21st Precinct 54-04-28 (042) The Story

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: "21st Precinct 54-04-28 (042) The Story"

Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Type: Classic Golden Age Radio Drama

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Overview

This episode features a classic installment from the 21st Precinct police procedural radio drama, "The Story" (original airdate: April 28, 1954). The drama unfolds across an evocative slice of New York City, following the aftermath of a violent robbery and shooting. The show provides a window into the operations and challenges of law enforcement in 1950s Manhattan, focusing on the investigation, interviews, and emotional fallout as officers unravel the crime.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Emergency Unfolds

[01:04-03:36]

• The episode opens with a frantic call: a shooting has occurred.
• Captain Kennelly and Detective DeLuca quickly respond, arriving at a crowded Upper East Side sidewalk where the victim, Walter Ehrich, lies unconscious from gunshot wounds.
• Immediate confusion reigns; police work to secure the scene and gather witnesses.
  • Memorable Moment:
    "You're in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nerve center...A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken…" — Captain Kennelly [01:14]

2. Witness Statements and Initial Investigation

[03:36-07:57]

• June Nayland, the woman accompanying the victim, explains the events: after leaving a nightclub, two armed men hijacked their car, robbed them, and shot Walter when he resisted.
• Police ascertain the suspects fled in Nayland's blue 1952 Pontiac convertible.
• The show captures police methodology: interviewing witnesses, issuing vehicle descriptions, and immediate medical response.
  • Notable Quote:
    "He was just out to have a good time, after all. Just a good time. And something like this has to happen." — June Nayland [06:03]

3. Hospital Vigil and Critical Condition

[09:04-12:51]

• The next morning, Walter is still unconscious after surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital; his prognosis is grim.
• Ms. Nayland insists on staying, emotionally distraught over the pointless violence.
  • Notable Exchange:
    "Why did they have to shoot him? They could have had the money without shooting." — June Nayland [10:56]
    "They could have, but they didn't." — Captain Kennelly [11:10]

4. Break in the Case and Suspect Apprehension

[12:51-14:03]

• The police discover the suspects (Philip Creedy and Arthur Harrod) and Nayland’s stolen car near Albany thanks to a timely alarm and collaboration with state police.
• The suspects are apprehended and readied for transportation back to New York.
  • Procedural Highlight:
    The collaboration between New York and state police in pursuit of the suspects shows the pragmatic, resource-sharing approach to law enforcement evident in the series.

5. Interviewing June Nayland & Emergence of Suspicion

[14:03–21:21]

• At the station house, June Nayland is intensely questioned. Detectives probe her background, finances, and relationship to Walter Ehrich.

• The suspects allege that June orchestrated the robbery, introducing a sharp narrative twist.

  • Memorable Dialogue:
    "They told the officer who went up to bring them back that you hired them to rob Mr. Herrich." — Detective DeLuca [17:33]
    "That's absolutely crazy." — June Nayland [17:52]

• Nayland vehemently denies knowing the men or being involved, expressing outrage at the insinuations.

• The emotional stress is heightened when Walter’s wife arrives at the station to learn the account of her husband’s shooting.

6. Suspects’ Confession, Contradiction, and Resolution

[22:19–26:31]

• In an intense interrogation scene, Creedy and Harrod first assert June planned the crime and was the instigator.

• Under scrutiny and cross-examination, the story unravels; Harrod admits they aimed to shift blame onto June, hoping for leniency.

  • Revealing Confession:
    "He thought up the whole idea...let's put it over on the girl...it would go easier on us." — Creedy [25:50]
    "I'm sorry, lady. I didn't want to hurt you. There's enough people hurt already." — Harrod [26:09]

• June is cleared of suspicion; detectives apologize for the distress caused.

  • Closure:
    "I’m glad she’s cleared, Matt. Would have been too bad." — Captain Kennelly [27:06]

7. Return to Duty and Ongoing Cycles

[27:06-end]

• The episode closes by emphasizing the relentless nature of police work: as one case wraps up, another begins practically on the same call.
  • Closing Reflection:
    "And so it goes around the clock…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." — Narration [27:49]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• First Response to Shooting — [01:04–03:36]
• Witness Interview (June Nayland) — [03:36–07:57]
• Hospital Update, Emotional Fallout — [09:04–12:51]
• Suspects Apprehended — [12:51–14:03]
• Interrogation of June Nayland — [14:03–21:21]
• Suspects’ Interrogation & Confession — [22:19–26:31]
• Resolution & Closing Narration — [26:31–end]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "He was just out to have a good time after all. Just a good time. And something like this has to happen." — June Nayland [06:03]
• "Why did they have to shoot him? They could have had the money without shooting." — June Nayland [10:56]
• "I've been in this job 13 years. I haven't found out yet." — Detective DeLuca on the senselessness of violence [12:15]
• "They told the officer who went up to bring them back that you hired them to rob Mr. Herrich." — Detective DeLuca [17:33]
• "He thought up the whole idea while we were laying over in Auburn. He said, let's put it over on the girl." — Creedy [25:50]
• "Anyone can catch the brass ring—or the brass ring can catch anyone." — Narrator/Captain Kennelly [27:49]

