Counterspy: The Stolen Car Racket (Rehearsal) (A0076)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Counterspy: The Stolen Car Racket (Rehearsal) (A0076)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: April 4, 2026
Main Audio Drama Date: July 27, 1946 (Rehearsal Recording)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Host Adam Graham presents a rare postwar 1946 rehearsal of Counterspy: "The Stolen Car Racket." The episode immerses listeners in the shadowy underworld of stolen automobiles and gang rivalry, anchored by suspicious sisters Mary and Cora Linton, and the machinations of mobsters spanning New York and Chicago. The drama is followed by Graham’s signature commentary, which provides context, critique, and a dash of humor for old-time radio detectives enthusiasts.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

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1. Setting the Scene: The Stolen Car Underworld

• Timeframe: Brooklyn, post WWII
• Main Characters:
  • Mary Linton, garage owner and ringleader
  • Cora Linton, her conflicted younger sister
  • Jack Taylor, car thief and aspiring mob boss
  • Sam French, new arrival from Chicago—rival thief
• Conflict: The episode follows Mary’s criminal outfit as they deal in “hot cars.” The arrival of Sam French threatens to upend the operation, as rival Chicago and New York gangs edge toward war.
• Notable Quote:
  • “For that 50 seconds worth, you're gonna get 250 bucks.” —Jack Taylor (06:06)
• Memorable Mary/Cora exchange:
  • "Mary, you know how I feel about Jack. And I know how Jack feels about you." (05:00)
  • “I'd rather go to work.”—Cora (07:36)

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2. The Double Cross & Gangland Tensions

• Sam French’s Scheme:
  • French seeks to ally with Mary but is suspected as an impostor—his identity is verified only after a tense confrontation involving dyed hair and a distinctive birthmark.
  • Quote: "My hair's dyed. I had to fool the police..."—Sam French (10:48)
• Mob Rivalry:
  • French admits Cicero's gang is his main competition. The prospect of merging or fighting for territory is openly debated.
• Plot Twist:
  • French takes Cora hostage to force Mary’s compliance, then reveals himself as the Cicero boss planning to take over New York’s rackets.
  • Quote: “She doesn't know that I'm the leader of the Cicero mob.” —Sam French (15:31)

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3. Murder, Frame-Up & Counterspy Investigation

• Murder and Frame:
  • French is shot dead; Jack Taylor declares he killed him but frames Cora by ensuring her fingerprints are on the murder weapon.
  • Quote: "Because you played me for a sucker, Mary, that's why. With Cora for bait."—Jack Taylor (18:45)
  • Mary is ready to confess all to protect her sister.
• Counterspy's Work:
  • Chief Harding and Agent Peters connect thefts and escalate efforts when Sam French’s death hints at erupting gang violence between New York and Chicago.
  • The investigation leans heavily on forensic evidence—a woman’s fingerprints and clues from cosmetics on the murder weapon—and bureaucratic maneuvers (summoning all black-haired women with driver's licenses).
  • Quote: "There's enough incentive in stolen cars for gangsters to start a bloody massacre that may rival prohibition days." —Chief Harding (22:24)
  • Notable deduction: "It's logical, Peters...we may be able to locate the girl who was with Sam French." —Chief Harding (28:07)
• Dramatic Reveal:
  • Police infiltrate the gang; Mary, Jack, and the rest are taken into custody.
  • Quote: "I'll talk plenty." —Mary Linton (32:01)
  • “Let the lady talk.... But at best it’ll just confirm the evidence we have concerning your car stealing setup.”—Chief Harding (32:02)

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4. Memorable Moments & Dialogue

• Theme of Loyalty and Betrayal:
  • “Yes, Mary was using Cora…but there was a limit…she was willing to kill for her sister.” —Adam Graham (36:28 summary)
• Harding’s Sound Deduction:
  • “Most women have hair of varying shades of brown. Blondes and extreme brunettes are in the minority.” —Chief Harding (27:30)
• Commentary on Detection Methods:
  • “The more you think about it, the more you realize it’s problematic. It’s New York City. Not everyone drives or has a car.” —Adam Graham (36:45)
• Satirical Mob Ambitions:
  • “I’m gonna combine all the hot car setups in the entire country and I’m gonna do it fast and sure.”—Jack Taylor (25:02)
  • Graham’s take: “...kind of Saturday morning supervillain, but the rest of it I think was pretty solidly reasoned.” (36:32)

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Host Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary

• On Counterspy’s Broad Jurisdiction:
  • Graham humorously notes the questionable fit of a car theft ring for a counter-espionage outfit, reflecting on the show’s loosely defined in-universe authority.
  • “What is a counter espionage organization doing investigating a car theft ring? That's a great question. I wish I had a great in-universe answer.” (35:52)
• On the Episode’s Strengths:
  • Praises the “reasoned intelligence” of the criminals compared to “Boston Blackie” clichés.
  • Enjoys the complicated sister dynamic, noting a touch of “humanity” uncommon in such crime dramas.
• On Plausibility:
  • Points out the impracticality of the show's “massive driver’s license reissuance” as a solution (“...how many drivers’ licenses you'd have to reissue”).
  • Finds the villain’s national domination plan unrealistic but amusingly grandiose.
• Listener Feedback:
  • Reads a comment appreciating the series and previews more Counterspy episodes ahead.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "For that 50 seconds' worth, you're gonna get 250 bucks." – Jack Taylor (06:06)
• "My hair's dyed. I had to fool the police." – Sam French (10:48)
• "There's enough incentive in stolen cars for gangsters to start a bloody massacre that may rival prohibition days." – Chief Harding (22:24)
• "It's logical, Peters...we may be able to locate the girl who was with Sam French." – Chief Harding (28:07)
• "I'll talk plenty." – Mary Linton (32:01)
• “What is a counter espionage organization doing investigating a car theft ring? That's a great question. I wish I had a great in-universe answer.” – Adam Graham (35:52)
• “...there was a bit of humanity in there. Yes, Mary was using Cora...but there was a limit for Mary and she made clear she was willing to kill for her sister.” – Adam Graham (36:28)

