Frank Race 49-05-01 001 The Hackensack Victory

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Frank Race 49-05-01 001 The Hackensack Victory"

Release Date: May 4, 2025

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Introduction

In the inaugural episode of "The Adventures of Frank Race," listeners are introduced to Frank Race, a former attorney turned adventurer, navigating a web of maritime mysteries and corporate intrigue. Set against the backdrop of post-war New York, the episode weaves a tale of deception, investigation, and unexpected alliances, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio storytelling.

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Character Introductions

• Frank Race: The protagonist, an ex-attorney who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during the war. Charismatic and persistent, Frank transitions from legal battles to adventurous investigations.

• Chalmers Latham: An executive vice president in charge of claims at Intercontinental Maritime. He recruits Frank to investigate the mysterious losses of two freighters.

• Mark Donovan: A rugged associate of Chalmers Latham, involved in the operational aspects of the investigation.

• Sally Deneen: A sultry and enigmatic woman connected to the Deneen family, owners of the maritime company under scrutiny.

• Carrie Farrell: Sally's aunt, a militant figure overseeing the Deneen household.

• Jacqueline and Nemo: Associates involved in the unfolding mystery surrounding the missing ships.

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Plot Summary

A New Assignment

The episode kicks off with Frank Race being approached by Chalmers Latham (03:02) to investigate the disappearance of two freighters from Intercontinental Maritime. Frank, intrigued by the ambiguity of the claims, accepts despite Latham's reservations about his investigatory role.

Notable Quote:

"I remember him from the rotor grab your first family. Good looking. Shoots golf. Along with the pros."
— Frank Race [02:39]

Dinner and Deception

Frank attends dinner at the Deneen residence, where he meets Sally Deneen and her aunt Carrie Farrell. The interaction is tense, with underlying hints of familial discord and corporate malfeasance.

Notable Quote:

"The function of this office is to adjust claims, not to investigate them."
— Chalmers Latham [03:21]

Sally Deneen, with her alluring presence, becomes a focal point of suspicion for Frank as he navigates the social dynamics of the Deneen family.

Investigating the Hackensack Victory

Frank's investigation leads him to the ship The Hackensack Victory, which piques his suspicion as it bears an uncanny resemblance to the missing vessels. Accompanied by Sally, Frank boards the ship and confronts Captain Kennedy (14:13), leading to a dramatic altercation that results in Kennedy's hospitalization.

Notable Quote:

"I think your brother has been murdered too."
— Frank Race [25:02]

Unveiling the Conspiracy

Through relentless questioning and keen observation, Frank deduces a maritime insurance scam orchestrated by the Deneen family. The revelation that The Hackensack Victory is actually The Jackson Victory—a counterfeit identity of a lost ship—uncovers a scheme to claim insurance fraudulently.

Notable Quote:

"The Hackensack Victory was never actually rebuilt. What the Hackensack Victory is really isn't the Hackensack Victory at all. It's the Jackson Victory, one of the ships you were supposed to have lost."
— Frank Race [22:11]

Climactic Confrontation

As Frank unravels the conspiracy, a confrontation ensues with Chalmers Latham, who attempts to assert control. The tension escalates when Sally reveals her internal conflict and inadvertently aids Frank in bringing Latham to justice.

Notable Quote:

"You look pensive. Race, did you hear me? I said you look pensive."
— Sally Deneen [21:15]

Frank's determination culminates in thwarting the fraudulent scheme, but not without personal costs as his relationship with Sally becomes strained amidst the revelations.

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Themes and Insights

• Corruption and Greed: The episode delves into corporate deceit, highlighting how financial greed can lead to elaborate fraudulent activities.

• Loyalty and Betrayal: Frank's interactions with the Deneen family showcase shifting loyalties and the complexities of personal relationships within a corrupt environment.

• Justice and Morality: Frank embodies the pursuit of justice, navigating morally gray areas to uncover the truth.

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Conclusion

"The Hackensack Victory" sets a compelling stage for Frank Race's adventures, blending mystery with classic radio drama elements. As Frank dismantles the fraudulent operations of the Deneen family, listeners are left anticipating further escapades in his quest for truth and justice.

