Mr. and Mrs. North: Death in the Dark (EP4686)

Summary

Summary of "Mr. and Mrs. North: Death in the Dark" (EP4686)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: April 24, 2025

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I. Episode Overview

In this thrilling installment of Mr. and Mrs. North, titled "Death in the Dark," listeners are transported to March 25, 1952, following the beloved detective couple, Pam and Jerry North, as they unravel a complex mystery involving a murder connected to a safe-cracking operation gone awry.

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II. Plot Summary

A. The Crime Scene

The episode opens with a tense atmosphere in a Greenwich Village apartment where Pam and Jerry North are sound asleep. Simultaneously, two criminals, Bill Wigan and his partner, execute a meticulous plan to crack open a heavy black safe in a nearby warehouse. Their operation is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a watchman, leading to a violent confrontation.

• Quote:
  Bill Wigan (04:39): "It's dope. What about him?"
  Pam North (05:37): "That watchman's murder on the east side?"

B. The Investigation Begins

Lieutenant Wigan, connected to the criminals, reports the mysterious death of the watchman. The murder weapon—a specialized tool called a "sectional Jimmy"—links the crime to professional safecrackers. Pam North deduces that the tool's unique markings tie it to a known criminal, Newsle, previously incarcerated by Bill Wigan.

• Quote:
  Pam North (06:17): "Do you know who made it?"
  Bill Wigan (06:31): "It's got the same markings and workmanship as a Jimmy we picked up about two years ago."

C. Deeper into the Conspiracy

As Pam and Jerry delve deeper, they discover that Newsle is supposedly dead—electrocuted recently. This revelation suggests that Newsle has mysteriously escaped from prison, raising suspicions about his involvement in the current crime. Their investigation leads them to Mrs. Musil's apartment, seeking information about the safecracking tool's origins.

• Quote:
  Pam North (09:09): "We were watching her apartment ever since we were over there this afternoon."

D. The Confrontation

Bill Wigan, under pressure from Lieutenant Wigan, attempts to manipulate and intimidate Pam and Jerry into compliance. He reveals the gruesome reality of the murder and threatens dire consequences if they do not cooperate. Tensions escalate when Wigan confronts his partner, Frankie Sherman, about the murder, leading to a breakdown of trust within the criminal ranks.

• Quote:
  Bill Wigan (14:06): "You're asking for the move and you're gonna pay it."

E. The Climax

In a dramatic turn, Pam and Jerry outmaneuver the criminals by uncovering inconsistencies in their stories. They confront Wigan, leading to his unraveling confession where he admits to the murder. The intricate dance between the detectives and the criminals culminates in the apprehension of the culprits, restoring order and justice.

• Quote:
  Pam North (25:39): "You did it, Lenny."
  Bill Wigan (25:44): "You killed him yourself."

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III. Host's Commentary and Analysis

After the dramatization, host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode’s themes and character dynamics.

A. Crime and Consequences

Adam highlights the application of the Felony Murder Rule within the episode, discussing how accomplices can be held accountable for crimes committed during felony operations.

• Quote:
  Adam Graham (27:16): "Mr. North didn't get to the point any faster than Mrs. North when talking to Emil at the end of the episode."

B. Character Dynamics

He examines the unique partnership between Pam and Jerry North, noting that while both characters are competent, Pam often takes the lead in solving mysteries, contrasting with other detective duos of the era.

• Quote:
  Adam Graham (31:12): "Mrs. North feels like the main character of the series. Mr. North feels like mostly a sidekick, but I think a very competent one."

C. Acting and Production Quality

Adam praises the actors, Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost, for their versatile performances, particularly their ability to portray a range of emotions and complexities over the course of the series.

• Quote:
  Adam Graham (33:07): "On the bright side, Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost got to show a bit of range."

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IV. Listener Feedback

Adam engages with listener comments, addressing specific feedback and questions about the episode and characters.

A. Authenticity and Performance

Listeners appreciated the authenticity of the characters, comparing performances with other adaptations and versions.

• Quote:
  Listener Mechanic6682 (33:30): "The financial advisor is always stealing from the client, but not always the Killer."

B. Character Roles and Development

Another listener, Kama, discussed the dynamic between Mr. and Mrs. North, suggesting that Pam often drives the solutions to their cases.

• Quote:
  Listener Kama (34:00): "I don't think that there's a whole lot that Mr. North is better at compared to Mrs. North when it comes to solving the mystery."

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V. Conclusion

"Death in the Dark" masterfully intertwines suspense, intricate plotting, and character development to deliver a captivating mystery. Through Adam Graham's engaging narration and thoughtful commentary, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the Golden Age of Radio detective dramas. The episode not only entertains but also invites reflection on themes of loyalty, justice, and the complexities of human behavior within the framework of classic radio storytelling.

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Transcript

[Pam North]

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[Jerry North]

Siete, siete, tres, cuatro, cinco tres, cuatro, ocho, cuatro.

[Pam North]

Uno, ocho, siete, siete, tres, cuatro, cinco.

[Jerry North]

Tres, cuatro, ocho, cuatro para recivira yuda encol. 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 Mr. And Mrs. North. But I do want to encourage you, if you've not already, to check out my ebooks. All I Needed to Know, I Learned from Columbo, and All I Needed to Know, I Learned from Dragnet. Each examines the careers and histories of seven great fictional detectives and policemen. Life lessons that can be learned from them. You can find these as audiobooks to audible.com or the Apple Store or wherever fine ebooks are sold. But now, March 25, 1952. Here is death in the Dark.

[Bill Wigan]

That was me, lady. Who's you? Freeze, mister. Don't turn around and don't move a muscle. As if you even breathe. I'll blow you right through the wall. Mr. And Mrs. North. Starring Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost. Listen as Pam and Jerry solve the mystery. Death in the Dark While the Norths are peacefully asleep in their Greenwich Village apartment, two men are working feverishly in a warehouse on the east side just before D. One of them holds a flashlight while the other applies a large metal bar to the hinges of a heavy black safe. Coming, kid? She'll be popping in a minute.

[Pam North]

Need any help?

[Bill Wigan]

No, I can make it. Oh, by myself. There she goes. Give me that can opener, the springer. Good. It won't take much longer, will it?

[Pam North]

Money, I mean.

[Bill Wigan]

Take it easy, kid. Can't rush this kind of a job. Put some of those tools away if you want to keep your hands busy. I'll be through in about 10 seconds. Wait a minute. What's the matter? I thought I heard somebody coming, but being so jumpy, that was me. No, it wasn't. It's the watchman. He's coming. Quick, Dosselite, get over by that door and smack him as he comes in. Got a belly, ain't you? Yeah. I'll give it to him good. Watch it now. He's coming. Who's in there? Come on, answer me. Who's in there? I'm warning you now. There's anybody in here, I'm gonna. Okay, kid. Now we have to work fast. Get this box out of here and take it down to the car. It's dope. What about him? Never mind a watchman. Just do like I tell you. Get the dough out. I'll clean up around here and meet you downstairs in five minutes. Okay?

[Pam North]

Okay.

[Bill Wigan]

I'll be waiting for you in the car. Yeah, sure. Little punk. Never take him on a job again. Oh, my head. Stay where you are, mister. Keep your mouth shut. I don't like watchmen. You. You were in here all the time. I said to keep your mouth shut. You won't get away with this. You won't get out of here alive. I won't answer. Oh, I'll get out of here alive, all right. Only you're going out in a basket. I'm aside. Lieutenant Wigan speaking. No, no, not yet, Serge. Another thing. Yeah? Mr. And Mrs. Northman in my office. Okay, I'll get back to you later. That murder last night has got the whole department in an uproar.

[Pam North]

That watchman's murder on the east side?

[Bill Wigan]

Mm. They dropped it in my lap at about 6 o'clock this morning and I haven't been able to come up with a thing except this. What's that, Bill? The murder weapon. The guy that cracked that safe last night used this on the watchman and then forgot to take it with him.

[Pam North]

What is it, Bill? A sash weight?

[Bill Wigan]

No, no. It's part of a sectional, Jimmy. What in the world is a sectional, Jimmy? Have you ever seen one? Oh, it's a tool that's made for burglars. It's like a. Like a crowbar, only it splits up into three sections so it can be carried in a grip without being seen. I never knew there were tools that were specially made for burglars. Oh, there's plenty of them. And they aren't easy to come by either. This one was made by a pro.

[Pam North]

Do you know who made it?

[Bill Wigan]

Well, Pam, I'm not sure, but I. I got a pretty good idea. It's got the same markings and workmanship as a Jimmy we picked up about two years ago. Belonged to a thug named Newsle. A safecracker. One of the best.

[Pam North]

Well, then that should make things easy, Bill. If you know who made this Jimmy, all you have to do is arrest him and you got your murderer.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, it isn't as easy as that, Pam. The man who made this Jimmy didn't rob that safe last night. How do you know? Because I sent him to jail about six months ago.

[Pam North]

Then he's gotten out. That's it. Bill, this news little man has broken out of prison.

[Bill Wigan]

He couldn't have pain.

[Pam North]

Why not?

[Bill Wigan]

Because I sent him up for murder. He was electrocuted the day before yesterday. Get away from that window, kid, and sit down with you. I want to pay you off and send you home to your mother. I ain't got no mother. You know that. A joke. A joke. I was making a joke. What's the matter with you, kid? You've got no sense of humor. I don't know anymore. After what happened last night. Forget it, Willie. It's all over. It's not all over for me, Lenny. Don't you understand? He's dead. The guy's dead. Won't walk no more. He won't speak to anybody. Won't ever see his family again. How do you know he's got one? I read it in the paper. He's got a sister. He's got two kids. Oh, will you shut up? I'm sick and tired of you whining all the time. I can't help it, Lenny. I can't help thinking about him. Poor old guy. I keep seeing him lying there. I can still hear him moaning. When he went down, why did you hit him so hard? I didn't. I just tapped him on the side of the head like I showed you this afternoon. That was some tap paper. Say his skull was broken in two places. But I didn't do it honestly, you know I wouldn't kill anybody. I just wanted to be a big shot, go along with you on a big job. I didn't want to deal anybody. You get off that one note and start picking up your money. You got 600 bucks coming to you. I don't want it. Don't you See, I'd go crazy if I had that door. I'd give myself up. Cut it out, Frankie. Give myself up? Yeah, that's what I.

[Pam North]

What are you doing?

[Bill Wigan]

You gotta behave, kid. No. No more. Please, no more. All right, then. Hang on to yourself. Start cracking up, we'll both be in the soup. Sorry, Lenny. You ought to be. Remember, next time you start losing your head, I'll knock it right off. Darling, you do know where you're taking us, I presume?

[Pam North]

Why, of course, Jerry. I got the address, bill.

[Bill Wigan]

Whose address?

[Pam North]

Mrs. Musil's.

[Bill Wigan]

And who is Mrs. Musil?

[Pam North]

Don't you remember, dear? The man who made that statement.

[Bill Wigan]

He's Mrs. Newslet.

[Pam North]

No, dear. He's the one who went to the electric chair. Mrs. Newsel is his widow.

[Bill Wigan]

And what do you expect to find out from her?

[Pam North]

Whatever we can, if she's willing to talk. And if she's real talky, she might tell us something about that jimmy that was used last night.

[Bill Wigan]

How would she know?

[Pam North]

Well, her husband made it, didn't he? Maybe she knows who he sold it to.

[Bill Wigan]

Say, that's an idea. Only I doubt if Mrs. Newsle will do any talking to people like us.

[Pam North]

We don't have to be like us. We can be two other people. Who? Two thugs from Detroit. We're safe crackers and we need a new set of tools.

[Bill Wigan]

Oh. So naturally we went to her.

[Pam North]

Naturally. Come on, Jerry. We're in the market for a sectional. Jimmy. All right, dear, that's enough ringing. If anybody's home, they certainly will. Ah. Yeah.

[Bill Wigan]

What is it, Mrs. Noozle?

[Pam North]

Who wants to know? You an insurance man?

[Bill Wigan]

Who, me? That's a good one. Tell her who I am, Sadie.

[Pam North]

Tell her yourself. It was your idea coming here. Coming here for what?

[Bill Wigan]

Look, honey, my name is Feegan. Muggsy Feegan. This is my tomato place.

[Pam North]

Tomato? What do you want?

[Bill Wigan]

Well, ain't you gonna leave us in or something? Your husband's an old buddy of mine. We done time together.

[Pam North]

My husband is dead.

[Bill Wigan]

Yeah, I know. We heard the sad news yesterday, and.

[Pam North]

It happened so sudden, we didn't get a chance to send flowers. What do you want, mister? We'd just done a hot job in Detroit, and we had to pull out fast. So we dropped our can openers in the ditch. What's that got to do with me?

