CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater) is a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was repeated by the NPR satellite feed.
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00:00PBS Radio Mystery Theater presents
00:03Come in.
00:21Welcome. I'm E.G. Marshall.
00:25If wishes were horses, then beggars might ride.
00:30Or so says the poet.
00:31The problem is that wishes are only wishes.
00:35And they form the distance between dream and reality.
00:39For most of us, that distance will remain fixed and constant forever.
00:44However, there are those people who know how to make horses out of their wishes.
00:51And thus, ride on to wealth and fame.
00:54Now look, ma'am. The boy was heard to threaten him.
00:57I know, Lieutenant.
00:58He said he was heard to say. I'll kill you.
01:01I'm aware of that.
01:02His fingerprints are on the murder weapon.
01:04I can't deny that.
01:06Well, then why do you insist he's innocent?
01:08Why?
01:09I'm his mother. That's why.
01:11Our mystery drama, Mother Knows Best, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Sam Dan,
01:27and stars Bryna Rayburn and Russell Horton.
01:30It is sponsored in part by Contact, the 12-hour cold capsule, and Ex-Lax.
01:36I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:38It's a wise child, they say, who knows his own father.
01:53To which we might add, it's a wise father who knows his own child.
01:58And, in these liberated times, what goes for fathers also holds true of mothers.
02:05You children of all ages who are listening, what do you know about your parents?
02:11And, you parents, what do you know about the kids?
02:15If everything were completely on the level, would there be any shocks?
02:21Good morning, Joey.
02:23What do you say, Mom?
02:24Oh, I say, are you going to look for a job this morning?
02:29Well, I'll go through the motions.
02:30Now, don't let it get you down.
02:32The only thing around is the warehouse.
02:34Yeah?
02:35$2.50 an hour.
02:37Well, maybe if you'd stayed on at college.
02:39You should go down to the unemployment one day, Mom.
02:42You'd see all the guys with their college degrees lining up for their checks.
02:47College is like everything else.
02:49No, college is a waste of time if you don't go to class.
02:52Hey, I wasn't supposed to go to class.
02:54I was there to play football.
02:56I'd be there yet if I hadn't busted up my knee.
02:59Yeah.
02:59I'm sorry, Joey.
03:01But I am going to make it big someday.
03:04I'll show you well.
03:05Listen, uh...
03:07Ma, you, um...
03:09You got a thousand bucks?
03:10A thousand dollars?
03:13Yeah, yeah.
03:14I got a chance to go into something with Ralph and Albie.
03:17Who's Ralph and Albie?
03:18Two pretty sharp guys.
03:20Where would I ever get a thousand dollars?
03:22Oh, come on.
03:23I know you, Ma.
03:24You're always putting money aside.
03:25Oh, maybe.
03:27But it's gone.
03:28I don't think I got a hundred dollars in the bank.
03:31But you've been saving your money for years.
03:33Did you ever hear of inflation?
03:35I don't make enough to live on.
03:37I've been dipping into the savings account.
03:40And the well's almost dry.
03:43Gee, you never told me.
03:44Well, that's why I was hoping you could get a job.
03:47Any kind of job for a while.
03:49I simply have to raise the thousand bucks.
03:52This thing with Ralph and Albie,
03:54what could make us rich?
03:55I don't know if I want to be rich.
03:57I have enough to pay the bills with a little bit left over.
04:00That's good enough for me.
04:01Why should it be good enough?
04:03I've seen how rich people live.
04:05I can imagine.
04:06No, you can't imagine.
04:09Mom, I was big man on campus.
04:11I was all America.
04:12All those rich dames.
04:15They wouldn't let me alone.
04:16Joey, that was the one thing I never approved of.
04:19You take what's there while the taking is good.
04:22If those are the moral values they teach at college,
04:26perhaps it's just as well you no longer...
04:27Mom, now, the homes, the cars, the servants.
04:31What they eat and drink.
04:33Oh, honey, be content with what you have.
04:35But I've got nothing.
04:37I'm sure you'll find a job.
04:39And a nice girl.
04:41Yeah, like my old man did.
04:44Worked myself to death for peanuts.
04:46Say, your father was a good and decent man.
04:49Sure he was.
04:50Joey, dear, don't be discontent.
04:52I don't want to see you have to work so hard, Mom.
04:57Oh, I don't mind.
04:58But you deserve more.
05:00And you are going to get it.
05:02You know, this thing with Ralph and Albie, it's real hot.
05:05Yeah.
05:05Are they college men, too?
05:07Oh, yeah, yeah.
05:08They went to college.
05:09Great guys.
05:10Mom, where can I get this thousand dollars?
05:13If only I had it, Joey.
05:15I never wanted anything so badly in all my life.
05:18You know how badly I needs Mom?
05:21Enough to go see my Uncle Frank.
05:24Oh, no.
05:24Yeah.
05:25Yeah, that's how badly.
05:26Well, he'll throw you out of the house.
05:27Mom, he's a businessman.
05:28He'll listen to a proposition.
05:30Not from you.
05:31He'll laugh in your face.
05:32Oh, I don't care.