Final Notable Quote:

"I'm sorry to disturb your sheltered little world, Sally, but hiding from things doesn't make it a better world than mine."
— Frank Race [27:06]

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Closing Remarks

This episode masterfully combines suspense, character development, and intricate plot twists, reminiscent of the beloved radio shows of the past. "The Adventures of Frank Race" promises an engaging journey for listeners, blending nostalgia with fresh storytelling.

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Produced by Buckley Angel and Joel Murcott. Music composed and performed by Ivan Ditmars. Brought to you by Bruce Elves.

Transcript

[Styles MacKenzie]

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Styles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fierce this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.

[Frank Race]

Wayfair Every style, Every home.

[Tom Collins]

The Adventures of Frank Race Starring Tom.

[Frank Race]

Collins.

[Tom Collins]

Many things were changed during the war. The face of the earth was altered and the people of the earth changed. Before the war, Frank Race was an attorney. But he traded his law books for the cloak and dagger of the oss. And when it was over, his former life was over, too. Adventure had become his business. The Adventures OF Frank Race.

[Frank Race]

New York in the spring, just after a rain, with the sun sneaking a look at you now and then. Everything glistened. Particularly the girls in those transparent raincoats. I was walking right alongside one of them, a blonde who was putting ideas in my head, when Mr. Rice. Frank Rice. Hey. It was Mark Donovan. Coming in fast as usual. I crawled into his cab, a vehicle that looked as though it must have gone through the Battle of the Bulge. I've been looking all over for you. Call company apartment From Intercontinental Maritime.

[Mark Donovan]

Underwriting a guy named Chalmers Latham.

[Frank Race]

Interesting piece of news. Start beating those signals, Mark. A guy named Chalmers Latham. I remembered him from the rotor grab yours first family. Good looking. Shoots golf. Along with the pros. Frank Merriwell. In business, he drew salary as an executive vice president in charge of claims. And at the moment, he wasn't happy.

[Chalmers Latham]

I don't believe we've met before Race.

[Frank Race]

I don't believe so.

[Chalmers Latham]

I heard of you through McCormick, our chief adjuster. Attorney, aren't you?

[Frank Race]

That's right.

[Chalmers Latham]

The OSS during the war. Quite a lot of foreign service decorated several times.

[Frank Race]

You've got me.

[Chalmers Latham]

Might I ask why you prefer not to practice your profession?

[Frank Race]

Well, I got fidgety in courtrooms. It's a handicap. Irritates the judges.

[Chalmers Latham]

I'd like to point out, Race, that the function of this office is to adjust claims, not to investigate them.

[Frank Race]

But you've had one come along that looks fuzzy.

[Chalmers Latham]

Not one. Two. Two freighters operated by the same firm. The claim in each case is for total loss.

[Frank Race]

How did they go?

[Chalmers Latham]

Overdue and presumed lost. Frankly, they just disappeared without traces. Ship, cargo and crew.

[Frank Race]

Sounds like an interesting assignment.

[Chalmers Latham]

As I just mentioned, our function is to adjust claims and, well, you don't.

[Frank Race]

Want to make a fuss, you understand.

[Chalmers Latham]

Now, the claims may turn out to be perfectly legitimate. So I suggest that on the surface you make it apparent that you're not working for us. Pardon me.

[Frank Race]

Mom, right?

[Chalmers Latham]

Yes. Put Mr. Nina on. No, no, wait a second. I'll talk to her out there. Excuse me a minute. Race.

[Frank Race]

Quite all right. He took at least 15 minutes, and when he came back, he kept moving around, smoking rapidly.

[Chalmers Latham]

You free this evening, Race?

[Frank Race]

I could be.

[Chalmers Latham]

I'd like to take you to Sally Deneen's for dinner.

[Frank Race]

Informal or white tie?

[Chalmers Latham]

White tie. I'll pick you up at 8.

[Frank Race]

I left Latham's office and headed for the elevator, but I never quite got to it. The interception came in the shape of a paunchy personality with a pair of eyes that reminded you of grapes. Peeled grapes. His face was round and without guile, and he spoke with the voice of a choir boy.

[Mark Donovan]

We're taking the stairs.

[Frank Race]

Well, I'm not seeking exercise, you know. That's a long way down.

[Mark Donovan]

I said we're taking the stairs. You go moving your flippers and you'll pick up a crop of bruises.

[Frank Race]

I got the feeling I'd pick up more than that. Those orbs told me he'd been smoking a brand. They don't advertise. We took the stairs.

[Mark Donovan]

Stay close to the buildings. And remember, one phony move and I'll plant a slug in you.

[Frank Race]

There were several cabs around, but no sign of Mark Donovan. We walked about four blocks to finally turn in at a short blind alley, a loading dock. On hand were a couple of citizens who'd been fair game for any dragnet. One of them was an ordinary hood, but the other. Well, you remember the way your bootlegger used to dress when business was good. Slouch hat, double breasted Chesterfield. Hello, Reese. My name's Jacqueline. Eddie Jacklin. Shouldn't that make me happy? I'm not here to stall around. What'll you take to turn down that job for Intercontinental? I might be able to answer that better if I knew what they intended to pay me. Now you're doing the stalling.

[Mark Donovan]

Like I told you, Eddie, you don't have to offer him no dough. Just let me push him around a little.

[Frank Race]

Like this. Great fries. I heard you were pretty handy with that commando stuff. Well, he could have been friendlier about things. Walked me several blocks without uttering a civil word. I try to be friendly with people I do business with. You may as well get it straight, Jacqueline. I'm not doing business I had an idea you'd say that, so I made plans. With a.45 in your hand? I respect you, Nemo. Flag us a cab. All right, Race. Drift toward the street. Jacqueline gave the cabbie an east side address and we lurched away. Our flying start made me glance at the driver. I had to swallow a grunt when I saw it was Mark. His eye on the mirror caught mine and I got set for his play. And I wasn't long in coming. Getting a clear stretch ahead, he gunned the cab to about 50, then slapped on the brakes. I braced myself, and when Jacqueline and Nemo went forward, I grabbed both of them behind heads and pushed hard.

[Mark Donovan]

Get him outside, Frank.

[Frank Race]

Get out, Jacqueline. Roll your head, Frank. I was conscious of a sickening splat and we all sprawled on the pavement. Nemo and I came up together and I went at him with the sharp edges of my hands. He took two or three and then broke away into camps. Come on, Race, let's get out of.

[Mark Donovan]

A fine fare you turn out to be. Wait for me, says the man, and that is the last I see him.

[Frank Race]

Well, if you've been watching, you'd have seen me come out of that building with a gun barrel, bruising my backbone.

[Mark Donovan]

I took five minutes maybe to snag me a cup of coffee.

[Frank Race]

How much coffee do you drink in a day?

[Mark Donovan]

This is only my night cup. Since noon it is. Why don't you have some more?

[Frank Race]

Mark, do you know about a family named Deneen?

[Mark Donovan]

Oh, the big shots. Yeah, yeah, I know. Haul them around once or twice. There is a girl that's a pip.

[Frank Race]

Do they own ships?

[Mark Donovan]

That's right. Sure, the girl and her brother had a big court fight in 44. Hit all the headlines. Some kind of battlebot running a company.

[Frank Race]

We weren't reading very many newspapers in 44.

[Mark Donovan]

What is cooking on all this anyway?

[Frank Race]

Dinner at their home this evening. On the way over, Latham had briefed me on the family, but at that I wasn't quite prepared for the militant aunt who presided over the household. Ms. Deneen's aunt, Carrie Farrell, must have been about 45. Her complexion had the look of freshly stirred oatmeal. She spoke in tones that seemed to be directed at someone behind you. About 50ft behind you, Carrie's Mr. Farrell always seemed to be smiling apologetically, as though he felt himself to be a traitor to his sex because of being her husband.

[Carrie Farrell]

Race. That's an odd name, isn't it? Has anyone ever told you that the race doesn't always go to the fleetest?

[Frank Race]

I'm afraid that doesn't quite make sense, Carrie.

[Carrie Farrell]

Does to me. I'm sure it does to Mr. Race.

[Frank Race]

Come along.

[Carrie Farrell]

Sally isn't here yet, but we won't wait for.

[Frank Race]

We were dabbling with the chocolate souffle and I was wondering why Latham had bothered to set this up when she appeared in the doorway. You know, the loveliness of some women affects you gently. Like the sampling of fine wine with Sally Deneen. It reached out and took you with the lapels and said, look at me. She wasn't a blonde. She didn't need to be. Not with that coloring. Not with that thing. Thick, dusky hair. Her eyes were large and sultry. When they settled on me, I wasn't conscious of where I was.

[Sally Deneen]

Sorry I'm late, everybody. Hello, Chalmers. What have you been doing lately?

[Chalmers Latham]

Fretting about your ships.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, bother the ships.

[Chalmers Latham]

That simply amazes me the way you all accept the situation so resignedly.

[Frank Race]

What else can we do, Chalmers? None of us here knows a thing about shipping.

[Chalmers Latham]

Bob does. Or should. By the way, Sally, where is your brother? I thought he'd be here tonight with me.

[Sally Deneen]

Here? Don't be silly, darling.

[Chalmers Latham]

I wanted to see him because. Well, I'm going to be frank with you. I hate to have to do it, but I'm forced to investigate the loss of those two vessels. We'll keep it as quiet as possible.

[Carrie Farrell]

And I gather that Mr. Race will do the investigating.

[Chalmers Latham]

Yes.

[Sally Deneen]

Well, whatever you think best, darling. As Uncle Matt said, we know very little about shipping.

[Frank Race]

Nice dinner, Latham. I enjoyed it.

[Chalmers Latham]

What did you think of them?

[Frank Race]

Interesting people? Do they share ownership of the company?

[Chalmers Latham]

Sally and Auntie and brother. Bob Farrell is in only to the extent of marriage.

[Frank Race]

How are they financially?

[Chalmers Latham]

I'm not sure. You see, Race, I have an emotional interest in your affairs.

[Frank Race]

All right. Caught then.

[Chalmers Latham]

How soon can you leave for San Francisco?

[Frank Race]

That's where the ships are, most of them. Well, I'll be phoning for a reservation while I change my clothes.

[Chalmers Latham]

Good. And Race, there'll be a thousand dollar bonus if you make good use of that discretion of yours.

[Frank Race]

Frisco and fog. According to all reports, they like bread and butter, particularly in the spring. So the sun was a newly minted gold piece. The only cloudiness visible was in my taxi driver's face. As the car in front of us made a left turn from a right hand lane. The cabbie dropped me at a hotel that matched the weather. The Mark Hopkins. And while I was smudging the register, I heard myself being paged. I signaled bellhop and he Led me to the bar. Sally was there.

[Sally Deneen]

Surprise, Mr. Race?

[Frank Race]

Frankly, yes.

[Sally Deneen]

What will you have to drink?

[Frank Race]

Bourbon and soda, please.

[Sally Deneen]

Since you'd like to know, I wheedled your destination out of Chalmers Lathe.

[Frank Race]

What did you use to get out here, a rocket?

[Sally Deneen]

Well, I imagine I caught an earlier plane. Trust. I don't look travel worn.

[Frank Race]

You look well, if you don't know how you look, you're not the girl I think you are.

[Sally Deneen]

As a compliment, I'm afraid that one is tinged with cynicism.

[Frank Race]

No, I'm not being cynical. I may get that word later. But I'm not now.

[Sally Deneen]

I like you. Wraith. You mind?

[Frank Race]

What about Latham? Will you believe me if you level?

[Sally Deneen]

I'm leveling, Wraith. Chalmers doesn't know. I'm not interested. It isn't my fault.

[Frank Race]

That's good enough for me. Let's drink to the new cities, new acquaintances.

[Sally Deneen]

Let's drink to Oz.

[Frank Race]

I spent the next couple of days kicking around and asking questions about the missing ships, and I drew a lot of blanks. Then I ran into Sally again at night in the lobby of the hotel.

[Sally Deneen]

Tell me, Race, have you been avoiding me?

[Frank Race]

I've been circulating around. That's the way I earn a living.

[Sally Deneen]

Aunt Carrie and Uncle Matt flew out. I'm having dinner with them. Why don't you join us?

[Frank Race]

Here at the hotel?

[Sally Deneen]

No. And we have a house out here that we keep open the year round. St. Francis Wood. How about dinner?

[Frank Race]

Oh, I'll enjoy that, But I'm afraid I'll be a little late. See, there's a ship in the harbor I want to have a look at. The Hackensack Victory.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, that's one of ours.

[Frank Race]

I know. Maybe you'd like to go along.

[Sally Deneen]

Couldn't we make it tomorrow?

[Frank Race]

Let's make it tonight. Think of what it'll do for your appetite.

[Sally Deneen]

You're a very persistent man.

[Frank Race]

The Hackensack Victory is an exact counterpart of the two ships that disappeared. You don't have to come if you don't want to.

[Sally Deneen]

I'll come.

