Broadway's My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case (EP4745)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio: Summary of "Broadway's My Beat: The Harry Brett Murder Case (EP4745)"

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of Broadway's My Beat, host Larry Thor brings listeners into the shadowy underbelly of Broadway's nightlife through the lens of Detective Danny Clover. Set against the vibrant yet perilous backdrop of 1950s New York City, Detective Clover delves into the mysterious murder of Harry Brett, a talented pianist found dead on a revolving stage at the notorious 34 Club. The episode weaves a complex tale of jealousy, hidden motives, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

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1. The Crime Scene

The episode opens with Detective Danny Clover arriving at the 34 Club to investigate the murder of Harry Brett. The scene is depicted as a surreal tableau: a circular platform rotates slowly above the bar, a spotlight shifts colors, and Harry lies lifeless on the piano keys.

Key Quote:

"It's defined in the darkness by a spotlight that changed colors. And all of it revolving like a big toy, slow, round and round."
— Danny Clover [02:06]

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2. Initial Interviews

Detective Clover first speaks with Mr. Darby, the owner of the 34 Club, whose wife, Kay Darby, was romantically involved with the deceased, Harry Brett. Mr. Darby reveals that Harry was known for charming Kay, hinting at a possible motive rooted in jealousy.

Key Quote:

"Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay. That could be motive, couldn't it?"
— Mr. Darby [05:19]

Mr. Darby is evasive about the details of the night Harry was killed, suggesting he was elsewhere and offers a list of witnesses who saw him "communing" with something or someone at the time of the murder.

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3. Detective's Investigation

As Detective Clover navigates the investigation, he encounters Ray Richard, the club's drummer, whose erratic behavior raises suspicions. Ray’s interactions suggest a deep emotional turmoil following Harry's death, yet he vehemently denies any involvement.

Key Quote:

"I got a good why. Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay."
— Mr. Darby [05:19]

Later, Clover pieces together conflicting testimonies and discovers inconsistencies in Ray’s alibi. A crucial piece of evidence surfaces when Ray is found apparently drowned in the East River, but further investigation reveals discrepancies in his identification, suggesting he faked his death.

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4. Ray Richard’s Testimony

Detective Clover manages to locate Ray Richard alive. During their confrontation, Ray oscillates between despair and defiance, his drumming embodying his inner chaos. His demeanor and cryptic statements deepen the mystery surrounding Harry's murder.

Key Quote:

"I had to put it out. A death march, that's what's inside me. A jazz time death march."
— Ray Richard [07:05]

Ray admits to searching for Harry after the murder but denies any intention to harm him. His troubled state and connection to Kay Darby become focal points of suspicion.

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5. Search and Discovery

The investigation intensifies as Detective Clover follows leads to Kay Darby, who provides further insights into her strained relationship with Harry. Kay mentions her reliance on Charlie Walker, the club’s trumpet player, for emotional support, hinting at deeper entanglements.

Key Quote:

"A lot. He could play the piano like an angel. His fingers touched my arm too much when we talked. I hated the sight of him."
— Kay Darby [10:29]

Simultaneously, Clover uncovers evidence that Ray Richard manipulated his identity to obscure his involvement in the murder, including a falsified Musicians' Union card and a staged drowning.

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6. Revelation and Confrontation

Detective Clover assembles the evidence, leading to a climactic confrontation between him, Kay Darby, and the real Ray Richard. It becomes evident that Ray orchestrated Harry’s murder out of a twisted sense of possessiveness over Kay. In a final twist, Ray attempts to silence Clover to protect his secret, resulting in his own demise.

Key Quote:

"Man shot up like that, saw a little blood in your room. A mistake. Who was he?"
— Ray Richard [27:28]

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7. Resolution

With Ray Richard dead and the truth unveiled, Detective Clover wraps up the case, reflecting on the dark undercurrents of passion and jealousy that fueled the tragedy. Kay Darby, now free from her tumultuous relationship with Harry, contemplates the repercussions of the night's events.

