Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980): Season 6, Episode 5 - The Sunday Torch - full transcript

A series of arson fires has Honolulu on edge. Each fire occurs on Sunday and despite patrols by Hawaii Five-O and HPD, authorities haven't been able to catch the arsonist. So far, no one ...

Eagle 4 to Control. All clear.

Queen Emma to Beretania streets.

Eagle 3 to Control. All clear.

Vineyard and Punchbowl streets.

Financial and Robbin
sections all clear.

Proceeding to sweep Waikiki.

To all units.

Stand by for possible 10-59.

All H.P.D. units
continue surveillance.

Report every 15 minutes.

Keep looking, bruddahs.



It's a new game we play, Danno.

We call it the Sunday special.

Forty men, 12 cars
and two choppers.

The fine force of
the arson squad,

and supporting
H.P.D. and fire units.

And we don't even know
what we're looking for.

A man, woman, kid.

Eagle 3 to Control. I
got a guy with a package.

Approaching school building.

Forth Street and Beretania.

Suspect is breaking
into building.

All cars. All cars.

Proceed to Forth
Street and Beretania.

Suspicious person
seen entering building.



Use silent approach.

Which window?

That window.

Police. Freeze.
Put your hands up.

What is this?

What are you doing here?

I work here.

I'm the school janitor.

On Sunday? How come? Yes.

I'm making something special
for the kids on my own time.

Making what?

A sled.

A sled? In Honolulu?

Yes. That's right.

Christmas is coming. Most
kids haven't seen a sled.

I'm gonna to be Santa
Claus. Hey, leave that alone!

What's he got? Oh,
nails, lumber, and glue.

Why'd you come in
through the window?

I forgot my key.

It would take me half an
hour to go home and get it.

Okay. You got
some identification?

Sure. All you want.

Lieutenant? Yeah?

A 10-59 on Ala Moana.

Looks like another
Sunday special.

Stay in back of the ropes.
Back of the ropes, please.

Stand back. Stand back, please.

Let us through, folks.
Let us through, please.

A warehouse, a boat yard,

a beautician's training school

and a half-finished
apartment house.

Each burned on a
Sunday. Each an arson fire.

No question about it.

Each fire had multiple
points of origin:

Hotspots where the
fires burn more intensely

than the rest of the building.

Trailers connecting
one hotspot to another.

Sure sign of a touch off.

How about lab reports?

All negative.

The fires were so
hot, they consumed

all incendiary
substances used, if any.

Motive?

Pyromania. Nothing
else makes sense.

No rhyme or
reason to their acts.

No motive to follow. He
can strike anywhere, anytime.

Yeah. But this one...

This one only on Sunday.

Well, it fits in with
the pyro theory.

It's a compulsive
stamp. It's a trademark.

He might be a religious nut.

He?

Well, they fall into
a pattern, Steve.

Ninety percent of the time,
single males who live alone.

Transient, unemployed,
product of broken homes,

often sexually confused.

Well, sometimes the fire,
or even thinking about it,

can give them the only sexual
satisfaction they can achieve.

Yeah, but this guy
has got another trait.

What's that?

So far, every
building he's torched,

every one has been
unoccupied, nobody's been hurt.

So far, but that could be luck.

Yeah. Okay, gentlemen,
we move fast on this one.

Che, get down to the burnout
for microscopic samples.

See what H.P.D. has dug up.

Ben, Chin, a big one for you:

Get down to the computer room.

I want a 5-year check
of all arrest records,

not just arson
arrests, but any crimes

in which fire was
involved, even incidentally.

Danno, check the mainland files

of the National
Fire Underwriters.

See if you can come
up with a Sunday torch

any place in this country.

Right. Monty, thanks.

I'll, uh... I'll check
the pyro angle myself.

Be in touch.

We have people
with pyro tendencies

coming in all the
time for treatment.

But they're patients, Steve.
You can't see their files.

Doctor, I've already
seen some of their files,

the ones with criminal records.

