Charlie Chan: The Landini Murder Case: Blind Sight and Blackmail (EP4690)

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Charlie Chan: The Landini Murder Case: Blind Sight and Blackmail (EP4690)
Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Adam Graham, Radio Detective Podcasts

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Overview

In this gripping installment of the Charlie Chan series from The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents "The Landini Murder Case: Blind Sight and Blackmail." Set in the Golden Age of Radio, the episode delves into a complex murder investigation led by the astute Inspector Charlie Chan. The narrative weaves through a web of deceit, hidden motives, and cultural tensions, providing listeners with an engaging mystery to unravel alongside Chan.

Plot Summary

The episode centers around the mysterious murder of Ellen Landini, an opera singer with multiple ex-husbands. As Inspector Charlie Chan investigates, suspicion circulates among various characters connected to Landini:

• Ward Leider: One of Landini's ex-husbands.
• Dr. Swan: Involved in shady dealings with Landini.
• Romano: Another ex-husband with potential motives.
• Leslie Beaton and Hugh: Siblings entangled in the mystery.
• A.H. Singh: Ward's servant, whose suspicious activities the night of the murder raise red flags.
• Ireland: Landini's pilot, who claims innocence amidst taunting from his wife, Cecile.

Throughout the investigation, Chan employs his keen observational skills and cultural wisdom to piece together clues, leading to revelations about hidden relationships and ulterior motives.

Key Characters and Interactions

• Inspector Charlie Chan: The protagonist detective renowned for his intellect and cultural insight.

  "Madame Landini was dead before that shot was fired."
  — Charlie Chan (04:50)

• Mr. Ryder: An associate of Chan, skeptical of traditional evidence like fingerprints, relying instead on personal interactions and observations.

  "I study people. Fingerprints."
  — Mr. Ryder (11:42)

• Cecile: Ireland's wife, whose statements add complexity to the investigation.

  "I did not kill you, Monsieur Chan. I speak violence. It was, as you say, manner of speech."
  — Cecile (04:16)

• Dr. Swan: A suspect involved in blackmailing Landini, whose motives become increasingly suspect.

  "Dr. Swan, can you remember what you did see as you looked into study?"
  — Inspector Chan (06:24)

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

1. Charlie Chan on Cultural Insight:

   "He who chooses in freedom the path, he must follow it to the end."
   — Inspector Chan (12:52)

2. Mr. Ryder on Personal Struggles:

   "He must have had the honor and pleasure of raising for Dudley."
   — Mr. Ryder (14:24)

3. Inspector Chan on Blackmail and Morality:

   "Blackmail is more than crime. It is also sin. To be entrusted with secret is to be honest."
   — Inspector Chan (25:34)

4. Adam Graham’s Commentary on Identity:

   "He and the old sheriff developed this deep theory of the psychology of why Austin committed the murder, even though it didn't make sense for the goal that he was supposedly wanting to succeed."
   — Adam Graham (Post 26:31)

Themes and Insights

Cultural Identity and Alienation:
Inspector Chan's reflections reveal his struggle with cultural identity, feeling caught between Chinese traditions and American society. This internal conflict adds depth to his character and highlights the universal theme of belonging.

"He and the old sheriff went completely off the rail. They developed this deep theory of the psychology of why Austin committed the murder..."
— Adam Graham (26:31)

Methodology in Investigation:
The contrast between Chan's traditional investigative methods and Mr. Ryder's reliance on personal judgment over scientific evidence underscores differing philosophies in detective work. Chan's wisdom and cultural understanding complement Ryder's intuitive approach, creating a dynamic investigative duo.

Moral Ambiguity and Blackmail:
Dr. Swan's involvement in blackmail introduces moral complexity, portraying how personal vendettas and unethical behavior can intertwine with criminal acts. Chan's discourse on blackmail elevates it from a mere crime to a sin, emphasizing the ethical implications of betrayal and coercion.

Host Commentary

After the drama, Adam Graham provides insightful commentary that enriches the listener's understanding of the episode. He praises the exploration of cultural identity, relating it to modern experiences of alienation and the struggle to fit into societal norms. Graham also critiques the characters' investigative approaches, highlighting the tension between empirical evidence and intuitive judgment.

"There are some folks who live like that, and then there are others who will kind of twist themselves into whatever shape it takes to fit in..."
— Adam Graham (Post 26:31)

Graham further delves into the psychological motivations behind the characters' actions, particularly focusing on A.H. Singh's motives and regrets, adding layers to the narrative that go beyond surface-level mystery.

Conclusion

"The Landini Murder Case: Blind Sight and Blackmail" offers a compelling blend of mystery, cultural exploration, and character-driven storytelling. Inspector Charlie Chan's methodical investigation, combined with Adam Graham's incisive commentary, provides listeners with both an engaging narrative and thoughtful reflections on deeper societal themes. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, this episode delivers a rich listening experience that captures the essence of old-time radio detective dramas.

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Transcript

[Adam Graham]

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 bring you this week's installment in the Charlie Chan series. But before we get started, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I want to encourage you to check out our other podcast. And this week I'm highlighting public domain Video Theory Theater. You can view [e-mail] in the Apple podcast store on our YouTube channel. Now on Spotify. It's the companion podcast to this one with public domain TV shows and movies. Most recently, we have an episode of Dragnet which guest starred Lee Marvin. So check that out videotheater.gr great detectives.net and check out all of our podcast at the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. But now, from 1935 or 1936, here are the next two chapters. Blindside and Blackmail.

[Charlie Chan]

The most delightfully fascinating character in the realms of mystery, Charlie Chan. As Charlie Chan's investigation of the murder of Ellen Landini proceeds, suspicion falls in turn upon Ward Leider, Dr. Swan and Romano, all ex husbands of the opera singer. Suspicion falls too, upon Leslie Beaton and her brother Hugh. Also upon AH Singh, servant to ward, whose activities the night in question were most unusual. Ireland, Landini's pilot could have shot Landini from the plane as he landed. And while Inspector Chan is questioning him, his wife, Cecile taunts him with stunting his plane to give Landini a thrill. Ireland retorts, you were mad with jealousy. Cecile says, yes, mad enough to kill her. Inspector Chan, accompanied by young Holt, the sheriff, leads Cecile to the living room for further questioning.

[Inspector Chan]

Cecile, I am fully understanding in matter. You may have said, I was mad enough to kill her as merely, shall we say, figure of speech. But other police, you understand, will not be likely to view speech in similar manner.

[Cecile]

Oh, I did not kill you, Monsieur Cham. I. I speak violence. I was sight. It was, as you say, manner of speech.

[Inspector Chan]

Mr. Ryders. You were looking from windows. Did you see Cecile outside house?

[Charlie Chan]

I did not.

[Mr. Ryder]

Not only that, I saw Cecile coming down the stairs to the upper hall.

[Charlie Chan]

After the shot was fired.

[Mr. Ryder]

He could neither have been outside nor.

[Charlie Chan]

In the study when the shot was fired.

[Inspector Chan]

You are forgetting something, Mr. Ryder. And that is, I think it is well, Sheriff, that we impart facts to the entire group. Perhaps this will lead to further elucidation. Will you be so kind?

[Charlie Chan]

You see, Madame Landini was dead before that Shot was fired.

[Inspector Chan]

What?

[Mr. Ryder]

What was that you said?

[Charlie Chan]

Landini was killed about four minutes before you heard the shot.

[Mr. Ryder]

The sound of the real shot was.

[Charlie Chan]

Drowned by the noise of the airplane motor. The shot you heard was a blind to mislead.

[Mr. Ryder]

Somehow I don't know whether or not.

[Inspector Chan]

To believe that somehow, Mr. Ryder, makes little difference your belief. We are dealing with things as they were.

[Cecile]

Monsieur Charlie. I can explain every little thing I did. I did not kill Langine. I was mad. I told you before. She sent me her blanket. I do not go. I hear my husband make this turn over the house. I know he do it for her. Lanzine. I stand weeping on backstairs. The coke she seen was killed four even five minutes before shot. I could not be. I was gone from studying more than 10 minutes. But this one hit me downstairs when I placed the north booth in the born in dining room.

[Mr. Ryder]

That is perfectly true.

[Cecile]

And Mr. Ward, he meet me on backstairs when I go to kitchen. Mr. Ryder, he sees me when I come downstairs after shut. How could I make what you call murder? And I saw Cecile when she left the study.

