Danger with Grainger: The Coincidental Cartoon (EP4836)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Danger With Grainger – “The Coincidental Cartoon” (EP4836)

Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

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OVERVIEW

This episode revisits the mid-century audio drama series "Danger with Granger," featuring a comic-strip murder mystery titled “The Coincidental Cartoon.” Host Adam Graham introduces and comments on the 1950s radio episode, in which a private detective must untangle a convoluted case involving murder, comic strips foretelling real crimes, gambling debts, and a cunning femme fatale.

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MAIN THEME

What if life imitates art—fatally?
When a murder occurs that perfectly matches a comic strip published that same morning, suspicion falls on the artist, who fears he’s become not just a suspect but a character in a deadly real-life plot. Private eye Steve Granger must separate coincidence from conspiracy as the killings pile up and the clues point to both the artist’s family and a shady gambling ring.

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KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & PLOT SUMMARY

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1. Discovery of the Murder (02:35–04:08)

• A body is spotted in the Hudson River by two tugboat workers. An attempt at a life-saving belt ends as a clear sign of foul play.
• Granger, the narrator and detective, is called to investigate the grim coincidence that shocks the city.

Notable Quote:
“Somebody should have told him he put a life belt around the waist, not around the ankle... Somebody else did that. Take a look at his head—Hey, this guy was murdered.”
— Steve Granger (03:27)

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2. The Comic Strip Connection (04:08–07:10)

• Keith Leffert, a comic strip artist, fears being incriminated because the death in his comic, "Coast Patrol," mirrors the real murder of his brother Calvin—down to the unique life belt detail.
• Police suspicion grows: How did the comic foresee the exact crime? Leffert maintains the strips are drawn weeks in advance.

Notable Quote:
“In tomorrow’s issue, the leader of the gang is killed. At that time, evidence is produced that proves the second dead man killed the first... I’m convinced that’ll happen to me.”
— Keith Leffert (06:47)

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3. Suspects, Alibis, and a Close Call (07:10–09:28)

• Granger investigates Leffert’s alibi, which quickly unravels; his “impossible” trip to Jersey is unsupported and possibly a set-up.
• Granger survives a deliberate hit-and-run, escalating the case from suspicious to deadly.

Notable Quote:
“A car was running through the light directly at me... I barely escaped from a deliberate rundown.”
— Granger (08:21)

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4. Family, Motives, & the Femme Fatale (09:28–11:16)

• Granger visits Keith’s home, meeting Rosa Leffert—the artist’s striking and enigmatic wife.
• The investigation points to Calvin owing $5,000 to Andrew Steed, an underworld figure running a secretive high-class club.

Notable Quotes:
“Keith, Calvin’s death has upset you more than I thought.”
— Rosa Leffert (10:28)

“Who did your brother owe this money to?”
“A man named Steed. He runs some kind of place…”
— Granger & Leffert (11:13)

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5. The Criminal Underworld: Andrew Steed & The Padlock Club (12:16–16:28)

• Granger metes out questions at the club, learning it’s a front for gambling and possible criminal activities.
• A threatening phone call and an attempted shooting at Steed’s apartment add layers of danger and complexity.

Notable Quotes:
“Stay away from Keith Leffitt. Something will happen to you.”
— Anonymous caller (13:06)

“Killing Calvin Leffert wouldn’t get me back the money, you know. But it might intimidate a few others who owe you money, too.”
— Granger to Steed (14:50)

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6. Kidnapping and Confinement (16:28–18:31)

• Granger is assaulted, kidnapped, and wakes up in a private sanitarium, realizing he’s being forced out of the investigation.
• He engineers an escape after subduing a staff member.

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7. The Second Murder – Death Imitates Art Again (20:52–22:09)

• The next morning’s headlines: Keith Leffert is found dead, an apparent suicide. His death mimics the comic’s storyline again, and a note confesses to his brother’s murder.
• Granger suspects the suicide is staged.

Notable Quote:
“That sort of looks like the long arm of coincidence, doesn’t it?... Maybe Keith Leffert killed his brother... Maybe he lived out his own story.”
— Cal Hendricks, reporter, to Granger (22:09)

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8. Cracking the Case: The Clue in the Comic (22:09–25:41)

• Granger finds a duplicate of the incriminating comic page in Steed’s apartment—not just at the syndicate.
• Granger confronts Rosa Leffert with the evidence and her artistic skills.

