Epic Casebook [SA] 68-04-04 xxx Death Among The Sleepers

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Harold's Old Time Radio"
Episode: Epic Casebook [SA] 68-04-04 xxx Death Among The Sleepers
Release Date: February 16, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Death Among The Sleepers", listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, immersing themselves in a classic detective narrative. Hosted by Hugh Rouse as Inspector Carr, the story unfolds around a mysterious murder linked to the enigmatic backdrop of railway travel.

Case Overview

The episode opens with Inspector Carr introducing his latest case, "Death Among The Sleepers", highlighting the enduring fascination with trains and their inherent mysteries. He remarks:

Hugh Rouse [00:37]: "Ever since the steam engine was first invented, trains have been a source of fascination for us... there's always an air of mystery and secrecy about trains speeding past at night."

The case centers on the discovery of a woman's body at the bottom of a railway embankment near Grantham, prompting the involvement of Scotland Yard.

Investigation Begins

Inspector Carr is summoned to assist the Lincolnshire CID with the investigation. Upon arrival, he meets Inspector Hudson, who briefs him on the situation:

Inspector Hudson [04:18]: "It's obvious that the woman, whoever the woman was, she was either pushed for the train or she fell out."

The initial investigation reveals that the victim boarded a fast train from Crewe to London, with the train traveling at approximately 75 miles per hour when the incident occurred. Key evidence includes a ticket from Crewe to London and a handbag found near the body.

Suspects

Two primary suspects emerge during the investigation:

1. Mr. Michael Fordley – The victim's ex-husband, portrayed as a gentle and sad figure struggling with the divorce and custody of his child.

   Pete [08:35]: "Poor little Gertie. Perhaps they'll give me custody. She's at boarding school, you know."

2. Norman Simmons – A successful businessman and the victim's purported protector, whose cheerful demeanor masks deeper motives.

   Norman Simmons [11:37]: "We are indeed honored. Welcome to Crewe, Inspector."

Inspector Carr delves into their backgrounds, uncovering strained relationships and potential motives. Conversations reveal financial transactions and personal conflicts that add layers to the mystery.

The Twist

As the investigation progresses, Inspector Carr confronts Norman Simmons, leading to a heated exchange where Simmons admits to a tumultuous relationship with the victim:

Norman Simmons [19:11]: "Sometimes I tell her to go away. It was a torment."

Despite mounting suspicion, Carr initially leans towards Simmons but faces obstacles in corroborating his alibi. Just as the case seems to reach a dead end, a crucial observation leads Carr to reassess the evidence.

Conclusion

Inspector Carr realizes a significant inconsideration in the case—the proximity of the handbag to the body, which contradicts the likelihood of the victim having retained her belongings if she had been forcibly thrown from a speeding train. This oversight suggests that the death might not have been an accidental fall or a straightforward murder.

Hugh Rouse [26:04]: "If a woman is thrown from a train traveling at that speed, it's extremely unlikely that she will still be clutching her handbag..."

This revelation hints at deeper deception and raises questions about the true nature of the incident, leaving the case intriguingly unresolved.

Insights and Reflections

Throughout the episode, Inspector Carr embodies the archetypal detective—methodical, insightful, and unyielding in the pursuit of truth. The narrative underscores the complexities of human relationships and the often-overlooked details that can pivot an investigation from conclusion to ambiguity.

Hugh Rouse [25:00]: "A foolish mistake on Norman Simmons part. But the moral of the story. Confucius says, fast car with fast woman cause man to lose throttle."

The episode concludes with a meta-commentary, breaking the fourth wall as Carr reflects on his investigative process and the importance of meticulous attention to evidence, inviting listeners to ponder the nuances of justice and perception.

