Newspaperwoman Anne Rogers and private detective Jeff Warren are at a party where a man is murdered. They try to uncover which of five suspects is the killer.
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The Mutual Audio Network
Hot Copy Radio- Episode #23- A Murder in Cold Blood(071124)
What will we find in today's Thursday Thrillers here on the Mutual Audio Network? A few baffling mysteries? Perhaps a touch of murder. Let's find out. The following audio drama is rated PG for parental guidance recommended. Welcome to Hot Copy Radio Theater. You are about to hear a cast of very talented voice performers recreate a long lost episode of Hot Copy, an exciting audio drama about the wild adventures of a young woman newspaper reporter, which was broadcast on the NBC radio network between 1941 and 1944. This recreation is adapted from the original script. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy. It's time for… Hot Copy, the vivid drama behind the paragraphs of a daily newspaper column. Hot Copy is the absorbing story of a young newspaper woman, Anne Rogers, a clever, attractive girl with a nationally syndicated column, Second Glance, in which she covers many events, which other "less courageous" reporters would be afraid to touch. Her stories, in the words of her adventurous profession, are always "Hot Copy." And now, listen to today's new and exciting chapter, A Murder in Cold Blood, adapted from the original script as broadcast on radio on Sunday, September 10th, 1944. I'm sorry Anne, there was some noise on the phone line. Now, what did you say? Am I working hard? Oh yeah, I'm a whirlwind. Let me tell you about my day. I filed my fingernails, read the last six issues of the National Hog Collars Gazette, and finished eight crossword puzzles. But as far as genuine work, come about as busy as the guy who writes victory speeches for Hitler. Now look, Rogers, if I'll earn some folding money, and soon… Uh-oh, somebody came to the wrong door again. Hold the phone Anne. Hello, I'm looking for… It's down at the end of the hall, Mr. Hello, Anne? Still there? Well, listen, what do you say to getting a bite of lunch together? Excuse me, but isn't this the Apex Investigation Service? Yeah. This is… Huh? Apex Investigation Service. Yes, sir, this is the right place. Well, I wanted to consult you on it. Holy smokes. Excuse me, sir, for just one moment. Hey, Anne, I gotta hang up. A new client is here. Yeah, I'll call you later today. Bye now. Now, sir, what can I do for you? Mr.… Um… My name is Stokes, John P. Stokes. I take it you are the private detective whose name is on the door, Jeffrey Warren. That's right, Mr. Stokes, please, have a seat. Thank you. What I have to say, it won't take long. Mr. Warren, are you married? Married? No, I am not. Oh, too bad. But you do have a young lady friend, someone that you could bring to my home tonight as a guest at a, uh, a little party? Why? Yes. I think so. But what? Good. Here's two hundred dollars as a retainer fee. Will that be a sufficient amount? Yes, certainly, but what do you want me to do? I merely want you to observe, Mr. Warren. Observe. Observe. What? Actions and reactions. Besides yourself, and your companion, there will be several other people at this party I want them watched. Mr. Stokes, as a watchdog, I have more eyes than a potato, but what am I looking for? Any suspicious activities, Mr. Warren. The guests at this party are my most intimate friends, but one of them, I don't know which one is trying to murder me. Jeff, you mean to say that's all he told you, that one of his friends was trying to kill him? That's all he could tell me, Anne. I tried to give him the old Bumperoo, and the only thing he would say was that he was absolutely certain. That the killer would be one of his closest friends. Some friends, if you ask me. Yeah, sort of like Smooch in a black widow spider, huh? Well, that's how I'm running my dinero tonight. By sizing up the suspects, then picking out the one who looks like the guilty party. I'll help you in any way I can, Jeff. No. Now let's get this straight. I know you're a quick little thinker and you've helped the cops to crack a lot of cases, but this evening, you're just along for the ride. Understand? Well, alright, Jeff. Okay, I'm glad we understand each other. I mean, it's