Caray, Caray!

Villa El Descanso: 

Lucina and Manolo share a brewski on the patio.  She tells him Raquel is off trying to drum up business for their hotel.  He wonders if she might have gone to visit her friend Oriana.  Lucina repeats, again, they don't know where that woman went.  Manolo doesn't hide the fact that he doesn't believe her.  Lucina changes the subject to “la ahogada” (the drowned one).  Manolo shares she had drugs in her system, poor thing.  Lucina complains that drunks and druggies are always coming here.  She asks again that he allow her to put up a fence.  Why, just the other day there were some drunk hooligans who came and even fired some shots. She didn't bother to call him and ran them off herself.  Manolo's impressed, saying she sure has agallas (guts).  Lucina switches back to La Ahogada – so, did anyone claim her yet?  Nope, no one's come by yet but that's not what he came to talk to her about.  He wanted her to know that the Columbian authorities didn't waste any time investigating her friend, Oriana.  They've discovered there is a bank account in her name with over $1.2 million dolares (GUAU!).  She's shocked and Manolo doesn't believe she didn't know about the money.  Hell, if she'd known, she would've asked her to help them pay some bills, maybe buy them a new hotel!  Manolo explains it's too late cuz the authorities have confiscated that money since it was surely ill gotten booty. He asks again if she knows where Oriana is.  “Ya deja de chinchar! (stop bugging)”  She tells him again neither she nor Raquel know Oriana’s whereabouts.  She takes back her beer and tells him to scram.  I like this friendship.

Guaymas 

Raquel gets a call from Lucina who tells her about the money.  She returns to her hotel and runs smack into Ricardo.  She tries to avoid him but he's already seen her.  She explains she's here to drum up business.  Since the death of his father, business has kind of, well, died off.  He explains he's here on business for his textile firm in Hermosillo.  He invites her to dinner and she gladly accepts.

They get to know each other at dinner.  No, he's not married and she hasn't yet found her Principe Azul.  He wonders how it is that her friend Oriana ended up in Columbia.  She takes offense at this, asking if this is the only reason he invited her to dinner. He's up front with her.  According to her and Lucina, Oriana and his father had just met.  Why would she kill him?  Raquel explains it was the child who fired the weapon.  They have no idea where she might have found the gun since they don't have one on the premises.  He explains the bullet taken from his father's body was from a .44 – does she have any idea how much a .44 weighs?  How is it possible a child could have wielded that gun and aim so directly at the heart.  Raquel wonders if it might have been a stray bullet and brings up the gun tootin' hooligans on the beach from a few nights before. Maybe they came back to get back at Lucina who had run them off.  He's not put off so easily – why then didn't Oriana explain it was an accident.  Why did she flee with the gun and her passport?  Raquel can only think that she was scared for herself and her child.  Ricardo lets on that he knows about Oriana's husband’s gold smuggling venture and that he's alive.  Raquel swears Oriana had no idea.  If he knew her as she does, he would see Oriana had nothing to do with that.  Ricardo asks to meet Oriana so he can judge for himself.

The next day, Oriana and Raquel meet.  Oriana's worried about Alina– the loss of her father was a terrible blow.  Raquel assures her Alina will be able to overcome this.  What if Jose Luis shows up, wonders Oriana.  Raquel doubts very much he'll be showing up in Mexico with the police and Interpol on his tail.  She also verifies they know about the money.  Oriana is desperate.  She doesn't know what she's going to do. She can't continue to live off everyone's charity.  Maybe she should just turn herself in.  Raquel: Sure, once you're cleared of the murder charges in Mexico, they'll extradite you to Columbia.  Alina can then stay with me and Lucina.  Raquel can't imagine being separated from her daughter; it would ruin Alina's life.  She just doesn't understand why Jose Luis did this.  Raquel tries to comfort her, saying they'll figure something out.  Raquel worries Alina must go to school but she has no documents.  She's sure Lucina has her passport – not that she could use it anyway.  Their conversation blurs into the background as we see poor little Alina pouting on the merrygoround.  Poor little lambie.

That evening Raquel phones Lucina and tells her how depressed and desperate Oriana is.  Llucina has an idea!  Raquel can't image there's any way out for Oriana. Lucina isn't ready to share her plan yet and won't even give us a hint (I think Viewerville has already guessed what those spinning wheels are up to).   Raquel answers a knock at the door and it's Ricardo, of course.  He has the paper with a likeness of Oriana (a bad one I might say) with the headline: Se Busca Asesina.  Raquel again says Oriana is innocent.  He only wants to know if that is a good likeness.  She glances at it again and says, “Yeah, it does look like her.”  (oh, silly me.  I guess it wasn't supposed to look like her).  Ricardo only wants to speak with Oriana – maybe he can help her.  Put her in touch with an attorney.  The story of the drunk hooligans got him thinking and may she didn't know about the gold smuggling operation.  It wouldn't be the first time a husband has committed a crime without the wife's knowledge.  Raquel knows this would mean years in a Mexican jail and then more time in a Columbian jail.  She swears she doesn't know where she is. 

