Original air date: November 7, 1998

Written by: Tommy Thompson

Directed by: Fred K. Keller

Jarod’s plans to punish a man, who makes a living by causing deadly bombings, go awry when the man is himself a victim of a mysterious explosion.

Jarod’s Discoveries:

Jarod’s Occupations: Contract Arsonist

Jarod’s Aliases: Jarod Burns

Behind the scenes insights and the Creator’s Take

Official Synopsis

Jarod falls for a beautiful woman whose husband dies under mysterious circumstances.

Jarod watches from afar as a stranger, whom we will come to know as Kristi Kincaid, offers a homeless man her table at a fashionable restaurant.  Jarod and Kristi strike up a brief conversation, and the chemistry between them cannot be denied.  Later, Jarod meets with attorney Tom Binner.  It turns out that Binner is screening applicants for an “incendiary” business proposition.  Jarod points out an eighteen foot yacht docked nearby.  As Binner turns and looks, the boat explodes.  Sheriff Carver, who is dining nearby, reacts with horror as his prized possession is demolished.

Jarod’s “calling card” has the intended effect.  It wins him an interview with Binner’s boss, Harold Kincaid.  Harold needs a professional capable of destroying buildings and making it look accidental.  The conversation is interrupted when Kristi enters the room.  Harold fabricates a story, introducing Jarod as an architect.  Jarod take up residence in the Kincaid’s guest house.  Later that night, Jarod is awakened by a woman’s desperate scream.  He opens the door of the guest house, and sees Kristi running towards him.  She describes how a fire swept through the main house.  Suddenly, an explosion rips through the structure, killing Harold.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lyle is reduced to tears when he views the DSA of his birth.  Miss Parker is strangely moved by the sight.  Later, Sydney tells her that Lyle is going through a transformation; a rebirth.  Shortly thereafter, the Centre receives an envelope addressed to Miss Parker.  Inside is a photograph of an Asian woman, with Chinese letters written below.  Along with the photo is a note: “Trust can kill you or set you free.”

Sheriff Randall Carver and his deputy, Jane Kilborn, investigate the incident.  The Kincaid’s maid verifies Jarod’s whereabouts at the time of the explosion.  The maid also saw a dark figure running from the main house right after the explosion took place.

Broots discovers that the mysterious Asian woman’s name is Che Ling, a native of the Xinjiang province in northern China.  It turns out that Che Ling was a mail order bride who ended up in Las Vegas.  Miss Parker instructs Broots to dig further.

Kristi tells Jarod she would feel much more comfortable staying at her cabin outside of town.  Jarod accompanies Kristi to the cabin, where he discovers a small leak in a gas pipe.  Kristi agrees to have it replaced.  Later, Kristi and Jarod share a kiss.  But they pull apart before their emotions escalate further.

Jarod determines to find out who was responsible for Harold’s death.  Carver attempts to pin the murder on Jarod.  But Binner intercedes, winning Jarod’s release from custody on Kristi’s behalf.

Broots discovers that Che Ling made a call to 911 on the night before she disappeared.  He plays back a recording of the conversation she had with the 911 operator.  In it, Che Ling pleads for help, as someone is about to do her harm.  She identifies her whereabouts as Desert Vista Apartments.  Shortly thereafter, Miss Parker receives another delivery from Jarod.  Inside is a photograph of Mr. Parker descending the steps of Desert Vista Apartments.

Jarod returns to the Kincaid estate.  There, he and Kristi share a warm embrace.  The moment is interrupted by the housekeeper, who has discovered fire bombing paraphernalia inside Jarod’s closet.  Jarod grabs hold of Kristi.  He tells her he had nothing to do with the explosion.  He reveals that he traveled to Clear Bay to punish Harold for the innocent lives he has destroyed in the other bombings.  Suddenly, sirens sound in the distance.  Kristi tells Jarod to take refuge in the remote cabin.

Broots discovers that Che Ling was beaten to death and dumped near a highway.  He also discovers a wedding photo in the back of a Las Vegas newspaper—a photo of Che Ling and her husband, Mr. Lyle.  Miss Parker is stunned and angered.  She confronts Lyle, who claims he had nothing to do with Che Ling’s death.  Mr. Parker seeks to clear the air by inviting his family to dinner that evening.

When Jarod returns to the cabin, he smells a distinct odor of gas.  He discovers a small explosive charge and time detonator hidden inside the chimney.  Sheriff Carver’s cruiser pulls up in front of the cabin.  Sitting in the passenger seat is Kristi.  Jarod slips out the back way and confronts Kristi.  She tells him how much she loves him.  Jarod is torn.  He nonetheless moves up the path and enters the cabin.  Shortly thereafter, the cabin explodes.

Kristi prepares to relocate to Paris.  But she is forced to put her plans on hold when Binner states that she must sign paperwork before she leaves or risk losing a great sum of money.  Later, Jarod shows up at the estate… accompanied by Deputy Kilborn and a handcuffed Sheriff Carver.  Jarod explains that he and Carver slipped out of the cabin’s back door before the explosion erupted.  He also reveals that Carver confessed to murdering Harold… and implicated Kristi in the plot.

Later, Miss Parker and her father leave the Centre to attend their dinner.  Unbeknownst to them, Lyle sits in his office… cutting pictures of Asian women from a mail order catalogue.