Free Before the Dawn by Beverly Jenkins Page B

Their silent presence increased Leah’s anxiety.
    She leaned over and asked Cecil softly, “Do you know any of them?”
    â€œTwo. Neither were friends.”
    Leah closed her eyes in reaction.
    All other questions were set aside as the judge entered the room. His name was Andrew Moss. He was a big man. His flaring white moustache coupled with the large build made him resemble a walrus. Everyone stood at the request of the bailiff, and when the judge sat, they all retook their seats.
    The judge looked up and said, “Would the representatives of the Montague estate please stand.”
    Cecil and Leah rose to their feet.
    The judge appeared surprised. Leah wondered if he’d dismiss the case solely based on his response to their color. She knew he could. In many areas of the country, members of the race were unable to have their day in court due to the legal shackles of Jim Crow. Testifying against Whites was forbidden as was being able to sue. Because of the times, this judge had every right to void the estate altogether if he wished on the grounds that she, as a Black woman had no rights to inherit. If he did, she’d have very little recourse. Monty, what have you gotten me into?
    He scrutinized Cecil first, then the veiled Leah. “Where’s your counsel?”
    Cecil said, “We haven’t had time to engage anyone, your honor. We just learned of the suit yesterday.”
    â€œI see.” The judge scanned the documents before him. “It says here that this judgment was rendered more than thirty years ago, but that the estate was only attached three weeks ago because Mr. Montague couldn’t be found.”
    Cecil raised an eyebrow. “I was unaware of the judgment, sir.”
    â€œAre you Louis Montague?”
    â€œNo. Mr. Montague passed away recently. I’m Cecil Lee, his former business agent, and this is his widow, Mrs. Leah Montague.”
    The judge’s attention shifted to the veiled Leah. “Sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
    â€œThank you, your honor.”
    â€œWell, Mr. Lee, those gentlemen over there represent folks who say you and your boss left them high and dry thirty years ago. Say you left unpaid bills, swindled them in a fraudulent stock scheme, and slunk out of Colorado in the middle of night so you wouldn’t have to pay the piper.”
    Cecil stiffened. “Not true. We prided ourselves on settling our debts, sir. Any losses these gentlemen may have incurred were also incurred by my employer, and we didn’t sneak away in the middle of the night.”
    From behind them one of the men interrupted in an impatient voice. “Your honor, this is all irrelevant. The judgment has already been rendered in a Colorado court of law. The estate should be made to pay.”
    Leah forced herself to breathe slowly.
    The judge then asked Cecil, “Did Mr. Montague leave a will, Mr. Lee?”
    Cecil nodded. “He did, Your Honor. Mrs. Montague is the sole heir.”
    â€œDid you bring the papers with you?”
    â€œNo, sir. They’re in a bank vault back East.”
    The judge took a moment to peruse more of the documents before him. “According to what the plaintiffs have discovered the estate’s worth about seventy-five thousand dollars in land and cash. That sound correct to you?”
    â€œYes sir, it does.”
    â€œWell, the judgment owed is ninety-thousand. How do you propose to pay the other fifteen thousand, ma’am?”
    Leah’s world began to spin. Not only had she just forfeited seventy-five thousand dollars, she now owed fifteen thousand dollars more! She had no proposal; she couldn’t even think. “I’d like to have a few days to talk with Mr. Lee about my options, if I may.”
    One of the men drawled amusedly, “Pay up or go to jail, those are your options honey.”
    Chuckling could be heard. Leah’s jaw tightened.
    The judge snapped. “You will show respect,