Barrie Craig 51-10-17 The Judge and the Champ

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Barry Craig 51-10-17 The Judge and the Champ"

Episode Overview

"Barry Craig 51-10-17 The Judge and the Champ" is a thrilling episode from Harold's Old Time Radio, transporting listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio. Featuring the seasoned detective Barry Craig, voiced by William Gargan, this episode delves into a world of corruption, murder, and betrayal within the realms of politics and boxing. Written by Frank Kane and directed by Edward King, the story intertwines the lives of a determined investigator, a scheming columnist, a corrupt judge, and a disgraced boxer.

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Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Barry Craig receiving an urgent call from Al White, a notorious gossip columnist for the Chronicle. Al’s relentless columns have stirred trouble, particularly targeting boxer Larry Slade for allegedly throwing a significant fight. Concerned about the repercussions and impending threats from those implicated, Al hires Barry to provide protection.

Notable Quote:

Barry Craig (00:38): "Don't answer that. Right. Stay away from the door."

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Initial Confrontation at Casa Daily

Barry meets Al White at the Casa Daily bar, a decadent establishment turned casino by Ace Daly. They discuss the precarious situation, highlighting the tension between exposing corruption and the dangers it brings.

Notable Quote:

Al White (04:03): "I was right about it, wasn't I? I even called around."

Barry expresses his skepticism about the viability of the case, but Al remains resolute, believing that uncovering the truth will land him a major story. Their investigation leads them to suspect a deeper conspiracy involving Judge Adair, who is entwined with Ace Daly’s corrupt schemes.

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The Murder of Al White

After a sleepless night, Barry receives a midnight call from Al White intending to share a crucial story. Rushing to Al’s apartment, Barry finds Al dead, with no immediate suspects. The scene suggests a professional hit, leaving Barry to piece together the motives behind the murder.

Notable Quote:

Barry Craig (09:24): "Not for me. These are my office hours."

Barry collaborates with Sergeant Marty Moran of Homicide to examine the crime scene. They discover blank pages in Al’s typewriter, hinting that the incriminating story was never completed but might have been forcibly interrupted.

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Suspicions and Interrogations

Barry interviews Larry Slade and Ace Daly, uncovering conflicting alibis and hidden agendas. Tensions rise as it becomes evident that both men have motives tied to the impending reveal of corruption. The intricate web of deceit points towards Judge Adair as the central figure orchestrating the chaos to protect his interests.

Notable Quote:

Larry Slade (13:25): "Kill, slugged, damn it!"

Barry’s relentless pursuit of the truth leads him to confront Lily Devore, Ace Daly’s associate, who reluctantly provides critical information that points directly to Judge Adair’s involvement in the murder.

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Climactic Showdown at Pier 6

The investigation culminates in a tense meeting at Pier 6, where Barry confronts Ace Daly. A physical altercation ensues, resulting in Ace being fatally shot. However, the revelations do not end there. Upon closer examination, Barry discerns inconsistencies in the testimonies, leading to the shocking discovery that Judge Adair was the true orchestrator behind the murder of Al White.

Notable Quote:

Barry Craig (27:32): "And that wasn't self-defense when you shot Ace Daly. In my office. It was murder."

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Resolution and Justice Served

In the final moments, Ace Daly confesses to the murder, unraveling the complex motives that led to the deadly confrontation. Judge Adair’s downfall is sealed as his attempts to maintain power through corruption are exposed. Barry Craig’s unwavering determination ensures that justice prevails, bringing closure to a convoluted case marred by greed and deceit.

Notable Quote:

Judge Adair (28:30): "I had to. My only hope of escaping prosecution for malfeasance was to be re-elected to cover what I had done during my last term."

Barry’s role as the diligent investigator underscores the moral that truth and integrity triumph over corruption and manipulation.

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Conclusion

"Barry Craig 51-10-17 The Judge and the Champ" masterfully weaves a narrative filled with suspense, intricate plotting, and compelling characters. The episode not only entertains but also serves as a reflection on the perils of power and the relentless pursuit of truth. Through Barry Craig’s investigative prowess, listeners are treated to a classic tale of mystery and justice, emblematic of the timeless charm of old-time radio storytelling.

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Key Takeaways:

• Corruption and Power: The episode explores how those in power manipulate systems to protect their interests, often at great cost to others.

