MRS ROCCO POINT OF VIEW.

The girl lay crumpled on the floor like a piece of rag, but she spoke with such audacity, such chutzpah that I was simply in awe of myself. Even with her still in our hands, I still had difficulties persuading her to drop all charges against Clayton. She was resolute. I almost wanted to beg her, to plead with her. I squatted, making my eye level with hers.

"Don't you get it, girl?" I said in a thin voice that I hoped it carried the gravity I hoped it would. "This could ...