Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The King's Necklace Matter (Encore) (EP4885)

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The King's Necklace Matter (Encore) (EP4885)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: January 9, 2026
Original Air Date of Drama: March 17, 1953
Featured Actor: John Lund as Johnny Dollar

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Episode Overview

In this classic episode, Adam Graham presents the suspenseful radio drama "The King's Necklace Matter" from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. The episode revolves around an intricate insurance investigation on a private island, following an attempted theft of a quarter-million-dollar necklace. What begins as a straightforward checkup soon spirals into accusations, a death, and a clever twist exposing the true culprit among a cast of greedy and secretive characters. Adam Graham champions the episode’s clever plotting, realism, and its surprising but logical denouement.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Opening and Assignment (03:20–05:26)

• Johnny Dollar arrives in Miami, briefed by insurance manager Marty Fenton about King Rawlings, a retired financial tycoon who claims there was an attempted break-in targeting his insured necklace.

• Fenton is suspicious, noting rumors about Rawlings' financial troubles:

  "We got a letter from him day before yesterday. Claims somebody attempted to break into his safe. Thinks they were after the necklace." – Marty Fenton (04:33)

• Johnny is sent preemptively due to possible insurance fraud, with the policy about to expire.

2. Arrival at Los Banos Island & Introduction to Key Characters (05:49–12:27)

• Johnny describes Rawlings’ island as a tropical paradise, yet with an uneasy, self-involved group of inhabitants.

• Nita Valdez, a beautiful and candid resident, warns Johnny about Rawlings:

  "Everyone here is too occupied with himself to bother... everyone on this island has been accused of attempting the theft, including you." – Nita Valdez (07:03)

• Timothy B. Harley, Rawlings’ nervous secretary, seems evasive when asked about the necklace.

• King Rawlings himself is abrasive and accusatory, quick to suspect both Harley and Nita:

  "They love money and hate me." – King Rawlings (11:47)

• Upon inspection, Johnny discovers the missing necklace has been replaced with a cheap fake:

  "I'm no expert on precious stones, but ten will get you twenty if these aren't paste." – Johnny Dollar (12:09)

3. Motives, Misdirection & Growing Suspicion (13:05–15:23)

• Johnny learns from Nita about Rawlings' manipulative tendencies and his penchant for collecting "people" as much as treasures.
• Nita suggestively pins the blame on Rawlings himself, hinting that his fortune might not be as secure as believed.

4. The Death of King Rawlings & Locked Room Mystery (16:14–18:47)

• King Rawlings is found dead under mysterious circumstances; police arrive and an autopsy is planned.

• Motive speculation:

  • Nita and Harley are considered suspects, but the will (held by Havana lawyer Senor Chavez) reportedly names only charities as beneficiaries.

• Harley’s suspicious behavior: He's caught packing to leave and found with $10,000 in crisp bills, leading Johnny to further question his motives.

5. Attempt on Johnny’s Life & The Confession (20:49–28:21)

• Johnny survives an attempt on his life while pondering the case.

• Harley disappears, and a boat is missing—Johnny suspects Harley tried to escape with the real necklace.

• In Havana, Senor Chavez confirms Rawlings’ fortune is intact and the will excludes Harley and Nita.

• Captain Fuentes reports Harley’s body washed up on the island, implying he died in escape—he also had the safe’s combination.

• Final twist and confrontation: In a brilliant deduction, Johnny unmasks Marty Fenton, the insurance manager, as the mastermind who orchestrated the theft by using Harley as the inside man:

  "Rawlings swore that only he knew the combination of that safe. He was wrong. One other man knew it. The one who supervised its installation." – Johnny Dollar (27:33)

• Fenton confesses, but surrenders without drama:

  "What's the use?... Besides, I never could outshoot you." – Marty Fenton (28:19)

6. Reflections & Commentary (31:43–33:45)

• Adam Graham admires the script's clever use of misdirection:

  "This is probably one of my favorite stories of the Lund era. It is just so cleverly written with the death of the policyholder actually being this whole red herring and the revelation it was the insurance agent really surprised me." – Adam Graham (31:43)

• He highlights the episode’s grounded ending, where the villain surrenders, a notable deviation from more melodramatic tropes of the era.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nita Valdez, on island life and Rawlings:

  "He specializes in aspiring artists with little or no talent... Keeps them dangling... then he cuts them off." (14:13)

• Johnny Dollar, deducing the manipulation:

  "How tough would it be to face reality with a quarter of a million dollars?" (14:44)

• Marty Fenton, on the nature of happiness:

  "You know, somehow I don't think Rawlings was a very happy man. With all his dough holed up on that island. Nothing but hate around him now." (26:33)

• Final confession, the 'Columbo moment':

  "Rawlings swore that only he knew the combination of that safe. He was wrong. One other man knew it. The one who supervised its installation." – Johnny Dollar (27:33)

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Key Timestamps

• 03:20: Johnny Dollar receives assignment, meets with Marty Fenton
• 06:36: Johnny meets Nita Valdez on Los Banos
• 09:34: Johnny is escorted to Rawlings’ castle, meets Harley
• 11:10: Rawlings suspects both Harley and Nita
• 12:09: Johnny discovers necklace is a fake
• 16:14: Rawlings is found dead; police investigation begins
• 18:47: Johnny finds Harley with large cash, confronts him
• 21:58: Attempt on Johnny’s life; Harley disappears
• 25:12: Autopsy: Rawlings died naturally; Harley’s body found
• 27:03: Johnny reveals Marty Fenton as culprit
• 31:43: Adam Graham’s post-episode commentary and analysis

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Final Thoughts and Tone

This episode showcases classic radio detective drama at its best: a self-contained whodunit with colorful suspects, plentiful red herrings, and a clever, fair-play twist. The interplay is sharp, with a sense of moral ambiguity and the loneliness of greed underpinning the story. Adam Graham’s postscript is enthusiastic, insightful, and appreciative of the episode’s tight craftsmanship and avoidance of clichés.

Listeners are left both entertained and challenged to piece together the clues—making this "Johnny Dollar" installment a standout of the era.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Our week of Howard McNear continues. Remember that all information and offers in the episode are not valid unless currently featured on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website, as these programs were recorded many years ago. But now enjoy a great Old Time Radio detective program featuring Howard McNear. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us over on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives our listener support campaign continues and you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go over to patreon.greatdetectives.net and when you do become one of our Patreon supporters, you get a monthly newsletter from me. You also occasionally get to hear things in advance such as the Old Time Radio Superman program. New episodes have been posted for Patreon supporters in advance of general release and you can also choose our summer series that we vote on each April, so check us out over at patreon.greatdetectives.net now let's go ahead and get into today's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. The original air date on this one is March 17, 1953 and this one is the King's Necklace Manor.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

John Lund as yours truly, Johnny Depp. Expense Account Submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to Home Office Eastern Indemnity and Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the King's necklace matter. Expense Account Item 1, $134.70. Airfare and incidentals between Hartford and Miami. Waiting at the airport, as promised, was your Southern States Agency manager, Marty Fenton. Over a cup of brew in the coffee shop, he briefed me on the assignment.

[Marty Fenton]

Ever hear of King Rawlings, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

King Rawlings. Financial tycoon. Wasn't he retired some 15, 20 years ago?

[Marty Fenton]

That's the lad. About a year ago he wrote a policy on a quarter of a million dollar necklace that he owns which has.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Suddenly turned up among the missing. Not yet. You expected to.

[Marty Fenton]

We got a letter from him day before yesterday. Claims somebody attempted to break into his safe. Thinks they were after the necklace.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I'm usually sent for after the crime's been committed.

[Marty Fenton]

True, my lad, True. Pass the sugar, will you please?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

So what am I doing here now?

[Marty Fenton]

The policy is coming up for renewal, Johnny. There have been nasty rumors circulating around about Brawling's present financial condition.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Afraid he's starting a build up to put in a fraudulent claim.

[Marty Fenton]

Done. Before the boys in Hartford get pretty stuffy about that kind of skullduggery. We want you to check around Los Banos and see what you come up with.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Is that where the gentle sea breezes waft through the palm trees?

[Marty Fenton]

2,000 imported ones. Los Banos is Rawling's own personal island off the coast of Cuba. He's lived there for 20 years, surrounded by his memories, his trees and his.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Collection of precious stones. Uh, people.

[Nita Valdez]

Mr. Johnny Dollar is one of the.

[Marty Fenton]

Oh, your plane's waiting, Johnny. I hired a little amphib to find out.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Let's not brush off the collection of people, Marty.

[Marty Fenton]

Who am I to prejudice? A stalwart investigator about to brave the dangers of Ra Rawlings Isle. On your way, lad. May the blessings of Eastern indemnity follow you even unto the ends of Los Banas.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

After one and a half hours of white clouds and blue sky, the plane put down in an even bluer sea and taxied over to a landing dock on a picture book island. King Rawlings had collected palm trees all right, but I didn't know about the people. From where I stood, there was nothing to be seen but the landing dock, a gravel path and those trees. The path led through a seemingly deserted tangle of exotic flowers, sweet scented vines and the ever present palm trees. It was like a tropical paradise. Peaceful, serene, untouched by men. I just about decided that nobody on this island ever made use of this lush garden spot. When I learned that, I couldn't have been more wrong.

[Nita Valdez]

Over here, please.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, hello, wherever you are.

[Nita Valdez]

Over here in the clearing to your right. Hello. Who are you?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

My name's Johnny Dollar.

[Nita Valdez]

I am Nita Valdez, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I'm glad to know you, Ms. Valdez.

[Nita Valdez]

You are the men who arrived on the plane a few minutes ago. No.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I didn't think anyone had heard. The hospitality is overwhelming.

[Nita Valdez]

You have become accustomed to it. Everyone here is too occupied with himself to bother concerning anyone else. Like me. I have been too busy sunbathing.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Yes, so I noticed.

[Nita Valdez]

If it bothers you, you could hand me my robe.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, no, no. That won't be necessary.

[Nita Valdez]

Sit down, Mr. Darnet.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Thanks.

[Nita Valdez]

You have come to see the king about the attempt to steal his necklace.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Apparently sunbathing hasn't interfered with your learning about that.

[Nita Valdez]

You obviously do not know King Rawlings very well.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Why do you say that?

[Nita Valdez]

Everyone on this island has been accused of attempting the theft, including you. Why should I be an exception?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, just wondering.

[Nita Valdez]

Because I'm young and beautiful, you think perhaps I hold some special place of esteem in King Rowling's affections?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, do you.

[Nita Valdez]

Can you reach that bottle of suntan lotion?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Yeah, sure.

[Nita Valdez]

The back of my shoulders. Would you mind? It is a difficult place for me to eat.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, I'll be glad to.

[Nita Valdez]

About the necklace, Mr. Dala, I would not be too concerned about it if I were you.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, why not?

[Nita Valdez]

Well, if anyone has actually made an attempt to steal it, the king knows who he is.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

But he still accused everybody here.

[Nita Valdez]

It affords him a great deal of pleasure to make others squirm and be uncomfortable.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You don't like him very much, do you?

[Nita Valdez]

I hate him.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

And why do you stay here?

[Nita Valdez]

Same reason as everyone else. Money. Oh, that will do nicely, thank you.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You're welcome. Do you mind explaining that bit about money, Ms. Valdez?

[Nita Valdez]

Later, perhaps. The sun is still warm and I wish to take advantage of it. We will meet again.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

A polite dismissal if I ever heard one.

[Nita Valdez]

You are wondering, perhaps why I stopped you to talk this way.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The thought had occurred to me, yes.

[Nita Valdez]

When you meet the king, get to know him a little. I think you will understand why.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

And if I don't?

[Nita Valdez]

I sunbathe here every day at this time.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I'll think about that, too. I found that Rawlings, like all good kings, lived in a castle. This one obviously imported stone by stone from some Moorish province. A nervous little man came to the main gate and escorted me inside to the baronial hall.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Harley is my name. Mr. Dollar? Timothy B. Harley. I'm Mr. Rawling's secretary. In here, please, Mr. Rawling. Steady. He'll be down to join you shortly.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Thanks. Mr. Harley.

[Timothy B. Harley]

I presume you're here about the necklace, Mr. Dyer.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

A favorite topic of conversation around here, isn't it?

[Timothy B. Harley]

I beg your pardon?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The necklace.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, yes.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Yes, of course.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Well, under the circumstances, you see, the attempted theft and all.

[Marty Fenton]

Yet.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Has someone else mentioned it to me?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Any reason why they shouldn't?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, no, no, no, not at all. No, it was just that. Well, was it Nita Valdez, by any chance?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What makes you think so?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Why, nothing. Oh, no, no, nothing at all. Only, you see, it was. Well, to tell you the truth, I've suspected something for a long time. It's come to my attention.

[King Rawlings]

You talk too much, Harley.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, Mr. Rawlings. Well, I didn't hear you come in. I was just telling.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Of course. Mr. Rawlings.

