21st Precinct 55-12-16 (115) The Heirs

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 55-12-16 (115) "The Heirs"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Airdate: February 28, 2026 (original show from December 16, 1955)
Episode Overview:
This episode of the classic radio drama "21st Precinct" centers around a dramatic family dispute involving accusations of burglary, inter-family jealousy over inheritance, and a patriarch caught in the middle. Set in a gritty slice of 1950s New York, the episode showcases the procedural mechanism of police intervention in domestic disputes and explores themes of family, legacy, and the human craving for peace amidst chaos.

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Main Theme

A domestic case lands in the precinct: a woman reportedly holds her sister-in-law at knifepoint for breaking into her apartment—a situation quickly revealed to be a much deeper feud over their aging father-in-law's affections, inheritance, and the elusive quest for familial harmony.

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Key Discussion Points & Storyline Flow

1. The Emergency Call and Police Response

• [00:04] Host states: "A call is coming through…a woman's holding a burglar at the point of a butcher knife."
  • Captain Cronin and Patrolman Meister respond immediately to 613 East 92nd Street.
• Importance of rapid police response to in-progress crimes, especially involving citizens' attempted detentions.

2. The Scene: Sisters-in-law at Odds

• [04:22] Police arrive; immediate verbal clash between Mrs. Catherine Eckerty (the accuser) and Mrs. Marie Eckerty (the accused).
• [04:27] Memorable exchange:
  • Marie: “I’m not a burglar.”
  • Catherine: “Oh, yes, you are.”
• Captain Cronin strives to restore order, separating the parties for questioning.

3. Initial Interviews and Family Dynamics

• [06:34] Captain Cronin interviews Catherine:
  • Catherine accuses Marie of breaking into her apartment to steal war bonds and jewelry left in her safekeeping by their father-in-law.
  • Reveals ongoing bitterness: “She has alienated the affections of my father in law, my husband's father. That’s what she did.”
• [08:56] More background:
  • Both women are married to brothers, Joe and Eddie, who run a small newspaper delivery business.
  • The family split appears rooted in envy over favor and inheritance from the elderly patriarch.

4. Marie’s Side of the Story

• [10:48] Marie explains:
  • She used a key from her father-in-law (taken without his explicit consent) to enter.
  • Claims her father-in-law wanted his possessions retrieved, but he "was afraid of" Catherine.
  • “He was living in a chamber of terror here.”

5. Deeper Root: The Legacy Dispute

• [12:32] Motives emerge:
  • The real fight is over their father-in-law’s affections and inheritance, exacerbated by his moving from Catherine's to Marie’s home.
  • Both women accuse the other of scheming for his money.

6. Arrival of Mr. John Eckerty (the Father-in-law)

• [16:26] John Eckerty laments his situation to the officers:
  • “All I ask is that I live out my last few years in peace. That’s all I want.”
  • Admits to enjoying their rivalry for his company, given his modest wealth.

7. Police Mediation and Resolution

• [17:56] Detectives grill Mr. Eckerty about whether he’s fueled the rivalry by promising legacies to both.
  • He admits: “I haven't done anything to stop it…I’d rather have them fight than to want me.”
• [25:22] In a climactic confrontation, John Eckerty announces:
  • “I’m going to YMCA to live in peace and quiet.”
  • Declares both women will get their share eventually, resolving not to be a pawn.

8. Aftermath and Wrap-up

• The case ends without an arrest, but with some hope of a truce.
• Police reflect on the complexities families bring to police work.
• The drama seamlessly shifts back to another precinct routine involving a legitimate crime—a pickpocketing (“A real honest to goodness crime”).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Law and Family:
  • Cronin: “Seems obvious that you and your sister in law don’t get along very well.” [08:19]
• On Inheritance and Motivation:
  • Catherine: “She’s after his money, expects dad to leave it all to her just because she has two bratty grandchildren.” [09:42]
  • John Eckerty: “I suppose it’s money. My money.” [17:56]
• On Weariness:
  • John Eckerty: “All I want is peace and quiet, that’s all.” [17:17]
• On Resolution:
  • John Eckerty: “From now on, I’m not going to be made a beanbag to be tossed between the two of you. I’m through with it. The war bonds and the jewelry and my money and my stocks and everything else. You’ll both get your share in time.” [25:13]
  • Final line: “I’m going to the YMCA to live in peace and quiet.” [25:25]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:04-04:20 — Police receive and respond to the burglary call
• 04:22-09:49 — Onsite investigation & accusations between the sisters-in-law
• 10:48-12:32 — Marie’s explanation and the underlying family friction
• 16:25-17:56 — John Eckerty’s arrival and the broader context of the dispute
• 23:16-25:25 — Family confrontation, mediation, and John’s decisive resolution
• 25:44-end — The case’s denouement and transition back to station life

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Tone and Style

The episode captures an air of lived-in realism—world-weary, occasionally sardonic, but ultimately fair-minded. The police are patient, methodical, and aware that law enforcement often means family counseling as much as catching crooks.