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Important Timestamps

• Garage scene & car theft setup: 05:00–08:20
• Identity confrontation and verification: 10:02–11:39
• Mob rivalry and negotiations: 12:29–14:03
• Cora's kidnapping and twist reveal: 14:45–17:03
• Sam French’s murder and the framing of Cora: 17:03–19:01
• Counterspy investigation and forensic deductions: 21:50–28:34
• Police trap and denouement: 29:10–32:21
• Host commentary and critique: 35:52–37:10

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Tone & Style

The audio drama itself is taut, melodramatic, and laced with underworld slang and brisk, hard-boiled exchanges. Adam Graham’s commentary is conversational, dryly humorous, and analytical, blending fandom and critique for a modern audience.

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Summary

"The Stolen Car Racket" delivers a punchy, suspenseful tale where gangland ambitions, sisterly loyalty, and tough counterspy tactics collide. While the show's take on forensics and police work sometimes verges on the implausible, its characters and emotional threads—especially between the Linton sisters—keep the story engaging. Adam Graham’s postscript insightfully puts the show’s postwar context and creative liberties in perspective, making this episode a treat for mystery lovers and fans of radio noir alike.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

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 this week's episode of Counterspot. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And 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. Support.greatdetectives.net or by becoming one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. And going to patreon.greatdetectives. well, we run into our first true post war episode of Counterspy. And this is actually the only episode from 1946. And it's a rehearsal. The rehearsal date, I guess ON this is July 27, 1946. And the title is Stolen Car Racket.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The makers of Old Nick.

[Mary Linton]

Old Nick. Oh boy. Old Nick is a wonderful candy bar

[Narrator/Announcer]

and bit of honey.

[Jack Taylor]

Bit of honey. It's a honey, honey, honey of a candy bar.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Present David Harding Counters five.

[Agent Peters]

Washington calling David Harding Counter Spy Washington calling David Harding Counterspy

[Chief Harding]

Harding Counterspy calling Washington.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Before we begin today's Counterspy case, Sally, let's try another experiment in psychology with Bit of Honey candy bar like the

[Mary Linton]

one they reported in Life magazine a

[Cora Linton]

while back when we did mental telepathy for Old Nick.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, except today, just for fun, let's try conditioned reactions. Jesse Crawford will help us. And now the in the Bit of Honey song, these four notes stand for the words bit of Honey. Those notes are a musical symbol for the words Bit of Honey. In a few seconds, our listeners will find that little tune brings the same sense of delicious satisfaction that is now produced by the word bit of honey. Okay, here we go, ladies and gentlemen. Is always fine, but especially in the summertime, you see. Has a distinctive mild honey flavor sprinkled all through our crunchy crushed almond. The separate wrapping of the six generous pieces in a candy bar makes it extra easy and convenient to eat in summertime. What's more, the unusual zesty flavor of candy bar is especially appropriate this warm weather for yourself. Whatever fine candy is sold, ask for candy bar this evening if you can. You'll agree that yes, bit of Honey is a honey, honey, honey of a candy bar and only five cents. On last April 11, Mary Linton, a dark complexioned woman of 30 with intense piercing eyes, stood in the center of the large Brooklyn garage which she owned, watching several men work on some late model automobiles. Cora Linton, her younger sister and a

[Sam French]

very pretty girl, watched the repair work

[Narrator/Announcer]

for a moment and then turned to Mary.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Mary. Mary.

[Jack Taylor]

Sorry, Cora.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

You thinking? Yeah, I think I'm gonna trot off to the movie.

[Jack Taylor]

Stick around for a while. Cor.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Oh, but Mary, I.

[Cora Linton]

Don't do it.

[Jack Taylor]

Look around. I'm expecting Jack Taylor soon.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Mary, you know how I feel about Jack. And I know how Jack feels about you.

[Jack Taylor]

Safe foot, say hello to him.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

I hate him.

[Jake Mbaetta]

He's a good.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

It's all right.

[Jack Taylor]

If you'll stick with me then have a good future. Besides, he's crazy about you.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Oh, please, Mary, I didn't.

[Jack Taylor]

That must be Jack now.

[Mary Linton]

All right, open her up.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Tony.

[Chief Harding]

Hiya, Mary.

[Mary Linton]

Hello, Jack.

[Sam French]

Cora.

[Adam Graham]

Wow.

[Sam French]

You're waiting for me, beautiful, No?

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

I was just to say hello to you, Jack.

[Sam French]

Oh, Murray. What do you think of this car? A real beaut, ain't she?

[Jack Taylor]

Buick 1942 Deluxe.

[Sam French]

Uh huh.

[Jack Taylor]

Good enough car.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Didn't I tell you?

[Jack Taylor]

Jack is a smart boy.

[Cora Linton]

Yeah.

[Sam French]

You can't be a dodo and pick up cars like this car. You know, Murray, the sucker didn't even leave his keys in ignition. I had to switch wires to start it and it only took me 50 seconds flat.

[Jack Taylor]

For that 50 seconds worth, you're gonna get 250 bucks.

