Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mary Grace Matter (EP4609)

Summary

Summary of "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mary Grace Matter" (EP4609)

Introduction

In episode 4609 of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mary Grace Matter." This classic audio drama, set in the late 1950s, delves into the intricate investigation led by Johnny Dollar, a meticulous freelance insurance investigator. The episode masterfully blends suspense, personal relationships, and procedural detective work, showcasing the depth of Johnny Dollar's character and the compelling narrative crafted by writer Bob Bailey.

Plot Overview

The Mary Grace Matter unfolds over three acts, each revealing layers of the mystery surrounding the tragic death of Mary Grace Marshall.

Act One: The Call to Investigate

The episode opens with Johnny Dollar receiving a distressing phone call from Sergeant Randy Singer of the New York City Police Department. At [04:00], Randy informs Johnny that his close friend and former girlfriend, Mary Grace Marshall, has been murdered. Johnny's immediate emotional response is evident as he states at [05:02], "I did. I cared." Determined to uncover the truth, Johnny submits his expense account to Mideastern Life and Casualty Insurance Company, outlining his urgent travel to New York.

Act Two: Initial Clues and Suspicions

Upon arriving at the 18th Precinct, Johnny meets with Sergeant Singer, who presents incriminating evidence against Johnny himself. At [07:08], Randy confronts Johnny with his missing lighter, leading to immediate suspicion:

• Randy Singer ([07:43]): "Are you crazy? This letter is mine."
• Johnny Dollar ([08:11]): "Mary Grace Marshall, an old friend, a very dear one, murdered in her New York apartment on East 77th Street."

Johnny vehemently denies any involvement, highlighting his legitimate presence with Mary Grace:

• Johnny Dollar ([05:03]): "We drove over to the place on 77th street in a prowl car. Everything was exactly as it had been when I'd left Sunday night."

As the investigation progresses, Johnny scrutinizes the crime scene, noting inconsistencies in the evidence presented by Randy.

Act Three: Unraveling the Mystery

Determined to clear his name, Johnny revisits Mary Grace's apartment. He meticulously analyzes the remaining clues, including a nearly empty bottle of scotch and a specific record playing an opera, which plays a pivotal role in the narrative. At [16:14], Johnny connects the shutting off of the record to the timing of the murder:

• Johnny Dollar ([16:26]): "We shut it off because it got too noisy in the death scene from that opera."

The breakthrough occurs when Johnny identifies a peculiar spicy odor emanating from the apartment, which he later recognizes as cardamom, often used to mask alcohol consumption. This realization points to deeper layers of deception.

In a climactic confrontation, Johnny gathers all suspects, including Mrs. Walker, the superintendent's wife, and Doctor, who reveals critical information about Charlie Walker's condition. Johnny pieces together the motive and opportunity, ultimately unmasking the true culprit through logical deduction and keen observation.

Resolution

Johnny successfully exonerates himself and brings the real murderer to justice. He presents his findings with professionalism, ensuring that the insurance claim is settled while maintaining his personal integrity. The episode concludes with Johnny reflecting on his friendship with Mary Grace and his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth.

Notable Quotes

• Johnny Dollar ([05:02]): "I did. I cared."
• Randy Singer ([07:43]): "Are you crazy? This letter is mine."
• Johnny Dollar ([16:14]): "We shut it off because it got too noisy in the death scene from that opera."

Host’s Commentary

After the episode, Adam Graham offers insightful reflections on "The Mary Grace Matter." At [24:19], he shares his mixed feelings about the episode's predictability:

"A bit of a mixed bag for me. On one hand, like many of these shorter stories, it's kind of obvious who did it, and it's made obvious by the limited number of suspects and also how suspicious she acted throughout the entire story."

Graham commends Bob Bailey for effectively portraying Johnny's genuine grief and the complex emotions surrounding his relationship with Mary Grace:

"Bob Bailey did a really good job with this script. He did a great job selling Johnny's genuine grief over the passing of Mary Grace and in bringing their relationship to life. And there's complicated feelings about Mary Grace. There is this sense in which she was his very good friend, but also she could have been more. And I think Bailey does a really good job making that believable."

He concludes by encouraging listeners to support the podcast and stay engaged with future episodes, highlighting the enduring charm of old-time radio detective stories.

