Caray, Caray!

• Gustavo got after Ricardo, insisting that he was taking Alejandra's side against him and that he considered this disloyal. Ricardo wasn't able to get a word in edgewise.
  
• Leonardo presented Olivia's case to the judge in the trial area of the local penitentiary. The Rat With No Name was in his holding cell. Five previous victims stood in the room, as did Olivia, Victoria and Alejandra. Leonardo indicated that sentences in such cases are cumulative. He then had Olivia take the witness stand. She was sworn in and Leonardo started off with a leading question coming right from her own statement. When she identified The Rat as the man who had mislead her with the end purpose of robbery and violence he denied it. He was told he was out of order. When Leonardo asked why she came forward she said it was because she realized that there had to have been other victims and that she wanted to make sure he paid for his crimes. Also so that he could be off the streets and no longer in a position to hurt others.
  The Rat's attorney tried to accuse her of seeking revenge and of a longer sentence than the law allowed. Victoria wanted to speak, but Alejandra stopped her.
  
• Gustavo stubbornly continued to accuse Alejandra but Ricardo didn't let him get away with it. He reminded Gus that Alejandra was doing her job as Isabel's attorney and that job was to protect her. “You need the courage to face your mistakes here” was the theme of his reproach. Gustavo yelled “Nobody understands that I don't want a divorce!” He even repeated himself. Ricardo remained calm and told him “We all know that. But Isabel does and there is nothing anyone can do about it.” He advised Gustavo to get therapy to help him accept it.
  Gustavo thought for a moment, then sat down and told Ricardo he was right. But he did not know what to do to accept it. Ricardo told him it would take time. Gustavo admitted he had been wrong and acted like a fool and that none of this was Alejandra's fault.
  
  He then apologised to Ricardo, who told him it would all be alright in time.
  
• The judge told the defense attorney that his comments were completely out of place and that he did not want to have to sanction him beyond that warning. The man conceded and the judge asked Leonardo if there was anything else. Leonardo described this as not merely the act of a delinquent. He had deceived, seduced, robbed, and struck Olivia and left her in danger of her life. Further, she was not the only victim as he had likely done this to any or all of the other women present. The defense attorney had nothing to add. Olivia was excused from the witness stand and the judge reviewed the case. Due to the charges and evidence he sentenced the Rat – known in the court as Edgar Cardozo – to twenty-five years in prison. In consideration of the other crimes against the other women he added another twenty-five years to the sentence for a total of fifty years.
  
  The defendant did not cry out. Court was adjourned.
  
• Edgar Cardozo was obviously lamenting that if he ever got out he would no longer own the assets that permitted him to commit these criminal acts.
  
• The condemned man began crying out that this was unfair as he was led from the holding cell. Olivia thanked Leonardo who then received an “atta boy!” touch from Victoria and the other women converged to thank him as well.
  
• For a nerdy lawyer this must have been an incredible sensation.
  
• Juan dropped in on the medical examiner with a venti of his favorite drug. After commenting on Juan's stubbornness he told him it was his lucky day because he had the pathology report he had been waiting for. He handed him the report, telling him he would find it very interesting reading.
  
• After all congratulatory statements had been made Leonardo suggested that they all go to celebrate. Victoria and Alejandra both declined, citing work. It was clear from looks they exchanged that this was intended to allow Leonardo and Olivia to be alone together away from the office. They left with their briefcases, leaving Olivia to suggest they go for a drink first.
  
  They left together.
  
• Carlos and Alan talked about the appeal. Carlos gloated that Roberto was an idiot and that all the lawyers at Vega were while Alan mentioned that his strategy was to deliver exactly the opposite of what was expected of them. Carlos grinned maniacally as he said that the best of all this would be that Roberto would be forced out of Vega & Associates, which would embarrass Alonso.
  
• At the restaurant Olivia felt as though all was finally over and she was much calmer. She had been concerned that The Rat would go free and try to get revenge. Leonardo considered this highly unlikely to happen. They started talking about their ability to trust future love interests. He told her he was over Ana Maria.
  