[Sam French]

250 bucks? Hey, this car's worth 1800 if you

[Jack Taylor]

had a bill of sale for it, Jack. Well, I gotta have the serial numbers changed. Switch parts, ship the car out of the country.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

250 is a good price for a hot car.

[Sam French]

Don't sound like much, Ella. Take it on one condition. What's that car helps me spend it.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

No.

[Jack Taylor]

Sure she will, Jack.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Come on inside the office.

[Jack Taylor]

I'll give you the money. Got your rye, clown?

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

I don't want anything to drink, Mary.

[Jack Taylor]

Kiss yourself.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

I wish you'd listen when I want to say something. I know what you're gonna say.

[Jack Taylor]

You don't like the racket we're in.

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

Yes. Be nice to those cooks. How can you do this to me, Mary? Look, my darling sister, in my own funny way, I love you. Sure, I want you to be nice

[Jack Taylor]

to Jack Taylor because the SAP brings

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

the $1,800 cards for 250.

[Jack Taylor]

But if Jack or anybody gets pressed for you, I'll put a bullet in him myself.

[Cora Linton]

But it's not only Jack I'm scared of the cops and the counter spies. If we're caught, I'll see that you slip out.

[Jack Taylor]

Meanwhile, the racket is paying for this swell apartment, all our clothes, anything we want.

[Cora Linton]

Honest, Mary, I'd rather go to work.

[Mary Linton]

Doing what?

[Cora Linton]

You can't even type.

[Jack Taylor]

Forget it. Let me do the worry. I'll take that. Yup?

[Alf Burton]

Ms. Linton?

[Jack Taylor]

Which one? Mary Linton speaking.

[Sam French]

Ms. Linton, my name is Sam French.

[Alf Burton]

I'm from Chicago.

[Jack Taylor]

Belle.

[Alf Burton]

A mutual friend of ours told me

[Agent Peters]

to look you up.

[Jack Taylor]

Who is he?

[Alf Burton]

Alf Burton.

[Jack Taylor]

Yeah, Alf Burton's a very good friend of mine.

[Alf Burton]

Al, buddies. Can I come over to see you?

[Jack Taylor]

Why not? We'll be home. You've got the address, I suppose?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Right.

[Jack Taylor]

All right.

[Alf Burton]

Bye.

[Cora Linton]

Who is that, Mary?

[Jack Taylor]

Man named Sam French from Chicago. He says Al Spurton sent him. Who? Al Spurton, Chicago. You don't know him? Anybody he sends over should be all right, I guess. Not sure. Nothing like making sure.

[Sam French]

Cora.

[Jack Taylor]

We're gonna check before we get Chumm.

[Alf Burton]

Miss Mary Linton?

[Cora Linton]

Oh, no. I'm Cora Linton, her sister. Oh, Mary's inside. Won't you come in?

[Alf Burton]

Thank you. Your sister's as beautiful as you.

[Jack Taylor]

Don't move, Mr. French.

[Alf Burton]

I don't understand. What's your gun for?

[Jack Taylor]

I'll tell you in a minute. Cora, see if Mr. French has a gun.

[Cora Linton]

All right. Yes, he has one.

[Jack Taylor]

Take it.

[Cora Linton]

I have it.

[Jack Taylor]

Now step away from Mr. French. Now, Mr. French, you may walk into the living room.

[Alf Burton]

I still don't understand. I'm a friend of Alf Burton.

[Jack Taylor]

That's what you say, Mr. French. I want to hear it myself from Alf Burke.

[Mary Linton]

I'm fine, Al. Look, reason I'm phoning you.

[Jack Taylor]

Did you send up a friend to see me?

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Sure did, Mary. Smart boy named Sam French.

[Jack Taylor]

Well, there's A guy here now who claims he's Sam French. What does he look like?

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

About 5ft 9 to 10. Blue eyes, straight short nose.

[Jack Taylor]

So far, so good.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Nice looking boy with them blue eyes and blonde hair.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hold it.

[Jack Taylor]

What'd you say about his hair?

[Alf Burton]

Wait, I forgot to tell you.

[Mary Linton]

Don't move.

[Jack Taylor]

Try that again and I'll blast you. Alf, what'd you say was the color of Sam French's hair?

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Blonde. Color of straw. Can't miss it.

[Jack Taylor]

Man here is dark haired.

[Cora Linton]

Black.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hold it.

[Alf Burton]

Now, wait a minute. Just give me a chance to talk, will you?

[Jack Taylor]

Talk fast, mister.

[Alf Burton]

My hair's dyed. I had to fool the police. I didn't want them to know I was going to New York. It's diamond, my hair.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You'll see it's dyed.

[Cora Linton]

Oh, Mary. Maybe he's telling the truth. He's got blue eyes.

[Mary Linton]

Don't. Blue. Hello?

[Jack Taylor]

Else, I'm not sure of this man. Anything more definite I can identify.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Yeah, come to think of it, there is Sam French. Has a little strawberry mark on his left arm. Try to get it off once. There's an acid mark around.

[Jack Taylor]

Wait a minute. I'll see you. Roll up your left sleeve.

[Alf Burton]

That's right. My birthmark. Gonna hold me off?

[Jack Taylor]

Cora, don't get in front of him. Just see what he's got on his left arm.

[Cora Linton]

Oh, with a small red mark. A birthmark. There's a scar around it.

[Jack Taylor]

Your hair could be dyed.

[Mary Linton]

Thanks, Al.

[Jack Taylor]

Drop in when you're in New York. Guess you're all right, Sam.

