 The Whistler at Twin Pine from the porch of the old gray house on the hill Victoria Crane peered through the low-morning haze that hovered over the lake Watch the boats move slowly back and forth across the water Then her eyes swept past the tiny village of Twin Pine Nestled on the lakefront came to rest on the figure of a man standing on the boat dock For several minutes she watched Sheriff Tilson Saw him as he tapped the ashes from his pipe and returned it to his mouth Then thrusting his hands into his pockets. He started up the path toward her Somewhat nervously Victoria's gaze shifted to the lake again then back to the approaching figure Presently she heard the door behind her clothes and her sister Meg came out onto the porch Meg Sleep well Like an infant Goodness looks like we're gonna have another nice day. Hmm. Yes, it does Sick. Mm-hmm. What's going on at the lake? What are all those boats doing out there? They're dragging the lake here dragging the lake. What for? They think they'll find a body What a woman. She I think she may have been murdered Horrible But What makes him think that? Well night before last several people heard shots and somewhere out on the lake And yesterday a rowboat was found drifting along the North Shore Is that all they have to go on? No This morning some boys found a woman's scarf and the reeds near the boat dock Vic Do they have any idea who the woman is? No Had your breakfast here? Yeah, yes, I've had breakfast Meg, you know, I've been thinking about that dress material we saw yesterday I do believe we could get much better if we went up to San Francisco this week and May oh What aren't you listening to me, Meg? Oh, I'm sorry, Nick. I was over there. Oh, good morning, chef learning Victoria Meg morning Find the body yet, sir What? Well, you might know the news is all over the village. I heard about it two hours ago Find out who the scarf belong to scarf Oh, it belonged to a young woman who was staying at the lodge. You don't mean Margo Reed. Do you? Know her. I know other You know how people talk We don't often have strangers here in Twin Pines and what a glamour girl like Margo Reed shows up. Well, I don't suppose you know Why she came here. Do you know? No, I don't Meg Yes, any idea where your fiancé is? Oh No, not exactly But what are you off with Ben? Ben Driscoll's newspaper office was closed when I went down there this morning Oh, well, I think he drove up to San Francisco last night on business. I see Why do you ask? Oh Figured he might be able to give me a line on things the Reed girl stayed pretty much to herself all the time She was here except What sure? Well, I understand she dropped around to see Ben at the newspaper office several times Ben. She He went to see Ben. Uh-huh. That's what I want to talk to him about Maybe he has some idea what she wanted here in Twin Pines. I See Get back to the lake mind if I go along with you share. No, no, don't mind it all I won't be long big fun. Oh All right, Meg see you later Victoria Margot went to see Ben She went to I'd only known It's something you hadn't counted on isn't it Victoria a threat it could ruin everything That is if you allowed it to but you faced worse situations before Bluffs them through with your cleverness But even now in spite of what happened you're confident that somehow you'll find a way out You sit there staring out over the lake and wonder how much Margot told Ben Driscoll and If your sister's fiance now knows the secret you once shared with Margot Reed The secret you thought would be yours alone after her death There's nothing you can do now but wait Wait for Ben to return and then finally late that afternoon you hear a car pull into the driveway You hurry outside see Ben get out of his car He stands there for a moment looking down at the lake a puzzled frown on his face There what's going on down there? They're dragging the lake. What? You mean they're looking for a yes, there's been a murder so the chef says well, how do you like that? First time I leave twin fries and over a year the murder takes place. I'm gonna get down then wait Hmm They think it's Margot Reed The sheriff wants to talk to Ben he thinks you might be able to tell him what she was doing here in twin pines No one else seems to know but big guy What's the matter then? Nothing Think I'd better go then wait Do you know what Margot Reed was doing here? Did she tell you? Hello darling just get back. Yeah, you heard what's happened. Yeah, Vic was just telling me about it I was saying fine newspaper man I am biggest story we've had around here in years and I have to be out of town You haven't seen the sheriff yet. No, no I'm on my way now. Will you be back? Yeah later. I have a number of things to do with the office I'll call you darling. Bye Yes, Ben No, she went out right after supper, I don't expect it back for another hour, so can I come over right away? Well, of course Did you talk to the sheriff? Yes, I I'd like to see you about that big. I'd like to talk to you It's turned out just as you feared it would hasn't it Victoria. You're certain Ben knows something Perhaps that you're the reason why Margot Reed came to Twin Pines Yes, somehow you can't believe she's told him everything. Can you that doesn't sound like Margot? You're sure that she wouldn't admit blackmail to a perfect stranger And so you wait anxiously for Ben to arrive and stare out the window Watch the small boats as they move back and forth across the water searching for the missing Margot Reed a Quarter of an hour later. You're sitting in the library facing Ben Hardly know where to begin. You know why Margot Reed came here, don't you? Of course But I didn't tell the sheriff Perhaps I should have I don't know that they'll find out sooner or later. Will they? I'm telling you this Vic because I Know I can trust you. You got to talk to somebody about it You see Margot and I were married once What yeah, we called it quits five years ago divorce Shortly after that I came here to Twin Pines bought the paper and lost track of her completely until a month ago I got a letter from Margot. Oh Vic don't look at me like that. I know I should have told Meg but She said the divorce was a mistake she wanted us to Well, of course, I told it was no use but she stayed around the village anyway Then day before yesterday she came into the office She was excited about something. Oh said she'd accidentally run into someone here An old friend did she Did she tell you who it was? No No, I think she was about to but Eddie walked into the office then Eddie. Yeah, Eddie Farrell my assistant is the paper And that's something else fake Eddie overheard Margot say she'd see me that night. I'm sure he did. Did you see her? No, I Waited for her at my cottage, but she didn't show up That must have been the night Rick I pulled a stupid stunt I should have told the sheriff the whole truth Well, it's too late now, then it would only make matters worse if I were you are these things just as they are There's a chance. They'll never find out but suppose Eddie tells him I had a date to see Margot that night And suppose the sheriff starts to investigate Margot's past then listen to me. I Don't know why everyone's getting so excited What proof is there that the girl's actually dead? She could have suddenly decided to run up to the city for some reason or other whoa, then I think it's best not to think about it anymore Try to put it out of your mind I for one will believe Margot read is dead when I see them drag her up from the lake And I don't think they ever will then I Don't think they ever will That you make yes did Ben call while I was out He stopped in for a moment had to dash back to the paper said he call you in the morning By the way, Meg, I think I'll drive up San Francisco in the morning. Want to come along? No, no, thanks. I'd rather not We're gonna see about the dress material. Mmm. Yes There's something else I have to take care of too Yes, and it's an important matter, isn't it Victoria? The idea occurred to you while Ben was talking about his marriage to Margot read You don't want to do this to Ben your own sister's fiance. Do you? But you're sure Meg will eventually get over it and it's the only way to protect yourself The perfect opportunity to produce a suspect for Sheriff Tilson Prevent him from digging too deeply into Margot's past her connection with you The following morning you drive up to San Francisco Your first step is to inform one of the city's newspapers of a new development in the Twin Pines murder That a prominent citizen of Twin Pines is withholding information from the sheriff I have some information for you about the murder Twin Pines. Who is this? My name is an important now listen a Girl named Margot Reed has been murdered. I know about that Well, here's something you don't know neither does the sheriff a Twin Pines Margot Reed was once married to Ben Driscoll. He's the editor the local paper It should be a big story You step out of the phone booth a smile on your lips, it's done isn't it Victoria You've made the first move and now it's up to the newspaper to some bright eager reporter to follow through Early that same evening you return the Twin Pines to the house on the lake as you step inside the door Meg rushes out of the library into your arms Well now what's all this? Oh, it's been for questioning. He's in jail. What? They came for in this afternoon while I was with Ben at the paper There was a man with the sheriff a reporter from the San Francisco newspaper. I don't know how he found out, but Ben admitted it. He said he was glad the truth was out. Do Do they think he killed him? Oh the sheriff didn't say but I'm sure that's what he thinks. It's what they all think But he couldn't have killed her You don't think he did do you Vic? Of course not I'm sure he didn't kill her You're pleased with the way things have turned out aren't you Victoria? Yeah, and you'll find it difficult to hold back a smile even as you try to comfort your sister Meg Your trip to the San Francisco newspaper paid off as you knew it would and you congratulate yourself But scarcely half an hour later your joy turns to bitter disappointment and sudden fear the doorbell rings and as you answer it Ben Hello, Vic, but then I I heard about what happened. It's all right, Vic Sheriff, let me go. Well That's fine. I told him the whole story. I guess it sounded all right to him. So here I am Where's make in the library come on in Ben. Yeah, I'd like to see her I Have a lot of explaining to do you lead Ben into the library to make Sit there as Ben tells her the whole story his marriage to Margot the divorce everything and Then suddenly something he says causes you to stiffen in your chair Meg looks up quickly then Did you say Margot works for a dr. Kingston in Seattle? Yeah, that's right darling He's working as a nurse in Seattle at the time. We broke up dr. Kingston That was Uncle Frank's doctor was it of course Uncle Frank our father's brother. He'd been an invalid for a long time died five years ago in Seattle He's the one who left us our money. Oh, I see Uncle Frank had a private nurse didn't you think and if Margot worked for dr. Kingston Sick you were at Uncle Frank's when the accident occurred. You wouldn't know why well, yes, but Uncle Frank was killed accidentally then he fell down a flight of stairs thick about his nurse. Well, you're mistaken Meg. I Remember the nurse dr. Kingston had for Uncle Frank It was not Margot Reed. Are you certain quite certain? It's a terrifying moment isn't it Victoria and more than ever you're aware that there must not be a big involved investigation They must never find out that Margot Reed was at your uncle's house the night. He was killed Accidentally That's when it all began didn't it the moment Margot suspected the truth that you would push the old man down the stairs Murdered him for the money. He would leave to you when your sister Meg There must not be an investigation Though your first attempt to involve Ben has failed you're not through yet Are you quickly your mind turns to Eddie Ben's assistant at the newspaper