[Inspector Chan]

You have many champions, Cecil. That is reward for cheerful countenance and bright spirit. Do not spoil saying by such hasty, ill timed outbursts as I was mad enough to kill her. That is all. Now you may go to your room. Thank you so much.

[Mr. Ryder]

So, Ms. Beaton, you saw Cecile leave the study?

[Cecile]

Yes, I did. Dr. Swan.

[Inspector Chan]

One moment. One moment, please. Lucid. Dr. Swan, can you remember what you did see as you looked into study?

[Mr. Ryder]

I wasn't into study and I. I.

[Inspector Chan]

Did not say you were in study. I said what did you see in study? I didn't even look into study, Mr. Ryder. What have you to say to that?

[Charlie Chan]

You must have forgotten, Doctor.

[Mr. Ryder]

I saw you looking into the study.

[Charlie Chan]

And you turned and went down to the living room.

[Mr. Ryder]

You must be mistaken, Ryder. I did not look in the study.

[Inspector Chan]

Mr. Sherrod.

[Mr. Ryder]

Yes, Inspector?

[Inspector Chan]

My request that you take Ms. Beaton to study. I will join you in a few minutes.

[Mr. Ryder]

Sure thing. Come on, let's. Ms. Beaton.

[Inspector Chan]

You are not going to tell me, Dr. Swan, that Mr. Ryder was entirely mistaken?

[Mr. Ryder]

I don't know what you're driving at.

[Inspector Chan]

You are not going to say that you were never near study.

[Mr. Ryder]

That is exactly what I'm going to say. I'm sorry, Ryder, but you were mistaken. Or else you were trying to put the blame for the murder on my shoulders.

[Inspector Chan]

Don't be a fool, Swan.

[Mr. Ryder]

Why should I say I saw you.

[Inspector Chan]

If I didn't Please. Please, gentlemen. Remember that he who would throw stones must first reflect upon safety of his own house of black. Dr. Swan, Mr. Ryder's statement is corroborated by another witness. Someone else saw you at study.

[Mr. Ryder]

Who? Who else is lying about me?

[Inspector Chan]

No one is lying, Doctor. There's no accusation attached to being at study. That is, there was none to lose so vehemently denied fame.

[Mr. Ryder]

Now, look there, Simeon.

[Inspector Chan]

I don't intend to. Justice Swann, let me give you piece of advice. He comes too near to guilt, the empress who is tried. He comes too close to same, the emperor whose faulty rule is much denied. Are you inferring that nothing was inferred? My dear doctor, if you did not bring upon yourself by too fervent denial of inconsequential facts. That is all, Doctor.

[Mr. Ryder]

For the present.

[Inspector Chan]

Thank you so much.

[Mr. Ryder]

By joke. Well, I'll be.

[Inspector Chan]

Who?

[Mr. Ryder]

Who? Jarrett, the old sheriff.

[Charlie Chan]

Young Don's father coming up the terrace. How are you, Sheriff?

[Inspector Chan]

Well, John Ryder.

[Mr. Ryder]

I recognized your voice anywhere. How are you, old phynotep? Except for this enforced idleness while they investigate this murder. Oh, this is Inspector Chandler.

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, indeed. Great pleasure, Mr. Hoy. Much honor. Your honorable reputation is on lips of all domiciled at this place.

[Mr. Ryder]

Shucks me if you can. My reputation ain't nothing alongside of yours. Is my boy still here?

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, present moment. He is in study. Shall we join him?

[Mr. Ryder]

If you don't mind.

[Inspector Chan]

To be as you say. Be pleased to take my arm.

[Mr. Ryder]

Thank you, Mr. Chand. I used to know my way about the ward place pretty thoroughly.

[Inspector Chan]

But it's been some time, and I'm fully understanding. Mr. Holt. When one's eyesight is not as good as it used to be.

[Mr. Ryder]

Mr. Chan, I ain't touchy about being blind. Not now. Time was when it irked me to be reminded of it. But I barely get used to it in time. And I've had lots of time there.

[Inspector Chan]

Have been pity, though. Mr. Holt, wealthy mandarin who is blind. Gladly changed places his lowest cooling for opportunity to see.

[Mr. Ryder]

And left no lie with the perhaps.

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, I. I think it better. We will knock before acting study.

[Mr. Ryder]

Come in.

[Adam Graham]

Dad.

[Mr. Ryder]

Why, hello, son. I thought I'd better run up and find how you're getting along. Oh, dad, this is Ms. Leslie Beaton. Glad to meet you.

[Cecile]

Indeed, I'm very glad to meet you. Here. Don't you sit in this place.

[Mr. Ryder]

And thank you.

[Cecile]

I know you want to discuss lots of things. All right. I'll go downstairs.

[Inspector Chan]

Before you go, Ms. Beaton, remember our secret. You write again these Notes. I will tell one by one persons in this house that you have done so. And we will wait this out.

[Mr. Ryder]

You don't need me for the next ten minutes, do you?

[Inspector Chan]

No. Extreme necessity. No. You wish to?

[Mr. Ryder]

I thought I'd take my speaking out and show her around a bit.

[Inspector Chan]

Splendid suggestion. Indeed. Yes. Good for both of you. Run along.

[Mr. Ryder]

Well, I guess my boy told me most of the developments over the telephone this morning. Anything else to add, Inspector?

[Inspector Chan]

Not much. No one has alibis, but then two. No one very much more motive than other. Mr. Ward, of course, would be least likely since his only hope of tracing possible son was through Landini's help.

[Mr. Ryder]

Yes. The boy was telling me about Ward hearing that Landini had a son by him. Anyone else know about that son?

[Inspector Chan]

None but Cecile, who told Ward in first place, and Romana, who was lying.

[Mr. Ryder]

I guess you and me, Mr. Cairn, think along about the same line in a case like this. Ain't got much use for science. Myself, I study people. Fingerprints.

[Inspector Chan]

Celeste, listen to that. Mr. Holt. I agree. Not so much use in tracing criminals, but very useful in obtaining conviction.

[Mr. Ryder]

I understand you didn't get much from rc.

[Inspector Chan]

Afraid not. I. I have lost half of Arcane. My travel was covenant. I was ambitious. I sought success. And for what I have won. I have paid to fight. Am I accepted American? No. Am I Chinese? Not in the eyes of our kids. But he who chooses in freedom the path, he must follow it to the end.

[Mr. Ryder]

I. I wonder if you'll understand. I've been a friend of r. Sing for 50 years. I'd rather cut my tongue out than say a word agin him.

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Mr. Ryder]

But duty's duty. And it's my boy. You understand? Yes. I've been sitting here pulling something off the arm of this chair here. What is it?

[Inspector Chan]

Thought it was a light hairy, foul.

[Mr. Ryder]

And the color, man, the color blue.

[Inspector Chan]

Blue. Same as blue from blanket blue.

[Mr. Ryder]

And Beanie Hinda Singh for a blanket. He came back with a blue blanket for the little dog. He came back after you had found the body. You sent him away with it. Did you lay the blanket down?

[Inspector Chan]

No, Mr. Holt, he did not.

[Mr. Ryder]

No, Mr. Holt. That time he didn't. But can't help me. That blanket has been in this room before?

[Inspector Chan]

I'm afraid so. The host.

[Mr. Ryder]

I can see it all. Fetched the blanket, found Landini alone. Laid the blanket down on the arm of the chair. Killed Landini with her own gun.

[Inspector Chan]

Hided the place.

[Mr. Ryder]

Mixed the lids on the cigarette boxes. Tell me why he did it. Why he killed her, Mr. Chan, because he too knew a war boy. He did it because of his love, his blind devotion to Dudley Ward. Here. Put this quilt in an envelope and we'll compare it with the blue blanket later. But it ain't really necessary.

[Inspector Chan]

Quite, Mr. Holt. I. I'm afraid it's not at all necessary.

[Mr. Ryder]

That missing son of Dudley Ward was the first thing I thought on when my boy Don told me of the details. You see, I know the ways of these old Chinese. Are the boys of any family. Year after year, I watched old Sing looking out for Dudley Ward and his brother. A cooking and a slaving for em from the cradle to the grave.

[Inspector Chan]

Then, Mr. Holt, you are fully appreciative of my feelings in this matter. I come to find view of Mr. Roth Ward's request help him find his son. I stay to witness almost murder of Landini woman who bore that son. Now I am face to face the stern necessity of resting loyal servant. The faithful Crane 1 My own country.

[Mr. Ryder]

I ain't sure that I blame Zar Singh so much. He is about his beloved master's son. A son that he should have had the honor and pleasure of raising for Dudley. He hears Landini refused to tell of his whereabouts. He sees red, furious.

[Inspector Chan]

He hates.

[Mr. Ryder]

Hates with a killing hate opportunity. And he kills Landini.

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, Mr. Holt. And even Mr. Ward does not realize what was going on in that old Chinese head. But AH Singh did not follow his thoughts to their logical conclusion. So often that is Hui. He who diverts irrigation stream to ruin neighbors watermelon patch ofttimes forgets that in so doing, he deprives himself of water necessary for irrigation of his own watermelon. Singh forgot in killing Landini, he did away with only chance of finding that boy he so much wished to raise.

[Mr. Ryder]

And nine tenths of the murders committed are committed by people who regret it after their smoke has cleared away. Yes, Mr. Chand. It was Sing who come in here and kill Landini. And I would almost have hung myself before I said it.

[Inspector Chan]

Must admit that I have similar feelings.

[Mr. Ryder]

You reckon I'm right?

[Inspector Chan]

I very much fear that you are.

[Mr. Ryder]

One more thing. Before we send for that boy of mine to make the formal arrest. I notice a change in his voice. Yes, yes, he speaks a misbeatin, but he thinks of Leslie. He's all I got, Mr. Chan. And, well, he's not accustomed to women folk from the city and. And I'd hate to see him hurt. Maybe a word from you would.

[Inspector Chan]

In this case, Mr. Holt, your fears are groundless. He is lovely in heart as well as in look. He's been accustomed to sacrifice. He is raised younger brother. And she has.

[Mr. Ryder]

Here they come.

[Inspector Chan]

Did not hear anything.

[Mr. Ryder]

My ears are my eyes.

[Inspector Chan]

Come in.

[Mr. Ryder]

Well, we had a grand walk.

[Charlie Chan]

That's what we both needed.

[Cecile]

Yes. I didn't realize it, but it is what we needed.

[Inspector Chan]

Fear of possible reprisals all dissipated, Ms. Beaton.

[Cecile]

No, I. I can't say that I. Well, after all, it isn't exactly pleasant to have been in the room next to the murder and to feel that you are watched. Your personal belongings.

[Charlie Chan]

Say, what are you two looking so solemn about?

[Mr. Ryder]

You know what I said to you this morning, son? You mean about our Singh? Yeah, but you're all wrong. Now, just a minute. You know that our Singh appeared right in this room right after the murder? Of course.

[Inspector Chan]

And that he had blue blankets for little dog trouble?

[Mr. Ryder]

Sure I do. Well, if I was to tell you I found blue parts on that blanket on the arm of this chair here, what would you say? You'd say that the blanket had been in this room before Ar Singh appeared with it, Wouldn't it?

[Inspector Chan]

I might.

[Mr. Ryder]

Again, I might not.

[Inspector Chan]

What? What was that you said?

[Charlie Chan]

I had said that the blanket might.

[Mr. Ryder]

Have been brought into the room after the murder.

[Inspector Chan]

But you and I know that AR Singh did not lay the blue blanket down on arm's chair when he appeared in Broom. I sent him away. He still had blanket in his hand.

[Mr. Ryder]

Yeah, but they're both forgotten. One thing.

[Charlie Chan]

When we carried the body of Landini.

[Mr. Ryder]

Out of the room, we wrapped her in blankets. Blue blankets they were too. And it was our thing. Who fecked them for us? Boy, I ain't never been so proud of you before.

[Cecile]

Oh, I'm so glad. I couldn't think of kindly old arson committing such a horrible murder.

[Inspector Chan]

Mr. Sheriff, I take metaphorical hat off very thick head in admiration for your ability. And so thoroughly clear atmosphere.

[Mr. Ryder]

Well, I guess, Mr. Chan, that we kind of wandered into the wrong pew.

[Inspector Chan]

Wrong cue perhaps, Mr. Holt, but maybe correct church. Who can say?

[Dr. Swan]

I tell you, Doctor, I said nothing of the sort. I will not what you call tolerate this. I speak to Inspector Chan.

[Mr. Ryder]

Seems to be some sort of trouble.

[Dr. Swan]

Ah, Inspector Chan, I. Dr. Swan has been accusing me of saying that I saw him at a study.

[Inspector Chan]

He's so good as to come inside and close door. Thank you so much, Mr. Romano.

