The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Hosted by Adam Graham

Episode: Danger with Grainger — "Hired Help" (EP4811)

Original Release: September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features the Golden Age radio drama Danger with Grainger, titled "Hired Help." Private detective Steve Granger is hired by a wealthy matriarch, Mrs. Manfred Leatherby, to investigate and prevent her son Dexter from marrying a woman she deems unsuitable. The supposed domestic trouble soon deepens into a case of blackmail, murder, and family secrets, as Granger unearths a suspicious death among the household staff and untangles a web of relationships with help from the police and his own investigative prowess.

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Case Introduction and Mrs. Leatherby's Request

[05:04]

• Setting: Granger is summoned to the Leatherby residence, an upscale estate in Westchester.
• Request: Mrs. Leatherby wants Granger to stop her son Dexter from marrying Beverly Elkins, a woman she disapproves of. Granger is to pose as a family friend to discreetly collect information.

"The girl is absolutely no good." – Mrs. Leatherby [05:24]

2. The Maid and the Chauffeur: An Ominous Discovery

[03:01–06:30]

• A new maid, Millie Peyton, starts work, and quickly discovers that the chauffeur (her secret husband Lewis) works there—but is soon found dead in his quarters.
• Granger observes the panicked reactions and notes the hidden relationship.

"Lewis and I, we're married." – Millie Peyton [09:35]

3. Granger Becomes a House Guest

[07:27]

• Granger befriends Manfred Leatherby (the family patriarch) at a bar and is invited to stay at their house. This provides cover for his investigation.

4. Investigation Deepens: Poison or Suicide?

[10:21]

• Police Lieutenant Mike Harding rules Lewis’s death a suicide by poison, but an anonymous call insists it's murder.

"The doc's verdict was that he died by poison. Self-administered." – Lt. Harding [10:37]

5. Dexter’s Resistance and Secret Life

[12:41–15:40]

• Granger stalks Dexter in New York, observing a meeting between Dexter and Beverly Elkins. Dexter spots Granger and confronts him, revealing his awareness of Granger's true purpose.

"Look, big shot, don't try to fool me. I know what you're up to." – Dexter Leatherby [13:58]

6. New Threads: Entering the Nightclub World

[15:40–18:00]

• Journalist Cal Hendricks provides Granger with the lead that club singer Eloise Bennett (who also recommended Millie for her job) may be involved.
• At the Ship’s Grill, Bennett confesses she maneuvered to have Millie inside the Leatherby household.

"I wanted her in the house. I wanted her to find out something for me." – Eloise Bennett [17:39]

7. Gunshots and Escalations

[17:45]

• Someone shoots at Eloise Bennett during Granger’s questioning—a clear sign the case is dangerous. Harding steps in for protection.

8. Blackmail and Unraveling the Motive

[21:19–23:39]

• A note reveals Lewis the chauffeur was blackmailing Dexter about a secret. Millie admits to destroying a key letter wherein Lewis tried to extort Dexter.
• It emerges that Eloise Bennett is Dexter's secret wife—making the courtship with Beverly a sham.

"Because he's been married for some time to a girl named Eloise Benneret." – Granger [24:04]

9. Final Confrontation and Climax

[24:30–25:59]

• Granger, Harding, and others confront Dexter, who flees into an abandoned house. The stairs collapse, and Dexter dies after confessing to Lewis's murder and the attempted shooting of Eloise.

10. Wrap-Up and Aftermath

[26:00–27:00]

• Harding decides to spare the Leatherby family further pain in the press. Eloise and her brother Norman (who tipped the police via an anonymous call) help fill in the details.

"No sense in hurting his parents; they're nice people." – Lt. Harding [26:26]

• Granger's payment is secured after a tongue-in-cheek exchange about clients not paying when they're proven murderers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motherly Interference:
  "She’s making it tough for him. Won’t let him get married." – Manfred Leatherby [07:40]

• Dexter's Threat:
  "See this? It’s your fist. So what? So if you don't want it smashing up your nose, keep it out of my business." – Dexter Leatherby [14:24]

• Revelation of Secret Marriage:
  "Because he's been married for some time to a girl named Eloise Benneret." – Steve Granger [24:04]

• Detective’s Philosophy:
  “I don’t mind running the normal risks of my profession, but at that moment, Dexter Leatherby didn’t bear any resemblance to a normal risk.” – Steve Granger [15:20]

• End Commentary (on getting paid):
  "Remember your crack about my fee flying out the window? So buying this check, I’d say just flew in the door." – Steve Granger [27:09]

Host Adam Graham’s Commentary Highlights

[27:46]

• Praised the story’s complexity despite limited run time.
• Noted the realism in how detective fees are (or aren’t) paid in murder cases, and how well-off clients typically keep their agreements even if unhappy with results.
• Discussed the ongoing debate on the spelling of ‘Granger’ (with or without the "I"), opting for "Granger" based on an Australian official source.
• Read listener feedback, showing engagement and community around the podcast (“Blue Nash” inside joke among Falcon fans).

Important Timestamps

• [03:07] — Millie Peyton begins work and discovers Lewis.
• [04:52] — Mrs. Leatherby hires Granger.
• [06:30] — Chauffeur found dead.
• [09:35] — Millie reveals her secret marriage to Lewis.
• [10:21] — Police discuss the cause of death.
• [14:24] — Dexter threatens Granger.
• [16:55] — Granger questions Eloise Bennett.
• [17:45] — Attempted shooting at Eloise.
• [24:04] — Revelation of Dexter and Eloise’s marriage.
• [25:59] — Dexter’s fatal fall and confession.
• [27:46] — Host Adam Graham’s commentary and listener feedback.

Episode Takeaways

• Danger with Grainger weaves a tightly constructed mystery of family control, blackmail, and murder beneath classy, old-school detective theatrics.
• The episode skillfully layers apparent motives and offers a twist: the real marriage, not the romance under suspicion, is at the heart of the blackmail and tragedy.
• Graham’s post-episode analysis is insightful, connecting period detective drama tropes to real-world expectations and podcast community discussions.

For mystery fans or newcomers, this episode exemplifies the blend of suspense, character interplay, and Golden Age radio atmosphere that defines The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio.