Girl (7) Gives a Secret Signal to Her Dog—Judge Stops the Courtroom

“She heard a voice,” Cooper said, glancing toward the bench. “Of another person.” Her voice carried a weight beyond the words. Cooper’s body language was firm and exact; she was merely presenting facts as they emerged.

Lowell’s pen froze mid-note, a pause too brief to escape Merritt’s notice. He had expected one voice, of the one the accused. Another voice complicated things. Merritt leaned forward, every inch the impartial listener.