Night Beat and Luke Slaughter

Summary

The Relic Radio Show: "Night Beat and Luke Slaughter" Episode Summary

Release Date: March 4, 2025

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I. Night Beat: The Mysterious Gunshot

Overview: The "Night Beat" segment introduces us to Randy Stone, a dedicated reporter for the Chicago Star, portrayed by Frank Lovejoy. The episode delves into a gripping mystery surrounding a gunshot wound inflicted upon Dr. Jerry Karn, unraveling complex relationships and hidden motives within a hospital setting.

Key Plot Points:

1. Initial Investigation ([00:49] - [05:16]):

   • Randy Stone begins his day seeking a story but instead stumbles upon two familiar doctors, Dr. Reynolds and Herb, discussing a patient, Jerry Karn, who has suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
   • Randy Stone: "Don't talk to me about love. Give me a good, healthy hate every time. It's clean cut. It's something a guy can handle. But love? Uh, it's too dangerous." ([01:20])

2. Unveiling Suspicions ([05:27] - [10:29]):

   • Dr. Reynolds reveals reluctance to operate on Karn, citing personal reasons, which raises Randy's suspicions.
   • Herb: "He must have swallowed the gun." ([02:56])
   • Randy Stone: "A man, a doctor, he's got the power to save a life and he takes a vacation." ([05:15])

3. Encounter with Sergeant Kalski ([05:57] - [10:56]):

   • Randy meets Sergeant Kalski, who provides additional insights into the case, hinting at deeper connections.
   • Diane Reynolds (Dr. Reynolds' daughter) confronts Randy, revealing emotional turmoil and the motive behind the shooting.
   • Diane Reynolds: "I thought I... She's too mixed up to think." ([07:58])

4. Confrontation and Revelation ([14:01] - [27:20]):

   • Randy confronts Dr. Reynolds at his home, uncovering the strained father-daughter relationship and Dr. Reynolds' moral dilemma.
   • A pivotal scene in the operating room showcases Dr. Reynolds performing surgery on Karn while grappling with guilt and vengeance.
   • Dr. Reynolds: "Every once in a while we have to live with it, don't we?" ([18:34])
   • Randy Stone: "I'm a newspaper man, Dr. Reynolds." ([17:23])

5. Climactic Resolution ([22:16] - [27:20]):

   • Tensions escalate as Dr. Reynolds faces off with Sergeant Kalski and Diane Reynolds, ultimately saving Karn's life while confronting his own actions.
   • Diane Reynolds: "My own father." ([26:32])
   • Randy Stone: "Sweet dreams tonight." ([26:50])

Notable Insights: The narrative explores themes of professional duty versus personal emotions, the complexities of familial relationships, and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in positions of power. Dr. Reynolds embodies the struggle between his role as a healer and his personal vendetta, culminating in a profound moral conflict.

Notable Quotes:

• Randy Stone ([01:20]): "Don't talk to me about love. Give me a good, healthy hate every time."
• Diane Reynolds ([07:02]): "I want to hurt somebody."
• Dr. Reynolds ([18:34]): "Every once in a while we have to live with it, don't we?"

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II. Luke Slaughter: Showdown in Tombstone

Overview: Transitioning to the western genre, the "Luke Slaughter" segment presents a tale of vengeance and justice in the rugged town of Tombstone. Luke Slaughter, a formidable cattleman, becomes entangled in a deadly confrontation with Dr. Wright, uncovering buried secrets and old grudges.

Key Plot Points:

1. Business Deal Gone Wrong ([30:04] - [33:58]):

   • Luke Slaughter negotiates the purchase of Aaron Holcomb's cattle spread, revealing tensions between old acquaintances.
   • Luke Slaughter: "There's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from me." ([30:19])
   • Sergeant Kalski: "If Mr. Slaughter won't take the place off your hands, who will?" ([33:21])

2. Mysterious Assault ([36:06] - [41:15]):

   • Sarah Holcomb is brutally attacked, leading to suspicions about her assailants, identified as Thad and Harv Jenks.
   • Sergeant Kalski: "There was two of them. I think I heard one of them call the other Thad." ([42:55])
   • Diane Reynolds: "Thad Jinx, boys." ([43:47])

3. Confrontation with Dr. Wright ([43:24] - [51:55]):

   • A heated showdown ensues between Luke Slaughter and Dr. Wright, who reveals a personal vendetta against Luke's family.
   • Dr. Wright: "I'm the fellow who killed your pappy." ([47:56])
   • Luke Slaughter: "This is a job for the law, Aaron." ([44:13])

4. Final Duel and Resolution ([51:54] - [52:10]):

   • The tension culminates in Dr. Wright's lethal actions against Harv Jenks, leading to a symbolic closure of old feuds.
   • Dr. Wright: "If I have to kill you to get them, then I'll have to." ([47:54])
   • Luke Slaughter: "Aaron, you've had your revenge." ([51:10])

Notable Insights: This segment delves into the enduring nature of vengeance and the cyclical pattern of violence within tight-knit communities. Dr. Wright's transformation from a peaceful surgeon to a vengeful gunman underscores the destructive power of unresolved grudges and the personal cost of past conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• Luke Slaughter ([30:19]): "There's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from me."
• Dr. Wright ([43:47]): "Thad Jinx, boys."
• Luke Slaughter ([44:13]): "This is a job for the law, Aaron."
• Dr. Wright ([47:54]): "If I have to kill you to get them, then I'll have to."

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III. Interwoven Themes and Conclusions

Both "Night Beat" and "Luke Slaughter" explore themes of justice, revenge, and the moral complexities faced by individuals in critical moments. Randy Stone and Luke Slaughter, as protagonists, represent the quest for truth and lawful resolution, respectively, while Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Wright embody the internal conflicts that arise from personal vendettas and ethical dilemmas.

Final Reflections: The episode masterfully intertwines urban noir with classic western motifs, highlighting how timeless human emotions and conflicts transcend genre boundaries. Through intense character interactions and suspenseful plot developments, the stories underscore the fragile balance between duty and desire, ultimately questioning the cost of vengeance and the true meaning of justice.

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Episode Contributors:

• Produced and Directed by: Warren Lewis
• Script Writers: Richard Allen Simmons, Norman Jacob, Sanford Wolf
• Music: Frank Wirth, Wilbur Hatch
• Cast:
  • Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone
  • Ted Von Eltz as Dr. Reynolds
  • Joan Banks as Lorraine Karn
  • Betty Moran as Diane Reynolds
  • Jonathan Hole, Jack Lloyd, John Stevenson, and others in supporting roles.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the intricate narratives and profound themes presented in "Night Beat and Luke Slaughter," offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the episode's engaging content.

Transcript

[Host]

This is the relic radio show. Old time radio entertainment. Still standing the test of time from relicradio.com. this is the Relic Radio Show. 60 minutes of radio drama every Tuesday at relicradio.com we'll begin with the doctor's daughter from nightbeat. The this week that story aired October 27, 1950. After that, it's Luke's slaughter of Tombstone and the Aaron Holcomb story. That episode aired March 30, 1958.