Notable Quotes

• Hugh Rouse:

  "Ever since the steam engine was first invented, trains have been a source of fascination for us." [00:37]
  "I think I'll have another word with the station master." [15:15]
  "A foolish mistake on Norman Simmons part." [26:04]

• Inspector Hudson:

  "It's obvious that the woman... was either pushed for the train or she fell out." [04:18]
  "If Mrs. Fordley was blackmailing you, I have a sworn statement..." [24:30]

• Norman Simmons:

  "I hate her." [18:46]
  "She knew I was going to get engaged..." [19:08]

Final Thoughts

"Death Among The Sleepers" masterfully blends suspense, character development, and intricate plotting, reminiscent of the beloved radio dramas of yesteryear. Inspector Carr's journey through deception and revelation serves as both an homage to classic storytelling and a timeless exploration of the human psyche.

Listeners unfamiliar with the episode will find themselves engrossed in a tale of mystery and deduction, with each revelation meticulously crafted to keep them engaged until the very end.

Transcript

[Michael Silver]

The makers of Epic pure sunflower oil, purine and pret cooking fat.

[Hugh Rouse]

Yum yum.

[Michael Silver]

Peanut butter, maple margarine and niblets cheese twists present the epic casebook in which Inspector Carr investigates.

[Hugh Rouse]

Good evening. Browsing through my casebook of crime, she who is dear to me asked what kind of murder story I was going to include this week. I told her it concerned the killing of a woman and that trains and rail women were involved. She reminded me that it was but a few weeks ago that I broadcast the story of a man who was murdered in a railway compartment. However, I justify tonight's theme of murder investigation because I believe ever since the steam engine was first invented, trains have been a source of fascination for us. Largely because there's always an air of mystery and secrecy about trains speeding past at night. And also because people who use trains become a sort of self contained community for the duration of the journey. I think it is this air of mystery that prompts small boys to have an ambition to become engine drivers, since it means going into the unknown. Having justified my choice of story tonight, let me tell you about it. I've called it Death among the Sleepers. The investigation began as far as Scotland Yard was concerned with operations reporting the finding of a woman at the bottom of a railway embankment.

[Inspector Hudson]

Inspector, a call has come through from the Lincolnshire CID asking for assistance.

[Hugh Rouse]

Lincolnshire, eh?

[Inspector Hudson]

Yes, sir. All they've sent through is that a body was discovered at the bottom of a railway embankment about 8 miles south of Grantham.

[Hugh Rouse]

How much preliminary investigation has been done by the Lincolnshire boys?

[Inspector Hudson]

Don't know, sir. Would you like us to go there?

[Hugh Rouse]

No, don't bother. Get through to movement control. Find out the next available train to Grantham. Make them aware of my arrival.

[Hudson]

Hello there, Inspector Carr. Long time no see.

[Hugh Rouse]

Hello, Hudson. Nice of you to meet me.

[Hudson]

Pleasure.

[Hugh Rouse]

Yes, it has been a long time, but three years. Mm.

[Hudson]

Sorry to have dragged you all the way up here, but you boys are much better equipped to handle a complicated investigation such as this.

[Hugh Rouse]

You're too modest. Now, this woman was found beside the main line, wasn't she?

[Hudson]

Yes. Two railway gangs were walking along the line, tapping in the wooden blocks that hold the rails to the sleepers.

[Oliver Danbury]

When.

[Pete]

Thank goodness I'm not doing this job by myself, I go Stargrave and Mad. Walk a yard stop. Tap, tap, Walk a yard stop.

[Hugh Rouse]

Oi.

[Pete]

It gets monotonous.

[Inspector Hudson]

Never mind, Pete. The end's inside.

[Pete]

Yes.

[Inspector Hudson]

Look out there. Step aside.

[Hugh Rouse]

Frank. What are you looking at down there?

[Inspector Hudson]

The bottom of the embankment. Can you see it?

[Hugh Rouse]

Yes.

[Inspector Hudson]

What do you make of it?

[Pete]

Why, it's only some rags.

[Inspector Hudson]

What? Red air.

[Hugh Rouse]

Who?

