 From Hollywood it's time now Johnny dollar This is Barry Winters at Masters Insurance Trust. Oh, hi Barry. It's been years sure Johnny because we don't usually have trouble with our accounts You mean you didn't huh until now Well, yeah, I'm afraid that's about the size of it and this time it's bad trouble. Tell me all Simplex tackle company Johnny over in Danbury fishing tackle. That's right. Oh, how come I never heard of them What's that mean it's owned by nine men one of them Hanley Thomas is president The others are secretary treasurer and a flock of vice president. So what's happened the nine of them Plus the 20 or 30 workers at the plant are all covered by a group life insurance deal and listen Yeah, we've just had to pay off on three policies in a row. Well, that's too bad But why call on me because Johnny why those three deaths were all murders Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigators truly Johnny dollar and now act one of yours truly Johnny dollar Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to the Masters Insurance and Trust Company home office Hartford, Connecticut Following us an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the ugly pattern matter Expense account I don't want a dollar even taxi to Barry winter's office at Masters where I hoped he could give me something more to work on Then he had over the phone And you know something as it turned out he gave me a lot more than he thought he did police Sure, they've been working on these murders Johnny, but they haven't come up with anything except a theory that one man is behind them all Why very because the victims have all been members of the Simplex tackle company Well, but I know because they've all occurred within a month because each of them occurred on a Wednesday Pattern, huh? That's right. And also Johnny because there's been no apparent reason for any of them Have the police found anything nothing Same kind of weapon used in each case. No The first was a VP named Adams run over by a car. Sure. It wasn't accidental the police say no The second John Bowers was strangled and Frank Dalvers was shot in his own home. No pattern there I mean in the way they occurred apparently not But Hanley Thomas and the police don't agree Thomas is president of Simplex you said and a real financial wizard Used to be a promoter not much ethics, but a sharp businessman as a friend or partner. I imagine he's Well, he's a fine man I'll give you a complete list of the officers of the company the rank and their salary Well, I don't know exactly what good that'll do you And this is a list of the employees if those employees all been checked out Sergeant Dennis over there at homicide made quite a point of it. So did mr. Thomas Well, look, why don't I run over there and talk with them and to the Danbury police? I think you'd better and Johnny the sooner the better. Why do you say that the pattern? There are still six officers left in that company. That is Six who are still alive Item two another buck for a cab back to my apartment There I picked up my own car and from here on in the charge will be for mileage Except for item three four and a quarter for a tank of mobile gas It was almost noon by the time I'd covered the 60 odd miles to the simplex factory on the far edge of Danbury To my surprise was quite a plant new and modern in every way a Receptionist took my card and a few minutes later. I was ushered into the office of Hanley Thomas president This is a terrible thing Adams Bowers Frank Dalbers all within a few weeks very winter is back in Hartford seems to think these Murders have all been the work of one man Police and I concur in that theory. There's been a sort of pattern followed by the crazy killer But not an actual method. Mr. Thomas. Oh, no, I'll grant you that's true car accident strangling pistol shot But they were done by someone who must have been very familiar with these victims. How do you mean? Someone who knew for instance that Ben Adams took a long walk alone each night He knew the route that he took same thing applied to the second victim John Bowers always drove to work through a little woods There he was stopped and strangled Frank Dalbers always stayed at home alone on Wednesday nights while his wife was out playing bridge Someone broke in on him. Huh? Have the police checked that well, it was someone. He must have let in in other words Someone he knew it's a possibility. I suppose I Understand you've checked on all your employees Yes, right off the bat as much as we or rather as much as the police could and a particular reason to suspect one of them Well only because they were all in position to know these men pretty well know their habits We're a small company, mr. Dollar our employees including the girls in the office only number 21 That was your only reason to think one of them may have done it Oh, of course, we've had our share of labor troubles a few dissidents in the ranks so to speak I suppose some of them resent the rather top-heavy management here You mean the fact there are nine executives to only 21 employees. Yes, and I must confess the profits have been pretty good lately Barry Winters gave me a list of Here it is Now according to this all of these What is it mr. Dollar Well, I I got thinking on the way over here Yes, part of the pattern you mentioned the three men were killed in well in alphabetical order what? Yes Adams Bowers Dalvers now that I look at this list again, of course the pattern again No, no, I think that was just coincidence the pattern if there is one is based on their order of rank That is if these salary figures mean anything I'm not sure I understand look first was Adams at the lowest salary among you officers Oh, yes Adams received 12,000 a year now look Bowers came in next to 13 five You're right and Frank Dalvers earned 15,000. So if this pattern should continue you you mean to say you think there might be more of these Murders if this pattern continues the next to go would be good him would be James Williams or Charles Hart Both earning 16 five Then a couple of more Then you mr. Thomas mr. Dolly. Well, I find James Williams Well, Williams is on vacation a little place not far from here parvins palm. Why did he leave last week on Monday? Have you heard from him? Oh, no, I haven't but of course if the alphabetical pattern is the right theory Yes Sergeant at home aside mr. Dolly. So I hear I'll hold the phone so you can get ready Thomas Yes, sergeant. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Oh Oh Yes Discovered his body over at parvins pond act two of yours truly Johnny dollar in a moment Now act two of yours truly Johnny dollar and the ugly pattern matters Another of the executives of the simplex tackle company murdered Legend to death and his little vacation cabin on parvins pond some 40 miles north of Danbury and again It was according to pattern how those carefree kids can fish and water ski out there when there's been a murder Right under their noses. Yes, sergeant. I know what you mean This the cabin mr. Williams was using me. Yes, sir. He came up here on his vacation Monday morning last week alone Yeah, we are Who knew he was coming to this particular spot sergeant. Why everybody down at the plant I guess now the way the dock and I figured it out mr. Williams had just come in from fishing Now you see there. He just tossed his rod and stringer on the bed Everything's just the way it was except for his body that's in Danbury at the coroner You said he was bludgeoned to death with that or from his rowboat. You see it by laying there on the floor Yeah, I see Who found his body little old lady from the cabin next door She'd stopped by this morning to bring him some cookies knocked on the door the door swung open and there he was and the dock Says the body was lying there ever since have you checked that or for Prince killer must have used gloves What about footprints if there were any the vacation crowd cramped him out long before we got here now The way we figure is that he came in here Wednesday night off the lake Wednesday. Yes, mr. Dollar Just like the other ones that happened on Wednesday. We could go tomorrow the pattern again. Yes, sir And if you ask me it's the pattern of a madman and this being a Tuesday again What possible motive could there be for it? Yes, me It's one of the employees there at the plant after all for such a small company nine big money making officers At least it was nine. Yeah, I know what you mean Are those 21 employees paid pretty well? No in spite of the company making a lot of money What with this recession? We're already the science man Most of the so-called recessions a lot of bunk. Yeah, I agree with you Everybody get out and dig instead of sitting around hoarding their money You know what I was gonna say is that those executives took advantage and held down wages in spite of all the money They're making so just let one crazy hothead find out how good they're doing How well have you checked those employees the best we could and I talked with every one of them myself How about the offices of the company? There's not one of them would do a thing like that. They're all fine man Ask mr. Thomas sure their hard-headed businessmen everyone looking out for himself But they're all fine men and they're all making plenty of money. Oh, which reminds me Hmm. What's that? A list of the officers and their salaries and According to this if there's to be another victim another No, I worked out another step in the pattern of these murders based on the earnings of these men Then just a dollar who will it be? It won't be anybody if I can help it But sergeant I may have to ask you to put a 24-hour watch over an officer of that company named. Mr. Charles Hart I didn't bother explaining my own idea of the pattern to sergeant Dennis after all my theory could be wrong But I drove back to the simplex factory to the office of Charles Hart. I found only a secretary there No, he isn't here mr. Dollar. Well, where is he? We perfectly honest about it. I don't know hasn't he been in at all today. No, sir Hasn't been in since about last Wednesday. Look miss. Uh, miss. Uh, whatever your name is. Have you called his home his wife? He's a bachelor and lives in a little apartment in Danbury. Have you tried to call him? Oh, no, sir. You see there was no mr. Thomas know about his not being here There's nothing unusual about Charlie's leaving without telling us mr. Mr. Thomas he often goes off on sales trips like this He was last seen the day mr. Williams was killed well surely you don't think Charlie Hart had anything to do with Jim Williams being oh No, did you find out anything over at Parvon's pond? No, not much. I'm afraid Could this Charlie hard have had any reason for wanting Williams out of the organization and Adams and Bowers and Dalvers of course No, yes Yes, he could what miss Greg What do you mean by that mr. Hart was the one who built up this company the one who developed the product But all his money now just a minute the one who sold all the product that made all the money He and mr. Adams were the ones who started the business. Is that true mr. Thomas? Yes, of course And when mr. Thomas and his relatives came along miss Greg what she says is true mr. Duller Charlie Hart and Ben Adams did start this business. They took on a couple of partners Al Bowers and Frank Dalvers They were the ones who decided on the expansion program who came to us for the financing but the others gone It should have been mr. Hart's company wait miss Greg our financing made this present operation possible But to imply that Charlie could have been driven by jealousy or well or any other motive to commit these crimes. That's absurd How could you suggest such a thing miss Greg? I? Didn't say he did it. I only try know what you said and you've said enough Tell me one thing mr. Thomas. Yes What happens to his share of the business when one of the partners dies or in this case when he's murdered What the other partners absorb his share then if Charlie Hart eliminated one of you it would add to his holdings That's true. Okay. I'll see you later, but mr. Duller if you believe for one moment that Charlie Hart Why I've known him for years. Yeah, well, I think I want to know him a little better Act three of yours truly Johnny Duller in a moment Do you know who said? Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people Those words came from the American religious leader Harry Emerson Faustic From the earliest days of the United States of America There has been the sentiment that the average person can achieve an important goal If he has given an environment in which he can develop his capabilities to the fullest extent an Environment in which the individual is given the rights and privileges that he needs for development It is the duty of every American to protect and stimulate this environment Remember the words of Harry Emerson Faustic They are part of your American heritage The extraordinary possibilities of ordinary people are inherent in American democracy And now act three of yours truly Johnny Duller and the ugly pattern matter It was pretty plain that Charlie Hart supposedly next on the list of victims had plenty of motive for eliminating some of his partners in the Simplex tackle company. I guess the same apply to any other member of the company But he having started the business knew all about the others their plans their habits and He'd been last seen just prior to the murder of James Williams I got his address hopped into my car and drove back to Danbury But ringing his bell and pounding on his door got me nothing Are you the building superintendent, that's right, then I want you to let me in a Mr. Hart's apartment All right here. Here are my credentials. I'm an insurance investigator Yeah, here see And if that isn't enough here's a five-spot for your trouble 10 Okay, dad. Thanks the same list than I got the office of our company Mr. Hart, that's right Charlie Hart Should have looked behind the door and you barged in here. Yeah. Well, look would you like to point that thing the other way, please? I'm sorry, Mr. Dollar, of course. Well, you know who I am. Yes. Yes. I heard you through the door All right, is that the gun that killed one of your partners that killed one of my No But listen Tomorrow's another Wednesday Wednesday, I know look look at that list you're holding I Finally realized the progression in which these murders are happening. Oh On the basis of our salaries at the company Adams Bowers Dolvers and Williams are me. Yes, you've circled Williams name. Yes, because he got it last week That's why I'm staying in here locked in Because tomorrow if the killer strikes again that crazy maniac killer, maybe Or maybe that's what he'd like everyone to think Charlie a couple of questions Anything if I can help you stop this that company was once yours Yes, that's right. You were the boss the head man until Hanley Thomas came along Yes, Hanley and his brothers and his brother-in-law and they took over as first in rank Well, they were entitled to dollar What was their money made the company what it is? I'm not an administrator a man who knows and plays all the angles. I'm I'm just a worker in a salesman. Oh, wait a minute. You mean you you're content with the present setup Yes, yes, of course In spite of the prodding of a sweet old secretary who thinks that I wait a minute, but These murders, Mr. You stay put keep that gun and don't move out of this apartment until I tell you to no matter who comes to the door to save your life You think you know Charlie? It's been right under my nose the obvious almost too obvious But I had no proof of anything only a hunch but a potent one so how to prove it out bluff It might work if I was right I drove into police headquarters and pick up sergeant Dennis Then out to the simplex tackle company But when I walked in it was after hours no secretaries about when I walked into the office I borrowed the sergeant's handcuffs and made him wait outside his ear glued to the door. Well, Mr. Dollar, I didn't expect you back since Well, what are the handcuffs mean? They mean arrest for the murder of your partners That's a very bad joke you and your brothers and brother-in-law the whole company yours once you got rid of the men Who started it who made it possible for your capital to make it pay off? But tell me we're gonna kill off your relatives to one by one. This is the most absurd thing You covered your tracks pretty well perfect crimes Except for that or you used to kill Williams fingerprint as big as life all over it impossible I figured the gloves you wore must have had holes in them or have been worn very thin what that you just didn't notice in the Excitement of the moment and when I finally found those gloves you've been out to my home ran second My wife confessed that you weren't at home at the time of any of the murders. That's a lie. She helped me plan the whole thing Then you admit the murders after my bluff about the fingerprints. I See But now that you know you haven't had time to tell anyone There's no one around to hear the shot Mr. Dollar. Oh, but I heard a real clean confession, Mr. Thomas sergeant No, no that that was just to protect myself from this. I'm afraid that kind of talks a little late. No, no, it is like Sergeant I haven't seen that face of draw except on TV That's where I learned it There'll be a lot for the courts to work on about who else was involved with Thomas The sergeant's bullet killed him by the way, and I'd call it good riddance Or at least quick justice So expensive outtotal including a lot of mileage on my car a hundred and one dollars even remarks my father yours truly Johnny dollar Truly Johnny dollar starring Bob Bailey a rich nates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone Who also wrote today's story heard our cast were Virginia Greg less from a in Forrest Lewis her Vigrant Junius Matthews and Frank Gerstle be sure to join us next week for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny dollar This is Roy Rowan speaking Johnny dollar has come to you through the worldwide Facilities of the United States armed forces radio and television service