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Relic Radio Host
Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is relic radio Thrillers. Welcome back to Relic radio thrillers. Thanks for joining me. Once again, we've got a story from Intersect Sanctum Mysteries this week, a series that debuted in January of 1941 and aired until October of 1952. 526 episodes. Our story today is from April 9, 1946. It's titled lady with a Plan.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Inner sanctum mysteries. Good evening. Welcome once again, friends of the inner Sanctum. Don't hesitate. Come right in. Once you get used to these grim surroundings, you'll never leave. Nobody ever does. Once you're in, you're out. This is the kind of place that grips you. Mm. The kind of place where the bars hold and no hold a bar. So come right in. Your only ticket of admission is your promise not to tell anybody about anything
Gladys Cross
you may happen to hear tonight.
Narrator/Announcer
Rhett, what a coincidence meeting you here at the post office. Yeah. Gotta mail a package. Yeah, so do I. Hey, our packages are identical. That is a coincidence. Yeah, Same size, same kind of fiberboard boxes. Even the same reinforced wrapping tape. Well, I'm mailing something fragile. You should see the cushioning. Now, that's a coincidence. I'm mailing something fragile, too. Two very rare unicorn lamps. I wrapped each one separately. Hey, it wasn't easy with those horns, let me tell you. Unicorn lamps? Yeah, I'm mailing unicorn lamps to a special special someone in Cleveland.
Gladys Cross
Cleveland?
Narrator/Announcer
Now that's really a coincidence. I thought Katie was going to be the only one in Cleveland with unicorn lamps. Katie?
Gladys Cross
Yeah.
Narrator/Announcer
Did you say Katie?
Gladys Cross
Yeah.
Narrator/Announcer
Talk about coincidence.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Whatever your package, wherever you mail it, remember the three C's of good packing. Appropriate container, proper cushioning, secure closure. For more information, contact your military postal service.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
And now for tonight's tale, lady with a plan. Written especially for Inner Sanctum by Michael Sklar and Richard Manoth and starring Elspetharic. It concerns a lady living in strange confinement and her fiendish scheme for escape. More. Penitentiary is a sprawling mass of gray granite on a deserted landscape. To this grim and forbidding place has come a man with a purpose to visit with Gladys Croft. He's a newspaper writer, and she is tomorrow's feature story.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
It's not a pretty story. I'll tell it right from the beginning. I'm no stranger to Moore Prison. I was a bride when I first came here. Wife of the war, first lady of Moore, prisoners What a liar. It was the strictly business proposition. Edward got a wife and I got security in what I thought was a convenient way of life. But after two years of living like a prisoner in a house that was inside the walls of a jail with a man who was 15 years older than I was, I'd had enough. But Edward had other ideas.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Divorce? You don't mean a word of it, Gladys.
Bucky Briggs
Stop telling me what I mean. Will you give me a divorce?
Inner Sanctum Narrator
When you're feeling less excited, we can
Gladys Cross
discuss this sense of.
Bucky Briggs
No. You can't put it off. I've had all I can take.
Gladys Cross
I don't understand you, Gladys. I've been a model husband.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Model husband?
Bucky Briggs
You've treated me the way you treat your prisoners.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
You don't beat them.
Bucky Briggs
You grind away at their nerves until their minds are stuck. So much mush. I'm getting out before it's too late.
Gladys Cross
You're staying here with me, where you belong.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
If you won't give me a divorce,
Bucky Briggs
I'll leave without it.
Gladys Cross
Gladys, don't be a fool. No matter where you go, I'll bring you back. I don't want to hurt you.
Bucky Briggs
You can't threaten me.
Gladys Cross
Not you, my dear. I'm thinking of him.
Bucky Briggs
Him?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
How do you.
Bucky Briggs
What are you talking about?
Gladys Cross
Well, there is a man.
Bucky Briggs
You're inhuman.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
No, dear. Just a model husband trying to keep his home intact.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
There was another man. Stephen Brownlee and I are in love. Drawn together by a hate for more prison. Stephen was the assistant warden. I got word to him that I had to see him to meet me that night at our secret rendezvous a deserted side road two miles from the prison. When I got there in my car soon after dark, I didn't have long to wait. Stephen.
Gladys Cross
Yes, Gladys? I came as fast as I could.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Here. Get in the car so we can talk.
