The pink spiral notebook inside looked smaller than Claire remembered, its cover faded at the corners, a strip of yellow tape marking the spine.

“Your Honor, the people offer the notebook recovered from under the child’s mattress, along with the torn pajama fabric found on the latch of the hall closet.”

Pendelton stood.

“Same objection.

Chain of custody.”

“Overruled,” Judge Vance said.

“The chain has been documented.”

Mark opened to page four and didn’t read it out loud.