Danger with Grainger: Paula Crane is Threatened (EP4911)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Danger with Granger: "Paula Crane is Threatened" (EP4911) — Detailed Summary

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Episode Overview

In this atmospheric installment of "Danger with Granger," private detective Steve Granger is drawn from city life into intrigue at a lakeside country estate when Paula Crane, a glamorous socialite, claims her life is in danger. What starts as an idyllic weekend invitation rapidly becomes a suspenseful tangle of attempted murder, secret passions, poisoned milk, and a fatal case of mistaken identity. As Granger investigates, he peels back layers of deception amongst the Crane and Loomis family, resolving a dramatic crime of love, jealousy, and revenge.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Paula’s Desperate Call for Help

• [02:44] Paula Crane telephones Steve Granger, urgently inviting him to Fairhaven for the weekend.
• [03:39] Upon arrival, Paula reveals the real reason for her call: "Twice so far this week, somebody's tried to kill me." (Paula)

2. The Shooting Incidents

• [04:41] Paula recounts the first attempt—someone shot at her while she was swimming across the lake to an island.
• [05:20] The second attempt follows when she swims back to shore; another shot is fired.

3. Meet the Family and Initial Suspicions

• [06:12] The cast at the "cottage" (actually a mansion): Paula, her mother Mrs. Loomis, stepsister Anne, and brother-in-law Richard Terrace. (Her stepfather is away on business.)
• [07:07-07:38] After dinner, Paula and Granger retire. Paula soon wakes Granger in panic: her cat has died after drinking milk left in her room.

4. The Poisoned Milk

• [08:01–08:21] Granger determines the milk was poisoned with arsenic; Paula was likely the intended victim, her cat the unfortunate proxy.

5. Nighttime Tension and Richard’s Confrontation

• [09:45–11:42] Granger’s late-night search for poison is interrupted in the garage by Richard, gun drawn, who suspects Granger is a prowler. Tensions ease after Paula confirms Granger’s identity.

6. Motives Surface: Jealousy and Resentment

• [13:02–13:38] Conversations reveal a fraught romantic triangle. Family members note Paula’s changed, unhappy demeanor; Anne is jealous and convinced Paula wants Richard.

  Notable Quote:

  • Anne, bitterly: “She’s been trying to cause trouble between Richard and me ever since we were married. She hates me… And I’m gonna keep Richard, even if something happens to Paula, and I sincerely hope it does.” (Anne, [14:35])

7. The Fatal Morning

• [16:24–16:40] On the lakeshore, Paula pressures Richard to ask Anne for a divorce. Their conversation is overheard by Anne, who is devastated.
• [17:46–19:05] The next morning, Granger and Paula both feel ill—someone drugged the water left in their rooms.

8. The Murder Discovery

• [19:44–20:18] On the island, they find Anne dead, shot through the heart. She’s wearing Paula’s bathing suit: “Somebody thought it was me.” (Paula, [20:28])
• [20:58–21:14] Richard, frantic, blames Paula for Anne’s death, believing the killer mistook Anne for Paula.

9. The Investigation Closes In

• [22:07–23:14] Granger finds Mrs. Loomis attempting to burn a red bathing suit. She confesses to the murder, claiming she wanted to protect Paula.
• [23:37–23:58] Granger disproves Mrs. Loomis’s confession: she couldn’t have swum to the island (her hair isn’t wet, suit wouldn’t fit).

10. The True Killer Exposed

• [24:01–24:52] Granger accuses Paula:

  • “You tipped yourself when you mentioned your mother couldn’t get into that suit. But you could.”
  • Granger pieces together Paula’s setup: orchestrating the poisoned milk, engineering the confrontation, ensuring Anne wore her suit, and attempting to frame Richard.

  Memorable Confrontation:

  • “All right, I killed her. Put that gun down.” (Paula, [24:49])
  • “That’s another mistake you made. You should have dropped the gun into the lake.” (Granger, [24:52])

11. Aftermath and Justice

• [25:08–26:40] Paula is arrested. In the epilogue, Granger and Richard discuss the case's resolution. Paula is sentenced to life in prison—“the punishment she would hate most.” (Granger)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paula’s desperation:
  “Twice so far this week, somebody’s tried to kill me.” — Paula ([03:43])
• On Paula’s allure:
  “In shorts on the top, she could cause the average professional swimming suit advocate to go back to the old fashioned night dress.” — Granger ([03:49])
• Tense family dynamics:
  “Before you two were married...you married Richard while Paula was abroad on a trip. Are you intimating that I took Richard away from her?” — Anne confronts Mrs. Loomis ([14:35])
• Accusation and confession:
  “You tipped yourself when you mentioned your mother couldn’t get into that suit. But you could.” — Granger to Paula ([24:02])
• The killer’s break:
  “All right, I killed her. Put that gun down.” — Paula ([24:49])
• Granger’s reflection on punishment:
  “Paula loved freedom more than anything. Life imprisonment is the worst sentence she could get.” — Granger ([26:24])

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Important Timestamps

• 02:44 — Paula calls Granger, pleas for help.
• 03:49 — Paula details the murder attempts.
• 07:33 — The cat is discovered poisoned.
• 09:45 — Granger confronted in the garage by Richard.
• 14:35 — Anne’s hatred of Paula revealed.
• 16:24–16:40 — The toxic family triangle explodes.
• 19:44 — Discovery of Anne’s body on the island.
• 22:07 — Mrs. Loomis confesses, Granger investigates further.
• 24:01 — Granger unmasks Paula as the murderer.
• 25:08 — Paula’s arrest and case wrap-up.
• 26:24 — Final reflection: justice and the nature of Paula’s punishment.

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Host Commentary by Adam Graham

• [27:10] Adam Graham praises the dense web of suspects and clues, noting the “good reveal at the end.”
• He points out the clever role-reversal of city and country noises—as Steve Granger is discomforted by rural quiet after urban living.
• Graham reflects on the moral dimensions of the case and Granger’s strong code: “He can really have a strong reaction to people that he finds distasteful… but he is not anywhere near the most severe [detective].”
• Listener feedback highlights and humorous insights close his section.

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Summary

This episode delivers a classic radio detective drama with all the trappings: a perilous country weekend, family jealousies, false confessions, and a sharply deduced twist ending. Steve Granger’s methodical approach and clear-eyed morality shine as he unravels the truth behind attempted murders, finally revealing—not the jealous wife, but the wronged and vengeful stepsister as the true killer. The taut dialogue, vivid characterizations, and rich atmosphere make "Paula Crane is Threatened" both suspenseful and dramatically satisfying for mystery lovers and newcomers alike.

Transcript

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[Steve Granger]

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[Paula Crane]

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[Steve Granger]

Sam.

[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 episode of Danger with Granger. 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 to greatdetectives.net and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net but now it's time for this week's episode. Paula Crane is Threatene.

[Steve Granger]

Danger with Granger.

[Paula Crane]

Hello, is this Steve Granger?

[Steve Granger]

Yes, it is.

[Paula Crane]

Steve, this is Paula Crane. I'm calling from Fairhaven.

[Steve Granger]

Paula, how are you? Haven't seen you for a long time.

[Paula Crane]

I called to invite you up to Fairhaven over the weekend. Are you free to come up?

[Steve Granger]

Certainly am.

[Paula Crane]

If you can take the 6:35 train up this afternoon, I'll meet you at the station.

[Steve Granger]

I'll be there, Paula. Certainly will be a treat to get a nice relaxing weekend.

[Paula Crane]

Let me tell you in advance, it might not be so relaxing. Granger, over here.

[Steve Granger]

Oh, hiya, Paula. Wonderful to see you again.

[Paula Crane]

Bring your luggage. I've got the car.

[Steve Granger]

Okay. Hey, you certainly look like a million, Paula.

[Paula Crane]

I can't say I feel that way. That's why I got you up here.

[Steve Granger]

You mentioned the weekend might not be relaxing. What's the trouble? Beautiful.

[Paula Crane]

Twice so far this week, somebody's tried to kill me.

[Steve Granger]

This is Steve Granger, private detective with a story set in a luxurious lakeshore country home. A beautiful setting for murder. In just a moment, I'll take you back to one of my most interesting cases. Paula Crane, who'd invited me to spend a weekend with him, was a girl in her late 20s, strictly the park Avenue type, the kind the columnists refer to as glamorous. In shorts on the top, she could cause the average professional swimming suit advocate to go back to the old fashioned night dress. And this was the girl whom somebody had tried to dispatch from this weary world. Two times I made her pull the car up before we got to her place. Now, Paula, let's hear about these two attempts on your life.

[Paula Crane]

Well, the first was about a week ago. I got up early to take a swim in the lake. And I was about halfway across to the little island in the middle of the lake when I heard a shot. And there was a splash in the water near me. I dived under, stayed underwater as long as I could, then made the island and hid in some bushes till I saw my mother and Richard come down to the beach on the mainland.

[Steve Granger]

Who's Richard?

[Paula Crane]

Well, when father died, mother remarried a man named Arthur Loomis. He had a daughter, Anne. And Richard is Anne's husband, my brother in law. They're all up at the cottage just now except for my stepfather. He's away on a business trip.

[Steve Granger]

Now, let's get back to the shooting.

[Adam Graham]

We're.

[Steve Granger]

What happened after you saw your mother and Richard on the beach?

[Paula Crane]

I waved to them. Richard called out and asked if I wanted him to come out and roll me back. I said no, and about an hour later, I started to swim back to shore. That was when the other shot was fired at me.

[Steve Granger]

I see. Well, let's get this car started. Seems to me that the sooner I take a look around Fairhaven the. Well, this certainly is a beautiful spot.

[Paula Crane]

There's the cottage up ahead.

[Steve Granger]

Call it a cottage. Looks like a country club. See? How many rooms have you got in that hotel?

[Paula Crane]

15.

[Steve Granger]

I wonder what the poor people are doing.

[Paula Crane]

Well, there's Mother coming towards us. Don't say anything, please.

[Steve Granger]

Of course not.

[Paula Crane]

Well, darling, is this your friend? Yes, Mother. I'd like to present Steve Granger.

[Steve Granger]

How do you do, Mrs. Loomis?

[Paula Crane]

Not bad at all. Not bad at all, Mother.

[Steve Granger]

Really tall.

[Paula Crane]

Dark attractor. My, my. I'll show you to your Room. Then perhaps you'd like to go for a swim before dinner. Well, don't tell me you're afraid of the water. Besides, I want your opinion on a new bathing suit.

[Steve Granger]

I have. I'll break out my judge's badge and be with you in five minutes.

[Paula Crane]

Well, Granger, I see you're ready for your swim.

[Steve Granger]

Yep.

[Paula Crane]

How do you like my suit?

[Steve Granger]

You don't go around in public like that, do you?

[Paula Crane]

Why? It's nothing.

[Steve Granger]

That's exactly what I mean. After our swim, Paula and I dressed, drove into the village for dinner. We got back around 10.

[Paula Crane]

Thanks for a wonderful evening. Just having you around makes me feel secure.

[Steve Granger]

Thanks, Paula. Lock your door. I watched the girl walk into a room, heard the click of the lock. Then I turned into my own room, snapped on the light and started unpacking my bag. Then I just sat by the window and listened to the calm, peaceful night sounds. Why, Paula, I thought you were in bed.

[Paula Crane]

Come to my room, please.

[Steve Granger]

Right.

[Paula Crane]

Be quiet. I don't want to awaken anyone.

[Steve Granger]

What's wrong?

[Paula Crane]

It's my cat. Look over there.

[Steve Granger]

Is it dead?

[Paula Crane]

She just died. Very strangely, too. Oh, I always have a glass of milk at night. The cook puts it in my room. Tonight, when I walked in here, Junior, that's the cat, was on the nightstand lapping up the milk. Almost a third of the glass was gone.

[Steve Granger]

That it over in the nightstand now?

[Paula Crane]

Yes.

[Steve Granger]

First you shot at, now someone puts poison in your milk.

[Paula Crane]

I told you, somebody is trying to kill me.

[Steve Granger]

I'll continue with this interesting story in a minute. This was not exactly a pretty situation. Paula's cat lying stiff on the floor of a room. I tell you, curiosity killed a cat. But this one got his by being greedy and diving at the milk left for his mistress. Paula broke out one of the cars and we drove into the village to the drugstore. Luckily, it was open. The druggist, who fancied himself as a chemist, made a quick check on what was left of the glass of milk. He came back wearing a face as sober as a pallbearer's. Ms. Porter, there's enough arsenic in this glass to kill off a whole family. It was a pretty scared girl whom I drove back to the cottage and saw into her room. Making a careful check of the room first, I warned her to keep her door locked. Then I went poison hunting. This was one of the four bathrooms the house affected. I went over the medicine chest. From aspirins to toothpowder. No poison of any kind. I made the rounds. The remaining three Bathrooms. They were as empty of poison as Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard down in the kitchen. I went through all the cabinets, from apples to apricots to anchovies, no arsenic. Through a window I noticed the garage and went that way. When I got there, I moved inside, felt around for a light switch and flicked it on. This was a five car job, was only slightly smaller than the house itself. The cars in it went from the $1,500 price to the category where one doesn't mention money because it's so distasteful. Then I found a garden cabinet on one side of the garage on a shelf. I saw it sitting between a garden spray and a hand trowel. It was insect powder and contained arsenic. I started back to the house. All right, you, hands. Now what? Walk ahead of me up to the house. One moment. Who are you? If you don't walk, I'll shoot you. Are you Paula Crane's brother in law? Just walk, that's all. Because if you are, I might mention that I'm the new house guest, Steve Granger. If you're a house guest, what are you doing sneaking around the garage? What were you going to do with that package of bug poisoning? Oh, some ants in my room. I figured there'd be some insect poison around. I found it back there. I was on my way to the house. I'm supposed to believe that? I see no reason why not. Let's wake up Paula. She'll identify me. Paula looked very surprised to see me at the receiving end of a gun but recovered enough to introduce her brother in law, formerly as Richard Terrace. We waited till she closed and locked her door and then Terrace and I went downstairs for a nightcap. You are Granger. Oh, thanks. I'm sorry I acted the way I did. Oh, forget it, will you? You see, I've been perturbed recently. I'm a very light sleeper and there have been prowlers around. You seen any of them? No. How long has this been going on? For? About a week. Well, I'm going to bed. How about you? Yeah, me too. Oh. Want me to give you a hand with that bug poison? No, no thanks. Sure, I can take care of that madam myself. My night's sleep was a restless one after the rumble of Manhattan 24 hours a day. The night sounds up here sounded terrifying as a jungle. In the morning I took a sample of the insect powder and the glass that held the poisoned milk, went down to the village, had them wrapped and addressed to a certain place in Manhattan. Then I got to a telephone and made a call to my newspaper friend, Cal Hendricks. Hendricks speaking. Hiya, newshound. Stevie boy. What the heck are you doing in Fairhaven? Kind of out of your class, isn't it? Yeah, you think? Only you guys ever get up amongst the big stuff, huh? Say, listen, Cal, I want you to do me a little favor. Yeah, sure. Anytime, Steve. You know that sending down a little parcel address to you. I want you to take it down to the lab. Uh huh. Do I sniff a little bit of funny business going on among those million dollar babies? You might got a long enough nose. Well, don't forget Brother Hendrick wants a story. You'll get it if there is one. It's a deal. I put the package containing the poison glass and the insect powder on the next mail train, then went back to Paula Crane's cottage. My mother informed me that she'd gone to a girlfriend's for the day. This was evening. Mother Loomis, Richard Terrace. His wife Anne and I were sitting on a wide porch.

[Paula Crane]

You seem preoccupied, Mr. Granger.

[Steve Granger]

Who, me? Oh, I was just dreaming, I guess.

[Paula Crane]

I'm glad you came up to visit Paula. She's been rather unhappy lately. If I didn't know her so well, I'd think she was in love. She certainly displays all the symptoms.

[Steve Granger]

Wonder where she disappeared to when she came home, she went right up to her room.

[Paula Crane]

Mr. Granger. If you want to play Romeo, you'll find her down at the lake shore.

[Steve Granger]

Why, thanks. I can take a hint too. Wait, Granger. I'll go along. How about you, Anne?

[Paula Crane]

No, thanks. I'll stay here. I'm beginning to catch a cold.

[Steve Granger]

Take care. You've known Paula for some time? Yeah. Yeah, I met her in New York some years back. I feel sorry for her. Isn't Lynn the same since her father died? Oh, there she is. Hola. Have her company.

[Paula Crane]

I love it. Come over and sit down, you two. Or especially you, Grangers.

[Steve Granger]

Well, thanks.

