La Candidata Lunes, 5/29/17 Chapter 1: Looking for Guilt

Foreword

After years of chronicling the lives of the rich and shameless I am still astonished at how similar they are no matter the country or culture. The newly rich like Eladio Gomez-Luna will buy their respectability through the silence and compliance of others. In the end he fell short of becoming another Gerald Bradley because the latter never fooled the set who regarded him as an interloper. In the end – if what I heard about his death was true – he was ultimately unable to fool himself. Since I no longer practice the faith of my upbringing I am done speculating on whether he is in Purgatory or elsewhere.

I have found new examples of the ultimate indulgences of such people. While there is no Coliseum or Circus Maximus in Mexico City the San Románs share some of the vices of certain historical personages echoed by their name. Only modern civil law and my profession have – thus far – held the line against the rise of a new Caligula or Nero. I am a latter-day Suetonius, telling tales of hypocrisy, corruption, and crimes that attempt to defy discovery and go without punishment. I present my tales to you, my elite readers, that you may judge these people for who they are.

Sit back and read at your leisure. At least our wine is better than that which was consumed by the Caesars.

• D.D.

Chapter One: Looking for Guilt

It was a rainy night with shadows of buildings reflected in the increasing puddles in the narrow street, like something out of a 1940s film. A young woman whose tight short skirt resembled a bathing suit from an earlier decade ran from an unseen enemy, her steps slowed by the stacked heels of shoes she could not stop to remove. A car with its bright lights at full power turned the corner in pursuit. Her life flashed before her eyes as she fell down while recalling the last time she had had sexual relations with Emiliano San Román Bárcenas. The fall caused just enough delay for her pursuer to get out of the car and catch up with her. The man wore a dark blue hoodie. He grabbed her hair at the back of her head and dunked her head three times into a metal barrel of water, but only enough to disorient her. She grabbed a circular object to defend herself with but could not get away. He caught up with her in only three steps and threw her against the building wall before stabbing her several times just below the solar plexus. He made certain she was dead before leaving her body in the street like so much garbage, then quickly ran back to his car.

Several hours later Regina Bárcenas addressed the legislature after hearing the report of this on the morning news. She was an attractive blond of about forty years of age.

“It is with shame I recount to you how dangerous it is to be a woman in this country, specifically with regard to homicide. Every day seven women are murdered in our country. Seven lives that are stolen and most of their executioners do not face justice. Their murders mostly go forgotten because it inconveniences those in power. We must reflect on who governs because they can't or don't want to protect us. Who will tell us he is able to deal with the violence, unemployment, inadequate salaries, the lack of access to healthcare, and the shameful lack of basic services?”

Gerardo Martínez watched her with full attention and scrutiny. He was a handsome gentleman in his early forties with thick dark hair and a decisive face with strong features. The cupid's bow of his upper lip was so sharply cut no one would have thought it feminine.

“It is for this that I am going to bring an initiative to protect those who are the most vulnerable prior to their birth. The law will be comprehensive. It will obligate the state to guarantee every baby, boy and girl, access to education, healthcare, and nutrition. We must make the weak strong and therefore united. We must take care of our nation.”

The senate applauded Regina.

In the parking lot of the local fire department Alonso San Román addressed a crowd of people gathered before the billboard for his campaign.

“During this gubernatorial election we will carry on, changing the lives of our people. We don't talk, we take action. We work for you to get things done so you can believe in a more united country. This is what we can all believe in. An independent sovereign and independent country. Please, follow me in this great transformation so that together we can make it succeed. Thank you very much.”

There was some applause.

As the firemen dispersed to go back to work and Alonso stepped away from the podium Mauro, one of his aides, handed him a cell phone with a news story about him. The headline contained the word every politician fears: Scandal. He said they had better get back to the office.

Gerardo took the podium in the senate house.

“It is curious that we are supporting a government that has serious problems in the management of the economy. It is dealing with accusations of corruption and deapite never being interested in the condition of its people announces such a progressive law. What makes me suspicious is who is proposing this law. This is only a demagogic recourse, on the eve of the election.”