Notable Exchange:
“Did Keith always make two copies of his advance comic strip?”
— Granger
“Sometimes.”
— Rosa Leffert
“I found a duplicate of that particular sheet in Andrew Steed’s apartment... The syndicate said that you also are a fine artist.”
— Granger
“You signed that death note, Mrs. Levitt. You made that duplicate... I think perhaps you’ll be under suspicion of murder.”
— Granger (24:52–25:19)

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9. Final Confrontation and Solution (25:41–27:41)

• Steed arrives as Granger confronts Rosa. A brief scuffle leads to Granger shooting Steed.
• At headquarters, the truth comes out: Rosa, the real gambler, used Calvin (her brother-in-law) as her ATM. Steed, attracted to Rosa, helped her stage both murders to mimic Keith’s comic, making him appear guilty of both deaths and a suicide.

Notable Exchange:
“Mrs. Leffitt was the real gambler at Andrew Steed’s spot... Steed wasn’t worried about the money. Fell in love with Mrs. Leffert. They got together and plotted both killings, using the comic strip to make it look like Keith Leffitt had murdered his brother and then killed himself following the action of his own story.”
— Granger (26:22–26:39)

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10. Aftermath & Host Commentary (27:41–32:00)

• Granger realizes he didn’t get paid because his client is dead—a classic hardboiled detective twist.
• Adam Graham returns to discuss logical inconsistencies (notably the baddies’ shifting motives for dealing with Granger) but overall finds the episode entertaining, especially with its Chandleresque flavor.

Adam Graham’s Notable Comments:
“Hate to say it, but the smart radio privatized charge retainers... It prevents being left high and dry like Granger was here.”
— Adam Graham (28:12)

“You have to love the Chandleresque twist of throwing the detective into a padded room and the detective having to get out of it.”
— Adam Graham (28:32)

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MEMORABLE QUOTES

• “I was nearly kissed goodbye by a car which had lethal intentions—believe me, I’ve been sweating ever since.” (08:21, Granger)
• “You signed that death note, Mrs. Levitt. You made that duplicate of the sheet of comics. I think perhaps you’ll be under suspicion of murder.” (25:19, Granger)
• “All that work and no Mazuma.” (27:21, Granger)

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TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• [02:35] Start of Drama: Discovery of the body on the tugboat
• [04:08] Steve Granger meets nervous comic strip artist, learns about the comic-crime connection
• [08:21] Attempted hit-and-run on Granger
• [11:13] Motive discussion: Gambling debts, introduction of Andrew Steed
• [13:06] Threatening anonymous call
• [14:50] Steed’s motives discussed
• [16:28] Granger assaulted and delivered to sanitarium
• [21:47] News of Keith Leffert’s “suicide”; headlines and police investigation
• [24:52] Confrontation with Rosa Leffert; comic page clue revealed
• [26:22] Adam Graham’s after-episode analysis and listener mail read

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LISTENER COMMENTS & HOST INSIGHTS

• Observers noted script accents possibly betraying an Australian origin; the overlap of "Granger" the character and "Grainger" the real business in ads.
• Adam Graham points out plot weaknesses but emphasizes the story’s fun, noir tone and classic hardboiled detours.

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CONCLUSION

“Danger with Granger: The Coincidental Cartoon” offers a twisting tale of murder, misdirection, and “life imitating art.” The radio drama’s noir sensibility and meta-fictional premise are enhanced by sharp dialogue, a driven detective, and host Adam Graham’s affectionate, tongue-in-cheek commentary.

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For those who missed the episode, this summary cracks the case—a story where art’s stories become blueprints for murder, and a detective navigates love, lies, and lethal coincidences in classic radio style.

Transcript

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[AM PM Spokesperson]

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[Interviewer]

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[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 are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. 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 and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net well now from 1956 or 1957, here is the episode the Coincidental Cartoo.

[Steve Granger]

Danger with Granger. Where's the cold day? Bill? Yeah, Someday I'm gonna get off this old tugboat and find myself a nice job ashore inside some central heated office. Yeah, I used to say that. Well, lookit here I am still working the tugboat. Well, I'm going to park. Hey Bill, come in quick. What's the matter? Come here. Right there. What's going on? Take a look over here in the port side and tell me, am I going nuts or something?

[Narrator/Detective]

Holy smoke.

[Steve Granger]

You see the same thing I do. That looks like a pair of legs sticking up out of the water out here too. You get that boat hook on the.

[Ms. Graham]

Four sides.

[Steve Granger]

You reach him just past the stern. Go on. The reverse. Right. Okay, okay. Hold it. I got him. Get out here. Give me a hand. Okay. One, two, three. Right. Get a load of that guy. Somebody should have told him he put a life belt around the waist, not around the ankle. Yeah, he did, huh? He is. And he ever put this life belt on himself? What? Somebody else did that. Take a look at his head. Hey, this guy was murdered.

[Narrator/Detective]

This is Steve Granger, private detective with a story about a comic strip artist.

[Steve Granger]

Who got himself involved in a situation.

[Narrator/Detective]

Which didn't prove so comic. I am in. Just a moment.

[Steve Granger]

I'll take you back to one of.

[Narrator/Detective]

My most interesting cases.

[Steve Granger]

This is Granger.

[Narrator/Detective]

I was sitting in my office where a radiator was getting off some of that heat that's so popular on wintry days.

[Steve Granger]

Business has been slower than a Fifth.

[Narrator/Detective]

Avenue bus in a blizzard. And I was thinking of locking up shop and taking the afternoon off when the man rushed in.

[Steve Granger]

If you're a two danger, you ought to do something for me right away.

[Narrator/Detective]

Slow down to the wall, stare after me.

[Steve Granger]

They're gonna find me, and when they do, I'll be accused of murder.

[Narrator/Detective]

What murder? Who are you?

[Steve Granger]

As soon as they see the paper, they come looking for me and I'll be accused of murder. I didn't do it, you understand?

[Narrator/Detective]

As soon as you can tell me a couple of things, we'll go ahead. If you can't, I'll throw you out. You're making me nervous. Yeah?

[Steve Granger]

All right. What do you want to know?

[Narrator/Detective]

That's a good question. First, who are you? Then second, who was murdered? Third, why?

[Steve Granger]

Is anybody going to say you did it?

[Ms. Graham]

Very well.

[Steve Granger]

My name is Keith Leffert. Number two, please look at this newspaper right there.

[Narrator/Detective]

The crew of the tugboat Mary J. Found the body of Calvin Leffert floating downstream in the Hudson River. When the body was hauled aboard, they found that a life belt had been tied around the ankles. The ankles? What kind of routine was that?

[Steve Granger]

Keep on reading.

[Narrator/Detective]

At the morgue, it was found that Leffitt had died of drowning. But suspicion arose when a bruise bad enough to cause a fracture was found in his forehead. What relation was the dead man to you?

[Steve Granger]

He's my brother. And when the police start checking, they'll be sure I did it and I'll be locked up.

[Adam Graham]

Why?

[Steve Granger]

Turn the paper to the comic section.

[Narrator/Detective]

Comic section?

[Steve Granger]

Go on, go on.

[Narrator/Detective]

Okay. Now what?

[Steve Granger]

Look at today's Coast Patrol comic strip.

[Narrator/Detective]

I bent an eye over the pictures and got a surprise. In the comics, the Coast Patrol had.

[Steve Granger]

Found exactly what the tugboat man had.

[Narrator/Detective]

Really found on the Hudson river this morning. Then I looked at the artist's name and got another surprise.

[Ms. Graham]

You see now?

[Narrator/Detective]

So you're the man who draws this trip? Yes.

[Steve Granger]

Notice the identical way in which the man in the comic strip dies.

[Narrator/Detective]

I do.

[Steve Granger]

The police will find out about this. When they do, they're arrest me. Did you kill your brother?

[Narrator/Detective]

No. How far in advance you draw this? Coast Patrol?

[Steve Granger]

I stay four to five weeks ahead.

[Narrator/Detective]

And you think that somebody might have got hold of the Coast Patrol and killed your brother the same day the story appeared?

[Steve Granger]

What else can I think?

[Narrator/Detective]

Who can take a look at your stuff before it's published?

[Steve Granger]

Thousands of people. The syndicate people, newspaper employees, my servants. And that bothers me too. Why? In tomorrow's issue, the leader of the gang is killed. At that time, evidence is produced that proves that the second dead man killed the first.

[Narrator/Detective]

And you think that'll happen to you?

[Steve Granger]

I'm convinced of it.

[Narrator/Detective]

I met a few comic strip artists in that time, but Keith Leffert took the first prize. He was nervous as a landlord at a rent control meeting.

[Steve Granger]

I promised to look into the matter.

[Narrator/Detective]

Sent him on his way and took a trip down to police headquarters to find out what I could about the murdered man. After that, I called Leopard. I had a question to ask him and hoped he would give me the right answer.

[Adam Graham]

Hello?

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, is Mr. Leffert there?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Oh, who is this calling?

[Narrator/Detective]

My name is Granger. Very important that I speak to him.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Oh, very well. One moment, please.

[Narrator/Detective]

Hello, Lep, this is Granger.

[Steve Granger]

Yes?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes.

[Steve Granger]

The police have estimated that your brother's.

[Narrator/Detective]

Body was put in the river about 9 this morning. Oh. No alibi for that time? No. Where were you? In Jersey. Why Jersey?

[Steve Granger]

I got a telephone call at 8 o'.

[Narrator/Detective]

Clock.

[Steve Granger]

It was supposed to have been from an artist who does my fill in work. He told me the stuff was ready.

[Narrator/Detective]

Why didn't he come to Manhattan?

[Steve Granger]

He's an invalid.

[Narrator/Detective]

In that case, you still got an alibi. Leopard.

[Steve Granger]

That's just it. When I got over to Jersey, the man wasn't home.

[Narrator/Detective]

When Keith Leffitt gave me the cripple.

[Steve Granger]

Man'S telephone number, I hung up, dialed.

[Narrator/Detective]

The man and checked on the story of the Jersey trip. The man denied having called Leffitt and certainly had not seen him. I walked out of the drugstore where I'd made the call and moved towards the corner, intending to flag the a cab. The light changed. I set the traffic feet. Something made me look to the right. A car was Running through the light directly at me. I'll continue with this interesting story in a minute. As the car roared towards me, I threw myself back to the shelter of the sidewalk. My body hit the ground. I felt my foot just scrape the side of the car as it went past and disappeared. I barely escaped from a deliberate rundown. I stood for a while, getting my breath back, then hailed a cab and went to see the nervy comic strip artist. He showed me into his study and I told him two things. One, the guy he claimed that called him to Jersey denied having done it. Two, the attempt on my life.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

But that's.

[Narrator/Detective]

That's terrible.

[Steve Granger]

Are you sure it was you they tried to run down?

[Narrator/Detective]

I was the only one crossing the street. Granger, this is making me more worried than ever.

[Steve Granger]

How about a drink?

[Narrator/Detective]

I could sure use one.

[Steve Granger]

I'll ring for the maid.

[Narrator/Detective]

I watched Leffitt move around restlessly, picking at this, moving that, snapping his fingers. Then the door opened. This woman was no maid. She was tall, a statuesque type, with dark red hair that bloomed like copper. An afternoon dress. The party type didn't do her any harm either.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

I heard the bell, darling, and played myself.

[Steve Granger]

What do you want? A couple of drinks.

[Narrator/Detective]

Rosa.

[Steve Granger]

Oh, this is Steve Granger, a private detective.

[Narrator/Detective]

This is my wife, Rosa. How do you do?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

What in the world are you doing with a private detective?

[Steve Granger]

He's going to be my bodyguard.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

But I thought the police did those things.

[Steve Granger]

They do, darling, but I want someone around all the time. I'm afraid something might happen to you. Really?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Keith Calvin's death has upset you more than I thought.

[Steve Granger]

Yes, it has.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Well, I'm glad to know, Mr. Granger, even under these most unusual circumstances.

[Narrator/Detective]

All right, Mrs. Ler. I was just going to ask your husband if he had any idea why someone would want to kill his banner.

[Steve Granger]

You'd better tell them, Rosa.

[Adam Graham]

Yes.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

I'll get the drinks. What should it be, Mr. Granger?

[Narrator/Detective]

Scotch.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Rye or gin?

[Narrator/Detective]

Scotch, please. And on the rock.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

I'll be right back.

[Narrator/Detective]

Lovett. What's this about? Your brother.

[Steve Granger]

He owed money. A lot of money, to a man.

[Narrator/Detective]

What's a lot? 5,000. That's a lot. Tony, to whom did your brother owe this money?

[Steve Granger]

A man named Steed.

[Narrator/Detective]

And Bruce Beard.

[Steve Granger]

He runs some kind of place.

[Narrator/Detective]

I say.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

There'S somebody here from the police department. He wants to talk to you.

[Steve Granger]

Granger, will you stand by me?

[Narrator/Detective]

I got a better idea. Talk to him if he wants to take you down to headquarters. Go along with no argument, Granger. Then get Your attorney, He can get you out on the writ of habeas corpus. Okay? Yes. Now go talk to him.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Aren't you acting strange, Lannet? The Granger. I thought my husband employed you to guard him.

[Steve Granger]

I have a feeling that right now.

[Narrator/Detective]

Your husband would be better off in jail.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

But he's not guilty of his brother's death.

[Narrator/Detective]

Mrs. Leffitt. Is there a back way out of here?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

There's that door there. It leads out into the hall.

[Narrator/Detective]

Thanks. I'll see you later.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

But your drink.

[Narrator/Detective]

I'll have to see that later, too.

[Steve Granger]

I slipped out the side door, made.

[Narrator/Detective]

My way back around towards the front of the building and the elevators. Then if an officer recognized me, at least I wouldn't be sneaking. I headed downtown to Cal Hendricks place. And all the time I had the feeling I was being followed. But I couldn't spot my follower.

[Steve Granger]

Hiya, Stevie boy. You look kind of hunt about it.

[Narrator/Detective]

Why shouldn't I? I was nearly kissed goodbye by a car which had lethal intentions. Believe me, I've been sweating ever since. Well, it's one way to get warm these cold days. Hey, Cal, what do you know about a fellow named Andrew Steed? Runs some kind of a joint?

[Steve Granger]

It's no joint.

[Narrator/Detective]

It's called a Padlock Club.

[Steve Granger]

One of those places where each customer has a key. Oh, yeah, Steed's a sharpie.

[Narrator/Detective]

He's never been brought in by the police. But they have gambling?

[Steve Granger]

They do.

[Narrator/Detective]

At least the words around on that.

[Steve Granger]

But Mr. Steed has never been caught.

[Narrator/Detective]

And from the bevy of legal lights he's got around him, probably never will be.

[Steve Granger]

Hendrik speaking.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, he's here for you. Who is it?

[Steve Granger]

Man?

[Narrator/Detective]

Don't recognize the voice. Hello? Granger? Yeah. Stay away from Keith Leffitt.

[Steve Granger]

Something will happen to you.

[Narrator/Detective]

Like being run down by another car? How'd you ever guess? Hello? Hello?

[Steve Granger]

Hello?

[Narrator/Detective]

What was that? Some character handing out warnings. I see you, Cal.

[Steve Granger]

Going over to see Mr. Steed?

[Narrator/Detective]

I most certainly am. Andrew Steed lived in an office, ultra ultra apartment in an ultra ultra section. I got past the doorman with no trouble. Ten floors higher up, I found myself at the Padlock Club owner's door.

[Steve Granger]

Who are you? What do you want? This was my busy day.

[Narrator/Detective]

I'm Steve Granger. I want to talk to Andrew Steed about a murder. What murder? Calvin Leffert.

[Steve Granger]

I see if the boss will talk.

[Narrator/Detective]

To you or not. The door closed in my face. I tried to recall the voice on the telephone at Cal Hendricks's. And if it resembled this man's or not, I couldn't quite make it fit.

[Steve Granger]

The boss will give you five minutes. This is his busy day too.

[Narrator/Detective]

You don't know how grateful I am. Come on in. Here. Thanks a lot. Oh, I see. You're the boss. Andrew Steed. In person. You said you wanted to talk about Leffert's murder, Granger. Why? Very simple, Steed. I could have had a rumor that you put the finger on Calvin Leffert because he couldn't pay off $5,000 he owed you. Killing Calvin Leffert wouldn't get me back the money, you know. But it might intimidate a few others who owe you money too. Don't you think, Granger? I don't want to be linked with the Leopard killing. It's extremely bad for business. I didn't have anything to do with the killing. Did the police know anything about that 5000 Calvin oatmeal? Not from me they don't. But I believe they have taken Keith down to headquarters. He could crack on the question. Plenty scared. Who else knows besides you and Keith Lifford? I couldn't say, and this isn't good. How much will you take to keep quiet about my connection? Not a cent, Speed. If you didn't have anything to do with Calvin Leopard's death, fine. If you did. That's another thing. See you later, Steve. I moved towards the elevators. Suddenly that instinct told me to turn around. I did and ducked just in time. I hadn't got a good look at the gunman's position but it could have been the doorway to Steed's apartment.

[Steve Granger]

What's going on out here?

[Narrator/Detective]

All right, Steed, hold it. You, buster, get out of here.

[Steve Granger]

What's the matter with you?

[Narrator/Detective]

Let's see that gun you've got parked in your shoulder. Now, listen. Get it out. Okay. Here. This hasn't been fired. Here, take it back. All right, Granger. What was that for? You got a gun, Steed? Don't be ridiculous. What happened? Some joker took a potshot at me. Must have disappeared down this corridor.

[Steve Granger]

Granger, come inside a moment.

[Narrator/Detective]

Something I think you should know. Okay, what is it? Take him, Monty.

[Steve Granger]

Up, Granger, take that guinea before you hurt yourself.

[Narrator/Detective]

What's this for, Steve?

[Steve Granger]

I've changed my mind about you, mister. I think perhaps you'd better be put.

