Police Headquarters 32-xx-xx 06 Double Death aka Knifing

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Police Headquarters 32-xx-xx 06 Double Death aka Knifing"

Introduction

In the June 27, 2025, episode of Harold's Old Time Radio titled "Police Headquarters 32-xx-xx 06 Double Death aka Knifing," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. This thrilling installment delves into the mysterious death of Jake Millard, a retired gangster, unraveling a complex tale of betrayal, deceit, and justice within the gritty underbelly of the city.

Discovery of the Murder

The episode kicks off with a seamless transition from an advertisement to the tense atmosphere of Police Headquarters. At [02:01], Officer Smith responds to a call:

Officer Smith: "Police headquarters. Just a minute. I'll connect you to the homicide."

Shortly after, Sergeant Burke takes over the conversation, introducing the grim news of Jake Millard's demise. John Prentice, Millard's butler, arrives to provide crucial information:

Sergeant Burke: "All right. Just leave everything like it is until we get there."
([02:25])

Prentice confirms he discovered the body while serving Millard breakfast, setting the stage for the investigation.

Investigation Unfolds

Sergeant Burke briefs Dr. Wade on the situation, revealing Millard's controversial past:

Sergeant Burke: "A retired gangster by the name of Millard. Jake Millard."
([03:01])

Dr. Wade connects Millard to Pete Jonigan, a racketeer controlling the city's trucking and shipping businesses. The Sergeant elaborates on Millard's split from Jonigan and his foray into the protection business, hinting at underlying tensions:

Sergeant Burke: "Millard split with him and went into the protection business. From the other angle, he was protecting the truckers from Jonigan's mob at a much lower figure."
([03:15])

Dr. Wade's Analysis

Upon examining Millard's body, Dr. Wade makes a startling discovery. At [06:00], he reveals:

Dr. Wade: "Jake Millett was killed twice last night. Once with a knife and once with a gun."

This revelation complicates the case, indicating the involvement of two perpetrators. Dr. Wade theorizes the sequence of events:

Dr. Wade: "He tiptoed across the room and plunged a knife through Miller's heart, then left... he takes a careful aim at his victim with a silenced revolver... thinking he has accomplished his mission."
([06:48])

Arrest of Wheezy Lane

The investigation leads the team to Wheezy Lane, a suspect identified through a fingerprint on the gun. Sergeant Burke expresses skepticism about Wheezy's guilt:

Sergeant Burke: "Yeah, but he ain't the right one. You can't kill a man twice."
([08:15])

During the intense interrogation at [08:46], Wheezy vehemently denies involvement:

Wheezy Lane: "I was just hanging out in Joe's pool parlor when this carload of dicks pounds on me."
([08:57])

However, Dr. Wade intervenes, providing exculpatory evidence:

Dr. Wade: "I'm the police sergeant, Wheezy. I made the autopsy on Millard's body and I found out that you didn't kill him."
([09:41])

This pivotal moment shifts the investigation's direction, revealing that the true culprit used the knife to commit the initial killing.

The Twist and Conclusion

As the plot thickens, Wheezy Lane confides his predicament, implicating Pete Jonigan's mob:

Wheezy Lane: "Pete calls all the boys... offering us 10 grand to the first guy to put Millard out of the way."
([10:53])

The revelation leads to a dramatic confrontation where Pete and his associates are apprehended. Wheezy faces the consequences of his unwitting involvement:

Sergeant Burke: "I'm giving you one chance and then I'll start working you over."
([09:31])

In the episode's climax, Pete Jonigan's entire mob is taken into custody, ensuring that justice prevails:

Officer Smith: "Sergeant Burke just got Pete Jonigan's whole mob for that Millard killing."
([13:09])

Notable Quotes

• Sergeant Burke on Vigilante Justice:
  "Whenever a gangster's rubbed out, we're supposed to work just as hard to get his murderer as we would if he was a banker or a lawyer."
  ([03:37])

• Dr. Wade on the Double Murder:
  "Somewhere in this town are two highly satisfied men. Each thinks that he killed Jake Millard."
  ([07:19])

• Wheezy Lane's Desperation:
  "I was stepping off a curb over in Central when a truck smacked me. I woke up here in the hospital jig."
  ([11:40])

Conclusion

"Double Death aka Knifing" masterfully weaves a tale of crime, investigation, and redemption, characteristic of the Golden Age of Radio. Through sharp dialogue, intricate plotting, and memorable characters, the episode underscores the relentless pursuit of truth and justice. For listeners new to the series, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the era's rich storytelling tradition, blending suspense with moral inquiry in equal measure.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

Here at the Zebra, research shows the average person would rather endure a root canal than search for auto and home insurance. Just try to relax. Or be trapped in a car for eight hours with toddlers on a sugar high. Or remove a nest of irate hornets. That's why the Zebra search is for you. Comparing over 100 insurance companies to find savings no one else can Compare. [e-mail] we do the searching, you do the saving. I think I'll wait inside.

[Officer Smith]

Police headquarters. Just a minute. I'll connect you to the homicide.

[Sergeant Burke]

Homicide details. There's in Burke.

[John Prentice]

This is the residence of Mr. Jacob Millard, Mr. Miller's butler. Speaking. Mr. Millard had just been found dead, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

What's your name?

[John Prentice]

John Prentice, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Who found him?

[John Prentice]

I did, sir. I was just taking him his breakfast.

[Sergeant Burke]

Anyone else in the house?

[John Prentice]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

All right. Just leave everything like it is until we get there.

[John Prentice]

Yes, sir.

[Officer Smith]

Yes, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burke]

Dr. Wade in his office?

[Officer Smith]

I think so, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burke]

Good. Have him get his tool chest, meet me at the front door.

[Officer Smith]

Yes, sir. What's up?

[Sergeant Burke]

Plenty. Somebody just bumped Jake Millard. Sorry I had to rot you out so early, Doc, but I don't commit these early morning murders. I just follow them up.

[Dr. Wade]

That's all right, Sergeant. I think I'll enjoy a little motor trip into the country. Who's the victim?

[Sergeant Burke]

A retired gangster by the name of Millard. Jake Millard.

[Dr. Wade]

I seem to remember that name in the papers. Retired, you say?

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, yes and no. You see, Jake used to be associated with Pete Jonigan, the racketeer who controls the trucking and shipping business on the east side.

[Dr. Wade]

I remember him.

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah, well, Jonigan's racket is protecting the trucking people from his own mob, if you get what I mean. Millard split with him and went into the protection business. From the other angle, he was protecting the truckers from Jernigan's mob at a much lower figure.

[Dr. Wade]

I see. A sort of a double. Double cross. They, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah. And now it seems somebody sort of triple crossed Jake Millard by bumping them off.

[Dr. Wade]

And good riddance, if you ask me.

[Sergeant Burke]

That's what I say, Doc. But the old man don't see it that way. Whenever a gangster's rubbed out, we're supposed to work just as hard to get his murderer as we would if he was a banker or a lawyer.

[Dr. Wade]

What one might call the injustice of justice. Huh? Now, this the place?

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah. Millard lived there all alone, that is, with his butler.

[Dr. Wade]

Well, a gangster with a butler. Interesting.

[Sergeant Burke]

You can bet he's sort of a Bodyguard as well.

[Dr. Wade]

Did the butler say Hal Millard was killed?

[John Prentice]

No.

[Sergeant Burke]

That's why I brought you along, Doc. So I wouldn't have to take this bird's word for it.

[John Prentice]

Oh, come in, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Your Apprentice.

[John Prentice]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Dr. Wade?

[Officer Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Where's the body?

[John Prentice]

Upstairs, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

What time did you find him?

[John Prentice]

Just before I called you, sir. About 8:30.

[Sergeant Burke]

What time did Millard come in last night?

[John Prentice]

Shortly after midnight, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

How do you know?

[John Prentice]

I was with him.

[Sergeant Burke]

Did he take you with him every time he went out?

[John Prentice]

Most generally, sir. Oh, upon my word, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Just what I thought. You're packing a rod.

[John Prentice]

Well, I have a permit for that, sir. A sort of precaution against highwaymen, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

That's a good one. I'll just keep this rod for a while.

[John Prentice]

Well, certainly, sir.

[Dr. Wade]

Oh, here.

[John Prentice]

Here's Mr. Miller. Drew.

[Sergeant Burke]

Run up the shades.

[John Prentice]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

There he is, Doc, laying on the bed. Shouldn't be a hard job to find out what killed him.

[Dr. Wade]

Not with that knife sticking out of his chest. Mind if I remove it?

[Sergeant Burke]

No. Here's a handkerchief. Save the Prince.

[Dr. Wade]

Oh, all right. Must have nearly penetrated the body. Our victim died without a struggle.

[Sergeant Burke]

Through the heart.

[Dr. Wade]

Clean.

[Sergeant Burke]

This doesn't seem to affect you very much, Prentice.

[John Prentice]

I was in the war, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Which war? The one last night with Pete Jonathan's mob down at the docks.

[John Prentice]

Oh, no, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Where were you and Millard last night? Where were you and Millard last night?

[John Prentice]

Attending a concert, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah? What, you want the Philharmonic?

[John Prentice]

Sure, but. Symphony in B Minor. The Unfinished One, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

Don't make me laugh. Got any idea who killed him?

[John Prentice]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Burke]

How long has he been dead, Doc?

[Dr. Wade]

I was just testing the state of rigor mortis in anticipation of your question, Sergeant. It's in a rather well advanced state. I should say about six or seven hours.

[Sergeant Burke]

It's nine o' clock now. That'll make it about two or three this morning.

[Dr. Wade]

A fairly accurate hour. Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burke]

What'd you find?

[Dr. Wade]

A very astonishing thing, Sergeant. Jake Millett was killed twice last night. Killed?

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, what do you mean?

[Dr. Wade]

Jake Millett was killed twice last night. Once with a knife and once with a gun.

[Sergeant Burke]

Go on.

[Dr. Wade]

I'm serious. There's a bullet wound in the head here, See?

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Once with a knife and once with a gun. Tell me, Doc, who won?

[Dr. Wade]

The man with a knife.

[Sergeant Burke]

How do you know?

[Dr. Wade]

The character of the gunshot wound shows very clearly that it was inflicted one or perhaps two hours after death.

[Sergeant Burke]

Now, we're in a fine fix. We gotta look for two Murderers instead of one. What do you think happened here last night, Doc?

[Dr. Wade]

I think it's fairly simple. Two people set out to get Millard. Last night, one of these men gained access to this room by that trellis outside the window there.

[Sergeant Burke]

Go ahead, Doc. You're doing great.

[Dr. Wade]

He tiptoed across the room and plunged a knife through Miller's heart, then left. The way he'd entered death was instantaneous. And about an hour later, murderer number two reaches the scene. He climbs the same trellis with the same murderous intent in his heart. But instead of entering the room, he takes a careful aim at his victim with a silenced revolver, never noticing the knife. After the shot, he slips away unnoticed, thinking he has accomplished his mission.

[Sergeant Burke]

The way you put it, Doc, Jake Millard was one popular guy a few hours ago.

[Dr. Wade]

Yes, Sergeant. Somewhere in this town are two highly satisfied men. Each thinks that he killed Jake Millard. You know, Sergeant, one of those men is going to be very, very disappointed. Well, you've been working all day on the case, sergeant. What did you find?

[Sergeant Burke]

Nothing. That is, nothing, except a gun. Powers just gave me a report on it. Yes, we found a fingerprint in the barrel. And Powers traced it to a dopey little hood known as Wheezy Lane.

[Dr. Wade]

Well, I should say that your day hadn't been wasted, sergeant. And this. This fellow, Lane, Them boys picked him.

[Sergeant Burke]

Up just about 15 minutes ago. They're bringing him up here now for questioning.

[Dr. Wade]

Well, don't be disheartened, sergeant. You have an arrest.

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah, but he ain't the right one. You said the guy with the knife killed him.

[Dr. Wade]

That's right.

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, then we ain't got nothing against this guy. You can't kill a man twice.

[Dr. Wade]

I wouldn't be too sure, sergeant.

[Sergeant Burke]

Hello? Send him in.

[Dr. Wade]

What now?

[Sergeant Burke]

The boys are bringing Wheezy in.

[Dr. Wade]

What's the hose for, sergeant?

[Sergeant Burke]

Little persuader. I told Wheezy Lane that the next time I got him in this office, I'd whale the tar out of him.

[Dr. Wade]

Oh, and do you mean to carry out your threat?

[Sergeant Burke]

No, but Wheezy will think so. Time I slap a chair a few times close to his head with his hose, he'll talk and talk fast. All right, boys, bring him in.

[Wheezy Lane]

You ain't got nothing on me, sarge. You ain't got nothing on me. I was just hanging out in Joe's pool parlor when this carload of dicks pounds on me. They won't even tell me what I'm picked up for.

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, ain't that too bad. Sit down, you yellow Livered shrimp. Sit down to where I slept you to sleep with his hose. Where were you last night?

[Wheezy Lane]

In Jones.

[Sergeant Burke]

That's a lie.

[Wheezy Lane]

All right, ask him.

[Sergeant Burke]

I don't need to. I know you got him fixed. Now, listen, wheezy. I'm giving you one chance and then I'll start working you over. Jake Millard was killed last night.

[Wheezy Lane]

So what? I didn't do it.

[Sergeant Burke]

Sure, sure, I know you didn't. Finding your gun with your fingerprints on it just below Jake Millard's bedroom window don't mean a thing, does it?

[Wheezy Lane]

You can't pin that on me. I. Oh, I lost the gun.

[Sergeant Burke]

Yeah. Yeah, you did. Are you gonna talk, Wheezy?

[Wheezy Lane]

I ain't got nothing to say.

[Sergeant Burke]

All right.