[Frank Race]

We found the Hackensack Victory with the gangplank down. When we reached the deck, I led Sally aft to a cabin door that bore a brass plate identifying the quarters as belonging to the master.

[Sally Deneen]

The captain may not like this.

[Frank Race]

Don't happen to know him, do you?

[Sally Deneen]

To the best of my knowledge, I've never even seen the man.

[Mark Donovan]

What do you want?

[Sally Deneen]

We just thought we'd like to have a look around.

[Mark Donovan]

We've got no time for sightseers.

[Frank Race]

Captain, this is Ms. Sally Deneen, one of the owners.

[Mark Donovan]

How would I know that?

[Frank Race]

Maybe you'd like to see a drop.

[Mark Donovan]

As I'm not interested. I'm sorry, but you'll have to go ashore.

[Sally Deneen]

I think we better do that, Race. He's perfectly within his rights.

[Frank Race]

All right, Sally, if you say so.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, I'm starved. Wonder how far we'll have to walk to find a cab.

[Frank Race]

You're starved. And I'm curious.

[Sally Deneen]

What about?

[Frank Race]

The world is full of sounds. Mostly words. If your mind is watching while your ears listen, it's surprising what people will tell you without intending to.

[Sally Deneen]

Have I told you anything, Race? Not intending to.

[Frank Race]

You didn't want me aboard that ship.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, that's ridiculous.

[Frank Race]

You know, there's something funny about it. About the master's cabin. They've been redecorating it. Did you notice it? All that cluster of wood shavings on the floor and the smell of paint. Maybe you didn't notice.

[Sally Deneen]

Not particularly.

[Frank Race]

They've been doing something to the ceiling beams. Now, why would they do that?

[Sally Deneen]

Mace, why don't you forget your job?

[Frank Race]

She stopped as she said this, so I stopped too. I reached out, took her to the shoulders. I didn't have to do anything else. Her arms went around my neck and for a few minutes, I did no thinking whatsoever. When we broke it up, Sally seemed a little shaky herself.

[Sally Deneen]

That was nice, right?

[Frank Race]

I thought so, too.

[Sally Deneen]

Shall we have that dinner now?

[Frank Race]

If you don't mind. I'll pass it up for now. And in the meantime, I'm going back on that vessel.

[Tom Collins]

We'll return to the Adventures of Frank Race in just about one minute.

[Styles MacKenzie]

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Stiles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fierce this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.

[Frank Race]

Wayfair.

[Sally Deneen]

Every style, every home.

[Tom Collins]

And now back to the Adventures of Frank Race.

[Frank Race]

There was something wrong with a Hackensack victory, I was sure of that. And I couldn't drop the feeling that Sally Dineen was in on it. The gangplank of the ship was up, so I picked a mooring line and managed a hand over hand passage that put me aboard. No one seemed to be around, but the master's cabin was unlocked and I worked my Way in it was the same lad. And he started to be trucking it again until he glimpsed the Smith and Wesson in my hand.

[Mark Donovan]

Well, what do you want now?

[Frank Race]

Just a little talk. Why don't you sit down? First, I'd like to know why the remodeling job. The beam up there.

[Mark Donovan]

I don't know what you mean.

[Frank Race]

That beam has just been cased with another piece of wood. Very skillfully, too.

[Mark Donovan]

Why would anyone want to do that?

[Frank Race]

This vessel carries a serial number. It's to be found on her engines, on her compass, on her keel, and it's usually carved into the main beam of the master's cabin.

[Mark Donovan]

Who'd want to be changing all that?

[Frank Race]

I thought maybe you'd like to tell me.

[Mark Donovan]

I'm not saying a word about anything.

[Frank Race]

Maybe you'll talk at police headquarters. Put on your coat.

[Mark Donovan]

You can't arrest me. Where's your authority?

[Frank Race]

In my hand. Get that coat on. He was right. I had no authority. But somehow I was going to get him inside a police precinct. We left the cabin and went to the waist. We got halfway down the gangplank. That you, Kennedy?

[Mark Donovan]

Yeah, but watch out for this fella. He's hijacking me.

[Frank Race]

Well, well, if it isn't Reese. Going somewhere, Reese? They were at the foot of the gangway. All of them. Jacqueline, Grape Eyes and Nemo.

[Mark Donovan]

Take it careful. He's got a gun on my side.

