Leah accepted the paper with both hands, as if receiving something sacred. “Can you tell me about this?”
Norah leaned close to Atlas again, whispering into his ear. Then she straightened and spoke into the microphone, her voice thin but steady. “Table broke.”
A murmur rose from the gallery.
Leah held up the drawing. “Is this you?” she asked, pointing to the small figure.
Norah nodded.
“And who is this?” Leah asked, gesturing toward the larger figure.
Norah didn’t answer with a name. She didn’t need to. Her eyes flicked back to Darren Kessler. Then she whispered, “He said Mommy was stupid.”
Serena’s sister pressed a hand over her mouth.
Halpern objected again, his voice sharper now. “This is emotional manipulation. The child is being coached through a dog.”
At that moment, something unexpected happened. Norah turned toward Halpern, her brow furrowed. “No,” she said. “Atlas listens. He doesn’t talk.”
