Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Wayward Killer Matter (EP4845)

Summary

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Episode Summary: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – The Wayward Killer Matter"

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Air Date: November 14, 2025
Old Time Radio Episode: July 27, 1958
Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
Main Theme: Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is tasked with protecting a key witness whose life is in danger after witnessing a murder. As the case unfolds, Dollar unravels a complex web of deceit, syndicate connections, and ultimately exposes the real “wayward killer.”

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Episode Overview

This broadcast features a classic episode from the golden era of radio detectives, with freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar diving into the "Wayward Killer Matter." The case revolves around protecting John Welton, a witness to a bookie’s murder, but turns into a tense chase before Dollar unearths the truth behind the attempted hits and the original crime.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Case Introduction & Assignment

• (02:34) Johnny Dollar is contacted by Paul Hemple from Continental Insurance & Trust to protect a client, John Welton, whose life is under threat.

• The police, led by Lieutenant Randy Singer, are involved but skeptical. Johnny brings in his own methods.

  Quote:
  Paul Hemple: "There'll be a nice fee in addition to your expense account. You manage to keep this man Welton alive."
  (03:24)

2. Initial Police Interviews & Understanding the Threat

• (04:42) Dollar meets Singer at the precinct; they discuss Welton’s claim that his life is endangered because of being a witness.

• Welton saw a bookie murdered; the killer has not been found despite Welton’s description.

• The risk is aggravated after a newspaper reveals Welton can identify the murderer, which could attract syndicate attention.

  Quote:
  Johnny Dollar: "That means the possibility of a connection with a syndicate."
  (07:41)

3. Welton Attacked: The Stakes Escalate

• (09:14) When Dollar and Officer Conroy arrive at Welton’s apartment, they find Welton badly injured after an apparent struggle and a fall from his window.

• Witnesses report hearing a violent fight; Welton is hospitalized but survives.

  Quote:
  Officer: "Then all of a sudden, he comes smashing out through the window and lands here on the sidewalk."
  (13:26)

4. Police & Medical Investigations

• Welton’s injuries are deemed less severe than feared, attributed more to shock than serious harm.
• Officers speak with Welton’s neighbors and begin a detailed search of the alley, suspecting the assailant fled that way.

5. Dollar’s Independent Digging & ‘Smokey Joe Sullivan’

• (15:55) Johnny pursues his own leads, contacting his underworld informant Smokey Joe Sullivan for information about gambling syndicates and Welton's debts.

• Smokey reluctantly meets Dollar, despite being spooked by police presence.

  Quote:
  Johnny Dollar: "A man like Smokey’s good to know on occasion."
  (16:22)

6. Discovery of Crucial Evidence

• Police, following a suggestion from Dollar, search storm drains and find the murder weapon tossed near the scene—a .38, but with no prints.
• Dollar cross-references information from an electric company crew, learning that a key streetlight was out during the murder, raising doubts about Welton’s ability to identify the killer.

7. Confrontation and The Case Breakthrough

• Dollar confronts Welton, piecing together inconsistencies, including the unlikelihood that the dog would not raise a ruckus if a stranger attacked.

• Smokey confirms that Welton was deeply in debt to the murdered bookie.

  Quote:
  Johnny Dollar: "How could Welton have seen another man in that alley well enough to make a positive identification?"
  (23:44)

• Dollar accuses Welton of faking both the witness identification and his own attack to deflect suspicion.

8. Confession & Resolution

• Under pressure, Welton admits to killing the bookie, motivated by a $23,000 debt and fear of retribution.

• Dollar wraps up the case, having protected the killer rather than the victim, and reflects wryly on the irony.

  Quote:
  Johnny Dollar: "Too bad you didn't break your neck when you jumped out that window."
  (23:25)
  "He threatened me. He said he'd kill me if I didn't pay him. I had to kill him."
  (23:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny’s Sarcastic Banter with Singer:

  "Well, now, all your handsome lads in uniform have to do is march in the St. Patrick's Day parade, be hand a welcome important foreign dignitary or snitch apples off the fruit stands over on 10th Avenue."
  (08:08)

• Dollar’s Street Savvy and Use of Contacts:

  "A man like Smokey’s good to know on occasion."
  (16:22)

• Clever Deductive Leap:

  "That light’s been out for nearly three weeks. So how could Walton have seen another man in that alley well enough to make a positive identification?"
  (23:44)

• The Final Twist:

  Johnny Dollar: "Of the man who killed that bookie? ...Well, I sure do. And Randy, I’m ashamed of you."
  (22:26)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Assignment Given & Insurance Angle: (02:42)–(03:34)
• Police and Case Review: (04:42)–(09:14)
• Welton’s Apartment Attack: (09:14)–(13:12)
• Welton’s Medical Condition Discussed: (13:24)–(14:41)
• Dollar’s Street Investigation: (15:53)–(19:13)
• Smokey Joe Sullivan Introduction: (16:34), (17:35)–(18:59)
• Evidence Gathering & Interrogation: (20:53)–(24:14)
• Confession & Case Wrap-up: (23:54)–(24:43)

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Host Commentary (Adam Graham, Post-Episode)

• Adam highlights the episode’s strengths: solid use of recurring characters (the debut of Smokey Joe Sullivan), Johnstone’s innovative style, and continuity rare for detective radio shows.
• Compliments Johnny’s motivation to look diligent for his large fee and notes the plot as a deft blend of procedural and suspense.
• Answers listener feedback about related episodes, radio era realism (like bringing guns/lighting up cigarettes on flights), and the enduring relevance of old crimes to modern times.
• Thanks a Patreon supporter and encourages ongoing engagement.

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Final Thoughts

"The Wayward Killer Matter" showcases both the suspense and wit of the Johnny Dollar series. Mysteries are not always what they seem; here, the supposed victim is revealed as the cunning perpetrator. With its sharp dialogue, twisty plot, and slice-of-life glimpses into mid-century city life, the episode serves both as entertainment and a time capsule. Adam Graham’s thoughtful post-episode chat wraps it all up—reminding listeners that the golden age of radio often produced stories as sophisticated and subversive as anything today.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I want to encourage you as you're making your travel plans. Remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link. So part of your purchase price supports the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydoller air.com first. Well, now, from July 27, 1958, here is the wayward killer matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

From Hollywood.

[Police Officer]

It's time now for.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Johnny Dollars, Paul Hemple.

[Paul Hemple]

Johnny, of Continental Insurance Trust.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it's about time, Paul. I began to think you got yourself another board.

[Paul Hemple]

Matter of fact, the company has taken on a couple of staff investigator.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Why the dirty so and so.

[Paul Hemple]

But I managed to convince the brass that you can handle this one.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Which one?

[Paul Hemple]

Protection for one of our clients, Johnny. His name is Y R Wilson. His life is being trapped.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I get it. When there's a chance of somebody getting hurt, you don't want your own men.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

To take any chances.

[Paul Hemple]

Okay, I'll tell Randy Singer it's no go.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Sergeant Randy Singer?

[Paul Hemple]

Well, he's a lieutenant now.

[Johnny Dollar]

18Th Precinct Homicide down in New York. That's right.

[Paul Hemple]

Our Singer has told us that if we send you down there, you cooperate. You send anyone else? No. And a another thing.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What's that?

[Paul Hemple]

There'll be a nice fee in addition to your expense account. You managed to keep this man Wilson alive.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

A How much? $2,000. $3,000.

[Paul Hemple]

2,000?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, well, it's been a long time since I've seen Randy Singer.

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe I ought to run down there and say hello Bob Bailey and the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expensive America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Doll Expense account submitted by special investigators Johnny Dollar to the Continental Insurance and Trust Company home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Wayward Killer.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account item 1622 to New York and taxi from Grand Central Station to 18 precinct headquarters in the East 40s. My old pal, Sergeant Randy Singer. Lieutenant Randy Singer pulled a long space, uh.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Oh, now I know my luck has run out.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hi, Randy. What are you beefing about this side?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

You might as well sit down, I guess.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why don't these insurance companies of York.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Leave us alone, Let us handle things our own way.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

The minute one of their clients gets into a jam, they send somebody like you down to Peter. Johnny, there isn't a thing you can do about this man. Welcome.

[Johnny Dollar]

The company said something about his life being in danger.

