Slave Camp Ch. 24

"Three separate people told us essentially the same thing. I had them write down what they said and Steve, Darren and I witnessed it. I also have a recording of them saying it. I only got this last night but have not had the chance to give it to Mr Fontenot so he could get a real legal investigation going to verify. I also have a picture of Benoit and his cousin that was supposed to be taken at that party. I was told there might be some videos taken but nobody knew for sure. Apparently videos are common. So are lots of pictures."

"When you get Cajuns and alcohol together, somebody is going to do something stupid and often funny. It's the old 'Hold my beer and watch this' line. One of the people I talked to said at one party he went to this summer a drunk enacted having sex with a garden gnome. Another danced with a dress mannequin." Now there were a few snickers around the room. "'They are trying to run down some of those videos but I have not heard back from any of them."

Judge Boudreaux announced he wanted to call a thirty minute recess saying he wanted to make some phone calls and confer with the other judges. He ordered the bailiff to not let Douglas Benoit leave. "If he needs to use the rest room, go with him." he ordered. The panel of judges filed out.

"What do you think?" Derek asked Lou and Louis while they stood in the hallway during the break.. Both thought they had a real chance of getting Wanda set free once they could confirm the information Derek had discovered.

A breathless bailiff went running past. He knocked on the chamber doors and loudly announced Benoit had taken off. He had outrun the bailiff and got to his car before he could be stopped and left the parking lot. He said Benoit was driving a red Porsche sports car. Louis Fontenot laughed. "That boy won't get far. You either go north towards Shreveport, west towards Lake Charles and then Texas or east to Baton Rouge. South is just too dumb if you really want to escape and leave the state."

The court was called back to order. Lou stood and submitted a motion the court be adjourned until an investigation to verify what Derek had discovered could be conducted, Judge Boudreaux said, "Motion denied." As he said that he began to smile. Two of the other judges began to smile as well. "We have already conferred and reached our verdict. We can see no reason Wanda Lesser should spend even one more day wearing a slave collar. We hereby find for the plaintiff. Ms Lesser, as of right now you are a free woman." He slapped his gavel down twice. The judges did not leave the room this time. They stepped forward to shake Wanda's hand. She grabbed each man in turn and gave him a hug

Derek turned around to see if Leanne was still there. She was. Her mouth was hanging open is shock. Tears coursed down her face. John sat by her side scowling at her. She began to bawl.

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Author's Note: This is a crossroads for me. I can publish the epilogue I have written that ties up loose ends or continue the story. I appreciate the readership I have seen. I was originally planning only a few chapters. It progressed well beyond that.

Let me know via comments.