05:33Oh, Joey.
05:35Don't you have any pride?
05:36I can't afford it.
05:37No one is that poor.
05:39I am.
05:39Then get a job.
05:41Learn a trade.
05:42That's not where the real money is.
05:45Mom, where else can I get that money?
05:49Well, I don't want you to crawl to your Uncle Frank on your hands and knees.
05:52I don't care.
05:54I don't care.
05:55I'll do anything to get that money.
05:56You hear me?
05:58Anything.
06:05Hi, Joey.
06:07Oh, hello, Ralph.
06:08Albie's out of town.
06:09Oh?
06:10Trying to raise money, you know, here and there.
06:12Oh, yeah, I know.
06:14The old lady turned you down, huh?
06:16Yeah.
06:17Yeah, that's too bad.
06:19I guess you can't come in with us.
06:21I, uh...
06:23I still may be able to come up with it.
06:25Hey, baby, that's terrific.
06:28Who can you touch?
06:29Well, see, I've got an Uncle Frank.
06:31Will he come across?
06:33Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
06:34That's smart.
06:36Did you learn that at college?
06:38Uh, yeah, that's just about all I learned.
06:42Hey, can you give me a ride over to my uncle's in your car?
06:45You've got a deal.
06:46And, uh, wait for me downstairs.
06:48You're on.
06:49Let's go.
06:51Well, uh...
06:52Come on, what are we waiting for?
06:53I, uh...
06:55I'd better have another drink first.
06:58Uh-uh.
06:59If you don't have the juice to go up against the old man, you won't find it in a bottle.
07:04I said I was going to do it, didn't I?
07:06I just want to make it go easier, that's all.
07:08A thousand bucks.
07:11Would the old geezer have that much lying around the house?
07:14Oh, he's got ten, twenty, fifty times that much, just lying around.
07:18Okay.
07:18Hey.
07:19So what's a thousand bucks to a guy like him, huh?
07:22Yeah.
07:23I guess it's like his blood.
07:25It's, uh, precious.
07:27You know what I mean?
07:27My Uncle Frank, he's one of those misers right out of the books.
07:30He loves to sit around at night and count it.
07:33I don't believe it.
07:34Run his fingers through it.
07:35Come on.
07:36Yeah, I saw it once.
07:37I was a little kid.
07:38It's what, uh, turns him on.
07:39Is Mr. Joseph Dawson, Jr., I live here?
07:53Oh, why do you...
07:54Why do you want to know?
07:56I'm a police officer.
07:57I can tell.
07:59It's written all over your face.
08:01Yeah.
08:01I didn't know it showed.
08:03You accustomed to having cops stop by to ask about your son?
08:07How do you know he's my son?
08:08Well, you're just a bit too old to be his wife, or these days his girlfriend.
08:14Oh.
08:14What else do you do besides ring people's doorbells and make insulting remarks?
08:19Uh, my name is Cassello.
08:21Detective Vito Cassello.
08:22Yeah?
08:23Where's your identification?
08:24That's right.
08:25You should always ask.
08:27My badge.
08:28My card with my picture.
08:30Mm.
08:31Well, what do you want?
08:32I want to talk to your son.
08:35About what?
08:36May I come in?
08:37Have you got a warrant?
08:38A warrant?
08:39Yeah, I work in a lawyer's office.
08:40I know my rights.
08:42You don't need a warrant to talk.
08:44Well, make sure that's all you do.
08:46Talk.
08:47Yes, ma'am.
08:48Was your son home last night?
08:53Oh, I don't know.
08:54I...
08:54I work nights.
08:56I came home at about four o'clock this morning.
08:59And he was in bed.
09:01Asleep.
09:02You said you work in a lawyer's office at night?
09:05Uh, that's right.
09:07Uh, Joey, you better get up.
09:09Till four o'clock in the morning?
09:10Well, yes.
09:13It must be an interesting job.
09:14Joey, you have to come in here.
09:17Where was I?
09:18Oh, what I do.
09:19Is that, uh...
09:21Is that the business of the police?
09:22It could be.
09:24Does Joey have to know?
09:25Well, I won't tell him.
09:27You see...
09:28I told him I do typing there.
09:31But the truth is, I...
09:32I clean the offices.
09:35What is it, Mara?
09:36A man here wants to see you.
09:38A cop.
09:41You still haven't told me what this is all about.
09:43I will, when Joey comes in.
09:46Ah, Joey.
09:48Oh, uh...
09:49Who are you?
09:50Who am I?
09:52Huh.
09:52I thought you'd never forget me.
09:55You were 12 years old and I was pounding a beat.
09:57And you were caught sharp lifting in a five and dime.
10:00Hold on, Lieutenant.
10:01I can have you sued for slander.
10:03Joey has no record of ever having...
10:05Yeah, thanks to me, he has no record.
10:08Because I gave him a talking to and let him go.
10:10Well, if you, uh...
10:11Come here so I could say thanks?
10:13Okay, uh...
10:14Thanks.
10:16Joey, last night a man named Frank J. Timmons was murdered.
10:21That's Frank.