All alibied?

Airtight.

So now you want the rest?

I can't give them to you.

Doctor, I've got a job to do.

There's a psycho trying
to burn down this city.

You'll find him without
my patients' files.

I'm not asking for their files.

Then, what?

I just want to talk
to your patients,

the ones with pyro tendencies.

I want you to ask them to
come in to see me on a...

On a voluntary basis

and account for their
last four Sundays.

Not a chance.

I said voluntary, doctor.

But I'd be asking them
to do it. Don't you see?

It would seem that I
was pressuring them

to expose their private
lives to the police.

I can't violate
their confidence,

not even by implication.

Doctor, you realize that
I can look at their files

if I get a court order.

You've asked for one?

I've asked for a hearing.

I'll oppose you, Steve.

Oh, I expected you to.

Try to see it from
my point of view.

Doctor, I've got six days.

Six days to try to stop a
psycho from striking again.

Now, what goes up next?

A church?

A Sunday school full of kids?

A hospital with
non-ambulatory patients?

Not everything is
empty on Sunday, doctor.

That's the boy.

He appeared at fires
two, three, and four.

After fire number
three, I staked him out.

He's unemployed, lives alone,

no friends, no
sweetheart, no relatives.

But best of all,

he goes for treatment
twice a week.

He meets all of
our requirements.

Well, I guess we're
ready for the big one now.

All ready.

Next.

Ray Stokely, 555-66-0449.

Did you work since
you were last here?

No.

Sign here for
your check, please.

Look, ma'am, if you
have some kind of a job.

Anything.

Nothing today.
Sign here, please.

Next.

Mr. Stokely.

I'm Carolyn Rogers,
special caseworker.

I know you that have
a particular problem

which I'm afraid the
young lady wasn't aware of.

I think we may have
something for you.

Go to this address
and ask for Mr. Klepper.

He'll be expecting you.

Thank you.

Where did you work last, Ray?

Uh, Telmark Office
Supplies in Cleveland, sir.

Why'd you leave?

Well, I-I wanted
to travel, so I, uh...

No, you might as
well know the truth.

It'll come out anyway.

I had some trouble
when I was a kid.

I did a lot of weird things.

I got caught.

The judge sent me
to the funny farm

so they could find
out what made me tick.

I was there for a year,
then they let me out.

I still go for
outpatient treatment.

Well, now you know.

Wait a minute, son.

You know, Ray, I really
admire your honesty.

I've had my own tough breaks.

How'd you like to start
in the shipping room?

Sure.

Now, you give
this to Mr. Shikado,

our shipping manager.

But I'm warning you,
he demands hard work.

That's all right with me, sir.

Good luck, Ray.

Thank you. Thanks a lot.

That's him. That's the man.

Are you sure? I'm sure.

What is it? What's going on?

For your sake,
Ray, I hope nothing.

Come on with us.

Well, what's this all about?

That's it, Mr. Klepper, 8582.

I've already looked inside.

Is this your car, Ray?

Yes, sir, it is,
but... Open it up.

I can't believe what
I'm seeing, Ray.

I didn't take these things,
sir. Is this the thanks I get?

I didn't take them. Someone
else must have put them there.

Now, who would that be?

There wasn't one person
around here who didn't

want you to succeed,
especially me.

That's about $200
worth of products,

all stolen from
the assembly line.

I didn't take them, sir.

I don't want to be lied
to. Get him out of here.

I didn't take them! I
didn't do it! I swear it!

Let go of me! I didn't
do anything, I swear!

I didn't do anything! Please,
you got to believe me!

I didn't do it! I didn't put
those things in the car!

I swear it! I swear
it! I didn't do it!

Yeah?

Mr. Stokely, this
is Carolyn Rogers,

state employment office.

I heard what happened
at the Klepper plant.

I'm just furious at those
people for blaming you

without giving
you a fair hearing.

Anyway, something
else has come up,

but we'll have to move fast.

