Official Detective 56-11-01 (499) Drunk Accused Of Murder [Mrs Abel Murdered]

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Official Detective 56-11-01 (499) Drunk Accused Of Murder [Mrs Abel Murdered]"

Main Theme:
This episode of "Official Detective" centers around a classic murder mystery from the Golden Age of Radio. When Vivian Abel is found murdered, the police must untangle a web of drunken jealousy, false accusations, and vengeful pasts. The narrative follows Lieutenant John Hogarth and Sergeant Allen as they investigate the crime, shift their theories, and ultimately reveal the true killer.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Fatal Dinner Party (00:17–03:52)

• Setting: Vivian and Lester Abel host Joe Price, a heavy drinker and troublemaker.
• Conflict: Joe becomes increasingly rowdy and makes inappropriate advances toward Vivian, leading to a heated confrontation with Lester.
• Escalation: Joe drunkenly flashes a gun and threatens Lester before being thrown out.
  • Notable Quote:

    "You invite a guy to dinner, then you give him the heave ho." – Joe Price (02:03)

• Ominous Departure: Joe leaves, warning Lester to watch himself.

2. The Murder (03:52–06:04)

• Aftermath: The Abels discuss Joe’s behavior; shortly after, Vivian is shot as she answers the front door.
• Investigation Begins: Lester finds Vivian dead and claims Joe Price is responsible. Police begin questioning.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Price fired the gun just as she was about to do it." – Lester Abel (06:09)

• Suspect Search: Police attempt to locate Joe Price.

3. A New Eyewitness Appears (06:59–09:14)

• Bella Morgan Testifies: Bella, with a bandaged face, tells police she saw a man in pajamas on the Abel porch the night Vivian was murdered.
  • Notable Quotes:

    "I saw it was a man wearing pajamas." – Bella Morgan (08:21)
    "Why did you wait till this morning to tell us about it?" – Lt. Hogarth (07:48)

• Uncertainty: Bella cannot positively identify Lester Abel as the man in pajamas.

4. Joe Price in Custody (09:54–12:41)

• Interrogation: Joe Price denies killing Vivian but admits discarding his gun in the river from fear.
  • Notable Quotes:

    "I didn't do it, Lieutenant. So help me, I didn't kill Mrs. Abel." – Joe Price (10:19)
    "My gun's never been fired." – Joe Price (10:47)

• Complication: Lieutenant Hogarth reveals the murder weapon was a .32, while Joe claims he owned a .38.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Maybe so. Now tell me what you did last night after Mr. Abel told you to get out of his house." – Lt. Hogarth (11:26)

5. Shifting Suspicions (12:41–15:19)

• Lester Abel Questioned: Confronted with Bella’s statement, Lester denies being outside in his pajamas and professes his love for Vivian.
• Theory Development: Sgt. Allen and Hogarth consider the motives and whether Vivian herself was the actual target.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Maybe the killer wasn't gunning for Abel, but actually for his wife." – Lt. Hogarth (15:09)

6. The Truth Unveiled (15:52–21:32)

• Showdown: Bella confronts Lester at his home, accusing him of murder. The encounter is tense; Bella threatens him.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Why did you murder one of my oldest and dearest friends?" – Bella Morgan (16:32)

• Background Revealed: Police discover through fingerprints that Vivian Abel (formerly Vivian Carroll) had a criminal past and had severely injured Bella with acid years prior.
  • Notable Quotes:

    "Vivian served a minimum stretch...she threw acid in the girl's face." – Lt. Hogarth (17:46–18:01) "The woman with the bandaged face. Bella Morgan." – Lt. Hogarth (18:10)

• Murder of Lester Abel: Bella shoots Lester, calls police to report it, and is later apprehended.
  • Notable Quote:

    "She came here to my house and shot me. Then she left." – Lester Abel (18:35)

7. Confession and Resolution (19:17–21:32)

• Bella’s Arrest: Police confront Bella, who tries to shoot them and then confesses both murders.
  • Notable Quotes:

    "I hated him for marrying Vivian...I tried to pin her murder on him." – Bella Morgan (20:39) "I waited for my chance. Last night, I sneaked up on her front porch...When I saw Vivian's shadow on the glass, I fired at her." – Bella Morgan (20:56)

