 And now another tale well calculated to keep you in. Witness for Death. Written for Suspense by Ronald Dawson. Based on a story by Ann Howard Bailey. Life was good to me. I had a wonderful wife, a lovely baby, and two of the best friends a man could ever want. Randy and Kay Stoneman. One day after work I thought I'd dropped in at Riley's Grill where Randy often stopped on his way home. I was approaching the rear entrance when I noticed the time on a window clock and stopped to check my watch. It was exactly 5.45. Suddenly I saw Randy carrying out of the rear entrance of Riley's Grill. Randy! Hey! Randy! Randy, it's me! Randy drove away without seeing me. Little did I think that this simple incident was going to lead to one of the greatest crises in my life. Before or so later I was at home one night. Burt, could you come into the living room for a moment? What is it, hon? Move the baby stroller somewhere, will you? Where to? Well, anywhere, just so it's out of sight before Randy and Kay get here. Going to a lot of fuss, aren't you? Oh, I'm tired of there always seeing the apartment in a mess. Kay has lovely things. Randy has lovely bills, that poor guy. Oh, stop defending him. He spends as much as Kay does. But at least they have things. Oh, salesmen have to look good, Linda. And accountants don't, I suppose? I'll take a steady salary any time. I know Randy's commissions look big, but they... Oh, there they are. Would you let him in, Burt? I want to run across the hall and bow to Mrs. Lacey St. Nile. Keep your shirts on, I'm coming. Oh, are you over with Clarkson? Yes, but I... I'll talk to you for a couple of minutes and Lieutenant Conover, please, pardon. Yes, Lieutenant, but my wife and I are expecting company. It won't take long, just a few questions. Well, okay, come in. Oh, what's the trouble, Lieutenant? I haven't done anything. Oh, I'm just checking some facts for the DA. Oh. Okay, shoot. According to my information, you're an accountant. Yes. We're the Columbia Mutual Insurance Company for 18 months. That's right. There's another tenant in the same building, works at Columbia too, Randolph Stoneman. Yeah, a friend of mine. Randy and I were in Korea together. Mustered out at the same time, great guy. You see, according to this record, he's worked for me a little over two years. Yep, salesman. When I finished my accountant's course, he pulled me in. Randy's that kind of a guy. Take a look at this picture. Is him with you? Yeah, that's him. Say, what is this? What's this all about? Just routine check, plexing every now and then. Something happened. You gotta check it, that's all. Trouble at the company? Not exactly. Well, I'm glad to cooperate, but like I said, my wife and I are expecting company. And matter of fact, it's Randy and his wife. Maybe he can help you. Maybe. You see a lot of the Stoneman's? Well, sure. You guys share rides to work and home, huh? Randy drives me in mornings. I don't own a car. He's out during the day making calls, and sometimes after work, I look for him at Riley's Grill and hit the ride home. Tom Riley's. I was there this afternoon. I didn't see you there. I was across the street. I didn't go inside. You missed him, huh? No. I saw him coming out of the back door. I yelled, but he didn't hear me over the traffic. What time was it? About 5.45 on the note. You're sure? Sure, I'm sure. He happened to check my watch just then why? It was Randy Stoneman who came out that back door at 5.45. You're positive? Look, Randy and I have been buddies for years. I'd know him anywhere. Why? But, um, thanks a lot, Mr. Clarkson. It's been very helpful. How? I'm sorry, I took so long. Have Randy... Hi, anybody home? Thought we too early? Your name, Randolph Stoneman. Yeah, Randolph? Long for Randy. Where were you this evening at approximately 5.45, Mr. Stoneman? What's it to you? Here's my badge. Lieutenant Conover, police department. So? You answer my question, Mr. Stoneman. Well, now, uh, just let me think. Now, uh, 5.45, I must have been at home. Yeah, right upstairs at home, wasn't I case? I was washing my hair when you came in. I'm not sure of the time, but... Mr. Stoneman, you're quite sure you weren't leaving Riley's grill by the back door at 5.45? Well, didn't I just tell you that... I'll have to ask you to come downtown with me, Mr. Stoneman. You can repeat your story there. Hey, where'd go my arm? Now, what is this? It's an arrest. An arrest? What for? A man who shot Riley didn't finish the