Police Blotter - Homicide By Hurricane

Summary

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Police Blotter – “Homicide by Hurricane” (Harold's Old Time Radio)

Date: November 16, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Character: Sgt. Brad Peters

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Episode Overview

This episode of Police Blotter, titled “Homicide by Hurricane,” is a classic radio drama from the Golden Age of Radio. The story, led by the hard-boiled Sergeant Brad Peters, investigates the suspicious death of inventor Ben Costa, found battered in a wind tunnel at a local airfield. As the case unfurls, secrets about Costa’s partnerships, debts, and relationships come to light. The narrative builds suspense with sharp interrogations and noir-style dialogue, culminating in a dangerous confrontation between Peters, the suspects, and the true murderer.

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Main Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Discovery of the Crime

• Setting the Scene:
  Sgt. Brad Peters receives a morning call from Jonas Airport. Ben Costa, an inventor, is found dead in a wind tunnel. Costa was working on an experimental “flying platform.”

  “9am Call came in from Jonas Airport on the bay side of the precinct. Small field for private planes. Man named Costa, working on experimental plane was found dead in the wind tunnel.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters (02:18)

• Initial Suspect:
  Harry Dennis, Costa’s longtime friend and partner, claims there was no argument, but circumstances are suspicious since he found the body and was last seen with the victim.

2. Investigation and Interviews

• Evidence Collection:
  A typewritten fragment— “must have money by Thursday next or will file for”—is found among Costa’s possession, hinting at financial and possibly legal distress.

• Suspect Interrogation – Harry Dennis:
  Dennis is questioned about motives and his relationship with Costa. He insists the project was failing and denies involvement, but is booked on suspicion of murder.

  “You were the last one to see Costa alive.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters (06:06)

• Interview – Helen Costa (Costa’s Wife):
  Helen is found moving out the apartment furniture, upset about financial ruin as she claims she funded the invention. She admits demanding her investment back and mentions a pending divorce.

  “I paid for it, not Ben. He put every penny into that stupid invention. I'm sick of it, you understand? I told him over and over I couldn't go on this way.”
  — Helen Costa (06:58)

• Interview – Attorney William Jefferson:
  Reveals Costa owed him $5,000 for legal fees and patent filings. He opines that the invention was worthless. He’s also named as Helen’s divorce lawyer.

  “I'd say it was worthless. Never got off the ground.”
  — William Jefferson (09:59)

3. The Financial Motive Expands

• Digging into Debts:
  New lawyer (Hazelton) reveals Costa kited a $2,000 loan into $20,000—criminal check fraud to stay afloat.

  “Just two days ago, I learned that Koster had borrowed $20,000 and was being threatened with a lawsuit.”
  — Hazelton (13:13)

• There’s confusion and finger-pointing about who benefited from the invention and who truly funded it—Helen, Dennis, or others. Dennis finally admits Costa altered checks, forged signatures, and took desperate financial measures.

  “He stole $18,000 … hiked the value to 20,000 … The lender had threatened criminal action.”
  — Harry Dennis (15:37)

4. Break in the Case: Pursuit and Confrontation

• Nighttime Stakeout:
  Under surveillance, Helen Costa is seen heading back to the hangar. Sgt. Peters follows, suspecting someone is trying to destroy evidence or attempt a further crime.

• Climactic Struggle in the Hangar:
  In a tense, echo-filled scene, Peters navigates near-blindly to stop the wind tunnel before it kills again. He subdues a man—William Jefferson—with Helen Costa as a near-victim.

  “All right, take it easy. Just keep talking. … The wind. … Stop it.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters & Helen Costa (20:15–20:22)

5. Resolution and True Motive Revealed

• Confession and Motives:
  Helen exposes Jefferson as the killer: he was owed money, was her divorce lawyer, and they were planning to marry after Costa’s death. Jefferson confesses—he killed Costa both for the money and to clear the way for a relationship with Helen, planning to disguise it as an accident.

  “We were going to get married, Helen and me. … I figured it'd be easier with Ben out of the way. An accident. … Okay, no accident. I came here late last night … I put him in the wind tunnel.”
  — William Jefferson (21:23–21:41)

• Aftermath:
  Jefferson’s typewriter matches the incriminating letter fragment. He is indicted, tried, and executed for murder. Helen Costa turns state’s evidence.

  “Name, William Jefferson … Judge murder remarks. Mrs. Costa turned state’s evidence. The laboratory found the piece of letter had been typed up on Jefferson's machine. Jefferson indicted and tried. Found guilty. Executed for murder first degree.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters (22:50–23:28)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the grimness of invention and partnership:

  “A man who would alter a check and forge another signature. He might be completely unscrupulous.”
  — Harry Dennis (16:26)

• Sergeant Peters’ world-weary approach:

  “Whoever it is, rich or poor, innocent or guilty, sooner or later, I get to know them all.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters (02:21)

• The unmasking of Jefferson’s true motives:

  “She came to me for a divorce. We were going to get married, Helen and me. … I’m a lawyer. I didn’t want to wait for a divorce. I figured it'd be easier with Ben out of the way.”
  — William Jefferson (21:23–21:33)

• Final, cold justice:

  “Sure, when you're sitting pretty behind bars.”
  — Sgt. Brad Peters (22:37)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:18 – The murder is reported; scene is set at Jonas Airport.
• 04:39–05:20 – Suspicion of murder is introduced as a possibility.
• 06:54–07:13 – Helen Costa reveals her motive for divorce and her resentment about finances.
• 10:57–11:53 – Sgt. Peters presses Dennis about finances and the future of the invention.
• 13:09–14:11 – Costa’s lawyer Hazelton details loan fraud and the increased stakes.
• 15:09–16:26 – Dennis confesses the partnership’s real struggles and Costa’s guilt in forgery.
• 18:59–20:15 – The climactic wind tunnel confrontation; Helen is rescued, and Jefferson subdued.
• 21:23–21:41 – Jefferson admits motive and method.
• 22:50–23:28 – The legal aftermath; case closed.

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Tone & Style

The episode is a classic police procedural with sharp, clipped dialogue, hard-boiled narration, and a tense, suspenseful atmosphere. The emotionally raw and morally ambiguous characters—particularly the embittered wife and desperate lawyer—drive home the retro noir sensibility. The narrative unfolds through concise police interviews, evocative soundscapes (especially during the hangar scenes), and a methodical approach to justice.

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Summary

“Homicide by Hurricane” exemplifies Golden Age radio crime drama—full of twists, betrayals, and dark secrets that bubble to the surface through methodical police work. The case begins as an industrial accident but snowballs into a tale of fraud, desperation, and murder for love and money. Ultimately, it is diligence and dogged pursuit by Sgt. Brad Peters that secures justice, closing the case with a chilling confession and a signature line of gritty police drama.

Transcript

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Hello.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm here during the lunch rush with Janice, who owns her own food truck.

[Helen Costa]

Best cheesesteaks in town.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Janice traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for her food truck business. We're here where she needs us most.

[Helen Costa]

They sure are.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We make it so easy for her to save with customised coverage that grows with her business. Sorry, I just get so emotional talking about saving folks money.

[Helen Costa]

Not this onion I'm chopping.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's just so beautiful. Oh, yeah, nice.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

The onion.

[William Jefferson]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save. Get more with Geico tonight. Police blotter Starring Bill Zuckert as Sergeant Brad Peters.

[Harry Dennis]

Name, Harry Dennis.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

The address?

[Harry Dennis]

543 Larson Street.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Judge suspicion of murder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The heritage that you and I share as Americans has been given to us by many great men. One of these was Patrick Henry. He was a very lazy youngster, preferring to hunt or fish rather than go to school. But as he grew older, he developed an interest in law. This, together with a marvelous gift for oratory, led to his becoming a famous lawyer and later helped him serve several terms as Governor of Virginia. In 1775, with the American Revolution at a critical stage, Patrick Henry made his famous speech, ending with the immortal words, I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death. Patrick Henry's words have rung through the ages. They are part of your American Heritage Police blotter.

[William Jefferson]

Authentic dramas of police work and the constant battle that goes on night and day against crimes. Homicide by hurricane on POLICE blotter I'm.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Brad Peters, Sergeant Homicide. Been inside a police station. PHONE RINGS it might be anything from disturbing the peace to murder. Whatever or whoever it is, rich or poor, innocent or guilty, sooner or later, I get to know them all. 9am Call came in from Jonas Airport on the bay side of the precinct. Small field for private planes. Man named Costa, working on experimental plane was found dead in the wind tunnel.

[Harry Dennis]

I've been waiting for you. Where you been?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Just getting out here, mister.

[Harry Dennis]

Dennis. Harry Dennis. I told Ben to stay away from that wind tunnel. Told him a dozen times if I told him once. But he had his own ideas.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

That it up ahead in that hangar?

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You're the one called the police?

