Knox sat by the iron pump handle near the kitchen step, watching a gray heron rise above the pine trees.

Daniel took his round spectacles from his jacket pocket, wiped the lenses with his handkerchief, and slipped them onto his nose.

“They caught the duty clerk the minute the courthouse doors opened,” Daniel said, pointing toward the heavy timber doors of the workshop.

“It’s a standard ex parte motion to preserve disputed real estate assets.”

“He wants me off this land,” I said.

“He wants to freeze every physical asset outside your kitchen door,” Daniel said.