In this thrilling episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," our intrepid insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar, is called to Denver to look into a series of suspicious insurance claims. The claims, all paid to the same beneficiary, Don Ricardo, raise red flags due to their large amounts and the short time frame in which they were filed. Johnny's investigation leads him to uncover a web of deceit involving Ricardo and a timid insurance agent, William Whitney.
As Johnny digs deeper, he faces danger head-on when he is shot at while investigating an old house in Golden, Colorado. Despite the attempt on his life, Johnny remains undeterred and continues to unravel the mystery. With the help of his friend Pete Packard from the Denver Post, Johnny discovers the connection between Ricardo and Whitney, revealing a scheme that involves fraudulent insurance claims on behalf of old miners.
The episode is packed with suspense as Johnny navigates through lies and deceit, ultimately bringing the culprits to justice. The story highlights Johnny's relentless pursuit of the truth and his ability to piece together clues that others might overlook. Join Johnny Dollar in this action-packed adventure as he solves the Denver Dispersal Matter.
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Unknown:
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From Hollywood, it's time now for
[00:02:04] Unknown:
Johnny Dollar. Harry Jamieson at Paramount Insurance Adjuster, Johnny. Hi. Perry, it's been a long time. I'd begun to think you're neglecting me. Oh, how you talk. Matter of fact, I've just been waiting for a nasty enough case to come along for you. Yeah. You do have a habit of handing me the dirty ones. What is it this time? Four states out in Denver. Oh, yeah. I've heard of them. Oh, they're a small outfit. By contract, all our claims are routed through us, damage appraisals, payment dispersals, and so on. So what's happened? Well, we've had to pay a lot of claims for them recently. Too many. What's more, they've all been big ones and on fairly young policy. Well, Perry, you know as well as I do that things will average out in the long run
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unless something's wrong. 60,000
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on one policy, 35,000 on another, 70,000, and a cool hundred and 50,000 on one just last week. Shoot. And the beneficiary in each case has been the same man. Then no wonder you.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
Just leave the door open, Perry. I'll be right over.
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Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of a man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Does truly Johnny Dollar.
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Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar. The Paramount Insurance Adjusters Home Office Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Denver dispersal matter. Expense account item one at dollar 10 for the cab that took me over to Perry Jameson's office at Paramount. True to form, the door was wide open for
[00:03:53] Unknown:
me. I kinda thought this thing might get you down here in a hurry, Johnny. Sit down. Yeah. Thanks. And I took the liberty of calling TWA and getting you a seat on the plane to Denver. Good idea. When? There's one leaving New York at 6PM. Okay. And I'll get you into Denver about ole ten thirty mountain time. Uh-huh. Think you can make it? Sure. Charge your expenses to us. That's the deal we have with four states. Alright. And the man to see out there, it's almost a one man outfit. His name is William Whitney. Got it.
[00:04:20] Unknown:
Now look, Terry, I've been thinking on the way over here. Woo hoo. Wonders we'll never see. Thanks, pal. But how well do you know this man, Whitney?
[00:04:28] Unknown:
Maybe he's in cahoots with this big beneficiary, this Don Ricardo. Is that his name? Yeah. Such things have happened. No. No. Johnny, you're wrong. Poor old Willie Whitney is a mild, timid, milquetoast. His wife, an ex coerced girl who probably thought he had money. While you can be sure, she's the one who wears the pants in the family. Willie would cringe at the thought of hurting a fly. Well, it was an idea.
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I don't blame you, but no. Forget it. Well, what makes you so sure something's wrong? Well, I didn't say I was, but 215,000
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to one beneficiary in a period of only three months. Well, I just wanna be sure it's okay. And I called you in because I am willing to pay to make sure. No. Don't worry, Perry. You will.
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Expense account item two, a hundred 40 one dollars even, plain parent incidentals Hartford to New York to Denver. Originally Indian country, the mile high city is now a maze of oil refineries, steel companies, grain mills, chemical and manufacturing plants. A huge downtown shopping area and beautiful tree studded residential sections. No wonder it's one of the big insurance centers. Item $32 even for a cab in a town where I park myself at the world famous Brown Palace Hotel. Item $4.10 cents, phone call to an old newspaper pal from back east who is now working on the Denver Post. Pete Packard. Johnny Dollar, Pete Packard.
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Okay. What's the story in one? Johnny Dollar. Okay. How are you, Keith? Great. Great. You gonna be here long? We gotta get together. Where are you staying? Around Palace. Keith. You want us to dig up a couple of dates, we'll go out on the town. Remember the last time we died, we're on together? Are you kidding? I had such a headache the next morning, it hasn't left me yet. Hey, listen. Keith, I get away from the desk at 2AM. No. You look. I'm out here on a job insurance investigation.
[00:06:16] Unknown:
Did you ever hear of a man named Don Ricardo? You you know Don Ricardo? No. What do you know about him?
[00:06:24] Unknown:
Well, they say now mind you, I I don't know for sure, Keith, but don't forget, I did a hitch on the Chicago Sun Times a few years back. What's that got to do with Don Ricardo? It was back in the days of the Capone Mob.
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Aw. And, Don Ricardo,
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well, mind you, nobody was ever able to pin anything on him. Yeah. I see what you mean. Where does he live, please? Oh, 20 to 30 miles east, the other side of Golden, a little place called Millville. Uh-huh. Now now mind you, Keith. I I I don't wanna really say anything against him. I I mean, if I don't seem to be really telling you anything about it Keith, I think you've told me plenty. Well, now listen, Keith. Thanks. And I'll be talking to you.
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It was late and I was tired, but I went downstairs to the cocktail bar. And with the help of a big fat tip for a nightcap, got some more lowdown on Don Ricardo. The bartender talked plenty. Yeah. It seems Ricardo was living the life of Riley in the little town of Millville. Lovely home, expensive cars, threw a lot of big gaudy parties, and always for people from out of town, mostly Chicago or Miami Beach. Yeah. The bartender talked funny until he spotted a lean, well dressed, rather too well dressed man sitting alone at one of the tables watching him. A man who'd somehow forgotten to take off the light gray hat that shaded his features and slightly narrowed eyes.
The bartender clammed up. I paid for my drink, that's item five, and was conscious of being watched closely as I casually sorted out and took the elevator out to my room. First thing in the morning, I looked up the address of 4 State. Instead of the striking new mile high center as I'd expected, it was a dingy old office building on South Broadway. William Whitney looked a little old and dingy himself. Johnny Dollar, at the special investigation? That's right, mister Whitney. Oh, settlement, sit down, won't you? Alright. Thanks.
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Just here on a visit?
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I'm here because the insurance adjusters are concerned about some recent claims they've had to pay on policies issued by you. We've been very unfortunate lately, mister Donald. Yeah. $215,000 unfortunate
[00:08:31] Unknown:
on only four policies. Yes. And all paid to the same beneficiary by some odd coincidence.
[00:08:37] Unknown:
You sure it was coincidence? Who were the policyholders? Quite some old miners living over near Golden. Old miners insuring for those amounts? Yes, sir. They were all able to pay the premium. Give me their names. Yes, sir. Unless I'm cockeyed, there's something wrong with this whole thing, and I intend to find out what it is. The policies were issued in good faith and the premiums paid, but I agree with you, sir, and I'm terribly concerned.
[00:09:01] Unknown:
I'm glad you're here, sir. It will not only save the company a lot of money, it will take a great load off my mind. Here's the list. Yeah. Do you know the beneficiary, this Don Ricardo? Only through seeing him when I've given him the checks.
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Mhmm. Farno, Mulligan, r Smith, and Jay Smith.
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Did any of these insured have families? Well, I don't know. You see the beneficiary in each case. Yeah. I know.
[00:09:27] Unknown:
Better let me see those policies. Whitney left me alone while I plowed through his file. Satisfied, at least, that the policies themselves were okay, I finally left him, hailed a taxi, and told the driver to head for the town of Golden. As we pulled away from the curve, a small black foreign car in the next block swung around and appeared to follow us. And I wondered. But then it cut off at an intersection and I decided I was imagining things. Until we pulled up at one of the addresses Whitney had given me in Golden, a ramshackle unpainted old frame house on the edge of town. I told the driver to wait for me and walk up to the front door.
[00:10:08] Unknown:
Hey. It looks to me like that house is empty, mister.
[00:10:12] Unknown:
You sure you'd give me the right address? Yeah. This is the address. Alright. But I guess
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Hey. That door open by itself? I don't know.
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Hello? Hello? Anybody?
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Mister. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars. And behind each star, there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Vermont's state flag, in its early form, imitated our national flag, uniquely bearing 17 stripes and 17 stars with only the inscribed word Vermont to distinguish it. The good people of Vermont assumed, as did our national government, that stripes as well as stars would be added as each new state entered the union. Vermont entered the union after Tennessee and Ohio, and with Kentucky to join shortly, the Vermonters naturally put 17 stripes on their flag. In 1818, the United States Congress put a stop to this. And since then, the stripes have always been at 13, and only stars are added for each new state.
Vermont's present flag captures the famous beauty of the Green Mountain State in its coat of arms, and inscribed is the phrase, Vermont freedom and unity. Vermont's state flag, the flag of the fourteenth state to enter the union, was adopted on 04/26/1923.
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And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Denver Disbursal Matter.
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The old house at the edge of Golden, Colorado looked empty, but
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but I knocked anyway. Just sure you give me the right address, mister. Yeah. Driver, this is the address. Alright. But I guess that Hey. That door opened by itself? I don't know.
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Hello? Hello? Anyway No.
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Mister.
[00:12:33] Unknown:
Go back. Get away from this open door. But you but you hurt your your neck. You're bleeding to death. Stay down. Barely knicked me. I'm alright. Holy cow. I thought you was a goner. Here. Let me help you. You will need help if you don't stay out of his line of fire. Well well, who was it? Do you see anybody? Hey, listen. Yeah. That's a car horn away from back. Gotta look at it. Well?
[00:12:51] Unknown:
I can't can't tell. That dusty side road back there looks like a little one, though. Foreign car? Too far away now. I can't tell. But it's black. Alright. Come on. We're getting back into your cab. Yeah.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Yeah. I'll get you to a doctor. No. No. I'm okay. You know where Millville is? Sure. A few miles east. It's an old mine. Come on. Do you know where Don Ricardo lives? For sure. I you you wanna go there? Does he own a small black foreign car? Yeah. Real expensive job. I've I've seen him in town. But, mister Come on. Because I'll lay odds. He's the one who fired those shots.
[00:13:28] Unknown:
You mind if I drop you off a few blocks away from his place?
[00:13:36] Unknown:
The cab driver relented. Dropped me off at Ricardo's front door, then hightail it for other parts. It was a nice home, very modern, seemingly out of place in what had once been a prosperous mining center, but was now a little more than a ghost town. Yes?
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Mister Ricardo? That's right. Who are you?
[00:13:53] Unknown:
I think you know, but I'll tell you anyhow. I'm Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator. Oh, come in, mister Dollar.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
We can sit in the den. Would, would you like a drink? No. Thanks.
[00:14:05] Unknown:
What happened to your neck there? It's been bleeding. I will get to that later. I've been rather expecting
[00:14:10] Unknown:
someone like you to call in view of my good fortune in insurance money lately. Sit down.
[00:14:15] Unknown:
You sure you wouldn't like a drink? Tell me one thing. Yes. Who paid the premiums on those four policies that netted you a couple of hundred grand?
[00:14:23] Unknown:
Why, the policyholders, of course, at least, to the best of my knowledge. Four old broken down miners? They were still quite active, mister Dollar, hoping to find a new vein in some of the old workings in this region. Then maybe you grubstake them, Well, as a matter of fact, I did, and they promised me a share of whatever they might find. In return, they named me in their insurance policy. Oh, you must have given them plenty. More than a worked out mine could ever yield.
[00:14:46] Unknown:
What do you mean? To afford the premiums on those hefty policies. Now look, Dolly, it was all perfectly legal on the up and up. How old were they? Barno. Barno? About 68, I believe. Mulligan and Smith and the other Smith. About the same. So what? Oh, the company was crazy. How did they die, Ricardo?
[00:15:05] Unknown:
By some strange coincidence, the poor old fellows all went the same way. Accidents there in the mine they were working. Did the police investigate those accidents? I imagine so. Now look, Ricardo.
[00:15:16] Unknown:
As you know very well, I was shot at a few minutes ago. Shot at? At a little isolated house on the edge of Golden. You were a lousy shot. Aye. Now look here. Also, you should have known better than to park that little foreign job of yours in the driveway, at least without washing it down. What are you talking about? That kind of purplish dust it's covered with. Dust? Yeah. I'm talking about the side road back of that house where you tried to plug me. Well
[00:15:41] Unknown:
Okay. Okay, Dollar. Maybe you're right about the whole thing. So what if I did try to knock you off? Oh, you admit it, Yeah. Why not? But since I didn't kill you then, I'll tell you
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now.
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Alright. Alright. Alright. Put them up. Bring the towel in. Get come on. Hit your Officer, I've never seen a prettier uniform in my life. What is this? What is this? We've been waiting a long time to nail you, Ricardo. Get him out of here, boys. Alright. Take him easy. Take him easy.
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Pete. So help me, Keith. I knew if anybody would bring Ricardo out in the open, you would. You mean to say Yeah. I figured I'd bring these better bring these state police out here. Oh, Pete. You're a doll. Now let you and me go out and tear the town apart.
[00:16:26] Unknown:
Later, after I finish this job.
[00:16:44] Unknown:
Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment.
[00:16:48] Unknown:
Over a hundred fifty years ago, the Swiss poet, Henri Amiel wrote, heroism is the brilliant triumph of the soul over fear. Heroism is the dazzling and glorious concentration of courage. During the Korean campaign, corporal Ronald Rosser was attached to the heavy mortar company of the thirty eighth Infantry second division, United States Army. Rosser, a veteran of World War two, rejoined the army and shipped to Korea when he heard that his brother had fallen in the winter assault of the Chinese communists. One day, Rosser's company moved into enemy territory.
At the time, the corporal was a forward observer and carried a radio. Suddenly, in the midst of an enemy attack, Rosser handed his radio to a buddy, slipped the safety off his carbine, and filled his shirt with hand grenades. He charged at the enemy through fierce mortar and artillery fire, shooting from the hip. Straddling a bunker, he riddled its occupants. Still advancing, he accounted for two more of the enemy, shooting one through the head and clubbing another to death. Continuing his one man charge, he jumped into a trench full of enemy soldiers, opened fire, and forced his way relentlessly down the length of the trench, killing right and left with grenades and carving fire.
Out of ammunition, he returned to his company where he replenished his supply. Then he charged the enemy again and again. Finally, he returned to his own area, and taking the radio back from his friend, he moved out with his company. Corporal Ronald Rosser was awarded the medal of honor for his action. Action which had shown the enemy that his personal code of conduct wouldn't let them push around either his kid brother or his country.
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And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Denver Dispersal Matter.
[00:18:46] Unknown:
It took hours even with Pete Packard's help and he finally had to go back to his job at the Denver Post. But there and done Ricardo's house carefully hidden away under a drawer lining and a sideboard, I found what I was looking for, a handful of canceled checks. It was well after dark when I appropriated one of Ricardo's fancy cars and drove back to Denver to a little house in the south end of town, not far from the office of Four State Insurance Company. As I pulled to a stop, a big massive truck nearly sideswiped me. Good. It covered the sound of my stopping there.
As unobtrusively as possible I walked up to the front door of the place. Even above the sound of passing traffic I could hear voices, loud ones, coming from somewhere in the rear of the building.
[00:19:32] Unknown:
Cautiously I edged my way around the side to where I could see the lighted window of a bedroom. Alright. Alright. I hate you. Only by them should tell me why. Stop asking questions. Get the things back. Make sure there's only enough food to come out with traveling light and fast. Alright, Willy. Alright. You're right already. Boy, you're bossier than Don ever was when you wanna be. Forget, Don Ricardo, collect your stuff. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be working in one of his nightclubs in Chicago. Lucky you never talked this way down to that insurance office at the door. Stop that. I thought we was gonna stay in Denver until you made a lot of dough at the insurance racket. I left this happy domestic scene to walk slowly back to the front door.
[00:20:09] Unknown:
Yep. My original hunch at the office in Hartford had been right.
[00:20:15] Unknown:
What's that? Somebody at the front door.
[00:20:18] Unknown:
Why don't you go answer it?
[00:20:26] Unknown:
Oh, mister Dollar. That's right. Oh, my. I'm glad you are here, sir. Oh, you look upset, mister Whitney. I am, sir. I am terribly upset. Handbags, they're in the hall? Yes. Going somewhere? It's that Don Ricardo. Oh,
[00:20:41] Unknown:
I thought you didn't really know him. I didn't. Oh, if only I'd done it before. I'd never have issued those policies naming him as beneficiary. Done what, mister Whitney? Investigated that, Ricardo. But I did after you left me this morning. He's a gangster, an ex gangster, mister Dollar. No. Yes. I suddenly realized that in your investigation, you'd you'd investigate him, and he'd think I'd had you investigate him. He'd think I was trying to make trouble for him. Frightened me. Frightened me terribly. And that's why you decided to leave town, Yes. Yes. Of course. Until this whole thing blows over. He's a dangerous man. He'd stop at nothing. He might even try to kill me. I must leave here immediately. Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that. Where did you plan to go? Far away. Anywhere where he couldn't find me. And where maybe I couldn't find you. Of course. What?
[00:21:31] Unknown:
Why did you say that? Well, I was just thinking. This morning, while I was going through the files at your office, you left me alone for a while. Yes. Yes. I recall, but I did. Why? To make a phone call maybe to Don Ricardo? What? Is that why he just happened to be waiting in his little foreign car a block or so up the street about the time I left your office in a cab? Mister Donald the theory, isn't it? Especially when I have these little scraps of paper to back it up. What are those? Some of Don Ricardo's canceled checks made out to you. 20% of the take on those big fat insurance payments. Where did you get those? Funny too. They're all dated one day after you paid off on each of those big claims. Give me those. You don't. I don't. You're gonna need these in tow. I'll kill you. I'll act. Mister Milkoaster?
[00:22:14] Unknown:
You dirty. I'll kill you. Okay, baby.
[00:22:21] Unknown:
Alright. Alright.
[00:22:23] Unknown:
Okay, Willie. Get up on your feet.
[00:22:26] Unknown:
Yes, sir. Anything you say, mister Dollar. But please, you must believe me. I'm an innocent
[00:22:33] Unknown:
That timid soul pulls of yours may have sold insurance to a handful of suckers, wouldn't he? But it hasn't sold me a thing. Oh, I suppose you find them in every trade. That still doesn't justify their even being alive, though. Fortunately, in the insurance business, they never get away with it for long. Even a team like Whitney and Ricardo. I wonder if they're sharing the same cell. Expense accounts, items $610 to the doctor or so to my neck. Items 784 for a night on the town with Pete Packard. Strangely enough, I still have a bit of a headache from it. Expense account total, including a little gift to that taxi driver, incidentals, and transportation back to Hartford, Three Hundred Ninety One Dollars And Eighty Cents. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
[00:23:29] Unknown:
Our star will return in just a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars, and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Idaho's state flag depicts the prime industrial pursuit of its citizens, mining. Balanced against this image is a female figure combining the virtues of the Goddess of Liberty, where she carries the spear and cap of Liberty and the Goddess of Justice represented by the scales in her hand. A bright shining star in the heavens is an indication that Idaho has joined the nation. Overall is the motto, Esto Perpetua, may she endure forever.
Idaho's state flag, the flag of the forty third state to enter the union, was adopted on March '7. Now here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a killer's list. That's right. A list of victims.
[00:24:29] Unknown:
And guess who's on it? Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
[00:24:45] Unknown:
Yours truly Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Forrest Lewis, Barney Phillips, Edgar Beria, Frank Gerstel, and Peter Leeds. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking.
[00:25:31] Unknown:
This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
[00:25:55] Unknown:
To get people excited about Boost Mobile's new nationwide five g network, we're offering unlimited talk, text, and data for $25 a month. Forever. Even if you have a baby. Even if your baby has a baby. Even if you grow old and wrinkly and you start repeating yourself. Even if you start repeating yourself. Even if you're on your deathbed and you need to make one last call. Or text. Right. Or text. The long lost son you abandoned at birth. You'll still get unlimited talk, text, and data for just $25 a month with Boost Mobile. Forever. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay $25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan. Forever. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the boy? Boy.
[00:26:32] Unknown:
Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority, skills. Wait. Did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at linkedin.com/results. Terms and conditions apply.
Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Voice. Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company, seniority, skills. Wait. Did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at linkedin.com/results. Terms and conditions apply.
[00:00:31] Unknown:
I know I'm not alone when I say adulting can be overwhelming, and what we all could use is a drink. That's where apple and eve juice comes in. As the rulers of the juice box, they've been making juice joyful for fifty years. With refreshing juice blends bursting with bold flavor, one sip sends you right back to childhood. So when the grind dulls your shine, remember to kid yourself. Apple and Eve has delicious juices for at home and on the go. Shop today.
[00:01:00] Unknown:
You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job posts seen on other job sites. With Indeed sponsored jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on Indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at indeed.com/arts.
Just go to indeed.com/arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring? Indeed is all you need.
[00:01:58] Unknown:
From Hollywood, it's time now for
[00:02:04] Unknown:
Johnny Dollar. Harry Jamieson at Paramount Insurance Adjuster, Johnny. Hi. Perry, it's been a long time. I'd begun to think you're neglecting me. Oh, how you talk. Matter of fact, I've just been waiting for a nasty enough case to come along for you. Yeah. You do have a habit of handing me the dirty ones. What is it this time? Four states out in Denver. Oh, yeah. I've heard of them. Oh, they're a small outfit. By contract, all our claims are routed through us, damage appraisals, payment dispersals, and so on. So what's happened? Well, we've had to pay a lot of claims for them recently. Too many. What's more, they've all been big ones and on fairly young policy. Well, Perry, you know as well as I do that things will average out in the long run
[00:02:40] Unknown:
unless something's wrong. 60,000
[00:02:42] Unknown:
on one policy, 35,000 on another, 70,000, and a cool hundred and 50,000 on one just last week. Shoot. And the beneficiary in each case has been the same man. Then no wonder you.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
Just leave the door open, Perry. I'll be right over.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of a man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Does truly Johnny Dollar.
[00:03:29] Unknown:
Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar. The Paramount Insurance Adjusters Home Office Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Denver dispersal matter. Expense account item one at dollar 10 for the cab that took me over to Perry Jameson's office at Paramount. True to form, the door was wide open for
[00:03:53] Unknown:
me. I kinda thought this thing might get you down here in a hurry, Johnny. Sit down. Yeah. Thanks. And I took the liberty of calling TWA and getting you a seat on the plane to Denver. Good idea. When? There's one leaving New York at 6PM. Okay. And I'll get you into Denver about ole ten thirty mountain time. Uh-huh. Think you can make it? Sure. Charge your expenses to us. That's the deal we have with four states. Alright. And the man to see out there, it's almost a one man outfit. His name is William Whitney. Got it.
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Now look, Terry, I've been thinking on the way over here. Woo hoo. Wonders we'll never see. Thanks, pal. But how well do you know this man, Whitney?
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Maybe he's in cahoots with this big beneficiary, this Don Ricardo. Is that his name? Yeah. Such things have happened. No. No. Johnny, you're wrong. Poor old Willie Whitney is a mild, timid, milquetoast. His wife, an ex coerced girl who probably thought he had money. While you can be sure, she's the one who wears the pants in the family. Willie would cringe at the thought of hurting a fly. Well, it was an idea.
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I don't blame you, but no. Forget it. Well, what makes you so sure something's wrong? Well, I didn't say I was, but 215,000
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to one beneficiary in a period of only three months. Well, I just wanna be sure it's okay. And I called you in because I am willing to pay to make sure. No. Don't worry, Perry. You will.
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Expense account item two, a hundred 40 one dollars even, plain parent incidentals Hartford to New York to Denver. Originally Indian country, the mile high city is now a maze of oil refineries, steel companies, grain mills, chemical and manufacturing plants. A huge downtown shopping area and beautiful tree studded residential sections. No wonder it's one of the big insurance centers. Item $32 even for a cab in a town where I park myself at the world famous Brown Palace Hotel. Item $4.10 cents, phone call to an old newspaper pal from back east who is now working on the Denver Post. Pete Packard. Johnny Dollar, Pete Packard.