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah, that's right. I got here at 8 this morning, same as usual. I waited for Ben and he didn't show up. I began to wonder. Finally, I looked in the wind tunnel.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Why then?

[Harry Dennis]

Because that's where I left him last night. Coster and I are working on an experimental plane. A flying platform kind of gadget.

[William Jefferson]

Uh huh.

[Harry Dennis]

We were making wind tunnel tests. But last night at midnight, I had had it. I told Ben the project was a flop. And why throw good money after bad? You were partners up until last night.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

How did the argument end?

[William Jefferson]

What? What argument?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Dissolving a partnership usually means an argument.

[Harry Dennis]

Not with Ben and me. We've been friends for years. I just threw in the sponge, that's all. Look, why do you guys always figure there had to be an argument?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

It's just force of habit, Mr. Dennis. Never mind. Let's see the body I saw, but there wasn't much to see. It was all chewed up. That's a tough way to die, huh?

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah. Poor Ben. You see how a wind tunnel is, Sergeant? The air is sucked in through that opening at the far end.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Uh huh.

[Harry Dennis]

These two giant propellers up here build up the airspeed over here. This is where we set up the airplane model. It's suspended on this platform. Wires are used to test the instability, turbulence factors and so on.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

How did Costa get in here with that door?

[Harry Dennis]

The same one we just used now. Only he couldn't have used it while the wind tunnel was in action. The door locks automatically once power is on. That's what I don't understand.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What?

[Harry Dennis]

How it started. It can only be turned on from outside. Ben must have been in here working on the model. Then something went haywire with the wind tunnel controls. It started up and there he was, caught in a windstream of over 250. 300 miles per hour.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You sure the controls went haywire?

[Harry Dennis]

What else?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Well, I'll have The controls checked, Mr. Dennis. Maybe they're okay, in which case.

[Harry Dennis]

What are you getting at?

[William Jefferson]

Murder.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

All anybody has to do is push that button. The controls were checked. They worked perfectly. At 10:30 the medical examiner reported on cause of death. Body battered by sledgehammer. Wind inside the tunnel. I went through the dead man's clothes, checked the possessions. I found a remnant of a typewritten letter. Few words. Must have money by Thursday next or will file for. And that was all. I spent the next half hour questioning personnel at the airfoil.

[Harry Dennis]

Me? You're taking me in? What for, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Suspicion of murder, Mr. Dennis.

[Harry Dennis]

Oh, you're off your rocker. Why me?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You were the last one to see Costa alive.

[Harry Dennis]

Who says so?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Guard on duty last night at the field entrance.

[Harry Dennis]

Look. That's nothing. This field isn't well guarded. Sure there's a fence, but the fence is broken in a dozen places. Anybody could have walked in.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

And there's another reason you said you didn't argue with Costa. So you were heard arguing? Loud voices, threats.

[Harry Dennis]

I can explain all that.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You'll get your chance. Dennis was taken in, booked on suspicion of murder. 12:15pm I went over to Koster's apartment. The 800 block, Shoreham Street. Furniture was being moved out. I found a woman supervising. Dark hair, good looking, well dressed.

[Helen Costa]

Who am I? Helen Costa, that's who I am.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Mrs. Ben Costa.

[Helen Costa]

Not for any longer than I can help. And why shouldn't I take this furniture out? I paid for it, not Ben. He put every penny into that stupid invention. I'm sick of it, you understand? I told him over and over I couldn't go on this way.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You're divorcing him.

[Helen Costa]

I told him that last night.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Last night? Where was this?

[Helen Costa]

Well, it was at the. It was. It was right here, Sergeant. Here in this apartment?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What time was that?

[Helen Costa]

Oh, 6:30.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You're certain of that?

[Helen Costa]

No, I'm not certain. I was upset. I told him. Either he gave me back all the money I had poured into that invention or I filed for divorce.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You put your own money into it?

[Helen Costa]

Every cent I had.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Mrs. Costa, do you own a typewriter?

[Helen Costa]

A typewriter?

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah.

[Helen Costa]

Well, no.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

How did you tell your husband? In writing.

[Helen Costa]

In writing? No, I just told him, that's all. I spoke to him.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

If you're contemplating divorce, you have a lawyer, haven't you?

[Helen Costa]

Yes.

[William Jefferson]

All right.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What's his name?

[Helen Costa]

William Jefferson.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

William Jefferson. His address?

[Helen Costa]

250 Court Avenue.

[William Jefferson]

Excuse me.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah, sure.

[Helen Costa]

Hello? Yes, this is Helen.

[Harry Dennis]

What?

[Helen Costa]

What? Oh, no, no, no. Excuse me, I. I can't talk now, Sergeant. Why didn't you tell me about your husband? That's why you're here, isn't it? Why didn't you tell me?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Who did tell you, Mrs. Custer?

[Helen Costa]

That was my lawyer, Bill Jefferson.

[Harry Dennis]

Dead.

[Helen Costa]

And all the while I was. I was having the furniture moved out all the time.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Nobody can blame you if you didn't know.

[Helen Costa]

Yes, but it's so ghoulish. It was Dennis. Dennis?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

It must have been his partner.

[Helen Costa]

Fine partner. He never put any money into it. All he was doing was fastening onto Ben like a leech. He always got paid. Even when Ben was starving. Dennis got paid. Is there anything else you want, son?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Not right now, Mrs. Custer.

[Helen Costa]

I better have this furniture moved back. Oh, it's awful. That's what it is. It's just awful.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

She was crying. It could have been grief. On the other hand, it could have been guilt. I got one of the neighbors to stay with her, I went over to Court Avenue, called on attorney Jefferson.

[William Jefferson]

Yes, sergeant. Mrs. Coster was going to file for divorce. Now, naturally it's not necessary.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You knew Ben Koster yourself, Mr. Jefferson?

[William Jefferson]

I met him once or twice.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Are you his lawyer?

[William Jefferson]

Not recently. Wouldn't have been ethical to handle his wife's divorce and represent him at the same time. But I was representing him until about a month ago.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Why did you stop?

[William Jefferson]

Money, Sergeant. He was delinquent in his bill.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

How much he owe you?

[William Jefferson]

Over $5,000. Most of that was for filing the patent on his invention. I had to do a patent search, draw up the usual legal documents. Very complicated.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You've seen his invention?

[William Jefferson]

Yes, several times.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What do you think of it?

[William Jefferson]

Well, I'm a lawyer, not an aeronautical expert. But I'd say it was worthless. Never got off the ground.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

He talked a while longer. I got no further information. I went back to the office, put in a call at the government patent office in Washington. That's right. Peters, Homicide. We're investigating the murder of a man named Ben Costa.

[William Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I'd like information on a patent filed in his name in the aeronautical field.

[William Jefferson]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Well, the other name on it may be Harry Dennis. Yeah, well, get back to me as soon as you can, will you? Thanks. 3:30pm Got the information from the patent office. Only two names on the patent. Ben Costa, Harry Dennis. I held further conversation with Dennis in my office.

[Harry Dennis]

Now you know you can't hold me. I didn't have anything to do with it.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What happens to that invention with Costa dead?

[Harry Dennis]

The invention isn't any good. It's worthless.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Well, as surviving partner, do you get it?

[Harry Dennis]

Look, that happens to be my.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

How much money was invested in that invention all told?

[Harry Dennis]

Well, I should say 60, $70,000.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What was your share?

[Harry Dennis]

That's my business too.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You ever see this?

[Harry Dennis]

Must have money by Thursday next or we'll file for.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Where's the rest of it? That's all.

[Harry Dennis]

It's not familiar to me. Whose is it?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

We found it in the wind tunnel.

[Harry Dennis]

Must have been Van's. I don't get it. What money?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I thought you might know. Did Costa borrow any money?

[Harry Dennis]

Not that I know of. He had some, I had some. And his wife? Say this could be about a divorce. She was pretty mad about Ben using up all her money.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

That's all you can tell me?

[Harry Dennis]

Yes, except that you've got no right to keep me here. I talked to my lawyer, he says you can't.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

We can for 24 hours.

[Harry Dennis]

Now, one more question you can ask. I May not answer.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Who was Costa's lawyer for the police Past month?

[Harry Dennis]

Bill Jefferson.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Jefferson says no.

[Harry Dennis]

Oh, that's right. Sure. A man named Hazel. John Hazel.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I thanked Dennis, then checked the phone book for Hazelton lawyer. The address? 2850 Mandrake. I went over there at once. Excuse me, miss.

[Helen Costa]

Yes? Oh, yes, sergeant.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I'd like to see Mr. Hazelton.

[Helen Costa]

Well, he's very busy right now. Does one be disturbed? But if it's important.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

It could be.

[Helen Costa]

What's it about?

[Harry Dennis]

Murder.

[Helen Costa]

Oh.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

That gutter. She disappeared at once. While I waited, I checked the typewriter. I found a sample in the waste basket, put it in my pocket. Five minutes later, I was talking to Hazelton.

[William Jefferson]

Yes, I heard about it. Terrible tragedy. Terrible. Anything I can do at all, just call on me. Sergeant, I am. Not that I can give you much help. I've only known Coster a month. And Dennis same. Not very well in either case.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

This invention were affairs in a tangle.

[Harry Dennis]

Tangle?

[William Jefferson]

Sergeant, you heard of the Gordian knot?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah, I think so.

[William Jefferson]

Oh, this was worse. Just two days ago, I learned that Koster had borrowed $20,000 and was being threatened with a lawsuit.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

20,000?

[William Jefferson]

Well, that's the figure he gave me.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Who did he borrow it from?

[Harry Dennis]

I don't know.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You're his lawyer and you don't know?

[William Jefferson]

Well, I know that sounds odd, but it's not really. You see, he told me that on the phone two days ago. Very much upset. Said he'd drop in and discuss it with me. Well, he died before he could. So all I know is there's someone around whom coster owed 20,000. And there's one other point.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

About the debt?

[William Jefferson]

Yes. I shouldn't violate a client's confidence, but since Coster is dead. He kited the figure, sergeant.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Kited the figure?

[William Jefferson]

Well, that's what he told me. The original note was for 2000.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

He changed it to 20.

[William Jefferson]

Yes.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

That's criminal offense.

[William Jefferson]

Yes, so I told him. He said he was desperate for money. Said his invention was close to becoming practical. He'd been testing out the bugs. He had blueprints of an improved model.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

An improved model?

[William Jefferson]

Well, that's what he said. Of course, I have no way of knowing whether that was true or not.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Where did Costa have his office?

[William Jefferson]

Office? Mm. Well, the only office he had, as far as I know, was out at the airport.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I asked some further questions, but that was all he knew. I went back to the office, gave the lab the original typewritten sentence, gave them the sample from Hazelton's office, and I arranged for searches for other samples. From the other lawyer, Jefferson? From Dennis? From Mrs. Costa. She had denied having a typewriter. But in a murder case, a lot of people deny a lot of things. At 6:00pm Dennis was sprung by his lawyer. Okay, Mr. Dennis, you're out on bail. Just don't leave town.

[Harry Dennis]

I have no intention of leaving town.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Any more thoughts about Ben? Yeah.

[Harry Dennis]

I don't know why I should help you out.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Me, Mr. Dennis, yourself. You're the suspect.

[Harry Dennis]

But I tell you. Okay, I guess you were just doing your job. Okay. Ben and I did have a quarrel last night. Yes. Every day for the past week. Sergeant, did you know what that darn fool had done?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I'm listening.

[Harry Dennis]

He stole $18,000.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

18?

[Harry Dennis]

He had taken a personal loan for 2,000. He hiked the value to 20,000. He told me all about it. He was worried sick. The lender had threatened criminal action.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You were involved?

[Harry Dennis]

I'm his partner. In a partnership, each is responsible.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Who gave him the loan, Dennis?

[Harry Dennis]

I don't know.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Your own partner and you don't know?

[Harry Dennis]

I told you, no.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Well, if it was a personal loan.

[Harry Dennis]

No, it wasn't. He forged my name to it, too. Now, if there's nothing else.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah, There is one more thing.

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I hear that invention was close to success.

[Harry Dennis]

What? Where'd you hear that? Is that true? Don't you think I'd know if it was? It's not true, Sergeant. It can't be true. Unless.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah.

[Harry Dennis]

Ben worked there a lot.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Alone, without you?

[Harry Dennis]

Yeah. Many nights. I knocked off at 5 or 6. He kept going. I never thought of that. A man who would alter a check and forge another signature. He might be completely unscrupulous.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Would that flying platform be worth anything?

[Harry Dennis]

Worth anything, Sergeant? If it worked, it would be worth millions. Millions.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

The newspapers carried it in the late editions. Inventor murdered on brink of great Triumph. I checked the lab. At 8:30. I was still working on the typewriter search. And then a call came in at 9pm Peters homicide. Right. How long ago? Check. The call was from plainclothesman walker. He had Mrs. Costa under surveillance. She had gone to Jarvis Airport. I went out there, walked across the airport till I came to the hangar that housed the wind tunnel. I entered through the big steel door. I could just feel that echo. Just then the door beside me opened. I saw it was a man. I didn't recognize him, but a flashlight went on across the hangar from me. And then there were two figures. A man and a woman. I started to tiptoe across. Mrs. Custer. Mrs. Custer? There was Nothing. There was no answer. Then something came flying through the air and it hit the hangar wall instead of me. Alice, you're wasting your time. There's been one murder already. You can't get away with another. Mrs. Custard. Mrs. Scott. Then I heard it. I couldn't tell where it was. Hangar had echoes. Might have come from any direction, but somebody was dragging her. And I listened to. And there was a door somewhere. Not an outside door. It sounded different. Then. The same door again, closing. What other door was there? Front door on the hangar. The back door.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What other?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Another sound. And I listened. It was a hum. It started low. It seemed to vibrate through the hangar. The wind tunnel. Then I used the flashlight, wide open this time. Narrow beam, but strong. And I ran toward the wind tunnel. Beside the door leading into it, I saw the starting button. Just as I got there at one side. Drop that light. Look, you fool, whoever you are, you'll never know. He was big. He was bigger than I was. And he was frightened. He was desperate. He was tough to handle. But I finally handled him. My head was swimming. All I had was a match. First one went out, but the second one held. And I found the switch and I cut it off. And I went into the wind tunnel. And that was like stepping into a hurricane. Wind sucked at me and I fought it. Mrs. Custard? Mrs. Custard. All right, take it easy. Just keep talking. Keep talking.

[Harry Dennis]

All right.

[Helen Costa]

Okay.

[William Jefferson]

Easy.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

All right, Easy now. Easy. The wind.

[Harry Dennis]

The wind. Stop it.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Stop it. Take it easy.

[Helen Costa]

It took me.

[William Jefferson]

Now, listen.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

It's dying down now. It's all right, Mrs. Custer. I helped her out of the wind tunnel. Her clothes were torn. She certainly needed another permanent. I found the hangar lights, switched them on. I sat her down. Slipped handcuffs on the man I had knocked out. Okay, Mrs. Custer. William Jefferson, huh?

[Helen Costa]

Yes.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

He killed your husband?

[Helen Costa]

Yes. He came here last night. Ben owed him money. A lot of money.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

$20,000.

[Helen Costa]

You knew about that?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah, we knew. Another couple of hours, we'll have the proof.

[Helen Costa]

Will was. Well, he was angry at Ben. Very angry.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Only because of the money?

[Helen Costa]

Well, yes.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Nothing else, huh?

[Helen Costa]

No, of course not. What else could there be?

[William Jefferson]

She's lying, Sergeant. Why are you lying, Helen?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

To your conscience, Jefferson, Huh?

[William Jefferson]

She came to me for a divorce. We were going to get married, Helen and me. That's funny.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Funny?

[William Jefferson]

I'm a lawyer. I didn't want to wait for a divorce. I figured it'd be easier with Ben out of the way. An accident.

[Helen Costa]

Accident.

[William Jefferson]

Okay, no accident. I came here late last Night I sneaked through a break in the fence. I put him in the wind tunnel.

[Helen Costa]

And you did the same to me.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

I cut it out, Mrs. Custer.

[Helen Costa]

You know why he wanted to kill me, too, don't you? Don't you, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Yeah, I can guess.

[William Jefferson]

You don't have to guess, Sergeant. I got panicky, that's why. Helen knew what I'd done. I told her. Then I got panicky. She was the only witness. I told her to meet me here. I picked up that story in the newspapers as an excuse that Coster had blueprints around a new flying platform, a successful one, worth millions.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

You tried to kill me. Yes.

[William Jefferson]

I didn't want to, but I had to. I had to.

[Harry Dennis]

Keep your mouth shut.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

No.

[William Jefferson]

Sergeant. These handcuffs.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

What about them?

[William Jefferson]

Well, you don't need them now. I'm finished. I know that. Can't you take them off?

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Sure, when you're sitting pretty behind bars.

[William Jefferson]

Name, William Jefferson. The address, 1304 Elmwood Place.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Judge murder remarks Mrs. Costa turned state's evidence. The laboratory found the piece of letter had been typed up on Jefferson's machine. Jefferson indicted and tried. Found guilty. Executed for murder first degree. Signed, Sergeant Brad Peters. On the site.

[William Jefferson]

You have just heard. Police Blotter. Starring Bill Zuckert as Sergeant Brad Peterson. The cast included Joseph Bolan, Elaine Rost and Carl Frank. Tonight's drama, Homicide for Hurricane was written by Sheldon Stark and directed by William Marshall. Police Blotter has come to you through.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The worldwide facilities of the United States.

[William Jefferson]

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Helen Costa]

Sam.

[Sergeant Brad Peters]

Sa.