The Lester Matson Matter

Originally Aired: September 8, 1953 Johnny Dollar #179, "The Lester Matson Matter," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is assigned to investigate a suspicious fire that destroyed the Matson plastics factory in New York. Philip James briefs him on the $700,000 claim, and the police have already ruled out accident—evidence points to arson involving high octane fuel. Lieutenant Ridgway at New York headquarters gives Johnny an intriguing lead: while factory owner Lester Matson has an airtight alibi and no apparent motive, the detective senses the successful businessman is hiding something and seems frightened about what he knows. When Johnny visits the Matson estate in Jersey, he meets Lester's charming daughter Christine before sitting down with her father. The conversation grows tense as Matson becomes defensive and evasive. While insisting the fire must have been an accident, he shows unusual concern about whether it was deliberately set, fixating on the terrifying possibility of a pyromaniac. His nervous speculation about firebugs and what could have happened during working hours only deepens Johnny's suspicion that Matson knows more about the blaze than he's willing to admit. Become a supporter of this podcast