[King Rawlings]

You'Re from the insurance company.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

That's right. Johnny Dollar.

[King Rawlings]

Why you instead of Marty Fenton?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

He's an agent. I'm a special investigator.

[King Rawlings]

I didn't request an investigation.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You made a report of an attempted robbery.

[King Rawlings]

What did you want me to do? Have you declare the policy void? Because I didn't.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What do you want us to do? Thank you for letting us pay out a quarter of a million if the necklace turns up missing.

[King Rawlings]

Over here, darling. There's the safe. I keep it in.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Pretty substantial job.

[King Rawlings]

Fenton supervised the installation himself.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Those scratches near the combination. Those. What made you think somebody tried to force it?

[King Rawlings]

Only a hammer and chisel could make those marks.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Mm. I'd like to see the necklace. Good. Who do you think was after it?

[King Rawlings]

Either Harley or my protege, Anita Valdez.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Why suspect them?

[King Rawlings]

They love money and hate me.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You care to go into that?

[King Rawlings]

You're investigating the necklace, $, not my relationships with the people on this island. There it is.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Beautiful workmanship.

[King Rawlings]

What else did you expect for a quarter of a million dollars?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

A little more than this. Rawlings. I'm no expert on precious stones, but 10 will get you 20 if these aren't paste.

[King Rawlings]

Let me. You're right, Diane.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Any explanations?

[King Rawlings]

None.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You no idea how the switch was pulled?

[King Rawlings]

I have not.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

When was the last time the necklace was appraised? When the policy was written. Who else has the combination of this safe?

[King Rawlings]

No one.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Kind of puts you in a spot, doesn't it?

[King Rawlings]

Not at all. I'm insured.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The law says we don't have to pay off on fraudulent claims.

[King Rawlings]

I know. The law also says you have to prove that fraud exists.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I Broke the news to Martyn. Looked around for something to improve the shining hours. While waiting for him to arrive, I found it. Dressed in a clinging silk gown on a patio overlooking the sea. It was obviously the cocktail hour. Mind if I join you?

[Nita Valdez]

Oh, please do.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I can't make up my mind to what, Mr. Donner? Which shows you off to greater advantage? That dress or the sunset?

[Nita Valdez]

For that, you may have a choice of rewards. Scotch or martini?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Nothing, thanks.

[Nita Valdez]

Well, what did you think of him?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The King? Yes. I'm more interested in what you think of him.

[Nita Valdez]

I have already told you.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I know. He confirmed your statement that I hate him.

[Nita Valdez]

Mm, you can believe it.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I do. What I want to know is why.

[Nita Valdez]

King Rawlings is a collector.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Stamps, butterflies out of state license plates, people.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Mr. Dallas, how does this.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Fascinating game of his work.

[Nita Valdez]

He specializes in aspiring artists with little or no talent. Actress like myself, a would be poet like Harley. He baits his trap with a promise of money to aid their careers. Keeps them dangling as long as they can amuse him and feed his ego. Then he cuts them off.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Very amusing.

[Nita Valdez]

Yes, isn't it?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, if you know what he is, why stay on?

[Nita Valdez]

Oh, it's much easier to cling even to a remnant of a dream than to face the harshness of reality.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

How tough would it be to face reality with a quarter of a million dollars?

[Nita Valdez]

The necklace is gone.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Does that surprise you?

[Nita Valdez]

No. It was too great a temptation.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

For you or Harley?

[Nita Valdez]

For either of us. If we had known the combination to that safe. No, Mr. Dallah. It was the king himself who was tempted.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

That doesn't figure, not with his money.

[Nita Valdez]

If he still has it, why do.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You think he hasn't?

[Nita Valdez]

What other answer could there be?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Might be interesting to try to find out.

[Nita Valdez]

You would be wasting your time, Mr. Doller.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I've got some to spare.

[Nita Valdez]

Perhaps I could find use for him.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I don't have any money.

[Nita Valdez]

Oh, that was rather cruel.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I'm sorry. Mr. Dollar? Is that you, Arthur?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, yes. Yes, of course it is.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Yes. Why the excitement, Harley?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Tell me, is it true that the necklace has been stolen?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Looks like it. Why?

[Timothy B. Harley]

I wonder if that could possibly account for it.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

For what?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Mr. Rawlings. He's lying on the second floor landing. I think he's dead.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Timothy B. Harley couldn't have been more right. King Rawlings was lying stone cold dead on the second floor landing when Marty Fenton flew in three hours later, accompanied by a Captain Fuentes of the Havana Police. I gave them a fast briefing. Marty's reaction was predictable.

