“The ER doctors recorded a severe straight-line impact pattern across the upper arm.”

The defense lawyer came over and picked up the glossy photos.

He held them up to the fluorescent lights overhead and studied the dark purple marks on Noah’s skin.

“That matches a round, blunt object, not flat concrete,” Derek said.

“A wooden baseball bat leaves exactly this kind of straight, even bruise.”

The lawyer put the photos back on the table without a word.

He didn’t try to dispute the medical findings.