Carlos
took the microphone and greeted his guests, singling out groups by
title. He effectively dedicated this to Alejandra despite that their
aborted nuptuals had been months ago and said that his firm would be
dedicated to serving its clients well. He made it short and sweet,
closing with telling everyone to have a good time. A short round of
applause later two reporters shoved microphones in his face and one
asked whether there was any progress on the investigation into
Alejandra's death. He told her that the police were doing their
work.
That was followed by questions about the attack on Alonso, the
kidnapping of Jaime, etc. He replied that he was in constant contact
with Alonso and that those attacks were to be regarded as attacks on
those whose lives were dedicated to the law. “Alejandra – with
whom I hoped to have a family – was a very capable woman whose life
was dedicated to the law” or some such thing. Nancy and Alan
watched very closely.
Ricardo
made tea and continued talking with Alonso, who told him he could
take a few days off if he wanted. Ricardo replied that sitting
around alone at home would make him crazy. He needed to be at the
office among his friends and colleagues. Criminals had robbed him of
the company of his children and now Alejandra's life.
Nancy
stuck it to Alan by saying how good it was that Carlos arrived. Alan
was peevish that Carlos make the whole thing about Alejandra and not
about the firm. He unfolded his arms and started to approach Carlos,
who still was talking to the press. He gave lip service to fighting
for justice [an hypocrisy that Jaime and Alonso would have seen
through] and declined to answer the next question about the Ponce
family. He closed with saying that they would get justice for
Alejandra. [Thanks for setting up my diet by taking my appetite
south for the next few days.] Nancy didn't like this one bit,
but when he broke away from the press and walked back she
congratulated him, hugged him, and told him he could count on her.
As she walked away she didn't see the look he had at the rear view,
but she would have been pleased with herself over it.
Alonso
told Ricardo he had the strength to get through this situation. He
asked whether he thought much recently about his children and Ricardo
told him that he did, he missed them, but he wanted them to come back
to a better country. Alonso told him they needed to work hard and
explained the assignments.
Juan
and Fernanda were in a restaurant and she noticed he was a million
miles away. When she got his attention he explained he was still
thinking about what happened to Alejandra. She told him it would
take time. He apologized and said he had seen very little of her and
missed her. They started talking about her latest professional move,
a company that was interested in an app she created. He was very
happy to hear this. So happy that he started talking again like his
normal optimistic self.
Some
of Carlos' guests began leaving and he gladhanded his way back to
Nancy to ask her where Alan was. She told him that Alan was with a
magistrate. On his way he was intercepted by Damián, with whom he
spoke briefly with a mention of Alejandra. When he found Alan
talking with a magistrate [whose companion made me think him a
Dirty Old Man] he waited until the guests left him to finally
tell Alan “You and I are going have to talk.” Alan immediately
went on the defensive, but this didn't get anywhere because he then
had to face a party crasher, Licenciado Téllez. Alan's jaw hit the
floor and Carlos stood there watching him.
Juan
got up and kissed Fernanda, who was probably a little embarrassed at
what attention it may have attracted. When Juan resumed his seat she
said she was nervous about the meeting. He said that if they didn't
hire her they were foolish and she could find work elsewhere. He
would help her anytime. He called for the waiter as they sipped
their wine.
Alan
commented to Téllez about what a surprise it was to see him and
Carlos said he didn't see him on the guest list. The man said
something referring to Alan, who said he personally invited him to
see their new offices. He commented on how well they must be doing.
Carlos said that they had come a long way since the problems created
by the murder accusation against him. He's had to work very hard for
that, “But at least the guilty party is in prison.” Téllez said
“Of course!” and turned to look at Alan. “Of course, this is
only the beginning,” Carlos said. Téllez commented on their
competency and how the whole country's legal community will keep an
eye on them, looking for errors. Alan said “But we don't make
errors.” Téllez went on about what a pity it was that such a
great couple as Carlos and Alejandra had to have such problems that
began with the death of Patricia. Carlos said that his client was
guilty and in prison. Téllez agreed but said the evidence was
circumstantial. He looked at Alan again who said “Case closed, and
buried. No need to talk about this in front of Carlos; it caused him
much pain. I'd love to give you a tour of our offices.” Téllez
took him up on it, shook Carlos' hand, and walked off with Alan.
Carlos looked at them with a curious expression.
Victoria
went home and curled up on the sofa, thinking about Alejandra. She
cried, saying “I miss you. I miss you a lot.”
When
Téllez was alone with Alan he told him he heard about the party from
a colleague at the police station so he tagged along. Alan told him
he had no business being there. Téllez replied that this was
ingratitude to those who help them so much. Alan said not to try to
blackmail him there and Téllez then said he was going to talk to his
cousin, who would be very interested in what he had to say. Alan
stopped him and said he would talk to him next week. Téllez said
“No. Tomorrow. I will expect you at the restaurant near the
jail.” Alan told him at midday and it was better that he leave
immediately. He said “Pity, I was just beginning to enjoy myself,”
as he left. Alan leaned against the support beam, looking like he
had no clue how he would handle this.
Roberto
got home to find Nicolás making burgers and fries, which had been
his favorite when he was a child. Nicolás told him he was worried
about him and what had been going on at work. Roberto avoided
talking about Victoria and instead said he was worried about Ricardo
because he couldn't help him. Nicolás told him that his company and
silence were probably called for. To his enquiry about Victoria
Roberto said he was not pressing the issue. Nicolás pursued this,
asking whether Roberto was jealous of Adrián, but Roberto denied it.
He also denied being in love with Victoria. Nicolás, however,
seems to know better.
Carlos
was having an amiable conversation with a judge as the rest of the
guests were leaving. When he was sure nobody was paying attention he
grabbed Alan by the arm and led him into his office. Alan nearly
choked on his drink, which was a much higher proof than the champagne
he drank earlier, as Carlos let him have it for having the party
without his authorization. While the catering company cleared the
party area Carlos and Alan argued about this. Carlos didn't care
that the party had been a success and the bills had been paid. This
incident released all of both of their resentments. Alan went on
about always doing what he had been told before and Carlos telling
him that nobody speaks of Alan Paez, Attorney. Alan tried to hit
below the belt by mentioning Alejandra again only to have Carlos
react by telling him that he is to do what he is told from now on or
get out. He then left the office. Alan sank into a chair, knowing
that his goose was getting cooked, seared, and burned through and
through.
The
next morning Juan tried to give Fernanda a pep talk about her
appointment as they walked to his car... only to discover that it
had been vandalized. The wheels and the lights had been removed. He
was losing it because he was going to drive her to her appointment.
She told him she would take the Metro and he fished in his wallet for
taxi money. Finally she collected a kiss from him and left. He
cursed the thieves and ended up sitting on the curb near the driver's
seat area.
Ricardo
arrived at the office dressed fully in black only to face the
condolences of the secretarial staff. He entered Alejandra's office
and cried at the sight of the framed photos of Alejandra. He sat
down at his desk, vowing for the nth time to find and punish those
responsible for her death. Sofia came in to also deepen his sorrow
with more condolences and to tell him that she and Lorena had been
taking care of his cases. She also told him that she had helped
Alejandra in her investigation and he lost it, yelling at her and
blaming her for her silence putting Alejandra in more danger. He
closed the door and she was frightened at his anger. She finally
told him that she knew that Alejandra did this to protect everyone
she cared about and “if you don't understand that you are not the
man I believed you to be.”
Fernanda
met with Damián, who told her he now owned the company she had
initially spoken with. He told her that he had bought the company
her friends owned and now her app was his property. He told her he
no longer needed to deal with her and she should leave and not waste
her time. She didn't say another word as she got up and left. [The
framing of this shot did not allow us to actually see her hand
retrieving the flash drive with the presentation she had brought.]
He picked up the phone while she was exiting.
Ricardo
and Sofia continued to argue. While she seemed to come out on top
saying that if he didn't understand this he didn't understand
Alejandra, she looked a bit shook up as she exited while he slapped
his desk in frustration.
Juan
went to the police station to report the crime, but was told that
this would be difficult because there had been no witnesses. He
insisted upon filing the report anyway, so was asked for his ID and
contact information. Before he was finished giving the information
his cell rang. He looked at it and saw it was Fernanda. The
assistant DA told him that if he wanted to file a statement he had to
put away his phone. He put it back in his pocket. The assistant DA
told him he was lucky that the car hadn't been completely dismantled
and that if he didn't want to face this again he needed to find a
parking garage. He then rattled through the blanks that needed to be
filled in.
Sofia
told Victoria what had just happened. She told her that this has
been very difficult for him. She said she would talk to him but
suggested to Sofia that she be a little more understanding.
Ricardo
retreated to his own office and closed the door. Carmen brought him
some coffee and the morning paper. She hugged him and both cried.
She was almost out the door when he looked at the headline which
apparently screamed “Carlos Ibarra Seeks Justice for Alejandra
Ponce.” He threw the paper on his conference table, accusing
Carlos of takin advantage of this to grab the spotlight.
Carlos
arrived at his office in a better mood than expected and Nancy
sashayed in with the morning paper to gush about the success of the
event. After he mentioned Alejandra's name once more she walked
around to his side of the desk and said that if there was anything
she could do to make him feel better, he was to say so. “You know
what I need,” he said. “Yes, and I will get what you need,”
she replied, touching his knee and heading higher up. “But that
will not be easy. If there is anything else, I'd be glad to do it.”
She took his hands and leaned over, looking him in the eyes before
leaning in and putting her bee-stung lips close enough to whisper in
his ear. She backed off before he could reject this offer he
wouldn't have previously refused and headed out the door.
Alan
met Téllez at the designated restaurant. The man said he would be
brief. After a few words about how well the firm must be doing he
said that meant Alan would be able to pay for his continued silence.
Alan told him he wasn't getting another peso from him. Téllez said
this would be very interesting news for his clients, and the press.
And he would start by telling Carlos that he killed Patricia.
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