The employer has a boat
concession on the Ala Wai,

and he'd like you
there for an interview.

Can I pick you up in,
uh, say half an hour?

Are you gonna drive me?

I told you I'm a special
caseworker, Ray,

and you're a very
special case to us.

Half an hour?

Why is it closed?

It's Sunday.

In here, Ray.

Hey, what are you doing?

Miss Rogers.

Miss Rogers.

Miss Rogers, what are you doing?

Help!

Help! Help me!

Chin, look.

Eagle 6 to Control.

Eagle 6 to Control.

Big cloud of smoke
over Pekoi near Kilauea.

Looks like a factory building.

10-4. All sectors.

Police and fire units
to Pekoi and Kilauea.

Let's move it.

Who is he?

The plant security guard.

How bad? Touch and go.

He stayed conscious
long enough to get out.

Okay.

McGARRETT: Ben.

I want that man
guarded 'round the clock.

Three shifts, eight hours each.

Get all the manpower
you need from H.P.D.

Chin.

Start working the crowd. Look
for eyewitnesses and suspects.

Che, you know what we're
looking for. Start digging.

Right.

Danno, try to find the owner.

Get him over to
my office right away.

And Danno,

get a background on him.

Thanks, captain.

Same story.

Hotspots, trailers?

Yeah.

You all right, Marty?
Yeah, I'm fine.

If we're lucky, this
may be the jackpot.

Dust it.

Get it under a scope fast.

Incendiary origin?

You mean that fire was...

Set. No question about it.

But by whom?

Who in the world would go
into a plant on a Sunday...?

Sunday.

Sunday torch.

I've read about him. Each
Sunday, a different fire.

Is that who it was?
That crazy pyro?

Well, that's one possibility.

Can you think of
anyone with a reason

to burn your factory down?

Reason?

Mr. McGarrett, I'm an
honest businessman.

I provide 200 jobs, top wages.

There has never been
anyone work for me who...

Now, wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

Is it possible that...

What? Is what possible?

No.

No, that wouldn't be fair,

to accuse someone
when you're not sure.

Well, you label it "hunch"
and we'll treat it that way.

Well, there was an
incident this week,

a young man caught stealing.

I fired him. There
was quite a scene.

Did he... Did he threaten you?

No. No, he didn't.

But, uh, there is something
you should know about him.

When I hired the boy,

he told me he had a
history of mental illness.

What's his name?

Ray, um, Roy...

Oh, well, my personnel
manager might remember.

He should be home right now.

Please, use my phone.

Thank you.

Danno: Steve?

Breakthrough.

I did a spectroanalysis
of the empty can.

It contained a commercial
paint thinner called Teffrin.

Odorless, colorless,
highly inflammable.

I'm here at the 5-0 office...

Any prints on the can?

None.

Danno, I want a list of all
the outlets on the islands

that sell this Teffrin.

And, uh, check with
them about recent buyers.

What about Klepper? Anything?

The reports are just coming in.

He's one of the most successful
businessmen in the islands.

Pharmaceutical exports.

Business is booming, and
no recent insurance additions.

Got it. Thanks, Charlie.

Yes, terrible thing. Terrible.

Right-o. Thank
you again. Bye-bye.

His name is Ray Stokely.

That's his address.

Get the back, Chin.

Five-0. Open up!

I found something,
Steve, outside.

Steve? Yes, Danno?

Paint thinner was delivered
to Ray Stokely yesterday

by Joshua Kohana,

assistant manager of
the Pali Hardware Store.

Can he identify Stokely?

No, the order was
placed by phone

with instructions to
leave it on the back porch.

The money was in an
envelope taped to the door.

Looks like Stokely was
very careful not to be seen.

Yeah, could be.

Dr. Bishop to see you, Steve.

Okay, Chin. Send her in.

All right, doctor. I'll take it.

You said something
about a court order, Steve.

Here it is, signed
by Judge Kalehei

half-hour ago on the
Ala Wai golf course.

I can save you some time.

Ray Stokely's my patient,

and he does have a pyro history.

Doctor, if I had known
that a couple of days ago,

I might have prevented
what happened today.

I don't think so, Steve.

I don't think he did it.

We have motive, we have history,

we have purchase of material,
and you don't think he did it?

He'll have problems
for years to come.

But as far as the
pyromania goes,

I strongly believe he's cured.

Oh, you strongly believe it?

Look at that.

A building a week going up,
and you strongly believe it.

Danno, I want an
APB on Ray Stokely.

All islands.

Suspicion of arson
and attempted murder.

Thank you, doctor.

Turn around.

Get your hands
up against the car.

Move.

Who is it?

Who is it?

Me, Klepper. Open up.

You're late.

Yes, I'm late.

Been with the police
for over an hour,

answering questions.

I prepared you for that.

Pull yourself together.

Phase four of the plan,
complete and perfect.

You do your part, you
have nothing to worry about.

One thing. One
thing to worry about.

What's that?

You know damn well what's that.

The guard, my security guard,

in the hospital in a coma.

Oh, yes, I heard
about that. I'm sorry.

Sorry? Is that all you can say?

No one was to be hurt.

That was our
agreement, remember?

Accidents happen.

Accidents? You left
that man there to burn.

What kind of person are you?

A person people hire.

And when they do, they
become my accomplice.

Don't ever forget
that, and do your job.

McGARRETT: This
film was delivered

to the morning
paper anonymously.

I'd like you to tell me if
anything looks unreal,

anything might
appear to be doctored

or changed or faked to you.

Is that you in the crowd?

Yeah.

And you again?

Yeah.

And the third time?

Yeah.

Who took those pictures?

I have no idea. Told
you they were delivered

to the paper anonymously.

Anonymously?

What were you doing
at those fires, Ray?

Just looking.

Just looking?

Yeah.

Let's take it back to Friday,

the last day you worked
at the Klepper plant.

They accused you of
stealing, they fired you,

and you claim you went home.

That's right.

And did what?

Nothing.

Nothing?

You just went home
and stayed there

till Miss Rogers called
you in the morning?

Yes, sir, that's right.

Steve.

We've just learned that
there is no Miss Rogers

at the state employment office.

I submit that you were angry
because you lost your job,

that you went
home and ordered...

No, that's not true!

You went to the
plant... No, it's not true.

I didn't do
anything! I swear it!

Take him down to Detention.

Arraign him in the morning.

Get him something to eat.

Come on, Ray.

You still hate him?

No, I don't hate him.

Give me one reason,

one reason to believe
anything he said.

Ask whoever it is that
sent those pictures.

What are you talking about?

That's not the way
a pyro acts at a fire,

not the way Ray acted
when he was disturbed.

Steve, take a look at
his file, a close look.

You wanted it badly enough.

McGarrett.

Steve, the kid was
at the boat hire place.

His prints were all over it.

He was out there when?

Can't tell.

Maybe last night.
Maybe some other time.

Are you saying that he could
have been locked in that place

at the time the fire was set?

Possible, Steve.
No way to be sure.

I'll double-check everything.

Okay, Che. Thank you.

You want a patsy
for an arson fire,

so you scout an
ex-mental patient like Ray,

you set him up with a motive.

The stolen goods, the firing.

Could be part of a frame.

Could easily...

Easily order a case of
paint thinner by phone

and have it delivered.

Then the real torch sets a blaze

and just makes sure to
leave a can at the site.

But first he'd have to make sure

that he had no alibi
for the time of the fire.

So the blonde and the
boathouse makes sense.

Yeah. But, Steve,

if Ray getting fired was
part of the frame-up,

Klepper would have
to be involved in it.

Klepper...

Klepper and the
nonexistent blonde.

But that's...

That's where the
theory falls apart, Danno.

Why Klepper?

Rich, successful,
business booming,

not even over-insured.

Why would he or his wife
want his factory destroyed?

Give me a rundown on
Klepper again, will you, Danno?