• Motivation: Bella’s motive was vengeance for her disfigurement at Vivian’s hands.
• Final Line-up: Bella surrenders, showing the scars of her past.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe's Drunken Bravado (02:29):

  "Bryce, put that gun back in your pocket." – Lester Abel

• Suspect Defends Himself (10:19):

  "But I didn't do it, Lieutenant. So help me, I didn't kill Mrs. Abel." – Joe Price

• Key Plot Twist (18:10):

  "Bella Morgan. The woman with the bandaged face." – Lt. Hogarth

• Bella's Confession (20:39–20:56):

  "I tried to pin her murder on him. But when I saw him come back from police headquarters, I knew my plan didn't work. So I went to his house and got him myself." – Bella Morgan

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17–03:52: Dinner party conflict and Joe Price’s threats
• 04:15–06:04: Vivian Abel is found murdered; Lester’s account
• 07:08–09:14: Bella Morgan’s eyewitness account
• 09:54–12:41: Joe Price interrogation
• 12:41–15:19: Lester Abel questioned; theory shifts
• 17:20–18:10: Vivian Abel’s criminal past revealed
• 18:18–18:41: Bella murders Lester; calls police
• 19:17–21:32: Bella's confession and arrest

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Tone & Style

The episode is delivered in a dramatic, suspenseful style typical of 1950s radio detective dramas, with intense dialogue, sudden plot twists, and methodical police work. Characters speak in terse, hard-boiled language. Emotional undercurrents—including jealousy, fear, and long-nursed hatred—are brought to the fore through tense confrontations.

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Conclusion

This classic radio drama ultimately reveals that neither the obvious suspect nor the victim’s husband was the murderer. Instead, the crime was rooted in a past betrayal and a quest for revenge. The episode highlights themes of misdirection, the consequences of unresolved anger, and the painstaking work of real detective investigation.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Official detective dedicated to the men who guard your safety and protect your home. Your police department.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Lieutenant John Hogarth, headquarters. Lieutenant Dan Britt is on short leave. A drinker who doesn't know when he's had enough is inviting trouble. One night last week, a married couple named Vivian and Lester Abel were entertaining such a man, a fellow named Joe Price. Price, who was working on his seventh eyeball since dinner was becoming a loud nuisance.

[Joe Price]

So the boss said to me, look, Price, if you don't follow orders around here, this company don't need you no longer. What do you think I said? Hey, Lester, what do you think I said to the boss?

[Lester Abel]

I haven't any idea, Joe.

[Joe Price]

What about you, Mrs. Abel? What do you think I said?

[Vivian Abel]

I don't know, Mr. Price.

[Joe Price]

Well, let me tell you what I said.

[Sergeant Allen]

I said.

[Joe Price]

Look, fathead, if the company don't need Joe Price, Joe Price don't need the company. And I haul off and smash him in the jaw.

[Vivian Abel]

Mr. Price.

[Lester Abel]

Hey, watch it, will ya?

[Joe Price]

Price, I got a little too strenuous, huh?

[Vivian Abel]

I'll get the dustpan and clean up that broken glass.

[Lester Abel]

Okay, Vivian.

[Joe Price]

Hey, Mr. Zapor. Vivian, wait a second. Well, let your husband clean up that glass. You don't want to cut those pretty little hands, do you? Look, Mr. Price, I. Ah, honey, don't. I guess. Let the old man go out and get the dust bath. Go ahead, Lester, go ahead. Give me a break. I've been wanting a couple of minutes along with Vivian anyway. Lester, look.

[Lester Abel]

Price, let go of Vivian's hand.

[Joe Price]

What for? Maybe your wife likes me better than you.

[Lester Abel]

I said let go of her.

[Joe Price]

Hey, who you trying to push around?

[Lester Abel]

You're drunk, Price. I think you better go home and go to bed.

[Joe Price]

That's a fine thing. You invite a guy to dinner, then you give him the heave ho.

[Vivian Abel]

Lester's right, Mr. Price. You better go now.

[Joe Price]

Okay, beautiful, anything you say.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

But look.

[Joe Price]

How about meet me for lunch tomorrow?

[Lester Abel]

That's enough, Price. Now beat it. Come on, come on, get going.

[Joe Price]

Hey, wait a second. Are you looking for trouble? Cause if you are, I'm ready for it, see?

[Vivian Abel]

Lester, look out.

[Lester Abel]

Bryce, put that gun back in your pocket.

[Joe Price]

Okay, okay. I just want to give you a little warning, that's all. Now, you know I carry a rod.

[Lester Abel]

Yes, now I know it. Come on, come on. The door's out this way.

[Vivian Abel]

Be careful. Lester, please.

[Joe Price]

Good night, Vivian. You better have a little talk with your husband. Tell him to watch himself.

[Lester Abel]

You better go straight home, Price.

[Joe Price]

I don't like being thrown out so Remember what I said. Watch yourself.

[Vivian Abel]

Oh, Lester. Has he gone?

[Lester Abel]

Yeah, he's gone.

[Vivian Abel]

He's an awful man. He's terrible.

[Lester Abel]

And if you thought he was so terrible, why didn't you slap him down?

[Vivian Abel]

What do you mean?

[Lester Abel]

I noticed you didn't fight too hard when he grabbed you.

[Vivian Abel]

But what could I do?

[Lester Abel]

I was making a play for you all evening. You could have told him off, couldn't you?

[Vivian Abel]

But he was a friend of yours. Lester, you talk as if I threw myself at him.

[Lester Abel]

Okay, Vivian, skip it. Skip it?

[Vivian Abel]

I don't like you to talk this way.

[Lester Abel]

Skip it, I said. Look, you better clean up that broken glass. I'm going upstairs to bed.

[Vivian Abel]

Who in the world can that be? Lester, are you in bed? There's somebody at the front door. Oh, I'll see who it is. Okay, okay, I'm coming. You don't have to.

[Lester Abel]

We were married five whole years, Lieutenant, and now she's dead. I can hardly believe it.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

We know how you must feel, Mr. Able. We've got to get all the facts quickly. Are you sure this man Price had a gun when he was here tonight?

[Lester Abel]

Of course I'm sure. He took it out of his pocket, and Vivian said, lester, look out.

[Sergeant Allen]

And he threatened you, Mr. Abel?

[Lester Abel]

Yes, sir. He told me to watch myself. It was Price who killed Vivian. I'm sure it was.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Did you hear the doorbell?

[Lester Abel]

Yes, but only dimly. I was upstairs in the bathroom with the water running.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Were you undressed?

[Lester Abel]

Yes, sir. I had these pajamas on. And all of a sudden I heard the shot.

[Sergeant Allen]

What's the first thing you did then?

[Lester Abel]

I ran downstairs calling Vivian's name. The light was on in the front hall. Then I looked down and I saw.

[Joe Price]

Her lying on the floor.

[Sergeant Allen]

You phoned the police right away?

[Joe Price]

I didn't waste a second.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

When you got down here to the hall, was the front door open?

[Lester Abel]

No, Lieutenant. I guess Vivian didn't have a chance to open it. Price fired the gun just as she was about to do it.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Why would he fire somebody he couldn't see?

[Lester Abel]

Because he thought it was me that was coming to the door. He was drunk. I told you that. He saw the shadow on the stained glass of the door, thought it was me and fired at it.

[Sergeant Allen]

When you got downstairs, you didn't see anybody through the broken glass?

[Lester Abel]

No, Sergeant, not on the porch. I guess he fired the gun and ran away before I got downstairs.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

How long have you known this man Price?

[Lester Abel]

Only about two weeks. I'm in the trucking business, and he's a salesman for an automotive company. He seemed to be a lonely sort of a fellow, so I invited him to drop in here for dinner. But like I said, he made passes at Vivie. Oh, if I'd only known what kind of a man he was.

[Sergeant Allen]

Have you got Price's address, Mr. Abel?

[Lester Abel]

It's in the phone book. Joseph E. Price.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Look it up, Alan.

[Lester Abel]

Okay, Books on the hall table.

[Vivian Abel]

I see it.

[Lester Abel]

You've got to catch him, Lieutenant, before he gets away.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Try to get some rest, Mr. Abel. We'll investigate Price right away. Price. Owen.

[Vivian Abel]

Up.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Price, it's the police.

[Bella Morgan]

Open the door.

[Joe Price]

Hold it, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Careful, Allen. Don't get in front of the door.

[Joe Price]

That's okay.

[Sergeant Allen]

Price isn't in there. Landlady said he went out at 6pm and hasn't come back.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

How does she know?

[Sergeant Allen]

Price lost his key yesterday. He can't get into his room without borrowing her duplicate.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I'll set a police watch in the house, front and back. When he shows up, he'll have a warm welcome.

[Sergeant Allen]

Lieutenant, there's a woman outside. Says she wants to talk about last night's murder.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You know her? No. Okay, call her in.

[Sergeant Allen]

All right, miss. Lieutenant Hogarth will see you now.

[Vivian Abel]

Thank you.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Good morning. Would you sit down, please?

[Bella Morgan]

Thank you. I'm Bella Morgan, Lieutenant. I read about Vivian's murder in the morning paper.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You know Something about it, Ms. Morgan?

[Bella Morgan]

Yes, I do. I apologize for my appearance.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I don't understand.

[Bella Morgan]

You were looking at this bandage on my face.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you.

[Bella Morgan]

I'm terribly conscious of it. You see, I've been taking treatment for a skin ailment.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I understand. Now, what do you know about Mrs. Abel's murder?

[Bella Morgan]

Nothing. Except that I saw it take place.

[Joe Price]

What?

[Bella Morgan]

I was passing Vivian's house last night when it happened.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Why did you wait till this morning to tell us about it?

[Bella Morgan]

I didn't know Vivian had been killed. Until I read about it, I didn't know anybody had been killed. Poor Vivian. She was one of my dearest friends.

[Sergeant Allen]

What were you doing in that neighborhood last night, Ms. Morgan?

[Bella Morgan]

I was just coming home. I live in the same block.

[Sergeant Allen]

At what address?

[Bella Morgan]

419 Harper.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Okay, we've got that straight. Now, tell us exactly what you saw last night.

[Bella Morgan]

As I was walking by Vivian's house, I saw somebody on her front porch. I kept right on walking, but as I looked back, I saw it was a man wearing pajamas.

[Joe Price]

Pajamas?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Ms. Morgan, are you sure this man was wearing pajamas?

[Bella Morgan]

I'm positive.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Was it Mr. Abel?

[Bella Morgan]

That's just the trouble, Lieutenant? I'm not sure.

[Joe Price]

Okay, go ahead.

[Vivian Abel]

Then what?

[Bella Morgan]

Suddenly the man raised his arm and I heard a shot and shattering glass.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

What did you do then?

[Bella Morgan]

I was panic stricken. I ran home as fast as I could.

[Sergeant Allen]

You realize, don't you, that you should have called the police?

[Bella Morgan]

Oh, yes. Yes, I realize that now. But I was so frightened. And I never dreamed that Vivian had been killed.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

This man in pajamas, did he look like Mr. Able?

[Bella Morgan]

Well, I can't say definitely. I didn't see his face.

[Sergeant Allen]

Is Lester Abel a good friend of yours too?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Oh, no.

[Bella Morgan]

I met him only once. But I knew Vivian long before she was married.

[Sergeant Allen]

Does Abel know you?

[Bella Morgan]

I'm not sure whether he'd recognize me or not. When Vivian introduced us, I wasn't wearing this bandage.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Excuse me, Lieutenant Hogarth. Good. Have any trouble? Fine. Bring him right to my office. Men just caught Joe Price. Well, he was coming back to his room. Didn't make a fuss.

[Sergeant Allen]

Smart man.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I want to talk to Abel again. Alan, bring him in, will you?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I'll finish with Ms. Morgan, then I'll stay here and question Price. All right, Price. Sit down. Yes, sir. Not that chair. This one.

[Joe Price]

But that sunlight hurts my eyes.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

This chair.

[Joe Price]

Okay.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Oh, brother. What's the matter?

[Joe Price]

Hang over, Lieutenant. Every time I move my head, it's like a tornado.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I heard you were pretty drunk last night.

[Joe Price]

I was fractured. I ought to know better than to drink like that. Next morning. I always get the whips and jingles.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Let's get down to business. You know why you're here? Sure.

[Joe Price]

But I didn't do it, Lieutenant. So help me, I didn't kill Mrs. Abel.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Do you admit having a gun at their house last night?

[Joe Price]

Well, how can I deny it? Able saw it.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

It wasn't on you when you were picked up. What did you do with it?

[Joe Price]

I threw it in the river this morning.

[Vivian Abel]

Why?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

To get rid of it. What kind of a gun was it?

[Joe Price]

A Colt automatic, a.38.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You're in serious trouble, Price. You know that, don't you?

[Joe Price]

And how. That's why I ditched the gun. But I didn't kill Mrs. Able. My gun's never been fired.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

If that's true, it's too bad you threw it in the river.

[Sergeant Allen]

Why?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Because the coroner extracted the bullet from Mrs. Able. If you hadn't thrown your gun away, you'd have proof that it wasn't fired from your gun.

[Joe Price]

Oh, brother, am I a jerk.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You could be a liar, too.

[Joe Price]

What do you mean?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

The gun you threw away might have been a.32 the murder bullet was a.32.

[Joe Price]

But I told you my gun was a.38 automatic.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I know you did, but you could have read it in the paper about the caliber of the murder bullet. Is that why you said you had a.38 automatic?

[Joe Price]

No, I said it because it's the truth.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Maybe so. Now tell me what you did last night after Mr. Abel told you to get out of his house.

[Joe Price]

I left right away and went to a bar.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Well, what bar?

[Joe Price]

I don't remember. It's all a big blank.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

What do you remember, Price?

[Joe Price]

Just going to some bar and drinking more booze, which I needed like a.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Hole in the head.

[Joe Price]

After that, the whole night's a great big nothing. This morning I woke up on a park bench. I knew I must have passed out.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

And slept there all night. What did you do after you woke up?

[Joe Price]

Well, I went into some joint to get coffee. That's when I saw a paper and read about Mrs. Abel and about me being suspected. I was scared as a rabbit. I didn't want the cops to catch me with a gun on me. So I took the ferry and dropped.

[Bella Morgan]

It in the river.

[Joe Price]

Then I took the ferry back again, went to my place and the cops lowered the boom on me. That's the whole story. Every word is gospel.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Do you admit threatening Able last night?

[Joe Price]

Yeah, sure. But it was only big talk, drunk talk. You know what I mean?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Sure. Okay, Price, let's get downstairs. I'm holding you on suspicion.

[Joe Price]

Lieutenant.

[Sergeant Allen]

Here's Mr. Abel. I talked to him on the way to headquarters. He denies Ms. Morgan's story.

[Lester Abel]

Of course I deny it. I wasn't outside my front door in my pajamas.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

But you were wearing pajamas when the shot was fired, right, Mr. Abel?

[Joe Price]

Well, sure.

[Lester Abel]

And I was still wearing them when you men came and questioned me last night. But I told you, I was upstairs in the bathroom getting ready for bed.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Ms. Morgan says she's an old friend of your wife's. Her name's Bella Morgan. Do you know her?

[Lester Abel]

Bella Morgan? No, Lieutenant, I don't think so.

[Sergeant Allen]

She says she met you once.

[Lester Abel]

Maybe she did, but I don't remember her. And I never heard Vivian mention her name. What is this woman trying to do to me? Why did she say she saw me outside my front door in pajamas?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I don't know, Mr. Abel, but that's what she said.

[Lester Abel]

I loved Vivian. We were happily married for five years. Why are you accusing me of killing her?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

We're not accusing you. We're just checking on Ms. Morgan's story, that's all.

[Lester Abel]

Why was I brought to police headquarters. Am I under arrest?

[Sergeant Allen]

Look, Mr. Abel, we just wanted to hear your side of the story, that's all.

[Lester Abel]

Vivian was a beautiful girl, lovely wife.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I'm sure she was. But even fine people make enemies.

[Lester Abel]

My Vivian had no enemies, Lieutenant. Everyone loved her almost as much as I do.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You're not planning to leave town for a while, are you?

[Lester Abel]

No, sir. I'll be right there at my home. Oh, if you catch Joe Price, please let me know.

[Sergeant Allen]

We've already caught him. He's downstairs in a cell.

[Vivian Abel]

He's.

[Lester Abel]

What does he say? Has he confessed?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

No, sir. He denies the shooting, but he did it.

