21st Precinct 54-06-02 (047) The Needle

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "21st Precinct 54-06-02 (047) The Needle"

Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 24, 2026
Original Airdate: June 2, 1954

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Overview

In this gripping episode of "21st Precinct," listeners are plunged into the inner workings of a mid-century New York police station, following the investigation of a young woman caught stealing a hypodermic needle and syringe from a local drugstore. The story gradually peels back layers of personal desperation, loyalty, and crime as police unravel the connection between the theft and a wounded fugitive involved in a recent series of armed robberies. The episode authentically captures the tension of police work and the human stories entwined with each case.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

The Incident at the Drugstore (00:37 - 06:56)

• Scene Setting: The episode opens in the muster room of the 21st Precinct. Captain Frank Kennelly is called to a small neighborhood drugstore where a theft has just occurred.
  • “A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report...” (00:41, Captain Kennelly)
• The Arrest: Upon arrival, Captain Kennelly, his officers, and the drugstore owner, Mr. Crow, confront a young woman who stole a syringe and needle.
  • “She comes in here...right in the counter. Like she knew just exactly where I keep the hypodermic.” (03:31, Mr. Crow)
• Interrogation: The girl, eventually giving her name as “Kitty,” resists providing further information about herself or her motives, claiming at first she’s a narcotics user, then denying it under questioning. She finally admits the needle was for a "friend."
  • “I just wanted it.” (04:50, Kitty)
  • “Is it for a friend of yours who's a user?” (05:27, Captain)
  • “Yes, it's for a friend of mine.” (05:31, Kitty)
• Notable Moment: Kitty pushes against gender and societal norms, refusing to carry a purse.
  • “I don’t like to carry them...I got a dollar and eighty cents. What do I need a purse for?” (05:53, Kitty)

Further Investigation at the Precinct (10:03 - 13:44)

• Back at the Station: While routine precinct business hums along (including a comedic complaint about construction noise), the officers continue to puzzle over Kitty’s identity and motives.
  • “She’s a strange one. Sure is.” (11:43, Officer)
• Police Methods: The police fingerprint Kitty and circulate her description. Meanwhile, building maintenance gripes humorously illustrate the everyday realities of precinct life.

The Break in the Case: Kitty’s Identity (13:44 - 18:26)

• Identification: Detective King identifies Kitty as the wife of Victor (Vic) Gerard, a wanted man who has committed several armed robberies and shot a detective—a critical revelation.
  • “She’s the wife of a boy named Victor Gerard. ...Detectives fired two shots and Gerard fired three. The officer got hit, didn’t he?” (13:46, Lieutenant King & Captain)
• Interrogation: Kitty is confronted with her identity and, after initial resistance, admits she is Kitty Gerard but refuses to divulge Vic’s location out of loyalty and love.
  • “Yes, yes, I’m Kitty Gerard.” (17:19, Kitty)

Desperation and Confessions (18:01 - 22:28)

• Motivation Revealed: Under emotional questioning, Kitty reveals Vic is not a drug user—he’s seriously wounded, suffering from an infected bullet wound, and desperately needs medical care.
  • “I want him to go to a doctor, I want him to go to a hospital, but he said no... He's sick. Wanting a fever. ...His legs are swollen up. ...He’s really sick.” (19:06-19:54, Kitty)
• Moral Appeal: Police implore Kitty to help save Vic’s life by disclosing his location, warning of the mortal danger of infection.
  • “If you love him, you’d see that he got into a hospital and under proper care.” (22:06, Captain)

The Location & Sting Operation (22:32 - 24:16)

• Kitty Breaks: Kitty finally reveals their hideout—Room 742, 10 Minette—after an emotional plea and concern for Vic’s life.
  • “He's alone in bed. He was when I left him… He can't walk.” (22:43-22:51, Kitty)
  • Police organize a careful raid, bringing Kitty along to minimize further violence.

