Turnabout by Dark Venture

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Relic Radio Thrillers
Episode: "Turnabout" by Dark Venture
Air Date of Original Drama: August 24, 1946
Release Date on Relic Radio: February 13, 2026

This week, Relic Radio Thrillers delivers a classic tale from Dark Venture, a suspenseful story blending themes of greed, betrayal, and psychological manipulation. "Turnabout" follows Richard Barnes, a man on the brink, who orchestrates the perfect murder of his business partner—only to find himself ensnared in a web of his own creation.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Setup: Motive and Opportunity

• Richard Barnes confides to the audience that his motive for killing his partner, Marvin Rice, was driven by greed, envy, and fear. Barnes admits to embezzling $50,000 and spending it on another woman, which shocks Marvin more than the theft itself.
  • Quote: “My motive for killing Marvin Rice was really quite commonplace. Fear, hatred, envy...But the part I find fascinating was the actual crime itself. It was so original, so amazingly clever.” — Richard Barnes (01:32)
• Marvin gives Barnes until June 1st to return the money or face jail, insisting it's not just about the money, but about moral failure.

The Perfect Crime: Framing "Sally"

• Barnes is inspired in a café by a sign blaming mistakes on a fictitious “Sally.” He conceives a plan to frame a nonexistent woman for Marvin's murder (05:22).
  • Quote: “If the customers blamed Sally, they wouldn’t pick on us. And they couldn’t pick on Sally if there wasn’t any Sally.”—Richard Barnes (05:59)
• He enacts an elaborate series of actions: planting evidence, checking into a hotel under Marvin’s name with a woman, sending misleading telegrams, ordering flowers, and establishing Sally’s existence in Marvin’s life.
• The murder is executed at the Bartlett Hotel, where Barnes—with lipstick-marked cigarette butts and a gun—kills Marvin and leaves all clues pointing to “Sally.” He carefully crafts his alibi and returns to the office (12:06–13:09).

The Investigation: Inspector Norris and the Legend of Sally

• Inspector Norris is baffled by the mysterious “Sally,” with no one able to confirm her existence (13:52).
  • Quote: “It’s driving me nuts, Barnes. Dame doesn't just vanish in a puff of smoke, you know...Everywhere I turn, I see evidence of Sally, but not one person who ever saw her.” — Inspector Norris (13:52)
• Barnes believes he is in the clear as the police chase a ghost.

Turnabout: The Hunter Becomes The Hunted

• Three months later, Barnes’ secretary Ms. Brown tells him someone named Sally has been calling for him (14:46).
• Barnes’ wife, Ellen, also receives a mysterious telegram in his name. Barnes realizes the methods he used to frame Marvin are now being used against him. He spirals into paranoia and fear (15:44–16:09).
  • Quote: “Sally called? How could she? You’re lying.” — Richard Barnes (15:23)
• Ms. Brown and others receive calls and messages as Barnes did before, all signed by “Sally.” Reservations and tickets begin appearing under his name, mimicking the original setup.

The Confrontation: The Trap Closes

• Barnes is lured back to the same hotel room (612), finds more lipstick-marked cigarettes, and waits for the confrontation—gun in hand (18:36–20:55).
• Overwhelmed, Barnes fires his gun at the door. Inspector Norris apprehends him, revealing he has turned the entire Sally plot back on Barnes.
  • Quote:
    • “You turned my own plan against me. That’s right. It was a shot in the dark. When you didn’t come to me for help after I started things going, I...knew I hit the jackpot.” — Inspector Norris (22:37)

The Final Twist: The Other Woman

• Norris explains he’d traced everything in Marvin’s life, ruling out a real Sally, and had suspected Barnes all along.

• In a final sting, Ms. Brown reveals the other woman wasn’t “Sally,” but Ellen—Barnes’ own wife (23:21).