[Randy Stone]

Hi, this is Randy Stone. I cover the night beat for the Chicago Star. Stories start in many different ways. This one began and ended inside a man's brain. Six inches inside.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Nightbeat. Starring Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone.

[Randy Stone]

Don't talk to me about love. Give me a good, healthy hate every time. It's clean cut. It's something a guy can handle. But love? Uh, it's too dangerous. It's like rich, sweeter flowers grow there. But sometimes a monstrosity can grow there, too. You take the love of a girl for a sweetheart, of a father for his daughter, or a wife for a husband.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Beautiful.

[Randy Stone]

Touching. Inspiring. Yep. But not tonight. I got up early today because I wanted to see what the afternoon sun felt like. You know what I mean? If you've ever worked the nightside. The sun felt good, but it felt lonely. So I dropped into the reporter's room at the receiving hospital to see if I could find a poker game. I couldn't even find a reporter. They were all out chasing a local fire. So I called it a blank. And I was just leaving. I spotted a couple of familiar faces through the open door of the examination room.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Hey, Runby.

[Randy Stone]

There are a couple of young doctors I knew as Ed and Herb. There was a third person in the room lying on the examination table.

[Herb]

Come on in, Randy.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, sure. Hi.

[Herb]

Want to hear troubles? Get a load of Eddie.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Can you believe it? Dinner and the theater. Not just dinner, not just the theater. Both. And she gives me that dodge about I just have to get up early for work tomorrow.

[Herb]

So next time you'll ask questions first and then spend money. What are you doing around here, Randy?

[Randy Stone]

Listening to people's troubles?

[Herb]

Yeah, this guy on the table, he's got troubles.

[Randy Stone]

Are you a patient?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yeah. Yeah, he's our patient. Temporarily.

[Randy Stone]

What happened?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Gunshot wound right through the head. Zoe.

[Randy Stone]

Suicide?

[Herb]

Well, if it was, he must have swallowed the gun.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Lorraine. Lorraine. Doctor. You'll be all right. We're doctors. He'll be all right. Randy, maybe we better talk over here.

[Randy Stone]

That. That man is sick. How can you guys talk this way?

[Herb]

In here, nothing bothers us. Not much.

[Dr. Reynolds]

He's delirious, Randy. Doesn't make any difference. Not to him.

[Randy Stone]

You get pretty tough, don't you?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Don't let us kid you.

[Randy Stone]

Is he gonna die?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Maybe.

[Randy Stone]

I don't know.

[Dr. Reynolds]

We've done what we can. Maybe Reynolds can save him.

[Randy Stone]

Reynolds or the doctor.

[Herb]

Brain surgeon. The best. We got a call in for him.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, that guy give you the crepes? Who shot him?

[Herb]

Who knows who shot him? Maybe you want a story. I'll tell you what I know. His name's Jerry Carne. He had a nice apartment. Now there's blood on the rug. Identification card says notify Mrs. Lorraine Karn in case of emergency. So I guess she's his wife. He's been shot in the head and the bullet's still in there. Want me to get technical?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Hello? Yes, Dr. Reynolds. This is Dr. Boyne at the Receiving Hospital. We have a case. A gunshot head wound. Dr. Reynolds, we want to know.

[Lorraine Karn]

No, don't want.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'm sorry, Dr. Reynolds, I can't talk here. Will you hold on just a minute, please? I'll take the call on another phone. I'll be right back.

[Randy Stone]

Herb.

[Herb]

No, don't let him.

[Randy Stone]

It sounds like he knows this Dr. Reynolds. Yeah, why not?

[Herb]

Well, maybe he does. Don't ask me. Reynolds don't want him.

[Randy Stone]

Jerry, huh? He's a fine doctor, you know.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Please.

[Randy Stone]

Who shot you, Jerry?

[Herb]

He's not really conscious. Better let him rest.

[Randy Stone]

Randy, has his wife been informed?

[Herb]

I don't know. She lives at a different address.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Guess they separate. Herb. Randy.

[Herb]

Is Reynolds taking the case?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, Dr. Reynolds is not taking the case.

[Randy Stone]

He isn't? Why not?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Dr. Reynolds is taking a vacation. Dr. Reynolds severed all contact with the sick and the lame. As of today, Dr. Reynolds must go get his back sunburned on that French Riviera.

[Randy Stone]

So what happens to Jerry Khan?

[Dr. Reynolds]

He dies.

[Randy Stone]

You mean, just like that?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, maybe not. Reynolds is an associate. Dr. Wright, maybe right, will do the.

[Randy Stone]

Job, but not as well as Reynolds.

[Dr. Reynolds]

We'll move Khan to the Cook County Hospital.

[Randy Stone]

Right.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Operates there.

[Randy Stone]

I don't get it. A man, a doctor, he's got the power to save a life and he takes a vacation.

[Herb]

That's the way it is.

[Randy Stone]

Well.

[Herb]

Ah, come on, Ed. Let's make out his transfer paper.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Coming, Randy?

[Randy Stone]

No, no, no. It's almost time for me to start work. I. I'll stick around, see you. Okay. I stood there in the hall for a minute trying to figure the angles. I. I thought of Reynolds and I was getting sore. Good enough. Thinking that Jerry Carr knew his name, that his babbling was more than babbling, I turned back to the examination room and reached for the door handle.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Hold it, Randy.

[Randy Stone]

Well, well, well. Sergeant Kalski.

[Dr. Reynolds]

What are you doing out in broad daylight?

[Randy Stone]

Enjoying myself, having fun. Are you on the case?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yeah.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, Kalski. The death watch kid.

[Dr. Reynolds]

What makes you think he's going to die?

[Randy Stone]

What makes you think he won't?

[Dr. Reynolds]

He was in a hospital. There's doctors.

[Randy Stone]

Yeah, I know. There's doctors and then there's doctors. What do you know about this?

[Dr. Reynolds]

She's got a wife named Lorraine. We haven't got a line on her yet. Maybe she'll show. Here, I'm waiting.

[Randy Stone]

How does she figure, Koski?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, she figures like this. The neighbors say she kept coming to see Karen, but he had himself a girlfriend. So maybe, just maybe, the wife shoots the husband.

[Randy Stone]

Know anything about the girl?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Just a name. Reynolds. Ms. Reynolds.

[Randy Stone]

So there it was. Reynolds the tie in between Karn and the brain surgeon. I thanked Kalski and I headed for a telephone book. Dr. Philip Reynolds, Sheridan Road. It was already dark when my cab arrived. I started up the walk past a row of bushes.

[Lorraine Karn]

Reynolds.

[Randy Stone]

What?

[Diane Reynolds]

I've got a gun. Maybe I'll kill you.

[Randy Stone]

The dark. I can't see you. I've got it.

[Diane Reynolds]

All right, I'm looking. Reynolds, I just got here. And now you're here.

[Randy Stone]

What do you want?

[Diane Reynolds]

I want to hurt somebody.

[Randy Stone]

Don't we all?

[Diane Reynolds]

Smart, aren't you? You and your daughter. You know who I am. You know.

[Randy Stone]

No.