A few cries of support and applause occurred. The speaker of the house called for silence. The house began to empty. Regina rose from her seat and met Daniela, her assistant, on the way out. She was irritated with Gerardo, whom she had known years earlier when they were at the university together. Daniela then told her there was something more urgent to deal with.

“It's your son.”

Alonso came out of the parking lot with Mauro and headed back to their office. Regina was headed back to her office as the local news replayed the story of the murder of the night before. In two separate locations Regina and Alonso watched the news footage of the crime scene workers zipping up the body bag as the reporter described described the victim as a young woman between twenty and twenty-five years of age. The rumor was that her name was Florencia Oscura and that she had been the star of a sex video that had gone viral on social media. Alonso's father, Don Omar, watched his son's reactions during the report.

Gerardo and Nieves, his secretary, were in his office watching the same report, calling it a tragedy. Ximena, Gerardo's daughter, appeared just outside and he got up to let her in.

Regina took her handbag and prepared to leave.

“Before you go I have to ask you something,” Daniela said. “You once told me you knew a Gerardo Martinez when you were Don Alonso's assistant. Is that him?”

“If this is going where I think it is I don't want any more questions.”

“Yes or no?”

“Yes, it's him.”

“Isn't it odd that he appears now? Wow.”

“Wow?” Regina paused at the door. “You know what your problem is, Daniela?” She stared rather than state the issue. “I need to rush out.”

Gerardo greeted his daughter, who apparently was there to talk about her mother. Gerardo asked for privacy and Nieves left them alone. At the same time Regina was on her way home, concerned about Emiliano. He was not answering his cell phone. As she got into the back of her car she told Daniela to locate him for her and tell him to go to his father's office.

Ximena told her father she could no longer live with her mother. Her mother was stealing money from her, lying to her, and trying to make her feel guilty for not wanting to stay. This was nothing new to him; he had separated from Teresa because of her mental illness, which had destroyed their marriage. Before he could say anything Nieves opened the door to tell him he had an important call. He had to take it.

“I want the ones responsible for this. Do we know who they were?” Alonso asked.

“We're looking into it,” said Pacheco. “We suspect it was someone from her world.”

“I don't want theories. I want to know who they were. Whoever they were this was an attack on me and I want them silenced.”

“The problem is the media,” said Pacheco. “An accusation gets made and they're all over it. And people have loose lips.”

“Then we will have to deal with the media first,” Alonso said. “Say that the governor's family is in turmoil, my son is very sick. Invent something about this girl. Something that leaves no doubt. Call Ochoa. Move it!”

The two men walked out without a word. They knew Alonso San Román too well to question his orders. When they were out of the office Alonso looked at his father.

“Father, what do you think?”

“I only hope this doesn't do anything to you. If you insist, what are you hiding?”

“Just a distraction, a foolish act.”

“And the death of this girl?”

“No, no, I don't want to know any more about it. The investigation will say that.”

Don Omar nodded, knowing that his son would know how to handle this as he had learned well from him that one must maintain total control over one's life.

Regina arrived at Alonso's office just as Omar exited it and closed the door. He guided her away from the door as he greeted her.

“Dear Regina, everything is alright.”

“Do you know something?” she asked him.

“I can't say anything; I know nothing about this,” he said. “The most important thing is that you are together and all this will be quickly resolved.”

“I need to get to the bottom of this,” she said.

“Alonso wants the same. This was an attack on him. That's the one thing I'm sure about.”

Regina looked into her father-in-law's eyes with a thousand-yard stare, as though she did not believe him.

“I'm going to see him, if you will excuse me,” she said, backing up toward Alonso's office. Omar did not like this, but did not try to prevent her. As soon as her back was turned he took out his cell phone. He called his wife's chauffeur and said he wished to speak with her.

She had already exited the car and was on her way inside. The chauffeur called after her to say her husband was on the phone.

“Tell him I'm busy. I will be back in ten minutes,” she said.

Pacheco and Mauro talked via cell phone, concocting a story about Florencia Oscura having been a prostitute who often serviced foreign visitors. Gerardo told Nieves to make an appointment for Morales, the man he had spoken with on the phone. He gave Ximena a check to make up for the money her mother had stolen and promised her that she could soon move in with him. Ximena was still upset and left his office in tears.

Emiliano went outside to the pool area only to be stopped by Mario, his maternal grandfather. He was tall, white-haired, and dressed for the office.

“Why not?”

“It won't be convenient for a few days. Reporters are hanging around, waiting to pounce.”

“I need to know what happened to Florencia.”

“It's being investigated. All the country's resources are on it. Besides, what can you do? You can't talk to anyone. One careless remark to the wrong person could be misinterpreted and severely hurt your father's position in government. All it would take is one person who opposes him.”

“I'm not going to do anything, Grandfather. This isn't about him, it's about me!”

Nonetheless he went back inside, passing his grandmother along the way. Noemi was not a stupid woman; she knew that something was not right.

“What did you do to him?” she asked her husband.

“Trying to get him to behave accordingly. He's not ten years old anymore. I've got to go.”

He turned to leave.

“Mario, where are you going?”

“I'm going to see how the investigation is going.”

“Oh, really? I was just asking. Surely it's one of your whores.”

“How is it you're drinking so early? I don't have to answer that.”

Cecelia Aguilar showed a new employee to her new apartment. She told her about The Rules, meaning that she was not to bring friends or boyfriends into a place where she was entertaining clients. There was a gymnasium downstairs for her use and a social room where topics of the day were discussed, especially politics. She was to pay attention to any political news. Absolute discretion was an unbreakable rule. Nothing heard there was to be repeated.

“Don't bore them with your personal angst,” she continued. “The truth is that aren't interested. Instead, get them to talk about their sexual fantasies. They like that. Please them and always, always use a condom. Some might not but you need to protect yourself.”

For a moment it looked as though Cecelia was looking to make a pass at her, but she then suggested they put away her clothes. She pointed the way to the bedroom. The new girl was on her way when the news began on the TV set. Cecelia dropped the glass she was drinking from. The new girl ran into the kitchen to see what was wrong.

It was an update on the murder. The victim was identified as Florencia Oscura, twenty-two years of age. She was said to have been involved with Emiliano San Roman, who was seventeen years old.

Alonso and Regina talked about this.

“We should send Emiliano out of the country. Maybe to Europe for a while.”

“That won't resolve anything,” Regina said. “Besides, we can't leave our son alone at this moment.”

“Then we have to find a way to avoid the problems. Someone has to be guilty. Someone had to have had a reason, a motive. They are looking to discredit my administration.”

Regina was obviously aware of his abject selfishness.

“We are talking about our son and your family, Alonso. And you are worried about your political career when at the moment you should be thinking about Emiliano. Someone killed a girl he was going out with –”

“He was boinking her behind our backs. He made a video of it on his cell phone –”

“That was his only mistake. The only one. Now our duty, Alonso, is to help and protect him. He is what's important at this moment.”

Alonso looked as though he wanted to dismiss her concern, which he did.

“Regina, I can't believe how naïve you are. This woman was a slut. Someone planted her with our son. First the video, then kidnapping a governor's son. Then she ends up dead. They are targeting our family. Me! Taking him to an unknown place. Or do you know who she was?”

“No. Only about the video.”

“It looks like he didn't do anything.”

“But he did. I will order an investigation.”

“By whom?”

“I will speak to Almirón de Lucia, my security chief.”

“Ask him to investigate, but nothing else.”

Natalia walked into City Financiera demanding to see Javier. She breezed past the receptionist and found Javier's boss, Arturo, in the conference room working on his laptop. He said Javier was not in.

“Surely you discuss your most important clients' business with him. And surely the governor's mother is one of those clients, isn't she? Am I wrong?”

