Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Neel Breer Matter (Encore) (EP4880)

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Neel Breer Matter (Encore) (EP4880)
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Adam Graham
Source Material: “Yours Truly Johnny Dollar” original air date July 18, 1951
Star: Edmund O'Brien as Johnny Dollar

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Episode Overview

This episode revisits a classic mystery from the golden age of radio: “The Neel Breer Matter” from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to a small town to probe the questionable death of a young man, Neil Breer. Originally considered a natural case—a heart attack—Dollar’s investigation uncovers suspicion of poison, family secrets, and ultimately, murder with a tragic motive. Host Adam Graham provides brief commentary and historical context after the drama.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Investigation in Motion

• Tension Between Insurance and Local Authorities
  Johnny Dollar arrives following an anonymous letter questioning Neil Breer’s cause of death.
• Coroner Resistance
  Coroner Guy Hamill is unwilling to reopen the case or disturb local peace:

  “Case is closed as far as I'm concerned. I'm busy with other work.” (08:37)

• Pressure from Dollar
  Dollar leverages local statutes, prompting the coroner to soften:

  “If his survivors demand an autopsy…I’ll accept that as reasonable suspicion and I'll order an autopsy.” (11:06)

2. Dr. Henry Richards Raises Alarm

• Dr. Richards is burdened by his decision to question the death, fearing the small-town consequences:

  “I have a wife and a son and a practice to think about. This is a small town and I could be banished for stirring up a lot of unnecessary trouble.” (05:09)

• He outlines the medical symptoms, acknowledging poison (Bismane) as a possible cause.

3. Emotional Toll on Survivors

• Mrs. Breer (widow) is overwhelmed and initially opposed to any exhumation or reexamination:

  “I know the truth. Neil is dead, and there's nothing I can do about it. Nothing. Now leave me alone.” (12:36)

• Mr. Breer (father) is equally resistant, showing a stoic acceptance:

  “Grief ain't honest after a person's dead...the big problem ain't dying. It's living on.” (13:09)

4. Mounting Suspicion – Mysterious Warning

• Johnny receives a threatening phone call urging him to drop the investigation:

  “You've got to stop what you're doing and leave town...If you don't stop, you're going to be hurt.” (16:17–16:48)

• The call is later traced to a young man, indicated as “almost hysterical.”

5. Confirmation of Foul Play

• After exhumation and expert toxicology, the verdict: Neil Breer died from Bismane poisoning, a rare substance:

  “Neil Breer's death was caused by Bismane.” (19:46)

6. Tracing Motive and Means

• Interviews with Family and Friends
  • Mr. Breer suspects possible suicide, tied to a new insurance policy.
  • Wesley Bircher (business partner) refutes the idea that marriage troubles led to depression or suicide, noting Neil's loss of interest in life.
  • Discussion of an Old Romance:
    Paula Wilson (Mrs. Breer) had been in love with Alan Richards (Dr. Richards’ son), who went away for medical school.
  • Marriage as Rebound:

    "Paula's strong-willed...when the guy she really liked had to go to medical college...she just got sore. She threw herself at Neil and they ran away and got married." (25:07)

7. Case Resolution – Murder, Not Suicide

• Confrontation with Mrs. Breer
  • Dollar presses the widow; she ultimately confesses an affair with Alan Richards, who is later revealed to have administered the poison.
  • Emotional Outburst:

    “We couldn't help it. I wanted to get a divorce. Neil wouldn't.” (28:33) “He decided on the poison?...Yes. Oh, yes. It was all going to work. Neil's heart. No one would ever ask a question.” (29:02)

  • The murder was made to look like a natural heart failure, exploiting Neil’s known condition.

8. Aftermath & Reflections

• Johnny Dollar Wrap-up
  • He provides evidence to local police: Alan Richards (medical student) had access to Bismane, administered via coffee.
  • Ethical Reflection:

    “A doctor in doubt about a death certificate calling on the interested insurance company for confidential help is a splendid idea, but in this case the doctor's son was an accomplice to murder.” (30:43)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Small Town Life:
  Dr. Richards:

  “…I could be banished for stirring up a lot of unnecessary trouble.” (05:09)

• On Death and Grief:
  Mr. Breer:

  “Grief ain't honest after a person's dead…at a time like that, the big problem ain't dying. It's living on.” (13:09)

• On the Limitations of the Law:
  Coroner Hamill:

  “It's not my job to check up on the doctors that sign death certificates.” (10:13)

• On Investigation Ethics:
  Johnny Dollar:

  “It's the law. Do you think survivors will feel the same way…?” (10:51)

• Confession of the Widow:
  Mrs. Breer:

  “All right. I didn't love him.…I could never love him.” (27:13–27:16) “He decided on the poison?...Yes. Oh yes, it was all going to work. Neil’s heart. No one would ever ask a question.” (29:02)