job. Riley's in a coma at City Hospital. For the moment, the charge is assault with intent to kill. If he dies, it'll be murder. What's this got to do with me? Riley was shot at 5.45. You were seen running out the back door of Riley's grill at 5.45 p.m. Oh, yeah? Who saw me? Your friend here, Mr. Clexton. The next morning, I went to see Randy at police headquarters where he was being held. They ushered me into a bleak and barren room. Presently, Randy entered, still wearing his sports outfit from the night before. It was a rumpled, Randy, who looked like a man who had not slept the night before who sat opposite me at the long table in the center of the room. Well, I'm glad you came. What can I do, Randy? Tell me something I can do. What can I tell you? I didn't know what he wanted, Randy. Last night, I didn't know what he was after. You don't have to prove to me that you're on my team. You didn't shoot Riley. I didn't have to pin this on you just because you were there. But I wasn't there. Now, get that through your head. I wasn't there, Bert. You didn't see me, understand? Now, you know Riley may book in that back room. I got in pretty deep. They got enough to pin this wrap on me if Riley dies. Well, not if you didn't shoot him, not if you're innocent. Yes, yes, yes. Tell me straight, Randy. I'll believe you. I don't care if you were there. I'd have put your fingerprints on the gun. If you tell me you didn't do it. I am telling you. I wasn't near the place. You didn't see me. You were mistaken. But if you want to put a noose around my neck, Bert, if you want to do that, you just stick to that story of you, Randy. What are you trying to do to me, Bert? But, Randy, I did see you. It's up to you. Now, you just remember that. Buddy. That's the story as it now stands. You know, my lawyer, Bill, I've come to you for advice. Yes, yes, of course. Now is, Riley. Well, just before I got here, I called the hospital. Come on. Your friend isn't trouble as it is. But if Riley dies. Yeah. If Riley dies and Randy's up for murder, I'm going to be a sort of key witness, wouldn't you say? Your testimony will be vital. The prosecution has a strong motive for the shooting in Randy's family. But your statement places him at the scene of the shooting at the exact time it happened. Oh, it's all my fault. I got Randy into this mess. You didn't get anybody into anything. Truthfully, there's any law abiding citizen should. Your statement can't become testimony unless you repeat it under oath at a trial. Testimony? You think I'm going to be a witness against Randy? Oh, not on your life. Well, that's up to you. You came to me for advice and I'm giving it to you. I suppose you could find a way to obey the subpoena. Lots of people run away from unpleasant things, Bert. But can you run away from yourself? What am I going to do? I'll tell you what you have to do. You will have to decide. I know you're afraid that Randy Stoneman shot Tom Riley. And if Riley dies, you will have to choose between your friendship for Randy and Justin. Hello. Yes, this is he. Oh, well, did he regain consciousness before he... No. I'll be there. Thanks for calling. What's the matter, honey? You look... Oh, no. It's murder. The DA wants to see me tomorrow morning. That means... Bert, you can't testify. How can you? Do you think I want to? I'd give my right arm if I hadn't seen you. Are you sure you saw him? How can you be sure? I'm sure I tell you. I saw him. You could have been mistaken. I wasn't mistaken. But I can't send Randy to... I just can't. I don't know. I don't know. The dreaded moment when I would have to make a decision. The side between Randy and Justice was drawing close. It was like a nightmare that never ended, but kept getting worse. A nightmare from which I could not escape by waking up. The next morning I was in the DA's office. I can understand your feelings, Mr. Claxton. Randy Stoneman saved your life in Korea. You two men have been through the mill together. Strong reasons for loyalty. But none of them alters this fact. Randy Stoneman committed murder. That's your opinion. We'll prove it. Randy was living high, way beyond his income. He mishandled his insurance collection. The company's books proved that. He was deeply in debt, not only to stores, but also to Riley. Riley was calling him. A man doesn't kill just because he owes money. I suppose he owed $15,000 to a bookmaker who wasn't afraid to play rough. Randy couldn't pay and he didn't want to be worked