• Integrity and Truth: Barry Craig symbolizes the unwavering quest for truth, highlighting the importance of integrity in the face of adversity.

• Interconnected Relationships: The intricate relationships between characters like Judge Adair, Ace Daly, Larry Slade, and Al White showcase the complexities of personal and professional alliances.

Final Thought: "Barry Craig 51-10-17 The Judge and the Champ" stands as a testament to the rich storytelling of the Golden Age of Radio, blending mystery, drama, and moral lessons into an engaging auditory experience.

Transcript

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[Barry Craig]

Hello, Greg? Speaking.

[Al White]

I wanted to read you my leave at tomorrow's column at the door. Hold the line, Barry, while I see who it is.

[Barry Craig]

Don't answer that. Right. Stay away from the door.

[Al White]

Oh, you. Look, I told you it's no use coming here. You're just wasting your time. My lights come short. Barry Craig, confidential investigator.

[Barry Craig]

Starring William Gargan. Barry Craig speaking. It was one of those nights. I was sitting in my office with my feet hooked on the corner of my desk. Trying to whip up some enthusiasm over an assignment to bodyguard a couple of tin coffee pots at the Long island wedding when the telephone rang. I let it ring a few times before I reached out and snapped. After all, when they're that anxious, they can be mighty worthwhile. Yeah? Who's this?

[Al White]

Al White from the Chronicle. Remember me?

[Barry Craig]

Oh, Al White. Sure. How's the gossip column racket these days?

[Judge Adair]

Warm enough?

[Al White]

I got a chore for you.

[Barry Craig]

I'll bet you have.

[Judge Adair]

Meaning what?

[Barry Craig]

I've been reading that column of yours. Those cracks you've been making about Larry Slade throwing the big fight. They can't have made him very happy. I hear he's looking for you.

[Al White]

Yeah, so do I. I need a bodyguard.

[Barry Craig]

You keep printing that Slade took a dive. And you're more likely to need an undertaker.

[Al White]

I was right about it, wasn't I? I even called around.

[Barry Craig]

Sometimes there's something better to be than right. Such as? Alive. Something you're not likely to be if you keep needling Slade. He's big and sensitive.

[Al White]

My heart bleats for him.

[Barry Craig]

Look, do you want this job or not? All right, Al. Where do I start guarding the body?

[Al White]

The Casa Daily bar, midnight.

[Barry Craig]

It wasn't the kind of case I'd like. But a private detective is like a doctor or a lawyer. He can't always pick and choose. Anyway, a few minutes short of midnight, I parked the car outside the Casa Daily. It was an old white frame building that Ace Daily had converted into a plush boob trap. One of those joints where if they don't get your roll with the fancy prices at the bar. They got back rooms all rigged up with roulette wheels and crap tables where they do. I was holding down the bar with an elbow, squinting through the fog of blue gray smoke, when my client, Al White, walked in.

[Al White]

Waiting long?

[Barry Craig]

Not very. Senior. Daily? Yeah, he went in the game room a little while ago.

[Al White]

Larry Slade with him?

[Barry Craig]

Chet? No. What?

[Al White]

Just a hunch. He'll be here too before the night's over. Daly's in the game room now, huh?

[Barry Craig]

Why the interest in Ace Daly? I thought you were after Slade's hide.

[Al White]

Maybe I'm after both of them.

[Barry Craig]

You think Ace had a hand in fixing that fight?

[Al White]

Yeah, and tonight I'm looking for proof.

[Barry Craig]

Any objection? Sure skin, if you like to wear it with holes in it.

[Al White]

That's what I'm paying you to prevent.

[Barry Craig]

Maybe we better make this one cash in advance.

[Al White]

Can't you trust me?

[Barry Craig]

Oh, sure. I just don't want to have to go to the trouble of suing your estate to get my money.

[Al White]

Oh, very funny.

[Barry Craig]

Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute. You must read tea leaves, huh? Don't look now, but your old friend, the ex champ, just came in.

[Al White]

Is he heading this way?

[Barry Craig]

No, he's going on through into the gaming war.

[Louise Adair]

Good.

[Barry Craig]

What's good about it?

[Al White]

I had a tip Slave would be showing up for the payoff tonight. It settled him. He dumped the fight and Daily paid him to do it.

[Barry Craig]

You still haven't got any proof of a payoff.

[Al White]

With a little luck, we might even get that.

[Barry Craig]

What are you gonna do, follow Slade in?

[Al White]

Not yet. Give him a minute or two head start. He won't go direct to Daly's office. He'll probably waste a couple of minutes looking around in the gaming room just to make sure he isn't being followed. Now, if we time it right, we may catch him in the Axe. And if we do, I'll have the biggest story of the year.

[Barry Craig]

I only hope you live to write it.

[Al White]

I'll write it. Don't you worry about me.

[Barry Craig]

All right, then, I'll worry about me. I only hope that I live to read it. We stayed at the bar, finished our drink and listened while a tinny five piece combo did unmentionable things to a popular ballad. Then Al White dropped a handful of silver on the bar and nodded he was ready. I led the way out of the bar to the disguised entrance of the roulette room. The door was presided over by a tuxedoed man with a broken nose. We stepped into a small vestibule, waited while he closed the door behind us. Then another door opened and we stepped into the game room. A low buzz of conversation spiced with the click of roulette balls rolled out toward us. A dozen or more people were huddled around a huge roulette layout in the center. On the far side, a hot crap game was in session. Peter Race, their slave, was in sight. So we ambled past a bank of slot machines toward a door marked Private. From behind it we could hear the sound of someone laughing. Ready?

[Al White]

All right, let's go.

[Ace Daly]

Be your marriage. Be as happy as you are beautiful, my beauty.

[Barry Craig]

Hold it, Judge, we got company. Something just crawled out of the woodwork. Something was wrong. Instead of a payoff, it looked like a party. Lifting a champagne glass with Ace Daly. And Slade was the most gorgeous redhead I'd ever seen. And a tall, distinguished white haired man was just before posing a toast. It wasn't what we figured to find, but Al White didn't let that stop him. He walked right in like the life of the party. Or maybe the death of it.

[Al White]

Hello, Larry. Evening, folks.

[Barry Craig]

I've been looking for you, White. I'm gonna knock you, champ. Easy. My client doesn't like to be crowded. Make it easy on yourself. And you keep out of this. He's got it coming. I'm gonna. Okay, okay, Ace. You're White, on your way daily.

[Al White]

You could lose a lot of customers talking to them that way.

[Barry Craig]

I didn't send for you. Get out, Ace.

[Larry Slade]

Who is this man?

[Al White]

Yeah, Ace, why don't you introduce us? I'm Al White, Mr. Dare. I write a column for the Chronicle.

[Larry Slade]

How do you know my name?

[Al White]

Recognizing faces is part of my business. And how are you, Judge Adair? I thought you and Ace Daly were all political enemies. How nice to see that you've got them together.

[Ace Daly]

I. I think perhaps you'd better excuse our says Louise and I.

[Barry Craig]

Sit down, judge. I'll take care of White. He's just about to leave.

[Al White]

Don't mind if I do. Now you see, I came here looking for a story in the fight fix the other night. Oh, that's small potatoes compared to a political fix.

[Larry Slade]

What does he mean, Ace?

[Al White]

You and Ace, the happy couple. Well, and maybe if Ace helps the judge to get re elected, he can claim the bride as his reward. What a story.

[Ace Daly]

Ace, he mustn't print that. Not before election. He'd ruin everything.

[Barry Craig]

Don't worry, judge, he's not printing anything.

[Al White]

That's where you're wrong. I'm not only printing it, but I'm gonna do a Feature piece on it.

[Barry Craig]

Don't push your luck too far. You're still healthy because nothing will happen to you in my place. Providing you're out of it in five minutes. Just let me take a mace.

[Ace Daly]

Let me take.

[Al White]

Is that a rehearsal, champ? I thought you always rehearsed your fight.

[Barry Craig]

Well, you little rat. I'll kill you at the last, Champ. I don't have my hand in my pocket because it's cold. I told you, the guy's my client. Sit down, Champ. As for you, Craig, put up the heater.

[Larry Slade]

Hayes, you've got to stop him. He mustn't print that. It would ruin us, all of us.

[Barry Craig]

Don't worry, Louise. If he so much as hints at it in that rag of his, I'll not only be on the line of people who want to kill him, I'll be at the head of it. As we weren't in any position to cop any popularity prizes at the moment, there didn't seem to be much point in hanging around the casa dailie. We got out with about two minutes left of the head start Ace had given us. White insisted that I drop him off at the combination office and apartment where he worked. So I locked him in for the night, then headed for my own apartment and some long delayed shut eye. I didn't need anybody to rock me to sleep as I was practically snoring by the time I had hit the pillow. So when the phone started to dance off its stand a couple of hours later, it took me a few minutes to locate it. Oh, stand still, will you? Yeah. Now wait. What time is it? Oh, about 4:30. Oh, it's the middle of the night.

[Al White]

Not for me. These are my office hours.

[Barry Craig]

Just finishing up tomorrow's column.

[Al White]

I want to read you an item.

[Barry Craig]

I can wait until tomorrow to read it. Hey, what's that? Oh, the doorbell. Who is it?

[Al White]

Hold the line a minute.

[Barry Craig]

White. Don't answer that, White. Stay away from that. White. White. Without stopping to think twice, I knew that whoever was paying that late call to Al White carried a peculiar calling card engraved in lead. I started dressing, made par for the course and was headed for a cab in less than six minutes. A police cruiser outside of Al White's apartment house told me somebody else had heard the shots. When I finally got to his door, it was opened by Sergeant Marty Moran of Homicide.

[Judge Adair]

Well, might have known. What are you doing here?

[Barry Craig]

White was my client, Weiss. Don't let's get cute, Marty. I was talking to him on the phone when he got us.

[Judge Adair]

Oh, that accounts for the Phone being off the hook.

[Barry Craig]

Do I get in?

[Judge Adair]

I suppose so. What were you talking about when it happened?

[Barry Craig]

He wanted to read me an item out of tomorrow's column.

[Judge Adair]

Column? He didn't find any column. Just a few blank sheets in the typewriter. No column. There he is. We haven't moved him yet. Yeah. ME hasn't gotten here.

[Barry Craig]

Got it in the back, huh?

[Judge Adair]

All five of them.

[Barry Craig]

Small caliber gun, 32 or less, I'd say.

[Judge Adair]

Big enough to do the job?

[Barry Craig]

Yeah. And you said there was no trace of a colonel?

[Judge Adair]

No, Just a few blank sheets of paper and his typewriter.

[Barry Craig]

All right to handle?

[Judge Adair]

Yeah, I guess so. Barry, what's on your mind?

[Barry Craig]

Just a hunch. I'm wondering if Al White had the same habit most new triple boys have of jamming two or three sheets into their machine at a time.

[Judge Adair]

He got something there. If he did, we may be able to bring out the impression on the second sheet.

[Barry Craig]

That's worth a try.

[Judge Adair]

There should be some dusting powder in the lab kit. Yeah. Here's some. Let's have that second sheet.

[Barry Craig]

Here you are.

[Judge Adair]

Think that's enough dusting powder on it? A little more, maybe. Shake it around. Well, what do you know? It worked.

[Barry Craig]

Can you read it, Sergeant?

[Judge Adair]

I think so. First, let's blow off the excess. Yep, there you are. Clear as a carbon copy.

[Barry Craig]

Take your vows later. Uh oh, here it is. Listen. The mob is giggling over Ace Daly's payoff if the election goes right. Now, instead of fixing fights for Sugar, the Ace is fixing elections for Honey.

[Judge Adair]

Ace Daly in this?

[Barry Craig]

Yeah. He told White that if that item appeared, he'd kill him.

[Judge Adair]

Why didn't you say so?

[Barry Craig]

That makes it easy.

[Judge Adair]

We put out a pickup on Ace and we got it made.

[Barry Craig]

Better pick up Larry Slade too. Marty the champ? Yeah, he got into the act too. He promised to kill White if he mentioned fixed fight.

[Judge Adair]

Oh, fine. First I have no suspects. Now I've got more than a half teeth of my own. How many other characters promise to make this creep a prospect for a headstone?

[Barry Craig]

Offhand, I don't recall. But as I think of them. I'll keep you informed, Marty. I got away from Sergeant Moran as soon as I could. He was yelling pickup orders into the phone as I closed the door behind me on the street. I grabbed a cab, told the cab to double back up a couple of streets to make sure there was no police trail on me. Then gave the driver the address of the Adair home. It was an old converted brownstone house with a large brass knocker through the glass door. I saw the commoded figure of Louisa Dare over her shoulder on the stairway. I could see her father, his white hair shining in the gloom.

