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Loud footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Mrs. Food sighed.“Bob again,” she said, reaching out and stroking Walt’s neck. “I wish we had more time.”

The door burst open so violently that it banged against the opposite wall. A small figure raced in, slamming the door again behind her. It was a very un-Bob-like way to open a door. That was probably because it wasn’t Bob. It was Madison.

She was clutching Polo in a sweaty grip and stopped short when she saw Mrs. Food.“Oh. Mrs. Fudeker. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know you were… I just… Is this your rat?”

Mrs. Food reached out for Polo.“Why yes, Polo! How nice of you to return her.” Polo crawled into Mrs. Food’s hand and hugged one of her fingers.

Madison glanced back toward the door.“Yeah, they said I wasn’t supposed to, but I had to, right? I mean, she’s your rat.” She reached down and patted Butterbean on the head. “I’ve been taking care of these guys while you’ve been gone, but I can’t anymore. They’re taking me—” She broke off in a strangled sob. “Anyway, I wanted to say thank you? To these guys, and to you, I guess.” She looked around the room at the animals. “I don’t know how you did it. But I know it was you. So thank you.” She looked at Mrs. Food again. “They’ll understand.”

Mrs. Food nodded.“I’m sure they will.” She hesitated. “You’re Ruby Park’s niece?”

More footsteps could be heard in the hallway. Madison winced at the sound.“Yeah. Anyway, sorry about barging in. I just—”

The door flew open, and a tall red-faced woman in a blazer stood in the doorway.“Madison! I told you we were going straight to the car.” She turned to Mrs. Food. “I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am. I’m Mrs. Taylor, and this little girl is on her way to her new foster home. I’m sure you heard about the incident on the top floor? We’ll just be leaving now.” She gripped Madison by the upper arm and pulled her toward the door.

Butterbean wuffled softly and turned her most soulful gaze toward Mrs. Food. Walt bumped her head against Mrs. Food’s arm, purr volume turned up to high. Even Polo blinked in her cutest way (although she was severely hampered by her sweaty, matted fur).

Mrs. Food gave the slightest nod and put on a puzzled expression.“But why?”

Mrs. Taylor hesitated.“Why what, ma’am?”

“Why are you taking her to a foster home? She already has a home. She lives here, with me,” Mrs. Food said, frowning.

“What? What do you mean?” Mrs. Taylor glanced from Mrs. Food to Madison and back again.

“I mean she lives here. Why? What were you told?” Mrs. Food’s voice was chilly.

“Wait, you mean… I’m sorry. She lives here?” Mrs. Taylor looked at Madison accusingly. “She didn’t say she lives here. No one told me she had a guardian.”

Mrs. Food sniffed.“Well, I can’t help that. It was all arranged with her aunt, Ruby Park. Madison is staying here with me while her aunt is deployed in… Where is it again, dear?”

“Afghanistan,” Madison said, hardly daring to breathe.

“Afghanistan, yes,” Mrs. Food said. “You can check with her if you like, but we have it all arranged. It’s very convenient, you see, because we live in the same building.”

“That’s what I meant when I said I lived downstairs,” Madison said, shooting a hopeful look at Mrs. Food. “I didn’t mean my aunt’s apartment on the eighth floor—I meant here. I tried to tell you.”

Mrs. Taylor glared at them both suspiciously. Mrs. Food and Madison stared back without even blinking, they were trying so hard to look innocent.

Mrs. Taylor reluctantly let go of Madison’s arm. “Oh. Well. I will be checking on this, I can tell you that,” she huffed. “But if your aunt set it up…”

“She did. It’s in my Family Care Plan,” Madison said. “That’s why it was so important for me to come here. So Mrs. Fudeker could explain.”

“Well. I see. Well,” Mrs. Taylor fumed. “Thank you for your help then, Mrs. Fudeker. We’ll be in touch.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Food said calmly. Mrs. Taylor turned stiffly and marched out.

Madison whipped around to face Mrs. Food.“This isn’t going to work, is it? They’ll never fall for it! We’ll get in trouble. They’ll check and see it’s not true!”

Mrs. Food smiled.“It won’t matter if they check if we fix things first. Listen, Madison, would you like to live here with me while your aunt is away? We can call Mrs. Taylor back if you don’t want to.”

“I definitely want to!”

“Good. I’d love to have you here. And I’m not supposed to live alone right now either, so it’s good for both of us. Now, what do we have to do to get in touch with your aunt—can you call her?” Mrs. Food stood up carefully. “There’s a phone in the office.”

“I can e-mail her,” Madison said quickly. “She’s always liked you, so she’ll definitely say yes. I think she just needs to change the plan she filed for me.”

“Then e-mail, quickly. The computer’s in the office too. And then go get your things—we’ll get you set up in the guest bedroom.”

Madison grinned.“Got it.”

Mrs. Food smiled tightly.“Now the only problem is my nurse. She should be here any—”