Isla looked down at Moose.

Then, in one subtle motion, she raised her left hand—not high, just enough for Moose to see.

The dog’s head lifted. His ears pricked.

He growled.

Low. Deep. Controlled—but unmistakably protective.

Then his gaze locked on Leonard.

The man’s face drained of color.

I turned cold.

Judge Dawson held up a hand. “Is this a trained response?”

I nodded. “Yes, Your Honor. Isla has worked with trauma specialists. That signal means danger. Moose has been trained to respond if Isla recognizes someone she associates with fear.”

Leonard’s attorney jumped in again. “That’s absurd! It’s circumstantial. The dog—he’s just reacting to tension.”