  • Quote: “The other woman’s name was Ellen. Your wife, Mr. Barnes.” — Ms. Brown (23:50)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Motivation and Justification

• “There wasn't a flaw at it anywhere. There wasn't the slightest chance in all the world that it would fail. And it didn't fail—yet.” — Richard Barnes (01:32)

The Origin of ‘Sally’

• "You see, there isn't any Sally." — Waiter (05:50)

Setting up the Frame

• “Somebody named Sally. No last name, no middle initial. Just Sally. Said she was a friend. I don’t know. You sounded kind of mad.” — Richard Barnes (07:22)

The Plan Backfires

• “You turned my own plan against me. That’s right.” — Barnes & Inspector Norris (22:38)

The Closing Revelation

• “The other woman’s name was Ellen. Your wife, Mr. Barnes.” — Ms. Brown (23:50)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:32: Barnes confesses his motive for murder, laying out his psychological rationale.
• 05:22: Inspiration strikes from a café sign; the "Sally" plot is born.
• 07:24–09:30: Detailed planting of evidence and frame.
• 12:06–13:09: The murder and Barnes’ return to work to solidify his alibi.
• 13:52: Inspector Norris’s frustration with the non-existent “Sally.”
• 14:46: Ms. Brown first reports that “Sally” is now after Barnes.
• 15:44–16:09: Barnes’ paranoia increases as messages and calls mirror his frame-up.
• 18:36–20:55: Barnes at the hotel, gripped by anxiety and remorse.
• 21:00–23:50: Inspector Norris confronts Barnes, closing the net. Final twist revealed regarding Ellen.
• 23:50–24:01: Curtain falls—Barnes’ fate sealed.

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Tone & Style

The tone is classic noir: cynical, suspenseful, with a wry, confessional style from Barnes interspersed with the tension of an unraveling alibi. The interplay between Barnes and Inspector Norris is sharp and laden with irony, as the hunter becomes the hunted.

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Conclusion

"Turnabout" is a tightly woven story of psychological suspense and poetic justice, rich in period detail and dark humor. With immersive performances, it showcases how even the cleverest scheme can collapse—especially when one’s own sins turn back upon the sinner.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

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. We're going to hear from dark venture this week, a series that originated over ABC radio stations. From May 30th of 1945 to February 10th of 1947, 52 episodes were produced. Our story today is turnabout. This one aired August 24, 1946.

[Richard Barnes]

Good evening, creep. Welcome to the mystery playhouse. Creeps. Over the minds of mortal men come many shadows of greed and hate, jealousy and fear. Darkness is the absence of light, Though in the sudden shadows which fog the minds of men and women are to be found the strange impulses which urge them into the unknown. Listen now to turnabout tonight's venture in.

[Ms. Brown]

The d.

[Richard Barnes]

My motive for killing Marvin Rice was really quite commonplace. Fear, hatred, envy. Now, let's skip the motives. The part I find fascinating was the actual crime itself. It was so original, so amazingly clever, if you'll pardon me saying it. There wasn't a flaw at it anywhere. There wasn't the slightest chance in all the world that it would fail. And it didn't fail yet. Downstairs in the prison courtyard, they're testing a gallows built especially for me. As I said, my motive for killing Marvin was in no way unusual. He and I were partners in an exporting business for a long time. I had helped myself to considerably more than 50% of the profits. When Marvin found it out and added it up, it came to something like $50,000. But I think he was really more shocked at my reasons for taking the money out. You mean you spent all this money on another woman?

[Ms. Brown]

But what about Ellen? What about her? She's your wife.

[Richard Barnes]

Oh, don't try to figure it out, Marvin. It's quite complicated. You see, I'm not like you. I can't trot home to my suburban paradise every night to sit by the fireplace in my bedroom slippers and jabber about the petunia. You can't? So that makes your Francis luckier than my Ellen. Quit cheating on your wife. That's the worst part. That's the part I can't forgive. No speeches, Marvin, please. I'm not in the mood. Oh, you're not in the mood, huh? In that case, I'm sorry I even brought the matter up.

[Ms. Brown]

Perhaps you are in the mood to.

[Richard Barnes]

Tell me what you're going to do about this $50,000 shorty. I don't know.

[Ms. Brown]

I'll think of something.

[Richard Barnes]

I see.

