Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Deadly Debt Matter 08/28/1960

0:00Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. Johnny Dullar. Johnny, this is Don Bumar. Don and Sir, so to Florida. That's right. Don, how are you? How's the real estate business? Just fine. And business has pulled me. I haven't seen you since I flew down there to do some fishing with our mutual pal, Earl Porman. Ha, ha, that one. Where there's misguided sense of value. Oh, what's that mean? Oh, he strips out to California all the time. Huh? And this time it looks as though we might stay out there. Uh, Don, I think all you Floridians are jealous of California. Now, Johnny, you think we'd ever admit it? Even to ourselves? Ha, ha, be right, carousel. Anyhow, with Earl Porman out of town, at least for a while, I'm kinda holding down the office of Tri-State Life in California. Tri-State Life in casually these days. So, what happens? Trouble. Trouble.

1:00Client's name is Thomas Patterson. All right, what's happened? Somebody knock him off or something? No, not yet. But a few years ago when he was living up in Jacksonville, Well, Tom was the sole witness to a murder. Yeah. The killer was tried and said to state's prison. Uh-oh. Huh? So now this killer's on the loose and you figure Tom Patterson's life isn't worth a bag of beans. That's it, exactly. Uh, what'd it come down here and see what you can do about it? Nope. No, no, no. But, okay, Don, I'll grab the first plane I can. CBS Radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Oh, it's truly... Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar.

2:07To the Tri-State Life and Casually Insurance Company's Sarasota office. Following his account of expenses incurred during my investigation at the deadly debt matter. Expense account analyst. Expense account item 17940 taxing a plane out of Hartford. The flight was good and by early afternoon I was in Don Bumhauer's real estate office in Sarasota for it. After the usual amenities. Now, let me lay it all out for you, Johnny. Yeah, sure, don't go ahead. And to begin with, the life insurance policy involved has a face value of $70,000. Hmm, let's see then. My commission will come to... Don't you ever think of anything but money? Sure. Like what? Well, right now I'm thinking about the chances of staying alive. After all, with a killer on the loose. Well, at least the thought of a few bucks coming to me could help me die happy. Uh, the insurance name you said is Thomas Patterson. It is now. Huh? Some years ago, Johnny, young Tommy lived up in Jacksonville, worked as a milkman.

3:09Uh-huh. Early one morning, that was in 1951. He pulled up in front of an alley just in time to see a man named Casey Carey shoot down a fellow named Harker. Who just happened to be busy at the moment blasting away at Carey with a 38. Oh, so Carey pleaded self-defense, huh? Early tried to, but the jury wouldn't go for it. You see, there'd been a long standing feud between the two of them. Oh. Only reason they didn't give Carey the chair is because Harker had a record as long as your arm. I see. Instead, Carey was given ten years to life. I see. The point is that Tommy Patterson's testimony was what really convicted him. So, of course, he made the usual melodramatic threat. Oh, yeah. That he'd get Patterson if it was the last thing he ever did. He didn't care when. He'd be a no hurry. But sooner or later, he'd track him down and kill him. So what's happened? The term had just got married and started a nice little family. Two boys and a girl. So Carey's threats scared him as much because of the way from kids as for himself. Yeah. But not Don, you know as well as I do how little those courtroom threats usually mean.

4:11Oh, no, wait. About that time, some relative died and left Tommy a considerable sum of money. So he changed his name illegally. Change it to what? To what it is now. Thomas K. Patterson. What it was before doesn't matter. Okay, go on. Then he and his family moved on down to Venice a few miles south of here. Yeah, I remember the time. Well, there in Venice, he set up the excellent dairy products company. Nobody down here is known him as anything, but Tom Patterson, so he's felt perfectly safe. Until that is about six months ago. Yeah. He was up in Jacksonville on a business trip. He was, well, he was just walking along the street one day, turned the corner and bumped into a man coming from the other way. Uh-oh. Yes. He took one look at the man's face and started running like a scared rabbit. K.C. Carey. Oh, what do you think? But I'll wait Don, if Carey got ten years to life in 1951. I know. When he stopped to think about it, Tom couldn't believe it. But he went down to the public library and dug into the old newspaper files.

5:13Yeah. Sure enough, thanks to good behavior, model prisoner and all that sort of stuff. Carey'd got out? Carey'd got out, legitimately. But to Tom Patterson, that would only mean one thing. Carey was out to get him. In the exciting history of great American inventions and inventors, there is no one who stands out with the eminence of Thomas A. Edison. Among his hundreds of great inventions, Edison gave us the phonograph, the microphone, a telephone system, various improvements for telegraphy and motion pictures, and most significantly, the electric light or incandescent lamp, originally referred to as bottled light. When Edison was still in his twenties, he set out to invent an electric lamp which could operate on low power and would be safe for use in homes and other buildings. He knew that resistance to electricity would make wires and other substances glow for an instant with white heat, but they would be instantly consumed.

6:20So he tried several types of fiber or wire sealed in a vacuum and succeeded in producing a glow which lasted for several hours. The next step was to find a filament that would give off a bright light and last for a longer time. In his search for the right substance which he could seal in his vacuum bulb, he tried 6,000 different substances ranging from human hair and tar to foodstuffs and vegetable fibers. Finally, he hit upon the idea of using the fibers of the bamboo tree. Carbonized, these threads provided the filament he sought and thus the incandescent lamp became a reality. It was discovered not by accident nor by profound scientific knowledge. It was the result of tireless effort and endless trials. Edison, like so many geniuses before him, found success through determination and the philosophy which has blessed the work of most American inventors. Somehow there must be a way. Let's find it.

7:22And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Now wait a minute, son. Yes, Johnny. Tom Patterson wasn't sure that Kerry actually saw him, recognized him, huh? At the time no. After all, Tom had only had a very brief glimpse of the man and the man had made no attempt to go after him. Uh-huh. But he sure now that I was Kerry. Yes. All right, so what did he do? He drove on back to Venice, quietly bought himself a coat 32 and got a permit to Kerry. Did he tell the police why he wanted the gun? No. Of course all along, Johnny, Tom had hoped that Kerry hadn't recognized him, that even if he had he wouldn't know where to look for him. But now done, unless this man Kerry has made some move against him. Oh, just wait, Johnny. Okay, okay, tell us your way. A couple of months ago, Casey Kerry appeared and settled down in Venice. Oh. Yes, he rented a small house and got himself a job and charged one of the filling stations on the tray.

8:24Well, that doesn't sound as though he moved in just to carry out his thread against Tom Patterson. Needless to say, Tom tried to avoid him. But now and then when he'd see him on the street or forget and go past the gas station, it was Kerry who'd avoid him. But then not to see him. Tom's. I know what you're thinking, Johnny. But just remember one thing. Yeah, what's that? Kerry had made it plain right from the beginning that he was in no hurry to get back in time. Oh, see. So you think he's kind of playing a cat and mouse game with him, I just have built up the old fear in him, prolong the agony maybe. What else? And believe me, he's succeeding. When Tom finally called and asked me to have you come here to protect him, he was almost a nervous wreck. All right, tell me this. Has Kerry any brains or is he just a typical dumb hood? He's in charge of a modern filling station for one of the big important companies. All right, then he must have too much sense to commit another murder. But if he can simply wear Patterson down with fright, maybe even grab him off his rocker. Johnny, Kerry swore he'd kill Tom Patterson and I'm convinced that he meant it.

9:26More important, Tom is. What do the police say? Well, Tom hasn't told him in order to keep his wife and kids from finding out about it. And that's a pretty small town, you know. If it weren't for his family, Tom would have just pulled up steaks and headed for Tim Buck too. Don, if he's as scared as you seem to think. As I've seen. And if there's no good reason for it. Well, got an extra car I can use. Yeah, sure. The yellow one parked out front. Yeah, here. There are the keys. All right, thanks. What are you going to do? Grab on down to Venice to see Tom Patterson and the police. I don't know for $24.25 for a thankful guess. In Venice, I found Tom Patterson in his office at the Excellent Dairy Products Company about to leave for the day. What Don Bum Howard said about him was true. He was just about beside himself with fear. And someone against his wishes I hauled him over to police headquarters. Brad Younger, the chief was most cooperative. But... Okay, Billy, let me know when he comes in. I see. And yes, Mr. Dollar, I know all about Casey Carey.

10:27Oh. Then why haven't you done something about him? Oh, no, no. Why have you let him settle down here in Venice? Just a minute, Mr. Tom. If you know who he is, that he's the man who's threatened to kill me. I said just a minute, Mr. Tom. Now you just set them be quiet. Yeah, please. Go on with what you were saying, chief. Mr. Johnny, I learned all about Carey from the big oil company he worked for. All about him, including that fully-seeing he said in court nine years ago. All right, then. So I had a little talk with him. And we kind of kept an eye on him. Of course, only the boys on the forest. And I know that. We... Well, we weren't sure that Mr. Tom here knew about him being here, recognizing... Of course I did. There was no reason to scare him or that nice family. He is. Very considerate, chief. Considerate. What's considered about letting a killer settle down here in the first place? Oh, now hold it. Come on, look here, Mr. Tom. If you want help in this thing from me or the police or anybody else... Of course I do. Why else do you think I had Mr. Boomhauer sent? All right, then let us handle it our own way. Otherwise, we'll be glad to back out.

