Caray, Caray!

• Jaime put the morning paper on the table and demanded an explanation from Jacinto Durantes. He told him in no uncertain terms that if he was deceiving him he would resign his case. Durantes told him he ha been in Alonso's office when the crime took place and he was fed up with lies being told about himself. He claimed he was fighting for his life.
  
• Leticia stood up at the staff meeting, demanding to know what happened to Elena. Roberto told her to calm down and what hospital Elena was in. Gustavo said that Ricardo always helps everyone so they must now help him. Alonso said that Ricardo now had to deal with his family problems. Alejandra said “Of course,” and looked as though she was losing all hope. Benjamín made a sarcastic comment. Alonso told him and Leticia to stand up. He then told them to wait for him in his office, then wished everyone else a good week. He was not in a good mood.
  The others left; Benjamín and Leticia were alone in the conference room.
  
  He asked if she was alright and she told him “No. My friend's life is in danger and now I have to worry about my job. If you think I will forgive you you are very mistaken.” She blamed him for this, he said they were both guilty, and she said “You were the married one, not I.”
  She went to her office, leaving him alone in the conference room. He punched the table in frustration.
  
• This is the rejection that Leticia should have made long ago.
  
• Jaime gave advice that Jacinto rejected, saying that the scandal would be ruinous. He made an insincere comment of lament about Fausto's death, but claimed that Fausto was power-hungry. He claimed to be innocent. Jaime said he would seek justice. He told Jaime to be impartial. Jaime said not to worry.
  
  However, he did look like he was beginning to have doubts.
  
• Lourdes talked about Alonso with her friends while they were all getting manicures and sipping bellinis. They speculated on what could happen to the friendship of Alonso and Jaime because of the current case.
  
• Alejandra was concerned about Ricardo's situation. Victoria told her that Elena wsas in very serious condition and that Ricardo was wrongly blaming himself for it because he went to her apartment to get the children. All three knew that Ricardo was not at fault but Victoria had trouble convincing him of that. Alejandra wanted to contact him but didn't know if that was correct. They all decided that she should wait until Elena was better.
  
• Which could be never, under the circumstances. Since Elena and Ricardo were divorced at least a year ago, there is no justifiable reason for Alejandra to keep her distance.... except for what Carlos would make of this.
  
• Alonso lectured the transgressors about respecting their place of work for the sake of their clients. Karina had caught them in the act and it could have been a client. Leticia tried to apologise, Bejamin tried making excuses, but Alonso was not having it. He told them that this had better never happen again. Both left the office. Alonso looked as though he had a few dowbts of his own.
  
• Carmen told Roberto and Leonardo about Durantes' visit and how Alonso didn't want her to call the police. Roberto guessed that Durantes was feeling cornered and was probably capable of anything. Carmen was concerned because Alonso doesn't want security like this. Roberto and Leonardo thanked her and said they would see what they could do.
  
• Alejandra finished her tea and decided to get started on Ricardo's pending cases. She thanked Victoria and left her office. Olivia commented that Alejandra is sad that Ricardo is with Elena, but Victoria said she must understand why. More conversation about not being able to help someone important to one during life's difficulties, but Victoria said that Ricardo is strong and will survive this, especially because of his children. Olivia mentioned how nice the kids were and how good Leonardo was with them. She was definitely impressed by that.
  
• Lisabeth Herrera came to see Alonso because Durantes' office had contacted her. He wants to be on the air about the investigation. Lisabeth came to Alonso's office to see if he was willing to be on the air with him. Alonso was alright with that. Of course this would also be about Fausto's death, which he is investigating. This was to take place that evening.
  
• Of course, for Lisabeth this is really all about ratings.
  
• Roberto dozed off while working with Juan, then explained he had been up with Ricardo the whole night before. Juan understood and offered his and his mother's help watching the kids, or whatever else was needed. There was a knock and Carmen admitted the two women whom he represented. Their lives were back to normal and they came to thank him. They brought a cake they made and cut a slice which had to be more delicious than it looked.
  
• Carmen escorted one of Ricardo's clients in to see Alejandra. Daniela Seguro needed help because Nuria was not complying with the terms worked out months before. She had done so in the beginning, sending photos of their son and information about his schoolwork, but had stopped writing two months ago. Daniela had deposited money for the boy's care. Daniela had sent e-mails and called her cell phone, but she would not answer. Alejandra said she would look into it. Daniela asked about Ricardo and Alejandra said he was handling a personal problem but she was handling cases for him. She said not to worry, that she would personally contact Nuria.
  
• Ricardo sat at Elena's bedside. There had been no change in her condition. Leonardo and Olivia arrived and Ricardo stepped out of the room to talk to him. Ricardo was still feeling guilty about the accident. Leonardo told him he shouldn't in view of the situation. There had been tests that disclosed that Miguel had consumed drugs but Elena had not. However, he was in better condition than Elena. Ricardo just hoped that Elena would recover for the children's sake, as they were sad and worried. He wasn't sure how much longer they could take this.
  
