The phone is ringing in Richard's office. He picks it up and says "Diamond Detective Agency, happy homicide". Lieutenant Levinson says "You know, that's pretty bad". Richard says "Well, what can I do for you, Walt?" Levinson says "You can get right down here. I need a favor". Richard says "Alright, business is slower than a drunk turtle, so I'll be right there". Shortly, Richard walks into the squad room of the 5th Precinct, where, as always, the king of the jungle was on hand to greet him. Otis says "Well, good morning, Shamus". Richard says "Sergeant Otis, you look terrible". Otis says "What's wrong?" Richard says "Well, it's obvious. You've been sleeping in the wrong position". Otis says "What are you talking about? Richard says "Oh, Otis, you've got to get rid of the bats in your house. They're used to hanging upside down". Otis says "Oh, for Pete's sake. The Lieutenant's expecting you. Go on in". Richard goes into the Lieutenant's office and says "Hello, Walt". Levinson says "How are you, Rick? You've been needling Otis again?" Richard says "Oh, a little". Levinson says "You got to stop that. When you come in, he begins to sulk. And I've got to work with him all day. Richard says "I see. Now, what's with you?" Levinson says "Well, we got a tip that a guy named Wells had a stash of stolen jewelry". Richard says "You said he "had" a stash. You mean he hasn't got it anymore?" Levinson says "That's right. We have it". Richard asks "Why is the Homicide Division mixed up with this?" Levinson says "When the robbery boys got over to this guy's house, they found him dead. Shot through the head with a small caliber automatic. The jewelry was found in the water pipes under the sink". Richard asks "What do you want me for?" Levinson says "Well's wife says the jewels are hers, but we don't believe it, so we went through all the regular channels to find the owner. Nobody identifies it. And if we don't get a claim soon, I've got to give them to her". Richard says "And you think the jewelry is stolen?" Levinson says "We know it's stolen. It has to be. These people don't have the money for a fast meal at the Automat".

In response to a begging letter received from an inmate named Maxie Potter, Barrie was on his way to pay him a visit at The Tombs, officially known as the Manhattan Detention Complex, a municipal jail in New York City. When Barrie walked toward his cell, Maxie's eyes lit up like 100 watt light bulbs. He says "Barrie Craig, you've got a heart". Barrie says "And you've got a nerve". Maxie says "Just for asking you to come?" Barrie says "For confusing me with the Legal Aid Society". Maxie says "What's wrong with helping people?" Barrie says "Starvation. I don't get paid". Maxie says "I'll tell you what, I'll owe you your expenses". Barrie says "The road to hunger is paved with bad debts". Maxie says "Oh, shades of Mrs. O'Hoolihan". Barrie says "Mrs. O'Hoolihan?" Maxie says "She was my teacher in continuation school. She used to say it". Barrie says "But, it made no impression on you?" Maxie says "No. What I went for was it's blessed to receive". Barrie says "And so, you wrote to me. Now, what do you want?" Maxie says "For you to get me out". Barrie says "I never engineer prison breaks". Maxie says "I want you to put up my bail". Barrie asks "How much? Maxie says "500 dollars". Barrie says "Well, I haven't got it". Maxie says "How about real estate? They'll take that for bail". Barrie says "The only real estate I own is a cemetery plot". Maxie says "Oh, I see. Wait, you're a citizen in good standing. Judge Fanza, he'll let me out on your, uh, your ... what's the word I'm trying for?" Barrie says "Recognizance". Maxie says "Yeah, on that. Well, will you?" Barrie says "You've sure got cheek". Maxie says "Hey, I got troubles. I share them. I'm not proud". Barrie says "Well, what's the charge against you?" Maxie says "Assault, Third degree. Hardly nothing", Barrie asks "Who'd you hit?" Maxie says "Randy Lomax, the talent agent. You might have heard of him" Barrie says "Everybody has". Maxie says "He's been promoting my girl. Feeding her baloney about how he's going to make her a big star. I lost my head and hit him". Barrie asks "With what?" Maxie says "With a brick. But, that's between us. In court, I'm denying it".

Jim and Helen Crane are driving home through a blizzard on Thunder Mountain after a skiing weekend at a mountain resort. The announcer on the car radio says "We have a special bulletin from the Big Indian Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Ed Ralston has warned all motorists to stay off the roads on Thunder Mountain. Not only because of the blizzard conditions but also because the man sought for the brutal knife murder of the Grant family is believed to be hiding out somewhere on the mountain". Helen says "Jim, please, turn the radio off". After he does, Helen says "Thank you, Mr. Crane". Jim says "You're welcome, Mrs. Crane". Helen says "We don't need to be told again and again that we're in a blizzard on Thunder Mountain. We know we are, thanks to you. I'm sorry". Jim says "Okay, skip it. Maybe it is my fault". After a few seconds, Jim says "You know, I can't see the road. All I can see is snow". Helen says "What's that?" Jim says "What's what?" Helen says "There. Just ahead. Back under the trees. A cabin. We better stop". Jim says "Oh, no. No way. We're just managing to make it up this grade, now. If we stop, we'll never get started again" Helen says "If we keep going, we're sure to get stuck. Those snow drifts out there are getting worse". Jim says "I know". Helen says "We'd be safer in that cabin". Jim says "We could freeze to death". Helen says "Would you please, for once, listen to reason?" Jim says "Okay. Okay. You win. You always do". Jim stops the car, and Helen says "Don't stop here. The cabin's over there". Jim says "If we drive in there, we will get stuck". Helen says "You really are going to have to get new glasses. Can't you see the road to it? There's tire tracks. Snowed over". Jim parks in front of the cabin. They get out and knock on the front door, saying "Hello, Anybody Home?" Helen says "Just open the door and go in". They go inside saying "Hello?". Jim says "There must be someone here. There's a fire still smoldering in the fireplace". Looking around, they find no one. Helen goes into the kitchen, and says "Jim, look! There's blood everywhere!"