“No, no Señora.”

“Well, then...”

“Look, what I know is that one of the bad investments has disappeared but don't worry; the other part is in very good shape. I've calculated that you should recover the money in a few months.”

“I want my money now. Tell Javier that he has twenty-four hours to get it to me. I will not wait longer.”

“Yes, Señora,” he said.

She did not wait to hear more.

“What are you insinuating?” Regina asked.

“I'm sorry, it's nerves,” Alonso said. “I'm worried. But yes, you'll have to keep your word.”

“When? It's been months since you wanted to have relations with me.”

“And now you start with reproaches again.”

“You're right. We need time to talk about our marriage, our family. However, I think we've lost it because of our lack of communication. And when I find out about this girl the time has come. And when you talk to Emiliano, talk to him like his father, not like a governor.”

She walked out of his office, leaving him to think about that element of his deficiency as a father. He never liked to think of such things.

Javier entered the conference room in time for a reproach from Arturo, who was not pleased at having been put in this position. He dismissed Arturo's attitude about how he was handling Natalia's money, suggesting that he smooth it over with her.

Regina immediately met with de Lucia, who assured her that the most trusted and expert police were investigating the situation. He told her that the girl in question was not a prostitute, but something higher on the food chain. She told him to keep her informed through her secretary before any information got to the governor. He told her that the governor had his own resources to find out what he wanted to know. Regina did not permit that as an excuse. He was to do her bidding in this matter and not cave to any pressure or get lazy. She wanted to know who killed the girl and who hired him to do it.

De Lucia said “Your wish is my command, Señora.”

“Work this one alone,” she said.

Alonso chewed out Ochoa for not keeping him informed of Regina's movements. He demanded to know everything first. The man told him that Almirón de Lucia will keep secret anything that Regina didn't want him to know and he couldn't help that. He escaped from Alonso's office before he could verbally whip him.

Mauro and Pacheco were watching the news at the office. The newscaster talked about the investigation into the double life of the murder victim. She had apparently last been with a foreign businessman. At the same time an security professional named Sosa reported to his superior in the security chamber of the senatorial building and was ordered to take evidence for immediate analysis. The box contained security videos of the streets in the neighborhood frequented by the victim. He wanted to know whom she had been with and when. After which he was to follow standard operating procedure: destroy the evidence and pay off whatever that cost. Sosa sent his underling, Rodriguez, to do the work.

At the San Román mansion Natalia took a call from Omar. There was mention of the current family crisis and she asked whether he was coming home early. Her reaction implied that he would not but she did not appear disappointed. She called someone else but cut off all his attempt at a serious conversation.

“I don't like to talk on the phone. I want you in my bed.”

She was at least discreet enough to not say so in front of the household staff.

Alonso was at his desk talking to his doctor who had delivered bad news in person.

“Alonso, you have an STD. I need to treat both you and your wife.”

“Obviously, Regina can't know anything about this.”

“But you have infected her. You have to tell her now.”

“Another thing to worry about. Another weight to carry.”

“Then you have to keep carrying it.”

“I can't go on like this with her. It's unfair that this will ruin our reconciliation.”

Emiliano was skyping with a friend, talking about being locked up in the house and his father keeping him under tighter surveillance. It prevented him from being able to find out any more about Florencia as well. He asked his friend for help.

“I want to know whether she really wanted to be with me or whether this was about incriminating my father.”

“Okay. I'll talk to Deborah and see if there's an explanation.”

Emiliano ended the call and looked at the video of himself and Florencia having relations. He began to cry.

Regina arrived at the senate house and was met by Daniela and Gerardo on the steps. She acknowledged Daniela and indicated she had no interest in speaking with Gerardo. As they got inside the building Gerardo made it clear that he wasn't going to give up.

“If you're going to continue to follow me it better be about the new initiative,” she told him. “You'll have to wait, like everyone else.”

“Do you think that is the only reason I'd want to talk to you?” he asked.

“What else? You are from the opposition party. Only legislation. I recall that a little while ago you said that I brought the initiative to the table for the governor so I don't know what you want.”

“I admire you. I'm very proud of you. It's true. I'm very proud of you. That was born at graduation. Besides, I have many ideas to discuss over dinner. Congratulations.”

“I never thought this would be,” she said, with a sigh of relief. She reached for her office door.

“Why do you reject me?”

“Excuse me, but that's not true.”

“No? It was the first time I've asked you to dinner.”

“This is the first time I've had the opportunity,” she whispered back.

“So can you accept that you and I have a story?” he whispered.

“That is a closed chapter, Senator,” she answered.

“No? If that were the case, you wouldn't be interested in me.”

“I'm a married woman and from the opposition party, so forget it.”

“I can't. I've thought all this time what I lacked that you married Alonso.”

“Well, since I'm married and we're both working here we can have a polite relationship, no?”

“Yes, yes; of course.” A pregnant pause later he said “Well, the real reason I looked for you was to ask about your son. I wanted too say we're together on this.”

He took her hand in his, much to her discomfort.

“Come to me if you need anything.”

“Thanks.” She withdrew her hand, closed the door, and sat down without a backward glance.

Cecelia walked out of the building and her cell phone rang. She asked about something happening in the cabaret. She then said she needed someone's help. Her father was not to know about this. She asked ow long she would need to wait and said that no one was to know about this. As she talked she was going into the cabaret room where a woman in black dominatrix lingerie was moving around on a stripper pole. Isela appeared just as she ended the call.

“Daughter, what do you think you're doing here?”

“I was going to meet a friend here but we're going to see each other elsewhere.”

“Wait –”

“I'll call you, Mother,” she said, deliberately cutting her off.

Isela followed her toward the door, but Cecelia would not turn back. She gave up and turned to a male employee, a bearded man in a leather jacket.

“What was my daughter doing here?” she asked. “I hope she didn't find out anything.”

“I didn't tell her anything, Isela.”

Alonso and Mauro walked as the latter updated his boss with their progress on the cover-up. Alonso looked up and saw Omar, so he dismissed Mauro to meet with him. Omar told him that they could not waste time because they needed a guilty man immediately.

“The police are still investigating; we don't have anyone yet.”

“Then we'll make one up,” Omar said.

“No. We're working the press so they won't get suspicious.”

“What would you prefer, to lose your wife, your career? We cannot allow the doubt to fall on ourselves. We need a guilty man. Tomorrow we will name the killer.”

“Very well. But of course this conversation never took place.”

“Of course.” He paused for a second, then looked at his son. “Have your resolved your sex problems with your wife? We need that.”

“How do you know?”

“Have you forgotten I'm your father? I can see through you.”

Alonso smiled ironically to himself. He reminded himself never to underestimate his father.

Someone filled Gerardo in that things were not well in the governor's office. Somehow, though, despite this the governor was more popular than the president. His campaign manager, Ignacio, handed a file to Gerardo and suggested that he lead a vote against the law proposed by Regina. They tried to urge him to do this to further his own advancement, saying that this was the moment to destroy the governor and his wife.

Three men in suits arrived at Señora Oscura's home. She didn't recognize them, but they told her they were from the governor's office. She looked bleak, her complexion washed out and made all the paler for lack of cosmetics. The men pushed past her into the house, followed by another.

Señora Oscura sat at her table as the men made her an offer they didn't think she would refuse.

“I want to give you my condolences for the loss of your daughter,” the leader said as he opened his briefcase. He removed a leather document folder, revealing stacks of money whose value may have equaled thirty pieces of silver. “This is a small compensation.” He closed the briefcase. “Of course, before you receive this you must sign this.” He opened the folder in front of her. One of the other men stood near the window and kept watch outside the building.

“What is this?” she asked.

“You can read it calmly. But if you want to know it's your promise not to talk to the press, or approach – in public or private – the governor or his family. The case contains an open plane ticket. It would be convenient if you took a little vacation now to heal your wounds. You need to leave tonight.”

