“Under the terms of Kade’s 1979 property grant,” I said, “sole trustee authority passes directly to Margaret’s surviving spouse when she dies.”

Arthur put his stapled pages down on the podium, his knuckles going white against the dark mahogany.

“That marriage application was made invalid by an emergency court stay.”

“The clerk stamped the license application at five o’clock Friday afternoon,” Wade said, taking a step forward.

“Your stay order reached the clerk’s counter twenty minutes after five.”

Arthur looked down at the six elders, but not one of them raised a hand to speak.

“Who gave the county auditor authority to lock the transfer file?” Arthur asked.