Yes, sir. There are 14 men on the way up from the police academy. Sergeant is in command. That's good. Well, you're getting some service to find your daughter, Mr. Sonom. These guys been breaking their necks. Tough cops. They're a bunch of softies if I ever seen any. I know how much you do, and I appreciate it. Don't you think you'd better talk to your wife? Yeah, I guess I would too. This way, Mrs. Cullen. Well, listen, while you're all here, somebody might bring Gloria home to the flat. We've got a Man posted over there. Oh, Hello, Evelyn. Oh, David. Now they'll find her, Evelyn. They'll find her. Now, don't worry.

[Mrs. Solent]

Two hours. For two hours. Where could she be?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

They'll find. Well, we're certainly trying. You know how many policemen they got looking? 30. Is that right? That's right. 30 policemen. Now more are coming. 50 policemen have. How could 50 policemen not find her?

[Mrs. Solent]

I'm glad you came, David. It sounds like.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, yeah, I know.

[Mrs. Solent]

Is your cold better? Fonta, you look bad. You're terrible.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I felt so. But they'll find her, Evelyn. Believe me. I want to ring in tepid. I'll go with you, man. They're gonna find her, Evelyn. Don't you worry about it. I wish I was that confident. Me, too. It's getting to be a long time. I know. If somebody came in and took that girl out of here right from under her mother's nose, he had a lot of nerve. We haven't had a squeal like that around here in a long time, have we? I don't remember any for a year or two. How about in the district? Not that I can recall. Last one I heard about was up in the Bronx and they got the guy. Yeah. Excuse me. Coming through. I gotta push this into the bank. All right. Come here. I got enough room there. Mr. Rasha. Yeah? What's that? That's the bane of my existence. That's a load of finish works to go out in the morning and I'll have another basket full by then. Excuse me, guys. Just a second. Mr. Sullins.

[Mrs. Solent]

Yeah?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Any news? No, not yet. Would you come out here a minute, Mrs. Sullins?

[Mrs. Solent]

No.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You said before that. You remember the man from the wholesale laundry coming in while you were doing your wash before you noticed Gloria was gone?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes, I did.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Mr. Ashut. Does he take this big canvas basket out with him, too? Every day loaded with dirty wash and he brings it into a queen. Was the basket out in the front of the stall waiting for him?

[Mrs. Solent]

I didn't.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I keep him in back. Could Gloria have wandered in the back? Well, yeah. The whole place is open. I let the kids go all over. There's nothing could hurt him around. Here's a million kids come in. I let him wander all over. He's got an idea. Captain. What? I don't get it. Look, folks, you two wait in the office, will you, please?

[Mrs. Solent]

If you think something. We got a right to know. It's our baby.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Evelyn, please. If they can find her, they will. Go ahead.

[Mrs. Solent]

All right. Would you be sure you let Us know?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, as soon as we find out something. What's the story? I don't get it. Well, there's a chance the girl might have climbed into one of the laundry baskets this morning. The driver was in here then the mother remembered that much. That's ridiculous. Maybe. Then again, maybe it isn't so ridiculous. What's the name of the laundry you take from the new Metro? Where are they located? Over on the west side on Amsterdam Avenue. 6860 Ninth Street. In there someplace. Do you have the same driver every day? Yeah, this is on his roof. And what's his name? Murray. What's his first name? I don't know whether Murray's first name or his last name. I just call him Murray. What's the phone number over there at the laundry? Yeah, It's Academy. Academy, 24599. All right, let's get them on the phone. Sure. I'll oblige you with anything. Lt. King telephoned the new Metro laundry and spoke to the delivery manager. He explained quickly what he was after and secured the telephone numbers along the route of the large truck that had made a delivery and pickup at Jerry's launderette shortly after 09:00'. Clock. After three telephone calls, he learned the truck had just left. After making a stop on First Avenue near 36th Street. He called the next place the truck was due to stop, a laundry on 38th street near Lexington Avenue. A truck was expected but had not yet arrived with Detective John Bender. Lt. King hurried to his car and drove downtown to intercept the truck. In the meantime, the search in the neighborhood went on. I phoned CB to dispatch a motor patrol car from the 15th Precinct to the address in case the truck arrived before Lt. King. We waited in Jerry's Launderette for word. I don't know about you, Captain, but the suspense is killing me. It's only a hunt. All right, you understood yourself. How do you ever expect to be an inspector? Hey, what about the Mr. And Mrs. Don't you think you ought to let them in on us? No, they might get too hopeful. If it doesn't work, they're worse off than before. Hey, that could be it. Take it. Jerry's launderette. Who? No, he hasn't worked here in six months. No, I don't know. I haven't got any idea. Look, look, I can't tie up the phone. I'm expecting an emergency. Yeah, you too. Tell them the truth. They don't believe you. Right.

[Mrs. Solent]

Fucking.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The Academy got here, Captain? Oh, yeah, Sergeant. I sat them over there going Uptown? Well, I'll tell you, Sergeant. You get it, mister? Yeah. Jerry's Lawn red. Yeah. Who's this? Did you find a kid, huh? All right, Captain. Thanks, Captain. Canary. Matt King. Captain. Yes, Matt. The girl was on the truck. Good. They found her. She was playing in the basket and decided to hide under the laundry. Yeah, she thought it was fun being rolled outside. When she got in the truck, she got scared. Every time the driver opened up the back. She kept quiet from fright. Well, is she all right, man? Just fine. Got her a great big ice cream cone. She wants to talk to her mother. All right, hold the phone. I'll put her on. Sergeant, send those men back to the academy. Yes, sir. Yeah, she can use the extension in the office. It's a little more private. Misses Holland?

[Mrs. Solent]

Yes?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Any news? Pick up the phone, Mrs. Holland. Yeah, that one. Gloria. We found her.

[Mrs. Solent]

David. How you love my baby oh, darling. Good morning kiss. Oh, that's good. Look, I'll see you very soon. Would you like to talk to Daddy? He's here. Yes, we're here together. And we're gonna come and get you together.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, well, Gloria. Yes, Yes, I know. You tell me all about it, huh? You know something, Captain? You got a great job. Great. I should have been a cop. Yes, baby. Yeah, it seems great now, but the way I thought it was going to turn out, you could have had the job for 2 cents. When he first preaching. Sergeant Waters West. Well, how do you know he was killed? Now, where is he? Between Third and Lexington or Second Or Third. Well, who found him? Oh, looks like he. What? Well, how'd that happen? Yeah. Yeah. All right. And so it goes. Around the clock, through the week, every day, every year, a police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring or the brass ring can catch anyone. 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch is Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Lawson Zerby, Ralph Camargo, Bill Zuckert, Mandel Kramer, Harold Stone and Eileen Palmer. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah speaking.

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