[Ms. Brown]

What day is this, Richard?

[Richard Barnes]

May 20th. What?

[Ms. Brown]

May 20th.

[Richard Barnes]

I am circling June 1st on my death calendar. If you haven't replaced the money by then, I'll put you in jail.

[Ms. Brown]

Jail?

[Richard Barnes]

You wouldn't do that, Marvin. You want to bet? No. In the meantime, no one will know about the shortage. We'll continue working in the office as we always have. Until the first partners for the end. After stealing $50,000. What did you expect me to do, Dick? Offer you my congratulations? As soon as I left Marvin's office, I telephoned the lady, spent the money on. She was very understanding. She assured me she'd hawk all the things I'd bought her. And she told me to come to her apartment that same evening to pick up the money. When I got to the apartment, I found the only vacancy in the city of Los Angeles. She'd run out. All right. I telephoned Marvin right away.

[Ms. Brown]

So she ran out on you, huh? That's too bad. But I've still got June 1st circle on my counter.

[Richard Barnes]

But, Marv, listen to me. You got to give me a little more time.

[Ms. Brown]

June 1st. But I can't. I asked my lawyer just what the penalty in this state was for embezzlement. Do you know it runs as high as 10 years?

[Richard Barnes]

Well, what good would it do you to put me in jail? You still wouldn't have the money.

[Ms. Brown]

It's not exactly the money. As I told you before, I can't forgive a man who would steal money to cheat on his wife.

[Richard Barnes]

What mar.

[Ms. Brown]

June 1st.

[Richard Barnes]

During the next week, I found that lifting $50,000. Is a lot easier than raising $50,000. There wasn't a chance in the world of getting that money. Oh, But I knew when it came to a showdown. Marvin wouldn't send me to prison.

[Ms. Brown]

You want a bet? 10 years.

[Richard Barnes]

He wouldn't lock me away for 10 years.

[Ms. Brown]

You want a bet?

[Richard Barnes]

10 years. Everything gone.

[Ms. Brown]

No.

[Richard Barnes]

I couldn't let him do that to me.

[Ms. Brown]

You want a bet?

[Richard Barnes]

I'd kill him first. I'd kill him, Yes. I'd have to kill Marvin. The thought drifted into my mind with the ease of an old friend. I'd have to kill Marvin. There was no other way.

[Ms. Brown]

But how?

[Richard Barnes]

Without bringing suspicion on myself. I went downstairs for a cup of coffee. And found the answer tacked to a cash register in a little cafe. A waiter. Yes, sir. That's fine. If the coffee's weak and the steak is tough, blame Sally. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before.

[Ms. Brown]

I set the gag the manager cooked up.

[Richard Barnes]

Figured the customers blame Sally, they wouldn't pick on us. But what about Sally? She must take a lot of punishment.

[Ms. Brown]

That's just it.

[Richard Barnes]

You see, there isn't any Sally. More coffee, sir? I said more. Say more coffee? No, no.

[Ms. Brown]

No more coffee.

[Richard Barnes]

But thanks anyway. Yeah, thank you very much. And so I found my plan of murder. If the customers blamed Sally, they wouldn't pick on us. And they couldn't pick on Sally if there wasn't any Sally. There was something, something else so fascinating about the idea. Marvin Rice, the ideal husband who despised me. So for cheating on my wife, Marvin Wright was going to be killed by another woman. Really, wasn't that a perfectly wonderful idea? I went back to the office. It was after closing time and Marvin was on the 615 Suburban Special headed for Palmdale. His wife, Francis, and the Petunia. The office was empty except for Ms. Brown, Marvin's secretary. She's working on some reports. Well, this was as good a time as any to begin. I went into my private office, but I didn't close the door. Without picking up the receiver, I started dialing our own number. I felt like a kid starting a snowball down a hill. Ms. Brown didn't hear me dial, but she did hear the phone ring an instant later. I picked up the receiver and moved my lips as though I were talking. Then I hung up. Ms. Brown?

[Ms. Brown]

Yes, sir?

[Richard Barnes]

That call was for Mr. Rice. Better tell him about it tomorrow.

[Ms. Brown]

I'll leave a note on his desk. Who was it?

[Richard Barnes]

Somebody named Sally.

[Ms. Brown]

Sally? Yeah.

[Richard Barnes]

No last name, no middle initial. Just Sally. Said she was a friend. I don't know. You sounded kind of mad. After Ms. Brown left for the day, I called the Bartlett Hotel and I reserved a room for the following night in the name of Mr. And Mrs. Marvin Rice. And I told the clerk to be sure to have a good bottle of wine in the room and two glasses. And I called a ticket agency and reserved two seats for the ice volleys for Mr. And Mrs. Marvin Rice. Later, I went to a hawk shop in Skid Row and persuaded the kindly clerk to sell me a $20 revolver for 100 bucks. I was just about all set. The next morning I got a quick look at Marvin's appointment book and saw he was going to be out from 11 to 1. I went down to the cigar store, closed myself in a telephone booth and dials Western Union. Hello, Western Union? I want to send A telegram to Mrs. Marvin Wright, Palmdale, California. Here's a message. Won't be home tonight. Busy with Barnes Nes on new catalog. Call at noon and we'll explain you tomorrow.

[Ms. Brown]

Marvin.

[Richard Barnes]

Oh, no. Make that love, Marvin.

[Ms. Brown]

Harry spur is shop.

[Richard Barnes]

This is Marvin rice calling.

[Ms. Brown]

Yes, Mr.

[Richard Barnes]

I want you to send a nice orchid corsage to my wife. Send it to the bartlett hotel, room 612. Charges my account.

[Ms. Brown]

Yes, but. Yes.

[Richard Barnes]

And enclose this note to my Sally. Without you, life has no meaning. Love, Marvin. I got back to the office a few minutes after 11. Marvin had already gone to his conference when his wife Frances called.

[Ms. Brown]

I took the call, Dick. I was so surprised when I got the wire this morning.

[Richard Barnes]

Wire?

[Ms. Brown]

Yes, from Marvin telling me you two would have to work all night on the new catalog. My heavens, I didn't think the catalog was coming out for another six months.

[Richard Barnes]

What isn't?

[Ms. Brown]

Then why work all night?

[Richard Barnes]

I'm working on some reports of my own tonight, but.

[Ms. Brown]

Oh.

[Richard Barnes]

Well, Marvin didn't say anything to me about working.

[Ms. Brown]

I have the wire right here in my hand.

[Richard Barnes]

Oh, well, as a matter of fact, Marv told me he was leaving early tonight. Look, as soon as he comes in, I'll have him call you. I'm sure he'll be able to explain everything. Marvin, your wife called while you were around. Oh, yeah. Mother's taken ill. Ill? Oh, it's nothing serious, but Francis is going to spend the night with her.

[Ms. Brown]

Oh.

[Richard Barnes]

Well, I'd better call Frances up and find out what's wrong. Well, you won't be able to reach her. She was just leaving the house for the train when she called. She said for you to stay in town tonight. In town? Where does she think I'm going to get a place in town, missly? Well, if you like, I can get a room for you somewhere. Okay. You'd better do it. All right. By the way, how's the money raising situation? Hmm? You know, June 1st is only two days away.

[Ms. Brown]

Oh, that.

[Richard Barnes]

Yeah. Well, you know, Marvin. You know, I think I figured a way out of that mess. Yeah, well, for your sake and for.

[Ms. Brown]

Ellen's sake, I hope it works. Thanks.

[Richard Barnes]

So far, not wood. It's working fine. Around 4 o', clock, I went down to the corner telephone booth and called Marvin's wife again. I told her that he'd called in and said he'd be home for the rest of the day. Or rather that he'd been gone on business. I hit that word business Just right after that, I found Marvin and told him I'd reserved him a room in the Bartlett room 612. Then I asked Ms. Brown to work overtime with me. And Marvin went over to the hotel. He called me the second he got into the room.

[Ms. Brown]

Hey, this place gives me the creeps.

[Richard Barnes]

Why?

[Ms. Brown]

You know what I found over here waiting for me? An orchid and a chilled bottle of wine.

[Richard Barnes]

My, my. What'll Francis say?

[Ms. Brown]

That's not funny. So many things have happened today that don't make sense.

[Richard Barnes]

Oh, I'm sure there must be a logical explanation for everything. Look, I'll drop over and we'll have a drink of that wine. Maybe we can figure this thing out, huh?

[Ms. Brown]

Yeah, do that, will you, Dick?

[Richard Barnes]

I went out to the front office and told Ms. Brown to wake me in an hour, that I was going to take a snooze. Then I locked my office, went out the window, down the fire escape into the alley. It was 10 after 8. I had to be back at the desk when she knocked. At 10 after 9, I made one stop. I bought a 60 cent tube of lipstick. By the time I got to the bartlett, it was 14 minutes to 9. The lobby was crowded. Nobody would remember me. It was exactly 10 minutes to 9 when I knocked on Marvin's door.

[Ms. Brown]

Oh, Judy, come in.

[Richard Barnes]

Well, the things that have happened tonight, it certainly got me confused. Has it, Marvin? Yes. What are you doing with that lipstick? Just decorating a few cigarette stubs, Ms. Glass, huh? Sally has a good taste in lipstick, hasn't she?

[Ms. Brown]

Sally who? Sally. Bitch.

[Richard Barnes]

Take that gun.

[Ms. Brown]

What are you.

[Richard Barnes]

On my way down the hall, some guy opened his door and asked me if I heard pistol shots. I turned my head and said, yeah.

[Ms. Brown]

I thought I did.

[Richard Barnes]

I got back to the office building at three minutes after nine. The gun was still in my pocket. I wasn't going to dump it any place where somebody would find it. I got into the basement of our building and ducked the gun behind one of the boilers. There was dust an inch thick on him. No one had been around there in 40 years. I got up to the office at six minutes after nine. I took off my coat. I slumped down on my chair. I felt fine. And four minutes later, Ms. Brown remembered me.

[Ms. Brown]

Hmm. Yeah. What is it? Ten after nine, Mr. Barnes?

[Richard Barnes]

So soon, huh?

[Ms. Brown]

Oh, gosh.

[Richard Barnes]

Seems like I just closed my eyes. And that's all there was to her. They found Marvin a couple of hours later and there was a big investigation. But they never found a trace of the person they were looking for. A girl known only as Sally. Created quite a sensation. The sanctimonious Mr. Marvin Rice murdered in a love nest. Everyone was so shocked. My wife, Ellen couldn't get over it. And we all pitied poor, dear Francis. No one could understand it. But the guy who could understand it least of all was poor Inspector Norris.

[Ms. Brown]

Who'D been assigned to the case.

[Richard Barnes]

It's driving me nuts. Barnes. Dame doesn't just vanish in a puff of smoke, you know. There's still no trace of it. Nothing. I trace back everything Rice did for the whole week after the murder. Everywhere I turn, I see evidence of Sally, but not one person who ever saw her.

[Ms. Brown]

Mm.

[Richard Barnes]

Well, what are you gonna do? What am I gonna do? I don't care where I have to go or how long it takes. I'm gonna keep looking for it, and I'll find her. You see if I don't. And he did look for quite a while, too. And then he gave it up for fresher, less complicated murders. I became full owner of the company, and life was very good. That is, until three months ago. That morning I came down to work, and Ms. Brown, who is my secretary now, was waiting for me with a funny look on her face.

[Ms. Brown]

Mr. Barnes? Yeah? Someone called you last night after you left and again this morning.

[Richard Barnes]

Yeah. Who?

[Ms. Brown]

Well, she. She said her name was Sally, Mr. Barnes.

[Richard Barnes]

Sally.

[Ms. Brown]

And that she had to see you sometime. With.

[Richard Barnes]

Sally called? How could she? You're lying.

[Ms. Brown]

I'm not lying. Well, why should I lie?

[Richard Barnes]

How could it be Sally?