[Pete]

What do you mean red air?

[Inspector Hudson]

It's a body.

[Hugh Rouse]

A woman. Come.

[Hudson]

Oh, horrible.

[Pete]

What a mess.

[Norman Simmons]

Must have been a pretty woman too.

[Inspector Hudson]

You stay here or go get out with the police.

[Hudson]

My man were on the scene in a matter of minutes. It's obvious that the woman, whoever the woman was, she was either pushed for the train or she fell out.

[Hugh Rouse]

I see. And what does your police surgeon say?

[Hudson]

Well, we checked against his estimated time of death, which was between half past seven and half past eight last night. We checked for the train or it is any luck? And more than that, the fast train from crew was traveling along that point at the appropriate time. And what's more, the train attendant says that a woman answering her description was a passenger on it.

[Hugh Rouse]

Well, I've been looking at the description operation supplied to me. I've got it here.

[Hudson]

Yes.

[Hugh Rouse]

Height 5 foot 8, weight approximately 10 step, green eyes, auburn hair. You know, there are hundreds of thousands of women who dance with that description.

[Hudson]

That's true enough. What you weren't told is that we found her back since reporting her death. It was found in a thicket just behind the body.

[Hugh Rouse]

That's interesting. It should help.

[Hudson]

It does in one way. There was a ticket from Crewe to London. So she was on the train all right. There's nothing else in her bag that could identify her as a person.

[Hugh Rouse]

Oh, dear, that's a pity.

[Hudson]

If you'll come through, I'll show you. Here it is. Here's the clothing.

[Oliver Danbury]

Hmm.

[Hugh Rouse]

Lacerated and torn. Looks rather good quality.

[Hudson]

Well, no question about it. We'll trace the woman through these clothes, if nothing else.

[Hugh Rouse]

What's that over there? Is that the handbag?

[Hudson]

Yes, that's it. The usual things, you know, lipstick powder, feminine fripperies. £3 12 shillings in cash.

[Hugh Rouse]

Anything else that I can use?

[Hudson]

Not really. Of course, if you want me.

[Hugh Rouse]

No, no, no, no. I'll take over. I think the first thing to do is have a word with the railway people.

[Inspector Hudson]

Yes, that ticket was issued yesterday morning at Crewe. I checked with London. They're one ticket short. Which means that ticket found in this woman's bag is the one issued for that particular train.

[Hugh Rouse]

I see. Thank you. At what speed would the train be traveling at the point where she was found?

[Inspector Hudson]

At approximately 75 miles an hour.

[Hugh Rouse]

It's a horrible way to die. You received a report from your employees, I take it?

[Inspector Hudson]

Oh, yes, of course.

[Hugh Rouse]

Any likelihood of its being an accident, Inspector?

[Inspector Hudson]

When a train is traveling at such a Speed. A person will have great difficulty in opening the door against the wind. She either committed suicide or was pushed out, but not to be caused by an unfortunate accident.

[Hugh Rouse]

Thank you. Oh, we're having one of our artists create what they think the woman looked like before her face was so badly disfigured. Copies of this picture will be in your office within an hour. I'd be grateful if members of the crew, ticket collectors and so on, were asked to identify her.

[Inspector Hudson]

Naturally, Inspector, the railway administration will do all it can to assist you in your investigation.

[Hugh Rouse]

However, the response from the artist's impression of the picture was of little help as far as tracing the woman was concerned. While she was unrecognized, no one could give us any information that would assist us in learning her identity or what happened on the train to cause this unknown woman to be found dead by a railway. However, the artist did not draw his picture in vain.

[Inspector Hudson]

Car speaking Operations here, Inspector.

[Hugh Rouse]

Oh, what have you got for me?

[Inspector Hudson]

A woman found on railway line, identified from Picture as a Mrs. Nancy Fordley, 32 Half Moon street crew. Divorced, one child.

[Hugh Rouse]

Right ars.

