Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Show
Johnny Dollar - The Hannibal Murphy Matter
https://www.solgoodmedia.com - Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! Step into the shoes of America's favorite freelance insurance investigator with Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Show. This series captures the essence of the golden age of radio, featuring Johnny Dollar as he tackles deceptive insurance cases with charisma and intelligence. A must-listen for lovers of detective stories and classic radio dramas.
- Duration:
- 31m
- Broadcast on:
- 18 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
Hi, I'm Dalvik Quince. One way to help manage type 2 diabetes is to regularly exercise. My exercise program can help get you into a routine that works for you. Keep in mind, managing butch sugar also takes the right. Diet. Hi, I'm celebrity chef Franklin Becker. Ever since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I've adapted my cooking style without sacrificing flavor. If you want to learn more tips about diet and exercise, visit mytype2transformation.com. With Lucky Land Slots, you can get lucky just about anywhere. Daily Beloved. We're gathered here today. Has anyone seen the bride and groom? Sorry, sorry, we're here. We were getting lucky in the limo when we lost track of time. No, Lucky Land Casino, with cash prizes that add up quicker than a guest registry. In that case, I'd pronounce you lucky. For free at LuckyLandSlots.com, daily bonuses are waiting, no purchase necessary void where prohibited by law. From Hollywood, it's time now for Edmund O'Brien as... Johnny Daller. Inspector Traebur, returning your calls, sir. Oh, yes, Inspector. Thanks very much. I wonder when I could talk with you about the Hannibal Murphy that... What, your pleasure, sir. Do I understand you've come all the way from the States? Yes. The news broke yesterday and his insurance company thought I'd better. The reports weren't quite clear on whether or not it was accidental. Then you haven't heard. Only that he somehow fell off a cliff. Oh, then I hope your pardon by being a bit non-plastage or timely arrival. Mr. Murphy's death was definitely not accidental. Examination this morning revealed a bullet wound in his head. Edmund O'Brien, in a transcribed adventure of the man with the action-packed expense ago, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly Johnny Daller. Expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Daller to Home Office, Plymouth Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Hannibal Murphy matter. Expense account item one, $264.80, airfare and incidentals between Hartford and Kingston, island of Jamaica. After checking into the Myrtle Bank Hotel and reporting my phone to the British Constabulary, I went over late that morning and met the Alvesant in charge. Well, Mr. Daller, it's a pleasure to have you here. Thank you, Inspector Treva. Although news of the death of one of your countrymen is hardly the kind of invitation I should like to send you. If it hadn't been Mr. Murphy, I probably would have been invited to a murder someplace else. It's a popular pastime. What do you know about the Murphy's Inspector? I understand he's survived by a widow. Yeah, there's a brother also, Paul Murphy and a stepdaughter, Phyllis. I didn't know about that. You mean they're all here in Kingston? Yes, the brother has lived here for the past two years, has a cottage just outside town. The deceased and his family were visiting him, had been here for two months. Anyone else? Two servants, an old cook and a young man who has rather general duties. Do you have any kind of a theory, Inspector? Since the fact of the murder was proved only this morning, no, except that it was murder of the position of the wound and the headrooms out suicide. Any suspicion then? No, none that I wished a voice at the moment. Perhaps you'd like to visit the scene of the crime, or rather the point from which the body fell into the sea. In this Inspector, I would. Like most British police officers, he was playing it close to the vest, but on the way, he did let me know that he considered the Murphy's, including the surviving brother. The people who had been spoiled by too much money were completely selfish and quite possibly could be hated by a number of people. After a drive of a few minutes, we left the car and crossed through a strip of shaded parkway to a bridle-path at parallel to cliff some hundred feet in height, at the bottom breakers piled in against the jumble of coral and rocks. Here we are. We wrote the section off in case we might learn something from the marks, though hyped up, we will. There you see, on the edge, the torn earth and the broken branches. Yeah. His body was found alone. Yes, it was discovered by a young island who was searching for shellfish at an early morning low tide. He said the Murphy College wasn't far away. Can you see it from here? No, it's beyond the trees there. The path turns inland before it reaches the grove. Does this cliff run near their place? Yes. I believe so that you and I share a common bewilderment. If his killer met him here, I shoot him if he could have been pushed over the cliff and kill that one. Precisely, we should have had a dare of a time proving his murder at all. Unless the killer wasn't strong enough to get him over while he was alive. Like a woman. That possibility that does present itself, doesn't it? Yet, if he'd been shot and fallen here, then dragged to the edge, there would have been signed. None. No bloodstains. Nothing. So unless he was shot somewhere else and carried here, we must visualize the victim and the killer standing side by side on the sheer edge of the precipice, gazing out to see a moment before the shot was fired. Can we go to the house now? I had planned to wait until I had a more complete report on ballistics, but please feel free to pay them a visit if you wish to. Thanks, Inspector. I should let them know I'm here. Very good. Come along. I'll drop you by. The theory that Murphy was shot someplace else had holes in it, too. The idea was to dispose of the body while he dumped it so close to his home. The male servant answered my knock and told me Mrs. Murphy was resting and left me on the veranda while he went to find out if she'd see me. A few seconds after he'd gone, I met another member of the household, the daughter, plain girl with short hair, gangling figure, and troubled eyes. What's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter? What's the matter? He thought I'd better wait out here. What do you want? I came to see Mrs. Murphy. About what happened? Yeah, I'm afraid so. My name is Felice. I'm her daughter. I cannot leave. Oh, thanks. You're an American, aren't you? That's right. My name is Dada. You've come here because of what happened to my stepfather. Why did you? I was sent by his insurance company in the States. Oh, I'd forgotten about that. I suppose he left a lot. He always did everything so handsomely. He brought in an accident, you know. He was murdered. Somebody shot him. Yes, I know that. I suppose if he'll be all sorts of trouble now, please will come and ask all kinds of questions. Well, things like this are never pleasant. Are you worried about answering questions? Of course not. Why should I be? It's just the way you mentioned it. Well, I'm not. I'll tell them everything I know and everything I thought about him. I'm not ashamed. Felice. I had a right to hate him. Felice. Stop it. Stop talking that way. Tron, you're not. Every awful thing that ever happened to me is his fault. He would filter out and stop it. Go to your room. All right, I'll go. But you won't be able to send me away when the police come. I'll tell them. Get out of here. Yes, mother. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. She really doesn't mean what she says, I'm terribly sorry. You don't have to be Mrs. Murphy? But an outburst like it to a perfect stranger, I don't know what you must think. I think she's a pretty upset young woman. But she has no right to be. She's been an extremely difficult child. I don't know what else to say to you, I'm terribly ashamed for her. Now, would you come into the drawing room? Thank you. Please, sit down. You are an insurance investigator, Mr. Donald. Yes, and if you feel up to it, I'd like to get as clear a picture as I can of what happened the night your husband was killed. I imagined that I saw that you put up with it, can't I? A sooner or later, yes, it probably would have been easier if your husband's brother were here to take part of the responsibility. Oh, he went to make arrangements for flying my husband home. I'm not sure when he'll be back, but I'll help all I can. All right. First, Mrs. Murphy, do you have any idea who could have killed your husband? What was the faintest idea, Mr. Dollar? You'd been here in Kingston for two months. Is that right? Yes. Could your husband have made any enemies during that time? Did he mention anything like that? No, he mentioned nothing. We've been about for a little. We only met a few people, some of Paul's friends, but he couldn't have made any enemies. Who was here the other night? No one but Hannibal Paul and Feliz and I, and the servants, of course. Did your husband leave the house? Yes, of course he did. Quite a strange question, Mr. Dollar, considering where he was found. I'm sorry. Why did he leave? Paul said he was going to take a walk. He was in the house when I went to my room. What time was that? Little past ten. Paul retired a short time later, and he remembered that Hannibal said he wasn't sleepy. Perhaps he would take a walk. And I'd take it your daughter had gone to bed, too. Yes. Do you mind if I talk to her now? Oh, I'd rather you didn't. Why? Do you suspect her? I didn't say that. Do you? Of course not. The mother would hardly suspect her own daughter. Why don't you want me to talk to her? Because she's a poor, unbalanced girl, who's filled with war-t hates and misunderstandings. She'll say dreadful things about Hannibal. And about me, things that are absolutely not true. She'll have to be questioned, Mrs. Murphy. Of course I realize that. Well, there's nothing more I can say, I'll show you to her room. But police wasn't in her room. I found her waiting for me on the bridal trail along the cliff. She'd been crying. I heard you say you were an investigator, and I ought to talk to you again. And you, I couldn't, and I saw you did here. Mm, glad you did. I just know it's a matter with me. I shouldn't have said what I did. I meant it when I said it. No, I don't. I don't think I know quite what you mean. I'm awfully mixed up. The doctor tried to explain it to me. With my real father died, and my mother was all I had. And when he came along, I thought he was stealing her from me. I thought I didn't, didn't have anything anymore. How long ago was that? Been three years. I was 14 when they were married. But he did take her away. We chucked me into an old spoon and went off on a trip. I know he didn't do it just to hurt me. But at night it would seem to me that it is. I tried to get over it, but I never could. That's why I'm glad he's dead. It's not a very wise thing to say, Felice. I can't help it. Do you have anything else you wanted to tell me? No. I wanted to explain why I acted the way I did in the house. I don't suppose you understand. Part of it I think I do. Quite a few children have to adjust themselves to step their hands these days. It's tough, and some do it better than others. I haven't done it well at all. Now I won't have to try anymore. I am sorry for the way I acted. I want to help you everywhere I can. How do you think you can help me? I'm not sure yet. It's when I am, I'll let you know. All right, Felice. I'll be talking to you again. I didn't know then what this strange mixed up girl was driving at. I got the impression that she wanted to talk more than she had. I was fairly sure the way to bring it out was to wait rather than prep it too hard. I checked in with Inspector Treva and his reactions were about the same as mine. On the strength of them, he called Paul Murphy into his office that afternoon. The last time I saw him was when I went to bed, we'd had a drink together and he said he wasn't sleepy and thought he might take a walk. Do you know how long after that he might have left the house? No, I'm sorry, I don't. I was dead tired, I went right to sleep. Was he in the habit of taking walks at night? Sometimes, yeah. But you didn't hear a shot? No, I didn't hear anything. How much time passed would you say between the time you left him and the time you were asleep? Oh, not more than 15 minutes, Inspector. Then he couldn't have left the house before, say, quarter past 11. Yeah, it's got to be about it. And you're sure you didn't say anything about meeting anyone? He simply said he might take a walk. I'm not quite sure that I understand the importance of these questions. The importance of this, your brother was killed by a 25-caliber pistol fired at quite close range. I'm afraid we must assume that if he did not meet anyone, somebody either accompanied him or followed him. You mean you suspect someone in my house? We're only stating the facts. Someone was with your brother. We've ruled out the possibility of a robbery motive since both you and the widow have stated that none of his personal effects are missing. You can see how the thing narrows down, Mr. Murphy. Yes, I can. Don't know what to say. Do you mean that you suspect someone? No, no, I don't. If you do, Mr. Murphy, it would be you, your advantage to come out with it. I'm afraid the duty of making accusations is yours, not mine. A commendable statement, sir, as long as you don't mean that you're withholding information. I'm not. I have no information at all. Very well, Mr. Murphy, you may go. When Paul Murphy left, we both felt that he, too, was holding back, that it would be a long time before he offered any information. But we were only half right. He phoned the office a few minutes after he had reached home. Yes? Have you called in your own doctor? And the doctor drummed it, yes, I know him. Now, we'll send one immediately and come out ourselves. Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Murphy. Well, the stepdaughter attempted suicide. How serious? Mr. Murphy was quite beside himself, and it was hard to know. What did she do? Slash her wrists, a method that was really successful. But the question is, why did she do it? [MUSIC PLAYING] We will return you to yours, truly, Johnny Dollar, in just a moment. Later this evening, the gangbusters give a graphic illustration of what happens when the police are the criminal who is a perfectionist. When a gang leader leaves no stone unturned to commit the perfect crime, there's a rough manhunt ahead for the police. Here are the exciting developments when you tune in gangbusters later this evening on most of these same CBS radio stations. [MUSIC PLAYING] Now with our star Edmund O'Brien, we bring you the second act of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. [MUSIC PLAYING] Inspector Draper and I went right out to the Murphy residence. But we're held back from Felicia's room by both a private and an official physician. The latter was the last to leave the room. And Dr. How is she? You can see her now, as you might expect, she's in a highly emotional state. Yes. Oh, this is Mr. Dollar, Dr. Girly. You know, how do you do, sir? Not too girly. She's going to be all right. Oh, yes, I think so. He's going to do a very good job of it. I think she needs a good psychiatrist, a very good one. She's evidently needed one for a long time. She's saying anything to you? No, nothing specific. Only that she hates everyone. Well, I wish you luck, gentlemen. I've got to run. Thank you, girly. Bye, Dr.. Good day. Well-- Yeah. Miss Murphy, we've been told we could see. Don't call me, Miss Murphy. That's not my name, and it's never has been. Hello, police. Hello, Mr. Dollar. Who is he? You remember me, Inspector Trebert. I spoke to you yesterday. I hardly remember yesterday. I hardly remember anything I don't want to. I want to forget. What do you want to forget? Everything, my whole life. It's been a waste. Nothing's been right. I hate her. Reasonous. I don't care. I'm going to tell the truth. What is it? They killed him. My mother and Paul, I thought all had things. You would have witnessed the killing. I saw what was happening here. I thought what was happening in England last summer. First, I was glad. I thought it'd go away, and I'd never seen the game. Feliz. Then we came here, and I'd do it. If it weren't for him, it would be somebody else. I knew it would never stop. Feliz, hold it. Slow down. I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, young lady. Do you mean that the marriage between your mother and stepfather was not a happy one? Started last summer in England. She was getting tired of him. I heard them fighting and calling one another name. They tried to hide it from me because they knew to make me happy. But I heard them. She wanted to divorce him. He wouldn't let her. What happened the other night, Feliz? I knew what was happening here, too. I heard them arguing the other night after they sent me to my room. Then I heard mother go to her room. Then they left the house. Your stepfather and Paul, I thought it was. Did you see them leave? Yes. Then I heard the shot. What time did you hear it? You remember? Yes, I remember. This quarter past 11. I remember because I was lying in bed a week. And when I heard it, I sat up and I turned on my lamp. And I looked at the clock. Then I turned the lamp off again and went to the window. And in a little while, I saw Paul come back alone. Why haven't you told us this before, Feliz? No, no. It was awfully mixed up. She's my mother, the first I thought I should be treated. And I thought of everything she'd done to me. She never wanted me. She threw me away. She's never been a real mother. I've always hated her. That's what I'm telling you. Because I hate her and I want her to be punished for everything. I shall expect you to repeat this in the form of a sworn statement, Miss Feliz. I will, but you've got to take me away from here now. I can't stay here in the face. I'm afraid of what they do. [MUSIC PLAYING] The girl was moved to the police hospital. And later that day, repeated her statements under oath. About the time she was doing that, there was another developer. Inspector Trebitt received a call from the proprietor, the second-hand shop, that specialized in fishing tackle and guns. After you, sir. Good afternoon. Are you, Mr. Innes? I am. Inspector Trebitt. Oh, I thought you were pleased when you came in. This is Mr. Dollar, an American investigator. How'd you do, sir? I'm glad I meet you, Mr. Innes. We want to thank you for phoning about the gun. Well, I thought it was my duty. I've been reading about the murder. And when this chap came in here to tell me if this was the same caliber as the missing weapon, I said to myself, you opt to the phone and tell the police. Could we see the pistol, please? I've got a right ear behind the case. Here we are. Wait a moment. Have you handled it much? Handle it? Of course I've handled it. I had to look it over before I paid him for it. If this is the murder weapon, I'd like to protect any fingerprints that might remain. Let me pick it up. Hmm. A webley, Mr. Dollar. And it's been in England. Would you recognize the man who brought an Innes, Innes? I think so. There's not much trade and guns here. Do you know of fishing gear, mostly? I think this is the first gun I've bought in six months. Yes, yes, I'd remember him. Would you describe him, Mr. Innes? I'll try. It was about my size, I'd say. A little heavier. We had what you'd call Brown Air. He was tan. His English are American. He was English as I am. Well, thank you, Mr. Innes. It's possible you may be called upon for identification. Happy to oblige, Inspector. But what about the money? I paid four pounds for that pistol. [MUSIC PLAYING] In view of Felicia's sworn statement, Inspector Trebit was forced to make an arrest. So for the last time, he returned to the murder. [MUSIC PLAYING] And I shall have to remind you that anything you say may be held in evidence against you. Do you mean that you're arresting us for Hannibal's murder? There's nothing else I can do, sir. I have a statement given under oath to the effect that you and the deceased left this house together the night of the murder. That's not true. That the sound of a shot was heard and that you were then seen returning to this house alone. That isn't true. There's not one word of truth in it. I didn't leave the house with him. Can you prove that, Mr. Murphy? What? Alice, you know I didn't leave, don't you? Of course he didn't leave. Can you prove it, Mrs. Murphy? I understood you to say you were in your room, that you went to sleep immediately and heard nothing. My daughter made that statement, didn't you? Under oath and before witnesses. But she lied. I told you she would, Mr. Dollar. She'd do anything to hurt me. You've got to believe that. Alice, wait. What did she say was my reason for killing my own brother? Because of your love for his wife. Oh, she's insane. How can you believe these things? You're men of intelligence. When men are used to working with evidence, a sworn statement is admissible evidence unless it can be proved false. Neither one of you seems to be able to do that. Paul. I don't think we better say any more until we've legal counsel. No, I won't let her do this to me. We can't, Paul. I think he killed him. She hated him. She's the only one in the house that had reason to kill him. It's no good, Alice. What are you going to do with this, Inspector? I should have to take you to jailer. Sorry. Oh, you can't? Who did? Give us a few minutes to get ready. Of course. Come on, Alice. Oh, you can't-- Go get your things. Everything will be all right. [LAUGHING] What do you think, Inspector? To be quite honest, I'm not sure. But I know my duty as a policeman. The strength of that statement and the innocence or guilt are up to the courts to decide. Less formally, though, it's a pretty frightening thing to think of. If that girl and her mental frame of mind could suddenly decide that she was a witness, make a sworn statement, and bring all this down on two innocent people. Yes, I know, but the fact remains that they have absolutely nothing to say in their own defense. I've got to arrest them. [MUSIC PLAYING] The widow and Paul Murphy were taken in, and I couldn't get out of my mind the strength of the case against them as far as the crown went. The strength built on the fact that there was no evidence who were no witnesses to refute Felicia's statement. I suppose that as far as the insurance angle went, my job was done. But after I left respect to Trabot, I went to the hospital to see the girl again. Hello, Mr. Dahl. How are you feeling? I feel awfully lonely. They rest, Mother and Paul. Yeah. And I'm all alone. She'll never want me back now, no matter what happens. She never wanted me anywhere. I'm glad I did it. If you told the truth, you have nothing to worry about. What do you mean? I've nothing to worry about. I mean, if you told the truth, you did the right thing. But if you didn't, you'd done one of the worst things anyone could do. Of course, I told the truth. You believe me, don't you? That doesn't make any difference. Inspector did. What did you do, don't you? You just think I was lying, do you? I hope not. You think I could make it all up? You think I could do a thing like that? I hope not. I couldn't. I know what you're thinking. I told you I hated her and I hated him. I could never say the things I said if they weren't true. I could never do a thing like that. How did you happen to see the two men leave the house together? You never really explained that. I-- We're looking out the window. I thought you were in bed? Nothing. You saw them leave and went to bed, then you heard the shot, then you got up again and went back to the window. Yes, that's right. Was your light on when you saw them leave? I-- no. But you turned it on when you heard the shot? Yes. Then you turned it off and got out of bed and went back to the window. Yes. And who did you see? I told you, Paul. You were sure it was Paul? Yes, I was sure. Why were you sure? I saw him. Why were you sure it was Paul? Why didn't you think it was your stepfather? And you're to Paul. Because I had a feeling that something was going to happen. Don't ask me more questions. Better get use of them. The defense attorney is going to be asking the same kind it just gets into the courts. Well, I won't bother you anymore for these, I guess, you're tired. You don't believe me, do you? I told you. Doesn't make any difference. As I mentioned, the matter was out of my hands. By that time, I was sort of 50/50 on believing the girl. I made my plane reservations on my way back to the hotel. But when I asked my key, I got to set a message to phone Inspector Trevitt. When I did, he told me, A, that the 25 caliber webley from the shop was the murder gun. And B, that some prints on it had checked to a known criminal who had confessed the shooting. He asked me if I wanted to come over. It's an incredible turn of events. Raised this perfect hob with the girl's statement. In any case, we thought to build from it. On the other hand, oh, here. I should like to have you meet Mr. Roy Church. What are you doing back, copper? You beat it out of me, so now you've got it. Dropped quite a bombshell into this, Mr. Church. Tell us the dollar in your own words how you came to kill Mr. Murphy. Why should I? You've told him, haven't you? No, I doubt it. He would believe me. I'd like to hear, Church. His ruddy brother said he was going to pay me to do it. Paul Murphy, F, promised me 500 pounds. He did, paid me 100, and I waited two blinking weeks on that clipper, his brother, to take his walk. And I got Welsh by the dirty beggar. Why had to sell the pistol? Tell him why, Mr. Church. I was supposed to take this ear murphy's wallet to make it look like robbery. But he fell over the cliff when I shot him and I couldn't reach him. That'll be all, Mr. Church. Thank you very much. Think nothing of it? Well, Mr. Dollar, this means there is no word of truth in that sign statement, except that maybe she heard the shot. She didn't see the men leave the house or Paul come back. She didn't know anything. Yes, a rather spiteful statement, but fortunately true in content. They did have the man killed. I don't know what to do about that girl. What would you do? Luckily, I can leave the whole mess in your hands, Inspector. But I wish you'd come up and work on any simple, hard-footed murder with me some time. Do you good? Expense account item 2, same as item 1. Transportation back to hard-footed item 3. Miscellaneous expenses, $204.80. Expense account total, $734.40. Remarks? I can't help wondering what would have happened if a police's sworn statement had been entirely false and the widow and Paul entirely innocent. I wonder if they would have been hanged anyway. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, stars Edmund O'Brien in the title role and is written by Gil Dowd with music by Wilbur Hatch. Edmund O'Brien can soon be seen starring in the Paramount Pictures Technicolor production, Silver City. Featured in tonight's cast were Eric Snowden, Virginia Greg, Jeanette Nolan, Ben Wright, Charles Davis, and Dan O'Hearly. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle. This is Dan Coverley inviting you to join us next week at this time when Edmund O'Brien returns as yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Lovers of fine music are already familiar with the strong, melodious voices of the choraliers on CBS Radio. This is to remind our many Sunday night choraliers listeners that this excellent choral group will be heard at a new, earlier time on most of these stations starting tomorrow. Stay tuned now for the von Munro Show, which follows immediately on most of these same stations. And remember, those lovable rascals Amos and Andy are here every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network. An official message from Medicare. A new law is helping me save more money on prescription drug costs. Maybe you can save too. With Medicare's extra help program, my premium is zero and my out-of-pocket costs are low. Who should apply, single people making less than $23,000 a year or married couples who make less than $31,000 a year. Even if you don't think you qualify, it pays to find out. Go to ssa.gov/extrahelp. Paid for by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Judy was boring. Hello. Then Judy discovered jumbo casino.com. It's my little escape. Now Judy's the life of the party. Oh baby, mama's bringing home the bacon. Whoa, take it easy, Judy. The jumbo life is for everybody. So go to chumpakasino.com and play over 100 casino-style games. Join today and play for free for your chance to redeem some serious prices. Chumpakasino.com. No purchase necessary for you. We're prohibited by law 18-plus terms and conditions apply.