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 02:37 | Episode proper begins (after ads, host intro) | | 05:09 | Dr. Richards explains his concerns | | 08:13 | Johnny confronts the coroner | | 11:53 | Interview with Mrs. Breer (widow) | | 13:04 | Interview with Mr. Breer (father) | | 16:17 | Johnny receives a mysterious threat | | 19:46 | Autopsy reveals poison as cause | | 22:43 | Interview with Wesley Bircher (business partner) | | 25:35 | Truth about Paula and Alan Richards | | 27:13–29:15 | Mrs. Breer confesses | | 30:43 | Johnny reflects and wraps up the case | | 32:13 | Host Adam Graham shares commentary |

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Host Commentary Highlights (Adam Graham, 32:13+)

• Observes the curious approach of not naming the city and changing names, speculates if it’s for legal reasons or perhaps inspired by a real-life case.
• Draws connections between this Johnny Dollar episode and the influence of Dragnet.
• Remarks on Ralph Moody’s performance as the coroner and his memorable Dragnet role, reflecting the nostalgia and legacy of classic radio actors.

“…when you get into the Bob Bailey era, there’s this idea, and this is a key plot point, that Johnny’s adventures are broadcast over the radio, which is not something being done during the O'Brien era. There are two things that occur to me. Maybe this was…a wink before it became an ongoing plot point. The other possibility…is that a real life case might have been the basis for the story.” (32:13)

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Summary

“The Neel Breer Matter” delivers a tight, suspenseful story of small-town secrets and treacherous motives, propelled by Johnny Dollar’s dogged pursuit of the truth. What begins as a possible insurance scam unfolds into a tragic tale of unrequited love and illicit murder, with nuanced performances that capture the moral ambiguity and emotional complexity of classic radio drama. Host Adam Graham contextualizes the episode’s significance, connecting its themes to broader trends in old-time radio and the genre’s enduring appeal.

Recommended for mystery fans, OTR enthusiasts, and listeners seeking a layered whodunit with a quintessentially American setting.

Transcript

[Mrs. Breer]

Did you know you can opt out of winter with VRBO?

[Johnny Dollar]

Save up to $1,500 for booking a month long stay with thousands of sunny homes.

[Mrs. Breer]

Why subject yourself to the cold? Just filter your search by monthly stays.

[Johnny Dollar]

And save up to $1,500. Book [e-mail] I was a soldier then a veteran, a husband and a father.

[Mrs. Breer]

And with my VA Home Loan, I'm a homeowner. No down payment required and no PMI.

[Johnny Dollar]

Build your future with the VA Home Loan. Get what you earned.

[Mrs. Breer]

Visit choose.va.gov not all veterans are eligible.

[Wesley Bircher]

For this hyper amount of benefits mentioned here.

[Mrs. Breer]

Sam.

[Adam Graham]

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. I'm taking a recording break. Please enjoy today's encore episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. This episode was recorded several years ago, so any offers or information contained in the episode may not be valid unless reflected on our Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. But here is today's enclo. 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 on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com RadioDetectives I do want to remind you we do have Great Detectives of Old Time Radio T shirts available and we currently have three designs. There's our general Great Detectives T shirt design available@t shirt.greatdetectives.net Then there's our Johnny Dollar anniversary t [e-mail] and the Joe Friday never said. Just the facts, ma'. Am t [e-mail] well, now it's time for this week's episode of Yours truly. We Johnny Dollar the original air date on this one July 18, 1951 and the title is the Neil Brer Matter.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

WBBM FM, Chicago.

[Announcer]

The refreshing, delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment presents for your listening enjoyment.

[Johnny Dollar]

Edmund o' Brien as Johnny Dollar.

[Unknown Caller]

This is Hamill. Did you call me if your guy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hamilled the local coroner?

[Mr. Breer]

I did.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

That's who I am.

[Unknown Caller]

What do you want?

[Johnny Dollar]

I wondered when I could get together with you and talk over the Breer death Brear.

[Unknown Caller]

Which one was that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Neil Breer. He died last week.

[Unknown Caller]

Oh.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

What do you want to talk about him for?

[Unknown Caller]

Funeral's all over.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Folks have all gone home.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm an investigator from his insurance company. They aren't convinced that he died a natural death.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

What do they think they know about it?

[Johnny Dollar]

They received a letter from someone here in town who said they weren't quite sure.

[Unknown Caller]

What was that? Who was it?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry, I can't tell you that right now, but I'd like to go over the case with you.

[Unknown Caller]

Case is closed as far as I'm concerned.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

I'm busy with other work.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, Mr. Howell. I'll have to start from someplace else.

[Announcer]

The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum bring you Edmund o' Brien in a transcribed adventure of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Announcer]

For refreshment while you work, for enjoyment anytime, chew a stick of Wrigley Spearmint Gum. The delicious, long lasting, real mint flavor of Wrigley Spearmint cools your mouth and freshens your taste. The good smooth chewing helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. So indoors, outdoors, at work or at play, enjoy chewing. Wrigley Spearmint gum. Wrigley Spearmint Refreshing, delicious.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account. Submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to home office, Great Eastern Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Neil Breer matter. Expense Account Item 1. $235 Airfare and Incidentals between Hartford and my destination. In compliance with the company's request, I will not make that city and its state a matter of this record. And I will leave it up to the company to strike the true names of the people involved. My first personal contact was the man whose letter had set off the investigation, Dr. Henry Richards. We met in his office secretly that evening after his nurse had gone home.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

I'm sorry to admit, Mr. Dollar, that there have been moments when I regretted writing that letter. I have a wife and a son and a practice to think about. This is a small town and I could be banished for stirring up a lot of unnecessary trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

Both the company And I understand, Dr. Richards. And we want you to know that your letter and everything you tell me will be kept in strict confidence if Neil Breer's death was due to natural causes. If it wasn't, of course, the letter and my report will do you no harm.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

If. Yes, I see.

[Johnny Dollar]

You have nothing to worry about. I'll be the villain. As a matter of fact, I think I am one already. I talked to your coroner, Hamill.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

You told him why you were here?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes. The only way for me to handle this is to stay out in the open with him and everyone else. If I make a fool of myself. I'll take a late train out of town.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

You told him you received a letter?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, but not from whom.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

You're sure he doesn't suspect me?

[Johnny Dollar]

He didn't sound like he did. There's no reason for him to, is there? You issued the death certificate, didn't you? Yes.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes, I did.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me about Brea. How old was he?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

He was 26. He was taken seriously ill at work.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where did he work?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

He was part owner of a service station. I was called there that morning. He was in a coma when I arrived. But Bircher described his convulsions to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Bircher was his business partner?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes. Wesley Bircher. He described the convulsions quite clearly. It sounded as though they were the result of a violent heart attack. I want you to understand, Mr. Dollar. A heart condition could have caused the symptoms he described. And his condition? When I got there, I called for an ambulance, but he was dead before it arrived.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you know his medical history, Dr. Richards?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes. Yes, I do. He's been coming to me for a number of years. I was the attendant physician at the high school. During his junior and senior years. He was a classmate of my son, Allen. And he and a number of the others continued to come to me. Virtual, for one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did Brea have trouble with his heart?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes. There had been a condition, but it wasn't serious at his age. I told him that he'd have to be careful when he reached a certain height, age. But I was stunned at his death. I hesitated as long as I could before I signed the death certificate. But as I told you, if I'd refuse to sign it. I don't think it's fair to ask a private physician to take that responsibility.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't either, but it seems to be the way we run things. What else might have caused his death, Doctor? Obviously a poison.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes. Bismine.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's a metallic poison, isn't it?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

How fast does it work?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

20 to 40 grains would be a fatal dose in from 10 to 30 minutes.

[Johnny Dollar]

And the symptoms could have been those described by this Bircher?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yes. Convulsion, coma and death.

[Johnny Dollar]

Brea is buried here in town? Yes.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

What are you going to do?

[Johnny Dollar]

You want to arrange for an autopsy?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

I don't know how you'll do that.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm going to ask you to play one more part in this. And then I won't involve you anymore. You haven't told anyone about the letter you wrote us?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

No. No, not even my family.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. I come tomorrow morning when your Nurse will be a witness. I'll demand that you show me Brea's medical history. Then I'll go to the coroner and ask for an autopsy.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

I know I started it, but I don't like it now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Believe me, Doctor, you have nothing to worry about. And you wouldn't have started it if you didn't want to see the right thing done.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

True? Yes.

[Unknown Caller]

Yes.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

I'll see you in the morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

I made my appearance at the doctor's office the next morning. Was unpleasantly efficient with his nurse, went through Brea's medical history and proceeded to the coroner's office. The fact that he held that public office had nothing to do with Mr. Guy Hamilton's personality. He was close to 50, and it had taken years to develop it. If he'd been a banker or anything else, I'm sure he would have been the same. I caught him as he came out of his office.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

I told you yesterday I was busy with other business.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know, but I hoped you might spare just a minute or two.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Well, why didn't you call for an appointment?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's what I was doing yesterday when you told me you were too busy.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Well, I am. Why don't you come back tomorrow sometime?

[Johnny Dollar]

It would be faster to go to the state police, Mr. Hamill.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Well, why don't you do that then?

[Johnny Dollar]

I want to play fair with you. I don't want to go over your head unless I have to. I'll keep you from your lunch. Only a minute or two. Well, all right.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Come on. You've got a lot of nerve, you know, saying these things to mean.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe you're right, but I'm being paid to say then and a lot more. Right now, I'm going to ask you to have bre body exhumed, have an autopsy performed.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

So you're an investigator from an insurance company in Hartford. Well, I think it's time you brushed up on municipal law. As a coroner, I'm required by law to hold an inquest and order autopsy when there is reasonable ground to suspect that the disease suffered a violent or unnatural death or died suddenly from some unknown cause.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's a perfect quote.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Neil Breer died as a result of a heart attack, and a competent doctor issued a signed death certificate to that effect. Do you have reasonable grounds?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes. The letter I told you about.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Reasonable.

[Johnny Dollar]

In effect, it said that Brea was young and healthy and that there was a reasonable question about his dying of heart attack.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Did this person presume to know as much about Breer as his doctor?

[Johnny Dollar]

As much, maybe. How Familiar are you with poisons? Have you been trained to diagnose their symptoms and so on?

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

No, I haven't. I rely on the attendant doctors to inform me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm not blaming you for that. But has it ever occurred to you that every practicing physician is not an expert toxicologist? The study of poisons is almost a science in itself.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

It's not my job to check up on the doctors that sign death certificates. And what's this about poison?

[Johnny Dollar]

There is a poison that while it's killing, gives the same symptoms as a heart attack. I'm adding that to the letter the insurance company received. To me that adds up to reasonable grounds for suspicion.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

You know, I think your heart is in the right place. I don't go for this poppycock, but I can see how you'd get upset.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's not me. It's the insurance company that doesn't like even the possibility that murder or suicide can be committed and charged off to death by natural causes simply because a doctor signs a death certificate. Now do I get my autopsy?

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Case is closed no matter what you say or think.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's the law. Do you think prior survivors will feel the same way as father and widow and.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

I don't know. You can go ahead. If his survivors demand an autopsy, and I don't think they're fools enough to, then I'll accept that as reasonable suspicion and I'll order an autopsy.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's good enough.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

And if you talk them into it, you're going to be held responsible as far as I'm concerned. Now, I like to eat my lunch, if you don't mind.

[Johnny Dollar]

I spent the rest of the day in the hall of records and pouring over old newspapers and the high school yearbook of Neil Brea's graduation. By that evening I had a fair picture of the boy's background. He'd been a hard working student, a good athlete. He developed with a classmate, Paula Wilson, less than a month after they left school. And since then he had lived a completely average small town life. There would be no reason for suspicion except for the doctor's letter and his statement to me. So I kept that foremost in my mind. And after a 6:30 dinner. Want to pay a call on Brea's widow? An attractive girl who turned an ashen gray when I told her why I'd come.

[Mrs. Breer]

Why? Why would anyone say such a thing?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know, Mrs. Breher, unless they had reason to believe it.

[Mrs. Breer]

Believe what? I don't understand. Why should anyone think Neil died from poison?

[Johnny Dollar]

I went to see Dr. Richards. This morning I demanded that he show me your husband's medical record. There was a heart condition, but it shouldn't have been fatal, not at his age.

[Mrs. Breer]

Nobody told me. Please leave me alone.

[Johnny Dollar]

I can't, Mrs. Brea. Not after coming this far and learning what I've learned. I can't stop until an autopsy is performed. And I learned the truth, whichever way it goes.

[Mrs. Breer]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

It would be much easier for all of us, I think, if you'd help me.

[Adam Graham]

No, I won't.

[Mrs. Breer]

I can't stand it. You can't ask me to go through it all again.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd hoped you'd want to know the truth yourself.

[Mrs. Breer]

I know the truth. Neil is dead, and there's nothing I can do about it. Nothing. Now leave me alone. Please go away. Leave me alone.

[Johnny Dollar]

Neil Greer's father ran a small grocery store with living quarters above. At first meeting, I hoped for more cooperation from him. He evidently had a calmer acceptance of death.

[Mr. Breer]

You should have come to me first.

[Johnny Dollar]

I could have told you about Paula.

[Mr. Breer]

Grief ain't honest after a person's dead. When a person's alive and suffering, then it's honest. But after a person's dead, you ain't really feeling grief for them. You're feeling it for yourself.

[Johnny Dollar]

I suppose you've got a point, Mr. Brea.

[Mr. Breer]

I made up my mind to that after Neil's mother died. Some people think it's cruel, I suppose. But at a time like that, the big problem ain't dying. It's living on.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Brea, after what I've told you, will you request an autopsy?

[Mr. Breer]

No. No, I won't.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you want to be sure why your son died?

[Mr. Breer]

I'm satisfied he had heart trouble. We all knew it.

[Johnny Dollar]

I described a possible poison to you.

[Mr. Breer]

There'd be no way for Neil to get it. Oh, I know about insurance too. I don't like what's behind what you're saying. And I'm not going to take no part in bringing up things that are finished.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you think is behind what I'm saying?

[Mr. Breer]

I know about Neil's new insurance policy. And I know about suicide clauses. You think my son took his own life. And I tell you he didn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're wrong, Mr. Brea. It would be stupid to infer anything like that, not knowing the cause of death. And that's all I want to know. What Major Son die?

[Mr. Breer]

I told you I'm satisfied how he died. He's beyond this world now, and I won't have him brought back.

[Mrs. Breer]

Good evening, Sir.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Hello.

[Johnny Dollar]

Key to room 312, please.

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes, sir. Oh, Mr. Dollar, you've had a couple of calls. The last one just a minute ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, thanks. No name left?

[Mrs. Breer]

No, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who took the calls, please?

[Mrs. Breer]

I did. We don't have a regular phone operator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, this gentleman. What did he say?

[Mrs. Breer]

Why, he asked for you. No. The first time he asked if you were registered here and had me ring your room. Then he called back a minute ago. He seemed awfully upset.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did you ask his name?

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes, but he said. Never mind. I'll call back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Could you tell anything about the voice, like whether it was an old man or a young man?

[Mrs. Breer]

Well, I'd say it was young. Yes, young and almost hysterical.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here. Here's my card and id.

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

When this man calls again, I want you to listen to the conversation.

[Mrs. Breer]

I'll get into trouble.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, you won't. Maybe over a legal matter. I'd like to have a witness. I can't pay for your help because paid witnesses are no good.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Will you help me?

[Mrs. Breer]

You're sure it's all right?

[Johnny Dollar]

It is. That's a promise. Thanks. I'll go right up to my room.

[Unknown Caller]

More music in just a moment.

[Johnny Dollar]

But now I'd like to say this.

[Unknown Caller]

To the young women between the ages 18 to 34. If you've been wondering how you can help out in America's fight for freedom and liberty, investigate the many important jobs now open in the Women's Army Corps. It is again an important part of our team for the fence. Get complete information at your local army recruiting station.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now back to the music.

[Unknown Caller]

Here's a request from a certain party over on Oak street who signed her note. Restless, she wants to dedicate this.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Unknown Caller]

You don't know who this is, Mr. Dollar, but you've got to listen to me. You've got to stop what you're doing and leave town.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why?

[Unknown Caller]

Because there's no reason for you to be here. You're hurting people. You're trying to cause a lot of trouble. That there's no reason for. You've got to stop.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who are you?

[Unknown Caller]

It doesn't make any difference. You've got to stop, that's all. There's no reason for you to be here.

[Johnny Dollar]

The fact that you call like this and won't give me your name makes me wonder if there isn't more reason than I thought.

[Unknown Caller]

You've got to stop. I don't want you to hurt these people. I'm warning you.

[Mr. Breer]

Warning me?

[Unknown Caller]

Yes, I'm warning you. If you don't Stop. You're going to be hurt.

[Mr. Breer]

Hello? Hello?

[Mrs. Breer]

He broke connection, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

That was the same man?

[Mrs. Breer]

Oh, yes, sir, it was.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you heard him warn me?

[Mrs. Breer]

I heard him all right.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, will you get me the home phone number of Coroner Guy Hamill.

[Announcer]

For refreshment while you work. For enjoyment anytime, chew a stick of Wrigley Spearman gum. When your mouth feels dry, when you're warm or tired, Wrigley Spearmint is really refreshing. The lively, full bodied, real mint flavor cools your mouth, moistens your throat, freshens your taste. And the chewing itself gives you a little lift. Helps you feel your best and do your best. So for chewing enjoyment plus pleasant refreshment, chew delicious Wrigley Spearmint gum. And now, with our star, Edmund o', Brien, we bring you the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Unknown Caller]

Yes, $.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Hamill?

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Oh, yes, Come on in. Well, I suppose you feel perky this morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

Better than I felt yesterday afternoon, I can tell you that.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

And I suppose you've got a right. The toxicologist on his way from the state capitol. The body will be ready for him and his helpers when they get here. I hope you understand that I couldn't do anything but what I did.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure I do.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

All I have to go by is the death certificate. But something like that phone call to you comes up and then I can move.

[Johnny Dollar]

I suppose you never thought of it, but your position and that of a big share of the coroners in the country is pretty much the same as the position of the insurance companies. And all they've got to go on is the certificate too. Doctor signs one, the company meets the claim. Nobody will ever know how many poisonings have been chalked off to natural causes. Not because the doctor isn't sincere as a rule, but because he hasn't had the training to rate the responsibility of making the decision.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Well, it's 9:30. Those men from the capital should be here in an hour or less. I guess I'd better see that things are ready for them. The you want to be on hand?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, thanks, Garner. I'll leave my name and number with the clerk. If you'll have them phone me when they're through, huh? I boned up on it enough to know that a metallic poison such as Bismane would leave traces in spite of embalming, where other types would be impossible to detect. I also knew approximately the tests and analyses they would have to make, and I didn't think it would take experts very long.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

It didn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

At 2 o' clock that Afternoon. The results were phoned me.

[Unknown Caller]

Hello? Dr. Richards?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Speaking.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is Johnny Dollar. Doctor.

[Unknown Caller]

Oh. Oh, yes, what is it?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, you should feel proud of yourself, sir. Neil Breer's death was caused by Bismane.

[Unknown Caller]

What's that? An analysis was made. I didn't know anything about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was kept undercover. A man from the state capitol came over. They just finished.

[Unknown Caller]

Well, I. And my instinct to write the letter was sound.

[Johnny Dollar]

Certainly was. And I hope you get the credit you deserve.

[Unknown Caller]

But at least you and I can meet in public. How about dinner tonight?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'd like to, but I can't promise. Actually, this case has just started for me.

[Unknown Caller]

Of course. I should have thought of that.

[Johnny Dollar]

And I'm right back to you for help again.

[Unknown Caller]

Yes, certainly.

[Johnny Dollar]

About the availability of bismine. Where could Bria have gotten a hold of Sam?

[Unknown Caller]

Very small amounts of it are used in the treatment of certain blood disorders. It's not a common drug by any means. I really don't know where a layman would get it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. Well, all right. Thanks, doctor.

[Unknown Caller]

Of course. Good luck. Call me if there's anything I can do.

[Johnny Dollar]

The inquest was not to be held until the following morning. But I asked for and got permission to start my investigation before the formal pronouncement of the jury. We all knew what it would be. Death, self inflicted, afflicted, or by the hand of person or persons unknown.

[Mr. Breer]

The best quality I can find.

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes?

[Mr. Breer]

Yes, Mrs. Kelly. Sam's late to work today, but when he gets here, I'll send it right over. Yes, thank you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello, Mr. Brennan.

[Mr. Breer]

Mr. Dolly. You did it, didn't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry, but at this point, I'm hardly the one to blame, am I?

[Mr. Breer]

I blame you for tearing up our lives again. Twas better before, no matter what. Sometimes ignorance is more merciful than knowing things.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm afraid I can't agree with that.

[Mr. Breer]

Well, don't make no difference. We know. And we'll have to take the things that come with it.

[Johnny Dollar]

You mentioned suicide yesterday, Mr. Brea. Did you have any reason other than being angry with insurance companies and me?

[Mr. Breer]

Not no. Definite one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Nothing.

[Mr. Breer]

He told me.

[Johnny Dollar]

What reason, then?

[Mr. Breer]

You and me weren't very close. Hadn't been for quite a time. I didn't like his marrying that girl the way he did. And he knew it.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean, the way he did?

[Mr. Breer]

Running off her barely the age of consent. And him not much older. I told him they was ashamed to tell their parents because they knew it wasn't decent.

[Johnny Dollar]

Haven't they been happy?

[Mr. Breer]

I'm not sure either way, Neil didn't come home much and he wouldn't tell me anyhow. But his business partner, young Wes Bircher, come to talk to me, asked me what was ailing Neil. Said something was. He was down in the mouth all the time.

[Johnny Dollar]

And on the strength of that, you mentioned suicide to me.

[Mr. Breer]

Well, when I learned you was an insurance man after something and then you talked about poison, that's when I figured you thought it was suicide. On account of that new policy he took out.

[Johnny Dollar]

That isn't very much, is it? All right, Mr. Breher, I'll go down and talk to S. Burchard.

[Wesley Bircher]

Mr. Brer is talking about. Oh, sure. I went out to see him. I dropped by the store and buy a pack of cigarettes once in a while. When did this happen about Neil, anyway? This thing about poison?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just today they exhumed his body and made some tests.

[Wesley Bircher]

Good. I. I just can't believe it. And his dad talking about suicide. Nothing seems to make sense to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you don't think he was depressed about his marriage?

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, not depressed exactly.

[Johnny Dollar]

What then?

[Wesley Bircher]

What I said to his dad was that Neil didn't seem to be interested in anything anymore. We used to go hunting and fishing.

[Unknown Caller]

He loved it.

[Wesley Bircher]

But past year, maybe less. Well, he just lost interest. But I never said had anything to do with his marriage to Paula.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's what Mr. Breda told me.

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, he's wrong. I never talked to him about her, about their marriage, because I know that he was just against it.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you think was wrong with Neil?

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, I don't know now. After he died, I figured it was because he'd been sick. I felt terrible about how hard he worked around here and accepted he never said anything about it. I was half blaming myself. But now with this stuff about poison, I just don't know what to say.

[Johnny Dollar]

You realize how serious this is now? If it wasn't suicide, Wes, it was murder.

[Wesley Bircher]

Yeah, that's right, isn't it? Everything you told me, I just never thought about that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Was there something wrong with Neil's marriage? Well, I know it's tough because to tell me you have to talk about friends that you've known for a long time. But the truth has to come out. I'm not the only one that'll question you, Wes.

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, I. I don't mind talking. I don't think anything I say will mean anything. Everybody will tell you the same thing. There wasn't one person in our graduating class that thought, Paula, Neil should have gotten married.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why?

[Wesley Bircher]

Because it was all so one sided. Neil had chased her all through school and Paula just sort of laughed at him. After they were married, they used to come over and spend the evening with my wife and me.

[Dr. Henry Richards]

And.

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, even then you got the idea that it wasn't quite right. The only time Paul ever got interested was when we got talking about we were in school.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why did they get married, Wes?

[Wesley Bircher]

Well, Paula and everybody knows this. Paula's strong willed. And the guy that she really liked in school had to go to medical college. She didn't want him to go away. And when he told her he had to go, she just got sore. She threw herself at Neil and they ran away and got married.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you think he knew that?

[Wesley Bircher]

Maybe not when he should have. But he must have found out. He never said anything. Like I said, he didn't seem depressed. More like he was always trying to, you know, get her to love him. Gosh, I don't know. Maybe he did do something. Maybe he finally gave up.

[Johnny Dollar]

And who is this other guy? Is he still here in town?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yeah.

[Wesley Bircher]

Yeah, he's here for the summer. He's Al Richards.

[Johnny Dollar]

Alan Richards?

[Dr. Henry Richards]

Yeah.

[Wesley Bircher]

Doc Richards, son. They went together all through school. But she just told him that she wouldn't wait for him if he had to go away.

[Johnny Dollar]

She sounds spoiled, huh? Suppose you tell me what happened here the day Neil died. According to Bircher, nothing unusual had happened that day. They'd opened their place at 7:30. They hadn't worked unusually hard. They'd taken a break at about 9. A Neil Brea had been taken ill about 25 minutes later. And as I'd heard, he was dead not long after that. These people didn't fit into a picture of murder. None of the innocent ones had suspected it for a minute. But it was murder. I didn't have any proof of it when I left the service station, but I thought I had answers to a lot of questions. The solution was pathetically simple. Hello, Mrs. Brer. Afraid I'll have to bother you again.

[Mrs. Breer]

What do you want? Haven't you caused enough trouble?

[Johnny Dollar]

The trouble started before I came here. I. Come in all right.

[Mrs. Breer]

They called me about the inquest.

[Johnny Dollar]

I told you yesterday that it would be easier if you'd help me get one. You didn't. So it had to be done without you. Now that I've learned your husband was murdered there.

[Mrs. Breer]

Neil wasn't murdered.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you know that?

[Mrs. Breer]

I. I know that no one would murder him. There'd be no reason to.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you think he died?

[Mrs. Breer]

I don't know. If this story about poison is true. He must have taken it himself.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why do you think he would have done that?

[Mrs. Breer]

I don't know.

[Johnny Dollar]

I've talked to people. I know more about you and Neil than you think I do.

[Mrs. Breer]

All right. I didn't love him.

[Unknown Caller]

He knew it.

[Mrs. Breer]

I could never love him.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's why he committed suicide.

[Mrs. Breer]

I don't know. You asked me why he would. We weren't happy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why didn't you get a divorce?

[Mrs. Breer]

I wanted. I don't know. We didn't want to. There only certain grounds in this state.

[Johnny Dollar]

You aren't cut out for this part, Mrs. Breer.

[Mrs. Breer]

What part?

[Johnny Dollar]

No quick answers. You're scared stiff.

[Mrs. Breer]

I am not. Why should I be?

[Johnny Dollar]

Didn't you start to say that you wanted a divorce and then you thought better of that?

[Mrs. Breer]

No, I didn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

What you meant is that he wouldn't give you a divorce no matter what you did. Isn't it?

[Mrs. Breer]

No. No, that isn't what I meant.

[Johnny Dollar]

What then?

[Mrs. Breer]

What I said.

[Johnny Dollar]

What about Alan Richards?

[Mrs. Breer]

What about him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Neil wouldn't divorce you and you just had to get away from him. Isn't that right?

[Mrs. Breer]

I don't know what you're saying. Neil's heart. He said he.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why don't you tell me? You married him on impulse. You knew you shouldn't.

[Mrs. Breer]

Have you talked to Alan?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, I have.

[Mrs. Breer]

What did he say?

[Johnny Dollar]

He called me last night to warn me to leave town.

[Mrs. Breer]

No. No. You talked to him today. He told you.

