 Proudly we hail another Proudly we hail one of radio's outstanding dramatic half-hours Starring Lee Tracy and presented transcribed by your army and your Air Force From Radio City, New York here is your star and host on Proudly we hail the distinguished Broadway stage screen and radio star Lee Tracy, what's your show today Lee? I'm a detective Ken and this could be the story of a murder things get pretty complicated The plot's an intriguing one that our audience will really enjoy. I'll be back to start work on the case after you give with a few words Ken Well my few words are addressed to veterans of the United States Air Force If you're a former service man with a spec number in radio electronics radar or some other critical field The Air Force needs you now get all the details from your nearest Army and Air Force recruiting station today With our star Lee Tracy in the role of inspector Jones your army and your Air Force presents the Proudly we hail production of This could be murder Last night I sat in my room on Telegraph Hill and stared through the window at the jutting shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge The stretched skyward that are to the whole world a symbol of San Francisco The hour was late and I was tired utterly done in I knew I couldn't sleep yet But I couldn't drive my mind the events of the evening For the strange sadness they had brought to me To me and allegedly a motionless inspector of police About ten minutes after four that afternoon a woman phone headquarters Lots of murders happened but it isn't often the man is rich and influential as Alan McKay gets killed The commissioner himself assigned me to the case. He wanted all pressure brought to bear to clean it up as fast as possible I brought a full crew with me and we went to work methodically Okay boys Fast for third job gets lab analysis of everything. Well, what's the verdict doc? And they were shot about four o'clock and look at this in second dead center on the left temple and the pistol was fired at close range Hey, who was the funny little round man to let it in? One of your colleagues doc doctor Harvey Wilson McKay's physician close personal friend of the family Have you seen the girl of Cynthia yet? Only for a couple of minutes You know doc no tell me She's only a kid but 18 Not really pretty big eyes black hair sounds fascinating. She is liked her very much Oh Doesn't sound like you Joan. I'm a little worried about that girl doc Shock, you know I'm very sorry inspector Jones, but I'd rather you didn't disturb Cynthia just yet. I wanted the rest a bit more very well Dr. Wilson Will you please show me where the housekeepers room is and her name please Larry Hedgman come this way Dr. Wilson showed me the housekeepers room and left. I'm not I'm inspector Jones. Oh Come in. Thank you Would you sit down not right now? Thanks Tell me miss Hedgman Where were you when Mr. McKay was shot? I left the house just before four and Please go on. Well, I met Cynthia downstairs in the lobby the same elevator boy brought her up You still haven't told me where you went miss Hedgman. Well, I Agree I Went for a short stroll in the park. I came back just before you arrived. Thank you miss Hedgman That's all for now Oh by the way miss Hedgman were you fond of mr. McKay? Yes, I liked him very much I Went downstairs and the elevator boy verified Marie Hedgman's time at departure and the fact that it coincided with Cynthia's arrival Upstairs I again found dr. Wilson in the sitting room that had joined Cynthia's bedroom. Oh, it's you again. How's Cynthia? She's all right. I should think the shock could be extremely upsetting to a young girl It wasn't with a reason perhaps the doctor turned away and looked out a window He was a curious round little man with no white hair and it was obvious that his cat and mouse Conversation was leading to a point Doctor, when did you come here today? As soon as I could after Cynthia called I was in the operating room when she fold Doctor, you've been implying and rather strongly an odd attitude on the part of Cynthia What have you been driving at? Frankly, that's no concern of yours inspector The intimate peculiarities of a family are no concern of the police in the case of obvious suicide quite right doctor But this doesn't look like suicide. I think it's murder and Cynthia killed her father The doctor turns scarlet and he literally bounced with rage and waved his little arm That's fantastic utterly fantastic for why you've practically said there was no love lost between McKay and his daughter Let's get this straight inspector Cynthia couldn't possibly have killed her father doctor You're an old friend of the family aren't you? Of course. I am well if you want Cynthia cleared of suspicion I'll need your help Jones Regardless of what evidence you have I don't believe Cynthia could have killed her father And I'll do anything you want to clear She has no idea. She's under suspicion I don't want her to know until we have this matter cleared up That about the time being yes Doctor how long has Marie Hedgeman lived here? Oh about 16 or 17 years She came here shortly after mrs. McKay died Come in That's a thing of print report inspecting I excused myself and Sanderson my assistant gave me some interesting but confusing facts I returned to the doctor. What's the verdict inspector? I'll tell you in a minute Point out that McKay was killed around four o'clock just before Marie Hedgeman left the apartment and just after that Cynthia arrived Cynthia's told us she found her father in his study and He saw the pistol on the floor Stupidly she picked it up. You naturally her fingerprints are on the pistol. Yeah So are Marie Hedgeman Alan McKay Several others whose pistol was it? Not sure yet Cynthia says she never saw it before miss Hedgeman has told Sanderson that she saw it several days ago and McKay's desk and picked it up He claims that's why her prints are on it. Where's your case? In a tailspin, I'm afraid But tell me more about this odd relationship between Cynthia and her father that you hinted at before as you wish inspector After Cynthia's mother died McKay felt he'd been stuck with a troublesome obligation That interfered with his money-making career He developed an actual dislike for the child He gave her the material things of life, but little else Oh, there's many a day she came to me not complaining But you could see that she was hurt and bewildered aching all through for someone To care about her. Well, what about Marie Hedgeman? I should think she'd have been close to Cynthia She was so busy being in love with McKay But Cynthia was an annoyance to her too. Was this a mutual love? I sincerely doubt that the other knew her intentions were love Even though she doted on it now look inspector, I Hope I've made myself clear about Cynthia Another girl might have become so frustrated through lack of affection That she could kill a father in a fit of resentment But not Cynthia all her life She's maintained an amazing perspective on life. I'm certain her calm manner was not a cover-up She was always trying to find some way to touch her father's emotions Inspector yes, doctor Who informed you of McKay's death? Cynthia that's the end of your case against her fingerprints or not Not necessarily a murderer quite often forms the police of his acts Your own knowledge of psychology should prove that really I know that That's only when the murderer feels quite safe from detection Doctor How is McKay's health excellent? The autopsy will show that Yes, I don't like this whole thing I advise you to hold your tongue Marie. This is my personal affair. Dr. Wilson. What don't you like miss Hedgeman? Being questioned Looked upon with suspicion my fingerprints taken my I've told the truth about the gun, but my nerves are screaming I won't stand by and be persecuted treated like a murderer. Please, please miss Hedgeman I'll see that you're not disturbed again Sanderson yes, inspector see the miss Hedgeman. There's not disturbed again Yes, sir Thank You inspector. She'll be in my room Very unstable personality inspector and frankly I don't like her You didn't like the murdered man McKay either. Did you? Yes, and no We went to college together Until I entered medical school. I liked him after the fashion except for his treatment of Cynthia You knew Mrs. McKay. I met her in school. I took her out down there in fact I Introduced her to McKay Now doctor wasn't McKay quite a philanthropist. Well, he was rich too rich and he did make many bequests to medical foundation You think Marie Hedgeman killed McKay, don't you? Who knows it could be because of unrequited love But somehow I doubted Suddenly the door clicked open quietly and there Silhouettes in the archway was an action-faced vision and a dusky silver dressing gown He put one delicate hand to her forehead and a shudder ran over a slim figure Lee Tracy is starring as inspector Jones in the proudly we hail production of this could be murder We'll return for the second act in just a moment But first I have a message to you young men and women of America Do you know that the United States Air Force can help you plan and start a successful future and at the same time? You can serve your country now when you're needed most in the Air Force You can make an exciting and useful career for yourself that you'll be proud of and your family and friends will be proud of you too Yes, you'll find many opportunities for service to your country in the Air Force Get full details at your local u.s. Army and u.s. Air Force recruiting station today You are listening to proudly we hail and now with your star Lee Tracy. We present the second act of this could be murder It was only the second time I said eyes on Cynthia McKay, but I could instantly sense a change in her You look sick and drawn the doctor and I helped her to a comfortable chair She rested for a few moments saying nothing Then the color returned to her cheeks I'm so sorry, but I couldn't stand being alone anymore and doctor if you think it's all right I do want to talk to the inspector very sure my dear that you feel up to it. Oh, yes I'm all right now doctor. I think it's best if Cynthia and I talk alone. I want to be sure all right back As you say my dear I want to get you excited if anyhow and I return shortly I was oddly attracted to this girl Her great eyes and strange black hair shot with gray had an almost hypnotic effect on me It seemed entirely wrong to put a