December 23, 2025 • 22 mins
The Whistler was a suspenseful mystery anthology that ran from 1942-1955. A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate and had a suspenseful and eerie tone, always ending with a twist. The Whistler was later adapted to television.
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Whistler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of The Whistler! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
The Whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Presented by the United States Air Forces in Europe.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
I am the whistler, and I know many things.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Or I walk by night.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of
men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes,
I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
And now the whispers, strange story, dark patterns.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Normal wells, paced nervously back and forth across the living
room of rebel air horns.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Stop now at the window to glance out into the night.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
The surrounding hills by the bright moonlight, still quiet except
for the barking of a dog nearby, and the barking
stirs a strange, uneasy feeling within you. Doesn't something you
can't explain, but it's there, building slowly, you whirl in
(01:19):
the sound.
Speaker 6 (01:21):
Yes, Norma, darling, this is Glenn, Oh Glen, how are
you splendid? Allison's came out to pick it up, and
we're all going over to their place for dinner. Would
you join us, Sun, Gwen, if you don't mind, I'd
rather not. It's something wrong normal, It sounds strange. I
don't suppose you've read the papers.
Speaker 7 (01:42):
Oh heaven, No, we've been much too busy gutting about.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Why what's drop it?
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Benjy Benji?
Speaker 7 (01:50):
Your business?
Speaker 6 (01:51):
Pardon it? Yes, there was an accident at Indian Lake
last night. Benji was killed.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Cut good, Heaven's done well, howl in the wood.
Speaker 6 (02:04):
We had gone up there for the weekend, took his
boat out on the lake and there was an explosion. Oh, Darling,
how frightful you, poor dear. It was quite a shock,
of course, you invent you were such a good friend.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
What a perfectly awful thing to happen.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
Is there anything we can do? Oh? Thanks, Glenn. No,
you're certain now, Harry, and I'll be more than happy. No, no, really,
but it's sweet of you, Glen.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
A moment after you hang up the phone, you return
to the window. The dog is started barking and howling again.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Hasn't been rmous? Yes, And you wonder why is there
someone out there? You move quickly to.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
The sliding glass door leading to the patio, open it
and you turn on the footlight. Patio is empty, step
outside and glance around, and then hurry down the driveway.
And you're suddenly aware that your heart is beating furiously.
There's a tight, dry feeling in your throat, isn't her normal?
(03:22):
Now as you reach the road, Hello there you recognize
the man as Arthur Morris, the neighbors, and then he
hurries towards you.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Good evening, miss Hellounce.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I don't know what's gotten into that dog as mine
hiring that way. I'm sorry if he's doobed you. I
put him on the potteck in, but I don't know
how long did you stay?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
That's all right, that I was won.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
He doesn't usually carry on that way unless there is
someone around, of course, of Fowler, did you see anyone? No,
I haven't.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
That's funny.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Of course it might be an animal from the hills
and a possum. Probably he had to court. No need
for alarm, I suppose, Oh, miss Wells. Yes, sorry to
read about what happened to your partner, mister Sloan. I
met him only once they cockailed party you had lost
or seems like an awfully knife fellow.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
He was, Yes, Norma.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
You owe your entire success the Benjamin Sloane.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Don't you a fine home, money, a string of smart
fashion cellar? You owe it all the Benji, the partnership
you formed with And now that he's gone. Everything you've
owned jointly will be all yours.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
As you're about to re enter the house, you hear
a car approach you.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
You turn, watch it full.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Up in the driveway. You recognize the man as it
gets out. It's Fred Lake, a sheriff from Indian Lake.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Good evening, all good evening.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Had to make a business trip to la I thought
i'd dropped into sea.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
On the way back to the lake.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I rested this too, I forget it might be important.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Oh, yes, from our office files.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Founded in mister Sloane's sweet at the large.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
Yes, Benji, uh, it's just Sloan off and took the
folder of business letters with into the lake.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
Okay, tell me have you have you found him yet?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Afraid not as well. We've had men dragging the lakes
and early this morning, but no sign of the body.
I see.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Strange.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
I was sure we'd have found him long before this. Yeah, strange,
very strange.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
You watched the sheriff drive away, then turn and walk
slowly into the house. There's been no sign of Benjamin
Flown's body. Norma.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
And that nervous uneasy is he feeling within you continues
to grow.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
You hurry to the telephone and call a Malibu number.
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Hello is mister Mason and shame.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
This is miss Well, Hello, Miss Rinks.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
All calm, Miss will.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
I know that he was to be back this Afternoon's
come back, Miss Well? I see all right, Jane, have
him call me the minute he gets him.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Williams Well, who will call me?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
So it's too cold? Something's wrong? You can sense it, cancer, Norma.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
You start pacing the room again, nervously, twisting the handkerchief
in her hands.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
The dog is barking again, and then suddenly.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
You'll hear something else, a noise out in the patio.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Quickly you turn off the living room lights. Stand in
the darkness for a moment. There's someone out there, Norma. Heah,
a man. You can see him moving towards you. You
want to turn and run, but you can't. You can't
move at all.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Norm Are you in there?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Oh? Rick?
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Tell me?
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Rick, what's the idea of turning off the lake?
Speaker 6 (07:11):
I heard a noise. I didn't know who it was.
Why haven't you called me?
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I just got back from the lake. I was coming
here when I saw the sheriff's car turn into your driveway.
So I drove down a block walk back.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
What did you want?
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Just saw some business letters Benji had taken with him
to the lake. He also told me they've been dragging
the lake and they haven't found Benji's body yet.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I know. That's why I sit up there as long
as I did. Don't worry, they'll find it soon.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
Are you sure?
Speaker 4 (07:39):
But sure?
Speaker 1 (07:40):
I'm sure.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Look, everything went just the way we planned. I set
up the booby trap, saw Benji take the boat out,
saw the explosion. Everything is okay, Norma. Nobody could have
survived that explosion.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
And why haven't they recovered the body?
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I don't know, give them time.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I don't like it.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
Rick, I don't like this at all. Something's wrong.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Not take it easy, normal.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
I suppose Benji is alive. Rick alive, and he suspects
we set that trap for him.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
If I haven't say, stopped talking.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Like that, I can't help it. I just can't help
feeling it.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
He's alive. He couldn't.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I tell you, Benji couldn't have survived that explosion.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
All right. They have not mistaken my nerves, they say,
saying fixed. Sometimes you're right, Benjy couldn't be alive.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
I saw it with my own eyes.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
The explosion that happened in the middle of the lake.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
He couldn't have lived through it.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
I'm sorry I got so upset. Come on, let's have
a drink.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Yeah, and I could use one.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Sure, you'll have a drink.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Rick, forget duntie.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
There's nothing to worry about, but there is.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Normal, Yes, a lot to worry about.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
You can't explain the feeling you have that something is.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Wrong, but you know you've got the calm Rick showing
you are.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Not afraid that everything's all right. Long after he's gone,
you think about what's happened, try to convince yourself that
perhaps it really is only your imagination.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Because your nerves are on edge.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Still, you spend a sleepless night, aware of every sound outside, wondering, waiting, watching.
Early the following morning, you get into your car and
drive up to Indian Lake to the Sheriff's office. Well,
good morning, well, good morning, glad he's here, then you
(09:57):
I'll about to call you. Oh, yes, we we found
mister Sloan. Oh you you have men recovered his body
less than an hour ago. I see he certain, of
course that it positive found all the identification we needed
on the body. I don't see you want no uh
(10:20):
telling him as well. Did mister Sloan have any enemies?
Enemies Benjie, Yes, you see a guess that the log
just returned from my honey trip up into the mountains.
When he heard about mister Sloane's accident, he came straight
to us. Oh, seems he happened to see someone hanging
around mister Sloan's boat on the night of the accident
and acting suspiciously. He didn't think too much about it them,
(10:43):
of course, but when he got back this morning heard
what had happened.
Speaker 6 (10:47):
You mean you think that perhaps it wasn't an accident,
that someone deliberately planned to kill mister Sloan's There is
that possibility. Oh, but that's incredible.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Perhaps still, if we can find a man who was
seen hanging around the boat, you have a description of him.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Oh vague.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Kirtland thinks he might recognize the man if he saw
him again. Benjamin Sloan is out of your way, isn't
he not. You're certain of that now, and that's the relief.
But there's something else to worry about.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Rick, Yeah, he was seen near.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Benji's boat on the night of the accident, and there's
a man who can perhaps identify him. A few minutes
later you leave the office, the sheriff walks with you out.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
To the street.
