My radio sputtered at my hip, Dispatch with a report from a squad car.

When the radio finally 138 sputtered to life, Kirk jumped so sharply that his knee screamed pain clear up into h is skull.

Now and then the radio sputtered as it scanned channels, diligent in its attention to police matters.

The radio sputtered and died and the silence returned.

For three days, the radio had sputtered off and on.

Levine was standing out in front of the library when his radio sputtered to life.

After a moment of silence, the radio sputtered once, then: "No, she's not been especially benevolent."

Ten minutes later the radio sputtered an inarticulate message from James.

The radio sputtered and crackled, and a distant voice was audible through the static.

Then the radio sputtered again as the driver came on to say he was five minutes away.