Wade put his finger right on the corporate registry line on page four of the settlement draft.

“He listed Oakridge Development Group as a church charitable trust,” Wade said, “but he left the required state tax exemption number off the transfer signature page.”

“What does that do for us?” I asked.

“It means the land transfer clause is plainly invalid on its face,” Wade said, pointing to the shell company’s name on the legal paper.

By six on Monday morning, the gray autumn light coming through the window of Room 214 had turned the white hospital wall the color of wet ash.

Helen stepped around the IV pole to adjust the plastic oxygen valve, her shoes squeaking once on the linoleum.