[Lester Abel]

Make him tell the truth.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Don't worry.

[Sergeant Allen]

If there's a confession, you'll be the first to hear about it.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

You can go home now, Mr. Abel. Thanks for coming down.

[Lester Abel]

Well, I'll come anytime you want me, Lieutenant. Just make Price tell the truth. I don't care how you do it, but please make him confess that he committed murder.

[Joe Price]

What about it, Lieutenant?

[Sergeant Allen]

Do you want Able tailed?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

No, Alan, I'm sure he'll go right home.

[Sergeant Allen]

Which one do you believe? Able or the Morgan Dane?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I haven't made up my mind. Have you?

[Sergeant Allen]

Well, I've been thinking that maybe Vivian and that Price guy might have had a little love affair on the fire. And maybe the husband knew about it and he was jealous. He could have sneaked downstairs in his pajamas and gone outside the front door. And when Vivian came to answer the bell, he could have shot her through the glass, right?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Sure, Alan, that's possible. Price having made that threat, Able knew he'd have a tailor made out.

[Vivian Abel]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Allen]

Lieutenant, why did you suggest that Vivian might have had some enemy?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Well, it struck me that maybe we've been following the wrong theory. Maybe the killer wasn't gunning for Able, but actually for his wife. So when he saw the woman's shadow on the glass, he fired purposely. That makes sense.

[Sergeant Allen]

Sure, and it's a brand new angle.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

One I'd like to follow up. Let's get to the morgue and get Vivian's fingerprints. It's a long chance, but we might find out that somebody had a motive for killing her.

[Bella Morgan]

Mr. Abel?

[Lester Abel]

Yes?

[Bella Morgan]

I'd like to speak to you. May I come in?

[Lester Abel]

Well, you're not one of those reporters, are you?

[Bella Morgan]

Oh, no, I'm an old friend of Vivian's.

[Lester Abel]

Oh, then please come in.

[Bella Morgan]

Thank you. I see you've already replaced the glass in the door.

[Lester Abel]

Yes, I had it done this morning, Ms. Morgan. Bella Morgan.

[Bella Morgan]

Yes.

[Lester Abel]

Well, I'm certainly glad you came. I've been wanting to talk to you.

[Bella Morgan]

Please, Mr. Abel. My arm.

[Lester Abel]

So you're the woman who went to the police and told them that lie.

[Bella Morgan]

You know I told them you were on the porch last night in your pajamas.

[Lester Abel]

Listen. Do you realize that because of what you told the police I suspect me of Vivian's murder?

[Bella Morgan]

Of course they suspect you. Why did you do it, Mr. Abel? Why did you murder one of my oldest and dearest friends?

[Vivian Abel]

Don't talk that way.

[Lester Abel]

I won't stand for it.

[Bella Morgan]

You mean you're threatening me?

[Lester Abel]

Why did you come here?

[Bella Morgan]

Because I felt I had to see you. I had to find out for myself why you did it.

[Lester Abel]

Are you out of your mind?

[Bella Morgan]

You haven't answered my question.

[Vivian Abel]

Why did you murder Vivian?

[Bella Morgan]

Stop it.

[Lester Abel]

Stop saying that. I love Vivian.

[Vivian Abel]

Then why did you kill her? Answer me, you madman. Why did you kill her? Stop it.

[Joe Price]

Keep on shouting that question. I'll find a way to stop you.

[Bella Morgan]

I believe you would.

[Vivian Abel]

I believe you'd kill me too. Just as you killed Vivian. Alan.

[Joe Price]

Right here, Lieutenant.

[Sergeant Allen]

Straightening up the closet.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I just checked Vivian Abel's fingerprints. She had a police record.

[Joe Price]

No kidding.

[Sergeant Allen]

What was she pinched for?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Shoplifting. Seven years ago, before she was married. Her maiden name was Vivian Carroll or Carill.

[Joe Price]

Uh huh. Some surprise.

[Sergeant Allen]

You find anything else?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Yes. The name of somebody who might have wanted to see her dead.

[Sergeant Allen]

Anybody we know?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Vivian was arrested because a girl accomplice was picked up from and squealed on her. Vivian served a minimum stretch. When she was released, she hunted up the squealing accomplice and got even with her.

