Official Detective - Arson Murders

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Official Detective - Arson Murders
Date: July 24, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode features an engaging dramatization from the classic radio show Official Detective. The story, "Arson Murders," dramatizes the investigation of a suspicious warehouse fire and the subsequent unraveling of a criminal conspiracy. Drawing on hard-boiled detective style and a focus on police procedural methods of the era, the episode explores themes of greed, moral weakness, and the costs of criminal behavior.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime and Its Conception (01:11–06:31)

• Setting the Scene
  Lieutenant Dan Britt introduces the importance of forensic work in modern policing, explaining how criminals often overlook the police laboratory as a powerful tool for justice.

  "One of the most effective weapons against crime in the hands of society is the police laboratory, a fact that many a criminal forget." — Lt. Dan Britt (01:11)

• The Dawsons’ Scheme
  Fred and Myra Dawson debate burning down their struggling leather goods business to collect insurance, hiring two professional arsonists, Al Marlon and Lou Guerin.

  • Myra is the dominant, ruthless partner; Fred is hesitant and nervous.
  • Negotiation over the arsonists' fee ($2,000).
  • Al insists he’s "not a murderer," making sure no one is in the building (05:45).

  “I don't mind burning down buildings, but I ain't no murderer. I don't kill no people.” — Al Marlon (05:45)

2. The Crime Scene Investigation (06:31–08:01)

• The Fire Aftermath
  Police arrive at the burnt-out business. Britt and Sgt. Frank Clark look for physical clues, noting the smell of accelerants and a suspicious electrical cable.
  • Initial theory: short circuit caused the fire.
  • Dan Britt orders a "rotocrit test" for kerosene.

3. The Criminals' Anxiety (08:01–10:08)

• Fear of Discovery
  Myra and Fred fret about police suspicions. Myra worries that if arson evidence is found, police will investigate known firebugs—possibly leading to Marlon and Lou.
  • Myra proposes eliminating Marlon and Lou to protect themselves.

  “Get Marlon out of the way where he can't be picked up. Can't talk.” — Myra Dawson (09:37)

  • Fred objects, refusing to kill.

4. The Plot Turns Deadly (12:03–14:38)

• Double-Cross
  The Dawsons visit Marlon and Lou under the pretense of offering more work, instead pulling a gun on them.
  • Fred is unable to go through with the murder; Myra takes over.

  “Give me that gun.” — Myra Dawson (14:28) “You shouldn't have done it, Myra. You shouldn't have. We'll regret it.” — Fred Dawson (14:42)

5. Police Deduction & Forensics (12:03–22:06)

• Police Narrow In
  The rotocrit test is positive for kerosene, confirming arson.

  • The team checks files for known arsonists; Marlon and Lou become persons of interest.

• Unraveling the Truth (17:36–21:56)

  • Evidence accumulates:
    • Soot and rotocrit found on carpet at Marlon's apartment match the fire scene.
    • A cab driver identifies the Dawsons as having visited Marlon’s residence after the fire.
    • $2,000 found in Marlon’s drawer matches the withdrawn amount from Dawson’s bank account.
    • The murder weapon is found in the Dawsons’ apartment after Fred confesses its location.

  “The fire was started with kerosene. We thought we smelled traces of it after the fire was put out. So we had a rotocrit test made.” — Sgt. Frank Clark (19:25) “We're beaten. Can't you see that?” — Fred Dawson (21:50)

6. Conclusion (22:01–end)

• Confessions and Arrests
  Fred confesses under pressure, admitting the gun’s location.
  • Myra erupts in contempt against Fred, calling him "coward" and "spineless."
  • Britt prepares to take both into custody:

  “All right, all right, both of you. You can argue all you want at headquarters. After that, you can argue with the jury.” — Lt. Dan Britt (22:06)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That's life. A series of regrets for something you did or something you failed to do. Works either way. Personally, I'd rather regret an act than an omission. I don't like weakness.” — Myra Dawson (02:12)
• “You gotta do it in a professional way. Otherwise the cops find too much evidence and you lose the insurance. And take an arson rack besides.” — Al Marlon (04:41)
• “You make me sick. You've got as much backbone as an amoeba.” — Myra Dawson to Fred (09:57)
• “You can argue all you want at headquarters. After that, you can argue with the jury.” — Lt. Dan Britt (22:06)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 01:11 | Introduction to the value of the police lab and setup for the story | | 02:12 | Myra’s philosophy on regret and action | | 05:45 | Al Marlon’s insistence against killing people | | 06:31 | First examination of the burned-out business | | 09:37 | Myra proposes murdering the arsonists | | 14:28 | Myra takes over the murder from Fred | | 17:36 | Police discover key forensic evidence | | 19:25 | Revelation of the rotocrit test results | | 21:50 | Fred’s confession of defeat; location of gun revealed | | 22:06 | Final arrest and end of investigation |

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Episode Tone & Style

• Tense, hard-boiled, and methodical, with sharp, clipped dialogue and classic noir sensibilities.
• The narrative places strong emphasis on forensic science, methodical police work, and psychological tension between criminal partners.

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Summary Usefulness:
This summary encapsulates all major developments and provides context and direct quotes, making the episode’s narrative clear to listeners new and old while preserving the flavor of classic radio drama.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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Official Detective Dedicated to the men who guard your safety and protect your home, your police department. Official Detective Presented by the Mutual Broadcasting System in cooperation with Official Detective Stories magazine and starring Craig McDonnell as Detective Lieutenant Dan Britt.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Lieutenant Dan Britt. Headquarters One of the most effective weapons against crime in the hands of society is the police laboratory, a fact that many a criminal forget.

[Fred Dawson]

What time are they coming, Myra?

[Myra Dawson]

Around nine.

[Fred Dawson]

Near that.

[Myra Dawson]

Now, sit down, will you, Fred? Relax. You're getting me nervous.

[Fred Dawson]

Must be contagious.

[Myra Dawson]

What are you worried about, Myra?

[Fred Dawson]

Maybe we better call this off.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, don't be silly.

[Fred Dawson]

It's not too late. We could tell.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, we made a decision, Fred. When you make a decision, it's better to carry it through.

[Fred Dawson]

We might regret it later.

[Myra Dawson]

And we might regret it if we back out.

[Fred Dawson]

I don't think so.

[Myra Dawson]

I do. That's life. A series of regrets for something you did or something you failed to do. Works either way. Personally, I'd rather regret an act than an omission. I don't like weakness.

[Fred Dawson]

Oh, for heaven's sake.

[Myra Dawson]

Here they are now. I'll get it.

[Al Marlon]

Mrs. Dorsey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come in.

[Myra Dawson]

Mr. Monman.

[Al Marlon]

Thanks. This is my partner, Lou Guerin.

[Lou Guerin]

Howdy.

[Myra Dawson]

How do you do? My husband. Gentlemen. Fred. Mr. Marlin.

[Al Marlon]

How do you do?

[Myra Dawson]

And Mr. Gurren.

[Al Marlon]

Howdy.

[Fred Dawson]

Sit down.

[Al Marlon]

Thanks.

[Myra Dawson]

Well, I guess we better get right down to business.

[Al Marlon]

Sure.

[Myra Dawson]

How much, Mr. Marlon?

[Al Marlon]

Well, me and Lou talked it over a long time.

[Myra Dawson]

No doubt. How much, Mr. Marlon?

[Al Marlon]

We figured it from all the angles. This one's not such an easy job. It's risky.

[Myra Dawson]

How much, Mr. Marlon?

[Al Marlon]

For a job like this, we figured two grand.

[Fred Dawson]

Two grand?

[Lou Guerin]

That's $2,000.

[Myra Dawson]

We understand English. That's rather high, don't you think, Mr. Marlon?

[Al Marlon]

No, I don't think so.

[Myra Dawson]

How did you arrive at your price?

[Al Marlon]

Well, like I said, we figured it from all the angles.

[Myra Dawson]

Such as?

[Al Marlon]

Well, such as this. Now, with the insurance you'll get from the place, two grand's only a small part of It. Now, we work on the percentage idea, fair trade practice and all that.

[Myra Dawson]

What makes you think we're doing it for the insurance?

[Al Marlon]

Look, Mrs. Carson, I wasn't born yesterday. What other reason do people have for burning down their own business? The insurance business isn't so good. And they can't afford to take a loss. So they break even with the insurance. Maybe even make money on the deal.

[Myra Dawson]

How about 1500?

[Al Marlon]

Will you settle for that two grand, Mrs. Dawson?

[Myra Dawson]

What do you think, Fred?

[Fred Dawson]

Rather high.

[Al Marlon]

Take it or leave it.

[Fred Dawson]

And if we leave it, you're out

[Al Marlon]

of a job and you'll have to find somebody else.

[Myra Dawson]

We might do it ourselves.

[Al Marlon]

Mrs. Dawson, this is a very specialized type of business. Believe me. You gotta do it in a professional way. Otherwise the cops find too much evidence and you lose the insurance. And take an arson rack besides. Two grand.

[Myra Dawson]

All right, we'll pay it.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Good.

[Lou Guerin]

When do you want it done?

[Al Marlon]

Baby, I'll handle it, Lou.

[Lou Guerin]

Please. Sure.

[Al Marlon]

When do you Want it done, Mrs. Dawson?

[Myra Dawson]

Sooner the better. Tonight, if you can do it. Fine.

[Al Marlon]

Sure. We don't need much. We got all our materials. All we'll want is a floor plan of the place.

[Fred Dawson]

I can give you that.

[Al Marlon]

Good.

[Myra Dawson]

Well, that settles it.

[Al Marlon]

Just one more thing, Mrs. Dawson.

[Myra Dawson]

Yes?

[Al Marlon]

The building's empty.

[Myra Dawson]

Empty?

[Al Marlon]

I mean, people. There's not gonna be any people in it.

[Myra Dawson]

Of course not.

[Al Marlon]

Night watchman.

[Myra Dawson]

We let him go last month. Couldn't afford it.

[Al Marlon]

Okay. I just wanted to make sure. I don't mind burning down buildings, but I ain't no murderer. I don't kill no people.

[Myra Dawson]

Don't worry about it. There won't be anybody in it.

[Al Marlon]

Good enough. Now, about the dough.

[Myra Dawson]

I suppose you'll want it in advance.

[Al Marlon]

Not all, but at least a deposit, A binder. Fair trade practice. Like I said before.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Watch that flooring there, Frank. Looks pretty much burned out.

[Lou Guerin]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Place looks like a complete loss.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah, I see. Got it completely.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Fire started about 1 in the morning. Didn't get it under control until a little while ago.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

You smell anything funny?

[Lou Guerin]

Huh?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

I said, do you smell anything funny?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Yeah, but I'm not sure.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

I better have a rotocrate test made.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Okay. You figuring arson?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Well, there's always a possibility of arson in these cases, Frank. It's best to check the truth.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Watch that wall there, lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah, I won't get that near to it. I wonder how this started.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Adam's found something. Piece of electrical cable.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Bad insulation. He figures a short circuit.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Where'd he find it?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Front office. Right in the place where the Fire

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

might have started it. Could be. Look, Frank, the fuse box is probably down in the cellar. Check it, will you?

[Myra Dawson]

How are you getting along, Lieutenant?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, all right, Ms. Dawson.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Looks to me like a. Like a complete loss.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

You were insured, weren't you?

[Fred Dawson]

Yes, certainly.

[Myra Dawson]

Do you have any idea how it got started?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Well, we found a piece of bad electrical cable. That might have been the cause, it might not. We're checking every possibility.

[Myra Dawson]

You mean us?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

We're not overlooking that either.

[Myra Dawson]

Yeah.

[Lou Guerin]

Frank, come down here a minute, will you?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah, I'll be right with him. Excuse me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Certainly.

[Myra Dawson]

Get out of here, Fred.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

What?

[Myra Dawson]

Let's get out of here. I've got to talk to you.

[Al Marlon]

Where to?

[Myra Dawson]

1246 West 9th, driver.

[Lou Guerin]

Right.

[Myra Dawson]

Close the panel, fred.

[Fred Dawson]

Why?

[Myra Dawson]

Go on. Well, he's a smart one.

[Al Marlon]

Who?

[Myra Dawson]

That police lieutenant, Britt.

[Fred Dawson]

You seem worried.

[Myra Dawson]

I am. He's looking for Austin.

[Fred Dawson]

Of course he is. They always do.

[Myra Dawson]

And I think he might find it. He's smart.

[Fred Dawson]

What if he does? Can't prove anything. We were home with guests when the fire started.

[Myra Dawson]

I know that. I know. That's not what I'm thinking about.

[Fred Dawson]

What are you thinking about?

[Myra Dawson]

If he finds evidence of Austin, he might start picking up the professionals in that field. They have a file on them. You know that.

[Fred Dawson]

You should have thought of that before.

[Myra Dawson]

Too late to cry about it now. But we can't afford to have Marlon and his helper picked up. Fred.

[Fred Dawson]

You think he'll talk?

[Myra Dawson]

I don't know, but we can't chance it.

[Fred Dawson]

We'll have to. Nothing we can do about it.

[Myra Dawson]

Yes, there is.

[Lou Guerin]

What?

[Myra Dawson]

Get Marlon out of the way where he can't be picked up. Can't talk.

[Fred Dawson]

What do you mean?

[Myra Dawson]

Are you that thick?

[Fred Dawson]

Myra, we can't.

[Myra Dawson]

Can't what?

[Fred Dawson]

We can't kill them.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

That's murder.

[Myra Dawson]

We started this thing, we've got to finish it.

[Fred Dawson]

But killing, no.

[Lou Guerin]

No.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, Fred, you make me sick. You've got as much backbone as an amoeba.

[Fred Dawson]

I won't have any part of it, Myra.

[Myra Dawson]

You'll not only have part of it, you'll help me.

[Fred Dawson]

Oh, no, you're wrong there, my dear.

[Myra Dawson]

Am.

[Lou Guerin]

Hey, Al.

[Al Marlon]

What?

[Lou Guerin]

They got it in the papers.

[Al Marlon]

What?

[Lou Guerin]

The fire holo. Holocaust.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Holocaust?

[Lou Guerin]

Yeah, Holocaust. Destroys leatherworks on South Street. Late last night. A fire of unknown origin. It broke out in the Dawson Leatherworks at 45 South Street.

[Al Marlon]

Unknown origin, huh? Yeah.

[Lou Guerin]

What does that mean, Al?

[Al Marlon]

Means they don't know how it started.

[Lou Guerin]

I left that piece of cable there so they could find it. They must be Pretty dumb, those cops.

[Al Marlon]

I'll take it. Hello?

[Fred Dawson]

Mr. Monland?

[Al Marlon]

Yeah, that's right.

[Fred Dawson]

Fred Dawson.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, Will you.

[Fred Dawson]

Will you be in this evening?

[Al Marlon]

Yeah, I'll be here.

[Fred Dawson]

Why, that was a very satisfactory bit of work you did last night.

[Al Marlon]

Well, I'm glad you liked it.

[Fred Dawson]

My wife and I are both very pleased about it. We. We might have something else for you.

[Al Marlon]

More business?

[Fred Dawson]

Yes, that's why we. We like to drop over tonight.

[Al Marlon]

Why, sure, anytime.

[Fred Dawson]

We'll see you about.

[Lou Guerin]

About eight.

[Al Marlon]

Good.

[Lou Guerin]

What's that?

[Al Marlon]

It just goes to show you, Lou, it's quality that counts. You do a good piece of work for a customer and he comes back again.

[Lou Guerin]

What are you talking about?

[Al Marlon]

The Dawsons. They've got another job for us.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Come in, Frank.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Here's the results of the rotocrit test.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Let's have a look. Positive, huh?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Well, from the looks of everything, this and the scene of the fire, I'd say this was a professional job.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Sure looks like it.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Now, we need a few suspects.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Larry Marvin?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Uh, Larry's on the stretch now. That lets him out. What about Craven?

[Lou Guerin]

Firebug.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Craven possibility. Got a call out.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Then there's Al Monlen. Haven't heard from Al in a long time.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Al? Is he in town?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

I don't know. I can check on him.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Do that, will you?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Yes, sir.

[Lou Guerin]

What time did they say, Al?

[Al Marlon]

Eight.

[Lou Guerin]

I wish they'd hurry up. I ain't had a bite all day. They got good hamburgers in that diner down the street.

[Al Marlon]

Business before pleasure, Lou. We'll wait for them. Maybe this is it. Come in.

[Myra Dawson]

Thank you.

[Al Marlon]

Have a seat.

[Fred Dawson]

Thanks. Just nice little place you got here.

[Al Marlon]

It's cozy. Have a drink, Lou.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Go see if we got any beer

[Al Marlon]

in the ice box.

[Myra Dawson]

No, thanks. We're not staying long.

[Al Marlon]

Never mind, Lou. Ah, well, I'm glad you liked our little job last night.

[Fred Dawson]

Oh, yes, yes, it was very satisfactory.

[Al Marlon]

We aim to please. Well, what's the new caper? Well, you said you had more work for us.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, yes. Show him, Fred.

[Fred Dawson]

My ride.

[Myra Dawson]

Go ahead.

[Al Marlon]

Yeah. Come on, Mr. Dawson. Hey, what's this? Why the gun?

[Myra Dawson]

I'm sorry, Mr. Marlon, we can't take a chance.

[Al Marlon]

Take a chance on what? What are you talking about?

[Myra Dawson]

The police. If the police ever found you.

[Lou Guerin]

Oh, listen, they wouldn't get us.

[Al Marlon]

We wouldn't talk. So help me, we wouldn't talk.

[Myra Dawson]

Maybe you wouldn't, but I can't afford the risk.

[Al Marlon]

Listen, give us a chance.

[Myra Dawson]

Go ahead, Fred. No.

[Lou Guerin]

Go on, Myra.

[Fred Dawson]

I can't. I just can't.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, give me that gun.

[Lou Guerin]

Get along.

[Myra Dawson]

Well that time. Your weak spying almost got us into trouble.

[Fred Dawson]

Your. You shouldn't have done it, Myra. You shouldn't have. We'll regret it. We live to regret it.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, shut up. Come on, let's get away from here.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Morning, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Hello, Frank. What'd you get on?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

What?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Firebug Craven.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

He couldn't have started that fire.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Why not?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

He's dead. Died last year in the federal pen.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

No, I guess he isn't our man, is he? What about Manlon?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Better. He's in town.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Where?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

45 Denver Street.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Get your hat. We'll go see him.

[Lou Guerin]

Sandy.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Frank Clark?

[Al Marlon]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

45 Denver Street. A homicide? Yeah, the lieutenant and I just walked in on it. A double Al Monlen and Lou Gurin?

[Al Marlon]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

No, he's out questioning the super. Get a rolling Sandy and call the ME for me, will you?

[Myra Dawson]

Right.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Did you call in, Frank?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

I just finished.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Well, what do you think?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Well, I'm no medical examiner, but I guess it happened between 8 and 12 last night.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Seems to check with what when I got from the super and a few neighbors. Shots were heard a little after 8 last night.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Oh, great. Why weren't they reported?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Everybody thought they were backfires.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

They always think that, don't they?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah, I guess so. So the super happened to be sitting on the front steps a little while before it happened. He saw a cab drive up. Two people got out, man and a woman. Who he doesn't know. Didn't see their faces well enough to know if he'd recognize them. But they weren't tenants, he says.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Well, the cabbie might help. What company was it?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

He doesn't know that either.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Does he know anything?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Well, after all, Frank, the guy didn't know. Then there's gonna be a double murder in the house. Don't worry about the cab. We'll find it.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Say, Lieutenant, you notice this smudge on the carpet?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, yes. Huh.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Was here when we walked in.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Have the boys cut that section out of the rug. Send it down to the lab.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Think it'll tell us anything?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

I hope.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

There it is. What lab report?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, on the smudge we found in Marlon's apartment.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Let me see.

[Al Marlon]

Mm, interesting.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

I'll see.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

What about the cabbie?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, a Green Cab Company operator, name of Herman, sent Adams down to question a little while ago.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Get anything?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Adams? Yeah, Cabbie's a good witness. Kind I like.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Well, looks like we have a case.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Uh huh. I just want to check with our bank once more, then we'll go over.

[Myra Dawson]

Will you Answer that, dear.

[Lou Guerin]

Uh huh.

[Fred Dawson]

Well, Lieutenant Britt.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Hello, Dawson.

[Fred Dawson]

Come in.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

We will, thanks. Sergeant Clark.

[Fred Dawson]

Yes, we've met.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Hi.

[Fred Dawson]

Sit down, won't you?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Your wife here?

[Fred Dawson]

Well, yes, she's in the bedroom.

[Myra Dawson]

Who is it? Fred. Oh, Lieutenant Fred.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Mrs. Dawson.

[Myra Dawson]

Nice to see you again. Found something concerning the fire?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

That's right. We're here on business.

[Fred Dawson]

Business?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah.

[Myra Dawson]

You almost have the look of a man about to make an arrest.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

That's right. I am going to make an arrest.

[Myra Dawson]

Fred and me.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

One of us both, I think.

[Fred Dawson]

What charge?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Two charges. One arson.

[Myra Dawson]

You mean the fire at our plan?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yes. A piece of bad cable was put there where we could see it to throw us off the track, but it didn't work. We examined the fuses, found them all. Okay. Which disproves the theory of a short circuit.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

The fire was started with kerosene. We thought we smelled traces of it after the fire was put out. So we had a rotocrit test made.

[Myra Dawson]

Rotocrit?

[Al Marlon]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

A red dye. Sprinkle it on the suspected area, let it stand for about 12 hours. If the wood turns red, there's kerosene in it. And there was plenty of kerosene at your place.

[Myra Dawson]

All right, maybe it was Austin, but we didn't do it. We were home when the fire started. Have been home all night.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

And sure your alibi checks, but you didn't have to start it yourself. You could hire somebody.

[Fred Dawson]

Who?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Oh, a professional arsonist, say somebody like Al Manlan.

[Al Marlon]

Mondland.

[Fred Dawson]

Can't say I ever heard of him.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

That's where the second charge comes in. Murder.

[Myra Dawson]

Murder?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

That's what I said. Monlin's dead along with his pal Lou Guerin.

[Myra Dawson]

Oh, stop it, Lieutenant. We never even heard of this man Monlin or the other one either. You can't possibly connect us with them.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Oh, but we can.

[Lou Guerin]

Really?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Yeah. Number one, we found a smudge in the carpet in Mullin's apartment. Had the lab boys put it through a test. It was soot. Soot and ash. That checked with the same at the scene of your fire. Had Rotacryt in it too. Which proves that the person, all persons who committed the murder were at the plant after the fire had been put out.

[Myra Dawson]

Could have been any number of people.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Maybe. But listen to number two. The super of Monland's apartment house saw a cab drive up a little while before the shots were heard. We checked with all the cab companies, went through their manifests. When we found the cabby, he identified you two as the people he picked up here. And drove to Marlon's address.

[Myra Dawson]

Identified us.

[Al Marlon]

Uh huh.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

From pictures at number three. We found $2,000 in Marlon's bureau drawer. Check with your bank, Dawson.

[Al Marlon]

Hey.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Tell us you made a $2,000 withdrawal the day of the fire. I figure to pay off Mullen. Serial number's check number four. The gun? We don't have that yet, but I imagine if we search the apartment, we might come across it. That is, if you haven't ditched it by now.

[Myra Dawson]

You'll have to show me a warrant if you want to.

[Fred Dawson]

The. The gun's in the desk, Lieutenant. Second drawer down.

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Of all the stuff.

[Fred Dawson]

What's the difference, Myra? We're beaten. Can't you see that?

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Second drawer, Frank?

[Lou Guerin]

Right.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

You got it?

[Sergeant Frank Clark]

Yeah, this looks like it.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

Tag it. Send it into the lab.

[Fred Dawson]

One thing, Lieutenant. I didn't fire the shot. My.

[Myra Dawson]

You coward. You weak, spineless you.

[Lieutenant Dan Britt]

All right, all right, both of you. You can argue all you want at headquarters. After that, you can argue with the jury. Let's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've just heard. Official Detective Tense Dramatic Stories of Criminal investigation. Starring Craig McDonnell as Detective Lieutenant Dan British Official Detective is presented by the Mutual Broadcasting System in cooperation with Official Detective Stories magazine. If you've enjoyed tonight's story, you'll find many more stories of equal appeal in our July issue, now on sale at your newsstand. In our cast this evening, Sergeant Frank Clark was played by Owen Jordan and Myra was Linda Watkins. Al was played by Joe DeSantis. Fred was Henry Norell, and Lou was played by Milt Herman. Official Detective is produced and directed by Win Wright. Written by William K. Wells Jr. With special music by Chet Kingsbury. Jack O'Reilly speaking. All names of persons and places used in this program are fictitious. Any resemblance to names of actual persons living or dead is coincidental. Mr. And Mrs. America. Maybe he even works at the desk next to yours. Or even on the machine down the line. Probably makes the same money you do. Yet you know he can afford to send his boy through college or his daughter. How does he do it? I think the answer is quite simple. You see, he played it rather smart. He started buying United States Savings bonds through the well known payroll savings plan when it first started. So today, of course, he's got more than enough to see that boy or the girl through college. Now if he or she can do it, well, so can you. So it is up to you. Join the part payment payroll savings plan where you work. Or if you're self employed, simply use the bond a month plan where you bank. Now remember, if you can't participate in a regular plan. Simply buy an extra bond right now at any bank or post office. But remember, don't delay your own future. Your country's future depends on you. This program came from New York. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.