and the possibility of using him to frame Ben? On your way down to the village the following day a plan forms in your mind Then in front of the coroner's office what the sheriff is telling the crowd gives you a further advantage That's right. That's right. The body's been found. What was it Sheriff drowning you read about it in the papers Jed And it wasn't a drowning you see Emily. There were several bullet wounds Margot Reed was murdered Did you find the gun? No, no we haven't found the gun. Excuse me Jed Victoria. I've got to get along now Now they know don't say Victoria. It's murder and now you can get the gun and plant it in Ben's cottage when the right Mormon comes along Yes, the gun must be there when you've finally given the sheriff enough clues to direct him to a murderer But first Victoria you must begin to build a solid case against Ben who is assistant Eddie Farrell Hello Eddie hear the news couple of the sheriff's boys just dropped in Today question you to me gosh. No, they only oh, yes Yes, they told you she's been shot. Yeah. Yeah, I heard too. I was down there. Oh that poor girl Well, I guess they know the kind of person to suspect How do you mean? Well, you know The sort of man who runs around a good deal I'm married Always an eye out for a pretty girl Sure, I guess there's a few in this town Goodness you're taking but I have to say to heart you don't think I'm talking about you. Oh, no No, I didn't think that well with all the dates you have it's an advantage not something to put you under suspicion What lucky girl were you out with on that particular night Eddie? Had two dates probably I Don't think I had any dates What did you say? Nothing What was it you came in for miss Victoria? Let me see What did I come in for? Yes, I wanted if you had a copy of last week's paper Eddie There was a dress pattern in it. I wanted that all you wanted Yes Yes, that's all on dreadfully. Sorry sheriff. I know how busy you are if it's something to do with the case Victoria It doesn't interrupt. Well, it's about Eddie Farrell. Ben's assistant down at the paper Sheriff I really hate to suggest it but go on go on. It's just between the two of us Well, you might have been with Margo that night, you know might is quite a word I might have been with her myself. It was his attitude to share when we were talking When you closed up You're right probably nothing You know Eddie does have quite a reputation with the girls and yeah, yeah, I know I'll have a little talk with Eddie. Nothing can be lost by asking a few questions, huh? He's right, isn't he Victoria? Nothing can be lost by asking a few questions. In fact, you have a lot to gain Yeah, and you've used Eddie Farrell well to point the finger of suspicion at Ben The proof of that comes late that afternoon when you overhear Meg on the telephone Don't come back now. You've got to stay where you are Eddie Farrell is mixed you up in this Yes, he told the sheriff that you had a date with Margo. Oh, I I know I know What? No, please darling. No, no, no, you must come back. You're not right now Yeah, all right, but please promise me you'll stay there Yeah, yeah, I'll call again Goodbye darling. Oh Vic was that Ben you were talking to yes, he's up in San Francisco. Oh Vic I'm worried I'm worried The sheriff is looking for him again more questions. What brought this on Eddie Farrell The sheriff dropped around to see Eddie this afternoon and No, no dear Meg Meg you love him very much. Don't you? Yes Very very much. You must be absolutely sure of yourself. What are you? You're worried about what you have to say if they ever put you on the sand. I Couldn't lie, but I couldn't testify against Ben Well, you wouldn't have to if you were his wife His wife the law doesn't expect a wife to testify against her husband. Oh Aren't you sure Meg? Of course, I'm sure I didn't go to him. You love him Meg go to Reno marry him at once Vic there's a bus leaving at eight tonight. I'll start packing your things. You better call Ben. Tell him you're coming I Share this is Victoria. Yeah So if I hate to tell you this because it involves my sister, but she must never know what is it then hiding out somewhere in San Francisco, she's going to him that's the house a few minutes ago She's headed for the village carrying an overnight bag. They're running off together Something like that. You'll have to follow her. She'll take you to him. All right, Victoria and thanks As you hurry from the house you tell yourself it's perfect isn't it Victoria? Meg is gone now on her way to Ben She'll talk him into running away and that's all you need. You know Sheriff Tilson won't let them get very far All that's necessary now is to take the gun from where you've hidden it and plant it in Ben's cottage You're certain the murder weapon can't be traced back to you that when it's found at the cottage It will definitely implicate him in the murder of Margo Reed You hurry along the lake shore keeping well in the shadows using the darkness to advantage You have no trouble getting into Ben's cottage and in the half darkness of moonlight you cross the living room Open a closet and locate one of Ben's old hunting jackets You're about to place the gun in the pocket when you hear footsteps in the next room Suddenly a door opens and the lights go on You shouldn't have come here make I had to when I called any asked me to bring some of these things I've been packing them You're big What are you doing with that gun? I found it here in in Ben's jacket. Wait a minute Victoria. You couldn't have I searched this place completely just two hours ago Sheriff Tilson, what are you doing here? Just what you asked me to following your sister Asked you to Think what does this mean? I think it means Victoria outsmarted herself Meg trying to frame Ben No, that's not true We'll know more about that when we check this gun with the bullets that killed Margo Reed. I think it'll answer a lot of questions I've had on my mind all day This is the United States Armed Forces radio service the voice of information and education