Caray, Caray!

At the rooftop bar of Francisco's hotel, Sebastian meets with Francisco, who calls him an idiot for arguing with Leonardo in front of his godfather.  Francisco still wants him to act like a decent human being, and clearly, fighting with the figurehead president's godson isn't the way to do it.  As Sebastian goes to the potty and asks Antonio and Francisco to order him another drink, Francisco comments to Antonio that they've made a mistake with him.  Antonio agrees, but says he now knows too much for them to be able to fire him.  Antonio has the accountant on the hook, but he won't tell him what the business is really about until he's got a fat check in front of him.  He doesn't think Escalona will back out, though, because he's got money problems.  As for Sebastian, it would be difficult to get rid of him.  Ricardo would get upset.  It's Sebastian who hates Ricardo, but Ricardo doesn't feel the same way.  As far as Leonardo goes, Antonio has found out relatively nothing, except that the armored car didn't come from Hermosillo.  He has no idea who Leo's grandfather is and he figures only Ricardo or Inésiana could tell him.

Maria's memorial mass is being said.  Everyone looks sad.

Leonardo tells Homero that Sebastian is nuts and the only reason he didn't put him in his place is that his godfather was there.  He's found out that the investors are Caribbean Investments Company, but that Francisco Castro only set up the partnership--he doesn't have a position in the company.  Homero says that was smart of him.  As president of the company, it's Trejo Bonfil who will be going down for any shady business.  He doesn't think there's anything to warn him about yet--they have no proof that CIC is going to be using the company to launder money.  They'll have to wait.

Paloma and Inésiana talk about Maria's sad life and sad death, may she rest in peace.  Ricardo's also sad, but Paloma says life goes on.  She hopes Ricardo will be coming to Fabiola's party.  Matilde (*sigh*) comes in asking if after what Fabiola has "done" they're going to "reward" her with a birthday party.  Your faithful recapper, having already partaken of a bottle of hard cider and some merlot earlier this evening, will not be participating in the "Shut up, Matilde" drinking game, but if you'd like to…drink!  Paloma doesn't feel like arguing with her--they're having a party and that's that.  No, Matilde can't see the guest list.  But she peeked and has already seen Fidelia's name.  Of course, Paloma's inviting her.  She's already been invited, in fact.  Saccharine Matilde tells her aunt to do whatever she wants and swans out, fondling her bells.  That's not a euphemism.  Inésiana laughs at how "dominated" Paloma has Matilde.  Paloma says she just warned her is all.  Fabiola now has the option of choosing freely between Piero and Leonardo, who are both on the guest list.  Is this going to be like _Brave_?  If so, I'd like to cast a vote for Fabiola choosing her husband based on who wins a dance-off.

Homero gets a call from his new BFF Carmelo.  Carmelo hasn't found Eliseo's car, nor has he been able to find Berto's killer, but he does have some interesting news…the ballistics report is back and the same gun killed Gabriel and Berto.  Berto's prints are on the gun, but there are also some others, probably from Eliseo (who Carmelo refers to as Berto's killer).  Carmelo has also sent the box the gun was in to be analyzed.  He's going to need Ricardo's and his staff's fingerprints to rule those out, as he'd expect to find them on the box.  Carmelo doesn't have Francisco's prints, since he doesn't have any grounds for asking.  Once they get off the phone, Homero calls another of his contacts to ask them to hurry up with the info on Francisco, when/how he got into the country.  He also wants Francisco's passport or license fingerprints.  And also he wants them to find Juan Valdivia.  Leonardo wonders why his grandpa is so determined to unravel this whole mess.  Homero says first off, because he likes doing it, but also he saw how anxious Paloma got and he has the feeling some innocent people may have felt obligated to do bad things out of a survival instinct.  Not that he thinks that's a justification, but everything has to be analyzed and now that he's retired, he can do whatever he thinks best about that, without having to follow the rules.  Leonardo says he's got to go buy Fabiola a birthday present, and he'll leave grandpa to take care of Neron.  Homero jokes with Neron that it should be the other way around and Neron needs to take care of his "great-grandpa."

Ricardo, Mariano, and Piero do shots in Maria's honor.  Ricardo says she died still in love with him.  Mariano reminds him of all the things he did to take care of her, but Ricardo thinks he could have done more.  Piero backs Mariano up and says the few good things in Maria's life were given to her by Ricardo.  Ricardo asks for another shot--not just because he's feeling down about Maria's death, but because Homero de la Garza's interest is making him nervous.  Piero can't understand why Homero would just show up like that and sit down at the table where Ricardo, Inésiana, Raquel, and Francisco were sitting. Mariano wonders if they can't just tell him the whole story, but Ricardo can't forget that Homero was a cop and if he tosses Inésiana in jail, Ricardo will "die."  Like a mopey teenager.  What Ricardo has noticed is that Homero's reputation precedes him and he's able to get any information he wants.  Mariano thinks it's possible Homero might feel compassion for Inésiana if he hears the whole story.  He offers to talk to him.

