Strange for a Killer

Originally Aired: September 6, 1955 Suspense #614, "Strange for a Killer," Henry Hayden arrives home from work to find his neighborhood surrounded by police. They're searching for Roy Jaleska, a dangerous fugitive who's been hiding in the boarding house next door to Henry's apartment building. When Henry calls his wife Jesse to warn her to stay inside with their baby Johnny, something in her voice tells him she's in terrible danger. Despite her words telling him everything is fine, Henry is certain someone is in the room with her, listening to every word. He convinces the police captain that Jaleska must have escaped across the rooftops and is now holding his family hostage. Against the captain's warnings, Henry insists on going up to his third-floor apartment, promising to call if everything is safe. When he enters, his worst fears are confirmed. Jaleska is there with a gun, having used Jesse and the baby to evade the police dragnet. Now Henry faces the killer alone in his own home, with his wife and child caught in the crossfire. The police wait below for Henry's signal while inside, a desperate standoff unfolds between a terrified husband and a cornered, violent fugitive who has nothing left to lose.