Ethan looked around the room with a quiet sense of satisfaction. For the first time in a long while, the place was beginning to feel like his.
He went downstairs, smoking a cigar as he wandered barefoot across the wooden floor.
Smoke drifted beneath dim lights as he inspected each corner: kitchen, empty living room, large windows, and silent hallways.
That feeling of absolute freedom inevitably reminded him of his cabin in Banshee. The only thing missing was a lake near the property to make the experience perfect.
He sat down on the couch, pulled out his phone, and started sending invitations to his coworkers from the precinct.
Everyone already knew he had bought a house, so they had all been expecting a housewarming party.
Over the last few days, while dealing with Reed, Ethan had discovered he was a better person than he originally thought.
On top of that, he had gotten contacts and access to entertainment companies through him.
With so many people coming, there was no way he could handle everything alone.
He searched for an event planning company and selected several standard services.
Out of curiosity, he kept browsing through the options.
Escort services.
Ethan stared at the screen for another moment before suddenly slapping his thigh hard.
—Shit! If I'd known earlier… I wouldn't have invited my female coworkers.
Night fell.
The lights inside the house glowed brightly, while the ones outside in the yard lit up one by one.
The pool lights cast a hypnotic glow through the crystal-clear water.
In one corner of the garden floated the unmistakable scent of grilled meat and charcoal smoke.
Two professional chefs worked in front of massive stainless-steel grills, moving through the crackling flames and clouds of smoke rising slowly into the cold night air.
Different cuts of meat sizzled over the grates: thick tomahawks, ribs drenched in BBQ sauce, ribeye strips, and marinated steaks dripping fat into the flames.
Ethan glanced around; long dining tables had been arranged across the patio, covered with spotless white tablecloths and decorated with flowers and fruit.
Beside them stood a small bar prepared for every kind of drink imaginable, with the bartender ready to serve the guests.
—Mr. Morgan.
The event organizer approached quickly, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.
—Is there anything else you need?
Morgan looked up. Countless small lightbulbs hung overhead, swaying gently in the night breeze.
They looked like a glowing galaxy that drew everyone's attention.
—No, everything's perfect. They're just close friends.
He smiled at the black-haired woman dressed in a business suit.
She smiled back and carefully stepped aside.
For her, tonight's event was incredibly relaxed.
The cost of the party hadn't even been that high, barely a few thousand dollars. But she still took it very seriously; nobody was naive enough to think a wealthy man living in a place like this would only host one party.
If she made a good impression tonight, she would never have to worry about future events.
She checked her watch. It was almost time.
Ethan headed quickly toward the front door and waited patiently for his guests.
Tonight's gathering was still simple. He had only hired two cooks, three servers, and a bartender.
With a small setup in the backyard, it was more than enough.
They were all coworkers, after all. There was no need to be flashy. Cops preferred quiet gatherings.
Not long afterward, headlights flashed in front of the house.
Ethan quickly stepped down from the front entrance the moment he saw the first car pulling up the driveway. The cold evening air stirred his jacket slightly as he raised a hand to greet them.
The first to arrive were the Dawsons: Antonio, Laura, and their two children.
The SUV stopped in front of the house, and Laura was the first to step out. The moment she looked up at the enormous illuminated property, her eyes widened in surprise.
—Wow!
She slowly turned in place, taking in the massive façade, the huge windows, and the garden partially covered in snow.
—I still can't believe it… congratulations!
—Thanks —Ethan replied with a small smile.
Laura stepped closer to kiss him on the cheek before handing him the bottle of red wine she carried. Ethan accepted it while Antonio climbed out of the vehicle with an amused expression, as if he were still trying to calculate how much the house had actually cost.
—Erin wasn't joking when she talked about this place. It's incredible —Antonio commented while closing the car door.
Ethan chuckled softly before glancing toward the boy standing beside Laura.
—Diego, welcome.
The kid lifted his chin, trying to look like an important adult, and shook Ethan's hand with complete seriousness. Ethan played along perfectly.
—Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Morgan —Diego replied with exaggerated solemnity.
Antonio burst out laughing immediately.
The next second, the boy abandoned all formality and fist-bumped Ava, Antonio's daughter, who was already grinning from the other side of the car.
Antonio had arrived first, accompanied by his wife and children. Ethan had made it clear from the start that family members were welcome; after all, this gathering wasn't meant to be an elegant party or an official Intelligence Unit dinner.
Antonio walked a few steps up the entrance path while admiring the illuminated garden and the enormous stone fountain nearby, where water still flowed despite the cold.
—I like this view —he commented, pointing toward the fountain.
Ethan looked around for a few seconds, watching the warm lights reflecting against the remaining snow while smoke from the grills drifted into the dark sky.
—Yeah… not bad.
—I think so too —Ethan added with a smile. Make yourselves at home. All the fun's in the backyard, so don't be shy. I still have to wait for the others, so I'll leave you to it.
—Alright, you two. —Antonio pointed at the kids with a firm but relaxed gesture.—Go inside and play.
Diego and Ava didn't need to hear it twice.
Both of them sprinted toward the entrance, laughing and shoving each other, while the front door remained open, spilling warm light from inside the house.
—Don't run! —Laura warned them, though her tone carried more resignation than authority.
—And don't break anything! —Antonio immediately added.
After watching his family head inside, he lit a cigarette.
As they talked, more cars arrived.
—Good evening.
Burgess stepped out of the passenger seat with a calm smile. She wore an elegant black dress that contrasted sharply against the cold night and carried a bottle of whiskey in one hand.
Ethan walked down a couple of steps to greet her.
—Thanks!
He took the bottle and gave her a light hug. The soft scent of her perfume was unexpectedly refreshing.
Ethan looked at her for a second longer than necessary before smiling.
—You look really beautiful tonight.
Burgess raised an amused eyebrow.
—Was that a sincere compliment, or are you practicing social skills?
—Just take the compliment, Burgess.
She let out a small laugh.
—Detective!
Atwater's voice echoed from the other side of the car. The moment he stepped out, he dramatically opened his arms.
—Where's my hug?
Ethan walked over and hugged him far harder than necessary.
—Damn it! —Atwater immediately groaned, grimacing in pain— Why do I feel like you just tried to break my spine?
Burgess burst out laughing while Atwater pointed at her indignantly.
—You saw that, right?
—You walked into that one —Ethan replied calmly.
Then Hank arrived next, slowly stepping out of his truck with a calm expression and his hands tucked inside his dark coat. Behind him came Erin holding a bottle of wine, followed by Jin and Halstead, already arguing about something before they even reached the entrance.
—Look at this damn house… —Halstead muttered while staring up at the illuminated property— How big is this place?
—Big enough that I don't have to see my neighbors —Ethan answered casually.
Jin chuckled softly while looking around.
Hank finally approached him and studied the house for a few seconds before giving a slight nod.
—Good place.
Coming from Voight, that was practically an emotional speech.
—Thanks.
Erin handed him the bottle of wine.
—I didn't know what to bring someone who apparently keeps millions under his mattress, so hopefully this ten-dollar wine works its magic.
—You're the magic.
Halstead walked a few steps toward the backyard while whistling quietly.
—Alright… officially, I hate your backyard even more than I hate Ruzek.
Laughter quickly spread through the group.
Soft music drifted out from inside the house, mixed with the smell of grilled meat and the distant sound of conversations from the other guests.
The group continued chatting for a few more minutes near the entrance, exchanging jokes and comments while the cold grew sharper.
Finally, Hank gestured toward the front door.
—Let's go inside before Atwater eats all the food.
—Too late for that —Halstead muttered.
One after another, they headed into the house, leaving Ethan standing alone at the entrance for a few seconds as he watched the warm lights reflecting across the snowy yard.
The last time Erin had been there, she had only taken a quick look around.
This time, she took Antonio's children with her and happily ran through the house.
Just as Ethan crushed his cigarette beneath his shoe, three more cars arrived.
