Caray, Caray!

*Adrián gets up to deliver an opening statement. He declares his clients were accused of a crime they did not commit. In the documents he submitted, it shows an address of a house he stayed in five times during the last year. Vicky picks up the tale. That address was where they found Andres Camacho hiding out with his daughter. It so happens the house belongs to his lover. It’s clear he manipulated the Mexican justice system, using it as a means to take their daughter out of the country without the mother’s permission.

*AC interjects loudly. That’s not true. The judge shushes him. The DA begs the judge to get the proceedings back on track—the theft of the pickup truck. Vicky agrees the hearing is to determine the outcome of a simple theft, but it was used as a pretext to hide a greater crime. Adrián says they have the proof that AC lied in his statement to the authorities.

*The judge asks AC if he has anything to say. Very ceremoniously, he rises—and lies through his teeth. He solemnly recounts that he had asked for a divorce many times but his wife wouldn’t give it to him. They had been fighting all week and she insulted him and failed to be respectful to him. When he got up that morning, the truck was gone. [ed. note: IIRC in AC’s statement he declared that they fought, physically and she grabbed the keys. Ah well, must have been a change in writing staff at a crucial moment.] Violeta watches in disbelief.

*Vicky reiterates what she said earlier to the judge. Mr. Camacho is lying about something that never took place. They have the proof. They have a witness. It’s Conchita, their maid. AC and his lawyer eye each other in surprise. Adrián asks Conchita if she was aware of all the problems AC alluded to. Smiling and excited to be part of the proceedings, Conchita contradicts AC. The couple always got along great. They each had their own cars, but sometimes he loaned his to Violeta. The only time she ever heard an argument between them was when the señora asked why he was traveling for work so much. Vicky, in a sort of aside says he was probably because he was visiting his lover. That riles up AC. He says that has nothing to do with the theft of the truck. He is asked if he would repeat, in his own words, how the truck was stolen. He agrees and repeats what he said before.

*Adrián asks Aurora if she had been there the morning of the supposed theft. Did she observe an argument? She answers no, and that he offered the truck to them to use to go shopping. AC jumps up and pointing at Aurora declares it’s his word against hers. Sitting back down, AC is reminded by Adrián that theft requires the removal of something without the owner’s permission. AC smugly retorts, that there he has it—without permission. Adrián continues, there seems to be no underlying motive for taking the truck. [ed. note IIRC, in his statement to the authorities, AC said his wife wanted to take everything from him and leave him with nothing in a divorce—I guess that meant starting with the truck.] Adrián notes that when AC came in to make his statement, he got his truck back. The DA, who has been left out of most of the proceedings so far, wants back in. She explains that just because AC got his truck back doesn’t mean there was no theft. She says she’s required to follow procedures. The judge decides to call a recess to review the case before rendering a verdict.

*Adrián gives the closing statement eloquently (as in wash, rinse, repeat what has been said earlier). The DA insists the theft of the car has to be resolved. Whether for personal reasons or not, is not the point. The theft must be punished.

*The judge renders his decision. The women go free and AC is charged with making a false statement. According to the law he could spend 1-5 years in prison and be required to pay a hefty fine. The judge orders the papers to be drawn up. AC’s anger and resentment is reaching the boiling point. He shouts to the judge that this is an injustice—he’s the victim. The judge ignores him and leaves. AC lunges at Vicky in order to whack her. Adrián steps in to protect her as the police move in to restrain AC. He’s hauled off yelling they’ll pay for this and yells at Violeta that he hates her.

*Vicky shares the good news with the ladies. She says AC will probably end up in jail. Violeta is fine with that. As soon as the paperwork is done, they’ll take her home to be reunited with Sol. Vicky and Adi turn to each other triumphant. Vicky pauses, places her hand on his arm, he puts his hand on hers as Vicky leans her head on his shoulder.

*Vicky and Adi are present to observe the joyful Mother and Child Reunion. Lots of hugs and we’ll never leave you’s. Vicky and Adi say goodbye to Sol. Violeta thanks them for all they did. They are angels. Adi throws Vicky an adoring glance as they leave.

*Vicky and Adi get back to the office after dark. He says working with her is incredible. She agrees they’re a good team. He was worried about her—because of Ale. He lets her know she can count on him; that he’s there for her. He leans over and gives her a chaste kiss on the temple. Vicky puts her hand up to his shoulder. He leaves and she contemplates.

 

*A little later, Bobby comes in to see Vicky. They look at each other sadly before she asks him to sit down. She's very depressed. He says he would have given anything to have given her the news in person and not over the phone. Vicky thanks him for being the one that contacted her. Bobby assures her that he and the rest of the Vegans are working hard to find out who's behind all these tragedies. He tells her how Rick is in a pretty bad way and tells her about his scuffle with the police. As he talks, he gets more and more excited. Once he runs out of steam, he takes his leave.

*Carlos is drinking, but it’s not tea. Unshaven (though how can we tell since it’s his regular “luke”), he sits there as the doorbell and knocks are insistent. He’d prefer not to answer. It’s Nancy. Reluctantly he lets her in. She wants to help him. He can count on her for juarever. Carlos says no one can do anything for him. He’d rather wallow in his pain—it makes him feel good. She tells him the firm is going to rack and ruin without him at the helm. Carlos doesn’t care a fig about the firm. She points out that it was his whole life. Carlos says everything he did, was for HER. Life has no meaning.

*Sofia comes to talk to Alonso about reviewing Rick’s cases that she’s taken on. Al decides there is no need. He’s grateful to her for her attentiveness. She asks about Rick. Al says he’s not doing well at all. He’s been through so much lately—his divorce, having to say good-bye to his children, and now this. Sofia is wide-eyed, as if she hadn’t heard the whole “Rick’s Travails” story. [ed. note – Oh, that’s right, she always looks wide-eyed about everything.] She’s sure Rick has the strength to overcome this, too.


*Lorena and Manuel report to Alonso on the Daddy Dearest case. Al says sometimes one has to be hard on children. He’s glad it was all resolved without complications. He commends them for their work. They are on the fast track to learning the values Vega holds dear. From now on he’ll be giving them new (but simple) cases to give them more experience. Lorena thanks him. Manuel thanks him two or three times—to get his face in the limelight, since he was incidental to the case, though Lorena thinks he was a big help.