
Today's Adventure: A truck driver is blackmailed into covering the identity of a hijacker and murderer. Original Radio Broadcast: August 9, 1949 Originating in New York Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding, Mandel Kramer as Peters, Ken Lynch...
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Welcome to the great adventurers 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 episode of CounterSpy. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one on one basis. Support.greatdetectives.net and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net well, now we're going to get into today's episode, which one of those titles I'm not a particular fan of, but I'll talk a little bit about why afterwards. More importantly though, this episode does mark the start of a streak of consecutive episodes in circulation. And this is a big deal because heretofore we brought you 14 episodes spread with throughout the first 384 episodes aired. So we're getting more of a sense of what it was like to live listen to the series, at least if you were listening in 1949. But let's go ahead and now from August 9, 1949, here is Blackmailed hijacker.
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Pepsi cola p e p s I. That's your smartest callaby. Pepsi Cola presents Counterspy. Washington calling David Harding. Counterspy Washington calling David Harding. Counterspy Harding. Counterspy calling Washington. United States counter spy, especially appointed to investigate and combat the enemies of our country both at home and abroad. Tonight, the case of the blackmailed hijacker. A Counterspy report to the American people. Brought to you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi Cola. Pepsi Cola hits the spot. Two full glasses. That's a lot. That's right. You heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12 ounce bottle. You're getting an extra glass full. And what a delicious glass full. The most refreshing, delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi. Tangy flavor. And that big, big bottle saves you money. Goes twice as far. Pepsi is America's big, big favorite and America's biggest cola value. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember. Why take less when Pepsi is dead? And now to count. Shortly after midnight last February 3rd, a heavy truck carrying 10 tons of high explosives to a government arsenal was rolling along a foggy, mountainous stretch of Highway 9W in eastern Pennsylvania. A driver, Larry Mason, held the wheel tightly. Hey, Vince. Yeah, Vince, can you see anything? Ah, the fog's getting thicker by a minute, Larry. For the love of Mike. Larry, if you got a whistle, at least change that tune. You know, we should have stopped before we hit this road, Vince, with that 10 tons of nitro we got in the back. One slip and my wife cashes in my insurance. Hey, Larry, up ahead. Yeah? Looks like a car skidded right across the road. I don't see the driver. Do you, Vince? Oh, well, we better get out and take a look. Maybe we can help the guy. Yeah, I'll get out on your side, too. Okay? You know, hold everything. Guy with a gun. Hey, what is this? Get away from that truck. This is a hijack, sweetheart. And this is a trick I learned in the army. Oh, God. Kick me, will you? Thank. Urgent. To all Counter Spy field offices, District 3. Mr. Harding now in Pittsburgh field office to take charge of following case. Truck hijacking last night. Highway 9W Eastern Pennsylvania. Relief driver Vince Dugan killed. Killer tentatively identified as one Sid Barlow. See Counter Spy file. Identification made by surviving driver of truck. Larry. Ma. Lock the door. For you, Carol. Oh, no, Larry. I'm only going to the supermarket. I'll be right back, okay? I've got to buy a lot of groceries, darling. It's got time to help me carry them back. Well, kiddo, I'm due downtown at the Counter Spy field office to see David Harding. I wish you'd let me go with you. No, no. I didn't want you to have anything to do. Oh, Larry's and ex conviction. Larry. Larry Mason. Oh, hello, Steve. Hi, Larry. Going downtown, huh? Yeah. Steve, this is the wife, Carol. Honey is Steve Kramer, chief truck dispatcher down at the company for six or seven years. Mrs. Mates and Larry hadn't ought to keep you to himself. Thanks, Mr. Kramer. Larry, I'm going on to the market. See you at supper, honey. Lucky you, Larry. Don't I know it. Going downtown too, Steve? I'm