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Summary Statement

This "21st Precinct" episode unpacks not a crime of violence, but the festering wounds of family jealousy and the corrosive power of inheritance, using police procedure as both lens and scaffold. The script is sharp with real human voices—at times comic, at times tragic—and is anchored by nuanced performances and a keen sense of 1950s family dynamics. Those interested in Golden Age radio dramatics and the intersection of law and everyday drama will find this episode a poignant, relatable listen.

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Transcript

[A]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Lyons, you caught a what? A burglary, lady. With a butcher knife. Well, where is this? Where you are by transcription 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, lady, I'll send the officers right over there. Yes, ma', am, right away. Just be careful till they get there. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Cronin, Vincent P. Cronin. I'm captain in command of the 21st Precinct. I was doing night duty 4pm to 8am after I turned out the platoon for the night tour and cleaned up the paperwork that had accumulated since I was last on duty 22 hours earlier. Sector car number two came by the house for me and I went on patrol of the precinct with Patrolman David Meister as operator. When the commanding officer is on patrol in an RMP car, he assumes all the duties of the car's recorder, which includes signaling on the two way radio and keeping the desk officer informed by telephone of all police action taken by the crew of the car. Pull over the next call box, Meister. I want to ring in. Yes, sir. I'll just be a second. Precinct. Sergeant Rosen, Captain Cronin, box 14. Yes, sir. I'll be in in a little while. Sergeant. The man named Doyle coming by to see me now, you tell him that he can wake up. We just had a call. A woman's holding a burglar at the point of a butcher knife. 613 East 92nd Street, Apartment 2B. 2B? Yes, sir, that's right. We're right near there. We'll roll on it. Yes. Excuse me, would you?

[B]

Officer?

[A]

Yeah, what is it? Say, Lynn, where's the subway from? Well, you walk two blocks over here to Lexington, one block down to 86th Street. Would that take me to the Brooklyn Navy Yard? Well, you ask the station agent there. We've got an emergency corner. Oh, I'm sorry, sir. What might supply 613 East 92nd. My son. Yes, sir. The call just came over the air. Let's go. The crime of house burglary is often the specialty of narcotic addicts, many of whom are dangerous when cornered. A citizen who attempts to detain a felony suspect is in grave danger. The fact that this citizen was reported to be a woman and was also reported to be holding a burglary suspect at the point of a butcher knife made the call all the more urgent. All emergency radio calls are directed at a particular sector car. In addition, the sergeant's car must respond to every call. And according to the manual of procedure, all department vehicles within a radius of five blocks from the scene of the crime must make the run, irrespective of sector, precinct or division boundary line. In this instance, it happened that we were closer to the scene. The run was a short one. We were the French car to arrive. That's it, Captain. Pull in now. Let's go. Yes, sir. Apartment 2D, wasn't it? Well, they said 2B. At the house lock, Captain. Hit the bella. Somebody will push the button. I can see to the top of the stairs. You hit them all? Yes, sir. There it goes. Put the door in the latch. Yes, sir, I did. All right. There's an apartment door open up there. That could be it. Yeah, it is it inside.

[B]

Well, you got here fast enough.

[A]

Is that the burglar?

[B]

I'm not a burglar. Oh, yes, you are.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Ridiculous.

[A]

I said all right. Give me that knife, lady.

[B]

You won't let her get away.

[A]

Give me the knife.

[B]

All right, all right.

[A]

Now, what's this all about?

[B]

I'll tell you what it's all about.

[A]

Both of you take it easy, huh? Okay. Just answer my question. Sergeant Lyon. Captain. Is everything okay, Captain? Yeah, that's all right. I'll get the others back on patrol. Okay, okay. Everything's under control. Is this your apartment?

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[A]

And what's your name, please?

