1 00:00:28,079 --> 00:00:32,719 Hello from Boise, Idaho. This is Adam Graham for this week's Sunday replay. 2 00:00:32,759 --> 00:00:37,159 We're bringing you another episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective. I did 3 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:42,719 actually receive contact from a listener suggesting I play more of these episodes. I 4 00:00:42,759 --> 00:00:46,280 would encourage you if you do want to hear more Richard Diamond. We did 5 00:00:46,359 --> 00:00:50,479 the entire series a few years back, and you can find our feed over 6 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:55,560 at big Less dot Great Detectives dot net or in your podcast fee. As 7 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:00,320 this episode was recorded several years ago, details may have changed. Any promotions 8 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:04,280 and offers mentioned in the episodes may not be valid if they're not currently on 9 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:12,239 our website. But now here's your Sunday replay. Welcome to the Great Detectives 10 00:01:12,239 --> 00:01:18,040 of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam 11 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:23,079 Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me Box thirteen at 12 00:01:23,159 --> 00:01:29,560 Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and become 13 00:01:29,879 --> 00:01:36,079 one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook dot com slash Radio Detectives. I 14 00:01:36,079 --> 00:01:40,680 do want to remind you that Great Detectives of Old Time Radio t shirts are 15 00:01:40,719 --> 00:01:47,319 still available. You can pick one up year round either go to t shirt 16 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:52,079 dot Great Detectives dot net to pick up our regular Great Detectives t shirt, 17 00:01:52,159 --> 00:01:56,920 or go to Yours Truly dot Great Detectives dot net to get your copy of 18 00:01:56,959 --> 00:02:05,400 our seventieth anniversary T shirt at Yours Truly Great Detectives dot net. Today's program 19 00:02:06,079 --> 00:02:13,919 was one of those episodes that was rebroadcast in nineteen fifty three as a summer 20 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:19,560 replacement series. And this is also an episode where we don't know when the 21 00:02:19,719 --> 00:02:29,199 original episode aired. It would have been sometime during the autumn of nineteen fifty 22 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:34,680 one, but we can't say for sure the actual title of this episode. 23 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:40,719 There's not a program that exists during the original air date, so this could 24 00:02:40,759 --> 00:02:46,520 either be a case of an episode that aired on say December twenty seventh of 25 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:55,120 nineteen fifty or it could be another episode that's missing and they changed the script 26 00:02:55,919 --> 00:03:02,080 at any right. The rebroadcast date is September birth, the thirteenth of nineteen 27 00:03:02,199 --> 00:03:14,240 fifty three, and the title is the Charles Johnson Matter, Rick Your Diamond 28 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:30,759 Private Detective Starrying Dick Paul Diamond Detective Agency, A Beauty on the Boulevard, 29 00:03:30,879 --> 00:03:35,560 A bear Cat in the bright Oh, I'm sorry, I called, I'm 30 00:03:35,599 --> 00:03:38,520 not Lieutenant Levinson. Your voice always reminds me of strained bowlers. Look, 31 00:03:38,639 --> 00:03:42,800 Rick, you want a job, I refuse to clean up after Otis. 32 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,919 You just got to quit feeding him in the office. I've got a guy 33 00:03:46,039 --> 00:03:49,759 down Aaron Lntom. I'll give him some embalming fluid, wrap him in twelve 34 00:03:49,879 --> 00:03:52,479 yards of first aid bandage, put a dog at his feet and call him 35 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,039 museum. What they'll never know the difference, Just an old mummy you ran 36 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,960 into when you're not trying to dig up a date. Oh for feat, 37 00:03:59,159 --> 00:04:02,919 shake what's on your mind? This is not exactly official, But I've got 38 00:04:02,919 --> 00:04:06,240 a kuy down here that I'm holding for the team. He's screaming that he 39 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,520 wants a private detective a con Oh, come on, Wald, he's got 40 00:04:11,639 --> 00:04:15,680 money. Money, Well, why do you drag out these conversations? I 41 00:04:15,759 --> 00:04:23,959 gotta been down there by now. Money according to Webster, any particular form 42 00:04:23,959 --> 00:04:28,399 of denomination of coin or paper which is awfully current. According to Diamond, 43 00:04:29,079 --> 00:04:32,600 that which makes his little hard gold Pitipat and his landlord send voodoo death warnings. 44 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,759 Actually, I have certain rules about the people I take money from. 45 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,480 First, they've got to have it. Second, they got to be people. 46 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,000 I closed my office and headed to the fifth Precinct, where Fatty Levinson, 47 00:04:46,079 --> 00:04:49,319 the guiding stomach of the Homicide Department, showed me down to the tombs, 48 00:04:49,319 --> 00:04:55,000 where he introduced me to my potential client and mister Charles Johnson, who 49 00:04:55,040 --> 00:05:01,480 was sitting in his cell looking very unhappy. Mister Johnson, the detective asked 50 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,639 the semester, Damond, go on in right, yell when you're done, 51 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:11,480 all right, thanks Walt, Sure, sit down, mister Diamond. What's 52 00:05:11,519 --> 00:05:16,000 your trouble Johnson? I've been framed. Sure, I was convicted of passing 53 00:05:16,199 --> 00:05:19,680 counterfeit money. But you didn't pass it. Oh, certainly, I passed 54 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:24,319 it, all right, But I didn't know I was passing it. Oh, 55 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,680 you're better tell me the whole thing. And it's very simple. For 56 00:05:27,759 --> 00:05:30,639 some time I had evidently been passing bad money. The merchant with whom my 57 00:05:30,639 --> 00:05:34,079 wife and I trade told the police that someone had given them counterfeit bills. 58 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:39,920 According to the police, I was finally spotted as a passer. They followed 59 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:44,680 me for several days and they say I passed bad bills on six different occasions. 60 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,759 And you think you've been framed, mister Diamond, I have no access 61 00:05:47,759 --> 00:05:53,000 to confit money. I'm retired and I live more than comfortably. I have 62 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,040 a great deal of money. Mister Diamond, Why would I want to pass 63 00:05:56,040 --> 00:06:00,319 counterfeit bills? Maybe you hate spending the good stuff. Someone who who could 64 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,560 have replaced my spending money with the bad bills did so. They even found 65 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:08,279 the counterfeit bills in my safe at home. What about your wife? She 66 00:06:08,439 --> 00:06:11,600 was arrested with me. She passed some of the bills, and if we 67 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,279 hadn't had a good lawyer, she would have been convicted. Also, No, 68 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,199 how do you get her off? According to the officers, I was 69 00:06:18,199 --> 00:06:23,160 the one who gave her the counterfeit bills. There's some law about that. 70 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,959 Didn't do it of her own free will do sir? That's lawyer handled your 71 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,560 case too, He's my personal lawyer, been with me for years. Well, 72 00:06:30,959 --> 00:06:33,319 mister Johnson, I'd say you were in tough spot, but I'm innocent. 73 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:38,560 Where do you keep your personal cash? Mostly in the safe? How 74 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,560 much two or three thousand at all times? Don't pay your bills by check? 75 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,480 Never have like to pay everything in caresure. I'm known for it. 76 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,759 Will you try to help me for a hundred a day? In expenses. 77 00:06:50,199 --> 00:06:54,160 I have turned over all my money to my wife to be handled by my 78 00:06:54,199 --> 00:06:58,319 lawyer. Which one do I say, John Forbes, my lawyer. I've 79 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,680 already conferred with him, be expecting you just tell him you're the detective I 80 00:07:01,759 --> 00:07:10,879 hired. The lawyer's address was Crosstown five fifty four East fifty second Street, 81 00:07:10,879 --> 00:07:13,759 a tall building in the middle of the block, Office five eleven. Blonde 82 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,639 secretary of five to two, aged twenty four. I was shown into a 83 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:20,720 richly furnished room, complete with heavy wood paneling and something else in high heels 84 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:25,920 that made me forget the blonde. You're the detective, mister Johnson is hiring. 85 00:07:26,199 --> 00:07:29,199 That's right, Richard P. Diamond. When you get around to writing 86 00:07:29,199 --> 00:07:31,959 it on the check, this is mister Johnson's wife, John Diamond. How 87 00:07:31,959 --> 00:07:34,639 do you do, mister Diamond? How do you do? What is your 88 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:39,839 fee, mister Diamond? One hundreds a day in expenses? Do you think 89 00:07:39,879 --> 00:07:43,040 your husband is guilty missus Johnson? Of course not. He didn't know he 90 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:46,319 was passing that money. How do you think he got the bad bills and 91 00:07:46,399 --> 00:07:48,680 his safe I can't imagine. How about you, mister Forbes, do you 92 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:53,120 think that mister Johnson knew he was passing the counterfeit money, certainly not. 93 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,160 Do you have any theories about it? You're the detective, mister diamond, 94 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:03,920 and quite an expensive one. Yeah, I'm a pig, the kind of 95 00:08:03,959 --> 00:08:09,079 case you really love. No clues, and no one knew anything. I 96 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,759 