21st Precinct 54-10-13 (066) The Number

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct 54-10-13 (066) "The Number"
Airdate: February 25, 2026 (original radio drama broadcast: October 13, 1954)
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode of 21st Precinct, titled "The Number," takes listeners inside a tense police investigation in New York City. The story begins with detectives following up on a burglary, but quickly pivots to a manhunt for Harvey Brighter, an escaped convict wanted for murder. The episode explores the persistent and methodical nature of police work, focusing on the questioning of Harvey’s known associates and culminating in a nail-biting subway showdown.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Routine Turned Manhunt (01:06–03:58)

• The episode starts with a typical precinct scene: reports of a shooting, the sergeant taking calls, and Captain Kennelly describing daily operations and the scheduling of precinct captains.
• Detectives Novak and Fitzpatrick, investigating another case, spot Dutch Socan, a known associate of Harvey Brighter, and decide to question him, recognizing he might know something about Harvey's escape from a Boston jail.

2. Questioning Dutch Socan (04:06–13:33)

• Novak and Fitzpatrick question Dutch at a bar, pressing him on his relationship with Harvey and his current activities.
• Dutch, a convicted felon on parole, is intensely nervous about being found in a bar (which violates his parole). He insists he hasn’t seen Harvey, claiming, "I don't want any part of him. Guy is trigger happy. I got enough troubles of my own." (07:36)
• Dutch eventually admits he received a call from Harvey, who asked him to pass a message to his girlfriend, Dorothy Curtin, telling her to call a specific number at 10 o’clock.

3. Dorothy Curtin and the Dangerous Message (15:04–25:38)

• Dorothy Curtin is identified as Harvey’s girlfriend and questioned at her apartment after detectives verify her connection to Harvey and the phone call.
• Dorothy initially withholds information but later confirms Harvey asked her to return $300 he’d left with her and to meet him at the 77th St. subway station the next morning.

4. The Trap at the Subway Station (26:42–29:08)

• The police prepare to apprehend Harvey at the designated meeting point.
• At 9:32 am, Harvey arrives. Detectives try to apprehend him, resulting in a shootout on the platform. Harvey is fatally wounded while attempting escape.
• As Detective Novak observes, "Well, this is one tough baby we won't have to worry about anymore, Captain." (29:03)

5. Reflections on Police Work (29:52–30:11)

• As the dust settles, Captain Kennelly muses on the ceaseless cycle of crime and police work: “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.” (30:03)

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Notable Quotes and Dramatic Moments

• Dutch’s Reluctance:
  "I don't want any part of him. Guy is trigger happy. I got enough troubles of my own. I don't need his too."
  – Dutch Socan (07:36)

• The Pressure of Parole:
  "You're not supposed to stop in for any [beer] ... You're supposed to abstain completely from intoxicating liquors."
  – Detective William Novak (10:01)

• Negotiation with the Police:
  "Listen, can you forget about this? If I see what I can do to help you out, I'm willing to trade, Lieutenant. I just want to be sure I'm on firm ground."
  – Dutch Socan (14:13)

• Setting the Trap:
  "He said all right. Meet me tomorrow morning ... on the uptown platform at the 77th street station. Lexington Avenue subway. He'd get off the train 9:30 tomorrow morning."
  – Dorothy Curtin (25:11)

• After the Shooting:
  "Well, this is one tough baby we won't have to worry about anymore, Captain."
  – Detective William Novak (29:03)
  "No, but don't be too hopeful, Matt. There'll be others."
  – Captain Frank Kennelly (29:08)

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Timeline & Timestamps

• Call for Help at the Precinct: 01:06
• Captain Kennelly’s Precinct Overview: 01:20–03:12
• Spotting Dutch Socan: 03:58
• Dutch Questioned About Harvey: 05:56–07:36
• Parole Violation and Bargaining: 10:01–14:13
• Dutch Admits Hearing from Harvey: 14:13–15:46
• Dorothy Curtin’s Apartment: 18:47–25:38
• Setting up the Subway Trap: 26:42–28:36
• Shootout and Harvey’s Demise: 28:36–29:08
• Captain Kennelly’s Reflection: 29:52–30:11

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Tone and Style

The script follows the clipped, realistic dialogue typical of Golden Age police procedurals, with a tone that mixes gritty determination and weary realism. There's a strong focus on procedure, duty, and moral lines—underscored by the persistent refrain that there will always be another case, another fugitive, another day at the 21st Precinct.

