Suspense with a surprise that makes it all the more delightful to visit Chicago in the 1960s

Leo appears to be just another downtown bum, but he and Libby, Memnet, and Roy share a secret that requires constant vigilance. They live off the grid in the basement of an almost forgotten museum and survive mostly by committing petty crimes. (Roy likes to steal root beer and cake.)

Each of them has gifts for surviving; each has weaknesses, as well. They make it through each day by working together and trusting each other. Major changes happen when they meet Jake, an orphan who witnessed a murder.

The killers come after the girl, and the four adults see no choice but to take her "home" with them. Soon, they're all targets, and Chicago streets are a constant danger. The squatters know they should leave the museum and create new lives, but with secrets they can't reveal, where can they go? How will they live?

With great suspense and gentle humor, the "family" lies their way to becoming respectable, yet anonymous, citizens. Once they have a new home (and after a stunning plot twist), an uneasy peace settles in. Maybe things will work out. But peace is fragile, and bad guys don't just give up.

In the end, Leo and friends must face a band of killers in order to save themselves and prevent an American tragedy. If they succeed, it will be partly due to help from a green FBI agent but mostly because of their determination to protect each other. After all, they're not dead yet....