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Tone and Style

Throughout, the dialogue is brisk, realistic, and character-driven, typical of hardboiled 1950s crime dramas. The officers’ professionalism mixes with world-weariness. Ms. Nayland’s distress brings emotional texture, while the suspects’ shifting stories highlight both the difficulty and necessity of thorough police work.

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Episode Impact

Listeners are given a front-row seat to both the procedural and emotional complexities faced by police, victims, and suspects. The show's layered narrative and reversals (the suspicion cast on June, the suspects’ attempt to save themselves) deliver suspense while portraying the era's belief in dogged investigation and moral justice.

The episode underscores the never-ending nature of big city law enforcement, leaving audiences both satisfied with the resolution and aware that, for the 21st Precinct, there is always another "story" beginning.

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Transcript

[Lost Traveler]

Or lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're looking to get to the campground.

[Helpful Local]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Lost Traveler]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Helpful Local]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Lost Traveler]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T Mobile Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Oogle of Speedtest Intelligence data 2H2025. Bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage. Price guarantee on talk, text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. CT T mobile.com for details.

[Captain Kennelly]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Kearney. What is that? Somebody is shooting or shot.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, did you see it?

[Detective DeLuca]

Where's the woman?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah. Which way do they go? Up First Avenue, across town. You're 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, you just wait right there. I'll send the officers right over here. And an ambulance. Yes, just wait there and show them where it is.

[Detective DeLuca]

Okay. 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.

[Captain Kennelly]

The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my night tour, 4pm to 8am it was a warm spring night and I took advantage of the weather to make a thorough survey of conditions in the precincts. In connection with the growing problem of youthful offenders riding in sector car number two. With Patrolman Patrick E. Cahill as operator, I patrolled the precinct from one end to the other to look for possible trouble spots during the coming months of warm weather. Places where potential teenage troublemakers might congregate. Certain street corners, candy stores, playground and park areas, movie theaters and so forth. I had noted several such places for future reference, and at 11:15pm I instructed Patrolman Cahill to return to the station house. We were at 96th street and Park Avenue, proceeding downtown, when a Signal 30ambulance responding at First Avenue and 90th street was broadcast. The Signal 30 denotes an armed felony and all RMP and detective cars in the vicinity are required to respond. I instructed Patrolman Cahill to make the run. With the siren open, we headed for the scene. As we neared 90th feet, I saw that the sector car and the sergeant's car were already on the job. As Patrolman Cahil p, I could see a small crowd gathered around an object lying on the sidewalk. The object appeared to be the body of a man. All right, help him keep the sidewalk clear, Cahill. All right, stand back there.

[June Nayland]

There's nothing to see.

[Captain Kennelly]

Police officers are coming through. Coming through. They get back there. What do we got, DeLuca?

[Detective DeLuca]

Oh, he shot, Captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

He doesn't look good.

[Detective DeLuca]

He's unconscious.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right, I'm not going to tell you again. Stand back there. How'd it happen? It appears to be a robbery, sir. He was with a woman. Sergeant Kearney has her sitting over in.

[June Nayland]

All right, get back. I'm going to get back the back.

[Captain Kennelly]

There's nothing to see here. You, you, come on, get on the job here. Help keep the sidewalk clear. Okay, Captain. I'll be with Sergeant Kinney. Yes, sir. All right, let me through there. All right, give him a little air, will you? Stand back there, will you? Come in through. There's nothing to see here. Hello, Sergeant. Captain.

[June Nayland]

How is he? He all right, Detective?

[Captain Kennelly]

All right, miss.

[Detective DeLuca]

Just take it easy. There's nothing we can do now. The ambulance is on the way.

[June Nayland]

I like that a die. She's not dead already.

[Detective DeLuca]

This is Captain Kennelly. Ms. June Nayland.

[June Nayland]

Ms. Nayland, this is going to die, dear.

[Captain Kennelly]

The ambulance will be here right away, Ms. Nayland. What happened, son?

[Detective DeLuca]

She said they were in the nightclub downtown. Granted the lid.

[June Nayland]

You ought to go over and see if I can do anything for him.

[Captain Kennelly]

There's nothing you can do, Ms. Nayland. I think you ought to sit right in the car. Yeah.

