When a disagreement with a supervisor and an error in judgment put Sarah Murdock's career as an FBI agent in jeopardy, she moves back to California and takes a position as deputy sheriff in the quiet community of Surprise Valley. However, when she is sent to recover a dead body, a knapsack full of Native American artifacts is strapped to the old man, and the recovery becomes a full-blown investigation. But it's not as easy as it sounds. Many obstacles get in her way including a nosy neighbor who practically insists on helping with the investigation, a surprise visit from her urbanite sister, a robbery involving the mayor's mother, and an undersheriff who is an FBI reject, resents women deputies, and refuses to make the necessary contacts with the Bureau. Finally, Sarah takes matters into her own hands, and Special Agent Michael Baxter from the Art Crime Team arrives on the scene, ready for action - almost. More of a scientist than a lawman, he has a strange physical feature and cannot stand the sight of blood, and there is a lot of it when two prime suspects are found murdered.