spent the next hour throwing questions at Forbes and Missus Johnson resolved zero. Forbes 97 00:08:13,759 --> 00:08:16,279 had been a member of the state bar for ten years, handled some big 98 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:22,560 accounts. Missus Johnson had met her husband in Florida three years before, about 99 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:26,319 fifteen years younger, but completely happy. But there was one little thing that 100 00:08:26,399 --> 00:08:31,040 kept nagging at me. According to Forbes, Johnson had a cool million, 101 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,679 and that took me right back to the reason I'd gotten interested. Why would 102 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:39,720 a man like that passed phony bills? I got a substantial retainer and checked 103 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:45,440 back with Walt Rick. I got an idea. Maybe Johnson wanted his wife 104 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,360 out of the way, so he tried to frame her by giving her the 105 00:08:48,399 --> 00:08:52,120 bet money, hoping you'd get caught. Instead, he got caught. The 106 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:54,519 gag back fire, so he slipped a tour in plain side of everyone. 107 00:08:54,759 --> 00:08:58,720 Wow, it's possible at this point, and thing's possible, by the way, 108 00:08:58,919 --> 00:09:03,039 you find out anything about those counterfeit bills? Yeah, I checked with 109 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:05,720 the treasury man. They told me that during the trial they identified the work. 110 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:11,159 The engraving was done by Leon Fisher. Oooh, one of the best 111 00:09:11,159 --> 00:09:13,639 counterfeiters in the business. A long time ago. Is he in or out 112 00:09:13,639 --> 00:09:16,840 of prison? He's out? You remember when we sent him up the last 113 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:20,559 time? Oh? Do I? I was playing stickball and knickers the last 114 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:24,200 time Fisher went up the river. It was only fifteen years ago, Peter 115 00:09:24,399 --> 00:09:28,360 Pan, Okay, so I date myself. He's been out for ten years. 116 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:33,279 I remember now, happy Methusla. So it wasn't Fisher picked up once 117 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:35,879 after he got out for trying to pass some more of the stuff. Yeah, 118 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,360 ten years ago, but got off not no evidence. Then the Treasury 119 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:43,840 Department's looking for him now, thanks Wall You still think you can do something 120 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:46,840 for your client. I don't know, but I did just have a thought. 121 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:50,240 Johnson kept passing his stuff for a week or so. He must have 122 00:09:50,279 --> 00:09:54,960 been pretty stupid not to recognize him. You don't remember Fisher very well. 123 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,399 He was a real artist. His stuff could fool the US Treasury unless they 124 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:03,279 examined the paper. Well, now I had one lead, an old time 125 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,039 counterfeiter, namely on fishing slowly. Even the Treasury Department didn't know where to 126 00:10:07,039 --> 00:10:11,360 find him. But in my business I could use a couple of gimmicks the 127 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:15,240 team men couldn't. I left the phone booth and headed to the Lower East 128 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:18,480 Side, and a gentleman known for his dubious ability with a paintbrush and his 129 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:28,519 gifts of underworld knowledge, providing the prices right. Yes, who is knocking, 130 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:33,679 please, Vladimir? There might be some mistake. The name is Mabel. 131 00:10:33,879 --> 00:10:35,879 Oh, stop making like a floor door a girl. It's Diamond. 132 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:43,080 The detective, Well, certainly open up who you're working for. It's not 133 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,080 your landlord dreamplied the butcher. You don't even know him, know him? 134 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:52,480 Schmoe him? Do I owe him? No? Comrade, No, I 135 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:56,879 need some information, Vladimir. I could paint your portrait while we talk for 136 00:10:56,039 --> 00:11:01,919 you, A magnificent oil painting of your wonderful face only fifty dollars. I 137 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:07,960 haven't got time. A quick charcoal twenty five dollars, no hand painted times. 138 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:13,320 A small statue of a snow bound Kazakh stolen personally from the Czar's private 139 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:18,360 collection, No cheep, where can I Finally, I'm Fisher. You can't 140 00:11:18,399 --> 00:11:22,039 afford the snow bound Kazakh and you are interested in Leon Fisher. Fisher, 141 00:11:22,039 --> 00:11:26,799 fetch my collection. Wasn't he somewhat of an artist himself? Twenty bucks? 