over. So he shot Riley. You can't make it stick unless I testify for you. Well, I'm not doing your dirty work. Let yourself another boy. We have your statement, Mr. Claxton. So what? I haven't signed anything. You say evidence doesn't count. Don't give me that smart talk, Claxton. It's not a question of defying me, you know. You're defying the law. The law is designed to protect not to punish. We're not persecutors. We're trying to be guardians. So a man can live out his life in peace and safety instead of dodging bullets. I'm sorry. You don't understand. I do understand. Don't use friendship as an excuse for protecting a murderer. You're doing him a favor, but you're betraying the rest of us. Here's a copy of your statement in front of Conover and his assistant. Sign it. I can't sign it so we can go into court with a clean case. Sign it. Are you crazy? Let me out of here. Are you listening to me? No, you listen. I didn't see anything. I don't know anything. And that's the end of it, dear. Hear me? That's the end of it. Well, not quite. We don't need a signed deposition, you know. You'll be subpoenaed to the witness' hand. So what? You'll be asked certain questions. You can answer them truthfully or lie and perjure yourself. What was I to do? I would be asked certain questions. And if I lied, I'd be committing perjury. And if I told the truth, rightly would be hanged. How can I do this to Randy? He saved my life in Korea. He was my best and closest friend. The newspaper headlines fairly screened at me. The Stoneman trial opens tomorrow. DA promises quick conviction of Stoneman. Well, Bert, have you come to a decision yet? No. There's not much time left. Why haven't you come back to see me before this? What for? We could have talked things over. Maybe I could have helped you. Nothing helps. I keep seeing him. I keep seeing the way he looked at me at the jail the day I visited him. When he said, if you want to put a noose around my neck, stick to your story. But your story is true, Bert. You know it's true. Truth? What's that? I owe Randy my life. That's the truth, too. And you think this will even things? If you lie for him on the witness' hand tomorrow and perjure yourself, a life saved equals a life saved? Is that how you figure? Oh, what if I have? Well, your figures don't balance. You forgot how my life is like. Isn't Randy Stoneman worth more than Tom Riley? Randy's a good guy, Bill. He worked hard. He had plans for his wife. For himself. And Riley was a crook and a gambler? He deserves killing? I don't know. Now look, let me alone. When you, Bert, you're a better guy than Randy, is that it? After all, he risked his life. What are you out of the line of fire? Oh, no. You don't stop to think about that. A guy's out there. You go get him. You save him if you can. Whether you like him or hate him. Why? What do you mean why? Because that's the way it is. You don't ask questions about a guy in battle. You just... Well, you just drag him in if you can. A guy's got a right to live. A guy has a right to live. Any guy. Any guy at all. Right, Bert? Whether you like him or hate him. A man still has a right to live, not to be shot down, Bert, and left on the floor to die. I guess I better be going. You have no right to sacrifice the laws which protect all men's lives, Bert, to save one man's life, even if he is your best friend. Don't say any more. I've got to think. Look, will you be in court tomorrow? There's nothing I can do, please. I've got to have somebody on my side. All right. I'll make it a point to be there. Bert, you're so late. I've been worried. I'm sorry, dear. I went by to talk to Bill Tyler. I phoned you earlier, but you didn't answer. I went up to sit with Kay for a while. She shouldn't be alone. I asked her to come down for coffee. Oh. I wish I hadn't. Is there anything wrong with that? Why shouldn't she sit with her friends on a night like this? Yeah. Yes, you're right, dear. Well, what did Bill Tyler say to you? We just talked. What did you talk about? The same thing you're thinking about. The same thing everybody's thinking about every time they look at me. What's he going to say when he gets on the witness stand? Will he tell the truth or will he lie? Take a guess, Linda. It's the $64,000 question. The truth or a lie? Stop it. Stop it. Oh, no. You can tell yourself. It's probably Kay. I'll let her in. Come in, Kay. I told myself I wouldn't come, but I couldn't help it. I just couldn't stay up there alone. Of