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Adam Graham
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 encourage you to check out our other programs. We have our amazing World of Radio programs. We've recorded a lot of different episodes this year, including our Patreon supporter chosen summer series Top Secret as well as tributes to Jack Webb, Kirk Douglas and Olivia de Havilland. And this week we'll be posting our annual Thanksgiving episode. Check it out at amazing.greatdetectives.net we also have our World War II episod series the War the war.greatdetectives.net and check out the Old Time Radio Superman Show. We are rebuilding the archives for that after a server issue dumped thirds of the series. We've got the last 324 episodes up and several episodes prior to that. So check that out Old Time Radio Superman show and then go to Public Domain Video Theater. Our video version of this podcast at videotheater greatdetect. Now it's time for today's episode of the Fat Man. The Original air date August 26, 1954 and the title is Murder Plays the Horses.
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Brad Runyon
There he goes.
Narrator / Other Characters
Into that drugstore. He's stepping on the scales.
Brad Runyon
Weight 239 pounds.
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Fortune danger. Who is it?
Brad Runyon
The fat man. Batman's bulk can cover a multitude of things such as hard muscles and maybe a soft heart. I go for the first myself. They pay off better. Crime and soft hearts don't mix. But that doesn't mean you can't make a nice gesture once in a while, even in the midst of a considerable amount of murder. And now here, the fat man in
Narrator / Other Characters
murder plays the horses.
Brad Runyon
Colonel BJ Decker's home was one of those old mansions over near the park. You know the kind I mean. Museum on the outside and the morgue on the inside. The Colonel was pretty well known in the racing world and owned a few horses himself. He had a beautiful daughter and a knack for getting into more trouble than a 60 year old playboy should. I'd done a couple of minor jobs for him when some of his chorus girl sweethearts got a little too rough. So I wasn't surprised when he called and said he wanted to see me right away.
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Runyon, come in, come in.
Brad Runyon
Hello, B.J.
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pull up that chair and sit down. Have a martini?
Brad Runyon
No, thanks. Not before the sun goes down.
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Good idea. Good idea. I don't either as a rule, but this business has got me all upset.
Brad Runyon
Who is she this time, BJ A redhead.
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A redhead? Oh. Oh, no. I wish it were as simple as that. Bunyan, this is serious.
Brad Runyon
I didn't think anything was more serious than a redhead. Unless it was a horse.
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It is a horse. In fact, it's more than one horse. And it's also my daughter, Ethel.
Brad Runyon
Your daughter, eh? Okay, start at the beginning.
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Well, it was several weeks ago. One of my horses was running at Pimlico. She was the favorite and should have won in a walk, but she didn't. Coming into the back stretch, she threw a shoe and took a bad fall.
Brad Runyon
A tough break, BJ but it's happened before.
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Well, I know that, of course, but three days later, another one of my horses took sick just before the race. It was something in the feed.
Brad Runyon
Yeah. What next?
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A week later, it was a sure. Game, then. Yesterday afternoon, I got a phone call
Brad Runyon
from one of your horses.
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Oh, stop it, Brad. This is serious. It was a man's voice. He said, if you love your daughter, Ethel, you'll keep Snowflake out of the Kingston Handicap.
Brad Runyon
You didn't tell the police?
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No, no, I had nothing to go on. Kingston Handicap is day after tomorrow, and Snowflake is the favorite. The purse is over $100,000.
Brad Runyon
You didn't recognize the voice on the phone?
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No.
Brad Runyon
And now you're going to scratch Snowflake.
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I'm afraid not to.
Brad Runyon
Okay, B.J. i'll see what I can do.
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Well, here. Here's $50.
Brad Runyon
$50? Who are you trying to kid, B.J.
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oh, I don't mean. That's all I'm gonna pay you. That's just all the cash I have in my pocket.
Brad Runyon
I don't mind a check.
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Well, what's the matter with you anyway, Runyon? I'll pay you whatever you want. You know that. Well, quit acting like a schoolboy and help me.
Brad Runyon
Okay. Any idea who might be behind this business?
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Well, I. I do have.
Brad Runyon
But don't stall. If you know something, tell me.
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Look here, Runyon. I don't want to point suspicion at anybody without being positive.
Brad Runyon
Okay, B.J. it was a nice chat. Obviously.
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Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You've got to help me.
Brad Runyon
All right. Who's behind it?
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Well, I don't like to jump to conclusions. I think I know. But I like the boy, and he does a good job.
Brad Runyon
He works for you?
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Yes. He's Eddie Burns. A jock. Attaboy, eddie. Attaboy. Let him out. Let him out. Come on, eddie. Come on.
Brad Runyon
Nice horse.
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Nice. Who you try to kid, mister? That Snowflake?
Brad Runyon
Yeah. Good horse, eh?
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There ain't no better.
Brad Runyon
Who's the exercise boy?
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Exercise boy? Are you kidding? You ain't been around much, have you, mister? That's Eddie Burns, the best jockey in the business.
Brad Runyon
Oh, Eddie Kearns.
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Not Kearns. Burns. Oh, brother, You're a real square, aren't you?
Brad Runyon
Not if you're observant. You a jockey?
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No, not yet. I work them out. They give me the plugs, but I'm learning fast. Neddy's talking me up. I'll get a break pretty soon.
Brad Runyon
What's your name?
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Pete.
Brad Runyon
Okay, Pete. I see that tall, thin fellow leaning against the rail over there.
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Yeah, what about him?
Brad Runyon
Who is he?
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I don't know. I seen him talking to Eddie a little while ago. I guess it's some pal of his.
Brad Runyon
See you later. I want to talk to Eddie's pal. I thought I smelled something besides horses around here, Deacon. It couldn't be a fat detective, could it? It might be a tin horn gambler.
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I knew a fellow once who had a wonderful nose. It was so good he just had
Brad Runyon
to go around using it all the time. But he had an accident. What a shame.
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Yes, wasn't it? They found him in an alley without his nose. No.
Brad Runyon
Any more bedtime stories, Deacon?
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Yes, lots of them.
Brad Runyon
Tell me one about a jockey. A jockey? Yeah, a jockey named Eddie Burns.
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You know, it's a curious thing, but I don't know any Eddie Burns stories.
Brad Runyon
How about the Sweet Bears? Let's skip that. I'd almost bet you knew at least one Eddie Burns story. You'd make more betting on a horse.
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Okay, Deacon, let's go.
Brad Runyon
I got a low sneed. Remember me? What's this two bit dick doing here, huh? He's being too inquisitive.
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Oh, that's not so healthy, fat man.
Brad Runyon
You know, Deacon, you ought to be more careful in thinking friends. Somebody might get the wrong idea. Why? Come on, let's go. Better brush up on your whole stories, Deacon.
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Take him, Pete. Okay, Eddie. Boy, oh boy, he's really looking good, ain't he? Like a dream. Feeling good, aren't you, boy? I say, we're gonna take that Kingston handicapped like candy from a baby, boy. Hold it here, Pete. Take him round again. Take it easy.
Brad Runyon
Just.
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Just cool him off. Okay, Eddie. Give me a leg up.
Brad Runyon
I hear there's a big purse in the Kingston Handicap. Eddie.
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Here.
Brad Runyon
Think you'll win it?
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Maybe. What's it to you?
Brad Runyon
Some funny things have been happening to Colonel Decker's horses lately.
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Okay, mister, what's on your mind? Top straight.
Brad Runyon
Somebody might think you're behind it.
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Some funny things have been happening all right, but I'm not behind it.
Brad Runyon
Somebody called the Colonel yesterday and threatened his daughter Ethel if Snowflake ran on the Kingston Handicap. Know anything about it?
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Me?
Brad Runyon
That's right.
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Why?
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I wouldn't threaten Ethel.
Brad Runyon
Why not?
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Because we're getting married right after the big race.
Brad Runyon
Eddie's crack slowed me up a bit. While I was figuring my next approach, Eddie turned quickly and headed for the stables. I wanted to straighten this angle out, so I drove back to town, had me a breakfast and hustled over to see Colonel Decker. It was still only 10 o', clock, but the Colonel was up and threw breakfast when I called. Now let me get this straight, B.J. you said it was your jockey, Eddie Burns, who phoned you and threatened Ethel Edwards.
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Eddie, I tell you.
Brad Runyon
But he says he loves Ethel, and they're getting married the day after the race.
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Why, that's ridiculous. Eddie. Marry Ethel? Oh, well, I might have known it.
Brad Runyon
Now, stop. If you want me to help you and protect your daughter, you've got to come clean, or I quit right now.
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All right, Runyon, I'll tell you the whole truth.
Brad Runyon
It's about time.
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I was foolish, perhaps, but, well, it looked like a sure thing, and I couldn't resist the temptation.
Brad Runyon
What are you talking about?
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A few weeks ago, two gentlemen that I know got in touch with me. I had some money. They wanted to bet on a long shot, and they wanted to spread it around without too much suspicion. So they asked me to bet $25,000 for them.
Brad Runyon
Who were these gentlemen?
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Two men named Deacon and Sneed.
Brad Runyon
And you took the money but didn't place the bet?
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That's right. It was a seven to one shot. I didn't think the horse had a chance, so I decided to take the bet myself.
Brad Runyon
But the horse won. So you owed them $175,000?
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Yes.
Brad Runyon
Go on.
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When I told them I couldn't pay, that they'd have to wait, they threatened me. I told them I could pay after the Kingston Handicap if Snowflake won. But that wasn't good enough. They wanted collateral. The only thing I had to give them was the deed to a gold mine I own.
Brad Runyon
Which is worth more than the money you lost.
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Exactly. Now you see why I've got to win the Kingston Handicap tomorrow.
Brad Runyon
Yeah. Why didn't you tell me the truth to start with? Why all the business about Eddie Burns?
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But Eddie is mixed up in it. They're trying to keep Snowflake out of the race, and they've gotten to Eddie, bought him up. Excuse me.
Brad Runyon
Hello?
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Colonel Decker? Yes, speaking. This is Lieutenant MacKenzie of Police Headquarters. We're at the stables right now, but can you meet us at headquarters in an hour? Why, yes. Yes, of course. But what's the trouble is Snowflake. Snowflake's all right, but there's a guy named Snead. That isn't what happened. We found him on one of your empty stalls with a bullet in his head.
Brad Runyon
The colonel told me about the phone conversation and said that the police figured that Sneed had been murdered around 8 that morning, right after I had seen him. By the way, we killed a little time over a cup of coffee. Then I drove the colonel down to headquarters, where, after a few questions, he was sent home. I was just about to leave when they brought in Sneed's pal, the Deacon. A low beacon. Got a good one on the 4th tomorrow. What are you doing here, fat man? Too bad about your pal Sneed. Yes, very unfortunate. Your mourning is very touching. He was a nice guy, and I liked him. He was old enough to know what he was doing. Took his chances like everyone else. But he drew the wrong card. Have you got any idea who might have been gunning for him, Lieutenant? Why don't you ask Runyon here? Perhaps he knows. What do you mean by that crack? I mean that.
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Wait a minute.
Brad Runyon
Lieutenant McKenzie. What? Okay. Hold the Deacon till his lawyer springs him. Okay, sir.
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You want to come along, Brad?
Brad Runyon
What's up, Mac? Colonel Decker's stables are on fire. When MacKenzie and I arrived at the track, Decca Stables were a smoldering mass of ruins. The intense heat had prevented every attempt to save the horses. And Colonel Decker angrily declared, eddie Burns
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is behind all this. Runyon, they didn't want my horse, Snowflake, to run. They wanted to ruin me. Enough. But, Dad. I know Eddie didn't have anything to do with this. You keep out of this. But, dad. Apple, are you all right? Eddie, where have you been? Oh, I just heard about the fire. Oh, Mr. Runyon, I've got something important to tell you.
Brad Runyon
What are you doing with that gun, Eddie?
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Well, that's what I wanted to tell you. I found it down near the Madison Stables.
Brad Runyon
Let me have it. It's been fired, Eddie.
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You see, Runyan, I told you.
Brad Runyon
Just a second, Colonel. Just a second. Where were you this morning, Ms. Decker?
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I went out riding with. Why? I went alone.
Brad Runyon
Now, look here, Runyon, you. Surely, Ms. Decker, I'd advise you to keep close to your home for a while. As for you, Eddie, I'm gonna turn you over to the police to answer a few questions.
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There's no question about his guilt. He murdered Sneed and started the fire that killed Snowflake. Snowflake's all right. What? He wasn't in the stable.
Brad Runyon
Where is he?
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He's down in the Madison stables. I was worried about him, so I took him down there. After this morning's workout.
Brad Runyon
Good. Don't say anything to anybody. If we can keep it out of the papers, it may save a lot more trouble.
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Sam,
Brad Runyon
the murderer on the loose. I stayed close to the Decker family. The next noontime, the day of the big race, I told the colonel I'd drive him out to the track. Eddie Burns was in police custody. And Pete, the young stable boy, was assigned to ride Snowflake with the Deacon free? Because of lack of evidence. The Colonel didn't object to my companionship. Until he found out where I was taking him. You know, Colonel, there are a couple of things that don't make sense. What? Why Sneed was murdered, for instance.
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That's simple.
Brad Runyon
Is it?
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Of course the Deacon killed him.
Brad Runyon
The Deacon may be a crooked gambler, but he's no fool. Besides, there are some others with equally good motives. Oh? Eddie Burns, for instance. Eddie? And there's somebody else.
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Who?
Brad Runyon
You.
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Why? What? What do you mean?
Brad Runyon
You owed Snead and Deacon money. They wanted the mine instead. So if you lost the race today,
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Runyon, you're forgetting the fire. In just a minute. Turn around, Runyon. It's almost time for the race.
Brad Runyon
We're not going to the track, Kendall. We're going to listen to the race on the radio.
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What do you mean? What are you trying to do?
Brad Runyon
Save your life, maybe.
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I told you, Runyon, I want to be at the track. Whose house is this?
Brad Runyon
A friend of mine. Come in and relax. Come on, Colonel. Sit down and be comfortable. I'll turn on the radio.
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I won't sit down.
Brad Runyon
Have it your way. But you're not leaving. Don't worry about Pete. I think he knows how to handle Snowflake.
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Weather is fair. It's rack fast. The horses are on the way to the starting gate. Right beneath me are the boxes reserved for the owners. There's Mr. And Mrs. Dudley Fletcher, owners of Breakaway and Bill Donovan, who owns Fan Fan. One of the boxes is obviously empty. It belongs to Colonel BJ Decker, owner of the favorite, Snowflake. Rumors have been flying around here all afternoon as to whether or not Snowflake would run. But up to now, Snowflake has not been scratched. After the terrific fire yesterday, it was doubtful. But I understand Snowflake was not injured. You'll pay for this one, Yan. The horses have reached the starting gate now and are being let in. Snowflake goes in easily, despite the fact that Eddie Burns, regular jockey, is not aboard. Fantan is giving his jockey a lot of trouble. He's on the inside now they're all. Fantan backs out and now he's coming back. The others are all set. Antan is in, except now we shouldn't
Brad Runyon
have any difficulty in.
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And they're up. Breakaway comes out of there first, followed by Yellowtail and Fan Tan. Buzzboy is fourth, and Snowflake, the favorite, is fifth. Breakaway opens up a length lead as they go into the first turn. He's Showing lots of early speed with Snowflake trying for the rail to save ground. It's Breakaway, Fan Tan and Snowflake as they go down the back stretch. Yellowtail is falling off the pace and Buzzboy fades as they go into the far turn. It still Break away on top by a length. And Snowflake makes his move. He's up on Pan Tan and pulling away. Snowflake is coming up fast. They're making the turn into the home stretch now Snowflake is bearing down on Breakaway. It's an eighth of a mile to go, and Snowflake has caught Breakaway. They're neck and neck. It's a stretch duel. Both boys go to the whip. And Snowflake goes into the lead. He's going to win. But something's wrong. The jockey on Snowflake has collapsed in the saddle. A great Breakaway takes the lead. The jockey is falling.
Brad Runyon
Yeah, he.
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He's falling.
Brad Runyon
There he goes.
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He's fallen off Snowflake. And Breakaway opens up a lead of a
Brad Runyon
idea. What happened? It's your fault, Runyan.
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If I'd been at the track, this would never have happened.
Brad Runyon
Runyon, the window. He got away before I could see him.
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Who was it?
Brad Runyon
B.j. could you see him? Try, b.j. try. Who was at the window?
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It was eddie.
Brad Runyon
Operator. Operator, give me police headquarters. Get me Lieutenant MacKenzie.
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Hello, MacKenzie speaking.
Brad Runyon
Mac, this is Runyon. Colonel Decker has just been murdered.
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Murdered?
Brad Runyon
Who did it? Why did you let the jockey go, Max?
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What are you talking about, Eddie? Birds are still locked in a cell here at Headquart.
Brad Runyon
After the police routine was over, I decided to look in on the Deacon. So I drove down to Times Square, parked after quite a search, and went up to the Deacon's hotel room.
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Who is it?
Brad Runyon
Battle Bike.
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What do you want?
Brad Runyon
Massive.
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What the.
Brad Runyon
Why Run You? Yeah.
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What's the idea of saying you're a bellboy?
Brad Runyon
I wasn't sure you'd want to see any visitors, Deacon.
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Why not?
Brad Runyon
I've got the hide. I'm not so sure about that.
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Uh. Oh.
Brad Runyon
Packing.
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Huh?
Brad Runyon
Going someplace? Yes, I am.
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I don't like this hotel.
Brad Runyon
Why? They aren't particular enough who they let in. Deacon, How'd you cut your finger? Opening a can of soup. Why? Somebody smashed a window this afternoon. Window? I don't understand. You will. Somebody stuck a gun through it. That is a good story. Yeah, I've got another one, too. Somebody doped a jockey named Pete and he fell off a horse named Snowflake just when he had the race and the bag.
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Snowflake But Snowflake. Snowflake is dead.
Brad Runyon
He couldn't run. It's a good act, Deacon, but it won't work with the fire.
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I thought he was.
Brad Runyon
You mean that's what you hoped. But Burns took the horse out before the fire. Someone started that fire for you, didn't they, Deacon? No, Runyon, so help me. I didn't. I swear I didn't. It's no good, Deacon. I really thought Snowflake was dead. Then you weren't at the races, were you?
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No.
Brad Runyon
Why not? I'll tell you. Because you followed Decker and me and shot him through the window. Right? That finishes the story.
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Run.
Brad Runyon
You don't reach for your gun, Deacon, or I'll put a period to the story. Oh, I can't figure you out, Brad. What's the idea of bringing me out here to the racetrack so early in the morning? Is somebody here? I want to see Mac. Oh, I'll show you in just a minute. But, Brad, it's an open and shut case. You said so yourself. It is, but not the way you think. But if Eddie Burns kills Snead and Deacon killed the Colonel, what else is there? Quiet, copper. Let me do the talking. Oh, okay. But I hope you know what you're doing. I do. There they are, over by the rail. Why, that's Colonel Decker's daughter and the kid. Pete. Yeah. Now, remember what I said.
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Don't you worry now, mister. I'll take good care of him. Good morning, Mr. Runyon. What are you doing out here?
Brad Runyon
I wanted to see you. The police are freeing Eddie.
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Oh, thank heavens. Thank heavens. I knew Eddie wasn't a murderer. I knew he wouldn't.
Brad Runyon
And you can get married right away.
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I knew Eddie wasn't guilty.
Brad Runyon
That's right, Beef. But, Runyon, what are you talking. You'd better take Ms. Decker home so she can welcome Eddie.
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Yes.
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Yes. Oh, thank you, Mr. Runyon. Thank you. Come on, Pete.
Brad Runyon
What's the matter with you, Brad? You've lost your mind. What's the idea telling that girl that Eddie Burns was gonna be let out of prison? Listen, Mac, for once in your life, you're going to forget that you're a cop. You're going to tell a little white lie, huh? It won't hurt anybody, and it'll make somebody else happy. What do you mean? Deacon murdered the Colonel. But as far as you and I are concerned, he killed Sneed, too. And don't forget, Mac, you can only electrocute a man once. Brad, you don't know what you're saying.
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That's letting the real murderer get away.
Brad Runyon
You can't get the real murderer.
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Why not?
Brad Runyon
Because he's dead. Dead? Yeah. Mac, Surprise, surprise. Colonel Decker murdered Sneed Decker. Sure, it all fits in.
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But.
Brad Runyon
But I don't get it. The Colonel stalled me on my feed. That made me suspicious, so I looked into his financial affairs. So I found out the mine Decker gave Sneed and Deacones collateral was worthless and Decca knew it.
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Ah, then he didn't really want Snowflake
Brad Runyon
to win the Kingston Right. It was a sort of double double cross. Sneed and Deacon didn't want Snowflake to win either because they thought the mine was worth a fortune and they wanted it instead of the money that Kern load them. Decker realized he had a chance to kill three birds with one stone. Great. He wanted to keep Eddie from marrying Ethel, so he decided to frame him. Make it look as if the gamblers had bought him. Ah, then the Colonel Monkey built his
Narrator / Other Characters
own horses to throw suspicion on Burns.
Brad Runyon
And he was behind all the other funny business of the track. Yeah, he saw a chance to clear his debt with a worthless mine by burning the horses and collecting the insurance. Decca was literally broke. But why did he kill Sleep? Sneed learned the truth about the mine too soon, so the Colonel had to kill him. Deacon found it out from Sneed. That's why he killed the Colonel. Ah, so that's it. Yeah, the Colonel's dead and his daughter doesn't have to know what a louse her old man really was. You know, I never suspected you of being soft hearted. Well, a soft heart spitting a soft head. If you don't overdo it, maybe. Hey, by the way, Brad, you know any good horses for tomorrow? Yeah, I got a couple of fillies in my little black book. Well, that's that. It seems I spend my life in getting into trouble and getting out of it. But at the same time I generally manage to get some other people in and out of trouble too. Be seeing you again. So long.
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free to play social casino void where prohibited.
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Visit spinquest.com for more details. Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better too.
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Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Adam Graham
Welcome back. Well, I think that this was a nice gesture, protecting the memory of a skunk of a client for sake of the daughter as she was going to get married. Of course, it operates on this assumption that courts will always punish one murderer as much as they will too. Though if we've listened to programs, you know, such as Dragnet, you do see that some people commit murder and just ended up going to prison. In this case, because he was a known criminal who shot someone down in cold blood, I think that the death penalty probably would be likely either way. Now, Brad Runyon, the Fat man does act in this episode like he's generally hard. No nonsense, take no prisoners. The surviving American version show that he, you know, even though he can be as tough as he needs to be, he definitely does have a heart. And there are a lot of compassionate gestures that we'll hear in this Australian version as well, remembering that these were based on scripts from the American series. Alright, I want to go ahead and thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Jasmina patreon, Supporter since January 2016, currently supporting us at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support. Well, that will do it for today. Join us back here tomorrow for the Man Called X and we'll be back next Tuesday with another episode of the Fat Man. In the meantime, send your comments to box13atives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com Radiodetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
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Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Original Airdate: August 26, 1954
Podcast Host: Adam Graham
Featured Detective: Brad Runyon ("The Fat Man")
Episode Date: March 28, 2025 (podcast release)
This engaging episode presents a classic "Fat Man" case, as Detective Brad Runyon navigates the perilous intersection of horse racing, blackmail, and murder. The story, rooted in both the world of high-stakes racing and familial loyalty, intertwines the fates of a desperate horse owner, a loyal daughter, a possibly crooked jockey, and shifty gamblers. Runyon must untangle lies, misdirected blame, and a string of violent acts to expose the true villain and protect the innocent. Hosted and contextualized by Adam Graham, this episode is part of the series’ look at both U.S. and Australian productions featuring The Fat Man.
On cynicism and compassion:
Revealing the double-cross:
Runyon’s gesture of kindness:
The iconic closing:
This “Fat Man” mystery stands out for its blend of racing intrigue, misdirection, and Runyon’s signature hardboiled wisdom mixed with unexpected tenderness. Through layered plotting and a cast of colorful noir characters, murder is played not just at the horses, but around money, love, loyalty, and the lengths to which people will go when their backs are against the wall.
For fans of classic detective tales, this episode delivers all the suspense, twists, and character nuance the "Fat Man" series is known for, wrapped up with a wry, generous heart.