The Arrest & Confrontation (24:16 - 27:43)

• The Raid: Officers enter the Gerard’s room with Kitty. Vic is found in bed, in pain, with a gun.
  • “What'd you expect? I got a bullet in my leg. What you expecting to be cool as a cucumber?” (26:16, Vic)
• Bitterness & Regret: Vic reacts bitterly to Kitty’s cooperation and her failure to secure the supplies he needed.
  • “How can you be so stupid as to get caught?... I ask you to get a little thing like a hypodermic needle, some penicillin, you get caught. How could you be so dumb?” (27:13, Vic)
  • Kitty, distressed: “I really tried.”
• Aftermath: The episode closes with the routine, relentless cycle of police work continuing, reinforcing the gritty, often impersonal nature of the job.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There are a lot more thieves than millionaires.” (06:00, Captain Kennelly)
• “I told him it's not the fever that's so bad, it's the infection... He said there was one thing that would take care of it. He said he ought to take some penicillin. Well, you can't get penicillin without a doctor's prescription...” (20:07, Kitty)
• “If you love him, you'd see that he got into a hospital and under proper care.” (22:06, Captain Kennelly)
• Vic’s bitter sarcasm on being arrested and his fate: “Sure, I’ll be all right. In 10 years, I’ll be perfect.” (27:36, Vic)
• Closing narration: “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.” (27:44, Narrator)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:37: Introduction to the precinct and first call
• 03:18: Kitty confronted in the drugstore
• 05:57: Kitty refuses to give real details, reveals her age
• 10:03: Back at the station, further investigation
• 13:44: Lt. King connects Kitty’s case to the Gerard robberies
• 16:38: Kitty’s interrogation, her true identity revealed
• 18:03: Kitty admits needing the syringe for her wounded husband
• 19:54: Describes the extent of Vic's wound and infection
• 22:43: Kitty divulges Vic’s location
• 24:16: Police prepare and execute the raid
• 25:52: Officers confront Vic and secure his arrest
• 27:44: Episode’s poignant closing narration

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Episode Tone & Style

Faithful to the procedural drama style, the dialogue is brisk, blunt, and realistic. Officers are compassionate yet pragmatic, and the emotional stakes for Kitty and Vic feel raw and immediate. The episode embodies the lived tension between law enforcement's grim realism and the tragedy of the individuals swept up in its machinery.

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For New Listeners

This episode is an excellent illustration of Golden Age radio’s ability to blend suspense, human drama, and social commentary, all while maintaining a procedural framework. The story unspools in real time, with attention to both the banality and the urgency of police work—making it a compelling listen for those drawn to vintage crime dramas and character-driven narratives.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

21st, preaching. Sergeant Waters. He caught a thief. Or he saw a thief. Yeah. Yeah. Well, where is this? Where they holding him? Oh, it's a woman. Where has he got her? Yeah. 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. Yes, sir. I'll send the officers right over there. That's right, yeah. You stand out on the sidewalk and show them where to go. All right. 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. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants to whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly, Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my day tour 8am to 6pm after I had turned out the platoon and attended to other matters in the station house that required my attention. Sector Car number three came by the house to take me to 84th street and Fifth Avenue where a large crowd was expected at the reopening ceremonies of a remodeled wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the museum itself is in the 22nd or Central Parks precinct. Three patrolmen from the 21st had been detailed to handle the traffic on Fifth Avenue. On arrival, I determined that the congestion was not nearly as heavy as anticipated and I returned to the car with the intention of inspecting other conditions in the precinct. During the course of the patrol, we had occasion to drive downtown on Second Avenue in the 70s. There I spotted the sergeant's car double parked at the corner a block ahead. As we approached, I saw a group of pedestrians peering into the window of a small neighborhood drugstore. I instructed the operator of my car to stop. I got out and crossed the sidewalk to the store. Coming through there, please. Coming through. Hello, Captain. Carl, what do we got? I don't know. The sergeant talked to me yet, sir. Sergeant. Hello, Captain. Oh, what have we got? I'm trying to find out, Captain. We just got here ourselves. That's the first time anything like that ever happened to me. This is Mr. Crow, the drugstore Captain can. Captain, how do you do?

[C]

I didn't mean any harm. I really didn't.

[B]

We were riding by, Captain. I saw the disturbance on the sidewalk and we got out to have a look. He went right into the showcase. He took a hypodermic syringe and a needle right into the showcase.

[C]

What if I didn't?

[B]

You didn't mean any harm. You stole my merchandise, didn't you? She comes in here. The telephone rings. I go in back. She thinks I can't see her, but I can. Right in the counter. Like she knew just exactly where I keep the hypodermic. Do you know what she was after? Is that true, man? I said so, yes. She ran out of the door. Then I hung up the phone and I followed her out into the street and I grabbed her. She tried to get away, but lucky the sergeant was right there. That was fine. She had the needle and the syringe in her hand. Didn't she, Sergeant? Yeah, that's right. She had them.

[C]

I didn't mean it, Mom.

[B]

What's your name, miss?

[C]

Kitty.

[B]

Kitty what?

[C]

Kitty.

[B]

Where do you live? Well, where?

[C]

No place.

[B]

Well, now, you must live someplace.

[C]

I don't live any place.

[B]

Is it that you don't live anyplace, or is it that you don't want to tell us where you live or what your name is?

[C]

I'm not telling you.

[B]

We'll find out if you do.

[C]

That's up to you. I'm not telling you.

[B]

Did you ever see her in the store before Mr. Crows? Well, I don't know. Maybe she looks familiar, but she's not a regular customer. Do you think she lives in the neighborhood? She couldn't prove it by me, Captain. Your first name is Kitty, isn't it? Well, I'll call you that anyway.

[C]

I don't care. Call me what you want.

[B]

Why did you want a hypodermic syringe and needle?

[C]

Just wanted it.

[B]

Are you a narcotics user?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Let me see your arm. Roll up. This one, eh?

[C]

No.

[B]

Look, kid, you're in a lot of trouble now. You might as well be a little help. Roll up, you. Please. Let me see your arm.

[C]

All right,

[B]

let me see the other one. Why did you tell me you were a user when you're not?

[C]

You thought I was. I just didn't want to disappoint.

[B]

What did you want the needle and syringe for?

[C]

I just wanted it.

[B]

You sure must have wanted it. You had to go all the way and back to the counter for it. It's not for you, is it?

[C]

It is for me.

[B]

Is it for a friend of yours who's a user?

[C]

Yes, it's for a friend of mine.

[B]

Who?

[C]

Just a friend of mine.

[B]

Does he have a purse, Sergeant? No, sir. I didn't see any. Did you notice that she was carrying one with crows? I don't remember.

[C]

Why don't you ask me? I could tell you I wasn't carrying any purse. I never carried a purse.

[B]

Well, then you're not very far from home, are you?

[C]

What difference does that make? I could be a thousand miles away. I still wouldn't carry a purse. I don't like to carry them.

[B]

How old? Are you kidding?

[C]

Don't care for purses, that's all. I'm entitled not to carry them, don't you think?

[B]

How old are you?

[C]

19. I got a pocket in my sweater. That's all I need. I carry the money I want to carry. In the pocket. I got a dollar and eighty cents. What do I need a purse for a dollar and eighty cents? Want to count it? You want to count it? It's all there. It's $1.80.

[B]

Put it back. Well, I guess you better take her on in. Sergeant, let the detectives take her on. Yes, sir.

[C]

Take me in where?

[B]

Into the station house.

[C]

I don't want to go.

[B]

Well, I don't think you have any choice in the matter. We'll have to take this needle and syringe along for evidence, I suppose. Well, it's all right. It's all right with me. Will I get some back? The detectives will be around to talk to you. You'll have to appear against him in court.

[C]

You mean?

[B]

Yep. How can I get away from the store in the daytime? It's hard for me to get away. You'll get that straightened out with the detective. Come on, miss.

[C]

I don't want to go.

[B]

Look, honey, don't give us any more trouble now.

[C]

I don't want to. I can't.

[B]

You better go. Along, kitty.

[C]

I can't go. I can't.

[B]

You want me to pick you up and carry you?

[C]

No.

[B]

Well, then come on.

[C]

All right.

[B]

I'll see you at the station house, Captain. Okay. I don't know, Captain. Day and age. Customer comes in, you don't know whether they're a thief or a millionaire. Pretty young girl like that? I don't know. Well, you can take one thing for granted, mister. Crows. There are a lot more thieves than millionaires. Are you really buying a car online on Autotrader right now?

[A]

Really? I can get super specific with dealer listings and see cars based on my budget. You can really have it delivered or pick it up.

[C]

Kid is walking up the slide.

[A]

Really? Autotrader. Buy your car online. Really? We're lost. I'm going to pull over and ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're looking to get to the campground.

[B]

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

[A]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[B]

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.

