Danger With Grainger: "Triple X Murder" (Episode 05)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: January 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This gripping installment of "Danger With Grainger" revives the suspenseful tales from radio’s golden age, presenting a twist-filled detective story centered on the mysterious "Triple X" murders plaguing Pelham Bay Park. Private detective Steve Granger takes listeners through a case combining clever misdirection, police frustration, and a psychological duel with a criminal who signs killings with three lipstick x’s.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Twin Killings Discovery

Timestamp: 01:16 – 02:39

• The story opens with Graham Dwyer discovering the bodies of a young couple in a red convertible at Pelham Bay Park and alerting the police.
• The crime scene is marked by a chilling detail: three x’s drawn in lipstick on each victim’s forehead—a killer’s grotesque trademark.
• Police Lieutenant Mike Harding and Granger inspect the scene: "We're in for a lot of grief. You look at these marks made by a lipstick." (Steve Granger, 02:30)

2. John Morton: The Prime Suspect

Timestamp: 02:39 – 04:54

• Martha Morton, the mother of John, pleads with Granger to clear her son, who's in jail and accused as the "3X killer".
• Granger visits Lieutenant Harding at police HQ; the case against John looks strong: shoe prints, matching tire tracks, and motive from a love triangle.
• Harding says skeptically: "Oh, looks like a nice boy. And I’ve seen angel face killers before." (Lt. Harding, 05:02)

3. Steve Granger’s Investigation

Timestamp: 04:54 – 11:44

• Granger interviews John Morton, who denies the killings but admits to being in the park, acting out of jealousy. His alibi is weak—he was alone after dropping off Anna Long, the girl who reported him.
• Graham Dwyer enters as an eager amateur criminologist, offering to help with the investigation.
• As Granger leaves, someone takes a shot at him from a car (08:20). He provides the plate number to Harding— the car is missing, keys left inside by the owner.

4. Suspicions Shift After a Second Murder

Timestamp: 11:44 – 14:54

• At Cal Hendricks' place, Granger discusses the psychological aspect of the killer: "…when they start marking their corpses with three X's on the forehead, look for a psychopathic murderer." (Cal Hendricks, 11:57)
• News breaks of another murder—again marked with three X's, this time only a woman—proving John Morton's innocence (13:12).
• Police must release John, but he remains under suspicion post-release.

5. Plan to Trap the 3X Killer

Timestamp: 15:04 – 17:47

• Granger and Harding concoct a risky scheme to trap the killer. Granger explains: "Suppose somebody comes along and claims to be the 3x killer. The real one gets jealous. He'll want to get even with the fake one." (17:06)

• They stage a fake murder: a policewoman pretends to be shot and is found with three X's. The ruse is publicized to lure the real killer out.

6. The Climax—The Killer Revealed

Timestamp: 18:45 – 22:15

• As planned, a "fake" 3X killer (an officer in disguise) roams. Graham Dwyer, exposed by his knowledge and obsession, confronts the fake and confesses to being the real killer:
  • "You're a fake… You're trying to cash in on the publicity the original 3x killer got… Because I happen to be the original 3X." (Graham Dwyer, 21:46, 21:56)
• Granger and police apprehend Dwyer after a struggle. Granger's shooting of Dwyer in the leg ends the chase.

7. Wrap-Up and Reflection

Timestamp: 22:37 – 23:19

• Harding and Granger debrief, the press has a field day with the police ruse.
• On arresting Dwyer: "He's insane. When we raided his apartment we found it was a storehouse of information on murder." (Lt. Harding, 22:56)
• Granger, exhausted, declines another call to action: "This one is on you. I figure on taking a rest. A long rest." (Steve Granger, 23:19)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• The Signature:
  “Three X’s. This must be the work of some... Some fiend.”
  — Graham Dwyer & Lt. Harding, (02:33–02:36)

• Distrust of Appearances:
  "He looks like a nice boy. And I’ve seen angel face killers before.”
  — Lt. Harding, (05:02)

• Plotting the Trap:
  "Suppose somebody comes along and claims to be the 3x killer. The real one gets jealous. He'll want to get even with the fake one.”
  — Steve Granger, (17:06)

• The Confession:
  “Because I happen to be the original 3X.”
  — Graham Dwyer, (21:56)

• Granger’s Sign-off:
  “This one is on you. I figure on taking a rest. A long rest.”
  — Steve Granger, (23:19)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Discovery of the bodies: 01:16–02:39
• John Morton’s predicament and investigation: 02:39–05:51
• Attempt on Granger’s life: 08:20–08:45
• News of fresh murder/exoneration: 13:00–13:43
• Trapping the real killer (the staged murder): 17:13–22:15
• Resolution and aftermath: 22:37–23:19

Tone and Style

The episode balances its noir detective atmosphere with snappy, sardonic exchanges. Granger’s narration is hard-boiled and seasoned with wit, while Harding provides a gruff, no-nonsense foil. Dialogue bristles with irony—both men occasionally trade barbs, undercutting the gloom with gallows humor and camaraderie.

Summary for New Listeners

In this classic example of the radio detective genre, listeners are drawn into a cerebral and atmospheric case, packed with misdirection, psychological insight, and suspenseful action. The episode demonstrates the dramatic strengths of radio storytelling—using voice, pacing, and clever writing to deliver both entertainment and intrigue.