The children weren't trying to hide.
They were listening to an adult acknowledge what had happened without blaming them.
Marcus didn't take them directly home.
He called his older sister, who lived twenty minutes away and had always been close to Nia.
She answered immediately.
He explained enough for her to understand that there had been a serious problem involving Vanessa and the children's belongings.
He didn't tell the entire story over speakerphone.
He simply asked whether the children could spend the evening with her while he handled the situation at the house.
His sister didn't hesitate.
"Bring them."
Marcus drove to her home.
She was waiting on the porch when they arrived.
The moment Nia stepped out of the car, her aunt opened her arms.
The girl walked toward her slowly.
Then began crying.
Her aunt held her without asking questions.
For several minutes, they stood together beside the front steps.
Marcus watched.
His sister looked toward him over Nia's shoulder.
Her expression contained a question he couldn't yet answer.
Why hadn't he known?
He lowered his eyes.
The children went inside.
Caleb and Ava were welcomed just as warmly.
His sister prepared snacks, found a movie for them to watch, and let the younger two settle into the living room.
Then she returned to Marcus.
They stood in the kitchen.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, she asked.
"How bad is it?"
Marcus placed the small protective pouch containing the necklace on the counter.
His sister stared.
Then covered her mouth.
She knew the necklace.
She had been present when Marcus purchased it.
For several seconds, she looked as though she couldn't breathe.
"Where did you find that?"
He explained.
The department store.
The shopping bags.
The photographs of pawnshop receipts.
And the birthday letters Nia hadn't received.
His sister listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she gripped the edge of the counter.
Then she looked directly at him.
"Marcus, I need to tell you something."
His stomach tightened.
"What?"
She hesitated.
"Nia tried to talk to me last month."
He stared.
His sister continued.
"She asked whether her mother would be angry if she forgot what her voice sounded like."
For a moment, Marcus couldn't speak.
His sister looked toward the necklace.
"I told her no. Then she asked whether it was wrong to want things back that someone had taken."
Marcus felt a terrible chill.
"Did she tell you who?"
His sister shook her head.
"No. She got scared and changed the subject."
For several seconds, they stood in silence.
Then his sister whispered.