Conclusion

"Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mary Grace Matter" exemplifies the strengths of classic radio detective dramas—tight storytelling, rich character development, and a satisfying resolution. Through Johnny Dollar's relentless pursuit of truth, the episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the golden age of radio fiction. Adam Graham's thoughtful commentary further enriches the listening experience, providing context and appreciation for the intricate narratives that continue to captivate audiences.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the world of Johnny Dollar and the timeless allure of investigative storytelling.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Orlando, Florida. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to get into this week's episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to encourage you as you're making your travel plans to remember johnnydollerair.com johnnydollerair.com is our Priceline affiliate link. So purchases through that link for hotels, rental cars, airline tickets will benefit the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com first. Now, from October 20, 1957, here is the Mary Grace matter.

[Bob Bailey]

From Hollywood.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's time now for Johnny Dollar, Randy Singer.

[Randy Singer]

Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, hi, Randy. How's the New York City Police Department these days?

[Randy Singer]

The department's fine. Me, I'm not so sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then maybe I'd better run on down there and cheer you up a bit, huh?

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, you'd better come down here on account of Mary Grace Marshall.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, how do you know Mary Grace?

[Bob Bailey]

The point is, you do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, matter of fact, I just got back from a weekend in that town of yours. Yeah, Mary Grace and I had a ball. We took in a couple of shows, did the nightclub routine.

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, I know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even spent Sunday afternoon together out at the. What do you mean you know?

[Randy Singer]

Johnny, your little girlfriend's been murdered.

[Johnny Dollar]

What? Yeah, Randy, have you got any leads? Anything to go on?

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, Johnny, plenty.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then I'll grab the first plane.

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, you'd better.

[Bob Bailey]

Bob Bailey in the exciting adventure of a man with the action packed expense.

[Johnny Dollar]

Account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Bob Bailey]

Act one of yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense Account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dol to the Mideastern Life and Casualty Insurance Company, home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Mary Grace matter. Expense account, item 1, 10 cents. Phone call to the airport to reserve a seat on the first plane to New York. Item two, phone call to Ben Perrin at the claims department of Mideastern Life.

[Bob Bailey]

Aaron here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ben, this is Johnny Dolly.

[Bob Bailey]

Oh, hello, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

Listen, I'm on my way down to New York at your company's expense. Though the expense part is beside the point.

[Bob Bailey]

Just wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mary Grace Marshall has just been murdered.

[Bob Bailey]

Marshall?

[Johnny Dollar]

Your company holds a policy on her and I'm going down there to investigate.

[Bob Bailey]

Well, now wait, John, until we issue proper authorization for you to conduct the investigation.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't give me that, Ben. I'm going down there now.

[Bob Bailey]

Well, then it's completely without sanction from this or any other.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, okay, forget it. I was trying to save time. And I thought I was doing you a favor.

[Bob Bailey]

Well, I suppose you are. But until a request for your services can be.

[Johnny Dollar]

I said forget it. Didn't you hear me? I gotta go. Gotta catch a plane.

[Bob Bailey]

Well, for heaven's sake, man, what are you so up in arms about? Why you're so concerned about this particular.

[Johnny Dollar]

Because that girl was a personal friend of mine. A very dear friend.

[Mrs. Walker]

Oh, John.

[Bob Bailey]

John, I'm sorry. I can see now why you're so upset.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I'm upset.

[Bob Bailey]

By all means, go ahead. Officially. And if there's anything I can do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, there is. You can stop all this yammering so I can hang up and get out of here. Goodbye, John. Yeah. What now?

[Bob Bailey]

You really cared for that girl, didn't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Ben, I cared. Expensive con. Item 3. 920. Cab to the airport and plane ticket to New York. The trip down there gave me time to think. And thinking about it hurt. Mary Grace Marshall. Tall, brunette and very beautiful. And as straight a girl as I'd ever known. There was a time a few years ago when I'd hoped she might marry me. But she wanted to stay with her successful career as a fashion designer. And she was right. I'm not the marrying type either. So we just remained friends. We had a lot of fun together. Theaters, dancing, occasional nightclub. Sometimes the long hair stuff. A recital or the opera. I would go to the zoo with a circus, a boxing match or a baseball game. Or just go for a quiet walk in the park. And often, just a long, quiet evening in her apartment over a tall, cool drink and good conversation. A good night kiss, sure. But that was all. Now she was gone. And believe me, somebody was gonna pay. Item four, six dollars even for a fast taxi to the 18th Precinct headquarters and Sergeant Randy Singer.

[Randy Singer]

Come on in, Johnny. Close the door.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Hi.

[Randy Singer]

Better sit down, huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, all right. When did that happen, Randy? And how? You said on the phone you have.