[A]

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

[B]

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 2H2025 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. C T mobile.com for details. After I left the drugstore, I had my operator drive to Public School 79, where I conferred with the principal in regard to a delinquency problem he was experiencing among a group of older boys. I suggested a course that could be taken in connection with the situation and told him I would send the precinct youth patrolman and a detective of the juvenile aid bureau around to talk to him and aid in correcting the condition. When I came out of the school and got into the car, I instructed the operator to return to the station house. It was 10:40am when we arrived. Across the sidewalk, walked up the stone steps and into the mushroom where Lieutenant Snider was desk officer, and Sergeant Waters was now on telephone switchboard duty. Hello, Captain. Sergeant. Sergeant, you got a call from the borough commander's office. No. Yes, sir. Go ahead, take your phone. I'd have to message on your desk. All right, I'll sign the blotter. Hello, Lieutenant. What's good? 21st briefing Sergeant Waters. Yes, ma'. Am. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we can't stop them from building the building, lady. Yeah, well, they need rivets to hold the girders together. They can't help the noise. It's the machine they use. Yeah, I understand, but it'll only be a couple of more weeks and they're through, lady. Well, and after the steel workers come the bricklayers. They work quietly. Yes, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[B]

You are welcome. What happened to the girl, Sergeant? What girl? The one you arrested in the drugstore. Oh, yes, sir. She's upstairs in the detective. Did she say who she is? Not that I know of, Captain. I've been talking with her. Have they booked her in yet? No, sir. What do you. What do you think she wanted with her hypodermic officer? She's not a user. Didn't she have any identification on her at all? No, sir. A policewoman came up from the 19th Precinct and saved her. Found nothing. Pretty little girl, too. Yeah, Captain. Oh, man. All attempting, Sergeant. You on your way in or out, Captain? I just got in from patrol. Oh, good. Got time to start for a minute? Yeah, sure, man. What's on your mind? Well, let's go in my office. All right, go ahead, ma'. Am. Huh? Have a seat. I just want to wash some ink off my hand. That pen we've got out there is like a sid. Hey, did you find anything out about that girl with the hypodermic syringe needle? What'd you say, Captain? I said, you find anything out about that girl with the hypodermic syringe and needles? She hasn't said a word yet. Nothing? No, nothing. She's a strange one. Sure. Sure is. Well, what are you doing to find out who she is? Well, we made her fingerprints. We sent them downtown to be checked out. She's been arrested before. We'll know right away. What if she hasn't? They put out a general appearance, description and a teletype. Checking through the alarm. Funny kids. Well, what's on your mind, man? Well, sir. Oh, have you gone? Just the second. I want to make sure call. Yes, but. 153 for Sergeant Water. Sergeant, would you see if you can get Deputy Chief Caruso at the bottle office. Yes, sir. Do you want to wait on, or shall I ring in that? No, I'll ring him. Yes, sir. Yes, Max. Well, I understand you're in the process of making your inspection of the building and equipment. Yeah, that's right. Captain, could you put in an extra special for a coat of paint up in the detective squad? I'm trying to get them to paint the whole building, man. I know there hasn't been a painter upstairs since before the war. Which war? Civil War. It looks like plaster is cracking. Bird isn't cracked. Might well be. Well, I'm trying to get the Superintendent of Buildings up here in person to take a look around. If he comes, you'll bring him up to the squad, huh? Matt, if he comes, I'm going to take him into every corner of this building. In addition to painting, something's got to be done about the heating system. You fellas burned up from too much heat all winter. And downstairs we froze to death. Oh, excuse me, man. 21st Precinct. Captain Canelli, Dr. Warner, RCS. Captain. Yes. Chief Caruso is in his office, sir. Okay. I left a message to send his call. The john there said he put the message on his head all right. And I want to see if I can get them to give us some new lighting fixes. Good eyes being ruined around here. That's another thing we could use in the squad from decent lights. Well, if I can get the Superintendent of Buildings up here, maybe that'll accomplish something. But don't hope for too much, man. Settle for the paint job. You see, they've got very little money for maintenance and repairs. And about 90 departmental buildings if needed. That spreads it pretty soon. Well, I figure if we holler long enough and loud enough, Captain, we'll do something. 21st Precinct. Captain Kelly. What is our CS captain? Lieutenant King in there. Will you with me? Yes, he's here. My valley wants to talk to me. L wants to talk to you, man. No, there he is. Right.