• Olivia stopped by Benjamín's office with Karina's divorce petition. Benjamín whined about why Karina didn't talk to him and Olivia told him that it was way too late for that and now was the time to think about his son. Benjamín told her that everything he ever did was for his son. He looked at the file and said Karina was demanding too much. She was looking for the house, alimony, and child support. Benjamín protested that she will have to work and Olivia said that until then he will have to pay. He tried to weasel his way out of this, saying “You're my colleague...” etc., but Olivia stood firm.
  “Sorry; that is what Karina wants.”
  The net of his refusal was “I'll see you in court.”
  Olivia did not flinch, but she told him to at least review it.
• When she was working late that night Alejandra screwed her courage to the sticking place and called Ricardo. He was happy she called him and said so. She told him she was taking care of his cases while he took care of family business. He was grateful. The call was brief and she cried after ending it.
  
• The late news that night carried the encounter between Alonso and Durantes. It started out civil but Alonso mentioned Fauto's death and Durantes claimed that he had nothing to do with that. Alonso asked about the money meant for education and health. Durantes claimed to have inherited a lot of red ink and the money had to go where it was most needed. He insisted his hands were clean. Alonso raised the issue of the construction fraud and the charges of corruption.
  
• Alejandra visited Nuria's home and was told by her father that she was away on vacation. When she introduced herself as having been Nuria's lawyer he said “You're the lawyer who lost the case that thing brought against my daughter, claiming to be the father of her son.” Alejandra told him that his daughter had signed an agreement that she is no longer complying with and that she was there to find out why. He demanded to know whether that agreement allowed “that thing” to call their house. She said it didn't, but the only reason Daniela called was because Nuria had stopped sending photos and information.
  Nuria's father said that the agreement was a mistake and that “that thing” has no rights over his grandson. He didn't want “that thing” in his grandson's life. Alejandra told him that if this continues he will be getting a court order, then left.
  
• Durantes said he had nothing to hide. He knew he wasn't perfect and that he makes mistakes but what about Vega & Associates? Are they free from corruption? Alonso said that neither he nor any of his lawyers have anyting to do with such things. Durantes then told Lisabeth that he gave a disc to her production department that had arrived at his office that morning and they went to video.
  
  The video was the one Ramiro shot of Benjamín in the parking garage. Alonso carefully did not react. Durantes said that Benjamín Acosta worked for Vega and was laundering money. He challenged Alonso to comment. Alonso admitted that Benjamín worked at his firm but said that he does not tolerate such actions. Durantes then accused Alonso of hypocrisy because of this activity. Alonso disavowed any knowledge of Benjamín's actions. Durantes played the victim and then named the female lawyers, Carlos, and their involvement in the foundation where the money was being laundered.
  
• Victoria saw this on the news and called Roberto. The video had ended so she told him about it. Both knew that this would impact the firm. Durantes kept on saying that he was just one of Alonso's victims. Alonso denied corruption and said that when he had it all together he is willing to confront Durantes again. At which point Lisabeth ended the segment because they were “out of time.” She did the sign-off and the program ended. Durantes needled Alonso, but he didn't flinch, saying that everyone who is guilty will pay.
  
• Alejandra heard about the news broadcast from Paula when she arrived home. She didn't believe it. When Paula told her that the dirty money was laundered through the foundation Alejandra wouldn't believe it. She refused to believe that Carlos was in any way responsible for this. Paula told her not to put her hands in the fire over that, but she was stubborn. She picked up a tablet to look up the phone number of the TV station.
  
• Alonso and Durantes continued the name-calling in the studio, off-camera. It ended with another threat from Durantes which may have been heard by Lisabeth.
  
• Obviously, Durantes did this so that the public would no longer trust Vega & Associates. However, his victim act was less than convincing.
  
• Natalia had a nightmare about her mother and came running out into the living room. Leonardo calmed her down and picked her up to take her back to bed. Olivia was very impressed.
  
• The night nurse lowered the medication in Elena's IV. It was at the doctor's instructions, to see how she reacted. After she left Ricardo talked to Elena, telling her she had always been strong and she will get well because their children needed her.
  
• Alejandra called up the braodcast on the tablet and watched it in disbelief.
  
  The doorbell rang and it was Carlos, feigning shock and claiming that he thought Benjamín was trustworthy. Paula was not ready to believe him.
  
• Olivia poured a fresh cup of tea for Leonardo as he came out of Natalia's room. She told him he always knew the right thing to say to make people feel better. He claimed not to be an expert on children, then wondered what he could say to make her feel better about being with him. A little more in this vein and they kissed.

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM