Dragnet: The Big Lease (EP4899)

Summary

---

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet – “The Big Lease” (EP4899)

Original Airdate: November 1, 1951 | Podcast Date: January 29, 2026

Host: Adam Graham

---

Episode Overview

This episode features an original broadcast of Dragnet titled "The Big Lease," where Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero investigate the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy, retired businessman, Chester Dillon. The detectives must determine if Dillon vanished due to suicide or foul play, a process that gradually unfolds through interviews, subtle clues, and a tense reveal. After the drama, Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on detective logic, character motivations, and 1950s police procedure.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Case Introduction [03:10–03:46]

• Backdrop: A request from Gladys Dillon, Chester’s sister in New York, prompts the investigation after she loses contact with her brother.
• Main questions: Where is Chester Dillon? Did he disappear voluntarily, commit suicide, or was he a victim of a crime?

2. Interview with Lucille Banner [04:06–07:41]

• Role: Banner rented Dillon’s house and then sublet it, and possibly the last person to have seen him.
• Notables:
  • Dillon left for New York about 8 weeks ago and instructed Banner to hold his rent checks until his return.
  • Banner describes Dillon as deeply depressed after his wife's recent death. She recalls a haunting exchange:

    “Where I'm going, I won't need the money.” — Lucille Banner, recalling Chester Dillon [07:40]

• Tone: Banner appears concerned but practical; she admits knowing little of Dillon’s personal affairs.

3. Bank Inquiry [08:53–12:09]

• Manager (Mr. Harrison): Confirms Dillon made a significant cash withdrawal ($2,400) on November 27.
• Insight: Dillon gave no specifics about his trip; he appeared to be recovering emotionally before he left.
• Detective query:

  “Why do you need the $2,400 to do it?” — Sgt. Friday, questioning possible suicide motives [12:12]

4. Tracking Dillon’s Last Movements [13:14–15:41]

• Raymond Shaffer (Friend):
  • Was supposed to receive Dillon as a house guest, but Dillon never showed.
  • Holds Dillon’s mail and two suitcases left behind, which is suspicious since travelers usually take luggage.
  • No criminal record found; no indication of involvement.

5. Clue at the Department Store [16:40–17:24, 17:50]

• Key Find: Department store records show a purchase for women’s clothing made two weeks after Dillon's disappearance, signed with the name of his late wife, Sarah Dillon.
• Forgery Suspicion: Sales slip signature is examined for authenticity.

6. Identifying a Forger [19:13–21:19]

• Sales Clerk (Laura Van Kirk):
  Describes the customer making the suspicious purchase—a thin, plain woman with light brown hair and distinctive glasses.
• Detective deduction: Realize the description matches Lucille Banner.
• Handwriting Analysis: Signatures from the lease and sale slip are compared:

  “Says there's no question in his mind. Both signatures match perfectly.” — Handwriting expert quoted by Sgt. Friday [21:18]

7. The Garden Clue [22:15–23:47]

• Gardener (Julio): Shares that Banner ordered a compost box built inside the greenhouse, on a specifically marked spot, just after Dillon vanished.
  • Julio expresses suspicion:

    “She made me build it inside the greenhouse. Right on the place she had marked for it.” — Julio [23:11] “Do you think she has something to hide?” — Julio [23:47]

8. Confrontation and Confession [24:11–27:23]

• Police Question Banner: She repeatedly denies all accusations and involvement.
• Evidence Mounts: Police take her—along with Julio—to the Dillon property and begin digging in the greenhouse compost box.
• Banner’s Confession:
  • She describes her emotional attachment to Dillon, her anger at rejection, and finally, admits to shooting and burying him there.
  • Banner’s words are emotional and raw:

    “I wanted to marry Chester...wouldn't do it. We had an argument in the kitchen one night. I had a gun. And I killed him. I killed him.” — Lucille Banner [27:07] “He was so old. He needed a woman. I guess you made a mistake.”
    “No, Sergeant. He did.” — Lucille Banner [27:19–27:23]

9. Resolution [27:32–28:31]

• Outcome: Banner is tried and convicted of first-degree murder; she is sentenced to life imprisonment.

---

Host Commentary: Adam Graham [29:03–32:06]

• Suspicious Arrangement: Graham questions why Dillon would instruct Banner to hold his rent checks—a setup fraught with risk and poor bookkeeping for either party.
• Detective Critique: Adam puzzles over police procedure:

  “It seems less likely that a generic female forgery suspect is going to be the key to this case. And more specifically, specifically someone who had in some way interacted with the missing man or his wife...” — Adam Graham [~30:00]

• Appreciation for Process: Graham acknowledges rote procedures in policing, even when they may seem unlikely to yield results.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On motive and logic:

  “Why do you need the $2400 to do it?” — Sgt. Friday’s skeptical remark about using cash for suicide [12:12]

• Unsettling foreshadowing:

  “Where I’m going, I won’t need the money.” — Chester Dillon (recounted by Lucille Banner) [07:41]

• Gardener’s key intuition:

  “She had to have it [the compost box] built in a certain place. Right in the greenhouse. Little piece of ground in there.” — Julio [23:40]

• The killer’s confession:

  “I killed him. I killed him.” — Lucille Banner [27:07]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Case begins / setup: [03:10–04:09]
• Lucille Banner’s interview: [04:09–07:41]
• Bank manager evidence: [08:53–12:09]
• Raymond Shaffer and suitcases: [13:14–15:41]
• Department store clue: [16:40–17:24], [17:50]
• Sales clerk description: [19:13–20:29]
• Handwriting match: [21:18–21:19]
• Gardener’s compost box story: [22:15–23:47]
• Banner questioned, confession: [24:11–27:23]
• Host’s commentary/advice: [29:03–32:06]

---

Tone and Style

• Authentic & Procedural: The episode upholds Dragnet’s hallmark of “just the facts” police drama with subdued performances, earnest narration, and methodical step-by-step investigation.
• Adam Graham: Adds insight with gently humorous, contemplative, and respectful commentary—keeping the nostalgia alive while giving modern perspective on detective work.

---

Summary

Dragnet’s “The Big Lease” is a classic, slow-burning whodunnit in which persistent routine police work unravels a puzzling disappearance and exposes a desperate, emotionally charged crime. Through interviews, document checks, and a crucial observation by a neighborhood gardener, the mystery is brought to light. Adam Graham’s post-show analysis offers listeners modern reflections on old-time detective logic and the enduring legacy of radio mysteries.

---

Transcript

[Peloton Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Peloton. The new cross training series balances your workouts with 15 plus workout types for endless movements on and off your equipment. Stay motivated with weekly personalized plans that guide you from beginner to expert and push past your goals with routines tailored to you. Get the new cross training series Term Supply.

[Sergeant Friday]

I'm here on a job site with.

[Lucille Banner]

Tim, who owns his own electrical contracting business.

[Ben Romero]

Three employees and two work trucks.

[Sergeant Friday]

Tim traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance.

[Ben Romero]

We're positively here where he needs us most. They sure are.

[Sergeant Friday]

With step by step help on all his insurance needs, all for shockingly low rates.

[Adam Graham]

Shockingly low, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Just a little bit of electrician humor.

[Narrator]

Do you get it? I got it.

[Sergeant Friday]

You know, it feels like we have a real connection. All right, I'll stop. Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail].

[Narrator]

And see how much you could save. It feels good.

[Sergeant Friday]

To Geico.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio. From Orlando, Florida, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, 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 by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, Pillbox 15913. That's Pillbox 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from November 1, 1951, here is the big lease.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight in Miami, Florida.

[Sergeant Friday]

A group of men are gathered together.

[Narrator]

For their annual conference for their day.

[Sergeant Friday]

In, day out service to the public. Dragnet honors the 58th Annual Conference of.

[Narrator]

The International association of Chiefs of Police. The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant.

[Sergeant Friday]

You're assigned a homicide detail. A wealthy retired businessman suddenly disappears. You've got two possibilities to work on.

[Narrator]

Suspicion of suicide, suspicion of foul play. There's no lead to the man's whereabouts.

[Sergeant Friday]

Your job. Find him.

[Narrator]

Drag. 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.

[Sergeant Friday]

Was Wednesday, February 6th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We're working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the Record Bureau and it was 11:18am when I got to room 42, homicide. Joe. Hi. Did she show up yet?

[Joe]

Yeah, a couple of minutes ago. She's waiting for us now in the next room.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did you talk to her at all?

[Narrator]

No.

[Joe]

Seems to be a nice enough woman. I don't know how much help she's gonna be. Yeah, go ahead. Miss Banner, I'd like to have you meet my partner, Sergeant Friday. Joe, this is Miss Banner.

[Lucille Banner]

Hello. I'm sorry I wasn't home when you stopped by yesterday, Sergeant. I got the card you left, though. I called in as soon as I got home.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, thanks for coming in, Ms. Banner. We have a few questions we'd like to ask you. Won't take very long.

[Joe]

We have communication from a Gladys Dillon back in New York, Ms. Banner. It's about her brother, Chester Dillon. We understand you rented his home from him out on Ralston Avenue.

[Lucille Banner]

Mr. Dillon? Why, yes. I've got a two year lease on the house. I rented it from him last November.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, according to the letter we got from Mr. Dillon's sister, she's one worried about him. She hasn't heard from him in some time. Have you any idea where we could contact him?

[Lucille Banner]

Well, the last I heard, he left on a trip to New York. That was about eight weeks ago, I'd say. You see, I usually sent the check for the rent, the apartment he had here. And when he left on his trip, he told me to hold on to the rent checks and he'd collect them when he got back.

[Joe]

How long did he say he'd be gone?

[Lucille Banner]

I don't remember definitely. I think he said four or five months.

[Sergeant Friday]

He didn't leave any forwarding address? Any place you could contact him back east?

[Lucille Banner]

No, he didn't. He just wanted to get away. Didn't want to be bothered with anyone. He wasn't feeling very well. Very depressed, poor man.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, why was that, ma'?

[Ben Romero]

Am?

[Lucille Banner]

Do you know his wife died just a few months ago, you know.

[Joe]

No, ma', am, we didn't know. All we got from his sister was that she hadn't heard from Dylan. She was worrying. She didn't give us any other information.

[Lucille Banner]

Oh, yes. Mrs. Dylan died in last September. I Think it was? Poor man felt terrible about it. Couldn't seem to get over it. That's why he rented the house to me. Reminded him too much of her.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma', am. I understand.

[Lucille Banner]

Lovely home they have. Mr. Doan said he really didn't want to rent it, but he couldn't stand being alone in the house. It was a large place, you know.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. We checked with the people living in the house. Now, we understand you leased the place to them last month.

[Lucille Banner]

I subleased it, yes. You see, it just got too big for me. It was nice at first, but it got to be an awful lot of work. I rented it to this family and took a smaller house down the street.

[Joe]

Would you happen to know any of Mr. Dillon's friends in the city, Ms. Banner? Anyone we could contact who might know where we can locate him?

[Adam Graham]

I don't know.

[Lucille Banner]

He didn't seem to have any friends. He and his wife had only been in the city a year before she died. He was retired, you know.

[Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Ben Romero]

Am.

[Joe]

We talked to some of the neighbors out there. They couldn't tell us much about him.

[Lucille Banner]

Maybe some of the people he did business with might know something. Have you tried the neighborhood bank out there? I know that's where Mr. Dillon had his account.

[Sergeant Friday]

No, ma', am, we haven't yet.

[Lucille Banner]

Well, I can give the bank's address. It's about all, though.

[Joe]

That's the only contact you know of?

[Lucille Banner]

I'm afraid so, yes. I didn't know much about Mr. Dillon's private affairs. Whenever I talked to him, it seemed the only thing he had on his mind was his wife's death. Just couldn't seem to get over it. Seemed like he didn't want to get over it.

[Sergeant Friday]

You mentioned that when you leased his home, Mr. Dillon took an apartment. Do you happen to have that address, Ms. Banner?

[Lucille Banner]

Well, I don't have it with me now, but I have it at home. I can call in and give it to you, if you like.

[Sergeant Friday]

If you would, please.

[Lucille Banner]

Certainly.

[Joe]

Well, thank you very much, Ms.

[Sergeant Friday]

Banner.

[Joe]

You have our card. And when you hear anything at all from Mr. Dillon, we'd appreciate it if you'd call.

[Lucille Banner]

Surely. I'll call you right away. You think something could have happened to him?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, it's possible. We don't know. All we have is a letter from his sister.

[Lucille Banner]

Does seem kind of strange, doesn't it? Wasn't feeling too well. I wondered why he hadn't contacted me about sending the rent money to him. He was such a nice man, Mr. Dillon. I certainly hope nothing's happened to him.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, you say he was very depressed about his wife's death, ma'.

[Joe]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday]

Would you say that it was getting to be a little abnormal with him, maybe?

[Lucille Banner]

Well, I wouldn't know about that, Sergeant. But he brooded about it all the time. He felt that he'd lost everything. Didn't seem to want to go on.

[Joe]

He ever give an indication that maybe he might take his own life? I mean, all this brooding over his wife.

[Lucille Banner]

Well, no, nothing definite. Just depressed and moody all the time. Oh, now that I remember it, the last time I saw him, he did say something kind of funny.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Lucille Banner]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday]

What was that?

[Lucille Banner]

It was the day before he left. We were talking about the rent money, and I asked him if I couldn't send it to him. He got kind of a strange look on his face. Yeah, he said, where I'm going, I won't need the money.

[Sergeant Friday]

The day before we called on Lucille Banner for an interview. A letter had been received from a Ms. Gladys Dylan in Elmira, New York. Her request was routine. It was one of thousands of similar letters received every year by police departments all over the country. Each one of them has to be worked out to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. The person who's reported missing and the person looking for them. It's an enormous job, requiring thousands of man hours annually. Like the dozens of other investigations handled by the police officer, some of them end happily, some of them in tragedy. Whatever the result, the finding of a lost person is just as important a function of your local police department as any other investigation. Gladys Dillon hadn't heard from her brother recently. She was worried about him. She asked us to investigate. Our initial interview with Lucille Banner, the woman who'd rented Chester Dylan's home, failed to yield much of a lead as to his whereabouts. The only source of additional information she could offer was the neighborhood bank where Dylan had his account. One o' clock that afternoon, Ben and I drove out to interview the manager of the bank. A Mr. Harrison.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, that's right. Mr. Dillon's had his account with us ever since he came to Los Angeles. I know him quite well. Is there something you'd like to know about him?

[Joe]

Yes, sir, there is. We had a request from his sister in New York she'd like to locate.

[Ben Romero]

Well, I'm pretty sure his account's still open here. Matter of fact, I'm positive it is.

[Sergeant Friday]

Just a moment.