[Inspector Hudson]

Very good, sir. Shall I organize transport?

[Hugh Rouse]

Yes, please. By the time I'd reached crew, my local colleagues had all the information I required. The husband of the dead woman was a Mr. Michael Fordley. I was driven to his place of employment. He rose from his office seat. A tall, slightly stooping figure, somewhat balding, with eyes that had a gentle look about them. Gentle and sad. Please don't get up. I'm sorry to trouble you at your place of employment, but time is of the essence.

[Pete]

Yeah, I understand. When Sergeant Henderson came to tell me about it, I couldn't believe it. I haven't told Gertrude, Inspector. I don't know what to do.

[Hugh Rouse]

At six years of age, the shock won't be too much for her.

[Pete]

Poor little Gertie. Perhaps they'll give me custody. She's at boarding school, you know. Four miles from here.

[Hugh Rouse]

Did you continue to see your ex wife?

[Pete]

Oh, yes. Not by design. Crewe may be the railway junction for England, but to us locals it's just a village. We were always bumping into each other.

[Hugh Rouse]

When did you see her last?

[Pete]

Oh, no more than seven or eight days ago. I ran into her in a pub.

[Hugh Rouse]

So I understand you were heard to threaten your ex wife?

[Pete]

She promised I could see my daughter regularly. She was trying to turn Gertrude against me.

[Hugh Rouse]

According to the local police, she lived rather well. I suppose you were paying her alimony?

[Pete]

Yes, but I'm not exactly overpaid as chief clerk by crew Engineering works. She couldn't have lived on what I paid her.

[Hugh Rouse]

What am I to make of that?

[Pete]

Inspector Carr, I expect you to make of it what you will.

[Hugh Rouse]

You're a man of the world. You mean men?

[Pete]

I mean just that.

[Hugh Rouse]

Well, there is a remote. A very remote possibility of suicide. Was she in any kind of trouble? Do you know, Nancy?

[Pete]

Suicide? The idea's ridiculous.

[Hugh Rouse]

Mr. Fortley, had your ex wife any special man friend?

[Pete]

I don't know if special is the right word to use, Inspector. The whole of crew knows that Norman Simmons was, shall we say, her protector.

[Hugh Rouse]

Norman Simmons. Thank you. Oh, do you know his address?

[Pete]

You must be joking, Inspector Carr. Didn't you notice as you drove down the street Simmons Land Development Company and Simmons Garage?

[Hugh Rouse]

Oh, I get the message, Mr. Fortley. Oh, I must ask you this. Why did Mrs. Fordley divorce you? You see, I had to look into your background.

[Pete]

I let her divorce me because she asked me to. It's as simple as that. I knew that she'd fallen out of love with me. Kept telling me that our marriage was a mistake. So it was no good hanging onto her. I gave her grounds for divorce.

[Hugh Rouse]

Perhaps I was weak.

[Pete]

Shouldn't have let her go. You may as well know it, Inspector. I haven't got over it yet. That's why this has come as such a shock. You see, deep down in my heart, I always felt there was a chance that we might get together again.

[Hugh Rouse]

I'm sorry.

[Pete]

It's all right. I know it's silly, but somehow the fact that she was killed whilst we were divorced makes it harder to bear. I suppose you think I'm talking nonsense.

[Hugh Rouse]

No, no, I don't think you're talking nonsense. I understand perfectly, Mr. Norman Simmons. You, Norman Simmons, proved to be the antithesis of the bereaved ex husband. Where Fordly was sad and beaten, Simmons personality was the epitome of a good looking, successful businessman whom life had gazed upon with a kindly eye. Particularly in stark contrast was his bouncy cheerfulness.

[Norman Simmons]

Well, well. The famous modern Sherlock Holmes has descended upon us. We are indeed honored. Welcome to Crewe, Inspector.

[Hugh Rouse]

Thank you. No doubt you were expecting me.