cunning. Hurry. Counter Spy field office, huh? Yeah. Nine o'. Clock. To identify the guy who killed Vince Dugan. How about a lift? Oh, you got your car, Steve? A friend of mine's got his right over here. Good. I happened to spot you, so we stopped. Good enough. Hop in, Larry. Good. This is a friend of mine, Mr. Marengo. Larry Mason. Hiya. Good morning. Are you in, Steve? Take off, Larry. I've been telling Mr. Marengo what pals you and Vince Dugan were. Was a great guy. Yes, it was an unfortunate accident, Larry. Wasn't an accident, Mr. Maringo. That rotten dog just shot Vince down. I understand the Counter Spies already picked up the guy who killed Vince from the description you gave him. Yeah, Character named Sid Barlow. All they need now is for you to pick the guy out of the lineup. I'll never forget that killer's face. I'll pick him out all right, Larry. Maybe you won't pick Barlo out. Why wouldn't I? Hang it on Barlow? If he's the guy, Tell him, Steve. Larry, three years ago, a con got out of the state jug in Ohio after a stretch for manslaughter. Truck accident? Yes. He comes here to Pittsburgh, changes his name to Larry Mason and gets a job with our company as truck driver under false pretenses. How did you know? Also, Larry, last year you married a very lovely girl. I'll say. But of course, you didn't tell Carol about your prison term, did you? Now listen, what Carol doesn't know won't hurt her, eh, Larry? Carol doesn't have to know, does she, Steve? Oh, Mr. Maranco. Nobody has to know. That's up to Larry. So that's the setup. Ah, Steve, it's a quarter to nine. We'll drive Larry down to the Countess by Field Office. Mr. Harding will be waiting for it. Mr. Harding. Here's Larry Mason. Mr. Harding. Good morning, Larry. Sit down here with Peters and me. Yes, this is Our lineup room. Larry, in a few seconds, several men will come out on that platform up there behind glass. Sid Barlow among them. Now, I want you to pick out the killer. Yes, sir. The lights are so arranged that we can see the men, but they can't see us. And they can't hear us either. Conway. Yes, Mr. Harding. We're ready. Conway, you can send them out. Yes, sir. Okay, boys, you want it on stage. There they are, Larry. Well, the second man from the left. He looks something like him. Take your time. Well, I'm not positive. Now, you know, I only only saw the killer from the side. Just a minute, Conway. Second man from the left, turn to the right. Second man from the left, turn to the right. He seems taller. You see the man you described to us the other day? Well, I'm not so sure now. You know, it was dark that night, Larry. Vince Dugan was your closest friend. You have a deep personal interest in bringing his murderer to trial. Sure, sure. But there's even more to this case. Recently, a number of trucks carrying nitrofituiline, a powerful explosive, have been hijacked. Yes, that's what we were carrying the other night. Larry, we suspect that some big international racketeer is shipping these stolen explosives to a dangerous anti American group in the Far East. Can make all kinds of international trouble. Yes, sir, I see. Now, if you can point out the killer, you will be helping us smash a dangerous international racket. Now, can you identify one of those men as the murderer of Vince Dugan? Mr. Harding? Heat. He's not there. Not the one who killed Vince Duvid. Mason, your original description of the murderer was an amazingly exact one. And detailed. You were eager to see him punished. I'd like to know what's changed your mind. All right, Mason, you can go. Hey, Larry, this is Steve. I left a message for you to call me. Listen, I made a date for you with Mr. Marengo. You better come. 8 o' clock tonight in this penthouse apartment. I'll pick you up. Larry, I want to thank you for not identifying Barlow yesterday at the counter spy field office. Keep your thanks, Marengo. Larry. That's no way to act, Mr. Marengo. There's nothing to talk about, Steve. You two got what you wanted. That was the deal. Yes, Larry, that was that deal. Now I have a new deal for you. Chance to make some real dough, Larry. Not the measly dough you get for pushing a truck around for our company. I'm satisfied nothing so stubborn as a reformed convict. They stay. Larry, I am scheduling you to take A load of explosives for the company tomorrow night to another arsenal at Bay City. Alone. That powder don't get to Bay City. You