“Type the name Thomas Rountree in there,” I said.

Carl typed with one big thumb while the register let out a sharp, high beep to say the receipt tape was running low.

The screen spun for three seconds before a list of dark blue lines popped up across the glass.

“Here it is, boss,” Carl said.

“Smith County tax record from 1971.”

“What does it say?” I asked him.

“Thomas Rountree bought a frame house on Pine Street in Tyler,” Carl said.