Gladys Cross
Something is wrong.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I spoke to Edward this afternoon. He refused the divorce and he threatened me if I left. He suspects there's someone else.
Gladys Cross
What? He doesn't suspect it's me.
Bucky Briggs
You? His assistant.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
He'd never suspect you.
Gladys Cross
He will eventually. We've got to get away.
Bucky Briggs
But Edward threatened me.
Gladys Cross
I. Edward. Edward. Look ahead, Gladys.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
You know what'll happen.
Gladys Cross
You've seen it happen to the prisoners. You'll snap. Your nerves will give way. He'll break you.
Bucky Briggs
You can stop it, you know.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
There's no way out.
Gladys Cross
There is your game.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I know what you're thinking, but that's impossible. We could never get away with it.
Gladys Cross
If we could, would you do it?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Tell me how.
Gladys Cross
Bucky Briggs Briggs, the life. You haven't transferred to work in the laundry. Assigned to handle your stuff when you bring it down.
Bucky Briggs
What are you getting at?
Gladys Cross
Bucky hates the warden worse than you do. Given half the chance, he'd strangle him in a second. I'll talk to him, begin to feel sorry for him. Let him think you want to help him make a break.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Then what?
Gladys Cross
All we've got to do is give him the chance to use his hands on Edward.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
For two hours, we talked. By the time we parted, our plan had been worked out in detail. It was a plan for murder. Murder with clean hands.
Bucky Briggs
The next morning, I took my soiled
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
linens and drove across the prison yard to the laundry. Bucky Briggs came out to the car. He didn't even look up at me.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Where is it?
Bucky Briggs
In the back of the car. Here, let me open the door.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I've heard quite a bit about you, Rig.
Gladys Cross
You want to take your fresh stuff home.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
But I don't really believe what they say.
Gladys Cross
Look, lady, the warden needles me enough. I don't have to take it from you too, see?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Well, I don't know what you mean.
Gladys Cross
You want your fresh laundry, don't you?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
In a minute. I just want you to know that I'm interested in your case.
Gladys Cross
Those are your husband. Get your water in there.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
All right, Bucky. The seed was planted. All it needed was time. I began to plan the visits to the laundry in advance. The remarks I would use stopped intimately and at close quarters, out of earshot of others. And after a month, it came like the fulfillment to a patient prayer. I was at the laundry, waiting for Bucky to bring my clean stuff to the car. He came up, stepped into the car, took a quick glance around. And suddenly slipped close to me.
Gladys Cross
It's up to you, baby. Get me out of here, and then it'll be you and me all the way. Deal?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I got it all figured out, Bucky.
Gladys Cross
You don't waste time, beautiful. Give me the dope.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Tomorrow when I come back. He ready?
Gladys Cross
Check. I'll get away to some friends to pick me up on the outside.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Just one more thing. My husband.
Gladys Cross
It'll be a pleasure, baby.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I made a final check with Stephen, and then everything was set. I was sitting in the car the next day when Bucky came out. I reached over the front seat and opened the rear door for him. Get in. Bucky. Stay down.
Gladys Cross
Spot me.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
It's been fixed. The guard's busy on the other side.
Gladys Cross
Where are we going?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
To the house.
Gladys Cross
What about the wood?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
He's in town. Today. Stop asking. He'll make my engine.
Gladys Cross
Okay, baby, this is your show. Just make it good.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
This is the back of the house. Not a soul inside. Now follow me out first. That's the cellar door.
Gladys Cross
Open it. Right.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Down the stairs.
Gladys Cross
Now what?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
The coal bin. Hide in there. You may have a long wait.
Gladys Cross
I got patience, baby. I've been waiting two years for this.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
When it's clear, I'll call you. Three bangs on the steam pipe.
Gladys Cross
I get you. That's when I take over.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Our room is directly overhead on the second floor.
Gladys Cross
Checking. All right.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Get in the bin.
Gladys Cross
Hold on, baby. That's nowhere to say goodbye.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
What?
Gladys Cross
I like them personal. Like this.
Bucky Briggs
No, not. Not now, Bucky.
Gladys Cross
That's more like it. Something to remember your by. Foreign.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I was puddling around the dinner table, too jittery to sit and wait for the commotion to break.
Bucky Briggs
And then quicker than I expected, it happened.
Gladys Cross
Siren. That must mean a break. They know they can't get away with a break here.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Hello?
Gladys Cross
What the devil's happened?
Bucky Briggs
Reece.
Gladys Cross
Former searching party.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Wait for me.
Gladys Cross
I'm coming over. Rich has broken out.
Bucky Briggs
Any thought of how he did it?
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Nobody won't get far.
Gladys Cross
I'll find him. When I do, I'll break him for good.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
News. Show him. But instead of listening to that alarm, you should have paid more attention to
Gladys Cross
that wife of yours.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Because that siren is cooking up something that will be a real scream.
Bucky Briggs
Help. Somebody please help me.
Narrator/Announcer
Most of us wouldn't think twice about answering a plea like that. We'd help save a life in an emergency, even if it were a total stranger.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I'm hit.
Bucky Briggs
Somebody get me a medic.
Narrator/Announcer
And if we can't depend on our buddies in time of need, who can we count on? But how do you help out when you don't know that there's an emergency? How can you meet a need you don't know about? One sure way is by giving blood to the Armed Services Blood Program where your blood can help save someone's life. That's because the Armed Services Blood program is the primary source of blood for military hospitals. And they need regular donations from us and our families. So contact your blood bank or the lab at your medical treatment facility. Be a lifesaver through the Armed Services Blood Program. And remember, their supply is our supply.
Gladys Cross
The Roberts.
Bucky Briggs
They gave us a toaster.
Gladys Cross
Joanne and Ed.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Toaster.
Narrator/Announcer
Mrs. Perez.
Bucky Briggs
Toaster.
Narrator/Announcer
When you're looking for the perfect gift for any occasion, don't forget about U.S. savings bonds. A bond is the gift that keeps giving because it pays competitive rates. When held for at least five years and will continue to earn interest for up to 30 years.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Bill and Martha toaster. Oh, your Aunt Libby. A hot toaster oven. Ooh, The Phillips toaster.
Narrator/Announcer
U.S. savings bonds. Because unlike many gifts, you can never have too many bonds. Contact your finance office for more information.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
And now back to our lady with a plan.
Gladys Cross
And what a plan.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Her husband, Warden Cross of Moore Penitentiary, is searching for Bucky Briggs, an escaped convict. But Gladys has hidden Bucky in the cellar of the house. He's waiting there now to kill the warden. And Gladys, she's waiting too, for murder.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I went up to bed after Edward left and lay there tense. The sirens had stopped for hours. There was dead quiet everywhere. And close to midnight I heard the door open downstairs.
Gladys Cross
It was Eckard.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I could tell from his footsteps that he was tired. He was seated. I lay perfectly still, waiting for him to come in. That is, yes, get up. Yes,
Gladys Cross
right away.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Incredible.
Narrator/Announcer
Right away.
Gladys Cross
No one knows how.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I didn't answer. He was a different person. Harried, shaken. I watched him as he undressed. He looked suddenly older than ever, and I felt a sickening revulsion of rejected spectacle he had become. I lay perfectly still as he slipped in the bed. We fell off to sleep. We fast asleep now. I reached down over the side of the bed for my shoes and softly tapped its heel against the steam pipe. Edward was still at peace. I lay back and waited.
Gladys Cross
Slowly, slowly.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
And Bucky's silhouette stood outlined in the half light from the hall. He moved quietly into the room, right past me. In a moment, his big hulking figure, looking more gorilla like than ever, stood towering over Edward's bed. I saw his hands reach out cautiously before Edward, but just a moment too late.
Gladys Cross
Who is he?
Bucky Briggs
Get away.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Please get away.
Gladys Cross
This is the payoff, Warden.
Bucky Briggs
Edward awake. Like a flashing twisted out of Bucky's lips. I sat there, paralyzers and throats crashing to the floor. Edward tried to tear Bucky's hands with the approach. Bucky held on tighter and tighter, digging his fingers deeper into the soft fleshiness of bed with throat. Cl bro saying, hell no.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I didn't move.
Gladys Cross
I didn't speak.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
And he understood.
Bucky Briggs
Cl.
Gladys Cross
You'll never get away with this.
Bucky Briggs
Shut him up.
Gladys Cross
Easy, baby, easy. Another squeezer. There. Just like you wanted him. I wanted deeper myself. You don't have to. Knife. Twister. Nick stays twisted
Bucky Briggs
dead.
Gladys Cross
Get me out of here.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
There's a rope and a skating hook
Bucky Briggs
behind the cellar door.
Gladys Cross
Shake.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Stick close to the house until you reach the hedge.
Bucky Briggs
Then out across the south wall gate.
Gladys Cross
Shake.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
All right.
Bucky Briggs
Now go.
Gladys Cross
You begin something.
Bucky Briggs
What? Oh, pick that bucket, please.
Gladys Cross
Gotta do this more often. I'm getting the light.
Bucky Briggs
Please go.
Gladys Cross
Okay, just one thing. Remember, wait two hours before you turn in the alarm. Waiting for you out there. Goodbye, baby.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
As soon as he was gone, I glanced at my watch and followed the second hand around twice.
Gladys Cross
Now I was ready. You know. Who is this?
Bucky Briggs
It's Mrs. Cross. Bucky Briggs was hiding in our cellar all the time. He's killed my husband. Do something before it's too late.
Gladys Cross
Which way to go?
Bucky Briggs
Toward the south wall.
Gladys Cross
Nice.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I put the phone down. My part was over. The rest was up to Stephen in the main tower. I waited 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds.
Bucky Briggs
Then all of a sudden it came. Like a million shrieking demons
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
from the window. I saw the long fingers of the
Bucky Briggs
searchlight pointed at the south wall. And pinned beneath the glaring light was Bucky, frantically pulling his way up the rope. I watched as the bullets hit all around him, picking puffs of powder off the stone wall. One of them had to find his mark. Bucky shuddered, gripped, then caught himself. He was hit. He had to fall. But he didn't. Hand over hand, he started up again. Higher and higher. It hit again.
Gladys Cross
And then before I could realize what
Bucky Briggs
had happened, he was over the top and gone. Hello?
Gladys Cross
This is Crash.
Bucky Briggs
You found him on the outside.
Gladys Cross
No, that's a trace. Him. Okay, get away.
Bucky Briggs
But how? He was hit twice.
Gladys Cross
That's right. The car must have picked him up. Do you get him? Unless those bullets kill him first.
Bucky Briggs
He's got to die. He can't live. He mustn't live.
Gladys Cross
Don't worry, Mrs. Cross. We'll find him. Dead or alive.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I found a.
Bucky Briggs
Now Bucky was out there waiting for me. A light, a machine gun. He knew now that I'd double crossed him. And he was waiting out there to kill me.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
The next week was a nightmare. Edward's funeral, the messages of condolence. No chance to see Stephen alone. And then one night a week later,
Gladys Cross
he came to me.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Nervous, worried.
Gladys Cross
We messed it up, Gladys. No trace of Briggs. Which means he's alive and out there. That's not so safe for you.
Bucky Briggs
We're safe here.
Gladys Cross
Of course, Gladys. We just happen to be leaving here.
Bucky Briggs
Oh no, Stephen. I'm not going.
Gladys Cross
That's impossible. The new warden's arriving next Tuesday morning.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Oh, I haven't thought of that. Gladys.
Gladys Cross
Even if you could stay on, I'd argue against it.
Bucky Briggs
But what about Briggs?
Gladys Cross
It's a big world out there, remember? We'll get lost in it, you and I. So lost no one will ever find us, not even Grace. Say you'll go.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I have no choice, I suppose.
Gladys Cross
Good girl. Now, listen. Got it all figured out. A resignation is in. Takes effect next Tuesday night. Tuesday morning you take the train to New York and head straight for the Hotel Empress. Don't budge out of your room. Not be long in the evening.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Okay? You're not listening. I was thinking of something.
Gladys Cross
What?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Something Edward said when he died. You'll never get away with this. Tuesday morning, I was on the train to New York.
Bucky Briggs
It was a short, pleasant trip, and my fears began to disappear. Once I reached the crowds of Grand
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Central Station, I knew I'd be safe. I threaded my way through the crowd,
Bucky Briggs
just one of thousands of people.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
And suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder.
Gladys Cross
Hello, baby.
Bucky Briggs
Bucky, what are you doing here? How did you find me?
Gladys Cross
I've been waiting for you, baby. Like I said, I got friends back there. Grapevine tipped me off when you was leaving, and here I am.
Bucky Briggs
But. But I.
Gladys Cross
The bullets. It's like nothing. Takes a lot to stop me. Come on, let's get out of here before some fools bust me.
Bucky Briggs
Wait, Bucky, just. Just give me a minute. I've got to call my hotel to hold my room for me.
Gladys Cross
Can't wait.
Bucky Briggs
Well, if I don't call, they'll cancel it.
Gladys Cross
Okay, but only a minute. Make you call over there so I can keep my eye on you. Sweetheart, I want to lose you.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Bucky had nodded toward a drugstore. It was a slim chance that it was better tonight. I entered the store, made a quick
Bucky Briggs
dash for the other door. I flung it open and raced madly
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
toward the taxi stand.
Bucky Briggs
Over my shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Bucky. He'd seen me.
Gladys Cross
Hey, wait a minute.
Bucky Briggs
I ran to the cab and jumped in. Hotel Empress in a hurry. And lose that cab behind us.
Gladys Cross
Okay, lady. This is the Empress. We shook that other cab.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I headed toward the entrance. Just as I entered, I caught a quick glimpse of a cab pulling up to the curb. But I couldn't stop to see.
Bucky Briggs
I rushed into the hotel, up to
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
my room and locked myself in.
Bucky Briggs
Before I even had time to think, the phone rang. Hello?
Gladys Cross
Hello, Mrs. Cross. I just sent the gentleman up to see you.
Bucky Briggs
I banged the receiver down so it was lucky. In that cab, I had to get out. There was only one elevator and I couldn't try the stairs because I didn't know which Bucky would use. I had only one way out, the desperate way. And I Decided to take it. I unlocked the door. I turned off the light and I took a pair of scissors from my
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
handbag and waited behind the door. I wasn't a moment too soon.
Bucky Briggs
Come in.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I crept against the wall behind the
Gladys Cross
door and watched it open slowly.
Bucky Briggs
Then leaping forward, I plunged the scissors into his back. It's me, Steven. Steven. You said you were coming at night.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
What I said earlier to surprise you.
Bucky Briggs
Why didn't you phone?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
You happened it, right?
Bucky Briggs
Yes. Oh, Stephen. Steven.
Gladys Cross
Hello, baby.
Bucky Briggs
Bucky.
Gladys Cross
Surprised to see me, huh? Hey, who's that? Steve Brownley. We done him in. Nice work, baby. But why to chase?
Bucky Briggs
I had to run.
Gladys Cross
I had a screw was following. You thought you'd lead him to me.
Bucky Briggs
Yes.
Gladys Cross
Well, you did right, baby. But let's get out of here. No, You've got no choice.
Bucky Briggs
Come on, let's go.
Gladys Cross
Shut up. You left the whole hotel. Come on, baby. Run straight.
Bucky Briggs
Get away from me.
Gladys Cross
Come on. What's going on in here? The house stick holding. I'm getting out of here. There we are. Both of you. Look at that guy on the floor. You ain't going anywhere for a long time. Nice to you. This ain't no toy hand. Now let's get going.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
There isn't much more to tell. You were at the trial. You know the rest. I'm back at Moore Prison for good. There's a real prisoner this time, Bucky. He's got a few hours before they
Gladys Cross
take him to the chair.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Misses Cross. What is it, Rocky?
Gladys Cross
Briggs is just outside the cell.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
You have to go in 15 minutes.
Gladys Cross
Wants to talk to you before he goes.
Bucky Briggs
Me?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
All right. Doesn't matter anymore.
Gladys Cross
Thanks.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Okay.
Gladys Cross
Wait minutes. Bucky. They're just outside, sir. Hello, baby.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I don't have anything to say to you.
Gladys Cross
But I got something I want to ask you before I go. It's bothered me ever since I was napped.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
All right.
Bucky Briggs
Ass.
Gladys Cross
Why didn't you leave when I asked you to back in that hotel room?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
Why?
Bucky Briggs
As if you didn't know.
Gladys Cross
No.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
What if I went with you? I knew it was the end for me.
Bucky Briggs
You talking about you wanted to kill me?
Gladys Cross
Me kill you?
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
You freak it out. Oh, stop acting, Bucky. It doesn't make any difference now. All right, so I double crossed you
Gladys Cross
when I told you.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I called the tower exactly two minutes after you left.
Gladys Cross
What? That's how they picked me up so fast.
Gladys Cross (first person narration)
I thought you knew.
Gladys Cross
What a sad. What a sake. You tiny double crusher way. Help.
Bucky Briggs
Break her neck
Gladys Cross
or I'll shoot. You're too late. Screw. She's dead. You're going to make it. Don't make no difference now. Can't kill me twice.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
Now. There's a nice gentle character, that Bucky
Gladys Cross
just a little too restless with his hand here.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
And now I'm starting a new movement for Inner Sanctum Mysteries. From now on, our slogan should be when you grab a throat, stop and think, then stroke, don't show. Before we say good night, friend, here's an epitaph for the tombstone of Gladys Cross. Here lies a good heart rent asunder by a man with a soul full of thunder. A sweetheart named Stephen tried to help her get even. Now they all live in peace six feet under. Oh, by the way, this month's Inner Sanctum mystery novel is I Hate Blonde. Good night, Pleasant.
Bucky Briggs
Try Lipton's Noodle Soup and tune in next week for another Inner Sanctum Mystery.
Inner Sanctum Narrator
This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Relic Radio Host
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Relic Radio Thrillers – “Lady with a Plan” (Inner Sanctum Mysteries) April 10, 2026
This episode revisits the classic Inner Sanctum Mysteries series with "Lady with a Plan" (original airdate: April 9, 1946). The main story revolves around Gladys Cross, the warden’s wife at a grim penitentiary, who orchestrates a chilling, calculated plot to escape her loveless marriage, resorting to murder and manipulation. Atmospheric, suspenseful, and laced with the macabre humor signature to Inner Sanctum, the episode explores deceit, desperation, and the consequences of a “perfect plan” gone awry.
Gladys details her life as warden’s wife at Moore Prison—a marriage of convenience, not love.
Feeling like a prisoner herself, Gladys is desperate to escape her oppressive circumstances.
Gladys is having an affair with Stephen Brownlee, the assistant warden.
Planning the Murder:
The Escape ([09:05–10:03]):
Murder Night ([13:49–16:37]):
Gladys immediately betrays Bucky, calling the tower to alert the guards to his presence and escape route.
The guards open fire; Bucky is wounded but miraculously escapes over the south wall with help from accomplices.
Gladys tries to resume her plans with Stephen, planning to flee together.
Unexpected Reunion ([21:49–23:57]):
Tragic Mistake ([23:43–24:11]):
Gladys narrates from her own prison cell, awaiting fate after a sensational trial.
Bucky, sentenced to die, shares a final bitter exchange with Gladys, confirming her double betrayal.
Poetic Justice:
Opening Inner Sanctum Narration [00:57]:
“Once you get used to these grim surroundings, you'll never leave. Nobody ever does.”
Gladys’s Dissatisfaction [03:42]:
“Model husband? You’ve treated me the way you treat your prisoners.”
Bucky’s Enthusiasm for the Murder Plot [08:56]:
“It’ll be a pleasure, baby.”
Edward’s Final Words [16:36]:
“You’ll never get away with this.”
Gladys’s Betrayal [17:44]:
“Bucky Briggs was hiding in our cellar all the time. He’s killed my husband. Do something before it’s too late.”
The Fatal Mistake [24:11]:
“It’s me, Steven. Steven. You said you were coming at night.”
Bucky’s Last Question [26:14]:
“Why didn’t you leave when I asked you to back in that hotel room?”
The Final Epitaph (Inner Sanctum Narrator) [27:36]:
“Here lies a good heart rent asunder by a man with a soul full of thunder. A sweetheart named Stephen tried to help her get even. Now they all live in peace six feet under.”
“Lady with a Plan” embodies everything fans love about vintage radio thrillers: a femme fatale protagonist, a bleak prison setting, a love triangle turned deadly, and a plot brimming with suspense and moral ambiguity. The signature Inner Sanctum macabre humor, from the deadpan host to the fatalistic epitaph, frames the story in dark irony.
This tale is a cautionary fable—no one escapes unscathed, neither the plotters nor their pawn. The appeal lies in the atmospheric production and the chilling suggestion that in trying to craft the perfect crime, Gladys ensnared herself in irreversible doom.
For classic mystery and radio drama enthusiasts, this episode is a gripping example of postwar noir storytelling, loaded with twists, doomed romance, and the haunting moral: you'll never get away with this.