Lucina, by phone, thanks Paloma for the invitation to Fabiola's party and says she'll be there.  Raquel asks where they're invited and, unfortunately, Raquel is invited too.  Lucina tells her she'd better get a present.  Raquel whines about not wanting to go with her eye all bruised and brushes off Lucina's suggestion that she slap a coat of paint on it.

Back in her room, Raquel calls Francisco and whines that she and Lucina got into a fight because Lucina insisted that Raquel tell her how she found out where Inésiana was hiding.  She's also determined that Raquel shouldn't see Francisco anymore.  Francisco seems amused that Lucina hit Raquel in the face.  "And all to defend my relationship with you!  So you'd better keep that in mind, because with this face, I won't be able to go to Paloma's niece's party.  Lucina beat me to a pulp and all for defending our relationship."  Francisco thanks her and says (completely insincerely) that he's sorry they came to blows.  Raquel blames the current state of the relationship on Inésiana.  "Don't mention her.  Soon they'll leave us alone, if we keep a low profile.  Like the investor Francisco Castro who doesn't get into it with anyone."  Raquel presses him to "formalize" their relationship, saying she can't stand to go on like this.  Francisco says that will happen in good time, and gives her a casual "take care," before he hangs up the phone.

Leonardo is off to Fabiola's party.  Homero invites himself.  He's bought a present and everything.  Leonardo intends to deny responsibility for his grandfather's party crashing.

Lina comes down the stairs, practically dragging Tito and she and Ricardo trade compliments.  Lina, honey, did you not notice the ascot?  I'll buy you a lollipop if you get him to ditch the ascot.  Ricardo wants Lina not to let anyone, like Matilde, be mean to her because he just can't stand it.  They rub noses.  It would be cuter without the ascot.

Homero makes his way down the receiving line and presents Fabiola with her gift.  Judging from the size of the box it could be a pen, a watch, a bracelet…I'm hoping it's some kind of awesome James Bond watch with poison gas and a taser.  As he gets to Paloma she tells him he wasn't invited.  "I know, but I wanted to see you."  See, he's learning. Paloma calls him a "gorron" (moocher).  Mariano presents his present to Fabiola, who says "Thank you, Father," prompting Matilde to sneer that he's no longer a priest.  Shut up, Matilde.  Inésiana and Ricardo check out the buffet table.  She can't decide what to eat--it all looks so good!  I vote something messy, and there should be a napkin shortage so she's forced to use his ascot.  Ricardo recommends she start with a chimichanga…and some beef from Sonora…or maybe some seafood…maybe some "frijoles maneados" (look it up and you'll find several recipes…I couldn't identify what exactly should and should not be included except for the beans!) which Ricardo says have cheese and lard, and Fidelia chimes in that they have some "chile colorado" in them too (red peppers…not as in "bell peppers" but, Anaheim chiles that have matured and are red)…they also have "machaca" (dried, salted beef) but he warns her not to put too much hot sauce on it…and for dessert, "coyotas," empanadas (filled cookies or filled pastries) made with "piloncillo" (from "pilón" which is a pile or a mountain...a cone of unrefined brown sugar…sometimes you can find it in the grocery store in the produce section) or filled with pineapple, caramel, or nuts, though Fidelia insists that it's the ones with piloncillo that are authentic.  Don't you just wish we could have a themed potluck?  Leonardo is chatting with Fabiola as Piero comes over to give her her birthday gift.  Matilde would like to start the interrogation, but Paloma says it's time to give Fabiola her present…The One Gift to Rule Them All.  As she and Paloma walk off, Leonardo and Piero introduce themselves to each other.  Paloma bought Fabiola a car, which she says is also from Inésiana.  Ruben starts a round of applause.  Francisco walks up  with a gift for Fabiola and Lina hides behind her mother.  Don't look surprised…you nearly kicked her dog to death and then abandoned him in a park, you idiot!  Lina and Inésiana go back inside the house, followed swiftly by Ricardo.  Francisco, cause he's all about Francisco, opens the box to show Fabiola (and thus everyone else) that he bought her a necklace.  Fabiola says she can't accept, it's too nice, while the dollar signs in Matilde's eyes light up.  Francisco says she deserves it and puts it in her hands. Paloma walks right up to him and says no one invited him.  Francisco says he thought he should be there since he's part of the family.  "Que la boca se le haga chicharron!" (May your mouth turn into fried pork rinds!...in other words, "Shut up, Francisco!")  As everyone goes back inside, Mariano blocks Francisco's path.

In Inésiana's room, Lina is freaking out that her dad is going to try to take her or is going to hurt Tito again.  Inésiana and Ricardo reassure her that they won't let anything happen.  Ricardo offers to ask Francisco to leave so that Lina will be comfortable going back to the party.

Out in the hallway, Inésiana and Ricardo gripe about who told Francisco about the party.  Ricardo wants him gone, not just for Lina's sake, but also because Homero is there.

Out in the courtyard, Lucina brings Homero and Paloma huge plates with a little bit of everything from the buffet.  Homero flirts with her and they introduce themselves to each other.  Paloma mentions Casa Bonita and Lucina invites him to come over for a drink sometime.  He won't give her his last name and jokes that he's undercover.  She giggles at him and tells them to let her know if they want anything else.   After she leaves, Paloma asks why he doesn't want anyone to know his last name.  "I'm on a secret mission."  Yeah, right, says Paloma…"To find out about my granddaughter."  Homero says he has the feeling Paloma's in big trouble and he just wants to help.  Paloma says that she already lost her daughter and she's not going to lose her granddaughter and great-granddaughter.  Homero wants to help, but he needs her to tell him everything. Paloma agrees.

Mariano tells Francisco to hit the road, that he's lost Inésiana.  Francisco insists she's his wife and Mariano needles him about wanting her to be with him even though she's in love with someone else.  Francisco realizes Mariano isn't wearing his collar.  Mariano says he's doing some soul-searching right now, but turns the conversation back to Francisco, encouraging him to make sacrifices if he wants to prove that he loves his wife and daughter.  Francisco says Ricardo should do that as well…just as Ricardo walks out there to tell Francisco he's not welcome there.

Matilde comes over to sit with Paloma and Homero.  She remembers meeting Homero with her aunt and uncle when she was younger and remembers that Homero wanted to take them all for ice cream, but her uncle refused.  Homero doesn't remember that, but he thanks her for coming over to sit with her aunt while he goes to chat up some other people.  Paloma isn't in the mood for chatting with Matilde, so she gets up as well.

Francisco repeats his excuse to Ricardo--that he heard about the party and showed up because he feels like a member of the family, since Paloma accepted his wife as her granddaughter.  Ricardo clarifies that Paloma's welcome of Inésiana does NOT include Francisco, so he'd better scram!  Ricardo tells him that Lina is so scared of him that she's hiding out in her room.  "That's not my fault. That's her mother's fault for telling her bad things about me."  Wow.  Check out the delusions on this guy!  Ricardo reminds him about the dog, but Francisco brushes it off, saying a dog's not that important.  Homero walks up and joins in on the conversation, saying it depends.  "My grandson says that if someone harms their dog, they're capable of killing it, too."  Ricardo and Homero are now presenting a united front in asking Francisco to leave.  Homero talks Ricardo down, though, and asks him not to make a scene at a family party.  As soon as Francisco starts walking off, Homero heads back inside, telling Ricardo to get his butt in there and start chowing down on the delicious food already.  Ricardo tells Mariano that THAT was the infamous Homero de la Garza, former head of intelligence.  "And does he know that that's really Jose Luis Falcon?  And that Inés is really Oriana Caligaris?"  Ricardo doesn’t know, nor does he know what "game" Homero is playing.

Fabiola is enjoying her party and Piero is glad to see it.  Fabi's wearing his bracelet, which he's also happy to see.  He'd like for them to talk about his marriage proposal.  He's sure she told hers family that she accepted his proposal to get them to back off, but he'd like them to talk, as friends.

Ricardo lets Inésiana know that Francisco is gone.  She's worried about what he might have told Homero after they left him alone with Francisco the other day.  Mariachis come in to sing Las Mañanitas for Fabiola while Matilde looks down from the balcony and cries.  Pues, sorry Matilde, but you've been bullying the other kids on the playground all year long and you can't just be nice to them for five minutes and expect them to want to play with you!

The party has broken up now and Piero, Mariano, and Ricardo sit at a table with glasses of wine while the catering staff start packing everything up.  Piero and Ricardo both agree they'd like to beat the snot out of Francisco.  Mariano tells them to be patient and he'll get tired and leave Inésiana alone…eventually.  Ricardo disagrees, even though, as Mariano points out, Francisco has to be careful.

Back in her room, Paloma says she's getting too old for these wild afternoon parties that break up before sunset.  She wonders what Inésiana thinks about her husband showing up and whether he's going to want something in return from her for keeping up the lie.  Inésiana says he already knows that Lina isn't going to want to live with him again, so that's off the table.  Inésiana wants to know what Paloma and Homero were talking about…did he used to be in love with her?  "No way!" says Paloma, "He was friends with my husband.  He was always a very nice man.  We'd joke around together.  But no, he wasn't in love with me."  As much as I pick on Mr. 5ft about this, I had to admit…sometimes girls are stupid too.  Now that Paloma's seeing him again after all these years, she feels like the years haven't passed.  He's still the same guy…and she trusts him the way she trusted him when they were younger.  She thinks maybe telling him everything is the only way out of this.