Key Quote:

"He was too good to die, kid. Too good."
— Danny Clover [06:41]

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8. Conclusion

In the denouement, Detective Clover muses on the complexities of human emotions and the lengths individuals will go to protect what they cherish. The episode concludes with a return to the bustling streets of Broadway, leaving listeners with a haunting reminder of the night's dark deeds.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Broadway's My Beat masterfully intertwines suspenseful storytelling with rich character development. Larry Thor's portrayal of Detective Danny Clover is both compelling and nuanced, driving the narrative forward with keen insight and emotional depth. The use of music as a thematic element enhances the atmospheric tension, making "The Harry Brett Murder Case" a standout installment in the series.

Notable Quote:

"From the river, the vapors of night were beginning to rise in the distant moan of a ship as it entered into the horizons of night. And death had shaped itself a proper setting."
— Narration [16:18]

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Join Us Again

Stay tuned for more thrilling detective stories from the Golden Age of Radio as Detective Danny Clover continues to unravel mysteries on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

Sam.

[Larry Thor]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to get into this week's episode of Broadway's My Beat. But first I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I also do want to let you know that today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis using the Super thanks feature on YouTube by clicking the dollar sign there as you're watching the video. And I want to thank John for supporting the program that way. Thank you so much for your support. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net now from July 31, 1950, here is the Harry Brett murder Case.

[Adam Graham]

Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum the refreshing, delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment presents for your listening enjoyment.

[Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Adam Graham]

Broadway's My Beat, the thrilling drama of murder and mystery and the people who walk the Great White Way with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious. Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. The cool, long lasting mint flavor refreshes you. The smooth, steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum Healthful, refreshing, delicious.

[Danny Clover]

A time comes finally to Broadway when the emptiness is big, when solitude walks the street, arrogant and brave. It's the time when the neon carnival is wound down, when the blazing furnace of light darkens and grows cold. And on the pavements glistening with the tears of despair, the stragglers walk. They plead for a door to open, for a light to be turned on. Solitude is at their heels. Please, kid, for a friend. But it's no good, kid. Broadway's closed for the night, but there are side streets where it's never closed, where trumpets scream and saxes weep. In the 50s, for instance, in a little joint called the 34 Club, for instance, where I was, where death was. And this time it was a circular platform raised above the bar with a piano on it and a dead man resting his head on the keys. And all of it defined in the darkness By a spotlight that changed colors. And all of it revolving like a big toy, slow, round and round. And the man tries to explain to you why it wasn't turned off.

[Mr. Darby]

It isn't that we were sitting here enjoying the spectacle of it, Mr. Clover. It's just that in cases of murder, I read someplace you're not supposed to touch nothing, but nothing.

[Danny Clover]

It was going around like that when.

[Mr. Darby]

Before, during and after the murder. Hey, you got yourself a puzzle. How to figure out from where the shot came from with that platform going round and round and round.

[Danny Clover]

Turn it off.

[Mr. Darby]

I'm glad somebody finally came through with an order.

[Danny Clover]

There.

[Mr. Darby]

I'm a man who doesn't function Very well, Mr. Clover, unless somebody gives me an order. Spineless, that's me.

[Danny Clover]

Still, you manage this place, Mr. Darby. You own it too, huh?

[Mr. Darby]

Sure, but what courage does that take? The decisions are made by Kay. She hires the musicians, pays the salaries. That's my wife, Kay. You ever heard her sing, Mr. Clover? Like a dream. You don't talk about to nobody.

[Danny Clover]

She hired the man up there?

[Mr. Darby]

Absolutely. Heard him playing piano in some forlorn joint. Hired him on the spot. He was very great, that boy on the piano.

[Danny Clover]

What else about him, Mr. Darby?

[Mr. Darby]

What else about Harry Brett? He's dead with a bullet hole in him.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe you can tell me why.

[Mr. Darby]

Maybe I can. Wanna hear, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

Uh huh.

[Mr. Darby]

I got a good why. Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay.

[Danny Clover]

That could be motive, couldn't it?

[Mr. Darby]

Yeah. Uh huh, it could.

[Danny Clover]

Did your wife listen?

[Mr. Darby]

My wife Kay, You. You won't mind asking her yourself. You won't mind at all.

[Danny Clover]

Now tell me how it happened.

[Mr. Darby]

I Wish I could, Mr. Clover, but. But I just can't.

[Danny Clover]

Try.

[Mr. Darby]

Oh, it's no use. Because I was out in the sidewalk at the time, communing with something or someone.

[Danny Clover]

Has no name. There's something.

[Mr. Darby]

No. But I can give you a list of witnesses on the street who witnessed me communing. They know the look that comes over me. That's how they know. You want the list?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, but later you'll stick around so you can give it to me later.

[Mr. Darby]

I got no place else to go. Just no place.

[Danny Clover]

Who can tell me how it happened?

[Mr. Darby]

Jack over there. Jack Gage, the boy sitting at the bar crying because his friend is dead.

[Danny Clover]

He's sorry. The pianist is dead. Sure.

[Mr. Darby]

Somebody has to play a dudge at a funeral, don't they, Mr. Clover?

[Adam Graham]

Don't they, Harry?

[Danny Clover]

Harry. You were too good to die, kid. Too good. Mr. Gage, I have to Ask you some questions from the police. You have to tell me what happened. We were on the platform up there, turning round and round, playing good. Harry was playing so good at her Chin side.

[Kay Darby]

I still hear it.

[Danny Clover]

It still hurts. Just you and Harry were up there. Me on clarinet and Harry on piano. And the trumpet. The trumpet? Charlie Walker. Charlie, the trumpet and I, the clarinet were out. Harry took it away from us. Nobody could play against what he was doing. It Was it hurt that Swannie was shot? Yeah, there was a shot. At first I thought it was a drum, but then I knew it wasn't a drum because there's no drum in the number. The drum's out with the rum.

[Ray Richard]

Who talks about me, he talks about me when my back is turned out of my way. It's burning. I gotta put it out.

[Danny Clover]

Take a minute. Who are you?

[Ray Richard]

You don't know Ray Richard? I beat out heartbeats for the people on the drums. What are you, an agent?

[Adam Graham]

Hey, Jack, why the tears without tears?

[Danny Clover]

Oh, go die. Beat out your own march and go die.

[Adam Graham]

I'll do that.

[Ray Richard]

It was burning me up and I didn't know what. A death march, that's what's inside me. A jazz time death march. Hey, who died beside me?

[Danny Clover]

Harry Brett. He was murdered.

[Ray Richard]

I gotta play him into the other world. I gotta.

[Danny Clover]

Hey, you kill him, Jack.

[Ray Richard]

You kill him cause you love him so much.

[Danny Clover]

Look at that dirty rotten Jack. He's drunk. That don't give him the right. Listen to him play. Listen to that crazy, crazy man. You haven't told me yet how it was, Jack.

[Kay Darby]

Huh?

[Danny Clover]

Oh, about Harry.

[Adam Graham]

Well, there was this shot and Harry goes.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, like that. Oh, he puts his head on the keys and dies and nobody cares. Everybody runs away. Harry dies and they run away. Where did they run? Where did who run?

[Adam Graham]

Be specific. It's the time to be specific.

[Danny Clover]

The trumpet. Charlie Walker, who knows Kay Darby. Poor. Apartment Abette, right down the street, number 16. Call on her.

[Adam Graham]

Tell her I sent you.

[Danny Clover]

Tell her that.

[Adam Graham]

Yeah. What?

[Danny Clover]

K. Darby live here? You're who? Danny Clover. Police.

[Adam Graham]

All right. He'll be in the way, but all right.

[Danny Clover]

I was told I'd be able to find Kay Darby here.

[Adam Graham]

Who can find Kay Darby? Guys like you, people who come knocking on a door. Ask me about Kay Darby, I'll try to translate her to you.

[Danny Clover]

Let's not bother, huh? Where is she?

[Adam Graham]

It's a little late, isn't it? 3:30 in the a and the M the next room.

[Danny Clover]

Get her.

[Adam Graham]

If so, say you. But only because you got a badge tucked Away. Kay. Visitor. Kay. Man from the police. Kay. He wants to find you.

[Danny Clover]

Danny Clover. There's some things I want to ask you.

[Kay Darby]

Yes?

[Danny Clover]

About Harry Brett.

[Kay Darby]

Ah, don't mind him, Mr. Clover. Charlie here thinks anyone who doesn't play a trumpet might as well be making music with a comb and tissue paper.

[Danny Clover]

You feel that way, huh? Charlie? Charlie who?

[Adam Graham]

What's the matter with you, Mr. Clover? Been away from the world for six years. I'm Charlie Walker.

[Kay Darby]

Charlie blows a trumpet, you sing.

[Danny Clover]

Isn't that right, King?

[Kay Darby]

That's right.

[Danny Clover]

Why did you leave the 34 Club after the shooting?

[Kay Darby]

I was upset.

[Adam Graham]

She was upset. Leaned on old Charlie Walker for strength in time of need.

[Danny Clover]

You came here with Charlie?

[Kay Darby]

Yeah. I left word about leaving. Seeing Harry dead, I knew what would happen if I stayed.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, What?

[Kay Darby]

I'd want to keep looking at him lying there. I wanted to see him. What's it matter? Just that I left word that I'd be here with Charlie. So if the police wanted to question us, we'd be here.

[Danny Clover]

What can you tell me about Harry?

[Kay Darby]

A lot. He could play the piano like an angel. His fingers touched my arm too much when we talked. I hated the sight of him. Does that take care of it?

[Danny Clover]

Where were you when Harry was shot?

[Adam Graham]

Sitting with me at the bar.

[Kay Darby]

That's right, Charlie.

[Adam Graham]

Ah, why a mess about a lousy piano player?

[Danny Clover]

You hated him too, huh?

[Adam Graham]

From the top of his toupee to tippy toes, he was egotistical, vain, selfish, snobbish. He loved himself. Know the kind of guy I mean?

[Danny Clover]

He had me there. After that, a moth started to whir around the light bulb. We all saw it at the same time. We watched it. There was nothing more to say. Suddenly we all got tired and wished everybody'd go away. I walked Charlie out to the street. He hailed his cab, I hailed mine. I went home, went to sleep. The next morning, I went through the motions. Get up and breakfast and the morning papers propped against the sugar bowl and to work. Check in at headquarters and let them know you're calling on Ray Richard, drummer. Because when you saw Ray Richard a little while ago, he wasn't in condition to talk about murder. Maybe the morning would change it all. When I got to his door, Ray's hymn to the sun had a feathery quality to it. Ray looked better.

[Ray Richard]

Hi. Come on in.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks. Did I interrupt?

[Ray Richard]

No. Sit down. Me too. I'm woozy. Really woozy. Almost knocking over my drums.

[Danny Clover]

There's quite an outfit of drums you got there.

[Ray Richard]

Uh huh.

[Danny Clover]

I heard you play a Little bit last night. Interesting.

[Ray Richard]

Interesting? Why was it interesting?

[Danny Clover]

I don't know.

[Ray Richard]

I. I'm grateful you remember me. Because of my drums.

[Danny Clover]

Just that it was strange. Man gets killed and you react by.

[Ray Richard]

By doing this. By doing that.

[Danny Clover]

Uh huh.

[Ray Richard]

For Harry Brett, pianist. His phrase for his dying. See, I'm lucky.

[Danny Clover]

Lucky.

[Ray Richard]

And people, things, I react to them. Everything has its tempo. I don't need words.

[Danny Clover]

I see you.

[Ray Richard]

You a policeman?

[Danny Clover]

Look. Kay Darby.

[Ray Richard]

You know her? That's Kay. Exactly her.

[Danny Clover]

What about yourself?

[Ray Richard]

Me?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Works out.

[Ray Richard]

End of show.

[Danny Clover]

Not really that, Ray. I'm trying to find out whether you.

[Ray Richard]

Killed Harry Brett, not me. You're wrong about that. I mourned for him.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, I heard.

[Ray Richard]

And you left the club Later. After that, I took a walk. A skid row type walk. As the night. And the thing that happened to Harry needed that. You can't leave death quickly. You can't have it touch you and go home and forget it.

[Danny Clover]

Right.

[Ray Richard]

I had to do it gently. So I went back to the dying and the half alive. And I came home and tried to hold the feel of it, the tempo of it, with my drums. And I could let it go. But I couldn't work that out either.

