Dragnet: The Big Elevator (EP5029)

Summary

---

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Dragnet: "The Big Elevator" (EP5029)

Original Airdate: April 24, 1952 | Podcast Release: July 30, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of Dragnet, "The Big Elevator," Detectives Joe Friday and Bill Lockwood investigate the mysterious death of a woman found in a wheelchair inside a hospital elevator. The case unfolds with no clear cause of death, scant evidence, and the grim possibility of foul play. What begins as a murder investigation takes surprising turns, testing the detectives' patience and procedure as they chase down every possible lead, only to discover a tragic but natural explanation in the end.

---

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Strange Discovery at the Hospital

[02:34-07:56]

• A woman's body is found slumped in a wheelchair inside a receiving hospital elevator.
• Hospital staff's account:
  • Nurse Grace Morgan hears the elevator arrive but no one exits; she finds the woman unconscious and alone.
  • Dr. Carroll determines the woman is dead but finds only minor abrasions, a strong smell of alcohol, and no immediate cause of death.
  • The only attendant on duty, Ray Collins, provided the wheelchair to a man who claimed to have a sick woman in his car. The man refused further help and disappeared.
• No identification is found on the body, only a nightgown, bathrobe, and slippers.

Memorable Quote:
"If somebody murdered the woman, why'd they bring her here—to die? If she was sick or hurt and they were worried enough about it to bring her here, why'd they want to get rid of her, leave her alone in an elevator?"
— Joe Friday [07:51]

---

2. Initial Investigation & Lack of Leads

[08:09-10:14]

• Detectives interview hospital attendant Ray Collins; he only recalls the brief wheelchair exchange.
• Crime lab checks for prints and evidence; nothing significant turns up. Victim's prints return no matches; no results from Missing Persons.
• The case stalls with no ID, no witnesses, and no suspects.

---

3. A Potential Lead: The Name "Carla Cheswick"

[10:20-13:45]

• A mysterious call to the hospital inquires about "Carla Cheswick."
• Joe Friday and Bill Lockwood search records, track down a Carla Z. Cheswick at an apartment address.
• At Cheswick's apartment: Signs of a recent party, and clues suggesting her heavy drinking and social lifestyle.
• Apartment manager Mrs. Herbert offers insight into Carla's life and estranged marriage:
  • Carla’s estranged husband, Ernie Cheswick, visits only to pay rent—seems heartbroken and resigned.
  • "He told me how he felt... Said he'd rather have her dead than go on the way she was." — Mrs. Herbert [13:04]

---

4. Questioning the Husband, Ernest Cheswick

[14:44-18:42]

• Detectives locate Ernie Cheswick at his night job. He’s devastated but not surprised by his wife's death, expresses regret and frustration about their marriage but has a solid alibi.
• "Lived nine years with her—lousiest nine years of my life... Could have killed her—I had reason enough to. I didn't." — Ernie Cheswick [16:59]

---

5. Following the Last Known Movements

[19:33-21:09]

• Detectives trace Carla's last evening to a local bar, confirming her presence there the night she died.
• Bar staff identify John Gable as the last person seen with Carla.

---

6. The Interrogation of John Gable

[21:09-26:46]

• Gable, assistant sales manager, is nervous and evasive at first, then admits to drinking with Carla and accompanying her to her apartment.
• He describes Carla’s intoxication and repeated falls before passing out, claims he attempted to revive her but panicked and left her at the hospital out of fear of scandal.
• Gable’s memory is clouded by alcohol, and he cannot firmly account for the preceding events—fueling detectives’ suspicion.

Memorable Exchange:

• Joe Friday: "Did you kill her, Gable?"
• Gable: "No, Sergeant. I swear it. As far as I can remember, I didn’t..." [25:00]

---

7. Resolution: The Coroner's Autopsy

[26:03-26:49]

• Coroner’s report: Carla died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage caused by a long-undiagnosed brain tumor—a “natural” death despite suspicious circumstances.
• Gable is released, deeply relieved but shaken.

Key Line:
"Primary cause of death was a massive cerebral hemorrhage...Secondary cause was a brain tumor, a big one. Coroner says she’s had it for years. ...That killed her."
— Joe Friday [26:14]

Narrator:
"With the filing of the official autopsy report by the county coroner, John Gable was cleared of all charges...The death of Mrs. Carla Cheswick was listed as due to natural causes by the coroner’s jury." [27:19]

---

Host Commentary: Adam Graham's Insights

[30:00-32:30]

• Adam Graham highlights the emotional realism in Ernest Cheswick’s interview:
  "...You capture the sort of anger and frustration at the broken promises and the end of this self-destructive cycle. But then finally ...you get to the real core sadness that this person you spent nearly a decade with is gone."
• Praises the interrogation of Gable for illustrating how, in law enforcement, even innocent people can appear suspicious under pressure, and how premature conclusions can mislead an investigation.
• Observes the importance of waiting for all the facts—especially medical/autopsy evidence—before pursuing a suspect too aggressively.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• A puzzling case from the start:
  "Don’t know who she is, how she died. Don’t even know where she came from." — Bill Lockwood [07:57]

• Friday challenges the main suspect:
  "You knocked around town from 8 o' clock last night till past 2 o' clock this morning. You can’t think of anyone that could vouch for you?" — Joe Friday [22:49]

• The relief of innocence—Gable freed:
  "I didn’t know if I killed her or not...I really didn’t. I didn’t know the answer." — John Gable [26:55]

---

Episode Structure: Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:15] Opening narration; setup of the case
• [03:19] Arrival at the hospital; discovery of the body
• [07:57] Debrief on initial investigation; search for leads
• [10:20] Discovery of "Carla Cheswick" clue
• [13:45] Interview with Mrs. Herbert, apartment manager
• [14:44] Confrontation with Ernest Cheswick (husband)
• [19:33] Tracing Carla’s last hours at the bar
• [21:09] Interrogation of John Gable
• [26:03] Coroner’s report and resolution
• [30:00] Adam Graham’s commentary
• [32:30+] Listener feedback and closing (ads omitted)

---

Tone & Style

True to Dragnet’s famed procedural realism, the episode unfolds with methodical policework, procedural detail, and a sober, unsentimental tone. The dialogue captures both the emotional undercurrents of grief and regret as well as the clinical detachment of a homicide investigation.

Adam Graham’s post-episode commentary matches the directness of the drama, providing nuanced observations and inviting appreciation for character depth and narrative restraint.

---

Conclusion

"The Big Elevator" highlights Dragnet’s strengths: the dogged pursuit of the truth, the danger of assumption, and the compassion required to see the human tragedy behind the headlines. The case, seemingly one of murder, unravels into a story of personal sorrow and natural causes, demonstrating just how complex the line between suspicion and innocence can be.

---

Transcript

[Grainger Commercial Voice]

Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, Filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Hear that?

[Adam Graham]

That's now crispy and McCrispy strips meeting. Creamy Caesar sauce sounds extra crispy. Caesar sauce at McDonald's for a limited time. 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 Dragnet. But first, I want to encourage you. 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. 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. [e-mail] but now, from April 24, 1952, here is the big elevator.

[Joe Friday]

The story you are about to hear is true.

[Bill Lockwood]

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Joe Friday]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. You get a call from the receiving

[Bill Lockwood]

hospital in your city. A dead body has been left in the hospital elevator. There's no lead to the identity of the corpse.

[Joe Friday]

There's no apparent cause of death.

[Bill Lockwood]

Your job, investigate.

[Narrator]

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, November 9th. It was foggy in Los Angeles. We were working the night. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Bill Lockwood. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. It was 11:28pm when we got to the third floor at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. Dr. Terrell's office.

[Bill Lockwood]

Bry, glad to see you. Been waiting for you.

[Joe Friday]

We made it as soon as we could. Doctor. Like to have you meet my new partner? Bill Lockwood, Dr. Carroll.

[Bill Lockwood]

Bill, how are you? I think I've seen you around, Lockwood. Yes, sir. How are you?

[Joe Friday]

I understand you got a problem, Doc. What's the story?

[Bill Lockwood]

Odd one. Happened a few minutes after 11. You want to sit down a minute? I'll fill you in before we go back and take a look at the body.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Bill Lockwood]

I understand it's a woman. That right? Yeah, Grace Morgan. She's a night nurse on duty. She told me she was sitting at the desk checking over some patients cards. It was about 5, 10 minutes after 11 when she heard the elevator come up. Sure the elevator stop and the doors open. Kept on checking the cards there. Didn't pay any attention to it. And then she realized nobody got out of the elevator. She looked up and the elevator doors were still open. She saw this young woman slumped over in a wheelchair, sitting there in the elevator.

[Joe Friday]

The woman was alone, was she?

[Bill Lockwood]

That's right. Nurse went over and wheeled her out of the elevator. Woman was wearing a nightgown, bathrobe over that. She was unconscious. Nurse called me. The two of us took the woman into a treatment room. I examined her. She was dead. Any indication how long? Body was still warm. She'd only been dead a short time.

[Joe Friday]

Any idea of the cause of death?

[Bill Lockwood]

I noticed a couple of abrasions on her right shoulder. Another one in the right temporal region. Not positive, but I don't think any of them were severe enough to cause death.

[Joe Friday]

No other markings at all?

[Bill Lockwood]

No. She seemed to have been in good physical condition. Noticed a strong smell of alcohol though. Could be she'd been drinking.

[Joe Friday]

There's a nurse.

[Bill Lockwood]

Pretty sure the woman came up the elevator alone. Possibility one of the attendants might have brought her up?

[Joe Friday]

No.

[Bill Lockwood]

I checked with the attendant on duty down the first floor lobby. Ray Collins. He didn't bring her up. He said a man came in the lobby about 11 o'. Clock. Said he had a sick woman out in his car. He asked for a wheelchair to bring her in. Ray asked if he could help, but the man said he'd take care of it. That's all Ray knows about it. He let the man have a wheelchair. Then he went in the back room to change some linens on the ambulance stretcher.

[Joe Friday]

Any possibility one of the other attendants might have brought her up in the elevator?

[Bill Lockwood]

No. Collins was the only attendant on duty.

[Joe Friday]

I'd like to talk to him. Is he still around?

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah. I knew you'd want to see him. He was off duty. 11:30. I held him over he's down at the corner having a sandwich. He ought to be back in a few minutes. What do you figure, Doctor? Think the woman could have operated the elevator herself? Possible. Not too probable, though. It's a self operating elevator. Automatic. Someone could have wheeled the woman into the elevator, pushed the button for the third floor and then stepped back. We're taking her straight up.

[Joe Friday]

Nurse is sure the elevator didn't go back down after it got up here?

[Bill Lockwood]

As far as it did. She heard the elevator doors open. They stayed that way. She kept waiting for someone to come out. That's what attracted her attention.

[Joe Friday]

How about identification? The woman have a purse with her or anything like that, Doc?

[Bill Lockwood]

No. All she had was what she was wearing. Nightgown, slippers and bathrobe. Let's go back and have a look. I'll show you.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Thank you.

[Bill Lockwood]

You say the only markings on the body are those abrasions on the shoulder and the forehead? Yeah. Yeah, that's right. And you don't think that's why she's dead? You have any ideas at all? I wouldn't want to say. Lockwood. Strange one. Gonna have to wait for the autopsy.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about the wheelchair the woman came up in, Doc? Where is it now?

[Bill Lockwood]

Back here in the same room with the body. I gave notice it wasn't to be touched. I knew you'd want to check.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, fine.

[Bill Lockwood]

In here, all right.

[Joe Friday]

You smoke in here? Yeah, sure.

[Bill Lockwood]

Fine.

[Joe Friday]

More cigarettes?

[Bill Lockwood]

No, thanks, Bill? No, over here on the table. Nurse, put the woman's clothing over there. Nightgown, slippers, Bathroom. I see.

[Joe Friday]

Seems to be a fairly young one.

[Bill Lockwood]

I'd say in her early 30s. Nice looking girl. Well groomed. Notice her hair and fingernails? Well kept.

[Joe Friday]

Bruise there on her head. Took a pretty good blow to cause that, wouldn't you say?

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah, Might even be worse than it looks. Hard to say right now. Other abrasions I was telling you about right here along the clavicle seem to be fairly distinct.

[Joe Friday]

Three or four of them. That's all of them, huh?

[Bill Lockwood]

That's it. Like I say, we'll know more after they post the body. Take a look at the clothing over here.

[Joe Friday]

Want to check over the bathrobe, Bill?

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

There's no label here. Size marking, though. Size 34. Just an ordinary rayon nightgown. Seems to be fairly new. It's not damaged.

[Bill Lockwood]

Nothing on the bathrobe, Joe. Both pockets empty. No visible markings. Manufacturer's label here. Fairly common Trade name.

[Joe Friday]

Laundry marks?

[Bill Lockwood]

No, none showing. We can have the crime lab check them over.

[Joe Friday]

How about the Slippers. It's the same. Nothing.

[Bill Lockwood]

You fellas want me to notify the coroner?

[Joe Friday]

No, we'll get it, Doc. We have to call in for the crime.

[Bill Lockwood]

Looks like a rough one. We don't even know what we've got. We can't figure it. If somebody murdered the woman, why'd they bring her here? To die?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Bill Lockwood]

If she was sick or hurt and they were worried enough about it to bring her here, why'd they want to

[Joe Friday]

get rid of her?

[Bill Lockwood]

Leave her alone in an elevator?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Bill Lockwood]

Doesn't make sense. Somebody's got something to hide. Sure could use a lead. Man puts her on the elevator and sends her up three floors. Don't know who she is, how she died. Don't even know where she came from.

[Joe Friday]

Well, there's no choice but to start at the beginning.

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Ground floor. 11:52pm the receiving hospital attendant, Ray Collins, returned and we interviewed him in Dr. Terrell's office. He told us substantially the same thing the doctor had told us. At a few minutes past 11 o' clock that night, a man entered the lobby of the hospital and asked for a wheelchair to move a patient up to the third floor. Collins stated he gave the man the wheelchair. The man refused his offer of assistance and Collins went on about his work. He didn't see the patient, he didn't see any car parked outside. And he was able to give us only a partial description of the man himself. A male Caucasian, about 35 years old, short, heavy bill, dark hair. The crew from the crime lab arrived and began their investigation. The body was photographed and fingerprinted and the wheelchair was also dusted for prints. The clothing was packed up to be taken downtown for further examination. After the men from the crime lab left, Bill Lockwood began a canvas of the immediate neighborhood for possible witnesses. Meantime, I checked with the rest of the hospital personnel and the patients. They could tell me nothing. 12:30am I met Bill back at Dr. Terrell's office.

[Bill Lockwood]

How'd you do, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Any locked to the nurses and some of the other attendants. They couldn't help any. Checked with the dispatcher on incoming and outgoing ambulances. Nothing there. What about you?

[Bill Lockwood]

No good. Most of the business places around here are locked up. Talked to the newsboy down at the corner. He was about the only one in the street.

[Joe Friday]

He didn't see anything. Sure. Going slow, isn't it? Might give Bergman a call. See if he's got the woman's prints classified yet.

[Bill Lockwood]

How about the coroner show up yet?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I think he's in there now. Yes, Ma', am, Give me station 2557. Yeah, that's right. Latent print.

[Bill Lockwood]

Hi.

[Joe Friday]

Let me talk to Bergman, please.

[Bill Lockwood]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Dean. Joe Friday. No, we're still over at the hospital.

[Bill Lockwood]

You doing any good on those prints, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's what we figured.

[Bill Lockwood]

How about her print?

[Joe Friday]

Okay, Dean.

[Bill Lockwood]

Thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, right. We're still batting a thousand.

[Narrator]

What do you say?

[Bill Lockwood]

They make her prints?

[Joe Friday]

Nothing in records. Owner Dean's gonna send along a set to Washington, see if they got anything.

[Bill Lockwood]

How about the wheelchair? Any prints there?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the nurses and Doc Carrolls, that's all. We figured on that, didn't we?

[Bill Lockwood]

Lousy luck.

[Joe Friday]

Sure is. I checked with Missing Persons while you were out. There's nothing there either.

[Bill Lockwood]

Well, that about finishes up here, huh? We better get back to the office, Joe. Yeah, Don, I think I got something for you here.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Bill Lockwood]

Nurse at the switchboard got a call a minute ago. A man's voice. Wanted to know the condition of Carla Cheswick. Nurse checked the list of patients, didn't find anyone by that name. The man insisted she's here. The nurse asked him what time the woman was admitted to the hospital. He told her 11 o' clock tonight.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Bill Lockwood]

Men said, I know she's there. I brought her myself,

[Joe Friday]

Along with Dr. Carroll. Bill Lockwood and I went down the hall and talked to the nurse who'd received the phone call. She told us that she tried to question the caller as to his name and his relationship to the alleged patient, Carla Cheswick, but the man refused and hung up. We put in a call to R and I and asked him to run the name for us. There was no one but that name in the files. We went back to the doctor's office and started checking through the telephone directories in the Northwestern section. We found a listing for a Mrs. Carla Z. Cheswick on North Capitol Avenue. We called the number, but there was no answer. Then we checked with the office, told him what we had and that we were going to follow through on it. 1:18am was only a possibility, but it had to be checked out. Bill Lockwood and I left Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, got in the car and drove out to the address. On North Capitol Avenue was a large apartment house, fairly new. The name on the mailbox for apartment 18 was Mrs. Carla Cheswick. We rang, but there was no answer. We finally had to get the manager out of bed on Mrs. Herbert. We identified ourselves and explained the reason for our visit. She got a pass key, showed us upstairs to the second floor and let us in. Apartment 18. There was no one There. But there was evidence of a recent party within a matter of hours. Half filled cocktail glasses, an empty whiskey bottle, a glass bowl containing partially melted ice cubes. An end table in the corner, then overturned in the bedroom. Women's clothing was scattered on the floor. And on the dressing table on the mantle in the living room, there was a picture of a woman.

[Bill Lockwood]

Did you notice anything unusual about her at that time? Miss Herbert, I mean? Anything out of the ordinary?

[Mrs. Herbert]

No, don't think so. She'd been drinking some. I'm pretty sure of that. That's not unusual for Mrs. Cheswick. She drinks quite a bit. Parties and things. Runs around a lot.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Herbert]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

You didn't notice anything about her face? No cuts, bruises, anything like that?

[Mrs. Herbert]

No, nothing like that. Why?

[Bill Lockwood]

They told us she had quite a few men friends. Do you know any of their names, where they live?

[Mrs. Herbert]

No. Can't say to do. She was just one of the tenants. I didn't try to get acquainted. Didn't have much in common with her. The other tenants didn't either. Matter of fact, she kept pretty much to herself, her and her friends.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Now, about this party she had last night. Miss Herbert. You say you don't know who was there with her?

[Mrs. Herbert]

No, I'm afraid I don't. When I called her on the phone to ask her to quiet things down, I heard that one man's voice talking, that's about all. Though I couldn't tell you who was there.

[Joe Friday]

Was there anyone at all that you know of that was close to her? I mean, someone we could talk to about her?

[Bill Lockwood]

Well, her husband, I suppose.

[Mrs. Herbert]

He's the only one close to her. I know. He comes around every month and takes care of the rent. Kind of peculiar thing, but I never questioned it. I figured it's their business, live and let live.

[Bill Lockwood]

You have any idea where we can find a husband?

[Mrs. Herbert]

I'm not sure. He works at a machine shop out near Glendale. I have his home address in my rent book downstairs if you want it.

[Bill Lockwood]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Joe Friday]

We'd like to have that if we could. Would you happen to know how Mrs. Cheswick and her husband got along? I mean, the separation of theirs. Was it friendly, or did they still quarrel quite a bit?

[Mrs. Herbert]

No, as far as I know, they got along all right as long as they didn't have to live together. Poor Mr. Cheswick. I feel sorry for him. Gonna take it hard, his wife. I don't know whether to blame or pity her. She was a terrible disappointment to him, that's all. I had a Long talk with him once. Seemed like such a nice man.

[Bill Lockwood]

Hard worker.

[Mrs. Herbert]

And his wife? He was so disgusted. I mean, drinking all the time, going out to different men. Bitter disappointment. He told me how he felt.

[Joe Friday]

Well, did he seem violent on the subject? I mean, did he feel anger toward his wife?

[Mrs. Herbert]

Oh, just pity. Said he'd rather have her dead than go on the way she.

[Joe Friday]

We checked through the dead woman's apartment for names and addresses of some of her men friends, but we found nothing. The crew from the crime lab went over the apartment thoroughly. The only evidence found were fingerprints on some of the cocktail glasses. Along with the apartment manager, Mrs. Herbert. We went downstairs and she gave us Mr. Cheswick's home address and also his place of employment. 2:30am we got to a phone and called Cheswick's home, but the people he was staying with told us that he wasn't there. He was working the all night shift at a farm implement factory on Glendale Boulevard. 3:05am Bill and I drove out to the factory and checked with the night personnel superintendent. He directed us to the factory repair shop where Cheswick was employed as a welder. The foreman at the repair shop pointed him out for us. Cheswick was working on the welding line. A tall thin man, slight build. Bill Lockwood and I went back and introduced ourselves.

[Bill Lockwood]

Yes, sir. Ernie Cheswick, that's my name. What can I do for you? Like to talk to you for a few minutes if we could. It's about your wife. What's the matter? She in trouble again?

[Joe Friday]

It might be better if we could

[Bill Lockwood]

step outside and talk.

[Joe Friday]

It won't take very long.

[Bill Lockwood]

All right. I got to finish up this little job here, if you don't mind waiting. Couple of pieces of tubing. It won't take a minute.

[Joe Friday]

Sure, you go right ahead.

[Bill Lockwood]

You might stand back a couple of steps. This thing pops a little. Okay, thanks. Ah, too much oxygen. Have to light it again. Yeah, that does it. Don't look at the flames, Joe. Bad for your eyes.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I know.

[Bill Lockwood]

They sure earn their money, don't they?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, they seem to.

[Bill Lockwood]

A lot of work. Finish the second here. Okay, that's got it. Now, what's this about? My wife, Sergeant. What's the matter?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I understand you're separated from her, Mr. Cheswick.

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah, that's right. About a year ago now. Finally gave it up as a bad job. Wasn't anything I could do for her. Nothing anybody could do for her. Hopeless.

[Joe Friday]

When's the last time you saw her?

[Bill Lockwood]

First of the month. Went by to pay her rent. Dropped in to say hello, that's all. I stay away as much as I can. No good bum. That's about all you can say about her. Ashamed to admit I was even married to her. Why do you ask, anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Your wife's dead, Mr. Cheswick.

[Bill Lockwood]

Huh? Yes, but she died late last night. Found her at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. Ah. Guess I've been expecting something like that. I can't feel sorry. Probably the best thing for her. How'd it happen?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we're not sure. I wonder if we could step outside?

[Bill Lockwood]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

It'd be a lot easier to talk, wouldn't it?

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah, all right, fine. Over here. We can duck out the back way. Okay. You say they found her at Georgia Street? Huh? What was it? She in an accident?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, she doesn't look like that. We're gonna have to wait for the coroner's report. What time do you check in at night for work, Mr. Cheswick?

[Bill Lockwood]

You're supposed to be on the job by 10:00'. Clock. I punched in before that, tonight. Why? Routine question, I suppose. The men around the plant will vouch for you. You check in at 10. And you've been here ever since?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Bill Lockwood]

You can ask any of them. What's the pitch? You think I had something to do with it? Carla getting killed?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we didn't say that. Cheswick, your wife's dead and we have to check on all the leads, all the possible suspects.

[Bill Lockwood]

Well, I don't know how it happened, but I didn't have any. I lived nine years with her. Lousiest nine years of my life. Booze, parties, going out all the time. She wasn't a wife. She didn't know what the word meant.

[Joe Friday]

Understand? She'd been running around with different men lately. Do you happen to know any of them? No.

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't know. I couldn't care less. Stupid dame. Sergeant, that's the easiest way you can let her off. I tried to make a go of it. Wasn't any good. I worked for her, tried to give her everything she wanted. Didn't make any difference. Yeah, she's a bum. Some of them must be born that way. A bum dame. I could have killed her. I had reason enough to. I didn't. How about your wife's drinking habit? Did she do most of it at home or did she go out to bars? I was at the bar. Only one place she ever went to. Place on 8th and Rosewood, right on the corner. Went there all the time. Six, seven nights a week. She'd hang over the bar all night. I'd like to put up with that for nine years, huh? Drinking. Going off somewhere on weekend.

[Joe Friday]

How come it lasted that long, Cheswick?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't know. I guess I should have had my head examined. Just a bum. I figured I could change her. Kept trying. Never worked out. After the drinking, she'd have these terrific headaches that make her sick. I'd stay home from work and take care of her, weigh down her hand and foot. She always made promises. Nothing but a liar. As soon as she got well, she'd start it all over again. Same thing. Just a bum. A tramp. No good at all. No good. You're a tramp. No good. Tramp. Chadswick.

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Cheswick. Is there anything we can do?

[Bill Lockwood]

Carla. She's dead. Carla.

[Joe Friday]

When the dead woman's husband, Ernest Cheswick, recovered, we continued questioning him before we got nowhere. Before we left the plant, we checked his time card, talked to the machine shop foreman and some of the men Cheswick worked with. We got the same story all along the line. Cheswick had showed up for work at 9:46pm the night before and had not left the plant since that time. 4:35am Bill and I got in the car, drove back to the office and typed up a 15.7 report for Captain Warman. 8:30am over in the county morgue, the body of Mrs. Cheswick was being posted. A few minutes past 10am Bill Lockwood and I drove out to a bar on the corner of 8th and Rosewood. The same bar where Ernest Cheswick told us his wife did most of her drinking with a typical neighborhood cocktail lounge in the early morning. Two customers sipping beer at the far end of the bar, the manager busy washing glasses and bringing in supplies. We called him over and identified ourselves.

[Bill Lockwood]

Popular girl. Married old Ernie Cheswick. They're separated now.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Would you know if she was in here last night?

[Bill Lockwood]

That's right.

[Mrs. Herbert]

She was.

[Bill Lockwood]

Hardly Mrs. Knight. Why?

[Joe Friday]

Would you happen to know about what time she Left last night?

[Bill Lockwood]

8 8:30. About that. Might ask. That fell there downtown. The bar. He'd know better than me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how's that?

[Bill Lockwood]

He left with her.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet Authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

November 10, Thursday, 10:14am the manager of the cocktail lounge pointed out the man at the end of the bar who was supposed to have left the place shortly after 8 o' clock the night before with the dead woman, Carla Cheswick. Bill Lockwood and I went up to the man, identified ourselves and questioned him briefly. He appeared tense and highly nervous. He told us his name was John Gable, an assistant sales manager for a downtown jewelry concern. He didn't deny that he was in the bar the night before, but he refused to admit that he left with Mrs. Cheswick. He insisted he didn't even know her. We asked him to account for how he spent his time the night before, but he refused. We got in the car and drove downtown to the City Hall. While Bill took the suspect to the interrogation room, I stopped by the R and I counter and had to make a run on Gable. He had no previous criminal record. I called the morgue, but there was no report on the autopsy yet. 10:52am I signed in at the office, briefed Captain Larman on the developments, and then I headed down the hall for the interrogation room.

[Bill Lockwood]

We had a couple of drinks together, and that's all there was to it. You can ask anybody who was there. She got up and left by herself. I didn't go with it. And Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Bill Lockwood]

Gables here was just telling me he did see Mrs. Cheswick in the bar last night. Had a couple of drinks with her.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you hold out, Gable? Why couldn't you tell us that when we asked?

[Bill Lockwood]

You didn't remember. Then you came up to me in the bar, started asking questions. I got all rattled. Doesn't make any difference, though. I didn't even know her name. Stayed those couple of drinks with her, and then she got up and left.

[Joe Friday]

That's all. I didn't go out with her.

[Bill Lockwood]

The bartender says you did. You're sure of it? Says he can get half a dozen other people to back him up. He's wrong. He's gotta be. He's thinking of somebody else.

[Joe Friday]

Well, if you didn't leave the bar with Ms. Cheswick, when did you leave?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't know. About five or ten minutes later, I guess.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you go then?

[Bill Lockwood]

I walked around a little bit. Got a little fresh air. Mm. And I went to a show.

[Joe Friday]

Which one?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't remember the name of the place. It's on Rosewood, a couple of blocks down from the bar.

[Joe Friday]

What picture did you see?

[Bill Lockwood]

Not sure. I had a couple of drinks.

[Joe Friday]

You went to the movies. You don't even know what you saw.

[Bill Lockwood]

I told you, I had a couple of drinks. Feeling pretty good. I just don't remember, that's all. Not much of an alibi, Gables. What are you talking about? I don't need an alibi.

[Joe Friday]

Woman's dead, mister. You were with her the last time she was seen alive.

[Bill Lockwood]

I wasn't with her. I don't care what anybody Tells you

[Joe Friday]

I wasn't with this movie you say you went to. What time did you get out?

[Bill Lockwood]

After midnight, I think. I don't remember. Where'd you go after that bar? Had a few more drinks and I went back to my hotel. Which bar was that? Place on West 7th. I go there sometimes. I know the bartender.

[Joe Friday]

What time did you leave there?

[Bill Lockwood]

Closing time, 2 o'.

[Joe Friday]

Clock.

[Bill Lockwood]

And then I went back to my hotel.

[Joe Friday]

You say you know the bartender there? I guess he'd be glad to vouch for you. I mean, that you were there when you said you were.

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't know. Maybe not. He was pretty busy last night. Maybe didn't notice me. How about your hotel, huh? The desk clerk, somebody like that. They should be able to tell what time you got in, don't you think? Well, they wouldn't know. I always carry my key with me. I go in the side door. They wouldn't know what time I got in.

[Joe Friday]

What are you trying to sell, mister?

[Bill Lockwood]

What are you talking about?

[Joe Friday]

You knocked around town from 8 o' clock last night till past 2 o' clock this morning. You can't think of anyone that could vouch for you? Where you were, what time you got there, what time you left?

[Bill Lockwood]

I can't think of anybody right now. I don't take down names and addresses every time somebody looks at me. What's the difference anyway? I didn't have anything to do with a girl.

[Joe Friday]

This difference. Gable, the attendant at the hospital, he got a good look at the man who came in and asked for that wheelchair. He gave us a man's description. It fits you pretty close. So what?

[Bill Lockwood]

It doesn't mean anything. He could make a mistake, too, just like that bartender.

