 Johnny Dollar. Johnny? Schedule. Yes. New York. At this ungodly hour. Listen, we're here to the coast. Cool. Hold everything, will you? Get going. Will you, Johnny? While this thing is still hot. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I tell you, who are you? What's this all about? Oh, trust insurance. You're in Los Angeles. Arthur, in the middle of the night. It's more than five. Why do I? Because this may be a case of murder. Yeah, what may be a case of murder? Johnny. Make some sense, will you? Hurry up or you'll miss that plane. All right. Hello. Okay, here we go again. CBS Radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account, America's Fabulous Freelance Insurance Investigation. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expensive expense account. To the Western Life and Trust Insurance Company Los Angeles office. Following is the account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the fatal switch matter. Expense account, item one, eight bucks for the flight to New York. Item two, 17625, the jet flight to Los Angeles. It was shortly after 11 a.m. Pacific time when Art Baskin met me at the L.A. International Airport. We took off in his car and headed south. Now, boy, Johnny, it's about 50 miles down the very successful. Based on Free Baron's exclusive rights to the patent on a radio control device. Big government order, that sort of thing. I see. All right, now tell me what's happened. Well, Free Baron's partner, so to speak, is the man who invented this device, who owns the patent. Young bachelor by the name of Edgar Porter. And? Johnny, it seems that Porter took the cruiser out for a trip yesterday morning. Last evening, Mr. Free Baron thought he'd call him by radio. You know, just to find out where he was, make sure he was all right. Couldn't raise him? Well, he contacted him without any trouble. But then, in the middle of the conversation, suddenly, well, Johnny from what Porter said, his last words over the radio. Yeah? Well, it looks as though somebody killed him. Where's the cruiser now, all right? Somewhere out in the Pacific. The Coast Guard's trying to find it. Well, then he hadn't given Free Baron his position. No, I guess he didn't have time before whatever it was killed him. Uh-huh. Who else was on board the boat with this man, Porter? That's the first thing I asked Mr. Free Baron when he phoned me. Well? No one. Huh? Not even any other boats around. Porter and that cruiser were out there alone. Yet, judging by what he said, someone somehow managed to kill him. What, who said? Porter himself. Well, how do you know what he said? Lester Free Baron told me. He and his wife were talking with Porter by radio when it happened. Oh, and you only have his word for what Porter may have said? No, Johnny. Free Baron was making a tape recording of their conversation. Oh, I wonder why. I don't know. But he told me over the phone that he has that recording. And you're sure that Porter was alone out there? That's what he told Free Baron. But if he was murdered? I know, I know. It doesn't make sense. Brother, it sure doesn't. Let's get on down there to Balboa. The Free Baron home on Newport Bay was small compared to some of those around it, but nice nevertheless. A speedboat was tied up at the dock, but there was no sign of the cruiser. Lester Free Baron was a man of 57 or 8, I'd say, but right now he looked a lot older than it. His wife, considerably younger, was quite a dish. A tall, statuesque redhead. She wore an expensive silk house coat with an ermine color. A real careful makeup job, too. Her eyes especially were, let's say, she knew how to use them. And I, Baskerman, said that Edgar Porter was a young bachelor. Sit down, gentlemen. Yes, sir. And Marilyn, will you bring me another cup of coffee? Why, of course. That's just a dollar, and Mr. Baskerman would like a drink. I know, thanks. You can pass me. No, thanks, Mr. Phoebe. Excuse me, gentlemen. I just talked to the Coast Guard again. We've got planes and boats, even a helicopter out there looking for the lesson. The cruiser. No sign of her. Mr. Free Baron, I tell me you're certain that your partner, Edgar Porter, was alone out there on that yacht. Because he told me that he was. Now, let me play the tape recording of our brief radio conversation with him. By all means. Just give this thing a few seconds to warm up. How'd you happen to record your conversation with him? I just made some modifications in this machine, and I thought I'd check it out. I'm so glad now I did. Oh, that's a make I don't think I've ever seen before. I made it myself, dollar, like this receiver here in the transmitter. I make all these things myself. That's the reason I'm on the business end. And it's a lot better than that old chemical plant he started out with. Here you are, darling. Thank you, my dear. Now, let's start the tape. You'll hear both our voices on it, Mr. Daller. Listen. I would spoil my little trip by calling me up this way. Just wanted to see how you're doing, boy. Is everything okay? Okay. Hello, Edgar. Hi, Marilyn. What's your position, Ed? 50, 60 miles out and... You're all alone? Nobody within miles. Oh, you're sure of that. Well, of course I am. Not even a girlfriend along? Hey, he's kind of chilly out here. Edgar, put on the cabin heater, the gas heater. I put it on just a minute ago. Good. Only, Ed, be sure the ceiling vent is wide open. Oh, yes, Edgar, be careful. Now, now, don't worry. I know this old tug just...justice. What? No. That was a pistol shot. Yeah, that's all there was for the recording? That's all, Daller. We kept trying to call him back, but got no answer. But