Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Hair Raising Matter (EP4910)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio – "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Hair Raising Matter" (EP4910)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: February 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic installment of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar titled “The Hair Raising Matter,” originally aired November 30, 1958. Host Adam Graham introduces the adventure and offers post-episode commentary. The story follows freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar as he explores the suspicious death of John Wakefield Edwards, a wealthy, recently deceased retiree with a large life insurance policy. The investigation quickly uncovers family secrets, hidden motives, and a surprisingly clever murder plot.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Call to Action (02:16–05:13)

• Fritz Melk from Star Mutual contacts Johnny Dollar about a potentially urgent situation involving their wealthy client, John Wakefield Edwards.
  • “Every insurance case you've called me on has put a lot of dough in my pocket and it just happens that right now I can use a few extra bucks.” – Johnny Dollar (02:23)
• Edwards, a retired businessman living outside Albany, has a hefty $155,000 life insurance policy. His wife is deceased, and his adopted daughter Marilyn is the sole beneficiary.
• The case is suspicious because Edwards himself demands Johnny’s visit, insisting secrecy, especially from Marilyn.
  • “Under no circumstances are you to let her know that you’re coming.” – Fritz Melk, relaying Edwards’ words (03:39)

2. Johnny Dollar Arrives in Albany (05:13–09:35)

• Johnny arrives late at night, checked into a hotel, and calls Edwards, who cryptically insists on a meeting at breakfast, stating, “I’m sure nothing will happen before then.” (05:32)
• The next morning, at the mansion, Johnny meets Marilyn Edwards, an attractive model who seems genuinely concerned about her father’s recent anxieties.
  • “Daddy seemed to be worried about something lately.” – Marilyn (07:31)
• They ascend to Wakefield Edwards’s room with the housekeeper, Durkin, and discover his lifeless body.

3. Initial Investigation & Mysterious Circumstances (09:35–12:42)

• Dr. Menken confirms natural causes – apparent heart failure, no wounds or signs of foul play.
• Johnny’s instincts are unsettled, having caught a “whiff of cordite” (gunpowder) when entering Edwards’s room, though he initially doubts himself.
  • “I thought I caught a whiff of cordite… No, I guess not.” – Johnny (09:17)
• Johnny questions both Marilyn and Durkin. Marilyn is emotional and defensive, while Durkin makes veiled suggestions about family strife and inheritances.
  • “Everybody knows her and her foster father ain’t been getting along too good ever since she decided to get out and earn her own living, or tried to.” – Durkin (13:22)

4. Key Clues: The Hairpiece and the Hidden Shot (14:08–17:54)

• Johnny explores Edwards’s belongings, noting hair tonic bottles and a small stand for a hat or wig – curious, considering the victim’s supposed pride in his hair.
• Marilyn finds a recently fired handgun in a bush.
  • “It was Daddy’s gun. Oh, and see, one shot has been fired.” – Marilyn (14:47)
• Johnny worries that fingerprints are compromised, but is stuck by the lack of any gunshot wound or noise heard by Durkin.
• Suspecting a cover-up, Johnny visits the undertaker: he lifts a realistic toupee from Edwards’s head, revealing a bullet wound concealed beneath it.
  • “But it’s a hairpiece all right. Just big enough to cover a small bald spot. It matches the rest of his hair so perfectly.” – Johnny (17:05)
  • “Right in the middle of his bald spot, covered up by the hairpiece. And the bullet that made it was a .38 special.” – Undertaker (17:54)

5. Unraveling the Culprit (18:10–21:00)

• Marilyn is shocked; she swears her father never wore a toupee.
• Johnny bluffs Durkin, revealing he suspects her of the murder: she alone would know about the hairpiece and could have cleaned up the crime scene before breakfast.
  • “Now listen, that leaves only one person who could have known about the hairpiece, have killed him then covered up the bullet wound with it.” – Johnny (19:26)
• Johnny claims to have matched Durkin's fingerprints from a kitchen glass to those on the discarded gun.
• Caught in the lie, Durkin confesses under pressure, admitting she wiped her prints off the gun and tried to clear the powder smell.
  • “Yes, I wiped him off. At least I–I thought I did.” – Durkin (20:40)

6. Resolution & Aftermath (21:00–21:18)

• Johnny reassures Marilyn that Durkin will not see a penny of the inheritance.
  • “Don’t worry. There’ll be no part of the insurance or any other money for Durkin. The court will take care of that. And probably with Venture for Marilyn.” – Johnny (21:00)
• The episode closes on a slightly flirtatious note, with Johnny suggesting he’d like to see Marilyn again, not for her money.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny’s Humor and Bluntness:
  • “Are you kidding? Of course not.” – Johnny, on whether the insurance company trusts his expense account (02:43)
• Classic Trope Acknowledgement:
  • “Don’t laugh. I’m a model. Oh, stop raising your eyebrows.” – Marilyn (07:49)
• The Cordite Clue:
  • “I thought I caught a whiff of cordite… No, I guess not.” – Johnny (09:17)
• The Reveal:
  • “It’s a hairpiece all right. Just big enough to cover a small bald spot. It matches the rest of his hair so perfectly.” – Johnny (17:05)
• Johnny’s Bluff:
  • “Was a set of fingerprints I found on a glass you’d been using in the kitchen. I wanted to compare them with some prints I found on this gun.” – Johnny (20:21)
  • “Yes, I wiped him off. At least I–I thought I did.” – Durkin (20:40)

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Host Commentary & Listener Feedback (23:28–28:14)

Host Adam Graham’s Take (23:28–25:50)

• Adam critiques the plausibility of the episode’s murder plot, calling it contrived and dependent on too many coincidences for credibility:
  • “This is a solution that really does strain credulity—really to the breaking point… Given the fact that we have so few episodes from this era in circulation, it’s a bit disappointing.”
• He notes the unusual contrast between the murderer’s careful scheme and her repeated slipups.
• Adam laments the rarity of surviving episodes from the period, showing appreciation for even the less satisfying entries.

Listener Comments

• On Prior Episodes:
  • Alan (YouTube): “Well written story. It had me guessing.”
  • James (YouTube): “I thought I’d heard all of the Bob Bailey episodes, but I’ve never heard this one. I’m happy to help the algorithm by hitting that hot button.”
• Adam shares anecdotes about the gradual release of missing Johnny Dollar episodes, reflecting listeners’ enthusiasm for “new” old-time radio content.

Closing Notes

• Shoutout to Patreon supporter Sean.
• Encouragement to subscribe, like, and comment.
• Teaser for the next episode featuring a "kidnapping across the Mexico–US border" on another detective series.

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Important Timestamps

• 02:16: Case introduction — Star Mutual’s call to Johnny Dollar
• 05:21: Johnny’s cryptic phone call with Edwards
• 07:31: Meeting Marilyn Edwards
• 09:17: Cordite clue and body discovery
• 14:47: Recovery of Edwards’s gun
• 17:05: Toupee revealed, bullet wound found
• 20:21: Johnny’s bluff about Durkin’s fingerprints
• 21:00: Resolution—Durkin caught
• 23:28: Adam Graham’s post-show critique and listener feedback

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Tone and Style Notes

• The episode blends straightforward, clipped detective drama with Johnny Dollar’s dry wit and self-aware asides.
• Adam Graham’s post-episode comments are warm, mildly humorous, and appreciative of both the genre and listener community.

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For newcomers:
This episode is representative of mid-century American radio detective drama—full of twists, rapid-fire banter, and a climactic reveal, all wrapped in a nostalgic audio package and followed by modern fan engagement courtesy of Adam Graham.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

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[Marilyn Edwards]

We're here day or night, ready whenever you need help. Because a great trip starts with the right support.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us, your favorite podcast software and as you are making your travel plans, remember johnnydollerair.com it's a Priceline affiliate. So part of your purchase price supports the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydoller air.com first. Now, the only other circulating episode from this period in Johnny dollar history, from November 30, 1958, here is the hair raising manner Hollywood.

[Sergeant Christie]

It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Fritz Melk]

Johnny, this is Fritz Melk here at Star Mutual.

[Johnny Dollar]

Fritz, I can't think of anybody I'd rather hear from.

