Yours Truly Johnny Dollar Show

Johnny Dollar - The Amelia Harwell 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:: 29m
Broadcast on:: 02 Jul 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

I'm Victoria Cash, thanks for calling the Lucky Land Hotline. If you feel like you do the same thing every day, press 1. If you're ready to have some serious fun... For the chance to redeem some serious prizes, press 2. We heard you loud and clear, so go to luckylandslots.com right now and play over a hundred social casino-style games for free. Get lucky today. At luckylandslots.com No purchase necessary. The VGW Group void were prohibited by law, 18-plus terms of condition supply. If you're a facilities manager at a warehouse and your HVAC system goes down, it can turn up the heat, literally. But don't sweat it, Granger has you covered. Granger offers over a million industrial-grade products for all your operations, including warehouse HVAC maintenance. And even better, they offer access to experts and fast delivery, so you and your warehouse can both keep your cool. Call 1800-granger, click Ranger.com or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done. Please forgive your chewing enjoyment. Present for your listening enjoyment, Edmond O'Brien as... Johnny Dallin. George Parker, Johnny, Gretchen Olrin. George, how are you? You need him and the best skater. You take a case for it? I've been sitting here waiting for one. You've got it. Big policy holder on Cape Cod. Mrs. Thomas Hirewell, she died from poison. Mmm, that's rare these days. I'll be over in about 30 minutes. Listen to the rest of it. The makers of Riggly's Spearman chewing gum bring you Edmond O'Brien in a transcribed adventure of the man with the action-packed expensive counts. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly Johnny Dallin. Riggly's Spearman chewing gum refreshes you. Riggly's Spearman chewing gum gives you real chewing enjoyment. Yes, for chewing enjoyment plus refreshment, it's Riggly's Spearman chewing gum. The lively, delicious flavor of Riggly's Spearman cools your mouth, helps keep your throat moist, and gives you a nice little lift. The good, smooth chewing of Riggly's Spearman helps keep you feeling fresh and alert, adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. So for chewing enjoyment plus refreshment, treat yourself often to Riggly's Spearman chewing gum. Helpful, refreshing, delicious. Expense accounts made by special investigator Johnny Dallin to Home Office, Corinthian All-Risk Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditure during my investigation of the Amelia Hawwell method. Expense account, I won 250 cab fare from Iapotman to the Corinthian building in the office of George Parker. Well, first, you know the Hawwell name? I made a text on all people. I tried and trained sort of family. Fortune was built by the deceased father. She was his only child. He naturally had wanted the son to carry on the name and the business. So he trained her, Amelia. She took a man's place all her life. How old was she? Something over 70. And did she still head up the business at that age? She took a very active part. What about the poison? I haven't gotten any of the details on that. That'll be up to you. Anything on the surviving family? Yes. Yeah. I'm happy to hear. My husband Thomas, the daughter of Maxine, and a son Dexter. Here, you'll see, but got the edges. No. Thanks. From what I can gather, she was an extremely domineering woman. Ran her household like a factory. It must have been very little warmth, daughter. And when you consider the fortune she's leaving and the insurance. How much did she carry? Too much. 150,000 for the family, and over 200,000 with a corporation as beneficiary. That kind of money, you should have hired me earlier. As a bodyguard. You spent the count on item two, $40, car rental, and $22 fuel and incidences between Hartford and the Harwell estate on the eastern shore of the Cape near South Wellesley. The mansion was as solid as the family's done in Bradstreet ratings. Heavy brick construction with turrets, shuttered windows, and massive double doors that opened us to a coldly formal entry hall. The widower Thomas's might have been expected was the rabbit type. Pinch glasses, high stuffed color with string tie and sparse hair. Then asked to him in the library, where from the wall a life-sized portrait of Mrs. Harwell seemed to be keeping an eye on the proceedings. How do you do, Mr. Dollar? It's nice of you to say, Mr. Dollar. That will be all, Braden. Yes, sir. Close the door, Braden. Yes, sir. Please sit down, Mr. Dollar. Thank you. Well, these things are always not a start, Mr. Dollar. I am accustomed to bluntness, Mr. Dollar. Besides, I've talked about Mrs. Harwell for almost 50 years. I see no reason to hesitate now, because she's dead. She was poisoned, you know. Yes, I've heard. But I don't think she minded. You don't think she minded. Mrs. Harwell was an immigrant. She had a very short time to deal. I didn't know that. Very few people did. She hardly admitted it to herself. Mrs. Harwell was a very strong woman, one who despised weakness. She had to meet everyone around her, weak. Neither of these drawings had been released to the papers. The illness, all the poison, all. Due to a friendly gesture by the police, she has been spared notoriety. She wouldn't like it to be known, so it isn't. Was she entertained, Mr. Harwell? She never told me. Do you think she could have taken the place in herself? I hardly think so. That would have been an admission of defeat. I think. Do you have any idea how she could have gotten the poison in? You're asking me if I suspect the children, and you're finding it difficult to do so. Is that correct? It's hardly a pleasant thing to bring up. The time for delicacy is passed. I'm afraid I don't approve. My daughter or my son at all. Oh? They're the worst sort of rich men's children. Or rich women, I should say. I was never allowed to be their father. All they've had is a mother. They have no gumption, no ambition. They've been overly educated and have developed nothing but insatiable lusts, so their money is money. And it's too late to change them. I thought that they could not exist. I understand they live here. They do. I should have brightened columns or drawing rooms, if you wish. I don't think that's the very right now. What about the servants? Well, there are eight. Mrs. Harwell settled a small amount on each, but unfortunately they are above suspicion. They are common people, and as a result, good. Then Mrs. Harwell have a nurse. She wouldn't hear of it. Certainly a doctor, then. Yes, Dr. Stevens in the village. Thanks, Mr. Harwell. I don't take up any more of your time. You're welcome any time, Mr. Dollar. Please give Dr. Stevens my little heart. Mr. Dollar, the Harwell cage passes through my hands into yours. Is he more successful than I've had? I ain't not going to. Amelia was not only a hopeless tent as he could, but she was a stubborn old fool. I could have saved her life with surgery three years ago, but I made the mistake of inviting her, and advised her something she could not accept. You've been friendly with them that long? I've tended them longer than that, but friendly as had with the words. I brought each of their children into the world, but have yet to use the given names of any of them in their present cities. Well, I'm glad to talk to somebody like you. I found talking to the old man a little rough. I am used to survivors being sad about that, or suspicious, or something. I'm afraid that with Thomas, instead of a feeling of grief, it's something akin to passing from slavery into freedom. And the children are they as worthless as he makes them out? I'd say so. Maxine, the oldest, is a bit of frustrated, all made of 33. And Dexter, 32, is an alcoholic and has just entered into an unsuccessful marriage. Do you think I know them? Could have killed another? I need no position to accuse any of them, but there is the inheritance of insurance. Fine, how so? How long would you have lived? I have to say, two months, probably three. The family now then? I have been honest with them. And why kill for profit? I don't know. Couldn't have done a mercy killing. I've wondered if it doesn't sound like them. Take a risk like that, but it's a possibility. What kind of poison was it? I don't know. I can ask to attend the inquest this afternoon. If you'd like to call me at home this evening, I'd like to tell you what I've learned. Thanks, Doctor. I will. So far, except for lining the family up and accusing them one by one, I can't seem to map out a move. What about this marriage, you mentioned? Dexter's? I don't know much about it. His girl's name is Gretchen Nielsen. She owns a small for the graphics studio just on the street. Small business. It's below hollow standard, isn't it? That is probably the cause of the problem. I don't doubt that Amelia wouldn't let her live in the house. Through the plate-class window of her studio, Gretchen Nielsen looked like a girl anyone would enjoy having around the house. She lived up to her Nordic name, fine, straight features, warm blue eyes, and a lot of strength about her. I got her home address and knocked at the door of a small house, 15 minutes after she arrived home that evening. - Is this Nielsen? - Yes. I guess I should have said that this is hollow. My name is Dalla. I'm an insurance investigator working on the other, Mrs. Howard, that's fine. I'd like to talk with you. Well, I don't know anything about it. Why have you come here? Because I haven't found any place else to go. I'd rather not talk to you. Why not? Things you don't want to say? All right. Come on in. I'm surprised I have been questioned before this. Please haven't started yet. Probably why you haven't. I suppose that means I can expect to be dragged into it. I'd imagine so, yes. We can sit over here. You know she was poisoned, don't you? Yes, I didn't until Biden the butler told me I read about the death of the paper and phoned out here. Why aren't you living there with your husband? You have no right to act anything like that, have you? You don't have to answer my questions, but it might be a good idea to get things out in the open. Why? Because there has to be a reason for Mrs. Howard well to die the way she did. Could your marriage protect us, be behind it in some way? I don't see how. Wouldn't they let you and Dexter live together now? I didn't give him a chance to let me. They knew I'd never live there. What did they tell you? What did they say about the fortune of a lord and trapped their only son? You weren't mentioned. That's hard to believe. Why isn't Dexter here with you? Because he's a slave. He's too weak to be anything else. I hate myself for saying that, but it's true. Why do you marry him? Because I love him. I thought he had something that would drag him away from that family that smothers him. But when the time came, he wouldn't leave him. Why not? Because his mother never taught him to do anything but hold out his hands of the money that was always there for the taking. He's due to commit us to money in his own now. Quite a chunk. You led the conversation to this point, didn't you? Dexter would never kill for the money. There have to be a reason why she died. I think her husband did it. Why? This talk is suffering. I called her off guard a few times. I know she was in pain. And I know she was second. Probably for the first time in her life. I think he had two and wanted to help. It could be. First, it sounded like you hated it. Now you don't. I feel sorry for her. Because she made so many mistakes. And now she's there to me. Nobody to correct me. I didn't string out my meeting with Gretchen Harwell, Mae Nielsen. I left, went to my hotel, and at seven, phoned Dr. Stevens. His report on the inquest brought out, among other things, that didn't seem important at the time, this point. The cause of death was a non-alkyloid poison, administered in suicide or by personal persons unknown. The poison was hard at the time to choose either for suicide or a mercy killing. With what I had, I went out back to the Harwell residence. I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Harwell has retired. Is the rest of the family up? Yes. I wonder if you tell them that I'd like to see them. Very well, sir. If you wait in the library, I'll tell them you're here. And this is my sister, Maxine. How do you do? How do you do? No. What do you want? I understand both of you were here tonight, your mother, Diane. Yes. I was just cutting the verdict of the inquest. Poison that killed her was not a pleasant one. Did any of you hear any sound shortly before your mother was discovered dead? I didn't. And I found him. I went in the bit of good night. I didn't hear anything in my room. Where is that? Just down the hall from mother. What's the meaning of this anyway? The point is that your mother would have cried out the poison would have been... What's that? The father. He's in his room. Something's wrong. I'm going up to sea. I went with him. We found Mr. Howell in bed, calling his throat and staring at the ceiling. And I bent over and he moved a hand towards a glass of water on the bedside table. I picked it up and smelled it. I know chemists, but I didn't need to be to know that it's in poison. Friends, forever you are, whatever you're doing, you'll enjoy chewing Riggly's Fairmen gum. Chew Riggly's Fairmen while you're working. A lively, full-bodied flavor of Riggly's Fairmen give you a refreshing little lift. The smooth, pleasant chewing of Riggly's Fairmen gum helps keep you feeling relaxed and satisfied. Makes your job seem easier. Chew Riggly's Fairmen gum in your home. When you're out walking or driving. When you're enjoying outdoor sports and other activities. Riggly's Fairmen gum tastes good anytime. And the natural chewing aids suggestions and helps keep your teeth bright and attractive. Yes, forever you are, whatever you're doing, you'll enjoy chewing Riggly's Fairmen chewing gum. Helpful, refreshing, delicious. And now with our star, Edmund O'Brien, we bring you the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. I try to read something in the expressions of the son and the daughter as we stood for a moment around their father's bed. There wasn't much in them. No surprise, no fear, no satisfaction. Maxine looked a little embarrassed and left the phone Dr. Stevens. Dexter looked a little vague and said he thought he knew where a medical book was. And I was left alone with Thomas Harwell. I'm all right, I'm all right. Call him back, Mr. Dollar, I'm all right, I won't die in caution. All right, how much water did you drink? Not very much, I was so thirsty too. But I think I smelled it and they said I felt a terrible burning in my throat. I could hardly breathe. Who would do this to me? I was hoping you could tell me, Miss Harwell. We won't talk about it now. Dr. Stevens is coming out to have a look at you. I'm glad he's been called. He's my friend. Anything I can do for you in the meantime? No, no, thank you. I'm going to be all right. I'm not ready to follow me then. I'm ready, yes. I took the glance of poison water when he went out the room. I put it on a table on the hallway outside his door and stayed with it until Dr. Stevens ran. He spent about 15 minutes with Mr. Harwell and then he joined me. Oh, he's all right. Mr. Stevens? Well, he turned down saying, "Good." You said you had the glass? Yeah, here he is. Go up. Mmm. And it's been a poison and it's still a hundred people. It's a very fortunate man. Can you tell if it's the same stuff that killed his wife? I'd say yes. Kind of dean or some such. What did he say to you? Very little. I'm only a doctor, you know. But he did tell me that was unnecessary for this to be reported to the police. Oh? I told him it would be absolutely unethical if I didn't. Sounds to me as though he's trying to protect the children. I guess they used to be. By the way, did you notice the marks on his throat? No. Which is if somebody has tried to strangle him. Oh, strange. I'm getting noticed. Were they all right if I talked to him then? Oh, I think so. I gave him a very mild sedative, but it won't go to work for a while. Do you want me to wait? Not unless you think you should. He doesn't need me any longer. And if you'll stay here in case of another attempt. I will. I'll call you if anything develops. Fine. Good night, Mr. Dollar. Good night, sir. Phil? How are you feeling, Mr. Dollar? Quite well, thank you. Well, I'm glad you came back, Mr. Dollar. I want to talk to you. I'm ready, isn't it? Hey. I spoke to him, Dr. Stevens. About not reporting this to the police? Yes. Why must he be so cooperative? Why did you want the police to know? Because no matter how serious the purpose was, the results were harmless. I want the subject dropped. Are you afraid of what police investigation might bring out? The sake of the family reputation, I do not want the meddling. I intend to manage this in my own way. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to discharge all of the servants. You told me earlier that they were all about suspicion. You remember? Since this attempt upon my life, I thought they were. It's hard to understand, Mr. Hollow, as you really think, that one of the servants tried to poison you. You must realize that the same one killed your wife. Still, you want the matter dropped? I do. The media is gone. There's no possibility that she will return, because I bring about for myself and my family the unpleasantness of police interference. You? I believe in your logic. When I'm sorry, it won't work. It'll have to be reported. Good. Then, young man, leave this house. I didn't want you here. You will never be allowed under this roof again. All right, Mr. Hollow. Good night. I picked up my glass of evidence again and started downstairs. When I got to the entry hall, I heard voices and looked into the library to see the children, Maxine and Dexter. Their conversation had ended by the time I walked in. How is he? He's all right. Back to normal. What are you doing with that glass? I'm taking it to the police. I'm taking it to the police. They'll want to know if it's the same poison that kills your mother and there's a chance of finding fingerprints. Here we go again. Your father didn't want me to take it to the police. I certainly want to report that somebody tried to kill him. You think he's afraid that one of us did? Is that what you mean? It's come to mind. Get out of here, darling. I don't have to listen to this. Wait, Dexter, wait a minute. That's what he thinks. The police are going to, too. Then I'll listen to them. It's their business, but not his. I don't have anything to be afraid of. I didn't keep a three-month-old marriage secret like you wanted to. And I didn't break the news to her by telling her that she was going to be a grandmother like you wanted me to. You think everything's wrong? Dexter, shut up. Your drunk. Oh, let him accuse you. I'm not going to listen to him. I'm going to bed. He drinks too much. Is what he said true? About baby? Yes, it's true. And he's living here? Obviously. And his wife, she seems to deserve better. Yes, she does. Dexter was here waiting for mother to die. But she knew she'd just inherit him if she moved out. And now, neither one of us is going to say any more until we get legal counsel. I took the poison to the police and made a statement. And I went back to my hotel. Two or three phone calls to Gretchen Harwell the next morning. I found her at a studio before today's work began. What are you doing here? I tried to reach you last night and couldn't. What do you want? Somebody tried to poison Mr. Harwell. Oh, he's all right? Yes, I phone you a number of times last night and there was no answer. I was all right, a state of girlfriend. And you left a few things unsaid the last time we talked. Didn't you? You found out about baby. Yeah. Well, you've come to congratulate me. Oh, nice. I've been simply swamped with congratulations. Please, this has to be straightened out on everything that's held back makes it harder. What does the baby have to do with it? Well, it makes the motive stronger than ever for Dexter. He wouldn't kill his mother. I was told he'd be disinherited if he left the family man because of the marriage you kept secret. Where did you hear that? Cannot last night. He didn't kill his mother. How about trying to kill his father? No, he was trying to help us. The father? It doesn't sound quite right. I know it doesn't, but it's true. Dexter didn't even realize it but I did to him. Mr. Harwell had never done anything in his life, but he tried to help us. Why? Because when he married her he must have had a personality. His mother didn't approve of Dexter in me, but I think his father did. You didn't keep it a secret from him? For a little while, until I insisted that we tell him. And he kept it from the media. Do you know why? Because he was the dictator. When he was sick he was wood. He'd think Dexter had waited until he was helpless before marrying the girl he wanted to. But she found out. It was poison before she could do anything like dropping Dexter from Harwell. I don't care. I don't care. I'll even say that Dexter did have reason to kill his mother. But he never would. And not his father. You aren't trying to protect him, are you? Of course I'm not. I don't care how much I love him. I wouldn't want him if he were a murderer. [MUSIC] I did a lot of thinking after I left him. It would have been easy to be swayed by him. I took that into consideration. In my hotel room, I tried to line up all the points that had come out. Only two of them added. By phone I tried them on Dr. Stephen. He was more agreeable than I'd expected him to be. Just before noon the next day, when once more, I walked through the Harwell's front door. In here, sir, they're waiting for lunch. Mr. Dollar. That would be all, Rodney. Yes. Mr. Dollar, I thought I told you not to enter this house again. You did it to Harwell. But I thought the fact that I might save one of your children from a murder trial might make a difference. Which one, if I may ask, Dexter? I don't understand. I think we've had enough of this, Mr. Dollar. My family has been quite upset since you've arrived. I think we've had enough too, Mr. Harwell. I wonder if I could talk to you in private. Who are you to ask that? No, Dexter. I think I agree with him. Please leave. But Father, I do. You too, Maxie. All right, Dan. Monday. Sure. See if Dollar can tell him anything worse about me than he knows. Well, Mr. Dollar. He wouldn't like to see Dexter charged with a murder of your wife, would you? Of course, I wouldn't. Police are ready to do it. And they've got a good case. You didn't think of that, did you? I beg your pardon. You didn't realize that you might set up a situation that would jeopardize your son. I don't think I understand. I think you do. You killed your wife, didn't you? I? You feel like, Master, what a last night to throw off suspicion. And to get rid of the