On Monday morning, a completely different Will emerged from the elevator at the Lockhart/Gardner office. Over the weekend, he had thrown out all his suits. Eric's girlfriend worked for a famous Parisian fashion house. With her help, Will managed to pick out some incredibly stylish clothes.
Walking down the hallway in a black Brioni suit, a snow-white shirt, a black tie, and white gold cufflinks, Will Gardner have looked perfect. Barely smiling, he caught surprised and frankly frightened glances. One employee even crossed herself before fainting.
"Freedom of Choice" by Devo was playing in the headphones, adding confidence and a good mood.
Seeing Kalinda, Will put the headphones in his pocket. Spreading his arms wide, he smiled broadly.
"Aaaah Will! Alive-e-e-e!" Kalinda screamed at the top of her lungs, not hiding her emotions. She ran into her friend's arms.
Will picked Kalinda up in his arms, kissed her, and carried her down the hallway.
Diane saw all this through the glass door of her office, and ran out into the hallway shouting
"Back! Hooray! You're safe."
Tears of happiness, hugs, and questions began again.
Having sent everyone to their work places with difficulty, Will went to his office with Kalinda and Diane.
"So, girls, did you miss me? Tell me what I missed?"
"Nothing, except that the police. They think you were killed or kidnapped. Or both," Diane answered happily.
"How did you survive? I saw your wounds," Kalinda asked.
"Don't ask, I can't explain anything to you anyway. Consider it a miracle or an experimental treatment. What about Finn?"
"He's wounded, but recovering. Already back at work. And by the way, he's in court today against one of our lawyers."
"Let the lawyer stay in the office. I'll go to the hearing myself. Give me the papers to review."
In the courtroom corridor, a strong hand grabbed Will by the collar, pulling him away from the visitors.
"Hello, Gardner. Is there something you need to tell me?"
"Finn? It's good to see you. What do you want to hear?"
"Well, for example, who brought you back to life so perfect, Will?"
"Where..." Will was confused. "He said a disorientation spell..."
"The only spell that doesn't work on me. Had to pretend." Finn smiled.
"And you too, Polmer?"
"Yeah. But after my sister died, I quit. Had no strength. After the shooting in the court, I followed you and that guy. Had to hide to listen to what you were talking about."
"Did you like that?"
"He offered an interesting case. Just tell your pal next time not to get caught on camera. A lot of people saw you. I had to do a little work to clean it up."
"I don't know how to thank you. I have no words. And most importantly. Thank you, Finn, for being with me in my last moments." Will thanked the prosecutor sheepishly.
"You're welcome. Look, Will. I have a favor to ask."
"Anything for you."
"I heard you're expanding your firm. You'll be working on you-know-what cases now. Take me with you. I don't want to be in the prosecutor's office anymore. Everything there is disgusting."
"However, information spreads fast. No problem. Consider yourself already working for us. I'll need a person who knows about this area. Quit and come right away."
"I'll tell the prosecutor's office today that I'm leaving, thanks again."
"Welcome aboard." Will shook Finn's hand. "I'm truly glad."
And so, Will acquired a second close friend and good workmate.
The hearing went quickly. Polmer hadn't tried hard enough, so Lockhart/Gardner's client got a probation and a fine. Both sides were happy.
The prosecutors and other lawyers now greeted him respectfully in the hallways. To everyone, Will Gardner was a hero who had rushed at a murderer to take his gun. He no longer wanted to remember how that heroism had ended.
As Will was leaving the courtroom, he saw Alicia walking down the hallway. He quickly turned and walked the other way.
"Will, wait!" too late. She had noticed him.
Will rolled his eyes and walked quickly the other way.
Alicia, running ahead, blocked his path.
"I cried my eyes out. I thought you were dead."
"As you can see, alive, healthy, happy. I don't care about the crying of Judas." Will looked at Alicia with disgust and his signature sarcastic smile. "Go back to your husband. You and Peter are a great couple for each other. Betray, deceive - your life credo. Our ladder to heaven turned out to be just a rickety stepladder, good only for getting a jar out of the pantry. If you loved me, we would have been together a long time ago. And I advise you not to stand in the way of my company. I will personally destroy you"
"You have changed, Will."
"Yes, Alicia, death works wonders. You are beginning to understand people well. I wish you all the best! Goodbye!" turning around, Will walked away.
In the parking lot, he exhaled deeply. His story with Alicia was over. The dreams that would never come true crumbled to ashes. Saying out loud, "I'm sorry for everything, and for God's sake, stop appearing in my dreams," Will got into the car.
