Caray, Caray!

Leo found Elisa in the airport lobby, head down as though she were crying. She wasn't, but was clearly distressed.

“What happened?” he asked.

“My sister was kidnapped. They threatened me they would kill her if I went to the police, if I told my family, if I didn't do what they demanded. They said they would return her to me once I did and they did not. Help me. Help me, please. I implore you.”

He embraced her as he looked around. “Try to calm down.”

“They won't return her to me until I give them the things they said my father stole.”

“Do you know where they are?”

“No, no. I have no idea. They're capable of killing her.”

“We will save her,” he said. “I will help you.”

“No, Leo. No, no, no, I don't know how.”

“You don't know what I can do. I will investigate –”

“No. you can't. We can't risk her life –” She tried to leave, but he stopped her.

“Don't forget that this is related to the murder of my fiancée. I can help you. My car is outside; let's get out of here.”

He took her suitcase and they left, looking around warily.

While Dario Ramirez waited outside the terminal in his car watching the door Fernanda Navarro was being questioned. Leo's partners were thorough.

“My relationship with Augusto was strictly professional,” she told them. “He was my best friend's father.”

“And how it is that your best friend's father was depositing money into your bank account?” asked Adriana.

“Because I had a serious money problem. I was behind on rent and could have been evicted. He lent me the money.” Mario looked at his notes.

“You spoke with him on the night he was murdered. What did you talk about?”

“The usual things. That day was Elisa's birthday; I was busy. I had to get things in order. I was to let him know when she arrived.”

“Are you aware if Señor Cantú had any enemies of if he'd been threatened?”

“Did anything seem strange in the last few days?

“No.”

“Did he at any time receive a message that looked suspicious?”

“Not that I remember.”

“Do you know anything about the relationship between Augusto Cantú and Julia Álvarez?”

“No.”

“She never came to the office?”

“No. I never met her. I don't know who she is. I don't know of any relationship.”

“Well, just to be clear,” Mario said while staring at her, “your relationship with Augusto Cantú was strictly professional, but he had sone special feeling for you that he lent you a lot of money when you had a problem. And you didn't know of any relationship with Julia Álvarez?”

“Exacttly.” She looked at Adriana. “Anything else?”

“No, that will be all. But if you remember anything you've forgotten, call us.”

Mario handed her a business card.

“Can I show you out?”

“No thanks; we know the way,” he said.

Victoria and her maid set the dinner table for a homecoming that wasn't going to happen. The ill wind that was her oldest daughter blew in through the front door. The first words out of her mouth were “Why? You never put out flowers for me.”

“Ay, no, Renata. Besides, you and I need to talk. Why are you trying to sell your shares to Eugenio?”

“Why not? They're mine, aren't they?”

“Why? It's crazy to do that now. The family will lose control –”

“The family? No, just you and Elisa. I'm the zero on the left side of –”

“Renata, I don't want to argue with you. We have to talk.”

“Fine, let's talk. Let's go on pretending that we're the perfect family and nothing ever happens.”

Leo and Elisa reviewed the situation again. She did not know where her father had hidden the contraband art or whom he was selling the items to. He repeated that she could not do this alone, that it was too dangerous. That she needed police involvement, but she refused again. He prevented her from leaving. “If you get involved it can't be official,” she said. “Can you do that?” He shrugged. She picked up her jacket and turned to leave.

“Elisa?”

She stopped and turned around.

“What will you do?”

“I will continue to investigate.”

“Promise you won't involve anyone else.”

“I promise.”

Eugenio called Victoria, who told him that Maria José was coming home. Of course he knew that was impossible.

“Majo?” he asked “From New York? From the university?” He was trying to buy himself time to think of another lie.

“She only went for a few days. I need her here, near me. I have a strange vibe. Something disquieting.”

“That will leave you when you see your daughter.”

“Yes... why don't you and Sonia join us for dinner?”

“Of course; you can count on us. I'm also eager to see Majo.”