Speaker 8 (11:38):
Going to stay on here at the village for a
long Well, yes, I'll be checking in at the lodge
if I can give any help from you or incidentally,
I talked with mister Sloan's brother this morning over the prone.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Thanks. That's right.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
He gave me a list of some of mister Sloan's
friends acquaintances.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
I see.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
He didn't seem to know very much about his brother's activities, however,
that they hadn't seen one another too often during the
past several years. Yes, that's true, nothing wrong between them,
I suppose. No, they were on the best of terms.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
It was just a well, they had different interests and
Frank did spend a great deal of time back heat
uh huh he mentioned that.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Anyway, here's a list of names he gave me mutual
friends of theirs.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
I think you could add to it as well.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
May I ask what this list is polled?
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Oh, we're just checking.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
That's all routine.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
And like to talk with some of these people, see
if we can dig up something.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
You really think that mister Sloan's accident wasn't an accident, don't.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
You, As I said before, Miss Wells, it's a possibility.
You spend the greater part of the day in your
room at the lodge thinking over your next move, don't you,
norma wondering how much the police really know if the
(13:01):
sheriff has told you everything.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
And then late that afternoon, there's a knock on your door.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Hello, sweet hurt Nick, what are you doing here? Well,
you don't seem very glad to see me. Then I
heard about Benji on the radio. That's why I drove
up here to be with you. Come on, smile, everything's over.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
You're gonna wait for me.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
What's the matter, honey?
Speaker 6 (13:28):
You me?
Speaker 1 (13:30):
What's wrong with me?
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Everything?
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Someone saw you hanging around Benji's boat the other night.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
What oh no, that can't be Take the Sheriff's word
for it.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Someone saw me.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Wait a minute, I I better get out of here
as fast as you can.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Rick.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
This isn't good, not good at all. I'm gonna jam.
Huh what am I gonna do? Norman?
Speaker 6 (13:53):
I take it easy.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
They don't know who you are.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
They just have a description.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Yeah, but if they start schrying.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
No, you better get back to Malibu right away.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Norma. You're gonna stick by me?
Speaker 6 (14:05):
Huh, of course we'll figure something out.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Sure, Sure, we'll figure something Norma.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
Now go on, we'll talk this all out later.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Okay, okay, but when Norma.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
Tonight, I'll be at your place in malibur around nine
or so. Rick, Rick is Norma, Oh, Mama, come in.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Jing Jan was out for the evening. I sent him
out so I could talk to you along. It's a
serious business, normal sit down.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
Rick has been thinking things over, have you?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Norma?
Speaker 4 (15:02):
So have I?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
What does that mean here? Maybe you better look at
the night's paper. The story is on page one about Benji.
So so there's nothing there about a witness say, nothing
about someone being seen around Benji's boat.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
The police know what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Really normal, What are you getting at? You said you've
been thinking things over?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
What are your plan?
Speaker 6 (15:29):
I think you better leave town, Rick, I'd suggest Mexico.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Yeah, sure, that's exactly what I think that you had
in mind. Out of town. The lady says, the cops
are looking for you.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
They will be who says, so you rook?
Speaker 6 (15:43):
Rick, I'm only telling you what the sheriff told me
someone saw you hanging around Benji's boat.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
It's the truth, is it, Norma?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
I think you're lying what I think you're taking me
for a ride.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
See sure, you're crazy about me. So I do your
dirty work. You're rid of your partners and have the
business all to yourself only. I think you're springing a.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Little old Rick.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
I don't follow this at all.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Like I said, I do your dirty work, and then
you dream up a little yin to.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Scare me out of town.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Why would I do that?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Maybe there's another guy you're interested in. Huh, Harry Grayson.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Maybe Harry, don't be a fool.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
Grand's my best friend.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Oh sure, if that would stop you?
Speaker 4 (16:24):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Harry?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Make you're talking like a child, am I?
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Norma?
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Rick?
Speaker 6 (16:30):
Listen to me. I'm not making all this up. What
I've told you is the truth. Someone did see you
hanging around Benji's boat, someone who might be able to
identify you.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
So now I'm supposed to clear up Mexico.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Why it's safe?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Sorry, it won't work, Norma. I'm not going anywhere. I'm
staying right here.
Speaker 6 (16:54):
You're being a fool, Rick, Now.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Listen to save your breath, Norma, I'm staying here. It's
no use normal.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Rick has made up his mind think you're going to double.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Cross it, and he refuses to listen to you.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
You drive on back to your home to think things out.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
It's only a matter of time before the police get
around to him, and then it'll be all over.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
You're certain that Rick will crack tell everything, and.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
That's something you've got to prevent from happening.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
There is a way, isn't it, Normous.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Yes, and suddenly you realize how little Rick actually means
to you. Rick was only a means for.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
You to get what you wanted, and now that you
have it, he is no longer important. It's on your
mind all that night what you must do.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
But the following morning, you receive a telephone call from
Sheriff Layton.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
Do you happen to know a man named Reagan as
well as Mike Reagan used to be mister Sloan chauffeur.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Why?
Speaker 6 (17:57):
Yes, but mister Sloan fired him some time ago.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Reagan. I understand it was pretty sore about that. He
threatened mister Sloan.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
Yes, now that you mention it, he did.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
Reagan was seen hanging around Indian Lake by several people
on the night of mister Sloan's accident. He was yes,
and the description we have of the man seen near
the boat, it's Reagan.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Pretty well.
Speaker 6 (18:22):
I don't know what to say, Sheriff. I wouldn't want
to throw suspicion on anyone unfairly, but Reagan was frightfully
angry when mister Sloan discharged him. Reagan said he'd get
mister Sloan if it was the last thing he ever did.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
Any idea where we might locate him, I guess.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
As a matter of fact, I do you see, after
mister Sloan fired him, Reagan came to me and asked
me to help him find a job. I felt sorry
for him and totally might see what I could do.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
He leave an address with you, Yes, he.
Speaker 6 (18:52):
Did, the Arch Motel Ocean View.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Well, Hello, No, I do matter what brings you around
me since the normal mind.
Speaker 6 (19:16):
If I come in, I've got some news, come in.
I got us off the hook, Rick completely sure positive
remember Mike Reagan Benji's chauffeurs Reagan.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Yes.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
Sheriff Layton called me this morning and told me Reagan
was seen at Indian Lake the night of Benji's accident. Well,
that was all I needed. What do you mean, I
gave the sheriff a story that will convict Mike Reagan
for Benji's killing.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
As sure as if he'd done it normally.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
I told him Reagan had threatened to get Benji if
it was the last thing he ever did, he had beautifully, Rick,
someone saw him near the scene of the accident. His
reputation's not too good. In my story supplied the motive.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You're certain you're in the clear, now, aren't you, Norma?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You and Rick, yes, because a man named Mike Reagan
was seen at Indian Lake on the night of Benjamin.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Sloan the accident.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
And now that you've told the sheriff your little story,
you're certain that Reagan will be picked up by the
police because they know that he had threatened Sloan at
one time. Norma, do you think they'll find Reagan?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
I'm sure of it.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
Wait a minute, Norma, that accident, I said, I rigged
up the booby trap on Benji's boat. I didn't do
it what I wanted to, Norma for you, but at
the last minute, I lost my nerve.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
I couldn't go through with it.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
I couldn't.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
I didn't want to tell you because of what you
think of me that I was soft wheat.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
But I am norma, I am What are you trying
to tell me?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Rick?
Speaker 3 (20:56):
I knew how much Reagan I hated Sloan, so so
I hired him to do the job. You, you.
Speaker 6 (21:05):
Stupid fool.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Okay, okay, So now I've got to get to Reagan water.
I can't drive me's levels still, everything of it?
Speaker 6 (21:12):
Rick, what's the matter?
Speaker 4 (21:12):
What? Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Miss? Well?
Speaker 3 (21:17):
This I gather and see Rick Mason. I'm Sheriff Layton,
mister Mason, and this is Lieutenant Kincaid.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Are you going somewhere?