10:22Your Uncle Frank.
10:24Oh.
10:25Uncle Frank murdered?
10:26Outside the apartment house, witnesses reported seeing a red sports car.
10:31The license identified it as belonging to a Mr. Ralph Perry.
10:35You know him?
10:36Joey, is he the Ralph you were talking about?
10:39Mr. Ralph Perry.
10:41A small-time hoodlum.
10:43Confidence operator.
10:44Joey!
10:45You said he was a college man.
10:46On being questioned, Mr. Perry said he had given his friend Joe Dawson a ride to Mr. Frank Timmons' apartment.
10:52And he was waiting for him to come out.
10:54Is that true?
10:56Uh...
10:56Yeah.
10:58Yeah, that's true.
10:59Several of the neighbors report that they heard sounds of a violent quarrel.
11:04Did you quarrel with your uncle, Joey?
11:09Uh...
11:09Well...
11:10Answer him.
11:12Uh...
11:12Yes.
11:14You were heard to say, I'll kill you.
11:17Joey!
11:18Did you?
11:19I don't say another word.
11:20You're not required to.
11:21What's the difference?
11:22Yeah, yeah, I said it.
11:24You said, I'll kill you?
11:26Yeah, but I didn't mean it.
11:28Well, if you didn't mean it, why did you pick up a heavy brass candlestick that was on the table?
11:33Joey, that's not true.
11:34People heard Mr. Timmons say, put down that candlestick, Joey.
11:38It can't be true.
11:39Is it true?
11:40All right, let me tell you what happened.
11:42I went up to ask him to lend me some money.
11:46How much?
11:46A thousand dollars.
11:48For what?
11:48Well, for a business proposition.
11:51Well, uh, we got into a hot and heavy argument and...
11:55I told you not to go, Joey.
11:56I told you not to go.
11:57And I said I had to have that money.
12:00Well, you know what he said?
12:03He said, people in hell have to have ice water.
12:07It was the way he said that, the nasty way he said it.
12:10It was as if I was dirt under his feet.
12:14Oh, and I lost my temper.
12:16I shouted at him, if you don't give me that money, I'll kill you.
12:19And I picked up that heavy candlestick.
12:21I shook it at him.
12:22He looked at me.
12:23He just looked at me with a funny kind of expression, as if he was seeing me for the first time.
12:30And you know what he said?
12:34I believe you would.
12:36I believe you would kill me.
12:38Uncle Frank, don't make me do it.
12:41Look in your eyes.
12:43And I see a kid not even 25.
12:47Consumed by hatred.
12:48I need that money.
12:50Why?
12:50No, no, don't tell me.
12:53It's something crooked, something shady, isn't it?
12:57Yes.
12:59It's my fault.
13:00My fault.
13:02When my brother died, I should have done something for his widow and his kid.
13:06You're willing to commit murder to get $1,000.
13:10Yes.
13:11It isn't worth my life and your immortal soul.
13:15Take it.
13:17Uncle Frank.
13:18Take the money.
13:19Take it and do something worthwhile.
13:23Uncle Frank, I...
13:24You better go now, Joey.
13:28Give my regards to your mother.
13:32He...
13:33He gave you the money?
13:35Yes, Ma.
13:36He gave me the money.
13:38It's in my drawer.
13:39The $1,000 is in your drawer?
13:42Maybe.
13:44Where's the other 50?
13:45Well, what other 50?
13:47The 50,000 he was known to keep about the house.
13:50Well, I don't know anything about that.
13:51You don't?
13:52No.
13:53I don't.
13:55Why are you asking me these questions?
13:57You were there.
13:58You argued with him.
13:59Threatened him.
14:00There's a bloodstained candlestick with your fingerprints on it.
14:03I don't care what you say.
14:04I...
14:04I don't care how it looks.
14:06All I know is I didn't do it.
14:08Come on, Joey.
14:10Ma.
14:11You...
14:11You've got to believe me.
14:12I...
14:13I didn't do it.
14:14Say you believe me, Ma.
14:16Say you believe me.
14:20Ma.
14:29Well, now, thinking ahead.
14:31Did Joey kill his Uncle Frank, or didn't he?
14:35We've given him the world's strongest motive, which is money.
14:39We've placed him at the scene of the crime.
14:41We've arranged to have him somewhat intoxicated, which would serve to suppress any moral inhibitions.
14:48However, if you need more facts before coming to your decision, stand by.
14:54Act two is chock full of them.
14:56It's money alone that preserves life, said a Japanese poet.
15:15And it makes excellent philosophy, because the reverse is also true.
15:20You could say, in many cases, it's money alone that destroys life.
15:26You don't believe it?
15:27Well, a man named Frank J. Timmons is dead.
15:31Why?
15:32The only reason somebody wanted his money.
15:37Ma, I didn't kill him.
15:39I didn't.
15:41You have to believe me.
15:42You lied to me.
15:44Well, I couldn't help it.
15:45These friends are yours.
15:46Ralph and Albie.
15:47They're a couple of hoodlums.
15:48Look, Ma, I was only trying to...
