Isla looked up, eyes clearer now, her voice just a whisper. “He used to lock Moose outside. Said he didn’t want animals in the house. But I used to sneak him into my room. When I cried… Moose would try to come in.”

The judge’s face softened.

“And did Moose ever protect you?”

Isla nodded. “One time, he barked so loud that the neighbor came. That’s when I ran.”

There it was.

The missing piece.

That was the night she ran away.

The neighbor had called animal control about a dog barking non-stop at 2 a.m. That report had been buried. But now, it all connected.

Leonard stood up suddenly. “This is a setup! You people don’t want a father to reunite with his child!”

Moose growled louder.

The bailiff moved forward.

Judge Dawson’s voice rang out: “Enough. This child gave us all we needed to know.”

She turned to the bailiff. “Escort Mr. Griffin out of my courtroom. I’ll be issuing a restraining order immediately.”