Speaker 4 (21:26):
Why? Yes, it is Reagan.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
You want to see.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
We'll be glad to take it to him at police headquarters.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
He told us the whole story.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Join us again next week, but once again, the United
States Air Forces in Europe presents the whist the isser
Forres Sargeant Don Cormet speaking
The Whistler.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Presented by the United States Air Forces in Europe.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
I am the whistler, and I know many things.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Or I walk by night.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of
men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes,
I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
And now the whispers, strange story, dark patterns.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Normal wells, paced nervously back and forth across the living
room of rebel air horns.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Stop now at the window to glance out into the night.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
The surrounding hills by the bright moonlight, still quiet except
for the barking of a dog nearby, and the barking
stirs a strange, uneasy feeling within you. Doesn't something you
can't explain, but it's there, building slowly, you whirl in
(01:19):
the sound.
Speaker 6 (01:21):
Yes, Norma, darling, this is Glenn, Oh Glen, how are
you splendid? Allison's came out to pick it up, and
we're all going over to their place for dinner. Would
you join us, Sun, Gwen, if you don't mind, I'd
rather not. It's something wrong normal, It sounds strange. I
don't suppose you've read the papers.
Speaker 7 (01:42):
Oh heaven, No, we've been much too busy gutting about.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Why what's drop it?
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Benjy Benji?
Speaker 7 (01:50):
Your business?
Speaker 6 (01:51):
Pardon it? Yes, there was an accident at Indian Lake
last night. Benji was killed.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Cut good, Heaven's done well, howl in the wood.
Speaker 6 (02:04):
We had gone up there for the weekend, took his
boat out on the lake and there was an explosion. Oh, Darling,
how frightful you, poor dear. It was quite a shock,
of course, you invent you were such a good friend.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
What a perfectly awful thing to happen.
Speaker 6 (02:24):
Is there anything we can do? Oh? Thanks, Glenn. No,
you're certain now, Harry, and I'll be more than happy. No, no, really,
but it's sweet of you, Glen.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
A moment after you hang up the phone, you return
to the window. The dog is started barking and howling again.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Hasn't been rmous? Yes, And you wonder why is there
someone out there? You move quickly to.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
The sliding glass door leading to the patio, open it
and you turn on the footlight. Patio is empty, step
outside and glance around, and then hurry down the driveway.
And you're suddenly aware that your heart is beating furiously.
There's a tight, dry feeling in your throat, isn't her normal?
(03:22):
Now as you reach the road, Hello there you recognize
the man as Arthur Morris, the neighbors, and then he
hurries towards you.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
Good evening, miss Hellounce.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I don't know what's gotten into that dog as mine
hiring that way. I'm sorry if he's doobed you. I
put him on the potteck in, but I don't know
how long did you stay?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
That's all right, that I was won.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
He doesn't usually carry on that way unless there is
someone around, of course, of Fowler, did you see anyone? No,
I haven't.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
That's funny.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Of course it might be an animal from the hills
and a possum. Probably he had to court. No need
for alarm, I suppose, Oh, miss Wells. Yes, sorry to
read about what happened to your partner, mister Sloan. I
met him only once they cockailed party you had lost
or seems like an awfully knife fellow.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
He was, Yes, Norma.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
You owe your entire success the Benjamin Sloane.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Don't you a fine home, money, a string of smart
fashion cellar? You owe it all the Benji, the partnership
you formed with And now that he's gone. Everything you've
owned jointly will be all yours.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
As you're about to re enter the house, you hear
a car approach you.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
You turn, watch it full.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Up in the driveway. You recognize the man as it
gets out. It's Fred Lake, a sheriff from Indian Lake.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Good evening, all good evening.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Had to make a business trip to la I thought
i'd dropped into sea.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
On the way back to the lake.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I rested this too, I forget it might be important.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Oh, yes, from our office files.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Founded in mister Sloane's sweet at the large.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
Yes, Benji, uh, it's just Sloan off and took the
folder of business letters with into the lake.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
Okay, tell me have you have you found him yet?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Afraid not as well. We've had men dragging the lakes
and early this morning, but no sign of the body.
I see.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Strange.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
I was sure we'd have found him long before this. Yeah, strange,
very strange.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
You watched the sheriff drive away, then turn and walk
slowly into the house. There's been no sign of Benjamin
Flown's body. Norma.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
And that nervous uneasy is he feeling within you continues
to grow.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
You hurry to the telephone and call a Malibu number.
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Hello is mister Mason and shame.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
This is miss Well, Hello, Miss Rinks.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
All calm, Miss will.
Speaker 6 (06:14):
I know that he was to be back this Afternoon's
come back, Miss Well? I see all right, Jane, have
him call me the minute he gets him.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Williams Well, who will call me?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
So it's too cold? Something's wrong? You can sense it, cancer, Norma.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
You start pacing the room again, nervously, twisting the handkerchief
in her hands.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
The dog is barking again, and then suddenly.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
You'll hear something else, a noise out in the patio.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Quickly you turn off the living room lights. Stand in
the darkness for a moment. There's someone out there, Norma. Heah,
a man. You can see him moving towards you. You
want to turn and run, but you can't. You can't
move at all.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Norm Are you in there?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Oh? Rick?
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Tell me?
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Rick, what's the idea of turning off the lake?
Speaker 6 (07:11):
I heard a noise. I didn't know who it was.
Why haven't you called me?
Speaker 3 (07:17):
I just got back from the lake. I was coming
here when I saw the sheriff's car turn into your driveway.
So I drove down a block walk back.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
What did you want?
Speaker 6 (07:25):
Just saw some business letters Benji had taken with him
to the lake. He also told me they've been dragging
the lake and they haven't found Benji's body yet.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
I know. That's why I sit up there as long
as I did. Don't worry, they'll find it soon.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
Are you sure?
Speaker 4 (07:39):
But sure?
Speaker 1 (07:40):
I'm sure.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Look, everything went just the way we planned. I set
up the booby trap, saw Benji take the boat out,
saw the explosion. Everything is okay, Norma. Nobody could have
survived that explosion.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
And why haven't they recovered the body?
Speaker 1 (07:54):
I don't know, give them time.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I don't like it.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
Rick, I don't like this at all. Something's wrong.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Not take it easy, normal.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
I suppose Benji is alive. Rick alive, and he suspects
we set that trap for him.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
If I haven't say, stopped talking.
Speaker 6 (08:13):
Like that, I can't help it. I just can't help
feeling it.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
He's alive. He couldn't.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I tell you, Benji couldn't have survived that explosion.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
All right. They have not mistaken my nerves, they say,
saying fixed. Sometimes you're right, Benjy couldn't be alive.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
I saw it with my own eyes.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
The explosion that happened in the middle of the lake.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
He couldn't have lived through it.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
I'm sorry I got so upset. Come on, let's have
a drink.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Yeah, and I could use one.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Sure, you'll have a drink.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Rick, forget duntie.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
There's nothing to worry about, but there is.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Normal, Yes, a lot to worry about.
Speaker 3 (09:14):
You can't explain the feeling you have that something is.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Wrong, but you know you've got the calm Rick showing
you are.
Speaker 3 (09:21):
Not afraid that everything's all right. Long after he's gone,
you think about what's happened, try to convince yourself that
perhaps it really is only your imagination.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Because your nerves are on edge.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Still, you spend a sleepless night, aware of every sound outside, wondering, waiting, watching.
Early the following morning, you get into your car and
drive up to Indian Lake to the Sheriff's office. Well,
good morning, well, good morning, glad he's here, then you
(09:57):
I'll about to call you. Oh, yes, we we found
mister Sloan. Oh you you have men recovered his body
less than an hour ago. I see he certain, of
course that it positive found all the identification we needed
on the body. I don't see you want no uh
(10:20):
telling him as well. Did mister Sloan have any enemies?
Enemies Benjie, Yes, you see a guess that the log
just returned from my honey trip up into the mountains.
When he heard about mister Sloane's accident, he came straight
to us. Oh, seems he happened to see someone hanging
around mister Sloan's boat on the night of the accident
and acting suspiciously. He didn't think too much about it them,
(10:43):
of course, but when he got back this morning heard
what had happened.
Speaker 6 (10:47):
You mean you think that perhaps it wasn't an accident,
that someone deliberately planned to kill mister Sloan's There is
that possibility. Oh, but that's incredible.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Perhaps still, if we can find a man who was
seen hanging around the boat, you have a description of him.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Oh vague.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Kirtland thinks he might recognize the man if he saw
him again. Benjamin Sloan is out of your way, isn't
he not. You're certain of that now, and that's the relief.
But there's something else to worry about.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Rick, Yeah, he was seen near.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Benji's boat on the night of the accident, and there's
a man who can perhaps identify him. A few minutes
later you leave the office, the sheriff walks with you out.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
To the street.
