A/N: This was meant to be a single-shot but multiplied! AU story following the Good Wife canon, almost a sequel to 'Alicia, I think you need a friend.' An old adversary turns up with a surprising revelation from his client…
Good Day Sunshine (The Beatles)
Chicago, March 2016
The doors of the elevator open onto the 28th floor of Lockhart, Agos and Lee. "Ah, good to be back," the lawyer chirped, swaying as he exited the elevator car and made his way to the reception desk. The receptionist looked up in surprise at the visitor and his client. She recognised him so had no need of the card he placed on the counter.
"Diane Lockhart," he said, "we don't have an appointment," he smiled at the woman now dialling Diane's number. He watched and listened to the short conversation between the receptionist and the named partner. "Ms Lockhart will come down to meet you," she said.
Diane replaced the handset in its cradle and, keeping her hand on top of it, audibly sighed before muttering to herself, "What else can happen today?" She let go of the telephone, placed her palms on her glass desk and pushed herself from her chair. She took a breath then exited her office, striding confidently down the corridor to reception.
Smiling she extended her hand to the lawyer, "Mr Canning, what brings you here?"
Louis shook her hand and gesticulated at his client, "This is my client, Ms Isabel Hewitt. I think it would be better if we went to your office Ms Lockhart."
"This way," she replied walking back the way she came, aware that a dozen pairs of eyes were watching her lead Canning and Will's ex-girlfriend to her domain.
Once inside her office, Diane offered the pair a seat and returned to her desk. Seating herself at her table gave her confidence and authority. She felt she might need it.
"Well, Mr Canning, how can I help you?"
"I'll let my client explain," he replied, turning to face Isabel.
Diane regarded the young woman with suspicion, taking a breath as she tilted her head back slightly to look down at her. Isabel took a paper from her purse and stared at it in her fingers. Diane noticed it was a photograph and her blood ran cold as she sensed a deep foreboding. She tensed herself as the woman opposite her put the picture down on the desk and pushed it towards her, "This is my son. Will Gardner is his father."
Diane shut her eyes and pushed her lips together in an attempt to control any emotion that she might divulge unwittingly to Canning and his client.
"Excuse me," Diane said to her guests and exited her office towards her assistant's desk. She walked to the office opposite hers, knocked on the glass door with an urgency before opening it and saying, "David, we need you."
David looked up, "Canning?" he asked.
"Mm-huh" Diane replied as she turned on her heel and headed back to her office.
David got up from behind his desk and walked the short distance to Diane's office – a journey that Will himself had made countless times. Entering the room, he extended a hand to Isabel, "David Lee, Head of Family Law, we have met," he said smiling suspiciously at her. She took his hand, "Yes, I remember you."
David turned away from Isabel and Louis, rolling his eyes at Diane as he approached to perch on the windowsill next to her desk.
"It's good to see you again David, got your feet back under the table here at, what is it now, Lockhart, Agos and Lee?" he questioned, seemingly enjoying himself being the harbinger of doom to the Dryden Building.
"Why am I here?" David asked, adding, "my time is valuable and it isn't worth spending on him," his comment alluded to Canning.
Canning smiled at David. "My client has an eighteen-month old child. We are suing the estate of the late William Paul Gardner for child maintenance, by which we intend to challenge his will and…"
David interrupted, "Wait a minute, it is over a year since Will died, his last will and testament was filed with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in 2014, it has been through probate and your child ma'am was not born then, nor was Will aware of his potential paternity. You cannot sue," he added, getting up and walking behind Diane.
Canning reached into his briefcase by his feet and removed a paper, "The will stated that, and I quote, 'in the absence of any issue, I hereby leave my partnership stake in Lockhart Gardner and any financial residue to Mrs Sara Atkinson (nee Gardner) and Ms Aubrey Gardner' – meaning that he would have left these items to any child he procreated."
Diane shook her head, "No, no, no, you can't. Will died without issue. His assets have been distributed. We haven't even discussed proof of paternity because we have no need." She felt herself getting angrier by the second and wished to rid herself of Canning and his, no doubt, lying bitch of a client.
"We are also suing the executor of Mr Gardner's estate for failing to determine the existence of rightful, legal heirs, in our case, his son, before filing the final probate account."
"Oh God," Diane exclaimed, taking her spectacles off and closing her eyes briefly.
"I understand you know the executor personally Ms Lockhart and also have a close relationship with one of the primary beneficiaries."
"Yes," Diane answered. "Have you been in touch with Will's family?" She asked, a lump in her throat as she thought of his sisters who were still grieving the loss of their only brother.
"No, not at present," Canning reassured her, "we wanted to present our case to you as the firm that handled his will and to the executor. He should be being served," Canning looked at his watch, "about now," he nodded.
Diane and David looked at each other. "Mr Canning," Diane began, "we need time to consider your application and speak to Mr Austen and others involved. We will be in touch regarding a DNA test, which we are certain your client will agree to," she stood up and lifted her head as she walked to the door, opening it for the lawyer and his client.
…..
A/N: So, this is just an introduction, I think it may run one or two chapters, just meant to be short. Let me know what you think. Alicia and Angela get involved next… along with another surprising revelation.