The Jenkins Girl
by RosalindB
Chapter 14 – Get Me A Lawyer STAT
CJ sat down on her couch and re-read the letter.
Dad had a trust set up?
The McConnikes never mentioned it to her. If anyone would have known, they would. Even Captain Williams was close to her father. He never said anything either.
CJ had a knot in her stomach. Something told her that this was either a setup, or the Renaults did something underhanded with her father's will. Since she was a minor at the time, then put into foster care, she couldn't have known. Elmira Jenkins-Renault was the only other relative who could have done something.
Dad must've made her executor.
I have to at least get a copy of this "stipulation" thing. Take a good look at it.
CJ took a deep breath and dialed the phone number on the letter. Fortunately, the paralegal answered, took her address and said a set would arrive by messenger within the hour. No questions.
True to the promise, the messenger delivered the trust information, and the addendum the Renaults added.
Then her phone rang.
"Cynthia? This is Uncle Michael."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Michael Renault. Your Aunt Elmira's husband. My attorney said they messenger-ed the trust information. It's quite straightforward. We expect you to sign it right away. If you do have any questions, just call our attorney, okay dear?"
CJ bit her tongue. This man was just as or more condescending than Mrs. Renault.
"I'll be in touch."she replied. Neutral enough not to reveal her suspicion, but enough to pacify this stranger calling himself "uncle".
Or so she thought.
Over the next week, the Renaults or the attorney called her every day, sometimes two or three times between them.
"Miss Jenkins you need to sign those papers. Your birthday is coming and this needs to be taken care of."
"Cynthia, what is the delay? All you need is to sign. You have read it haven't you?"
"The agreement is for your own good. It's a fair amount of money. We will have to make sure you don't squander it."
CJ began to stress. Her stammer returned, she wasn't eating enough. She stopped answering the phone, screening her calls with the answering machine.
One day, the call she'd hoped for came through.
"Hi Thia it's-"
"C-Chet? Oh please say it's you."
"Whoa! Yes, it's me. What's wrong? What's happened?" Chet heard the stammer and knew it had to be serious.
"W-where are you? St-tation?" She sounded desperate.
"Yeah doll, I'm on shift until Friday."
"Sh-hort version then. Renaults are trying to get me to sign something regarding my trust fund. They're calling two, three times a day."
Trust fund? Chet thought. "What fund? Your dad left you something? And they're bugging you now?"
"F-fund kicks over to me on my 26th birthday. Which is n-next week. But they added this weird contract to it. I don't want to sign anything, but don't know any attorneys."
Chet began to feel frantic for her. "Doll why don't you call the chief? Maybe he knows someone?"
"I don't w-want to be a b-burden. They've always b-bailed me out-"
"Honey, you need help. This isn't something small."
Hank Stanley overheard Chet's end of the conversation. He could tell it was serious.
He tapped Chet on the shoulder.
"Tell CJ to come here for lunch. We'll sit down and try to help, whatever it is."
Chet nodded and relayed the message to CJ.
"Please come over. If we're on a run, just stay in the kitchen with Henry until we get back. We'll help you figure it out doll."
And I really want to see you, he silently added.
...
CJ waited patiently with Henry. The squad got called on a possible heart attack, then the engine had a dumpster fire.
"Oh Henry, sometimes I wish I had a quiet life like you." She rubbed his belly. The happy mascot wagged his tail and burped. CJ laughed, the best laugh she had in the past weeks. Between Chet's upset, her work schedule and the harassment from the Renaults, CJ desperately needed a chuckle. The sound of the squad brought her out of her funk.
"Hi fellas!" she greeted the two medics.
"Hey CJ," Roy replied, then did a double take. Johnny also.
"Um CJ, have you lost weight?" Johnny helped her up from the couch to get a better look.
"Yeah, I um, haven't been eating s-so well."
"Uh Roy, maybe we should-" John started. Roy finished with, "Take vitals. I'll get the equipment."
"I d-don't feel sick, really," CJ protested. "Just tired."
The engine crew pulled in as Roy grabbed the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.
Mike looked at Marco. Chet and Cap came around the engine in time to see Roy walk into the kitchen. They dashed in after him to see Johnny taking CJ's pulse and respiration. Roy put on the cuff.
"Just relax okay. I'm sure you're fine you just look a little ragged."
CJ nodded, lowered her head and began to cry.
"I don't think she needs the hospital," Roy pronounced. "She needs a hug from her boyfriend." Chet stepped over to the couch, pushed Henry aside and wrapped CJ up in his arms. He kissed the top of her head, and brushed her tears away.
"I miss you. I'm so sorry I neglected you. I was stupid." he whispered.
"M-miss you too. It's not all your fault. Just life getting crazy," she answered.
After a moment, CJ sat up. "May I freshen up? I must look a fright."
Hank motioned to the latrine.
"Of course, straight ahead." Once she left the room, he turned to Marco.
"Pal I know it's Johnny's turn to cook, but-"
"Wait a minute! My burgers are just fine. The protein will do her good," the dark haired wonder protested. He stepped to the stove and began prepping.