[C]

Lt. King.

[B]

Yabby. Who calls him down there? They sure about it? Yeah. When? All right. Be right upstairs. Well, that's pretty. Little thief that took the hypodermic outfit. Captain. Jan, I think we know who she is. Who? The wife of a boy named Victor Gerard. Who is he? Took up two delicatessens downtown on the west side. Oh, he went to pick up the third one. There was a detective planted in the back. Detectives fired two shots and Gerard fired three. The officer got hit, didn't he? Yes, sir. And he's still in St. Vincent's Hospital caught one on the side. Yes, it was in the 10th Precinct last week. The detective felt sure that he hit the boy with one of his shots. Squad commander of the tent rang up here and spoke to the tally. He saw the description on his teletype and thought it fit. The girl I knew was married to this Gerard. If the boy was hit, maybe she wanted the needle and syringe for him. That's what it looks like. Going upstairs to talk to her again. You want to come along, Captain? Yes, Matt, I think I do. I walk out of my office with Lt. King and we headed through the muster room toward the back room where a motorcycle patrolman from Traffic Precinct F was sitting at the table going through his summons book preparatory to turning the stubs over to the desk officer. Together we went up the stairs towards the second floor where the 21st Detective Squad is located. See, look at the hall. Even Captain. Plaster's cracking out here, too. Yep. I don't know why it's so hard to get someone up here with a bucket of paint. Not asking for the world. Almost the world, man. But not quite. Go ahead. Thank you. Pete. Yes, sir, Lieutenant. Where is she? In my office. Still? Yes, sir. Someone coming up here from the 10th Precinct? Yes, sir. There's two men on the way. Do you think it's a girl? They think so. They had her husband identified. Is that right? Yes, sir. Captain, according to the information I got, they made him from mugshots. Two of these delicatessen store operators identified him and the detective he shot. They traced him out to an apartment down in Greenwich Village. He just moved out of there a day or so before. Left no forwarding address. None of his friends knew where he went. They knew he married this girl named Kitty. Well, then Kitty's her right first name at least. Yes, sir. They've been watching her parents apartment. They got a plant there. No one's heard from her. We heard from her. Yes, let's. Gwen, talk to him. Who's in there? William Goldman and Cassidy, Lieutenant. Good. Okay. Hello, Captain. Hi, Captain Goldman. Hello, Cassidy. Where's the door of he? Yes, sir. Well, you ready to tell us who you are, miss?

[C]

I told you, I can't. I can't. You have to believe me.

[B]

Well, we haven't gotten very far, have we?

[C]

I can't tell you. I want to, but I can't.

[B]

Well, if you won't tell us who you are, supposing we tell you. You're Kitty Gerard, isn't that right? Isn't that right? Oh, look, Kitty. There's no sense wasting any more time. They know who you are and they know who your husband is. They know your husband is Vic Girard. They know he stuck up three delicatessens and they know he shot a detective. Now, you're in a lot of trouble. So is your husband. You want to help yourself, you better help us.

[C]

I'm not looking for any help. I don't need any. I don't want any.

[B]

But you are. Kitty. Gerard.

[C]

Yes. Yes, I'm kidding. Gerard.

[B]

Where's Vic?

[C]

Not gonna tell you.

[B]

Now, look, you're a pretty little girl. You're 19 years old. You've got long blond hair and a sweet, innocent little face. It might do you a lot of good in some places. But right now you're in a police station. It doesn't help you Here. You take about 10 seconds and think over what you're facing. After you think it over, your mind better be made up to tell us what we want to know. Now, you go ahead and think.

[C]

Nothing to think about. I'm not going to tell you my husband and I love him. And I'm not going to tell you

[B]

your husband isn't worth loving. He held up three delicatessens and he shot a detective. That's something that's worth loving?

[C]

Yes, he's worth luck.

[B]

Not in my book, it isn't.

[C]

I don't know what your book is.

[B]

All right, Kitty. What did you want with the needle?

[C]

I wanted it.

[B]

You sure must have wanted it. To steal it, run from his family. It's for Vic, isn't it?

[C]

Yes, it's for him.

[B]

Is that why he held up the delicatessen, because of the habit?

[C]

He hasn't got the habit. He hates it. He saw it, happened to a couple of his friends. Told me time and time again, lay off the stuff. It's no good. He said, I don't touch it. I don't touch it. And he doesn't touch it.