[B]

Mrs. Eckerty. Mrs. Catherine Eckerty. Do you know what she did?

[A]

All right, all right, hold it. What's your name?

[B]

Mrs. Equity. Mrs. Marie Equity.

[A]

You live here?

[B]

She does not.

[A]

Let her answer, please, do you?

[B]

No.

[A]

You two related?

[B]

In a way, sort of. Not by blood. Will not. Not by blood. That's one thing I'm.

[A]

Ladies, please. Now, just a second, huh? One at a time. You. How are you related?

[B]

I'm married to Joe and she's married to Eddie. And Joe and Eddie are Brothers.

[A]

Is that right?

[B]

Yes, she's Joe's wife. At least they're married now. What kind of a crack. Do you know what I'm talking about? I don't know what to talk about.

[A]

Okay, now hold. What's this all about? Why did you call the police? And why the knife?

[B]

I caught her stealing. I was not stealing her.

[A]

Ladies, just a second. What do you mean you caught her stealing?

[B]

I came home and found her taking some of my thieves. They're not your things. They're. Dad, they're mine. You know they're not mine. You know they are not yours.

[A]

Just a minute, please. All right, my. Sir. Yeah, Captain.

[B]

It's a fine thing. That's all I've got to say.

[A]

Everybody track on the job, Captain. Oh, good. Sergeant. Mrs. Equity.

[B]

Yes, what is it?

[A]

This Mrs. Eckerty. Marie, you wait in the kitchen with a sergeant, please. I want to talk to your sister.

[B]

I don't know why I should. There, there, you see? She's just plain stubborn. Don't you call me stubborn.

[A]

Would you please. Just a minute. Sergeant, this is Mrs. Marie Eckerty. Would you go into the kitchen with her? Yes, sir, Miss.

[B]

All right. Don't let her get away.

[A]

Now, don't worry about that.

[B]

I'm not going to get away. Why do I want to get away?

[A]

Shut the door, Sergeant. Okay, Captain. All right. Now, Mrs. Eckerty, what do you say happened?

[B]

She was trying to rob my apartment. I caught her.

[A]

Look, let's do it. Let's start a little further back than Athens.

[B]

I'll start any place you want.

[A]

Meister, pay attention to this conversation. You may need it in court. Sure, Captain. Hello, Captain. What have we got? What kind of king I stand.

[B]

Well, this is certainly getting involved, isn't it?

[A]

You called the police. Mrs. Eckerty, this is Lieutenant King. He's in charge of the 21st Squad. Detective.

[B]

How do you do?

[A]

How are you? The call was a signal 30. A burglar was being held in the kitchen. It's his sister in law of mine.

[B]

Oh, but she's a burglar. She was trying to rob me.

[A]

I sent him in with. I sent her in with Sergeant Collins. Matt, I couldn't get a straight story with both of them in here.

[B]

I was willing to tell you a straight story.

[A]

What did happen, Mrs. Eckerty?

[B]

Well, you see, I was out. Out to the movies. I go once a week, every Monday night when my husband's worse and she knows it. It's been a habit. Well, tonight I went and I didn't realize that I'd seen the picture. So I left after the cartoon. When I came home and opened the door, she was in the apartment. How do you like that?

[A]

Well, how did she get in?

[B]

I don't know. I don't have any idea.

[A]

Did you ask her?

[B]

That didn't matter. All that mattered was she was in. She was in here. And she was going through the drawers of that chest there. That one right there. As a matter of fact, she broke the lock of the top drawer. She admitted it.

[A]

That much?

[B]

She did. She admitted it.

[A]

What did she say she was after?

[B]

Doesn't make any difference, does it? She broke into my apartment. That's a crime.

[A]

She's your sister in law, Mrs. Eckerty. Why did you find it necessary to threaten her with a knife?

[B]

Well, she was robbing the place. I came in and I said, what are you doing here? She started to go. I said, I'm going to call the police. She said, all right, call them. She sat right down in that chair there, just as bold as you please and said, call them. So I did.

[A]

And why did you need the knife?

[B]

Well, you know what she'd do. I thought she might leave or try to hit me. So I went in the kitchen and got the knives. And then I called on the telephone.

[A]

Seems obvious that you and your sister in law don't get along very well.

[B]

That's no fault of mine, I assure you. I've tried for years. For years I've tried.

[A]

Anybody can tell you your husband's name is Eddie Hazard, Joe, Is that right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

How do they get along?

[B]

All right, I suppose. After all, there's rub between them. They're brothers. And there's the business. Their partners in it, huh?

[A]

What kind of business?

[B]

They have trucks and they have a contract with some of the newspapers to take the papers out to certain towns in the suburbs, you know. Only a small business. They have four trucks and they drive themselves and hire two other drivers for the others. That's where they are now, working the morning newspapers come out at night, you know.

[A]

Yeah, I know. Now, Mrs. Equity, this trouble didn't start just because you came home, found your sister in law in your apartment. What's the real trouble, Mrs. Equity?

[B]

Now I'm glad you asked me that, Captain. There is a real trouble. She has alienated the affections of my father in law, my husband's father. That's what she did. She caused him to move right out of here and over to her house. Right out of here. After he'd been living with Joe and me for Five years since my mother in law died. She poisoned that nice old man's mind against me and moved him right out of the house. Right out of the house. That's what she did.

[A]

Now, wait a minute. You mean there was an argument over who your husband's father should live with and you both wanted him?

[B]

Well, I wanted him for himself. She's after his money, expects dad to leave it all to her just because she has two bratty grandchildren.

[A]

I think. Why do you think she broke in here?

[B]

Oh, that's easy. My father in law left some war bonds in my safekeeping. She came here to get them. That's why not only war bonds, but my mother in law's jewelry. The diamond pin and the ring.

[A]

Look, Mr. Zachary, this is just a family squabble. You're not interested in having her arrested.

[B]

Who said I'm not? Why do you think I called the police? I want to get this settled once and for all.

[A]

All right, we'll get it settled. You stay here.

[B]

I'm not going anyplace.

[A]

We'll talk to her. I might say. Come along with us, Des.

[B]

I'm just supposed to wait here?

[A]

That's right.

[B]

All right, if you say so.

[A]

Okay. Sergeant. Yes? You can get back on the job. Yes. Hello, Lieutenant. Sergeant. Okay, I'll get rolling. Sergeant. Yes, sir. Vitali was talking to one of the neighbors. Take a look for him in the hall. Tell him I want to see him. Sure. Lieutenant. You want this clothes? Yes. Misses Equity, this is Lt. King. How do you do?

[B]

I'm glad to meet you.

[A]

How did you get in here, Mrs. Echerty?

[B]

With a key.

[A]

Where'd you get the key?

[B]

From dad. My father in law.

[A]

Is it his?

[B]

He used to live here, you know, before he moved in with us.

[A]

How did he happen to keep the key?

[B]

He said he should. In case he ever wanted to stop over.

[A]

Did he give you the key? Well, did he? I took it without asking.

[B]

I'm sure it was all right with dad.

[A]

When was this you took it?

[B]

Tonight after supper. I took it off his dresses.

[A]

Oh. If your father in law had some things here, why didn't you suggest that he come over here himself and get some instead of causing all this trouble?

[B]

I asked him. I asked him a thousand times. But he's afraid of her. He's afraid to death of her. He was living in a chamber of terror here. You can believe me about that.

[A]

How old was your father in law, Mrs. Egerton?

[B]

Oh, about 70, 71, I think.

[A]

And when did he move over to your house?

[B]

Well, we finally got him to come three weeks ago. He'd been wanting to come for years, but finally he decided definitely that he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren. I got two. Joe Junior's four and Jamie's almost two. There wasn't anything fun to do here except sit around and read the newspaper. You couldn't get a word of decent conversation out of her. Nobody can.

[A]

Where's your father in law now?

[B]

Home at my house with the children. Of course they're asleep, but he just loves to sit with them.

[A]

Does he work?

[B]

Yes. No. He retired years ago. He started the business Joe and Eddie run. They have contracts to deliver newspapers to dealers in the suburbs.

[A]

Yes, we heard about them.

[B]

It's a nice little business and they both work very hard. I'll say that. And her husband Eddie is a very nice and easy to get along with. Nothing like her.

[A]

I understand your father in law has a little money.

[B]

He worked hard all his life and he's comfortable. And that's just the trouble. She's trying to get her big fat hands on it and I'm not going to be the one to let her. You were listening? My house isn't if you can call an. Don't you call me names. Don't you.

[A]

That's about enough, huh? Now cut it out, please.

[B]

Well, this is some treatment I'm getting for all the trouble I've been through.