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This episode stands out for its detailed investigation sequences, sharply drawn characters, and the palpable tension as the police set a trap for a dangerous fugitive. It's a strong example of classic radio drama's storytelling power, capturing both the excitement and routine of police work in mid-century New York.

Transcript

[Dorothy Curtin]

Or lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Detective William Novak]

Hi there.

[Dorothy Curtin]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

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.

[Dorothy Curtin]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

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.

[Dorothy Curtin]

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 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.

[Detective William Novak]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. Shooting. Where? Who's shooting? Are there police officers there? Yeah, where are you?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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.

[Detective William Novak]

All right, don't worry about it. I'm sending more officers over there. That's right. They're on the way. Okay. Okay, thanks.

[Narrator]

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 Frank Kennelly]

The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kenelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I had finished my night tour at 8am and was not due back on the job for 24 hours. A precinct commander's duty chart is arranged so that there's at least one captain on the job in each division at all times. He reports for his day tour at 8am and is on the job until 6pm Then normally he is off duty until the beginning of his night tour at 4 o' clock the following afternoon and works until 8 o' clock the next morning. But on duty or off the precinct is still the captain's responsibility and he is subject to call by the desk officer in the event of any major crime or unusual occurrence. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred in the precinct until 10:18pm when Detectives Novak and Fitzpatrick of the 21st Squad who had been investigating an apartment burglary were returning to the station house heading downtown on Lexington Avenue.

[Detective William Novak]

So what good is a manager without a team? That's not the point. The point is a good manager has to have a chance to build a good team. You can't expect a guy like Dressen to come into a club like Washington and build a pennant winner in one year. He's gotta have a chance. He's gotta have a chance to build the young players up and make a team out of them. Now listen, when the light changes, take a right. I wanna stop by that delicatessen and show them a few pictures I'm carrying. Oh, George's? Yeah, there've been some delicatessen stick ups down in the 15th too. I had some mug shots pulled on a couple of boys they think might be right for them. I'd like to have George take a look at them. Okay. You take a guy like Dressen. Yeah. What's he gonna do with Washington in one year? He didn't perform any miracles out there with that Oakland, California team in one year, did he?

[Dutch Socan]

What?

[Detective William Novak]

Hold it here. What's the matter? That looks like Dutch Socan. Who's that? Shoka? He's that friend of Harvey Brighter's. Oh yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Parked the car there, he goes into

[Detective William Novak]

that bar and grill. Hello, Dutch. Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, hi. How have you been?

[Detective William Novak]

How have you been?

[Dutch Socan]

I can't complain. Let's see, where do I know you from?

[Detective William Novak]

Where do you work out of the 21st squad. Oh yeah, yeah, I remember now. You should now let's go sit in the booth over there. I want to talk to you.

[Dutch Socan]

Why? Just order a bottle of beer.

[Detective William Novak]

Well, you can drink it in the booth.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, I guess I can. Hey, listen, can I have that beer when it's taken to booth?

[Detective William Novak]

Okay, it's coming.

[Dutch Socan]

How about one for you?

[Detective William Novak]

No, no thanks. Can't give it to you till I take the cap off the bottle.

[Dutch Socan]

I just wanted to move to the booth.

[Detective William Novak]

35 out of a half.

[Dutch Socan]

Ah, forget it, huh?

[Detective William Novak]

Some for you? Not right now. Come on. Dutch.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

You sure you, you won't have something?

[Detective William Novak]

No, no, not right now. Sit down.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah. Oh, it's nice running into you.

[Detective William Novak]

I didn't just run into you, Dutch.

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, didn't you?

[Detective William Novak]

A call came over for us to ring in. Oh, yeah, this is my partner, Detective John Fitzpatrick. Dutch Socan. Hello.

