Caray, Caray!

• Alan met with his banker about getting major assets of his firm transferred into what he said were Carlos' personal accounts. He told the man that he was looking out for Carlos' interests. The banker seemed to recognize that there were some serious issues in play and wondered whether this was entirely above board. Nonetheless, he shook hands with Alan and left the meeting.
  
  
• At the morning meeting at Vega & Associates Alonso brought up the first item on the agenda, the new senior attorney. Benjamín tried to stand up to give his self-serving speech about Leticia when Alonso announced that Alejandra would be joining them. He gave his reasons for his decision. Leonardo, Roberto, and Victoria supported him. Leonardo pointed out that Olivia and Leticia worked well together because of their different skills. Olivia said she would continue to work with Leticia as they had been before. Gustavo remained silent, as nobody had requested his opinion. After Alonso left the conference room Benjamín got up and went on about how unfair this was and how Leticia had earned the promotion. Roberto teased him about being “her personal lawyer”, which Benjamín may or may not have caught the meaning of. The pompous fool went on about how all of them will never advance because higher-ups will always be gotten from the outside. Leonardo pointed out that Alejandra's expertise in international law will benefit the entire firm and isn't that more important than what would benefit him. Everyone stared at Benjamín.
• Lourdes went to the funeral home to pay her final respects to Joaquin only to be stopped by his son, Ramon, who accused her of destroying his family. She pointed out that his parents had been divorced but he didn't accept it. He ordered her to leave. Paula and Alicia tried to calm the man down, but were not successful. He shouted to them to leave and closed the door behind him.
• Olivia stopped Leonardo in the hall and told him she was available if he wanted any help. She had been warned not to do this and the result – him telling him he didn't want to talk about this and walking away – was predicted correctly.
• Victoria stayed late in the office, working in order to distract herself from the recent tragedy. Roberto entered her office and reported that Dario had not yet been found. Victoria was determined that he be prevented from getting custody of his children. He offered to stay in the office with her but she said she would be alright. He told her to call him if she needed anything. She embraced him before he left.
• Gustavo told his wife on the phone that he had to work late investigating a case. He went instead to see Milena, his mistress, who greeted him at the door with her pink brassiere exposed.
• Leonardo went home to find a farewell note from Ana Maria, saying that she hoped he would someday forgive her. He took out his cell and resisted the impule to call her. He crumpled the note.
• Roberto drank alone at the club where he was approached by a lady on the make. He said he had just make a big mistake. He asked her whether she knew any lawyers named Leonardo or Ricardo and she said no. She asked what this was about and he declined to explain. She told him her name was Pamela and he ordered a drink for her.
• After hauling Gustavo's ashes Milena tried to talk him into leaving his wife to be with her. He did not answer her, but they went for Round Two.
• Paula was reading at home when Alejandra came home to give her the good news about Daniela's case, walking away from Carlos' case, and about going to work at Vega. Paula was happy to hear this and liked the idea of Alejandra working with Ricardo. Alejandra told her that he was married with children and she was going to keep her distance. She did not want to be like her grandmother. [We do want to hear more about this.]
• Leonardo went to Ricardo's place and told him about Ana Maria's note. He had put it in his pocket before coming over and now took it out and ripped it up. He was incensed. Ricardo told him he felt the same way when he discovered Elena's infidelity. “Forget about her,” he advised before offering him a beer. He accepted and commented that it was a good thing that Alejandra was coming to work with them. Ricardo mentioned that he was interested in her personally as well as professionally. Then they talked about Leonardo possibly taking Carlos' defense case. He was known to accept only cases where he genuinely believed in the client's innocence... in contrast to Carlos who took anyone who could pay his fees. Leonardo thought he should know about this right away. Ricardo thanked him and said that his interest in Alejandra had nothing to do with this case.
• Paula and Alejandra continued their conversation. Alejandra was not looking to get involved with anyone now. Paula wanted her daughter to move on and find happiness, pointing out that Carlos had betrayed her. “Time passes very quickly, daughter,” she said. “It's the only thing you can't hold onto or recover.” She then told her about what happened at the funeral parlor.
• Gustavo told Milena he could not leave his wife because their son was so young. He gave her the usual line about wanting to be with her but had to stay married “for the sake of the child.” Meanwhile Milena thinks she is “much more woman than your wife.” Not a good strategy to say so.