see, Larry, some of my men will be waiting to meet your truck on the highway. Mr. Marengo. Is it all set up, Larry? All you do is take one on the chin to make the hijack look clean. Nothing doing. It's no deal, Marengo. I paid you off. I did what you wanted and I'm through. Larry, what about David Harding? Harding? What do you mean? Larry, you did a very bad thing when you took the finger off Sid Barlow. You and ex con deliberately deceived Harding. You see, Larry, you have to accept my offer. My man will expect you tomorrow night. What's the setup, Peters? Larry Mason's taking a load of explosives to the Bay City arsenal tonight, Dave. Alone. It's a perfect situation for Mason to allow himself to be hijacked. But do we allow it, Dave? I tell you what. We'll set up observation posts all along Mason's route. Now, besides, you tail him in a car. Take at least three more men, armed for a capture if necessary. I'll keep in touch with all of you from the communications room. Mr. Harding. Conway reporting from Greenvale. Truck driven by Larry Mason stopped here 11:35pm while he was cleaning his license. I checked his speedometer rating. 22,000, 314 miles. Greenvale, 1135. Driving time checks. Mileage checks. Thanks. Conway. Adams reporting from Pine City. Mr. Harding, Larry Mason's time here 1:05am speedometer reading 22367. Hyman Milacek and Adam Peters and three men are tailing Mason's truck in a car ready for trouble if it comes. Keep an eye out for them. Peter is calling Harding from pursuing car. Something's up. What is it? Larry Mason has just turned his truck off the main highway. What's your location now, Dirk? Road Alternate 6A, leading up into the mountains. That's an even better spot for a planned hijacking than the highway. Peter, keep following. Keep me informed. Peter To Hardy, Larry Mason finished his run to the Bay City Arsenal without incident. You mean nothing unusual happened on that long detour he took through the mountain? Not a thing, Dave. The driver doesn't take a truckload of high explosive on a dangerous detour just for the thrill. Stick close to him. Let's see what he does next. Dave. Hey, Dave, wake up. Oh, Peter. I guess I dozed off in my chair. Waiting all night for you to call again. What are you doing back here in Pittsburgh? I Tailed Mason all the way back from Bay City. No trouble. Admittedly, it looked like a hijack setup at first, but nothing happened. He came back, left his truck in the main garage and went home. Larry Mason is a very puzzling young man. We'll have to find some way of unpuzzling. What the. Sorry I woke you, Carol. Oh, it's you, Larry. You said you wouldn't be back from Brook City until tomorrow. Well, we had no phone here. I couldn't call you. Darling, what are you doing? Where's my suitcase? It's in your closet. I'll get it. Larry, what's wrong? Well, I'm just taking my clothes. Larry, please. What's happened? Larry, you're in trouble. Now, there's no trouble. I'm just fed up with Pittsburgh. That's not true. You're running out on me, aren't you? Oh, Larry. Carol. Carol. No, honest, honey, I wasn't running. Listen, Carol, I'm in a jam, see? I have to get out of Pittsburgh now, tonight. I don't care what it is, Doc. Darling, if you'll just tell me. Well, there's no time to tell you. Will you come with me, Larry? You know I will. Oh, of all times not to have a phone. Look, I'll go down to the Crescent Airport and get tickets now, fast. All right, you pack, grab a taxi and meet me at the airport as soon as you can. Yes, and don't worry, honey. Everything's gonna be fine. Just fine. Patsy. Patsy. Crescent Airport driver, please. Yes, ma'. Am. Oh, will you help me with some suitcases there on the porch? Mason. Going someplace? What? Well, yes. Who are you getting a cab? Just a minute. I didn't. I told you to get in. Driver. Driver, this man, stop him. Okay, Palace, Go. All right, let me out of here. Do you hear me? Where. Where are you taking me? What do you want? I want you to give a message to your husband, Larry. A special kind of message, Mrs. Mason. The kind your husband will understand. What are you talking about? Mrs. Mason, the next time your husband is told to do something, it's got to be done right. No side roads, no standups. The next time he delivers, or something fatal will happen to you. To him too. That's the message. Now, Mrs. Mason. Just make sure he gets the message. Straight. Back to counterspy in