[Louise Adair]

What?

[Larry Slade]

What do you want?

[Barry Craig]

I'd like to see you for a few minutes, Mr. Dan.

[Larry Slade]

Now, what about?

[Barry Craig]

Murder.

[Larry Slade]

Murder?

[Barry Craig]

Yes, Our White. The colonist. A few hours ago.

[Larry Slade]

I see. Perhaps you better come in.

[Ace Daly]

What is it, Louise?

[Larry Slade]

You go on to bed, dad. This gentleman wants to ask me a few questions.

[Barry Craig]

Maybe your father ought to sit in on this.

[Larry Slade]

Leave my father out of it.

[Ace Daly]

Nonsense, Louise. Now, what's this all about?

[Barry Craig]

Al White, the columnist you met last night at Ace dailies, is dead. Murdered.

[Larry Slade]

And this gentleman, being a detective, has it figured out that Ace did it?

[Barry Craig]

I didn't say that, Mr. Dare. I said he had a motive. So did a lot of other people. You, for instance, or your father. Ah, why not? If White printed that story about you and Ace, it might have cost your father the election. And it certainly wouldn't help your son.

[Larry Slade]

Why, that's absurd. Ace and I were merely waiting for the proper time to announce our engagement.

[Barry Craig]

After the election, I suppose. When it wouldn't be so embarrassing.

[Ace Daly]

I can't have you making insinuations like that. I must ask you to leave.

[Barry Craig]

Suit yourself, Judge. I was just trying to make it easy on you. White was my client and he's dead now. Maybe so, but when a guy hires me to see that nothing happens to him and something does, I want the guy that made it happen.

[Larry Slade]

But don't you see? We'll get dragged into it. The scandal will ruin Dad's chances of re election.

[Ace Daly]

That's unfair, Louise. How can we help?

[Barry Craig]

Well, you can give me a fill in on the time set up last night. What time did you leave the CASA daily?

[Ace Daly]

About four. We came home and went right to bed.

[Barry Craig]

Four, huh? That would give Ace plenty of time to do the job. Was the champ there when you left, Mr. Slade?

[Ace Daly]

No, he left before we did. His. Her lady friend dances in one of the clubs.

[Larry Slade]

Lily Devore, if you can call it dancing.

[Barry Craig]

He saw her last night, huh? That might be his out.

[Larry Slade]

My father and I'd like to get some sleep. If you have any more questions, would you mind if we discuss them later in some more suitable time and place?

[Barry Craig]

All right. Let's say 4:00 this afternoon in my office. Meanwhile, I think I'll drop by the Carteret Arms and have a chat with Lily Devoir. The Carteret Arms was a big, expensive looking pile of rocks in the West 50s. By the time I Got there, a heavy drizzle had started. And it didn't pep me up any to learn that Millie hadn't gotten home yet. I found a soggy cigarette in my jacket pocket, got it burning, and settled back to wait. The gleaming, wet face of a jeweler's clock across the street said 10 after 2. When a cab skidded to a stop at the curb. Lily Devore jumped out, ran for the patient. I gave her 10 minutes to get settled, then crossed over. It took a two spot and a lot of fast talk to get by unannounced. The 2 spot was more effective than the talk anyway. I got up to 4D and knocked. Yeah? Message for Mr. Vaughn. Coming.

[Louise Adair]

Okay, buster, let's have. Say, what is this?

[Barry Craig]

I want a little talk with you.

[Louise Adair]

Get your foot out of that door.

[Barry Craig]

Nice of you to ask me in.

[Louise Adair]

You mean I had a choice? Look, I don't know what's on your.

[Barry Craig]

Mind, but you don't be so modest living. You know, you're irresistible.

[Louise Adair]

Yeah, and I know something else, too. You're liable to be unconscious when the champ hears about this.

[Barry Craig]

I make it a policy never to worry unnecessarily.

[Louise Adair]

And I make it a policy never to entertain strange men without a warrant. That goes double for private cops. Outside.

[Barry Craig]

Okay. I just thought I'd help keep your champ out of the hot seat. But if that's the way you feel about it.

[Louise Adair]

Look, you can't pin that killing on Larry Slade. You know he didn't do it.