[Joe Friday]

They're all wrong but you. Is that what you're trying to say?

[Bill Lockwood]

Look, as far as I'm concerned, I only got one thing to say. I had a couple of drinks with Carl last night and that's all. She left by herself. I didn't even go near the apartment.

[Joe Friday]

How'd you know she had an apartment?

[Bill Lockwood]

Well, you told me.

[Joe Friday]

You said so.

[Bill Lockwood]

No, we didn't say anything like that. And I guess I heard it around the bar. Maybe she mentioned to me. Yeah, that's probably it.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you come off at Gables?

[Mrs. Herbert]

Come off what?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't even know what you're getting at.

[Joe Friday]

We want a straight story and we're not getting it. You told us you didn't even know the Chesworth woman before last night. You didn't even know her name.

[Bill Lockwood]

That's right.

[Joe Friday]

Then why'd you say Carla? Just a minute ago, you said I had a couple of drinks with Carla.

[Bill Lockwood]

I say that?

[Joe Friday]

That's what you said.

[Bill Lockwood]

Maybe I just hadn't remembered. I was drinking quite a bit, talking to her. Maybe I just remembered. It won't do, Gable. Story doesn't hold water. How about it? I don't know. I was drinking quite a bit. A lot of things I don't remember.

[Joe Friday]

How about giving it to us straight? What do you remember?

[Bill Lockwood]

I thought about it. Thought about it all night. The more I went over it, the worse it got. I just couldn't remember. I knew what it would sound like in court. I couldn't tell it that way.

[Joe Friday]

You couldn't tell what?

[Bill Lockwood]

I didn't kill her. I didn't even touch her. You gotta believe that. I left the bar with her about 8:15, 8:30, she invited me up to her apartment. She was pretty well gone. Had quite a few drinks. We got there, had some more to drink. And then Carla got up and started for the kitchen to get some more ice. She tripped, I think. Stumbled a little bit and then she fell down. I think that's the way it was.

[Joe Friday]

All right, go on.

[Bill Lockwood]

She tried to get up and then she fell again. Wasn't a bad fall, though. I figured she just passed out. Got some cold towels, ice water. I tried to bring her around. It wasn't any good. She was white as a sheet.

[Joe Friday]

I got scared.

[Bill Lockwood]

I didn't know what happened.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do then?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't remember. I just kept trying to bring her around. I don't remember any of it very well. I don't even know why she fell down. You think you could have hit her, Gables? You think maybe that's why she fell down? No. I don't know. I don't think so. I don't think I was mad at her for anything. I think we were having a pretty good time. I just don't remember, that's all. I'm not sure about any of it. Lousy Boo is no good at all.

[Joe Friday]

Did you kill her, Gable?

[Bill Lockwood]

No, Sergeant. I swear it. As far as I can remember, I didn't. We were having a good time, that's all. I know. I know. I wasn't mad.

[Joe Friday]

I.

[Bill Lockwood]

Not a nasty drunk. Not as far as I can remember, anyway. What'd you do when you couldn't revive Mrs. Cheswick? You brought her to the hospital?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Bill Lockwood]

The shape I was in, I couldn't figure anything else to do. I got her in the car, drove her down to Georgia Street. I put her in the elevator, pressed the button and sent her up. I'm a married man, you know. I didn't want any scandal and didn't want to get involved.

[Joe Friday]

You didn't kill her. Is that what you want us to believe?

[Bill Lockwood]

I don't know what to tell you. I don't remember. If I killed her, I think I'd know it. I'm sure I would. I just don't remember.

[Joe Friday]

I'll get it. Interrogation room, Friday talk.

[Bill Lockwood]

Yeah, Arthur, that's so.

[Joe Friday]

Just a second.

[Bill Lockwood]

All right, I got a pencil now. Go ahead.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure? How was that? I see no possibility. Yeah, I see.

[Bill Lockwood]

Okay, Arthur, thanks a lot.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure. We'll pick it up later. Right.

[Bill Lockwood]

Bye.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Jim? Coroner's report. Just finished the autopsy. It's all right, Gable.

[Mrs. Herbert]

Huh?

[Bill Lockwood]

It's all right. It's all cleared up. What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, you're free to go if you like. We're not gonna hold you.

[Bill Lockwood]

What's the pitch, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Coroner's report. Primary cause of death was a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Hemorrhage into the ventricle.

[Bill Lockwood]

Could have been a blow on the head, couldn't it? You figure that could have done it?

[Joe Friday]

No. Secondary cause was a brain tumor, a big one. Coroner says she's had it for years. Must have caused her a lot of pain. Probably would. Accounted for the drinking and the tumor.

[Bill Lockwood]

Wrote on the hemorrhage. That's what's killed her?

[Joe Friday]

That's it. Coroner says erosion of the blood vessel by brain tumor probably grew, caused pressure on a blood vessel, finally gave way, caused a hemorrhage. And that killed her.

[Bill Lockwood]

She just died. That didn't have anything to do with it. She died and I didn't kill her.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right. You're free to go if you want.

[Bill Lockwood]

Thank God. You know, officers, I'll tell you the truth. I didn't know the answer. I didn't know if I killed her or not.

[Joe Friday]

I really did.