142 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:33,559 A fellow artist thirty, probably starving like myself forty Such a talent not to 143 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,840 be really appreciate. Fifty last price, last price. You know me pretty 144 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:43,279 well by now sixty? Goodbye, badam. Wait, he's living in an 145 00:11:43,279 --> 00:11:46,279 old check on fourteen River Street goes under but the name Peters, Peter's the 146 00:11:46,399 --> 00:11:52,759 artist, Peter's the peasant. Fifty dollars please, and I promise you no 147 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:58,679 part of it will ever reach Northern Korea. Headed for fourteen Revers Street, 148 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:03,480 and I'm still on Fisher, alias one, mister Peters, the first, 149 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,440 leading the whole mess, but very likely to have nothing at all to do 150 00:12:05,519 --> 00:12:11,159 with my client, mister Johnson. Fourteen River Street was just as Vladimir had 151 00:12:11,159 --> 00:12:13,480 described it, and a little more so. An old shack, all right, 152 00:12:13,879 --> 00:12:20,320 very possibly the oldest, also the dirtiest on the river. Yeah your 153 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:26,039 name Peters? Yeah? Mind if I come in? Yeah, you smell 154 00:12:26,159 --> 00:12:31,039 like a cop. If I was i'd have called you, Fisher, come 155 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:37,919 on, sit down. Thanks, what's on your mind? Some money? 156 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,799 Oh? You sure came to the right place, but we don't open until 157 00:12:41,799 --> 00:12:45,639 ten o'clock in the morning. Got a time block on the whole. The 158 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,720 Treasury Department is looking for you. Wow, some of your portraits of our 159 00:12:48,759 --> 00:12:54,480 presidents have found their way back into circulation. I don't know what you're talking 160 00:12:54,519 --> 00:12:56,799 about. They got the plates in the sensu up the last time fifteen years 161 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:01,759 ago, but they never got the money. Remember, I still don't know 162 00:13:01,879 --> 00:13:05,759 what you're talking about. Fifteen years might make a guy think the heats off. 163 00:13:05,799 --> 00:13:07,840 Get out of here. You know a man named Johnson. I don't 164 00:13:07,879 --> 00:13:11,600 know anybody you know or anything about money or plates. Now, beat it. 165 00:13:11,879 --> 00:13:15,120 I could make a quick call to the team man. You got the 166 00:13:15,159 --> 00:13:20,000 wrong boy. Beat it, boy. Let me tell you something. I 167 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:26,600 was playing stickball with Oh forget it. He was Fisher, all right, 168 00:13:26,919 --> 00:13:31,360 no doubt about it. But I didn't have enough information or the authority to 169 00:13:31,399 --> 00:13:35,320 sweat it out of him. It was getting dark when I left and headed 170 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,559 for a fall, keeping an eye on the shack in case Fisher decided to 171 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:45,440 skip. I was halfway down the block when I heard it. Oh no, 172 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:48,840 the shot had come from the direction of Fisher's shack. So I took 173 00:13:48,879 --> 00:13:56,240 off like an overstimulated caddy suicide. Didn't think here Fisher was lying in the 174 00:13:56,279 --> 00:13:58,720 middle of the floor. The slug had caught him high in the chest and 175 00:14:00,159 --> 00:14:09,559 dying fast suicide. Not a bit. No time to wait around and get 176 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:11,799 mixed up with a lot of questions about Fisher's death. I couldn't answer anyway, 177 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,679 so I called Walt and gave him the story A fast cab at a 178 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:18,720 buck. Eighty later, I was going through the Morgue files in my favorite 179 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:24,039 newspaper. Here's some more stuff on Laean Fisher, mister Damond, Thanks Charlie, 180 00:14:24,039 --> 00:14:28,440 but I think I found what I want. Yeah, right here. 181 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,200 The last time they picked him up, got off clean as a whistle, 182 00:14:31,559 --> 00:14:37,159 Yeah, says they got him passing the counterfeit bill. Witnesses say they saw 183 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,960 another man given it to him. According to this, the other man was 184 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,159 a two bit hood wanted for everything in the books. He went to prison, 185 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,120 denying he ever gave Fish of the bills. But there were witnesses, 186 00:14:46,799 --> 00:14:48,759 very smart lawyer to get Fisher off, and he was a known counterfeiter, 187 00:14:50,519 --> 00:14:54,759 even if witnesses did say they saw another hood slipping the money. Very smart 188 00:14:54,840 --> 00:15:07,639 lawyer. Fisher was shot with a thirty two. Right the slugs and ballistics. 