[Inspector Hudson]

Aye.

[Norman Simmons]

Why should I?

[Hugh Rouse]

Inspector, a close friend of yours is found dead by a railway embankment. Her identity has become known, causing the entire community of Crewe to be seething with speculation and excitement and gossip linking her name with yours, Mr. Simmons.

[Norman Simmons]

Only mine.

[Hugh Rouse]

Frankly, Mr. Simmons, your name seems to be more prominent than the others.

[Norman Simmons]

They're wrong. I now prefer fast motor cars to fast women. I got disenchanted with Nancy Fordley, months ago. You've been described as the famous sleuth of the murder squad. But there's been no mention in the paper that murder had been committed. Was she murdered?

[Hugh Rouse]

That's what I'm trying to find out. Most of the medical evidence suggests it was a case of murder. Have you any idea why or who?

[Norman Simmons]

No, not as a fact. But if you want me to hazard a guess, I'd say that if any man had reason to push her off the train, it was her ex husband.

[Hugh Rouse]

Why do you say that?

[Norman Simmons]

Well, I suppose you've been to see him. I should imagine the reason would be all too apparent. She drove him into the ground. It was these weak, pitiful men who turn out to be killers. Or so my storybooks tell me.

[Hugh Rouse]

You shouldn't believe all you read, Mr. Simmons. And by the same token, a good detective never believes everything he hears. For instance, local gossip has hinted that you were the cause of their marriage breakup. That she was in love with you then.

[Norman Simmons]

Oh, that's what she told him. Nancy pretended to be in love with me because she'd outgrown the poor SAP. Our affair was over long before then.

[Hugh Rouse]

When did you last travel to London by train, Mrs. Simmons?

[Norman Simmons]

Oh, come off it, Inspector. She and I had some fun together and that was that. I haven't traveled by train to London for over a week. If you're looking to me as a possible suspect, you're wasting your time. Why don't you check every booking clerk, railway porter knows my face.

[Hugh Rouse]

It does your heart good to bake a maple cake, Then see them ask.

[Station Master]

For more feather light, fine textured and rich tasting. That's how your cakes will turn out every time you use maple margarine. Maple margarine is rich in flavor. Rich in vitamins too.

[Oliver Danbury]

It does your heart good to bake.

[Hugh Rouse]

A maple cake, then see them ask for more maple. It's got lift. It's got lift. Purine pastry's got lift. Lift because purine is pure. Purine pastry is light, fluffy and full of lift.

[Station Master]

With purine pure cooking fat, you get the taste of your own good cooking.

[Hugh Rouse]

Of course, Norman Simmons attitude was just a little too forced to be true. His ebullience and overconfidence was meant to impress me. With what? His devil macare attitude to life. His innocence. I decided to spend some time with one of the most fruitful sources of information, the landlord of the local hostelry.

[Hudson]

It was a terrible business. She had it coming to her, did Nancy Vorley, where she used to carry on in a Pub sometimes, you know, making fun of poor Mike as the ex husband, you know.

[Hugh Rouse]

What about Simmons?

[Hudson]

Oh, I think she made a match there. If you ask me, he was the only man she really went overboard for. I don't think it was money either. Ruthless, swiney Simmons. We certainly got away with the women.

[Hugh Rouse]

Oh, yes, and who was Mrs. Fordley's current boyfriend?

[Hudson]

It's a funny thing. She didn't seem to go about with one of the locals lately. Wait a minute.

[Hugh Rouse]

Yes? What have you thought of?

[Hudson]

Yeah, some months ago she asked me if I knew a district called Earnhill, seeing as how I come from London originally.

[Hugh Rouse]

Thank you. Thank you, landlord. I think that explains something. I think I'll have another word with the station master.

[Inspector Hudson]

Went up to London quite a lot, she did, almost every week.

[Hugh Rouse]

When did she return?