[Colonel Palmer]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yeah, that's what he said. Well, is it true? I doubt it. Why should his life be in danger? I don't think it should. Okay, okay. Why does he think his life in danger? Because he was a witness to a shooting, a murder. Where once. You remember reading about the bookie you were still last week over in an alley off of First Avenue. Know anything about bookies? All right, now, did you read about it or didn't?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I read about him. Don't tell me a whole week is gone by and you haven't found a killer.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

We haven't found him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even with a witness to the crime, Ms. John Welton. Oh, Randy, you're slipping.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Except for the description Mr. Welton gave.

[Johnny Dollar]

Us, we haven't a single solitary thing to go on.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No fingerprints? No, no. No clues of any kind. A weapon.38 special make unknown. The same one apparently that was used to slug Mr. Welton.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just what happened, Randy?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, it was Tuesday night last week, Eddie. Yeah. Late at about 2am Welton was taking his dog for a walk. Before going to bed. And he passed this particular alley, saw these two men struggling, heard his shots. So did his dog.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pooch let out a yelp, galloped around.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

In circles, tied up his legs in the leash and down he went.

[Johnny Dollar]

The dog or Welton?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Welton. And don't be funny. Okay, come on. Then a killer came running out of the alley and stumbled over Welton. Welton got a good look at him in the street light. Dog pulled the hunk out of Achilles pants. Killer smashed Welton on the head and took off. The dog kept yowling until the patrolman came around, found him there and found the booking in the alley, dead. And all I want to know is.

[Johnny Dollar]

What you think you can do about it.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No clues, huh? Except Welton's description.

[Johnny Dollar]

You give him a look at the mug book?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yeah, he came up with him.

[Johnny Dollar]

You find a gun?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No, Ballistic said it was a.38 that did the job.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tried looking in the storm drains around there.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Look, why does Walton feel he's in danger? Because some fool reporter wrote it up in Sunday's paper that Welton not only saw the killer, you see, he'd been trying to keep that quiet, but that he could positively identify him. When Welton tied that up with the fact that the victim was a bookie. Yeah, I see.

[Johnny Dollar]

That means the possibility of a connection with a syndicate. Or if he didn't play ball with the syndicate, they decided to knock him off.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, now, Johnny, we don't like to admit that there might be a. Can be just an operation. Oh, more sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

The town's absolutely clean. Well, now, all your handsome lads in uniform have to do is march in the St. Patrick's Day parade, be hand a welcome important foreign dignitary or snitch apples off the fruit stands over on 10th Avenue.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Johnny, the fact remains that I think Walton's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Book making is a racket.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Rackets mean racketeers.

[Johnny Dollar]

And as a mobster who killed that book, he was smart enough to leave you no clue. He's smart enough to shut the mouth of anybody who might be able to identify him permanently. Did he get a guard on Welton?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, he's that the one. And Maverane, where does he live? Over on his fifth and third. Tim Conroy, the man I'm going to send over there, just reported him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then tell Conroy I'm going over there with him.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

But Johnny, what for? What can you possibly do that we haven't done?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, look, Andy, I'm getting such a.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Nice big fat fee on this.

[Johnny Dollar]

I have to at least look like I'm earning him. Oh, Conroy, come in, come in. Who knows, man, maybe I'll even solve a murder. Conroy, get this wise guy out of here with you. $, nice to see you again. Hi, Con. Yeah, you dear old pal, Johnny Dollar. Now, take him with you, take him anywhere, but get him out of here. Yes, sir. He's sorry you're being nasty to me, Randy.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Johnny still help me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, it was pretty obvious Randy hadn't gotten anywhere on the case. And believe it or not, but he was glad I'd come along. But my job was solely to protect Mr. Welton. So in Conroy's trial car, we drove over to the little apartment building on East 53rd. Drove over to find a crowd milling about in front of the place. A crowd that included a couple of New York planets. Come on, Johnny, something's happened to you. Yeah, I started to think what it might be.

[Police Officer]

Wilson McCarthy.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's happening around here?

[Police Officer]

You're a little late, Conroy. What's up? Well, don't you see him laying there?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Who is he, officer?

[Police Officer]

Man named Welton.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

John R. Wood.

[Johnny Dollar]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, here is a message from the National Heart Institute of the Public Health Service.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

It looks like an electronic control board panel banked with meters and switches. It is knee high and 6ft in length, surmounted by what appears to be a cylindrical coil. Its price is comparable to the cost of a new three bedroom home. But in human lives saved and repaired, its value is limitless. This is the heart lung machine. Its development has opened new latitudes in heart surgery. Enclosed heart surgery with a finger or an instrument inside the beating heart, the surgeon must go by seal alone. This closed method has been in use for many years, and for some conditions it is still the method of choice. However, a great many heart conditions cannot be corrected by closed heart surgery. Only with the development of the heart lung machine has correction of many of these conditions become possible. Today, the surgeon can open up the heart, empty it entirely of blood and under direct vision, make unhurried repairs of valves or other defects inside the heart. Exactly what does the heart lung machine do? Its purpose is to function temporarily as a heart pump and to oxygenate the blood and rid it of gaseous waste. In surgery, after the heart has been exposed, plastic tubes from the heart lung machine are inserted into the two great veins that normally carry blood to the heart from the upper and lower parts of the body. Once the hookup is complete, blood vessel for the lungs is then cycled into the machine. Where it is refreshed and returned to the system through another tube inserted into the femoral artery in the groin. Know youw Heart was written and produced by the National Heart Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health of the Public Health Service, United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. and.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, Act Two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Wayward Killer Matter. It looks as though I got there too late. The man for whom I was supposed to act as bodyguard lay sprawled awkwardly on the sidewalk in front of his apartment. Yeah, that's Mr. Wilson all right, Johnny.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Looks like you and your insurance company.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just lost the client. Hey, get this crowd back. He's still breathing. Come on, get him back. All right, get mad, Al.

[Police Officer]

Get back, all of you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Get back in the. Has anybody sent for a doctor?

[Police Officer]

We got one on the way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Dollar, how did happen? Do you know?

[Police Officer]

Well, some kids were playing out here on the sidewalk, a couple of mothers with them. They heard a lot of noise up Mr. Welton's apartment, up there on the second floor.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of.

[Police Officer]

You see up there where the windows broke out of the frame?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yeah, I see.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of noise?

[Police Officer]

Like a big fight, they said.

[Johnny Dollar]

And Mr. Welton yelling for help. He was yelling bloody murder, they said. They hear anybody else? Anything else?

[Police Officer]

No, sir, not even the dog. Then all of a sudden, he comes smashing out through the window and lands here on the sidewalk.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you mended him? Sideways, sir.

[Police Officer]

Wilson went in. Come on, get back. Stay back in that line, will you?

[Johnny Dollar]

He said.

[Police Officer]

Mr. Wel's place is an unholy mess, like a big fight.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any sign of he is sailing?

[Police Officer]

No, sir, but the door of his apartment was flung open.

[Johnny Dollar]

So was the back door leading into a court in the alley. Yes, sir.

[Police Officer]

That's what Wilson told me.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's a fire door that can be.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Opened only from the inside.

[Johnny Dollar]

So it looks like whoever did this to Welton made his getaway through the alley. No doubt about it. Well, all I have to say is I hope this thing lives.

[Police Officer]

We'll soon find out, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Here comes Doc Strader. Doc Strater made a quick inspection, then had us take welcome up to his apartment on the second floor. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt badly.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No blown people.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

All right, boy.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. Your master's gonna be okay.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Just lay yourself down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Quite frankly, Mr. Dollar, I think that.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

It'S shocked more than anything else.

[Johnny Dollar]

After all, thrown out of the window.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Even if he did suffer only a few bruises and confusion. Yeah, Doctor, I'm sure what you mean, cowboy?

[Johnny Dollar]

How Long before I'll be able to talk to him.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, the sedation I've given him should keep him asleep until mid afternoon. After that, you and your chief in question all you want. My chief? Aren't you working under Lieutenant cnn? Yeah, maybe I am.

[Johnny Dollar]

Randy Singer himself came over and took charge. While John Welton slept, he and his men closed off the alley and went over it with a fine tooth comb. Meanwhile, since Welton had all the police protection he could possibly need and then some, I went out and grabbed a final lunch. That's Adam 2:175. Then I took a cab on him three a dollar each into the alley off First Avenue where Welton had witnessed the murder the week before. Just why, I don't know, but I'm sure glad I did. Yeah, because of a crew working on the street lights who came up with some rather interesting information. Tell you what I mean by that. In any event, it led to Adam for a dime for a phone call. You know, a fellow in my business has to have some mothers extreme contact. My call was to one of them.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Who?

[Johnny Dollar]

A man Lieutenant Randy Singer would have.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Known by name at least, would probably.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have liked to get his hands on or more to the point, would like to have had some concrete evidence against or. Well, for a number of things. My contact's name was Smokey Joe Sullivan. Ex counterfeiter, ex bootlegger, burglary suspect, numbers racket. A man who's been picked up on more. More petty charges than you can possibly think of. Yeah, in a city with an underworld the size of New York, a man.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Like Smoky's good to know on occasion. Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is Johnny Dollar.

[Paul Hemple]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

How would you like to pick up.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

A fast hundred bucks?

[Paul Hemple]

Depends. Giant collar, huh?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

That's right.

[Paul Hemple]

How I know?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll be standing in the lobby of the hotel lecture.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Come on over and see for yourself.

[Paul Hemple]

Well, maybe I will, maybe I won't. Any coppers around?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, come on, Smokey, you know me better than that.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yeah, I'll see you in the lobby at the lectern.

[Johnny Dollar]

Item 5, A$10 for taxi over to the lecture where I.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

In an hour, two hours, no sign of smoking.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then suddenly I realized why. There must have been somebody important there in the hotel. For outside of the curb is a police car with a man in the uniform at the wheel. No wonder Smokey hasn't shown. I phoned it out to 3rd Avenue, started around the block. Sure enough, at the first newsstand, a figure that had been hiding behind a newspaper fell in separately.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What took you so Long to spot that copper sitting out front, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now look, Smokey, I asked you if you'd like to pick up a fast seno sit then. Johnny, I need some information.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What kind? Information, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

You been taking any bets from a horse's lately?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Guy has to make honest buff now and then.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you been working through the syndicate?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Darling, you know you don't ask questions like that.

[Johnny Dollar]

But if the information I want is.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

In the books of the kindergarten. You don't want me to play su.

[Johnny Dollar]

Know me better than that.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Okay, ask me questions. Here. 20, 20, 50. You said a few notes to get the rest when you get the dope warming.

[Johnny Dollar]

If there's any to get.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Okay, go ahead, pass me. All right.

[Johnny Dollar]

I want to know how much money, if any and I may be playing the wrong.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Okay, Johnny. If I find out anything good, you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Call me on the phone again maybe.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

3:34 o' clock and smoke you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, it's there is such information he had and you get it. Maybe I'll double that.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Deal. Okay, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

Fact three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Times have changed and so has the man. Thaddeus Lowe, in the year 1861 organized what has been considered the first airborne reconnaissance unit of the United States Army. His craft a balloon which was in constant use during the Battle of Richmond. Making observations every 15 minutes.

[Johnny Dollar]

But because of the balloon's limited maneuverability.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

And extreme vulnerability, military printing and interests soon switched to the heavier than aircraft experiments being conducted by the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Finally, in 1909, the army accepted the.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wright Brothers 42 1/2 mile per hour aircraft.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Contrast this with the faster than sound aircraft. The supersonic speeds of our modern planes. Contrast the skill, the technological know how.

[Johnny Dollar]

Of the modern airman with that of the pioneers. You'll agree, I'm sure that times have.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Changed and so has the man.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Wayward Killer. Matter expensive six ninety five cents for a kill. Cab back to John R. Welton's apartment on each 53rd. Randy Singer's Boys have found no clue to the identity of Welton's sacket. Welton himself is beginning to. Yeah, we'll be able to talk to.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Him any minute now, Johnny. Okay, good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now get down.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Get down boy.

[Police Officer]

Go lay on your pillow.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

Incidentally, we found the gun that was using the murder he witnessed last week.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Oh, where? Like you said, in the storm drain near that alley on First Avenue. No print? No print, Randy.

[Johnny Dollar]

I didn't think there would be.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What time is it 3:51. Why make a phone call? Oh, the phone's right over. Hey, welcome. Coming through. What is this? What goes on here? It's all right, Mr. Walton.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're going to be okay.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Oh, police. That's right. Got a. Thank you. I. I begged you.

[Johnny Dollar]

I. Yeah.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

I'm afraid we got here a little too late.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you're going to be okay. The doc says so.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

That man, the man who attacked me, the same one you talked with the murder.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes. Yes, Smokey, this is Johnny Dollar.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Johnny Dollar? Yeah. What? 23,423.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I got it.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Good boy. What. What did he say?

