Chapter
60: The Fakeout
Doris
finally gave Ari his walking papers. He pleaded with her, saying he
would change. She told him she no longer loved him as she had
before. She left immediately.
Maleny
was in the study, gulping coffee she probably didn't taste. Arango
entered.
“I
had to see you. Don't worry; your mother knows I'm here.”
“To
bring us down?”
“I
want to know whom you've spoken to.”
“You
think I'm going to tell you?”
“Actually,
this was just a pretext to be alone with you. I knew you were with
Claudio.”
“What
do you think he told me?”
“No.
He knows something but he won't tell anything. But we're not the
only people involved in this business. The only one who could tell
you anything is Medina. Am I right?”
“If
you;re so sure, why don't you go running back to my mother's arms and
say that someone complied.”
“Of
the six people involved in this business only your story is
different.” He left the room. She sat down and ticked off the
names.
“My
mother, Arango, Claudio, Medina, myself, and who?”
Ivana
and Gerry argued about the void contract. He had been so certain
before this that their farewell ritual by the stream had changed her
mind about having a family with Danny-Boy. She said she was going to
divorce him. He didn't believe it. He then pointed out that if she
tried to take away Danny-Boy's baby he would fight her over it. But
if she offered him a sum similar to what she would offer Maria
Dolores.... He walked out.
Max
and Leo said goodbye to their sweethearts and went home as Julian
arrived back from the office. Jenny left him to speak with Honoria.
He stayed in the courtyard to talk to Maria Dolores.
Isela
was pleading with Orlando to leave just as Claudio got home. He
took a swipe at Orlando, but missed. Isela yelled at Orlando to
leave her alone. Orlando said to him and Alma, “Please listen,
both of you. Isela is lying.” This time Claudio's blow landed.
Orlando fell against the foyer table. Something broke. Isela yelled
at him to get out. “He raped me!” she screamed. Alma gasped.
Claudio took out his cell phone. He said he would call the police
and get Orlando thrown into prison. Orlando left. Alma led Isela
upstairs.
Julian
told Maria Dolores that Max knew that Danny-Boy did something to her.
“Did
you tell him?”
“No,
I said nothing.”
“Thank
you.”
“Look,
if you ask me, you're deceiving him. The most important thing in a
relationship is that there be no lies,” he said. “What you're
doing to Max is what you criticize about Daniel.”
“No,
don't say that, Julian.”
“He
loves you.”
“It's
not that easy. My mother has a heart condition. The doctor said if
she's to get better she has to remain calm.”
“Does
Max know?” She nodded. “So he'll understand and know he'll need
to control himself.”
“I
promise you I'll tell him.”
A
maid brought a glass of water up to Isela's room. Alma stroked her
hair as Claudio announced that Orlando had exceeded his limits by
coming to his house. He intended to call out the law. Isela told
him it wasn't necessary because she was leaving. “Because I don't
want to cause any more problems,” she said in that fake
little-girl-lost voice.
“Isela
is right,” Alma said. “We need to get her into an apartment as
soon as possible where he won't be able to find her.”
“But
he'll look for her at the office.”
“So
let her work outside the office to keep him away.”
Isela
and Claudio exchanged a look as Alma continued to stroke her hair.
Doris
told Maria Dolores about breaking up with Ari. She had not told him
that she loved Orlando. Maria Dolores thought that was smart. It
would destroy his friendship with Orlando. She told her about her
conversation with Max about Ivana's indecent proposal. He had told
her he would help. The problem was that the next day was the court
hearing. They could not trust Ivana to help. Maria Dolores told
Doris to come to work as usual. She was also to tell Esperanza that
she was out buying things they needed for their business. Doris
agreed, but looked doubtful.
Julian
took his mother out to dine at an elegant restaurant. Jenny pushed
the wheelchair into place and left them alone. It was meant to be a
special mother/son dinner. They were at an outdoor table. Honoria
was shocked at the prices on the menu.
“For
the cost of one plate I could buy two days of groceries in the
market!” she said. She looked guilty.
“That's
what's special about restaurants, Mother,” Julian said. “I'm
here to celebrate with you.” He handed her some papers. “I paid
off all your debts on the house.”
“Ay,
Julian, son. Thanks so much!” She embraced him. He looked happy
and sad at the same time.