Olinsky stepped out first, followed closely by a teenage girl.
—Ethan!
Olinsky turned and introduced her.
—This is my daughter, Lexi.
He gestured lightly toward the teenager standing beside him.
Lexi glanced up from her phone for only a second, shooting her father an irritated look before focusing on Ethan Morgan.
She silently studied him for several seconds, clearly evaluating him. She wore an oversized dark hoodie, her hair tied back carelessly, and headphones resting around her neck.
—Hey —Ethan greeted calmly.
—Hey… —she answered without much enthusiasm.
Olinsky sighed heavily.
—She's in a bad mood because I made her come.
—I'm sixteen, Dad. I can stay home alone.
—Yeah, and you can also accidentally burn down the kitchen trying to make ramen.
—That happened once.
—Twice —he corrected immediately.
Lexi rolled her eyes before looking back at the enormous illuminated house.
—Well… I guess the house is actually amazing. You seriously don't look like a detective… and neither does your house.
Lexi looked the property up and down.
—Please, little Lexi.
Platt's voice appeared behind them just as the teenager finished mocking her father.
The sergeant smiled while looking Olinsky up and down with obvious disapproval.
—Nobody said all detectives had to dress like your father: sloppy, exhausted, and two steps away from homelessness.
—Hey. —Olinsky frowned while pulling a pack of Twizzlers from his coat pocket.—I changed clothes, alright?
He dramatically brushed off the elegant gray cashmere coat he was wearing as though modeling for a magazine.
—Exactly! —Ruzek chimed in as he arrived with his girlfriend Wendy.—Look at him… he looks like a depressed European detective.
—Very fashionable —Wendy added, trying not to laugh.
The compliments were so obviously fake that Platt immediately rolled her eyes. Still, Olinsky seemed genuinely pleased.
—Finally, people with taste—he declared while adjusting the collar of his coat.
The group kept talking for several more minutes, exchanging jokes and sarcastic comments while more guests continued arriving at the property.
Soft music spilled out from inside the house, blending with the smell of meat grilling in the backyard.
Eventually, everyone headed inside together.
After a few more minutes of waiting, two additional vehicles appeared down the driveway. Their headlights briefly illuminated the front of the house before parking near the garage, filling the remaining space completely.
Doors opened one after another amid voices and laughter.
Little by little, everyone gathered near the main entrance. With those final guests, nearly everyone had arrived.
Soft music played through speakers placed around the house, blending with the constant murmur of conversations, laughter, and music.
Nearly twenty people filled the house, creating a warm and lively atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the cold outside.
Inside, Hank and Platt had already claimed the main couch in front of the enormous television, arguing over whether to watch the Lakers or the Cubs game.
Erin, Laura, and Lexi occupied part of the living room near the kitchen, chatting between occasional laughter while snacking on appetizers before dinner.
When Burgess saw them, she quickly joined in.
Atwater helped Ethan place the wine bottles on the dining table and called the servers over to uncork them and pour drinks for everyone.
Antonio and the others were already playing basketball on the court in the backyard.
The moment Atwater saw them, he rubbed his hands together and joined in.
—Come on, Ethan!
Antonio clapped from the edge of the court behind the property.
—Get over here and play!
—Let's see how good you really are! —Ruzek shouted while bouncing the basketball.
The outdoor lights illuminated the small concrete court beside the garden.
Atwater was already sweating despite the temperature.
—I'm warning you all right now, I'm about to humiliate every single one of you —he declared while rolling up his sleeves.
—You can barely breathe after running for two minutes —Burgess replied from a nearby chair while holding a glass of white wine.
Laughter immediately followed.
Ethan caught the basketball when Ruzek tossed it toward him. He spun it briefly in his hands while staring at the hoop.
—Well? —Antonio asked with a challenging grin.—Does all that money not buy coordination too?
Ethan didn't answer.
He simply started moving.
Two quick steps across the damp concrete, one bounce of the ball, and then he exploded upward with shocking athleticism.
—Boom!
The ball slammed through the hoop with a powerful dunk that rattled the entire metal frame.
For a second, there was complete silence. Ethan's vertical leap had completely caught several of them off guard.
—Holy shit! —Atwater blurted, eyes wide—. Since when can you do that?
Ethan landed calmly and caught the ball before it bounced too far away.
Antonio slowly shook his head while laughing in disbelief.
—Nice shot!
From the terrace, Lexi watched the scene while leaning against the railing.
—Okay… that was actually awesome —she finally admitted.
From near the fence, Erin and Burgess applauded.
By unanimous vote, Ethan was quickly banned from playing any further; he had stolen all the attention.
After a brief break, dinner began.
A dozen people gathered around the table.
Ding, ding, ding!
Ethan picked up a glass of whiskey from the counter and lightly tapped it with a spoon.
Everyone fell silent.
The chatter slowly faded away.
—Alright, listen up for a second.
Several heads turned toward him.
—I haven't been in Chicago very long… everyone knows that. And when I got here, honestly, I didn't know what to expect. I only knew one thing: the job was hard.
A few soft laughs and immediate nods followed.
—But… —Ethan continued while looking around the room— everyone here is my friend. And if things ever go bad out there someday… I want you all to know I'd take a bullet for any one of you without hesitation.
Ethan raised his drink, followed by everyone else.
Even Hank lifted his glass.
—Tonight, I only have one request.
He paused briefly before giving a faint smile.
—That everyone has a good time… cheers!
—Cheers! —they answered almost in unison.
Glasses rose all around the room amid laughter and clinking crystal.
Atwater was the first to ruin the solemn moment.
—Perfect! That officially means I can serve myself food without pretending to have manners in front of everybody.
—Don't you dare touch my ribs! —Antonio growled from the back.
Conversations immediately resumed, even livelier than before.
Ethan took a small sip while observing the room filled with life.
And amid the noise, the music, and the warm lights reflecting against the windows, an oddly familiar feeling crossed his mind.
The backyard glowed beneath long rows of yellow lights strung between the trees and the terrace.
The area near the pool had turned into an improvised dance floor.
Antonio held Laura by the waist while they slowly moved together, laughing. A few feet away, Ruzek danced with Wendy in an intentionally ridiculous way just to make her laugh.
Even Olinsky had ended up trapped there, although technically not by choice. Lexi held one of his hands while forcing him to keep up with the rhythm.
—Dad, you're literally moving like you have lower back pain.
—Because I do have lower back pain —Olinsky grumbled, making several people burst into laughter.
Sitting near an outdoor fire pit, Ethan watched the scene with a glass of whiskey in his hands. The flames partially illuminated his face as his eyes eventually settled on Erin.
She stood near the wooden railing, quietly watching the improvised dance floor with a glass of wine in her hand. The cold wind gently moved her hair while the yellow lights reflected in her eyes.
Ethan watched her for several seconds before finally standing up and walking directly toward her.
He extended a hand toward her.
—Want to dance…?
Erin looked at him for a few moments before finally accepting.
—I didn't know you danced.
—Well, I never said I could. But I think I can do it better than Ruzek.
He glanced toward the rookie stumbling awkwardly across the dance floor.
—That's good enough for me.
Ethan chuckled softly while guiding her toward the dance floor.
The music had slowed now, softer and calmer than before. Ethan rested one hand on Erin's waist while she placed one on his shoulder. They began moving slowly beneath the yellow lights, surrounded by the murmur of conversations.
—You know… —Erin murmured after a few seconds— a few months ago, I never would've imagined being here with you like this.
—Neither would I.
Erin smiled softly, almost shyly, while they continued swaying slowly beneath the warm glow of the backyard lights.
—You know everyone's watching us, right…? —Erin murmured with a faint smile while resting her hand against Ethan's shoulder.
He didn't even bother looking around.
—Yeah. They've got nothing better to do.
From one of the patio tables, Atwater openly stared at them while Ruzek nudged him with an amused grin. Even Antonio slightly raised his glass in their direction, making Laura laugh quietly.