Caray, Caray!

• Ricardo and Alejandra talked briefly about the latest Elena crisis before taking leave of each other until the next day. They kissed, she left his office, and he looked at the photo of his children with great concern.
  
• Is this the last kiss between Ricardo and Alejandra for a long time? You can be sure that Elena intends to break Ricardo and Alejandra up by any means necessary.
  
• Juan went back to the strip club to talk to Tatiana about her encounter with Pablo. She told him that his behavior was strange and she had to have security remove him. She thanked him for coming.
  
• The next morning Alexa walked into the courtroom with the legal team protecting her.
  
  Genaro accompanied his wayward son and he asked Alonso if they could come to an agreement. Alonso told him that was impossible. He then told Hugo to watch for any provocation and not to react to it. Jaime told him not to worry, that all would be under control. He and Alejandra sat on either side of Hugo, as they had likely planned. Alonso politely bid good day to opposing counsel while watching their facial expressions before taking his place. Alexa sat at his left with Ricardo and Leonardo on her left.
  
  Judge Alina Miranda then entered court and took her seat at the bench. She immediately gave the impression she would brook no nonsense from anyone. She asked that the accusor's case be presented.
  
  Alonso opened by saying that in addition to proving that there had been judicial corruption he would provide proof of the crime he dismissed. He asked that the full force of the law be applied in the judgement. Ornelas took his turn to deny corruption and said that the case did not proceed because Alexa had been living her sexuality and later fabricated the complaint in order to extort money from his clients. Alonso stood up to say that Ornelas, Fuentes, and Cabrera had spoken out of turn during the previous proceedings and he was not going to allow that. He insisted that his client speak for herself. He then asked her to take the stand. Ricardo nodded to her. The defendants began looking frightened.
  
• Álvaro, Plutarco's son, was working at his desk when his secretary informed him he had a visitor. He asked if she had an appointment and was told that she had called for one but he didn't confirm. He then said he was unable to see her, but Victoria walked right in, saying she was there on his father's behalf. She introduced herself and said that his father was in economic difficulty and wanted to talk to him.
  “So now he wants to sue me?” was his reaction.
  
• Alonso asked Alexa how she had gotten along with her cousin and his friends. She replied that they almost always went to the movies and afterwards to a club, then to Francisco's house. Alonso asked her to describe what happened on that night. She immediately had flashbacks of trying to call her father and Francisco forcing the red cup on her and the other two egging this on. She said it had been a normal party but they were insisting she drink when she didn't want to. Hugo immediately looked sick, but Jaime watched him carefully. Alejandra kept her hand on his arm.
  Alonso had Alexa identify the defendants as having done this. She went on to say that they took her to another room where Francisco raped her, then the other two, and all three at once. Hugo's head fell into his hands, Judge Miranda was watching all facial expressions. Alonso then asked Alexa whether she at any time was “exploring her sexuality” as Ornelas had said and she answered “Of course not.” She said that she could not get out, they had held her down and she could not do anything.
  
  By this time Alejandra looked pained. Alonso had no further questions.
  Ornelas did not pass up the opportunity to cross-examine. He asked Alexa where her father was that night. She relied that he was at home waiting for her. Ornelas asked why she had permission to be at Francisco's house and she replied it was because he is her cousin. Leonardo stood and stipulated that Francisco and his friends had been up to something because Alexa had trusted them. Ornelas then said that despite Alexa being underage she was allowed to go to clubs and bars and her father had done nothing to keep aware of his daughter's behavior. Hugo stood, but Alejandra and Jaime restrained him and he sat down without a word. Ornelas said that this lights a fire among youth and that Alonso had provided no proof of rape.
  Alonso stood and said that the medical report previously provided disclosed intravaginal contusions, which was evidence of rape. He also stated that there was a recording of the phone call Francisco made begging forgiveness. Cabrera stood and said that the recording was not accepted because it could have been edited. Alonso thanked him but said that this proved the existence of the call, edited or not. Francisco had called because he felt guilty. He then presented the sentence by Marrufo and a record of the deposit of three million pesos [$153,032 US] to his wife's bank account. The business it had come from immediately disappeared. This was connected to an employee payroll of Genaro Arteaga which also disappeared. He looked at Ornelas and asked whether he understood that.
  