[Paula Crane]

How do you like it up here?

[Steve Granger]

Love it, love it. Brings out the Daniel Boone in me. All I need is a canoe, my rifle and three Indians.

[Paula Crane]

We have everything but the Indians. Oh, do you have a match?

[Steve Granger]

Sorry, I'm fresh out. I'm out too. Would you mind, Granger? There's some in the living room at the house. Moving back to the house, something struck me. I thought I remembered seeing Richard Terrace pick up a pack of matches just before we walked down to meet Paula. As I neared the house, I could hear the voices of Mrs. Loomis and Anne. I stopped.

[Paula Crane]

I'm Telling you for the last time, I'm not going to put up with it any longer. Really, Anne, I won't listen to another word. Yes, you will. I thought it might stop when she brought Steve Granger up here. Heaven knows he's good looking. Enough. For the last time, I don't want to hear anymore. Mother, why don't you face it? She's been trying to cause trouble between Richard and me ever since we were married. She hates me. Anne, if you wish to continue this ridiculous conversation, I'll admit one thing. Paula is in love with Richard. She's always been in love with Richard. Before you two were married. And I might add this. You married Richard while Paula was abroad on a trip. Are you intimating that I took Richard away from her? Well, it certainly looked like it. Very well, I did. And I'm gonna keep Richard, even if something happens to Paula, and I sincerely hope it does.

[Steve Granger]

Sometimes you can be just plain lucky. Like this time. Overhearing a bit of a conversation that throws a sudden revealing light on things. Because if ever I heard cold hatred in a girl's voice, I heard it then in Anne's. In just a minute, I'll bring you the climax of the case. Things seem to be clearing up a little bit. The talk I overheard between Ann and Mrs. Loomis seemed to provide the motive for the attempts on Paula Crane's life. Was a lucky thing that Richard Terrace had sent me back for some matches. I sneaked into the house, came up with some matches and moved back towards the lake without being seen. There was a rustling noise behind me. I crept into the shadows as quiet as a bird dog flushing at quail. It was Anne Terrace, a slim little shadow who slipped behind a convenient tree to do a little eavesdropping. I decided to do the same thing.

[Paula Crane]

Richard, we simply can't go on this way. I can't stand it.

[Steve Granger]

Paula, you're acting very foolishly about this whole thing.

[Paula Crane]

In the morning you're going to ask for a divorce.

[Steve Granger]

I told you 20 times, I don't want a divorce. I'm not going to get a divorce. And I want you to let me.

[Paula Crane]

Alone, think it over the night and meet me on the island at 7 o' clock in the morning. And Richard.

[Steve Granger]

Yes?

[Paula Crane]

You have your choice. Be there or be sorry.

[Steve Granger]

I watched Anne Terrace, who'd taken in every word, slink past without noticing me. I hung around a bit longer, gave Paula Crane and Richard Terrace a head start, and moved back to the house myself. In my room, I suddenly felt a thirst as I helped myself from a water pitcher on the nightstand. I thought about the triangle that existed in this house, a thoroughly unpleasant one involving a married couple and the stepsister. This would be a good time to see Paula Crane. I started to get up, but never made it. I looked at the moon, which must have gone pixie because it was moving in a slow, tight circle. I shook my head and this time the loony lunar eye was doing a figure eight. I tried to get up once more, but. Yeah? Yeah, what is it?

[Paula Crane]

It's me, Mr. Granger. Aren't you coming down to breakfast?

[Steve Granger]

Hey. Oh, yeah, yeah. Mrs. Loomis, it's 9:00 clock in the morning.

[Paula Crane]

Of course.

[Steve Granger]

Right. I'll be right down. I got up. My mouth felt like it had been rinsed with a bilge water from a 100-year-old schooner and I realized I'd been mickeyed with a capital fin. But I made it to the breakfast room.

[Paula Crane]

Sit down, Mr. Granger. Have some coffee.

[Steve Granger]

Thanks. Morning, Richard. Morning.

[Paula Crane]

Do you feel bad this morning, Mr. Granger?

[Steve Granger]

Oh, no, no, no. I feel wonderful. Just wonderful.

[Paula Crane]

Where's Anne, Richard?

[Steve Granger]

I don't know. She's gone off somewhere.

