“The child is answering my questions, Mr. Carroway,” Judge Harlan interrupted.

The judge looked at the bailiff.

“Mark this as Exhibit Court-One,” he directed.

He looked back down at us.

“We are going to take a recess until tomorrow morning at nine o’clock,” Judge Harlan announced.

He looked toward the second row of the gallery.

“Renee,” he said.

Renee Whitaker stood up, clutching a leather binder to her chest.

“Yes, Your Honor,” she said.

“I am appointing you as the guardian ad litem for Nolan Bellamy, effective immediately,” the judge said.

“I want an emergency home assessment of both residences tonight.”

“I will begin immediately, Your Honor,” Renee said.

Judge Harlan struck his gavel once, the sharp crack echoing off the high walls.

“We are recessed,” he said, rising from his seat.

The courtroom erupted into quiet murmurs.

I pulled Nolan close to me, my tears finally spilling over.

“You did so well, baby,” I whispered in his ear.

He didn’t say anything, just buried his face in my shoulder.

Across the room, Grant was speaking rapidly to Carroway, pointing a finger at his chest.