[Detective DeLuca]

They come out Walked to where the car was parked.

[June Nayland]

We were going to go to another place, a place around 57.

[Detective DeLuca]

When they got in the car, two moved them up, opened the door. One of them had guns. Moment the gun got in back, the other one forced her to move over and got behind the wheels.

[Captain Kennelly]

You were going to do the driving?

[June Nayland]

Well, it's my car. And he'd already had a few drifts. Dwellers, that is. She's taking an awful long time. When's the aim of this?

[Captain Kennelly]

When he got here right away.

[Detective DeLuca]

Right away, Miss. While they were driving uptown, they took the wallet money off him.

[Captain Kennelly]

Did he carry much money?

[June Nayland]

Well, he always carried pretty much. He seems to call me, you know, he's just visiting in New York.

[Captain Kennelly]

About how much?

[June Nayland]

I don't know exactly, but usually he never has less than $1,000 with him in the past. Yes, he passed.

[Detective DeLuca]

They stopped the car here. Told Ms. Nealon and Walter.

[June Nayland]

Walter Ehrich, Mr.

[Detective DeLuca]

Edge, to get out. Mr. Eric tried to pull one of them out of the car, Fired two shots at him. They got back in the car and went off.

[Captain Kennelly]

Which way? That way, up First Avenue.

[June Nayland]

Is this First Avenue? Yes, that's the way they went up that way, up First Avenue.

[Captain Kennelly]

Got an alarm out on the car. Sergeant.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes, sir. I rang in a service. You gave me the description of it.

[June Nayland]

It's a 1952 Pontiac convertible. Blue.

[Captain Kennelly]

Light blue. Did you give in the registration number? No, sir.

[Detective DeLuca]

He doesn't know it offhand.

[June Nayland]

The registration's in the glove compartment. I always leave it there.

[Captain Kennelly]

New York place?

[Detective DeLuca]

Oh, yes.

[June Nayland]

He lives in Chicago. I live in New York. I'm 67 Street. He thinks he's very bad. He won't die.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, we'll see what the doctor says.

[June Nayland]

He was just out to have a good time after all. Just a good time. And something like this has to happen.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. Yes, please.

[Captain Kennelly]

Have you known him very long?

[June Nayland]

Oh, yes, several years. We see each other whenever he comes to New York.

[Captain Kennelly]

Is that often?

[June Nayland]

Yes, he's here frequently on business.

[Captain Kennelly]

The ambulance.

[June Nayland]

Oh, that's seemed like it took forever. Can we go over there now?

[Captain Kennelly]

I can talk to see him in a minute.

[June Nayland]

Where will they listen? Do you know what hospital?

[Detective DeLuca]

Mount Sinai is the closest.

[June Nayland]

You'll have the best doctors, won't you? You can afford the best?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yes, he'll have the best. All right, doctor.

[Detective DeLuca]

Okay, Mr. Evans, we'll go over there now.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay.

[June Nayland]

Can I go right to the hospital?

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, the detectives want to talk to you, Ms. Nann.

[June Nayland]

Will someone get in touch with her? I wouldn't want to do it?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yes, we'll take care of it, Ms. Naylor.

[June Nayland]

Oh, that's good. I wouldn't know what to tell her.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right, let's go over there. The shooting victim was carefully put on the stretcher by the ambulance attendant and police officers. The first officer on the scene, Patrolman Daniel Ricci, rode the ambulance to Mount Sinai with the victim to secure the balance of the information for his aided case report. As the ambulance was pulling away, Lieutenant Matt King, commander of the 21st Detective Squad, arrived with two of his detectives. Sergeant Waters introduced them to Ms. Nayland, gave them the names and addresses of other witnesses and such information concerning the crime as had been gathered. The uniformed officers were then instructed to resume patrol and the investigation of the case was left in the hands of detectives. I returned to the station house where at midnight I turned out the platoon for the 12 to 8 tour. During the course of the night, I had occasion to confer with Lieutenant King in regard to the case. He told me that an alarm had been put out from the snailan's car, this one including the registration number.

[Detective DeLuca]

No luck.

[Captain Kennelly]

The victim had undergone surgery at Mount Sinai and the doctor said his condition was critical.

[Lost Traveler]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're looking to get to the campground.

[Helpful Local]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Lost Traveler]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Helpful Local]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Lost Traveler]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T Mobile Announcer]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out, plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network Based on analysis by Ookle of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage, price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.

[Captain Kennelly]

At 8am I turned out the platoon for the day tour and signed the blotter to go off duty. Shortly after noon, Detective Louis deluca was sent to Mount Sinai Hospital by Lieutenant King. He went to the Third floor orthopedic section and walked from the elevator to a pair of swinging doors behind which the floor nurse sat at her desk.