[Diane Reynolds]

Jerry Conn is my husband.

[Randy Stone]

You're Lorraine.

[Diane Reynolds]

And you're Diane's father. Just that. Just that is enough to make me want to kill you. I was waiting for her. Waiting here.

[Randy Stone]

Did you shoot Jerry? Me?

[Diane Reynolds]

Me.

[Randy Stone]

Lorraine. Lorraine.

[Diane Reynolds]

No. Don't.

[Randy Stone]

You don't want this gun anyhow.

[Diane Reynolds]

No.

[Randy Stone]

It's the gun that killed your husband.

[Diane Reynolds]

He said he wouldn't share anymore. We'd be together again.

[Randy Stone]

Lorraine, I'm not Dr. Reynolds, but you. I'm just a guy who got sore. Stone. Randy Stone.

[Diane Reynolds]

I thought I.

[Randy Stone]

You're too mixed up to think.

[Diane Reynolds]

She shot Jerry. Diane shot him.

[Randy Stone]

Maybe you shot him.

[Diane Reynolds]

Oh, sure, sure, maybe I did.

[Sergeant Kalski]

You love a man.

[Diane Reynolds]

You wait for him. Wait until he's ready to come back to you. Then when he is ready, you shoot him. Is that right? Is that what I did?

[Randy Stone]

All right. All right, I'm wrong. How was it?

[Diane Reynolds]

He was gonna tell Diane today. Tell her he wanted me back. I went to see him. They were carrying him out on a stretcher.

[Randy Stone]

Lorraine, will you do something for me?

[Diane Reynolds]

What?

[Randy Stone]

Wait. Wait for me right here.

[Diane Reynolds]

Oh, sure, I'll wait. Like I waited for Jerry.

[Randy Stone]

He might still live.

[Diane Reynolds]

Why do you want me to wait?

[Randy Stone]

I want to talk to Reynolds and talk to his daughter.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Why?

[Randy Stone]

Don't ask me, sister. I ought to know better. I started up the walk toward the Reynolds house. Could barely see Lorraine Karn. She was a shadow, still emotionless, her mind rolling like a handful of ball bearings. The door was opened by a heavily built man with gray hair and tortoise shell glasses.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yes?

[Randy Stone]

Dr. Reynolds?

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'm Dr. Reynolds.

[Randy Stone]

May I come in?

[Dr. Reynolds]

What is it you want?

[Randy Stone]

Thank you.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Now, see here.

[Randy Stone]

My name is Randy Stone. I'm a reporter for the Chicago Star.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Does that give you leave to barge into my house?

[Randy Stone]

I don't know. Does it?

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'm sorry, Mr. Stone. My daughter and I are just leaving for the airport. We have no time.

[Randy Stone]

Ms. Reynolds. I'm a newspaperman. Randy Stone.

[Diane Reynolds]

Is there anything?

[Randy Stone]

Yes. Yes, there is something. I just left the receiving hospital. The man's been shot.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, if this has anything to do with my professional services, I'm afraid that's out of the question.

[Randy Stone]

Well, this man. His name is Jerry Carnage.

[Diane Reynolds]

What?

[Randy Stone]

He's dying.

[Diane Reynolds]

Jerry, what happened?

[Randy Stone]

He was shot through the head. In a few hours he'll be dead. Your father might save him if he operates. He doesn't care to operate. Good.

[Diane Reynolds]

Father, you didn't.

[Randy Stone]

Jerry.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'm sorry, Diane. I thought it best not to tell you. You thought it best a married man? I begged you not to see him.

[Diane Reynolds]

Mr. Stone. Who shot him?

[Randy Stone]

Ask the police.

[Diane Reynolds]

Do they know?

[Randy Stone]

Well, they know he's been shot and they know he'll die unless your father operates.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'm sorry, Mr. Stone. I don't propose to pass judgment on this man. But even a doctor is entitled to a vacation. I plan to leave tonight.

[Diane Reynolds]

Diane, you can't leave. I love Jerry. You're my father. Doesn't that mean anything to you?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, doctor, there are other surgeons.

[Randy Stone]

But not you, huh? I've made plans so a man's life doesn't count. Are you worried about your fee?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Don't be insulting, Mr. Stone. I'm not concerned with fees. Only this afternoon I operated on a charity case.

[Randy Stone]

What does that prove?

[Dr. Reynolds]

If it proves anything?

[Randy Stone]

All right, all right, forget it. You handled a charity case this afternoon. But this is now. Tonight. Look at your daughter.

[Diane Reynolds]

Father, please. Carrie wanted me to see him today. I. I didn't go. I thought that perhaps going away. I wanted to please You. I knew it was wrong. I knew he was married. I'll bet he's going to die. I'll go away with you. I won't see him again. But, Father, please.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Mr. Stone. What hospital is Karn in?

[Randy Stone]

They moved into the county hospital.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'll operate.

[Diane Reynolds]

Oh, thank you, Father.

[Dr. Wright]

Thank you.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Good night, Mr. Stone.

[Randy Stone]

Good night, Dr. Reynolds. Go figure people out. There was genuine shock and horror on Diane Reynolds face when I told her about the shooting. No actress is that good. And Reynolds. Reynolds was a confused guy who loved his daughter. And there was Lorraine Carne, a wife who'd lost her husband. Her head spinning with love and hate and no control. She could kill, all right. She could. Oh, Stone. Smart guy. Me, the sharp operator who left her outside waiting like a live bomb. Waiting to kill Diane. When I got out there, she wasn't waiting. Lorraine Karn was gone.

[Frank Lovejoy]

NBC is bringing you Nightbeat, starring Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone. The NBC chimes are really excited about the big show. An hour and a half every Sunday night with Tallulah Bankhead as femc. There'll be comedy with stars like Jimmy Durante, Fred Allen, Jack Carson, Groucho Marx and a host of others. Music with Meredith Wilson, Mindy Carson and many more. It brings you Mr. Jose Ferrer and other leading stars of leading Broadway productions. No wonder it's the big show start. Sunday, November 5th. Just one week from this Sunday on NBC. And now back to Nightbeat and Randy stone.

[Randy Stone]

For about 20 minutes I searched the grounds around the Reynolds house. Marine corn was going all right. Where to? And her condition anywhere. She could have even made a pass at the Cook County Hospital where her husband Jerry was dying of a head wound. Dr. Reynolds left the house alone and drove away alone without his daughter Diane. Diane, who loved or had loved Jerry Carn. I tried the door again.

[Diane Reynolds]

Yes? Oh, the stone.

[Randy Stone]

Ms. Reynolds, I saw your father leave here alone. I. I thought you wanted to be with Jerry Carn.

[Diane Reynolds]

My father said he'd operate, but he wanted me to stay here.

[Randy Stone]

Maybe it'd be better if you came to the hospital. It's all right. It's all right. You can go with me.

[Diane Reynolds]

I love him. I was going away because my father.

[Randy Stone]

I look well, then let's go to the hospital. Ms. Reynolds.

[Diane Reynolds]

Dr. Wright, please come to X Ray.