[Bill Lockwood]

Drinking so much, I came to and there she was. Dead. I didn't know what happened. I really didn't. I didn't know the answer.

[Joe Friday]

Now you're one up on us, Gable, huh? We thought we did.

[Bill Lockwood]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

On Thursday, November 10, the meeting was held in the office of Captain of Homicide. In a moment, the results of that meeting. With the filing of the official autopsy report by the county coroner, John Gables was cleared of all charges. He was released from custody immediately. The death of Mrs. Carla Cheswick was listed as due to natural causes by the coroner's jury.

[Bill Lockwood]

Ladies and gentlemen, last year's traffic Death

[Joe Friday]

toll was 37,500, a 7% increase over 1950. The National Safety Council believes that the best way to promote safety on the

[Bill Lockwood]

road is for each of us to know and obey traffic laws, to read and heed traffic signs. So be careful.

[Joe Friday]

The life you save may be your own.

[Narrator]

You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Fraser. Heard tonight were Martin Milner, Vic Perrin and Gwendolino. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Al Gibney speaking.

[Joe Friday]

Now it's counterspy on NBC. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along. Which is why you should try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter.com Zip ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you, it finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, ZipRecruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the Haystack. See why 4 out of 5 employers

[Bill Lockwood]

who post a job on ZipRecruiter get

[Adam Graham]

a quality candidate within the first day.

[Joe Friday]

ZipRecruiter the smartest way to hire.

[Adam Graham]

And right now you can try ZipRecruiter for free. That's right, free at ZipRecruiter.com Zip that's

[Joe Friday]

ZipRecruiter.com Zip ZipRecruiter.com Zip welcome back.

[Adam Graham]

There are a couple of moments in this episode that I really appreciated. The questioning of the husband. Ernest Cheswick really captures a lot of emotion. He spent nine years trying to get the relationship to work, is still paying the rent, but is now in this separated status. And in this brief scene, you capture the sort of anger and frustration at the broken promises and the end of this self destructive cycle. But then finally, when that's all done, you get to the real core sadness that this person you spent nearly a decade with is gone. And I appreciate the emotional complexity of that scene. Very well done. And then the interrogation, which shows how sometimes someone in a less than ideal situation might have trouble giving account of themselves to the police even though they're innocent, and it also shows the danger of leaning too heavily into a solution before a full investigation was done. This wasn't a case where they leapt as far as Friday and Jacobs did in the big casing, but it still shows that you can get out in front of the evidence, particularly with Friday's closing line Listener Comments and feedback now and we go to YouTube for some comments on the Big show. Katherine writes a great ending and Mildred writes, I have fond memories of the Greyhound bus station when it was on 6th and Los Angeles street. And also I had a manager whose wife cheated on him and got pregnant with someone else's baby instead of getting divorced, and he raised the son as if it was his own. I'm not sure if the boy ever knew that the man who raised him was not his real father. Well, thanks so much and I guess that is an example of that story in the episode happening in real life then we have some comments on our listener survey and Jeremy writes in Toronto writes when answering what aspect I enjoy most about this podcast. The survey only allowed me to pick one between host content and guest. I selected content, but I feel that separating the host from the content is a bit of a disservice to the host, Adam Graham. There are many shows I could choose to listen to with similar programming, but I choose to listen to the great detectives of Old Time Radio because of the insight, insightful, professional and entertaining commentary provided by the host. Adam's commentary is an important portion of the content of the show. Well, thanks so much Jeremy. I appreciate the perspective and David over in Scotland says the show is fantastic. I love the Sherlock Holmes series and Paul writes anything with Philip Marlow. And I assume that Paul approved of our vacation week programs. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Damian patreon Supporter since March 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support. 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 this from. We will be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for another episode of yours truly, Johnny Doll. Or where.

[Bill Lockwood]

If you can dig up the information I want, I'll mail you a check for 100 bucks American immediately.

[Joe Friday]

Oh Johnny, only 200. What you call bucks for my inestimable services.

[Bill Lockwood]

Okay, 200. Now listen, there's a little idol. The mailing Buddha. Yes, I know it well. Oh, I saw it only this morning here in Paris. Where? At the shop of M. Du Busan

[Joe Friday]

on the Rue de Par de la Moore.

[Bill Lockwood]

His it was smuggled in only a few weeks ago. And the price on it?

[Joe Friday]

Well, for such a rare and exquisite piece, most reasonable.

[Bill Lockwood]

How much? 32 million franc. That's around $80,000. So it must be the McCoy you

[Joe Friday]

wish me to, shall we say, obtain it for you?

[Bill Lockwood]

You mean steal it? But of course, Monsieur.

[Joe Friday]

No, no thanks.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off. From taco night in Tulum to sushi

[Joe Friday]

in Tokyo, every bite is rewarding and Pulse worthy with MX Gold's 4 times

[Adam Graham]

membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide. Wherever you dine, points are piling up. So bring your friends along for your next course. Because it's not all about the posts,

[Joe Friday]

it's about the company and the memories.

[Adam Graham]

How can Gold from Amex sweeten your next food moment?

[Joe Friday]

Learn [e-mail] Explore Gold terms and pointscap

[Grainger Commercial Voice]

Apply when you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place so nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. Grainger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, Filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.