The Jenkins Girl
by Rosalind B
Chapter 14 - The Rescue Men
Last time: Cynthia was harassed by the Renaults. She found not just one, but a team of attorneys by fate's intervention.
The sunlight woke Cynthia up. She rolled over, looked at the clock. It was just 6:30am, plenty of time to get ready before heading to "Chief" Waldorf's (aka Jonathan Gregorios Attorney at Law) office. She shook her head and silently thanked whatever spirits sent her his way. The other reason CJ felt grateful was for her now official boyfriend Chester B. Kelly. It had been a rough few weeks, but with some patience, they kissed and made up. There was one phone call she had to make, even with the early hour. Before sleep took over the night before, CJ decided to contact the McConnikes before they left. It was better they hear from her before the Renaults decided to scare them.
"Good Morning, McConnike residence," Mary was already up and getting some last minute things into the overnight bags.
"Hi Aunt Mary."
"Cynthia! Are you all right? That crazy woman Elmira called here yesterday. She wouldn't say what she wanted, just kept insisting on speaking to you."
CJ sighed, "That's what I was afraid of." She proceeded to tell Mary about the trust, and the harassment, and her finding an attorney on her own.
"Hold on dear, Paul is up and he wants to speak with you also. I'm proud of you, but you need to relax." The next voice on the line was the chief's.
"CJ what's happening?" She repeated the story.
"That's what's happening? Hank Stanley was calling around discreetly asking about lawyers. I thought he was in trouble, so I confronted him. He finally admitted you were at the station, but didn't want to go into details."
Bless Captain Stanley's heart, CJ thought.
"I've heard of those guys. Retired firemen, not with the county though. They've helped a few widows and orphans with legal stuff," he replied.
Then the chief asked the big question, which really wasn't a question.
"Are you at Kelly's place?"
"Yes sir. He's on shift until tomorrow so I have the place to myself."
She heard the sigh on the other end.
"Good then. At least you're in a safe place. Relax as best you can. We'll see you when we get back."
Well, that was an easy phone call.
CJ decided to eat some breakfast. She felt hungry for the first time in weeks. She rummaged through the cupboards.
Whole grain cereal
Oatmeal
Nutella
Seven-grain bread
Herbal de-caffeinated tea.
Oh my lord, he is a health nut. And certainly stays "regular".
The phone rang.
No way.
"Kelly residence."
"Good morning Thia," Chet sang "How was your night?"
"Slept like a baby, thank you. Talked to Uncle Mickey a little while ago."
"Good, at least they won't worry while they're away. Hey, there's Froot Loops in the far right cabinet. I know you won't want my bland health food." he laughed. "And some Earl Grey is there too."
"Perfect! Thank you. I love you."
"Love you more. Now go eat!"
9:30 on the dot, CJ walked into her lawyer's office. Jonathan"Waldorf" Gregarios greeted her. Royal "Statler" Destin joined them. Waldorf had the paper work in his hands and began to explain.
"Well we reviewed these stipulations. Frankly it's a crock of shit. That being said, it's a good thing you didn't sign or say anything to them. Even though this is a crock, since Mrs. Renault was the executor of your father's will-and there's no evidence of manipulation there-we will have to go to court and get this revoked."
CJ nodded her head.
"Okay, but just what are they trying to do?"
Statler explained the next part.
"Well the Renaults are claiming you don't have experience with money matters. I'm betting they have no idea you run a successful business. Also they want you to demonstrate "moral" behavior-no living with someone unless married."
"They're crazy," she whispered.
"Yes they are, which is why we are going to a judge. We won't have a court date until next week, after your birthday, but that's okay," Statler continued.
Waldorf chimed in, "We're headed to court now to file the demand for review and denial of the contract. Stay at your boyfriends place until tomorrow. After court, we're sending cease and desist letters to the Renault's and the attorney. If they try to contact you after that, we can tell the judge they violated. That will help in your favor."
CJ nodded again, then asked, "So you promised to tell me how you guys met?"
Statler/Royal started. "We were rescue men. Sort of the precursor to paramedics. But we couldn't treat a victim. Just get them in the ambulance. Junior here, broke his leg."
"I have the hardware in my knee. Couldn't work anymore," Waldorf chimed in.
Statler continued, "Then I busted a shoulder. That did it for my career too. We both qualified for the GI bill, so we went back to school."
"Awesome," CJ said. Her hands shook. Statler leaned in and held them.
"Everything's gonna be fine. We've got it from 'll have to come to court, and we'll be there with you."
CJ nodded, "Got it. What do I owe you both? Do you take installments?"
"Just $100 for filing fees, that's all," Waldorf replied.
CJ wrote out a check. "Thank you both so much. I feel lighter already."