[Frank Race]

We got rods, too. Three of them. Why don't you try coming by, Reese? Listen, Jacqueline. Listen carefully. I'm coming down with Kennedy in front of me and you lads are going to back away to the left. Make any bad moves and I start blasting. I forgotten the grape ice wasn't exactly the rational type. I never cared for high dives, but it was either jacklin or a jack knife. I must have been a sad sight parading around with that oil slick all over me. But I paraded at police headquarters. I wrote a description of Captain Kennedy and swore out a warrant for his arrest. Then I went to the hotel and scrubbed myself for about an hour and crawled into bed. I slept hard until. Miss.

[Sally Deneen]

Good afternoon.

[Frank Race]

No hello, you. Yeah. I'm sorry about last night. Adventure reared its delaying head.

[Sally Deneen]

All is forgiven. As a matter of fact, we're getting together tonight and. Carrie, Uncle Matt. You and I, if you aren't too busy.

[Frank Race]

Oh, is this for dinner?

[Sally Deneen]

In your Honor. The address is one two two Roland.

[Frank Race]

Lane, St. Francis Wood.

[Sally Deneen]

That's it.

[Frank Race]

I'll be there. Scrubbed and 122 Roland Lane turned out to be an attractive sort of place, Monterey style. Not unusually large. When I got inside, I was provided with the surprise of finding Chalmers Latham on hand. He drew me to one side.

[Chalmers Latham]

Anything to report?

[Frank Race]

First you told me. Did Sally Deneen and her brother ever patch up that disagreement they had a few years ago?

[Chalmers Latham]

No. No, they never patched it up.

[Frank Race]

Where is the brother?

[Chalmers Latham]

Haven't any idea.

[Frank Race]

Does anyone have any idea?

[Chalmers Latham]

What are you getting at?

[Frank Race]

If the brother were to die, would Sally come into any money?

[Chalmers Latham]

To the best of my knowledge, his will cuts her off with a customary dollar. There's Carrie and Matt. I'll talk to you later.

[Carrie Farrell]

Well, what have you been doing with yourself, Mr. Ace?

[Frank Race]

Suppose I could say I've been looking for Victory ships.

[Carrie Farrell]

Oh, are there a lot of them?

[Frank Race]

Good heavens, my dear. There were hundreds of them built during the war. And many a welder lost his life working between their double hulls.

[Chalmers Latham]

Some of them weren't built very well. A number of them are broken apart, it seems.

[Sally Deneen]

And that could have happened to Oz, couldn't it, Race?

[Frank Race]

Yes.

[Sally Deneen]

You look pensive. Race, did you hear me? I said you look pensive.

[Frank Race]

It must be this cigarette. I'm trying a new brand.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, come now, Race.

[Frank Race]

Or maybe it's because I just realized what happened to those two vessels.

[Chalmers Latham]

You what?

[Sally Deneen]

All right, Race, let's have it.

[Frank Race]

If you own ships insured for a quarter of a million apiece, it's sometimes profitable to collect that insurance, isn't it?

[Chalmers Latham]

Quite profitable.

[Frank Race]

But it would be more profitable if you could collect the insurance and still have the ships, wouldn't it? More profitable and less open to detection.

[Chalmers Latham]

What are you driving at?

[Frank Race]

Victory ships. The fact that so many of them were built. Ships that are exact duplicates except for their registry. Some of them are worth a quarter of a million. Others you can pick up as salvage for a few thousand.

[Carrie Farrell]

Please come to the point, Mr. Ace.

[Frank Race]

The Hackensack Victory was originally bought for a salvage price, wasn't it?

[Carrie Farrell]

I think so. I believe our company had it refitted.

[Frank Race]

And that happens to be my point. The Hackensack Victory was never actually rebuilt. What the Hackensack Victory is really isn't the Hackensack Victory at all. It's the Jackson Victory, one of the ships you were supposed to have lost.

[Carrie Farrell]

Why, you must be insane.

[Frank Race]

It makes quite a picture. You have a sound vessel insured for a fat amount. You buy a battered sister ship for a couple of dimes, sink it somewhere, then transfer its identity to the valuable ship and declare the good one lost. Sweet maritime racket. For somebody.

[Carrie Farrell]

But who? Who among us would do a thing like that?

[Mark Donovan]

I beg your pardon, madam. There's a phone call from Straight.