Back at home, Homero has heard from his contacts.  He now knows that Juan Valdivia owns a bar, that he married Palomita when, according to him, she was pregnant with someone else's child.  That Palomita was a drug addict and a prostitute and died in childbirth, after which, her friends raised the child.  When she was 16, she had an abortion and left.  Leonardo fills in that she then met Francisco Castro and had another child, but there's nothing about that in Homero's report…only that she was also a prostitute and a drug addict.  But he thinks something doesn't fit.  Inés is a well-mannered woman, educated.  Maybe Castro took care of that.  Maybe she used drugs a long time ago, but she doesn't now, or it would show.  His report says that someone else was looking for Palomita and Inés on Paloma's behalf.  Homero puts his thinky face on.

Ricardo asks Inésiana too meet him in the playroom later after Lina's asleep.  Inésiana agrees…she also agrees she'd be into some hot monkey lovin' with Ricardo.

Francisco goes to Trejo Bonfil .

Trejo Bonfil is on the phone with Leonardo, telling him that he believes him and will deal with Sebastian.  He tells the secretary to let Francisco in.  Trejo Bonfil says he's been trying to get hold of Francisco all day to tell him he's firing Sebastian.  He didn't like how rude Sebastian was to Leonardo and the fact that he was willing to beat him up over a girl.  Francisco tries to laugh it off, saying it's no big deal, they're just two young guys in love with the same woman.  "That's because you weren't here to see it."  Trejo Bonfil describes Sebastian's behavior as "crazy," and calls him insolent and aggressive.  He doesn't want that kind of behavior at his company.  Francisco begs him to keep Sebastian there, as he's a valuable asset, since he knows how Aresti Breton works.  Trejo Bonfil doesn't care.  He wants Sebastian replaced.  Francisco agrees.

At Sebastian's Den of Iniquity, Francisco interrupts a party and throws all the guests out.  They have more sense than Sebastian does, since they leave instead of listening to Sebastian when he tells them to stay.  Francisco lays into Sebastian for screwing up his business by fighting with Leonardo.  Sebastian says he doesn't care if Leonardo is related to the President of the United States, that ____ belongs to him and she's carrying his baby.  Since they bleeped him out and his slimy little mouth was too ambiguous, I can't tell you the exact slur he used to describe Fabiola, but I'm sure it amounts to "ho."  Francisco backhands him.  Sebastian is confused, saying he thought Francisco wanted him to do whatever he could to get Fabiola to marry him.  "Well, I changed my mind!"  Francisco insists he find Leonardo and apologize, then apologize to Trejo Bonfil as well…and quit drinking already!  After he leaves, Sebastian marvels that Francisco is nuts.

Leonardo, up on a scaffold working on a huge painting, asks if "it" isn't weird.  Homero agrees that his current painting is, indeed, weird.  "Not the painting!"  Leonardo meant the call from his godfather about the fight with Sebastian.  Homero thinks that if Trejo Bonfil is thinking of firing him, that means he's not the one who hired Sebastian in the first place.  Probably it was Francisco Castro…to use Sebastian to get revenge on Ricardo.  Which confirms to him that Francisco Castro is up to no good.  He doesn't want to warn Trejo Bonfil, since that would be as good as warning Francisco.  They need to wait for the action to start to know if they're going to use the company to launder money.  He figures Trejo Bonfil doesn't know what they're going to do and isn't going to notice.  He'll see what he can do about it…"and in the meantime, do something about that painting!  Looking at it, I can't understand how you're able to speak coherently!"

Ricardo goes back to the house, where Martin greets him at the front gate and Ricardo tells him he's not there to see Paloma.  He slaps Martin on the back as he walks in and Martin stands there with a confused look on his face.  In the playroom/love nest, Ricardo is lighting candles. He calls Inésiana to tell her that he's there waiting for her.  She tells him she's nearly ready and tells him he's being impatient.  When her phone rings again, she assumes it's him and answers with "I'm on my way!" but unfortunately, it's an enraged Francisco who's pissed that (a) he didn't realize before that she had Ricardo's cell phone and (b) she's going out at this time of night, surely to meet up with Ricardo.  He tells her she's going to have to choose between Ricardo and Lina because he's not letting his daughter have a mother who's a slut and just sleeps with anyone.  So…not going to be marrying Raquel, then?  He threatens to accuse her of adultery and murder, but Inésiana points out that he turned over the gun that killed both Berto and Gabriel and her fingerprints aren't on it.  He threatens to appeal her exoneration in Colombia.  He swears he'll have her thrown in jail and she returns the vow and hangs up on him, leading to him screaming "maldita!" repeatedly.

Tomorrow: Inésiana feels trapped, she tells Homero she's Oriana.

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