Doris
spoke to Ivana on her cell. She rold her that Maria Dolores would
not accept her offer. Ivana was peeved.
“You
were supposed to convince her,” she said.
Doris
told her that Maria Dolores would not be persuaded. Max was sure he
could prove her innocence at the hearing the next day. Ivana cut off
the call. Just as Doris realized this Orlando came up to her. He
needed to hide at her place for a few days if she would let him.
Shortly
thereafter they entered her apartment. She got him to explain what
happened at the Bustamante mansion. Then she sighed in frustration.
Susanna
had listened to Ivana's side of that phone call. She told her if she
testified in Maria Dolores' favor she could put Danny-Boy in prison.
That this could work in her favor. Ivana didn't look so sure.
Doris
served Orlando a beer and took one for her self. She tried to point
out the difficulties he would have if he stayed there. He had a car
to repair and a business to run. He told her it would only be for a
few days. She was sure the police would look at her place first. He
mentioned that Ari had told him about their breakup. She didn't want
to talk about it. He wondered whether his presence there could cause
problems with Ari. He reconsidered. Also the situation was more
complicated and he wasn't sure what to do.
The
next morning Ivana arrived prior to the hearing. She gave Maria
Dolores a last chance to accept her offer. Maria Dolores said “You
know what my answer is, Madam.”
“I'd
also like to see Jacinto found guilty of all this,” Ivana said.
“If Daniel ends up in prison, even better, Maria Dolores.” She
handed her a folder. “Here is the contract. If you accept you
give me the baby you're expecting.”
Neither
of them saw Hosefa, who had been eavesdropping as usual. She was
near the entry from the next room. At the last sentence she bolted
with a look of glee like a lone vulture that just found an entire
carcass.
“Sign
it so Daniel goes to prison. You can go home with the confidence
that nobody can implicate you in anything. Neither of them will
bother you ever again.”
Maria
Dolores stared at her in shock.
Hosefa
was on her cell, calling Úrsula. Úrsula told her that Maleny was
not down with their deal. “That's why I called. I was just at
the courthouse. I just heard that Ivana is about to tell them that
your son and Jacinto burned the tailor shop.”
“Are
you sure what you heard, Hosefa?” Danny-Boy was in the next room.
He looked up.
“Of
course I know what I heard. And that in exchange for that Maria
Dolores will give her the baby she's expecting.”
Úrsula
hung up on her. Danny-Boy knew something was up. She told him.
“It's
not true! It's not true! It can't be!” He stepped over the
elegant dining room chairs in his sneakers. He went into Mama Bear's
arms as though he were a child who had only broken a window playing
ball. “You've got to help me, Mother.” Before she could stop
him he was out the garden door.
“I
could sign this contract and all this would stop?”
“Yes,”
said Ivana.
“I
could get even with Daniel and Jacinto for everything they've done to
me?”
“Yes.”
“Well,
I can't sign it because I'm not pregnant.” Ivana backed away in
shock. Maria Dolores gave her the folder. “And if I were I
wouldn't give my baby to anyone. Madam, you want so much to have a
baby. What would make you give one up? Resentment? Anger?
Bitterness? Did you think you could buy a baby like you'd buy a
house or a car?”
“Enough!”
“That's
what I get from this contract and that's why I can't sign it. I
couldn't sleep at night if I did that. That's why I'm here. To tell
the truth no matter the consequences.”
Ivana
retreated, speechless. Max came to Maria Dolores' side.
“Are
you ready?” he asked.
She
jumped into his arms. He looked worried.
Adrian,
Claudio's legal assistant, was with him in his drawing room. Claudio
introduced him to Isela, saying he would work with her on her thesis.
He then left for the office. Alma went to the kitchen to see about
breakfast and coffee. Isela asked Adrian about the archive. He told
her this was off-limits for confidentiality reasons. She said she
could not find what she needed in the office and agreed to accompany
her.
Ivana's
cell rang as she was leaving the courthouse. She looked at the
caller ID. Úrsula was the last person she wanted to talk to.
“What
do you want, Úrsula?”
“Ivana,
get out of there immediately because if you are even thinking of
hurting Daniel, forget about your baby.”
“Maria
Dolores is not pregnant. She told me.”
“She
lied because she will never give up her baby. So we will have to
take it away.”
“You
are the liar. Maria Dolores is not pregnant. Now I am more
convinced than ever that a mother will never give up her baby.”
“Listen
to me, Ivana,” she began.
“I
don't know why you are doing this to me, but don't ever come near me
again.”
“Listen
to me – “
“The
only reason I don't tell your children what a harpy you are is
because you have always supported them. That's all you deserve.”
She ended the call.
“Ivana,
Ivana!” Úrsula shouted into the phone. Maleny then appeared with
a drink in hand, as usual.
“Looks
like all the lies are exploding in your face,” Maleny said. “So
everything you've done will be blown to pieces.”
“And
I hope you'll get crushed, too. We're all in the same boat, sweetie.
If you haven't convinced Ivana that Maria Dolores is pregnant your
deal with Isela is off. Excuse me for saying so, but in view of this
you blew it.”
Hosefa
returned to the courthouse and walked right into the room as the case
was about to be heard. Maria Dolores knew she couldn't expect
anything good to come of this. She asked her what she was doing there
and whether she was going to tell lies. Baldomero then accused Maria
Dolores of attempting to intimidate Hosefa. The judge told Max to
control his client. He then told everyone to shut off their cell
phones and put them away. They all obeyed.
Danny-Boy
called Ivana's name and ran up to her. “How could you be so
stupid?” he asked.
“You're
too late. The first mistake I made was dining with you and letting
you kiss me. You are the cause of all my problems.”
“I
did hurt you but I was dealing with things you can't imagine.”
“You're
right,” she said with an ironic laugh. “I never knew there were
people as cynical and cruel as you.”
“I
was sick. I was on the edge. I lost everything!”
“No.
You haven't lost your freedom. That's the most important. And you
can thank me for that. Now get lost if you don't want me to regret
not sending you two pieces of garbage like you and Jacinto to
prison.” She walked away. He heaved a shallow sigh.
Max
opened by explaining that Maria Dolores had no motive to burn down
her own business. Baldomero said that the original rental contract
was with Danny-Boy but he was obliged to write a new one. Maria
Dolores disputed this. Baldomero then said that Hosefa was there to
present the case that Maria Dolores burned down the shop to get
Danny-Boy to get her a better one. Maria Dolores said that was
crazy. Baldomero tried to stop her. The judge ordered him to show
respect for the proceeding. He was to limit his answers to the
specific questions being asked. He turned to Baldomero's lawyer. He
asked if he had any more questions. He said he didn't but had
questions for Hosefa.
Maria
Dolores requested permission to speak. The judge allowed her to.
She explained that the shop was very important to her family. It had
been her father's dream for them. They started it with money they
had and with her severance pay. Why therefore would they burn it
down? Hosefa watched with her usual hostile expression. The judge
called her. She exchanged looks with Baldomero. Max watched them.
Ari
and Orlando exchanged their relationship woes over the phone. Ari
asked where he was but Orlando wouldn't tell him. He told Ari that
Doris had the keys to his shop. She would let him in to work on the
car that was due. He couldn't risk being seen there.
Hosefa
Cabrera "a secas" gave her name as ordered by the court clerk.
Baldomero's shyster asked “Would you tell us what you found in the
fire at the tailor shop?” Baldomero grinned. Hosefa smirked.
“I
was at home with my daughter; her name is Isela. We heard a noise
and went to see what happened.”
“Therefore
when did you see Maria Dolores in the place setting it on fire?”
“Burning
it? Maria Dolores didn't burn anything.”
“Madam,
perjury is a serious crime,” said the judge.
“I
mean no disrespect to anyone. I'm not accusing anyone. I'm telling
the truth.” Baldomero looked daggers at her.
“Hosefa,
you said you would tell the truth, didn't you?”
“Yes,
I did.” She looked at the judge. “These guys tried to buy me
off to help them convict the girl. But I can't because she didn't
burn anything. She was inside but I saw her trying to put out the
fire. Nothing else.”
Maria
Dolores smiled. Max had been watching with suspicion.
On
the way out of the building Baldomero made threats saying “She will
pay!” His shyster could not figure out what happened. Danny-Boy
came up to them.
“What
happened?” They told him that Hosefa betrayed them. “So what
happens now?”
“Who's
going to pay for my property?” Baldomero demanded.
“This
doesn't have to be over yet,” said Danny-Boy.
“Oh,
yeah? Well, it stops here because somebody is going to pay. I'll
have all of your heads! Hosefa's, yours, and that Jacinto's.”
