Broadway's My Beat: The Robert Turk Murder Case (EP5078)

0:02 THE END.

0:28 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 Broadway's My Bait. But first, I want to encourage you, if you are enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software.

0:54 And now we have.

0:55 A listener email.

0:56 I know I usually read these at the end, but please bear with me. This one comes from Derek, and he writes, I remember one time saying you were on Cameo. Have you thought about mentioning that in your intro with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day coming up? It may make a good present for someone. Like I said, I remember you saying it once, then never again. But I may have said it one or two other times. But clearly I've not mentioned it enough. But I am on Cameo, cameo.greatdetectives.net. But if you would like me to help celebrate one of your favorite Great Detective fans or give them a pep talk, or anything else you'd like a long-time podcaster to do, and which I'm agreeable to, in accordance with morals and reason,

1:55 go to cameo.greatdetectives.net, whether you're wanting me to wish your parents a happy 50th anniversary, or wish someone a happy birthday, or Merry Christmas, or Happy National Pastry Day. December 9th, I'll do that one. Check that out at cameo.greatdetectives.net. But now, from October 18th, 1952, here is the Robert Turk murder case.

2:41 Broadway's My Beat, from Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway's My Beat, transcribed with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

2:58 © BF-WATCH TV 2021.

3:08 With autumn, twilight is of a new texture on Broadway. The faces of women are paler. Their walk no more languid, not slow now. The swirls of mist have risen from colder waters, and the sheen of pavement is chilled. The hawkers have moved into doorways, and the autumn deals are pulled out of topcoat pockets, and the smell of mothballs is on them. And the fall slogan, you don't like it, kid, get lost. Because autumn came too swiftly, and you have nothing planned, you set the deal. And still it happens.

3:39 you get lost. And another quality, autumn twilight on gray stone, the place of drifting and changeling shadows that move slowly or briefly on unending twilight. The segment of city reserved for the housing, the considering, the analysis of violence, police headquarters. And in it, the room, the office, where now is twilight talk and autumn moments held close against the time of their shatterings. Where I was, a detective muggler.

4:11 I've been thinking, Danny.

4:13 Huh? I've been looking at this newspaper and thinking. It's been years since the wife and I have been to.

4:19 A football game.

4:20 Together, I mean. Oh, maybe next Saturday you could... Uh-uh.

4:24 She says she's lost her taste for it.

4:26 She says, too many things to do around the house.

4:28 Go yourself, she says.

4:30 All those young kids.

4:31 There, she says.

4:33 You think that's why, Danny? Why what? Why she won't go.

4:36 Used to be a time she and I couldn't get enough of it.

4:39 College games, day, night. Now she tells me, go yourself. All those young people. That's why, huh?

4:47 Maybe if I said to her, oh, hi, Gino.

4:49 Come on in, join the coffee clutch.

4:51 Thank you indeed. Some other time. As now, there is murder being done.

4:54 What are you talking about, Gino?

4:56 A relay from me to you of the very words screened by a distressed lady into our central switchboard only.

5:01 A few minutes ago. The call was traced, Annie.

5:03 Where?

5:04 To a house on East 63rd, 1823 East, listed to a party name of Robert Turk.

5:09 Let's go, Muggerman. Try the door, Muggerman. Come on. Yeah. Come here. Look. Incense. Smells real exotic. Yeah. I'll take a whiff of this water glass. Make a comment, Muggerman. Something with opium in it. Probably laudanum. Must have been quite a party. Wonder who cried murder... I wonder who... Hey, Danny, look. Parakeet. Yeah.

6:13 Neck twisted.

6:14 Dead.

6:15 This is quite a joint, huh? Seven armed idols. Crazy looking dolls. Pictures on the wall. Your back teeth rattling, Dad? Where's that music coming from? There's the speaker, but... Yeah, the machine must be in the other room. I got a friend that's got one. She dead?

6:36 No.

6:40 Made the call, though. Didn't even have time to hang up. Try the phone. Hello? Hello? Nothing, Danny.

6:51 I think she called up and yelled murder on account of the bird, then got carried away with it all and passed out.