[A]

There are people with bigger troubles, Mrs. Eckerty.

[B]

I'd sure like to know who.

[A]

Well, I would imagine, for instance, your respective husbands. Although the circumstances seem to indicate little more than the family argument, Mrs. Catherine Eckerty insisted on making a complaint and to get the matter straightened out, both women were taken to the station house in the custody of David Meister, the first officer on the scene. If an arrest developed, it would be his case. At 9:20, I returned to the station house and walked into the muster room where Lt. Garman was desk officer and Sgt. Lyons now had telephone switchboard duty. I walked around the desk to sign the block. All right. Stop by there before the end of the tour. Captain. Hello, Sergeant. Yeah, I want you to check it again. Lieutenant. Captain. Whatcha doing, Red? There's a teletype order, Captain. A conference of all precinct commanders in the lineup room. 240 Center street at 1pm Thursday. I'll put a copy on your desk. Okay, Good. Excuse me. This is this where I go? Step right up to the desk, sailor. Yes, sir. What's the trouble? Listen, I think somebody stole my wallet. What do you mean you think? Taylor Didn't I give you directions how to get to the Lexington Avenue subway? A little while ago you. You wanted to go to the Brooklyn Navy hunt. Well, yes, sir. What happened? Well, I was on my way, all right. I was walking to the subway and I passed this bar and I decided to stop in and get a beer. I was thirsty. Is that where you lost your wallet? I think so. Yes, sir. You said somebody stole it. Well, I got to talking to a couple of people in there, a man and a girl. They were an interesting couples. You think they stole it? I don't know. See, I. I was talking to them and she was leaning on my shoulder and he told a joke. We all died laughing. And that's all. All I know, it was gone. I got to the subway and I wanted to get some tokens. And I had about 40 bucks in there. Over 40 bucks. Where is this boss? Well, that's just the trouble. I don't remember exactly. I tried to think which way I came. I walked back and I tried to find. See, I don't know New York. Very good. I couldn't locate it. You spoke to me on the corner of 87th street and Second Avenue. Did you follow my directions when you walked through the subway? Well, I was, Sergeant. Who's catching upstairs? Dan Goldman, Lieutenant. All right, I'll tell you what to do, sailor. You see that door over there? Yes, sir. You go through that door and upstairs to the detective. Ask for Detective Goldman. Yes, sir. He'll take care of you. Will he try to find my wallet? If he can find the bar you were in through that door. That's right. And upstairs. Thanks a lot, sir. What's your boy Fred ring up to Goldman. Tell him I gave the boy directions to walk across 87th street down Lexington one block to the subway station from 87th and Second? Yeah, that's right, Sergeant. Yes, sir. Sergeant, will you win? Okay. Yeah. Yes, captain. Patrolman Files working the first platoon. When he comes into the house, tell him I want to see him. Yes, sir. I want to check the surgeon's shot. If it's Dr. Alman on reserve tonight, get him on the phone for me. Yes, sir. Let's stop over at the switchboard a minute. Yes, you want. Hello? The telly, Sergeant. Hello, Captain. Where are they anyway? Upstairs, Mr. Raggedy. Oh, would you ring upstairs to Lieutenant King, sergeant? Yeah, sure. Are those his two daughters in law of Stansby?

[B]

Guess.

[A]

I'm Captain Cring, Mr. Raggedy. Oh, how are you? I don't know. I can't understand what goes on between Those two. Why can't they get it straightened out? That's what we brought you in here for, to help get it straightened out. You want to take it on the extension back here? Yeah, okay. Gives me an enemy. Yeah, sure. Take it behind there. Listen, Captain, what am I going to do about these two? I don't know, Mr. Raggedy. Been going on like this for the years. Well, I guess this will put an end to it one way or the other. I don't know. With police and detectives. I don't know. Captain, Lieutenant King wants to know if he can talk to Mr. Equity. And you're off in a minute. Yeah, sure. That's all right. He'll be right down. Oh, come on, Mr. Raggedy. You know I try to be impartial. I try to like the mold. All right ahead, Mr. Eggerty. Thank you. Thanks. I don't know. All I ask is that I live out my last few years in peace.

[B]

That's all I want.