[Alf Burton]

I wouldn't want to go through that again.

[Jack Taylor]

Sorry I had to be sure.

[Alf Burton]

You're a smart dame, Mary. Like Alf said, just the kind of dame I want to hook up with.

[Jack Taylor]

We can talk about that at dinner. I know a nice place where we can talk. We owe you a treat for that scare.

[Mary Linton]

Anything else you'd like, Sam? Carl?

[Cora Linton]

Nothing, Mary.

[Alf Burton]

Not a thing, Mary. Now, can I get down to business?

[Cora Linton]

Sure.

[Jack Taylor]

What's on your mind?

[Alf Burton]

I'm looking for a New York contact, Mary. Like you, I can pick up cars in Chicago and points west and ship them to New York.

[Jack Taylor]

What makes you think I'm interested?

[Alf Burton]

Well, Burton tells me you've got some swell outlets. Mexico, South America.

[Jack Taylor]

I managed to get rid of my cars.

[Alf Burton]

You could make plenty getting rid of my cars.

[Sam French]

Sure.

[Mary Linton]

But there's something else.

[Alf Burton]

What?

[Jack Taylor]

The Cicero mob. So he's running a Cicero mob now?

[Alf Burton]

Nobody knows.

[Jack Taylor]

Well, whoever he is, he's a smart operator. The Cicero mob is my main competition. We've run into each other that's what's worrying you. They're tough.

[Cora Linton]

What do you think's gonna happen to

[Jack Taylor]

you, Sam, if you steal cars in their territory and ship them to me?

[Alf Burton]

I'll take my chances. I got a few boys of my own who have plenty tough.

[Chief Harding]

We'll handle the Cicero mob if we have to.

[Mary Linton]

All right.

[Jack Taylor]

It'll be your funeral.

[Alf Burton]

And you'll take my shipments?

[Jack Taylor]

As many as you can deliver.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good.

[Alf Burton]

You'll get my first shipment when I

[Sam French]

get back to Chicago.

[Jack Taylor]

When? Let's see.

[Alf Burton]

That depends on Cora.

[Cora Linton]

Me?

[Cora Linton (alternate tag)]

I don't understand.

[Alf Burton]

I'd like to spend a few days in New York. That is, if you will show me around.

[Cora Linton]

Oh, really, Sam?

[Mary Linton]

Sure, Carl. Step out with you, Sam?

[Jack Taylor]

You'll be glad to, won't you, Carl?

[Alf Burton]

I didn't know you could drive this well, Cara.

[Cora Linton]

Well, this car drives itself. Where'd you get it, Mr. French?

[Alf Burton]

I bought it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I wouldn't drive a stone car.

[Cora Linton]

Certainly a bit of honey of a car.

[Alf Burton]

Turn into that dirt road ahead.

[Cora Linton]

Why?

[Sam French]

It's a shortcut.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now stop.

[Cora Linton]

I will not.

[Sam French]

No?

[Alf Burton]

Then I will. Now take the key.

[Cora Linton]

Sam, please.

[Alf Burton]

Better relax, Cora. I won't hurt you.

[Cora Linton]

Sam, please give me that key. When I tell Mary. She's not gonna like this, Sam.

[Alf Burton]

But you're not going to tell her.

[Cora Linton]

Sam, she'll kill you. I swear.

[Alf Burton]

I can take care of myself. What's more, I'm gonna take care of you.

[Cora Linton]

Sam, you wouldn't.

[Alf Burton]

That's not what you think. I'm just going to sort of hold you in protective custody.

[Cora Linton]

Protective?

[Mary Linton]

What for?

[Alf Burton]

I just want your sister to come to terms.

[Cora Linton]

I thought you had this evening at the restaurant.

[Alf Burton]

That's what I wanted Mary to think. Cora, she doesn't know that I'm the leader of the Cicero.

[Mary Linton]

Mom, why you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't want to have to hurt you.

[Alf Burton]

Cora. This is a private fight between Mary and me. I'm taking over the New York territory and I'm going to.

[Sam French]

You all right?

[Mary Linton]

Yeah, you are. The kid all right now, baby.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Don't worry, Jack.

[Mary Linton]

How'd you know?

[Sam French]

I just didn't like his face. I didn't like you traveling around with him. So I followed.

[Jack Taylor]

You.

[Chief Harding]

Said about Mary.

[Mary Linton]

It's Mary's fault. Mary made me be nice to them. Made me nice to all the men. I didn't want to.

[Sam French]

She did, huh? Cora, here, you take my gun. Go on, take it. Put it in your pocketbook so if any other guy tries to pull a face.

[Mary Linton]

Thanks, Jeff.

[Cora Linton]

That would it take me home?

[Sam French]

Sure. Oh, wait a Minute. I got a better idea. Take a gun out of your bag.

[Mary Linton]

What you say?

[Sam French]

Go on. Drop it on the floor of the car near this trunk.

[Jack Taylor]

All right.

[Sam French]

Now, come on. We'll get out of here before somebody

[Alf Burton]

sees us and we're gonna have a talk with Mar.

[Mary Linton]

Jack.

[Jack Taylor]

Cora. What happened?

[Sam French]

How did you know something happened?

[Jack Taylor]

My radio. I keep attuned to the police call. Cora.

[Mary Linton]

What happened?

[Jack Taylor]

Police announcer says Sam French is dead.

[Sam French]

He is? I shut him.

[Jack Taylor]

Start talking, Jack.

[Sam French]

Your little playmate from Chicago was going to play kidnap with Cora until you came to terms.