[Randy Singer]

Some leads, clues all over the place. They all point toward one person. Toward the one person known to have been withered about the time the coroner says she was killed. How was she killed? Struggle, fell and struck her head on the base of the fireplace. Cigarette, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah, thanks.

[Randy Singer]

Incidentally, so far I've been able to keep this thing out of the papers.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh. Hey, give me a light, will you? I seem to have forgotten my lighter.

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, you have. Here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks.

[Randy Singer]

Now, the coroner says she was killed Sunday night, late.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Randy Singer]

By somebody who must have spent several hours with her.

[Johnny Dollar]

You said late Sunday night. That's a.

[Randy Singer]

Go on, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, look, stop snapping that lighter and wait a minute. Where'd you get that?

[Randy Singer]

According to all the evidence that was left behind by whoever murdered Mary Grace Marshall. Here. Look familiar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Are you crazy? This letter is mine.

[Randy Singer]

I. Yeah, Johnny, I know.

[Bob Bailey]

And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Mary Grace matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mary Grace Marshall, an old friend, a very dear one, murdered in her New York apartment on East 77th Street. Sergeant Randy Singer, my old friend at 18th Precinct Homicide, had called me immediately and when I got there showed me a very damning piece of evidence presented.

[Randy Singer]

To Special Investigator Johnny Dollar by the International.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, of course. It's my lighter and I must have left it in Mary Grace's apartment Sunday night. But that certainly doesn't mean that I killed her.

[Randy Singer]

Coroner says she died about the same time you were there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, how do you know what time I was there?

[Randy Singer]

Wife of Charlie Walker, the build superintendent. Johnny, she saw you leave.

[Johnny Dollar]

That isn't enough evidence to convict a fly, and you know it.

[Randy Singer]

There's plenty more.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah? Like what?

[Randy Singer]

Your fingerprints all over the place.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, I.

[Randy Singer]

Cigarette butts, Same brand. You smoke?

[Johnny Dollar]

So what does that?

[Randy Singer]

A lot of them, Johnny, like a very nervous smoke.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I was with her all evening.

[Randy Singer]

Doing what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now look, Randy, surely you can't be serious. You can't think for a minute.

[Randy Singer]

Look, Johnny, this is my case, nobody else's. I'm keeping it that way. I've kept it out of the papers. I think you know why.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure, sure, I know why. Because we've been buddy buddy for so long. You want to be sure that if anybody hangs me, you will for old times. Sake.

[Randy Singer]

I asked you what you were doing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, let me tell you something, Randy. That girl meant a lot to me. What were you doing? Don't.

[Randy Singer]

Shut up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me what other evidence you have. What you know, that can help me find out who. I'm sorry, Randy. Sure, it's. It's your job. I probably do the same thing to.

[Randy Singer]

You under the circumstances. If you didn't, I wouldn't have any use for you.

[Johnny Dollar]

But don't you see? Okay, look, look. We spent Sunday afternoon at the zoo. The Bronx Zoo. Went up on the subway. We walked a lot. Got pretty tired. I promised her a dinner at the chambord over on 3rd Avenue. But she said she had some food at the apartment, so we went back there. Then we just sat around and talked. Played some music, that's all.

[Randy Singer]

And had some drinks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I picked up a bottle of scotch on the way.

[Randy Singer]

How many drinks?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, one or two light ones is all.

[Randy Singer]

Sorry, Johnny. That bottle was nearly empty.

[Johnny Dollar]

But that's him. Who discovered the body?

[Randy Singer]

Mrs. Walker. Wife of the apartment super. The one who saw you leave shortly after hearing the screams that made her.

[Johnny Dollar]

Screams? Yeah.

[Randy Singer]

That made her finally go up and look in the Marshall girl's apartment.

[Johnny Dollar]

She's crazy, Randy. You're lying.

[Randy Singer]

Can you prove it?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd like to talk to that woman.

[Randy Singer]

I think you're off a rocker.

[Johnny Dollar]

If she told you, she. What'd you say?

[Randy Singer]

I think you ought to see her.

[Johnny Dollar]

Huh. But if I'm your big suspect.

[Randy Singer]

Sure you are, until you can help me prove I'm wrong.

[Johnny Dollar]

We drove over to the place on 77th street in a prowl car. Everything was exactly as it had been when I'd left Sunday night. Except that there were signs of a struggle, as Randy had said. A chair and a lamp had been knocked over, the hi Fi shoved aside when she'd fallen at the fireplace. Even the bottle of scotch from which I'd poured a couple of small. Hmm.

[Randy Singer]

What's the matter, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I'm not sure, Andy, but might have sworn I left this bottle out in the kitchenette where I. Huh. Hey, are you making more print? Yeah. Look, this bottle of soda, three quarters full. You don't kill most of a bottle of scotch with only this much soda.

[Randy Singer]

Unless you're drinking it straight.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, who drinks it straight these days? An alcoholic.

[Randy Singer]

Or somebody who needs a jolt for his nerve, maybe. Want to go downstairs and talk to the super's wife? Yeah, let's.

[Johnny Dollar]

The superintendent's wife turned out to be a living doll. Young, pretty, with too much makeup. The Sort of looked like she decided to get out of the chorus line for a quieter life as the wife of a building superintendent. I noticed a peculiar spicy kind of odor when she first let us in, but thought nothing of it at the time.

[Randy Singer]

Now, you're sure this is the man you saw leaving Ms. Marshall's apartment, Mrs. Walker?

[Mrs. Walker]

I was standing right here in this doorway. It was after I heard her screaming up there around midnight.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're sure you heard a scream?

[Mrs. Walker]

Well, my husband heard it first. He woke me up pounding on the wall between our bedrooms.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, didn't he get up to investigate?

[Mrs. Walker]

Oh, no, the lazy. Well, he's been sick. He's still sick. But then I heard the screaming. So I run into his room and ask him what to do. Go back to bed and forget it, he says. It's probably just a party upstairs.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then you went up and found the body, huh?

[Mrs. Walker]

Well, first I tried to sleep, but I kept thinking I heard noises from upstairs. Well, no.

[Johnny Dollar]

You sure?

[Mrs. Walker]

It was like maybe my husband was getting up or something.

[Johnny Dollar]

Go on.

[Mrs. Walker]

Finally, about 2am I went up to her apartment. When she didn't answer my knock, I let myself in. And there she was, dead.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who called the police, you or your husband? Him.

[Mrs. Walker]

Beside, I told you he was sick. He still is.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd like to talk with him.

[Mrs. Walker]

Oh, sure, if he's sober enough. Come on.

[Johnny Dollar]

That was a funny crack. If her husband really was sick. She led us toward the rear of the apartment and I mistakenly started to enter her bedroom. That peculiar odor again, Only more pronounced. And believe me, it was in Arpegg.

[Mrs. Walker]

Here, mister. This way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Her husband's bedroom was pretty much of a mess. Untidy, with pictures of bathing beauties, calendar art and some striking pictures of Mary Grace Marshall plastered all over the walls. This room had an order about a two of stale booze.

[Mrs. Walker]

There you are, Charlie.

[Randy Singer]

No, no, I. I tell you, I don't want any more of that stuff.

[Mrs. Walker]

Well, you seem to think it'd make you feel better.

[Bob Bailey]

I did.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you.

[Randy Singer]

Oh. Oh, the culp again. That's right, Mr. Walker.

[Mrs. Walker]

And this is the guy seen coming down from your girlfriend's apartment after all the screaming? His name's Johnny something.

[Johnny Dollar]

You actually heard screaming up there, Mr. Walker?

[Randy Singer]

Yeah. Yeah, Awful racket.

[Johnny Dollar]

Woke me up. Scared me. What do you mean?

[Randy Singer]

That poor girl up there all alone.

[Mrs. Walker]

Only she wasn't alone.

[Johnny Dollar]

But then it stopped. I figured maybe I'd been wrong.

[Randy Singer]

Had a nightmare or something.

[Mrs. Walker]

Yeah, sure. A dream about her. You think about me for a change instead of dreaming about that dame.

[Randy Singer]

Shut up.

[Mrs. Walker]

Talking about her, dreaming about her, sneaking around to have a look at her when she came out. If you wasn't sick, I think you'd sneaked up there and done her in. Because you couldn't have tricked her out of here. It wouldn't be the first time a drunken bum has killed somebody.

[Johnny Dollar]

Shut up. Shut up.

[Doctor]

Mrs. Walker. I thought I told you this man was supposed to be kept quiet.

[Mrs. Walker]

Oh, well, now look, doctor.

[Randy Singer]

Not yet.

[Johnny Dollar]

I walk in here and find this.

[Doctor]

Sort of thing going on. Go on, all of you, out of here while I attend this man.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just a minute, Doctor.

