Caray, Caray!

• “Show me how you used it,” said Carlos after he handed the pen to Octavio.
  “I don't remember; it happened so fast. He was very violent,” Octavio said as he fumbled with the pen.
  “Show me how much force you used.”
  Octavio stood up and picked the pen up from the table.
  “I saw the knife and took it. Daniel was on the point of saying –”
  “To you?”
  
  Octavio got Carlos to stand up to get into position.
  “He started to leave,” Octavio said. Carlos had his back to him. “I stopped him and stabbed.”
  
  He mimed a stab to the back. Carlos got him to sit down.
  Carlos turned around and said, “Now, if I were Daniel, I'd have a wound right here,” He pointed to the area on the right side of his back, then looked at Octavio. “What then?”
  “I turned him around to face me and stabbed him in the stomach. He fell to the floor and I stabbed him a few more times. That's all I remember.”
  “And your daughter, Nuria? Where was she?”
  “She, she was in her bedroom.”
  “She didn't see what happened?”
  
  “No, no, no. It was all over when she came down.” He paused as Carlos watched him. “I know I did wrong. I was desperate. You don't know how I felt. You have to help me, Counselor. Please.”
  
• Not every parent in the world would be willing to take the fall for his child. Octavio Guzman is one of those. But he did so without thinking that this would have consequences, starting with doing time for perjury.
  
• Juan walked into Roberto's office in a good mood and announced that Fernanda and he had reconciled. Roberto grinned and Leonardo said he was pleased for him. Juan said he told Fernanda he loved her and Roberto said he can't stop there. He has to show her that every day. Leonardo said “Above all, take care of her.”
  “I will, Counselor.”
  “Because it hurts very much to lose the one you love after all that time.” Leonardo looked back at Roberto.
  “Yes, 100%” said Roberto.
• Ricardo met with Alonso and told her things were improving. That he had never seen his children so anxious as when this happened. Alonso was willing to give him more time off but Ricardo said he needed to come back to work because of what happened to his client. Alonso has been informed about that by Alejandra and they spoke about the Benjamín problem. Ricardo offered his help. Alonso told him that his first priority was to protect the firm. He then updated Ricardo on the Durantes case.
  
• Carlos called Alejandra, who didn't return his call the night before. She told him she had had a difficult day. He told her that he knew why and that was the reason for his call. When he told her he had taken the case Alejandra told him that Octavio was not an innocent in this matter. She told him to give him a good defense as they all must but that he should not avoid prison for this. He understood that but said he needed her help in order to better understand this case. She was annoyed at this request but agreed to meet with him at his office.
  
• For once Carlos had a legitimate reason to want to meet with Alejandra. She really should invite Ricardo to the meeting since it appears that all of them have smelled a rat. However, Carlos seems to have also forgotten that his office is not a safe place. In fact, is anyplace safe from El Ciego?
  
• Olivia went to Leticia's office to ask if she knew how to find Benjamín, since she had to send the divorce petition. Leticia said she didn't know. She became bitchy when Olivia asked her to let him know she was looking for him in case he contacted her, then ended the conversation by taking something to the file room.
  
• The other Musketeers went to Ricardo's office to welcome him back. They talked about the Durantes case and then Gustavo mentioned that things between him and Isabel were steadily improving.
  
• Victoria and Olivia talked about Olivia's situation. Olivia didn't know what to do now that Leonardo seemed within reach. Victoria asked Olivia why she just doesn't take the opportunity to finally get Leonardo and she answered that it was because she was dating Alan. She had never been in that situation before.
  Alan called at that moment to invite her to dine with him. She accepted. When she hung up she asked “What was I supposed to do?”
  “Nothing. Until you know what you want, go with the flow.”
  
• Alejandra arrived at Carlos' office and they sat down on the couch to talk. She told him that all Daniela had asked for was photos and updates on the child, nothing else. Daniela and Nuria agreed to the terms that had been set, then later Nuria failed to comply. Daniela came back to Vega for help because of that. There was no reason for her to die. Octavio needed to go to prison for this.
  “I thought the same thing until I talked to him. That's why I have to talk to you.” He opened the file. “I'll explain the details to you but first here is the forensic report and his confession. I'd like to know what you think.”
  
• Victoria went to Ricardo's office to discuss his case for being legally recognized as the father of Elena's children. They would need to go to court with this shortly. Ricardo said this might not be a good time for them to do this. She then asked whether he was thinking of getting back together with Elena. He said no, but he realized that the accident had a major impact on her. He didn't want to face another fight about the children now. Victoria understood. Ricardo said that the court date needed to happen because the man in the accident with Elena had drugs with him, which complicated the issues. She told him that if he decides to go ahead with this it would have to happen very soon. Any delay would make the process more difficult. He told her not to worry. He hoped that Elena would see reason during her recovery.
  
• Based on her past behavior it's far more likely that Elena will make herself appear like an angel during her recovery and the claws will be unsheathed thereafter.
  
• Carlos and Alejandra went to the crime scene. He looked at the location where the body was and at a nearby small table with a land-line phone, saying that Octavio had identified that spot as where the knife had been.
  “Why would a knife be here? This is impossible; it makes no logical sense. He couldn't explain where the knife came from, least of all why it was there.” He then mimed picking up the knife. “He picked up the knife. Pretend you are Daniela.”
  
  He turned Alejandra around so her back was to him and put his hand on her shoulder. “He had her on the left and thus...” He made the stabbing motion. “Daniela was tall, almost the same height as Octavio. It would be logical if the wound were below the ribs and on the right side.”
  Alejandra looked at the forensic report.
  “But the wounds were lower and on the left side.”
  “Of course. It's no coincidence. Alejandra, somebody is lying.”
  “Also, the wounds weren't made with much force.”
  “Yes. Octavio is a stocky man and strong.”
  “This doesn't agree with what they're saying.”
  “It doesn't. Alejandra, I'm sure they're lying to us.”
  She turned around and took another look at the room.
  
• Leticia arrived to visit Elena, telling her she looked like she was healing rapidly. Elena told her that Ricardo was very good to her. She said she realized she almost lost her children and her life and that she couldn't understand how she could have behaved so immaturely by trying to cut Ricardo out of their lives. Leticia told her that she seems to realize what is really important to her. Elena went on about how she took out her own issues on Ricardo and went to Carlos to make life difficult for him. She seemed to not understand why he was helping her after how she treated him.
  
• Alejandra continued reading the report, saying that one of the wounds was on the right side. Carlos repeated Octavio's words that the wounds were in the middle of the stomach. Alejandra read that there were multiple wounds woven together, not applied with a lot of force.
  “No. no, no; he did this with feeling. It was a crime passionel.,” said Carlos.
  “Yes. Listen to this. It says that the aggressor was a left-handed person because of the angle of the wounds.”
  “When I handed the pen to Octavio he took it in his right hand.” Then Carlos remembered seeing Nuria sign the DIEF documents with her left hand. “But, Alejandra, Nuria is left-handed. Now I understand.”
  “It was she, Carlos. She killed Daniela and Octavio is taking the fall to protect her.”
  Carlos nodded and looked back at her in shock.
  
• Leticia told Elena that things weren't going well for her because of Benjamín and the atmosphere in the office. She told her that she thought that her colleagues all saw her as an accomplice to his crimes. She felt lost and didn't know what to do. Elena told her to thin of herself and maybe leave the firm for somewhere else.
  
• Alejandra then came up with the way the crime played out by concluding that Nuria had been in the kitchen during the argument, took the knife, and came at Daniela from behind. Carlos said she was right and asked her how Nuria was when she saw her.
  “She was nervous when she came down from her room. She looked normal; I didn't understand how she heard nothing. She got hysterical and then Octavio said he was responsible.”
  “You know what? We should register the whole house as a crime scene. Somewhere in it is something that proves your theory.”
  
• It looked like Carlos wanted to prolong the investigation. He could easily prove that there was a left-handed person in the Guzman family who was not cooperating with the agreement struck after a bitter case in court.
  
• Leonardo paid Ricardo a visit in his office to ask his advice about Olivia. He had been getting his hopes up while they were watching his kids. Ricardo told him to talk to her and fight for her if he had to. Leo talked about not being able to see her with Alan and Ricardo just told him to talk to Olivia and be completely honest with her.
  
• Carlos made a call about the house and said that if they didn't find anything in particular they would go with her theory as is. She told him to keep her informed and he promised he would do his best to promote her theory of the crime. He thanked her a little too profusely and kissed her hand. She looked rather grave.
  
• Leonardo left Ricardo's office and almost ran into Olivia. He did exactly the opposite of what Ricardo advised. He asked whether she was happy with Alan and when she did he said he was happy for her and to give him time to see her solely as a colleague and friend. She told him it was difficult for her, too. He then said he would just need time. Then he went on his way.
  
• I don't normally say this, but what the fuck? Did Leonardo feel guilty for wanting to be the man in Olivia's life? He may be the office nerd but isn't that better than a crook?
  
• Federico went into Elena's room, crying. He said there was something he had to tell her. He told her that the accident was his fault for calling his father. Elena told her that he was wrong, it was an accident. He wouldn't stop crying.
  
• Paula and her friends were tasting food for her birthday party. Their expressions changed when Alejandra arrived with Carlos behind her. Paula said she was planning an event but did not say what it was. Alejandra then told her that they figured out that Nuria was the killer. Paula was shocked that prejudice could go that far and Alejandra said that the worst was that Nuria had not thought about her child, who would now be without a family. “Yes, it's the children who always pay,” said Paula and her friends.
  
