 From Hollywood it's time now for Johnny dollar Johnny Maria well, isn't it kind of late at night to call? Aren't you at home? Why the devil did you have to go out everything was set up if you'd stayed home you'd have been safe What are you trying to do get yourself killed? What's the name of the place? Number 41 No, whatever you do don't go outside stay right where you are until I get there Take your choice Maria. It's either that a wind up in a marble slab. What do you mean? You know what I mean, you know better than anybody now stay there Tonight and every weekday night Bob Bailey in the transcribed adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator yours truly Johnny dollar From special investigator Johnny dollar location algears, North Africa to the home office transworld fidelity company Hartford, Connecticut Assignment the Lorco diamonds matter a hundred thousand dollars in jewels stolen and a murder expense account continued Item 12 $2.20 taxi fare to the waterfront of the Marrakesh cafe There was no time to lose and no time to get help from inspector Marcus a half hour earlier He'd set a trap and he and his men were staked out around Maria's apartment house waiting But apparently she'd gone to the cafe before he got there So now the whole thing had blown wide open the root of La Mer was a dead-end street close to the water Deserted at this hour of night a couple of dim street lights and a light over the door of the Marrakesh cafe Everything else was in darkness. It was no movement. No sign of life No trouble so far. No Sailor over there. He finally passed out. Oh, you're probably used to that kind of tool Cigarette. Yes, thank you Now what were you doing down here at this time of night? I Was visiting a friend. Is that the friend's car parked out at the curb? Yes, Charlie Barrett, huh the meat packer from Chicago who was gonna give you the Lorco diamonds Well, I figured he'd get over his man's bill He told me just before I knocked him out for the second time tonight He said you two had a fight over a week ago and that he told you he wasn't buying any diamonds after all Well, it was just for a while. I thought I had you tagged again I wondered why you hadn't canceled the order when you'd been told he wasn't gonna pay for the stuff It was just a talk. I knew he would come around. Yeah, well, that's about the way I figured it another explanation So I let you off the hook again Why Johnny? Why have you been trying so hard trying what to find some way of involving me in this well the facts just seemed to turn up I wasn't trying to find them It made a big difference didn't it learning about mr. Barrett learning what about him that I was Accepting a twenty thousand dollar gift from him. Why should it your life your own it did though before that you were Well seem to be interested sure you're a very beautiful woman and that's all it was What more did you want? Forget I don't blame you. I tell me something What about Barrett now that you've kissed and made up is the engagement back on again? I Haven't decided yet Johnny Well, come on. Let's get out of here. I'll take you home Do you think it's safe? There was no sign of anybody around when I came in wherever it was probably got scared off Oh, I was scared to death when I saw the lights of the cafe I jammed on the brakes and run for the door there the car was right behind me get a look at the driver No, how'd you get hold of Barrett's car borrowed? He gave it to me. Hmm. Not a bad night's work. It's a good car Get in You really play rough don't you Johnny? Sometimes it depends on Get out quick back at the car It came from across the street. It's pitch black over there Are you going to do look Maria? You're safe as long as you're back at a car here What about you? I can't get a shot from here on pinned down I'm gonna make a run for that stone curb try to draw a shot and see where the flash comes from careful Johnny Oh, don't worry kid. I'm the carefulest guy you ever saw Right now sit tight here goes Yeah, I think I got him spotted Let's see just how close I get Somebody running away. Yeah, so do I Where the devil why don't they get some street lights down there? That's starting. Yeah, I see it. They're getting away one lucky shot my Give me your keys wait here. I'm going after No, no, I'm going with you and pile in hurry up. Let's go a few blocks away I picked up the tail lights of the other car and poured on the gas to keep hanging on We roared through the empty streets along the waterfront then swung into the coast road and headed out of the city The model I was driving had been built for road racing and barring accidents I didn't figure the car ahead had much chance of shaking me It was a narrow winding road following the rocky edge of the headlands and the curves were sharp and dangerous Especially at the speed we were traveling Finally it happened the car ahead roared up a steep grade and missed the curve at the top It rolled over and over the headlights cutting crazy patterns and the blackness as it plunged down towards the beach I finally break to a stop about 30 yards from the wreck jumped out and started toward it and just then The gas tank caught and burst and the car exploded into a tower of flames I caught a glimpse of the driver pinned in the wreck then the fire took over and covered him and I knew one thing was certain He'd had it It's dying down. Yeah The gasoline is all burned down Terrible way to die what way isn't I guess Johnny could I have a cigarette, please? Yeah, sure. Here you go. Thank you Yeah, light up Maria while you watch him burn What a horrible thing to say. It's quite a relief though, isn't it knowing you're safe now? Well, of course, it's a relief when someone has just tried to kill you and now you know that that's true But it's now what I meant I don't think I understand you what I meant was you're safe because now he won't be able to talk Who won't be able? Do you mean you know who's in that car? Of course and so do you It's the customs property agent Andre Jordin sure Who else would have any reason to kill you since he was the only one left after? Oh? I guess you haven't heard about it yet Bobo's dead, too Your other partner Andre shot him in the back earlier tonight up in the Casbah So you're doubly safe now Maria. They're both dead and for everything else. You've got an explanation With just one exception. I don't even know what you're talking about. Don't be modest Actually, it was quite a scheme whether you thought it up or Andre. Oh, you're out of your mind The idea was to make sure the diamond courier died either on the plane or at least before he got through customs That way the courier's briefcase would be sent to Andre's office Then Bobo was to help Andre fake the stick up But Bobo turned out to be a tough cookie. This may be true Instead of sticking to plan he decided to go for broke when he slugged Andre He tried to make it stick but Andre managed to reach his gun So he ended up in the hospital instead of the more what does all this got to do with me? Then Andre got the idea of a double-cross. He left the hospital went into the cosmetal look for Bobo He found him and he killed him I still don't see why his next step was a natural to knock you off and keep the whole take for himself We expected it and we were ready for him inspector Marcus is staked out right now at your apartment house waiting for Andre to show up We didn't know you'd already gone out earlier All of this may be true Johnny But why do you insist on trying to fit me into the picture because that's where you belong? I mentioned the fact that you'd been able to come up with an explanation every time you needed it with just one exception What exception both Andre and Bobo have tried to kill you this evening Why unless you were in on this thing? What reason would they have? Well, I I don't know Of course. Why should I know I? Don't know why they tried to kill me Johnny. Oh Good answer Maria, and it'll probably work Yeah, you figure that one out fast. I don't know what no caution Well, who has the diamonds? I will be foremortem Johnny, why couldn't you knock it off kid? You got the wrong guy. It won't work with me. Good. Sure. I know you're beautiful charming lovely and You're rotten Rotten right to the core. What are you doing Johnny going back to town? Goodbye Maria Johnny An hour later I was out at the air terminal in the customs property office watching Inspector Marcus open a vault What a nuisance always they make these combinations so difficult. That's the general idea inspector true But still one would think Now if you are correct, Mr. Dalla, we shall soon have our hand there in that briefcase in the corner. Ah, maybe It is the one good. Let's have a look Necessary to force the luck here right open with this looks like an easy one. It is merely a matter of Beautiful no Too beautiful Tell me something. We should dollar. What made you know that Andre short Dean was guilty Something Bobo said just before he died. Mm-hmm. Yeah He confessed he was the man who had slugged Andre But Andre had described as a sailor this tall and thin Bobo was short with a stocky build Andre had lied and all this time the diamonds were right here in this vote to which Andre as property agent had access Can you think of a safer place? Hey inspector, what about Maria dottalia? Well, I I am inclined to agree with you, Mr. Dalla, but Yes, well, yeah, I know nothing but suspicions precisely if I were to file charges and bring her to trial on such evidence as this She would cry a little perhaps and look very beautiful and Monsieur the court would hang me not there Yeah, you're right. You could never make it stick Selavi Expense account item 13 624 dollars and 80 cents hotel meals and incidentals and algeas and transportation back to the States Expense account total one thousand two hundred and fourteen dollars and sixty cents end of expense account end of report remarks Social Adam to be circulated widely The Countess Maria dottalia was married yesterday to CK Barrett a big tycoon in the meat business The happy couple will make their home in Chicago all Companies in that area who may be asked to underwrite insurance on the life of CK Barrett don't yours truly Johnny dollar Remember there'll be a new exciting story on Johnny dollar beginning next Monday next week the Broderick matter an exciting chase after a Charming beautiful girl after all who wouldn't join us. Won't you yours truly Johnny dollar? Yours truly Johnny dollar starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood Written by Les Crutchfield. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone heard in this week's cast where Lillian by f jack Moils Victor Perrin CK Barrett Lawrence Dobkin forest Lewis and Jane Avello musical supervision by Amarigo Marino Be sure to join us on Monday night same time in station for another exciting story of yours truly Johnny dollar Roy Rowan speaking