6:56 Maybe. This room do it to you, too? What? The idols again. Sawdust dolls.

7:04 It's going to sound silly, but I'm going to say it.

7:06 Black magic, huh? Don't look at me like that.

7:08 Just take a peek, will you?

7:10 For instance....

7:12 Here, this thing.

7:14 A doll in a baby dress. Eyes bandaged. Arms and legs tied. What's this stuff? I don't know. It looks like a weed of some sort. Seaweed, maybe. What's been done to this doll? Pierced with thorns. Find out where that music's coming from and turn it off. Yeah. It's got to be in this room.

7:35 It's the only one.

7:36 Danny!

7:37 The girl wasn't kidding when she called, was she?

7:45 Dressed like that, tunic, Roman sandals. What is this, Muggerman? I don't know, Danny.

7:51 I don't have any idea what it is.

7:52 I only got a name for it.

7:55 Probable suicide.

7:56 I make a flash judgment like that because the guy lying on the floor has a cut throat and he's holding a weird-looking dagger in his hand. Outside of that, I said my piece for the day.

8:04 Your turn, Danny. I don't know. I just don't know. And turn and walk once more through the nightmare place. And from effigy and idle... and the brilliant wings of a dead parakeet... the ebb of twilight... on the face of the stilled girl... the lacework of early darkness... the swift stroking of nighttime... And move again through the grotesque violence.

8:36 From initial robes of raw silk, from desk litter, other things confirm the identity of the dead man. Robert Turk. And on the quickening flow of night, the stirring of the girl. My Mara.

8:49 Mara. I want to go home. Take me home.

8:54 And gently, gently get from her finally an address and nothing else. So give her into a physician's care. Arrange that she be taken to her home. Then leave the place of masks and seaweed and death to the swarming of professionals with camera and dust powders. To another place then, and another room. A simpler room, a plainer room, where sleep is. Only the magic words for it won't come.

9:26 Suddenly it's a bright October morning. Check in at headquarters. Tell him you'll be at Maura Spencer's. Go there. Darkness is no longer on her face. Only sunlight. The bright smile. And she leans against the bulk of a young man, holds his arms close around her waist as she talks to you. Sways a little.

9:47 So strong. So strong. My fellow's so strong.

9:53 Miss Spencer... You two don't know.

9:54 Each other, do you? I'll introduce you. This is Johnny Longstreet. My fellow The boy I'm going to marry And you Who are you?

10:07 He told you, Mara He's a policeman Honey Baby What, Johnny? Tell the policeman to go away I can't do that, sweet.

10:21 He wants something of me. You go over there and sit down. I'll find out what he wants.

10:29 Oh. Do it from here.

10:34 Sweet.

10:35 Sweet thing. What do you want of me?

10:40 What you couldn't tell us last night because you were passed out from drugs.

10:44 Was it a drug? Is that what Robert gave me to drink? He told me it was an exotic something, Johnny. He said it was a something that would make me fall in love with him all over again.

10:57 Did it? Did it, honey?

11:02 You go over there and sit down, sweet. Because I told you. I told you a thousand times. Nothing can make me love Robert again. Not potions, not rituals, not strangle birds. So you go over there and sit down, sweetness.

11:19 Oh.

11:22 Two hundred pounds of college football player. And gentle. And obedient. And faithful as a hungry little boy. He throws himself at men and they're taken away on stretchers. And for me, he's a little boy. Be patient, sweet.

11:43 Maybe you're not over it, Miss Spencer.

11:45 Not over what?

11:46 The drug, whatever it was you drank. Oh, no.

11:49 No, you're wrong. Some doctor did things to me. Left me with a mind as clear as a bell. Anything you want, I'll clear.

11:58 It up for you.

11:59 Let's start with Robert Turk.

12:01 All right. With him. Once there was a cult, and Robert was his high priest. Somebody told me about it over cocktails, and I went with her to his place. It was exciting and dark. And Robert spoke of love to me It was something I'd never known. Robert was a kind of man I'd never known.

12:27 How long ago was that?

12:29 A year ago. Then it got boring and dull and tiresome. And I resigned from the cult and from Robert.