evidence at the same time. Mr. Dollar, if you didn't, Dexter is going to be brought to trial. I can promise you that. I saw the charges being drawn. They have everything against them, except two or three things. Oh. What are they? Something that was hidden behind those tall colors of yours. Scratches on your neck. Another thing that came out of the inquest. Bits of flesh on the wife's fingernails. And the fact that your children didn't hear anything the night she died. They all go together. You struggled to keep her quiet and she scratched you. You're a very observing young man, aren't you? Not necessarily, but certain things add up. All right? I could hardly deny it now. Yes. It made such a little difference to Amelia. Though I don't imagine the officials take that into consideration. Tell them, do. But it made such a great difference in Gretchen's child. I have made many mistakes with my own children through deference to my wife. I'd hope that I could help my grandchildren through strength. Strength enough to do what I have to child through Dexter. I had hoped that Amelia, when she knew that a life was being given while hers was being taken, would be glad to prove what she didn't. She asked for a lawyer so that she could change her will. And I knew what I had to do. For a time now, there were many things to regret, Mr. Dollar. Many things but hastening my wife's debt. Her life was decayed. The life she did not want that I did want is so fresh and new that it doesn't even know what hope or helplessness can be. Forgive me, Amelia. Amelia. Forgive me. [Music] Expense account item three, Miss Alenius, $35.85. Item four, same as item two, transportation back to Hartford. Expense account total, $122.35. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. [Music] Remember friends, Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum refreshes you. Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum gives you real chewing enjoyment. A lively, full-bodied flavor of Wrigley's spearmint cools your mouth, freshens your taste, sweetens your breath. The smooth, pleasant chewing of Wrigley's spearmint helps keep you feeling relaxed and satisfied, makes whatever you're doing more enjoyable. Yes, for refreshment plus chewing enjoyment, treat yourself often to Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum. Millions enjoy it daily. Get a few packages and always keep some handy. That's Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum. Helpful, refreshing, delicious. [Music] Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, brought to you by Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum, stars Edmond O'Brien in the title role and is written by Gill Dowd with music by Eddie Dunsteady. Edmond O'Brien can soon be seen starring in the Paramount Pictures production, The Turning Point. Featured in tonight's cast were Victor Perrin, John McIntyre, Herb Butterfield, Jeanette Nolan, Virginia Gregg, and Peter Lee. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Delvie. [Music] The makers of Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum hope you enjoyed tonight's story of Johnny Dollar and that you're enjoying delicious Wrigley's spearmint gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at the same time when, from Hollywood, Edmond O'Brien returns as yours truly, Johnny Dollar. [Music] This is the CBS radio network. [Music] Hey guys, it is Ryan. I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I'm a bit of a fun fanatic when I can. I like to work, but I like fun too. And now, I can tell you about my favorite place to have fun. Chumba Casino. They have hundreds of social casino style games to choose from, with new games released each week. You can play for free, and each day brings a new chance to collect daily bonuses. So join me in the fun. Sign up now at chumbaughassino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, VGW group, void were prohibited by law, 18 plus terms and conditions apply. Hey there, it's Solomon from Solgood Media. A lot of our listeners have asked how to get ad-free access to our podcast. You asked and we answered, we're offering an exclusive one-month free trial to our ad-free streaming platform, packed with over 500 audio books, meditation sounds and engaging podcasts. No strings attached, just pure listening pleasure. Sign up today at solgoodmedia.com and dive into a world of stories and sounds that inspire and relax. Don't miss out on this limited time offer. It's your gateway to unlimited audio enjoyment. That's solgoodmedia.com. S-O-L-G-O-O-D-M-E-D-I-A.com. Check it out, we hope to see you over there.