a moment. But first, pets a caller pets a spot too. Full glasses. That's a lot. Lots more value. Lots more zest. Why take less when Pepsi's been more and more among fellows and girls, among mothers and dads? You hear that sane and sensible question why take less when Pepsi is best? No budget, no allowance Ever had a better friend than tangy sparkling Pepsi Cola because one big 12 ounce Pepsi bottle gives you two delicious drinks that's twice as much tangy taste Twice as much delicious Pepsi to go just twice as far that's why more and more families say why take less when Pepsi's best? Yes, families like yours and mine Families all over America they're all saying why take less when Pepsi's best? Pepsi Cola so delicious and each bottle makes two drinks it is certainly the cola for the purchaser who thinks everybody's drinking Pepsi does Compare it with the rest so much more and so much finer why take less than Pepsi's best? Today, tomorrow always get America's biggest cola Badu take home a carton of six, six big big Pepsi bottles. Insist on Pepsi at the store and say Pepsi at the fountain, say Pepsi at the stand, say Pepsi whenever you reach for refreshment Remember, why take less when Pepsi says. Now back to CounterSpy 7. Continental Airlines transferred to St. Louis, now loading at gate 4. Hello, Larry. Oh, Mr. Peters. Mr. Harding's in that car over there. He wants to talk with you. Well, I'm sorry. I'm in a hurry. Larry, Mr. Harding said he wanted to talk to you. Hello, K. All right, get him. Hello, Larry. I'm afraid you're not leaving town. Larry. Larry. What? I saw you buy two plane tickets 10 minutes ago. So you saw me buy tickets. Is that a crime? Larry, you're a material witness in a murder case. I could have you held in custody for this. Yes, I guess you could. But I'm not going to. Instead, we're going back to your home. When we get there, you and your wife and I. My wife? Well, she's got nothing to do with all this. Larry, a few hours ago, we received certain files. They explained some of your recent actions. Now, I want you to be completely honest with me. I was right along. Larry, we not only want to clean up this hijack case and Vince Dugan's murderer, but we also want to help you and Mrs. Mason. I tell you, she doesn't know anything about emergency flights. Mr. Harding. Peters. Car C8. Go ahead, Conway. Where are you now, Peters? Right outside Crescent Airport with Mr. Harding. Good. On that hijacking case. We just got a flash from City Hospital. A woman identified as Mrs. Larry Mason, Carol. Just brought into the emergency ward. She was beaten and thrown from a moving car. Said her husband was at the airport. I knew you'd gone out there. What's Mrs. Mason's condition, Conway? Very serious. She's been given sedatives. Can you locate Larry Mason? There. He's right with us. We'll head for the hospital. Step on it, Peter. Use your siren, Larry. Now, will you cooperate with with it? Well, the dirty rocker skunks. All along you've been trying to protect your wife, haven't you? That's right. He didn't know about your record. Did you? You know now I was a con? No, I. I never told Carol. And I was sure jerk not to. Okay, Mr. Harding. How do you want me to help? After we see your wife, I think you can start working back in that g. Hey, Larry, I want to talk to you. Yeah, Steve, I'm stunt you pulled taking a detour last night and ducking the hijack setup. I thought it was a good stunt. We're giving you one more chance. For your sake, don't disappoint Mr. Morango again. What's the deal? I'm scheduling you to take a nitro load to the western arsenal tonight. What route? Route 63 through the Elder Valley. Mr. Marengo's boys will be waiting for you in the valley. By the way, Larry, I'm sorry about what happened to that pretty missus of yours. Someday I'm gonna flatten your face for that, so help me. It wasn't my doing. It was Marengo's idea. Well, after this deal, Steve, we're through. Yeah, sure, Larry. Tonight you meet the boys in the Elder Valley and. And then we're through. There's the lights on Mason's truck. Mr. Marengo stopped down there in the valley. Your boy signaled it. Yes, Steve. See, I told you Larry Mason would show this time. Lucky for you, my business is too rich to take chances. Chances? I decided the truck will not be hijacked. Not after I set everything up and all your boys down there gotta do is go to work. You don't understand. It'll only appear