like what Lieutenant Flanagan once told me. Sometimes a pretty little reporter should be scenery, and not heard. What? Well, here we are. What a house. It's practically a palace. John Stokes must have a boatload of money. You got that right. They don't build joints like this with charity handouts. Look over there. I see four other cars. We must be the last ones here. Who are the other guests, Jeff? I have no idea. Stokes didn't tell me. Hey, maybe we'll meet the top layers of the upper crust. What's taking so long for someone to open this door? Hopefully that will do the trick. I don't want to wear out this doorbell. Wait, here comes somebody. Yes, it stokes himself. I could see him through the window. What? No butler? Ah, good evening, Mr. Warren. Please do come in. Thank you. And this young lady is? Mr. Stokes, this is Ms. Rogers. How do you do? Hello, Ms. Rogers. I say, you wouldn't be the same Anne Rogers who writes that delightful column second glance. Yes, guilty as charged. I am her. What a pleasant surprise. Anne is a big fan of unsolicited compliments. Jeff is just kidding, Mr. Stokes. Actually, I like hearing anything that my readers think about my column, good, bad, or in between. Now let me have your coats, please. Unfortunately, it's the maid's night off. My friends will be so delighted to meet you, Ms. Rogers. Now this way, please. Marsha. Marsha, my dear. Let me introduce our guests. Ms. Anne Rogers, this is my wife, Marsha. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rogers. Thanks so much. It's nice to meet you also. And Marsha, this is Mr. Jeffrey Warren. Hello, Mr. Warren. I'm so glad you could come. Thank you. I'm very happy to be here. And Marsha, guess what? Ms. Rogers is the Ms. Anne Rogers, the newspaper columnist, you know? Really? How exciting. Oh, please, Ms. Rogers. Tell me. Later Marsha. Let me introduce them around first. My friends, I'd like you to meet Ms. Rogers and Mr. Warren. This is Ms. Odwire, Ms. Crowley, Dr. Willis, and Professor Merlin. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Yes, indeed. Hello, everyone. Nice to meet you. Hello. It's nice to know you. Good evening. I always like to meet new people. Hello, Mr. Rogers. Hello, Sir. And now, while you're getting acquainted, I'll go and mix us a little drink. So, Mr. Warren, what will yours be? Well, whatever you... I'm having scotch and soda, my usual. That sounds fine. Good. How about you, Mr. Rogers? John, dear, I made some punch for us. He's always trying to force scotch and soda on people. A decent drink there is. Nonsense. I'd like everyone to at least try the punch. That's all right with me. I can't drink anything strong tonight. What? An old rummy like you. I'm sorry, John. I have a benefit performance tomorrow. I can't rattle my brain. Very well, then. If you'll all excuse me, I'll go and do the honors. Can I help you, John? Let's all go. We'll make it a kitchen party. No, no. You folks get acquainted with Ms. Rogers. Warren. Yes? Mr. Stokes? If you could desert your charming companion for a few minutes. Yes. Certainly. Be right back, Anne. No worry. See you later, Jeff. Just in case anyone here doesn't know, Ms. Rogers is the author of that perfectly wonderful column in the newspaper's second glance. So this is your chance to meet her, I doubt you'll have another. Well, Mr. Stokes? Just a moment, Warren. I'll close the kitchen door. There, that's better. Now we can talk. I suppose you asked me to come in here for a reason? Yes, but first, Warren, hand me some glasses, will you? They're in the cabinet on the right. Then we can talk and fix drinks at the same time. Certainly. Here you go. Thanks. Let's see now. Here's the punch. We'll ladle it out first. Good. I'll help. Fine. Now, I want you to keep your eyes peeled when we go back. I'm going to mention a few things. But right now, hand me some more glasses. These? Yes, thanks. Are you sure you wouldn't rather have scotch? Personally, I won't drink punch when they're scotch around. No, this looks well. You were saying? Yes. When we go back, I'm going to mention a few things. And I want you to carefully watch for guilty reactions. A few things such as... Such as a broken steering knuckle on my automobile, a mysterious shot in the dark that shattered my bedroom window and a series of threatening letters. These things have happened to you recently? Within the past two weeks. Now, let's see. Six punch glasses. Ah, yes, now some ice for my highball. Which one of your friends do you think? I don't know, Warren. That's why I brought you here tonight. Yes, of course. But which one would have a reason for wanting you... Dead? Every single one of them, for one reason or another. I'm worth quite a bit of money, Warren, and my estate is, well, rather peculiarly involved. I see. Well, if you'd care to go into more detail, perhaps it would help me. Later, Warren. You stay on after the party breaks up tonight, and I'll outline all the facts for you. Meanwhile, you see what you can see, and then we'll know where we stand. Well, okay. But if your life is in danger, we really shouldn't be wasting time trying to. True, but I don't expect to be attacked in front of a half dozen witnesses. Well now, let's see how this tastes. Mmm, very good. Are you sure you won't? Not thanks. The punch suits me fine. Now Miss Rogers, you're certain you have no flags concealed on your person? I'm positive, Professor Merlin. Very well. Let's see if you are as accurate as a smart reporter should be. Good heavens. What is this in your hair, Miss Rogers? Why? It's an American flag. An American? And here's a British flag, and a French, and a Russian, Greek, Chinese. My dear Miss Rogers, you're a regular League of Nations. What is all this? Oh, just some of Merlin's nonsense. He's an amateur magician, you know. Here you are, folks. Marsha, Miss Rogers, Tucker, Don. Jeff, you should have been here. Professor Merlin is wonderful. His magic. Not real magic, my dear. Just quickness of the hand, visual trickery, and so forth. It's very simple, once you get the knack. Almost as simple as loosening the steering knuckle of an automobile, Merlin? What did you say, John? The steering? What? Of a what? I don't understand. Nothing, my dear. Nothing. Just a little choke, and not a very good one at that, I'm afraid, sort of as a shot in the dark, so to speak. Shot in the dark? See here, John. You're talking riddles. Am I, Tucker? I wonder. Oh, well, let's drink and have a toast, shall we? To a short life, and a merry one. I don't think I want a short life, but I definitely want a merry one. And a pock on blue noses who refuse to join us in a cup of cheer. And yes, I'm looking straight at you, Merlin. John, I'm sorry, but as I told you, I'm doing a benefit show tomorrow, and alcohol always slows my reflexes. So, of course, Merlin, all in fun, you know. And I've had a splitting headache, nearly this entire day. It just won't go away. Really? Oh, I'm sorry, Ruth. Working too hard, perhaps? Writing too many letters. Writing too many? Don't be ridiculous, John. You know I'm a rotten correspondent. I simply hate you. John, be careful. You're spilling your drink. John, what's the matter? I say stokes. You're as wide as a sheet. I, I, it's nothing at all. I just feel a little, I feel sort of... Jeff, he's sick. He's falling. Catch his glass. Dr. Willis, I think it's his heart again. Yes, everyone, please stand back. Warren, you were right. I waited too, too long, much too long. Don't go near him. He needs to have air. John, John, darling, doctor, don't let him die. Here, Tucker, give him a drink of this. No, don't touch that glass. John, Dr. Willis, what is it? What's happening? Should I get ammonia, water, anything? No, don't bother, Moshe. You mean he doesn't need? He doesn't need anything. Now, I'm sorry to say John is dead. We will return to today's chapter of Hot Copy in just a moment. But first, please listen to a few words from our sponsor. Hi, fellow true crime fans. Let us introduce ourselves. We are Teen Girls Investigate Crime Podcast, also known as TGIC. I'm your host and editor Izzy, and I'm your other host and social media manager, Jillian. We create and publish episodes once a week. We cover all kinds of true crime cases. Infamous to the less talked about, murders to missing persons, solved to unsolved, you are sure to fall down the rabbit hole that is true crime. Follow us on Instagram at tgic.podcast and listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple podcast. And now, back to Hot Copy. The wealthy John Stokes is dead, after mysteriously collapsing in front of the eyes of Anne Rogers and a