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…

after Boone rose and placed his head in her lap. Ava stayed several feet away.

“Lily,” she said, “you told me you saw the loud man’s court face. What did you mean?”

Lily stroked Boone’s forehead. “He makes it nice here.”

“Where did you see the not-nice face?”

“In my kitchen.”

Ava took a breath slowly enough that no one could hear it. “Is the loud man here continue reading …