 From Hollywood it's time now for Johnny dollar Oh morning, mr. Wilson say you're on an expensive car. That's right. Good. I'm not you got a deal 12 o'clock here at my hotel Found any more shoes? No, and nobody's not yet. Anyway, I'm amazed Didn't find one thing you may be interested in though. What's that? We've got a lead on that license number. He gave me last night You were right the car was bought from a dealer about two weeks ago my home somebody named John Smith Oh on the other time that figures Well, maybe here's something that won't I checked the address this morning. You know what sure a vacant lot Well now how the devil did you know see it lunch mr. Wilson? 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 was truly Johnny dollar Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar location Miami Beach, Florida to the home office Delta Liability Hartford, Connecticut assignment the fathom 5 matter a Sunken cruiser that refused to give up its debt Item 10 $4.80 lunch with DA deputy Barney Wilson a man who'd made up his mind about the case before I'd even arrived in town Murder he'd called it when the hired cruiser fathom 5 burned and sank mysteriously a mile or two Oh, sure But nobody been found yet, and I still doubted very much that one ever would be Because I wasn't even certain that William Markey was dead Wilson of course had different ideas Yes, so mr. Dollar just old old story Two men go out on a boat and only one comes back no witnesses nothing and if that doesn't indicate murder I say pass the sugar will you please sure here You're convinced it's murder and you're convinced young Danny Haines did well who else? Well, that would be a fine argument to advance in court wouldn't it sure sure certain conviction Simply because you can't produce any other suspect Wilson I don't think there's been any murder at all Now you can pass me the shirt Suppose you let me tell you how I figure it while I'm eating my dessert Markey and his wife took a liking to this Haines kid and practically made him one of the family and right there was their mistake Usually yes because Haines started getting ideas about his boss's wife You have to admit Mrs. Markey's a mighty pretty woman look at tonight. She's Haines own age and her husband was older So the kid in that bird brain is figured he had it all tagged figured she actually went for him I think he probably started bothering now making a nuisance out of himself and I'll lay you out She'll admit he did once she's convinced he's guilty. I got a sneaking hunch. You may be right on that Oh, thank you. Thank you So what happened? Markey finally noticed the kid was getting a little out of line probably didn't even take it seriously at first But eventually he must have decided he'd better get Haines straight now So he took him out on that fishing boat in order to talk to him alone. Is that it? No, you're worth a dollar But the thing backfired Haines probably got mad maybe started a fight knock Markey out and that gave him as big I did spur of the moment Yes, sir now with the boss out of the way you'd have a clear field with the widow So he threw Markey overboard set fire to the cruiser Opened the sea cock so to be sure in sync and then rode away in the dingy And how could he be sure the body wouldn't be found washed ashore by the currents? Oh, he couldn't be sure But what if it was? There was a heavy fog. Nobody saw what happened. He knew it'd be mighty tough to prove anything on. Oh, brother That's an understatement as a matter of fact, it'll be impossible to prove that story. Yeah, well once he's arrested and interrogated I figured he'll break down tells the whole thing unless he's completely simple-minded No, you haven't even got the shadow of a case mr. Wilson All you've got is a wild theory that doesn't even fit the facts. You got a better theory. I suppose I think so and Would it be the kind that would take your company off the hook on that seventy five thousand dollar life insurance policy Coincidence it just so happens that it would in fact that insurance policy is the key to the whole thing Yeah, I sort of thought you might say that I didn't have any pet theory at first, but I do now I'm pretty sure this thing is an out-of-none insurance fraud and Danny Haines is being used as the fall guy Oh do tell And what are you finding for evidence mr. Darling? Oh a lot of little things that are sort of starting to add up For one thing I got a long telegram this morning from a firm of confidential investigators in New York I forwarded a request through Hartford yesterday Yeah, they turned up quite a lot on Markey such as his financial status for the main thing Well when he and Mrs. Markey were married three years ago the firm was in first-class shape But they've been living high living up his capital if he got that contract he came down here after it Well, it might have pulled him through but he didn't get it Ned result. He was flat broke so what? Lot of people are broke but not many of them have a $75,000 policy. I thought that's what you were getting at What I am getting at is what I think happened, and I think Danny Haines is telling the truth I Think Markey did send him off alone in that dingy then Markey fired the boat opened the Seacocks And while she filled up and sank he swam a shore in the fog And he's waiting it out somewhere now until his widow collects the insurance Well, I don't see where you've got any more evidence than I have well, there's not much I'll grant you not so far But what there is adds up? I guess I'm just stupid darling. I look Take Mrs. Markey's attitude for instance. She's trying hard to play the role, but it doesn't come off And does she act to you like a four-day widow? Well, she's got a lot of self-control. I'll say she has I tried to go to her yesterday when I talked to her came Right out and practically insulted her and how did she react? Never took her eyes off that main chance the seventy-five thousand Well, you know, it's not exactly unheard of a widow not to mind too much being a widow No, no, no, that's not the impression. She gives she's tense enough nervous as a cat But it's not because of grief or any feeling of relief either It's because she's afraid she might say the wrong thing and let her foot slip Everybody's got to write their own opinion another thing is that Markey's body hasn't turned up now I talked to the harbour master this morning. He knows the currents along this coast backwards and forwards He says it's the only one chance in a hundred that Markey's body would have been carried out through the reef instead of thrown up On the beach about where you found that shoe. So this is the one time in a hundred That was a mighty finalist mr. Della We're gonna fight you mr. Wilson if you petition the court to declare Markey legally dead. Yes I sort of figured you would Hensley and Davis phoned me this morning and said you'd retained them as counsel. That's right Well, I've been fought before Expense account item 11 10 cents phone call to Edna Markey widow of the allegedly deceased and beneficiary of his insurance policy Hello, Mrs. Markey. Yes, this is Johnny dollar. Oh Oh, I didn't recognize your voice. I wonder if I could ask a favor of you Well, if it's something I'd like to borrow a photograph of your late husband for a few hours Well, I'll take good care of it. Make sure it gets back to you Well, the fact is I really don't have one. Oh Well, you must have forgotten I I noticed one yesterday afternoon on the mantle in your study Well, I meant not a good one. Well, that one will do fine and thanks a lot has something new come up. Mr. Dollar Yes, you might say that I'll send a messenger out to pick it up Goodbye, Mrs. Markey Item 12 $3.80 messenger service item 13 a dollar and 90 cents taxi fare to the use car lot of one truthful Tom The dealer who'd sold a car to a man named John Smith a Car that had departed suddenly from the vicinity of the Markey Beach House when its driver saw me come out of the house. I Wasn't too sure whether Tom was truthful or not, but one thing was certain. He was typical. I Notice you looking at that little great job friend and I say to myself truthful Tom Don't you go trying to get the best of that lad because he's walked right in here and spotted the best dog On the lot before he's even turned around. Well, I wasn't really thinking of buying friend with the price I'll make you on that car. You can't afford not to buy. No, no, I'm not really in the market. It's an economic society friend We're all in the market when the price is right No, I just happen to notice that it looked like the car a friend of mine had stolen a few weeks My dear friend, I'll make you Did you say stolen or it may not be the same one of course I've got papers on that car I've got papers on every last car on this lot. Did you have papers on the one you sold to John Smith two weeks ago? If he says I didn't he's a liar wait a minute mister, and I can get a dozen witnesses to prove it. You remember them then Well, do you? Remember who look I'm a special investigator for the Delta liability. It's a frame up That's all it is whoever it is says they got a hot car deal on this lot is lying Truthful Tom never turned a dishonest penny in his whole dog on life good and we'll forget it And any low-down rat that says I did a two-legged snake and I What'd you say I don't care anything about your deals and trying to locate a fellow who bought a car from you Well friend that puts a different light on it. John Smith. You said that's the name he used I Can't say I recollect anybody by that name. Here's a copy of the title registry on the car Let's see now six eight four two dark green Oh, that was that old clunker that of course it was well worth the price. I was asking you remember the buyer You bet your life. You know why because he paid cash not a check cash I mean the real long green Missoula. Would you recognize a photograph of him? Well, I might if I Was a shit Well, let's see now Well There's no doubt of it friend. That's the lad. All right Mrs. Markey, I brought back the photograph of your husband. Oh, there wasn't that much hurry about it Did it help any quite a bit? Do you mind if I come in? All right, of course. Thank you You know, I've been trying to think all day long what you could possibly want for that picture I still can't imagine you can't sit down. Mr. Dollar. Thanks It's a terrible picture, of course That's why I hesitate about giving it to you doesn't look a thing like him. It looked enough like him Mrs. Markey Enough like him. I don't think I know what you mean Did you know your husband bought a secondhand car the week before his so-called death? You must be mistaken. He'd have told me about it. The car dealer positively identifies his photograph He used the name John Smith paid for it in cash. What did you mean so-called death? William Markey isn't dead. I think we're both aware of that Well, Mrs. Markey, aren't we do you mind telling me what you're talking about? It wasn't even a very smart scheme to start with Your husband must have been really up against the wall or he'd have known better than to try it But I suppose he thought he had to in order to hang on to you I imagine you're pretty expensive to support I think you'd better leave right now actually it would serve you both right if I did But I decided to give you a chance. I Came here to let you know exactly where you stand and where is that if I may ask one step away from prison take that step And you're in up to your next you and your husband both what step so far We have no case against you for attempted fraud because you haven't filed a claim yet But take my advice Mrs. Markey don't file one because the minute you do we're gonna hit you with both barrels You've got some pretty crazy ideas haven't you had fair warning I've had one of the biggest bluffs. I've ever heard about why you people would do anything Wouldn't you to keep them paying off on a policy they're talking over with your husband before you do anything foolish My husband is dead mr. Dollar. No one, but you even doubts it. I'm a cynic How much proof does it take to bring you to your senses Markey is this case stands right now? There's only one way you could convince me that when your Markey is not alive Show me his dead body Here's our star to tell you about tomorrow's intriguing episode of this week's story tomorrow a crazy kid in love a right Decision by a court and then the whole case smashes wide open Join us won't you yours truly Johnny dollar yours truly Johnny dollars starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood Written by Les Crutchfield. It is produced and directed by Jack John Stone Be sure to join us tomorrow night same time and station for the next exciting episode of your truly Johnny dollar Roy Rowan speaking