• Alan was happy at the prospect of getting back at Roberto for accusing him of malpractice but Carlos told him not to confuse the issues. “You made a mistake while he fell into a trap,” he said. “So don't do it again.” He commented about “saving” Vega & Associates and wanting the entire world to know it. They moved on to El Ciego's case, arguing that his reputation provokes accusations. They planned to argue that constitutionally he is entitled to a presumption of innocence and claim that the gun was planted. Alan said he would go along with this but reminded Carlos that they could not afford to lose anything at this point.
  
• Alejandra entered Ricardo's office in hopes of clarifying the situation they were looking to resolve. She told him how it went in court and he asked her to go to lunch with him. She agreed and excused herself for a moment to file documents. He looked tighter than an overwound Rolex.
  
• Leonardo talked about not looking for a partner in future and being satisfied with work and friends. He was convinced that he would never love again.
• Juan handed Roberto the pathology report. It stated that no fluid or vomitus was in the lungs of the dead prostitute nor was there evidence that any sleeping pills were cause of death. This meant that they needed to find Tatiana because her friend had obviously been murdered.
  
• Alejandra and Ricardo sat down at their table and he said “We have to talk.” The words that nobody ever wants to hear. He then told her that since she was close to Carlos after his ordeal he had to respect that. She commented “In the same way that I have to respect your relationship with Elena because of the children.” It sounded like a reproach to him. “It's not a reproach; I see everything is good with her. For me, it's alright. It's better for Federico and Natalia. I wasn't going to say anything, but I know how your relationship is with her.”
  “My relationship with Elena isn't like yours with Carlos. For us, love is over. But for you there are still many things to clarify.”
  Alejandra looked confused at first, then annoyed.
  “What Carlos and I have to settle isn't your business.”
  “I don't want to be an obstacle for you.”
  “What are you thinking here?”
  “It's obvious that we have many things to clear up in our lives.”
  “Just like that?”
  “I want you to know that I feel a sincere affection for you and I hope you will be happy.”
  “Is that what you brought me here to say?”
  “Yes. That I want everything to be alright with you and me. And in that cause we should each go his own way.”
  “Why are you doing this?”
  “Because it's better for both of us.”
  “Better for you, you mean.”
  “You have history with Carlos, an ongoing story. I won't get in between the two of you. I can't do that.”
  “I never said you did that.”
  “I think it's better that we forget everything that happened between us.”
  “I don't believe this. You know what hurts the most? That it doesn't matter to you what I feel or think. You made this decesion for both of us –”
  “No; it was't like that –”
  “Of course it is. It's not important to you what I say here. You just decided for both of us. I feel very deceived.”
  “Please don't say that.”
  “I didn't expect it of you; you seemed different.”
  “Yes. I will no longer be a problem for you.”
  “You were never a problem for me.”
  “Then tell me what changed our relationship since Carlos got out of prison and I barely had a minute with you.”
  “Of course, and you stayed away from me.”
  “And what else could I have done?”
  “You are the same as Carlos.”
  “How?”
  “You both think you can oblige me to feel as you want me to and that isn't good. You're very mistaken. Do you think that you can distance yourself from me and I won't have feelings about it? He thinks he can fight with me about what he did and I won't feel anything about it? But, no.”
  “Alejandra, the only think I want is for you to take your space and your freedom to find out what you want.”
  “I don't want you to decide that for me. I never asked you to distance yourself from me and that's what you're saying, Ricardo. You know what?” She stood up, placing her napkin on the table. He tried to stop her. “No; let me go. It hurts me what you are saying. I never thought that you would hurt me, too.”
  She turned to leave. He tried to call her back, but it was useless.
  
• Considering their past issues, Ricardo should have never believed anything Carlos had to say about his relationship with Alejandra.
  
• Leonardo walked into Roberto's office and delivered the good news about the fifty-year sentence. Roberto showed him the pathology report. It indicated that maroon-red fibers were present in her lungs. This meant she was suffocated with something red.
  
• Olivia told Victoria she is still in love with Leonardo but he is no longer interested in falling in love again. Victoria said that she understood because this is how she sees it. “Happiness is about who you are, not whom you're with.” She herself had been years without a stable relationship. She said she was completely happy with friends like Roberto, Leonardo, and Ricardo. Olivia asked whether she didn't feel she was missing out on anything and Victoria told her “No.”
  
• Was she telling the truth or trying to convince herself?
• She tried to talk Olivia into going out with her and having a good time and maybe meeting someone. Olivia declined, saying she didn't want to take the risk.
• Roberto, Leonardo, and Juan discussed next steps. They needed to look for anyone who could have had a motive for framing Carlos for this crime and speculated on whether anyone like this was a guest at the bachelor party. This also meant following up with Tatiana and that meant that Juan would have to make that happen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Alejandra and Ricardo both returned to the office and closed their respective doors. She had managed to avoid crying until she sat down at her desk. He stood behind his and took a deep breath.
  
• Gustavo handed a file to Fanny, telling her that signing the document would dissolve the partnership with Alberto. If one partner wants out, that's all it takes. She compared it to a divorce, then picked up the pen. She signed it and handed it back to Gustavo, who told her he would present it to the judge; she did not need to be present. She had no desire to see Alberto again. All she wanted was for him to end up in prison.
• Roberto dropped in on Ricardo to give him the update on the murder case. No new suspects yet, though. Ricardo hoped that this could be resolved soon and explained why he felt this way. Roberto acknowledged that this was not an easy situation before launching into the idea that Ricardo should go out and meet new women. Ricardo was reluctant.
  
• Gustavo and Fanny talked about her desire to see Alberto behind bars. She said that Alberto was mad, manipulative, a killer, and that he had planned the whole thing. Gustavo acknowledged that Alberto was without scruples. Roberto had fallen into his trap because he hadn't seen him for years and therefore didn't know who he had become. However, he told her that no matter what happens she needed to go on with her life. She knew that but her life had been affected very badly. They shook hands and she left the office.
  
• Juan and Leonardo talked about the investigation. They were sure that Tatiana knew something about who murdered Patricia or she would not have suddenly disappeared. He had discussed this with Roberto and was determined to find her. Leonardo handed him some cash to spend in the bar as needed.
  
• Alejandra was unable to concentrate on her work. Gustavo knocked, entered, and asked to talk to her. He sat in front of her and apologized for his earlier behavior, saying he had been a fool. He talked about how unfair it was when one person ended a relationship without agreement from the other. She explained that she understood more than he realized. He noted that her sympathy for Isabel's situation might come from Carlos' infidelity and that he understood that. He apologized again for his behavior and insensitivity. He cried while doing so and she tried not to cry herself.
  
• Olivia was researching sperm banks online when Carmen entered to deliver some transcripts. When Olivia asked Carmen what she thought of sperm banks Carmen said that she thought it was a great thing to help couples who couldn't conceive without this. However, she thought the idea of a single woman having a baby without a father was strange and she personally felt that a baby should come from the love of its parents. Before she could say another word Olivia thanked her and said she had to get back to work. After Carmen left Olivia looked both sad and angry.
• Gustavo apologized again and told Alejandra that he and Ricardo had talked. He said that Ricardo had told him of her integrity, her legal talent, and her good will toward everyone and that he knew that this status was not her fault. She stopped him saying more. They shook hands and he asked her to draft the settlement giving Isabel and Luis everything they needed. He was willing to comply with all Isabel's demands. He left in a calmer state than when he arrived. 
  
• Victoria went to Roberto's office obviously to tease him, judging by how she sat on his sofa. He seemed up for the game, preparing to try his bon mots on her. She talked about doing something on Friday, but he said he had plans for something really extreme involving the other guys on an expedition for new women. She said it was a shame because her plans had included him. He wasn't prepared for this and said he could cancel. She said no, he shouldn't cancel out on his friends, and walked out of his office with a flirtatious expression and an air kiss at the door. He felt like a fool.
  
• Victoria went to Olivia's place with a bottle in hand, hoping to convince her to go out. As Olivia put ice in their glasses she explained she wasn't in the mood. They had a drink and Victoria told her she was concerned that she might be afraid to go out and meet people. “There are lots of men out there!” Olivia told her about the sperm bank only to get a shocked reaction.
  
• Alejandra talked with her mother about the conversation with Ricardo, who felt that Alejandra and Ricardo should talk again. Alejandra thought that Ricardo would get back with Elena, which Paula didn't think would happen. She told her to give it time. However, Alejandra was as stubborn as Ricardo had been earlier that day, saying she had to accept this and move on.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM