“I’m the only person authorized to sign agreements involving corporate assets.”

Davis reached into the file and took out a photocopy.

“He supplied an unsigned quitclaim draft from 2010 and said the original signed deed had been misplaced during the estate settlement.”

“The original deed is locked away in my personal safe,” I said.

Davis nodded slowly and took a red pen from his coat pocket.

“Our underwriters flagged the application yesterday morning because the county land registry listed Mitchell Family Holdings as the only legal owner.”

“Has the application been formally turned down?” I asked.