• Álvaro wasn't having it. Victoria told him she was looking for an agreement, which he refused to believe. She was trying to be patient but finally told him that if it were up to her they would be in court.
  “Your father doesn't want to sue you.”
  “But he wants my money and I'm under no obligation to give it to him.”
  “But the civil law obligates children to help their parents if they can't maintain themselves.”
  This got nowhere with him.
  
• Ornelas put Francisco on the stand and asked whether Alexa had asked him to have relations with her. He said yes. Ornelas then asked if she demanded money from him or his friends for this favor and he said “Yes, always.” Alexa almost leaped over the table, shouting that this was a lie and why doesn't he tell the truth. Alonso and Ricardo had to restrain her. Judge Miranda
  rapped for silence, then asked Ornelas to continue. He asked Francisco how Alexa was dressed that night. Before he could answer Ricardo stood and said that this was completely irrelevant. The judge then told Ornelas to stick to questions pertaining to the charge. Ornelas then asked whether Alexa had provoked them. Francisco looked at her and paused for a moment. Finally he said “Truthfully? Yes.” She denied that again, almost leaping over the table and getting restrained by Ricardo. Alonso looked worried for a moment. Ornelas had no further questions. Alonso rose to cross-examine.
  
  He asked Francisco if he knew what he swore to.
  
  He said no. Alonso reminded him that perjury would get him more prison time. Francisco tried looking around him at Ornelas but Alonso didn't let him get away with it.
  “You got your answer from your lawyer. If you're 'man enough' to rape Alexa, you're man enough to tell the truth!”
  “No, sir. I've only been telling the truth.”
  The judge saw that Francisco was terrified... and lying.
  “No more questions, Your Honor.”
  Alonso resumed his seat. Judge Miranda told Francisco to go back to his, then asked for closing arguments. Alonso stood and said that the rape of Alexa was the work of three young men whose parents never taught them that there would be consequences to their actions. First, they prefer to fix everything with money. Second, there was false testimony which their lawyers were willing to believe. It was necessary to let the law do its work so that these crimes against women cannot have impunity. He looked accusingly at opposing counsel before resuming his seat.
  Ornelas then said that if Marrufo was indicted for corruption it was outside of this case. He said that his clients were experimenting that night and didn't think of the consequences of their actions. He said that if punishment was given it should be for what was exposed that day, not what happened in the previous proceeding.
  Judge Miranda then called a recess.
  
• Victoria told Álvaro point blank that she could not be bought off. He refused to give his father any money and she said she would see him in court. He refused to look at her, saying he had no time for this. She would not let him off the hook. She got up and told him that his father missed him. His reaction was sarcastic. She took her leave.
  
• Judge Miranda declared Francisco Arteaga guilty of rape and of perjury and sentenced him to forty-five years. His accomplices were each declared guilty of rape and sentenced to forty years. All three began sniveling out of panic. Their lawyers were speechless. Judge Miranda declared that court was adjourned. She left the courtroom as Alexa hugged Ricardo and Hugo hugged Alejandra in relief. Genaro looked pained.
  
  Three uniformed policemen came in to collect the condemned. Manuel began cursing Francisco, blaming him for all this. He kicked, got free, and was recaptured before he could get to the exit. He then dropped to his knees in front of Alonso as if to beg for mercy, but was picked up as though he were a rag doll and removed from the courtroom. Genaro angrily went to Ornelas who said they could appeal. Francisco shouted at Ornelas that “I did everything you told me to. Get me out of here!” and began yelling for his father to help him. Genaro went to confront Ornelas as Francisco was taken out. Hugo thanked Alonso before confronting his brother.
  