15:50For a thousand filthy dollars, you killed your Uncle Frank.
15:53I didn't kill him.
15:55I should have known.
15:56You said to me, I'll do anything to get that money.
15:59Anything.
15:59Joey, I think we've got to go down to headquarters.
16:02Ma, you've got to help me.
16:04Now you want me to help you?
16:06Now, after you've committed murder?
16:08But I didn't do it.
16:09Oh, don't lie to me, Joey.
16:10It's bad enough as it is.
16:12Now or later, Joey?
16:19I didn't do it, Lieutenant.
16:21Now, let me help you.
16:22Why should you want to help me?
16:24I helped you once.
16:25You were 12 years old.
16:26As it turned out, I didn't do any good.
16:28You became a bum anyhow.
16:30If I hadn't busted up the tendons in my knee,
16:32I'd have been number one pick in a draft.
16:35Yeah, well, whatever the reason, you became a bum.
16:38Maybe if I helped you this time...
16:40Help me do what?
16:41Get the best deal you can.
16:45Cooperate.
16:46You could be out of jail in six or maybe seven years.
16:50You'll be just about 30.
16:51That's time for a whole new life.
16:52But you're wrong.
16:53Now be smart.
16:55Tell me what you did with the other 50,000.
16:57What other 50,000?
16:59Joey, I got lots of time and lots of patience.
17:04But it can't run out.
17:05I don't know what you're talking about.
17:08You went there to borrow $1,000.
17:11To you, it was a matter of life and death.
17:14Well...
17:15Come on.
17:15Now don't rewrite history.
17:17Okay.
17:19Your friend Ralph drove you down.
17:22Waited for you in the car.
17:25Finally, you came out and Ralph said...
17:28You get the dough?
17:30Yeah.
17:31Hey, it's great.
17:33He popped for the thou, huh?
17:35Yeah.
17:35Hey, wait till I tell Albie.
17:38Don't tell Albie.
17:39Huh?
17:40I changed my mind about the deal.
17:43I don't want any part of it.
17:44You've got to be kidding.
17:46No, no, no.
17:46I mean it.
17:47Oh, hold on.
17:48You said you'd be willing to commit murder for the money.
17:51That's right.
17:52And now you got it?
17:53You want to call it off?
17:54Yeah.
17:55Well, why?
17:56Because I was all ready to commit murder for it.
17:58I don't get it.
18:01Goodbye, Ralph.
18:02Was that the conversation?
18:07Yeah.
18:09What made you change your mind?
18:11The look on my uncle's face.
18:14I decided I'd use the money for...
18:16Well, for something worthwhile.
18:19I didn't want any part of the confidence scheme of Ralph and Albie's.
18:22I decided I would do something worthwhile with my life.
18:25Just like that, huh?
18:27Yeah.
18:28Just like that.
18:29Then what were you going to do?
18:30Well, I'll get a job, maybe go back to school.
18:34And that's why you changed your mind about the scheme, huh?
18:37Yeah.
18:39Well, now, let me tell you why.
18:42You went in there.
18:44You were a small-timer.
18:46You were looking for a thousand bucks to buy a piece of a...
18:49I don't know, small-time con from two small-time hustlers.
18:54You knocked off your uncle.
18:55Well, I tell you, I'm still telling you.
18:59You looked around.
19:01He had more than one thousand.
19:04He had fifty thousand more.
19:06It's not true.
19:07So you grabbed it all.
19:09Now, what did you need Ralph and Albie for?
19:13You'd just outgrown them.
19:15He gave me the thousand dollars.
19:18I left the house.
19:18He was still alive.
19:20You want sympathy, you'll get sympathy.
19:22You want understanding, you'll get understanding.
19:24But you've got to do two things.
19:27First, confess to the murder.
19:30And second, give back the fifty thousand.
19:32Why?
19:33Why won't you believe me?
19:36All right, Joey.
19:39Let me know when you're willing to talk.
19:45Ma, you have to help me.
19:49Help you?
19:50How?
19:50Ma, don't talk to me as if I was a stranger.
19:53I'm sorry.
19:55I don't know you.
19:56Ma, please.
19:57Somebody who could commit a murder in cold blood.
20:01He's not my son.
20:02I don't know him.
20:04Okay.
20:06Okay, I'm sorry I bothered you.
20:08All you ever wanted was to be a bum.
20:10No, that's not true.
20:12No?
20:12Well, if you wanted to make something out of yourself, you could have stayed in college.
20:15That's what you think.
20:16That's what I know.
20:17They'd have had to let you stay in college, even if you were injured and your athletic
20:21career was finished.
20:22Stay and do what?
20:23Stay and go to class.
20:25I did stay.
20:26Oh, sure.
20:26Yeah, they flunked me out anyhow.
20:28Because you didn't study.
20:29I couldn't study.
20:30And I know why.
20:30Do you?
20:31Yeah, you were too busy bumming around.
20:33Mom, I wanted to study.
20:36I just couldn't.
20:38What stopped you?
20:39I don't know how to study.
20:41What do you think you're kidding?
20:42Listen, Ma.
20:43No, you listen.