[Sergeant Allen]

She beat her up?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Worse than that, she threw acid in the girl's face. The girl's face was badly burned by the acid, but Vivian was never found. Now you know who might have wanted to see her dead? The woman with the bandaged face.

[Sergeant Allen]

Bella Morgan.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Bella Morgan. Lieutenant Ogarth, this is Lester Abel.

[Joe Price]

I've.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Yes, Mr. Abel? Allen, listen to this.

[Sergeant Allen]

Sure.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Mr. Abel, are you still there? Yes.

[Joe Price]

Listen, Lieutenant, I just been shot.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Who did it?

[Vivian Abel]

That.

[Bella Morgan]

That woman.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Bella Morgan?

[Lester Abel]

Yes.

[Joe Price]

She came here to my house and shot me. Then she left.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Have you called a doctor?

[Joe Price]

No, I think it's too late for a doctor. I wanted to tell you again that I didn't kill Vivian.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

I know you didn't, Mr. Abel.

[Lester Abel]

Thank goodness. I just wanted to hear you say that.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Believe me, Mr. Abel. Allen, call an ambulance. First we'll check on Abel and then we'll pick up Bella Morgan. Her apartment's down this hall, the second door on the right.

[Sergeant Allen]

Okay, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

The super says she's home now, so we've got her cornered.

[Sergeant Allen]

Yeah, and with that gun, liable to be nasty.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Let's have our own.

[Narrator]

Ready?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Come on now. Quietly. Careful now. Don't stand in front of the door.

[Sergeant Allen]

I'm ready, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Okay, Here we go. Ms. Morgan. Ms. Morgan.

[Bella Morgan]

Who is it?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Police.

[Joe Price]

Open up.

[Sergeant Allen]

Why should I be smart, lady?

[Joe Price]

We know all about you.

[Bella Morgan]

So what's that prove? Open the door.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Don't try anything funny.

[Bella Morgan]

We're armed. I'll bet you are.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Ms. Morgan, are you going to open this door? Answer me.

[Vivian Abel]

All right, here's my answer.

[Joe Price]

Okay, that does it.

[Vivian Abel]

Get out of here. Get out.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

The gun's empty, lady.

[Vivian Abel]

Lucky for you, I'll take it. I'd have killed you both. You hear that?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Killing comes easy to you, doesn't it?

[Vivian Abel]

Let me out.

[Joe Price]

Hold on. You're not leaving yet.

[Sergeant Allen]

Put your arms out.

[Vivian Abel]

What are you doing?

[Sergeant Allen]

Arresting you for double murder.

[Vivian Abel]

Double murder?

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

Mr. Able died before we got to him.

[Bella Morgan]

I got both of them.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

We know why you shot Vivian, but why did you kill her husband?

[Bella Morgan]

I hated him for marrying Vivian. He must have been just as bad as she was. I tried to pin her murder on him. But when I saw him come back from police headquarters, I knew my plan didn't work.

[Vivian Abel]

So I went to his house and got him myself.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

That's one confession. Now let's have the other.

[Bella Morgan]

Well, I planned to get Vivian for a long time. Ever since she threw the acid in my face. I rented this place just to be near her. And I waited for my chance. Last night, I sneaked up on her front porch and watched through the window. Drunken man staggered out and went away. Then I saw the husband go upstairs. I waited for a little while and then rang the doorbell. When I saw Vivian's shadow on the glass, I fired at her.

[Vivian Abel]

She ruined my face.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

That didn't give you the right to kill her. Is that all, Ms. Morgan?

[Vivian Abel]

What more do you want? You want to see what Vivian did to my face? All right, I'll take this bandage off and shove it.

[Lieutenant John Hogarth]

That won't be necessary. Come on, Sergeant, let's get her out of here.

[Narrator]

You have just heard official detective tense dramatic stories of criminal investigation starring craig mcdonnell as detective lieutenant dan britt. In our cast, sergeant allen was played by lawson zerby, price by john griggs, lester by blaine cordner and vivian by briana rayburn. Official Detective is produced and directed by Wynn Wright Written by Albert G. Miller. All names of persons and places used in this program are fictitious. Any resemblance to names of actual persons, living or dead is coincidental. Jack Irish speaking this program came from New York.

[Vivian Abel]

Sam.