[Ben Romero]

I'll have one of the clerks get his file.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right.

[Joe]

Thank you, Mr. Harrison. That reminds me, I Almost forgot.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's that?

[Joe]

I gotta get to the bank tomorrow.

[Sergeant Friday]

For sure.

[Joe]

Payment on my car's a day past due already? Only got two mavens left. You're doing fine.

[Sergeant Friday]

I got another eight months to go.

[Joe]

Not so fine. Two more payments to go, and now the wife wants a new one. Never fails.

[Ben Romero]

Here we are, Sergeant. Just as I thought. Mr. Dillon's account is still open for her.

[Sergeant Friday]

Have there been any recent deposits or withdrawals on the account?

[Ben Romero]

Let's have a look here.

[Joe]

Uh huh.

[Ben Romero]

Just as I thought. Nothing since he left on his trip. That last withdrawal date was November 27th.

[Joe]

He mentioned to you that he was going on a trip, did he?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, I think he said he was going back to New York, more or less. A vacation trip. His wife died recently. He didn't take it too well.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, we understand. Did he leave any instructions about his account with you, Mr. Harrison? Any address you could contact him at if you had to?

[Ben Romero]

No, he didn't leave any instructions with me. No address. Just a vacation trip. He said he didn't expect to be gone too long.

[Joe]

Did he mention how long it would be?

[Ben Romero]

5 or 6 weeks. I think that's what he said. I happened to talk to him about it because at the time he made quite a sizable withdrawal. I thought maybe he was a little unhappy with our service.

[Sergeant Friday]

How much was the withdrawal, sir?

[Ben Romero]

Let's see. Here it is. November 27th, he withdrew $2,400.

[Sergeant Friday]

Was that in cash or in Traveler's Channel?

[Joe]

Do you know that? No.

[Ben Romero]

It shows here that it was in cash.

[Joe]

Mr. Harrison, you said a minute ago that you knew Mr. Dillon pretty well.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, that's right. He used to stop and chat with me whenever he'd come in the bank. That was usually once a week. I didn't know him socially, though you.

[Joe]

Mentioned he seemed to take his wife's death pretty hard. What would you say his mental condition was last time you saw him?

[Ben Romero]

All right? I'd say just after his wife's death, he wasn't in very good shape. Brooded about it quite a bit. Then he began to pull out of it. Seemed to be in a fairly good frame of mind. Planned this vacation. Was looking forward to it.

[Joe]

I see.

[Ben Romero]

Why do you ask? Is something wrong?

[Joe]

No, sir. Not that we know of. Routine check? That's about the size of it.

[Sergeant Friday]

Does Dylan have any other real estate besides the house on Ralston Avenue? Would you happen to know that?

[Ben Romero]

Not to my knowledge, no. He has no other business connections in Los Angeles. Here are all his references.

[Joe]

Right here.

[Ben Romero]

See Most of them are charge accounts and so forth. I remember the time he opened his account with us. He told me he was retired. He and his wife came out here for their help.

[Joe]

They have any relatives out here, do you know? Ms. Jersey?

[Ben Romero]

No. From what I understand, both of their families are in the East. They don't have any children. According to his application, very few relatives.

[Sergeant Friday]

And since Dylan was in here last November to make that withdrawal, you've had no communications from him at all?

[Ben Romero]

No, sir, I haven't. But seems to be the trouble. You have an idea something might be wrong?

[Joe]

Nothing definite, no, sir. We've been told about his feeling depressed over his wife's death. And there was some indication he might possibly have done away with himself. After what you've told us, it doesn't seem too likely.

[Ben Romero]

I don't know. I wouldn't like to commit myself. As I say, he did seem to be getting over it. I didn't know him that well, though. Might be entirely possible he was devoted to Mrs. Dylan. Maybe he could have picked his own life. I don't know.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, it leaves a big question to answer, doesn't it?

[Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Sergeant Friday]

Why do you need the $2400 to do it? 1:25pm we continued interviewing the bank manager, Mr. Harrison, but he was unable to come up with any further leads. Before we left the bank, he gave us a complete list of all of Chester Dylan's references. We gave him our card, and he told us he would pass along immediately any information he might get on the whereabouts of Mr. Dillon. 1:45. We went back to the office where we got a call from Lucille Banner. She gave us Dylan's last known address and we drove out to check. It was an apartment court in the Pico Crenshaw area. We talked to the manager and she told us that Dylan had moved out three months before. On November 22. He told her that he was moving in with a close friend of his, and he gave her his forwarding address. It turned out to be a single story frame cottage located in one of the older residential districts of the city. The name on the mailbox read Raymond L. Shaffer. We rang the bell and a man who identified himself as Raymond Shaffer ushered us into a small living room. He told us that he was from the same town in the east that the Dillons came from and that he was a longtime friend of theirs.

[Ben Romero]

No, I haven't seen Chester for months. Last November, I think it was that last time I saw him.

[Joe]

You say at that time Dylan was living in the apartment down in the Crenshaw area. Mitch Shaver?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right.

[Sergeant Friday]

You mean he never came here to live with you?

[Ben Romero]

No, it's just like I told you before. He talked about moving in here with me, but he never did. Haven't any idea where he is.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, he gave your name here as a forwarding address. Schaefer. Have you been getting his mail?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, matter of fact, I have. He told me he was going to do that. Never came to pick it up, though. Seemed funny to me.

[Joe]

You're still getting his mail here, is that right?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, it's still coming. Not much of it. Maybe a letter a week. Mostly bills and advertising.

[Sergeant Friday]

This list of names you've given us, sir, these are all the people in the east Mr. Dillon was acquainted with people he might contact on his trip back there. Is that right?

[Ben Romero]

That's all of them. Far as I know. He hadn't been back there yet, though.

[Sergeant Friday]

How do you know that?

[Ben Romero]

I got a letter from my sister Gert a couple of days ago. If Chester was in town, Gert would have known about it. He would have been sure to stop by and see her. I wish I could help you. Tell you the truth, I'm getting a little worried about him myself.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, you just have one more question, Mr. Shaver. Do you know if Mr. Dillon was in the habit of carrying large sums of money around with him?

[Ben Romero]

No, I don't think so. Chester was pretty cautious that way. Wasn't too free with a dollar, you know.

[Sergeant Friday]

Would you happen to know if he had a large sum of money with him the last time you saw him?

[Ben Romero]

No. If he did have, he didn't mention it.

[Joe]

I see. You can't think of anything else that might give us a lead on Mr. Dillon's whereabouts? Anything at all?

[Ben Romero]

I think I've told you everything. I wish there was something I could tell you that had helped. I sure hope nothing's happened to him.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Joe]

Now, would you mind showing us that mail you're holding for Dillon, please?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, sure, sir. Right over here in the desk. There you are. That's all of it.

[Joe]

Mm. Thank you. Anything, Joe?

[Sergeant Friday]

No, not much. Bills, circulars. Here's one with a New York postmark. Elmira, probably from his sister. Another one, only three days old, from the union department store. A couple more earlier dates on them. That's about it.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Joe]

I'll copy down the return addresses on fine. Mr. Schaefer?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah?

[Joe]

This suitcase by the desk here. Initials on it.

[Ben Romero]

CLD yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

CLD Is that your bag, Shaver?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, No, I forgot to tell you. Chester left that here one day.

[Joe]

How was that?

[Ben Romero]

Well, that was one day just before he was going to leave on his vacation. He brought it over here and said he'd like to leave it with me. Forgot to mention it to you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did you bring anything else with him?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, he brought another suitcase with him, just like this one I got in the other room. He said he wanted to leave him here while he was on his vacation. I'm sorry I forgot to mention it.

[Sergeant Friday]

Maybe you forgot something else. Shaver.

[Joe]

What?

[Sergeant Friday]

Most people take their suitcases on a trip, don't they? 2:30pm we continued questioning Raymond Shaffer. We opened the two suitcases labeled with the initials of Chester Dylan and found an assortment of personal items which Shaffer told us belonged to Dylan and his late wife. Small pictures, cigarette boxes, books, similar articles which apparently would not be taken on a vacation trip. None of them were of any great value. After we left Shaffer's home, we checked him through R and I and found he had no criminal record. We checked further with friends and acquaintances of both men and found nothing to indicate that Shaffer was in any way involved in the disappearance of Chester Dylan. 3:30pm we called the office and found that there'd been no answers so far to the broadcast and missing persons bulletins that we've gotten out on Dylan. We started checking the references given us by the bank. First was the Union Department store. It was located on Main street in the south end of town. We checked with the credit department to see what information we could get from them.

[Lucille Banner]

Yes, here's the file on the Dillons right here. Mr. Ellen.

[Joe]

Sarah J.

[Lucille Banner]

On Ralston Avenue.

[Joe]

Yes, ma', am.

[Ben Romero]

That's one.

[Lucille Banner]

What information would you like, sir?

[Sergeant Friday]

We're trying to locate Mr. Dillon, ma'. Am. Have you had any recent change of address on that account?

[Lucille Banner]

No, we haven't. If they moved, you know.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, we believe so. We don't know his present address, though.

[Lucille Banner]

Well, we do have an outstanding bill of theirs, I noticed. Sent them several form letters. We've been trying to contact them ourselves.

[Joe]

Have there been any recent charges on that account? You know, let's see.

[Lucille Banner]

Nothing too recent, no. Last charge was made on December 5th. Yes, Thursday, December 5th.

[Joe]

That's a couple of weeks after he disappeared. Joe. Yeah, that's right.

[Sergeant Friday]

What was that charge for, ma'?

[Ben Romero]

Am?

[Sergeant Friday]

What did Mr. Dillon buy?

[Lucille Banner]

Oh, Mr. Dillon didn't buy anything.

[Sergeant Friday]

Beg your pardon?

[Lucille Banner]

The slip was signed by Mrs. Dylan.

[Narrator]

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

[Sergeant Friday]

4:15Pm Thursday, February 7th. As soon as the clerk in the credit department at the Union Department Store showed us the sales slip with the late Mrs. Sarah Dillon signature on it, we had the date on the sales slip double checked immediately. The data shown on the slip was correct beyond any doubt. December 5th. That was a little more than two and a half months after Sarah Dillon had died. Who the person was who forged her signature or why they'd forged it, we had no idea. The amount of the charge purchase as shown on the sale slip was for 418, all of it for women's clothing. We attempted to check with the salesgirl who handled the purchase, a Laura Van Kirk, but we were told it was her day off. We called her home. They told us that she was gone for the day and couldn't be located. They said she'd be at work the following morning, 4:40pm Ben and I took the sales slip with a Ford signature on it and drove back to the office. We went directly to Forgery Detail, briefed them on our findings and gave them the sales slip. Then we drove back to the home of the Dylan's friend Raymond Shaffer, and checked through the two suitcases. There we came up with a small photo of Mrs. Dillon along with exemplars of her handwriting as well as her husband's, which we found in an autograph album in one of the suitcases. The handwriting samples were checked against the signature on the sale slip, but neither of them matched. The work of compiling a list of all known female forgery suspects was begun immediately. The following morning, Ben and I went back to the Union Department store where we interviewed the salesgirl, Laura Van Kirk, who'd handled the purchase.

[Lucille Banner]

Yes, I remember making the sale. Officer, I'm not too sure about the woman who bought the things though. I mean, what she looked like.

[Joe]

Well, could you try to describe her for us, Ms. Van Kirk? Just as well as you can remember.

[Lucille Banner]

She had light brown hair. I'm pretty sure that. Not too old, maybe in her late 30s, early 40s. She was a plain looking woman, 5 foot 5 or 6, thin. As I remember. She wore glasses. I remember that too.

[Sergeant Friday]

I see that picture, Ms. Dylan there, Ben. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Joe]

Here you are.

[Sergeant Friday]

Would you take a look at this picture, Miss? Now, does that look like the woman you waited on?

[Lucille Banner]

No, no, that's not her. The woman I waited on was much younger. She had light brown hair too, not gray. Thin face, I think. And she wore glasses. I'm sure that.

[Joe]

Do you remember if there was a man with her, Ms. Van Kirk. Or was she alone?

[Lucille Banner]

No, she was alone. Now that I remember. There was something very different about the glasses she wore. I don't know if that's important or not.

[Sergeant Friday]

What about her glasses?

[Lucille Banner]

They were horn rimmed, as I remember. Very light color. And there was some metal work along the top edge of the frame. Very smart looking. Gold metal all along the top.

[Joe]

Light brown hair, slight bill, thin face, late 30s or early 40s. Wore light horn rimmed glasses. And gold metal on the frame.

[Lucille Banner]

Yes, that's right.

[Joe]

Check me if I'm wrong, Joe. That description sound familiar?

[Sergeant Friday]

Just what I was thinking.

[Joe]

Horn rimmed glasses, metal work on them. The woman who came to see us at the office.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, you got it. Lucille Banner. Ben and I went back to the office and had Lucille Banner checked through R and I. She had no criminal record. Then we drove to the home on Ralston Avenue which Chester Dillon had leased to Lucille Banner and which she in turn had sublet. We obtained a copy of the lease which the Banner woman had with the current tenants, which bore her signature. We brought the copy of the lease downtown, gave it to Don Meyer in handwriting and asked him to compare Lucille Banner's signature with the signature on the sales slip that we'd obtained from the Union Department Store. Fifteen minutes later he called us at the office with the result. Yeah, Don.

[Ben Romero]

Mm, that so?

[Joe]

You're right. Thanks a lot.

[Sergeant Friday]

What do you get?

[Joe]

Says there's no question in his mind. Yeah, both signatures match perfectly.

[Sergeant Friday]

What the reason was behind Lucille Banner's forging the signature of Mrs. Dylan on the sales slip. We didn't know whether or not it had any connection with the disappearance of Chester Dylan. We didn't know. As soon as we got the handwriting report from Don Meyer, Ben and I left the office immediately and drove to the bungalow which the Banner woman was renting on Ralston Avenue. It was a block down the street from the Dylan house. Lucille Banner wasn't at home, but a neighborhood gardener trimming the lawn in front of her house told us that she was expected back shortly. The gardener, who identified himself only as Julio, volunteered that he also did gardening work for Ms. Banner when she occupied the Dylan home. He'd also worked for the Dylan's when they lived in the house. He told us he liked the Dylan's quite a bit, but that he didn't have much use for Ms. Banner. He seemed to be up on all the news in the neighborhood. He trimmed the hedges of the lawn with hand shears as we talked to him.

[Joe]

Can you tell us anything about Mr. Dillon and Ms. Banner, Julio, how they seem to get along, you know.

[Ben Romero]

They get along all right, I guess. When I work at the big house down there for Miss Banner. That's before she moved. I would see Mr. Dillon there. He would be at the house maybe once, two times a week.