11:28Just let you take care of it all yourself. But I... Well... All right, Mr. Dollar. I'm sorry. Okay. So anyhow, Mr. Johnny, I'm convinced that Casey Carey is all right. He's forgotten his thread. And I tell you that he... No, chief. I've got to have protection against him. Somebody to watch over me night and day. Tom, suppose Carey hasn't forgotten his thread to kidnap. I'm sure he hasn't. And suppose, Chief Younger were to give you protection for a while. And the hope Carey might try to make a role. A role? A role, did you say? That's right. He said he'd be a no hurry to get me. I know. And he's waited nine years so far. He'll wait longer if he has to. But sooner or later he's... And what about my family? Excuse me, Chief. But here's that report you asked. Oh, okay, really? Okay, I'll be through here in a minute. Yes. Now you're very upset, man, Mr. Tom. Well, wouldn't you be... And I see there's a pistol permit listed in your name. You have that gun on you, Mr. Tom?

12:29It's at home in my bureau. What about it? I don't you think it might be real sensible if you turn it in before you get excited and do something foolish. No. No, I don't. Why not, Tom? Because if you won't help me, then maybe I'd better help myself. I took the Chief aside and promised I'd stay with Tom Katas and if possible get his gun and turn it in. And Tom and I left. As we rounded the corner, he passed Kerry's gas station. And no, Mr. Dollar, he's off duty this time of evening. Ah, you know where he lives? Yes. Where? Because that's where we're going. What? Well, now you wanted to show down with him, okay, now's your chance. But without my gun? You. You can't be serious.

13:29While grahamming a sandwich and some coffee that's item three a dollar forty, I managed to sell him on the idea. And we drove on over to Kerry's house on a lonely side street. Hey, you must have seen me, Mr. Dollar, and he's probably waiting in there. And the dark way. There's evil in there, Mr. Dollar. Ah, yes. Oh, what did you say, ma'am, and who are you, please? I'm one of the neighbors, Mr. That's what. When I heard that shot in there, I was told. Well, then I kind of thought about it for a while, and then I called the police. While we were sitting in that restaurant having, come on Tom, this door's open. It's got to be a light switch here on it. Here it is. Mr. Dollar. This is Casey Kerry. Yes, sir. Only. Yeah, shots with a head.

14:31And it looks like about a thirty-two. Tommy, isn't that the caliber of your gun? Well, yes. And where did you say it is? At home, in the bureau. There's no use to lie about that. Well, chief, chief younger. Sorry, Mr. Tom. Holden you for murder. The Gold is considered more precious than silver. And because it is, we find it hard to understand why silver takes precedence over gold in the military insignia of rank in the United States. At one time, except for the silver stars of generals worn on epilets of gold, the color of an officer is insignia of rank depended on his branch of army service. Infantry officers wore epilets of silver within insignia of gold.

15:35All other officers wore the opposite. In 1851, all epilets were gold with silver insignia. But majors and second lieutenants had no insignia at all, except for a difference in size of the epilet fringe. Between the Civil War and the Spanish American War, most epilets were abolished. And majors were given gold leaves to indicate their rank. But the poor second lieutenant had to wait for his gold bar until, and believe this or not, 1917. Regardless of the date of establishment, all military insignia have been a source of pride for members of the armed forces of the United States of America. And now act three of yours truly Johnny Dollar and the deadly death matter. That's right Mr. Tom, I'm holding you for the murder of Mr. Casey Carey.

16:37No, no chief, you're wrong. Am I? Looks to me like this is his dead body laying here. I guess this hole in his head was made by a 32 caliber bullet. Chief Younger Long, Mr. Tom, that's the same as this gun he used. So, here you are Mr. Dollar, here's a murder weapon. That's my gun. Where'd you get it? Mr. Tom, I hate to say this. I had a feeling you're coming to see me with a bluff. Bluff? Yes sir. To make me think you hadn't yet done any harm to Mr. Carey here. Wrong chief. Am I? I had to practically drag Tom over here to see you. Well then, let's just say he was more willing than he let on. That's not true. And when some woman phone about here in a shot out here, a young Billy Barker came in. Barker. One of my new boys on the course. When he laid his gun on my desk and the number on it checked out against your permit, Mr. Tom. Where'd you get this gun? Right where you showed it off to the side of the road over to midnight pass. What? That's right. If Young Barker hadn't stopped fixed tire on his squad car and stepped on it,