[Detective DeLuca]

Good morning.

[June Nayland]

Oh, good morning, too.

[Detective DeLuca]

I'm Detective DeLuca. Are you the nurse I spoke to on the phone?

[June Nayland]

Yes, that's right. Ms. Mary is willing upon sale.

[Detective DeLuca]

Which way then?

[June Nayland]

Tonight? Going through the French doors. Poor dear. He's been here every minute. I wanted to get her some coffee. She wouldn't have any.

[Detective DeLuca]

How is he this morning?

[June Nayland]

Anybody still unconscious?

[Detective DeLuca]

Does it look like he'll make it?

[June Nayland]

Well, that's not for me to say.

[Detective DeLuca]

Oh, good morning. Mad detective. Hollow DeLuca. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. There's a lot of excitement when you hear. During the night there was. Yes? You won't be able to talk to him. He's still unconscious. Yes, I know, Doctor. I came to see the young woman. I told her to go home some hours ago.

[June Nayland]

Is she still here, Dr. Outen. Solarian.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, thank you.

[Detective DeLuca]

I'll go see her.

[June Nayland]

You're welcome.

[Detective DeLuca]

What do you think his chances are, Doctor? Well, it's hard to say. 50. 50.

[June Nayland]

50.

[Detective DeLuca]

50 or less. Any chance of his regaining consciousness? Not so that you could talk to me. Well, the solarium. Exactly. Yes. Thanks.

[Captain Kennelly]

Or that young woman ought to go

[Detective DeLuca]

home and get some rest. I haven't been able to do anything with her. Maybe you can. I'll try. Is she very close to her friend? Oh. Well, you see what you can do. Yes, sir, I will. Thanks. Good morning.

[June Nayland]

Good morning.

[Detective DeLuca]

Doctor says you should have gone home a long time ago.

[June Nayland]

I know. I. I can't. That's why I found out he was going to be all right. That was a tough break. Why did they have to shoot him? They didn't have to shoot him. They could have had the money without suiting.

[Captain Kennelly]

They could have, but they didn't die.

[Detective DeLuca]

Doctor says he's got a 5050 chance.

[June Nayland]

You know he's going to die. Why did they have to do it? The money was nothing to him. He would throw it away. Throw it away? Like that. They didn't have to sue him. Why did they do it?

[Detective DeLuca]

We can ask them.

[June Nayland]

Ask them for me.

[Detective DeLuca]

We had the alarm out on your car. The New York State Police picked them up near Albany this morning.

[June Nayland]

They do?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes. Lt. King wants to see you.

[June Nayland]

When?

[Detective DeLuca]

Right now.

[June Nayland]

But I should wait till I find out about Walden.

[Detective DeLuca]

Maybe you can come back and wait after you talk to the Lieutenant.

[June Nayland]

What does he want to see me about? I told him everything I know.

[Detective DeLuca]

He wants to talk to you about the two that were arrested.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, we sent a couple of men

[Detective DeLuca]

up to Albany to get them. We want you to see if you can identify them.

[June Nayland]

What about my car? They get that, too?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. They went up on the train. They'll drive back in your car.

[June Nayland]

Oh, that's good.

[Detective DeLuca]

Is this your coat?

[June Nayland]

Yes. That's the last thing. They hit a gun, shoot him about his money, what makes him so crazy?

[Detective DeLuca]

Don't ask me. I've been in this job 13 years. I haven't found out yet.

[Captain Kennelly]

It was 12:35 when Ms. Nayland and Detective DeLuca left the hospital and headed for the station house. Although I was scheduled to be off duty, I had received a telephone call at my home to appear at the borough Commander's office at 2pm for a meeting of precinct commanders to discuss the assignment of men from the various commands to plain clothes work, which consists of enforcing the laws relating to gambling and public morals. In this connection, before going to the meeting, I stopped at the station house to pick up the personnel files of the men I plan to recommend for the job.

[Detective DeLuca]

Hello, Captain. Didn't expect you in today.

[Captain Kennelly]

Who's the clerical man on the job, sir?

[Detective DeLuca]

Fallon, Captain. All right.

[Captain Kennelly]

Ring in there and tell him I want to see him in my office right away.

[Detective DeLuca]

Oh, yes, sir. Oh, most of the messages on your desk, Captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay, good.

[Detective DeLuca]

Hello, Captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, Maximus, Sergeant. I understand we got those two who did the shooting on First Avenue last night.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes, sir, that's right. State police got them on the road up near Albany. Well, that's good. Yes, sir. Got them in the car and they admit the shooting. I sent Fitzpatrick and Goldman up to bring them in the car back.

[Captain Kennelly]

How's the man doing?

[Detective DeLuca]

Man, that's a good thing. Touch and go, whether he'll live or not. Too bad. Doctor told me that one bullet wound in the shoulder wasn't too bad, but the other one in the chest is off.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay, Ms. Nayland. Straight on through.

[Detective DeLuca]

Hello, Lieutenant. Hello, Gump. Hello, Ms. Nayland.

[June Nayland]

Hello.

[Detective DeLuca]

You met Captain Kennelly last night? Yes, Miss Nelly.

[June Nayland]

Will I be here long? I really should get back to the hospital.

[Detective DeLuca]

Well, you go upstairs with Detective to work. I'll be right up.

[June Nayland]

I really can't stay too long.

[Detective DeLuca]

Nights and Deaths. Come on, Ms. Nayland.

[June Nayland]

I really have to get back to the hospital.

[Captain Kennelly]

What about the wife, Mrs. Elliott?

[Detective DeLuca]

The Chicago police made the notification. She's flying here. Oh.

[Captain Kennelly]

Was Ms. Nayland at the hospital all night? Yes.

[Detective DeLuca]

She must have some feelings about it. I'm sure she does, Captain, but I don't know what Kind of feelings. Fitz called me from Albany. Said the two boys they've got up there told him the whole deal. The kidnapping, the robbery, even a shooting was all her idea.

[Captain Kennelly]

I talked to Lt. King about the case for a few minutes more until Patrolman Fallon, the clerical man, came out of the 124 room. I went into my office with patrolman Fallon and Lt. King walked through the back room and up the stairs to the second floor where the 21st Squad is located. He opened the door and was met by Detective Deluca.

[Detective DeLuca]

Where's Ms. Nayland? In your office, Lieutenant. The floor nurse over at the hospital just called. He didn't die? No, nothing. The wife showed up. She's been talking to the doctor. Nice thing. She got in by plane. Took a cab straight to Mount Sinai. I told the nurse to ask her to come over here later. You want to talk to her? Good. Let's go see Ms. Nayland. Yes, sir. You didn't say anything to her to do it? Oh, no, sir. I would. Hello, Ms. Malan.

[June Nayland]

Hello.

[Detective DeLuca]

Sit down. Lunch? Yes, sir. Sorry to get you back here. I know you didn't have much rest last night.

[June Nayland]

I didn't have any. Have you really got them? Are you sure they're the right ones?

[Detective DeLuca]

They were in your car, Ms. Nayland. We put out a teletype alarm last night and the state police spotted the car on the road.

[June Nayland]

That's good. I'm glad. I'm glad for Walter's here.

[Detective DeLuca]

How long have you known Walter, Ms. Mayland?

[June Nayland]

Oh, quite some time.

[Detective DeLuca]

See him very often?

[June Nayland]

Every time he comes to New York, he gets his car. Do you know?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes.

[June Nayland]

You know, every time he comes to New York on business, we go out. Message theater, nightclubs. We have a good time.

[Detective DeLuca]

How often does he come to New York?

[June Nayland]

I don't know. Every month. He's selling us businesses.

[Detective DeLuca]

How long does he stay?

[June Nayland]

You Greening?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes.

[June Nayland]

Usually two or three days maybe. Sometimes a week.

[Detective DeLuca]

How'd you meet him? You remember?

[June Nayland]

Yes, I remember. It was concerned that they had a party and I was there and Walters came. That's how we met. Jocelyn and I had a big business in Chicago. He was really a sweet guy, really. His friend. Something like this had to happen to him.

[Detective DeLuca]

How long have you lived in New York, Ms. Ellis? Anything to do for we'd like to know. Just like to get things straight.

[June Nayland]

I've lived in New York most of my life.

[Detective DeLuca]

You work?

[June Nayland]

No, I don't work.

[Detective DeLuca]

How do you get along?

[June Nayland]

I have my alimony.

[Detective DeLuca]

I thought it was Miss June Nayland.

[June Nayland]

When I got my divorce, the judge said I could use my maiden name again. It's the way I wanted it.

[Detective DeLuca]

How much alimony do you get?

[June Nayland]

Isn't that a little personal?

[Detective DeLuca]

Maybe it is, but I'd like to know how a young woman living alone with no job can dress so well. I put you a nice apartment, nice furniture.

[June Nayland]

Well, don't say what don't have to do with it. I don't see what that has to do with it at all.

[Detective DeLuca]

How much alimony do you get?

[June Nayland]

$300 a month.

[Detective DeLuca]

Has your former husband been regular in his payments?

[June Nayland]

Of course he has been.

