And love
Chap 34 What the HELL!
Adoption hearing Thursday 10:00
Judge Nelson McDougall enters and takes his seat. All sit down.
"Bailiff, read the proceedings." The judge orders.
"This is the adoption request of Jameson and Edit Reagan; to adopt one Cassandra O'Brian."
"Is there any opposition?"
"No, sir-
The doors at the back of the courtroom burst open. In enters a tall blond woman flanked on each side by a federal marshal. Heads swivel. Mouths drop open. Jamie and Eddie, alone, recognize this woman. Their blood runs cold.
She and the marshals march up to the bench and stop. She speaks.
"Kelley O'Brian in opposition, your honor!"
88888888888888888888
"State your name, relation to the defendant, and your purpose," the judge demands.
Jamie has a sinking feeling. He studies the judge, and notices that he doesn't seem surprised by the woman's sudden appearance. He writes his father a note. Frank reads it and nods.
"Kelley O'Brian, your honor. I am Cassandra's aunt; I intend to take my niece home to Ireland to live and grow up with her natural family."
"Your response, counselor?" The judge turns to Gwen.
Gwen keeps her cool. "Your honor, no person or parties responded to us or CPS during discovery, none. We sought opposition here in the US and in Ireland. We respectfully request a continuance of 30 days to adequately respond."
The judge looks carefully at Ms. O'Brian, "A 21-day continuance is granted. Court adjourned." He stands and leaves the bench.
The marshals escort Kelley from the courtroom.
The bailiff approaches Gwen. "The clerk will contact you within 2 days with the new date and time for the hearing."
"Thank you, sir." She turns to Jamie, you know her?"
"Yes, let's talk. Eddie and I will call you at 12:00, ok?"
"Yes, I'll have Julie on the call also."
"Good, we will call you."
"Agreed."
88888888888888888888
Frank agrees to join the call and to use one of the 1PP conference rooms. Jamie asks Maria Baez to attend; she brings Jacqui Curatola, her current partner and Danny's ex-partner. Nicky and Linda watch the girls in another room.
The 1PP group talk before calling the attorneys.
"Jamie and Eddie, you know this lady," Frank starts.
"Yes, she is a Sinn Fein recruiter. She was illegally in the USA and was part, probably the mastermind, of the Dylan Walsh kidnapping," Jamie explains.
"Any hard evidence?" Maria asks.
"If there was any it would be at the house," Eddie inputs.
"House?" Jacqui raises an eyebrow.
Eddie gives them the address.
Frank instructs the proverbial fine toothed comb search, Maria and Jacqui nod and hastily depart. The 2 detectives leave, collecting 2 forensic teams as they go.
Frank calls Chief O'Malley of Bridgeport, CN. He agrees to be on the call. His team had processed the crime scene in Bridgeport.
As they are finishing with chief O'Malley Erin joins them. "Is there anything I can do to help," she asks after that call concludes.
"I think so," Jamie responds. "I noticed that the judge didn't seem surprised to see Ms. O'Brian. I wonder what his record is when it comes to Ireland related cases? And can we connect him to Kelley?"
"Interesting," Erin surmises. "I will have Anthony and Alex look into those questions; they are not busy right now."
"Thanks sis," Jamie grins. He just tossed his sister a juicy bone; she will deliver, he's sure of it.
88888888888888888888
Abby Baker makes the 3-way call. She has everyone introduce themselves.
Family Law partners Gwen & Julie,
Frank Reagan, NYPD PC,
Jamie & Eddie Reagan,
Abigail Baker, Asst to the PC,
Erin Reagan, Manhattan ADA.
Eddie thinks, 'I wish Cassie could see all these people working on her behalf. Jamie and I will need to recap it for her.'
G (Gwen): I think we all know that we needto discredit this woman. Assuming she really is Cassandra's aunt.
E (Eddie): Will Cassandra's wishes carry any weight? She is only 9 y/o?
G: That depends solely on the judge.
Ja (Jamie): Yes, ma'am. Let Eddie and I tell you all what we know about Kelley.
E: We met her when we were looking for Dylan Walsh. Eddie & Jamie recount the search for Dylan, then Kara. The MacDonalds parking lot encounter. What Kara might be able to testify to etc.
F (Frank): I previously asked my dad about his contact at the US State Department. We now have a source that can get us documentation as to why Kelley O'Brian is barred entry into the USA.
Ju (Julie): That's great.
Erin: I will put my top 2 investigators to work, on the possible connection between the judge and Kelley; and the record of judge Nelson McDougall related to cases involving Ireland and adoption. If there is anything to find.
E: Remember, we have only 21 days.
G: May I suggest a next meeting in 7 days, to assess our progress?
F: Agreed. All nod in assent.
Ju: I will type up our duties, if I may? No one objects. She does and all depart with their assignment in mind and in their e-mail in box.
8888888888888l o8888
SUPPER J/E/GIRLS
They have ordered pizza and the girls have set the table. Cassie looks very discouraged. Mal and Mary Rose have been glued to her side, trying their best to keep her spirits up.
After they are seated Eddie asks who would like to say grace.
Mal raises her hand, Eddie nods for her to go ahead.
"Bless us O Lord, for these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Amens were heard all around.
As they grab slices, Eddie speaks up. "Cassie, there are a lot of people working for you, to make sure that Jamie and I can adopt you. I wanted you to know that, so you don't feel so alone."
"That's right," Jamie adds. "We are going to do our best to make sure you can be a part of this family. Let me ask you this – do you know Kelley O'Brian?"
"Yes," Cassie says softly.
"How?" Mal asks, puzzled.
"She is my mommy's aunt, I think."
"Would you like to go with her," Mary Rose hopes not.
"NO, she is mean. I don't like her!"
"Has she ever hurt you?" Eddie wonders.
"Yes, she has slapped me when I was too slow to do what she asked."
"Once?" Jamie suggests.
"No, a few times."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other.
"I wonder if Gwen or Julie can get confirmation of that?" Eddie asks out loud. "Cassie, who saw that happen?"
"My mom and dad. And they are gone," Cassie starts to cry. Mal and Mary Rose put their pizza down and embrace their sister-to-be. They shed tears also.
"Nobody else?" Jamie whispers.
Cassie shakes her head slowly.
"Damn," Eddie mutters. "I'll call Gwen, maybe Cassie should testify?"
Jamie shakes his head, "No, she will be shredded on the stand. We cannot expose her to that, babe,"
Therest of the meal is a somber affair.
At bedtime, the girls say heartfelt prayers for Cassie.
888888888888888888
BAY RIDGE
Frank and Henry are relaxing after supper.
"Francis, I have some good news. My contact at US State has come through. I have documentation in hand that confirms Kelley being barred entrance into the Us and why."
"May I see it?"
"No, it is for my eyes only. And the judge if we get that far. I assume I may need to testify, and I am prepared to do so."
"Well, you should join our next team meeting."
"Just tell me where and when. I'll be there!"
88888888888888888
MANNHATTAN DA'S OFFICE
"What do we have, gentlemen?" Erin Reagan has been joined by Alex and Anthony. Her top investigators.
An: Well, the judge knows Kelly very well. She is his niece.
E: What! He must recuse himself!
An: Doubtful. He has a long history of not doing so. Unless challenged with irrefutable evidence.
E: Do we have that?
An: Yes!
E: Wait . . . would a better play be to leak that and get him to summarily approve the adoption?
Al: Risky, boss! Jamie and Eddie would need to go along with that.
E: Right, my brother wouldn't go for that. What do you have, Alex?
Al: The judge has a track record of leniency towards cases with an Irish 'flavor'. But nothing that we can use, I don't think.
E: So, anything we might try from our angle, the judge will just sneer at?
An & Al: Pretty much!
E: Thanks guys, we tried.
8888888888888
1PP, COMMISSINERS OFFICE
"Do we know how Kelley O'Brian gained access to the US?" Frank Reagan inquires of his team. "Federal marshals were escorting her, who authorized that?"
"I can get you a number to call, boss," Baker suggests.
"Do that, and call forthwith!"
888888888888888
RING
"Marshals offices, Helen speaking. How may I
direct your call?"
"This is NYPD detective Abigail Baker calling on behalf of commissioner Frank Reagan."
"Yes ma'am. What can I do for you?"
"We are wondering who authorized US marshals to accompany Kelley O'Brian to an adoption hearing? Who should we talk with for that information?"
"I will connect you with my supervisor. Just a moment."
Abby gets nowhere with her call; the PC himself couldn't spring loose the wanted info. Frank decides to make a visit.
"Abby, see if judge Tompkins can meet me at the federal building at 10:00 tomorrow."
She checks; "He can do that."
"Good, have Sid join me."
"Will do."
THE NEXT DAY
"Where are we going, boss?" Gormley asks as they take the elevator down to the garage.
"The federal building, to see a marshal's supervisor."
Federal judge Tompkins meets them at Frank's SUV.
"Chuck, meet my chief of department Lt. Sid Gormley."
The gentlemen greet each other and shake hands. Charles Tompkins chairs the federal judicial oversight task force for the district of New York. His family and the Reagans go way back, fortuitously.
"This sounds interesting, Frank."
"It is. Today I am most interested in how Kelley O'Brian gained entrance into the USA, and who authorized her marshal escort."
"I read the file you sent me, and made a couple of calls. I couldn't shake loose any info on that. I hope our visit is successful."
"Yes, thanks for joining us today."
"No problem, this beats the old racquet ball days, eh?"
"Exactly!" Frank smiles.
Sid raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.
Frank and Charles are not opposed to using their status and influence on this day – on behalf of a young girl who tragically lost one family. And is trying to gain another.
They finally find out that judge Nelson McDougall was responsible for both items. He had authorized both Kelley's entrance and US marshal escort. They found information that was evidentiary, and would greatly help Cassie.
Sid Gormley had another hands-on lesson in how the big boys do business. All in a day's work.
As they were riding back to 1PP Frank mused, "I think I'm ready for our next meeting."
"I certainly hope your team is successful in getting that young girl a good home," Charles speaks up.
"Ditto to that, boss!" Sid agrees.
88888888888888888
NEXT CONFERENCE CALL
As before, Abby Baker makes the 3-way call. She has everyone introduce themselves.
Family Law partners Gwen & Julie,
Frank Reagan, NYPD PC,
Henry Reagan, former NYPD PC,
Sid Gormley, NYPD chief of dept,
Jamie & Eddie Reagan,
Abigail Baker, Asst to the PC,
Erin Reagan, Manhattan ADA.
Gwen leads off and asks for reports:
Jamie Reagan: The 2nd search of the house in question yielded no usable forensic evidence.
Erin Reagan: My two investigators found 2 things. 1st, Kelley O'Brian is the judge's niece. 2nd, he has a record of leniency in regards to cases with an Irish 'flavor'. We don't think either will provide us with a successful basis for a challenge, change venue or judge. Sorry.
"His niece!" Eddie exclaims. "He should recuse himself."
"Technically, yes," Erin responds. "But at this level of proceedings, essentially family court, that's not going to happen. He will just laugh up his sleeve, I'm afraid," Erin admits.
Eddie scowls, sits back with her arms crossed across her chest. "Hmpf!"
"True, unfortunately," Julie agrees.
Gwen calls on Henry:
Henry Reagan: I contacted my former colleague at the US State dept. I have in hand the file that led to Ms. O'Brian being barred entry into the USA. It is damning to say the least. I feel that making its presence known would lead her to withdraw her opposition.
"Wow, we can really use that!" Julie opines.
Frank Reagan: I discovered that the judge was responsible for Kelley gaining entrance to the USA, and fort the US marshal's escort.
"Well, great work folks. I feel that we have enough to discredit Kelley O'Brian and to achieve a successful adoption. Anyone disagree?"
No one did.
8888888888888888
2 WEEKS LATER
After court is in session Gwen asks for a consult in chambers, the judge allows it.
"Counsel, what is this for?" judge Nelson McDougall growls.
Gwen presents A) the fact that he over-rode a US State department ban of entry, & B) enabled US marshal escort for his niece to enable her to oppose this adoption request (documentation presented). And C) the evidence leading to Kelley being banned US entry. (again, documentation presented, showing her to be an extrorsely unfit parent or role model).
"Your honor, we can avoid all this from coming out in open court if you will summarily approve this adoption request," Gwen solemnly states. She sits back and waits.
The judge scowls, then looks the documentation over and rubs his chin. "You are dismissed, counsel. I will render my judgment in 15 minutes." He stands; Gwen leaves.
15 MINUTES LATER
judge Nelson McDougall returns to the bench. He shuffles some papers then looks up. After clearing his throat he speaks, "After reviewing new evidence presented today, this court APPROVES THE ADOPTION REQUEST OF JAMESON AND EDIT REAGAN IN REGARDS TO THE MINOR CASSANDRA O'BRIAN. We stand adjourned." He exits the courtroom to cheers and applause.
888888888888888888