“I need to bury my daughter's ashes, Sir,” she said.

“Your daughter is in heave, the best place possible. Fly to wherever you want to. Do otherwise and there is no deal. It's your decision.”

He clicked open his pen and put it on the table in front of her.

Regina arrived home as Noemi was putting ice in her glass.

“Mother, are you drinking?”

“Yes; it's for my depression,” was her answer.

“Yes, we'll talk about your depression. Now I want to talk about my son, Emiliano.”

“Emiliano is locked in his room.”

“Were you able to talk to him?”

“Your father started to and of course he tried to force him. Mario has lots of talent for that, you know.”

“And what about my father?”

“Mario went out and as usual didn't say where he was going, but I know where he went.”

“Excuse me, but –”

“I know he has a mistress, Regina. He took his car and kept talking on his cell phone. He's always talking to her. Your father is –”

“Again with this? No.”

Regina turned away and went into the next room. Noemi followed her, drink in hand.

“Is this of so little importance to you? I mean it, it's serious. It's more serious than last time.”

Regina paused, collected herself, and did an about-face.

“What are you talking about?” she asked her mother.

“Her name is Cecelia. You have to know this. It's very important for this family. You'd never know where she works.”

“Where?”

“Please, Regina, listen.”

“I need to see my son now.”

She walked away from Noemi.

Alonso's chauffeur and another man were escorting him away from the office.

“Where, Sir? Home?”

Alonso laughed quietly in the back seat of the limosine. “You know where.”

The other man, who was riding shotgun, spoke into a microphone clipped to his lapel. “A change of plans.”

Gerardo sat as Ignacio kept talking.

“Surely this is about your old relationship with her.”

“No. The only driver of my decision is my ethics.”

“No, this isn't about ethics. It's that your balls aren't big enough.” He pointed. Gerardo got up from the desk and the man headed for the door. “Don't worry; I resign. You can get someone your size as your campaign manager and you know what? You won't go on to the presidency.” He opened the door.

“Wait a minute,” Gerardo said as he checked his ringing cell phone.

“It won't help you. Let's go on to the party.” He walked out as Gerardo answered his phone.

“Yes, Nieves?”

“Sir, I just found your wife. You've got to get here immediately because she's causing a big scene.”

“Give me the address and I'll be right there.”

He ran out of the office.

“Ignacio, we're not finished. There is a major problem we need to follow up on.”

“Oh, yes, it's your ex-wife.”

“How do you know?”

“She's a burden on you. You've gone years without doing anything about her. You know, 'ethics' for you is a mask for cowardice. You're deaf and timid, Gerardo.” He walked out the door.

“Ignacio!” Gerardo went out after him, but then went back to retrieve something from his desk.

Alonso's limousine stopped in front of a house. He remained inside while one of his men opened the door. A long-haired brunette in a long clinging red dress came out and went inside at the instruction of his bodyguard. A guard who could not prevent the assault this visit was about. The woman turned on the seduction with the manner in which she said “Hello.” Alonso was in no mood for this.

“No, don't,” he said, raising his hand in reproach.

“What do you want?”

“You really don't know?”

“No.”

“Yes, you know. Bitch.”

He looked at her with pure hatred. If looks could kill she would have been cremated on the spot. He grabbed her hair suddenly and talked through clenched teeth.

“What did you give me when I fucked you? And how many others were you with?”

“Nobody, I swear.”

“You can't not know. You gave me a disease. Stupid bitch.” He released her and handed her a business card. “Go there tomorrow so you can be treated and forget about being with anyone else as long as you're with me. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Now get out of here!” He pointed to the door and she got out. The car pulled away, leaving her standing on the sidewalk.

Emiliano was still on his computer. He hit a social media page that said “This profile does not exist.” There was a knock.

“I don't want to see anyone.”

Regina walked in.

“It's me, son.”

“Leave.”

She did not and he realized it. He stared at her for a moment.