[Johnny Dollar]

About. I'll meet you at the Lex at 3:60. Amen. Okay, okay. The newspaper, Mr. Butler.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What did you say about.

[Johnny Dollar]

About. Yeah, Johnny, what goes funny. How would you like to make an arrest?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Arrest? That's right, Randy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Of the man who killed that bookie?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, you.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know who he is? Yeah. Well, I sure do. And Randy, I'm ashamed of you.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

What? Come on.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, Weston, Johnny Pup really deserves the credit.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Good boy. Now down, Tom.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny, what under the sun are you talking about? The night of that murder. Welton says the puff shoot a hunk out of the killer's pants.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yes. Yes, he was trying to defend me.

[Johnny Dollar]

You say that killer struck you?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Well, he did.

[Johnny Dollar]

But he made no move to hurt the dog. Well, now, believe me, that doesn't make sense. He would have put a bullet in.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Him even before he struck you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, Mr. Darling, how about this so called fight here in your apartment a couple of hours ago? He was the same man?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

And did the dog attempt to fight him off?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

No, because there was nobody for him to fight.

[Johnny Dollar]

Darling, you think he wouldn't have been heard down in the street if somebody really clobbered you? Well, he. You felt fake this attack on you, Walton, to make it look like the killer was somebody else.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Too bad you didn't break your neck.

[Johnny Dollar]

When you jumped out that window. You don't know what you're talking about. Another thing. This is where you missed a bed, Randy. Yeah, over on First Avenue. I checked with a crew from the electric company. They finally got around to fixing that street light, huh? Yeah, that light's been out for nearly three weeks. So how could Walton have seen another man in that alley? Well enough to make a positive identification. Now, listen, $. Shut up, Walton.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

@ my phone call just now, Randy.

[Johnny Dollar]

Welton was in hot to that bookie.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

He murdered to the tune of 23,000 bucks. He threatened me. He said he'd kill me if I didn't pay him. I had to kill him. If I hadn't killed him. He breaks my heart, Johnny. But thanks.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Walton, up on your feet. Item $765, even for a night on the town. Randy needed some relaxation. Item 8, 200 bucks to smokey Joe Sullivan, expense account, total including a trip Back to Hartford, $315.17. And don't forget that two grand.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

You promise me?

[Johnny Dollar]

After all, Welton's still alive.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

For a while, at least. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story, Virgin. Our cast were Edgar Barrier, Herb Bygren, James McCallion, Paul Dubov, Lawrence Dobkin, John Dana, Bill James and Vic Perrin. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

Sam.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States.

[Police Officer]