matter of fact questions to her, but there was no choice You want to ask you some questions don't you expect a few Go on Cynthia were you on good terms with your father of course Why do you ask that? Cynthia it's entirely possible that your father was murdered. Oh sector. He was murdered wasn't is there any doubt? Might have been suicide. I can't believe that is that really I can't why not my father was a very strange man. I Knew that he made many enemies and business and few friends in society in a way. We were almost strangers But his life satisfied him not everyone else He lived almost entirely for his business It was a great planner to he always thought of the future and the promise of health He was recently planning to extend his activity to the East Coast One of his greatest joys was to look ahead to the new things to conquer Yet despite his peculiarities my father loved life and its challenge. I know he wanted to live And that's why I know he was murdered As Cynthia finished speaking I offered her a cigarette she refused told me to smoke I dropped the match into a silver ash tray. I noticed a small unframed photo line on the mantle. I picked it up You're planning to go abroad Yes, I'm sailing to Paris next week. I'm going to study for a year on the Molano dress designing. Are you still planning to go? Stare at her in silence This was a strange girl indeed. I Was about to put another question to her a Shot rang out. I told Cynthia to stay where she was in two seconds I was in the hallway and Sanderson and Doc Thomas the coroner came running to meet me came from in there inspectors We flung open a door There lying on the bed was Marie Hedgeman the pistol by her side and a wound in her left shoulder It was a bad wound Doc Thomas said she lived When Sanderson and I had given him all the help we could we left Think that suicide attempt was a murder his confession inspector or perhaps an act born of unbearable Dispondency, but it certainly proved dr. Wilson was right when he said she was an unstable personality Well, he just finished in the old man's study. Good follow up on this latest mess. I've got to get back to Cynthia We don't any more tragedies around here. I Returned it Cynthia. She was sitting exactly as I left her Staring at the floor That was Maria, wasn't it? How do you know I could tell the shot came from her room Is she no no she'll be all right serious wound, but not fatal she shot herself, of course You say it's that way because You think she killed your father. Yes, I do it was she who advised my father to send me away to school to Camps anywhere to get rid of me just so she could be with him But my father never gave her a second thought That way why do you think she killed your father because he wouldn't pay any attention to her and for money too So she could go someplace else and find what she hadn't found here Hello Yes, it's for you inspector. Thank you Inspector Jones, this is Brian inspector We found out the pistol was bought in a small shop on Market Street when eight days ago in the afternoon The man was rather tall and wore gold rim glasses. His name was Alan McKay That's enough Brian. See you later, right inspector Cynthia To whom were your father's estate go most of it to medical institutions to his own college And some of it goes to me of course means some to Marie There are many other bequest to we can get the world from the face if you'd like to see you have the combination Yes, it's written in the corner of my father's appointment book He put it there for my benefit because I was always beginning it and since I kept certain small pieces of jewelry there Well, wasn't that an obvious place to leave a combination? I suppose so but nothing of any real value was kept in the safe We walked slowly from the room and down a long softly lit corridor We reached the door of a father's study where he'd been found dead Suddenly Cynthia flinched and then leaned against the wall or face contorted I can't I can't now now steady Cynthia steady I'll take you back to your room. I'll find the combination myself No There's no reason for me to be frightened Go on inspector. I'll come with you. I opened the door slowly We stepped across the threshold and I snapped on the light Room had been restored to order Cynthia small mouth set Pointed to her father's death. We walked to it Inspector do you mind? In that drawer not at all That's it the leather bound book. I took the book out of the drawer and rifled through it had all of McKay's appointments Listed up to today the day was murdered. I Handed it to Cynthia By the way, Cynthia had your father been acting upset lately. I don't think so. Why? we just wondered if He'd bought the pistol himself. He said nothing just looked at me and then opened the appointment book She found the page she wanted returned the book to me as she fiddled with the safe. I glanced through the book I saw an appointment McKay had recorded three weeks before and then sent the across to me and handed me the will I Put the book down turned the pages of the legal document What is the will prove for one thing that miss Hedgeman did not kill your father for money, but he left her Considerable my ordinary standard. Yes, but I don't think a thousand