[Fritz Melk]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Every insurance case you've called me on has put a lot of dough in my pocket and it just happens that right now I can use a few extra bucks.

[Sergeant Christie]

Quite a few. So what's the deal?

[Fritz Melk]

Well, as a matter of fact, I hadn't thought in terms of any fee.

[Sergeant Christie]

On this one, but of course we'll.

[Fritz Melk]

Pay whatever expenses you mean, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, you trust me with my expense account, Fritz?

[Fritz Melk]

Are you kidding? Of course not.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay then, now that we understand each other, what's the problem? Or rather, who's the problem?

[Fritz Melk]

John Wakefield Edwards. Ever hear of him?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I can't say that I have.

[Fritz Melk]

Retired businessman leathercoots, I think it was. He lives just outside of Albany, New York.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then what's happened to him?

[Fritz Melk]

Well, nothing that I know of, but he has a lot of insurance with him, including a straight life policy worth 155,000.

[Sergeant Christie]

How old is he, Chris?

[Fritz Melk]

In his late 60s. Marion, his wife died three or four years ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then who's the beneficiary?

[Fritz Melk]

His adopted daughter Marilyn.

[Sergeant Christie]

And how old is she?

[Fritz Melk]

In her late 20s. She's a very attractive girl, I understand.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then who cares about a plea? Fritz, I'll take the assignment.

[Fritz Melk]

Easy, Johnny. You probably won't even see her.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, why not?

[Fritz Melk]

But she lives and works over in Troy.

[Sergeant Christie]

Ah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, what's happening?

[Sergeant Christie]

The old man, well, he called me.

[Fritz Melk]

A few minutes ago and asked, or.

[Johnny Dollar]

Rather demanded that I send you over to see him immediately.

[Fritz Melk]

Yeah, why?

[Sergeant Christie]

He wouldn't say.

[Fritz Melk]

What he did say though, just before he hung up, is that under no circumstances are you to let her know that you're coming.

[Johnny Dollar]

Meaning Barrow?

[Sergeant Christie]

Him? I would assume so. I wonder.

[Fritz Melk]

So do I, Johnny. So if I were you, I'd hop.

[Sergeant Christie]

On over there tonight.

[Fritz Melk]

Well, first thing in the morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Fritz, will do. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours, Toby Johnny Dollar. And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar at the Star Mutual Insurance Company home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the hair raising matter. When a beautiful girl and a fortune are involved. Well, instead of waiting until morning, I got out my car and drove over to Albany. Item 1, 1720 for mileage. I arrived shortly after midnight, checked in at the Sheraton Ten Eye, and although I was pretty tired, I ran up item two, a dime for a phone call.

[Fritz Melk]

Yes, this is John Wakefield Edwards.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Sergeant Christie]

Mr. Edwards.

[Fritz Melk]

Well, why do you waste your time and money calling me? I told Fritz Melcher to send you up here.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm right here in Albany, sir.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh, good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you want me to come out and see you right away? It's pretty late.

[Fritz Melk]

No, first thing in the morning will be all right. I'm sure nothing will happen before then.

[Sergeant Christie]

Nothing will happen.

[Fritz Melk]

I'll expect you to have breakfast with me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I beg you. What was that?

[Fritz Melk]

I said be here at breakfast, 7:30 sharp. Oh, okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

But now, just what did you mean about nothing will happen?

[Fritz Melk]

I'll tell you about it in the morning. Goodbye, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well now wait a minute.

[Sergeant Christie]

Look, you're the boss.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, oh, why didn't I call him back? Demand to know what it was that.

[Sergeant Christie]

He was expecting to happen or it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Obviously tied in with his wish to see me. But I guess I was tired after the long drive and he seemed to think the morning was timing up.

[Sergeant Christie]

So I hit the stack early in.

[Johnny Dollar]

The morning, some coffee sent up to my room and then the hotel bill came to $9 even. That's item three and by 25 minutes after seven I swung onto the long winding drive that led up to the front of the Edwards mansion. It was in a wealthy residential section a couple of miles north of the city proper and sat in the middle of what must have been a full acre of beautiful trees and gardens. As I approached the house, I noticed a car parked out front.

[Sergeant Christie]

Sweet new little courtyard.

[Johnny Dollar]

The door was open and a good looking kid got out of it and was just about to climb in. As I pulled up to a stop, she stood there looking at me questioningly. This is the Edwards home, isn't it?

[Marilyn Edwards]

That's right. You want to see somebody?

[Johnny Dollar]

Why yes, as a matter of fact.

[Sergeant Christie]

Mr. Edwards sent for me.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh, really? Are you an old friend of his?

[Johnny Dollar]

Old.

[Sergeant Christie]

I didn't know it should.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh, that isn't what I. I mean.

[Johnny Dollar]

My name is Johnny darling.

[Marilyn Edwards]

John. The insurance detective or investigator or whatever you call it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, something like that.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Well, hi. I'm Marilyn Edwards.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, hi.

[Marilyn Edwards]

I should have guessed he someone like you. Johnny. Come on in.

[Fritz Melk]

Why.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why do you say that, Mar?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Well, Daddy seemed to be worried about something lately.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know what?

[Marilyn Edwards]

No. At least I'm not sure. That's why I thought I'd stop by this morning before going to work.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I thought you were just leaving.

[Marilyn Edwards]

No, I just got here just before you arrived.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you do for a living?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Don't laugh. I'm a model. Oh, stop raising your eyebrows. After all, somebody has to pose for those ads for dishpan hand. Shall we go in and see Daddy? That is if he's up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, he'd better be. I have a breakfast day with him at 7:30 and it's now exactly 7:31.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Then we better go in. Hi, Daddy. Daddy. Durkin. Durkin. I hear you. I hear you. Your foster father hasn't come down yet. Johnny, this is Durkin. Daddy's house. No, it is breakfast pumps. It's 7:30 and I ring the bell and he don't come down for it. Durkin, stop it. Stop it. There now that's the third time. Third time. Daddy not punctual. I think I better go up and see.

[Sergeant Christie]

I'll go with you.

[Marilyn Edwards]

I heard his alarm clock go off three quarters of an hour ago, so there's just no excuse. Daddy.

[Sergeant Christie]

Wait a minute, I.

[Marilyn Edwards]

What is it, Johnny?

[Sergeant Christie]

I thought I caught a whiff of cordite.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Cordite?

[Sergeant Christie]

No, I guess not.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Daddy.

[Sergeant Christie]

Johnny.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Johnny. Oh no.

[Sergeant Christie]

I'm afraid so, Marilyn. He said.

[Johnny Dollar]

Together with Merlin Edwards, adopted daughter of John Wakefield Edwards. I found his body in his bedroom.

[Sergeant Christie]

Swung over to the desk.

[Johnny Dollar]

With no sign of any wound or evidence of foul play, without touching the body, I phoned the Albany Police Homicide Division and within minutes Sergeant Christie arrived with Dr. Warren Menken in tow. The doctor's examination was brief but very thorough, including several on the spot tests.

[Sergeant Christie]

Of poisons of any kind.

[Johnny Dollar]

How old did you say he was, miss?

[Marilyn Edwards]

I. I didn't, doctor. He was 68 or 9, I think.

[Johnny Dollar]

And he hasn't been sick?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Not that I know of. Dirk and the housekeeper would know better than I. He hasn't had a day of sickness since he caught that cold last spring.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, well, his pump gave out, that's all. Don't expect that in a man his age.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yeah, I know. But you're doing okay.

[Johnny Dollar]

You didn't find anything, did you, Chris? Ah, not a thing, Doc. Why'd they bother to call us in Instead of his own doctor? Of course, if you folks want, I.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Can order an autopsy. Oh, no, no, that would be terrible.

[Johnny Dollar]

And down it goes to natural causes.

[Sergeant Christie]

Time of death approximately 7:15, doctor.

[Johnny Dollar]

And I expect you can carry on from here, can't you, miss?

[Marilyn Edwards]

I'll take care of Sean Yan. If he can't, I will. Beginning with closing these windows. Anybody wants a freeze?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, come on, Sergeant, back to the morgue.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh, the morgue.

[Sergeant Christie]

Easy, easy.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Well, you want some breakfast? Ain't gonna do him any good now. How can you? But I suppose we may as well, Johnny, and do whatever we have to do here.