[Dutch Socan]

How are you?

[Detective William Novak]

Move in a little bit, Dutch?

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, sure.

[Detective William Novak]

I better ring in first. Yeah, go ahead. I'll be right back.

[Dutch Socan]

Can we order him something?

[Detective William Novak]

No, I don't think so. Where you living now, Dutch?

[Dutch Socan]

Well, still the same place.

[Detective William Novak]

Where's that?

[Dutch Socan]

619St. George Street.

[Detective William Novak]

In Brooklyn? Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, in Brooklyn.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

What are you doing up here?

[Dutch Socan]

Well, you know, I, I just come up to see a friend.

[Detective William Novak]

Where is he?

[Dutch Socan]

Well, I seen him already. I, I, I just thought I'd stop in and have a beer before I got the subway home.

[Detective William Novak]

Where you working?

[Dutch Socan]

The same place. You know, truck terminal.

[Detective William Novak]

You working steady?

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, sure, every day.

[Detective William Novak]

What do you hear from Harvey?

[Dutch Socan]

Harvey? I, I didn't hear anything from Harvey.

[Detective William Novak]

Well, he broke out nearly a week ago. You mean he hasn't been in touch with you?

[Dutch Socan]

No, no, he hasn't been in touch with me. Why would he get in touch with me?

[Detective William Novak]

I thought you were such good friends.

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, listen, you guys got the wrong impression. We weren't good friends. We just knew each other, that's all. I had a beer or two with him once in a while. I don't see why that makes us such good friends. I'm having a beer with you. That doesn't make us bosom buddies, does it?

[Detective William Novak]

Not necessarily. Good. They had another flat burglary on Madison Avenue. Yeah. Whitey wanted us to take the squeal. I told him we were tied up. He's giving it to woods and Vitale. Move over, Dutch.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

Dutch says he hasn't seen or heard from Harvey.

[Dutch Socan]

Now, look, I, I don't know why you should come after me just because I'm acquainted with the guy. All the information I got was in the newspapers there. I know a couple of months ago you wanted to talk to him for shooting up some guy on the docks. I know you couldn't find him. I know he was collared up in Boston after a stick up. Some guy got killed there. I know he walked out of jail up there last week. I didn't hear from the guy. I didn't see him. I don't want to hear from him. He's too heavy for me. You get mixed up with a guy like that, it can lead to nothing.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

But trouble.

[Dutch Socan]

I don't want any part of him.

[Detective William Novak]

I don't blame you, Dutch.

[Dutch Socan]

That's the truth. Now I want any part of him. Guy is trigger happy. I got enough troubles of my own. I don't need his too.

[Detective William Novak]

How much short time you owe, Dutch?

[Dutch Socan]

I owe them about 19 months.

[Detective William Novak]

What was that on?

[Dutch Socan]

Well, it's still that same two and a half to five bit grand. Last name?

[Detective William Novak]

It was hijacking a truck, wasn't it?

[Dutch Socan]

Ah, there wasn't any hijacking involved in the first place. Driver wasn't stuck up at all. That trailer was just parked there in a lot. It was broken open. Some guys broke it open.

[Detective William Novak]

What do you mean some guys? It was you, wasn't it?

[Dutch Socan]

No, no, it wasn't me.

[Detective William Novak]

You pleaded guilty.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah. I figured the cop out was the cheapest thing to do. I couldn't go argue with them. So I copped out for two and a half to five. I did 20 months. I still owe. I owe them 19.

[Detective William Novak]

Have you been seeing your parole officer regularly?

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, sure, I'm okay in that department.

[Detective William Novak]

And living up to your parole conditions?

[Dutch Socan]

In all respects, betcha. All respect, I'm clean as we're lost.

[Dorothy Curtin]

I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Detective William Novak]

Hi there.

[Dorothy Curtin]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

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.

[Dorothy Curtin]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

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.

[Dorothy Curtin]

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 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.

[Dutch Socan]

Whistle.

[Detective William Novak]

Been getting home by midnight every night.

[Dutch Socan]

Now it's 10:30 now. You know I'd be home by 11:15, 11:20 if I didn't stop to talk to Ewing.

[Detective William Novak]

You haven't been seeing Any of the boys have you?

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, I told you, I don't run with that kind of crowd anymore. I'm a hard working man. I gotta be on that job. 7:30 in the morning. Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

How have you been as far as the drinking is concerned?

[Dutch Socan]

Now listen, I stopped in here for one beer.

[Detective William Novak]

You're not supposed to stop in for any.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, but have a heart.

[Detective William Novak]

You're supposed to abstain completely from intoxicating liquors.

[Dutch Socan]

One beer, fellas. Now listen.

[Detective William Novak]

And you're supposed to walk right by bars, not go in them.

[Dutch Socan]

Now look, you're not gonna make me go back and do that whole 19 months just for one beer, are you? You gotta be reasonable at some point.

[Detective William Novak]

It's not up to us to make you go back.

[Dutch Socan]

I know, but you give a rum bad report to my parole office and I'm back up at Sing Sing sitting out that 19 months. Oh, now listen, fellas, be fair, will you? One lousy beer. Oh, you're not gonna hang a man over 1 billion.

[Detective William Novak]

Now, you missed the point, Dutch. You're supposed to cooperate with police officers, not lie to them.

[Dutch Socan]

What do you mean, lie to them? I didn't lie to you. When, when, when, when did I lie to you?

[Detective William Novak]

You told us you hadn't seen or heard from Harvey.

[Dutch Socan]

Well, I didn't. What do you want from me?

[Detective William Novak]

Just the truth, Dutch, that's all.

[Dutch Socan]

I'm telling you the truth. I tell you what we'll do, Dutch. Look, all I'm asking you to do is be reasonable, huh? One lousy bee.

[Detective William Novak]

I will take a ride over the station.

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, fellas, we'll put it up to the first time I've been in a bar since I got out.

[Detective William Novak]

Well, looks like it's also going to be the last time.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The two detectives, William Novak and John Fitzpatrick, took the parolee and known acquaintance of escaped killer Harvey Brighter to their car and drove to the station house. There they parked, and at 10:51pm they walked up the three stone steps into the muster room past Lt. Snider, who was desk officer, and Sgt. Collins, who was on switchboard duty, and into the back room where two division plane clothes men were questioning prior to booking a woman they had arrested on charges of disorderly conduct. They escorted Dutch up the rickety stairs to the second floor where the office of the 21st Detective Squad is located.

[Detective William Novak]

Right over there.

[Dutch Socan]

Dutch, I know. I know where to go. Okay, listen, one lousy beer. Be reasonable.

[Detective William Novak]

It's not the one beer, Dutch. It's the principal of the thing.

[Dutch Socan]

What principle?

[Detective William Novak]

Go ahead, Whitey.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

Did the lieutenant get in? Yeah, he's in his office. I'll keep him here a minute.

[Narrator]

Fitz.

[Detective William Novak]

Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Federal case of A1B.

[Detective William Novak]

Novak, Lieutenant. Come in. Not to do one job until 8 in the morning. Yes, Hobby. Now, listen, Lieutenant. Ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Detective William Novak]

You know that Harvey Bryner that broke out of jail in Boston last week? The one that's also wanted here in a homicide charge? Yes, sir. What about him? Fitz and I picked up a friend of his in a bar over on Lexington Avenue. Yeah? There's a fellow named Dutch Silken. He traveled around a lot with Harvey. Do you know where Harvey is? He says he doesn't, Lieutenant, but he hasn't given us a straight answer yet. What's gonna make him give straight answers? He owes 19 months your time. Yeah, we coddled him in a bar. He was having a drink. I think he's worried about that. 19 months. Where is he? Fitz has got him outside. All right, bring him in. Yes, sir.

[Dutch Socan]

Fitz, huh?

[Detective William Novak]

Come on in. What does he owe this short time for? Grand larceny, Lieutenant.

[Dutch Socan]

Right in there, Judge. Okay. Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

Close the door and I'll back. Yes, sir. Lieutenant King. Dutch Sokin. Sit down, Dutch.

[Dutch Socan]

Hang me over. One bottle, one beer.

[Detective William Novak]

Sit down. All right. Where's Harvey?

[Dutch Socan]

I told them. I told them I don't know. I haven't seen him. I haven't heard from him. What do you want from me, Dutch?

[Detective William Novak]

These detectives told me you haven't given them a straight answer in an hour. Now, you've seen Harvey. You've heard from him, haven't you?

[Dutch Socan]

No, sir.

[Detective William Novak]

Where is he?

[Dutch Socan]

I don't know. I told them. I don't know how many times they have to ask me. I don't know anything. I told them. I don't want to run with that kind of guy anymore. It just means trouble, that's all. Trouble?

[Detective William Novak]

You owe 19 months, short time, and they collared you in a bar.

[Dutch Socan]

It was having a beer. One beer, Lutzen.

[Detective William Novak]

That's one too many. What's the name of your parole officer?

[Dutch Socan]

Oh, now, look, be reasonable, will you?

[Detective William Novak]

Who's your parole officer?

[Dutch Socan]

I don't want to go back to do that. 19 months of a 1B. I asked you to be fair. Just be fair with me.

[Detective William Novak]

We've been asking you to be fair with us, Dutch.

[Dutch Socan]

Listen, can you forget about this? If I see what I can do to help you out, I'm willing to trade, Lieutenant. I just want to be sure I'm on firm ground.

[Detective William Novak]

Dutch, you've got a long way to go. Before you're on firm ground. Now, you help us, I promise I'll talk to the man. Where's Harvey?

[Dutch Socan]

I don't know.

[Detective William Novak]

That's not helping.

[Dutch Socan]

I don't know. I only heard from him.

[Detective William Novak]

When? Yesterday.

[Dutch Socan]

I was hustling packing cases on the job. The foreman came over. He said there was an important telephone call for me. I went to the office. I got it. It was Harvey.

[Detective William Novak]

Is he in New York? Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Yeah, he's in New York. I told him, look, Harvey, you're too hot. I don't want anything to do with you. He said I gotta do him a favor. I said, I don't want to see you, Harvey. I don't want anything to do with you. He said all he wanted to do was me to contact his girl. I should make arrangements for them to make a meet.

[Detective William Novak]

Who's she?

[Dutch Socan]

Her name's Dorothy. Dorothy Curtin.

[Detective William Novak]

Where'd she live?

[Dutch Socan]

372 East 80th.

[Detective William Novak]

Did you contact her? Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

That's where I was tonight. I was there contact. And I was giving her the message.

[Detective William Novak]

That's all?

[Dutch Socan]

That's all I told him I would do, Only give her the message. That's all. I didn't want anything else to do with it.

[Detective William Novak]

What was the message?

[Dutch Socan]

Message was that she was to call a certain telephone number. Ten o'.

[Detective William Novak]

Clock.

[Dutch Socan]

That's all.

[Detective William Novak]

What telephone number?

[Dutch Socan]

Pennsylvania 65599.

[Detective William Novak]

Where's that?

[Dutch Socan]

I don't know. I haven't any idea. He said she don't have a phone. He didn't want to risk going there. He just gave me this number and he told me to have her call. That's all I know, Lieutenant. That's all I wanted to do with it.

[Detective William Novak]

Okay.

[Dutch Socan]

All right. Now, look, I. I helped you out. You gonna do something for me? I don't want to do that. 19 months over 1 little beer. That's a long time. You know, I've been okay otherwise. I've been clean as a whistle.

[Detective William Novak]

Yeah, Dutch, maybe you have. Trouble is, there are all kinds of whistles.

[Narrator]

You are listening to 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city.

