Mrs. Masterson simpered. Marlin rolled her eyes and Fiona shot her a warning glance.

“We’re so happy you could visit. Let me see you to your car,” Al went on as he walked her down the driveway to where she was parked.

“Charlie, what did Mrs. Masterson mean that she was here because of something you said?” hissed Fiona when Mrs. Masterson was out of earshot.

“Nothing!” said Charlie.

“Mrs. Masterson said that Ashley told her mom that Charlie’s favorite game with the dolls was let’s pretend the parents are dead and the children are secretly living alone,” said Marlin.

“Argh,” groaned Fiona despairingly. “We were so busy keeping adults at bay it never occurred to me that Charlie’s doll would give it away. But Ashley’s dad must have seen Al at our house during the search for Natasha. And Al drove Ashley home that time.”

“Yeah, but Ashley told her that she always saw Al’s truck parked next door at the trailer and after Ashley told her about the doll game, Ashley’s mom began to connect the two things and wonder because Al’s truck shouldn’t have been at the trailer next door when he was supposed to be at work all day. So she called social services and Mrs. Masterson called here and got me,” Marlin went on, “and I called Al and Al called Mrs. Masterson back and he invited her to come over and he met her here, all cleaned up, and we all pretended that he was the guardian. He even shaved his beard to make a better impression. And he explained the trailer was his office and sometimes he drove there even though it was just next door and Mrs. Masterson believed him because I think by the time he was done with her she was half in love with him.”

They watched Al as his conversation with Mrs. Masterson ended and he slapped the hood of her car and she drove off waving gaily out the window. Then he headed back and came onto the porch.

“Well, that went well,” he said smugly.

“Yeah, thanks,” said Fiona.

“No more than I contracted for,” said Al. “Except, of course, I gave you that money back so I guess you do owe me. A simple thanks will do.”

“I said thanks,” said Fiona coldly.

“Listen, Fiona, how long are you going to stay mad at me?” asked Al.

“I’m not mad at you, I’m completely indifferent,” said Fiona. “I appreciate what you did for us but it’s only stopgap measures. She’s going to want to see paperwork we don’t have and I don’t have a solution for that.”

Al rubbed his chin. “No, I guess not,” he murmured.

“And you may have given the money back but you’re still getting meals, aren’t you?” said Fiona, and flounced into the house.

“Speaking of which,” said Al, “why don’t I take my supper now and save you a trip, Marl.”

“She’s Marlin to you!” called Fiona from inside. “I’m the only one allowed to call her Marl.”