[A]

Sit right down here. Half the time they don't speak. And when they do speak, they fight until they don't speak again. When this detective came to the house to get me, I knew what it was. As soon as he said he was a policeman, I knew the two of them were at it again. I had to get a neighbor woman to come and sit with my grandchildren while I came over here. You know, a man is entitled to have two sons and he's entitled to have two daughters in law. Now, why can't the atmosphere be peaceful? That's all I want. Live and let live. Excuse me. Very sure. 20 Vice Precinct. Captain Conan. Sergeant Lyons on the S. Captain, it's not Dr. Alman who's on reserve tonight. Want me to try and get a hold of the surgeon who is? No, no, that's all right. I want to talk to Dr. Ullman personally, but it'll keep. Come here, Matt. Hello, Captain Dean. Lieutenant. Matt, this is Mr. John Eckerty. Lieutenant King. How do you do? How are you? A sailor. Come in here a minute. Yes, sir. Lieutenant, this is Seaman First Class Carl Dunowich. Looks like somebody lifted his wallet in a bar somewhere between 87th and 2nd Avenue and the 86th street station of the Lexington Avenue line. He doesn't know exactly where the bar is. Yes, sir. Goldman took the squeal from him, but he's tied up right now. You go out and see if you can find the bar and find the wallet. Okay, Lieutenant. Come on, Silver. Yes. Thanks, Lieutenant. All right. How'd you get there? You seem to be very busy. Here tonight? It's always busy, Mr. Raggery. Where are they? Upstairs. Katie and Marie? That's right, they're upstairs. Now look, Miss Haggerty, we've got all kinds of troubles around here. Got car thieves, got narcotic addicts, got robbers, everything you can think of. You don't need family arguments. Yes, I know. Where are your two sons? Their husbands, Couldn't they try to get him? Well, the detective said he tried to locate them but they're out on the trucks. I'm sure they're delivering the food. First editions. Well, Mr. Raggedy, have they taken any action to stop what's going on between their wives? They tried. They tried for a long time but they. They gave up. It just got too much for them. They're brothers and they have the business. They don't want to get into the fight themselves so they just ignore it. Can't be handled by ignoring it. Well, I try to make peace, but what can I do? Ms. Secretary? Your daughter in law, Catherine accuses Marie of breaking into her house, Miss. Attempting to take some war bonds and some jewelry. Oh, that. That stuff yours? Yes, sure. The bonds are mine and the jewelry was my wife's. Did you intend for Marie to go over and get them? Did you tell her you wanted her to do that? Well, I don't know that they're safe in one place the other. But did you ever indicate to Marie that you wanted her to go get them? We talked about it, the pro and con. Did you tell Katherine you wanted to leave the stuff there? I didn't say anything definite. Mr. Eckerty, what do you think is the basis of the trouble between your daughters in law? Well, I suppose they don't just like each other. I mean, what do you think the real source of the trouble is? Well, I guess it's money. My money. You mean which one you're going to leave it to? Yes. Now isn't it a fact that you first give one reason to believe that you'll leave her to her side of the family, then you've turned around, said the same thing to the others? Not exactly, no. Well, you move from one family to the other every few years or so, don't you? Well, that's only because I want to share my time. And you have stated on occasion to either one or the other that they're going to be the principal legacy of your estate. My estate doesn't amount to that much for them to fight about. I understand it's considerable. Isn't that true? Well, I'm no Millionaire, if that's what you mean. I have a little money, a few dollars. You've gone out of your way to encourage this conflict between them, haven't you? Hmm? Haven't you? I wouldn't say that. I would, Mr. Eckerdy. Yes, well, I suppose you're right in a way. I haven't done anything to stop it. I'll say that much. Captain, I'm over 70. I'm all alone. Fortunately, I do have a little money. I sat down, you know, one day and I wondered what would happen to me if I didn't have any money. Instead of fighting about which one I'd live with, it'd be just the opposite. They'd fight about which one should take me. I'd rather have them fight than to want me. Don't you feel a little bit bad about the dissension you've caused in the family and the trouble you've caused yourself? Yes, I felt bad about that for a long time. But I don't know how to stop it. Well, here's your opportunity, Mr. Raggedy. Yeah, I suppose it is. We'd better go up, but I hate to get in the middle. Mr. Raggedy. Where do you think you are? Yes, that's true. That's very true. Come on, Captain. Yeah, I'm coming, Matt. Gonna need lots of help. I'm going up to the detective sergeant. That way. The secretary. No, no. All I wanted was peace and quiet. A little peace and quiet, that's all. And a little home life. Now, you can't blame me for that upstairs. I suppose I was wrong, but it seems so natural to have them want me. Guess I should have made them want me for myself, not for my money, huh? Don't you think that would have been a lot better, Mr. Eckerty? Yeah, I know. Just a second here, Ms. Eckerty. I've got Catherine sitting in the squadron. Yeah, And Marie is in my office. I want you to talk to Katherine first. All right? There shouldn't be any arrest in this case. Let's get it straightened out. All right. I'll do what I can. Go ahead. Thank you very much.

[B]

Well, dad, this is where she finally wound up.

[A]

In the police. Katie.

[B]

You know what she did, don't you, dad? She broke into my apartment. She broke into my Carter red handed.

[A]

Katie, I want to talk to you.

[B]

I told you what she was like. I saw it coming. I saw it plain as day. She's a single pleasant.

[A]

All right, all right, all right.

[B]

You can't go on scared.

[A]

All right, Katie, now Where's Marie? I want to talk to her.

[B]

You tell her, dad. You give her a piece of your mind.

[A]

My office was plain feet.

[B]

Just a plain thief.

[A]

Go ahead, Ms. E. Marie.

[B]

Now, dad, why did they have to bring you in this? Who's with the children?

[A]

When the detective came, I got Mrs. Quinter to sit. You know Captain Cronin? Yes, we met earlier.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Now, now, Marie, what is this all about?

[B]

You said you wanted your bond and the jewelry bath, didn't you? Well, as long as you didn't do anything. I just went over there to get them for you.

[A]

No, that wasn't very.

[B]

Well, I did it and she had me arrested. Now, you're not going to stand by and let her have the mother of your only grandchildren arrested, are you? Are you going to stand for that? Your only grandchildren? Dad, supposing you have to go to jail. And those poor little things wouldn't have any mother, and it'd all be her fault. All her fault.

[A]

Wait a minute.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Look, is it all right if Katie comes in here? Why? I think it's time we get this thing straightened out.

[B]

Well, I'm glad. I'm very glad you're going to straighten her out.

[A]

Secretary, would you come in here a minute? Now, you said it was all my fault, Captain. Isn't that what you said?

[B]

No, it's not your fault, dad. It's hers. What do you mean? Just what I said. He lived with me for five years and he wants to come back. There's no need to ask.

[A]

All right, all right.

[B]

You have no right to speak that way. Oh, no.

[A]

Shut up. Now, both of you. Shut up.

[B]

Dad.

[A]

Now, I'll admit that I was partly to blame for what happened. But from now on, I'm not going to be made a beanbag to be tossed between the two of you. I'm through with it. The war bonds and the jewelry and my money and my stocks and everything else. You'll both get your share in time, so don't worry about it. Now, good night and thank you, gentlemen.

[B]

For what? Where are you going?

[A]

I'm going to YMCA to live in peace and quiet.

[B]

Dad. Marie, we better stop.

[A]

Hey, wait a minute. You've got some unfinished business here.

[B]

But he's going to the Y.

[A]

You want to forget about this whole thing?

[B]

Well, I don't know.

[A]

In no hurry, you'll be checked in at the Y.

[B]

Come on, Marine. I'm coming. I'm coming. Yes.

[A]

You think the situation is cured, Captain? Well, at least a step has been made toward recovery. Excuse me, sir. 21st Squad, Lieutenant King. Hello, Lieutenant. This is Carl Donowitz. You know, the sailor. Oh, yeah. Well, Detected Vitale caught the man and lady that took my wallet. They took it out of my pocket in the bar. All right. The man still had it on him. Detective Vitali asked me to ask you to send a car to bring him in. Where are you? It's 194 East 87th Street. In the bar. All right, tell him we'll be there right away. Yes, sir. Lieutenant. I'll tell him. Okay. What is it, man? What do you got? A crime, Captain. A real honest to goodness crime. 21st briefing, Sergeant Lyons. What do you mean missing? Lost. Well, how old is the little girl? Four and a half. Huh. Who's she with? With her mother. Yeah. Well, where is this? 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 transcribed 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. James Gregory in the role of Captain Cronin. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Abby Lewis, Elaine Ross, Bill Quinn, Nathan Adams, Bill Smith, Santa Sotega and Wendell Holmes. 21st Precinct is written and produced by Stanley Nist. Art Hannah speaking.