In fact, because of the construction of the partition, there was more than one layer and a narrow dead space separating the two sides. Their bodies were only inches apart, yet there was no scent, no fur under Megan's fingers, no warmth in Rufus's paw.
Still, they stayed there.
Megan stared into the dog's eyes.
Rufus stared back.
A tear moved down Megan's cheek. Her fingers trembled against the glass. Rufus's paw remained in roughly the same place.
Carla stood several feet behind him holding the loose leash.
On Megan's side, Deputy Mercer remained near the secure door.
The visit had been approved for five minutes.
Mercer watched the first two in silence.
He later said there was no single dramatic moment that changed his mind because there was no dramatic decision to make. Before the visit, he and his supervisor had already discussed a contingency. Adjacent to the visitation booths was a small secure interview room used for attorney meetings and supervised special circumstances. If the dog remained calm, if Carla was comfortable, if staffing allowed it, and if Megan followed every instruction, a brief contact visit could be permitted.
Megan knew none of that.
She believed the glass was all she had been given.
At one point she lowered her forehead against it.
Rufus kept his paw near her hand.
Mercer looked toward the dog, then toward Carla.
Carla met his eyes.
He gave the smallest nod.
Then he stepped away from the wall.
Megan did not notice.
She was still looking at Rufus when the sound came from behind her.
Metal turning inside a lock.
Megan's head moved slightly.
Mercer unlocked the secure side door leading to the small interview room.
For a second she seemed not to understand what she was hearing. Then she turned.
Mercer opened the door and gestured toward the room.
There was no speech in the phone video someone had begun recording from the public side. No dramatic announcement. No cheering. No crowd.
Just a door opening.
Megan looked from Mercer to Rufus and back again.
She covered her mouth.
Carla walked Rufus toward the adjoining entrance.
Megan stood frozen until the dog crossed the threshold.
Then she dropped to her knees.
Rufus did not leap on her.