Let's see.

Otis Klepper.

Fifty-two, president of the
Klepper Pharmaceutical Company,

"Drug and chemical manufacturers
with national distribution

"including Army
hospital contracts.

"The gross company
income shows steady rise

"Over the past five years,

"including current
quarterly earnings.

"Married, no children.

Hobbies are
boating, golf, bridge."

He leads a quiet, personal life.

You said Army
hospital contracts.

Yeah.

Get a telex off

to the Pentagon
procurement division.

Request a status report

on Klepper
Pharmaceutical Company.

Uh, ask them to send us

a tagged confidential
police emergency.

Right.

Get Klepper and his wife.

Well, what's going on?

We've, uh, come into possession
of some motion picture film

that shows Ray Stokely

at three out of those
five Sunday fires.

Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that.

We'd like you
to look at the film

and perhaps make a
positive identification,

if you would. All right.

Please sit down.

Honey.

Gentlemen.

Recognize anyone?

Yes, there's Ray
standing on the left.

Now he's walking
away from the fire.

Walking away?

That's curious, isn't it?

Why curious?

Well, most pyros stick around

to watch the result
of what they've done.

That's what Ray did
as a juvenile offender.

It's all in his file.

He, uh, led the
firemen to the scene.

Then he'd show them
where the fire started.

Well, I don't know
about those things.

Well, psychiatrists do.

Then why would
he be at the fires?

Oh, maybe lured.

Maybe somebody set those
fires to find a Ray Stokely

and lure him there
like a moth to a flame.

And those fires would
serve another purpose.

They would establish
a pattern of pyromania,

a pattern in which the true
arson fire would be buried.

And which fire was that?

Yours, Mr. Klepper.

Ha-ha.

Well, that's nonsense.

I've got a thriving business.

Thriving and profitable,

even more so than
might be expected.

That happens at first
when a man decides to use

substandard materials,
cheap production methods.

More than 25 cases of hepatitis

reported at Army hospitals
in the last few months.

McGARRETT: Your
products suspended.

But a firm conclusion
couldn't be drawn

until a full-scale inspection
was made of your plant,

by the government. That
was to take place next week.

And it would have
cleared me completely.

Well, no one will ever know now
because we can't prove anything.

Your, uh... Your
hired torch saw to that,

but he made one
fatal error, Mr. Klepper,

in the person of Alfred
Johnson, the security guard.

The man just died.

So we're not talking
about arson any longer.

We're talking about murder.

Well, that is the
wildest speculation, sir.

You can't prove a
thing against me.

They tell me that
one size fits all.

Mrs. Klepper,

put it on, please.

What for?

No idea? No.

Do you have any reason
for not putting it on?

No, I...

I don't want that thing
on my head, that's all.

Ben.

Mr. Klepper.

Miss Rogers,

do you have another job for me?

Thanks, Ray. Thank you.

One last chance.

One last chance to
turn state's evidence

and maybe free yourself
from a murder charge.

Maybe.

I address myself
to you, Mrs. Klepper,

because you're in this
up to your blonde wig.

She had nothing
to do with murder.

Neither did I.

It was him, that
arsonist, that torch.

We told him we didn't
want anybody hurt.

Where is he now?

On his way to the airport
making a 10:00 flight.

What airline?

I don't know.

What's his name?

Anthony Porter.
You've got to find him.

He'll do it again,
maybe even worse.

I never saw a man who
loved his work so much.

He planned it all.

Loved his work.

Describe him to me.

5'9”, about 45, brown hair.

And he's on the way
to the airport now?

What is he driving?
Four-door, bronze,

'72 compact.

Two-alarm fire at
Pensacola and Kolihi streets.

H.F.D. units responding.

Cars 22 and 31 proceed to scene.

2-xray-4.2-xray-4.

Cancel your call. 1-Juliette-3.

11-xray-81, 11-xray-81.

See the manager, 484...

What's the rush, Mr. Porter?

Where's the fire?