“They took everything away from me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There's nothing left of her. No photos, no video, no Facebook page, nothing. Everything about Florencia is gone.”

Regina sat next to him and he looked into her eyes.

“You had nothing to do with this, did you?”

“No. I'm sure your father is very worried about this.”

“Why isn't he here?”

“I'm sure he's on his way.” She touched his face to make sure she had his attention. “We're not your enemies. We're here and we're with you when that video is revealed. We're not reproaching you for anything.”

He was not reassured. He got up and walked over to the other side of the room.

“Don't scold me for anything, from here on I'll never see her again! She'll never reappear again.”

“Perhaps she was the one who published the video.”

“How could you say that, Mother? What a stupid thing!” He headed for the door, still going on about this. She followed him and stopped him from leaving the room.

“Calm down and listen to me,” she said, evenly. “Your father believes that someone did this in order to discredit him.”

“The television knows something. They think he is at fault.”

“Emiliano, that's a hypothesis. A speculation.” She got him to sit down again. “What you must know is that all this is a trap. You understand that, don't you?”

“He's just like Grandfather, isn't he?”

“Like what?”

“He thinks I can't have a woman, that I can never be a father –”

“No. No way,” she said, stroking his hair. “You can love any woman but a secret is something else.”

“I don't want to see you. I don't want to listen anymore. Go, Mother.”

She stared for a long moment, then left his room without another word.

“Ochoa, do you have any news?” Alonso asked over the phone.

“A scandal in security, Sir.”

“What?”

“Someone in the command center broke protocol. They wiped out all the images of Florencia Oscura from the security cameras at the crime scene. The images were from prior to the murder.”

“Of course. How convenient,” he said with cold sarcasm. “Therefore you have nothing yet.”

“We may have something from a nearby building. It's being processed now. It has images of the killer who had followed the girl.”

“So, do you or don't you know who killed this woman?”

“Watch your wife's security, Sir.”

Teresa was seated at the hotel where Nieves caught up with her.

“I swear I'll pay everything to the last centavo,” she said.

“You are not leaving or setting one foot out of here until you pay this gambling debt,” said a butler.

Gerardo was on his way to deal with this. As soon as he entered the room Teresa rose from her seat and went over to him.

“See, this is my husband,, an important senator.” She turned to Gerardo. “My love, I'm sorry you had to come but I did something foolish, this man disrespected me, and I want you to close this place.”

Gerardo maintained a stiff upper lip, but was embarrassed.

Back at the San Román mansion, Javier was about to light a post-coital cigarette after a vigorous encounter with Natalia. Natalia reminded him that her husband didn't smoke.

“Then I better go,” he said. She didn't see his face, but he looked as though he couldn't get out of there fast enough. She began caressing his bare shoulders.

“You're mistaken. You're not leaving until you give me back my money.”

“You have no reason to fear your husband.”

“I was told he saw me in the center of town last night. Don't worry about him. You're better off worrying about me.”

“It's that here I don't have it. I have no contacts at the top.”

“You can take your cell, make contact with your account, and transfer my money to me. It's that easy.”

“I see you distrust me.”

“Do I have to?”

“Do you know I love you?”

“Then show me one more time.”

She laughed as she pulled him back on top of herself.

It was like a bucket of freezing water had been dumped as Omar entered the bedroom.

“Natalia!”

Both sat up, holding the sheets in front of themselves.

Alonso went inside the house. Regina was waiting for him.

“My love,” she said.

“I'm going to talk to Emiliano,” he said to her.

“You need to listen to me a moment. I just talked with him and I think –”

“I've had enough assessments. I don't need more to talk to my son.”

“What's rushing you? What happened? Why are you like this?”

He gave her a look of pure hate, not unlike the one he gave the prostitute.

“Because I hate being deceived. Especially by my wife.”

“What are you talking about, Alonso?”

“Florencia Oscura. I know who killed her.”

Neither saw Emiliano, who had opened the door just in time to hear this.