Hayes stepped forward and set a paper down on the court clerk’s wooden desk.

“We’ve submitted the certified 1990 death certificate for the deceased’s wife, Claire Rowan,” Hayes added.

“The family history is fully established under state law.”

Howard Cobb rose slowly from our table, tapping his unlit wooden pipe against the flat of his right palm.

“Your Honor,” Howard said, his Southern drawl slow and even, “the woman listed as deceased in that petition is sitting in the second row of this courtroom.”

A sharp murmur swept through the spectator benches, and two court bailiffs moved closer to the center aisle.