“Honey, we’re here.” Nancy’s voice recalled a tuning fork, high and trembling.

Ava fell into the woman’s arms, her composure shattering. Bill immediately closed ranks, wrapping his bulky body around both wife and granddaughter, a human shield against the cold and whatever else might come.

They held each other like that for what seemed a full minute, tears streaming down cheeks, shoulders shaking. Imani studied the family portrait with regret. She should have held Ava this morning, she thought. She should have given her a shoulder to cry on rather than a glass of orange juice, a tense family breakfast, and a weak promise to call the cops later and ask if they’d learned anything more.

“Grab your things, sweetheart,” Bill commanded. “We’re taking you home with us.”

Ava withdrew from her grandmother’s chest. “But school—”

“We’ve spoken with St. Catherine’s.” Nancy grasped Ava’s arm as though she feared the child stepping out of reach forever. “They said many students already log on remotely because of the pandemic. We have that fiber internet. You can attend virtually for the remainder of the year until we figure out what to do long-term.”

“But I can’t just go,” Ava countered. “Everything I have is in my house.”

Bill rubbed the back of his neck. “The police said we can pick up whatever you need.”

Ava seemed to fold into herself, a paper crane crumpling into a ball. The defeatist body language made Imani question whether she should be fighting on behalf of Melissa’s daughter. If Ava wanted to finish out the school year, Imani could provide a loving, safe home near St. Catherine’s. She could ensure that Nate’s parents didn’t run off with Melissa’s only child. But was that her place? Being a designated emergency contact was not the same as being entrusted with custody. Surely Nate’s will had stipulated with whom Ava should stay in the event that his wife wasn’t around.

“I can mail anything you need.” Vivienne spoke from several feet behind them, where the foyer melded into the living area. “And I’ll call you every day.”

Ava hurried over to Vivienne and wrapped her arms around her. There was a desperation to their embrace, as though both girls believed that this might be the last time they saw each other. Looking at them, Imani saw herself and Melissa, saying the good-bye that Imani had never had a chance to give or get. That she wouldn’t need, Imani mentally assured herself—not since Melissa would be found.

When the girls broke apart, Ava told her grandparents that her things were upstairs. Imani watched all the kids ascend to the second floor before turning her attention to Nate’s parents.

“Would you come inside for a minute?”

Nancy pointed to her exposed mouth. “Not sure of the rules. We just got off a plane.”