  “How could you dare to destroy my daughter in order to save your son?”
  “If you had the means, you would do the same.”
  “No. Our parents didn't teach us this, brother. You are very mistaken. You have always given Francisco everything he wanted, but you didn't teach him to be a man.”
  “I don't care what you say. I will keep fighting for my son.”
  “I want you to stay away from us, because if you don't I will proceed against you. And it won't matter that you are my brother.”
  Genaro walked out without another word. Hugo leaned against the defense desk, absorbing the finality of the situation. Alonso – who had been watching the confrontation – told him he was sure he wouldn't be having any more problems with his brother. There was a round of congratulations among Alonso's team and Alexa was relieved. Alonso told her she could now get on with her life and she was brave to confront this. It was her courage to continue more than any court or any judge that made the law work. Alexa hugged her father.
  
• Whether it is too late for Genaro to learn his lesson, Ornelas, Fuentes, and Cabrera definitely learned something. Never try to put one over on a woman in red.
  
• Carlos was at Pilar's house to talk to Imelda about her day in court. Pilar said it would be better if her daughter rested. He said he was there to see whether she remembered anything new. She answered that she had already told him all she remembered. Pilar was determined that this go no further but Carlos emphasized that this was the last opportunity to get it straight before Imelda would be questioned by the police or a prosecutor. Imelda refused to go and Carlos had to explain to Pilar that he was being tough because the others would be more so. Vicente's attorney had an aggressive defense and he was sure that she would insist that both were involved. Imelda then played Helpless Little Girl and went to Mama for protection by telling her she needed rest. Pilar excused herself to escort her daughter upstairs, leaving Carlos to think that he had accomplished nothing.
  
• Carlos may be in for a very shocking surprise in this case. He has not dismissed the idea of Imelda being in some way responsible for her brother's death, but if she is he will have a bigger problem with her mother.
  
• As Alonso and the others were about to leave the courthouse the press was heading in his direction. He quickly turned around to tell Ricardo to stay back with Alexa and her father; he answered he would take care of them. Alonso and Leonardo then answered a some reporters' questions regarding the corruption case. The female reporter asked Leonardo if there was any new suspect in the Carlos Ibarra case and he gave a good non-answer.
  
• When Pilar returned to the drawing room Carlos told her that Vicente's lawyer was going to try to accuse Imelda of the crime of killing her brother. Pilar could not believe this. Carlos explained that this was exactly the reason that Imelda had to allow herself to be questioned. Pilar told him that she was willing to do whatever it took to make Vicente pay for this crime. She was willing to pay anything to make this happen. Carlos stared at her. She went on that she was sure Vicente did this because he was crazy. He told her that the same certainty has to be shown to the judge. He was concerned that if Imelda showed one element of doubt there would be problems. She said her daughter would be do what was necessary. He told her they needed to be calm.
  
• Carmen delivered a potted flowering plant to Olivia's office. It was accompanied by a note from Alan, mentioning his wish to see her again. Both ladies were impressed.
  
• Now that is the act of a smooth operator. It's a pity Alan didn't learn to apply such skills to his legal work.
  
• Roberto and Juan continued working on the Ibarra case when Victoria entered, needing to vent about her meeting with Álvaro. She called him a cad, ranted about selfishness, and finally told a curious Roberto and an outraged Juan that she was going to court with this. She finally said that if people weren't so selfish they would have fewer cases. She excused herself and went to her office to prepare the documents and Roberto noted to Juan that this is exactly the sort of thing she gets up in arms about. And that she was the perfect woman. Juan looked at him somewhat knowingly.
  
• Elena laid back in her chair next to a glass table with a half-empty bottle of tequila on it. She drank a shot just as Ricardo got off the elevator. She was on her feet in half a second and when he told her he was there to talk to the children she stopped him on the way to their rooms and ordered him out of her house. He wanted to hear what they had to say. She told him he was no longer part of her family she he answered that they were his children. She shoved him, screaming that they were not. He said very well, but he was going to talk to them. She shoved him back again. Her screaming drew Natalia into the living room to see what was wrong. When Ricardo tried to get Natalia's attention Elena got in between them and knelt in front of her daughter, screaming at Ricardo to leave her [Natalia] alone. She then started to crocodile cry as she told Natalia that she loved her and would always protect her. She then said that therefore she was telling her to go to her room. Natalia looked at her then at Ricardo, several times.
  
• Leonardo entered Roberto's office and announced that they won the case. They were about to start discussing it when Carmen rang to let Juan know that his mother had come to see him.
  
  He was shocked and just as he opened the door Susanna was there with two large shopping bags and more, telling him that since he and his colleagues worked so hard she brought lunch for them. Juan was about to tell her she should not have gone to the trouble but Leonardo thanked her and introduced himself. She recognized Roberto and then started to unpack the hot food. Juan was a little embarrassed at all this but his colleagues were unfailingly polite and gracious to his mother.
  
• Meanwhile Natalia started crying, asking why Alejandra was at his apartment and does he love her more than them.
  
  He started to answer and Elena started pushing Natalia out of the room. Before she way beyond earshot Elena turned around and shouted at Ricardo to leave and to stop lying to her children and to stop hurting them. He demanded to know what she was saying to the children. She denied saying anything. “I didn't have to because they saw everything.” Ricardo wasn't cowed by this hysterical cow of an ex, saying that if they misunderstood there was a reason. She went on that the children weren't fools and what were they supposed to think when seeing a naked woman in his apartment. Was that a good example for them? She ranted about how much time was stolen from them because of this. He couldn't understand what this had to do with the children and she ranted that he should not expect them to accept a new girlfriend. He was almost mentally worn out by then, finally saying that she was very sick and all this was doing was confusing the children and didn't she realize that. She then claimed that he lied when he said he had to work and the next day they find a near-naked woman in his bed.
  He yelled at her not to exaggerate. She came back with since they will never agree about this the best would be for him never to see her children again.
  
  He told her he would not allow her to do that and she slapped him with all her strength. She screamed that he better not because he had no idea what she was capable of. He calmly repeated that she was very sick and that the law would recognize that he was the children's father. As he left she screamed that this will never happen. Never, never, never, never. And began crying like a spoiled brat.
  
• Victoria entered Roberto's office and was introduced to Susanna, whom she greeted very graciously. She noticed the food and Roberto said there was enough for the entire firm. They just had to bring it into the conference room. She then asked if they could go over some witnesses after lunch and he agreed. Susanna said she had to leave but Leonardo suggested she stay and meet the rest of the firm.
  
• Elena went into Natalia's room and found her crying. Natalia wanted to know why she wasn't allowed to talk to her father and Elena told her that he would only tell her more lies. Federico came in and Natialia told him that their father wanted to talk to them and their mother stopped him. Elena then played her mind games, saying that she knew they missed Ricardo but it was better that they not listen to what he wanted to say. Because everything he says is lies. She had completely snowed Federico by now because he started taking Elena's side. Natalia protested once more before Elena said that it was better that Ricardo be out of their lives.
  
  The poor child gave up and cried while Elena sneered to herself, out of her children's line of vision.
  
• Vega & Associates' conference table was filled with the bounty of Susanna's kitchen and all were in a good mood. Even Leticia happily availed herself of a taco and Benjamín smiled in a way other than a sneer for a change. Alonso, Jaime, and Carmen came in and Juan introduced his mother to them. She made a little speech about how Juan always dreamed of working with them that he sometimes sneaked into their lectures. Alonso then told everyone that they won Alexa's case. Everyone was happy.
  
• Carlos received a call from someone reporting on Vicente's activities. He told Alan that this was not going to be a easy case. He did not trust Vicente's lawyer.
  
• Alonso mentioned a few things about the win, there were a few comments, and Victoria said she had a new case that Carmen said she would put on the agenda for the next meeting.
  
  A bailiff arrived asking for Ricardo. He then announced that there is now an order of protection against him. He was not to contact Elena Fernandez or her children under pain of arrest. Everyone stared in shock.
  
  Ricardo looked thunderstruck. Behind his back Leticia grinned.
  
  

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Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:14 PM