Investment corporation investigator Paul Jackson specializes in exposing fraudulent mediums who prey on people eager to contact their deceased loved ones. After Paul uncovers the trickery of San Francisco medium Madame Zobina, he bumps into an old army pal, Knobby Garfield. Although Paul is anxious to return to Los Angeles, to which he, his wife Sue and their young daughter Dianne recently moved, Knobby convinces him to stay to meet artist Isiah Davis, a psychic who specializes in "spirit painting." Paul is dubious, but agrees to meet Isiah the next day. Paul is intrigued with Isiah's metaphysical paintings but refutes Isiah's assertion that a person's spirit lives on after death. After Knobby and Isiah discuss Isiah's upcoming exhibition in Paris, Knobby and Paul leave for Los Angeles. During their drive, Paul loses control of the car, which then careens down a ravine.