The next day, Oriana and Alina are at the park.  Alina looks like she's having a good time, finally.  Unfortunately, Oriana sees her likeness in the paper and freaks out.  She grabs Alina and they leave in a hurry.

San Carlos

Lucina comes by to speak to Manolo at the police station.  He assumes she's come to her senses and will give up Oriana.  Nope, she asks again about the fence.  He denies the permission again.  Oh well, hey soooo what happened with La Ahogada?  Nothing, he says.  No one's claimed her.  They're gonna keep her body a few more days before burying her in a common grave (fosa). 

Lucina next visits with a family.  Didn't catch the guy's name but we get the feeling they're old friends (she got him out of jail once).  She asks after some guy named Fausto – she needs a favor and it's important.  The friend tells her he'll do anything for her.

Hermosillo

PI Santos visits w/Paloma.  He explains her daughter died giving birth.  Paloma's granddaughter was taken in by some friends and ended up just like her mother – as a prostitute and a drug addict.  She blames her husband for being so stubborn and mean.  She even covers his picture with her handkerchief.

Guaymas

Oriana returns to her room – the hotel clerk tells her that her husband already picked up her keys and is waiting in their room!  Alina goes running, screaming for her daddy.  She reaches the room but only finds the truck driver who took them to Guaymas.  He's brought Oriana's passport – it's her picture but with the name Ines Valdivia Estes (I knew it!).  She even has a birth certificate.  He tells her to call Lucina for an explanation.

Hermosillo

Paloma continues to cry over her Palomita.  She never would have imagined her daughter would have had such a sad life. She never thought Paloma would have died. Santos tells her to consider she still has a granddaughter.  She was last seen when she left Ciudad Juarez, after a miscarriage.  He asks for instructions.  Paloma swears she will use her last days looking for her.  Santos says there was a postcard from Sonora.  Apparently, the granddaughter likes the beaches.  Her name is Ines Valdivia.  Paloma:  Then, it turns out she married that.....man.  Santos verifies this is true and that the man abandoned her and went to the U.S. 

Santos leaves.  Matilde watches him leave and asks the maid who he is.  Maid doesn't know but she's seen him here before. 

Guaymas.

Oriana is on the phone with Raquel, asking about the passport and a birth certificate for a Catalina Valdivia.  What the heck is going on?  Raquel tells her not to get hysterical.  She'll get in touch with Lucina and get the 411. 

Raquel calls Lucina who thinks this is a perfect solution.  Raquel doesn't disagree but worries if La Ahogada's body is claimed.  Lucina is sure that won't happen.  The problem here is Alina – doesn't Oriana have anyone to leave her with?  Raquel:  Are you kidding?  She's stuck to her like chicle!

Ruh-roh – Big Bro arrives at Sebastian's crash pad, and it's a mess!  He passes some hangers-on and they immediately take off.  Sebastian is lounging on the sofa twirling a bra.  Ricardo starts right in – he never attends class and his grades are dreadful (pésimas).  He has to study.  Sebastian tells Ricardo he's not the boss of him!  Besides he'll reach adulthood soon and able to claim his inheritance from mommy.   Speaking of inheritance, what happened with Daddy's inheritance?  Ricardo says there's no news on that yet.  He tries to reason with Sebastian.  How does he expect to run his own business without an education?  Sebastian tells him to mind his own beeswax.  He doesn't want to be saintly like Ricardo.  He's older and never married.  Why, some of his friends have even commented that Ricardo might be gay.  (gasp!)  Ricardo isn’t messing around – he tells Sebastian to step up or he will stop paying for college, this apartment and his allowance!  That's his final word.  Ricardo leaves as Sebastian shoots dagger eyes at him, “how I hate you imbécil!”

Hermosillo

Paloma  consults with the Padre Mariano (the collar with a plaid shirt looks dumb).  She laments that the bad man assumed he'd be able to twist Federico's arm and would be asked to come live with them.  But Fed never gave in, despite all her begging.  She doesn't understand why her daughter didn't come back to them after he abandoned her!  And she left behind her daughter, who ended up living the same life.  She confirms that the granddaughter had a miscarriage.  Padre hopes this helped her find her way to a better life.  She can only pray he's right.  He's the only one she can share this with.  She begs him not to say anything to anyone. 