[Jack Taylor]

Terms? Came to an agreement earlier this evening.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Oh, yeah.

[Sam French]

Sam was leader of the Cicero mob.

[Mary Linton]

What?

[Sam French]

He came here to get you out of the way.

[Jack Taylor]

Jack, I certainly owe you something for saving Cora.

[Sam French]

Forget it.

[Jack Taylor]

Cops think a dame drove Sam's car. Cora must have left a couple of hairpins or something.

[Sam French]

That's all?

[Jack Taylor]

Yeah, nothing to worry about. The car was fans and they were chased.

[Sam French]

What's so funny, Mary? The murder gun is in the car right alongside of Sam French.

[Jack Taylor]

I don't get it.

[Sam French]

The cops will. Mary, Cora's fingerprints are all over that gun.

[Mary Linton]

What?

[Cora Linton]

You crazy?

[Mary Linton]

You shot.

[Sam French]

Shot? Sure, sure. But I wiped off my prints and handed the gun to Cora. Her fingerprints are all over it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Cora ran out.

[Sam French]

The police will think only one thing. Cora killed Sam and ran away.

[Mary Linton]

You did that to Clark.

[Jack Taylor]

You did that to my kid sister.

[Mary Linton]

You slimy rat, dirty double. Stop.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wait a minute.

[Sam French]

Stay away from that drawer.

[Cora Linton]

Mary's got a gun.

[Sam French]

That's better. Come on over here and sit down.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mary,

[Jack Taylor]

why'd you do it? Why'd you pin the kill on Cora?

[Sam French]

Because you played me for a sucker, Mary, that's why. With Cora for bait.

[Jack Taylor]

It got me wrong.

[Sam French]

Oh, no, you got me wrong. You didn't figure me for a guy use his head, did you? Well, baby, it's little Jack Taylor who does all the talking from now on in.

[Jack Taylor]

All right, Jack. What have you got in mind?

[Sam French]

Cora here has no police record. The cops will never know whose fingerprints are on that murder gun unless I tell him. And I will tell him too. Unless.

[Jack Taylor]

Unless what?

[Sam French]

Unless you and me become partners, baby.

[Jack Taylor]

Well, that's the way it is.

[Sam French]

Yeah. 50. 50 on the whole setup.

[Jack Taylor]

Nothing small about you, is there, Jim?

[Sam French]

Not a thing. But Sam French, dead, will take over his Cicero mob. Well, what do you say?

[Jack Taylor]

You know I wouldn't turn Cora over the police.

[Sam French]

Okay, then we're partners. Now. How did you come to hook up with Sam French?

[Jack Taylor]

Friend of mine, Alf Burton, Chicago.

[Sam French]

Alf Burton, huh? Okay. That's my first stop. Al Burton in Chicago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Carter's fire will continue in just a moment. But right now I can see that Jimmy wants to wheedle an old Nick candy bar or a nickel out of me today. Jimmy, you won't do it. I'm determined. You're absolutely right, Mr. Crump. I want to apologize for the way I've been putting you on the spot. I've flattered you, asked your riddles and teased you in order to get old Nick candy bars. It's not fair, is it? Oh, Jimmy, I don't really mind. No sir, I haven't been fair. For instance, you have an old Nick candy bar in your pocket today, haven't you? Certainly. I always have an old neck candy bar handy. It's as fine a candy bar as I know with that. That thick milk chocolate coating, creamy buttery smooth caramel and the fudge and fresh toasted nuts. It sure is good eating.

[Sam French]

Well today if I pointed how much money you make a big time radio announcer that is, and how you got plenty of Old Nick candy bars and how utterly delicious ol Nick candy bars are and how I'm broke and don't have any and I'm so hungry for an old naked well. If I did that, it'd make you sound like the worst kind of a heel if you didn't give me one, wouldn't it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, okay Jimmy, here you are. Now tell him what you think of Old Nick, you rascal.

[Mary Linton]

Old Nick. Oh boy. Old Nick is a wonderful candy bar.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get some soon, folks. Wherever fine candy is sold, you'll like Old Nick. Now back to our counter spy case.

[Agent Peters]

I'll take this report into Mr. Harding myself. Busy, chief.

[Chief Harding]

Oh, hello Peters. Just studying this map layout of stolen cars in the United States.

[Agent Peters]

Maybe this teletype report will fit in, Chief. Sam French, a hot car artist from Chicago, was just killed in New York.

[Alf Burton]

Uh oh.

[Chief Harding]

This may be the beginning. Of what?

[Sam French]

This report of stolen cars shows that

[Chief Harding]

the heaviest concentrations around New York and Chicago. Sam French, a Chicago mobster, being killed in New York means only one thing.

[Agent Peters]

The New York and Chicago gangs are beginning to cross each other.

[Chief Harding]

Exactly, Peters. There's enough incentive in stolen cars for gangsters to start a bloody massacre that may rival prohibition days.

[Agent Peters]

We've got to stop at Peters before it gets started.

[Alf Burton]

Sell him up, Mr. B.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Call me Alf.

[Chief Harding]

A friend of Mary Linton is a

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

friend of mine, Jack.

[Sam French]

Ah, glad to hear it. Besides, there's a piece of quick change for help, Mary.

[Chief Harding]

In what way?

[Sam French]

Information. What do you want to Know Sam French died. Okay. Who's running the Cicero mob now? It ain't settled yet.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Several of the boys have ideas.

[Sam French]

They better forget those ideas. The Cicero mob is going to be run from New York.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

These boys are tough and hungry. They ain't giving up nothing.

[Sam French]

Well, listen to reason, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Each one of them boys figures he'll

[Alf Burton]

be the big boss.

[Sam French]

I can't waste any time. Don't see how you can rush matters.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Like I said, they have their own ideas.

[Sam French]

They have their own ideas, huh? Alf, what are the names of the boys with the ideas?

[Agent Peters]

Gang war is flaring up in Chicago. Mr. Harding.

[Sam French]

What's the report?

[Agent Peters]

Two more gangsters killed in Chicago. Both men were connected with Sam French at one time.

[Sam French]

Sam French again.

[Chief Harding]

Peters, have they turned up on anything on the Sam French killing?

[Agent Peters]

Nothing new, chief. There's a clear set of fingerprints on the gun, but the local police haven't yet identified the prince.

[Chief Harding]

Peters, wire our New York field office and have them step into the Sam French case. Requisition the murder weapon and have it sent to Washington. Also, have our New York office put the murdered car through the laboratory.

[Agent Peters]

Will do, chief.

[Sam French]

Well, I guess I kind of got

[Chief Harding]

this little blowout coming to me, huh?

[Mary Linton]

Working fast.

[Cora Linton]

But those men who were killed in Chicago.

[Sam French]

Listen to the baby. There'll be plenty more killed before I'm finished going. I'm organizing Chicago if I have to knock off every last mobster in that town.

[Jack Taylor]

Jack, I've been in the racket longer than you, so I never had to do any killing. Murder's a sure way to get the cops down on.

[Sam French]

You were all right for that local stuff, Mary, but this is big time. I'm gonna combine all the hot car setups in the entire country and I'm gonna do it fast and sure.

[Jack Taylor]

By killing.

[Sam French]

By knocking off the opposition before it gets started.

[Cora Linton]

Mary, I can't stand it any longer.

[Jack Taylor]

I'll make it easy, Cora.

[Cora Linton]

All this killing, stealing cars is bad

[Mary Linton]

enough, but murder and more murder.

[Sam French]

Getting any ideas, Cora?

[Cora Linton]

Yes, I'm getting out. I'll leave town, go to work somewhere.

[Sam French]

Oh, no, you won't.

[Cora Linton]

You can't stop me. I'll run away.

[Sam French]

Cora, the cops have got a set of fingerprints on a murder gun, remember? I just suppose they find out whose prints they are.

[Jack Taylor]

Stop it, both of you. Cora isn't going anywhere.

[Sam French]

Cora better not get any ideas.

[Jack Taylor]

Stop crying, Cora. Go potty your nose or something.

[Mary Linton]

All right,

[Sam French]

Mary. I don't like the way Cora acts.

[Jack Taylor]

All this talk about killing.

[Sam French]

She'll get over It Cora may be your sister, but.

[Mary Linton]

What do you mean?

[Sam French]

Sister or no sister, she's getting dangerous.

[Jack Taylor]

I don't like what you're driving.

[Sam French]

You'd better, Mary. There might be a time when it'll be either Cora or you.

[Jack Taylor]

Shut up. Korra's no danger. I'll control her.

[Sam French]

You better.

[Chief Harding]

I thought I'd find you in the laboratory, Peters.

[Agent Peters]

We've just completed an analysis of the gun used in the Sam French murder, Chief.

[Alf Burton]

Good.

[Agent Peters]

We've confirmed at least one police deduction. A woman handled the gun after the fatal bullet was fired. We found some particles of face powder in the barrel of a gun. The girl apparently had put the gun in her bag, then took the gun out and dropped it near French's body.

[Chief Harding]

What was the type of powder?

[Agent Peters]

High grade, but sold commonly in department stores of the better kind.

[Sam French]

A deep shade.

[Agent Peters]

The girl evidently is a dark brunette.

[Sam French]

This is confirmed by a smear of

[Agent Peters]

lipstick on the gun. The lipstick is dark, almost purple. The kind used by girls with black hair.

[Chief Harding]

Well, that's a big help, Peters. We've got to find that girl. She's the key to this particular car stealing racket.

[Agent Peters]

Chief, There are only 140 million persons in the United States.

[Chief Harding]

Half are men, remember. That still leaves 70 million Harley. The murder took place in New York. We can reasonably infer that the girl's a New York resident. New York City, most probably.

[Agent Peters]

I'll go along with you on that, Chief. But it still leaves about 7 million persons. Three and a half million women.

[Chief Harding]

Not if you stop to think a minute, Peters. Most women have hair of varying shades of brown. Blondes and extreme brunettes are in the minority.

[Sam French]

That's right.

[Agent Peters]

And here's something else.

[Sam French]

This girl was driving Sam French's car.

[Agent Peters]

It's reasonable to assume that she had a driver's license.

[Chief Harding]

Yes, exactly, Peter, that narrows it to a girl with black hair, eyes, probably deep brown or black, who has a driver's license and is on file with the Motor Vehicle Bureau in New York.

[Agent Peters]

At best, Chief, there'll still be several hundred girls in New York answering to that description.

[Sam French]

That's true enough.

[Chief Harding]

Now, have we received an analysis of the murder car?

[Agent Peters]

Not yet, but it may come through at any time.

[Chief Harding]

A chemical analysis of the dust on the floor of the car. Dust from the shoes of the driver will isolate still further the neighborhood where this girl lives. It's logical, Peters, order a plane for New York. I've got an idea. We may be able to locate the girl who was with Sam French. This tailwind will be In New York

[Agent Peters]

in about an hour, Chief.