half dozen party guests, including Jeff Warren, the young private investigator, whom Stokes had employed to discover which of those guests had recently attempted to kill him, and whom Stokes believed would soon attempt to do so again. Now, one of the guests, Dr. Willis, turns to Stokes' wife, Marsha, and gently tells her, "He doesn't need anything now, John is dead." I'm afraid so, Marsha. His heart. He was always complaining about his heart. I guess it finally. No, Ruth. He didn't die of a heart attack. Then what? John was poisoned. I don't believe it. I can't believe this. This is outrageous. Oh, no, no, Dr. Willis, are you sure of that? Absolutely positive, Ms. Rogers. I thought so. Do you know what kind of poison? I can't say definitely, Mr. Warren, without an autopsy. But from all indications, I would say that it was hydrocyanic acid. You mean prussic acid? But that stuff kills in a matter of minutes. Or seconds, Ms. Rogers. Yes, someone in this room killed him, just as he feared. This is now a police case. And will you call them, please? Yes, certainly. Right away, Jeff. Dr. please assure that the body is not disturbed. The rest of you will. Just a moment, please. By what authority, Mr. Warren, do you possess the right of telling the rest of us what to do? Professor Merlin, I am a licensed private investigator. Mr. Stokes hired me to come here tonight to learn which of his so-called "friends" that twice before tried to murder him. What? Someone tried to murder John, but that's impossible. Why should anyone? I'm afraid, Mrs. Stokes, that the basis for his fears was very solid. But everyone loved him. He was gentle, kind, generous, asked Dr. Willis, or Miss Crowley, or anyone. I intend to ask everyone a few questions, if they don't mind. It will take the police at least half an hour to get all the way out here. Mrs. Stokes, is there some other room that we can go to? I-I-I-the- Perhaps the drawing room across the hall? Fine. Well Anne, did you get the police? Yes, they'll be here, as fast as they can make it, Jeff. Everyone, please go over to the drawing room, straight across the hall, and take a seat. Jeff, do you have any idea who? Not a glimmer, yet. When you were in the kitchen, didn't Stokes say anything to give you a hint? No, he just told me to watch her reactions as he tossed a few verbal bombshells. You mean those pointed remarks he made? Yes, but I didn't know this anything revealing. When he mentioned the broken steering wheel of his car, Dr. Willis looked strained. Then when Stokes mentioned a shot in the dark, Missle Dwyer's hands tightened on her handkerchief. And you saw the reaction of Ruth Crowley to the accusation regard to letter writing. It could have been any of them. Yeah, and I'd better figure out which one before the cops get here, or my fledgling reputation as a private detective won't be worth the tin to make a toy police badge. Jeff, if I can help in any way... You can Anne, I need you to do one thing. Just keep out of my hair till I get the situation under control. Okay? Now let's go to work. Leave the way, it's your party. Alright everybody, quiet please. Thank you. Now I'd like to get the facts of this case straight. First of all, Dr. Willis, you said that the poison was... Prusic or hydrocyanic acid, sir. What makes you think that? The swiftness of his death for one thing. Also the testimony of my own nostrils, Mr. Warren. Prusic acid has a distinctive odor like that of bitter almonds. I detected it on his breath and... Excuse me, sir. I presume this poison cannot be bought by the general public without being signed for. That is correct. But not bought. No. What do you mean, Miss Crowley? You can't buy Prusic acid without signing for it. But any fool can make it. My dear Ruth, we are not professional chemists such as yourself. I don't mean in a laboratory. I mean... at home. All you need is a few easily obtainable ingredients and water. You just distill them and there you are. I doubt if many people would know how though. However, anyone could have obtained the supply of the poison. Am I understanding you correctly? It would seem so, Mr. Warren. But haven't you overlooked an important point? If all of us were together, then how was the poison administered? I saw no one force a tabling into his mouth or inject him with a hypodermic needle. I think I know how it was administered, Dr. Willis. A moment ago you said you detected the odor of bitter almonds on both stokes breath and where else? On his glass? Exactly, Mr. Rogers, his cocktail glass. Then someone slipped the poison into... No. Impossible. We were all together, so we would have seen... oh my Lord, I know how it was done. Well... Stokes was the only one of us to drink scotch and soda. The poison was in the bottles that he poured from. Jeff, bring the bottles from the kitchen and we'll see if it... Nope, sorry Anne, but that theory doesn't wash. It must wash, it's the only possible. No, you're forgetting that I was in the kitchen when he mixed those drinks. He poured the scotch from an unopened bottle. Stokes had to break the seal and the soda was also a fresh bottle from a full case. I see. I'm going to approach this from a different angle. In the kitchen, Mr. Stokes told me he was worth quite a bit of money, but that in the event of his death, his estate was rather peculiarly involved. I'd like to know more about that. Mrs. Stokes, perhaps you can explain? I'm afraid I don't know too much about it, Mr. Warren, but perhaps Professor Merlin? Yes, that's true, Mr. Warren. John's will was a rather strangely involved instrument. How do you know Professor Merlin? Well, because I... Oh, I understand now. You think I'm a professional magician? No, no, that is just an amateur pastime. My actual job is Professor of Law at the City University. However, I do not have any type of private law practice, but I do handle the legal matters of a few friends, and one of them was John Stokes. I see, so perhaps you could tell us who stands to gain by his death. Yes, I can. And the answer is, annoyingly enough, everyone in the room, except for yourself, Ms. Rogers, and me. Stand to gain? Who are you implying, Merlin, that I killed John to get his money? I've never been so insulted in my entire life. You're practically accusing me of murder. No, not just you, all of us. He might as well be saying that we were all part of some big conspiracy to murder John and put his money in our pockets. Not me. I had no motive. I didn't even know that I was mentioned to the Willis until this moment. Wait a minute, please, let's get the Professor a chance to explain. Thank you, Ms. Rogers. I will take each case in order. You, Dr. Willis, are well taken care of, and John's will. There is a sizable endowment for your cancer clinic. Now see here, Merlin Hubert, if you're fool enough to think I'd kill not only my best friend but the man who had done the most to aid my medical research. We think nothing as a vet, Dr. So please, let him go on. You, Ms. Crowley, have also been remembered, handsomely. John admired your talents as a research chemist. He has given you a large sum for your use in that field. Oh, oh, oh, the poor man, he never told me, ever. But Ruth, John did tell you, I heard John say to you that he was going to provide for you in his will. It was one day last spring. Doctor, I, I don't remember. Okay, okay. Go on, Merlin. I suppose that brings it to me. Naturally, I know I inherit the bulk of my husband's estate, but that doesn't mean I would murder him for it. Marsha, forgive me, I hope this is not going to hurt you too much, but you might as well learn this now, just as well as later. You do not inherit the bulk of John's estate. I don't, then who? You will receive a settlement, Marsha. The bulk of John's estate, approximately two million dollars, was left to Miss Adwire. Miss, oh, to you, you little cat, you home-wracking schemer, then there has been something between the two of you, just as I suspected. Mrs. Stokes, stop it. All right, all right, that will do. Mrs. Stokes, please, try to control yourself. Let me get my hands on her, I'll tear her eyes out, you, you, oh, the shame, this is grace. I spent the best years of my life trying to be a good wife to him, and then this creature comes along and steals him away from me. I said, I'll fight it, it's my money, I'll break this will even if I have to take it to the highest court in the state. Jeff, this is embarrassing. You ain't kidding, Anne, we aren't getting anywhere, either. Mrs. Stokes, please calm down, can't we be cool and logical about all this? Calm, logical, who wants to be calm? If this little Tram