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. This is notable for introducing Smokey, another of the great recurring characters John Stone brought to the series and a really good addition to the program. And this is beyond that. Just a case of a killer pressing his luck. Had he just stuck to claiming to be a witness, he probably would have gotten away with it. I also appreciate Johnny's concern about looking like he was doing something to earn his money. You can't have a ton of cases like the Mojave Red Matter and continue to draw top dollar. That pun, by the way, was not intended, but I'm not embarrassed by it. Alright, listener comments and feedback now. And we have a couple of comments regarding the Mojave Red Matter. And we start out on Facebook with Emmett who writes, somehow I don't remember this one. There are a few episodes where Johnny goes fishing, but a two parter? I don't recall when the first part was coming to an end. I thought, wait a minute, this can't be over in five minutes. And to the show's credit, it wasn't a good story. Sometimes takes a while to relate and this is a good story. I do appreciate when shows are willing to stretch their stories to do a second part. And the one thing you have to credit John Stone with is that he didn't have a problem doing things most other shows didn't do, like recurring characters and sequels. There's a continuity in Johnny Dollar that you just don't see in other detective shows. And perhaps that comes from the fact that John Stone cut his teeth as a showrunner on programs like Buck Rogers and Superman. It's definitely a method that was ahead of its time where everything was episodic and self contained. Then we have a comment on Patreon from Gary, who follows up on a comment I made about some of the weirdness of the first part of this. Adam, I couldn't agree more of the weirdness you spoke of. I was thinking the same thing as I was listening to this. Why is Johnny acting all mysterious with people he knows? This is his job and shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. Almost like he suspects someone he knows committing the murder or something. Thought it was kind of annoying. The only justification you can really offer for that is the fact that he did end up suspecting Red. But as I talked about last week, I thought that that was kind of nonsensical. So justifying one nonsensical part of the plot with another? Not something I'd want to do and I guess not quite as severe. The sort of I don't know if you want to call it a rivalry between Johnny and Randy Singer is very different from past portrayals of the character, which is also odd because Randy Singer is a character that Jack Johnstone created. Then we have some comments regarding the blinker matter and John writes, how does Johnny get on airplanes while carrying that heater? I can't imagine a world in which you just breezed onto an airplane without even putting out your cigarette. It really was a different world, John. I don't know what else to tell you. You can sometimes see that world in old films. But yeah, there was a time when the no Smoking sign wasn't permanently lit on airplanes. But things have changed and airport security has gotten tighter and health regulations have changed. I was never on a flight where smoking was allowed, which I am thankful for because me and cigarette smoke don't get along. Although if you do smoke while listening to the podcast, that doesn't affect me at all. But on a plane's another matter. I did fly once before 911 back when I was 20, so I have at least some memory of the before time on that, but not back to the point where you could bring a gun on board. Then we have some comments on YouTube. Ruby said, While I enjoy listening to any Johnny Dollar episodes, Bob Bailey is my favorite. Thanks. And Sanda laughed at the description of Gus. And then listener writes, it would seem a lot of people need to listen to these old time radio shows like Dragnet, Johnny Dollar Tales of the Texas Ranger Philip Marlowe, Dragnet, this is your FBI and Broadway's my beat because all these shows are filled with stories of drug smuggling into the United States through our ports. This is not a new phenomenon. Well, thanks so much. I think of Ecclesiastes, which says that there is nothing new under the sun. And that can certainly be true of many things that you'll encounter during the golden age of radio. And I think on a similar note, I couldn't help but think of how on the Man Called X that while it dealt with some things like the Cold War, which ended at least in the form that it was being fought in the 1950s, there were other issues and problems in parts of the world that were still very much headline news in troubled parts of the world. Now, knowing this history can be helpful. I don't think it can really tell you how to solve the problem, because if it were that easy, it would have been solved decades ago. But it can give you perspective and maybe some humility in realizing that we're dealing with problems that others have tried to deal with for decades and have not been able to. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Lisa, patreon Supporter since October 2021, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Lisa. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. 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 as we turn to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio and Cloak and Dagger Ware.

[Captain Link Daggett]

Hey, Miller. This is Captain Link Daggert, and this is Corporal Barnes of the British army on detached service with the oss.

[Colonel Palmer]

It is a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen. Is it Colonel Palmer, May Barnes and I speak to you alone?

[Lieutenant Randy Singer]

All right, Deagan, I will go out on deck.

[Captain Link Daggett]

Well, Daggett?

[Adam Graham]

Well?

[Colonel Palmer]

Do we have to say it, sir? You must know how we feel about this.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'll say it, Link. Sir, I don't like the idea of.

[Colonel Palmer]

Taking a Jerry with us into Nazi territory. Do we have to do it, Colonel?

[Captain Link Daggett]

You volunteered for this mission, Barnes. You don't have to do anything.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, but Daggers and I can do the job, sir. Without a Jerry.

[Captain Link Daggett]

You can do it faster with him, Corporal. And we've got to start hitting those sub vans as quickly as possible. Miller will Be valuable to you in obtaining information from his former fellow officers.

[Johnny Dollar]

Must have a lot of faith in this Nazi, sir.

[Captain Link Daggett]

He's not a Nazi. He's a German.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is there a difference, sir?

[Captain Link Daggett]

Yes.

[Colonel Palmer]

Even when he was an officer in one of Hitler's pet divisions, Colonel, through.

[Captain Link Daggett]

No choice of his own, Daggett Miller was captured by the British in North Africa two years ago. He's been working as an interpreter for the OSS for 18 months. He's been thoroughly screened. We have faith in his story that he's always been opposed to Hitler.

[Colonel Palmer]

Well, he could have been lying to you, sir. Just waiting for a chance like this. A chance to get back to German territory.

[Captain Link Daggett]

He could have been, but we don't think he was.

[Colonel Palmer]

Yeah, but if he were, sir, Barnes and I are a couple of dead ducks. They'll sell us out the minute we get across the channel.

[Captain Link Daggett]

That's quite true, Daggett, and that's the chance you'll both have to take.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13reatdetectives.com follow us on Twitter radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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