[Danny Clover]

I was trying when I came up here. Yeah? Where were you when Harry was killed?

[Ray Richard]

I can't give you addresses.

[Danny Clover]

What do you mean?

[Ray Richard]

I had a half hour break from van stand. Boozed it up and a couple of joints around.

[Danny Clover]

Why didn't you stay at the 34 Club? They got a liquor license.

[Ray Richard]

It's enough to play there. I don't have to live my half hour breaks there.

[Danny Clover]

Are you glad Harry's dead?

[Ray Richard]

Doesn't make any difference. I'll hire another piano player.

[Danny Clover]

Did you kill him?

[Ray Richard]

No. Be afraid to kill.

[Danny Clover]

You've got a tempo for that too.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, I have. Would you like to hear it?

[Danny Clover]

Not now, Ray. But stick around your drums in case the yen suddenly hits me.

[Mr. Darby]

Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Come in. Tartaglio.

[Adam Graham]

Thanks.

[Mr. Darby]

Look tough in here.

[Danny Clover]

What is this murder of this piano player. It isn't fair to the ballistics department how this murder of this piano player was performed. Got them worried, huh? Yeah, indeed. This guy getting shot on a revolving stage.

[Mr. Darby]

How are they supposed to find out.

[Danny Clover]

Where the shot came from? Puffy, huh? You took the words out of my mouth. The shot could have come from any place.

[Mr. Darby]

The line of the bullet being a.

[Danny Clover]

Sea can to a revolving circle whose formula is PI r squared to the nth power. Oh, will you excuse me? That goes without saying. Thank you. You're welcome. I'm sure. Danny Clover speaking.

[Ray Richard]

I told you I was afraid. Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Who is this?

[Ray Richard]

Ray. Ray Richard, please.

[Danny Clover]

Drummer, of course. Of course it is. What's the matter with you?

[Ray Richard]

A guy's been hanging around out front.

[Danny Clover]

What guy? What are you trying to say?

[Adam Graham]

I just saw him come into the house.

[Danny Clover]

Listen. I don't hear anything. Ray. No. Ray. Ray. What is it? The shots and the scream held the tight blend of terror. And I wrote it, followed it behind the siren, gouging a channel through the streets. It took six minutes to get to Ray's room. The room was empty. No Ray, nothing. Correction. The room was flooded with music coming from a phonograph. That and a streak of blood on a rug, lending its own touch to the shrieking room. But most of all, it was the music. A record. I looked at it. Tempo for timpani, it was called. The room didn't need it. It needed another quality. The quality that came after violence. The tempo of silence, maybe of death. And wherever Ray Richard was right now, I had a feeling he was covered with it.

[Adam Graham]

To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The lively, full bodied, real mint flavor cools your mouth, moistens your throat, freshens your taste. And the chewing itself gives you a little lift, helps you keep going at your best. So for real chewing enjoyment that's refreshing and long lasting, always keep Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. Healthful, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum will make every day more enjoyable. We now continue with Broadway's My Beef, written by Martin Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Broadway is a place that can get excited about a lot of things. Joe Louis and war. Coming out of retirement, the terrible Turk pinned the referee at St. Nicholas Arena. And up in Central in Central Park, Robert the Rhinoceros had twins and had his name changed to Alice. Broadway stands in front of the Paramount Building and gawks at the Trans Lux. I didn't have it so good. Reason A pianist named Harry Brett was shot on a revolving stage in a nightclub. Reason? A trap drum player named Ray Richard had left testimony of death in his room. Reason I had to go to work. I called headquarters, had an all points bulletin sent out on Ray Richard, let them know I was on my way Back to the 34 Club. In the early afternoon, the place was bleak, without reason, pointless, like an old false face that hung on a dime store shelf for too many Halloweens. Kay Darby was sitting at the bar, making a pattern of Wet stains for the bottom of her glass. When she saw me, she looked as if she wished I'd never happened.

[Kay Darby]

Not again, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Why not?

[Kay Darby]

Many's a time I meet someone and say to myself, oh, not again.

[Danny Clover]

And you're telling yourself that now, huh?

[Kay Darby]

Sit down if you want. I only make the offer because sometimes breeding gets the better of me.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe I should tell you.