he said he was...he was certain he was all alone. Yes. Well, Daller, impossible, huh? Impossible. Except for one thing. Yes. The fact it happened. One thing is sure, Mr. Freeburn. There isn't much we can do until the Coast Guard locates that cruiser of yours. They've promised to call the minute they do... Johnny. Yes, Mrs. Freeburn. It's Marilyn. You don't mind. Oh, sure. No, I... Don't mind. Well... Edgar said he'd already put on the gas heater there in the cabin. Well, yes. And the cabin on the left one was rather small. Carbon monoxide would build up in a matter of minutes. He said he'd just turned it on. Nevertheless, he also said he knew that boat as well as you do, which means he'd have to be careful of that heater. We all get careless on that. Also his last words. Good heavens, man. You can't do this. Now, who's the man he was talking to? It doesn't make sense, Johnny, because he swore he was alone out there. Yeah, but was he? Oh, Edgar was so painfully honest, even about little things. If he said he was alone, he was. Or at least he believed that he was. Well, if somebody had come out of some hiding place to threaten him, wouldn't he have identified him by name, at least for your benefit? Don't forget he knew that you were hearing every word he said. Yes, of course. But if for anyone hiding there on the boat, no, no, it's impossible. Edgar was too meticulous. He would have checked over every inch of that cruiser before setting out. Now, you're sure of that. Oh, when we'd all planned to go out together, it used to drive us to near distraction, having to wait for Edgar to inspect every line, every locker, even the engine box, every nook and cranny. Could somebody have got aboard after he left the harbor? Without us knowing it? No, never. What about that shot, just as he was cut off? No, I wonder. You know about radio equipment, Mr. Friedman. And I know what you're thinking, dollar. Yes, it's quite possible that was simply some connection breaking when he fell against the transmitter. Or it may have been a shot. By whom? Uh, the suicide? Edgar? Oh, never, Johnny. You sound pretty sure of that. Oh, I agree with the dollar. Edgar had too much to live for. His invention's about to make a millions, thanks to what I've been able to do with it. Well, then this radio control device will do all right by you too, won't it? Of course it will. Not just a minute. What do you mean to imply by that? Incidentally, I... Yes, Johnny. Just what's the insurance angle on this thing? Oh, I thought you understood. There's a partnership policy between Edgar and Mr. Friedman. Survivor of the two becomes the beneficiary? Yes. For good heavens. Do you think money would ever compensate for the loss of a man, a friend, like Edgar? Uh, what's the face value? Two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Now, dollar. Hey, tell me. If Edgar is dead, Mr. Friedman, do all rights to this patent revert to you? Yes. After all, I'm the one who... Now, look here, young man. Yes, Johnny. Well, just take it easy now. Oh, and there's one thing I forgot to ask you. Well, how did you get to know Ed Porter? There's no secret about it. I met him at some yacht club affair. Pursuaded him to bring the radio control to me. Oh. Oh, and there's another thing I forgot to ask. Yes, what's that? Who is your contact over the Coast Guard? A man by the name of Adam Patrick. Huh? Pat? Why do you say it that way, Johnny? He's an old friend of mine. Gave me a hand when I was out here on the Ellen Deer matter. Ellen Deer? Yeah, a name of a big yacht that was being used for smuggling stuff up from Mexico, narcotics and stuff. Well, certainly you don't think our cruiser was being used for... I don't see the connection. All right, let me use your car. Of course, Johnny. Here. Here are the keys. Good, thanks. Where are you going? Well, instead of waiting for Pat to call here, I think I'll run over and see him. I think you're right, dollar. Why don't we all go on over there? We can get any news of the Leslin and Edgar. First-hand? No, thanks. I'll go along. May I ask why? Because I've suddenly got me a handful of ideas about this whole affair. Oh, Johnny. Like what? I never was very good at mathematics. I'm not a good at mathematics. If I can get there first, well, maybe I can add two and two together somehow. Come up with five. What? That is, if Edgar Porter was murdered. What? What are you talking about? I turn on those guys. Porter's out of my old pal, Adam Patrick, was just about to take off in a cutter. Okay, boys. Cast off and let's get underway. Hey, sir. No, no, wait, wait, wait. Johnny! All righty, what is it? How do you think you're a Superman? I, uh... I'm hoping you're heading out to the pleasant. Well, yes. One of our cops has spotted her a few miles out. I mean, you're working on this one, too? Yeah. Kind of a thick one, isn't it? Sure it is. Our man, completely alone out there, could be murdered. I couldn't possibly have been anyone with him. I think the old man, uh, free burners can tell me the truth. I think he has, Pat. At least as far as he's gone. What do you mean by that? Well, does he know you've located the lesson? Sure. When I got word, I phoned him and grabbed Dr. Wilson. See him up four there. Wait a minute. You gave free burn the position of the lesson? Sure. Why not? Listen, can you get a few more knots out of this barge? We're up on top right now. What do you mean, Johnny? How much do you know about less than free burn in this place? Man, that's narrow. Greatest business asset a promoter like FreeBank could possibly have. How else do you think he got his paws on that radio control he makes? Yeah, yeah, I