17:39it could have laid there forever. Nobody there was. But I told you I left it in my bureau at home. It just doesn't make sense now, Mr. Tom. But it's true. So where were you after you and Mr. Johnny left me at headquarters? Well I can answer that. I knew where Mr. Tom. You came over here and killed Mr. Carey and took the gun and showed it off in the bushes. Wait, Chief Younger listen. Yes sir. Tom has been with me for the time we left you. Who? Yes. Well, all that means is you killed him before you came to see me. No, no. And when the doc digs a bullet out it carries body. And I take along with you, gone up to the police lab and saras soar. Mr. Dollar. And if they match up together. Tommy, it looks kind of bad for you, doesn't it? No, please. Listen. You better come along with me, Mr. Tom. Maybe, maybe Chief Younger was right. I want to report came back from ballistics that the bullet had come from Tom Patterson's gun. When Tom had no way of proving he'd left the gun at home.

18:41Well, I still couldn't believe Tom and Tommy. Another thing, the neighbor woman had heard the shot only a little while before we got there. What's more Carey's body had still been war? But instead of putting up a defense for Tom, I decided to play a real wild hunch that just might turn up Carey's killer. Item 3 from a phone booth, 30 cents for a call to Don Bumhar. No Johnny, the man Tom saw Carey murder back in 51 was named Harker. Not Barker? Nope. Gerald Harker with an age. Well, and I guess my hunch about this new man in the department. Hunch about what? Oh, it's nothing, Don, forget it. And thanks. So maybe I was wrong. So maybe instead of always acting on these crazy hunches. And yet... Item 4 was a dollar 10 for a call to Jacksonville to Mike Kirby in the city round of the Times Press.

19:42And bless him, he came up with some mighty revealing information for me. And then he worked for a while on the police force, Johnny. Oh, they're in Jacksonville? That's right. Look to me as other boy was trying to live down the Famila reputation by putting himself on the side of Law and Order. Maybe. And a month or two ago he handed in his badge and moved to... Hey, what was that maybe you threw in? About his being on the side of Law and Order? That's right. But Johnny, if he was a cop... Here's another maybe. What? Maybe that boy still is. What? A cop. Thanks a lot, Mike. I went back to police headquarters where Chief Younger was hand for sleep at his desk. I told him I wanted to have a little talk with one of his men. Well, Mr. Johnny, but it's after midnight. He doesn't come on duty until late in the morning. But I'll give you and sister I'll call them, get him out of bed and have him come down here. And then about half an hour later they're in Chief Younger's office.

20:43Is something special Chief get me out of bed this way? Billy, I want you to meet Johnny Dollar. Mr. Johnny is a Billy Barker. I believe. Mr. Dollar? Only, uh... Why did you change your name from Harker when you came down here to Venice? Huh? What's that, sir? I'm afraid it was a dead giveaway. I don't know what you mean to. I'm sure I know. That and the fact you didn't move down here until Casey Kerry did. Oh, you mean that man who was killed this afternoon? That's right. The man who'd killed your own father back in 51. Is that true, Billy? How did you know Mr. Dollar? Casey Kerry, the man you swore you'd someday get even with for killing your dead. How did you know that? I didn't. I was guessing. Looks to me like you guessed right, Mr. Johnny. When you learned that Kerry was getting out of jail, you joined the force up there, hoping that maybe you could find some excuse to kill him in line of duty. You don't know what you're doing. Before you could do it, he moved down here to Venice. So you followed him and joined the force down here. You think that's the reason I can die? All you could do was buy your time.

21:43Until this afternoon, when you heard us talking in here and found out about Tommy Paterson recognizing Kerry, being so wild with fear that he was willing to kill him. Now you listen. All you had to do was get hold of Tommy's gun. I don't know how or when. That's beside the point. Mr. Johnny, you sure this? I'm not sure of anything, Chief. You bet you are. But if Billy is willing to go over to the police lab and Sarasota, let them make a perifant test of his shooting hand. Well, Billy. Oh, right, you two! Oh, you're not! Chief, you... You want to let Tommy Paterson out of that cell so he can go home to his family? Yes, Sue. Right away. And thank you, Mr. Johnny. Expense account, total including our motel room, some fishing out in the Gulf with Chief Younger the next day. Then the flight back to Hydrid.

22:44Call the $200 even. Remarks, the fishing was great. Goes truly, Johnny Dollar. Just as he was. The first time. He was the first to go. The first time. The first time. The first time. The first time. The first time. The first time. The first time. The first time. Your's truly Johnny Dollar starring Bob Bailey. Originals in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack John Stone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Greg, Russell Thorsten, Barney Phillips, Sam Edwards, Bert Holland, and Stacey Harris. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny Dollar. This is John Wallspeedle. Johnny Dollar has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

25:13The United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.