[Inspector Hudson]

Well, I couldn't tell you exactly, but I know this. She was always here for the weekends. Used to bring her daughter home from boarding school.

[Hugh Rouse]

I see. Well, what about her suitcase? Did she used to come onto the railway platform with her suitcase?

[Inspector Hudson]

Oh, I couldn't tell you that. Not the sort of thing anyone would notice, is it?

[Hugh Rouse]

No, I suppose it is. Oh. How far am I from Half Moon Street?

[Inspector Hudson]

Oh, it's not more than three minutes walk from here.

[Hugh Rouse]

Using a skeleton key, I entered the tiny terraced house occupied by the now dead woman. Whatever her models, no one could question her pride in her house. It was spotlessly clean. And in the room that she would describe as her parlor was a framed portrait of her daughter, a smiling, happy little child. Upstairs, the bedroom gave an appearance of neatness. With the inevitable feeling of distaste, I went through her private effects. There was little of value. No love or threatening letters. No diary to reveal her reasons for the frequent trips to London. And then I came across a receipt which was to save us many hours of questioning. Yes?

[Inspector Hudson]

Operations, your inspector. The receipt for six months rent at Langley Flats is in the name of Oliver Danbury.

[Hugh Rouse]

Yes.

[Norman Simmons]

Married, three children.

[Inspector Hudson]

Owns the Danbury garage at Norwood.

[Hugh Rouse]

Married, three children. Things are holding up. Thanks.

[Inspector Hudson]

Ops, about that suitcase.

[Hugh Rouse]

So the lost property office not to bother. There wasn't a suitcase. Mrs. Fordley had a dual establishment. That's why she could stay overnight in London without having to take any accessories with her. Again, X branch to find out whether Danbury was away from work at the time she was killed. Whether he take a train going north, he's obviously suspect number one.

[Inspector Hudson]

Very good, sir.

[Hugh Rouse]

I think I'll be a little kind to the man. I'll question him at the garage. Mr. Danbury. I'm inquiring into the death of a Mrs. Nancy Fordley.

[Oliver Danbury]

I wondered when you. When the police will be on to me.

[Hugh Rouse]

Why do you say on to you?

[Oliver Danbury]

As soon as I saw that artist drawn in the paper, I knew that my life was over.

[Hugh Rouse]

Because you killed her?

[Oliver Danbury]

Because I. Because of what? You don't think I pushed her off the train?

[Hugh Rouse]

How do you know she fell from the train?

[Oliver Danbury]

Well, because I always go around to her. To her flat. She never turned up. I wonder what had happened. And then two days later I saw that. That drawn of her in the paper.

[Hugh Rouse]

When we published the artist's impression in the newspapers, we did not know her identity. Why didn't you come forward?

[Oliver Danbury]

Well, it said that the police that you people were anxious for information concerning her identity. I hadn't got the guts. I was afraid we wife and find out what been going on.

[Hugh Rouse]

What do you mean going on? Were you in love with Mrs. Ford?

[Oliver Danbury]

I hated her.

[Hugh Rouse]

Hated her. Yet you paid the rent for her flat in Herne Hill. I've been going through her bank book. She's been getting regular remittances. Weren't they from you?

[Hudson]

Yeah.

[Oliver Danbury]

I kept her. You won't understand this. I didn't love her. I hated her. And yet I wanted her. I couldn't get her out of my sister.

[Hugh Rouse]

Was she blackmailing you, Mr. Danbury?

[Oliver Danbury]

Sometimes. Sometimes I tell her to go away. It was a torment. I know I've been weak. I've been unfaithful to me wife. Yeah, I loved her. I've got three. Three wonderful kids. Every time I sleep, begging with my little finger, I'd be running out. Oh, excuse me.

[Hugh Rouse]

Were you on that train?

[Oliver Danbury]

Now it's better.

[Hugh Rouse]

Where were you between half past seven, half past eight on Tuesday night?