"It won't take long either, the patties are already set up."
CJ returned to the kitchen. After a glass of milk, she began to tell the crew about the strange contract and the harassment. Johnny made quick work of the hamburgers and served their guest first. They watched as she devoured the hamburger, took a pause, then dove into the french fries.
"You really haven't been eating?" Chet stared at his girlfriend's plate. She blushed, realizing how clean her plate was.
"Um, well, not really. But even if I was, Johnny's hamburger was great." They laughed at the attempt to pacify Johnny's ego. "I feel a thousand times better Johnny, honest. Thanks."
Johnny stood up and took a bow.
"Any time!"
Roy asked the question, "What are you going to do? It's a lot of money, and you are entitled to it."
Hank chimed in, "I'm no lawyer, but I don't like the looks of this at all. It's listing things like 'moral character' and demands that they manage the money due to 'inexperience of the recipient in financial planning'. Sounds like they just want to keep the money and insult you in the process."
CJ nodded, "That's how I took it , I'm not just rolling over and give them what they want either."
"Well, find your own attorney dear," Hank advised. "This does not smell right. I wish I knew someone. Let me make a few calls. I promise I won't call the Chief," he smiled.
CJ smiled back. "Thank you Cap. Uncle M-Mickey and Aunt Mary are about to go on vacation. I don't want them worrying while they're away."
"I have to ask," the 'legend' looked at the young woman. "Why Uncle Mickey? His first name is Paul."
CJ giggled. "Even Chet doesn't know this. When I was 5, Mom took me to visit Dad at the station. We brought over some cookies. Uncle Mickey was just promoted and filling in for the regular captain who was away. Dad showed us off to everyone. They treated Mom and me like princesses. Anyway, Dad introduced me to the new captain. Everyone knew I had a stutter. Certain sounds are to this day difficult for me. It's really bad when I'm stressed. Well, I couldn't pronounce Mc-C-Conike." CJ struggled with the name. "It came out as 'pleased to meet you Captain McNinny."
Hank Stanley roared. "Oh man that's precious!"
"The rest of the crew thought so too," CJ continued with a smile. "Uncle Mickey was so kind about it. Dad was mortified for a moment. Mom laughed. He told me to just say 'Uncle Mickey'. And that's how it's been ever since."
CJ stood up from the table.
"I'd better get a move on. I have one more stop to make then home to take a nap." She hugged Hank.
"Thank you," she said.
"Oh no, thank YOU. I now have one on the Chief. Chet, why don't you see her out?" He winked at his lineman.
"You got it!" Chet took CJ's arm and escorted her out to her car.
"Thanks fellas! Johnny, I loved the burger," she called out. The crew laughed and waved back.
When they reached CJ's car, Chet handed her a set of keys. She looked at them, puzzled.
"You will sleep at my place. The Renaults can't reach you there. You need a good night's rest. Blue key is for the lobby, red is for the apartment door top lock, plain is for bottom lock. I'll be home Friday morning, so stay until then. If Cap comes up with a name, I'll call you."
He kissed her, not too deeply since he sensed the others were peeking.
"I'm going to take care of you. Been too wrapped up in my own crap."
CJ stroked his cheek.
"Other than thank you, and I love you, I don't know what else to say."
"You can say good morning to me on Friday," he winked. She laughed.
...
CJ had one other stop to make before escaping to Chet's place. She picked up some clothes, heard the Renault's attorney leave another annoying message, then let Mrs. Roselli know she would be away. CJ didn't tell her where, just in case the Renaults decided to show up and bother her.
"Dont' worry," the landlady said. "My sons will take care of anyone who is stupid enough to trespass. They know people too. By the way, Pete said some man was asking about you at the restaurant. He thinks it is a private investigator. He sent him on a-how do you say?- goose chase."
CJ had to laugh. Pete Roselli had his connections, and could send anyone on a goose chase.
Her final stop was Delancy's. She wanted to check in with "Chief" Statler and Waldorf. It had been a while, and she missed their banter.
Sure enough, "Chief" Waldorf held court at the bar. After a hug and a peck on the cheek, CJ told him her story. It felt good to let it all go, she thought after she finished.
Waldorf didn't say a word. He reached into his pocket and handed CJ a card.
Jonathan Gregorios, Attorney at Law
Royal K. Destin, Attorney at Law
Estates, Wills, & Trust Specialists.
1616 Lopez Drive Suite 51
555-555-1616
"Statler and I run a law practice. Come in tomorrow morning. Let's nail these bastards for you, kiddo."
"But I-I thought you were retired firemen?"
"We are. When you come tomorrow, I'll tell you our story. For now, go to your boyfriend's house, get some sleep. And he's right, you should stay there for a few days at least, for some peace and quiet. Once you're our client, the harassment will stop."
CJ went home to Chet's. Her mind racing as she showered, put on pajamas and crawled under the covers. She did take a moment to call the station and tell Hank she found an attorney with a promise to give the whole story later. Also let Chet know she was okay and comfortable.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too, be safe," she yawned.
"Sleep well."
She curled up and fell asleep to the sent of aftershave, no smoke, but that was just fine.