 From Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny dollar. Why is your stomach Johnny? Why rich food give any trouble? Who is this? Oh your buddy and your son. Oh, hi Angie glad you got my message. Yeah How about dinner tonight at Antoine's Johnny shrimp gumbo oysters rocker? Yeah, that sounds fine Only I've got to do some work for us I thought you're new on vacation. No little matter of fire insurance and the company's check for 16,000 Somebody trying to cheat him out of it, huh? You won't believe this, Angie Somebody turned it down Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of a man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator is truly Johnny dollar Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to providential fire and marines 787 Greenleaf Avenue Hartford, Connecticut The following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Royal Street matter Expense account item one one hundred three dollars and eighty-two cents transportation to New Orleans Item two four dollars and twenty cents cab from the airport to the Roosevelt Hotel After unpacking I put in the call to my old friend Angie or Saudi Nobody knows the French quarter or the people living there like Angie does The three months of the winter he stays in the swamp trapping muskrats the rest of the year He lives with his mother near the Cabildo Angie wasn't in but his mother said he she knew where to reach him and five minutes later He returned my call We arranged to meet for dinner then I phoned the agent who had sold the policy in question His name is Benford and naturally he was anxious to see me CD Benford's office is on the third floor of the hibernia bank building He's a stocky red-faced man probably in his late fifties Mr. Dollar come in thanks. Have yourself the chair. Hey, you fellas sure don't waste any time, do you? We try not to mr. Benford CD boy What you call me CD like all the other folks do. Oh, okay, CD. Yeah Now like I was saying you boys sure don't waste any time tall Oh, I didn't even call the home office till day before yesterday. I know When was the farm last week on Thursday night? What'd they tell you about it? Well, not very much. I figured I'd get all the information from you Well, it's a doozy First time I've ever run across a policy holder. It wasn't young for us to pay him yesterday for his loss today You know what I mean? Yeah Who is the insured mr. CD man named Dupas Henry Dupas took out a policy for 48,000 That's full coverage on his antique shop down on Royal Street. How long ago August just three months back I've been after him for maybe five six months to buy some protection But he kept saying didn't have the money another money and one day I dropped in see him about his car insurance and right off He told me to write a policy give him in full fire coverage on the shop Well, how do you arrange to pay it cash in full the day? I delivered the policy. He told you why he changed his mind. Yeah, not exactly That he mentioned something about times being better. I reckon they must have been why do you say that? Well, a few days later. He had the back part of his shop all painted and fixed up And that's the part that burned and he hired himself a girl to work in the office a real good look or two Well, what caused the fire, you know, I sure do antique kerosene lamp got knocked over accidental According to what Dupas told the fireman He was in the back of the shop with a customer shown in the lamp When it fell the fire started the two of them tried to put it out Reckon that's why they didn't call the fire department right off. Uh-huh and Did Dupont tell you the same thing to pop? He didn't tell me nothing Well, he reported the fire to you didn't he he did not and that's what's got miss a riled up I wouldn't know about it now if I hadn't dropped in there the other day was to par there when you stopped in yes Surrey and when I saw the place look the whole back of the store gutted out and the sluva's antiques destroyed I let him have both barrels. I'll tell you. Oh, what do you say to that? Yeah, nothing too much just acted like he wasn't interested in whether we paid for it or not Didn't even ask for a claim for It's funny sure is I thought maybe he was so upset over losing some of his valuable antiques He didn't know what it was doing. So after I checked with the fire department got a copy their report I typed up the claim for you figure the damage is 16,000, right? Mm-hmm. I knew how much he spent fixing up the back when I'd issued the policy I'd gotten an estimate on most of the antiques. So what happened when you gave him the claim he signed it He did not said to forget about the fire and when I kept after him He called me a busybody and told me get out of his shop and stay out What do you think CD you have any idea why he didn't report it or sign that claim if I had boy I wouldn't have sent for you. I left binford's office and walked over to canal Street The Sun had gone down and a cool breeze was coming in off the river Bringing with it the smell of coffee beans and fruit from the banana boats. I Cross canal and turned on to royal heading into the French Quarter When I reached Henry to pause and teak shop I stopped There are a lot of antique shops on Royal all of them look pretty much the same The buildings as old as the fine rosewood mahogany pieces they shelter There was nothing different about this one at least from the outside The fire had started and finished in the rear of the building. I Tried the front door, but it was locked. I