“Yes,
yes, yes,” Danny said. He grabbed Baldomero's lapels. “You're
not going to threaten me. Say anything and you're dead.” He
walked off.
Doris
was straightening out Orlando's apartment. She picked up a shirt and
inhaled its scent. Ari walked in unheard.
“What
are you doing?” She turned around.
“I
was cleaning up and packing this bag for Orlando.”
“Do
you know where he is?”
“No.
How would I know? I just thought I'd get a bag ready if he calls.
I'm sure he will.”
Ari
wasn't convinced.
Maria
Dolores caught Hosefa at the exit door and thanked her.
“Well,
it was the least I could do to start erasing my offenses. You mother
offered to help me and I rejected her. She and Honoria won't believe
in my good intentions.”
“Well,
it's a little difficult to believe that a person can change
overnight, isn't it?”
“Yeah.
Shouldn't I have a chance to do that?”
“Well,
I hope so. What I want to say is thank you. Very much.”
Maria
Dolores went back to Max, who was at the clerk's desk. Hosefa
watched them for a moment.
Isela
was reading through some files. Adrian left for an appointment.
After he was out the door she went to the desk and asked for the file
on Hector Santibañez Lanca.
Danny-Boy
followed Hosefa and grabbed her from behind. She put up quite a
fight. She even tried to bite him. He stayed behind her and pushed
away from the courthouse.
Ivana
was back at her desk, crying. Gerry came in.
“What
did you do?”
“You
were right, Gerry. You always are.”
“What?
Tell me!”
“Maria
Dolores is not pregnant.” She cried some more as he sat down in
the other chair.
Maria
Dolores hugged Esperanza as she gave her the good news. Esperanza
hugged Max. Maria Dolores told her that this wasn't over yet. She
intended to press charges. Esperanza tried to talk her out of it.
They had lost equipment and clothes belonging to clients. Max
reminded her that this was about their future income as well. “Most
important of all, I will not be anybody's victim,” Maria Dolores
said. “Everyone pays for their sins.”
Somehow
Danny-Boy managed to shove Hosefa to his family's mansion. He threw
her onto a couch as Mama Bear and Maleny came in. He then said
“Mama, Maleny, we have to locate this witch's daughter because she
forgot the terms of our deal.”
“I'm
on your side,” Hosefa said as she got up. “Guess what? They
tried to buy me off.” She looked at Maleny. “Because your
mother said you're useless because you can't work with this – “
She made an obscene gesture.
“That
is not true!” yelled Úrsula.
“Don't
try to lie. You said – “
“Nothing
more,” said Maleny.
“What
happened?”
“You
know what happened? I testified and did a favor for Maria Dolores.
Not because I wanted to. I had to. If my daughter isn't in the
neighborhood I had to.”
“Our
plans are lost, Mother.” said Danny-Boy.
“To
hell with your plan. I'll get you for this. This was Sequestro
Express,” said Hosefa as she started out.
“You
are not going anywhere,” Úrsula yelled. She followed. “Because
all our interests are at stake.”
“You're
crazy if you think I'll believe anything from Isela,” said Maleny.
“Tell this woman to leave us alone. The only ones who should pay
anything are you and this imbecile.” She indicated Danny-Boy, who
muttered a few nasty responses.
“What
a beautiful family,” Hosefa said, amused. “I'll leave you to
settle your differences.” She tried to leave but Danny-Boy blocked
her way. “One thing. I'm your errand girl from the neighborhood.
You hurt me, you get nothing.” She charged out past a frustrated
Danny-Boy.
“I
don't see it,” said the law clerk. “That case surely must be
very old. It must have been destroyed.”
“Can
you look it up under the lawyer's name? It's Claudio Bustamante.”
A few keys later the clerk found something.
“Yes.
This name comes up. It's another set of records. Do you need any
others?”
Isela
was thinking of past conversations with Julian and Orlando about her
sister. The clerk asked again whether there were others and she
finally replied.
“Marta
Ramos Cabrera.”
The
record came up on the screen.
Vocabulary
Aplastar
v., to crush
Expediente
n., legal document, record
Recardera,
n., errand girl
Revolcar
v., to bring down
Sequestro
Express n., kidnapping for a comparatively small ransom
(like $20K) which can be easily paid by wealthy parents or other
relatives of the victim
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