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…

“Yes,” she said. “He knows.”

Lily’s hand moved to Boone’s head. “He comes tomorrow?”

Ava glanced back. Judge Whitcomb had paused near the courtroom doors, her robe folded over one arm. The judge heard the question. After a moment, she nodded.

“He comes tomorrow,” Ava said.

Lily accepted that answer with the solemn trust of a child who had learned to ration continue reading …