believes that she's going to get away with this, just a minute, Mrs. Stokes, if you're jumping to conclusions, um, um, Professor Merlin, I have a question. Yes, my dear. Just because his money was left to me, I don't necessarily have to accept it, do I? Why, no, I suppose not, but you have every legal right to it, this will is crystal clear. Then, I refuse it, do you hear me? But for all of these people, as my witnesses, I refuse every penny of it. You see, Mrs. Stokes, I didn't want your husband's money, all I wanted was something that you can't put a dollar sign on, something that can't be left in a will. It's something that you never earned, and you never deserved. His love, he gave me that, and that is all I ever wanted from him. You mean, you don't want, it's a trick, you're play acting, just as you did on that cheap variety club theater stage where he found you. Oh yes, I know all about that, it's no act, no trick. Missile to wire, I want to make sure that I am understanding you correctly. Did you know that Stokes had left you nearly all of his money? No, Mr. Warren, I didn't know that I was included in his will, at all. It's a lie, look at her sitting there, cold as eyes, brazen and get out. She knew all right, she must have known, after all I knew what he intended to do. I just didn't know he was full enough to do it. She must have found out that it was done, then slyly tried to murder him, and she finally succeeded. Cold, cold as. What did you say, Anne? Hm? Oh, nothing, just thinking, Jeff. I believe I, yes, I'm sure of it. Listen. Later, Anne, let's try to quiet this harrowing tornado. Mrs. Stokes, please, let's get on with the questioning. We still don't know who killed your husband. She did it, somehow she- Professor Merlin, now you say that you didn't inherit anything from Stokes will. Not a cent, Mr. Warren. Of course, as executor, you'd collect a fee. Fee? Oh, that, yes, a very modest little sum. I'm mounting to- Oh, I don't recall offhand a few thousand, perhaps. I see, a modest little sum. By Stokes standards, but to a college professor? My dear boy, I hope you aren't insinuating that I would have. I'm not insinuating anything, Professor. I am just trying to get all the facts before the cops arrive. They should be here any minute now, Jeff. Yes, I know. Can my luck get any worse? You'd like to know the murderer before the police get here, wouldn't you? If I don't, I think I'm going to need to change my name to mud. Jeff, would you mind if I ask a few questions? Now look, Rogers. Please, Jeff. I told you. Pretty please. Oh, alright. Go ahead. Dr. Willis, earlier this evening, when Mr. Stokes mentioned a broken steering knuckle on his car, you were clearly startled. Would you mind telling me why? Why? Because... Yes? Well, because it jogged my memory of a few years ago, when I had been in an accident that had been caused by exactly the same thing. It was a very close call. It's a miracle that I'm alive. It became one of my favorite hair-raising tales, and for some reason, John would often cajole me into telling the story to new friends at his dinner table. I see, now, Miss Odwire, perhaps you could tell me why you tensed up when Mr. Stokes mentioned a shot in the dark. I will, Miss Rogers. It was because that was a phrase that John frequently used to describe marriage, specifically an unhappy marriage. You witch. You evil-tongued little tramp. Miss Crowley, you resented Mr. Stokes' mention of letter writing. Why? I suppose, because I felt guilty. Guilty? Yes. I... I often wrote him letters, asking for funds to continue my research projects. He was usually very generous. Sometimes I felt I was imposing too much on his icy. Now, Mrs. Stokes, will you tell me the exact order in which your guests arrived tonight? This could be very important. Yes, of course. Let me see, uh, John came home at 7.30 and changed his clothes. You didn't dine together? We never dine together. I was alone, all by myself in this big empty house all day, again, as usual. Not even any visitors? None. Well, then, Professor Merlin and Miss Crowley came first. That was about eight. Dr. Willis was the next to arrive, then... miss... that... woman? And finally you and Mr. Morn. I see. Thank you. And now, Professor, would you mind being questioned? No. Of course not, Miss Rogers. Perhaps