• Elena asked Federico what happened. He told her about discovering her friend taking drugs in the bathroom and shoving him into the wall when he realized Federico had seen him do it. He then grabbed Nati and they locked themselves in her room. They called their father. He came over, punched Miguel out, and took them to his apartment. Elena tried to assure him that he did the right thing. He protected his sister. He still wasn't reassured and Elena told him that this did not cause the accident. She finally admitted that the accident was due to her mistake and hugged him.
  
• And who should really take the blame for Federico's feelings of guilt? That may not have occurred to her yet.
  
• Carlos put down his wineglass and said goodnight. He thanked Alejandra again for helping him with this case, kissed her on the cheek, and left. Alicia commented on how good looking he was and they asked which of her guys she was inviting to her mother's birthday. She said “Neither of them.” The reason was that Ricardo was still taking care of his ex. She went up to her room because she needed to prepare for court the next day.
  
• Ricardo arrived at Elena's place where she was still trying to console Federico. He told him that the important thing was that his mother was alright and that he had done nothing wrong. Natalia came in and jumped on Ricardo's back. Elena said that the important thing was that they were together. She took Ricardo's hand. He laid down next to Federico and embraced Natalia. Elena looked very satisfied.
  
• Fernanda was at the Lopez house for dinner and Juan could not stop staring at her. He almost didn't hear his mother's questions about his day at the office. She finally got up and leaned over in between him and Fernanda to ask what was going on. He talked about Ricardo and his ex, then Alonso and the Durantes, telling her it was a difficult case because of an immunity issue that protected public officials from arrest. The intent was to protect them from political enemies but it also enabled them to commit corruption. Fernanda wanted to stop talking work and get on to other things.
  
• Leticia got an unwelcome visitor that evening when Benjamín showed up claiming he couldn't take it anymore. She made it clear she wanted nothing more to do with him but he didn't listen. He asked her if she would go to Carlos' firm with him and she told him he had more problems to deal with. She told him about Olivia seeking to serve him with divorce papers but he said he didn't care. She then told him that Alonso filed charges against him in order to protect the firm. That got to him and he became nasty.
  
• At a very different sort of watering hole from their usual Roberto advised Leonardo to relax. Leonardo could not stop thinking about Olivia. Roberto took out his cell phone to call some women and Leonardo told him not to. He was going to go home and think in the hopes that something would occur to him. Roberto kept up the pep talk until two women arrived and greeted him. They sat at the next table. Leonardo said he was leaving in half an hour. Roberto raised him, an hour and a half.
  
• Despite any efforts to oust him, Benjamín parked himself on Leticia's sofa and began downing tequila shots as he claimed Alonso was a traitor. Leticia said that Alonso did the right thing because of the money laundering and had the rest of the firm behind him on this. He ranted for a few minutes and Leticia finally stopped him and said that she hates that others suspect her of being his accomplice. She told him not to come anymore. He claimed that no evidence could be found on him. She told him to leave so she could think. She also told him to think about what he had to do. He tried to kiss her but she did not allow him to. He drank one more shot and still departed with a bad attitude.
  
• The two women in this bar turned out to be just as shallow as others from past encounters. The one seated with Leonardo was addicted to beauty treatments and social media and had nothing in common with him. Roberto dismissed that when Leonardo tried to explain this and told him he was too picky. He reminded him of the hour and a half. Leo told him that this was not the way to make him forget Olivia. Roberto suggested that they do a selfie. Leo allowed it.
  
• Leonardo must have had more to drink than usual. Surely he had never been so foolish as to allow this before.
  
• Alan took Olivia to an expensive restaurant and a waiter in black tie put a vase with a rose on their table. As Olivia talked about what a pretty gesture that was Alan went on about what a great woman and a great person she was, that he wanted to spend more time with her, and... took out a jewelry box containing something expensive.
  
  Guilt is often the most useless emotion. It occasionally leads to solutions but often it leads down a very negative path. Did Octavio Guzman hijack the murder of Daniela Seguro because he felt guilty for indoctrinating his daughter with his attitude? Will Ricardo's sense of guilt lead him back to a woman who used him for her ego? Carlos had no sense of guilt allowing Benjamín Acosta to take all the blame for the money-laundering. Olivia felt guilty about potentially cheating on Alan, to whom she is not even engaged. Nuria Guzman felt no guilt about the murder or allowing her father to take the fall. Elena has not admitted her own guilt about how her selfishness led to the accident. Until she does poor Federico will carry guilt too great for an adolescent boy. Leticia Jara is tired of looking guilty to her colleagues while Benjamín Acosta feels no guilt at all about any of his actions. The guilty are meant to pay and some will pay a very high price. Until next we meet Behind Mansion Walls, I'm Christopher Mason.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM