A Family Divided by Tom Berreman

Author:Tom Berreman [Berreman, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780997769838
Published: 2019-12-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 45.

“Where is he?” Allison whispered as she and Jason sat at the table in the probate courtroom. The third chair for Dr. Klein remained empty.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Jason replied. The constant tapping of his right foot and glances at his watch every thirty seconds showed his angst that their last chance for Ryan to inherit under his dad’s will may not come to fruition.

Allen Ginsburg and Brent Jennings sat at the table to their right, with Jessica seated in the front row of the gallery just behind them. Tension amongst those in the courtroom ran high, and Jason’s “good morning” greeting upon entering went unacknowledged.

The bailiff’s “All rise” proclamation broke the silence. As those in the room stood Judge Anderson exited her chambers and took her place behind the bench.

“Where is he?” Allison whispered to Jason, her voice as stern as a whisper allowed.

“I don’t know…, he assured me he would be here by now.”

But his assurances would be moot unless he got to the courtroom within the next ten minutes.

“You may be seated,” Judge Anderson said. After perusing her notes for a moment she continued. “While I never met Laura Dahlstrom Jennings, it is with mixed emotions I acknowledge her passing and agree with Mr. Ginsburg that this matter, which has drawn out longer than many expected, must be resolved. Counselor, you may now address the Court.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Ginsburg said as he stood, approached the bench and placed his notes on the podium. Much to Jason’s disbelief, and relief, he spent the next fifteen minutes laying out the legal argument all in the courtroom had heard before, that his clients were now the only beneficiaries under Curtis Jennings’ will.

As Ginsburg returned to his seat, Judge Anderson said “Mr. Burke, you may now present your response to this motion.”

Jason stood, prepared to acknowledge he could not rebut Ginsburg’s position. But before he could reply the courtroom doors burst open and Dr. Klein hurried down the aisle, Ryan following close behind him.

“Your Honor, if it please the Court, I request a moment to confer with my associate.”

Ginsburg stood to object, but Judge Anderson shut him down before he spoke.

“I’ll allow just a moment, but at this point of the proceedings I’m not inclined to grant a recess.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Jason said as he sat. Allison moved to the next chair to allow Dr. Klein to sit next to him. Ryan sat in the front row of the gallery.

“Thank God you’re here,” Jason whispered, leaning in close to the doctor to keep their conversation private. “I worried you wouldn’t make it in time.”

“I’m so sorry. I arrived just as I heard ‘All rise,’ but the bailiff wouldn’t let me enter the courtroom until there was a break in the proceedings.”

“No worries, I just hope your efforts were worth it.”

“They were. My tests are conclusive, within existing scientific certainty, that Ryan is Curt Jennings’ biological son.”

“Thank you, doctor. You know, I’ve never kissed a man other than my father, but if we weren’t in a courtroom, you might be the first.

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