[Wheezy Lane]

Don't hit me with that thing side.

[Sergeant Burke]

The next time I'll split your head open. Are you gonna talk?

[Wheezy Lane]

I ain't got. Don't charge. Don't hit me.

[Sergeant Burke]

You yell a rat, I'll break your neck.

[Dr. Wade]

Just a minute, sergeant. I'm the police sergeant, Wheezy. I made the autopsy on Millard's body and I found out that you didn't kill him.

[Wheezy Lane]

That's what I've been telling this big flu.

[Dr. Wade]

Wait a minute now. I said you didn't kill him. I know that you thought you did, but you didn't. Somebody with a knife beat you to it.

[Wheezy Lane]

What are you talking about?

[Dr. Wade]

You don't have to act innocent, Wheezy. Millard was already dead when you shot him. Therefore you didn't kill him, see?

[Wheezy Lane]

Oh, it's a frame.

[Dr. Wade]

No, it isn't. I'm giving you the straight good. Sweetheart, we haven't got a thing on you. That is, if you tell us who did kill him.

[Wheezy Lane]

I don't know.

[Dr. Wade]

And if you don't talk, Wheezy, I'll just forget about the stab wound in my report. And the sergeant here will bring a charge against you for the bullet wound with your print on the revolver. Well, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes.

[Wheezy Lane]

You telling me straight, Doc?

[Dr. Wade]

I'm telling you that you didn't kill Jake Millard.

[Wheezy Lane]

Well, all right, I'll talk.

[Dr. Wade]

Good. Who knifed him?

[Wheezy Lane]

I don't know.

[Dr. Wade]

You don't know?

[Wheezy Lane]

No. You see, it's this way, Doc. Jake Millard has been butting into Pete Jarnacan's racket. I work for Pete doing secretary work.

[Dr. Wade]

I see.

[Wheezy Lane]

Well, Pete calls all the boys, five of us into his office yesterday afternoon and says that this stuff of Jake Millard button into our racket has got to stop. He Ends up by offering us 10 grand to the first guy to put Millard out of the way.

[Dr. Wade]

So you all went after him, eh?

[Wheezy Lane]

Yeah, and I don't know which one of the boys got it.

[Dr. Wade]

I see. Well, Wheezy, you can go.

[Wheezy Lane]

I can go? Oh, gee, that swelling it, Doc.

[Sergeant Burke]

Say, what's the big idea?

[Dr. Wade]

Sure, Wheezy can go, sergeant. Except first there's something he's got to do for us.

[Wheezy Lane]

Come in. Oh, hello.

[John Prentice]

She was sorry to hear about your accident.

[Wheezy Lane]

Yeah.

[John Prentice]

As soon as we hear the nurse telephone us will be. Come right over. Here's Pete and the boys.

[Officer Smith]

Yeah. Hello. What happened with me?

[Wheezy Lane]

I was stepping off a curb over in Central when a truck smacked me. I woke up here in the hospital jig.

[Officer Smith]

I got to bed. What's the matter with you?

[Wheezy Lane]

Her broken leg and a fractured right arm. Doc says I'll be here for six weeks.

[Officer Smith]

Gee, the T. Yeah, it's going to.

[Wheezy Lane]

Cost me a wad of dough, too. That 10 grand you offered us for killing Jake Miller. It'll come in handy to pay hospital.

[Officer Smith]

Expenses we see on that around here. You didn't kill Milad.

[Wheezy Lane]

What do you mean?

[Officer Smith]

Interest in the papers. Max here stuck a knife in him about an hour before you shot him.

[Wheezy Lane]

What are you talking about? Sure, that's the straight door.

[John Prentice]

He paid me the 10 ton this afternoon. I killed Millard.

[Sergeant Burke]

That's all I wanted to know. Put him up out of here. No need to look at that door, Pete. There's a dozen men outside. I got a court reporter here too, taking down every word that was said. Yeah, I guess you're all in that jam. Every one of you.

[Wheezy Lane]

Something me, Sergeant? You know what you said. If I lead these guys into the doc's little trap, you wouldn't bring a charge against me.

[Sergeant Burke]

Well, I must have been wrong about that. Wheezy. I've been reading the law book since I seen you and I find out I gotta take you in too.

[Wheezy Lane]

Yeah? What's the charge? I didn't kill. What's the charge? I didn't kill Jake.

[Sergeant Burke]

You know, that's a new one on me, Wheezy. Mutilating a corpse.

[Officer Smith]

Police headquarters. Okay, Sergeant. Hello, Tim. Send the patrol to Providence Hospital. Sergeant Burke just got Pete Jonigan's whole mob for that Millard killing. Police headquarters.

[Sergeant Burke]

Sa.