“She used her old stamp anyway,” Daniel said. “They figured no one would check the active registry list until after the deed was recorded.”

“It’s a desperate move,” I said.

“It’s a fast move,” Daniel corrected. “In their minds, by the time we prove the notary was invalid, the land will already be paved.”

We got out of the car, the slam of the doors echoing in the empty concrete garage.

My heels clicked against the floor as we walked toward the glass doors of the elevator lobby.

Inside, the elevator was bright and smelled of industrial cleaner.

We rode up to the fourth floor in silence, watching the numbers light up one by one.

When the doors opened, Rachel was waiting for us at the end of the carpeted hallway.

Her office door was open, throwing a warm wedge of yellow light onto the floor.

“Tell me you have the physical ledger,” Rachel said before we even reached her.

“Right here,” I said, holding up the folder.

“Good,” she said, ushering us inside and locking the door behind us. “Because Vance’s attorneys just sent me a formal cease-and-desist.”