[Ms. Brown]

Don't you think you'd better go to the police? Mr. Garnes, please. Wasn't Sally the name of the girl they think killed Mr. Rice?

[Richard Barnes]

Yes. Yes, but I. Yes?

[Ms. Brown]

Dick, this is Ellen.

[Richard Barnes]

What do you want?

[Ms. Brown]

My goodness, you didn't bite my head off. I just called about the telegram.

[Richard Barnes]

A what?

[Ms. Brown]

The telegram you sent. I got it about an hour ago.

[Richard Barnes]

I didn't send a telegram.

[Ms. Brown]

But of course you did, telling me you wouldn't be home tonight. I'll read it to you. Won't be home tonight. Busy on new Camelot.

[Richard Barnes]

When did you get that telegram?

[Ms. Brown]

I told you, about an hour ago. But you must have sent it to you. Your name is on it.

[Richard Barnes]

I don't care whose name is on it. I'll be home tonight, you understand? I grabbed a taxi and headed for the police department. I felt like a guy in the middle of a nightmare. What was going on? Well, that cop Norris was pretty smart. He'd find out who was behind this. And then it hit me. Right between the eyes. I couldn't go to the cops. Whoever was doing this knew that I'd killed Marvin. Hey, cabbie. Never mind the police station. Take me back to my office.

[Ms. Brown]

Well, Mr. Barnes, did you go to the police? Huh?

[Richard Barnes]

Yeah. Yeah, they. They said they'll make a complete investigation.

[Ms. Brown]

She called again while you were gone.

[Richard Barnes]

Who?

[Ms. Brown]

Sally.

[Richard Barnes]

What does her voice Sound like, Ms. Brown? Well, it's sound like Ellen's or Mrs. Rice's.

[Ms. Brown]

No. Why should I skip it?

[Richard Barnes]

Any other calls?

[Ms. Brown]

A couple of business calls and. Oh yes, the Acme Ticket Agency.

[Richard Barnes]

Acme Ticket Agency? Yes.

[Ms. Brown]

They were able to get you two tickets to the Ice Follies. They'll hold them for you until 8:00'. Clock.

[Richard Barnes]

Oh, that's very kind of them. Especially since I didn't order the tickets.

[Ms. Brown]

Well, then who did?

[Richard Barnes]

I don't know. I'll get it.

[Ms. Brown]

Yes, this is the room clerk at the Bartlett Hotel. I'd like to speak to Mr. Barnes.

[Richard Barnes]

Mr. Barnes? What do you want?

[Ms. Brown]

You may just wish to confirm your reservation for tonight, Mr. Barnes.

[Richard Barnes]

My reservation? Yes.

[Ms. Brown]

Room 612 will be available at your request.

[Richard Barnes]

612? But I didn't request anything.

[Ms. Brown]

I beg your pardon, sir.

[Richard Barnes]

Wait, wait. Yes, it slipped my mind. I'm sorry. Room 612 will be fine. I'll be there tonight. I had to go to the hotel and wait for Sally, whoever Sally turned out to be. Because if I didn't, I'd never be safe again. But when my Sally came to the hotel tonight, she wouldn't find me shivering under the bed. She'd find me waiting with my gun. I went down to the boiler room of the office building and dug it out. Four bullets left. Then I went out and had a couple of drinks. After that I did a crazy thing. I went to the cemetery where Marvin was buried. He was still there, of course, and I felt like a jerk for even going. I got to the Bartlett hotel lobby at 7:30 in the evening. The drinks were wearing off. I didn't feel any too good.

[Ms. Brown]

Here is your key to 6 12. Thanks.

[Richard Barnes]

Did Mrs. Barnes show up here? No, says she hasn't. But we sent the wine up just as you ordered. Wine? Yeah. I kind of expected it would be there.

[Ms. Brown]

When I got to the room.