[Joe]

Ms.

[Ben Romero]

Banner would ask him to come over.

[Joe]

Cook dinner for him.

[Lucille Banner]

Ms.

[Ben Romero]

Banner likes him, I think, Mr. Dylan. I don't know about him. He wasn't feeling so good. Still thinking about his wife. Here, I finish up this clipping now.

[Lucille Banner]

There.

[Ben Romero]

All done.

[Sergeant Friday]

You mentioned you don't like Ms. Banner very much, Julia.

[Joe]

Why is that?

[Sergeant Friday]

She ever give you a reason not to like her?

[Ben Romero]

She's a little crazy, I think. Funny woman. When I used to work at the big house for her in the garden, she would watch me all the time, follow me all around, tell me to do all kind of crazy jobs. She gave me good pay, though, so I do them.

[Joe]

How do you mean, Julia? What kind of crazy jobs?

[Ben Romero]

The compost box for fertilizer, you know. She wanted me to build one for her in the backyard. That was down the street at the Dillon house. Crazy woman. She wanted me to build a compost box in the greenhouse. Have a special place.

[Narrator]

Martha.

[Ben Romero]

Who ever heard of that? To build a compost box inside a greenhouse. Crazy.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, did you build it for her?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, but not inside the greenhouse. I built it outside, right next door to the greenhouse. When she come outside, she go crazy. Almost call me names. Crazy. She made me tear it up. Then she made me build it inside the greenhouse. Right on the place she had marked for it.

[Joe]

Sounds queer, doesn't it?

[Sergeant Friday]

When did all this happen, Julio? Do you remember when you built the compost box?

[Ben Romero]

I mean, a couple of months ago.

[Sergeant Friday]

About that.

[Ben Romero]

It was just after Mr. Dillon went away. I tried to tell Ms. Banner, who ever heard of a compost box in a greenhouse?

[Joe]

She wouldn't listen.

[Ben Romero]

She had to have it, Bill, in a certain place. Right in the greenhouse. Little piece of ground in there. The box had to go right on top of it.

[Sergeant Friday]

You figured she acted pretty strange about it.

[Ben Romero]

Do you think she had something there? Little piece of ground? You think she has something to hide?

[Sergeant Friday]

1:15Pm Lucille Banner returned home. And Ben and I went inside the house with her. Where we questioned her in the living room. Outside in the front yard, the gardener, Julio, continued working on the lawn. Lucille Banner was calm and composed. We questioned her about the forged signature on the sales slip. She would admit nothing.

[Lucille Banner]

The whole thing's too silly to even comment on. I don't know what you're talking about, Sergeant?

[Joe]

We think you do, Ms. Banner. Our handwriting man's check that you. Two signatures, one on the sales slip and one on the lease. They both match. They were written by the same person. There's no doubt about it. Then check thoroughly.

[Sergeant Friday]

Now, what about it, Ms. Banner? There's no way out of it. You ought to know that.

[Lucille Banner]

I'll deny it, that's all. I'll keep on denying it. I wasn't in that store and I didn't forge any signatures. Why would I do a thing like that? What kind of a woman do you think I am?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, all we know are the facts, ma'. Am. Now, why don't you give us a straight story? It's going to save time and trouble for everybody concerned.

[Lucille Banner]

You've heard everything I've got to say. This thing's ridiculous. It's stupid. I'm not answering any more questions.

[Joe]

You want to get your hat and coat, Miss Byrne? Afraid you'll have to come downtown with us.

[Lucille Banner]

What good's that going to do? I'll just keep on denying it. You can't make me say I did a thing like that.

[Ben Romero]

You want to get your coat, please?

[Lucille Banner]

It's right here.

[Joe]

All right.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Joe]

The car's right out in front.

[Sergeant Friday]

Hold it a minute. Will you be?

[Joe]

Yeah, okay, Julio?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Friday]

See a minute?

[Joe]

Sure.

[Ben Romero]

Hello, Ms. Bonner.

[Lucille Banner]

Julio.

[Sergeant Friday]

Favor I'd like to ask of you, Julio. You got a couple of minutes to spare?

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

You want something?

[Sergeant Friday]

We want to take a look in the backyard of the house down the street. Mr. Dillon's house. Like to have you come along with us, Julio. Won't take very long. Sure.

[Ben Romero]

Okay, I'll come along.

[Sergeant Friday]

And bring a shovel along, will you, Julio? Like to check something?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, okay, I bring one.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right.

[Joe]

All right, Ms.

[Sergeant Friday]

Banner.

[Lucille Banner]

What's this about? What are you trying to do?

[Sergeant Friday]

Something? We want to check in the Dylan's backyard. It won't take long.

[Lucille Banner]

What would it have to do with me? I don't have anything to do with that house. I don't even live there anymore. You realize that, don't you?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am. Me, realize?

[Lucille Banner]

I'll call my lawyer. I'll call him as soon as I get to a phone.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Narrator]

Jaleel.