[Marty Fenton]

Nobody gets off this island until we learn what's happened to that necklace. Right, Captain Fuentes?

[Captain Fuentes]

Yes, I agree, Senor Feinton. Up to a certain point.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What point?

[Marty Fenton]

What do you mean?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The good Captain apparently feels there might be something more important about all this than a missing necklace. What could be more important than a.

[Marty Fenton]

Quarter of a million in stolen jewels?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

How about murder? Never entered my mind. Naturally not. Eastern indemnity only insured rolling stones, not his life.

[Marty Fenton]

Guess I heard that coming.

[Captain Fuentes]

Senor Dollar is quite correct. However, the cause of Senor Rawlings death is not apparent at the moment. It will require an autopsy to determine.

[Marty Fenton]

And if it's murder?

[Captain Fuentes]

We must then regard everyone who was present upon this island with suspicion. What help can you give us regarding that, Senor Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, just what I've told you. Outside of the servants, only Harley, Ms. Valdez and I were among those present.

[Captain Fuentes]

Who was the last to see Senor Rawlings alive?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

So far as I know, I was. But Harley could have been with him after Rawlings left me in the study. For that matter, Ms. Valdez could have seen him too. Before our little tete a ted on the patio.

[Marty Fenton]

Look, fellows, me lads. I don't want to appear single minded about this little affair. But we don't know whether Rawlings was murdered or not. However, we do know Eastern indemnities out a cool 250G's if that necklace doesn't turn up.

[Captain Fuentes]

Payable, of course to senior Rawlings estate.

[Marty Fenton]

Sure, who cares who it's payable to? What I'm interested in is not paying it.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Thinking of possible motives, Captain?

[Captain Fuentes]

The heir to Senor Rawlings fortune might well be suspect.

[Marty Fenton]

So would whoever stole the necklace if Rawlings had tumbled to him.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

And there's always plain hate, isn't there?

[Captain Fuentes]

You have something specific in mind, Senor Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Just a suggestion, Captain. When he's had his plane FL Rawlings body back to Havana for posting while he conducted a very thorough, if unenlightening questioning of those present. Apparently no one had seen Rawlings after he left me in the study. Had any idea how he died or what had happened to that necklace. Wendy's knocked off around midnight and everyone ostensibly went to bed. I still had a few unanswered questions kicking around. So I went up to Harley's room to try them out.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Why yes, Mr. Dollar, Mr. Rawlings had a will. But as I told Captain Fuentes, it's.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Locked in the safe and it'll take a court order and some professional safecrackers to get at it. I know. What about the copy Copy? It's customary for the attorney who drew it up to retain a copy.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, yes, of course. I hadn't thought. Senor Chavez must have one in Havana.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

He's an attorney there.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Yes. Matter of fact, he handled most of Mr. Rawling's financial affairs. Well, he must have a copy. Oh, why don't you ask him?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, I will. But first I'd like to know why you were planning to leave Los Banos.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Leave? Well, how did you know?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, maybe you can think of another reason for having a half filled suitcase laying there on your bed.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Oh, yes, of course I was planning to leave. No reason why I shouldn't. After all my employment here has been.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Have you discussed the idea with Captain Fuentes?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Well, no, but why should he object? I'm not guilty of anything.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Just a thought. Harley. Mind if I take a look at that suitcase?

[Timothy B. Harley]

No, no, don't. Don't touch that.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Don't. Well, what do you know? A brown paper parcel neatly wrapped and tied. You mind telling me what's in it?

[Timothy B. Harley]

It's none of your business.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Put that down. It wouldn't be a necklace by any chance, would it? Put it down. Dollar? Oh, sure, right away. Well, that's interesting. All new, crisp, in hundred dollar denominations. Must be close to $10,000 here.

[Timothy B. Harley]

Well, what of it? It's mine.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, I don't doubt that. I'm just wondering where you got it.

[Timothy B. Harley]

I saved it.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Working for Rawlings?

[Timothy B. Harley]

Yes, why not? I saved it working for Rawlings. It's mine.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Okay, Harley. I don't want it. Don't you really know why Captain Fuentes might object to your leaving now?

[Timothy B. Harley]

No, I most certainly don't.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Remarkable. There wasn't anything I could do before morning rolled around except smoke a last cigarette and. And try to think things out. So I went out on the same patio where Anita and I had had our talk and lit up. The one cigarette turned into two. Then I started to light a third one. That was a mistake. I saw the muzzle flash. It came from somewhere inside a clump of palm trees. But with a full moon behind me, I wasn't going to get heroic about it. I made a dive for a concrete retaining wall. I didn't think the shots I'd snapped out had done any good. And I had no intention of finding out now with that moon lighting things up. So I made myself comfortable with my back to the wall and waited for the Cuban marines in the person of Captain Fuentes to come charging to the rescue. Some 15 minutes later, Marty, the captain and I held a council of war. On our way down to the the landing docks.

[Captain Fuentes]

I found these two empty shells under one of the palm trees, Senor Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

But that was all.

[Captain Fuentes]

No trace of the person who fired them.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What about Harley?

[Captain Fuentes]

He's not in his room. So far, I've been unable to locate him.

[Marty Fenton]

Hardly seems reasonable, Johnny. What could be so important about that money you saw to make him want to kill you?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I don't know that he did, Marty, but I'd like to ask him a couple of questions about it.

[Captain Fuentes]

But why come down here to the boathouse, senor?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, with your plane gone, there's only one way off this island. Rawling speedboats. We'd better make sure they're locked up tight.

[Marty Fenton]

One of the slips is empty.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

It wasn't when I got here.

[Captain Fuentes]

We heard no motor, senor.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, that's nothing that a paddle and a pair of willing arms can't explain, Harley. That's my guess.

[Marty Fenton]

And it's 10 to 1 he has the necklace with him.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Expense account item 2. $5.65 breakfast for two in Havana, where Martin Fenton and I found the bougainvillea and the tourist rates in full bloom. We wanted to talk to Senor Chavez, Rawling's lawyer. And after a rough trip on one of the speedboats and that rougher breakfast tab, we made our way to his office.

[Senor Chavez]

See, I have a copy of Senor Rollins will, but you understand I cannot disclose its contents until the court saw order.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

We don't want any details, Senor Chavez, huh?

[Senor Chavez]

But I understood you were inquiring about beneficiaries.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

All we want to know is if he left anything to a Timothy Harley or Anita Valdez.

[Marty Fenton]

I see we've explained the circumstances, Senor Chavez. It can't violate any professional ethics to give us a yes or no to those two names.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

No, no.

[Senor Chavez]

I do not believe it is unethical to tell you this much. No individuals were named in the will. Only charitable and public welfare institutions.

[Marty Fenton]

Well, that eliminates the heir apparent angle.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Jenny. One more thing, Senor Chavez. There have been rumors that Rawling's fortune was almost gone. Any truth to them? Not a bit.

[Senor Chavez]

All his investments were most judiciously placed. He was perhaps wealthier at the time of his death than at any time during his life.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, you've been a big help. Thanks. For now.

[Senor Chavez]

It is an attorney's duty to obey the law, is it not? Anytime you are here in Havana, please to stop pending. That would be my pleasure.

[Marty Fenton]

Will do, Senor Chavez. And thanks again.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Well, it was a great help Cleaned up some loose ends.

[Marty Fenton]

It's a loose necklace I'm worried about, Johnny. Where do we go from here?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

We can check out the local police, see if they've picked up anything on Holly.

[Marty Fenton]

Good as anything, I guess.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, which way? We passed it on the way up here. We'll go right.

[Captain Fuentes]

It is most fortunate that you're still here.

[Senor Chavez]

There's a phone call for you in my office from the island of Los Banos.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, thanks. Senor Chavez.

[Senor Chavez]

There on my desk. Senor.

[Captain Fuentes]

Johnny Dollar, this is Captain Puente. Senor Dollar, I have some information for you.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Oh, what is it, Captain?

[Captain Fuentes]

First of all, the autopsy report on Senior Rawlings has come in.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Natural death, see?

[Captain Fuentes]

That is correct. From an old aggravated heart condition. But how did you know?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

No real reason for anybody to murder him. What else?

[Captain Fuentes]

We have found Senor Harley's body at the north end of the island. Apparently his motor stuff and his serf dashed him against the rocks. His skull was fractured.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You didn't find the necklace on him?

[Captain Fuentes]

No, but he's the one who stole it.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What makes you think so?

