Page 134

people in New Orleans." He paused to scour the

crowd to see if there was even the hint of

insubordination in anyone's eyes. My heart sunk. He

seemed a man void of any emotion, except prejudices

against rich New Orleans people.

The clerk read our petition and then Judge

Barrow turned his sharp, hard gaze on Monsieur Polk. "You have a case to make," he said.

"Yes, Your Honor. I would like to begin by

calling Monsieur Beau Andreas to the stand." The judge nodded, and Beau squeezed my hand

and stood up. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him as

he strutted confidently to the witness seat. He was

sworn in and sat quickly.

"Monsieur Andreas, as a preamble to our

presentation, would you tell the court in your own

words why, how, and when you and Ruby Tate

effected the switching of identities between Ruby and

Gisselle Andreas, who was your wife at the time." "Objection, Your Honor," Monsieur Williams

said. "Whether or not this woman is Ruby Tate is

something for the court to decide."

The judge grimaced. "Monsieur Williams.

There isn't a jury to impress. I think I'm capable of

understanding the question at hand without being

influenced by innuendo. Please, sir. Let's make this as

fast as possible."

"Yes, Your Honor," Monsieur Williams said,

and sat down.

My eyes widened. Perhaps we would get a fair

shake after all, I thought.

Beau began our story. Not a sound was heard

through his relating of it. No one so much as coughed