[Kay Darby]

Don't tell me. You want me to shiver when you point your finger at me and say I'm a suspect for murder. Save it. I wouldn't even shrug.

[Danny Clover]

Did you kill Harry?

[Kay Darby]

No, not nope. Look, you don't understand, do you?

[Danny Clover]

Understand what?

[Kay Darby]

About me. I'm trying to get it over to you. I'm being in a dull gray mist. I was getting ready to salt my beer with a tear when you walked in. Oh, yepper. This whole thing, this killing, it's going to break Lou to the nub.

[Danny Clover]

Lou? Your husband? You mean the publicity?

[Kay Darby]

He was just getting this little gin mill afloat.

[Danny Clover]

Now, tell me this, Kay. How close were you with Ray Richard?

[Kay Darby]

Drummer boy Ray?

[Danny Clover]

That's right.

[Kay Darby]

What would I want with him?

[Danny Clover]

You tell me.

[Kay Darby]

He's talented.

[Ray Richard]

I know.

[Kay Darby]

Once I was with him where people drink out of glass thimbles and listen to violin music. He beat out for my amusement. A rhythm with the fiddle, with pickle forks. What about Ray?

[Danny Clover]

He's missing. Maybe.

[Kay Darby]

Wait a minute. The bar phone. Yes. Yes, he's here. Someone from your side of the tracks wants to talk to Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks. Hello? Danny, we got Richard, Danny. Found him. Hold him, Gino. I'll be right down. Go by way of the east river docks, Danny. That's where they fished him out.

[Mr. Darby]

Drowned dead.

[Danny Clover]

At the docks. The heat clawed at the mounted policeman, at their horses, and they in turn clawed at the crowd. The crowd with the pale, sullen face rejecting the heat, the stain of heat on its body and its clothes, dodging, scurrying from under the hooves of the rearing, sweating animals. Because the spectacle of death was for free, the crowd would not be denied by man or beast or element. From the river, the vapors of night were beginning to rise in the distant moan of a ship as it entered into the horizons of night. And death had shaped itself a proper setting. And someone known to you moved across, had pushed his way through the supernumerary. Spouser spoke to you? Yeah.

[Adam Graham]

Come on, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

I'll get through the crowd. Where is he, Mugavan? Down at the edge of the dock. Boys have fished him out.

[Adam Graham]

Laid him out in one of the machine Sheds. All right, one side, one side, please. One more shot here, dear. Oh, will you please step aside? Damn. Here, dude.

[Kay Darby]

Down.

[Danny Clover]

Here.

[Adam Graham]

I'll uncover him. Oh, yeah, they shot him up good from up close and threw him in the river.

[Danny Clover]

How long did you say he'd been in the river? Oh, not long, Danny.

[Adam Graham]

Just long enough to.

[Danny Clover]

There's no blood on him. Yeah. Identification?

[Ray Richard]

Yeah.

[Adam Graham]

This Musician's Union card, Local 802, issued the river Richard driver's license issued to Ray Richard.

[Danny Clover]

This check from the 34 club signed.

[Adam Graham]

By Kay Darby, made out to Ray Richard.

[Danny Clover]

Description tallies in this gold longine watch.

[Adam Graham]

Danny, with the initials RR on the back. That spells Ray Richard, huh?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, I remember it. Do something for me, Muggleman.

[Adam Graham]

Well, sure, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Paul, headquarters. Have him pick up Lou and Kay Darby and a trumpet. Huh? A trumpet named Charlie Walker.

[Adam Graham]

Next time you invite a trumpet player, Danny, pick a spot with better acoustics. This offends the ear, this hole. Listen how it echoes.

[Ray Richard]

Hey.

[Adam Graham]

See what I mean?

[Danny Clover]

Uh huh.

[Adam Graham]

Reminds me of a dance crib I played once in Selma. All a bmi. Same acoustics, same type of studio response. I was playing the trumpet in a manner unknown to this world. And those Yokos just lay there like these stiff.

[Mr. Darby]

Stop it, Charlie. You're disgusting.

[Adam Graham]

What's the matter, Lou? You develop a set of taste all of a sudden?

[Danny Clover]

No.

[Mr. Darby]

Just that with all these dead around me, gives me the feeling I should commune with something. Why did you bring Charlie and me here, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

I want you to identify a body we found in the East River.

[Adam Graham]

Someone we have pleased or vice versa?

[Danny Clover]

That's a good question. Take all the time you need. I want you to be sure.

[Adam Graham]

The shape is familiar, but the face.

[Danny Clover]

It'S hard to tell, Mr. Darby.

[Mr. Darby]

I recognize the suit. I recognize it.

[Danny Clover]

You know who it is, of course.

[Mr. Darby]

Don't you? I've seen him wear it many times. Therefore, the body belongs to. To Ray Richard, of course. Ray Richard. I only hesitated because a man doesn't rush into a thing like this.

[Danny Clover]

What do you say, Charlie?

[Adam Graham]

Ray Richard.

[Danny Clover]

Recognize this ring?

[Mr. Darby]

Hmm? Of course I do, Mr. Clover. That's Ray's, all right. He partnered with me many times when he needed more money for more booze.

[Danny Clover]

All right? That's all.

[Adam Graham]

He was murdered, huh?

[Danny Clover]

Huh, Charlie.

[Adam Graham]

What makes Lou and me your darlings? Other people could have killed Ray, tossed him in the water.

[Danny Clover]

Like who, Charlie?

[Adam Graham]

Like the clarinet. Jack Gage. Like K. The song of Songs.

[Danny Clover]

By the way, Mr. Dombey, where's Kay? I've been waiting for you to tell Me? Why she isn't here. She.

[Mr. Darby]

She was at the club the last time I saw her.

[Danny Clover]

Why she's not there anymore. Upstairs, they say. She's not anywhere. Where is she, Mr. Darby?

[Mr. Darby]

You mean Kay's disappeared? You mean you can't find her? You gotta find her. I'm nothing without Kay.

[Danny Clover]

You gotta find her, you hear? I hear. And we will, Mr. Darby. Honest. We. Attention all cars.

[Adam Graham]

Attention all cars. 9:33pm Pick up K. Darby. She's 5ft 4 inches tall, weight about 121. She has black hair, dark brown eyes.

[Danny Clover]

Danny Clover? Speaking.

[Adam Graham]

You fellas looking for K. Darby?

[Danny Clover]

Who is this?

[Adam Graham]

Jeep Brooks. I run the KitKat in Harlem. She's here now.

[Danny Clover]

Hold her there.

[Adam Graham]

You come get her.

[Danny Clover]

We're late.

[Adam Graham]

She's gone. She's a long time gone.

[Danny Clover]

Where'd she go?

[Adam Graham]

She said she wanted to wear the music with. Real secret. I told her.

[Danny Clover]

Where? Where?

[Adam Graham]

Brick Wall Club Lenox. AV.

[Danny Clover]

Who? K. Darby.

[Kay Darby]

You been in here, been left.

[Danny Clover]

Where'd she go?

[Kay Darby]

I know. There's great piano around the corner.

[Ray Richard]

Maybe there.

[Danny Clover]

I said K. Darby. I, you know, was. But not now. You know where she went? Yeah, I know all right. Where?

[Adam Graham]

What she was looking for.

[Danny Clover]

Where? Room upstairs.

[Adam Graham]

All the way upstairs, far as you can go.

[Danny Clover]

One room on the last floor.

[Adam Graham]

Try.

[Danny Clover]

K. K. She stood there before me in the corridor, blocking the open door, her eyes closed, head moving back and forth to the rhythm of her wordless song. The music that came from the room and back of her trainer touched her, bowled over her.

[Kay Darby]

What do you want here?

[Danny Clover]

You found him, huh? Okay.

[Kay Darby]

He won't let me in. He and the other two.

[Danny Clover]

Uhhuh.

[Kay Darby]

They're worshiping something in there. They won't let anybody in, but I'll wait.

[Danny Clover]

Get out of the way, K. No. Get out of the way, you two. Hello, ray.

[Ray Richard]

Hi. Hi, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

We've been looking for you, Ray.

[Ray Richard]

That's funny. I didn't think you would be.

[Danny Clover]

You made a mistake, Ray.

