The Numbers Murders: Nick Carter, Master Detective (October 1, 1944)

“The Numbers Murders” is an episode of Nick Carter, Master Detective, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 1, 1944. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Nick Carter is called to investigate a series of murders connected to a numbers gambling operation. After a lottery winner named Benny Smith is killed and robbed of his $50,000 winnings, Nick discovers that Duke Dawson, who runs the numbers game, has also been murdered in his office. The killer appears to have inside knowledge of the operation and strikes before the winners can spend their money.

A city with an active numbers gambling racket, including back street saloons and Duke Dawson's numbers operation office above a bar.

Characters: Nick Carter, Lieutenant Riley, Patsy (Betsy), Benny Smith, Duke Dawson, Lucky Coons, Steve the piano player

Listen for: The clever piano player who signals warnings, the burnt matches in the Duke's ashtray suggesting an unexpected visitor, and clues about who profits from eliminating the Duke's winning players.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.