Character Relationship Map: Burglar

Characters

• Bernice 'Bernie' Rhodenbarr (played by Whoopi Goldberg) — protagonist

  A former San Francisco burglar blackmailed by corrupt cop Ray Kirschman. Hired by Dr. Sheldrake to steal jewelry from her ex-husband Christopher, she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. She inves...

• Carl Hefler (played by Bobcat Goldthwait) — protagonist

  Bernice's friend who assists her in her investigation. They visit multiple bars seeking information about Christopher's connections, including his romantic partners, to help Bernice find clues and cle...

• Ray Kirschman (played by G.W. Bailey) — supporting

  A corrupt police officer who blackmails Bernice into resuming her criminal activities. He later joins Bernice and Carl in a scuffle to help capture Carson Verrill at the park.

• Dr. Cynthia Sheldrake (played by Lesley Ann Warren) — supporting

  A dentist who hires Bernice to break into her ex-husband Christopher's home to retrieve her jewelry. Her actions and testimony inadvertently make Bernice the sole murder suspect. Bernice later deduces...

• Ray's Friend (played by Jack O'Leary) — minor

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Ray Kirschman → Carl Hefler (Alliance Joint Captors) — Ray and Carl take part in capturing Carson alongside Bernie.

  The plot says Bernie, Carl, and Ray capture Carson after a scuffle in the park.

• Bernice 'Bernie' Rhodenbarr → Dr. Cynthia Sheldrake (Conflict Client Turned Suspect) — Their relationship shifts from a burglary arrangement to suspicion when Bernie questions Cynthia about the murder.

  Cynthia hires Bernie to steal jewelry from her ex-husband's home. Bernie later confronts Cynthia and concludes that she was with Christopher on the ni...

• Bernice 'Bernie' Rhodenbarr → Carl Hefler (Alliance Friends And Investigative Partners) — Carl assists Bernie as she investigates the murder and tries to clear her name.

  The plot identifies Carl as Bernie's friend and says they visit bars together seeking information about Christopher.

• Bernice 'Bernie' Rhodenbarr → Ray Kirschman (Conflict Blackmailer And Target) — Ray uses blackmail to pressure Bernie back into burglary, placing him in conflict with her.

  The plot says Ray is a corrupt police officer who blackmails Bernie into resuming her criminal activities.

• Ray's Friend → Ray Kirschman (friend)

Story Analysis

A burglar framed by a murder investigates her way from a commissioned theft to the killer's capture.

Plot Progression

1. A Job Becomes a Murder Case — Ray blackmails Bernie into returning to burglary, and Cynthia hires her to retrieve jewelry from Christopher's home. Christopher is murdered during the burglary, leaving Bernie as the sole suspect.
2. Following Christopher's Connections — Bernie and Carl search bars for people who knew Christopher. They learn he had numerous romantic partners and receive three new leads.
3. The Leads Turn Deadly — Bernie investigates the artist and bartender among the suspects, but both turn up dead. With no clues or witnesses, she goes to Cynthia's home to demand answers.
4. A Television Clue — Bernie questions Cynthia and concludes she was with Christopher on the night of the murder. A television episode prompts Bernie to realize Carson knew Christopher.
5. The Park Confrontation — Bernie arranges to meet Carson in the park, bringing the bag of jewelry. She deduces his love for Christopher, and a scuffle ends with Bernie, Carl, and Ray capturing him.