 Ladies and gentlemen, the American Broadcasting Company brings to its entire network one of radio's most unusual program Pat Novak or hire Novak for hire That's what the sign out in front of my office says Pat Novak for hire You got to put it in block letters because down on the waterfront in San Francisco. There's a price tag on everything You got to do that or marry a rich widow I don't like to work that hard so I rent boats and do anything else that's cash and carry Oh, it's all right. You don't mind trouble because that's one thing you can't duck It's like trying to dance the minuet and skis And the best trouble always looks good from the outside You're all smiles and you feel like a kid opening a hand grenade under the Christmas tree. I Found that out Tuesday night was around 7 o'clock and I was getting ready to close the office when this little guy showed up It was about the size of a golf bag with arms if he had a cigar box. He could see over a pool table He walked up to the desk and started talking in a voice that made you think he was trying to put a lily ponds out of work Hello, you know back you're doing all right so far. What's on your mind? I'm Jackie Greg. You heard of me, huh? You're the shine type. I know I'm Jackie Greg the Jackie you heard of me, huh? All right now I heard you put the show on the road. I'm looking for a horse. You want to find me a horse? Yeah, I breed them in the back room. What color you want? You're so tough. I got to take that from there Calm down before you wind up in a boy's choir. If you got anything to sell put it on the line or beat it I'm riding the horse tomorrow called fleet lady. She's disappeared. She's not here I'm supposed to ride the sixth race with her tomorrow at the bonanza handicapping. She's gone. All right She's gone. Maybe your horse likes to go out at night. I haven't seen her get to the point I'll give you 200 bucks to find that horse somebody took her in a van I trailed them down here the waterfront, but you lost them up at the ferry building. That's right Something funny is going on my mouth disappeared and you got to find it This is a big waterfront and where's the 200 bucks? You'll get that all right down by pier 19 They turned in you think you can find fleet lady. I don't know who owns her woman named Sybil Thornton She's uh mixed up. I think yeah, why steal your own horse. I know run a ring and maybe that's a tough trick This woman's got some good ones. You want the 200 bucks? Yeah, how are the odds? What's the difference? You're gonna open a book you better take the 200 bucks now Yeah, the dough will keep you sound frightened junior and you some nosy. Here's a 200 I want you to find the horse. You let me know at the Kingston hotel, huh? Sure If you don't find anything around the waterfront, maybe you better try the track ask around there Yeah, by the way, how do you fit in? How come you got $200 interest in that horse? Maybe I love horses What do you care if maybe I love horses? I don't a guy like you's got to love something Oh, it was a real sweet proposition a jockey in search of a horse That was something phony about the whole thing. I had the 200 bucks, but I didn't feel good Was like a guy stealing a murder gun to help out on a scrap metal drive Well after the little guy left I closed the office and started to hit the docks, but it didn't work out You can buy good whiskey these days So you feel funny walking up to some guy and up here and asking have you seen a race horse around here, mister? Well by nine I was sure that horse wasn't around so I borrowed a car and drove out to the track I found out where Sybil Thornton's horses were quartered and headed down that way Was pretty dark So when I bumped into her all I got was a vague outline She had a good-looking vague outline Very sorry. Yeah, I'm full of regrets too. Should we try it again? Aren't you a little mixed up in your animals? They keep horses here You don't seem to mind. No, you lean nicely But you'd probably feel safer with a platform We'll try this again when I've had three good meals That's a horse. Yes, I know In fact, I own it. I see that it make you Sybil Thornton. Yes. What would that make you a guy named Pat Novak? Looking for your horse. I was hired in the waterfront to find her They grow big on the waterfront You must get a lot of sun By the way his fleet lady missing your jockey say she is that's why I'm snooping around didn't know he had any friends He's got a checkbook. How about fleet lady? Is she tucking bed? Yeah, let's take a look. You'd find it very dull Mr. Novak. Yeah, that's what they said to Anthony. Let's see the horse, huh? Suit yourself. She's down this way. Okay I'm doing this out of the bigness of my heart I think you're wasting my generosity, Mr. Novak. Don't use it all this trip It's from in this table. Come on Down right here. The fleet lady is still Here there's a flashlight on the wall. Okay Your horse's die broke too Who is it fleet lady? Yes. Are you satisfied? No, I'm gonna ring up headquarters Are you crazy? Then I'm gonna call Jackie Greg and tell him his hunch paid