12:38 But last night he finally persuaded you to see him.

12:41 You think so?

12:42 Tell me.

12:43 This was last night. Robert phoned me. Out of the blue he called me. Begged to see me. And because once there had been an emotion for him and excitement, I went. And he was in his toga and he brought out all the props. And he performed and said incantations and fed me a potion. And twisted the neck of a bird. And I laughed at him. And he went into another room and cut his throat. And I called you people, sipped my drink, and passed out.

13:16 That's how it was last night, huh? Boring.

13:19 Boring. That man's going to go away now, Johnny. Where were we, Sweet? Oh, Johnny. Johnny Longstreet. What a wonderful boy you are. Johnny Longstreet.

13:52 Danny? Yes, what is it, Gino?

13:54 Lady out here to see you. Says her name is Turk. Mrs. Edna Turk, widow of the late deceased Robert.

14:00 Show her in.

14:02 This way to see Danny Clover. Call me if you need me, Lieutenant.

14:06 Thank you, Sergeant. Will you sit down, Miss Turk?

14:10 Robert Turk was my husband.

14:11 Yes, I.

14:12 I came here this morning to tell you about him. Because this afternoon I plan to go shopping. And I don't want any of you people coming around my house and interfering with my plans.

14:21 Nice of you to stop in, Mrs. Turk. Just go right ahead.

14:24 I've learned that my husband slit his throat.

14:26 Or had it done for him. We don't know.

14:29 Just incidentally, Mr.

14:30 Clover, I left my husband yesterday morning. It would be pleasant to toy with the possibility that he killed himself because of me. But I'm sure Robert did it for the excitement of it. You don't jump out of your seat and slam your hands on the desk and lean forward and yell, what are you saying, woman?

14:46 Just go on, Mrs.

14:47 Turk.

14:48 Robert was out of his mind, you know. Still no reaction. Some of his best friends were witch doctors.

14:57 Nothing.

14:59 I mean it.

15:00 Witch doctors.

15:00 Black magic fellows. A lot of them in Manhattan. Boys and girls who look like you and me.

15:05 Only nuts.

15:06 Play around with the occult for kicks.

15:07 I want their names.

15:09 I wouldn't know them.

15:10 Soon as Robert put punk to his incense, I knew his buddies were coming over, so I left.

15:14 Do you know Maura Spencer?

15:16 A long time ago.

15:18 Once at a party.

15:19 A hundred percent party where nothing stranger than everybody getting looped took place. Robert pointed her out to me and said she was a high priestess. At the time, Maura didn't have her shoes on, so I told myself this is no high priestess if I ever saw one.

15:33 What else?

15:35 Nothing else.

15:36 My husband was out of his mind. He was looking for kicks. He found all of them, then he ran out. Nothing else left but putting knives to throat.

15:44 Take a look, Danny.

15:45 Hmm?

15:46 Came over for communication a second ago.

15:49 Johnny Longstreet?

15:50 Yeah, just now under a subway train at Times Square Station. The fellow was pushed. Johnny Longstreet, dead.

15:56 It's still your turn, Danny.

15:57 Got a comment?

16:06 You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Brings you every kind of show.

16:22 Pleasure for everyone. Wonderful hours of fun. Turn your dial for a smile. Entertainment all the while. You'll hear the best wherever you go. Just tune to CBS Radio. Wherever you go, tune in to CBS Radio.

17:13 October spreads its golden light over Broadway. The mob hurries down Saturday Street. It's the day of the stadium again, and the soft drink, and the old locomotive yell, and the very small hot dog for 35 cents. And it's the day when higher education comes into its own, when an English student punts a bladder and everybody screams. The word is bula bula, the flower of chrysanthemum. And everybody's either your buddy or your arch rival. Get with it, kid.

17:43 Today it's just like going to college. Below all of it, in the subway, the non-ticket holders still proud. But excitement of another kind. A man who fell or jumped or was thrown onto the tracks in front of a subway train. Where I was, above me on the platform, Detective Muggerman.

18:03 I'm trying to tell you.

18:04 All right, all right.

18:04 You just stand over there with that man.

18:06 Hey, Danny.