[B]

Well, then why did you want the needle? He's hurt, isn't he?

[C]

Yes, he's hurt.

[B]

Is he shot?

[C]

Yes, he was shot. By the same policeman he shot in the delicatessen? The last one.

[B]

Has he had any treatment?

[C]

No. I wanted to take him to a hospital. I wanted to get him a doctor. But he said, no, don't do that. Because he'd get turned in. The hospital would call the cops. No other doctor.

[B]

Have you been taking care of him yourself?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Where's he shot?

[C]

In the leg, right above the knee. About 2 inches above the knee.

[B]

Which leg?

[C]

Right one. I don't know how he made it home. A miracle he ever got there. It was a miracle I was able to stop it bleeding. I don't know how I did it.

[B]

That bullet in there or did it go through?

[C]

It's in there.

[B]

How long has this been, man? Six days? Yeah, six days. Kent, is he sick?

[C]

Sick? He's sick. Wanting a fever. About 100 and 203. His legs are swollen up. I want him to go to a doctor. I said sick. Get some sense. Get some sense. Cause I can't take care of this thing. I don't know anything about it. He's sick. I don't know what would happen. It's better to go to a doctor or hospital than to take a chance. Even if you get arrested, you can't take a chance. He wouldn't let me take him. He sent me down to three, a couple of drug stores. He said to go to a different one every time. Get some bandages and some iodine. And he said, you'll take care of it for me. You'll take care of me. Well, I've been trying. I want to do what he says, but he's really sick.

[B]

With 103 fever. He must be. You know what that fever's a sign of, don't you? It's infected badly. Insect.

[C]

I know. I read it in the first aid book. He didn't sleep all night hardly last night. Got up this morning, he was so hot, you could hardly touch him. From taking Aspen by the dozen. He said he gets the fever down. I told him it's not the fever that's so bad, it's the infection. Well, he had an idea this morning. He said there was one thing that would take care of it. He said he ought to take some penicillin. Well, you can't get penicillin without a doctor's prescription. And you need a hypodermic needle to take it. I told him I couldn't give him a hypodermic. He said he'd give it to himself. And he told me to go out and get penicillin and a hypodermic and not to come back until I got him. Well, I tried to buy a hypodermic. He told me to say I was diabetic, you know, that I had to take insurance. Well, I tried it. Druggist all said I needed the doctor's prescription.

[B]

Including the druggist. Where you tried to steal the stuff?

[C]

No other ones. I went to a lot of drugstores. Finally, this one I saw where he kept him. So I looked around the store and his phone rang. I tried to get it out of the showcase while he caught me on the street. You know the rest. I never even got a chance to get any penicillin. I didn't even try.

[B]

Where are they?

[C]

Kitty? No. I'm not gonna tell you he's my husband. I'm not gonna go against anything that he says.

[B]

Just because he's your husband, that doesn't make him right.

[C]

I know it doesn't, but he's my husband.

[B]

Kitty. He's got a bad infection in his leg. He's been running 103 fever. You know what's going to happen to him if he doesn't get under a doctor's care, don't you? If he doesn't get into a hospital?

[C]

He said the penicillin would take care of it.

[B]

Well, how is he going to get the penicillin now?

[C]

I just won't be able to.

[B]

He's just going to stay there and wait for you to come back. He told you not to come back until you got it. He's probably up there in that bed, sick with fever and an agony from pain. Pretty soon he's going to be beyond the point where any doctor can help him. Now, you say you love your husband.

[C]

I do.

[B]

Well, if you love him, you'd see that he got into a hospital and under proper care.

[C]

He doesn't want to.

[B]

It's not going to make any difference what he wants very soon because he's going to be dead.

[C]

But it couldn't be that bad.

[B]

It's bad enough now. If you want him alive, you better tell us where he is.

[C]

I wanted him to go to a doctor. I wanted him to go to a hospital, but he said no.

[B]

Where is he, Kitty?

[C]

In the room. We've got to find his room.

[B]

Where I.

[C]

He said I sit.

[B]

Where is your room?

[C]

7:42, 10 minutes.

[B]

Is he there alone?

[C]

Yes, he's alone in bed. He was when I left him.

[B]

Can he get out?

[C]

He can't walk.

[B]

Did he have a gun?

