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True Detective Mysteries 37-03-18 The Rattlesnake and The Barefoot Bride
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True Detective Mysteries 37-03-18 The Rattlesnake and The Barefoot Bride
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Now the Rattlesnake and the Barefoot Drive, dramatized from True Detective Mysteries magazine. Our story begins on the night of August 5, 1935, outside of Los Angeles, California. In the peaceful little community of La Canada. The summer night is scented with the haunting fragrance of orange blossoms, whose drifting petals somehow seem like falling tears. And that strange sound that seems to float on the air like the echo of some weird rattle. What is that? We shall see. Well, here we are. The honeymoon cottage. Looks like it's. Well, a little bungalow, Bob. Not bad for a barber, huh, Harry? What do you say, Melvin? Just marvelous, Bob. But it's all done. Not a light showing. Hey, Bob, maybe Mary's asleep. Just too bad. If she is, we'll wake her up. Oh, Bob, don't do that. Don't you think Harry and I could come and visit some other time? Nothing, darn it. I asked you and Harry to come over tonight because, well, Mary hasn't been feeling well lately and I thought you could cheer her up. We'll try. I'm so sorry. Yes. Mary looked grand when I last saw her. Always does. She's so beautiful. With that lovely blonde hair and perfect white skin. Yeah. Having a 27th birthday party soon. She'll have to come out here up the driveway. Come. Come right in. I'll turn on the lights. My bubble. Oh, how lovely. So this is where you keep your bride. Not bad for a Barbara. Beautiful home, beautiful life. I'll call her. Mary. Oh, Mary, we got company. Mary, are you down here? Funny. Maybe she's upstairs. Run up and see Mary. Mother. Jackson hanging off over here. Mary. Harriet, I hope nothing's the matter. Oh, don't be silly. What could be the matter? Mary? This house seems so. So empty. Oh, Mary's probably out in the backyard feeding those rabbits of hers. Bob was telling us about. Mary. Mary? She gone up there? Maybe she's visiting neighbors. Neighbors? How did. Sand. She doesn't know any of them. Hey, where are those flashlights? Flashlights? Here, Terry, you take this flashlight and I'll take this one. Well, fix outside the house, sir. Stop. Stop. Do you really say please? Let's hurry. Mary hasn't been well lately. I'm afraid she may have had a dizzy spell and fallen down somewhere. I'm glad now we decided to stay. Yeah. Harry, you take that flashlight and look out in the front yard. Now look around up fast. All right. Come on, Mildred. Outside. Quick. I'll hold the flashlight. You see anything? No. Oh, only those orange blossoms. Anything but those flower beds. No. Oh, Harry, is anything out of the front yard. No, Bob. Nothing here. I'm working on the R. Pat. Yes? Take a look in the slide yard, will ya? All right. Come on. Noted. Sure is dark out here. Certainly needed that flashlight. What's this? It's a little fish pond with a fountain. A lily pond. Oh, look. It has water lilies in it. They're night blooming and full bloom too. What's that? Where? There, on the other side of the pool. Hold your fly sight. Oh, Mary. Merciful heaven. Mary. Oh, Mary. Oh, look. Look at her hair around that water lily. Oh. Oh, Laura. Mary. How did this happen? Oh, my poor little girl. Steady, Mom. I think I'd better call the police. What do you think happened, James? I don't know. So he's not himself yet, Sheriff, but maybe I can help you. Do you know what happened? Well, not exactly, Sheriff, but Bob here told us that Mary, his wife, was subject to dizzy spells. Well, I figure she fainted and fell into the pond. Yes, I see. We're going out again to look things over. You two stay here with James. Yes, sir. Come on, Jonesy. All right. Looks like pretty shallow water for anyone to drown in. Yeah, it sure does. About eight inches deep, I figure. Too bad. Hey, what's this? Turn that flashlight down on the legs. Look at that leg is swollen nearly twice the size of the other one. Was she in an accident or something? I don't know. Here comes the doctor. We'll ask him what he thinks. Oh, Doc. Doc. Here. This way, please. Oh, hello, Sheriff. Is this the patient? Too late for being a patient, I guess, Doc. Looks like a drowning. Rather unusual in a shallow pool like this, isn't it? Yeah. Say, Doc, look at that left leg. What do you make of it? Looks like a. Like a bite of some sort. Do you know what kind? Well, that's. That's hard to say. It might be some insect like. Well, like a black widow spider. But I can't say for sure without a chemical analysis. We'll take charge of the body until the coroner comes. Will you, Doctors? Yes, I will. Come on, Jonesy. Let's go inside again. Thanks. Feel any better, James? Still too upset, eh? Maybe you can help us, North. What do you want to know? Has Mrs. James been in an accident recently? I really don't know. I didn't hear about any accident. What's this? Mind if I read this letter? Look at this, Jonesy. Here's your answer. Yes, sis. Just a line to let you know I'm pretty sick. My leg is all swollen. Something bit me while watering in the Garden and having lots of bad luck. This is old Blue Monday. But my daddy will be home early tonight, and he takes good care of me. Mary. Sitting by something in the garden, eh? So that's it. Yep. You don't need us here now, do you, ma'am? Suppose I take James home with me tonight? He's pretty well shot, and I think a good night's sleep somewhere else would do him good. That'll be okay, I guess. Well, come on, Bob and Mildred. We're going now. There. You. You sit in the back of the car, Bob, and you'll be more comfortable there. Feel any better, Bob? No. You know something, Harry? What? Too bad Mary had to die that way. What do you mean? Well, it's gonna look bad for me. For you? What are you driving at? My third wife drowned in the bathtub in Colorado about three years ago. What in the world has that got to do with it? Well, the council asks a lot of questions. And that's what's worrying you now. You sure are a queer duck. You afraid of being wet and your wife stone dead. You don't understand, Harry. I guess I don't see joint. Yes, sir. Here's how we found the body, Inspector. Face down in the pool, head and shoulder submerged, wore thin, flowered silk dress, blue boudoir, silk slippers. Skirt pulled up over knees and legs bare. Oh, Mary loved to watch the gophers play in the pond. There, Bob. Come on now. Calm down. She must have faded and fallen in the Pearl. Mr. James, the law of Los Angeles county has no wish to meddle with her husband's grief. We simply want the facts. Yes, sir. Serves to him. Are all your witnesses present? Yes, Inspector. All right. Go ahead, Sheriff. We found this note, Inspector, on the table in the kitchen of the deceased's home. Let me have it. Mr. James, is this your wife's handwriting? Yes, sir. This letter is addressed to Mrs. R.H. stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada. Do you know her? Yes, sir. Mrs. Stewart is her sister. Something bit her while watering in the garden. That would account for the swollen legs. Hmm. Today is old Blue Monday. My daddy will be home early tonight. Mr. James, you were at the barbershop all day yesterday? Yes, sir. How long have you been married to the deceased? Three months. Insane spectre. I've been married five times altogether. Quite a record for a man. Only 39, huh? Mr. James, we're not interested at this time in how many wives you've had. We're investigating the circumstances of this death. Sure. I thought I'd tell you about the other Marriages. So you wouldn't think I was holding out on you. I see. I'll say this. Mary was the best of the lot. She was a fine girl. Mr. James, did your wife carry any insurance? Yes, in a way. I'm sorry she did. That kind of puts me on the spot. You see, I'm the beneficiary. We're not accusing you of anything. How much insurance did your wife carry? She had two $5,000 policies that carry double indemnity clauses in case of accidental death. Insurance. All right. Oh, Dr. Long. Yes, Inspector. Dr. Long. Are you the James family physician? I was called in to treat Mrs. James about seven weeks ago. Go on, Doctor. Mrs. James was an expectant mother. Was Mrs. James subject to fainting spells? She was quite nervous. I prescribed a mild sedative. Would you say that in view of the state of her health she might have fainted and fallen into the pool? Well, yes, it could have happened. Poor woman. Murdered. Don't cry, Bob. Please don't cry. Mary James was laid to rest in Los Angeles. The third wife of Robert James. The two brides of the strange barber lay side by side in eternal sleep. But the tragic story of Mary was not yet to have its final heart rending chapter written. But while Robert James once more applied his shears in his barbershop in the office of Buren Phipps, District Attorney of Los Angeles county, the shears of fate were also sniffing. Right oh two E. Let's hear that coroner's report again. Yes, Mr. Fitz. Coroner. Surgeon's report. Mrs. Mary Bush James came to her death on the night of August 5, 1935 as a result of drowning with acute cellulitis of left foot and left leg following laceration of great left toe as contributing factor. Verdict accidental drowning case automatically closed. All right, Joey. Well, what else have you to Suggest, Inspector Salad, Mr. Fitz? There's about only one thing left to do. What's that? I've been doing some scouting around this fellow James is taking a house out on Laal Avenue. Who's his next door neighbor. The house next door is vacant. Now my idea would be to install a microphone in his house. Rent the house next door and listen in for a while. That's a good idea. Oh, Sergeant, get me Chief of Police Davis on the phone. I want the best sound man in the department all set to eh. Microphone working now. Yes, sir. One in the bedroom and one in the living room. Okay. Here comes a voice that they don't expect. Turn it on. Customers give me a pain. Ever since your wife died, you've been complaining very much. If you don't like what I sing, you know what you can do. I wish I could. Hey, what's the idea? Had to send me first, little one. Please be quiet, Bob. I'm not the servant. If you want yourself to take care of yourself. Don't you ever yell at me that way. You're right into a fall, Bob. Don't forget it. I was good enough for you when you didn't know where your next meal was coming from. Wasn't that I paid you that 20 for everything you ever done for me. What do you mean? Just quiet. Yes, come read me that way. Don't go away. Keep quiet. You want to wake up the whole neighborhood? Please. I'm going over there and break that gang height down. I didn't hurt you. Between you and Hobo, done much bothering me, huh? Telephone didn't bother me for long. Next time he tries to get more dogs money, I'll get him. Only fed it when I got murdered. Did you hear that? I knew he'd talk. I thought it looks pretty good near the barbershop today. Yeah. Why are they coming to see me? I only wish he had. Am I going to fake them? I could have done it long ago. I want to know when came. What's that? Isn't that girl a manicure from games barbershop? You're right Captain. I thought I heard her voice. Sound familiar? You said for him at the corners in, remember? Yes, but where does this guy Hope fit in the picture? He has something on James, the owner of the green Buick. That's all we know, but that's plenty. Come on, let's go. Right without parallel in the police history of Los Angeles was on armed with a complete lake list of all cars registered in the name of Hope. The log grim and quiet, checked them one by one. On the morning of May 2, Inspector Southard and Tuohy, acting on a tip, drove up to a lunchroom in Hermosa beach where Charlie Hope was employed and placed him under arrest for the murder of Mary Jane. While he was being drilled at headquarters the two officers resumed their vigil at the recording instruments in the house next door to the one occupied by Bob James. James is later than usual tonight. I wonder if he knows that Hope is picked up today. No, the DA's office has him undercover. But Hope didn't crack yet. Captain. Don't worry too with Williams billing him. It won't be long now. We take James tonight. You heard the chief Dollars. We've got to get him red handed. Here to come Now? Tomorrow, Sunday. I'm tired. Me too. Like me anymore? How could I? No. Why shouldn't you? Come on. No, please. Please. What's the matter with you anyway? No. No. Come back or. Hey, Goody. Just run away from him. You should have done that a long time ago. Open that door. I'll break it down again. I'll buy another one. Enough. That's bigger. Let's pull our raid. Okay. Are you sure you have the pass key? Yeah. Here it is. Let's go over this way. Come in. I'll open the door. You're walking past. Careful things. You have a gun. Hey. Hey. What's the idea from headquarters? Under the rest. What for? You find out. You can't get me out of here. I ain't done nothing. We can. Hey, but how about this? He'll come, all right. You too, sister. Oh, why did I ever get in this mess? I knew something like this. Proceed, Mr. Williams. Charles H. Hope. Take the witness chair again, please. Charles Hope, I hand you the signed paper. Can you identify it? Yes, sir, I can. Tell the court what it is. My complacent. You admit you wrote it? Yes, sir, I do. And you signed it? I did. Of your own free will? Yes, sir. You weren't forced to sign it? No, sir. Will you please read it to the jury? Aye. Shall they cope with a purpose of. Oh, just a minute. Just a minute. You may start with the next paragraph, please. About a year ago, I was broke. Went to Robert James Barber Shop in Los Angeles to see if I could get a free haircut. Oh, now, listen, Bob. Give me a free ride in the barber chair. Maybe I can help you someday. Helps Bob James there. Maybe you're the man I'm looking for. Like to make a hundred dollars. Boy, I jump a dust there. How do I earn this hundred bucks? Yes. Huh. A friend of mine says he'll pay $100 for some good live rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake? Yeah, rattlesnakes. Not afraid of mice. That money, I ain't afraid of nothing. Here's the money. Give me two of the kind of snakes I want and keep the rest of the barrel. Come on. I'll take my car. Come on. Are you Snake Joe? Yeah, Snake Joe. That's neat. Got any good Diamondback rattlesnake? I got the meanest diamondbacks around here. Number 10, mister. But they got a lot of venom in them. See, that's what Snake Joe is known for. They are what you call hot snakes. Full of venom. You hear them rattling down in the pit. Yeah, I hear. How about them two big rattlesnakes over there in the corner of the pit? How much would they be? I'll sell them rattles to you for 70 cents a pound. You sell them by the pound. I'm sure that's the only way to tell that, isn't it? Okay, I'll take them to big ones. Yeah. There's my stick in the loose here. Oh, here they are. Come on, Lightning. Come on. There. Four guns, I tell you. What are them? Two Diamondbacks is the meanest killers in the state of California. And they're wicked. Yeah. I brought this box with a glass top. Put them in here. Hey, for tons. Meaner than lightning. Yeah, they're plenty hot. Now, let's see. Take off the box. That ten and a half pounds of P. Snake at $7.35 change out of ten. Right. Here you are. I've come again sometime. Okay, I got the snake bum. Fine. You sit back there with them. The hot one. How? Diamondbacks and 20 hunter. There's no third party in this. I want to collect some insurance. You're the only one in it with me. I don't get you. Huh? You'll soon find out. My wife, she's the one. I don't want to be mixed up in this kind of business. You'd like to get some real dough. Interest you I thought up, huh? Well, here we are. Let's get out. You bringing that box of snakes? Yeah. Over there behind the door. Yeah. Mary. I'll be in, sir. Be sick. Boy, I can't figure you out. Here, tear down. Come on, let's have a drink. Hey, where you going with that rope? Wait a minute. Joke. Come. Adhesive tape. Hey, what are you doing with that? It's gonna be done right. You'll see. Bob. Oh, I'm so glad you're home. I don't feel well, dear. Please call the doctor. You won't need a doctor when I'm through with you, Bob. What do you mean? Please, Bob, don't you understand? I don't feel very well. Yeah. I'm so sorry, miss. Come here. Come on. What do you want? Here, take this pen and write what I tell you. What do you want me to write? God. Dear, what's come over you? You look so strange. Never mind. Just right. Right there. It says. Just a line to let you know I'm pretty safe. Yeah. My leg is all swollen, Bob. What do you mean my leg isn't swollen? I did right. My leg is all swollen. Something bit me while Watering in the garden and having lots of bad luck. This is old Blue Monday. But. But my daddy will be home early tonight and he takes good care of me. Sign it Mary. Now put your darling sister's name and address on this envelope. All right. Bob. Why did you make me write this? This year? Turn around and don't talk so much. What are you doing with that? If you could take off Sovereignty t. Shut up. What are you trying to do? To move my rose too? Yeah. I. Give me that rope. Give it to me. Turn the kitchen table. Hurry up. She can't see. Shut up. Where the. Yeah. There they are. But get them. Get him. Put his hand around. Looking like that for. All right. All right. I get him. There you go. Sometimes. Put the box down here by her foot. Take the lid off. Take it off. I tell you. Take it off. She's barefoot. Don't put her foot in there. He fainted. Now I can take those snakes back and give them the snake. Joe. What? I couldn't stand it in you. Is she dead yet? She's dead yet. She's been dead since 4:00. Make double. Sir. I drown her in the bathtub. She's finished now. All right. Come in and help me carry her out. Come in to them. Come on. You take a few. I'll carry ahead. We'll put her in a lily pond. Come on. And then after that he cleaned up the bathroom and he drove me home. That's a lie. It's a lie. You did it for better governess. James. Jury having found you guilty of murder in the first degree, I hereby sentence you to be executed according to the law of the State of California at San Quentin Prison. At the time prescribed, you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. The story you have just heard is the Rattlesnake and the Barefoot Bride. Dramatized from True Detective Mysteries magazine and electrically transcribed for your pleasure by Transamerican.