[Richard Barnes]

It really took plenty of courage not to just turn around and start running. But if I did that, I was through. Somebody knew what I'd done. Somebody knew the whole plan. Whoever it was, was coming here tonight, probably to shake me down. I felt the gun in my pocket. There wouldn't be any shakedown. After the bellboy left, I looked around the room. I could feel my whole insides churning around like a washing machine. I saw some cigarette butts in the ashtray that was lipstick on them. It's Mr. Barnes. Look, you told me no one'd been up here in my room.

[Ms. Brown]

And there hasn't been anybody, sir. Don't lie to me. Who was it? I beg your pardon, sir.

[Richard Barnes]

There's cigarette stubs and the ashtrays. They didn't get there by themselves.

[Ms. Brown]

No. Has been up to your room, sir. The maid must have overlooked the ashtrays. You know, it's so hard to get. Efficient, healthy. I looked at my watch. It was 8:30.

[Richard Barnes]

If everything went according to schedule, there'd be a knock on the door at 10 to 9 and then I'd know.

[Ms. Brown]

I held the gun level, started for the door. But my legs weighed a ton.

[Richard Barnes]

I'm coming, Sally. I'm coming.

[Ms. Brown]

Flowers, Mrs. Barnes. Sir.

[Richard Barnes]

And the floor is just a little, sir. Looks like an orchid. It was an orchid all right. And there was a card in it. And the card read, to my Sally, without you, life has no meaning, love. Only this time it was signed Richard. I felt myself going to pieces. It was almost 20 to 9. Twice I went to the phone to call Detective Norris. But I couldn't go through with it. It would be like sticking my head into a noose. I started drinking the wine. That helped me a little. I broke the gun open. Everything was all right. I looked at my watch again. Fifteen to nine. I got up and went to the door. I opened it quickly and looked down the hall. The hall was empty.

[Ms. Brown]

I closed the door.

[Richard Barnes]

I was trembling like a dried up old man. It was almost time. I took out the gun and put it on the bed. It was 11 minutes to nine. One more minute if Sally were to arrive on schedule. Picked up the gun. I held it with both hands. I pointed it to the door. Okay. Okay. You asked for it. I don't know how long. I just stood there looking at the four bullet holes in the closed door. The empty gun was still in my hands. I walked in the door. Who would it be? Okay, Barnes. Just hand over the gun. Inspector Norris. That's better. Hey, wait. Harry. Take the stone to the laboratory right away. Give you any odds you want. It's the gun that killed Marvin Rice. Take your time. It's a gun. I killed him. That's the whole works. Inspector north. Completing every detail. Something for the reformers to worry about, isn't it? The menace of small signs nailed over cash registers. Then meant for that. I'd never thought up Sally. If I hadn't been for Sally, I'd never caught up with you. We're talking about. There isn't any Sally. Yeah, I know. But it took me some time to realize that. Remember what I told you? Didn't care where I had to go or how long I had the look I'd find her. Well, I looked so hard, I found you instead. But how did you know about the telegram and the orchid and everything else? It wasn't tough. I told you before. I checked back on everything that had happened to Rice for the whole week. When I realized there wasn't a Sally, I had to find another suspect. I chose you. You turned my own plan against me. That's right. It was a shot in the dark. When you didn't come to me for help after I started things going, I. I knew I hit the jackpot. Oh, one last question, professor. When did you find out there wasn't any Sally? When I started tracing back in Marvin Rice's life. That's where I slipped up.

[Ms. Brown]

Huh.

[Richard Barnes]

Well, I should have known no one would believe a smug, sanctimonious boar like Marvin could ever have another woman. Oh, but you're wrong there, Mr. Barnes. I knew Sally was a fake because during the investigation, we discovered the other woman. Her name wasn't Sally, and she had a perfect alibi. I'll get you. The other woman's name was ellen. Your wife, Mr. Barnes. Creeps that rings down the curtain on Dark Venture featuring Elliot Lewis. Tonight's performance in the mystery playhouse.

[Narrator]

You can listen to more from Dark Venture relic Radio thrillers alongside all of the other Relic Radio radio podcasts at the website relicradio.com. our shoutcast stream is up and running there as well, with even more old time radio lots to listen to, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links in the show notes. Thanks to those who have. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic radio thrillers.