The little girl hadn’t spoken since the night her mother was found on the kitchen floor! Then the court dog lowered his head-and she whispered one sentence toward the defense table…

reviewing medical records near the prosecution table when Lily tugged at the sleeve of her jacket.

Ava turned. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Lily did not look at her. She looked toward Boone first, then across the aisle.

“I saw his court face,” she whispered.

Ava felt the words before she understood them. “Whose court face?”

“The loud man.”

Ava crouched so she continue reading …