[Barry Craig]

That's not what the police think. Where is he, Lily?

[Louise Adair]

I don't know. Hey, where do you think you're going?

[Barry Craig]

Oh, just to have a look around.

[Louise Adair]

Get out of here and leave me alone.

[Barry Craig]

What's in there? I thought I heard something. Oh, mice, no doubt.

[Louise Adair]

That's just a closet. Stay away from it. Stay away, I tell you.

[Judge Adair]

Hoop.

[Barry Craig]

As I moved Lily from in front of the closet to. I turned my back for a second. The door swung open behind me. I heard, rather than saw the blow that knocked me to my knees. In that moment, the man in the closet made a break for it. He headed across the room for the bedroom door beyond. I was a little groggy, but I managed to follow him. By the time I got to the bedroom, I heard him go through the window to the fire escape beyond. I followed, stuck my head out. He snapped a shot at me from below. Gouged a chunk of windowsill a foot or so from my head. I pulled back fast. I wasn't that curious. Lily was still in the living Room when I walked back. Okay, baby, playtime is over. I lose my boyish smile when people use my skull for target practice. Who was it?

[Louise Adair]

I don't know. A prowler I get.

[Barry Craig]

If it was Slade, why did he run? You can alibi him for last night, can't you?

[Louise Adair]

What? Sure.

[Barry Craig]

Or can you?

[Louise Adair]

Of course I can. We were together all morning.

[Barry Craig]

He left Daly's before 4. When did he get to your place?

[Louise Adair]

About 4. We left the club together and then we.

[Barry Craig]

You're lying, Lily, Aren't you? No. If you are, I can check up at the club. You might as well admit it now.

[Louise Adair]

Oh, all right. The director called a rehearsal on next week's show. Slade got bored and walked out on it about 4:15 we worked through.

[Barry Craig]

In other words, he had time to knock off white. If he didn't do it, then why was he trying to hide here in your closet?

[Louise Adair]

Slade wasn't in that closet.

[Barry Craig]

Who was?

[Louise Adair]

I don't know.

[Barry Craig]

Who was it, Lily?

[Louise Adair]

Oh, what's the use? Why should I cover for him? It was Ace Daly.

[Barry Craig]

What was he doing here?

[Louise Adair]

Same as you.

[Barry Craig]

Looking for the champ to help him fix an alibi.

[Louise Adair]

Slade doesn't need an alibi. He didn't do anything. Why don't you leave him alone?

[Barry Craig]

Maybe I can help him. Where is he, Lily?

[Louise Adair]

I told you, I don't know. And I wouldn't tell you if I did.

[Barry Craig]

That's what I thought. Just the same, if you want to see him, get a break. You get to him and tell him to get to me. I didn't have long to wait. I'd just gotten back to the four walls and desk. I laughingly call my office, shuffle the two ads in rent bill that represented my mail and lit a cigarette when the phone rang. Hello, Larry Slade. I hear you want to see me.

[Ace Daly]

What about?

[Barry Craig]

I don't do business over the phone. Come in and walk right into a police stakeout. Okay, so I'll come to see you. Where? If it's a plant, you'll never walk away from it. Where? The end of Pier 6, East River. Make it 3:30 sharp. I'll be. Then come alone. Cause if you don't, you'll have plenty of company when you leave. They'll be carrying you. Pier 6 was a deserted strip that stretched out into the murky water of east river for a quarter of a mile. Anybody walking to the end would be visible for minutes before he reached the end, setting him up as a perfect target. The goose pimples and icicles running down my spine. Were caused by the cold wind, I think. The rain hadn't let up and I was drenched by the time I reached the end of the pier. Larry Slade stepped from behind an old rotting shack that had been a watchman shanty. He looked bigger than a Brahma bull and Twitter, twice as nasty. Hello, champ.

[Ace Daly]

What do you want?

