Henderson my answer is no,” I said.

“I drafted the formal rejection letter before we even left my office,” Margaret said, sipping her tea.

“And I included a reminder that Mitchell Family Holdings holds full legal title to every square foot of that property.”

I got back to the coastal apartment at four in the afternoon.

A young man in a dark navy delivery uniform stood on the narrow porch holding an enormous wicker basket wrapped in glossy clear cellophane.

“Are you Robert Mitchell?” he asked.