Chapter 7
Stardate 2311.03 10:00 – Star Base 71 Judiciary offices
"Right this way, please." A young officer showed Jacob, Christine, and Commander Tresken into the small private conference room. Jacob's lawyer was on earth while Jacob was attending via video link. Commander Tresken was there as moral support and personal advisor.
Jacob made his way to the primary seat. Christine took her place next to him. Brielle was safe at school, taking a weight off her mind, but this hearing would make or break their family.
"Please rise for Judge Sakkinth." The bailiff called out. Jacob stood without aid to face the judge. Next to him, Christine watched as the previous judge entered the room and sat on the bench.
"Please be seated. Today, we are here to discuss the custody order for Joshua Mathew Holtz. The child's father, Jacob Kendric Holtz, is petitioning for full custody of his son based on various allegations against the mother. The mother, Julie Elizabeth Watson, is also suing for full custody and removal of visitation for the father.
"That is correct, your honor." Sava, Josh's court advocate, responded, as did Jacob's lawyer, Counselor Chloe Alder. Christine noticed that Julie again had a new lawyer.
"As you currently have custody of the child, Ms. Watson, I would like to hear your case first." The judge sat back in his chair, prepared to listen.
After dusting himself off, Julie's lawyer approached the table to address the judge. "My client has dealt with harassment, verbal abuse, and threats against her life since Lt. Cmdr. Holts became aware of his son. It is also noted that during his last visit, he placed his child in a position that could have seriously harmed him. Therefore, my client intends to prove that Lt. Cmdr. Holtz should not even have video visitation rights with this child."
"What proof do you have of the harassment?" The judge sat up straight in his chair.
The lawyer picked up a pad displayed on a large screen. "These lists all messages sent to and from the Lt. Cmdr. to my client."
"Counselor, the messages appear to be your client attempting to contact the father and the father attempting to contact the mother."
"Yes, your honor."
"Counselor, can the times and dates of these messages be verified."
"Yes, your honor. The computer encodes the time and dates of the messages."
"Does your client have a response to these allegations?" The judge turned to Alder.
"Your honor, if you will note, many unanswered messages were during the father's classified missions, and military records verify that." Alder handed a pad to the judge. "When my client returned from his mission, he responded to her messages. But, unfortunately, the last time they had spoken had not been on good terms. As stated in both the messages and affidavits from his colleagues, Lt. Commander Holts didn't want anything to do with Ms. Watson as he found her rude and unpleasant. Only when the child's subject was revealed to him did he attempt a response to Ms. Watson. May the record show it was done formally and civilly."
"Ms. Watson, you have no grounds for harassment against Lt. Cmdr. Holts. I believe these messages note a busy father trying to learn about his son. Those allegations are dismissed." The judge set the pad aside. "Ms. Watson, you have allegations of neglect and injuring a child against Lt. Cmdr. Holts. What evidence do you have the substantiate that?"
The lawyer brought another pad to the judge. "Ms. Watson has various reports delineating her son's injuries while in his father's care." The judge displayed the documents on the large screen. "The most recent included the loss of a tooth, head injuries, and failure to provide medical care on multiple occasions."
The judge indicated on the documents, "Ms. Watson, the post-visit medical reports and reports from welfare officers note there were no injuries to the child whatsoever."
"Your honor, just three weeks ago, his father allowed him to fall from the back of a horse and strike his head on the ground. The father provided no medical care!" So the lawyer argued with the judge.
"Your honor!" Alder stood up and faced the judge. "The child was attending Respite Farm, an equestrian therapy school. The child was riding a pony whose back was barely 4 feet from the ground. The child was also wearing a protective helmet for safety. He only obtained minor injuries treated by Captain Lynn Skyler, the head of Pediatric development at Star Fleet Medical." She handed the judge a copy of the injury report. "If the mother's concerned about his tooth loss, it should be noted that his dentist recorded that he was losing that baby tooth at his last visit."
The judge's eyebrow rose at Alder's statement. "The child took a tumble off a small pony, wearing a helmet, at a location that teaches equestrian riding, and had his cuts and scrapes looked at by one of the best pediatricians at Star Fleet Medical. Do I understand you correctly, Counselor?
"You are, sir." Alder pulled out another pad for the judge, "I would like it noted that the welfare checks that Ms. Watson demanded were done late at night, interfered in the child's sleep cycle, and harassed the people babysitting him for the night. I have submitted a copy of their report. My client would also like it noted that disturbing the child's sleep is classified as abuse against the child and a violation of the custody agreement and the restraining order preventing Ms. Watson or parties on her behalf from contacting the child's grandparents."
"Objection! The child was not with his grandparents at the time of the welfare check."
"Your client may not have been aware, but Lt. Cmdr. Holtz has a betrothal contract with Ensign Janice Christine Skyler. Following her culture's tradition, she is a member of Lt. Cmdr. Holt's family until they are formally married or the betrothal agreement is annulled. Your client disturbed a visitation with his future grandparents." Alder couldn't help the slight smirk on her face. "If your client would like to contest the contract, she will need to contact the Chief Negotiator's office for marital alliance contracts of the Ferengi government, as they are specialists in this type of agreement.
"He WHAT!" Julie tried to stand at her table, but her lawyer forced her to sit down.
"My client was unaware of this change in the father's… marital status. "Julie's lawyer glared back.
"The betrothal was accepted on September 17th of this year. Which was BEFORE our last hearing." Alder looked to the judge, "If you prefer to ignore the cultural position, may I note that the child was under the care of the head of Pediatric Development at Star Fleet Medical and an Admiral. Both were listed as supervisors of the child on the visitation agreement; and were approved beforehand by Counselor Sava."
"Counselor?" The judge looked to Sava.
"That is correct, your honor. The father cleared the need to have the Captain and Admiral care for the child overnight, as the father was in the hospital following critical surgery. Therefore, he was authorized to be with the Skylers for up to three nights; however, it was only for two nights." Sava confirmed Alder's statement.
"Duly noted, Counselors." Then, the judge looked to Julie's lawyer again, "Do you have any other evidence of these allegations?"
The lawyer sifted through the items on his table. "No further evidence, your honor."
The judge asked Alder, "What of the father's grievances?"
"My client is requesting full custody of his son due to his mother failing to provide the basic needs for the child, and he feels that he is in a better position to care for his son than the mother."
"We shall see. Present your evidence, Counselor." The judge gestured for Alder to continue.
"Submitted documents show that Ms. Watson has not been able to keep a steady work position or home for her and her son for the past three years. As Ms. Watson has continually moved with her son to different locations, the son's educational needs are not being met. It is noted that following the previous hearing where the son was to have visitation while at school, Ms. Watson pulled him from that school three weeks later and has since attempted to educate him herself. Unfortunately, that endeavor has failed." Alder approached the judge with a series of pads. "We have affidavits from her former places of employment that state she brought the child to the late-night performances and used irreprehensible language towards the child when the child would ask for attention or food."
Christine looked at Julie's seat and saw her shaking her head venomously. Christine was glad she was on the other side of the sector from Julie; otherwise, Christine wasn't sure if she could have helped from strangling the woman.
"Your honor, I could continue providing instances of the mother's failure to put her needs before her son's and empathize with him. Instead, she has called him names, belittled his father to him, and failed to be mothering to this child. If anything, she has been smothering."
Jacob's face twitched at Alder's analogy but worked to keep it neutral.
"Counselor Sava, what have been your finding on the parents."
"Lt. Cmdr. Holtz has provided documentation stating his intent, that once his leg heals, he will be taking a position on Space Station 71 for the next four years while Ensign Skyler finishes her studies. We have found that he is putting his professional career on hold to provide and be there for his son. We have observed that he can regulate his impulses and emotions in times of stress and continues to seek mental health treatment as needed. Lt. Cmdr. Holtz has helped his son make friends with Ensign Skyler's adopted daughter Brielle. He has also helped establish a group of adults his son can count on when he isn't available. As Lt. Cmdr. Holtz will remain on the station for the foreseeable future; he has submitted his intention to enroll his son in the station's school and for him to receive tutoring should his son need additional assistance catching up to his fellow students."
"Thank you, and the finding for Ms. Watson." The judge looked from Jacob to Julie.
"Your honor," Sava sighed, "Ms. Watson's fears and anxieties regarding the father's relationship with Josh have rendered her incapable of promoting a happy and healthy relationship between Josh and his father free of her interference." Sava came around her desk to address the full court. "Evidence shows that Ms. Watson has repeatedly acted detrimentally to Josh's best interests. Moreover, she lacks any insight into how her actions impact Josh."
Jacob and Christine watched Julie begin to unravel before their eyes. Julie was already red in the face and barely able to control herself.
Sava continued with her report, "Ms. Watson has repeatably demonstrated that she is unwilling to allow Lt. Cmdr. Holtz to have a relationship with Josh. A relationship with both parents would best serve Josh's interests. This can only occur if custody of the child Joshua Mathew Holtz is awarded to his father."
With those words, Julie's control was lost. "You bastards! How dare you take my child away from me and give him to that ass hole and his whore! Josh is my son, and he should stay with me. You have no right to take my child away from me." Then, tears and makeup running down her face, Julie pointed angrily at where Jacob was on the screen, "That bastard has done all these things behind my back to make me look bad and ruin my career."
"Are you saying, Ms. Watson, you believe this man has woven together with this court a conspiracy to destroy your reputation and credibility?" the judge confronted Julie.
"Yes… no, but…but ..." Julie tried to salvage the situation. "He keeps making my life miserable! Can't you see that!"
"Ms. Watson, control yourself!" The judge shouted at her.
Jacob and Christine were smiling ear to ear, watching Julie self-destruct and destroy any chance she had of having Josh in her life. They were squeezing each other's hands out of sight of the camera. They did their best to hold their excitement at what was happening in front of them.
"Ms. Watson!" Julie finally looked at the judge. "The facts are, Ms. Watson, that you have lost the game playing with this court. You have been caught. There are important documents illustrating how you have failed at caring for your son." The judge tried to reason with her. "If you do not stop this behavior, your role in Josh's life will become non-existent." The judge gestured to the child court advocates. "These people want what is best for your son, and until you stop this behavior, you cannot be a part of his life."
"I want my son," Julie gave an anguished cry, and her lawyer helped her back into her seat.
The judge cleared his throat, "Given the evidence and recommendations presented in this court. I am awarding full custody to Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Holtz. The mother can earn visitation rights once she completes the court-mandated therapy. Josh will be turned over to Counselor Sava in 2 hours at Star Fleet Medical. Please note that there will be criminal repercussions if the child is not turned over at the allotted time." He tapped his gavel on the bench.
Julie broke down in tears, weeping. A splinter of Christine's heart went out to the woman. She had, after all, just lost her son. But then, Christine turned her attention to the celebratory hugs and kisses from Jacob and Commander Tresken.
Before the link closed, Alder and Sava came to speak with them.
"I will be meeting with Ms. Watson at noon to take custody of Josh," Sava noted. "I will have a basic medical scan done on him before his caseworker takes him to the two of you." Sava inclined their head to the couple and stepped away.
"Alder, thank you for all your help." Christine gushed.
"You are very welcome. I am looking forward to seeing images of Josh with you." She smiled and then became serious. "We will have to review the custody situation in 180 days, but feel that will be a formality given her today."
"Again, thank you." Jacob thanked her again and closed the connection. He barely had time to brace himself when Christine practically jumped into his arms.
"I can't wait to tell Brielle that Josh is coming to live with us," Christine said excitedly.
"She'll be happy she has another kid to play with instead of you two love birds." Commander Tresken laughed and shooed them out of the conference room.
12:37 hours Star Fleet Medical
"Counselor, where is your client?" Sava glared at the lawyer before her.
"As I said, she is just running late. She will be here any moment." The lawyer was already sweating, wondering where Julie was with Josh. He knew Julie didn't want to give up her son but running off with the boy would do her case any good. She was smart enough not to do something foolish, right?"
By now, Sava had brought in the hospital's security guards. "Counselor, if you know anything about where she would have taken him, it best to tell us now."
"Ms. Watson hired me because I was the only one who would take her case. I know she is desperate, but she loves that kid." Julie's lawyer tried to explain. "She said she was running home, grabbing some special things for Josh, then coming back here. I don't know where she would be."
"Anything in your files that have past addresses? We checked her temporary quarters and the daycare where Josh was staying. Ms. Watson picked him up at 11:00 hours, and neither has been seen since." The security officer growled.
"I can give you what files I have. Ms. Watson moves around a lot; there are many places to look." Julie's lawyer handed the officers a pad. "I just thought she would be bright enough not to do anything so stupid as not show."
"We will send teams to the different addresses. We will find young Josh." An optimistic social worker commented to the group. "I'm sure they are just having difficulties getting here."
Behind the group, they heard a growl. Turning, they saw a senior doctor standing there with her arms crossed. "Uh… can we help you?"
"You can tell me where my grandson is before I unleash a hell storm you've never seen onto your lives." Captain Lynn Skyler hissed at the officers, causing a fearful chill to run up their spines.