[Captain Fuentes]

In his wallet we found a slip of paper, senor. On it was written the combination of the safe.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Expense account item 3. $35. Transportation of speedboat back to Las Vernis. With Captain Fuente's report, there was no need to report directly to the island. And more, Marty was anxious to get back to the office and bring you up to date. So he chartered a plane and we took off for Miami.

[Marty Fenton]

Well, Johnny m', Ladd, we chalk up another happy collaboration.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Yeah, you might call it that, Marty. A king there was.

[Marty Fenton]

You know, somehow I don't think Rawlings was a very happy man. With all his dough holed up on that island. Nothing but hate around him now.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Money's not the answer to everything.

[Marty Fenton]

No, but as the saying goes, it sure helps. But then I guess it didn't help Harley much either. I wonder if we'll ever find that necklace.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

It'll turn up.

[Marty Fenton]

Pretty optimistic, aren't you?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

No, I'm sure of it.

[Marty Fenton]

Come on, Johnny, give. Where do you think it is?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Right there in your briefcase.

[Marty Fenton]

It's not a very funny gag, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

No, Marty, it's not.

[Marty Fenton]

How about changing the snapper?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

I wish I could, Marty, but it figured all along. Looking for every possible loophole, I guess. But they all closed up on me.

[Marty Fenton]

Where did I slip?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Where they all slipped at the very beginning when you first thought of it.

[Marty Fenton]

What tipped you?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Rawlings swore that only he knew the combination of that safe. He was wrong. One other man knew it. The one who supervised its installation.

[Marty Fenton]

You should have known you'd tumble to that.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

The paste pinned it down even closer. Marty, the reproduction was too good. No wonder you had every descriptive detail in your copy of the policy. Weights, dimensions, photographs, everything.

[Marty Fenton]

I didn't go back to the island, Johnny. How could I make the switch?

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

That's where Harley came in. You slipped him the combination and he made the switch. That's why the 10,000 payoff and why you had to kill him and frame it as an accident.

[Marty Fenton]

Maybe I should have killed you too, when I had the chance. On the patio.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

You've still got your gun.

[Nita Valdez]

Nah.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

What's the use?

[Marty Fenton]

He's wrong all the way. Besides, I never could outshoot you.

[Johnny Dollar (John Lund)]

Expense Account, Item 4, $32.15 Hotel Bill and Incidentals in Miami. Item 5, 114, $41.10 Plain Fare and incidentals back to Hartford. Expense account total $348.60. Remarks with all due deference to my chosen profession, sometimes this is a lousy business. Yours truly, Johnny Do. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar stars John Lund in the title role and was written by Sidney Marshall with music by Milton Charles. Featured in tonight's cast were Jack Miles, Lillian Byeff, Tom Tully, Howard McNear, Nestor Piva and Don Diamond. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar is produced and directed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle. This is Charles Lyon inviting you to join us again next week at this same time when from Hollywood, John Lund returns as yours truly, Johnny Doll. Sa.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Okay, this is probably one of my favorite stories of the Lund era. It is just so cleverly written with the death of the policyholder actually being this whole red herring and the revelation it was the insurance agent really surprised me. I think they just did a good job throwing us off the trail with so many other aspects. I'd say it surprised me the first time because this one did stick out in my mind because it was so well plotted. And every time I hear Jack Moyles playing an insurance company company guy, I kind of think, is this that episode? And yeah, this time it was, and I could just kind of appreciate all the little misdirection they gave, but at the same time they gave you the clues so you could have figured it out. I liked how he even started to get philosophical about how money didn't bring happiness. You know, that was the degree to which, you know, he was being sneaky and hoping that he'd play Johnny only to find out at the end that he had gone wrong. And I also appreciate the realism of him not trying some desperate getaway. These sort of scenarios were kind of irresistible. They were like candy to many writers of the era who just couldn't help it. But in this case, he saw there was just no way of getting away and, you know, all he was going to do probably was do himself some mischief or get himself killed. So I liked how they managed to keep the story grounded that way. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to go ahead and thank Idyll. Idell has been one of our Patreon supporters since April, currently supporting us at the rookie level of $2 or more per month.

[Senor Chavez]

Month.

[Adam Graham]

And you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon.greatdetactives.net well, that will do it for today. If you are listening to this later on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell and join us back here tomorrow for Squadroom. And then next Thursday we'll be bringing you Philo Vance. And of course, we'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. And then next Saturday, it'll be time for Tales of the Texas Rangers. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13, greatdetectives.net follow us on Twitter RadioDetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com RadioDetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.