off I wouldn't do that. Mr. Novak. Stop kidding me sweetheart. She didn't get killed in a fight with another horse Greg figured somebody was telling the machine That's why fleet lady's dead. That's why I'm gonna call headquarters. Suit yourself But remember what happened to fleet lady. You getting tough angel. No You just wouldn't look good with a saddle, Mr. Novak I watched her as she turned and walked out of there was the kind of a walk that makes you flip the calendar and find out How far away spring is? I looked around a while, but it didn't do any good The place was full of doors. So whoever killed fleet lady got out easy like a rumor at a church picnic. I Closed the door and went down the line to call headquarters As I stood in there talking I saw Sybil Thornton drive by it was a long convertible with red-ass best of seat covers After I called headquarters, I went back and waited near the stable about a half hour later a police car pulled up When I saw who got out I began to get unhappy like a three-legged man in a ballet school It was Helman some homicide and he had a squad with him Where's your trainer your boys get paid to laugh at you Helman? I don't yeah Where's the horse? What are you doing on the case? I came for the ride. You're my Novak No, I just wondered if they wised up downtown because you could find a dead horse Helman If they staked it out in the middle of Market Street, you'd find it before long I'll try this time. Where is it stall 18 over there? Yeah, keep an eye on them boys I'll be back in a minute. Yeah, the one with the teeth like yours. You better shut up Novak Don't get jumpy you haven't seen the horse. Just shut up, huh? Wasn't gonna be much of a conversation anyway. What color horse was that Novak? What do you mean? Take a look? Yeah, I did I Just took a look It's a smart horse Novak, huh? That's right that dead horse in there is wearing a double-breasted suit I When got the message straight I walked in and took a look Jackie Greg was lying there on the floor as dead as last year's love The sickness didn't show until we rolled him over on his stomach Somebody had gone duck hunting in the middle of his back I began to feel a little sick myself and was ready to send out for the same gun when Helman started to talk You forgot to mention the guy when your phone headquarters. He wasn't there I was in here before and the guy wasn't around. What was he doing out of the horse? I don't know Helman maybe crawled out of a crack. I don't know there were two shots I came in and found the horse. Yeah, check the horse. You're trying to tell me the horse shot back Who is he a guy by the name of Jackie great? He gave me 200 bucks to find a missing horse Yeah, a horse called fleet lady running into Mars handicap. This is the end of the line How do you know it's the same one? I don't maybe I got to be a horse to tell why don't you ask one of your boys? Yeah The boys real tough call them off Helman. He's nasty. We all hate him Novak. It's all right I'll put it on your bill Helman. That's good. You can write it up at headquarters Helman you ought to run an idiot the heavy thinking is too much for you I can piece this together We come out here and find a dead man with you kicking up dust 40 feet away. Look Helma I didn't kill a guy and then call up headquarters. I know they're bad and homicide, but I'm not that big hearted We got a spare hook for you Novak That's where you stay until somebody gets you off and you can start out with Sybil Fortin another horse She's got the speed for it. Look her up. She owns fleet lady and she was dashing around here in the dark playing easy to get I'll look her up. You better leave the boys behind after all. She's only a woman When you see her ask about that van down on the waterfront and ask what she was doing before I made that phone call I'll tag all the bases. Don't worry junior And if things fit together, you'll both be in the jug. I'll see you later. I got work to do Yeah, it's getting late. You better put the boys back in the cage I began to worry after Helman left was no murder gun and he didn't have too much to go on but There's no one else wanted my job. I Knew the girl was gonna have an alibi and I was the last guy that Jackie Greg had seen I Had about as much chance as a fat girl at a Princeton prom Helman didn't like me and he was a smart cop with a disposition like a ton of rhubarb Had to start right from scratch. I felt like Adam the first morning he woke up So I looked up a guy named Chaco Madigan an ex-doctor and a boozer who will give you a lift if you show Where the stirrups are a good guy, but he thinks all food makes a gurgle I hit all the bars and finally found him up at Maggie Nielsen's apartment She's a good-looking voice that lives up on the hill and Jocko was working his way into her liquor supply Hello, Patsy or just in time to join me for my first drink of the evening or one of my first at least Yeah, I said Maggie's not here, but I found a whiskey It was in plain sight locked in the closet under some newspapers. All right, Jocko When are you gonna sober up? I plan to do it briefly on April 1st when the rest of the world plays the fool also I'm in trouble. Jocko. You got to help me. Good. I've got a special bottle I used to forget your troubles stop caressing that jug and listen to me. I'm in a jam Patsy, there's nothing in nature so sad is a half empty bottle It's like a broken vow or an unfulfilled promise in the skies a falling star almost all right, Jocko Falling star and you shrug it off never realizing that a whole world has ended at that moment a Hundred million dreams maybe and you watch it fall and make an asinine wish and that's all the good It does a star to fall it gives some kid a chance to wish for a bicycle You finish now Jocko. Yes What kind of trouble anything I could aggravate I'm mixed up out at the track a guy by the name of Jackie Greg is dead and I don't look good Hellman yeah, the guy's a jockey and he hired me to find a horse named fleet lady Did you the horse and the jockey ran a dead heat, but there's something funny about the whole deal Did you talk to the jockey not enough? Patsy you've got to break yourself of the habit of waiting until people are dead before you think of a question Jocko, I want you to hit all the horse rooms find out what you can about the sixth race tomorrow It's the bonanza handicap and hurry up with you if it's the sixth race Why can't we wait a while start now get everything you can and call me? I'll leave a message at your place. Where are you going? I don't know maybe up to see the girl Patsy you're going to be waving at the hangman's wife when they spring the trapdoor. I gotta see her She owns fleet lady. Why don't I see her? She's got a stake somewhere. I got a lot of questions What could you do up there? Yes, if it weren't an academic question, I'd argue the point look like a bum deal right from the start Patsy you have the instinct for recognizing trouble, but not the intelligence to duck it jocko Will you get out to those horse powers? I need facts not fables now. Give me a hand All right, give my love to a fleet lady her name's Sible Thornton. Well, I'll bet I'm not far wrong Good night lover After I left jocco, I went to the Chronicle Morgan with the Paul Stangle We pulled out the clips on Sible Thornton They were nice and fat because she'd been to Reno four times and hadn't broke training for years She'd been traded around more than a red socks pitcher The clippings said that she was 32 There were a lot of pictures and from her eyes. You've got the idea. She was around 35 But there were arguments the other way to There weren't any stories on it for the last few months just a few items from the columns They all said the same things. He was hitting the night spots with a gambler named Rudy Houser Her pictures of him too He would have looked real good in a cave with heavy curtains. I asked Paul He said Houser had a gambling place out on Geary So I took a cab out there for 10 bucks the guy at the door said Sible Thornton had left the place an hour ago That made me feel good When Houser opened the door to his office. I lost the glow Yeah, what's with you? I got a problem. You got the wrong door You can't get any tougher so I'm coming in Sit yourself. I never throw anybody out until I'm sure they've lost all their money What's on your mind a horse named fleet lady she disappeared at seven o'clock tonight. Yeah, you check under the rug I'll try the cabin. She got back just in time to greet somebody's gunsle If I say no, will you go out and lose your money like a good boy? Fleet lady was owned by a gal named Sible Thornton a column say you're number five on her list And they never lie the whiskies too good also a little bird say she was in your office an hour ago. That's right She said your name's Novak The next time you got a bomb shell give it a test run Fleet lady dead your money's gonna look good in the sixth tomorrow What makes you think that gal would throw a race for the same reason she goes out with you Huh when a gal takes a great thing like you out in public it generally means the guy's a few bucks ahead of her You want to fight the team now Novak Just remember Sometimes you can't be right in the gentleman too Yeah, I hope that's the way you feel when they pick you up for Jackie Gregg's murder Huh? Oh, you do a real nice double-take. Mr. The jockey checked out with a horse. I Didn't know that no back. Yeah with no brains. You built this gambling club. I didn't know that he was dead I told you that Novak my minute Was all right for a little punk. I'm sorry is dead. So is he I'll see you later Hauser I got a nose around and find out what you were tonight. Yeah You seem all right Novak So I'll tell you If you got any dough left when you leave my tables better than a horse named fleet lady in the sixth race tomorrow You always bet on a dead horse. You got the tip Use it or bury it, but don't loan it out The case was a regular grab bag when I walked out of Hauser's office I began to tick off the things that didn't add up First on the list was that van down on the waterfront If it was fleet lady who got shot in the stable if it was the ringer that meant fleet lady had run tomorrow. I Couldn't figure out why Hauser was so sure she'd win An idea kept racing around in the back of my mind like an ant in a cookie factory Jackie Greg lied about that van down on the waterfront, but why? Not to bail me out of the poor house with 200 bucks. I Got part of the answer when I stopped with a paid telephone and called Helman Is Novak I got some news you have to put it on the back page you got your friend Jackie Greg had some love life Well, there's a chance for you Helman. Who's the girl civil Thornton? Yeah, we found a picture in his wallet the gooey kind I'll bet you stole it for long train rides But time to die the right fit for you between nine and ten o'clock two shots from a 32 caliber pistol How about the horse 45 caliber two people it's getting involved. Maybe maybe not you got two hands Look up a guy named Rudy Hauser. He's got a joint out on Geary Street I got enough friends. You look him up. I did he's still talking about fleet lady in tomorrow's race All right, maybe sentimental look Novak. I'll pick up my own work Search yourself, but Rudy Hauser and that gal are close friends Yeah, like two-part harmony and a telephone booth now get off the dime Helman Hauser's got that gal on his hip pocket She owns fleet lady and he's betting her to win you're trying hard Novak It's got to be a slow field to lose to a dead horse wake up Helman You couldn't smell a rat in a basement full of cheese I wasn't too worried about that Helman smart enough to know a phony plant I began to think about that 32 caliber pistol. It's a woman's weapon where that doesn't prove anything So is a bread knife if she's in a bad mood Must have been about midnight when I got to Sybil Thornton's place She was wearing black lounging pajamas tied tight around a slim waist She looked like a wasp with a nice sting and she had company Mr. Novak, this is Ronnie Stark. Hello, Novak He's not very friendly Sybil. He's as parting because they're going to arrest him for Jackie's murder. How do you like Helman? You've known him longer. Yeah, somebody left the murder gun up at my place. Well, you've been all night Mr. Novak, you're embarrassing Ronnie. That's right. I'm blushing and it's not the whiskey. No, I see you must stay longer Ronnie He's persuasive on the leg. I see tomorrow. You won't forget Ronnie. Oh, I won't forget What won't he forget? Mr. Novak? I hope nobody ever asks you that question You don't want to talk about putting that gun in my apartment Let's talk about Rudy Hauser then. Hmm your meat grinder friend. We just had a good talk and he opened up a new road What'd you tell him? Don't break his spring. He's all right Will you do me a favor, Patsy? Like not talking to Hauser anymore, huh? That's right Won't do you any good Patsy and it'll do me a lot of good. How's he gonna know which horse got killed? I'll bet you lied to him, Angel. It's my apple-caught Patsy to leave it alone Sure, but play your hand right baby because I'm gonna watch your cards And if you got one that says Jackie Greg, I'm gonna call you the hard way, too Patsy, you're a nice beast. I really think you would Sit down. Yeah, drink Do you good? Not right now You've read the book just a couple of chapters better the right ones You better watch out, baby. I may be a long shot. Well, you care as long as I bet. I don't I Right Angel it's time to wear the folks That's from me I left the number Yeah What'd you find out Jaco? Not much Nobody seems to care about the sixth race. I care about it That's because you killed one of the jockies the rest of the people have a more casual interest how do the odds are on No heavy favorites in there and sleepy time gal figured to be the best at around five to one What about fleet lady down the line somewhere? I talked to one fellow He says she's a dog and couldn't beat a paralytic goose over a hundred yards. Yeah, what else? What do you mean? That's all start digging Jaco. We're not getting any place Better than that On the way home, I bought the morning papers. There was a story on Jackie Gregg. No details Most of the story was a statement by Hellman on Hellman. It was no mention of fleet lady and One o'clock in the morning. There was nothing I could do but roll into bed. I Woke up about nine and called Jaco. It was like sending a message out to the Farrell owns by Indian runner He just muttered and said he'd meet me out at the track. I Had to have some more dope. So I called Ira snow He calls the races and bets on him a way He does it a horse is a real beast of burden. He was playing elf when I got him on the wire Ira, this is Novak. What do you know about the bonanza handicap? You're funny. What about the field are the horses any good? How about fleet lady? Would she be worth a heavy plunge I'm in trouble. How about a fix could they run in a ringer on fleet lady? That's what I figured how's Rudy Hauser on horses. Yeah, I think you're wrong You know a guy named Ronnie Stark. I may see you at the track I'm gonna make a bet. Yeah, I was right Rudy Hauser on fleet lady didn't make a bit of sense I got out to the track about 230 Jaco was there and Hellman was wandering around up in the grandstand where they couldn't push him into a starting gate Civil Thornton waved from her box as I moved over to get a better shot at the starting line for the sixth They were almost at the post when Jaco came back from the bedding window Well, Patsy, I bet two dollars on a horse called scotch victory. It seemed like a good omen Yeah, I saw your friend Rudy Hauser at the window Oh, he was pouring money down on the favorites to win That's why the odds are going down on veneer and sleepy time gal. Look at that board Yes fleet lady has gone all the way up to 12 to 1 yeah from 8 to 1 all the way up Maybe the word got around she's dead. No, that's the funny parts. He's down there number three in the rail See not a peep out of anybody Fleet lady runs well for a ghost. Yeah Rudy how's it better hurry or he won't see much, huh? He better hurry. He left the track 10 minutes ago Are you sure Jaco? Yes, I heard him tell summon me had to make a phone call just before the bedding closed Well, Jaco, you're a sweetheart. Well, I like let's go to the stable. Well, the race is no fun. It was over five minutes ago How about my two dollars? Come on? Well, yeah, there's only one person. We'll try to fix a horse race. That's a horse. I Knew there was gonna be trouble fast The horses were just coming under the wire when I waved the helmet and started for the stable when we got there Sybil Thornton was clearing out like a fire sale. I'm gonna hurry Patsy darling. Let me buy you made a bad play Angel stick around let me buy Patsy. You heard him lady stick around. Thanks copper I'll take charge. That's a big gun. How's it I got a big beat You let me drop a hundred grand Was your idea Rudy not this way You let me drop a hundred grand because you ran fleet lady program said fleet lady and that's who ran I brought those Odds in the line at the window my other 80 look bad on fleet lady You didn't stay to watch a trail the field. All right. I didn't stay you lost your hundred grand If you're the ringer, you were a smart big shot I was gonna sew up the race ran fleet lady and cost me a hundred grand. All right copper move away from Over this way. No Don't let him do it Patsy. I want to see how tough you are. Come on, Sybil. Let's show me move over against the store Watch out. How's it you're backing into the horse? You grab him it's your idea The first time you can't beat the horses. That's a bum joke. No back. I guess it is now that we're all here Who do we book for Jackie Gregg's murder? I'll answer that one friend. Who's this guy one you missed helman? Hello stark I ain't no bag What are you waiting for Sybil tell the man you killed Jackie Gregg had enough trouble today Ronnie you got more common You figured it out get no bank. How's her dump his 80 grand on you? That's right. It's a lot of spending money Wait a minute Ronnie, I don't like this. You'll get your half, baby I'm gonna write out an I owe you and when they booked you for murder and the votes in you can't use it Wouldn't do a thing like that Ronnie a dead girl can't spend 40 grand She killed your guy copper and tried to palm it off a Novak. I was there so I'll testify Ronnie you're a no good guy. Don't be silly. I love justice Well book her for murder copper. I want to tear up that I owe you Worked it out Started out as a fixed race and when they were all through it was up to the horse Rudy Hauser put the squeeze on Sybil for some dough She offered to run a fast ringer in place of fleet lady. So Hauser could pick up a bag full Rudy just wanted to make sure so he sent one of his boys around to knock off fleet lady Only the guy killed the ringer instead It was a break for Sybil She made a deal with a bookie named Ronnie stark to take all the houses bets and Guaranteed him that fleet lady couldn't win because she wasn't that good a horse It pans out that way She let Hauser think fleet lady was dead He spent 20 grand at the window pushing up the odds on fleet lady and dumped another 80 on her to win a moving van Was a phony story Greg used to get me to scare Sybil He wanted in on the deal He went back to the stable that night gotten a beef and she killed him She had him out in her car When I went to make that phone call. She figured it was a good way to pass the buck Hellman asked only one question Why would a nice tame horse go crazy and trample a man to death? Jaco had to answer the horse that killed Hauser was a philly The armed forces radio service has just brought you Pat Novak for hire starring Jack Webb Pat Novak is produced by William P. Russo Jaco Madigan is played by Tudor Owen inspector. Hellman is played by Raymond Burr Music was composed and conducted by Basil Edmum Be with us again next week when over most of these same stations We'll bring you Pat Novak for hire Novak for hire was previously released by ABC the American Broadcasting Company for listeners in the United States and Re-broadcast for our men and women overseas This is the United States Armed Forces radio service the voice of information and education