[Johnny Dollar]

There was something mighty wrong here yet I couldn't put my finger on it. And I really caught the smell of cordite before we entered that room.

[Sergeant Christie]

It was too late to tell now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even when the windows closed.

[Sergeant Christie]

Those windows, it was a cold morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

Had he left them open while he dressed? Marilyn, heir to his big insurance policy? Had she really just arrived when I got there? If the housekeeper Durkin had been in.

[Sergeant Christie]

The kitchen making breakfast, it would have.

[Johnny Dollar]

Been easy for someone to sneak in.

[Sergeant Christie]

And but who? And why? What about Durkin? Now, wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

The police medic said deaths due to natural causes. No prisons, no wounds of any kind.

[Sergeant Christie]

So that's that.

[Johnny Dollar]

The undertaker must have been hungry for business because he got there before noon and took the body away. Meantime, of course, I'd question both Durkin.

[Sergeant Christie]

And Marilyn pretty thoroughly.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Enemy. Oh, no, Johnny. Daddy didn't have. Johnny. You keep talking as though you think he might have been murdered.

[Johnny Dollar]

Does anyone beside you benefit from his death?

[Sergeant Christie]

Marilyn?

[Marilyn Edwards]

That's a horrid thing to say. I do, Dirk. And what are you doing snooping around this way. It's as much my affair as yours now that Mr. Edwards is gone.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean by that?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Durkin mean the money he left me in his will and the codistal in his will that says Marilyn's got to share the insurance with me if he collects.

[Sergeant Christie]

Durkin, what do you mean by that?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Everybody knows her and her father, her foster father ain't been getting along too good ever since she decided to get out and earn her own living, or tried to. I've been getting along all right. Sure, sure. And all the attention you've been giving your dear daddy these last couple of years, why, today's the first time you've been in this house. And that doesn't mean that Daddy and I haven't. Dirk. And you wish to be left alone. I'm sorry, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Marlon, I want to go up and look at your father's McKenna.

[Marilyn Edwards]

All right, if you like. Now, go along with it.

[Sergeant Christie]

Thanks. I'd rather do it alone.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now what did I find?

[Sergeant Christie]

Nothing. Sure, there were a couple of old.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bottles of hair tonic hidden away under some shirts, but after all, I mean, at his age. And that funny little thing on his dressing table, there was a little. Well, hat stand, I guess you'd call. Well, it's the kind you find in.

[Sergeant Christie]

A woman's hat shop.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know, a little wooden stand about 8 or 10 inches high.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Donnie, look.

[Sergeant Christie]

Where did you get that?

[Marilyn Edwards]

After what you said downstairs, I guess I began to want it special. So I looked around outside, you know, for footprints or. I don't know what I was looking for.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you found this handgun.

[Marilyn Edwards]

It was in the middle of a myrtle bush. It was Daddy's gun. Oh, and see, one shot has been fired.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

I also see you've carefully put your fingerprints all over it.

[Sergeant Christie]

Fine.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now my prints are all over it. So if it was used to.

[Sergeant Christie]

What am I talking about?

[Johnny Dollar]

If there'd been a shot, Durkin would have heard it. What's more, there would have been a bullet wound. And there was no sign of anything in the.

[Sergeant Christie]

Wait a minute, Marilyn.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe there was.

[Sergeant Christie]

New six roll.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Hair Raising matter. My hutch is right. I was sure of it. Now, I told Ms. Durkin and Marilyn to stay there at the house and wait for me, then jumped into my car and drove into Albany to the undertaker's.

[Sergeant Christie]

Here we are. The embalming room is right here. Though I must confess, we haven't had opportunity to prepare Mr. Edward's body yet.

[Fritz Melk]

Good.

[Sergeant Christie]

We do. He's been rather rushed all day. I'm sure how worthy rattled. Here we are. Was he a relative of your. No. Wait a minute. What are you doing? Just trying to make sure that a crazy hunter. Look here now. Are you trying to pull his hair out?

[Fritz Melk]

No.

[Sergeant Christie]

Off what I think. Now look here, young man. Look, look. You see what? What I'm trying to do here? What? Holy heavens. I can't believe it. We would never have noticed it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't think anybody would have. But it's a hairpiece all right.

[Sergeant Christie]

Just big enough to cover a small bald spot. It matches the rest of his hair so perfectly.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, you got some kind of a solvent?

[Sergeant Christie]

I don't want to have to rip it off. Yes, I think we have to be here. Sure, those old bottles of hair tonic. Probably hadn't used them in years. But that little wooden stand. Sure, he parked his wig on it.

[Johnny Dollar]

And probably nobody knew that he wore.

[Sergeant Christie]

It except himself and somebody very close to him. Here, Mr. Dollar. Here. This will remove the two pain without damaging. Yeah, girl. I don't understand why you want to take it, sir.

[Fritz Melk]

Good Lord.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yeah, right in the middle of his bald spot, covered up by the hairpiece. And the bullet that made it was a.38 special.

[Johnny Dollar]

Marilyn, you say you didn't get here.

[Sergeant Christie]

This morning until I did?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Yes, Johnny.

[Sergeant Christie]

You're sure? Yes. Johnny, run up to his room again. Where's Durkin?

[Marilyn Edwards]

In the kitchen, I guess. Johnny, you have a funny look. I mean.

[Fritz Melk]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, I'll tell you this much. Your father was murdered.

[Sergeant Christie]

All right.

[Marilyn Edwards]

You sure of that?

[Sergeant Christie]

Yes, you bet I am. Now, look here. Here on his dressing table.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know what this is?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Of course. It's a little hat stand I used when I was a kid.

[Sergeant Christie]

What's it doing here?

[Marilyn Edwards]

I don't know. Funny, I never really noticed it before.

[Sergeant Christie]

How long did Daddy wear a toupee, Marilyn?

[Marilyn Edwards]

A what?

[Sergeant Christie]

Toupee. A hairpiece.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Oh, never. He was always very proud of his hair.

[Sergeant Christie]

You're sure about that?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Of course I am. For a long time he always used to smell of hair tonic when he came downstairs.

[Sergeant Christie]

Well, it just happens that you're wrong. What? A small, very well made hairpiece covered the bald spot where he was shot this morning with this.

[Johnny Dollar]

38 you say you found outside.

[Sergeant Christie]

Did honestly. All right, all right, I believe you.

[Johnny Dollar]

In spite of the way you covered up any fingerprints that may have been on it.

[Marilyn Edwards]

You did too, Johnny.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yeah, that's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, listen, that leaves only one person who could have known about the hairpiece, have killed him then covered up the.

[Sergeant Christie]

Bullet wound with it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I knew I'd smelled burnt gunpowder when.

[Sergeant Christie]

We first came up here.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Johnny, do you think that.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yeah, you have it. Approve it. Well, I've got to try a bluff. Yeah, see if I can bluff her.

[Marilyn Edwards]

I can't believe it. Yet with him dead, she'd have money, more money.

[Sergeant Christie]

Wait a minute. Well, Durgan, so you're back.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Where you been anyway?

[Johnny Dollar]

Checking up on something. Something I should have suspected last night when I talked to Mr. Edwards on the phone.

[Marilyn Edwards]

What do you mean, Jan?

[Johnny Dollar]

LINE clicks that meant somebody was listening.

[Sergeant Christie]

In on the phone downstairs.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Don't look at me. I didn't even know you called him last night. I was in bed asleep.

[Johnny Dollar]

Were you? Durkin? What I was just checking on at police headquarters.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Police headquarters?

[Fritz Melk]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Was a set of fingerprints I found on a glass you'd been using in the kitchen.

[Marilyn Edwards]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

I wanted to compare them with some prints I found on this gun.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Well, that's Mr. Edwards gun, the one.

[Sergeant Christie]

You used to kill him.

[Marilyn Edwards]

That's a lie.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is this the fingerprints back?

[Marilyn Edwards]

No, that's a lie. I wiped him off.

[Johnny Dollar]

The guy you saw, you threw it out the window?

[Marilyn Edwards]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then open the other windows to let.

[Sergeant Christie]

The smell of powder out.

[Marilyn Edwards]

Yes, I wiped him off. At least I. I thought I did.

[Sergeant Christie]

Okay, let's go.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't worry. There'll be no part of the insurance or any other money for Dirkin.

[Sergeant Christie]

The court will take care of that. And probably with Venture for Marilyn.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you know something? There's a gal I think I'd like to see again.

[Sergeant Christie]

And I don't mean because of her fortune.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account total, including all the mileage on my car, 4750.

[Sergeant Christie]

Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Johnny Dollar]

Our star will return in just a moment. Now, here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a little jade statue is the key to one of the cleverest plots I've ever seen. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Duck. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originally originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Shirley Mitchell, Jack Edwards, Ralph Moody, Jr. Matthews and Harley Bear. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Cubberly speaking.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this is a solution that really does drain credulity and really to the breaking point. The murder depends on just a ridiculous amount of things believable, really. If somehow she was able to lever the shock close enough that there was minimal splatter, that had to be cleaned up. But having the crime happen at 7:15 meant that she had 15 minutes to clean up the scene and get breakfast started and ready to be on the table so that no one would suspect what she'd done. And really the whole thing falls apart if a real thorough medical examination is done. The fact that she came up with the plan, that she concocted this very cold blooded, very calculated plan and then delivered precision execution on the crime and then clumsole incriminates herself not once but multiple times. So this was a bluff average installment, which given the fact that we have so few episodes from this era in circulation, is a bit disappointing. All right, well, listener comments and feedback now. And we have a couple of comments on YouTube regarding the Johnson payroll matter. First off, we start with Alan, who says, well written story. It had me guessing. And James said, I thought I'd heard all of the Bob Bailey episodes, but I've never heard this one. I'm happy to help the algorithm by hitting that hot button. Well, thank you so much. I appreciate everybody who does what they can to help. I have tried to use the hot button on other videos and I can't seem to locate it, but thanks so much. For those who can find it, the idea of having you have heard all of the Johnny Dollars, it has actually been a situation where the number of circulating episodes has been evolving over the years. It hasn't changed all at once, but it was interesting. I was listening to an interview that John Dunning did with Bob Bailey's daughter. Yeah. A few years back and it struck me when he talked about the Johnny Dollar serials, he said, well yeah, yeah, I've got about 40 of those I think. And he said something like, yeah, and I got about 30, 40 of the half hour episodes. And now of course we are up to more than 170 of the half hour episodes and, and all the serials are around, although there are four which have a single episode missing. But there have been a steady trickle over the years of more Johnny Dollar episodes, which gives me hope. Obviously. Just a few months ago we played one that I'd never heard before and I've heard five new ones come into circulation just in the time that I've been doing this podcast and I'm so glad that I was around to hear Johnny Dollar using the plan of dropping explosives onto a glacier from a small plane. It gives me hope that someday I will get to hear the episode where Jack Johnstone actually wrote a self insertion story. But alas, not quite yet. All right, well now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I do want to go ahead and thank Sean, patreon supporter since June 2021, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Sean. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell. We will be back next Friday with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Doller. But join us back here tomorrow as we go over to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio with counterspy where.

[Kidnapper]

It is so romantic. You are aware counselor, we have crossed the border between Mexico and the United States.

[Johnny Dollar]

No.

[Kidnapper]

Is it not against the law? Oh, I am sure no one will object while we have such a distinguished gentlemen of the Mexican government. What is the meaning of this?

[Johnny Dollar]

You need any help, worker?

[Kidnapper]

Yes, hun. Tie his feet while I tie his hands. Who are you? If you would like to know, why are you kidnapping me? We are going to open the door of the plane and you are going to fall out. No, you cannot. You will be found on American soil in a very delicate and international situation should result.

[Johnny Dollar]

You are a fool.

[Kidnapper]

All my bones will be broken.

[Sergeant Christie]

They will.

[Kidnapper]

They will know I was thrown from an airplane. The Gestapo is not so stupid. We will fly very low so you will not be killed, but your body will not be mangled either. Drop as low as you can. Soon Mexico, like the United States, will belong to Germany and you will be glad that you are dead. You big laugh. Laugh now, counselor. I shall open the door and we will make ready for your big experience.

[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. And off.