[Johnny Dollar]

You tell me. You're part of it.

[Mrs. Breer]

It's all lost, isn't it? You know, don't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I think I do.

[Mrs. Breer]

We couldn't help it. Al came home for Christmas vacation and it started all over again. I love him. I love him so.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sit down, Mrs. Brea.

[Mrs. Breer]

We couldn't help it. I wanted to get a divorce. Neil wouldn't. It was his fault, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

This was near Christmas.

[Mrs. Breer]

He told me he knew why I married him. And he'd never let me go. He told me I deserved it for doing what I did to him. I begged him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did he know why you wanted to leave him?

[Mrs. Breer]

No. Nobody knew. Everybody forgot about Alan and me. We were careful, but we knew we had to do something.

[Johnny Dollar]

Alan was studying to be a doctor like his father, wasn't he?

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes. It was my fault. I should have waited for him.

[Johnny Dollar]

He decided on the poison?

[Mrs. Breer]

Yes. Oh, yes. It was all going to work. Neil's heart. No one would ever ask a question.

[Wesley Bircher]

You've got.

[Mrs. Breer]

But it was my fault. It was my fault.

[Johnny Dollar]

The rest of it I gave to the police. The fact that the uncommon poison was available to a medical student was administered by way of a vacuum bottle of coffee. After that, I left town. Expense account, item 2. Miscellaneous $86.70. Item 3. Same as item 1. Transportation back to Hartford. Expense account total $556.70. Remarks I hope the company will understand my not going back to Dr. Richards. A doctor in doubt about a death certificate. Calling on the interested insurance company for confidential help is a splendid idea, but in this case, the doctor's son was an accomplice to murder. Yours truly, Johnny Dock.

[Announcer]

Remember, friends, for refreshment while you work. For enjoyment anytime, chew a stick of Wrigley Spearmint Gum. There's lots of lively, real mint flavor in it to cool your mouth, freshen your taste and sweeten your breath. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you fresh and alert. You feel better, work better. Get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. Always keep delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy for refreshment while you work. For enjoyment anytime, chew a stick of Wrigley's Spearmint Gum. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Brought to you by Wrigley Spearmint Gum stars Edmund o' Brien in the title role and is written by Gil Dowd with music by Eddie Dunstetter. Edmund o' Brien can soon be seen starring in the Paramount Pictures production Warpath. Featured in tonight's cast were Ralph Moody, Edgar Barrier, Joe Duvall, Gene Bates, Mary Ship, Tony Barrett and Peter Leeds. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Delvile.

[Mrs. Breer]

Foreign.

[Announcer]

Spearmint Chewing Gum Hope you've enjoyed tonight's story of Johnny Dollar and that you're enjoying delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at the same time when from Hollywood, Edmund o' Brien returns in another adventure of yours truly, Johnny Dallas. Bob Stevenson speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, I really enjoyed this story and this has been one of my favorite o' Brien stories that we've heard in recent years. Weeks we didn't actually get to listen to this one when we were playing the o' Brien episodes originally. This only came into circulation in recent years. We were already into the Bob Bailey era when that happened and so we did some special weeks to play some of these episodes that came into circulation for o' Brien and Lung. One thing I did find curious is them not actually naming the city and making it plan point of that and hoping the insurance company would change the names being listed. Now, I found that curious because when you get into the Bob Bailey era, there's this idea, and this is a key plot point, that Johnny's adventures are broadcast over the radio, which is not something being done during the o' Brien era. There are two things that occur to me. Maybe this was just kind of mentioned as like a wink before it became an ongoing plot point. The other possibility that occurs to me is that a real life case might have been the basis for the story. I'd mentioned how Dragnet had influenced other programs. So I don't think it would be very surprising if they took a sort of story that had happened in another city in real life and told it, but were careful to avoid giving any hints and change some details. Again, it's just a very curious note to have in there. Having Ralph Moody play the corner was an interesting choice, and I kept being unable to think of anything other than his role in the Dragnet special the Big Little Jesus, where he plays Mr. Flavin, the owner of the religious bookshop who told Friday and Smith that they would never find the person who stole the statue of the child Jesus because anyone who did that was a crazy person and they would be where crazy people are. I wonder if I watched and listened to that special a few too many times. It is burned on my memory. So if Ralph Moody is playing this character, telling our hero, no, something can't be done, that's what I'm gonna leap towards.

[Coroner Guy Hamill]

Now.

[Adam Graham]

I do want to go ahead and thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Lee's patreon Supporter since July 2017, currently supporting us at the rookie level of $2 or more month. Thank you so much for your support, Lis. And that will do it for today. Join us back here tomorrow for an episode of Suspense based on an indictment script. And then next Friday we'll be back with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And then next Saturday, we'll be premiering the Silent Men. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter @RA radio detectives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com Radiodetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.