[Barry Craig]

The one who killed Al White. The cops think maybe you did. I can read. I don't think you did. That's nice. So give yourself up. I don't want you to take the fall for the killer if you didn't do it. I don't take any falls for nobody. You're set up for one right now and don't know it. Your life. Why should I, Ace? Daly's the only one got anything to gain by lying. He wouldn't cross me. Not unless he needed a fall guy. And he does. Why don't you tell him that? Hey, Ace. Busy little man, aren't you, Craig? I tried to get around, only this time I didn't get around fast enough. Looks like you beat me to it, Ace. Looks like I did. He thinks you're trying to pin the murder on me, Ace. Now why would I want to do that, Larry? Why would I want to frame the guy who's giving me my alibi? Your alibi? He hasn't even got one for himself. Not after he left Lily Devore last night. Oh, yes, he has. Larry came back to the castle, Daly. We were both there together at 4:30 this morning. Now what do you say to that? You've had time to cook up a nice little story, haven't you? But coming from the two principal suspects, I doubt if the police will take your word for it. You'll have to think of something better than that to prove you were really there. Don't worry, we can. After he got home, Judge Adair called me up to talk things over. That's funny. The judge didn't mention it to me. But then maybe you haven't had a chance to give him his briefing yet. Don't worry, Craig. He'll back us up. Will he? Ace, aren't you forgetting something? What? You can't help him now. When the story of your little deal gets out and the papers talk, your support would be the Giza debt. His only chance of re election now is to wash his hands of you as fast as he can and try to make hay on the other side. Wait a minute. Sorry, Ace, but I gotta go see the judge. I kind of like to hear what he has to say before he's had any coaching. Stop him, Slade. What do you want me to do? You're the champ. Figure it out for yourself, Larry. Slade grinned, licked his lips. He hunched his left shoulder a bit. I saw the punch start somewhere near the tip of the shoe, but I couldn't get my jaw out of the way fast enough. It landed like a ton of bricks and the pier came up and slapped me in the face. I don't know how long I was out. Could have been minutes probably. It was only seconds. Both Ace and Slade were gone when I opened my eyes. I couldn't find it in my heart to regret their going. All I could do was hope that they were going to the wrong places. They wanted to locate Judge Adair. I managed to get a cab and gave the driver my office address. When I got there, two people were at my door trying a knob. Even in the semi gloom, I had no difficulty making out the sleek lines of Louis Adair as one. The other was her father looking for me.

[Ace Daly]

Oh, I thought you'd forgotten our 4:00 appointment. I. I've thought of something you should know.

[Barry Craig]

Good. Let's go inside where we can talk. Make yourselves comfortable.

[Larry Slade]

I suppose we really should have told the police that dad preferred to talk to you first.

[Barry Craig]

Well, let's have it.

[Ace Daly]

I think I know who killed your client.

[Barry Craig]

I thought you might. Judge Adair, after you and your daughter got home this morning, did you phone the casa daily?

[Ace Daly]

Why? Why? How did you know about that?

[Barry Craig]

Then you did make the call.

[Ace Daly]

Why?

[Barry Craig]

Guess.

[Ace Daly]

About 4:30.

[Barry Craig]

Well, there goes the old ball game. I thought that Ace was lying.

[Ace Daly]

But Ace wasn't there. No one answered the phone.

[Barry Craig]

He didn't. Why didn't you tell me that this morning?

[Larry Slade]

Well, dad didn't want to get involved. It would cost him.

[Barry Craig]

The election cost a man his life.

[Ace Daly]

I finally realized too late when Daley tried to reach me. Dave.

[Barry Craig]

I see I got here just in time.

[Ace Daly]

No, don't you Daily. I won't tell anything.

[Barry Craig]

Boy, you dirty, double crossing old butcher. He's got a gun. Dad.

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[Barry Craig]

When the smoke cleared. Ace Daly was spoiled in my doorway. Louisa Dare was doing a good job of trying to swallow her fists. The judge stood dazed, staring down at an old.22 target pistol that he still held in his hand. I managed to pin my eyeballs back in their sockets long enough to walk over to Ace. At that moment, the door to my office burst open and Sergeant Marty Moran came tearing in. Let's go.

[Judge Adair]

Going on here. Holy cow. Ace Daly.

[Barry Craig]

Who did it?

[Ace Daly]

I. I'm afraid I did, Sergeant.

[Larry Slade]

It was self defense. Daly was going to kill both of us.

[Barry Craig]

Mr. Judge shot him all right.

[Judge Adair]

Why should Daly want to kill you, Judge?

[Ace Daly]

He wanted to keep me quiet. I knew that he'd killed Mr. White.

[Judge Adair]

You were taking an awful chance going up against a pro like Daly with that peashooter.

