After dinner, they headed to the beach to await the fireworks. Illuminated by moonlight, the sea sparkled—a picture of tranquility. Although the beach was crowded, it was surprisingly quiet; the masses sat in hushed conversation.

Roxanne, holding Estella and Benny, weaved through the throng, Lucian trailing behind. Concerned about the children in the dense crowd, she sought a more secluded spot. As the beach grew more crowded, Lucian frowned and called, "Come to Daddy, Essie." He worried about Benny, who was lagging behind.

Estella stubbornly refused, clinging to Roxanne. Lucian, looking solemn, repeated his request. She shook her head, wanting to stay with Roxanne and Archie. Roxanne, feeling sorry for Estella, said gently, "I'll look after her. Just keep an eye on us from behind." Estella smiled. Lucian, after a silent moment, agreed.

Lucian remained vigilant, watching the children. A toy vendor approached. Roxanne politely declined his wares, but he persisted, impeding their progress. Unable to free her hands, she could only refuse again. The children, engrossed in their surroundings, didn't seem to mind.

Just as Roxanne's patience wore thin, Lucian intervened, firmly declining the vendor, whose stunned silence was broken only by a sheepish apology before he vanished. Roxanne breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she heard Archie's panicked voice, "Mommy!"

Her heart leaped. "Benny's gone, Mommy!" Archie cried, his hands slick with sweat. He couldn't remember when Benny disappeared. Roxanne, suppressing her panic, asked calmly, "When did Benny go missing?"

Shaken and self-reproachful, Archie shook his head. "I don't know..." His distress drained the color from Roxanne's face. Lucian spoke from beside her, "I think it might have happened when I was talking to that man."