[Chief Harding]

That's fine. We're reasoning correctly. This case ought to break tomorrow. That's New York. Calling Chief Harding to New York. Go ahead, eight. New York to Harding. Plan 14 put into operation. All preliminaries covered, awaiting reaction of subject involved. Very good. J6 should arrive in New York within the hour. I'll meet you at field headquarters.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Next.

[Agent Peters]

Come on, move up, please.

[Alf Burton]

Lady.

[Cora Linton]

I got this notice to bring my license to the Motor Vehicle Bureau.

[Chief Harding]

You're in the right place, lady. You got your right license?

[Cora Linton]

Yes, but I don't understand why I.

[Agent Peters]

You and all the rest of the people online.

[Chief Harding]

All we want is your license.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You'll be given new ones.

[Cora Linton]

Oh, here it is. Anything wrong with it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Not a thing. We're starting to issue a new form, that's all.

[Sam French]

See?

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Cora Linton.

[Agent Peters]

Address good enough.

[Sam French]

Sit down.

[Alf Burton (alternate tag)]

Your name will be called and the

[Narrator/Announcer]

new blanks filled out.

[Chief Harding]

No additional fee.

[Jack Taylor]

Oh, there you are, Cora. Jack was asking about you.

[Sam French]

Yeah, and it ain't love, baby. I'd just like to see you close to home.

[Cora Linton]

Oh, can I leave the house for five minutes?

[Sam French]

You've been gone all afternoon.

[Cora Linton]

I had to go down to the Motor Vehicle Bureau, that's all. Make me a drink, will you? Say, sure.

[Sam French]

Motor Vehicle Bill. What's the matter, your license expired?

[Jack Taylor]

No.

[Cora Linton]

They wanted me to come there and that's that.

[Jack Taylor]

Here's your drink, Cora.

[Sam French]

That motor vehicle story smells fishy.

[Jack Taylor]

I got the notice. I can prove it. Here, take a Look at this, Mr. Smart Money.

[Sam French]

Yeah. So you had to bring your license to the Motor Vehicle Bureau?

[Cora Linton]

They just took my license and gave me a new one. Me and thousands of other girls.

[Sam French]

Yeah.

[Jack Taylor]

No men I didn't notice?

[Cora Linton]

Come to think of it, no. Only girls.

[Jack Taylor]

Oh, forget about it. Women's Day at the Motor Vehicle Bureau. Have a drink, Jeff.

[Alf Burton]

No.

[Sam French]

Let's talk about it some more, Cora. What kind of women were there?

[Cora Linton]

I don't know. Girls. Young women.

[Sam French]

Only young women, huh? Lots of brunettes?

[Mary Linton]

I don't.

[Cora Linton]

What do you mean?

[Jack Taylor]

What's biting you, Jack?

[Sam French]

Look, suppose the cops figured out it was a black haired young dame who drove Sam French's car. Somebody might have seen her and Sam.

[Cora Linton]

They couldn't if we didn't stop anymore.

[Sam French]

You must have stopped for a red light. Somebody saw ya. So the cops play it smart. They look up all the driver's license. They call in all the blackhead dames on some phony. Excuse me.

[Mary Linton]

You're crazy.

[Cora Linton]

There was a rude.

[Sam French]

You hand in your old License? It's got your fingerprints all over it.

[Jack Taylor]

Don't go getting any ideas.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I had one all along.

[Sam French]

Jack, don't shoot like pull my arm a sword.

[Mary Linton]

Help me. I'll let you have it first.

[Cora Linton]

You can't do it.

[Mary Linton]

You can't stop it.

[Chief Harding]

You gotta be there, right?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Drop it, I tell you.

[Chief Harding]

Lucky for you Mr. Superintendent was around.

[Mary Linton]

So glad you're here. Even if you are the police.

[Chief Harding]

United States Counterfeit.

[Sam French]

How did I tell you? I know Cord fixes, but she ain't

[Chief Harding]

getting away with it.

[Sam French]

That's the girl who killed Sam French.

[Chief Harding]

Her fingerprints are on a murder case.

[Mary Linton]

You're lying. Please listen to me. He's lying.

[Jack Taylor]

Car's innocent.

[Mary Linton]

She was with Sam French, but Jack killed him.

[Sam French]

Shut up, you fool.

[Mary Linton]

You're getting your own naked.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Quiet. Let the lady talk.

[Mary Linton]

I'll talk.

[Jack Taylor]

I'll talk plenty.

[Chief Harding]

I imagine you will, Ms. Linton. But at best it'll just confirm the evidence we have concerning your car stealing setup. All right, Peters, take them to headquarters.

[Narrator/Announcer]

David Harding will be back in just a moment to tell you about next week's exciting case. Hey, I sure want to hear about that. I heard it was sensational. But don't you want to hear about Old Nick candy bars first, Jimmy? Now look, Mr. Krupp. Roger. What can you tell me about Old Nick candy bars? I enjoy one every day. That's all I need to know. But what about those folks who never had the pleasure of tasting Old Nick?

[Mary Linton]

Never tasted Old Nick candy bar?

[Jack Taylor]

Is it possible?

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's right. Even though Old Nick has been a favorite of minions for over a quarter century, there are still some folks who've never enjoyed that smooth, thick chocolate coating.

[Mary Linton]

The crunchy peanuts and buttery rich caramel

[Narrator/Announcer]

and the creamy fudge. Four famous candies blended into one delicious bar.

[Mary Linton]

Now what do you know?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, what'll we do?

[Mary Linton]

Tell em. Tell em Old Nick. Oh, boy. Oh, Nick is a wonderful candy bar,

[Narrator/Announcer]

as Jimmy points out. But you've missed a rare treat. If you've missed Old Nick, get some Old Nick candy bars soon. Why not this evening?

