The Yellow Ochre Stain: Sage Grayling is a trompe l'oeil painter, who periodically finds himself in new locations for extended periods of time as he executes large commissions. While working on a painting in Los Angeles his boss is murdered. Sage finds himself a suspect since is one of three who knew the security code for the house. Establishing his innocence is jeopardized when his dislike for authoritarian arrogance causes him to cross the investigating sheriff.