[C]

Yes, he's got a gun.

[B]

Where does he keep it?

[C]

Right down next to him on the table.

[B]

You think he'll use it?

[C]

No, he won't use it. I'm sure he won't. He's sick. He's sick. And Betty was shot in red.

[B]

Yes, I know. Nothing wrong with his hands. The interrogation of Kitty Girard continued until the arrival of the two detectives from the 10th squad. In the course of the questioning, a complete description of the room in which she resided with her husband was obtained. Detectives Goldman and Cassidy were sent to the address with instructions to wait there on a plant. At 1205, the detail assigned to make the arrest left the station house. Because Gerard was known to be armed and had already shot one detective, the utmost precautions were made to take him despite his apparent physical disability. Four patrolmen and Sergeant Waters were detailed to assist the detectives by covering the hallway, the sidewalk and the rear of the building. It was decided to take Kitty along in the hope that the element of surprise could be employed and the fugitive apprehended without further shooting. At 12:20, Lieutenant King was kitty at his side. Sergeant Waters, Detective Vitali, Detective Wilts of the 10th Squad and I proceeded up the stairs to the third floor hall room which the couple occupied. Our revolvers were drawn.

[C]

Horn will slide up.

[B]

Yes, I know. Hold it. All right, Kitty. Let's make sure you know what you're putting to do.

[C]

I know.

[B]

Let's get it straight. What?

[C]

When we get to to the door, you're going to tell me to use the key and open up?

[B]

Yes. After I get these off to the place where I want them.

[C]

I Dick says anything une for the answer.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

We're back. Natural. No one hurt him. Will you please don't hurt him.

[B]

It's up to him. It's up to you. All right, let's go.

[C]

You won't get hurt, Captain?

[B]

No, not if you help us. All right. Better keep quiet. Okay. Upstairs to get that.

[C]

Right there.

[B]

Okay. All right. I can help it. There. See folks there?

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. Gonna stay with me, Captain? Yep. All right, Kitty. Use the key. Kitty.

[C]

Yes, Vic, it's me. How do you feel?

[B]

Okay, let's go. Out of the way, Kitty. Here we are, Vic.

[C]

Don't move.

[B]

Get the gun right there. What's going on? Know what's going on, Vic? 32.

[C]

Let's go. I'm right here.

[B]

You went and got him, huh? Is that what you do to me? You went and got him. All right. Let's see if they keep away from me. Get those hands down at your side. Get them down. There you are. I'm stunning. He's burning up, Orin. What'd you expect? I got a bullet in my leg. What you expecting to be cool as a cucumber? Sergeant. Yes, sir. You better go down, ring in for an ambulance. Yes, Lieutenant. Right away. Who's got the gun? Wilkes. Wilkes, bring the gun over here. Yes, Lieutenant. Here you go. Thanks. What did you expect to accomplish with this, Nick? I don't know. Shoot another cop. What you want me to do? The cop was shooting at me. I don't know what I wanted you to do. Kitty. Yeah, Dally? What'd you do it for? Take a look around the place, will you? What'd you do it for? What? You turn me in?

[C]

I was arrested in the drugstore, Vic. I was arrested taking the needle.

[B]

How can you be so stupid as to get caught? I ask you to get a little thing like a hypodermic needle, some penicillin, you get caught. How could you be so dumb? All right, all right. Take it easy. How can I take it easy? How could you be so dumb when

[C]

you answer me that? Couldn't help it, Vic.

[B]

Well, you do something for me. You mess things up. You just leave it to you, huh? You want to show us that leg, Vic? No, I don't want to show you guys anything. Just go away and leave me alone. I'm sick. I'm dying.

[C]

They're going to take you to hospital, Vic. You'll be all right.

[B]

Sure, I'll be all right. In 10 years, I'll be perfect.

[C]

I'm sorry I cried. I really tried.

[B]

Yeah, I bet you tried. He tried. I don't know why, but she didn't. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. Who's shooting? A cop is shooting or a cop is shot. Yeah, yeah. Where is it, 75 or 79? Wait a minute now. Not so fast. What about a taxicab? Yeah, yeah. 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. The factual account of the way the police worked 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 as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Joan Loring, Bob Reddick, Joe Desantis, Harold Stone and John Sylvester. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS radio by John Ives. This is George Bryan speaking.