He brought the gavel down on the block once with a sharp crack that silenced the whole gallery.

“All liquid assets, real property accounts and business equity tied to the estate of Frank Miller are hereby frozen under the authority of this county court,” Judge Vance said.

“And the county clerk is directed to send an official order to state vital statistics correcting Mara Rowan’s parentage records.”

Judge Vance collected his file folders, stood, and went out through the heavy wooden door into his chambers.

Howard Cobb turned to us at the counsel table and gave a slow, measured nod.