*Author's Note*
Hi, I'm back. I was conflicted about the opening of this chapter because it says a little about Jeffrey Grant and I wasn't sure if I wanted to put his thoughts about the trial (as in whether he was guilty or not) because I do not remember them saying whether he actually was guilty in the show, so I've decided to leave it ambiguous as lots of court appearances are!
The young Grant was restless throughout the court. His holding cell had not been treating him well. He was spat on and cursed at by his fellow inmates. They looked down on someone who was so rich and snooty. They would look down on anyone who had fallen from a pedestal, where it was possible to destroy entire families and gather more money than others had seen before in their lives. He had bruises on his back now and a faint tear tract on each cheek. He wanted the process to be over. He wanted to go home and be able to sleep in his own bed without having to keep one eye open for attackers. He wished things could go back to before he got into this mess. His parents had hired Lockhart/Gardener, one of the most prestigious law firms in Chicago. At first, he had a lawyer called Mrs Florrick, who he vaguely knew from the news about her husband, but then his lawyer had swapped, without him being able to consult them. Mr Gardner was apparently the best, but he did not have the same mothering attitude as Mrs Florrick, who reminded him of his own mother when she had been younger. His parents had tried to rehire Alicia but it turned out that Mr Gardner and Mrs Florrick were still in contact, and Mr Gardner had been warned.
Mr Gardner was a good lawyer, the young Grant could just tell, but there was an eeriness to the lack of affection he had received. It was like Mr Gardner only cared about winning a case and not proving him innocent.
The young Grant was restless throughout the court. His holding cell had not been treating him well. He was spat on and cursed at by his fellow inmates. They looked down on someone who was so rich and snooty. They would look down on anyone who had fallen from a pedestal, where it was possible to destroy entire families and gather more money than others had seen before in their lives. He had bruises on his back now and a faint tear tract on each cheek. He wanted the process to be over. He wanted to go home and be able to sleep in his own bed without having to keep one eye open for attackers. He wished things could go back to before he got into this mess. His parents had hired Lockhart/Gardener, one of the most prestigious law firms in Chicago. At first, he had a lawyer called Mrs Florrick, who he vaguely knew from the news about her husband, but then his lawyer had swapped, without him being able to consult them. Mr Gardner was apparently the best, but he did not have the same mothering attitude as Mrs Florrick, who reminded him of his own mother when she had been younger. His parents had tried to rehire Alicia but it turned out that Mr Gardner and Mrs Florrick were still in contact, and Mr Gardner had been warned.
Mr Gardner was a good lawyer, the young Grant could just tell, but there was an eeriness to the lack of affection he had received. It was like Mr Gardner only cared about winning a case and not proving him innocent.
Will had been thinking all the way through the rest of court about Alicia. He was always thinking about Alicia but now especially. Her warning him about the Grants looking for a second opinion reminded him of the friendship they once shared; of the missed opportunities and the pain she had put him through; and he realised that he needed to talk to her. He realised that she was the same Alicia deep down: forever looking out for everyone had been friends since the beginning of college. Her telling him about the Grants showed, in a way, that she still cared; that she couldn't have planned to betray him all along; that perhaps, there was a misunderstanding. He had to hear her side of the story. He hadn't wanted to listen before, maybe, he hadn't even been ready to listen then, but he was now.
Will checked the time. It was 11:31. Court wasn't scheduled to start until 11:35. He had time to call Alicia to ask whether she could meet him. It would have to be somewhere formal, yet not too intense, somewhere where no one could get the wrong idea, but also not somewhere too loud. It couldn't be a bar or office, for fear of memories overtaking the two of them. Will decided on a casual restaurant that also provided enough wine to make the conversation easier.
He checked the time again: 11:32. She would probably be in between a meeting now. He pulled out his phone to call her. The phone rang keenly a few times until he heard the automated voice on the other end. Will decided to leave a voicemail.
"Alicia," he started, but then paused, thinking about what needed to be said.
"Mr Gardner, we're just about ready here," the judge said, passing by. Will spluttered - they weren't supposed to start back for another few minutes.
"Hold… Hold on, your Honour. I'll call you back."
Will hung up the phone and entered the courtroom. He'd just have to wait to tell her later. At last he remembered that she would be introducing Peter for a talk. That was why she hadn't been able to pick up. Not any other reason, he decided. He presumed that he would be able to call back before she was finished with greeting the guests. Will hated to admit it, but he still kept note of Alicia's different talks - just so that he knew not to accidentally turn up to one of them.
*Author's Note*
This is the first chapter of the Season 5 ending. Based on the current, very rough plan I have, this should be 1/5 chapters. It might change, but I'll update you. Expect a new chapter in the next two weeks.