[Oliver Danbury]

The subject? Supper with me wife and kids. Please. Please. Doesn't it wipe after?

[Hugh Rouse]

Now, Mr. Danbury, I'm not concerned with your morals nor with your domestic relationship. If I find it necessary to check on your alibi with your wife, I'll do so. Despite my threat, my suspicions concerning Oliver Danbury began to fade. It seemed extremely unlikely that he would travel all the way to Crewe, book a ticket back London and board the train in search of his mistress in order to kill her. And so I was back to square one. And then I remembered something. Something that I should have taken into consideration from the very beginning. Cursing myself for being such a thick headed fool, I started from scratch. Yes, sir. Put me through to Ops.

[Inspector Hudson]

Going through operation, sir.

[Hugh Rouse]

Oh, Carr speaking. Get through to Crew, tell them I strongly suspect Norman Simmons of killing Nancy Fordly. I don't she was on that train at all. But me no buts. Now there's a good chap. We've got all our times wrong. She was killed between 7 and 8:30. But that doesn't mean that she was murdered at the spot where she was found. In the meantime, I have another word with Mr. Danbury. Ah, Mr. Danbury. I want it. Relaxo, boy. Relax, Max. You're off my list of suspects.

[Oliver Danbury]

Oh, thank heaven it wasn't for myself.

[Hugh Rouse]

I haven't time for your unctuous self. Pity. You deserve the shock you've got. Now, here are some amounts. These paying in slips were taken from the Herne Hill flat. There's one here for £100. Did you ever give her a hundred pounds in one sum?

[Oliver Danbury]

£100? Of course not. I mean, I'm not that rich.

[Hugh Rouse]

Significantly, it was in cash. Someone was being blackmailed. She seemed quite a character. Mrs. Ford. Yes, my friend, if you'd carried on your relationship with this woman, you'd have gone one way. Talking about ways, I think I better hire me back to crew. I don't think I've ever seen so many passengers, Station Master.

[Inspector Hudson]

Not surprising, Inspector. This is the main railway junction. You might call this the nerve centre of the railway system.

[Hugh Rouse]

You remember I asked you if you were able to recognize Mrs. Fordley as being one of the passengers? You said yes, but you didn't sound very sure.

[Station Master]

Well, she.

[Hugh Rouse]

She usually caught that train to London. But you're not sure, are you?

[Inspector Hudson]

Well, Inspector, that's the fast train to London. Carried over 800 passengers. It seems the longest train in operation.

[Hugh Rouse]

I don't feel too bad. This station master, according to her description, there was nothing outstanding. In fact, I remembered saying at the time, many women were of that height, weight, colouring.

[Inspector Hudson]

Thank you for letting me off the hook.

[Hugh Rouse]

Before we were able to identify Mrs. Fordley, one of our artists made an impression of her face which was terribly disfigured. Did you see it in the paper?

[Inspector Hudson]

Yes.

[Hugh Rouse]

Now, when you looked at it, did you think that's Mrs. Fordley who lives in Crewe?

[Norman Simmons]

No.

[Hugh Rouse]

That clinches it. Because when this was shown to the guard and the train attendants, they thought they recognized her. Because there must have been a dozen women on that train answering to that description. In fact, Mr. Station Master, I'm willing to wager my non existent bowler hat that Mrs. Fordley was never on that train.

[Inspector Hudson]

But Inspector.

[Hugh Rouse]

Time, Station Master, I have a feeling that the answers to all the Questions will soon become available. Mr. Simmons, I'm looking for an answer to a vital question. I think you can supply it.

[Norman Simmons]

I gave answers to all your questions, Inspector, the last time you were here. Don't tell me you haven't crossed me off your list of suspects.

[Hugh Rouse]

Mr. Simmons, when it comes to an investigation of murder, we have at our disposal a vast network of machinery.

[Norman Simmons]

What do you mean?

[Hugh Rouse]

I'm trying to suggest that we both can save a great deal of time if you answer my question truthfully. Where were you between the hours of 7:30 and 8:30 last Tuesday night?

[Norman Simmons]

I've already told you, I wasn't on that train.

[Hugh Rouse]

That isn't what I asked you, is it?

[Norman Simmons]

At home, having a drink all the time. Yes.

[Hugh Rouse]

You weren't. You know, at 7:40, that super duper glamorous sports car of yours that you're so proud of was seen by a radio patrolman and by Sergeant Watson of the County Mobile Police to be travelling towards Grantham.

[Norman Simmons]

I don't possess the only Loxton sports car in the country.

[Hugh Rouse]

Of course you don't. Why didn't you tell me that Mrs. Fordley was blackmailing you? I have a sworn statement from a cashier at the Crew National bank that you drew 100 one pound notes from your bank the same day as Mrs. Fordley deposited a like amount in one pound notes.

[Norman Simmons]

I don't know what all this is leading to.

[Hugh Rouse]

Don't you? What a horrible thing to do. Murder's bad enough, but to disfigure the woman's face? To make it look as if she fell for a train.

[Norman Simmons]

Look here, Inspector, I've stood just about enough from you. Are you charging me with murder? You know that the sports car speeding towards Grantham isn't sufficient grounds for a prosecution. Just because you failed in your investigation, you're trying to make me a stooge, I think is the word.

[Hugh Rouse]

You should have been a bit more careful. You know those wild growing brambles. Didn't you notice the nick in your jacket?

[Norman Simmons]

In my. My jacket?

[Hugh Rouse]

Ah, and all that soot and dust. Lucky it didn't rain. Perfect footprints. And fancy handling the woman without any gloves.

[Norman Simmons]

I didn't mean to, really. I didn't inspect. She came round here, taunted me, told me that she was on her way to the station. She knew I was going to get engaged as a Robert Anderson's daughter. I picked up that brass paperweight. I just went berserk. Then she was dead. A reserved railway seat ticket fell from her pocket. It was then that I had the Idea of taking an accidental suicide beside the railway.

[Hugh Rouse]

All right, come along with.

[Hudson]

Well, Duncar, I might as well tell you that the railway authorities are very relieved and it turned out to be an accident. The dead woman's executors would have a large claim for damages on behalf of the bereaved daughter. Let's see, she was found dead last Tuesday night and it's now Friday morning. Quick work.

[Hugh Rouse]

Quick work, you say? This case would have been solved in 48 hours. If you and I had noticed a piece of evidence we'd overlooked, we wouldn't have wasted time questioning Porter's station master.

[Hudson]

Oh, what was.

[Hugh Rouse]

Well, you've gone through the dossier and you listeners were told all the evidence gathered during my investigation. What was it that made me switch suddenly? Remember that? I declared that I'd have to get back to square one. You know what it was, but not sure. Listen to the commercial and I'll be back to tell you. Well, listeners, what was it? What was it that I had overlooked during the preliminary investigation? It was this. If you remember, we heard that the train was traveling at a speed of 75 miles an hour at the point where the body was found. Yet Inspector Hudson himself told me.

[Hudson]

We found the handbag. It's found in a thicket just behind the body.

[Hugh Rouse]

Get it? Now, if a woman is thrown from a train traveling at that speed, A, it's extremely unlikely that she will still be clutching her handbag, and B, in the unlikely event that she did so, the bag would be thrown some hundreds of yards away from the body. Certainly it would not be discovered behind a thicket where the body was found. A foolish mistake on Norman Simmons part. But the moral of the story. Confucius says, fast car with fast woman cause man to lose throttle. Good night.

[Michael Silver]

The Epic Tastebook was produced by Michael Silver for the makers of Epic. Pure sunflower oil, Maple margarine. Yum yum. Peanut butter and niblets Cheese twists with Hugh Rouse as Inspector Carr.

[Hugh Rouse]

Get the love and things you do.