[Legal Advisor]

This is the second trial you've had since they accused you of a crime you didn't commit. As you sit there in the crowded courtroom, you know that there'll be another trial and another and another, if necessary. Until finally the jury brings in a verdict of guilty. That's the way they want it. You wouldn't sign their phony confession? They can't pile up Enough real evidence to make the charges stick. So this will go on and on until the jury is worn down. Until that jury is ready to hang you rather than go through another trial. Well, there's a very good reason why you could never get in a spot like that. It's against the law. Against the highest law of our land. You can't be placed in double jeopardy. You can't be tried again and again for the same offense where your life is at stake. The words that protect you against it are found in our Constitution, the fifth article of our Bill of Rights. Listen to what they say. No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice placed in jeopardy of life or limb. That law goes clear Back to the First Congress in 1789. City of New York. The group of men who gathered there to sign the Bill of Rights had you in mind. They were mindful of all the people and determined that the rights and freedoms of the people should never be ignored or denied. The Fifth Amendment is part of those rights. It is one of our freedoms.

[Narrator]

Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Kennelly.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Lieutenant King and his detectives interrogated Dutch for some time longer until they finally concluded that he knew no more than he had told them. In the meantime, the telephone number was checked out. It was a pay station in a bar and Grill on 8th Avenue in the Times Square district. Lt. King sent detectives Howard and Vitale to the place. There was no sign of Harvey Brighter. Neither the bartender nor three waitresses there remembered him, nor could they identify his photograph. One of them, however, recalled that the pay telephone did ring about 10 o' clock and that a man sitting at a nearby table walked into the booth to answer. At 10 minutes to 12, Lt. King and Detective Novak left the station house and drove to the address of Dorothy Curt, 372 East 80th street, given to them by Dutch. They parked down the street from the old four story tenement building and got out of their car to meet Detectives Fitzpatrick and Scanlon, who had been sent to plant the building while the questioning of Dutch was in progress.

[Detective William Novak]

Okay. Yes, sir. Fitz. Yes, sir. Here, Lieutenant. Hi, Fitz.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No back.

[Detective William Novak]

Where's Scanlon? Cross the street there and the doorway to the cleaners. Oh yeah. What'd you find out?

[Dutch Socan]

I talked to the super.

[Detective William Novak]

She lives in the second floor front. All right? Uh huh. She's got two rooms. She lives there alone. She have any visitors recently? Well, the super told me he hadn't noticed any. Do you know whether she's home? There was a light up there. A Little while ago. It was turned out about 11:30. Which window is it?

[Dutch Socan]

Those two up there.

[Detective William Novak]

Second floor, this side. The super said the one towards this end of the building is in the living room. The other's in the bedroom. Okay, let's go. Yes? Did you get any more out of Dutch? No, nothing. Well, I guess we don't need any more.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

Front door is open. Okay, hold it. Signal Scanlon to move over to this side when we go in. Yes, sir. Okay, Lieutenant. All right, get the door. Yes, sir. Go on. All right, now watch your step. She might have met him and brought him home. Yes, sir, she might have. Yeah. Okay. Okay, go on. I'll do the talking. Yes, sir. In fronter. Okay, That's it. Okay. Yes, sir. We'll have to get this fixed.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Who is it?

[Detective William Novak]

It's dutch.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Who?

[Detective William Novak]

Dutch.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Oh,

[Detective William Novak]

That's not what sounded the police officers.

[Dutch Socan]

Listen, there's Harvey.

[Detective William Novak]

Is he here?

[Legal Advisor]

No.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Watch your.

[Detective William Novak]

Fitz.

[Dorothy Curtin]

He's not here.

[Detective William Novak]

We'll take a look.

[Dorothy Curtin]

He's not in there.

[Detective William Novak]

Watch it. Kick the door open. Okay. That closet. You set? Yes, sir. How about the bathroom? Okay. All right, open it up. There's the light. Push back the shower curtain. Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There's nothing but laundry.

[Detective William Novak]

Okay, come on. Yes, sir. Think she knows where he is? We'll find out if she does.

[Dorothy Curtin]

In my bedroom. Like that.

[Detective William Novak]

All right, just sit down.

[Dorothy Curtin]

I told you he wasn't here. You could have believed me.

[Detective William Novak]

Where is he?

[Dorothy Curtin]

I don't know.

[Detective William Novak]

You spoke to him at 10 o'. Clock.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Who told you that? Dutch?

[Detective William Novak]

Doesn't make any difference who told us.

[Dorothy Curtin]

It'll make a difference to Dutch.

