Originally Aired: March 29, 1949
Philo Vance #38, "High Hat Murder Case," opens with an unexpected visit to Philo Vance's office. Sarah Payton, a plain-spoken 34-year-old woman, arrives with an extraordinary request. After a lifetime of being overlooked and ignored, she recently inherited a substantial fortune, which brought her a year of happiness. Now she believes someone intends to murder her, but rather than seeking protection, she makes a shocking proposition: she wants to pay Vance not to investigate her murder should it occur. She calmly explains that she wants her would-be killer to escape justice, particularly if he manages to elude the police.
Vance, accustomed to unusual cases, finds himself confronted with the strangest request of his career. When he refuses to accept her bizarre offer, Sarah Payton remains unfazed. Despite Vance's attempts to learn the identity of her potential murderer, she refuses to cooperate, reasoning that since he won't help her protect the killer, she has no obligation to assist him. The mystery deepens as Vance must determine whether this enigmatic woman is genuinely in danger or if something more complex is at play.