20:45Wasn't that why you were going to college?
20:47To learn how to study?
20:48No, you don't go to college to learn how to study.
20:50By the time you go to college, you're supposed to know how to study.
20:53Well, maybe if you'd paid attention in high school.
20:55How could I pay attention?
20:56I was the big sports hero.
20:59And nobody told me not to be either.
21:01But after the knee injury, what stopped you from studying?
21:04It was too late.
21:05Oh, it's never too late to learn.
21:06I opened plenty of books.
21:08The trouble is, I couldn't read them.
21:11They weren't printed in English?
21:13Oh, you don't even know what I'm talking about.
21:17You never asked me how I was doing with my schoolwork, did you?
21:22Did you ever ask yourself, what's he learning in school?
21:26When does he study?
21:28Oh, Joey.
21:29Oh, Joey.
21:30How could I work in a warehouse after you've been the big man on campus?
21:35How can you become nobody?
21:37Oh, Joey.
21:39I'm sorry.
21:41But the fact is, I did become nobody.
21:45I was so stupid I let those two punks, Ralph and Albie, sell me a bill of goods.
21:50Please, Joey.
21:52I guess both of us, we really didn't know the score.
21:56Sure, I kept believing I could fool everybody into thinking I did secretarial work.
22:02I wanted you to be a football hero.
22:05What other way was there for you to make it?
22:07And it would have been good for me, too.
22:09Ma.
22:10Ma, you've got to help me.
22:12Oh, sure, Joey.
22:13You know, the lieutenant said that it won't be too bad.
22:16A few years at most if you cooperate.
22:18What?
22:19Hmm?
22:20What are you saying?
22:22You believe I killed Uncle Frank?
22:26Ma.
22:27Joey.
22:27No, Ma.
22:28I didn't.
22:29I didn't.
22:29The evidence, the evidence, Joey.
22:31The witnesses heard you.
22:33And your fingerprints.
22:34I told you how those fingerprints got there.
22:36I don't know.
22:37I am innocent.
22:39You've got to help me.
22:41Oh, I'll help you, Joey, because so much of it is my fault.
22:46Oh, Ma, that's not why you should help me.
22:50You can only help me if you believe me.
22:54Please.
22:56Please believe me.
22:57Come in, Mrs. Dawson.
23:05Please sit down.
23:07Thank you, Lieutenant.
23:09Um, you spoke to Joey?
23:12Yes.
23:13Did you convince him it's in his best interest to confess?
23:18No.
23:19You didn't?
23:20It's not in his best interest.
23:22You know why?
23:23He didn't do it.
23:24What are you saying?
23:25I'm saying he's telling the truth.
23:27Oh, now, Mrs. Dawson.
23:28I believe him.
23:29You're his mother.
23:30Which means I know him better than anybody else.
23:34Why couldn't it have happened the way he said it did?
23:36Oh, now, just a minute.
23:38He needed the money.
23:39He goes to his uncle.
23:40Well, he was desperate.
23:41Don't deny that.
23:42Oh, he was up against it, sure.
23:43He threatened the man.
23:44Well, he admits it.
23:45He has no choice.
23:46He was overheard.
23:47He even picked up the candlestick.
23:49You're getting him in deeper and deeper.
23:52I'll even say this.
23:53He would have killed Frank Timmons.
23:55You'd say that?
23:56A cold, cruel, heartless man.
23:58He could infuriate anybody.
24:00Mrs. Dawson, you better not say any more.
24:03But at the last split second, Joey stopped himself.
24:07Something in the old man's look or the old man's voice or both stopped him.
24:12I don't think so.
24:14I believe, my son.
24:16I sympathize with you, Mrs. Dawson.
24:18I don't need your sympathy.
24:19I need your help.
24:21Look, I can't even afford a decent lawyer.
24:24Oh, sure.
24:24Sure, I know.
24:25The court's going to assign me an attorney.
24:27Some kid fresh out of law school or some old hack doing it for the fee.
24:31Now, look, you're entitled to competent counsel.
24:33Oh, don't tell me what I'm entitled to because I'm telling you what we're going to get.
24:37We're going to get what they give you when you don't have any money.
24:40Joey, Joey Dawson is going to get written off.
24:43He'll get a fair trial.
24:45Oh, sure.
24:45It'll be fair.
24:47But it'll be wrong because he shouldn't be on trial at all.
24:50He didn't kill Frank Timmons.
24:52Frank Timmons is dead.
24:54Somebody had to kill him.
24:56If not Joey, who?
24:58That's what the city pays you to find out.
25:01If not Joey, who?
25:14To which we might add, if not Joey, how?
25:18Well, so far, all Joey has been able to do is convince his mother of his innocence.
25:24Which, when you come to think of it, is hardly an earth-shaking event.
25:27But he'll have to do much better than that in Act Three because if he doesn't, we'll have to hand him over to the jury.
25:34Men freely believe what they wish to be true, said Julius Caesar, who was quite guilty of that little conceit himself.
25:56But then again, aren't we all?
26:00With a straight face, we demand evidence, facts, figures, dates.
26:05But with a secret smile, we yield to hunches, premonitions, assumptions, which are based on what?
26:14Who knows?
26:15Mrs. Dawson, your son is the prime suspect in the Timmons murder.
26:19That word prime, Lieutenant, does it mean only?
26:24Mrs. Dawson, the evidence is there.
26:26Only if you look at it a certain way.
26:28What other way is there?
26:30Now, suppose you say, for the sake of argument, Joey didn't do it.
26:34Then what?
26:35Then what?
26:36Save for the sake of argument, nobody heard anything.
26:39Nobody heard Joey threaten his Uncle Frank.
26:42Nobody noticed Ralph's car parked outside.
26:44There were no leads to anybody.
26:46Then what?
26:47Then you'd have to go find him, wouldn't you?
26:49But we already found him.
26:52Now, you ask me, if Joey didn't kill Frank Timmons, who did?
26:57Okay, I'll ask you.
26:59Who?
27:02Mrs. Dawson, what do you want me to do?
27:05What would you do if you didn't have Joey in custody?
27:08We'd cover the place to look for witnesses for people who might have seen or heard something.
27:12Then do it.
27:14We've already done it.
27:16Well, do it again.
27:17We'd only come up with the same answers.
27:18Joey was supposed to have killed his Uncle Frank.
27:21At what time?
27:22Well, he was seen leaving there about 10.30.
27:25Let's say someone else killed Frank Timmons.
27:28It would have to be after 10.30, wouldn't it?
27:30Well, this is your theory, Mrs. Dawson.
27:32Well, wouldn't the autopsy report show the exact time?
27:36And it wouldn't be after 10.30?
27:38No.
27:39What do you mean, no?
27:40You can't fix the time of death to the split second.
27:45The examination can only place it within 10, 15, or sometimes 20 minutes to a half hour.
27:51Yes, but I...
27:51Furthermore, you've got this to contend with.
27:55Frank Timmons was struck on the head.
27:57He could have still been alive when the murderer left him for dead.
28:01Maybe he didn't die until an hour later.
28:03The time of his death is 11.15.
28:06Well, what does that prove?
28:07Well, I believe my son is innocent, and I'm going to prove it.
28:12Don't ask me how, but I'm going to prove it.
28:14I have to.
28:15Mrs. Dawson, you've got a guilty conscience about that boy, haven't you?
28:19I don't know what you're talking about.
28:21Aye.
28:22You had a tough life.
28:24There were two half-brothers, Jerry Dawson, your husband, and Frank Timmons.
28:28Frank was rich.
28:29Jerry was poor.
28:31In addition, Jerry died young.
28:32Did you refuse Frank's help, or did he never offer it?
28:37I don't know whose business that is.
28:39Well, anyhow, Joey was your hope.
28:42You struggled to raise him, to send him to school.
28:45He could have made it big as a football player.
28:47But a couple of tendons, and then he ended all that.
28:50And your hopes to become somebody were out the window.
28:53Now, look, all of this is my business.
28:55He was such a bitter disappointment that when he was accused of murder, you practically disowned him.
29:01But then, of course, your natural love for him took over.
29:04So now you're trying to make up for him.
29:06I'm trying to prove he isn't guilty.
29:09Okay, Mrs. Dawson.
29:11If you need any help, let me know.
29:20Oh, Ma, what's the use?
29:22They don't believe me.
29:23Now, you left your uncle.
29:25It was 10.30.
29:25Yeah.
29:26Where did you go?
29:27Well, home.
29:28I went right home, got to bed.
29:30And before you went home, you spoke to Ralph.
29:32Oh, yeah, yeah, okay, I did.
29:34And you told him what?
29:35Well, you know, I told him the deal was off.
29:37But he knew you'd gotten the money, didn't he?
29:40Yeah, he knew that.
29:41Well, where is this going to get us?
29:43Okay.
29:43You said you didn't want the deal.
29:47What did Ralph say?
29:48Well, nothing.
29:48What could he say?
29:49And then what happened?
29:50I walked away.
29:52And where did he go?
29:53I don't know where he went.
29:55I do.
29:56He went back there, killed your Uncle Frank, and took the rest of the money.
30:00Ma, what are you saying?
30:02I'm saying the only thing that makes sense.
30:08But it can't be proved.
30:10You mean it would be too hard to prove.
30:12So why bother?
30:13This way you've got a ready-made Pepsi and a case that's open and shut.
30:17That's not fair, Mrs. Dawson.
30:19My boy's whole future is at stake.
30:21If I thought there was even the slightest chance your son was innocent, I'd be out there working on it.
30:26This Ralph, he has a record.
30:28He's been up for assault, hasn't he?
30:29Yes.
30:30So he's capable of it.
30:31That doesn't mean he's guilty.
30:33Look, would you come with me?
30:35Where?
30:35To that apartment house where Frank Timmons lived.
30:38Why?
30:39Look, the government has all the aces.
30:41The government wants to prove my boy is guilty.
30:44It has all the money, all the manpower.
30:46The government can send you and a hundred cops to talk to people, to find people.
30:50What have I got?
