The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Danger with Grainger: The Triangle Affair (EP4901)
Aired: February 2, 2026 | Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode features the classic radio detective show "Danger with Grainger," in the case dubbed "The Triangle Affair." The mystery revolves around Skip Lantry, an ex-con who hires detective Steve Granger to clear his name after a wrongful conviction. As Granger investigates, he finds himself unraveling a complex triangle of deceit involving old grievances, romance, financial fraud, and murder.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Ex-Con’s Dilemma (02:39 – 05:00)

• Skip Lantry is released from prison after three years on a questionable robbery conviction.
• Lantry expresses skepticism towards reentering society, fearing judgment and vowing to find out who framed him:
  • "I'm gonna get the guy who framed me into this joint." – Skip Lantry (03:25)
• Steve Granger is hired by Lantry to look into the matter, which is motivated by Lantry’s desire to clear his name.

2. Reinvestigating the Case (05:01 – 09:00)

• Granger revisits Lantry’s trial details, highlighting an anonymous police tip and a janitor's testimony as critical evidence against Lantry.
• Granger suspects the janitor, Alvin Friede, may have been bribed:
  • "If somebody really tried to frame you, they could have... then fed the janitor a few bucks to say he sort of recognized you." – Steve Granger (08:00)
• Granger connects with Phyllis Preston, a woman detective acquaintance of Skip's, to watch the janitor.

3. Complicated Alliances & The Money Trail (09:33 – 13:00)

• Skip’s girlfriend, Lucille Danane, visits to give him a substantial sum of money from his own bank account.
• Granger also involves Phyllis:
  • "I do a little investigating." – Phyllis Preston (12:25)
• Phyllis is previously threatened and briefly held by George Slater, owner of the Green Lantern bar.

4. The Shocking Turn: Suicide or Murder? (14:00 – 18:30)

• Skip Lantry is found dead in his apartment, an apparent suicide—but Granger and Phyllis are both skeptical.
  • "He must have thought you could never prove anything. So he shot himself." – Lt. Kramer (16:20)
• Granger finds evidence of Skip’s large, untouched bank balance, suggesting foul play.

5. Following the Leads: The Green Lantern Connection (19:58 – 23:31)

• Phyllis tails the janitor and observes key characters meeting at the Green Lantern.
• Granger discovers the janitor is a bookmaker—the bar serves as a headquarters for illegal gambling.

6. Confrontation & The True Villains Unmasked (23:32 – 24:31)

• Granger and Lt. Kramer eavesdrop as Lucille and Kirk Masters (Skip’s lawyer) discuss eliminating loose ends, revealing the conspiracy.
  • "You'll have to get rid of that Preston girl… And you'll have to get rid of Granger too." – Lucille Danane (23:04)
• Granger confronts them with bank records and bookie logs:
  • "From where I stand, it looks like you were using Skip's account to hide the profits of a bookmaking." – Steve Granger (23:40)
• A struggle ensues; George tries to shoot his way out but is apprehended.

7. Resolution & Motive (24:32 – 26:37)

• Lt. Kramer arrests Lucille, Masters, and George, with the janitor charged as an accessory.
• The motive is revealed: Lucille and Masters framed Skip to remove him and launder their bookie profits through his account. Lucille betrayed Skip for Masters; the "triangle" is both romantic and financial.
  • "Skip Lantry was in love with Lucille Danane. She was in love with Kirk Masters. Now, Skip had marriage in mind, so Masters and the Danang girl framed him to get him out of the way." – Lt. Kramer (25:40)

8. Aftershow Commentary by Adam Graham (26:37 – 30:30)

• Adam Graham reflects on the all-too-common real-world occurrences of convicts being exploited financially by those they trust.
• He notes the radio trope of criminals nearly confessing their entire plot just as the detective enters:
  • "...our detective comes in on the criminals laying out their complicity and guilt in really strong details." – Adam Graham (27:10)
• Graham humorously discusses Skip’s insistence on calling solitaire “patience,” diving into the historical terminology.
• He delivers a brief aside connecting the “Green Lantern” name to comic book characters, adding playful depth to his analysis.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Don't hand me that. I'm a con. Remember, every place I go, they'll be saying, this Skip Lantry, he just got out of the pen." – Skip Lantry (03:16)
• "You sound like you didn't want to get out, Skip." – Steve Granger (03:23)
• "If you got me up here just to watch you play card games, I'll scram." – Steve Granger (05:04)
• "That's for nothing. Try something and see what really happens." – George Slater (11:45)
• "You act like you're lying, mister. Let go. Where? In there." – Steve Granger confronting George (11:46)
• "He must have thought you could never prove anything. So he shot himself." – Lt. Kramer (16:20)
• "From where I stand, it looks like you were using Skip's account to hide the profits of a bookmaking." – Steve Granger (23:40)
• "Too bad your pal George is such a blabber mouth. We heard him. You are not arresting me? You said it, man." – Steve Granger & Kramer (24:00)
• "Very simple, Granger. Skip Lantry was in love with Lucille Danane. She was in love with Kirk Masters..." – Lt. Kramer (25:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Skip’s release and motivation: 02:39 – 05:00
• Granger starts investigation: 05:01 – 09:00
• Phyllis Preston introduced: 12:15 – 13:10
• Skip found dead: 14:00 – 18:30
• Surveillance at the Green Lantern: 19:58 – 23:31
• Villains confronted—case solved: 23:32 – 24:31
• Motive explained: 25:40
• Adam Graham’s aftershow commentary: 26:37 – 30:30

Tone & Style

The episode balances hard-boiled detective fiction with touches of humor, especially in character interactions and Adam Graham’s post-show analysis. Dialogue is often direct and witty, with a strong 1940s/50s noir flair. Adam’s commentary brings a contemporary—and slightly tongue-in-cheek—perspective to the old-time radio narrative.

Conclusion

"The Triangle Affair" is a classic detective tale combining post-prison resentment, crooked romance, and money laundering all hidden under the guise of friendship and legal trust. Steve Granger’s persistence exposes not only a murder but a deeper web of exploitation, with justice ultimately served. Adam Graham's insightful commentary enriches the episode for modern listeners, connecting the dots between past and present in crime and culture.