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Okay. What's the story in one? Johnny Dollar. Okay. How are you, Keith? Great. Great. You gonna be here long? We gotta get together. Where are you staying? Around Palace. Keith. You want us to dig up a couple of dates, we'll go out on the town. Remember the last time we died, we're on together? Are you kidding? I had such a headache the next morning, it hasn't left me yet. Hey, listen. Keith, I get away from the desk at 2AM. No. You look. I'm out here on a job insurance investigation.
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Did you ever hear of a man named Don Ricardo? You you know Don Ricardo? No. What do you know about him?
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Well, they say now mind you, I I don't know for sure, Keith, but don't forget, I did a hitch on the Chicago Sun Times a few years back. What's that got to do with Don Ricardo? It was back in the days of the Capone Mob.
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Aw. And, Don Ricardo,
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well, mind you, nobody was ever able to pin anything on him. Yeah. I see what you mean. Where does he live, please? Oh, 20 to 30 miles east, the other side of Golden, a little place called Millville. Uh-huh. Now now mind you, Keith. I I I don't wanna really say anything against him. I I mean, if I don't seem to be really telling you anything about it Keith, I think you've told me plenty. Well, now listen, Keith. Thanks. And I'll be talking to you.
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It was late and I was tired, but I went downstairs to the cocktail bar. And with the help of a big fat tip for a nightcap, got some more lowdown on Don Ricardo. The bartender talked plenty. Yeah. It seems Ricardo was living the life of Riley in the little town of Millville. Lovely home, expensive cars, threw a lot of big gaudy parties, and always for people from out of town, mostly Chicago or Miami Beach. Yeah. The bartender talked funny until he spotted a lean, well dressed, rather too well dressed man sitting alone at one of the tables watching him. A man who'd somehow forgotten to take off the light gray hat that shaded his features and slightly narrowed eyes.
The bartender clammed up. I paid for my drink, that's item five, and was conscious of being watched closely as I casually sorted out and took the elevator out to my room. First thing in the morning, I looked up the address of 4 State. Instead of the striking new mile high center as I'd expected, it was a dingy old office building on South Broadway. William Whitney looked a little old and dingy himself. Johnny Dollar, at the special investigation? That's right, mister Whitney. Oh, settlement, sit down, won't you? Alright. Thanks.
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Just here on a visit?
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I'm here because the insurance adjusters are concerned about some recent claims they've had to pay on policies issued by you. We've been very unfortunate lately, mister Donald. Yeah. $215,000 unfortunate
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on only four policies. Yes. And all paid to the same beneficiary by some odd coincidence.
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You sure it was coincidence? Who were the policyholders? Quite some old miners living over near Golden. Old miners insuring for those amounts? Yes, sir. They were all able to pay the premium. Give me their names. Yes, sir. Unless I'm cockeyed, there's something wrong with this whole thing, and I intend to find out what it is. The policies were issued in good faith and the premiums paid, but I agree with you, sir, and I'm terribly concerned.
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I'm glad you're here, sir. It will not only save the company a lot of money, it will take a great load off my mind. Here's the list. Yeah. Do you know the beneficiary, this Don Ricardo? Only through seeing him when I've given him the checks.
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Mhmm. Farno, Mulligan, r Smith, and Jay Smith.
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Did any of these insured have families? Well, I don't know. You see the beneficiary in each case. Yeah. I know.
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Better let me see those policies. Whitney left me alone while I plowed through his file. Satisfied, at least, that the policies themselves were okay, I finally left him, hailed a taxi, and told the driver to head for the town of Golden. As we pulled away from the curve, a small black foreign car in the next block swung around and appeared to follow us. And I wondered. But then it cut off at an intersection and I decided I was imagining things. Until we pulled up at one of the addresses Whitney had given me in Golden, a ramshackle unpainted old frame house on the edge of town. I told the driver to wait for me and walk up to the front door.
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Hey. It looks to me like that house is empty, mister.
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You sure you'd give me the right address? Yeah. This is the address. Alright. But I guess
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Hey. That door open by itself? I don't know.
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Hello? Hello? Anybody?
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Mister. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars. And behind each star, there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Vermont's state flag, in its early form, imitated our national flag, uniquely bearing 17 stripes and 17 stars with only the inscribed word Vermont to distinguish it. The good people of Vermont assumed, as did our national government, that stripes as well as stars would be added as each new state entered the union. Vermont entered the union after Tennessee and Ohio, and with Kentucky to join shortly, the Vermonters naturally put 17 stripes on their flag. In 1818, the United States Congress put a stop to this. And since then, the stripes have always been at 13, and only stars are added for each new state.
Vermont's present flag captures the famous beauty of the Green Mountain State in its coat of arms, and inscribed is the phrase, Vermont freedom and unity. Vermont's state flag, the flag of the fourteenth state to enter the union, was adopted on 04/26/1923.
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And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Denver Disbursal Matter.
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The old house at the edge of Golden, Colorado looked empty, but
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but I knocked anyway. Just sure you give me the right address, mister. Yeah. Driver, this is the address. Alright. But I guess that Hey. That door opened by itself? I don't know.
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Hello? Hello? Anyway No.
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Mister.
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Go back. Get away from this open door. But you but you hurt your your neck. You're bleeding to death. Stay down. Barely knicked me. I'm alright. Holy cow. I thought you was a goner. Here. Let me help you. You will need help if you don't stay out of his line of fire. Well well, who was it? Do you see anybody? Hey, listen. Yeah. That's a car horn away from back. Gotta look at it. Well?
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I can't can't tell. That dusty side road back there looks like a little one, though. Foreign car? Too far away now. I can't tell. But it's black. Alright. Come on. We're getting back into your cab. Yeah.
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Yeah. I'll get you to a doctor. No. No. I'm okay. You know where Millville is? Sure. A few miles east. It's an old mine. Come on. Do you know where Don Ricardo lives? For sure. I you you wanna go there? Does he own a small black foreign car? Yeah. Real expensive job. I've I've seen him in town. But, mister Come on. Because I'll lay odds. He's the one who fired those shots.
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You mind if I drop you off a few blocks away from his place?
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The cab driver relented. Dropped me off at Ricardo's front door, then hightail it for other parts. It was a nice home, very modern, seemingly out of place in what had once been a prosperous mining center, but was now a little more than a ghost town. Yes?
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Mister Ricardo? That's right. Who are you?
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I think you know, but I'll tell you anyhow. I'm Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator. Oh, come in, mister Dollar.
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We can sit in the den. Would, would you like a drink? No. Thanks.
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What happened to your neck there? It's been bleeding. I will get to that later. I've been rather expecting
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someone like you to call in view of my good fortune in insurance money lately. Sit down.
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You sure you wouldn't like a drink? Tell me one thing. Yes. Who paid the premiums on those four policies that netted you a couple of hundred grand?
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Why, the policyholders, of course, at least, to the best of my knowledge. Four old broken down miners? They were still quite active, mister Dollar, hoping to find a new vein in some of the old workings in this region. Then maybe you grubstake them, Well, as a matter of fact, I did, and they promised me a share of whatever they might find. In return, they named me in their insurance policy. Oh, you must have given them plenty. More than a worked out mine could ever yield.
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What do you mean? To afford the premiums on those hefty policies. Now look, Dolly, it was all perfectly legal on the up and up. How old were they? Barno. Barno? About 68, I believe. Mulligan and Smith and the other Smith. About the same. So what? Oh, the company was crazy. How did they die, Ricardo?
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By some strange coincidence, the poor old fellows all went the same way. Accidents there in the mine they were working. Did the police investigate those accidents? I imagine so. Now look, Ricardo.
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As you know very well, I was shot at a few minutes ago. Shot at? At a little isolated house on the edge of Golden. You were a lousy shot. Aye. Now look here. Also, you should have known better than to park that little foreign job of yours in the driveway, at least without washing it down. What are you talking about? That kind of purplish dust it's covered with. Dust? Yeah. I'm talking about the side road back of that house where you tried to plug me. Well
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Okay. Okay, Dollar. Maybe you're right about the whole thing. So what if I did try to knock you off? Oh, you admit it, Yeah. Why not? But since I didn't kill you then, I'll tell you
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now.
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Alright. Alright. Alright. Put them up. Bring the towel in. Get come on. Hit your Officer, I've never seen a prettier uniform in my life. What is this? What is this? We've been waiting a long time to nail you, Ricardo. Get him out of here, boys. Alright. Take him easy. Take him easy.
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Pete. So help me, Keith. I knew if anybody would bring Ricardo out in the open, you would. You mean to say Yeah. I figured I'd bring these better bring these state police out here. Oh, Pete. You're a doll. Now let you and me go out and tear the town apart.
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Later, after I finish this job.
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Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment.
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Over a hundred fifty years ago, the Swiss poet, Henri Amiel wrote, heroism is the brilliant triumph of the soul over fear. Heroism is the dazzling and glorious concentration of courage. During the Korean campaign, corporal Ronald Rosser was attached to the heavy mortar company of the thirty eighth Infantry second division, United States Army. Rosser, a veteran of World War two, rejoined the army and shipped to Korea when he heard that his brother had fallen in the winter assault of the Chinese communists. One day, Rosser's company moved into enemy territory.
At the time, the corporal was a forward observer and carried a radio. Suddenly, in the midst of an enemy attack, Rosser handed his radio to a buddy, slipped the safety off his carbine, and filled his shirt with hand grenades. He charged at the enemy through fierce mortar and artillery fire, shooting from the hip. Straddling a bunker, he riddled its occupants. Still advancing, he accounted for two more of the enemy, shooting one through the head and clubbing another to death. Continuing his one man charge, he jumped into a trench full of enemy soldiers, opened fire, and forced his way relentlessly down the length of the trench, killing right and left with grenades and carving fire.
Out of ammunition, he returned to his company where he replenished his supply. Then he charged the enemy again and again. Finally, he returned to his own area, and taking the radio back from his friend, he moved out with his company. Corporal Ronald Rosser was awarded the medal of honor for his action. Action which had shown the enemy that his personal code of conduct wouldn't let them push around either his kid brother or his country.
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And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Denver Dispersal Matter.
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It took hours even with Pete Packard's help and he finally had to go back to his job at the Denver Post. But there and done Ricardo's house carefully hidden away under a drawer lining and a sideboard, I found what I was looking for, a handful of canceled checks. It was well after dark when I appropriated one of Ricardo's fancy cars and drove back to Denver to a little house in the south end of town, not far from the office of Four State Insurance Company. As I pulled to a stop, a big massive truck nearly sideswiped me. Good. It covered the sound of my stopping there.
As unobtrusively as possible I walked up to the front door of the place. Even above the sound of passing traffic I could hear voices, loud ones, coming from somewhere in the rear of the building.
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Cautiously I edged my way around the side to where I could see the lighted window of a bedroom. Alright. Alright. I hate you. Only by them should tell me why. Stop asking questions. Get the things back. Make sure there's only enough food to come out with traveling light and fast. Alright, Willy. Alright. You're right already. Boy, you're bossier than Don ever was when you wanna be. Forget, Don Ricardo, collect your stuff. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be working in one of his nightclubs in Chicago. Lucky you never talked this way down to that insurance office at the door. Stop that. I thought we was gonna stay in Denver until you made a lot of dough at the insurance racket. I left this happy domestic scene to walk slowly back to the front door.
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Yep. My original hunch at the office in Hartford had been right.
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What's that? Somebody at the front door.
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Why don't you go answer it?
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Oh, mister Dollar. That's right. Oh, my. I'm glad you are here, sir. Oh, you look upset, mister Whitney. I am, sir. I am terribly upset. Handbags, they're in the hall? Yes. Going somewhere? It's that Don Ricardo. Oh,
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I thought you didn't really know him. I didn't. Oh, if only I'd done it before. I'd never have issued those policies naming him as beneficiary. Done what, mister Whitney? Investigated that, Ricardo. But I did after you left me this morning. He's a gangster, an ex gangster, mister Dollar. No. Yes. I suddenly realized that in your investigation, you'd you'd investigate him, and he'd think I'd had you investigate him. He'd think I was trying to make trouble for him. Frightened me. Frightened me terribly. And that's why you decided to leave town, Yes. Yes. Of course. Until this whole thing blows over. He's a dangerous man. He'd stop at nothing. He might even try to kill me. I must leave here immediately. Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that. Where did you plan to go? Far away. Anywhere where he couldn't find me. And where maybe I couldn't find you. Of course. What?
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Why did you say that? Well, I was just thinking. This morning, while I was going through the files at your office, you left me alone for a while. Yes. Yes. I recall, but I did. Why? To make a phone call maybe to Don Ricardo? What? Is that why he just happened to be waiting in his little foreign car a block or so up the street about the time I left your office in a cab? Mister Donald the theory, isn't it? Especially when I have these little scraps of paper to back it up. What are those? Some of Don Ricardo's canceled checks made out to you. 20% of the take on those big fat insurance payments. Where did you get those? Funny too. They're all dated one day after you paid off on each of those big claims. Give me those. You don't. I don't. You're gonna need these in tow. I'll kill you. I'll act. Mister Milkoaster?
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You dirty. I'll kill you. Okay, baby.
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Alright. Alright.
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Okay, Willie. Get up on your feet.
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Yes, sir. Anything you say, mister Dollar. But please, you must believe me. I'm an innocent
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That timid soul pulls of yours may have sold insurance to a handful of suckers, wouldn't he? But it hasn't sold me a thing. Oh, I suppose you find them in every trade. That still doesn't justify their even being alive, though. Fortunately, in the insurance business, they never get away with it for long. Even a team like Whitney and Ricardo. I wonder if they're sharing the same cell. Expense accounts, items $610 to the doctor or so to my neck. Items 784 for a night on the town with Pete Packard. Strangely enough, I still have a bit of a headache from it. Expense account total, including a little gift to that taxi driver, incidentals, and transportation back to Hartford, Three Hundred Ninety One Dollars And Eighty Cents. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
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Our star will return in just a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars, and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Idaho's state flag depicts the prime industrial pursuit of its citizens, mining. Balanced against this image is a female figure combining the virtues of the Goddess of Liberty, where she carries the spear and cap of Liberty and the Goddess of Justice represented by the scales in her hand. A bright shining star in the heavens is an indication that Idaho has joined the nation. Overall is the motto, Esto Perpetua, may she endure forever.
Idaho's state flag, the flag of the forty third state to enter the union, was adopted on March '7. Now here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a killer's list. That's right. A list of victims.
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And guess who's on it? Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
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Yours truly Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Forrest Lewis, Barney Phillips, Edgar Beria, Frank Gerstel, and Peter Leeds. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking.
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This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
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