didn't think anyone would be there that late, but I knocked anyway Who is it mr. Dupont who is it my name is dollar mr. Dupont I represent the providential fire marine Why do you people persist in annoying me? Well, we wouldn't if you tell us about the fire There's nothing special about that fire mr. Dollar. It was an accident Well, then why didn't you file a claim you're entitled to enough money to cover you? Mr. Binford explained that to me quite carefully if you haven't talked to a mr. Dollar you should oh, I've talked to him Then go away. Well, none until you answer a few questions leave me alone, please I Noticed an alley next to the shop that ended where the rear door had been I started back along it not quite sure what I was looking for What I expected to find but I was sure of one thing to power was a frightened man It was too dark to see anything at the end of the alley, so I returned to the street Item three thirty dollars fifty cents phone call taxi and dinner for two at Antoine's oh, man Kind of nice ain't it Johnny. Hmm. Oh the way it never changes same waiter same chef same clientele. Yeah Like another cafe Royal and she no no thanks Well Johnny yeah, when you go ask me Ask you what don't kid me John. You had that old bloodhound look in your eyes since we sat down What's the question? Okay, Angie What do you know about a man named Henry Dupas? Dupas antique shop. That's right. Oh, not much seen him around some so yeah, where oh You know kind of places I like Johnny. Yeah, but I can't picture to par like them. Well, maybe he don't but Maybe add a little blonde. He's been carrying with him does one. Yeah, you know female girl Bleach tail. I know I know yeah, how old oh 24-5 Yeah, real nice. Oh cute like him real winter and spring. Yeah, you've seen him together often Well a few times so I'm about two weeks ago at Butch's place Hey, you know something I walked in there that night with a five and I walked out with 200 How about that great? You know who the blonde is? No, but I might be able to find out You want yeah, I want Left Angie and started back toward Royal Street on the way I ran up item for $1.85 cents for one flashlight and batteries The shades on to power shop would draw them, but I can tell there were lights on inside In the alley a small pickup truck was parked near the side entrance to the shop in the back of the truck Looking like they'd just been taken off the boat with several stalks of bananas There wasn't much else to see except the charred wooden refuse left in the alley after the fire I Started back toward the street what a man a much larger man than the power came out the side door and got into the truck He turned over the engine and switched on the lights before I could get clear. Hey, what are you doing there? Mr. Right there, buddy. You just hold it How are you doing back there, huh? All right now, mr. I'm wondering what this load of bananas is doing in an antique shop Well, I just caught this guy snooping around the back It's mr. Duller. Yeah, that's right. You know him the park is one of those insurance men. I told you about oh What are you here for dollar didn't the part tell you he doesn't want any money from you people now Why not because he's afraid we might have to take a good look around before paying. Oh, son I know now look dollar to do pause been okay with you people. So you got no reason to come snooping around Especially after he's told you he don't want you around So now maybe mr. Dupar will have to do something to keep you away Ain't that right mr. Dupar? You know what I mean. Yes All right, I'll do it And he'll never bother us again Go on dollar get out of here At the time I had no idea what they meant to do so it wasn't easy to turn my back on them, but I did Nothing happened I went back to my hotel and hit the sack and I must confess I slept later than usual the next morning I was still in bed when the phone rang Johnny dollar. Well, hey now. Where's my dynamic northern friend? Oh, he's off today. I'm taking this place Well in the news I got I reckon it'll keep till tomorrow. Yeah No, no way way wait Angie Did you find out anything about that blonde deposit been seeing sure Meaning up till she went to work for mr. Dupar She worked for Dupar. Yeah. Well, come on. Okay, you know where she lives. Yep. What's her name? What yeah, and she thanks. That's plenty Expense account item five one dollar and forty cents cab fare from my hotel to the Pantalba apartments The list of names on the register near the manager's office told me Rose Ellen's apartment was number 215 When I got up there the girl who opened the door wasn't a blonde. Oh I'm looking for miss Rose Ellen. She isn't in. Oh She at work. I mean, are you a friend of her? My name is dollar Johnny dollar. I'm an insurance investigator and that's Well, she hasn't done anything has she Well, not that I know of look miss. Um garbo garbo may garbo You're a dancer, aren't you how'd you guess? Oh, I'm good at recognizing talent Would you like to come in? I've got some coffee on Say you've certainly got a nice view of the square from here Don't you think so? Oh sure if you like that sort of thing me. I just think the square is kind of square That's good You and Rose move in here together. Oh Down Johnny make yourself at home. Well, thanks You're so polite you wait to be asked Look, tell me what time do you think Rose will be home? Oh, I couldn't say may this is important What time does she usually get home? Well, I don't know. I Mean after all she's got her own life to live, you know, and I'm not her keeper. Okay. Okay. Sometimes she doesn't get home for days Oh, I better get the coffee Do you ever say anything to you about the fire the fire down at the antique shop? No, thanks. Just black good fire last Thursday night It's funny. What's funny? That was the last time I saw her What yeah Rose went to work last Thursday, but she never came home Act two of yours truly Johnny dollar in just a moment You don't have to be a special investigator to know that Americans don't take their civic responsibilities lightly The election day turnout proved that beyond any shadow of doubt So now it's time for you to face up to another responsibility to the nation in just as straightforward away Our ground observer core needs volunteers We at CBS radio Urge you to write or telephone your nearest Civil Defense Center to learn how you can help in this vast program that patrols our skies Now act two of yours truly Johnny dollar and the Royal Street matter This was the screwiest deal I'd ever seen a guy refusing insurance money. He was entitled to Rose Ellen was my one lead. So I continued questioning may her roommate May told me this was the first time Rose had been away so long without at least sending for a change of clothes. I Asked about roses boyfriends. She told me Rose had been going with one other man beside Dupont, but she didn't know who he was After May promised to call me if she heard from Rose Ellen, I left Expense account item six one dollar and ninety cents taxi from the Pantalba apartments to the hibernia bank building My insurance contact Benford wasn't in So while I waited for him, I wondered again why the pod refused to sign the claim for the fire damage to his shop Could he afford a loss of sixteen thousand dollars? I Wondered if something had happened in that shop something to pod tried to cover up with a fire I was wondering what it could have been what Benford walked Well, I'm glad you were here Johnny We got trouble. Oh Here you paid Dupont call last night that we have been yeah, he pulled me about 10 wanted me there fast. Oh We said it's hints enough stay away Oh, what happens CD and before I tell you that you tell me what he said to you last night Nothing important just something about fixing it so I couldn't bother him again. Oh Well, he did how he canceled his fire insurance policy and every other policy ever bought from me Yeah, so you might as well go on back to your hotel and pack Johnny. It's none of your affair now no matter what he's up to Hmm Man, it's too bad. I had to turn out this way You want a drink before you go? Yeah, I guess I need one. Yeah, let it be scotch or I Scotch need place When you reckon you leave Oh, I don't know. I'll check with the airline when I get back to the hotel Yeah Better luck next to that Yeah, that's that CD What about the policy policy did he return the policy to you? I know I said do it tomorrow But he's covered until he does return it does he know that I don't reckon it does good good He might get careless and as long as that policy is in foresight and bother him as much as I want Don't see what's used Johnny. He'll have it here about more evening. That's still gives me 24 hours to get lucky CD you said something about a customer being with him when that kerosene lamp was knocked over According to what he told the fire department there was you had that person's name Took it in the fire department report got that right here Mm-hmm the name was Andrew W. DeLong address 1515 West Claiborne There wasn't any Andrew DeLong at that address we checked the telephone book and the city directory and the only Andrew W. DeLong we found was out in Metri in a mausoleum So we drove back towards CD's office Well now what Johnny to Pa find out everything we can about to Pa and everybody who works for Ain't nobody but his secretary and his assistant tell the name car. Yeah, how long has Carl been working for him by as long as she has This is Carl on a fruit stand a Not I know about why I just wanted hey, what time is it CD? 215 say if we're going to check on to Pa's credit. We better get to the bank for the clothes. You're driving. Let's move Expense account item seven twenty two dollars and eighty cents telephone calls and a couple of gratuities to obtain a lot of information about to Pa I Learned among other things that he banked almost eleven thousand dollars in the past three months before that almost nothing But there's no law against making money. So I still had nothing concrete to go on At 530 I left binford went back to my hotel and they found a message from me Rose Ellen's roommate Asking me to go to her apartment immediately. So I did yeah, hi me You know what you made me proud. Yeah Well, it happened you mean you've heard from Rose well No, not exactly But a man called this afternoon and talked about her. Oh, well, I hope he had only nice things to say Oh, yes, he said she's just fine What didn't you hear me? Yeah, he said she's fine fine. What else did he say? Well, he said he was going to come by at four o'clock and pick up her clothes I should have them ready. Oh, but of course he didn't well. He did so he did What man you know him you get his name? Mr. Dollar You don't think I'd let roses things go out of here with a complete stranger. Do you of course? He told me his name well You aren't nearly as polite as you were this morning. All right, I'm sorry What's the man's name darling? Oh? Well, that's much better. It's Grant Grant. That's right From the way he talked he must be the one rose was going with while she was dating that old antique You ever see this guy grant before no, but I'm sure he's the one she talked about really it used to get so tiresome Listen What I said all may tell me where did he say he was taking her clothes. He didn't say just put them in that old truck Thanks, sweetheart. See you later. I Needed a fast car and a driver who could handle it. So I called Angelo Arsatti 20 minutes later We parked in front of DuPas antique shop. There was a dim light on inside. Look brother There's really no reason for you to get mixed up in this thing. Are you kidding, son? Hmm Like Dubai ain't going to answer. All right, let's see what this hunk of stone will do to the glass here And I've got it. I can reach suit to lock looks like nobody here. Hey, wait a minute. Yeah, I see him Carl what happened to you? Angie calling ambulance tell them a man's been stabbed here. Yeah, all right, John Get to her Before he can do pa gonna kill Rose Got to help her. DuPas wants to kill her why she she found out Smuggling is that what the past been up to? smuggling in banana shipment Rose found out where is she? He thought I'd killed her But I love her. Yeah. Well, look tell me you you gotta get to her Before he does where is she? old Spanish what yeah, I don't buy you Slide down all Spanish fortress on the fire slide out. Yeah, you know where that is Angie Oh, sure no ruin out in the swamp north of town near the highway bridge. It goes over to the Gulf Coast Carl How long ago did DuPas leave? 10 or 15 minutes Yeah, well we could beat him Johnny by cutting across the swamps that is if you could take it What do you mean by that? Well, it's rugged like what Johnny if you ever ride a swamp buggy Oh brother How much farther Angie? Well should be right up ahead. How can you tell all I can see is swamp and harsh grass? Yeah, well, I done a lot of trapping out here. I know the channel Think we'll make the old ruins before DuPas. Well, we got to don't we? Hey, that's it. That old wreck is called a fortress man. That's it. Well get us up as close to it as you can. I Don't see anybody parked Somebody approaching the bridge There we are Come on, let's go. Hey. Hey look John. There. She is at the side end. Yeah, I see Rose Rose Ellen. She scared you duck back inside Rose We're friends of Carl's They sent us to help you. Well, come on Johnny. We can get inside to her through this your doorway. Okay This place looks like it's about ready to fall apart Rose Rose Rose Ellen DuPas tried to kill him Rose. Come on out here where we can see you Rose that Carl didn't kill me that is yeah, but Carl's all right now Look Rose. I want you to tell me all you know about the fire at DuPas shop. Were you there? Yes? Oh, what happened? I had me tied up told Carl. I'd found out what they were doing Smuggling I mean he told Carl to kill me He didn't know Carl and I was gonna be married. Go on. Go on Carl argued with him That's when the lamp got knocked over He didn't stop arguing till DuPas said he'd kill us both So finally Carl told the pot he'd take care of me. He had to or DuPas would have killed us But instead Carl brought you here. Yeah. Oh, come on Johnny. Let's get out this dark. What a minute Rose, do you know why DuPas was afraid to report his fire to the insurance company? Some of the things he smuggled in was lost in the fire Anybody come poking around they might have found out what he's doing. What was he smuggling? Do you know? Little tiny boxes filled with white powder hidden in the bananas Johnny. No, I can't yeah, sure No wonder he banks so much money so fast bank much more Get rid of you dollar. Look, look at that. Yeah, he is the door. Yeah, watch it He can't see us No, but what a target he makes in that doorway against the light. No gun We can try one of these bricks Wish me luck Right here to pop Come on. Oh man, dear. You could qualify for the New York Yankees Johnny All right, you're fine on your feet. Let's get out of here Expensive count total including rental on the swamp buggy incidentals and transportation back to Hartford $517 and 20 cents remarks Well, where he's going DuPas wouldn't have any use for the insurance money anyway Carl Grant turned states evidence and clinched the smuggling charges against him Because of that Carl may get off easy. I hope so. He and Rose could make a very happy couple and To remarks and to report yours truly Johnny dollar our star will return in just a moment if we are to remain alert to possible acts of aggression We need the continuous operation of the ground observer core and if the ground observer core is to remain on the job Around the clock seven days a week your help is needed tomorrow Telephone your nearest civil defense center and volunteer a few hours of your time each week to the ground observer core Join our ground observer core at the civil defense center nearest your home Now here is our star to tell you about next week story next week three sets of twins to men to girls and Two fires that hit the coast of flora with the impact of a hurricane Join us. Won't you yours truly Johnny dollar Yours truly Johnny dollar starring Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood Written by Charles B Smith. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone heard in tonight's cast were Virginia Greg, Boris Lewis, Lou Merrill, Lawrence Dobkin and Frank Gersel Musical supervision is by Amariga Marino and Carl Fortina Be sure to join us next week same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny dollar Dan coverley speaking