189 00:15:07,679 --> 00:15:11,879 Now, the killer didn't leave any footprints because of that rocky shoreline behind 190 00:15:11,879 --> 00:15:13,840 the shack. Well. Now we know from Fisher before he died that the 191 00:15:13,919 --> 00:15:18,960 killer was the one who took the counterfeit money you sent. Fisher told you 192 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:22,399 he was forced to give up the money. The killer must have handed something 193 00:15:22,399 --> 00:15:26,320 on Fisher. I found something in newspaper. Morgan might entered you wall the 194 00:15:26,399 --> 00:15:30,320 last John Fisher was sent a trial for passing counterfeit money. He got off, 195 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,879 that's right. You know how he got off. No, I can't 196 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,759 remember exactly. Had a good lawyer. The lawyer used a loophole in the 197 00:15:37,799 --> 00:15:41,480 law, had witnesses who saw someone else gave Fisher the bad bill. Hey, 198 00:15:41,919 --> 00:15:43,759 that's the same gimmick Johnson's lawyer he used to get the wine for off. 199 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,279 Same gimmick, same lawyer. What now? The lawyer who represented Fisher 200 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:54,080 ten years ago was a struggling criminal attorney named Forbes. John Forbes now representing 201 00:15:54,159 --> 00:15:58,200 Johnson, the man you've got locked up downstairs, well, if he fixed 202 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:02,519 that witness ten years ago for Fisher, that could be the club he used 203 00:16:02,519 --> 00:16:04,759 to make Fisher give me the old conifeent money. I could have followed me, 204 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,200 seen me go into see Fisher, listened outside and killed him after I 205 00:16:10,279 --> 00:16:11,799 left. I'll have him picked up. No, I'll wait a minute. 206 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,799 Where's your motiveleas now? Handling Johnson's money a million bucks? That's motive enough 207 00:16:15,799 --> 00:16:19,120 to frame anyone. Yeah, but two things throw that out. Forbes is 208 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:23,879 supposed to be a very successful lawyer, and he only controls Johnson's money through 209 00:16:23,879 --> 00:16:27,759 his wife. Maybe she's in on it with him. That's possibility. Either 210 00:16:27,799 --> 00:16:30,279 that or there's a way for Forbes to get the money without her knowing. 211 00:16:30,279 --> 00:16:33,399 It could be. Now, first we got to find out how he handles 212 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:37,360 missus Johnson's money, and then we've got to find out if he really is 213 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:41,919 as successful as he appeared. I still think we better have a talk with 214 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:51,799 mister Johnson. You know, I think you're right. Have you found out 215 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:55,559 anything? Mister Diamond got some pretty good hunches. Johnson. Tell me, 216 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:59,279 how does the arrangement work with your money? Concerning your lawyer and your wife. 217 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:03,279 Mister Forbes gives my wife, whatever money he considers necessary according to his 218 00:17:03,399 --> 00:17:07,440 judgment. Do you trust his judgment, mister Johnson? Of course financially successful. 219 00:17:07,559 --> 00:17:11,000 Of course, just my yearly retainer alone would help him to live quite 220 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:15,480 comfortably. No bad investments, not that I know of. When he gives 221 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,759 your wife the money, can he just write a check or make a withdrawal 222 00:17:19,079 --> 00:17:23,759 or not without my wife's countersignature. Where did you meet your wife in Florida 223 00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:26,559 three years ago? Your wife and Forbes are very good friends, with the 224 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:30,799 very best. Oh no, wait a minute, you don't think I don't 225 00:17:30,839 --> 00:17:33,960 know. I don't know. Now, I'll let you know if I come 226 00:17:33,039 --> 00:17:40,880 up with something. I was getting close. Forbes knew Fisher the counterfeiter where 227 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,759 it possibly knew he had the counterfeit money statched under the old shack. He'd 228 00:17:44,759 --> 00:17:47,799 gotten Fisher off ten years before, and he could have framed the case and 229 00:17:47,839 --> 00:17:51,559 forced Fisher to give him the counterfeit on the strength of it. The countersign 230 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:55,839 checks almost definitely showed the wife to be in on it, but I still 231 00:17:55,880 --> 00:18:00,400 needed the motive, the one thing I had to prove that Forbes was not 232 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,400 as successful as he was supposed to have been, and that he needed cash, 233 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:07,240 and also that Missus Johnson wanted to frame her husband and help Forbes. 234 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:12,400 It was eight o'clock when Wald and I piled into the squad car and headed 235 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:15,680 for the home of John Forbes. At eight thirty. We parked across the 236 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:19,359 street a half a block away. At nine point fifteen, we spotted Forbes 237 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,599 leaving by his front door. We followed him east across town, where he 238 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,559 pulled up in front of seven oh five East forty sixth Street and went in 239 00:18:27,759 --> 00:18:32,359 ten minutes to ten. He came out again, but this time he wasn't 240 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:36,720 alone on his arms, still looking very interesting in high heels and topped off 241 00:18:36,759 --> 00:18:41,119 of the Norman wrapped Missus Johnson. Yeah, a million bucks, and that 242 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:48,119 makes a guy wonder about that old ad age crime doesn't pay. Ten o'clock 243 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,720 and on the outskirts of town, heading across the river for Jersey, Walt 244 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:56,640 uncomfortable about leaving his territory, but interested enough to keep on tailing. Ten 245 00:18:56,720 --> 00:19:00,119 thirty and we pulled up in front of a big building in Jersey. They're 246 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:04,960 going in, Yeah, Carlos Droker's Country Cloud dinner with a side order of 247 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:12,559 broulette. Good place for any guy to lose his money. They're taking a 248 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:17,720 table on the supper. He's in gambling room in the back. Maybe that 249 00:19:17,839 --> 00:19:21,200 just needs some energy. Look, Forbes is getting up face the by. 250 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:29,160 He's headed this way. He's heading for Droker's office. I know Droker pretty 251 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,759 well did him a favorite once, and Forbes comes out. I think I'll 252 00:19:32,759 --> 00:19:41,880 go in. Well, it's good to see you again, Ricky. Would 253 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,640 you come around and pay me a visit? How you being all right, 254 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,680 Droker? I haven't got much time. Oh business, huh. I was 255 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:52,319 hoping you stick around play the wheel. Who knows you might win something on 256 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:56,319 your wheel? That's why you might win something, because it's my wheel. 257 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:02,160 You want to do me a favorite, You've done me a couple. I 258 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,799 don't forget the guy who was just in here, John Forb. I can't 259 00:20:04,839 --> 00:20:08,039 knock him over for you, Ricky. He's too good at customer. Good 260 00:20:08,039 --> 00:20:12,480 customer loses a lot. Yeah, Pope's one of the best customers I get. 261 00:20:14,039 --> 00:20:18,160 Pays up most of the time. Never got to a point where he 262 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:22,559 couldn't. Only once I had to put the pressure on him. Only once, 263 00:20:22,079 --> 00:20:26,920 I say, but he pay that. Yeah, I gave him sixty 264 00:20:26,039 --> 00:20:30,279 days. How much was it and when did he pay it? Fifteen thousand 265 00:20:30,279 --> 00:20:33,400 and he paid it ten minutes ago. He's going to lose some more. 266 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,960 One more question? Did he give you a check or cash? Cash? 267 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:41,920 You know something, Ricky, what would guys like me do if they weren't 268 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:45,119 guys like that? Or but the guys like you around, they'll always be 269 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:59,240 guys like that around, Ricky having a little snort, fat you're doing it 270 00:20:59,319 --> 00:21:03,839 again, You always do it. I tell me if Forbes and missus Johnson 271 00:21:03,839 --> 00:21:06,039 is still in the gaming room. Yeah, no, we were right. 272 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,200 Forbes has been losing his money to the drunker. Oh there's the motive. 273 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,759 Let's pick them out. No, no, wait wait, I want to 274 00:21:11,839 --> 00:21:14,759 nail him for sure on the Fisher killing. If you pick them both up 275 00:21:14,799 --> 00:21:17,000 now, they'll have time to think about it, get the stories straight. 276 00:21:17,079 --> 00:21:18,920 Well, what do you want to do. We'll work on missus Johnson, 277 00:21:19,319 --> 00:21:22,200 but let her alone until the bank's open. Wind till the bank's open. 278 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:26,960 Forbes paid Drunker fifteen thousand cash. I want to see if missus Johnson cashed 279 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,000 a check for that amount. If she did, we'll pick her up, 280 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,000 But not Forbes. I want him to think he's safe until we break down 281 00:21:34,039 --> 00:21:51,319 Missus Johnson. See you know are fatty? All right? All right? 282 00:21:51,599 --> 00:21:53,599 I got missus Johnson in the other room and she's screaming for her lawyer. 283 00:21:55,079 --> 00:21:57,359 What about the bank? You are right? Notice called in about five minutes 284 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,799 ago. The bank cashed a check guessday morning, signed by Forbes and missus 285 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:06,240 Johnson for fifteen thousand dollars. How about Forbes had commins watching him arow night. 286 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,640 You'll pick him up when we need it. Okay, let's go to 287 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:15,119 work on missus Johnson. Okay, Artie bringing missus Johnson, right, Lieutenant, 288 00:22:15,799 --> 00:22:18,279 you just gonna come right out and accuse her of no, no, 289 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:26,119 just a little friendly check. Missus Johnson. How are you this morning, 290 00:22:26,279 --> 00:22:29,519 Missus Johnson? None of your business. I demand to know what rape not 291 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,759 until I have an explanation. Have a nice time last night, Missus Johnson. 292 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:37,240 Yes, I had a wonderful time. My attorney, mister Forbes, 293 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:41,440 took me to dinner. Anything wrong with that? Went to Jersey, didn't 294 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:47,960 you? I understand you followed me. Nice place, Trucker's Restaurant. I 295 00:22:48,039 --> 00:22:53,599 see, yes, a very nice place. Mister Diamond win anything gambling I 296 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:57,680 lost? Are you going to arrest me for gambling. Mister Forbes, bake 297 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,519 out. You want to little, but I don't see what business? Why 298 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:04,359 little? Huh? For him? That's a change. What do you mean? 299 00:23:04,519 --> 00:23:07,279 Well? According to Dronka, mister Forbes has been losing heavily for some 300 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:12,279 time. I wouldn't know what mister Forbes does with his money is not my 301 00:23:12,559 --> 00:23:17,799 concern. He paid drunk of fifteen thousand dollars gamming dead last night. I 302 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:22,680 understand you cares to check for that amount yesterday morning? All right? What 303 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,039 about it? You have the combination to your husband's safe. Of course, 304 00:23:26,039 --> 00:23:29,519 that's where I keep my jewelry, does mister Forbes? I don't think so. 305 00:23:30,559 --> 00:23:36,960 That is. I don't know. Nice looking guy Forbes. Mister Damond, 306 00:23:37,079 --> 00:23:40,039 I don't know what you're getting at, but this is absurd. Until 307 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,319 last night Forbes was too brooke to pay off his debt to drunk. All 308 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:45,880 right, Supposing I gave mister Forbes the money, is there anything wrong with 309 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:49,640 that? I don't know what your husband would say it was alone. Excuse 310 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:56,519 me? You know, sometime, missus Johnson, we think your husband was 311 00:23:56,559 --> 00:24:00,759 framed. We think someone put phony bills in this safe, so called passing 312 00:24:00,799 --> 00:24:08,000 them right. Excuse me, missus Johnson, I've currently he has been tailing. 313 00:24:08,079 --> 00:24:11,960 Forbes says, Forbes just purchased a ticket to Rio. One ticket. 314 00:24:12,079 --> 00:24:15,640 Yeah, if he's on such a gravy train, wde pull out alone. 315 00:24:15,839 --> 00:24:22,279 Maybe he got more than the fifteen thousand, Missus Johnson, we think John 316 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:26,000 Forbes framed your husband so he could get money out of you. That's utterly 317 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:29,079 ridiculous. And for a while we thought you were in on it because the 318 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:30,599 checks had to be cossigned. Well, I hope you've changed your mind. 319 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:34,640 Oh, I guess we have to. Why would Forbes leave for South America 320 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:38,880 if he was planning on getting money from you? Leave one ticket for Rio? 321 00:24:40,799 --> 00:24:44,000 I don't believe you. We'll check if you want to. Well, 322 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:49,640 it doesn't make any difference to me. He already has no No, he 323 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,680 couldn't. Why not just a trip? Probably he'll be back. He couldn't 324 00:24:53,720 --> 00:25:02,880 be all right, mister, I signed over a power of attorney this morning 325 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:07,000 so he could lick with eight a half million in negotiable securities. I was 326 00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:08,960 supposed to be on that plane with him. Let's go pick him up, 327 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:11,960 pick him up. I thought you said he'd already left Oh, shame on 328 00:25:12,039 --> 00:25:15,160 me for fibb and I guess I just isn't going to go to heaven. 329 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:29,000 Come on, Wald, yes, mind? Have we come in Forbes? 330 00:25:29,279 --> 00:25:33,880 Oh? The private detective and lieutenant lets wave mat Well, I'm sorry, 331 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:37,799 gentlemen, but I'm very busy. I'm backing. Eh ah, it was 332 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:41,759 nice this time year. Yes, well, come in if you like. 333 00:25:44,519 --> 00:25:47,200 Just go right ahead. We won't bother him. All right, boys, 334 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,119 what's on your mind? Oh? We just had a talk with missus Johnson. 335 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:53,079 She told us everything. What do you mean everything. She's a little 336 00:25:53,160 --> 00:26:00,839 unhappy about you skipping with those securities. Oh you were if I finish my 337 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,680 packing or go out ahead, but we really couldn't see our way clear to 338 00:26:03,799 --> 00:26:07,759 letting you take a trip if you had those securities. Makes it look like 339 00:26:07,839 --> 00:26:11,759 you might have framed Johnson for his money? What did you do make his 340 00:26:11,839 --> 00:26:14,799 wife fall in love with you and then talk her into it? I'm afraid 341 00:26:14,799 --> 00:26:18,200 I don't know what you're talking about. How about Leon Fisher, the counterfeiter 342 00:26:18,279 --> 00:26:21,680 you cleared back in thirty nine. I haven't seen him since then. We 343 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:25,000 better take a look in that bag. No, look it, hold it 344 00:26:25,079 --> 00:26:27,160 right there, put it down. Forbes, you can't get both of us. 345 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,519 I don't think you're willing to chack a chance on it. We're ten 346 00:26:30,559 --> 00:26:33,599 feet apart. You try for the lieutenant, I go for my gun. 347 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:41,559 And if I try for you? What okay? Hawful? Close? Yeah? 348 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:48,799 What's in the bag. I'll take a look. See how forbesays well? 349 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:55,920 Well, securities and a bundle of dog all kind of I guess he 350 00:26:55,960 --> 00:27:00,279 figured he get unloaded if things got tough. How is he dead? But 351 00:27:00,279 --> 00:27:03,480 don't worry about it wild. A guy like Forbes spent his time figuring out 352 00:27:03,519 --> 00:27:07,799 so many crooked angles for other people. Sooner or later he had to trip 353 00:27:07,839 --> 00:27:26,559 over one and break his own necks. Richard Diamond Private Detective stars Dick Powell 354 00:27:26,559 --> 00:27:29,799 in the title role and was written by Blake Edwards, with music composed and 355 00:27:29,799 --> 00:27:34,400 conducted by Frank Wirt. This is bill forman speaking Richard Diamond Private Detective is 356 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:41,559 transcribed in Hollywood by Jim del Vaie. Richard Diamond, Private Detective has come 357 00:27:41,599 --> 00:27:45,759 to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television 358 00:27:45,839 --> 00:29:48,559 service to me conta welcome back. Well, that was an interesting part where 359 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:56,039 the informant with the Russian accent promised Diamond that his money for information wouldn't go 360 00:29:56,119 --> 00:30:02,480 to North Korea. Other than that, I this was a pretty straightforward Richard 361 00:30:02,519 --> 00:30:08,519 Dimond case, though with a limited appearance by Sergeant Otis and no appearance by 362 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:14,039 Helens. So that was a little disappointing, but it's always great to hear 363 00:30:14,559 --> 00:30:18,359 an episode of Richard Diamond we haven't heard before, so I hope you enjoyed 364 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:26,039 that. Now we turn to listener comments and feedback. Steven writes in that 365 00:30:26,519 --> 00:30:30,359 as a Canadian academic who specializes in World War two literature and a fan of 366 00:30:30,359 --> 00:30:34,559 the Great Detectives, I will be interested in your series The War. I'm 367 00:30:34,599 --> 00:30:38,079 about to embark on it. Well. Thank you so much, Steven, 368 00:30:38,359 --> 00:30:44,240 and I wish you were all the best listening to it, and I hope 369 00:30:44,279 --> 00:30:48,400 you get as much out of the series as I did. It was incredible 370 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:52,960 listen to and if you're interested in World War II, I encourage you to 371 00:30:52,039 --> 00:30:56,440 check it out. Go to Thewar dot Great Detectives dot net. I do 372 00:30:56,559 --> 00:31:02,839 want to thank our Patreon of the day, Thank you to Russell, who 373 00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:10,319 has been one of our Patreon supporters since October twenty sixteen and is currently supporting 374 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:14,640 us at the Shawmus level four dollars or more per month. Thank you so 375 00:31:14,759 --> 00:31:18,160 much for your support. All right, well, that will do it for 376 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:25,039 today. Join us back here tomorrow for Rocky Jordan, and then we will 377 00:31:25,039 --> 00:31:30,319 be back next Tuesday with Let George Do It. In the meantime, send 378 00:31:30,319 --> 00:31:34,799 your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter 379 00:31:34,839 --> 00:31:40,079 at Radio Detectives, and become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook dot 380 00:31:40,119 --> 00:31:45,359 com Slash Radio Detectives From Noiseadaho, This is your host, Adam Grahamson and Off