[Jack Taylor]

You'll like Old Nick.

[Chief Harding]

This is David Harding speaking. For months, Private First Class Fred Parker, stationed with the American occupation troops in Europe, had looked forward to his wife and family joining him. But a certain man in this country had other ideas. Ideas which included gambling, murder and double cross. How these different elements, thousands of miles apart, suddenly came into focus. Makes next week's Counter Spy broadcast an exciting, timely expose. I invite you to listen.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sunday, August 4, same time, same station. David Hardy counterspies.

[Sam French]

The Philips H Lord Production

[Narrator/Announcer]

3345. 3345.

[Agent Peters]

Hello.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

Hello, I'm Malcolm Gladwell, host of Smart Talks with IBM. I recently spoke with IBM's new Director of research, Jake Mbaetta. We discussed his vision and for the future of quantum computing at IBM Research.

[Jake Mbaetta]

What we always do is answer what is the future of computing? Whether it's coming up with new algorithms, coming up with better AI, coming up with Quantum, or coming up with just how do different accelerators go together? It's our DNA to answer the question of what is the future?

[Malcolm Gladwell]

Isn't it a perfect problem for IBM because you kind of need to have a legacy of building stuff that's building actual physical machines.

[Jake Mbaetta]

Yeah, it's why I came to IBM. I wanted the experience, the culture of building hard things that others have not done before.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

Where do you imagine we are in the timeline of this technology? There will come a point when it will mature, right?

[Alf Burton]

Yeah.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

My cell phone is a mature technology at this point. How far are we from that point

[Jake Mbaetta]

with Quantum, by 2029 we'll build the first fault tolerant Quantum computer that is one that can run a very, very large, large problem.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

To learn how IBM is building the future of computing, visit IBM.com quantum

[Adam Graham]

welcome back. Well, that announcer had a case of the giggles. I don't think there was anything particularly funny, at least that I could hear. Maybe something in the studio was going on that we're not privy to. It's a rehearsal, you're not going to let that slow you down. Now you may be asking yourself, what is a counter espionage organization doing investigating a car theft ring? That's a great question. I wish I had a great in universe answer. And one thing I came across counterspy and I was listening to episodes that were all post war, the first few I found and I was like, what does this have to do with counter intelligence? Like on every single episode and there's not a great answer or if they gave an answer, it's in an episode that is lost and whether it was good or bad, we don't know. I think what happened though with counterspy in terms of the program is that it and Dawn McLaughlin are an established brand with good ratings and they'd like to continue to run the program. And there was a little bit of lag in between the end of World War II and the Cold War really heating up where you could make a series based on taking on communist agents solely. And there were actually a few episodes of the man called X in 1947 and 48 where he got into some investigations that were a bit of a stretch. Like he was involved in cons of servicemen. Which sounds like Counterspy would be taking on that next week. The best in universe explanation you could offer for something like this is that when Counterspy was created that David Harding was given pretty broad jurisdiction and ability to intervene in cases and nobody ever thought to revise the powers of the agency in real life. This would probably be more of a case for the FBI. I actually enjoyed the episode overall. Usually I'm not a fan of those cases that focus on the criminals. This was a bit more enjoyable for a couple of reasons. First, I thought that there was some reason intelligence behind most of the criminal's actions. This isn't a Boston blackie situation where you're sitting around with people with verbal tics. There's something on the ball behind this operation which makes it interesting. Although that whole idea that he was going to rule all car theft operations in the country, that's kind of Saturday morning supervillain. But the rest of it I think was pretty solidly reasoned. Like the relationship between the two sisters. Often it's just nasty all around in the way the criminals relate to each other. But I think there was a bit of humanity in there. Yes, Mary was using Cora and Cora didn't appreciate it and really would not have liked to have been involved. But there was a limit for Mary and she made clear she was willing to kill for her sister. And that ultimately does end up playing out in the episode when she pretty much is ready to tell all to counterspot. Even though according to David Harding, they know it already. Some sound deductions by David Harding, but the method of capturing the criminals, that one is again, you know, it's kind of one of those solutions of scale that the more you think about it, the more you realize it's problematic. It's New York City. Not everyone drives or has a car. As a general rule, women. A smaller percentage of women had licenses back then, but still it's New York City and there were far too many black haired female drivers to make this practical. I mean think about just the pure bureaucracy of this sort of thing. How many drivers licenses you'd have to reissue. But other than that, I thought overall a good episode. Few implausible items, but I think really entertaining. Alright, listener comments and feedback now. And we have a comment from Dorothy regarding Counterspy over on YouTube. She writes first time hearing the series. It's very good. Would like to hear more. Well, thanks so much, Dorothy, and we have quite a bit more counterspy to play over the next year or so, and I hope you and everyone else will keep listening. All right, well now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. Thank you to Susie, patreon Supporter since September 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the Secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Susie, 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 will be back next Saturday with another episode of Counterspot. Join us back here on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio on Monday for the Saint and then we will be back on the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio on Tuesday with the conclusion of Tarzan and the Diamonds of Ashore. In the meantime, do send your Comments to Box13Great Detectives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Grant. On and off.

[Alicia]

Having MG can make cooking difficult, but over the years I found some really helpful tools and tips that I'm excited to share. Hi, I'm Alicia. I think cooking should always be fun, creative and of course, delicious. These Black Bean Burgers are hearty, full of flavor and MG friendly. You're gonna love them.

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[Mary Linton]

Let's Cook

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