[Mr. Ryder]

Mr. Holt.

[Inspector Chan]

Father. Sheriff. Dr. Swan.

[Dr. Swan]

It is a pleasure.

[Mr. Ryder]

Glad to know you.

[Inspector Chan]

Sit down, please. What is nature of this agreement?

[Dr. Swan]

Dr. Swan is telling me that someone beside Mr. Ryder say he was at a study. I tell him what about it?

[Mr. Ryder]

He asks me what about it? Here I am practically accused of this murder. Because I was last one seen at study.

[Inspector Chan]

So sorry, Dr. Swan, that you jumped to such hasty conclusions. It is common fault, but particularly bad one in man of medical profession. Suppose you diagnose angina pectoris as acute appendicitis. Which is serious blunder. No, better that you leave diagnosis of this case to sheriff and your humble servant. You see, doctor, other people beside you were seen to leave study. Mr. Romano here.

[Dr. Swan]

But I never deny that I went to study. I never deny that I speak with landini.

[Inspector Chan]

Quite so, Mr. Romano. But you really never did explain why you went there.

[Dr. Swan]

I tell you before I go to plead with Landini. I tell her you cannot afford a new husband this time. I tell her you have not the money to keep up payments for settlement you make with me.

[Mr. Ryder]

And does that explain the money missing from Landini's handbag?

[Dr. Swan]

Indeed it does. I hear airplane approach. I know Landini. She rushed to window to sea plane. I plead with her. She opened handbag.

[Mr. Ryder]

She throw me the money.

[Dr. Swan]

She say, take this. I will send more from Marino. That is all.

[Inspector Chan]

So sorry, Mr. Romano, but it is not quite all. You left Landini alive.

[Dr. Swan]

But certainly if I had not, I should have a said so.

[Inspector Chan]

How long after leaving study did you have to wait before hearing shots?

[Dr. Swan]

It cannot be certain. Time has ceased to move for me. I am broken hearted. I still love Landini. She treat me shamefully. Throw me off like what you call it, old shoe? For in spite of our faithlessness, I still love her. That voice, that glorious voice. What could young Bitten do with that voice? Nothing, nothing. He's a baby. Need a stronger hand. Me, I can handle her. I say, young Beaton. Nothing but a passing fancy.

[Mr. Ryder]

That is all.

[Inspector Chan]

And you, Dr. Swann, have you made up your mind to tell us that you were in the vicinity of the study. A few minutes before shot was heard?

[Mr. Ryder]

I was not. I have nothing to go there, for I was ready to leave the house. I did not intend to stay the night. Come in, Mr. Chan. I've been doing some work on the plane. I ought to take her up. Thought if there was anything I could do over in Reno. Say, it's not much of a hop in a plane.

[Inspector Chan]

Not at the moment, Mr. Island. But your appearance is most timely. Well, it is said patience and the ripe melon will call of itself. You came at precise moments. I was about to send for you.

[Mr. Ryder]

Yes. Anything I can do, Mr. Island?

[Inspector Chan]

Night of your arrival. Night of Landini's murder. People in house all flocked to meet you when you landed. Your wife, Steele. Mr. Hugh Beaton.

[Mr. Ryder]

Mr. Wall. No, Mr. Chan. Not all of them. Mr. Romano didn't. Ms. Beaton didn't. Swan didn't. I should say not. You know what I think of you. And it's no secret what I think of you, Swan. No man can look forward to meeting with chauffeur who lumps to his wife behind his back. Oh, is that so? Why, you. If it wasn't for Ms. Beaton here, I'd tell you what I think of you, you rotten blackmailer. That's a lie. Oh, no, it isn't. They'll find it out sooner or later. Blackmailing Landini for years.

[Inspector Chan]

Yes, Mr. Island. What for? What did Dr. Swan blackmail Landini?

[Mr. Ryder]

I don't know. I know for how much. 250amonth. @ last. She couldn't pay. She told me. I told her to tell that buzzard to scram. And I guess she did, from the looks of what happened to her that night.

[Charlie Chan]

Blackmail. Somehow the word has a vile flavor. Not too much different from murder. But Inspector Chan, with an eloquent wave of the hand, has dismissed everyone from the study. We'll know more when he has thought more upon this latest development. After you've heard from your sponsor, Inspector Chan will favor us again. Well, Mr. Chan, what piece of Chinese wisdom can you impart to us this evening?