[Detective DeLuca]

$300 a month? Enough for you to live up?

[June Nayland]

It's adequate.

[Detective DeLuca]

Marilyn, you know a man named Philip Creedy?

[June Nayland]

No.

[Detective DeLuca]

How about Arthur Harrod?

[June Nayland]

No, I don't know any Arthur Harrods. I don't know either of them. What's this all about? What's the right to know? You've been yelling and asked me these personal questions like I was a criminal or something.

[Detective DeLuca]

Philip Creedy and Arthur Harris are the two men who were picked up in Albany by the state police. They were in your car.

[June Nayland]

Well, I don't see what that has to do with how much alimony I get or how I live or what kind of clothes I wear.

[Detective DeLuca]

They told the officer who went up to bring them back that you hired them to rob Mr. Herridge.

[June Nayland]

I did.

[Detective DeLuca]

That's what they said.

[June Nayland]

That's ridiculous.

[Detective DeLuca]

They said they met you in a bar in Greenwich Village. You told them you had a date with this rich manufacturer from Chicago.

[June Nayland]

Crazy, I said.

[Detective DeLuca]

You told them he always carried a lot of money.

[June Nayland]

That's absolutely crazy.

[Detective DeLuca]

You were going to this certain nightclub. They said you told them where you'd park your car, what time you'd be there, what time you'd be out.

[June Nayland]

That's not so.

[Detective DeLuca]

They said you told them exactly what to do, where to be and where to go. Even to wreck your car so you could collect the insurance on it.

[June Nayland]

That's so ridiculous, I don't even want to talk about it.

[Detective DeLuca]

No, it sounds ridiculous, but that's what they.

[June Nayland]

I don't care what they said.

[Detective DeLuca]

Why would they want to put you into this if you had nothing to do with it?

[June Nayland]

I don't know why, but I had nothing to do with it. Nothing at all. It's the silliest thing I ever heard of. It's crazy. It's a crazy lie.

[Detective DeLuca]

Well, we'll get it straightened out. It won't be hard.

[June Nayland]

I'm so glad to hear that.

[Detective DeLuca]

Now Mr. Eric got into town on Monday.

[June Nayland]

Yes.

[Detective DeLuca]

You saw him, you said Monday night, Tuesday night and last night?

[June Nayland]

That's right.

[Detective DeLuca]

Whose idea was it to go down to Greenwich Village last night?

[June Nayland]

It was his.

[Detective DeLuca]

Wally, go to Greenwich Village. Tuesday night?

[Captain Kennelly]

We went to the theater, Napa.

[Detective DeLuca]

The theater. Will you lunch?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yes, it is.

[June Nayland]

We went to my place.

[Captain Kennelly]

21st squad.

[Detective DeLuca]

And Monday night.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, nightclub.

[Detective DeLuca]

All right. In Greenwich Village. Hold on a second.

[June Nayland]

No, in the town.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. Now? Yeah, right now. I'll tell you what. Yes, sir.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hello, Whitey.

[Detective DeLuca]

I'll be right out. Go ahead. Yes, we'll have it. Did you go to a club in Greenwich Village the last time Missouri was in New York?

[June Nayland]

No.

[Detective DeLuca]

He ever taken you to the Village?

[Captain Kennelly]

No.

[Detective DeLuca]

Why'd you go last night?

[June Nayland]

There was an actor we were interested in seeing.

[Detective DeLuca]

Well, who was interested, you or Ms. Eric?

[June Nayland]

Oh, they're so indigenous. I don't even want to ever since to talk about.

[Detective DeLuca]

All right, we'll skip it for a while. Mrs. Arsen.

[June Nayland]

Oh, is she?

[Detective DeLuca]

You know her?

[June Nayland]

No.

[Detective DeLuca]

She went right from LaGuardia to the hospital. There was nothing she could do there, so I asked her to come over. She'd like to hear from you how it happened.

[June Nayland]

Yes, I think she's entitled to hear from me. Does she know that I was with

[Captain Kennelly]

Wall at the time, Madam?

[Detective DeLuca]

She does.

[June Nayland]

I imagine she knows the whole story about Walter and me.

[Detective DeLuca]

I imagine.

[June Nayland]

Well, all right.

[Detective DeLuca]

You'll.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes, sir. Okay. She'll be right in.

[June Nayland]

I don't know what I can tell her.

[Detective DeLuca]

Right in there, Mrs. Eric. Come in, please.

[June Nayland]

Thank you.

[Detective DeLuca]

Close the door. I want. Yes? Mrs. Eric, this is Lieutenant King.

[June Nayland]

How do you do, Lieutenant?

[Detective DeLuca]

And Ms. Malam.

[June Nayland]

I'm sorry about what happened, Mrs. Large. Very sorry. I know. I suppose we all are. I just came from the hospital, Lieutenant. I understand his condition is quite critical.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes, I know.

[June Nayland]

I want to thank you for the interest you've shown Ms. Neyland. I heard you were there all night. In practically all this morning. Yes, I was. It was very considerate. I appreciate it. Have you known Walter a long time? Yes, for quite some time. I see. I knew you'd understand, Mrs. Edge, because he's spoken quite often about you and the boys and the house and all about you. You do? I'm sorry, but I can't say the same.

[Captain Kennelly]

After the two women concluded their conversation, Lt. King spoke privately to Mrs. Eric

[Detective DeLuca]

for a few minutes.

[Captain Kennelly]

Then she returned to the hospital. The interrogation of Ms. Nayland was then continued. She vehemently denied any connection with the two men who had been arrested by the New York State Police near Albany. Shortly after 2pm Lt. King received a phone call from Detective Fitzpatrick, in charge of the detail driving the suspects back from Albany. He was calling from a filling station on the Henry Hudson Drive in the Bronx and informed the lieutenant that they would be at the station house within a half hour. After a few more minutes of questioning, Lt. King reminded Ms. Nayland that she had had nothing to eat all day. She agreed that she was hungry and was escorted to a restaurant on Lexington Avenue by Detective Whitey Howard. I was still at the meeting of the borough Commander's Office at 2:20pm when the two suspects arrived at the station house. They were taken upstairs to the Detective squad where they were immediately fingerprinted and their pedigrees taken. Then together, they were taken to Lt. King's office. All right, so where are you taking us now?

[Detective DeLuca]

Right in here. Now.

[Captain Kennelly]

What's in there? The luca, Lieutenant. Your lieutenant, Art. All right, go on. Go on, Art.

[Detective DeLuca]

I'm going. While they're. Sit down. Where?

[Captain Kennelly]

Where he wants to sit Right there. Sit down. Sit down, Art.

[Detective DeLuca]

Just close the door. Lynn? Yes. You're Creedy?

[Captain Kennelly]

That's right.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. You're Harrod? I'm Harrod, yes. Ever in trouble before, Creedy?

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, yeah.

[Detective DeLuca]

Where? In New York. For what? Where?

[Captain Kennelly]

In Larson?

[Detective DeLuca]

What'd you get out of it?

[Captain Kennelly]

Three years suspended.

[Detective DeLuca]

Ever do any time? Yeah, well, elmira.

[Captain Kennelly]

I did 22 months at Birdwood.

[Detective DeLuca]

What if I killed me? Yeah. You were ever in trouble? Just in the army, that's all. I did some time in Leavenworth. Not the penitentiary. The DB there. For what? For stealing. I understand you two admit shooting the man, did you? Yeah, we shot him, didn't we, Odd? Yeah, we shot him. How much get off him?

[Captain Kennelly]

I don't know.

[Detective DeLuca]

$1,100. $1,100? Yeah. Yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

It was that girl that tuned got

[Detective DeLuca]

us into this thing.

[Captain Kennelly]

She put the whole thing up to it. Is that right, Art?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, that's right.

[Captain Kennelly]

I mean, we didn't want any trouble. We're just out for a good time. She saw us in that bar in the Village and not the place where they went to get another joint.

[Detective DeLuca]

Tuesday, she saw it. When Tuesday? What time? Tuesday, in the afternoon.

[Captain Kennelly]

That right, Art?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

[Captain Kennelly]

I mean, we don't want any trouble.

[Detective DeLuca]

You ever see her before that? Oh, sure, sure.

[Captain Kennelly]

Lots of times.

[Detective DeLuca]

We've seen her around.

[Captain Kennelly]

I knew her for years when I introduced her out. Didn't I say meet an old friend of mine?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, that's what you said, Phil.

[Captain Kennelly]

I mean, she put us up to it. I didn't want any trouble. I had enough trouble all my life. I want to stay out of trouble. She told us he had a date with this fellow that he always carries

[Detective DeLuca]

around a lot of money.

[Captain Kennelly]

And he'd take him to this place, he'd get a little tight, he'd be a cinch. She didn't tell us we'd have to shoot him. Then she said. Then it's a simple operation, didn't she?

[Detective DeLuca]

OT that's right. We thought it would be simple. She denies he even knows you.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, of course she'd deny it. What do you think she's gonna do? Admit it? She put us up to it. It was all her idea to be a cinch. Nothing to it. Art will bear me out.

[June Nayland]

Won't you, Art?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, I'll bear ya.

[Captain Kennelly]

See what it's up to.

