The Jenkins Girl
by RosalindB
No copyright infringement is intended. Emergency! Is owned by Universal/Mark VII . I don't own these characters, just taking them out to play. No profit from this work, only personal enjoyment.
Chapter 19 - Order in The Court2
Last time: The Renault's plan to get a 'friendly' judge backfired. The hearing began.
CJ told her side of the case. She explained how the letter arrived in the mail stating that there was a trust fund, but the trustees placed stipulations on transferring the money.
"Did you know before this that there was a trust fund for you Miss Jenkins?" the judge asked.
"No sir, I didn't know anything had been left."
"Mrs. Renault never spoke to you about it?"
"No sir, I haven't had contact with Mrs. Renault in ten years."
The judge looked over his glasses at CJ.
"Why is that?"
"I was in foster care right after my father was killed. Mrs. Renault told me she couldn't care for me, so I was placed."
"And she didn't attempt to contact you after placement?"
"No sir."
Snark interrupted, "Your honor my client did want to contact Miss Jenkins, but Miss Jenkins couldn't mesh with her foster care family and sought emancipation. Therefore my client couldn't find her."
"Mesh?" CJ's eyes began to narrow. Waldorf put his hand on hers.
"Easy there, he's just trying to upset you and make you say something to twist it."
"Depsite her counsel's advice, the fact is Miss Jenkins was a runaway. Showing a propensity for irresponsible behavior," Snark continued.
Judge Robertson let Snark speak. Then he turned to CJ again.
"I'm still listening to your side. Did you run away, or legally emancipated?"
"Legally sir. There is a copy of my empancipation in the file."
"And why did you pursue emancipation?"
"Physical and sexual abuse by a member of the foster family."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Snark spoke up,"Obviously she still has issues that may cloud her judgement. Aren't you seeing a psychiatrist?"
CJ's eyes widened. She didn't answer, unsure if Snark was bluffing.
"That has no bearing on what's happening now," Statler objected. "Our client is a productive member of the community. She has her own business, pays taxes, put herself through undergraduate and graduate studies."
"You have a graduate degree?" Elmira asked.
"Yes," came the icy reply.
"El-it's not our turn," Michael took her arm.
The judge flipped a few pages in the folder.
"Your father was a fireman correct?"
"Yes sir."
"For the county of Los Angeles?"
"Yes sir."
"Did you receive any survivor benefits from the department?"
"No."
Judge Robertson looked up. "Did they say why?"
"The department required a signature from Mrs. Renault and a bank account set up," Statler replied. "None was provided for our client."
"So how did you manage Miss Jenkins?"
CJ didn't answer, the question brought up memories of very rough times.
"Miss Jenkins?"
"I had to waitress, clean offices, apply for scholarships. One of my father's friends sponsored me and helped me finish high school and college. It was worth it, because now I appreciate hard work."
The judge scribbled something on his notepad.
"And just so I understand, you never saw your father's will before today?"
"Yes sir."
Judge Robertson turned to the Renaults.
"Mrs. Renault, I'd like to ask you a few questions now. Since Charles was your brother-."
Snark interrupted the judge.
"The Renaults authorized me to speak on their behalf your honor."
"I'm sure they did, but I need specific information from Mrs. Renault," with that the judge stopped Snark in his tracks.
"Mrs. Renault, do you have any other siblings?"
Elmira sat up very straight.
"No, it was just Charles and myself."
"So Miss Jenkins is your only niece on that side of the family."
"Yes."
"And was there a reason you didn't take her in after your brother's death?"
Elmira stared at CJ.
"We felt he married beneath him. My husband and I at the time felt she wouldn't be a good fit with us."
The judge raised an eyebrow, but didn't answer. Statler and Waldorf looked at each other.
She just dug a big hole, CJ thought.
"Of course now I realize that was a mistake. Cynthia is my niece. We do want her to be taken care of but-"
"But?"
"Well, we need to be sure she is truly capable. Working your way through college is all well and good, but the fact that she's doing racy clothing ads, risking life and limb to take photos and spending time with blue collar men makes us concerned."
Waldorf nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Your honor, that is the most disrespectful thing I've heard in a courtroom! Our client had no choice but to take care of herself. There is nothing racy about modeling shoes. Taking photos from a bridge wearing a safety harness is perfectly legal. The men part I won't even justify with a response."
Snark jumped in with, "Your client has been observed entering and leaving a specific apartment with a gentleman. We discovered he is Firefighter Chester B. Kelly-"
"Don't you dare!" CJ left her seat and snapped at Elmira. "Don't you dare bring him into this drama!"
"He's already in it Cynthia," Michael Renault said. "You're sleeping with some low income blue collar worker. He's just a lineman! How do we know he won't try to get-"
"Enough! You've badgered our client enough!" Statler/Destin interrupted. "It's bad enough you harrased her with phone calls four, five times a day, driving her to stay with someone to get peace and quiet. Now you try to bring a totally innocent person into this! Your honor, the bottom line, is the fund belongs to our client. No trust fund should have stipulations, especially since the receipient is over the age of 21."
"I'm protecting my brother's legacy," Elmira sniffed.
Again, the room fell silent at Elmira's stubborn statement. Judge Robertson decided to let the two women hash it out. He sensed it was more than money at stake.
Finally CJ asked,
"Did it ever occur to you, Mrs. Renault, that your brother's legacy is sitting across the table? Until a few weeks ago, I never received a phone call, card, nothing. Then you show up at the memorial service acting as if nothing was wrong-"
"Well if you hadn't been so riled up I could have told you about this then! We're trying to help you improve here. This money Charles wanted you to have to move forward, not let some average Joe make you squander. Sign the agreement already! Stop being some poor little lost girl."
CJ leaned back in her chair. She looked at the Renaults. She looked at the judge.
"As I said, your brother's legacy is sitting here listening to you insult her. I stopped being a little lost girl a long time ago. As for the "blue collar worker" what color was Dad's uniform? Do you even remember? I'm not signing anything. Period."
CJ stood up to leave. "Do what you want. However, from what I can see, you're the type of people who like seeing their names on buildings. So you should donate the money to the clinic that now occupies the Patterson Factory grounds. Just put it in Dad's memory so you can see his "legacy" in concrete."
CJ walked to the door. The court officer opened it for her.
Snark turned to Waldorf and Statler.
"You're letting your client walk?"
"We told our client do to what she felt best. We support her decision."
Judge Robertson finally spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen, there is more going on here than just money. However that is for a family counselor to figure out. I'm calling a 20 minute recess then render a decision. Mr. Destin, please ask your client not to leave the building yet. Dismissed for now."
Chet sat in the waiting area. He fidgeted with his hat.
It's taking too long in there. Wait, who's yelling? Oh man that's Elmira.
It became quiet again, then Chet saw a vision walk out of one of the courtrooms. CJ, in her blue dress and cute shoes.
He didn't say anything, just opened his arms and wrapped them around her.
"It's a mess," she whispered. "I can't go into details now."
Chet knew she decided to give up the trust.
"It's okay Thia, I'm not going anywhere. Do what you need to."
CJ looked over Chet's shoulder to see the other members of A shift.
"What are you guys doing here?"she smiled.
Chet turned around to see his friends behind him, in dress uniforms.
"We had to support you,"Captain Stanley said. "Chief McNinny is still away," he grinned.
CJ reached out and hugged each man. Roy was last.
The attorneys and the Renaults walked out of the room. Elmira watched Roy hugging CJ.
But it wasn't Roy.
Roy looked up and noticed Elmira. He studied her.
Elmira saw Roy looking at her, but her mind didn't register Roy.
She saw Charlie Jenkins.
Her brother, holding his daughter, looked at Elmira. Her red-haired brother with the silly grin, who loved who he wanted, cherished his family and his band of brothers. Who suspected that one day his daughter may need help that he wouldn't be around to give. Who entrusted her to fulfill that obligation.
Cynthia was her father's daughter. She loved who she loved, cherished him and his friends.
She heard his voice in her head.
"Why?"
She turned to Snark.
"If the judge finds in her favor, no appeal. As a matter of fact, go tell the judge to rip up the agreement."
"What? Elmira are you kidding?" her husband asked "We agreed that-"
"I don't care! Snark, earn your pay and do as you're told!"
Statler and Waldorf watched the exchange, then caught up with CJ.
"Hey Cynthia, stick around. The judge wants you present when he gives his decision."
CJ sighed, "Okay." She returned to Chet's embrace, leaning her head on his shoulder.
A few minutes later, the court officer approached.
"Judge Robertson will see you now."