[Inspector Chan]

I have been pondering Dr. Swan's unforgiving blackmailing propensities. Blackmail is more than crime. It is also sin. To be entrusted with secret is to be honest. To betray secret is to blacken heart with badge of dishonor. But to blackmail this cowardly act to which Lois Snake, whose belly drags the ground, would not descend.

[Charlie Chan]

Very truly spoken, Inspector Chan. Thank you and good night.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. I forgot Ms. Beaton's brother in the census of suspects from last week. What can I say? You're bound to forget somebody in this group. I don't think the pilot's wife did it. Although I could be proved wrong. I did like Inspector Chan saying in his own inimitable way. Come on. We're having enough going on here without you having some ill advised outburst. I also liked when he talked about his experience of being caught between two worlds. Not really fully accepted. Or at home, either in Chinese circles or in mainstream American society. That sense of not fitting in and not being at home is a beautifully relatable idea. And it's true for a lot of people. There are some folks who live like that, and then there are others who will kind of twist themselves into whatever shape it takes to fit in and adopt all the ideas and practices that are associated with the identity that they most want to be at home with. And of course, there are people who tend to fit into whatever group you're talking about. And there can be this rigidity of demanding that everybody who wants to fit in and wants to truly be treated as an insider conform to every whim of their group thought. And so many people do find themselves in that situation where you're either true to who you really are or you put up a false front to fit. It's a pretty deep idea for this series, and I can't recall ever having seen it explored in any Charlie Chan film. Although I don't claim to have seen them all, though it has to be said that after that, he and the old sheriff went completely off the rail. They developed this deep theory of the psychology of why Austin committed the murder, even though it didn't make sense for the goal that he was supposedly wanting to succeed. You know, and this was the old sheriff who said he didn't care for evidence like fingerprints. He's just kind of like, I'll literally grab a thin thread and form an entire case on the base of it and conform my understanding of reality to it. Fancy policemen and their fingerprints, they don't have anything on that approach to evidence. I do seriously wonder how much Chan might have believed what he was saying because of the way Connally played it. You could interpret the situation that Chan let the old sheriff go off just so his son could correct him and he could be proud of his son rather than being so somewhat shamefaced at being told by a famous detective that he got it wrong. Because if that's not what happened, it's a bad leap of logic into wild speculation that could have been avoided by paying attention to the facts. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to go ahead and thank MCF Patreon supporter since March of 2021, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support and that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and rate and review the podcast wherever you download us from. We'll be back next Tuesday with another installment in the Landini murder mystery, but join us back here tomorrow for Broadway's My Beat, where why didn't you and Mario get married?

[Mr. Ryder]

You'd have been fine for him.

[Sheriff]

I would have. I asked him to marry me. A lot of times Mario wanted to. And you could have. On his police pension. But he had to take care of his family first, he said his father, his sister. They came first with him.

[Mr. Ryder]

Yeah, they would with Mario. Must have been tough for him after he got wounded on the force.

[Sheriff]

It was. Mario was a proud guy. Not everything was good enough for him. That's why it made me feel good. Mario loved me.

[Mr. Ryder]

What did he do before he got that job in the furniture factory?

[Sheriff]

Tried to get other jobs. There weren't any. He didn't have to work. We could have lived good on his pension and me working. But Mario had to keep Christina in that fancy boarding school.

[Mr. Ryder]

Help his father, his friends during that time. Who were they?

[Sheriff]

His father, his sister, Me. Not whoever it was robbed the payroll of the factory, if that's what you're trying to say.

[Mr. Ryder]

The night of the robbery, where was Mario?

[Sheriff]

He was with me. He left his post and came to me.

[Mr. Ryder]

Maybe he went somewhere else first. Maybe he was in on the robbery.

[Sheriff]

And then came to you for an alibi. You told me you knew Mario. You lied. You lied in your teeth.

[Mr. Ryder]

The factory where we worked, Carrie, where is it?

[Sheriff]

The Paul Dinsmore Furniture Manufacturer is in Brooklyn. Mr. Clover. You get along good with Mr. Dinsmore. Because he thinks Mario robbed him, too. Get out of here, Mr. Clover. That's all I ask of you. Get out of my sight.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comment to box13reatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.