“No, I’m not selling anything,” Ruth said. “I do have a story to tell you about your family that goes back to the Civil War. I think it might interest you.”

Linda Massey, the closest surviving descendant of Lieutenant Charles Breacken of the Union Army, was five hundred thousand dollars richer.

Ruth left an hour later, feeling so fine she clicked up her heels. She waved to Dix, who was leaning against his Range Rover, waiting for her. She gave him a huge grin and a thumbs-up.