Speaker 8 (11:38):
Going to stay on here at the village for a
long Well, yes, I'll be checking in at the lodge
if I can give any help from you or incidentally,
I talked with mister Sloan's brother this morning over the prone.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Thanks. That's right.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
He gave me a list of some of mister Sloan's
friends acquaintances.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
I see.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
He didn't seem to know very much about his brother's activities, however,
that they hadn't seen one another too often during the
past several years. Yes, that's true, nothing wrong between them,
I suppose. No, they were on the best of terms.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
It was just a well, they had different interests and
Frank did spend a great deal of time back heat
uh huh he mentioned that.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Anyway, here's a list of names he gave me mutual
friends of theirs.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
I think you could add to it as well.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
May I ask what this list is polled?
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Oh, we're just checking.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
That's all routine.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
And like to talk with some of these people, see
if we can dig up something.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
You really think that mister Sloan's accident wasn't an accident, don't.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
You, As I said before, Miss Wells, it's a possibility.
You spend the greater part of the day in your
room at the lodge thinking over your next move, don't you,
norma wondering how much the police really know if the
(13:01):
sheriff has told you everything.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
And then late that afternoon, there's a knock on your door.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Hello, sweet hurt Nick, what are you doing here? Well,
you don't seem very glad to see me. Then I
heard about Benji on the radio. That's why I drove
up here to be with you. Come on, smile, everything's over.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
You're gonna wait for me.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
What's the matter, honey?
Speaker 6 (13:28):
You me?
Speaker 1 (13:30):
What's wrong with me?
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Everything?
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Someone saw you hanging around Benji's boat the other night.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
What oh no, that can't be Take the Sheriff's word
for it.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Someone saw me.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Wait a minute, I I better get out of here
as fast as you can.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Rick.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
This isn't good, not good at all. I'm gonna jam.
Huh what am I gonna do? Norman?
Speaker 6 (13:53):
I take it easy.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
They don't know who you are.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
They just have a description.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Yeah, but if they start schrying.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
No, you better get back to Malibu right away.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Norma. You're gonna stick by me?
Speaker 6 (14:05):
Huh, of course we'll figure something out.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Sure, Sure, we'll figure something Norma.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
Now go on, we'll talk this all out later.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
Okay, okay, but when Norma.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
Tonight, I'll be at your place in malibur around nine
or so. Rick, Rick is Norma, Oh, Mama, come in.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Jing Jan was out for the evening. I sent him
out so I could talk to you along. It's a
serious business, normal sit down.
Speaker 6 (14:58):
Rick has been thinking things over, have you?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Norma?
Speaker 4 (15:02):
So have I?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
What does that mean here? Maybe you better look at
the night's paper. The story is on page one about Benji.
So so there's nothing there about a witness say, nothing
about someone being seen around Benji's boat.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
The police know what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Really normal, What are you getting at? You said you've
been thinking things over?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
What are your plan?
Speaker 6 (15:29):
I think you better leave town, Rick, I'd suggest Mexico.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Yeah, sure, that's exactly what I think that you had
in mind. Out of town. The lady says, the cops
are looking for you.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
They will be who says, so you rook?
Speaker 6 (15:43):
Rick, I'm only telling you what the sheriff told me
someone saw you hanging around Benji's boat.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
It's the truth, is it, Norma?
Speaker 1 (15:51):
I think you're lying what I think you're taking me
for a ride.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
See sure, you're crazy about me. So I do your
dirty work. You're rid of your partners and have the
business all to yourself only. I think you're springing a.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Little old Rick.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
I don't follow this at all.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Like I said, I do your dirty work, and then
you dream up a little yin to.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Scare me out of town.
Speaker 6 (16:10):
Why would I do that?
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Maybe there's another guy you're interested in. Huh, Harry Grayson.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Maybe Harry, don't be a fool.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
Grand's my best friend.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Oh sure, if that would stop you?
Speaker 4 (16:24):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Harry?
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Make you're talking like a child, am I?
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Norma?
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Rick?
Speaker 6 (16:30):
Listen to me. I'm not making all this up. What
I've told you is the truth. Someone did see you
hanging around Benji's boat, someone who might be able to
identify you.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Sure.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
So now I'm supposed to clear up Mexico.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (16:46):
Why it's safe?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Sorry, it won't work, Norma. I'm not going anywhere. I'm
staying right here.