[Bill Wigan]

Well, we can't do nothing without no can openers, so we thought you might fix us up.

[Pam North]

Are you kidding? I don't handle any of that stuff. Don't you even have a couple of odds and ends lying around the house? Not a thing. Got rid of all my husband's junk a year ago. Where? Who would you sell it to? Nobody.

[Bill Wigan]

You must have sold it someplace. Cause one of them sectional jimmies was used on a job last night.

[Pam North]

Yeah, that warehouse job on the east side. Where that watchman was killed. That's right. The police found a hunk of that jimmy right next to the body. How do you know?

[Bill Wigan]

We get around.

[Pam North]

Well, start getting, you know too much for me.

[Bill Wigan]

Wait a second, honey. The police get around too, you know. And if you ain't gonna be friendly about this. I might just take a notion to call them up. Look, baby, I gotta know where we can find it.

[Pam North]

I said.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, I. I didn't know you was going to say it with a gun. Come on, Sadie. Yeah, we'll get that Jimmy in the 5 and 10. Yeah.

[Pam North]

Hello, Lenny.

[Bill Wigan]

Who's this?

[Pam North]

Here's the Careful Bar. This is an old pal of yours, Flo Newsome.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, how are you, Flo?

[Pam North]

Crying my eyes out.

[Bill Wigan]

An account of the old man frying.

[Pam North]

On account of you never get around to see me anymore, Lenny.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, I've been kind of busy lately.

[Pam North]

So I heard. I understand you were kind of busy last night on the east side. I want to see you, Lenny. When you coming over?

[Bill Wigan]

What did you say about last night?

[Pam North]

You want me to talk about it on the phone?

[Bill Wigan]

Well, no.

[Pam North]

Then when are you coming over?

[Bill Wigan]

Right away. So you think I'm in trouble, huh?

[Pam North]

Well, what do you think, Lenny? Did you ever hear of a guy named Muggsy Feegan?

[Bill Wigan]

Nope.

[Pam North]

Neither did I. That guy was a phony if I ever saw one. And so was that dame.

[Bill Wigan]

What are you worried about? They can't prove nothing about that, Jimmy.

[Pam North]

They can prove my husband made it. And if they start snooping around, they might find out I gave it to you.

[Bill Wigan]

Who's gonna tell him? You?

[Pam North]

I might.

[Bill Wigan]

You wouldn't do a thing like that, honey. After all, I'm an old flame of yours.

[Pam North]

You're an old flame of a lot of people.

[Bill Wigan]

But you're the only one that counts, baby. Sure.

[Pam North]

I count up to about five grand, Lenny.

[Bill Wigan]

What are you talking about?

[Pam North]

Five grand. That's what I want. To keep my mouth shut.

[Bill Wigan]

Your mouth can be shut for a lot less than that, baby.

[Pam North]

Is that a threat or a promise?

[Bill Wigan]

How do you want to take it in cash? I'm not talking about the money. I'm talking about you. You don't watch your step, there'll be another funeral in the family.

[Pam North]

I think you're bluffing.

[Bill Wigan]

I'm not bluffing. You're asking for the move and you're gonna pay it.

[Pam North]

This ain't just a safe cracking job, Lenny. There's a murder wrap that goes with it.

[Bill Wigan]

Not for me there ain't. Kid done the murder.

[Pam North]

I still say five grand by tomorrow morning, other phones start ringing.

[Bill Wigan]

Okay, baby, you'll get it. You'll get just what you're looking for. Homicide, Lieutenant Wigan speaking.

[Pam North]

Hello, Bill, this is us. We're in a phone booth uptown.

[Bill Wigan]

Both of you. Pam. You're all over my shoe.

[Pam North]

Bill, it's mine. I'm talking. Are you there, Bill?

[Bill Wigan]

It's ready and waiting.

[Pam North]

Well, you won't have to wait much longer. We practically got the case all solved.

[Bill Wigan]

Fine, fine. Where do I send the wagon?

[Pam North]

Oh, now, don't be facetious, Bill. You remember that Mrs. Newsome?

[Bill Wigan]

Yes, roughly.

[Pam North]

Well, we've been watching her apartment ever since we were over there this afternoon. Get to the point. This is the point, Jerry.

[Bill Wigan]

What is the point?

[Pam North]

That we were watching her apartment. Oh, and about a half hour ago, a big thug went in there and came out again.

[Bill Wigan]

He stayed about 20 minutes. Bill.

[Pam North]

Jerry, please.

[Bill Wigan]

And when he came out, he was plenty mad.

[Pam North]

But that isn't all, Bill. We followed him back to his apartment.

[Bill Wigan]

And, well, there isn't any.

[Pam North]

And yet we called because we didn't know what to do.

[Bill Wigan]

I'll tell you what to do. Go home. Oh, now, you're wasting your time, Pam. Just because you happen to see a thug go into somebody's apartment is. No, it wasn't just somebody's apartment.

[Pam North]

It was hers. And if this thug is the one who used her crowbar, Jimmy. Well, what difference does it make as long as we know his name?

[Bill Wigan]

It's Gorman, Bill. Lenny Gorman. That mean anything to you? No, but I'll check on it.

[Pam North]

Well, you don't sound very excited, Bill.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, frankly, Pam, I. Not turning handsprings.

[Pam North]

All right, all right. If that's the way you feel about our leads, we just won't. We just won't call you anymore.

[Bill Wigan]

Oh, now, Pam, I. Bye, Bill. Pam. Pam, I. Oh, who is it?

[Pam North]

Me, Lenny.

[Bill Wigan]

Frank. Wait a second. Okay, kid, come on in. What'd you call me for? Lenny, what's up? Sit down, kid. Well, what is it? Something's wrong, isn't there? They got a lead on us. They found out about something. Will you sit down? I'll tell you all about it. Well, go ahead and tell me. What are you waiting for? For you to calm down. Now, listen, kid. I know how you feel about what happened last night. If I was in your spot, I'd be the same way. It's a rough deal, killing a man. What do you mean? Homicide. It's a rough deal. When you're young like you, you got a chance of beating a larceny rap at all kinds of angles. Not with murder. They give you the seat for that whether you're young or old. Lenny, what are you doing to me? What are you trying to tell me? I'm trying to give it to you gradual, kid, so you'll understand what I'm driving at. You got work to do. What, you want me for another job? Something like that. I won't do it. I'm all through to you here. I won't do it. You'll have to do this job, kid, whether you want to or not. Unless you're ready to go to the chair. Why? What's happened? Somebody found out about you. Somebody that feels like talking to the cops. Who? A dame. Besides me, she's the only one in the world that knows you killed that watchman. You gotta take care of her before it's too late. I don't get you. Take care of her how? Show you how. With a brand new.45? Lenny, you're just kidding, ain't you? You don't really want me to kill somebody. I gotta kill this dame. She wants a million bucks for keeping her mouth shut, and you can't pay it. Don't you get me? She'll tip the cops. Why? What's she got against me? Nothing. That's just it. Nothing. You don't cough up 5,000 bucks, she sends you to the chair just like that. I don't care. I don't care. Do you know what it's like, Frankie, when you're up there in the death house? I mean, you think you got it bad now. Wait till they start getting you ready for that chair. Getting you ready? Sure. You gotta get you ready, kid. They gotta shave your head and the hair and your legs while they're doing it. There's a priest in your cell saying prayers. I don't want a priest. You will then, Frankie. You want a priest then more than ever. Cause you'll know what you're going into. You'll know that there's something waiting for you at the end of that hall. And once you sit down in that, you're never gonna get up again. You're never gonna see nobody, you're never gonna even breathe. Except that one last time when they give you the juice. And it squeezes out of you. It hits you like a bomb. Kid, he wasn't strapped in that chair while you'd bounce all over the place. Is that what you want, Frankie? Is that what you want to go through?

[Pam North]

No.

[Bill Wigan]

No. All right, then take this gun and do like I tell you.

[Pam North]

Well, don't blame it on me, Jerry. Blame it on Bill. If he had had the decency to come over here when we called him, we wouldn't have to be doing this.

[Bill Wigan]

We don't have to do it anyhow, Pam. After all, there's nobody forcing us to sneak into Lenny's apartment. But I've got this window practically open now. There she comes. Do you want to go first or shall I?

[Pam North]

I'll go, dear. Give me a boost.

[Bill Wigan]

Right. Listen up.

[Pam North]

Fine. I can make it now. Can you?

[Bill Wigan]

I don't know why not. There we are.

[Pam North]

I can't see in here.

[Bill Wigan]

Here, take my ladder.

[Pam North]

Thanks, darling.

[Bill Wigan]

See anything now?

[Pam North]

Not very much. Is this the living room or the bedroom?

[Bill Wigan]

I think it's both.

[Pam North]

Well, you look through the dresser, Jerry.

[Bill Wigan]

All right.

[Pam North]

I'm going to try that closet. If this Lenny man robbed that safe last night, maybe we'll find the money.

[Bill Wigan]

I haven't found any money yet. All I see in here is winter underwear.

[Pam North]

Well, the closet's practically empty. No. No, it isn't. Jerry, come here.

[Bill Wigan]

I found something.

[Pam North]

I'll say I found something. Look at this.

[Bill Wigan]

What is it?

[Pam North]

Don't you see what it is? It's the other two pieces of that sectional. Jimmy. Now, if we can only prove that they all fit together.

[Bill Wigan]

Oh, guys, that was me. Lady, don't turn around. Just stay right where you are and don't move. Cause if you even breathe, I'll blow you right through the wall.

[Pam North]

Come in, kid. Come on in.

[Bill Wigan]

Thanks.

[Pam North]

So Lenny didn't come with the money himself. He sent you?

[Bill Wigan]

Yes, ma'am.

[Pam North]

Well, it's a lucky thing he sent it with somebody. Cause I wasn't bluffing.

[Bill Wigan]

No, ma'am.

[Pam North]

All right, son, where is it? Let me count it.

[Bill Wigan]

Yes, ma'am. I got it right here in my pocket.

[Pam North]

Well, give it to me. Don't stand it. Put that gun down.

[Bill Wigan]

I can't. I gotta do it.

[Pam North]

Don't be a SAP, kid. If he told you no, don't come any nearer.

[Bill Wigan]

I gotta do it.

[Pam North]

You don't. There ain't a reason in the world.

[Bill Wigan]

Please don't say no more.

[Pam North]

Please.

[Bill Wigan]

I don't want to hear you. I don't want to know you.

[Pam North]

But you just can't Kill me.

[Bill Wigan]

No. No more if you say another word.

[Pam North]

Stop it, kid. Don't.

[Bill Wigan]

Hey, what's the idea of friskin us, Lenny? We ain't got no guns. Well, I'm just making sure, mister. When I find somebody going through my apartment, I like to be careful. Now, what's the idea?

[Pam North]

No idea. We just blew in from Detroit and we're looking for some burglar tools in my closet.

[Bill Wigan]

Come on, open up, sister. Ain't you the two phonies that was over to see Mrs. Noozle? Phonies? And you never heard of Muggsy Figgins? Luck. Wise guy ain't got time for fooling around. Who are you? What's your racket? I'm telling you, safe cracking. Okay, you asked for it. Now come with me.

[Pam North]

Where are we going?

[Bill Wigan]

Come with me, I said. I'll tell you all about it.

[Pam North]

Jerry's gonna take us for a ride.

[Bill Wigan]

No talking, see? Just open that front door and get a move on. Okay, okay, we're moving. Then move straight down the hall and out the back. Just a minute, Lenny. I'll take that gun for you. Stay where you are, Lenny. I'm a police officer, Bill. How'd you get here? You told me where you were, didn't you? I pay attention to phone calls.

[Pam North]

But you weren't going to pay.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, I happened to look up Lenny Gorman's record and it interested me. Especially the part about safe cracking. What are you talking about? You ain't got nothing on me.

[Pam North]

Well, we have Bill. He's got the other parts of that sectional Jimmy right in his closet.

[Bill Wigan]

You're a cuckoo. Take it easy, Lenny. Mrs. Newsel might be able to give us some information about that. Yeah, I don't think Mrs. Newsel will do any talking. Well, we'll see about that. Come along, all of you. I sent some of my men over to her apartment and I want to find out what they picked up. Ah, now, easy now. Just try to take it easy, Mrs. Newsle. I'll get the doctor. Bill. No, no, no, wait. The doctor's busy with that Frankie kid.

[Pam North]

Golly. Is what happened in here?

[Bill Wigan]

That's what I'd like to know.

[Pam North]

You. You're the one that made him do it. You sent him here to kill me.

[Bill Wigan]

Who?

[Pam North]

That Sherman kid. Frankie Sherman. He had the gun right up against me.

[Bill Wigan]

No, no, Mrs. Newson, you gotta get hold of yourself.

[Pam North]

Can't help. It was so close, I thought I was dead.

[Bill Wigan]

What happened?

[Pam North]

The cops, they. They got him in the shoulder before he could pull the trigger. There Was one of them at the door and another one on the fire escape.

[Bill Wigan]

Riley Haynes. Where are you? And here was a kid. You want me, Lieutenant? No, no. Stay where you are. I'll be in a second. Well, we were just coming out anyway. The kid's gonna be okay. Good. Yeah, I'm gonna be fine. Why don't you finish me off and be done with it? Watch what you say, kid. They'll use it against you. What do I care? They got enough against me now to put me in the elevator. Shut up yourself. Quiet. You let the kid talk. What do you want me to say? I tried to kill her and I couldn't make it.

[Pam North]

Why, Frankie? Why did you try to kill Mrs. Newsome?

[Bill Wigan]

Don't answer that. You got a right to have a lawyer. Keep out of this, Lenny. You can have a lawyer anytime he wants one. What good is a lawyer? He can't do nothing for me. Not where it hu. Look, I killed a man. There ain't no lawyer in the world that can make him live again. You killed him last night in the warehouse. I killed a watch. Frankie. He was coming in while we were cracking the safe and I hit him with a blackjack. Well, I didn't have nothing to do with it. I wasn't anywhere near him. Weren't you? No, I was standing over by the safe. He's the one that killed him. You better study up on your law, Lenny. What are you talking about? You can't pull me in on a murder rap. I didn't even touch him.

[Pam North]

I'm not so sure about that, Lenny. What happened after Frankie killed the watchman?

[Bill Wigan]

Nothing happened. We just grabbed the dough and beat it. Wait a second, Lenny. We didn't grab the dough. I took it down to the car myself. You came down later.

[Pam North]

I thought so.

[Bill Wigan]

Who cares what you think? I do, Lenny, Because I've been thinking the same thing myself. According to the autopsy report, that watchman was killed with a heavy bar of steel, part of a sectional. Jimmy. Not with an ordinary blackjack. Not with a blackjack, you mean. I mean he was struck several times, heavy blows, with a big steel bar. But I only hit him once. I only hit him on the side of the head. Lenny. What do you want?

[Pam North]

You did it, Lenny.

[Bill Wigan]

You killed him yourself. After I was out of there, you killed him and you made me think I did it. Go on. You're crazy.

[Pam North]

You did.

[Bill Wigan]

You killed him. You almost got me to kill her. Look out, you. I won't look out, you lousy dog. Personal kid. Stop it now. Let me Go. Let me choke the life out of him.

[Jerry North]

Hands off, I said.

[Bill Wigan]

You don't have to get even with him, Frankie. The state'll get even for you. Say, Pam.

[Pam North]

Yes, dear?

[Bill Wigan]

Whatever happened to that piggy bank I had up here in my dresser?

[Pam North]

Piggy bank?

[Bill Wigan]

Now you know I've been dropping quarters and halves into that thing for a long time.

[Pam North]

Oh, well, when did you miss it, Jerry?

[Bill Wigan]

Right after we got finished with all that safe cracking business last night. Say, hey, you didn't happen to get an idea and break into it, did you?

[Pam North]

Well, as a matter of fact, Jerry, when the laundry man came this morning.

[Bill Wigan]

I see.

[Pam North]

But I was going to put the money back, dear. That's why I hid the bank. I didn't want you to discover it.

[Bill Wigan]

Say no more, darling. I understand everything except for one point.

[Pam North]

What?

[Bill Wigan]

Well, that piggy bank doesn't open until the whole thing's full. How in the world did you get the money out?

[Pam North]

Oh, that was easy, Jerry. I used a sectional. Jimmy.

[Bill Wigan]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Serve.

[Jerry North]

Welcome back. So they let her keep the sectional, Jimmy? Because I guess. Why not? I'm also not certain the kid would be off the hook. It kind of depends on the Felony Murder rule and how that would be applied by the District attorney or whatever the equivalent would be in New York State where accomplices can be held responsible for the actions of someone they're committing a felony with. It also should be said that you can kill a person with a a blackjack whether you intend to or not when you are hitting them on the side of the head. Just because so many private eyes survive getting bought from the skull doesn't mean it's not life threatening. Particularly since everybody's different. Different skull densities as well as someone might have had an existing injury where that area has been weakened. So there's always a non negligible risk of someone dying when that happens. And of course it has to be said of this crime's mastermind that we're not dealing with the cream of the criminal crop here. I mean, you use a rare burglary tool as a murder weapon and you leave it behind. Really. On the bright side, Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost got to show a bit of range. Which when you've been playing the same character for nine years at this point is rather nice. Alright, well, listener comments and feedback and we go to YouTube where Mechanic 6682 comments regarding the episode Don't Cry Wolf. The financial advisor is always stealing from the client, but not always the Killer. Like in Death on the Nile where David Soule played the advisor. And my favorite version on the TV version, by the way, was that Loreen Tuttle playing the wife. It didn't really sound like her, but it was acted like her. Thanks. In answer to your question, no. This was a New York production and Lorene Tuttle worked in Hollywood. It was probably a union scale job and you don't fly across the country for that. I would also say that there is not a Loreen Tuttle way of acting. Acting. I know that she did play some over the top characters, some ditzy characters. That was not her style of acting. She had a very good range, could play a wide variety of different characters, comedic, serious, whatever was called for. In many cases, what the script called for was a heightened over the top performance and that's what she gave. And of course, if you have listened to Mr. Chameleon and Mr. Tracer of Lost Persons, then you know that New York actors didn't need Lorraine Tuttle or anyone else to teach them or show them how to do heightened, over the top performances. There were plenty of actors who could do that without a second thought. And then Kama writes regarding the episode the heavenly body. Mr. North didn't get to the point any faster than Mrs. North when talking to Emil at the end of the episode. Honestly, I don't think that there's a whole lot that Mr. North is better at compared to Mrs. North when it comes to solving the mystery. I mean, it's an interesting dynamic because essentially they are co lude leads. But I think that so far, except for one or two cases, she has actually provided the solution. And to me, Mrs. North feels like the main character of the series. Mr. North feels like mostly a sidekick, but I think a very competent one. You know, he asks good questions, he's not dumb. He's a little reluctant to get involved and sometimes a bit dismissive of her. But I can't think of much that he actually does that's a real asset in solving the mysteries. Except he does have the muscle. I mean, they did have those two episodes we heard where Mr. North was absent and she did just fine. In fact, in Absentia in one case, he actually hindered her because of like his whole trying to control her and keep her out of harm's way from a distance. So it's an at times odd dynamic. Very unique. Particularly compared to the other couples series like the Thin man and the Abbotts, where the husband is clearly the lead and clearly the main detective and the wife is the secondary character. Finally, a comment from Gene, who writes, I used to listen to these radio broadcasts back in the 50s when I lived in Malden, Massachusetts. Well, thanks so much. And we're glad that you're able to hear them again on YouTube. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Magda. Mogda has been one of our patreon supporters since June 2018, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Magda. And that will do it for today. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Mr. And Mrs. North. But join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar, Where Almost as.

[Bill Wigan]

Though you were expecting someone else. Someone else?

[Jerry North]

I know.

[Pam North]

I. I wasn't expecting anyone in particular.

[Bill Wigan]

Well, perhaps I just. Wait. Hold it.

[Pam North]

What's the matter?

[Bill Wigan]

That flash of lightning. There's someone outside that window.

[Pam North]

Oh, no.

[Bill Wigan]

You. You must be wrong. Stay right here. I grabbed my coat and went out into the storm. Because of the prowler? Sure. But also because of Laura Appleton, because she'd been staring at that same window, shaking her head quickly as though warning someone. But outside, in the downpour, in the mud, I could see no one. No footprints. Finally, I went back inside to the phone in the entry hall to call the local police. But the phone was dead. Maybe the storm had knocked down the lines. Yeah. Or maybe someone just wanted to make sure we'd have a nice, cozy weekend undisturbed. And my hunch was it might be too cozy for comfort.

[Jerry North]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] 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.

[Bill Wigan]

Per Dio sutra bajo redujeron susoras presente sus solicitud hoy mismo con del Departamento de Emplude, Oregon.

[Jerry North]

Es gratis vasil y servicios de interpretacion.

[Pam North]

Dis ponivles llame al uno ocho sietes.