that the truck wasn't hijacked. I don't get you, Mr. Marengo. Right now, Sid Barlow and the rest of my men are removing most of the powder from that truck they originally planned. What they leave will be used to destroy the truck and Larry Mason. Kill Larry Mason? Hey, it'll look like an accident, huh? We won't have to worry anymore about trusting him or not. Both he and the truck will be blown to bits. Mr. Marengo, this is something I gotta see. Oh, you'll see it, Steve. You and I both will. Ah, flashing the signal to me from up here. Everything's ready now, huh? Yes, Steve, in a moment. Hey, we shouldn't go near that exploded truck with the Maringo. Those other cars come along. Then we just act like horrified witnesses. Here's the road. And here's what's left of the truck. Careful, huh? Not all of the explosives may have gone up at once. See, there's still some flames. Some flames there, but not much. Truck. A very powerful explosive, is it not, thief? I'll say. Hey, are your boys supposed to be close by with the other cans of explosives? Yes. Barlow should be at this spot to report to me. Why isn't he here? Hey, take another look at the wreckage, huh? What's the matter? Here's where the driver's cab was. Only where's Larry? Where's his body? Peculiar state. Very peculiar. First your boys. No sign of them. Then no sign of Larry. Don't understand it. Are you sure? Nothing could have gone wrong. My orders were clear. Hijack the truck, remove most of the explosive, blow up the truck and Larry Mason with the rest. Yeah, but if Larry's dead, where is he? I'm over here. Mar. You hear that? This Larry? Impossible. I know his voice. He's alive. Over behind those trees. Get your gun out. I got it. I'll try to get him to show himself. When he does, shoot. Leave it to me. Larry. What do you want? Marengo? We want to talk to you. Come out. I'm hurt. I can't move. You got to go to here. Come on, Steve. Where are you exactly, Larry? You'll find out, but not till Steve puts away his gun. Not a chance. Now, Steve, do it. You can get it out again quickly when we get closer. Now, come on. Stop where you are. Why? What's the matter, Larry? I've got a gun, too. Stay where you are. Right in that patch of moonlight, where I can see you plainly. First, we're going to get a couple of things straight. What's he trying to do for it? What is it? Larry, you got to remember I know that Sid Barlow murdered Vince Duke. Yes, but. But what of it? And I know you and Steve got sore because I was foiling your hijack racket. You tried to kill me tonight by blowing up my truck. That. That was all a mistake. Larry. From now on, we'll be good friends and trust each other. Okay? Maringo. Steve. Hands in the air. Counter clies. Maringo, you're throwing counterfeit. All right, get the guns. Peter. I'll handle my ring. Go. All right, all right. See? See my My hands are down. All right, Larry, leave him alone. There he is, hing a nice murdering quit. You've done a good job all around, Larry, but you can leave him to us. He squealed. He trapped us. Maringo. Steve, Your whole plan went wrong. After we took your trigger man, Barlo and the rest of your mob. We set off that explosion. You what? Exactly as you had planned. Except that Larry left the truck first. From the things you admitted to him a moment ago, we've got enough to send you and all your gang away for the rest of your lives. When your friends drop in, be generous, but be thrifty too. Serve plenty of delicious Pepsi Cola. Pepsi's big 12 ounce bottle gives you not just one sparkling glass full, but two. Get a carton of six and serve 12 delicious drinks. Yes, Pepsi is America's biggest cola value. You get twice the tangy taste, twice the refreshment, twice the Pepsi. So why take less when Pepsi's best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember Pepsi Cola hits a spot. Two full glasses. That's a lot. Lots more value, lots more zest. Why take less when Pepsi's best? Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday. Same time, same station, 2 counterspy. Listen next Thursday for the exciting Counter spy case of the Murmured Minions. The seashore rendezvous between two men that changed the lives of thousands of women. The lone wolf swindler who demonstrated that words speak louder than actions. And the enormous lips that accused a racketeer a quarter mile away. Be sure to listen Thursday, day after tomorrow to the case of the murmured millions on Counter Spy. Tonight's counterspy program originated in New York and featured Don McLaughlin and Mandel Kramer with music by Rosa Rio. Counterspy is a Phillips H. Lord production for Pepsi Cola. Enjoy some Pepsi ice cold tonight, Friends. Drop in. Be generous, but be thrifty too. Serve plenty of delicious Pepsi Cola. Pepsi's big 12 ounce bottle gives you not just one sparkling glass full, but two. Get a carton of six and serve 12 delicious drinks. Yes, Pepsi is America's biggest total value. You get twice the tangy taste, twice the refreshment, twice the Pepsi. So why take less when Pepsi's best? Whenever you reach for refreshments, remember Pepsi Cola. Pepsi spots two full glasses. That's a lot. Lot more value, lots more zest. Why take less when Pepsi's dense? Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday. Same time, same station to counterspy. Listen next Thursday for the exciting counter spy case of the Murmured Minion. The seashore rendezvous between two men that changed the lives of thousands of women. The lone wolf swindler who demonstrated that words speak louder than actions and the enormous lips that accused a racketeer a quarter mile away. Be sure to listen Thursday day after tomorrow to the gates of the murmured millions on Counter Spies. Tonight's Counterspy program originated in New York and featured Don McLaughlin and Mandel Kramer with music by Rosa Rio. Counterspy is a Phillips based Lord production for Pepsi Cola. Enjoy some Pepsi Ice cold tonight.
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Welcome back. Well, the reason I don't like that title that has been given to it is it's a hijackers committing blackmail rather than a blackmailed hijacker. But at any rate, an interesting episode and our criminal's biggest step. It was pushing this truck driver too fast and too hard because essentially by being willing to lie to cover up his past conviction, he showed that he could be blackmailed. But it's a big leap from refusing to identify a suspect to actually participating in a crime yourself. And I think that he was not ready to make that late now of course he probably would have ended up dead as a result without the timely interference interference of David Harding. Well now we do turn to listener comments and feedback and we turn to Spotify where Dawn writes, seems like Harding can solve his spy problem by rounding up every very attractive female he can find. I need to go back and count how many femme fatales have there been in this series. It's a lot. And this was from the case of the Mexican Rancho. It's a funny comment I guess to read on this episode as it is one without any female villains. But I mean certainly there's a point. I would say that the femme fatale as this very big motif was hardly limited to counterspy. I think we've heard it on nearly every program we played on the great Detectives and certainly counterspy isn't like on the Pat Novak for hire level, so very common to the era. And then we have some comments on YouTube regarding the episode the recruited nurse listener writes, hi Mr. G. Thanks again for another great episodes. P.S. the commercials are so interesting. Well, thanks so much and say softwrites. Hey Adam, in addition to the bad guy who sounds a lot like Chuck Webster, the doctor sounds a lot like Raymond Edward Johnson and that would fit considering this is a New York production. Well, thanks so much. Say soft and I will admit that I'm not entirely sure because Raymond Edward Johnson did actually have a lot of voices that he did, so it's so I might pick up on one or two of them, particularly if I if I've been listening to something familiar recently. I remember that I noticed Raymond Edward Johnson on an episode of Boston Blackie just because I'd happened to listen to an episode of Crime Club, which he also hosted. But appreciate your comments. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. Thank you to Glenn Patreon supporter Since March of 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Glenn, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Saturday with another episode of Counterspot, but join us back here on Tuesday for Tarzan on the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio. On the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. We'll be back on Monday with the Saint. In the meantime, from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.