[Randy Stone]

Doctor, standing guard. Koski.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Hello, Randy. I thought you were out of it.

[Randy Stone]

No, I got inquisitive. Sergeant Ki, meet Diane Reynolds.

[Diane Reynolds]

How do you do?

[Dr. Reynolds]

You related to Dr. Reynolds?

[Randy Stone]

She's his daughter, Kalski. Lorraine Karn hasn't Shown up here, has she?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, nothing.

[Randy Stone]

How's the patient?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Unconscious.

[Diane Reynolds]

Can I see him?

[Randy Stone]

No.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Do you know him? Yes. How do you.

[Randy Stone]

I'll tell you later. Koski.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Sergeant. What do you say, doc? Perhaps you live with Reynolds operating.

[Randy Stone]

You on the case?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Dr. Randy Stone. This is Dr. Wright. He was going to take over Reynolds work. How do you do?

[Randy Stone]

How do you do?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Of course, Dr. Reynolds will operate now. Diane. What are you doing here?

[Diane Reynolds]

I. I came to.

[Randy Stone]

Didn't I hear a call for Dr. Wright a moment ago.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Thank you. I have to go over the x rays with Dr. Reynolds. Sergeant Koski, a nurse is remaining with the patient until he goes to the operating room.

[Randy Stone]

Did you assign the nurse, Dr. Wright?

[Dr. Reynolds]

I know. Now, if you'll excuse me.

[Randy Stone]

Okoski, who's the nurse?

[Dr. Reynolds]

How do I know?

[Randy Stone]

Maybe we better find out. She was standing over the bed. The figure in white, intense, concentrated. I stood behind her. How is it?

[Diane Reynolds]

No, you won't stop me.

[Randy Stone]

It was Lorraine Carter. Lips almost as white as the uniform she wore. They made her eyes look black and empty.

[Diane Reynolds]

He's going to die.

[Randy Stone]

Let's go, Elaine.

[Diane Reynolds]

He's going to die.

[Randy Stone]

Come on. Sergeant Koski, meet Lorraine Carnes. What?

[Dr. Reynolds]

She's a nurse.

[Randy Stone]

She borrowed a nurse's uniform.

[Diane Reynolds]

He's going to die. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to look at him. I just wanted to touch you. You shot him. Oh, you're Diane, aren't you? He loved me. He didn't want you. He loved me. I wanted to kill you before I wanted to kill you. He's so quiet. He's almost dead now. What good would it do?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Randy, For Pete's sake, what is this?

[Randy Stone]

Watch them, Kowski. It's a long story. It's the longest story in the world. I'm going to find Reynolds.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Please, Mr. Stone, don't stand too close to me while I'm scrubbing.

[Randy Stone]

Oh, sorry.

[Dr. Reynolds]

You were. You seem to have unduly concerned yourself in this incident.

[Randy Stone]

I'm a newspaper man, Dr. Reynolds. That was interesting.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Oh. May I inquire why?

[Randy Stone]

Because you refuse to operate.

[Dr. Reynolds]

But now I choose to operate. Does your interest cease?

[Randy Stone]

No. Now I'm interested in who shot Jerry Khan. Perhaps his wife, maybe.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I. I'll be perfectly frank with you. I regret the whole affair. I. I didn't like my daughter seeing a married man. He encouraged her. I was taking her away. Now, I shall take her away tomorrow. But tonight I shall save his life. If it's possible for a surgeon to do that.

[Randy Stone]

Well, now, I'll ask you a Silly question. Why?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Oh, I suppose primarily because I'm a surgeon.

[Randy Stone]

Not because your daughter wants you to operate my daughter?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, no, no, no. I think one trains himself, you understand? One trains himself and then there's a certain moral aspect. I dislike talking about morality, but, well, every once in a while we have to live with it, don't we?

[Randy Stone]

Every once in a while.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, then I'll operate. You see.

[Randy Stone]

We walked to the operating room together, Reynolds and I. There were two benches outside. Lorraine Karn was sitting on one of them. Her hands tightened into a knot. Koski sat next to her, one hand hard on her elbow. Diane Reynolds sat on the other bench, strained and picking at a handkerchief. Dr. Wright was talking to her. Renault stopped and looked at his daughter.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Diane.

[Randy Stone]

Yes?

[Dr. Reynolds]

I. I'm sorry for you. I. My dear, I'm a doctor and I.

[Randy Stone]

And then Reynolds turned and passed through the swing doors into the operating room. I turned to Diane. What's the matter, Ms. Reynolds? You look sick.

[Diane Reynolds]

No, I. I'm just worried. I don't think I can stand it in here. Dr. Roy, please take me outside.

[Dr. Reynolds]

There's a little matter of the police involved in this. I suggest you stay here.

[Randy Stone]

Sergeant Ki says you stay, you stay.

[Diane Reynolds]

They started, haven't they, doctor? Right.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yes. It's rather difficult, as you know. Refining operation.

[Randy Stone]

How does it work?

[Dr. Reynolds]

The patient was shot through the forehead. Bullet passing through the frontal lobe of the brain and lodging somewhere in the occipital region. The increased pressure inside the skull will kill Mr. Cott. Unless the bullet is removed and the wound channel cleaned. Uh huh.

[Randy Stone]

How do they go about it?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Surgeon removes part of the skull, exposing the brain. It's a matter of probing for the bullet with a needle, once, discovering it, removing it. Probing. That's the critical part of clumsy move. A slip. Patient's gone. It can happen.

[Diane Reynolds]

Look, do you have to talk about it? Do you have to sit there and kill him with words? She's afraid. She's afraid he'll live.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Diana. No need to be cruel.

[Diane Reynolds]

She was cruel to Jerry, wasn't she?

[Randy Stone]

We don't know. Not yet. Dr. Wright, I understand you ought to take over Dr. Reynolds practice while he was away.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yes, Mr. Stone. It says this morning.

[Randy Stone]

This morning?

[Dr. Reynolds]

It's the usual arrangement.

[Randy Stone]

You mean he didn't see any patients today?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, he left everything to me.

[Randy Stone]

But he said he had a charity patient. He said. Dr. Wright, do you think that Dr. Reynolds could possibly have operated today?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Not under the circumstances. Why do you ask?

[Randy Stone]

How far has that operation progressed in there?

[Dr. Reynolds]

It's Hard to say. Perhaps he's into the brain already.

[Randy Stone]

Can anybody else take over? That's ridiculous. I didn't ask if it was ridiculous. Is it possible?

[Dr. Reynolds]

No, not in Save the patient's life.

[Randy Stone]

Kowalski.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Yeah, Randy.

[Randy Stone]

You're about to have a new experience as a police officer. You're gonna stand right by and see a man murdered by Reynolds. Reynolds? He must have shot Jerry Carr. And he told me he had a charity case today. Dr. Wright says no. He had motive enough. He wanted Jerry to leave his daughter alone. Reynolds was forced into operating tonight. Now he'll finish the job.

[Diane Reynolds]

That doctor in there, he's the one who shot Jerry. My own father. He can't.

[Randy Stone]

Surgeon, the great doctor, the benefactor of man.

[Dr. Reynolds]

This is unbelievable. I've known Reynolds for 10 years. He's devoted to his profession.

[Randy Stone]

Sure, sure. But devotion goes so far. And then the ego takes over. Reynolds is in there protecting his ego now. The self to him, most important thing in the world. More important than you, Diane.

[Diane Reynolds]

Then stop him.

[Luke Slaughter]

Stop it?

[Dr. Reynolds]

We can't just sit here.

[Randy Stone]

Well, how do you stop him? He's got his hands inside man's brain.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I don't know how, but I'm going in there.

[Diane Reynolds]

Father, he came into it.

[Randy Stone]

Maybe you better stay out here with him.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I don't understand what this is all about, but I'll go in there if you think we stay here.

[Herb]

Dr. Wright.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Randy, get in there.

[Randy Stone]

Doctor, I'll need a roll in a mask.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Irrigation.

[Dr. Wright]

There.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Retracting. Retracting.

[Randy Stone]

I stood by the operating table. Nobody looked up. Reynolds was working swiftly, working on Jerry Khan's exposed brain. I thought I'd feel sick looking at it, but I didn't. I just watched Reynolds. Hands.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Electronife. Keep up that irrigation. We'll be ready to probe in a minute.

[Randy Stone]

Just then, Reynolds looked up. Just for a minute, he looked at me. There was a misery in him, so close and tangible. I was inflicted with it myself. I saw a hardness in the back of his eyes. A determination, almost fanatic.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, Mr. Stone, I presume your presence here means you figured things out.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, I have.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I'll have to ask you to leave. You see, I'm the surgeon.

[Randy Stone]

I stay.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Very well. Electronife. Suction here.

[Randy Stone]

He shrugged. He turned back to the operating table. I felt a helpless, lonely gagging in my throat.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Irrigation. Keep your eyes.

[Randy Stone]

I was going to watch a man die. I was going to watch a man murdered right in front of my eyes. Walls was right. He was the surgeon. There was nothing I could do about it.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Ventricle needle. Suction, please.

[Randy Stone]

The nurse handed him a long needle. And I remembered what Dr. Wright had said. This was the probing for the bullet. This was the edge of death.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Irrigation.

[Randy Stone]

I saw the needle poise over the brain, over living tissue. The center of Jerry Carnes being. And then I felt sick. Right then. The needle went there.

[Dr. Reynolds]

There it is.

[Frank Lovejoy]

The bullet.

[Randy Stone]

It found it. And the needle hadn't killed. If it had explored and found the bullet. Reynolds. Hands were working surely and easily.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Forceps.

[Randy Stone]

The instrument was balanced in his hand. And then it dived into the brain.

[Dr. Wright]

The bullet.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Mr. Stone. He'll live now. Are you really surprised? He'll live now.

[Diane Reynolds]

Mr. St. Is. Is he.

[Randy Stone]

He'll be all right. He'll live.

[Diane Reynolds]

Oh, thank God.

[Lorraine Karn]

Thank God.

[Diane Reynolds]

He'll live.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, Ms. Reynolds.

[Diane Reynolds]

Then my father didn't.

[Randy Stone]

He didn't. No.

[Dr. Reynolds]

He's still got an attempted murder charge to face when he walks out of that operating room.

[Randy Stone]

Has he, Diane?

[Diane Reynolds]

My father.

[Randy Stone]

Yes, your father. I thought of something in there. Something I couldn't miss when I saw his hands. Your father knows life and he knows death, Ms. Reynolds. If he'd tried to kill, Jerry Carney would have succeeded.

[Diane Reynolds]

I didn't think. I thought for me.

[Randy Stone]

You thought he'd kill for you, didn't you? Until he walked into that operating room. And then you knew different. Then you were afraid. He's known all along who shot Khan. He didn't want to operate because he couldn't without condemning his own daughter.

[Diane Reynolds]

My own father. He let me go to jail because.

[Randy Stone]

Karn wanted his wife back. And because he told you. You tried to kill him and you botched the job. That's why you were so shocked when I told you he wasn't dead.

[Diane Reynolds]

My own father.

[Randy Stone]

He's yours, Kalki. And sweet dreams tonight.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Diane, what about Reynolds?

[Randy Stone]

Here, you're the cop. That's what you get paid for. You handle it.

[Dr. Reynolds]

Diane.

[Diane Reynolds]

My own father.

[Randy Stone]

I didn't stay. I didn't look up. I didn't want to see the look in Dr. Reynolds eyes. I knew he was suffering like a tortured animal. A man who loved his daughter. A man who was a doctor. Josh. Or I could have looked. Would have been an experience. Another couple of paragraphs. My story. But who needs a story that bad? Who needs anything except, well, maybe a drink. Copy Boy.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Night Beats, starring Frank Lovejoy is produced and directed by Warren Lewis. Tonight's script was written by Richard Allen Simmons from an original story by Norman Jacob and Sanford Wolf, with music by Frank Wirth. The part of Dr. Reynolds was played by Ted Von Eltz Joan Banks was Lorraine. Betty Moran played Diane. Others in tonight's cast were Jonathan Hole, Jack Lloyd and John Stevenson. Frank Lovejoy will soon be seen in the Warner Brothers picture picture Breakthrough.

[Randy Stone]

This is Frank Lovejoy again. Congratulations today to NBC basic affiliate station Wire in Indianapolis, Indiana, which this week formally opens its new studios. So to Wire, good luck in your new home.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Listen next week at this time and every week as Randy Stone searches through the city for the strange stories waiting for him in the darkness. Night Beat came to you from Hollywood. This year. The community chest must be filled to keep our community sound and strong and healthy. The responsibility is yours not just because we say so, but because it's an obvious fact that if everybody benefits, everybody must give. And remember that it isn't necessary to make your red feather donation immediately. If you want, pledge the amount you can contribute, then pay as you wish. During the year, you'll be giving to the community in which you live, sharing its problems with your fellow citizens. It's a big campaign. Many, many campaigns in one, so don't let it down. Give enough for all red feather services. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Screen stars Joan Fontaine and Herbert Marshall appear in this Sunday's Theater guild presentation of A. A. Milne's fascinating story, Michael and Mary. Another Sunday night chime favorite is the American album of familiar music.

[Randy Stone]

Chester William Bendix Riley speaking. Now here, charter spy on Indy.

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter. Cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business. I've got a big stake in it. There's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from me.

[Frank Lovejoy]

Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman across the territory from Yuma to Fort Defiance, from Flagstaff to the Machucas, and below the border through Chihuahua and Sonora. His name was respected or feared, depending on which side of the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

The time finally came when I decided there'd be more profit in raising my own cattle and driving other men's herds up to Tombstone from Mexico and Texas. And about the same time, I heard that Aaron Holcomb's spread was for sale. So one day, Wichita and I rode down toward the San Pedro Valley to look it over. Well, Wichita, what do you think?

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, if you wish to ask me, I am. You are? I'll be game. Well, I think it's a pretty good proposition all around. You get a good, healthy herd of beef cattle and several Hundred acres of grazing land and Aaron Holcomb gets out like he wants to. I don't see how either one of you can lose.

[Luke Slaughter]

That's the way I look at it. Let's ride over to Aaron's and close the deal. Howdy, Aaron.

[Dr. Wright]

Howdy, Luke. We should talk.

[Lorraine Karn]

Howdy, Aaron.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, Aaron, I'm ready to talk business.

[Randy Stone]

Good.

[Dr. Wright]

Come on into the house and I'll see if I can get Sarah to rustle up some coffee.

[Luke Slaughter]

Mighty nice herd you got there, Aaron. How many head you figure you're running?

[Dr. Wright]

Well, not counting calves, somewhere between 450 to 475.

[Luke Slaughter]

Let's count the calves and make it 500.

[Dr. Wright]

That's mighty generous of you, Luke. Got company, Sarah.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Well, Mr. Slaughter in Wichita. How are you?

[Luke Slaughter]

Hello, Mrs. Holcomb.

[Dr. Wright]

Hi, Mom. Suppose you could find some hot coffee for these gents?

[Sergeant Kalski]

I would be the least bit surprised.

[Dr. Wright]

Sit down, Luke. Over there with you. Thank you, Sarah. Mr. Slaughter is interested in buying.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Well, I must say that's a relief. I said to Aaron, Mr. Slaughter, I said, if Mr. Slaughter won't take the place off your hands, who will?

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, it isn't exactly a matter of taking it off your hands, Mrs. Hul. Aaron's built up a valuable spread here.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Yes, but who in Tombstone's in a position to buy it but you? And I declare, I'd go out of my mind if we had to wait around here for goodness knows how long. Selling it off piece by piece and cow by cow.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I don't think that'll be necessary. Aaron. I'm prepared to offer you $5,000 for your outfit, box, stock and barrel.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Five thousand?

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, now, that's a pretty fancy price if you ask me.

[Luke Slaughter]

Nobody did. Wichita.

[Dr. Wright]

Wichita's right, Luke. It is a fancy prize, but I'll accept it.

[Luke Slaughter]

Good. I've drawn up a bill of sale and a deed. Aaron, you'll just sign here.

[Dr. Wright]

All right, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

How about the money? You want me to deposit it to your account in the bank in town?

[Dr. Wright]

Oh, Luke, I never did trust banks. They get robbed too often. I prefer cash.

[Luke Slaughter]

I thought you might, so I brought it with me. There you are. $5100 bills. Comment?

[Dr. Wright]

I don't have to, Luke. I know it's all there.

[Lorraine Karn]

That's an awful lot of cage to have laying around there.

[Dr. Wright]

Oh, it won't be laying around, Wichita. I got my own private hiding place.

[Lorraine Karn]

Where?

[Dr. Wright]

Well, I don't aim to disclose it to a swindling old coot like you, but I will say it's under a Board in this kitchen, but I ain't specifying which board.

[Lorraine Karn]

You always was a cautious one, Aaron. Reckon that's why you live so long.

[Dr. Wright]

No witch. Sarah is why I've lived so long.

[Lorraine Karn]

Reckon she is at that.

[Luke Slaughter]

Say, what are you two talking about?

[Lorraine Karn]

Hey, you see, Aaron, you've been reformed so long the greenhorns like Luke here don't even know what a bad man you once was.

[Luke Slaughter]

What?

[Lorraine Karn]

You mean to tell me, Luke, you never heard of a gunslinger named Big Aaron?

[Luke Slaughter]

No. I guess that was before my time.

[Lorraine Karn]

Why, Aaron here was once the fastest gun in the Panhandle. How many men was it you helped along to their reward, aaron? Some say 12. Others, 14. I never did rightly know Wichita.

[Dr. Wright]

You talk too much.

[Lorraine Karn]

That's what Luke says. But be that as it may, truth is, Luke. Aaron probably could have outgunned you in his prime.

[Dr. Wright]

Well, I don't know. That was a long time ago. Before Sarah came along and showed me the error of my ways.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Well, don't get the idea I was exactly a gospel singer, Mr. Slaughter. You don't learn many hymns at the Bird Cage in Abilene. But I loved him.

[Dr. Wright]

So I hung up my gun. And for nearly 20 years, I ain't used it on anything bigger than a rattlesnake or a coyote.

[Sergeant Kalski]

You see, I preferred a live husband to a dead legend.

[Dr. Wright]

And you live to regret not a.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Single single day of it.

[Diane Reynolds]

Mr.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Slaughter, when will you want us to move off the place?

[Luke Slaughter]

There's no hurry, Mrs. Holcomb. You just take your time.

[Lorraine Karn]

Where are you two heading on? West?

[Sergeant Kalski]

Oh, mercy, no. We're going back east to Missouri.

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, I never. Folks don't go back East. Not when they got themselves a going outfit like you have. Or had.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Oh, but I've still got kin folk back there.

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, kin ain't no reason to leave God's country.

[Sergeant Kalski]

And I've got a hankering to see green fields again. And to grow something else besides beef cattle.

[Lorraine Karn]

You going to be a farmer, Aaron?

[Dr. Wright]

Looks like it. If that's what Sarah wants, then it's what I want.

[Lorraine Karn]

Aaron, ain't you carrying this devotion thing a little too fur?

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, come on, let's head back for Tombstone. Witchita, you.

[Lorraine Karn]

Yeah, I know, I know. I talk too much.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Good evening, Mr. Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

Evening, Nelly. What's on the fire tonight?

[Sergeant Kalski]

Well, there's fried pork chops and fried steak. I'd recommend the pork chops.

[Luke Slaughter]

See what's the matter with my cattle.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Well, I didn't mean that, Mr. Slaughter.

[Lorraine Karn]

Evening, Luke. Evening, Nelly.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Evening, Wichita.

[Luke Slaughter]

Pork chops or steak?

[Lorraine Karn]

Wichita don't make no difference. I'm hungrier than a woodpecker with a headache. Mistake, I guess.

[Sergeant Kalski]

No, I'll bring it along as soon as I get these other gentlemen's order.

[Luke Slaughter]

Where you been?

[Lorraine Karn]

Oh, I just dropped by the Epitaph office to pick up the evening paper. Well, well? Well, what?

[Luke Slaughter]

You know what.

[Lorraine Karn]

Here's your name in the paper, big as life.

[Luke Slaughter]

What does it say?

[Lorraine Karn]

We understand Luke Slaughter has decided to settle in these parts. Yesterday we heard he bought Aaron Holcomb's spread down on the San Pedro River. We also understand Luke paid a very purty penny for it.

[Luke Slaughter]

I wonder how that got in the paper.

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, I don't know, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll bet you don't. You know, between that nosy nose of yours and that wagon tongue, somebody's gonna get into trouble someday, and I hope it'll only be you.

[Lorraine Karn]

Now, Luke, I was only.

[Luke Slaughter]

My business is my business and nobody else's. And I don't like reading about it in the newspaper. Is that clear?

[Lorraine Karn]

Why, sure, Luke.

[Randy Stone]

Sure.

[Lorraine Karn]

Stop it.

[Randy Stone]

Please don't.

[Dr. Wright]

Stop what? I was just trying to be friendly.

[Sergeant Kalski]

If you just give me your orders.

[Lorraine Karn]

Nelly's having a little trouble.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, Those two Wichita. You know him?

[Lorraine Karn]

Never laid eyes on them before. Strangers, most likely.

[Luke Slaughter]

Must be. Well, they'd know better.

[Dr. Wright]

Come on, now, don't be like.

[Luke Slaughter]

What seems to be the difficulty, gentlemen?

[Dr. Wright]

Huh?

[Lorraine Karn]

Oh, we ain't having any difficulty. We just being friendly with this little filly here.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Nelly, I'll take care of this.

[Sergeant Kalski]

Thank you, Mr. Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

I guess you boys aren't very well acquainted in Tombstone or you'd know that this is the dining room of the San Jose house, not the bar room of the Occidental. Rough stuff doesn't go here.

[Dr. Wright]

Or are you owner of the hotel?

[Luke Slaughter]

No.

[Lorraine Karn]

Maybe a sky pilot, then?

[Luke Slaughter]

No.

[Dr. Wright]

Then what? Right you got button in the right.

[Luke Slaughter]

Any man's got to help a lady when she needs it. You boys better mind your manners or go get your supper someplace else.

[Dr. Wright]

You know, mister, I just may have to cut you down to size.

[Lorraine Karn]

I wouldn't try it, son, if I was you.

[Dr. Wright]

Why not?

[Randy Stone]

Pop?

[Lorraine Karn]

Yes? You don't know who you're talking to.

[Dr. Wright]

That's right. I don't know and I don't care.

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, you better care. This here is Luke Slaughter and watch.

[Dr. Wright]

Luke Slaughter.

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, well, you're quite a famous man, Mr. Slaughter. Say, this is the fella we was reading about in tonight's paper, Thad.

[Dr. Wright]

Yeah. Well, buying up Ranches is one thing and pushing people around is another.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm not pushing anybody around. I'm just telling you to mind your manners. Come on, Wichita, let's tie on the feedback. I guess I must have discouraged the two Randy Ranahans because a couple of minutes later they left, presumably to find a dining room where it was permitted to pinch the waitresses. And I forgot all about them. Since my business is primarily not the protection of Tombstone's women folk, but cattle. I was tending to my business the next afternoon when Wichita busted into my office at the Cattlemen's Association.

[Lorraine Karn]

A terrible thing has happened. An awful thing.

[Dr. Wright]

What? Wichita, it's Sarah Holcomb.

[Luke Slaughter]

What's the matter with her?

[Lorraine Karn]

Well, Heron just brought her in to the doctor. She's cut up something terrible.

[Luke Slaughter]

Who cut her, Aaron?

[Lorraine Karn]

Don't know. And she can't talk. She's unconscious.

[Luke Slaughter]

Better go over to the docks and see if there's anything we can do. We got to the doctor's office on Tough Nut Street. They found Sarah lying on a big bed in the back room. Aaron's huge body seemed shrunken as he knelt by the bed holding her tiny hand in his. The doctor waves his back into his office and closed the door behind him.

[Lorraine Karn]

How is she, Doc?

[Dr. Reynolds]

She's dying, Wichita.

[Luke Slaughter]

What happened to her?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Luke, I've been doctoring out here for a long time. And I've seen people die in a lot of different ways or treated bullet wounds, dug out arrows, sewed up knife gashes. But I've never seen anything as rotten as what somebody did to that poor woman.

[Luke Slaughter]

What did they do to her?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Spurs? Big row Chihuahuas. They must have kicked her for a long time. She's got holes all over her body.

[Lorraine Karn]

You dirty sidewinder.

[Luke Slaughter]

Is she conscious?

[Dr. Reynolds]

She won't be for long.

[Luke Slaughter]

Can I talk to her?

[Dr. Reynolds]

Well, I guess it don't make any difference now.

[Dr. Wright]

Go on in.

[Diane Reynolds]

Hello.

[Dr. Wright]

No, sir.

[Luke Slaughter]

How do you feel, Mrs. Holcomb?

[Sergeant Kalski]

Not too good, Mr. Slaughter, but I'll be all right in a few days. Doctor said so.

[Luke Slaughter]

Of course you will, Mrs. Holcomb. Who did this to you?

[Sergeant Kalski]

I don't know. I never saw him before. There were two of them. They rode up to the ranch just before noon.

[Dr. Wright]

I was down in the wash looking after new drop calf Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

I see. Go on, Mrs. Hookham.

[Sergeant Kalski]

I said give him the money you paid us for the ranch. I told him I didn't know what they was talking about. Then one of them knocked me down and the other began kicking with his.

[Dr. Wright]

Sure, sure.

[Luke Slaughter]

Can you tell me what they looked like, Mrs. Holcomb. Anything about them?

[Sergeant Kalski]

There was two of them. I think I heard one of them call the other Thad.

[Luke Slaughter]

Thad?

[Sergeant Kalski]

Yeah, he was the little one. He's evil. He's cruel and mean and evil. It was him that did this to me.

[Diane Reynolds]

Oh.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Mrs. Holcomb. You just lie back and rest now.

[Lorraine Karn]

She. She tell you anything, Luke Warren?

[Luke Slaughter]

She knew she did. Was a child. One of them's named Thad. Does that mean anything to you?

[Lorraine Karn]

No, can't say that it does.

[Luke Slaughter]

Those two cowboys in the San Jose house last night, One of them answered to the name of Thad.

[Lorraine Karn]

The little one by Toper, I think he did.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wasn't he wearing two hour spurs with long rallos?

[Lorraine Karn]

Yeah, he was.

[Dr. Wright]

Doctor, come quick.

[Luke Slaughter]

The huge figure of Aaron Holcomb filled the doorway behind which lay his dead wife. His broad features sagged with shock and grief, then tightened in determination. He pulled out his gun, which had not been drawn against a man in nearly 20 years. Slowly, he spun the chamber, making sure that it was fully loaded. What are you aiming to do, Aaron?

[Dr. Wright]

What do you think I aim to do?

[Luke Slaughter]

This is a job for the law, Aaron. The sheriff will have those men by nightfall.

[Dr. Wright]

They'll both be dead by nightfall.

[Luke Slaughter]

You kill them, you'll hang. Let the law handle this and they'll hang.

[Dr. Wright]

Maybe. Or maybe they'll go to Yuma for life. I can't take that chance.

[Luke Slaughter]

They'll get a fair trial.

[Dr. Wright]

Did they give Sarah a fair trial? Bushwhack and a defenseless woman. They got no more guts than their father had.

[Luke Slaughter]

Their father?

[Dr. Wright]

Yeah. You heard Sarah say one of them's named Thad. Yeah, I know who they are now. Thad Jinx, boys.

[Luke Slaughter]

Who's Thad Jinx?

[Dr. Wright]

Last man I outdrew back in Abilene nearly 20 years ago. A yellow coward who went for his gun when my back was turned. But he never got it out of the holster.

[Lorraine Karn]

Yeah, that's right, Luke. I was there.

[Luke Slaughter]

Quiet. Would you tell him?

[Dr. Wright]

You see, Luke, they weren't after the money. At least that isn't the reason they came up here to Tombstone. L. They came a feudin well, they got a feud now, all right, a blood feud.

[Luke Slaughter]

But, Aaron, you can't take the law into your own hands.

[Dr. Wright]

I aim to.

[Luke Slaughter]

I gotta remind you, Aaron, I'm a deputy sheriff, and it's my duty to stop you.

[Dr. Wright]

I wouldn't try it, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Aaron, listen to me. What would Sarah think if you put the gun back on?

[Dr. Wright]

Sarah can't think no more, Luke. No. If you gents don't mind, I'd like to be alone with her for a little while.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wichita. Yeah, Luke, go over to the sheriff's office. Tell him he's gonna have a shooting on his hands if he doesn't lock those two up before Aaron finds him.

[Lorraine Karn]

How you know they're still in town?

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't. But I'm sure gonna find out if I have to search every saloon on Allen Street. Let's. That's just about what I did. They weren't in Hereford's or Bob Hatches. They weren't in the Oriental or the Occidental. Just about decided they'd been smart enough to skip town when I found them in the Alhambra.

[Dr. Wright]

Hey there, bartender, let's have another bottle here. This one's empty.

[Lorraine Karn]

Sure. Can't you see we're dying of thirst?

[Luke Slaughter]

Never mind, bartender. They've had their last drink for a while.

[Dr. Wright]

Well, if it isn't Mr. Luke Slaughter. What's the idea of the gun, Mr. Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

It's Deputy Seraph Slaughter signifying I'm arresting you two for the murder of Sarah Holcomb.

[Dr. Wright]

You must be mistaken, Slaughter. We don't know no one named Sarah Holcomb.

[Luke Slaughter]

Those spurs you're wearing look mighty sharp.

[Randy Stone]

Well, they are. My horse has a awful tough hide.

[Luke Slaughter]

It's too bad Sarah Holem didn't have a tough hide when you used him on her. Now move.

[Dr. Wright]

Nobody's moving unless he wants to be stopped with a bullet.

[Luke Slaughter]

Aaron, listen to me.

[Dr. Wright]

Put your gun away, Luke. It's too late to play lawman, Aaron. I can't let just step to one side out of the line of fire. These boys and me are going to.

[Luke Slaughter]

Talk business if you try it. I got to defend them, Aaron.

[Dr. Wright]

It don't matter much to me, Luke. If I have to kill you to get em. Well, then I'll have to.

[Lorraine Karn]

Who is this crazy old fool who.

[Dr. Wright]

Never saw him before? That's right, sonny. But I bet you heard about me all your life. I'm the fellow who killed your pappy. But I killed him in a fair gun fight. Just like I'm gonna kill you. Not the sneak and snaky way you killed my wife. He's out of his mind, Slaughter.

[Lorraine Karn]

I tell you, we didn't kill his wife.

[Luke Slaughter]

He's convinced that you're dead and so.

[Dr. Wright]

Am I. I'm putting my pistol back in its holster so everything will be fair and square. Now you boys can take off your guns and try me or you can go for them and try me. Don't make any difference. Either way, I'm going to kill you. And either way, it'll be a quicker and easier death than you gave Sarah.

[Lorraine Karn]

Look, mister, you're making a mistake.

[Dr. Wright]

Leave us out of here. We'll get out of town and never come back. We're never leaving this town. You're staying right here on Boothill. Now draw.

[Luke Slaughter]

Arin. You go for your gun, and I'll have to go for mine.

[Dr. Wright]

You do that, Luke, but I won't be aiming at you.

[Luke Slaughter]

I couldn't draw on Aaron, and he knew it. There was nothing I could do to stop his vengeance. Silence of waiting death hovered over the room. Smell of fear was there, too. Aaron stood facing the two terrified brothers, his feet wide apart, his open hand hovering an inch away from his holstered gun. For seconds that seemed like hours, they stood there. And finally, Harv Jenks went for his gun. Aaron's arm was a blur as he pumped two shots into Harv before he could get his gun out. As he fell, dying, he fired once, and across Aaron's chest, a red stain slowly spread. Thad Jenks stood in frozen terror, his gun still holstered. Then he found his voice.

[Lorraine Karn]

Mr. Staller, for the love of God, don't let him kill me.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Arin, that's enough shooting.

[Dr. Wright]

You're right, Luke. A bullet's too good for this one with those nice sharp spurs. Course, I ain't wearing spurs, Sonny. And I got no knife to cut you up like you did Sarah. But I got two hands. Big hands. Hands big enough to crack your bones. Big enough to choke the life out of you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Little by little, arms swinging, his great hands outstretched like a huge gorilla, Aaron slowly moved across the room toward the terrified killer. Then Jinx backed away from him until he bumped into the bar. They seem to remember his gun yanking it out, forged shot after shot at Aaron, but he never stopped advancing. The gun was empty. Dad threw it away and tried to make a break for the door, but Aaron took it, grabbing him by the throat with one hand and smashing him in the face with the other. That's enough, Aaron.

[Dr. Wright]

Let him go. Let him go, Aaron. He's dead.

[Randy Stone]

Dead? You sure? Yes.

[Luke Slaughter]

Aaron. You've had your revenge.

[Dr. Wright]

I. I'm sorry, Luke. I had to do.

[Dr. Reynolds]

I.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll go get the duck. Aaron.

[Dr. Wright]

No.

[Randy Stone]

No, Luke.

[Dr. Wright]

There's nothing the duck can do for a man that stopped six slugs. Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yes, Aaron.

[Dr. Wright]

Luke, this is the only time I ever broke a promise to Sarah.

[Luke Slaughter]

I know.

[Dr. Wright]

But there's one last promise I don't want to break. If you'll help me.

[Luke Slaughter]

Sure I will.

[Dr. Wright]

Aaron, I. I promised Sarah we'd go.

[Lorraine Karn]

Back to Missouri together when the rest of our days. Look.

[Dr. Wright]

Will you see to it like we do?

[Frank Lovejoy]

Of Tombstone, starring Sam Buffington, was written by Thomas Houghton and adapted for radio and directed by William N. Robeson. Editorial supervision by Tom Hanley. Supporting Mr. Buffington were Irene Tedro, D. Tatum, Sam Edwards, Chet Stratton, Dick Legrand, Junius Matthews, and Lou Merrill, with music composed by Wilbur Hatch and conducted by Amerigo Marino. Next week at this time, we return.

[Luke Slaughter]

With Slaughter's the Name Luke Slaughter. When we meet up again, you can call me that. Luke Slaughter. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the.

[Randy Stone]

United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Host]

There's more from Nightbeat, Luke Slaughter, the Relic Radio show and all of the other Relic radio podcasts@ Relicradio.com. find our shoutcast stream there as well, with even more Old Time Radio and a donate button. You'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Thanks as always to those who have thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with an hour of mystery on Case Closed and next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.