[Paula Crane]

Morning, everybody.

[Steve Granger]

Good night, Paula.

[Paula Crane]

Now, darling, don't tell me that you feel bad too. Awful. Just like I've been drugged.

[Steve Granger]

Did you say drugged, Paula?

[Paula Crane]

I did. And I want some air, Granger. How about going for a canoe ride? The exercise will do you good.

[Steve Granger]

Young woman. If I wiggled my eyebrows, my hat'd fall.

[Paula Crane]

Oh, come on. You need sunshine, Granger. Somebody doped us all last night, didn't they?

[Steve Granger]

They did. If we all drank water. We all apparently did.

[Paula Crane]

There's a fresh pitcher of water placed in each room nightly.

[Steve Granger]

First your cat gets it with the milk.

[Paula Crane]

First I was shot at.

[Steve Granger]

Correct. Then the cat. Then all of us are drugged. Why?

[Paula Crane]

You're the detective, you tell me.

[Steve Granger]

Think it might be Anne?

[Paula Crane]

Why do you say that?

[Steve Granger]

Let's come out into the open, Paula. You got a stepsister who hates you.

[Paula Crane]

Whatever gave you that idea?

[Steve Granger]

Two conversations I overheard. One between Ann and your mother, the second between you and Richard Terrace.

[Paula Crane]

You overheard that?

[Steve Granger]

Little lady? You're asking for trouble. Anne heard it, too.

[Paula Crane]

I'm glad. I hate her. Richard and I were going to be mad when she moved in.

[Steve Granger]

It's the same. You're in the wrong and you know it. Say, doesn't somebody live on their little island?

[Paula Crane]

No. Why?

[Steve Granger]

Get a picture of the doll in the white bathing suit.

[Paula Crane]

That must be Anne. She probably left the house early and swam over here.

[Steve Granger]

Let's turn around and go back.

[Paula Crane]

No. I've got something to say to Anne, and it might as well be now.

[Steve Granger]

Ann. Mind if we come over? Must be sleeping. Come on.

[Paula Crane]

Granger. That spot on her white suit. Is she dead?

[Steve Granger]

She is. Shot right through the heart.

[Paula Crane]

Oh, what do we do?

[Steve Granger]

Notify the police, then tell Richard Granger. What?

[Paula Crane]

That's my bathing suit she's wearing.

[Steve Granger]

Yours?

[Paula Crane]

Yes. Don't you see? Somebody thought it was me.

[Steve Granger]

Paula Crane and I made it back to the mainland in a hurry. Ashore. We notified the sheriff first, then Richard Terrace. He insisted on going back out to the island with us immediately.

[Paula Crane]

Richard, I don't know what to say.

[Steve Granger]

And. Oh, Anne.

[Paula Crane]

Richard, please.

[Steve Granger]

Paul, I ask you to let me alone. If it hadn't been for you, Anne would probably still be alive.

[Paula Crane]

Richard, don't say that.

[Steve Granger]

She was wearing your suit, wasn't she? Whoever killed her thought it was you.

[Paula Crane]

Richard, don't.

[Steve Granger]

And I wish it had been you. You've hated her ever since Anne and I got married. Take it easy, Richard, will you? And when the sheriff gets here, I'll have something to say to him, too. Now get away, both of you. I want to be alone with Anne.

[Paula Crane]

But, Richard, how will you get back?

[Steve Granger]

Let me alone. Come on, Paula.

[Paula Crane]

Granger, you've got to find out who shot and killed poor Anne.

[Steve Granger]

I intend to. And first I'm gonna talk to your mother. But before I had my talk with Mrs. Loomis, there was something I had to do first. This was my own room. The water pitcher was empty. There was just enough moisture left for one taste. That taste had enough dope in it to knock a Republican right out of his party. The other rooms were the same. The pitchers were empty, but contained enough moisture to give me what I wanted. The last room was Mrs. Loomis's. From under the door came the odor of smoke. I wasted no more time.

[Paula Crane]

Mr. Granger. How dare you come into my room without knocking.

[Steve Granger]

What are you doing in that fire, Mrs. Loomis?

[Paula Crane]

Nothing.

[Steve Granger]

I think I better take a look at that. Mrs. Loomis.

[Paula Crane]

How dare you. Dare you.

[Steve Granger]

Well, what have we here? A red bathing suit, Mr. Granger. Mrs. Loomis, did you know that Ann was shot and killed this morning?

[Paula Crane]

Anne? Shot?

[Steve Granger]

Yes. And here are you, all set to toss a red bathing suit into the fireplace.

[Paula Crane]

I wasn't.

[Steve Granger]

Not much of. People up here always start up fireplaces during the hottest month of the year.

[Paula Crane]

This is my home, and if I want a fire, I start one to.

[Steve Granger]

Burn up bathing suits.

[Paula Crane]

Get out of here. Mr. Granger, you've no right to intrude like this.

[Steve Granger]

Mrs. Loomis, you're not very excited about Anne's murder. You're more interested in this red bathing suit. Is it because you shot and killed her?

[Paula Crane]

Suppose I did.

[Steve Granger]

Why would you?

[Paula Crane]

Because she was ruining my daughter's life. My real daughter, Paula.

[Steve Granger]

By remaining married to Richard Terrace.

[Paula Crane]

Yes, that's why I killed her.

[Steve Granger]

And you were burning the bathing suit because you didn't want anybody to know you'd been swimming early this morning, right?

[Paula Crane]

That's right. Mother, the sheriff is downstairs. What are you doing with that bathing suit?

[Steve Granger]

Paula? Whose suit is this?

[Paula Crane]

Why, it belonged to Ann. What's going on here?

[Steve Granger]

Your mother has just confessed to Anne's murder.

[Paula Crane]

What?

[Steve Granger]

She was just going to burn this suit. That suit might have proved that she swam to the island this morning.

[Paula Crane]

Oh, Granger, really. Look at the size of that suit Mother couldn't get into if she lost 40 pounds.

[Steve Granger]

I want to make a little check, Mrs. Loomis. Turn around, will you?

[Paula Crane]

Why?

[Steve Granger]

Turn around. Now, let's see.

[Paula Crane]

What are you doing?

[Steve Granger]

Just checking the back of your head, Mrs. Loomis, to see if your hair is wet. It's not, though. You couldn't have swum over to the island.

[Paula Crane]

Of course not.

[Steve Granger]

Paula, I'd like to see if your hair is wet.

[Paula Crane]

Keep away from me.

[Steve Granger]

You tipped yourself when you mentioned that your mother couldn't get into that suit. But you could.

[Paula Crane]

Wet hair doesn't prove a thing.

[Steve Granger]

Other things do, though, like the pitchers that held the water. Although they'd been emptied, some had remains of dope and some didn't. Anne's didn't, for one. Yours, for another.

[Paula Crane]

Are you saying that I shot Ann?

[Steve Granger]

Baby, I'd like to bet that you deliberately let Ann hear your talk with Richard Terrace last night. You know she'd be on that island if it killed her. And it did.

[Paula Crane]

You're insane.

[Steve Granger]

You probably stole a suit, forcing her to wear yours. You swam after her in the red suit. You killed her. And your mother saw you do it. That's why she wanted to take the blame, to protect you.

[Paula Crane]

Mr. Granger, please don't say anymore.

[Steve Granger]

I was a front man for you, Paula. When Anne died, it looked like the bullet was intended for you. You would probably try to pin it on Richard. And I would make a beautiful alibi for you.

[Paula Crane]

All right, I killed her. Put that gun down.

[Steve Granger]

That's another mistake you made. You should have dropped the gun into the lake.

[Paula Crane]

I think you and I, Granger, will leave by the back way. You know too much for your own good. Oh, look, please, Mother, get out of the way.

[Steve Granger]

Well, friends, that's a story. I'll be back to wrap up the case in just a minute. On a crane fired just too late because I had her on and the shot went into the ceiling. The sheriff rushed upstairs when he heard the story. Took her to the local jail. Some weeks later, Richard Terrace and I were in my office waiting for something. You should have told me that night that you were a private detective. Well, I couldn't. I was working for Paula. I was her alibi. Story of the shots poisoning the cats. He set it up pretty nice. That chemist to whom Carl Henriks took the glass in the insect powder. His testimony was damaging too. This is it. Now we'll know what happened. Hello. I see. Thanks. Jury found her guilty. Life imprisonment. That's not fair. She should have been executed. No, Richard. Paula loved freedom more than anything. Life imprisonment is the worst sentence she could get. Steve Granger again. You've just had one of the most interesting cases in my files. I'll have another one for you, so be around next time.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, a good episode, lots of suspects, little clues, some red herrings and a good reveal at the end. I like the idea of Granger being really bothered by the sounds of the countryside. As someone who lives in New York City now, I've heard and it stood out to me, people complaining about very, very large cities like New York and Los Angeles and the constant noise there. But it never occurred to me in the reverse that this would be a bother to people who live in the city. But it does make sense. I also appreciated the conclusion and Granger's realization that life in prison was actually the punishment that Paula would hate most. And his ability to see that does speak to who he is as a character. Well, now let's turn to some listener comments and feedback and we start out on Spotify with some comments regarding the episode the Triangle Affair. Dino Flag. Something I missed, Barrister. Oops. Yeah, that would not be an appropriate term for New York based audio drama. And I mean, they are trying to make this as New York as possible. But there are so many, you know, there's just these little slips that will stand out. Like even the way they say garage. Well, they don't say garage, which I guess is part of the problem that makes it sound so odd to American ears. Harrison writes, this might be me imagining things, but Granger seemed harsher in his repartee with everyone. I don't know if that's a reference to that particular episode or overall, I guess I've listened to some detectives that can be really, really harsh. I mean, when I think about it, the guys who can just be like totally in your face rude. Like most of the times characters like Lou Dana or Mike Hammer or Larry Kent. Steve Granger is not in that league. I do think Granger does have. It's not like the world's strictest code, but he does have a very solid moral code and rules that he plays by. And he does not like people who cross that boundary, which we kind of saw in this episode. As even before he suspected Paula was a murderer and he called her on the carpet about her immorality. So he can really have a strong reaction to people that he finds to be distasteful. But again, he is not anywhere near the most severe and having been exposed to some of the more severe ones, I just kind of. I guess I'm unfazed by Steve Granger. Then we have a comment from the Matisse Falcon over on the site called X Be Me. Listen to Adam Graham's wrap up of this one. First, be intrigued by the talk of patience versus Solider and what is the Green Lantern doing in this tied to a convict victim? Roll it back and be delighted as the pieces come together in this table. You found a new way to listen. Anyone else who tries it, let me know how that works for you. And then we have some comments on our listener survey on Blueberry. Pl Writes Love the great detective shows. Tim writes. Been listening many years since the beginning. Adam's amazing consistency is remarkable. Maybe for a treat, play Lux Champagne for Caesar. While I would not be close to the idea of doing that, it is the type of thing where I would need either some Chief of Detectives Patreon to request it or for it to work out as something that would fit in an amazing world of radio series. But I'll keep that suggestion in mind. Thanks so much. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the the day. Thank you to Kelly, Patreon supporter since February of 2020. Currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Kelly. 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 Monday with another episode of Danger with Granger, but join us back here tomorrow for the big Frankie?

[Steve Granger]

Frankie, where are you? Never listens, never around when I want him. Frankie in the shed again. Someday he'll do something terrible. I know it. Get out. Didn't you hear me call you? Get out of here. Leave me alone. What are you doing now What? Crazy thing? What's in that box? I told you, leave me alone. You ever come in the shed again, pa if you ever come sneaking in on me again, if you ever ask me again what I'm doing or what's.

[Paula Crane]

In this box, so help me, I'll brain you.

[Steve Granger]

I'll take a hammer and I'll brain you to death.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter radiodetectives. Check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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[Adam Graham]

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[Steve Granger]

That's the sound of an ice cream shop.

[Adam Graham]

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[Steve Granger]

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[Steve Granger]

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[Adam Graham]

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[Adam Graham]

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[Steve Granger]

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[Paula Crane]

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[Steve Granger]

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[Paula Crane]

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[Steve Granger]

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[Paula Crane]

By Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Steve Granger]

Hey, Sal. Hank. What's going on? We haven't worked a case in years. I just bought my car at Carvana and it was so easy. Too easy. Think something's up? You tell me. They got thousands of options. Found a great car at a great price and it got delivered the next day. It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car, Hank. Yeah, you're right. Case closed.

[Paula Crane]

Buy your car today.

[Steve Granger]

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[Paula Crane]

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