Eric was already in the Lockhart/Gardner office. While waiting for Will, he managed to meet Diane and Kalinda, being absolutely delighted with them. The ladies also really liked the handsome young man, and most importantly, the obscenely rich new colleague. Looking at his hand-tailored suit, they were afraid to imagine how much money he really had.
"Your green tea is so cool. Can I get another cup?" Everton asked, slightly shyly.
"Of course," Diane answered cordially.
"How did you meet Will?" Kalinda asked, looking at Eric with distrust.
"I'm a family friend. I helped him with his treatment," Eric answered evasively.
It was clear from Kalinda's face that she didn't believe a single word. She could not understand what Will had in common with this self-confident child. But if Will appreciated him, then Eric was worth it.
"I see you've managed to get acquainted," Will took off his coat as he walked, "Let's go to the conference room. This is going to be a very serious conversation. Just between us."
"And so, ladies and gentlemen, let's begin our meeting," Diane announced solemnly. Will winced slightly at her formal tone.
Will stood up, walked around the room, and began his speech. "As you know, friends. Yes, yes, friends. Each of you has proven your right to be called by this word. Our company has been going through hard times lately. Clients leaving, financial problems. Now all of that is in the past. Eric is our new partner, or rather investor. We are preparing to divide the company's affairs into two areas. Regular and special cases. Diane will handle the regular area: corporate law, family, regular criminal cases – in a word, as always."
"What do you mean, Will, by unusual cases?" Diane asked, surprised.
"Those that are outside the standard legal system," Will answered vaguely. "They will be handled personally by myself, my deputy Finn Polmer, and people specially selected by Eric. These cases are quite dangerous and not always amenable to understanding. I ask you, Diane, to inform our equity partners that each of them will be paid their share, and they are free. The Lockhart/Gardner company will become the company of Diane Lockhart and William Gardner only. We have money now. And with money, we do not need partners. With money, we can survive without partners."
"My starting fee is eight hundred million. More will follow, as we win cases. We have serious clients, but no experienced lawyers. You have experienced lawyers, but so-so clients," Eric said firmly.
"Eight hundred million?" Diane took off her glasses, shocked. "Eric, what would we have to do for that money? Sell a kidney or a soul to the Devil."
"No, no, Diane. Nothing you haven't done before. Just do a good job. By the way, I've fixed your problem with Bishop. He won't bother you anymore. He won't bother anyone else." Eric smiled mysteriously. "And Jeffrey Grant won't be a problem either. I don't like it when people treat my friends like pigs."
Will was frightened by how easily, with a charming smile, Eric said: "I solved the problem", "You will not be disturbed anymore", "The obstacle has been removed" and so on. Gardner understood perfectly well what this meant. And he also understood that these issues could not be resolved in any other way. Will was grateful to Everton for taking on the dirty work. He himself could not have done it. Or at least that's what it seemed to him then.
"Here's all the news in brief. Questions? Suggestions? Objections"
"Frankly, we are a little shocked. We need to get used to such news," Kalinda answered confusedly.
Diane nodded.
"Then get used to our new way of working, reorganize, clear out the office. I'm leaving tomorrow for two weeks with Eric to work on our first case."
"Real life is finally starting," Kalinda rubbed her hands.
"I love you guys. Let's get to our new life." Diane was also excited.
"We're like that meme about the meeting with Dr. Evil, where they all laugh together." Will was surprised at how much the changes were welcomed. It was truly worth getting shot once.
In the evening, while packing for the trip, Will reached for his cell phone again. Opening the contacts, he found Alicia's number again. Taking a few deep breaths, exhaling, he prepared to dial the number.
"No. Never again."
After hanging up, Will dialed Kalinda's number.
"Hi. What are you doing?"
"Nothing really," Kalinda replied, surprised.
"It's a nice evening, nice weather. Let's go for a walk on the Riverwalk."
"I don't mind. But you owe me some hot coffee. I don't want to get out from under the blanket."
"Deal." Will smiled, looking out the window.
Will spent the evening before leaving walking with Kadinda. They drank coffee from paper cups, laughed, looked at the moon, discussed Taylor Swift's music and new TV shows.
"I'll be there soon. Help Finn get settled in." Will took Kalinda's hand. "He's a little stressed about the new job."
"I'll help, of course. I'm so glad you're okay. I thought you were killed. Explain to me how you healed that wound? It can't be healed."
Will hugged Kalinda from behind. "I'll tell you, but now is not the time."
The song was playing from the window of a car stopped at a traffic light:
Go on, go on, just walk away
Go on, go on, your choice is made
Go on, go on, and disappear
Go on, go on away from here
And the stars in the sky are bright as diamonds and whole life is ahead.