[Frank Race]

It was the hotel relaying a message from police headquarters. They picked up Kennedy and wanted me to come in and identify him. Sally had come to the phone with me and I told her about it.

[Sally Deneen]

Never mind calling a cab. We'll take my car. Come on.

[Frank Race]

What could I say? We went to the car and blew out of there. Took me several minutes before I realized she was headed away from the city instead of toward it. I let out a yelp.

[Sally Deneen]

Just relax, Race, and everybody will be happy.

[Frank Race]

Well, you little ninny. What are you trying to do?

[Sally Deneen]

I'm sorry, Race. The company's been losing money for some time. I guess that brother of mine just couldn't take it. But I care for him, Race. I care for him even though we don't get along. I care for him too much to see him disgraced.

[Frank Race]

What? You little idiot. Slow down.

[Sally Deneen]

Don't move, Race. I'll wreck us if you do.

[Frank Race]

I knew what I had to do. Grab the wheel with one hand and hit it with the other. It'd be touch and go, but. Well. Have you ever tried to stop a speeding car with an unconscious girl flopping all over you? I took time out to make sure she wasn't too badly hurt. Then I swung the bus around and headed back. She came around pretty soon, but didn't say anything. Just sat there, letting me make the plays. The police had Kennedy all right in the hospital, but it wasn't easy to identify him. His features had been altered too much and he was unconscious, almost dead. I left the place, and Sally and I drove slowly back to St. Francis Wood. It was pretty late by then, and the house was dark, but I went in anyway. In the dim light of the living room, I took Sally in my arms. And in spite of what I had done to her, she responded.

[Sally Deneen]

All right. When we care for each other the way we do. Is it necessary for you to be so hard about things? Can't you work for me instead of the insurance company?

[Frank Race]

Sally, what do you think happened to the crews of those two ships?

[Sally Deneen]

Well, I don't know. It hadn't occurred to me.

[Frank Race]

It occurred to me. I believe they were murdered. And Sully.

[Sally Deneen]

Yes.

[Frank Race]

I think your brother has been murdered too.

[Sally Deneen]

I'll take it, Race.

[Frank Race]

I let her. She needed something to concentrate on. After a wallop like that, quite a lot of conversation seemed to.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh. Oh, yeah.

[Frank Race]

Come from the other end.

[Sally Deneen]

That's good.

[Frank Race]

Finally still holding the phone, Sally turned to me.

[Sally Deneen]

It's the police. Captain Kennedy has regained consciousness, but they don't expect it will be for long. They want to know if you have any suggestions.

[Frank Race]

Yeah, let me have him. Hello? See if you can get a statement from him, will you, Inspector? And keep driving at him with one name. Matthew Ferrell. Keep repeating it to him and I think he'll blow the whole thing wide open. That's funny.

[Sally Deneen]

Doesn't matter, Race.

[Frank Race]

The line seems to have gone dead. It's been dead for several seconds, Race. I cut it just before you offered my name to the police, Uncle Mac. He stood there fully dressed. And he was gripping what seemed to be a Luger. Gripping it steadily. What made you suspicious, Reese? In New York you said you knew nothing about shipping. Tonight you spoke of welding double hulls. And then, I imagine there's a will, isn't there? Bob Deneen's will. Leaving his share of the company to you and your wife. My wife had nothing to do with it. No, I can believe that. And you're going to have nothing to do with it, either of you. I'm sorry, Sally.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh.

[Frank Race]

He had a gun on me. But he was looking at Sally. It was a chance I had to take. My dove at him. It's all right. He's dead. Yes. Had to be him for us.

[Sally Deneen]

Oh, Race.

[Frank Race]

Yes, Sally. I know. Violence isn't part of your world, is it? You really don't have any courage.

[Sally Deneen]

We were. We were all right until you came.

[Frank Race]

I'm sorry to disturb your sheltered little world, Sally, but hiding from things doesn't make it a better world than mine. Maybe we'd better take a rain check on each other. And give Chalmers Latham a message for me, will you? Just tell him there's no charge. This one is on me.

[Tom Collins]

The Adventures of Frank Ray, starring Tom Collins, came to you from Hollywood. The series is written and directed by Buckley angel and Joel Murcott. The music is composed and played by Ivan Ditmars. Be sure to be with us again this time. One week from today for another dramatic chapter in the Adventures of Frank Race. This is a Bruce Elves product.