Character Relationship Map: Arson for Hire

Characters

• Arson Squad Inspector John "Johnny" Broderick (played by Steve Brodie) — protagonist

  Arson squad investigator leading the probe into a series of warehouse fires. He works alongside his assistant and actively pursues the criminal mastermind, with actress Keely Harris cooperating in the...

• Keely Harris (played by Lyn Thomas) — protagonist

  Actress who inherited a heavily insured warehouse from her father. She becomes the target of arsonist William Yarbo, who attempts to blackmail her into a fraud scheme, but she ultimately chooses to co...

• Ben Howard, Broderick's Assistant (played by Tom Hubbard) — supporting

  Assistant to Arson Squad Inspector Johnny Broderick. He joins the initial investigation into the warehouse fire and helps uncover crucial evidence indicating that the blaze was deliberately set.

• William Yarbo (played by Jason Johnson) — supporting

  Corrupt lawyer orchestrating a series of incendiary warehouse fires for insurance fraud. He coerces Keely Harris into the scheme, threatens to frame her, and later attempts to murder her at the movie...

• Fire Chief Boswell (played by Robert Riordan) — supporting
• Pop Bergen (played by Frank J. Scannell) — supporting

  Professional arsonist hired by William Yarbo to execute the fire set. He is the father of Marily Bergen and ultimately perishes in one of the targeted conflagrations.

• Barney, the Bartender (played by Reed Howes) — minor
• Chief Hollister (played by Walter Reed) — minor
• Cab Dispatcher (played by Lester Dorr) — minor
• Man Making Phone Calls (played by Frank Richards) — minor
• Marilyn 'Marilee' Bergen (played by Wendy Wilde) — supporting

  Daughter of Pop Bergen, the arsonist hired by Yarbo.

• Clete, the Photographer (played by John Frederick) — minor
• Cindy, the Secretary (played by Corinne Cole) — minor
• Foxy Gilbert (played by Antony Carbone) — minor
• Jim, the Fireman (played by Lyn Osborn) — minor

Story Analysis

A lawyer orchestrates insurance fraud through city fires, forcing an actress to cooperate with investigators to survive his lethal retaliation.

Plot Progression

1. The Spark of Suspicion
2. The Insurance Conspiracy
3. Blood and Betrayal
4. Studio Showdown