dollars cash and one hundred dollars a month for life There'd be sufficient reason to kill a man. She'd been in love with You're probably right inspector After all she did try to take her own life. Don't say another word Cynthia So inspecting you've been giving Cynthia the third degree a well not exactly She's in no condition to please doctor. I have no desire to quarrel with you I'm sure you'll be glad to hear. I've learned several things since talking to Cynthia All of which may help her well in that case frankly. I'm glad you returned so soon I feel you can add to or Clarify several things Cynthia's told me whatever you want to know Doctor, you're extremely fond of Cynthia. Aren't you like a daughter to me a Cynthia? Did did you love your father, of course Doctor Doctor, when did you last see mr. McKay? Oh, I think it was a week ago Wednesday Inspector don't must we continue with this now? I'm sorry, but we have to doctor Did you talk to mr. McKay on the phone this morning? Are you getting at Jones? Yes? If it's any of your business, I did talk to him this morning. Thank you Now, uh, isn't it true doctor that Since Cynthia's childhood you continually insinuated to her that she was badly treated by both her father and Marie Hedgeman Perhaps I haven't always been kind in my remarks about them, but I think their treatment of Cynthia deserved no more Frankly, I think you highly exaggerated the situation. That's a vicious statement. How dare you make it? I'll tell you why doctor You half implied before that you'd been in love with Cynthia's mother And it's obvious that you've been envious of McKay's success and his money now Jones. Get me out Personally, I Believe you've lived in a jealous rage ever since McKay married the girl you loved When she died there's no doubt you tried to gain the affection of her daughter and turn her against her father You never quite succeeded did you doctor? Let's just suppose all this Psychological deduction of yours is right Jones. Just what does it add up to? It adds up to The fact that you killed Alan McKay Dr. Backed away and Cynthia gas. That's an absolute lie. I Was operating on a patient at four this afternoon when McKay was killed. I can prove it doctor and McKay's will as a bequest of $100,000 for medical research to the University you both attended and there are Other gifts of large sums to other organizations for medical research. What does this indicate to you? Nothing nothing at all actually doctor It means that Alan McKay had a phobia about disease and dreaded it You knew this You also knew that Cynthia was going abroad for a year. You might lose her and the money she'd eventually get so Eight days ago when you examined McKay You told him you thought he had an incurable disease That's why McKay bought the pistol the same day right after he saw you the days the time Everything checked Did did your father wait Because your father was not sure until this morning in his appointment book under today's date There's a note to phone dr. Wilson for reports at 10 a.m. There's no doubt in my mind that when your father phoned Dr. Wilson told him the diagnosis of an incurable disease Was confirmed and your father who as you said live for the future could find nothing further to live for Dr. Wilson Just as surely as if you pull the trigger yourself You killed Alan McKay a little round doctor looked at Cynthia She turned from him and sobbed softly Doctor was crushed His face action. He walked across the soft carpet towards the door Then he disappeared down the hallway So do I Cynthia because No criminal behind bars will suffer as much for his crime as Dr. Wilson will Very intriguing story indeed Lee and congratulations on your excellent portrayal of inspector Jones. Thank you Ken I'd like to take a moment to tell all the young men and women listening about one of the most important jobs in American history That of helping to make and keep the peace of the world It's a whopping big assignment But you can help and you can help right now by enlisting in the Air Force and you'll be helping yourself too For when you join the US Air Force, you'll be joining one of the finest organizations in the world You'll have opportunities to really get ahead because the Air Force offers you training and specialties where you can make real progress There are more than 400 jobs in radio radar weather aircraft maintenance and many others So don't delay serve your country and yourself in the Air Force Get all the details at your nearest US Army and US Air Force recruiting station today This has been another program on proudly we hail presented in cooperation with this station by your army and your Air Force proudly we hail stars Lee Tracy Supporting Mr. Tracy in the cast were Helen Christian, Joe DeSantis, Miriam Wolfe, Jack Jason and Bill Lipton This could be murder was written by Arnold Leo. The music was composed and conducted by John Guarneri Proudly we hail is directed by Charles Wilkes. This is Kenneth Banghart speaking and here again as your host and star Lee Tracy. We hope you'll be with us next week for another Proudly we hail presentation. We have a program entitled Variations on Melvin Brown, and it's an intriguing mystery drama with a surprise spot Goodbye