Attractive, hard-working Lewis 'Lew' Brookbank's love - and professional life came crumbling down after he found his adulterous wife Janice and her lover Dick murdered on a yacht. He moved to a derelict gas station in Carpenteria, where he paints commercial signs. Lew accidentally overhears a couple making love in their car and planning the kidnapping and murder of the man's wife. Lew manages to track them down: jewelry manager Ralph Hagen and antiques shop clerk Isobel Delano. Lew confides in present lover Rita Caswell, needing help with the sinister Herbert Claremont while he plans to blackmail the kidnappers. More complications follow.