[Detective DeLuca]

Where's the gun you shot him with? We threw it out in the parkway someplace.

[Captain Kennelly]

I can show you where. I know just where, Don't I, Art?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

It's a fine thing, putting us up to something like this. We didn't want any trouble. She gives us a sob story about how she can't make ends meet. Wouldn't be so bad. Now she's trying to squirm out of it. But he's not going to get off with nothing. Isn't that right, Art?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, guess so. You'll look. A seat at the back, William. Yes, sir.

[Captain Kennelly]

Are you in here, Lieutenant?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah. How's the guy today? About the same. I hope he don't die. You better hope so. I wasn't thinking about myself. I just didn't mean him any harm itself.

[Captain Kennelly]

I don't mind somebody getting hooked for something they did.

[Detective DeLuca]

But when they tried to lie their

[Captain Kennelly]

way out of it. When you got them 14 ways to breakfast at something else. Is that right, Aunt?

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah.

[June Nayland]

Yeah. There.

[Captain Kennelly]

There she is that time. What are you trying to lie your way out of it for?

[June Nayland]

I don't even want to talk about it.

[Detective DeLuca]

Sure.

[Captain Kennelly]

Sure, she don't want to talk about it. Because anything you say might get you in deeper.

[Detective DeLuca]

That's all.

[June Nayland]

What are you trying to do to me?

[Captain Kennelly]

I just want you to get what's comedy. Okay.

[Detective DeLuca]

All right.

[June Nayland]

She's lying.

[Captain Kennelly]

That's all.

[Detective DeLuca]

All right, Phil.

[Captain Kennelly]

Keep it quiet.

[Detective DeLuca]

Malin, you ever see these two before?

[June Nayland]

Yes. They're the two that held us something. Shut Wallace.

[Captain Kennelly]

She don't mind telling the truth about that. But don't hurt her, all right? She Told us exactly what to do and how to get the money. She even told us where he kept it.

[June Nayland]

What pocket?

[Captain Kennelly]

I didn't want anything to do with it.

[June Nayland]

She told her.

[Captain Kennelly]

Isn't that right, Art? Isn't that the honest to goodness proof?

[June Nayland]

No. She know it isn't.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hell, I'm Art, isn't it? No, no, she had nothing to do with it.

[Detective DeLuca]

Are you crazy?

[Captain Kennelly]

Still there? He thought up the whole, whole idea while we were laying over in Auburn. He said, when the New York cops get here, let's put it over in a girl and it would go better for us. It was his idea to do that. How do you like that? You said if we could put some of the blame on her, we won't get so much out of it. It would go easier on us if we got to be witness against her. Wait till I get you along.

[Detective DeLuca]

It'll be a long wait.

[Captain Kennelly]

I'm sorry, lady. I didn't want to hurt you. There's enough people hurt already, thanks.

[Detective DeLuca]

Now, let's cause fries, Ms. Miller.

[Captain Kennelly]

How do you like that?

[Detective DeLuca]

Keep your eye on them.

[Captain Kennelly]

L. Yes, Guy won't make it easier on him.

[Detective DeLuca]

Well, guess that settles it, Ms. Malan.

[June Nayland]

I hope so.

[Detective DeLuca]

I'm sorry for any anxiety we caused you, but we've got to check these things through.

[June Nayland]

Well, thank goodness for that.

[Detective DeLuca]

Hello, Max. Oh, hello, Captain. You've met Ms. Malan? Captain Kennelly. Yes. Hey, man.

[June Nayland]

Hello.

[Detective DeLuca]

Well, how's it going, man? Miss Malan is just leaving. Oh, we've got your car downstairs, Ms. Malan. Have to put in a claim with the desk off, so forth.

[June Nayland]

Do I have to do it right away?

[Detective DeLuca]

No, there's no hurry.

[June Nayland]

I want to get back to the hospital. Well, I can't say it was a pleasure.

[Captain Kennelly]

Bye, Ms. Naylor.

[Detective DeLuca]

We'll call you when we need you.

[June Nayland]

Goodbye, Jackson.

[Captain Kennelly]

Goodbye. I'm glad she's cleared, Matt. Would have been too bad.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yes, Amber. Well, you want to hear what I've got to say to those boys who are wasting our time?

[Captain Kennelly]

No, thanks, Matt. I'm sure you don't need any help from me. 21st Precinct, Sergeant Kenny. What do you mean, robbed? Held up.

[Detective DeLuca]

Where is this? Where?

[Captain Kennelly]

1105 or 1109. Well, who got shot?

[Detective DeLuca]

Who?

[June Nayland]

Him.

[Detective DeLuca]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, which way do they go? Uptown or downtown? 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.