[Ray Richard]

Me?

[Danny Clover]

Uh huh. Man shot up like that, saw a little blood in your room. A mistake. Who was he?

[Ray Richard]

Nothing. I looked for a man who was nothing.

[Danny Clover]

I found him on that walk you took in skid row.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah.

[Danny Clover]

That's when a derelict of the same size and build, you switch clothes with him, watch ring, kill him and throw him in the river with your identification.

[Ray Richard]

Yeah, and didn't fool you, huh?

[Danny Clover]

At least the pianist, Harry Brett, did he need killing too, Ray?

[Ray Richard]

Uh huh. Kay hated him. He bothered her. I like Kay around me.

[Danny Clover]

She likes it too.

[Ray Richard]

Loves it.

[Danny Clover]

Let's go.

[Ray Richard]

Loves it.

[Adam Graham]

Loves it.

[Danny Clover]

I didn't stop at Ray's frenzy. The girl stood in the doorway watching him. In a little while, she came into the room and sat at his feet. Then it was over. All over. The nighttime leaps down on Broadway. The revelers swarm the streets to embrace it. Laughter pours into the shadowed places. And for a time, kid, no despair, just explosions and the sweet promise and have a drink on me for a time, for a little time, it's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, my beat.

[Adam Graham]

Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. You feel better, work better, get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some helpful, refreshing Wrigley Spearmint chewing Gum handy. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley's Spearmint chewing Gum. The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum, hope you've enjoyed tonight's story and that you're enjoying Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at the same time when Detective Danny Clover returns again with Broadway's My Beat. Broadway's My Beat, Brought to you by Wrigley Spearmint Gum is produced by and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed and conducted by Alexander Curry. The program is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Larry Thor]

Welcome back. This is such a great atmospheric episode with a fantastic setup for the murder on this rotating stage. And I thought the drummer as the killer was an interesting choice. And I love the way that they use music throughout this, particularly in the way that the drummer had notes, you know, tempos for everything, in the way he played. Very unique approach, as is having the fetal fall form. I mean, it's unique because he's a drummer. Nothing against drummers, but usually I think when it comes to murderers, you know, you have singers or piano players or orchestra leaders, but I can't remember a drummer being done like this. And I think that it was just very well done and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want to go ahead and thank Steve Patreon supporter since May of 2020. Currently supporting the podcast at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Steve. And that will do it for today. If you are enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification. We will be back in two weeks with another episode of Broadway's My Beat with our recording break next week, but join us back here tomorrow for our corrections episode with Casey Crom. Photographer Ware.

[Adam Graham]

Another shot of a dead man from another angle. He made a quick trip. Just a second, Annie. I'll let you in.

[Danny Clover]

What? Who are you? Who are you? Larkin's the name. I want to see depavel.

[Adam Graham]

He isn't here. He'd better be here.

[Danny Clover]

And he'd better see me.

[Adam Graham]

Out of my way.

[Danny Clover]

Wait a minute.

[Adam Graham]

I said out of my way. I don't like being pushed around like that, mister. That's too bad. Tough, huh? Plenty.

[Danny Clover]

Now go tell the Pavel I'm here.

[Adam Graham]

For the stuff he promised. What stuff? He knows. Just tell him. Horseshoe.

[Danny Clover]

Larkin's here. Oh, I've heard of you.

[Adam Graham]

You're one of the gambling racket guys I never ran into before.

[Danny Clover]

On your way, get the pebble.

[Adam Graham]

I'll take you to the Pavel. Step into the library here.

[Danny Clover]

Okay. There he is.

[Larry Thor]

What?

[Adam Graham]

I'm afraid he isn't going to give you the stuff he promised. When did this happen? Not very long ago.

[Danny Clover]

Did you.

[Adam Graham]

No, I didn't kill him. Maybe the guy over here did.

[Danny Clover]

Artie?

[Adam Graham]

Mason. You know Mason?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Adam Graham]

He's drunk, passed out. It kind of looks that way. How do you fit into this? Just happen to be waiting for a bus that runs Right.

[Larry Thor]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box 13. Great. Detectives.net follow us on Twitter Radio Detectives. Check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.