[Narrator/Detective]

On ice for a little while. Yeah, Yeah. I felt the impact of a gun butt behind my ear. So. Nine kinds of brilliance and promptly dived down into blackness. That's one of the disadvantages of my profession. Every hoodlum in Town thinks of you as a nut to crack. In just a minute, I'll bring you the climax of the case. When I woke up after being slugged by Andrew Steed's sidekick. I had a splitting headache and felt like a bundle of laundry. When I looked around the globe, I found myself tied hand and foot in what was some kind of an oversized canvas bag. I spent what must have been an hour or two in a vehicle that bounced along with gay abandon. I felt like I was living a chapter out of Keith Leffert's Coast Patrol. Then the vehicle stopped. All right, let's get him out of here. Right. I felt myself being lifted and carried. The door opened and shut. Then another one. Is this the man? Yes. You know what to do?

[Steve Granger]

I do. Be sure and keep an eye on him.

[Narrator/Detective]

He gets violent occasionally. Then I hear the door shut and in a moment the canvas bag was undone and I was untied by a small, shifty looking character in a white coat. There, that's more comfortable, isn't it? If you're a doctor, mister, you're gonna be in a jam for this caper. Now, now, don't get excited. The guy took off and locked the door. I looked around. I was in the cell, carefully petted. It didn't take much to figure that I was in a private institution and probably booked as a relative or friend of Andrew Steed's. I sat in the cell for an hour. Two, three.

[Steve Granger]

And through a barred window I could.

[Narrator/Detective]

See the day fading into night. Then I had a visitor. I thought you might like some food. Why, thanks a lot. I could use a bite. Well, here's the train. Sure you'll be satisfied? Well, Tray, your character. I looked down at the fallen man for a second. Then I went through him. Got a set of keys. I moved cautiously towards what I hoped was the front of the building. This was the office where I'd made my first exit from the laundry bag. This was the street and I was free. But where was I? I jotted down the number of the building. An old house that had been converted to a sanitarium on the next corner. I got the name of the street from a sign. It was Cypress. I held a passing car. The driver took me to the local taxi stand. I was in a small town of New Jersey. I told the hackey to take me back to Manhattan. I stood at the door of Keith Leffitt's spot pushing the bucket button. I waited 5 minutes and 10. I bent an eat of the door and couldn't hear a sound. I left the building for a telephone booth and made a call to police headquarters. The headquarters man told me that Leffitt had been released after an hour of questioning. My next stop was Steve's apartment. I had a news flash for him in both hands. After five minutes, I gave it up and went back downstairs. The Dolman remembered seeing Steve leave. His man servant had driven him away in a car but when the doorman described it to me sounded like the one that had tried to run me down. This was the entrance to Steed's Club. The padlock, no doorknob was visible. Only a single keyhole, to which I had no key.

[Steve Granger]

Yeah?

[Narrator/Detective]

What do you want? I want to go inside. I got a message from Mr. Steve. Where's your key? I haven't got a key.

[Steve Granger]

Then you don't get in.

[Narrator/Detective]

Maybe that's the way you feel about it.

[Steve Granger]

Stop it.

[Narrator/Detective]

Put up the hands. Okay, I said, nobody gets in without.

[Steve Granger]

A key, so blow.

[Narrator/Detective]

I moved away from the padlock club, getting the man's eyes on me. I stopped at an alley. I played a hunch and moved down towards where blackness shut out the street lights. There was a car parked here. A car that looked familiar. I reached inside and opened the glove compartment. The registration slip showed the car's owner as Andrew Speed. This was the car that tried to run me down. I let it go for the night, went back to my apartment planning unpleasant things for Speed the next day. Then I phoned Keith Leffert with no results. At 9 the following morning, I reached outside my door, picked up the newspaper and saw the headlines. Keith Leffert was dead. I got into my clothes and made it to my pal Cal Hendricks. I had need of the newspaper man.

[Steve Granger]

Well, Steve, what now?

[Narrator/Detective]

Cal, take a look at this.

[Steve Granger]

Body of Keith Leffert, popular comic strip artists was found in his apartment last night at midnight. Police say that Leit committed suicide. He left one note to his wife.

[Narrator/Detective]

The contents were not developed. Now turn up the comic section. Have a look. Even left with comic strip, the gangster.

[Steve Granger]

Kills himself because of his brother's death a day earlier.

[Narrator/Detective]

That sort of looks like the long arm of coincidence, doesn't it? It sure does. You know, maybe Keith Leet killed his brother. He had no alibi for the time of his brother's death. Maybe he lived out his own story. Maybe.

[Steve Granger]

Maybe not. Carol, I'm going out of the morgue.

[Narrator/Detective]

To get the whole story. Maybe maybe not is correct. Maybe it is. Cut it out.

[Steve Granger]

Okay.

[Narrator/Detective]

What's the dope, officer?

[Steve Granger]

Mrs. Leffert telephoned us. She was at the opera when her husband killed himself.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh.

[Steve Granger]

Leffert was lying on a davenport in the living room fully dressed, even to an overcoat and a pair of gloves.

[Narrator/Detective]

Now, what about that note? Care to tell me what it says? It was written on his typewriter.

[Steve Granger]

Don't make fast guesses, Granger.

[Narrator/Detective]

He signed the note.

[Steve Granger]

The signature looks genuine.

[Narrator/Detective]

Go on.

[Steve Granger]

It just said something to the effect that he was responsible for his brother's death. That he couldn't afford to give him any more money.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh. Think his death was murdered like Carol Hendricks says? Maybe, maybe not. I left police headquarters and went back uptown. My client was dead and there really was no more reason for me to work on the case. Then I noticed the man following me. It was Andrew Steeds manservant. The one who'd helped me get into the sanitarium. I stopped off at a convenience store phone. Call Hendricks to tell him where I was going. Then I became as obvious as a striptease artist in the night court. I wound up at Andrew Steed's floor. His man wasted no time. Okay, Granger, so you got out. I did. You were a chump to come back. Here. Inside. I've been waiting for this. Thanks for opening the door. I dragged the unconscious hoodlum inside and went to work. Searching the apartment, I found something interesting. A full page of the Coast Patrol comics. The page that showed how both crimes had been committed. I examined Keith Leppitt's signature and got a hunch that the artist had not committed suicide. I called the newspaper syndicate that handled Leopard stuff and asked a question. I got an interesting answer. Now I needed to bluff my way through. This was the Leopard apartment.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

You're a little late, Mr. Granger. My husband is dead.

[Narrator/Detective]

I know.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Just let me alone.

[Narrator/Detective]

I'm in such a hurry. Mrs. Levitt, I want to ask you a question. What? Did Keith always make two copies of his advance comic strip?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Sometimes.

[Narrator/Detective]

Did he make two copies of the sheet that showed both deaths?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Why do you ask?

[Narrator/Detective]

Because the newspaper syndicate said that they'd received only one.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Is that unusual?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes. Because I found a duplicate of that particular sheet in Andrew Steed's apartment. Got anything to say, Mrs. Leopard?

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

What are you hinting at?

[Narrator/Detective]

Syndicate said that you also are a fine artist. Both strip work and pen and ink drawings.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Narrator/Detective]

You signed that death note, Mrs. Levitt. You made that duplicate of the sheet of comics. I think perhaps you'll be under suspicion of murder.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

But I was at the opera. I couldn't have shot him.

[Narrator/Detective]

Perhaps not, but you know that Steed came up here, shot your husband, planted.

[Steve Granger]

The suicide notes you wrote Granger.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Yeah, I've got money now. He slept quite a bit.

[Narrator/Detective]

You'll give it to me If I.

[Steve Granger]

Keep my mouth shut, I'll tell you the whole story. Implicating me.

[Narrator/Detective]

Rosa, dear Andrew. Hold it, Steed.

[Steve Granger]

Not this time, Granger.

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, friends, that's the story. I'll be back to wrap up the case in just a minute. I took Andrew's Steed through the shoulder, after which I called homicide and gave them the news. A police car called at the Leopard Department, took us all down to police headquarters where the rest of the story was filled in. Later, I answered a query or two from Cal Hendricks.

[Steve Granger]

Oh, come on, Steve, let's hear it.

[Narrator/Detective]

That was the old story, Cal. Mrs. Leffitt was the real gambler at Andrew Steed's spot. She was afraid to ask her husband for the money, so she persuaded the younger brother Calvin into doing it for her. Nice woman. Then when the kid brother got tough and said he was going to tell keith the truth, Mrs. Leffitt got scared and told Steve.

[Steve Granger]

How did he get involved?

[Narrator/Detective]

Speed wasn't worried about the money. Fell in love with Mrs. Leffert. They got together and plotted both killings, using the comic strip to make it look like Keith Leffitt had murdered his brother and then killed himself following the action of his own story. What about the rundown and the shot in the hole? Steed's man did the rundown. Steed himself fired the shot. I didn't search him, so didn't find that out.

[Steve Granger]

Well, you sure have had to chase.

[Narrator/Detective]

Around to earn that fee, haven't you, Steve? You said it. Hey, why's it going? I just realized that this is one time when I don't get a fee. My client's dead. There's no one to collect from.

[Steve Granger]

How do you like that?

[Narrator/Detective]

All that work in Omazuma. Steve Granger again. You've just heard one of the most interesting cases in my files. And I'll have another one for you, so be around next time.

[Interviewer]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Interviewer]

Could you be more specific?

[AM PM Spokesperson]

When it's cravinient.

[Adam Graham]

Okay.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.

[Interviewer]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Interviewer]

Crave, which is anything from AM pm.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

What more could you want?

[Commercial Voice]

Stop by AM PM where the snacks.

[AM PM Spokesperson]

And drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience ampm Too much good stuff.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A tough lesson for Granger. Hate to say it, but the smart radio privatized charge retainers. It prevents being left high and dry like Granger was here. He doesn't even get expenses and with a cab ride from New Jersey, that would be a big deal. The Heavy's actions in this story don't make a lot of sense or were at least inconsistent. He tried to get rid of Granger in the car, but then only decided when he had him in his clutches to put him in the sanitarium, which kind of seems a weird risk to take when you're already committing murder and were ready to kill the guy previously. It's a type of move that doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you're behind the killing. Still, despite some of the logic in this one, it was still an enjoyable episode. You have to love the Chandleresque twist of throwing the detective into a padded room and the detective having to get out of it. Listener comments and feedback now. And we start on Spotify where mechanic66 wrote of the episode the Amorous Amnesiac. Good one. And then a comment interesting one from Moore. Gerald Lustremain I would be willing to bet it's a coincidence, but the commercial that played before the episode was for Granger, the equipment company. Maybe instead of Granger for the one who gets it done, they could change it to Granger. Not dangerous at all, unlike the cartoons in the episode. That was actually coincidental, but it's a very amusing coincidence. Those ads of course are handled by our host Spreaker, but I doubt that Granger is targeting podcasts that feature the name Granger in them, but who knows? Over on YouTube Reinzer comments regarding the episode. Obviously the script was written by an Aussie. The supporter cast accents are really coming through and where a Yank would have said okay, our character said very well and there was garage. Again, it would not surprise me if an Australian had written the scripts, though I don't have any certain information on who wrote it. Then we have a comment from Joe regarding the episode 4816 the Rainy Knot Murder. Thanks. I haven't heard Danger with Granger in a long time. Well, thanks so much Joe. And it's great that other folks have heard of it because to so many this is a brand new series and Then Betsy left a simple. I enjoyed this. Thank you. Well, thank you so much, Betsy. And now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank you, Joanna. Patreon supporter since June of 2022, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Joanna. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We'll be back next Monday with another episode of Danger with Granger. But join us back here tomorrow as we get into the big story where Francis.

[Ms. Graham]

She's awfully upset, Mr. Fosco, and so am I. Ms. Graham, please realize I'm only doing my job.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

I know your job.

[Ms. Graham]

Yes, Ms. Eaton, it's my job to ask questions, to find out everything I can about your roommate.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Guilty.

[Ms. Graham]

Morbid curiosity. You don't have to insult me, Fran. He's just doing his job. His job? His job. Why don't you just go away and leave us alone? Because I'm a reporter. And believe me, I don't enjoy troubling you at a time like this any more than you like being troubled. I don't think Mr. Fosgo would do anything wrong. All I want, Ms. Graham, is a little information on your roommate. A picture if you have one. Anything you can tell me about her folks. You won't get anything out of me, Ms. Eaton. You make me say something I don't like to say. Mrs. Fosco.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

She doesn't mean anything.

[Ms. Graham]

She's just terribly upset. We're both upset. Please. Maybe if you come back tomorrow. There's no tomorrow in the newspaper business. Ms. Graham and Ms. Eaton, I have this to say. I can go back to my office. Why don't you then want to? Honey, I can go back and write that you were too upset to talk about your friend. If you'd only come back later. Or I can write you refuse to reveal anything about her. They both mean the same thing, but they sound awfully different. You wouldn't do a thing like that. Believe me. I'm not digging for dirt in a girl's tragedy. I'm trying to find a line to a murder. If you'll only tell me one thing.

[Ms. Eaton / Mrs. Leffitt]

Nothing, Nothing.

[Ms. Graham]

Just one thing. I think this is a love murder. And if you'll just tell me the name. The names of the men she went out with. It wasn't that kind of a girl.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to [e-mail] follow us on Twitter radio detectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

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This is the story of the One As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger, because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs, and next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

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