• The Mendez trial took place at the prison. Roberto questioned Ricardo about what had happened in the parking lot. Ricardo said that he had shouted at Mendez when he saw the weapon. There was no way he could not have heard him, but he fired the pistol anyway and Leonardo was hit. Mendez' lawyer, Suarez, asked Ricardo if his client had been in control of himself at the time. Ricardo answered that he was, but he was angry. Suarez pointed out that Mendez was being bankrupted due to the terms of his divorce and that his anger was due to Benjamín Acosta's verbal bullying. He had no more questions. Leonardo and Benjamín were present for this. The judge asked Roberto if he had anything else. He got up and said that a sane man doesn't try to commit murder. Suarez said that his client is not by nature an aggressive man. Roberto called on Benjamín to testify, then asked him to describe Mendez' attitude. Benjamín said that Mendez was furious and that his actions were premeditated. The divorce had been granted and Mendez came looking for him at his office. He finished by saying that he had to pay to the full extent of the law. He started ranting about not allowing him to get away with this, ranting that he could have been killed. He had to be reminded that it was Leonardo Moran who was shot. Benjamín went on about Leonardo being his friend, etc. The judge dismissed him and he went over to Leonardo, who said to him that he wanted to see justice done, not that Mendez be locked up for life. The judge decided that in view of the circumstances of the crime and the arrest he sentenced Mendez to six and a half years in prison. Mendez tried to protest and Benjamín taunted him by saying it should have been fifteen years. Leonardo tried to get him to stop. He said it was a just sentence. Benjamín said sotto voce that he bet Mendez wouldn't last ten days. Leonardo obviously didn't like his attitude. Ricardo congratulated Roberto, who then tried to shake hands with Leonardo. Leonardo declined to and walked out. Roberto had to realize that Victoria was right. On his way out Leonardo passed Juan in the corridor as the others caught up with him. Roberto suggested they celebrate, but Leonardo declined to do so “with you, Roberto.” Ricardo told Roberto that he had to give him time.
• Lourdes was still crying at Paula's house in the company of her two besties as Alejandra left for her first day at Vega & Associates.
• Gustavo was leaving for the office when his wife, Isabel, said he shouldn't be working late all the time. He said he wasn't the owner of his own time and he works hard for the household. She said she was grateful but... well, mutual “Te amos” before he left. He did have a rather shiftly/guilty expression when she couldn't see his face.
• At the courthouse a clerk brought out a folder which Leticia snatched from her hand. Olivia gently rebuked her impatience. She looked inside and saw that the judge did not grant her petition. Leticia gave her an “I told you so” about demanding too much financial support. Olivia said that the request was not an exaggeration; it was to relieve the suffering of children. Leticia scoffed and said that this couldn't be compensated for with money. Olivia agreed, but that the money would make this less painful. They argued about the children's mother and Leticia also said that the children should be in a government school. She further said that if Olivia keeps thinking the way she does she won't go far as a lawyer. [Is that the pot calling the kettle black?] Leticia walked out.
• Aye, Dios Mio, what is Alejandra doing visiting Carlos? She explained that she is starting at Vega & Associates and will not be able to visit him so often. He pretended to understand. He didn't yet have a court date. He went on about getting out and getting back together with her and she was more and more creeped out by the nanosecond. She finally got up to leave. He insisted on embracing her before she left, but she didn't kiss him. As she walked out he looked as deluded as ever.
• Ricardo met with Virginia's doctor, who told him he believed she was losing her mental facultires. He didn't think she was capable of making decisions and was becoming paranoid. In answer to Ricardo's next question he said that it was very possible that she could be declared incompetent. He warned Ricardo that he should not mention this to her because it would be counter-productive. Ricardo got up to leave and asked if he could call with more questions later. They shook hands. Then the doctor tipped his when he said “All her life my aunt has been used to ruling the roost, the family, and the business.” Ricardo looked like he smelled complicity as the doctor went on, saying that his cousins trust him with this for the sake of discretion. He went on about protecting his aunt, her dignity, etc., etc. [Ricardo seems to have a good BS detector.] He said he had no doubts and thanked him for his time as he left. Once he left the doctor called his cousin to say “Yes, your lawyer was just here.”
• Alejandra arrived at the office and was greeted enthusiastically by Carmen. When she sat down in the office she was to share with Ricardo she noticed the framed photos on the sideboard and went over to look at them. Olivia came in, introduced herself, and offered to show her around.
• Victoria sat at her desk and paused. Roberto knocked before he entered and she asked him how the case had gone. He told her it was very simple and she was pleased at the outcome. He also had other good news, which was they had found Dario at the home of one of his friends. They had him in custody. She was eager to confront him but Roberto told her that she would have to file for custody of his children on behalf of Rocio's parents. She agreed, saying she would talk to them. He reminded her to keep a cool head.
• Ricardo went to see Virginia, who was not pleased to see him. He tried to explain that her children were worried about her. She called shennanigans on that, saying that her children just want the money for themselves. Her son-in-law was a ne'er do well who had never worked a day in his life and is just exploiting Lina. She blamed herself for spoiling them when they were younger. All she wanted to do was to protect their inheritance. Ricardo said he wanted to see if what he had been told was true. She told her nurse, Fermin, to tell him what he had heard. He told Ricardo that his boss's children wanted to take the mansion from her. In fact, they wanted to take everything. She nearly accused him of being their accomplice. He explained that he wanted to meet her to see if she was lucid. He then said that the case was complicated and he wanted to recommend a good lawyer for her. She didn't want one but accepted the business card he handed her.
• Leonardo visited Carlos, explaining that while Alan had given him all his information he needed to talk to him personally. He asked why he wanted him to defend him and Carlos answered because he only defended the innocent and he was that. Leonardo asked whether this was an act of revenge and Carlos began talking about how strange it was that he was arrested almost immediately.
• Olivia showed Alejandra around the office and introduced her to Victoria and Roberto, who greeted her graciously. Then to Leticia, who accused her of stealing what was rightfully hers.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:01 PM