30:51If I want to prove my boy is innocent, nothing.
30:55You can ring a doorbell and people have to talk to you.
30:58I ring a bell, I get the door slammed in my face.
31:01Is that fair?
31:02Now, how am I going to find people unless I ring doorbells?
31:06I just want you to come so I don't get thrown out.
31:09I can't do a thing like that.
31:11Why not?
31:12Well, I can't do it.
31:14Officially.
31:19I believe I told you the story already, Lieutenant.
31:23Well, perhaps something new might have occurred to you, Mr. Parker.
31:27Oh, I heard sounds of what was definitely an altercation next door.
31:34I could tell it was an argument about money.
31:37Uh-huh.
31:38Did you hear any fright?
31:39Oh, yes.
31:40And I heard this voice say, I'll kill you.
31:43And Mr. Timmons' voice say, put down that candlestick.
31:48Oh, it was frightening.
31:50Now, did it enter your mind that you might go and help Mr. Timmons?
31:54Oh, I was going to do something, but then I heard the door slam shut in the hall.
32:00I ran to the window, saw a man come out of the front door.
32:05He walked over to a red sports car parked at the curb.
32:09I jotted down the license number.
32:12The man who walked out of the house, did he get into the car?
32:15Well, he had words with the driver.
32:18Then he walked away and the driver drove off.
32:21Could you hear what they were saying?
32:23No.
32:24Well, thank you, Mr. Parker.
32:27I'm sorry I couldn't add anything.
32:30This apartment here, it's on the other side of Frank.
32:37Mrs. Dawson, this is where I've got to get off the train.
32:41I brought you here to listen to all the witnesses.
32:44They all tell the same story now that they told it first.
32:47I still say Ralph came back here and killed Frank Timmons.
32:50There are no witnesses.
32:52Surely the person who lives in this apartment here would have heard somebody.
32:55I already spoke to him.
32:56In the first place, he says he didn't hear a thing.
32:59Not even a fight.
33:00How could he not hear?
33:01Second, I wouldn't believe a word he said.
33:04Why?
33:05Because he's a nut.
33:06That's why.
33:07Well, I'm going to talk to him anyhow.
33:09Mrs. Dawson, there's nothing more I can do here.
33:12I've got to get back to headquarters.
33:14I'm sorry.
33:16You're on your own.
33:18Goodbye.
33:19Okay, Lieutenant.
33:21Goodbye.
33:21Goodbye.
33:30Yes?
33:31Your name is Mr. Jedwick?
33:33Isn't that what it says on the door?
33:35Could I please talk to you, Mr. Jedwick?
33:38Why would you want to talk to me?
33:40About what happened here the other night.
33:43Did something happen here the other night?
33:46Your neighbor, Mr. Timmons, was murdered.
33:49Don't know a thing about it.
33:53I don't know a thing about it.
33:56Now, go away.
33:58Mr. Jedwick, I'll stand here and ring your bell until you talk to me.
34:01I'll stand here forever.
34:04Now, you've got to talk to me, Mr. Jedwick.
34:06I said I don't know a thing about it.
34:11Mr. Jedwick, I know I can't make you talk to me.
34:14You'll bet your life you can't, even if you are a cop.
34:18But I'm not a cop.
34:20You're not?
34:21I...
34:21I'm a mother, and my son is accused of that murder.
34:25Who's...
34:26Then he's a cop.
34:27Which cop?
34:29The cop that killed Frank Timmons.
34:32But my son isn't a cop.
34:34He isn't?
34:35No.
34:36Then he didn't kill Mr. Timmons.
34:39Are you saying you know who killed Mr. Timmons?
34:43Come on inside.
34:47Now, who killed Frank Timmons?
34:50For your own good.
34:52You'd better not kill anyone.
34:54There was an argument next door.
34:55You heard it.
34:56Of course I heard it.
34:58I wasn't going to tell it to the police.
35:00The man who had the argument was Mr. Timmons.
35:02He wasn't the one who committed the murder, was he?
35:05No, no, no, no, no, no.
35:07I looked out the window and saw him leave.
35:10Fifty, oh, twenty minutes later, this policeman came back.
35:16Did you see him?
35:17Oh, no, no, no.
35:18But this person who came back, how did you know he was a policeman?
35:22Well, I heard the bell ring next door.
35:27Oh, I said to myself, what is it now?
35:31I ran to my own door and I listened.
35:34Oh, I could hear it very distinctly.
35:38Every word.
35:40Yes?
35:42I'm a police detective.
35:44Oh.
35:46Somebody probably called you because they may have heard sounds of a fight.
35:51It's no problem.
35:53You have a nephew, Joseph Dawson?
35:56Yes, but he didn't do anything.
35:58We've been watching Joe Dawson on suspicion.
36:02Oh, sorry to hear that.
36:03Well, we stopped him for questioning just before and routine search revealed he had a thousand dollars on him.
36:10He claims he got it from you.
36:12Did you give it to him?
36:14Yes, I did.
36:15Well, that takes care of that.
36:17Oh, you mind if I use your phone so I can tell him to release Joe without delay?