[Ben Romero]

Back this way, Sergeant. Through the gate.

[Lucille Banner]

What are you trying to do to me? You know I don't live here anymore. I don't even have anything to do with this place.

[Joe]

You did live here, ma'.

[Ben Romero]

Am.

[Joe]

You lived here when Mr. Dylan disappeared. Isn't that right?

[Lucille Banner]

What are you trying to say? You've got no business on this property. You've got no business here at all.

[Joe]

Yes, ma', am, we have. What? Did you kill Jester Dillon? Did you kill him, Ms. Bennet?

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, Julio. The compost box in the greenhouse.

[Ben Romero]

Do you want to start digging in the compost box?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Peloton Advertiser]

Okay.

[Lucille Banner]

He was an old man. So old he was sick, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Lucille Banner]

He didn't want to live anymore. He didn't have any reason for living. Why shouldn't he give me the house? Why shouldn't I have his money? I was nice to him. I cooked for him, wanted to take care of him. He just didn't want to live anymore.

[Joe]

That's all right, Julia.

[Sergeant Friday]

You can hold it up.

[Joe]

You want to tell us?

[Lucille Banner]

Man, he needed a woman. Anybody could tell that he needed me. He got along fine, Chester and me. I offered to marry him, and he wouldn't do it. All he could do was think about his wife. She was dead. He'd sit around and talk about her all the time.

[Sergeant Friday]

You killed him.

[Joe]

Is that what you're trying to say?

[Lucille Banner]

I wanted to marry Chester and take care of him. Wouldn't do it. We had an argument in the kitchen one night. I had a gun. And I killed him. I killed him.

[Sergeant Friday]

Is that where you buried him? In the greenhouse? Yes.

[Lucille Banner]

I buried him deep. The gun, too. He'll be all right.

[Joe]

Poor Chester.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Lucille Banner]

He was so old. He needed a woman. And he will tell you that he needed me.

[Sergeant Friday]

I guess you made a mistake.

[Lucille Banner]

No, Sergeant.

[Joe]

He did.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Lucille Banner]

He didn't want me.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On June 2, trial was held in Superior Court Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. Lucille Marie Banner was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. She received a sentence as prescribed by law. She is now serving a life term in the state penitentiary for women. Tehachapi, California. 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.

[Ben Romero]

Stay tuned for counterspy next on NBC.

[Peloton Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by peloton. The new cross training series balances your workouts with 15 plus workout types for endless movements on and off your equipment. Stay motivated with weekly personalized plans that guide you from beginner to expert. And push past your goals with routines tailored to you. Get the new cross training series. Terms apply.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, an interesting case. Now, I don't know whether it was somehow remembering the way that this episode concluded from having heard this episode as well as some seen it before, although it's been a few years since I've encountered this at all. But the whole arrangement about having her hold his checks and give them when they got back was a bit suspicious because as a landlord, you're taking a big risk that something might come up and the money might get spent. And even as a renter, I don't like the idea of that because it just messes up your book bookkeeping to have this extra money in the bank that you're gonna have to pay out. Although her subleasing the house might solve that problem. But still, it seems to me that it would make a lot more sense for her to deposit checks into his bank account than to hold checks for an indeterminate amount of time. Though I guess if she was going for the suicide narrative, it might make sense of him just not thinking clearly. But still, once the evidence came forward that really disproved that, I think they should have started thinking of her. And probably one of the only times that I kind of question the sort of rote procedure that they end up following of beginning the work of compiling a list of all known for female forgery suspects. I mean, I guess it might take quite a while to get the list together and it might be a case of better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But still, it seems less likely that a generic female forgery suspect is going to be the key to this case. And more specifically, specifically someone who had in some way interacted with the missing man or his wife. But I guess there's a certain amount of box checking that you just have to do on police procedure, no matter how like unlikely, it's going to be fruitful. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Margie, patreon Supporter, since June 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Margie, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar Wear.

[Ben Romero]

Stop right there. Don't come any closer. Oh, well, now Just a minute, mister. Who are you? What are you doing around here?

[Lucille Banner]

Stranger, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I guess you'd call me a stranger. But look. And maybe you're the stranger I'm looking for. Get out of that car with your hands up over your head. And don't try no funny business. Hey, what is this, a hold up? Do like I tell you to and be quick about it. Okay, whatever you say. Come on. Come on. I like king seem to. This door doesn't seem to want to. You trying to pull some trick? Open that door. Well, it's stuck.

[Sergeant Friday]

I can't.

[Narrator]

Here.

[Ben Romero]

I'll do it. Now then. Thanks.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Now I'll take that gun.

[Narrator]

Oh, no.

[Ben Romero]

You won.

[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. If you're the purchasing manager at a.

[Sergeant Friday]

Manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference.

[Adam Graham]

That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering.

[Sergeant Friday]

With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need.

[Adam Graham]

At the start of their shift.

[Sergeant Friday]

And you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-granger clickgranger.com or just stop by.

[Adam Graham]

Granger for the ones who get it done.