[Detective William Novak]

Now, look, you're in big trouble. This guy Harvey is as hot as a two dollar pistol for Homicide. One here and one in Boston. Better stop thinking about him. Start thinking about yourself a little bit.

[Dorothy Curtin]

I didn't do anything. You can't hurt me.

[Detective William Novak]

You've hurt yourself enough already. I'm not kidding you. You're in big trouble. Where is he?

[Dorothy Curtin]

I told you, I don't know.

[Detective William Novak]

What'd you talk about on the phone?

[Dorothy Curtin]

I didn't say I talked to him. Dutch said that.

[Detective William Novak]

All right, Novak, we're not getting any place here. Let's go. Come on, miss.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Wait a minute. Where am I going?

[Detective William Novak]

Where do you think?

[Dorothy Curtin]

You got no right to put me in jail. I didn't do anything. I didn't do a thing.

[Detective William Novak]

You've been harboring a fugitive.

[Dorothy Curtin]

I haven't been harboring anybody.

[Detective William Novak]

I wouldn't be surprised if you helped him. Esc.

[Dorothy Curtin]

What are you talking about? I didn't have anything to do with that.

[Detective William Novak]

Tell us all about it at the station house. Better put some comfortable clothes on and pack a few things to take with you.

[Dorothy Curtin]

What do you mean, pack a few things?

[Detective William Novak]

Well, you better take your toothbrush and toothpaste. Anything else you think you might need in the next three or four days.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Three or four days?

[Detective William Novak]

If you're lucky.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Now, wait a minute. I didn't do anything. I was just sitting here in New York minding my own business, that's all. You can't put me in jail for minding my own business.

[Detective William Novak]

Can he, Lieutenant? Maybe she wants to help us. Maybe she's just scared of Harvey. You go in there with her, Novak. See that she gets those things together. Is that right? Are you just scared of him?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Well, sure, I'm scared of him. I'm scared to death of him. Killed two people, didn't he? What do you want me to do, be not scared of him?

[Detective William Novak]

Well, if you're scared of him, we're willing to help you. Is that right, Lieutenant? She wants it all one way. She wants help, but she doesn't want to give any.

[Dutch Socan]

Let's go.

[Detective William Novak]

We're wasting time around here. Better go in and get your things together, miss.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Look, tell him I want to help him. I'll help him if I can.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You better get your stuff together.

[Dorothy Curtin]

You're not giving me a chance. Now, I told you I'd help you.

[Detective William Novak]

All right, if you want to help us, tell me where Harvey is.

[Dorothy Curtin]

I don't know. I really don't. Honestly, I swear it. Not right now.

[Detective William Novak]

You spoke to him on the phone tonight, didn't you?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Yeah, I spoke to him. Dutch brought a message here that I should call a number. I don't remember what it is. I got it written down. I got it written down over there.

[Detective William Novak]

Never mind, we know it.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Well, Dutch brought the number. He said I should call at 10 o'.

[Dutch Socan]

Clock.

[Dorothy Curtin]

10 o' clock on the notes. Well, I got no phone up here, so I went down to the Candy store at 10 o' clock and I made the call. It was Harvey.

[Detective William Novak]

What did he want?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Well, he asked me if I heard what happened to him. I told him I did. He said he was looking for a place to stay. He asked me if he could stay here and I told him no, he couldn't stay here. I said that was out of the question. He said I had to help him because he was in a big jam and hired as a firecracker. He said I just had to help him.

[Detective William Novak]

In what way did he want you to help him?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Well, he said he needed money. Mose. You see, when he was in New York, before he left $300 with me, he said he wanted it back. He asked me if I had it. I told him, sure, I had it. He said all right. He beat me. Meet me tomorrow morning.

[Detective William Novak]

Did you make a date?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Yeah. I'm in a date with him tomorrow morning, 9:30. Where he said I should be on the uptown platform at the 77th street station. The Lexington Avenue subway. He'd get off the train 9:30 tomorrow morning.

[Detective William Novak]

You told him you were going to meet him?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Yeah, I told him I was, but I wasn't. I was going to pack up and go to my sister's house tonight.

[Detective William Novak]

Why?

[Dorothy Curtin]

Well, to tell you the truth, I spent the $300.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The girl, Dorothy Kirk, was taken to the station house by Lt. King and Detective Novak. Detective Scanlon and Fitzpatrick remained on a plant at the building in the event the fugitive showed up during the night. Lt. King notified Lt. Snyder, the desk officer on the job, and informed him that the subway station at Lexington Avenue and 77th street would be the scene of considerable police activity in the morning. Lt. Snyder called me at my home at 4:30am and gave me a report of the situation Immediately upon arrival at the station house, I signed the blotter and went upstairs to confer with Lt. King. At 8:30am detectives and uniformed officers began to man the posts assigned to them on the street and on the subway platform. At 8:50, it was decided to change plans slightly. A girl, Dorothy Curt, would remain at the station house. It was planned originally that she stand on the platform where the fugitive could see her. This idea was abandoned as too dangerous for the girl. At five minutes after nine, I joined Lieutenant King at his post next to a bench near the center of the platform.

[Detective William Novak]

We waited.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

By 9:20, the fugitive had not shown up. He hadn't come by 9:31.

[Detective William Novak]

He was late. Here comes another train. I think, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It's an express, Matt.

[Detective William Novak]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The locals shouldn't far behind.

[Detective William Novak]

32 minutes after, Captain.

[Dutch Socan]

What?

[Detective William Novak]

32 minutes after nine?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective William Novak]

Think he's going to show?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, he better, after all our preparation.

[Detective William Novak]

Yeah, but it still wouldn't surprise me if he was supposed to meet that girl. Some other time, some other place. Wait a minute.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Here comes the local.

[Detective William Novak]

Yes. Looks like everybody's set. He's coming. You ought to be on this one.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Seven cars.

[Detective William Novak]

You see him, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No way down there.

[Detective William Novak]

Last car. That might be him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No Vac made him come on. Heading this way. Go back.

[Dutch Socan]

Watch out. Come on.

[Detective William Novak]

Take cover, Captain. Get behind that scale. Right. Where is he? You see him?

[Dutch Socan]

There he is. He's down at the end of the platform. There he is. Duck. Now that.

[Detective William Novak]

Do you see him?

[Dutch Socan]

He's over there behind that bench. The bench down at the end. Keep your head down. Stay down there. Stay down over there.

[Dorothy Curtin]

Stay down.

[Detective William Novak]

Matt. Yes, sir.

[Dutch Socan]

Watch him.

[Dorothy Curtin]

He's ready for it. Get him.

[Dutch Socan]

There he comes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Here he comes, man.

[Dutch Socan]

You've got him.

[Legal Advisor]

You've hit him.

[Dutch Socan]

Hold it up. Hold it up. He's down.

[Detective William Novak]

Come on, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Keep those people back.

[Dutch Socan]

Keep them out of here. Yes, we're okay, Captain. Bring it for anus.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You all right, Novak?

[Dutch Socan]

Yes, Lieutenant.

[Detective William Novak]

I'm okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How does he look, Sergeant?

[Detective William Novak]

He could be better, Captain. I think he's had it.

[Dutch Socan]

He got off the train.

[Detective William Novak]

I walked behind him. I called him to hold up. He turned on me, firing away. Guess when he didn't see the girl on the platform, he suspected something they wanted you ringing for an ambulance?

[Dutch Socan]

It's all taken care of, Sergeant.

[Detective William Novak]

Well, this is one tough baby we won't have to worry about anymore, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, but don't be too hopeful, Matt. There'll be others.

[Detective William Novak]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters stole your. What? Yeah.

[Dutch Socan]

Oh.

[Detective William Novak]

Where was this?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

643.

[Detective William Novak]

Where was it? Uh huh. Uh huh. Well, were the doors to the car locked? Well, how long were you away from the car? Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

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.

[Narrator]

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 as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Elspeth Eric, Harold Stone, John Sylvester, Bill Zuckert, Ralph Camargo and John Gibson. Written and directed by Stanley Niss Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah Speaking.

[Legal Advisor]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.

[Narrator]

Sa.