Guaymas

Oriana and Alina are back at the playground.  Raquel and Lucina walk up to surprise them. Lucina warns Raquel not to let on that Ines was a vaga (loose woman) and a drug addict.  Of course not, agrees Raquel.  Alina is very happy to see them.  Oriana shoos her away so they can talk privately.  Oriana is concerned about assuming the life of a dead woman.  First, she's a smuggler, then she's Gabriel's supposed killer, now she's stealing someone's identity?  She'll be imprisoned forever!  Lucina is certain no one will find out.  Oriana Caligaris must disappear.  She even had a birth certificate made up for the kid.  She had to put her birth down without a father's name (hija natural).  After all, there are so many single mothers nowadays.  Oriana still thinks this is dangerous.  Raquel chimes in that no one knows who Ines Valdivia is and they'll lend her the money for an apartment.  They both work to convince her, leveraging her love for Alina against possible jail time. 

Luci & Rocky return to the hotel and see Ricardo.  Rocky wants him, bad -- but he kinda gives them the cold shoulder when they say hola.  Rocky still lusts after him and Lucinda warns her to be very careful with him.

Oriana compares her passport picture to the newspaper likeness.  She has a serious discussion with Alina.   She tells her they must assume new names.  She'll be Ines and Alina will be Catalina.  She'll call her Lina so it won't be too different.  Alina must never refer to their lives in Columbia nor their friends Lucina and Raquel.  She makes up a fairytale to go along with the story to help her understand.

Rocky meets up with Ricardo in the lobby.  She wonders if he's upset with her, given his less than enthusiastic greeting earlier.  No, he's just had a bad day – family problems.  She invites him to her room for a drink.  He hesitates but she insists.  He can relax.  Maybe she can give a massage, maybe a little sex (wait, what?).  Sex has been known to alleviate tension and bad moods, dontchaknow.  She's leaving tomorrow and who knows, their paths may never cross again.  Well, he's intrigued.  She'll be waiting then – no strings, ok?

We next see our little vixen in her room, dressed in a little black robe over a leopard print number drinking a glass of wine, hoping he'll show up, which he does.  They share a little small talk.  Well? She asks, a little relaxation never hurt anyone.  She runs her hand down his chest and we hear a crinkling sound such as a condom wrapper might make (not that I know, mind you).  Listo?  He confirms he has “un perservatido”  She enjoys cautious men. Thunder, a shower, a slow-mo kiss and it's over.  He's getting dressed and she's still in bed, shedding a tear.  (I’m sure the censors did some work here)

The next morning, Oriana/Inez is checking out the want-ads while Raquel enjoys a lovely bouquet of flowers.  Lucina arrives and wonders about the flowers.  They're from Ricardo, of course.  He's gentle, passionate --- yeah, ok, ok – Lucina just hopes she didn't tell him about Oriana. 

Oriana is apartment hunting.  No luck.  Lina wonders why they can't go back to the hotel at the beach.  “Ines” drills her – Lina is so smart – and super cute.  She knows her name is Catalina, nickname Lina.  Mom is Ines and they're from Monterrey. 

Hermosillo

Ricardo returns – in a good mood.  Tia is on the phone with Sebastian, telling him  he deserved it.  She promises to speak with Ricardo if he promises to behave.

Ricardo talks shop with Tia – there's more competition coming from China and they'll have to start using ecological pigmentation in their fabrics if they want to offer their customers a plus.  She brings up his threat to cut off Sebastian.  He figures this will force Sebastian to come home and he'll employ him at the factory as a worker bee, messenger, packing, whatever.  Tia can't believe he'd do that to his brother.  He can and he will!  He's had it with Sebastian's partying.  What does she expect him to do?  Beat some sense into him?  Of course not but she asks him to consider carefully what his next move will be.

Some guy named Benigno comes by to visit.  Ricardo is furious that he dares to show his face here.  Isn't the monthly payment enough?  Frankly, no says Benny.  Ricardo says he'll go to Benny's house.  His Tia shouldn't see him here.  Before he leaves, Benny asks if Ricardo will bother to ask after Maria.  She's fine – he'll wait for Ricardo at this home and hopes Ricardo won't keep him waiting.  Ricardo is a bit impactado by this mention of Maria.

Guaymas

Ines and Lina have found a place!  A few leaks here and there and some abandoned furniture from the previous tenants but it'll do.  Landlady looks nice enough.  Next – Ines finds a job at a children's clothier.  Lina starts school.  Later, Ines tacks up some of Lina's drawings for her Papi.  They have some small talk and Lina asks if she can tack up a foto --- of Jose Luis.  Gulp...

Ciudad Juarez

PI Santos is still on the job – checking out Ines' last known place of residence.  He sees the last post card she sent......from San Carlos.  And like a good PI, he heads for Hotel Descanso.  He searches through the guest book and sees Ines Valdivia's name on the register.  YIPES!!  He poses as a guest, saying he'll stay for a few days.  He meets Lucina.  She wonders how he came by this place.  He admits he's a PI looking for someone by the name of Ines Valdivia!!