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…

and buttoned his jacket. His face softened as he approached, though he stopped several feet away because Judge Whitcomb raised one finger before he got closer.

“Lily,” he said, “do you know what it means to tell the truth?”

Lily turned the metal tag on Boone’s collar.

“You can answer,” Graham said. “I’m not upset with you.”

Ava rose halfway. “Give her continue reading …