Judge Norris looked from one table to the other, her expression darkening slightly at the sudden change in tone.

“Very well,” Judge Norris said.

She raised her wooden gavel in her right hand and brought it down on the sound block with a sharp, heavy crack to open the hearing.

The clerk called the case number, and the rustle of paper filled the high-ceilinged room.

Judge Evelyn Norris adjusted her reading glasses and looked down at the draft quitclaim deed on her blotter.

“Mrs.