course not. We want you here with us. Now sit down. I'll heat the coffee. Hello, Kay. Well, Bert, tomorrow, huh? Yep. That big day. He's got a good lawyer. Things ought to go all right. But will they? Will they go all right, Bert? Who knows? I think you do. You and nobody else. It's your decision whether he goes free or not. Okay, for the love of God. It's your testimony. They're depending on... If you say you saw him at Riley's at 5.45, why then... Go on, Kay. But if you lie, Bert... Don't look Kay. I didn't... Kay! You didn't mean that. Yes, I did. Because I know Randy did it. You what? I've known since that first day when he said he came home early. It was almost 6.30 when he got home. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Of course it matters. All this time, I thought I'd... I'd chitter myself into believing that he... I don't care what he did. Can't you understand? I just want him back. You can save him, Bert. It's not that simple. Oh, don't give me a lot of words. It's yes or no. That's all I want from you, Bert. Oh, like... I don't know... Why not? What are you doing? Why are you leaving me? Easy, Bert. I won't tell a lie and save a life. You owe him that, Bert. Don't you? Don't you? I don't know. Why aren't you any pity in you? Why aren't you any human feelings? What kind of a man are you? What kind of a man are you? Now don't you start on me, Linda. Bert, you don't be so... so touchy. And what is it? What were you going to say? I can't believe it. Even when I heard Kay say it all this time, we've been thinking... all this time... he's guilty. So what? So what? Does that make it any easier? Does that change how I feel about him? Of course you can't change your feelings so easily. Oh, poor Kay. Linda. Linda, you've always been the smart one in our little family. Linda, tell me what to do. Oh, darling, I... I wish I were clever enough to tell you. That night I was unable to sleep. This is kept running through my mind. I kept hearing things that have been said to me since Randy got into this horrible mess. Well, darling, huh? Now try to get some sleep, dear. I know just how you feel, but try to get some sleep. Everything will work out all right. Will it? Will it? I believe it will. Name and occupation? Burke. Speak up so that the jury can hear you. Burke Claxton. I'm an accountant for the Columbia Mutual Insurance Company. Now, Mr. Claxton, I want you to look at the defendant and tell me if you know him. Of course I do. Randy Stoneman. How long have you known him? A number of years. How many would you say? Five, ten years? All more. More than ten years. Then if you saw the defendant on the street, you'd never mistake him for somebody else. Or vice versa. Of course not. When I know him as well as I do. You're right. It would be impossible for you to mistake someone else for Randy Stoneman. I'd say so. Thank you. Now, Mr. Claxton, on Friday, October 14th, where were you at 5.45 p.m.? I was on Platt Street. Were you near the rear exit of Riley's Grill? Yes, sir. Right opposite on the other side of the street. Now, Mr. Claxton, will you please tell the court exactly what happened as you stood on the other side of the street facing the rear exit of Riley's Grill? The moment I dreaded it, come. What was I to do? Should I tell the truth or not? I caught a glimpse of Kay. She was looking at me with desperate pleading in her eyes. I could hear her words again. I just want him... I turned away from Kay and saw Bill Tyler on the other side of the courtroom. He was watching me as everyone else was. His eyes fairly burned through me, and I recalled his words. Mr. Claxton, I repeat, will you tell the court exactly what happened as you stood on the other side of the street facing Riley's Grill? Well, I looked at my watch. What time was it? Exactly 5.45. All right, go on. What did you do next? I started across the street, and at that moment I saw Randy Stoneman come out of the back door of Riley's Grill. You've been listening to Witness for Death, written for suspense by Ronald Dawson. In tonight's story, we're Frank Thomas, Jr. as Bert Claxton, and William Redfield as Randy Stoneman. Others in the cast were Ruth Tovan, Mary Jane Higbee, Roger DeCoven, Maurice Tarplin, and Guy Wreck. Listen again next week when we return with Inferno by Peter Fernandez. Another tale well calculated to keep you in. Suspense has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States, Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.