Speaker 6 (16:54):
You're being a fool, Rick, Now.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Listen to save your breath, Norma, I'm staying here. It's
no use normal.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Rick has made up his mind think you're going to double.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
Cross it, and he refuses to listen to you.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
You drive on back to your home to think things out.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
It's only a matter of time before the police get
around to him, and then it'll be all over.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
You're certain that Rick will crack tell everything, and.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
That's something you've got to prevent from happening.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
There is a way, isn't it, Normous.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Yes, and suddenly you realize how little Rick actually means
to you. Rick was only a means for.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
You to get what you wanted, and now that you
have it, he is no longer important. It's on your
mind all that night what you must do.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
But the following morning, you receive a telephone call from
Sheriff Layton.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
Do you happen to know a man named Reagan as
well as Mike Reagan used to be mister Sloan chauffeur.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Why?
Speaker 6 (17:57):
Yes, but mister Sloan fired him some time ago.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Reagan. I understand it was pretty sore about that. He
threatened mister Sloan.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
Yes, now that you mention it, he did.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
Reagan was seen hanging around Indian Lake by several people
on the night of mister Sloan's accident. He was yes,
and the description we have of the man seen near
the boat, it's Reagan.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Pretty well.
Speaker 6 (18:22):
I don't know what to say, Sheriff. I wouldn't want
to throw suspicion on anyone unfairly, but Reagan was frightfully
angry when mister Sloan discharged him. Reagan said he'd get
mister Sloan if it was the last thing he ever did.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
Any idea where we might locate him, I guess.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
As a matter of fact, I do you see, after
mister Sloan fired him, Reagan came to me and asked
me to help him find a job. I felt sorry
for him and totally might see what I could do.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
He leave an address with you, Yes, he.
Speaker 6 (18:52):
Did, the Arch Motel Ocean View.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Well, Hello, No, I do matter what brings you around
me since the normal mind.
Speaker 6 (19:16):
If I come in, I've got some news, come in.
I got us off the hook, Rick completely sure positive
remember Mike Reagan Benji's chauffeurs Reagan.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Yes.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
Sheriff Layton called me this morning and told me Reagan
was seen at Indian Lake the night of Benji's accident. Well,
that was all I needed. What do you mean, I
gave the sheriff a story that will convict Mike Reagan
for Benji's killing.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
As sure as if he'd done it normally.
Speaker 6 (19:40):
I told him Reagan had threatened to get Benji if
it was the last thing he ever did, he had beautifully, Rick,
someone saw him near the scene of the accident. His
reputation's not too good. In my story supplied the motive.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
You're certain you're in the clear, now, aren't you, Norma?
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You and Rick, yes, because a man named Mike Reagan
was seen at Indian Lake on the night of Benjamin.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Sloan the accident.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
And now that you've told the sheriff your little story,
you're certain that Reagan will be picked up by the
police because they know that he had threatened Sloan at
one time. Norma, do you think they'll find Reagan?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
I'm sure of it.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
Wait a minute, Norma, that accident, I said, I rigged
up the booby trap on Benji's boat. I didn't do
it what I wanted to, Norma for you, but at
the last minute, I lost my nerve.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
I couldn't go through with it.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
I couldn't.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
I didn't want to tell you because of what you
think of me that I was soft wheat.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
But I am norma, I am What are you trying
to tell me?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Rick?
Speaker 3 (20:56):
I knew how much Reagan I hated Sloan, so so
I hired him to do the job. You, you.
Speaker 6 (21:05):
Stupid fool.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Okay, okay, So now I've got to get to Reagan water.
I can't drive me's levels still, everything of it?
Speaker 6 (21:12):
Rick, what's the matter?
Speaker 4 (21:12):
What? Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Miss? Well?
Speaker 3 (21:17):
This I gather and see Rick Mason. I'm Sheriff Layton,
mister Mason, and this is Lieutenant Kincaid.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Are you going somewhere?
Speaker 4 (21:26):
Why? Yes, it is Reagan.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
You want to see.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
We'll be glad to take it to him at police headquarters.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
He told us the whole story.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Join us again next week, but once again, the United
States Air Forces in Europe presents the whist the isser
Forres Sargeant Don Cormet speaking
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