know about her, uh, connections. Why not? Why shouldn't she? That kind of monkey sign that keeps her in furs and expensive cars and everything else she likes. Oh, I see. Then the free burns are, uh, quite a team, huh? Understatement of a week. I understand. He does pretty well for himself. Look, when that government contract gets rolling and if his partner's dead, well, man, he'll be back in the black so fast. Oh, you think he's in the red now? Look, after all that dough he spent on that plant, Johnny. A couple of hundred thousand might come in handy, huh? Even a grander, too. What are you getting at? Let's, uh, get on out to the Leslin, huh? It took us something under an hour to reach the Leslin where she drifted around on the calm sea on the template. We'd had her engines running. She might have got halfway across the city before we found her. While the crew of the cutter were preparing to tour into Harvard, putting on a Doctor 9, we climbed aboard and I took a good careful look around and believed me I'd come find her. If you thought it was dead all right, his body slumped over the radio set. Cover him on that side, the Doctor, sir. Please, let's put my preliminary examination show on Mr. Dullin. But then, before we could get her underway, sure enough, Lester Freebearn rolled up in his speedboat. He came aboard, joined us in the cabin, took a look at the body of Edgar Porter, and then... Then it was carbon monoxide poisoning. And I told him by radio to be sure that this... this vent was open. Too late, Mr. Freebearn. What? Mr. Dullin? Well, that fast little bull of yours didn't get you here soon enough. That vent was wide open. And the first thing I looked at... Well, then I don't understand. If it was carbon monoxide poisoning... Yes, John. Oh, sure, sure, sure it was. But not from this gas heater. You mean maybe some leak in the exhaust system? Not even that would have done it, Pat. This cabin door was wide open when we came aboard. Or even so... Alive. Edgar was pretty valuable to you, Mr. Freebearn. Of course, as my partner with his invention. And your wife with an eye for the dollar sign wrote them in very nicely for you. I guess he really had a case on her. I utterly failed to see... But Edgar dead would be even better, you thought. Oh, now look here... No more need to share the profits on his invention. Are you trying to say I thought of killing him? This radio transmitter and receiver, some of your work? Of course. But before getting into electronics, you were a chemist, weren't you? So you'd know even better than I do how carbon monoxide can be produced from a little crystal of some kind. I forgot the name of it. But when it gets thoroughly heated... Oh, look here, darling. Edgar was alone on this day. Now, now you look. The cord on his microphone is very short. So... He had to lean over the transmitter when he talked to you by radio. So what? That's one of the reasons you knew he fell against the nether when he keeled over. You mentioned it when you played back that tape for us. Well, I simply... You knew he did. Even as you knew his head would be right over this grill work on top of the transmitter when he used the mic. Look through the grill, Pat. Yeah, Johnny. All right, that little coil on the back of the panel where nobody noticed it. Yeah? A heating element that was turned on when the mic was turned on. See? Hey. There you see it's starting to glow like a small coil on one of those electric heaters. And believe me, it had nothing to do with transmitting a signal. Dollar. Instead, it was used to heat up a crystal of that chemical I mentioned to produce a deadly concentrated dose of carbon monoxide. Johnny. Sure. Take a good look at that coil and I'm sure you'll find traces of the chemical on it. Get the picture, Pat. Yeah. Yeah, Johnny. I sure do. All he had to do was stay right there in his home and put in a cold reporter on the radio. Oh, sure. To answer him, Porter turned on this transmitter and he leaned over to use the mic. That meant he was right on top of the coil with a chemical on it. The coil that was heating up, producing the gas that killed it. I rolled up dirty diabolical. Well, Mr. Freebeard. Yep. Mr. Freebeard had suddenly run out of answers and I'm willing to bet that the best lawyer in the country can't get him out of this one. Best of all, of course, he won't collect a penny of the insurance on the partner that he murdered. Expensive out total, including all the incidentals I could think of and the plane fare back to hybrid, $386.21. And then cheap at half the price. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Now, here's our star to tell you about next week's program. Next week? Well, one of the most clever, most ingenious crimes I've ever run into during my career as a specialist. Motive and method are all too obvious. So are all the clues needed to solve the crime. Yet a simple little device we're all familiar with is used to cover them up and apparently make them meaningless. I'm talking about a device that we all use every day. There's probably one of them right there in that room with you, right beside you, waiting for you to pick it up and use it. Just be sure that you don't use it to cover up a murder. Instead, well, be sure to join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey. Originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Olin Suley, Sam Edwards, Will Wright, and Herschel Bernard. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is John Wall speaking. It's come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. This is John Wall speaking. It's come to you through the worldwide facilities