18:07 Give me a hand up, Markovan. Thanks. Any witnesses? Yeah, a couple.

18:13 Just dying for the opportunity.

18:15 Yeah.

18:16 All right.

18:17 You, mister.

18:18 Tell the lieutenant here what you saw.

18:19 Like a bird in flight.

18:20 Look, Frank. I looked up and there he was in midair. As if he were suspended.

18:25 And whatever held him, severed.

18:27 See any one portion?

18:28 No.

18:29 Then gracefully he began.

18:30 Go home, mister. All right, buddy, what did you see? Well, I was standing beside him. As a matter of fact, I was practically looking right at him.

18:38 Then it happened.

18:38 What then? Why, he wasn't there anymore. I heard a scream, and there he was like he is now. Anybody push him? Oh, who pushed him?

18:47 Okay, okay.

18:48 Take over, Muggerman. I'm going back to headquarters.

19:08 Here, Danny. Put it in the hat.

19:10 Huh?

19:11 A pool, Danny. A football pool. Don't be coy. Pony up two bits. Put it in the hat.

19:16 All right. What have I got?

19:19 What you've got. Notre Dame, and you're giving 20 points.

19:23 Oh.

19:24 The game's over, isn't it?

19:26 Forgive me.

19:27 You lost.

19:28 The way you've been helter and skelter, I didn't get a chance to collect from you this morning. So I am seizing this opportunity by the horns to collect from you.

19:35 Besides the hat, Gino... Huh? Besides the two bits in the hat, what else have you got?

19:41 Oh, that.

19:42 You're a big winner today, Gino, but don't press your luck too far.

19:45 Don't be harsh, Danny.

19:46 It is not often I am smiled upon by Dame Fortune.

19:51 What I've got as follows.

19:53 Nothing new on the death by subway of Johnny Longstreet, fullback, third-year college boy.

19:57 Run down a more Spencer, I asked for. Have you got that?

20:00 This I got?

20:02 Gino.

20:03 Excuse it, Danny. I was making in my mind an explanation to Mrs.

20:06 Tartaglia how come I got an anonymous quarter to put in the piggy bank.

20:13 Morris Spencer, huh?

20:14 Whatever you feel up to, Gino.

20:16 Rundown on the lady in question was made as per your request. These items have been found. That she was a finance to the deceased Johnny Longstreet and that she is a widow of a year and a half standing.

20:27 Oh?

20:28 Two and a half years ago, Morris Spencer was married to a fellow, Charles Lane, by name. Said fellow was found, according to these records, on August 3, 1949, on a sidewalk eight floors below the window from which he had thrown himself. As per testimony at coroner's inquest by his widow, Bora.

20:46 Let me see those records, Gino.

20:47 Goes without saying.

20:49 As you review them, you will come to the place where I have made a pencil check mark, easily erased, besides some information which I personally thought.

20:57 Would be of some interest to you.

20:59 You want to tell me about it, Gino?

21:00 As long as you ask.

21:02 This Charles Lane, deceased of a running jump from a window, former husband of Maura Spencer, was in partnership at the time of his death with one Spence Griffin in the novelty and election button business.

21:14 This Mr.

21:14 Griffin is now to be had at his home address, 1923 West 18th. I took the liberty this was of some interest to you.

21:22 No apologies, Gino. You did splendidly. Thank you very much. Yeah? Is your name Griffin? That's right. I'm from the police. Name's Danny Clover.

21:50 Well, is it going to take long enough for you to come in, or are you just selling... If you don't mind.

21:54 Sure not. Come on. Have a chair.

21:58 Now, you don't mind me trying to squeeze into this outfit all the while, do you?

22:01 No, you're right ahead.

22:02 Big thing.

22:03 My alma mater won today. Everybody's dancing tonight.

22:06 So I got to get into a size 42 because a married lady named Janice Drinkwater is going to show up.

22:12 When am I going to stop kidding myself?

22:14 I'm going to give me a hand here.

22:15 Thanks.

22:17 Tell yourself about what? Janice Drinkwater. College, when I knew her, it was Janice Galt. Now, I'm size 48, and every year we made it this dance, both of us 10 pounds heavier, and tell each other we're both half.

22:28 Did you go to college with a man named Charles Lane? Charlie? He's dead. I know. He jumped off the porch.

22:34 Very high porch. No, I didn't go to college with him. He was your business partner, though, wasn't he?

22:39 Mm-hmm.

22:40 Every year, I wrestle with his tie. Why did Charles Lane jump?

22:44 Every year, Janice straightens it for me and wags a fat finger at me.

22:47 Why do I do it?

22:48 Why do I.

22:49 Dance with her and make believe to myself I can't feel the stage?

22:52 I'm talking to you, Mr. Griffin. Why did Charles Lane jump? I don't know. No idea. I was there when it happened, you know. No, I didn't.

23:00 Yeah.

23:01 Party for his wife. Let's see, what was her name? Maura. That's right, Maura. Ever see her? I've seen her. What kind of a kick she on these days? What do you mean?

23:12 For the party.

23:13 She had a formula, crazy death curse or something. We all sat around on the floor, beat on things in rhythm, bang things together. Half the people in the weed, I guess. And sure enough, half hour later, after we'd been making jerks out of ourselves, comes a scream from the porch, the balcony.

23:27 Who screamed? Mara.

23:28 Jumping up and down, screaming, crying, carrying on, pointing out to the street, Charlie jumped! Nobody else got excited very much. Figured it all happened because we'd made that circle with all that mumbo-jumbo.

23:41 You know something?

23:42 What?

23:42 I hope Janice doesn't show tonight, then I don't ever have to go anymore.

23:46 Brassers. And leave the man struggling to thin himself back into a memory. Leave a man who had been there when Maura Spencer's husband had fallen into death. And walk then, and for a while drift with an autumn day with swarm coming into city, fighting crowd going home. And somewhere near river, find a bench, sit a while. Watch tug and barge on autumn waters. Hold it back for a while.

24:17 Then consider three deaths Robert Turk, Johnny Longstreet, Charles Lane. Then make a decision. Leave the still place by the river. Go back to headquarters. Get Muggerman in on it. Check these out of supply, Danny. What you asked for. Yeah, right. Polster and gun off the chair, huh, Muggerman? Oh, sure, Danny.

24:39 Here you are. Oh, thanks. The way you figure, huh?

24:43 The way you have to do it, huh?

24:45 You got another way?

24:47 No, I guess I haven't. A woman, she's part of a man's life. Gets to be a part of his dying.

24:56 Three of them. Count them. Three. I'll see you, Muggerman. It's your life, Danny. I'll see you. Yes.

25:25 Oh.

25:26 Oh, it's you. Hello, Miss Spencer. Mind if I come in?

25:29 I wish you would.

25:30 Thanks. You alone?

25:35 Johnny isn't here, if that's what you mean.

25:38 He's dead. Oh. Didn't you know?

25:42 No.

25:43 Happened earlier today. Subway train killed him.

25:46 Then it really did happen.

25:48 I just told you. No.

25:50 No, that's not what I mean.

25:52 What did you mean?

25:53 Something you wouldn't understand. I knew Johnny wasn't coming back. Who are you?

26:00 Are you all right, Miss Spencer?

26:03 I haven't been drinking or anything. You're a policeman. I remember.

26:08 That's right. Do you remember Charles Lane?

26:12 I was married once to him.

26:15 He's dead, too.

26:17 He jumped from a place and died.

26:18 Jumped?

26:19 He had to.

26:20 What do you mean?

26:21 There were some people and we crouched together in a circle and we said some things and we wished it. And Charles died.

26:28 Why did Robert Turk die?

26:31 He cut his throat. You know that.

26:33 He committed suicide too, didn't he?

26:35 Like Charles. He had to.

26:37 Because you rejected him?

26:39 That's part of it. But this.

26:47 These.

26:48 What are they?

26:49 Little ivory sticks. They're Chinese. These are why Robert died. You throw them, like dice. And whatever pattern they make when they fall, that's what happens.

27:02 Do it.

27:03 You want me to?

27:04 Sure.

27:06 You're really interested?

27:07 I want you to.

27:09 Listen.

27:10 Yeah?

27:11 Do you know about me?

27:13 I want you to tell me.

27:16 All three of them. Charles and Johnny and Robert... I wanted them dead. They died.

27:23 Yes.

27:26 I can do that, you know.

27:27 I know. Miss Spencer... Mara. All right, Mara. I'm going to take my coat off. It's warm.

27:34 I want you to.

27:35 And this, my gun. I'll put it here on the desk. Now, show me about the ivory sticks.

27:45 Stand there, and I'll kneel on the floor.

27:48 Now.

27:51 Come, look.

27:55 You see?

27:57 What?

27:57 The pattern it makes. It tells me I'm very beautiful and I will live a long time.

28:04 I'd like to try.

28:05 All right. Here. You kneel. I'll stand here.

28:17 What do they say?

28:17 Death.

28:19 But you haven't looked.

28:20 Death?

28:21 They say death. Johnny did. And Robert. Charles. Now they say you. And that's why, Mr. Clover, you have to die. Because I want it. And I can do these things. Make men die.

28:37 There's no more blanks in the gun. It's empty.

28:41 Die. Die.

28:43 Die. You killed all of them, didn't you?

28:44 Yes, and you. Die.

28:46 Let's go. Die. Die. It rolls over Broadway now, the shock of the night. The sound of it is a thing of laughter and trumpet and a million-throated voice. And from a thousand streets they gather to come here, to scream with the roar, let the wave of night roll over them, gather them up, Spill them into the doorway of their choice. It's Broadway. The gaudiest. The most violent.

29:31 The lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My beat. Broadway's My Beat stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia and Jack Crucian as Mugovan. The program is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis, with musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. In tonight's story, Sammy Hill was heard as Mara. Featured in the cast were Lee Millar, Truda Marson, and Lou Merrill. Bill Anders speaking.

30:21 ¶ ¶ © BF-WATCH TV 2021.

30:58 Is Tarzan's gripping exploits in the City of Sleep, the capital of the continent's narcotics industry. On Gangbusters this evening, it's the case of the Christmas trio with a strange kind of Christmas spirit involved in an even stranger Christmastime wedding. Enjoy Vaughn Monroe, Tarzan, and Gangbusters all ahead tonight on CBS Radio. And remember, the comedy treat that can't be beat is Jack Benny Time, Sundays on the CBS Radio Network.

31:24 © transcript Emily.

31:51 Beynon Welcome back.

32:21 This is an interesting episode, and I don't think the timing of its airing was coincidental. Airing two weeks before Halloween, this really does feel like a Halloween episode. Now, of course, this isn't the episode of Broadway's My Beat that aired nearest to Halloween.

32:42 And indeed, we don't even get a mention.

32:44 Of Halloween, but... I think when the actual Halloween episodes of detective programs, from what we've heard, tend to be very focused on the holiday itself, like the Green Witch in Philip Marlowe. And in addition to that, often end up a bit tongue-in-cheek, like The Fairly Bright Caper, or a bit cheesy, like great-grandfather's rent receipt on Casey Crime Photographer.

33:18 But this episode really goes in for a lot of atmosphere of the horror genre, with a script with unusually haunting and evocative language about the supernatural, and the question of whether the supernatural is at work throughout this episode. And Fine and Freak can... do a good job of mixing some real cultic elements and just kind of making it work for the mystery as a whole. The Chinese divination sticks are something that actually exists. They are known as cao qing. However, they don't work in the way this episode describes. Because essentially, they work as kind of a substitute for dice. Whereas with real... cauchy sticks. Each stick is numbered and then the number corresponds to a source.

34:18 It could be a palm, it could be a paper slip, it could be a cabinet drawer. In the modern era, it could even just be something digital. But regardless, all that is on the stick is the number. But the way she's You know, reading, I guess, quote-unquote, they're kind of like a combination of dice and tarot cards. Also, quite a bit of drugs in this episode, with both opium and marijuana making appearances. We have an interesting scene between Danny and Sergeant Mugovan at the beginning. It's really different to have Mugovan... talking about his family, since that's usually a Tartaglia thing. And the way that scene played out, it could have been from Dragnet. In fact, you've got to imagine Fine and Freaking being like, you know, on

35:19 Dragnet they do those scenes. We could do one of those. Let's just see if we can do that. And it worked fairly well. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Bruce, Patreon supporter since July of 2022, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $ 7. 14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Bruce. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from.

35:58 We'll be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat, but join.

36:04 Us back here tomorrow. For Dragnet.

36:08 Where?

36:09 Ordered him here anyway. We did. It was an emergency.

36:11 The ambulance took him here from the scene of the accident.

36:13 Well, you still haven't told me how it happened.

36:15 Now, why do you say it was his fault? Why are you accusing him? It was his fault, Mr. Wheeler. There's no doubt about it. He was speeding and a police car tried to catch him. He tried to outrun him. In the process, he ran into a parked truck. I knew it wasn't his fault. Sir?

36:26 So he was going a little too fast. Charlie's a good driver. Why'd you have to chase him? Probably the cause of the whole thing. You're the ones to blame.

36:31 Take it easy, Mr. Wheeler. Take it easy? Nothing.

36:33 Why couldn't you let the kid alone? He could drive as well as I can. Think I'd let the kid have my new car if he couldn't handle it?

36:38 What about a driver's license, sir? Your son have one? Well, no.

36:41 I didn't have a chance to get him one. Too busy to take him down there for the tests. It's a stupid thing anyway. Any moron can pass it. The point is, you didn't have to chase him. He wasn't hurting anybody, was he? I taught him how to drive. He drives just like I do. He's a fast driver, but he's a good one.

36:53 I ought to know.

36:54 Our radio cars had to chase your boy 19 miles, Mr.

36:56 Wheeler. 11 cars chased him.

36:58 Your boy was endangering the life of everybody on that highway. In a 25-mile-an-hour zone, he was clocked at better than 70 miles an hour. At one time, we figured he must have been doing better than 90. He went through a dozen boulevard stops. He barely missed a woman pedestrian. The woman had a baby in her arms. Just before he cracked up, he sideswiped another car, an old couple in it. They're in this hospital, too, and they're hurt.

37:16 They're hurt bad.

37:17 Now, you go ahead inside and make those two old people believe your son's a good driver, that he was just having some innocent fun, will you?

37:21 It's not all his fault. He probably wouldn't have done it if you didn't chase him. I know my boy can handle a car. I've raced cops myself once in a while. Charlie was with me.

37:29 He's cool.

37:29 He knows what he's doing behind the wheel. Just because you drive fast doesn't make you.

37:33 A bad driver. It helps.

37:35 Frank?

37:35 Yeah, Doc. Can you spare me a minute? This is Mr. Wheeler, father of the boy who was driving the car. This is Dr. Hall. Where's Charlie? I want to see him. I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to wait a few minutes. He's lost a lot of blood. They're giving him another transfusion. What's the matter with him? How bad is he hurt?

37:48 There's a report. Read it yourself. What kind of treatment are you giving him? Are you sure you know what you're doing? I think so. I've been on this job for 11 years. That's how long I've been dealing with fools like you.

37:56 What?

37:57 I heard you ranting and raving out here at these offices. Well, let me tell you this, mister. All three of you were wrong. That boy of yours lying in there isn't to blame. You are his own father. You were driving that car tonight. I heard you ranting out here. You taught him how to drive. He can drive as well as you can.

38:11 He's cool. He knows how to handle a car. You taught him how to race cops. Well, the results are inside, Mr. Wheeler.

38:15 Look here, I don't want any sermons from you.

38:16 I want to see my boy. I want to see him right now.

38:18 You're not going to get any sermons from me. They wouldn't help you. But I'm going to tell you what's on my mind. I've seen your kind for years. I've sewed them up, I've patched them up, and I've pulled a sheet over their face. So far, you're lucky it hasn't happened to you. You're on borrowed time. Must be true what they say. The good Lord takes care of the fools and the drunks.

38:33 I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13 at greatdetectives.net. Follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives and check us out on Instagram, instagram.com slash greatdetectives. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.