I should remind you that I have no legal right to question you. I understand that, but I am quite willing. All right, then. How long have you been studying these tricks of magic? Oh, many years. I started young. You've trained your hands to be quick? Very quick? Yes, of course. They have to be. Yes, I understand. Now, then, tell me this, were you in the kitchen at any time this evening? No. Not at all. You're sure of that? Absolutely sure. Is that true, Mrs. Stokes? Was he? No. He wasn't, Miss Rogers. He wasn't in the kitchen? No. And? I think I'd begin to see something. That's what I thought. But Mrs. Stokes, you're positive that Professor Merlin wasn't in the kitchen? And wait. Quite so, Miss Rogers. No one entered the kitchen from the time I tidied up until John and Mr. Warren went to mix the drains. I see. Well, then, in that case... Yes. In that case... Do you think what I think, Anne? Yes. And so should everyone else. From the murderer's own lips, we have been given a statement that is practically a confession. Confession? Miss Rogers, what are you talking about? No one has made a confession. Not intentionally, Professor Merlin. Ask Detective Warren. Well, Mr. Warren, as I see it, this case boils down to one question. How did the poison get into John Stokes' glass? Am I right? Why, yes. But we don't know the answer. Of course we do. Stokes put it there. Yui, my husband committed suicide? That's ridiculous, Miss Rogers. John Stokes wasn't the type of man to take his own life. No. But he did, nevertheless, when he mixed his scotch and soda. But, Mr. Warren, you saw him mix it, and it all came from new sealed bottles. Wasn't that all he put in his glass? Yes, except for one thing, the ice cubes. Those little squares with frozen death in them, and only one person could have poured the poison into that tray. Who is that? The person who, by her own admission, was the only person in this house all day. The woman who knew her husband's fondness for scotch and soda. She knew he'd be the only one at the party to mix that drink. Stop her, Jeff. She's trying to sneak out the back door. All right, I did it, but I'm glad, glad, glad I hated him, and all I had to do to kill him was to empty the tray, and I would have got to wait with it, if it wasn't for the two of you. Open up. This is a police. You'd better let the police in, Jeff. I think they'll want to hear all about this. Jeff, what's the matter? Your pale is a ghost. Huh? Oh, nothing Anne, except that it just occurred to me, how near I came to guzzling one of those poison Mickey Finns too. I think from now on, my favorite drink is going to be... Yes? Fresh milk, straight from the grocery store, and no chaser. Thank you for tuning in to Hot Copy Radio Theatre. We truly hope that you enjoyed our presentation of A Murder in Cold Blood. A lost episode with the radio audio drama Hot Copy, originally broadcast on Sunday, September 10, 1944. Our cast on this episode featured... Rhonda Sigler Ware as Anne Rogers, Patrick Broncato as Jeff Warren, Samantha Thompson as Marsha Stokes, Jerry Kokich as John Stokes, Dan Ware as Professor Merlin Hubert, Christian Newhouse as Dr. Tucker Willis, Astrid W.S. as Dawn Oduire, Erin Summonsby as Ruth Crowley, Glenn Haskell as the policeman, and yours truly Logan Smith as your announcer. This episode was adapted from the original script written by Nelson S. Bond. All sound effects are from freesound.org. Hot Copy Radio Theatre is produced and edited under the direction of Jim Goodluck. Now, if you like this show, please take a moment of your time and go to Apple Podcasts, also known as iTunes, then give a five-star rating and review for Hot Copy Radio Theatre. And if your favorite streaming service carries this show and allows you to give a rating, please be sure to rate us on there also. Finally, if you would like to contact any of the voice actors from this episode, or if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions in regard to this show, please send an email to hotcopyradiotheatre@gmail.com. You can also follow this show on Twitter as @hotcopyradio. In addition, we have a Facebook page where you can make comments and give feedback. We invite you to tune in again on the tenth of each month for another thrilling presentation of Hot Copy Radio Theatre. [ Sound Effects ]