Originally Aired: June 14, 1949
Philo Vance #49, "Combination Murder Case," finds wealthy socialite Joyce Dixon in a deadly confrontation with her ex-fiance, David Allen. When Allen arrives at her home after receiving a breakup letter, Joyce coldly confirms that their engagement is over, dismissing him as simply too dull despite being otherwise perfect. The rejected suitor doesn't take the news quietly. Working for the man who handles Joyce's business affairs, Allen knows damaging secrets about the source of her wealth, claiming she doesn't own an honest dollar and threatening to expose information that could send her to prison.
As tensions escalate, Allen warns Joyce that she's always had everything her own way and accuses her of getting away with murder all her life. His threat is clear: if she goes through with the breakup, he'll make sure he's not the only one who gets hurt. Joyce's chilling response suggests Allen's choice of words may have given her a dangerously literal idea, setting the stage for a case that will require all of Philo Vance's deductive powers to unravel.