Lund found them to be unpermitted, structurally unsound homemade boxes that add nothing whatsoever to the appraised value of the land.”

Vance cleared his throat loudly.

“The nine-hundred-thirty-dollar tax payment still stands unrebutted.”

“We ask for a brief recess,” Patricia said crisply.

“I’ll produce the original bank record for that particular check.”

At one o’clock we walked back across the street to Patricia’s office.

She took the bank image of Brad’s nine-hundred-thirty-dollar check out of her desk drawer and laid it under her desk lamp.

“Look right here,” Patricia said, pointing her silver pen at the lower left corner.