I'm
Christopher Mason. There is one weapon that is often used in a more
deadly way by women: Words. They can be used to melt hearts or cut
through egos the way knives cut through steak... or flesh. What
could be worse than hearing an insult while being sent to hell?
I'm
Candice Delong. In the criminal world women usually take a back seat
to men in terms of violence. However, certain weapons can be
equalizers, especially when used in cold blood. There is a glass
ceiling in crime just as in corporations, and only the coldest will
shatter it.
Gustavo
broke the embrace and turned away from Lorena. She apologized, then
said she could not see him go off the deep end when he was a man of
strength, passionate about his work, and always hoping to make things
better. Also that he was a great lawyer, interesting, etc. He
didn't know what to say to her. She said he didn't need to say
anything. She loved his great heart and how he fights for his
clients. She wanted him to be happy again. He said he didn't know
how. She took his hand and said that life is about good things and
it would come back a little at a time.
Lorena
has much to learn about adult life and loss. Not to mention that
this incident could negatively affect her career. Someone should
tell her about Leticia Jara.
Michelle
called a meeting of her brother's chief henchmen, saying that he has
gone romthe area. Things got more complicated and El Ciego had been
setting a trap. Kevin asked where El Gringo was and Michelle said
that this was secret for security purposes. At his second demand she
said that they were incommunicado at this time. He was persistent and
she finally said that from this point on she was in charge. Kevin
would not accept this. He took out his pistol, saying that neither
he nor any of his men take orders from anyone else.
With no
hesitation she took out her pistol and shot him in the chest.
He
fell, landing on his back. She looked at the others, asking whether
they had any doubts. She said she would be in touch with her brother
and that this will be a new chapter. She ordered them to dispose of
the body. As they were doing this she called Carlos to confirm their
date that night.
Michelle
must have seen Michael Corleone as a role model. Only he sent
someone else to kill Fredo.
Gustavo
did his best to explain to Lorena that he was not a good companion
for her. At some other time he might have thought otherwise but at
this point all he cared about was finding the criminals who killed
his family and make them pay. He told her that she was young with a
whole life ahead and she deserved better. She said she had felt as
she did for a while and could not prevent it. She finally said she
would help him and maintain her distance. She told him that if he
considers risking his life to remember how much it would hurt her if
anything happened to him. She left his office in tears. She didn't
see it, but he cried, too.
San
Diego: Juan stepped away from his colleagues to do some
shopping.... for slutwear and jewelry for Tatiana. When he came back
to them he had at least four shopping bags. They teased him about
“What, nothing for us?” He said it was for a (female) friend.
Adrián and Manuel got up with their shopping (one bag each) and
started back. Juan paused long enough to text Tatiana that she would
like what he bought for her.
Susanna
is not going to like any of this one bit. While she couldn't be
called a social snob in the usual sense, she definitely had higher
hopes for her only son.
Mexico City: Ricardo told
Gustavo that he would be having dinner with Sofia to discuss
Benjamín's case. This was not about any personal interest in her.
Gustavo advised him to not hesitate about that, but Ricardo was not
ready. He turned the question right back at Gustavo, who told him
about Lorena. He said that he had to wrap up the case before he
could think about himself.
San Diego: By the time
the three lawyers got back to their hotel, Juan was up to six
shopping bags. He went upstairs first after thanking Adrián for
providing the opportunity to see legal action in the US. Manuel then
told Adrián that he wanted also to be able to practice in the US and
Adrián said to count on his help.
Mexico City: Ramiro asked
Benjamín if he was sure he could help him get out of prison.
Benjamín said he was, conditional on the value of his information.
After some hesitation Ramiro identified El Ciego.
Gustavo saw Lorena in the library
and asked her not to feel bad about what happened. He thought highly
of her and that she was a great help to him. Perhaps things could be
different once the crisis was over. He thanked her for her
sincerity. When he hugged her she looked all starry-eyed again.
Ramiro identified El Ciego as the
man who killed Fausto after he had brought the fraud case to Vega.
Ramiro wanted to avenge himself on El Ciego but couldn't and had no
hope of getting out of prison. They were surrounded by his people.
Benjamín asked if he had any money or not. He said he could get
some. Benjamín said that this was all he needed. Ramiro wanted to
get out but also knew that El Ciego had people everywhere. He was
afraid of meeting the same fate as his brother. He asked Benjamín
if he could help him and not betray him. Benjamín nodded, all the
while watching the others behind Ramiro's back.
Ramiro
was never the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He doesn't seem to
have done his homework on Benjamín to know his track record of
betrayal. He was probably being conned.
Sofia and Ricardo discussed this
over dinner. Now that they knew that there was corruption among
prison employees that explained the lack of progress in the case.
Ricardo was still anxious to end the case. He told her about
Federico and Elena's suspicions. He was hoping that she had been
exaggerating. He was concerned about his children getting hurt. He
wanted to be with them. She told him to look forward to seeing them
in Vancouver. He thanked her for her help.
Carlos went to Michelle's
apartment. She talked about having trouble with her business partner
who was impulsive, etc. He said one had to have a cool head. She
offered him a drink; this time it was wine. She said she had to take
drastic measures, as in definitively putting him out the the
business. He said that was what he had to do about Alan. It wasn't
easy but it was for the best. He told her not to feel bad about it;
things would be better. He kissed her and this probably ended the
conversation.
Sex
is sometimes the deadliest weapon in a woman's arsenal and Michelle
was dressed to kill.
The next morning Carmen brought
some documents to Roberto who was disturbed by what he saw. After
Carmen left his office he called Lucia and told her he needed her to
come into his office to sign some documents regarding income.
Juan arrived home in a good mood,
telling his mother that they resolved the case and he learned a lot
from Adrián. He had three suitcases, one of which was filled with
what he bought on his shopping spree.
He gave his mother some
jewelry, a new dress, and she looked in the suitcase to see more
stuff. He closed it and told her that it was just a few things that
Tatiana asked him to pick up for her. Susanna tried to confirm that
she was going to pay him back. When he said no, she told him that
Tatiana was using him. His value to her was what he could buy for
and give to her. She was unsuitable.
Javier and Alonso discussed the
situation. Alonso was filled with disgust at the corruption in law
enforcement. Javier wanted the names of all the police personnel for
the next step of his investigation. He also wanted the names of the
long-time prisoners. Alonso mentioned Ramiro but not by name.
Javier said that if Dorantes was the beginning this was all going to
get much worse.
Susanna and Juan continued the
ongoing argument about Tatiana. He started by asking whether she
thought that a beautiful woman like Tatiana wouldn't look at someone
like him twice, but Susanna said that wasn't what she said. She did
not consider Tatiana to be a decent woman because a decent
woman wouldn't make these sorts of demands. She wasn't criticizing
that he was spending money but that he was doing so for the wrong
reasons. Once again, she said that his value is not defined by
things but by his heart. She didn't want to live in an expensive
house full of “false things” and said she preferred her own
house. He asked her what she was talking about and she said that she
was going back to her house. He could look for her there when he
came to his senses. She then went upstairs.
Lucia entered Roberto's office
and he closed the door behind her. He told her that the situation is
more complicated. She had to prove that she had been paying every
one of Estela's bills during her time there. She handed him some
papers but said she didn't have more. He needed proof of her
income. How did she support herself?
Roberto
was bracing himself for some very uncomfortable truths. He wasn't
yet aware of how many other salvos he had to fire off.
Susanna went to the police
department building and found Tatiana. She got straight to the
point, telling her that she considered her a bad influence on her
son. Tatiana denied this, saying she only wanted to help him
improve. Susanna said that buying all those things was not the way
and that she had this idea in her head. Tatiana claimed no
responsibility for his recent behavior but Susanna told her she was
mistaken. She went on that Juan was a man of principle and values
and “He doesn't deserve a woman like... you.”
That did get under
Tatiana's skin because she said “Madame, do not offend me.”
Susanna said “No; I'm just telling the truth. And if you're
offended it's not my fault.” Tatiana said that he was finally
finding out about life away from his mother's skirts.
Tatiana
should try watching some opera. At least Violetta and Manon had some
class in dealing with the fathers of their lovers. They wouldn't
have dreamed of hitting below the belt.
Lucia talked about Estela's
medications being expensive and there was a maid to pay... Roberto
said that he had to ask these questions. He had spoken with Gerardo
and was told that she had moved in with Estela when she became
incapacitated. Lucia said this was true. Gerardo also told him that
prior to that she had not visited her at all. Lucia said “So now
you are doubting me.” He told her that he needed proof, that was
all. She accused Nicolás of talking trash about her. He said that
if she provided what he asked for he would happily help her. She was
offended that he didn't take her word for it. He told her that this
was inadequate for a judge. She had to demonstrate this. “And
you?” she asked. “Me, too,” he said. She said she saw that
she was mistaken to come to him for help because he was confusing
things. She got up to leave, saying she would do this herself so as
not to destroy the relationship they had built. She thanked him,
saying that when she was out of this problem she would see him again.
She walked out.
This
is probably the last Roberto will ever see of Lucia. That would be
the best thing for him. The last thing he needed was to have a
narcissist and con woman for a mother.
Tatiana told Susana that Juan
seems very happy in her company and that she is the problem.
“Why don't you leave your son alone? Why don't you let him be
happy and let him get on with his life? Because I don't think Juan
wants to maintain you for much longer.” Susanna calmly denied that
she didn't depend on Juan. Tatiana didn't believe that, accusing her
of worrying that Juan would abandon her. Susanna told her she had no
idea what she was talking about and that “I see that you don't know
my son.” She turned to leave. Tatiana tried to taunt her more but
Susanna told her she was going to regret this. She then walked out
and slammed the door. Tatiana said to herself “She is crazy.”
No,
Tatiana; she just isn't crazy about you.
Juan drove to the old
neighborhood and asked a local shopkeeper if she had seen his mother.
She had not. She asked whether something happened and he said that
they were having a problem and if she saw her would she please tell
her he was looking for her. That he loved her. She said she would
but advised him to tell her that in person. That his mother was a
great woman. He said he knew and thanked her.
Roberto didn't want to be
disturbed but Victoria entered his office. He sat down on the couch,
she sat next to him, then he hugged her. He talked about the
situation with his mother and the realization that she had possibly
sought him out not out of love but out of self-interest. She
suggested that he investigate this to learn the truth. But that was
what he was most afraid of. She suggested that he talk to his father
and he told her that they did nothing but fight about this and that
was why Nicolás moved out. She told him that at the end of the day
actions speak louder than words and that she will always worry about
him.
Susanna went back to her old
home. All the furniture was covered in sheets; she had not rented
the place out. Fernanda entered with her and Susanna explained that
she had a problem with Juan. A problem that was Tatiana's fault.
After the argument with him she had confronted Tatiana who was rude
to her, accusing her of being dependent on Juan. This was too much
for Fernanda, who decided to take matters into her own hands. She
was out the door before Susanna could stop her.
Fernanda
is Juan's Michaëla and Tatiana his Carmen... so far. He will need
to be a stronger man than Don José if he is to survive.
Gustavo went back to El Ciego's
previous hideout. The same goon who reported his presence was there
and he immediately ducked out of sight to call his boss. Gustavo
stopped two people walking by and began asking questions.
Lorena tried to call Gustavo but
he did not answer. She asked Carmen if she had seen him and she said
she had not. Perhaps he had an appointment with a client or was at
the courthouse. Lorena asked her to let her know if she heard from
him.
The police car drove away and
Gustavo approached the building. He turned to go back to his car and
El Chivo ran up and grabbed him from behind. “Who sent you?” he
demanded as he pulled out his pistol. He shoved Gustavo inside and
locked the iron door behind them.
He pushed Gustavo face down
against the table and Gustavo said “I just want to find out what
happened here.” El Chivo pulled him up and shoved him in the
opposite direction so that he fell over a tire lying on its side. A
length of pipe lay on the floor in front of Gustavo. “Calm down
and I'll tell you the whole truth,” he said. He picked up the pipe
with his back fully turned toward El Chivo, who was pointing his
weapon at point-blank range.
Gustavo turned around and hit him in
the face. The weapon flew out of El Chivo's hand and landed about
ten feet away.
El Chivo crawled toward the pistol but Gustavo hit
him in the back before he got there. El Chivo turned around and said
something like “You're going to die” as Gustavo remained standing
above him, pipe in hand.
Gustavo
obviously had so much guilt bottled up over his past infidelity that
made the loss of the family he almost recovered the last thing he
could take. He had to know what happens to lawyers in prison, so
Roberto will have to be prepared to defend him. But what will Carlos
do when he finds out about Michelle?
I
don't know, Candice, but I am impatient to find out. Michelle has
thus far managed to keep Carlos completely in the dark, so the only
predictor we have is his love of money and power. Does he love that
enough to go to the other side? Susanna went after Tatiana with a
shotgun but Lucia's weapon had a silencer that would have never been
detected by a lesser man than her son. Roberto may end up being the
only man in the firm with the ability to remain calm in the eye of a
storm, but one more encounter with Lucia could break him. At least
Victoria could pick up the pieces. Until next we meet Behind the
Walls of Justice, I'm Christopher Mason.
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