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

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.