It was a heavy cream document bearing the raised gold seal of the county court.

“Circuit Judge Arthur Vance awarded Claire sole legal and physical custody on October 28, 1990,” Howard said.

“Your stepfather lost every last motion he filed.”

“Then why didn’t anyone enforce it?” I asked.

“Because three days after the judge signed this decree, your mother showed up as deceased in the county computer,” Howard said.

“When the deputy went to serve the final order, Gene handed him a copy of entry 114.”

By half past eleven, the late morning rain had turned the kitchen window on Birch Street into a solid sheet of gray water.