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Host: Adam Graham
Date: May 23, 2026
Original Broadcast Date: August 9, 1949
In this episode of Counterspy, titled “Blackmailed Hijacker,” Adam Graham presents a gripping Golden Age radio mystery centered on Larry Mason, an ex-convict truck driver who finds himself ensnared by his criminal past when forced to cover up for criminals and gets blackmailed into a hijacking scheme with deadly implications. The episode explores themes of coercion, loyalty, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of post-war America’s anxieties around espionage and sabotage.
Setting: A truck carrying 10 tons of high explosives rolls along a foggy Pennsylvania mountain road.
The truck is forced to halt by a staged accident, and a gunman emerges.
During the hijack, Vince Dugan is shot and killed.
Notable moment: The hijacker demonstrates military training with a disarming move.
“This is a hijack, sweetheart. And this is a trick I learned in the army!” (04:30)
After the attack, Larry is identified as a surviving witness and called to assist Counterspy chief David Harding.
Larry’s secret: He’s an ex-convict (served in Ohio for manslaughter after a truck accident), now living under an alias. No one—including his wife, Carol—knows except his coworker, Steve, and a racketeer, Mr. Marengo.
Blackmail: Steve and Marengo force Larry to acquiesce, threatening to reveal his past to his wife and company.
“Now listen, what Carol doesn’t know won’t hurt her, eh, Larry? Carol doesn’t have to know, does she?” – Mr. Marengo (08:20)
Larry is brought before Harding to identify the murderer, Sid Barlow, in a police lineup.
Pressured by the blackmailers, Larry falsely claims not to recognize Barlow.
Harding: “You were eager to see [your friend’s] murderer punished... I’d like to know what’s changed your mind.” (13:44) Larry: “He’s not there... not the one who killed Vince.” (14:00)
Harding becomes suspicious of Larry’s sudden hesitation.
“The driver doesn’t take a truckload of high explosive on a dangerous detour just for the thrill. Stick close to him. Let’s see what he does next.” (19:52)
Larry plans to flee with Carol, but she’s intercepted by Marengo’s men and brutally beaten, ending up hospitalized.
The message: If Larry doesn’t cooperate on the next run, tragedy will strike his wife.
“The next time he delivers, or something fatal will happen to you. To him too. That’s the message.” – Marengo’s enforcer (25:50)
Larry, determined to end the ordeal, agrees to one last explosive run.
Marengo and Steve orchestrate a plan: Larry’s truck is to be hijacked, most explosives stolen, and the remainder used to “accidentally” blow up Mason and the rig.
The trap is reversed: Counterspies intercept, swap Larry out before the explosion, and capture Marengo and Steve after they confess their plan.
“You tried to kill me tonight by blowing up my truck.” – Larry (34:44) “From the things you admitted to him a moment ago, we’ve got enough to send you and all your gang away for the rest of your lives.” – Harding (35:12)
“You see, Larry, you have to accept my offer. My man will expect you tomorrow night.” – Marengo (15:50)
Carol: “You’re running out on me, aren’t you?”
Larry: “Oh, Carol. Carol. No, honest, honey, I wasn’t running. Listen, Carol, I’m in a jam, see? I have to get out of Pittsburgh now, tonight.” (22:00)
Adam Graham (post-show): “It’s a big leap from refusing to identify a suspect to actually participating in a crime yourself... he was not ready to make that leap. He probably would have ended up dead as a result without the timely interference of David Harding.” (34:00)
Counterspy: Blackmailed Hijacker delivers a tense tale of a man trapped by his secret past and forced into complicity, only to find a path to redemption with the intervention of dedicated agents and the power of choosing truth and justice over fear. With its blend of action, psychology, and social commentary, it’s a classic slice of Golden Age radio drama.