“Have you ever been married?”

I held up two fingers.

“And how did that turn out?”

“Just because I couldn’t solve my own problems doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have a go at yours.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you’ll have to let us muddle through on our own.”

“But you’re making a hash of it,” I said. “This is what I find so exasperating. I thought rich people were smart. I thought that’s why you raked in all the money, because you had life all figured out.”

“Wouldn’t that be lovely,” she said, but her expression was bleak.

39

When I got home, Henry’s kitchen light was off. I unlocked the studio and went in just long enough to turn on living room lamps so I wouldn’t have to return to a dark apartment. When I peered out the window, I could see light in the Shallenbargers’ kitchen across the driveway. As Edna moved about, crossing from the sink to the stove, I realized even her shadow was sufficient to fill me with rage. I locked up and trotted the half block to Rosie’s.

Henry was sitting at his usual table, working on the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle and helping himself to freshly popped corn. He had a Black Jack over ice on the table next to him. “Oh good. Are you having supper here? I could use the company. Now that my water line has been repaired, I feel a burden has been lifted.”

“I’m not much in the mood to eat,” I said. I sat down and settled my shoulder bag on the floor by my chair. “We have a problem.”

“Of what sort?”

“I did some checking today and discovered that the Adelsons are still the legal owners of the house next door. The Shallenbargers put the water service in their name and possibly other utilities as well, though I’m not sure about that. The point is, they have no agreement with the Adelsons to rent, lease, or otherwise occupy that house. They’re squatters.”

He blinked. “Are you sure?”

“I called the Adelsons in Richmond and discussed the situation with Trish. She proposed flying out, but I said we’d have a conversation with them first.”

“How did they have the nerve?”

“It’s possible they knew the Adelsons had moved out of state and thought they could slip in without anyone knowing the difference. The real estate market isn’t exactly booming. Trish says their agent hasn’t showed the house in months. God knows what would have happened if she had come by with prospective buyers. I guess the Shallenbargers would have claimed they had a bona fide rental agreement. Their agent would be furious to think they’d rented the place after she so strongly advised them against the idea, but she wouldn’t be able to confirm or refute the arrangement without making a long-distance call the way I did. In the meantime, the Shallenbargers would probably just come up with another bogus claim.”

“How’d they get in in the first place? I’m sure the Adelsons left the place secure.”