[Ace Daly]

I couldn't keep quiet and see him get away with murder. Even if it does cost me the electi. I couldn't do it.

[Barry Craig]

Cost you the election. You kidding? You come out of this mess a hero. Delivered a killer. All wrapped up. Just too bad Ace Daley didn't kill White.

[Larry Slade]

Didn't kill him?

[Ace Daly]

What do you mean?

[Judge Adair]

You better translate that for me too, Barry.

[Barry Craig]

Daley couldn't have killed White. I was talking to White when the killer knocked. He got up and let him into the apartment so he wouldn't hire me to hold his hand while he was talking to Daley in a public place. Then led him into his apartment.

[Larry Slade]

But Ace could have disguised his voice.

[Barry Craig]

Old Wash Baby White was shot in the back. That means he opened the door to the killer, then turned to lead the way into the apartment. He never would have turned his back on Daly.

[Judge Adair]

In that case, I have a little surprise for you. Brian. Bring Slade in. We picked up Slade waiting outside in Daly's car.

[Barry Craig]

Ace, who did it?

[Ace Daly]

I. I'm afraid I did, Mr. Slade. I thought he killed White.

[Barry Craig]

Which leaves us only one logical suspect. Oh, I get it. I'm supposed to be the fall guy, eh? Well, you two bit Seamus, I'm gonna let you have it.

[Judge Adair]

Right in the whiskers. You KO'd the champ.

[Barry Craig]

I owed him. That's it. Holy cow. So I did. Hey, he didn't throw that fight. He's got a glass jaw.

[Judge Adair]

I'll get him out of here. And booked.

[Barry Craig]

He didn't kill White either. He never would have used a gun. He'd get a bigger charge out of beating him to a pulp.

[Ace Daly]

If neither of them did kill White.

[Judge Adair]

Who?

[Barry Craig]

You did, Judge.

[Ace Daly]

What?

[Barry Craig]

And that wasn't self defense when you shot Ace Daily. In my office. It was murder.

[Larry Slade]

That's fantastic. Why should my father kill either of them?

[Barry Craig]

Because White was getting set to break a stage that would have blasted your father's chances. Ace knew your father killed him and covered him for your sake. But your father knew when the heat was on, Daly would throw him to the wolves.

[Judge Adair]

But to go up against Daley with.

[Barry Craig]

A.22, Ace was a sitting duck. The judge shot him before he knew he was being double crossed. Using me as a witness that it was self defense.

[Ace Daly]

Now see here, this is ridiculous. I was in bed when White was killed.

[Barry Craig]

Sorry, Judge. I went to your house an hour or more after the killing. He was supposed supposed to be in bed. But your hair wasn't even muscle.

[Larry Slade]

I won't listen to these lies. Tell them, dad. Tell them.

[Ace Daly]

What's the use, Louise? I took a long chance and lost. I killed them.

[Larry Slade]

Well, they can't prove a thing.

[Ace Daly]

Yes, they can. Now that they know the story. I left too many traces.

[Judge Adair]

Why did you kill White, Judge?

[Ace Daly]

I had to. My only hope of escaping prosecution for malfeasance was to be re elected to cover what I had done during my last term. I would have done anything to be re elected. Even come to blow you with a thug like David.

[Barry Craig]

Don't talk, dad.

[Larry Slade]

They can't prove a thing.

[Ace Daly]

It's no use, my dear. I'm ready to make a full statement.

[Judge Adair]

Okay, boys, take the judge out. We'll book him later for murder, I guess. Barry, while we're waiting for the medical examiner, tell me.

[Barry Craig]

Not now, Marty. I've got an important date.

[Judge Adair]

Anybody I know?

[Barry Craig]

Lily Devore.

[Judge Adair]

You crazy? That's the champs girl. He's plenty jealous.

[Barry Craig]

Plenty jealous. But I just found out he's got a glass jaw. So long, Marty. So long, folks. See you next week. You have just heard Barry C.R. craig, confidential investigator, starring William Gargan. Next week, another exciting transcribed story starring America's number one detective. William Gargan as Barry Craig, confidential investigator. Tonight's script was written by Frank Kane and featured Santa Satega as Ace Daily. Edward King directed. Your announcer is down. Pardo. All names and places mentioned in this program are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Three chimes mean good times on NBC.

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