The clerk behind the tall marble counter wore a brass name tag that said Mrs.

Gable.

She looked at my boots, then at the mud on my trouser cuffs.

“I need a title search run on a deed,” I said.

“A standard search takes five business days,” Mrs.

Gable said without looking up from her ledger.

“I need it done today,” I said.

“The expedited filing fee is three hundred dollars cash,” she said.