36:23By all means.
36:24Come in.
36:25I heard the door slam and I ran over to this wall.
36:33I put my ear to it and I heard sounds of, oh, it could have been a struggle.
36:40I looked out the window and I saw a man running down the street.
36:45And you didn't call the police?
36:46Called the police?
36:48What for?
36:49To report a murder?
36:51Why, the police had done it themselves.
36:53But that man wasn't a police officer.
36:55Yes, he was.
36:56He had to be.
36:58I heard him say so.
36:59Mr. Jettwick, would you mind telling this story to a friend of mine?
37:04Oh, no.
37:05Oh, no.
37:06I shouldn't even have told it to you.
37:12For crying out loud, is this what you brought me here to listen to?
37:16Who else could have come back but Ralph?
37:19Who else knew Joey had a thousand dollars but Ralph?
37:21Ralph, who else could use that knowledge as a gimmick to get into the apartment?
37:26Did this Mr. Jettwick here?
37:28Do you realize what a smart defense attorney could do to him on the stand?
37:32That is, if he was even willing to open his mouth, which he isn't.
37:35Well, I say Joey didn't do it.
37:36And that means it had to be Ralph.
37:38Where's the phone book?
37:39What do you want a phone book for?
37:40What does anybody want a phone book for?
37:42To look up a number.
37:43Oh, there it is.
37:45Who are you going to call?
37:45Just give me a second.
37:46Yes, here it is.
37:51Look, Mrs. Dawson, I've got to be going.
37:55Just wait a minute, Lieutenant.
37:56Just wait.
38:01Hello?
38:02Are you Ralph Perry?
38:04Yeah, who are you?
38:06Well, I live next door to Mr. Frank Timmons.
38:08That is, while he was alive.
38:10Yeah?
38:11I saw you come back there that night and murder him.
38:14Hey.
38:14You got away with $50,000.
38:17You're crazy.
38:18Oh, I don't care about that.
38:19But what I know should be worth a little money.
38:21Say, $5,000.
38:23I don't know what you're talking about.
38:25It's only 10%.
38:26Be over here in 15 minutes with the money or I'm going to the cops.
38:31You know what you did?
38:33That was entrapment.
38:35I'm not allowed to have any part of that.
38:37I'd better get out of here.
38:38How can you get out of here?
38:39Suppose that man comes with a gun and tries to kill me.
38:42Well, you should have thought of that.
38:43Suppose you get this Ralph Perry all wrong.
38:46What if he didn't do it?
38:47He did it.
38:48Well, how long do you think I can afford to hang around and wait?
38:51As long as it takes, Lieutenant.
38:58Okay, Mrs. Dawson.
38:59I'm afraid this has to be it.
39:01Oh, you can't leave.
39:03It's been three hours.
39:05Now, surely, even you have to admit that Ralph Perry, whatever he may be, isn't the murderer.
39:12I don't admit anything.
39:14Not even the fact that your son is a killer?
39:17Don't say that.
39:18I wish that all the amateur sleuths would let the police do their job.
39:25Suppose Ralph is the killer.
39:26You admit it.
39:27No, I don't.
39:28There's no evidence.
39:30But if he is, you know what you did?
39:33You ruined it.
39:34You tipped him off that he could be in trouble.
39:37Maybe we could have watched him.
39:39Waited for him to flash a lot of money.
39:41You warned him to stay low to play it cool.
39:43Well, I didn't realize...
39:46No, of course not.
39:47And this little trick on the telephone.
39:50You think he'd fall for that?
39:51He's an experienced crook.
39:53Your word against his.
39:55He's probably got himself an ironclad alibi.
39:59I'm sorry.
40:01It's just so hard to believe that my own son could murder.
40:06I have to go now.
40:08You don't have to worry about him.
40:10He's laughing at you.
40:11He figured it as a trap with the cops waiting to bag him the minute he rings a bell.
40:15I said I was sorry.
40:17I was desperate.
40:18I was willing to try anything.
40:20Yeah, well...
40:21Be quiet.
40:25Stand at the side of the door.
40:27And just reach over and pull it open.
40:36Hello, Ralph.
40:40Hello, Ralph.
40:50See?
40:51Sometimes the amateurs win one, too.
40:54And while Ralph is looking into the big black muzzle of a police positive,
40:59let us remember that evidence which is compiled by the heart
41:02is as powerful as that which is gathered through the brain.
41:06I'll have some further evidence for both organs
41:10when I return in just a few moments.
41:13Earlier on, I happened to remark that the greatest motive for murder is money.
41:35I'm sure some romantic souls among you will insist that the greatest motive is passion,
41:42especially romantic passion.
41:44Perhaps we're both right.
41:51I'm sure that to many, love of money is the most romantic of all the emotions.
41:57And there are those who love money with such a deep and abiding infatuation
42:02that they will never let go of even the smallest part of it.
42:06Our cast included Bryna Rayburn, Russell Horton, Cork Benson, and Bob Caliban.
42:13The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
42:17Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division.
42:23This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater
42:28for another adventure in the macabre.
42:31Until next time, pleasant dreams.