[Doctor]

Out immediately. This is a heart case complicated by a very serious virus, infection, shock.

[Randy Singer]

If I can have just one another.

[Doctor]

Officer, I must save this man's life.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, randy. You too, Mrs. Walker. Sure, sure.

[Doctor]

He's been getting alcohol again. Strictly against my order.

[Randy Singer]

Now look here, Mrs. Walker.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, wait.

[Randy Singer]

Huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on upstairs with me again.

[Randy Singer]

Oh, what'd you think?

[Johnny Dollar]

Of a couple of things, Randy, that I believe will clinch this case so fast. Come on.

[Bob Bailey]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Merry Grace matter.

[Randy Singer]

What do you mean clinch the case, Johnny? Didn't you hear enough from Charlie Walker and his wife?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I heard plenty, Randy.

[Randy Singer]

Then what's the point of coming back here to the dead girls apartment?

[Johnny Dollar]

Let me show you something here in the kitchenette.

[Randy Singer]

A scotch bottle. You shouldn't pick that up, Johnny. Print.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Prince. That way. Your boys dusted over them to show them up. But look. Yeah, right here. They're smeared, see, by a piece of cloth.

[Randy Singer]

Sure, he tried to erase them when he killed that bottle.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now come on back to the living room. And here, take a look at this.

[Randy Singer]

What's the hi Fi set got to do with it?

[Johnny Dollar]

I told you. Mary Grace and I sat here Sunday night talking and playing records. So this record on the turntable is the same one we were playing just before I left her. Look at it.

[Randy Singer]

DOA by Vinni. Never heard of it.

[Johnny Dollar]

We shut it off because it got too noisy in the death scene from that opera.

[Chief]

Huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Listen. Yeah, here it.

[Randy Singer]

Holy. It sounds like somebody shut it off. I'll be done.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, the screams that Walker and his wife said they heard.

[Randy Singer]

And that record's what gave him the idea. And now it's a matter of pin it on him.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, what have you got for his motive?

[Randy Singer]

Motive? Are you kidding? Didn't you see those pictures of all those beautiful happening. Those. Those babes he has on the wall of his room? And the pictures of the Marshall girl. All right, he was gone for Mary Grace. Talked about her, dreamed about her, had her pictures all over his room. But she wouldn't give him a tumble.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, all right.

[Randy Singer]

So he hits the bottle heavier than ever on account of this frustration over the Marshall girl.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wouldn't be the first time that sort of thing has happened.

[Randy Singer]

Happens all the time. So if he can't have her, he's gonna kill her. You see my point?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and it's well taken, Randy.

[Randy Singer]

All right. Last weekend you're taking his dream girl out on the town. Having a good time with her, doing all the things he wished he could do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Go on.

[Randy Singer]

Well, it's too much for him. Driving him out of his rum soaked mind. Then he hears that screaming on that opera record. It gives him the idea. He wakes up his wife so she'll hear it too. So his wife will think somebody's getting killed up there. But he doesn't let her go up there, right?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sounds good, Randy.

[Randy Singer]

After his wife goes back to bed, that's when she saw you leave. He goes up there and kills a girl.

[Johnny Dollar]

But if he was as sick as he appeared.

[Randy Singer]

Appears to have been. John, the time like that, a man gets superhuman strength. Strength of a madman, they call it. And listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm listening.

[Randy Singer]

His wife said she thought she heard him walking around. Remember?

[Johnny Dollar]

I remember.

[Randy Singer]

So that's it. She finally got up, came up here and found the body. So naturally she tied it all in with the screams her old man woke her up to hear. And that suited him perfectly. She couldn't help but alibi for it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, let's get downstairs again.

[Randy Singer]

I realize, Johnny, it's all circumstances, circumstantial. And I still have to pin it on him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Or her.

[Randy Singer]

But I'll hold him on suspicion. Or her.

[Johnny Dollar]

The same circumstances would work just as well for Walker's wife if she were the killer.

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, but what about the motive?

[Johnny Dollar]

Jealous wife.

[Randy Singer]

Jealous of somebody taking that drunken bum out of her head.

[Johnny Dollar]

That funny odor I noticed about her when I first stepped into this place. I finally remembered what it is.

[Randy Singer]

Hey, I noticed that. Like a. Like a cooking spice.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it is sometimes. Cardamon scene.

[Randy Singer]

Cardamom? Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

They used to call it the drunkard's friend. A man could booze all night, chew a couple of cardamom seeds, kiss his wife good night, she'd never be the wiser. That odor was so strong in her bedroom that. Well, maybe she's the lush, huh?

[Randy Singer]

Hey.

[Doctor]

And tried to make the same thing out of her husband on the excuse it would make him feel Better you?

[Randy Singer]

You mean he isn't a heavy drinker, Doctor?

[Doctor]

No, he is not.

[Johnny Dollar]

Doctor, you said he has a heart condition.

[Doctor]

A very serious one, complicated by a.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Could he possibly have got out of bed, climbed those stairs Sunday night, struggled with and kill someone?

[Doctor]

The odds against his surviving such a thing are a million to one. A hundred million.

[Mrs. Walker]

All right, I heard it all. That means you're gonna start accusing me of killing that girl up there.

[Doctor]

Mrs. Walker, I told you to stay out of your husband's room.

[Mrs. Walker]

Yeah, well, he's dead, Doc.

[Johnny Dollar]

Dead.

[Mrs. Walker]

I don't know what you give him, but he's dead.

[Doctor]

Did you give him more liquor? No, but you gave him enough before I came to. Wait here, all of you.

[Mrs. Walker]

Well, you gonna try to pin that Marshall dame on me now that Charlie's gone?

[Johnny Dollar]

You've already pinned it on yourself, Mrs. Walker.

[Mrs. Walker]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

You thought you'd left no fingerprints on that bottle up there.

[Mrs. Walker]

Well, I didn't. I used a handkerchief.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I. That's what I thought.

[Mrs. Walker]

No, no, no. Wait a minute. I didn't mean that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Too late, I'm afraid.

[Mrs. Walker]

Oh, no, it ain't.

[Randy Singer]

Put down that gun, Mrs. Walker.

[Mrs. Walker]

All right. So I kill that dame on the second floor. And if I have to kill you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks, Doctor. It's.

[Doctor]

It's quite all right, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Randy, there's your killer. Happy?

[Randy Singer]

Yeah, I guess I ought to be you.

[Johnny Dollar]

It doesn't bring back Mary Grace. Expense account total, including transportation back to Hartford. No, no, wait. I took on this case myself because of Mary Grace. And, well, whatever she may have meant to me is none of the company's business. Oh, sure, you'll have to pay the claim on our policy, but let it go with that, will you? The rest is on me. I want it that way. Understand? For old time's sake. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Bob Bailey]

Be sure to join us next week, same time and station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is the United States Armed Forces.

[Officer]

Radio and Television Service sa.

[Advertiser]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A bit of a mixed bag for me. On one hand, like many of these shorter stories, it's kind of obvious who did it, and it's made obvious by the limited number of suspects and also how suspicious she acted throughout the entire story. I don't know if there's a good reason for Randy Singer to have his first thought be that it was the husband. On the other hand, Bob Bailey did a really good job with this script. He did a great job selling Johnny's genuine grief over the passing of Mary Grace and in bringing their relationship to life. And there's complicated feelings about Mary Grace. There is this sense in which she was his very good friend, but also she could have been more. And I think Bailey does a really good job making that believable. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Todd. Todd's been one of our patreon supporters since February 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the Seamus level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Todd. And that will actually 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, Bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We will be back next Friday with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow for Dragnet Wear.

[Officer]

You have the names of the victims?

[Chief]

Chief, we think it's Guthrie. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Guthrie. Old couple lived here for some time, I understand. Here we are. We figure that's where it started, right under the bed over there. Heat must have been terrific.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look at the walls. Yo.

[Officer]

Yeah, this is where most of the damage was done, Chief.

[Chief]

No rooms on both sides. Got it, too. Not as bad as this, though. Guthrie's had two rooms, this and the one adjoining.

[Officer]

Through the door there when the fire starts. Kind of the idea.

[Chief]

About quarter to five, I'd say. Landlady smelled the smoke about 10 to five, put in the alarm. Fire was out three minutes after five. Any other casualties Besides the Guthrie's, I mean? No, just the two.

[Officer]

Okay.

[Chief]

Over on the bed here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Chief]

Well, the worst I've seen.

[Officer]

Yeah, it's pretty bad, Ben. You can see from the position of the two bodies. Doesn't look to me like they suffocated. No evidence that they tried to get out of the room. Both relaxed. Looks like somebody did them in, then tried to cover with arson, huh?

[Chief]

Gee, yeah, on the floor there. Oh yeah, a parrot. Somebody rung its neck, looks like to me, and then threw it there on the floor.

[Adam Graham]

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

[Advertiser]

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