His hausekeeper appeared to tell him someone was at the door. He nodded and ended the call.

Adriana and Mario met with José Luis to describe their meeting with Fernanda.

“She seemed very nervous, so the story about the apartment is bogus,” she said. “It's obvios she was never going to lose it. The rent was being paid.”

“Check on all the bank transactions on her account,” José Luis said. Mario nodded. “I don't want any surprises.”

“She was hiding something; that was very clear. A fancy apartment in the middle of the city? We need to dig deeper.”

“Do it. I'll take charge of this.”

Fernanda stood against the wall, thinking about her next move. Her mother brought ner a cup of coffee.

“I knew this man would cause problems,” she said, offering the cup. Fernanda deliberately knocked the cup and saucer out of her mother's hand. She then looked coldly at her mother and said “One of these days I will go and leave you alone to see what you've done.” She then took her purse and left.

Eugenio spoke with Dario, who had an accomplice watching from the sidewalk.

“Elisa is complying well with all our demands,” he said. “Has she resisted?”

“No, but she behaved badly when we didn't surrender her sister.”

“I would like to know how you justify this. Where are you keeping her? Her mother is desperate.”

“I suppose her lover will bring her from the airport.”

“Lover? I don't know of anyone like that. Investigate that, but don't repeat a word of anything I told you. ”

“I don't think she will betray us. I see she is very worried about her sister.”

“A desperate woman is capable of anything.”

Dario looked at his pocket.

“What happened? Are you in a hurry?”

“I need to see Maria José. She doesn't want to eat.”

“Don't get too interested in my niece. She is forbidden to you and any others who kidnapped her.” Dario started to turn away, but Eugenio stopped him. “And don't return here to see me at my home. I don't want you near my family or my business. Is that clear?” Dario nodded, alnost imperceptibly. “Your place is in the shadows. Don't forget that.”

Dario left. He may have seen Sonia at the top of the stairs.

Elisa and Leo walked outside, repeating again the risk to her sister's life as her cell rang. She saw who it was.

“Where is my sister?” she demanded.

“Still with your lover?” Dario asked. “What have you told him, enough to endanger your sister?”

“He knows nothing.”

“Therefore, why hide him? I never saw him near your home.”

“You know it all. Explain to me what to say to my mother. The truth? So she will run to the police? Is that what you want?”

“First of all, don't raise your voice and say things that offend me. Missy. Don't forget that I was the one robbed. If you don't want things to get worse for your sister keep your voice down. And be very careful what you say to your family and especially to your imbecile lover boy.” He then ended the call.

“You see?” she said, looking at Leo. “He's following me. All the time he's following me.”

Leo looked around.

“You have to tell me the whole truth. We're in this together. There can't be any lies between us. You can't hide anything from me.” He looked around again. “We need to talk in a safer place.”

“When you get my message follow the order I give you,” Eugenio said over the phone. He ended the call as Sonia came down the stairs.

“When are you coming back?” she asked.

“Don't know; in the evening. I'm going to Victoria's house. You're invited, too, but it would be better for you to have a headache.”

She paused a moment and said “Alright, but I will ask you one favor: The guy who was just here? Tell him not to come here anymore. I don't know; something about him scares me.”

Eugenio looked into her eyes and touched her face. “My love,” he said, “Don't meddle in my affairs.” He looked away for a second. “This is my house and it's full of decorations and you are one decoration more. And decorations neither move nor think.” He kissed her cheek before leaving the house.

Dario returned to the prison he created for his captive. His guards told him she had still refused to eat. The doctor they had called earlier said this would be a problem if it continued. Dario ordered them to follow Elisa and report all her movements. Especially anything suspicious. They all left.

Justino Álvarez sat in his apartment, thinking about the medications his pension could not afford. His daughter Clara brought him a cup of tea. They had the same disagreement as many times before, about her getting work outside the home. This time he objected to the idea of her working for Victoria Cantú. “That woman will ruin the memory of your sister, don't you realize that?”

“Papa, I want a better life. I want to study and this would be a great opportunity to afford it. Please.”

He ended up apologizing before retiring to bed, saying he never wanted her to leave school.

Leo and Elisa sat under an umbrella on a barge café. She liked the location. He told her he needed to know all that she knew. She began the tale.

Dario put a beribboned box on the table near two stemmed water glasses.

“I brought you this from New York,” he said. When she did not look at him he went to the other side of the bed and sat down. He opened the box. “Don't you like this?” It raised a small smile on her sad face. She gave a slight shrug and said “Later.” She asked him why. “Does it occur to you for the first time to worry about your health?”

She looked down and closed the box. “When do I get out of here?”

Dario looked at her for a moment, then ate one of the chocolates.

“What is Elisa's lover's name?” he asked.

“What lover?”

“What do you mean? The guy who is with her everywhere.” When she said nothing he got impatient. “Well, well, well, well. I bring you gifts, you ask when you get out of here....What is her lover's name?”

Majo cringed at his shouting. She then shook her head.

“I don't know, I swear. She hasn't dated anyone in a year.”

He swung his arm as though to hit her, then got up and left the room, slamming the door.

Elisa described the kidnapping and being brought to the shack with black hoods. She then described how the leader set up her cell, which is how he is able to follow her. She didn't hear his name ad Leo asked her to describe him. She did.

“These men knew the exact hour of the flight you and your sister were trying to make. It's likely that this was planned by someone close to your family, including possibly a member of your family.”

“In my family? No.” She shook her head.

The doorbell rang at the Cantú residence. Victoria was excited as she shouted for the maid, who opened the door to Eugenio. He entered alone.

“They're not here yet,” Victoria told him.

“Don't worry. You know this city is chaos, as usual.” They sat down. “Years ago Elisa was a little girl, now she's an executive. Travels alone to New York.”

“Yes, to tend to the gallery matters.”

“Alone. Or with her lover.”

“No. It's been more than a year since she had one.”

“Nobody interested her?”

“No; she would have told me. She's very transparent.”

“Everyone has secrets.”

“Elisa? No.”

“I feel like this is a dream.”

“Elisa,” said Leo, taking her hand. “I want you to know that you are not alone. If you need the space to talk, to vent, know that you have me. I'm with you.”

“Thank you.”

While Eugenio want sniffing for inormation on Elisa Sonia was sniffing after something more solid. She and Marcelo desecrated her marriage bed.

“Eugenio gets more violent with me every day,” she said. “I swear I think he wants to kill me.” Marcelo's brain cells were blown out by his hormones. He didn't seem to hear this. It was almost a minute before he caught his breath. When he spoke he sounded like he had used up all his testosterone.

“I told you you if you want to be near him you won't get anything. Besides, you have to find out his business. For my part, Renata is selling her part of the business while I touch you.”

“I don't know why, but at times I think you're hiding something. Do you hate Augusto?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You always were thought of as an outsider in the family. Tell me something: Why did you disappear during the party?”

“Again with thie same thing. I don't believe it.”

Renata tried to give orders to Fernanda, saying that if she valued her paycheck se would go looking for Marcelo. Fernanda replied that she needed to help Clara Álvarez.

“That is not important,” Renata said. “I don't see what you want with that nobody.”

“Clara is the sister of Julia Álvarez, the woman found dead with your father.”

Renata stood there frozen, as though she had just seen Medusa's head.

Leo and Elisa ate and talked about their plan. He was sure that if everyone thought they were lovers they would be able to stay together and find out what they needed to know without suspicion. Elisa had doubts about whether they could fool Victoria.

“Why not? Am I unworthy of her family?”

“No, no, it isn't that. She is special about this.”

“I see. She's used to a different kind of people.” Elisa appeared to agree. “Well, I'm not a bad sort. I have good manners, I'm agreeable, likeable. I will get along fine with your mother.”

“That will be something to see.”

Later when Leo paid the check Elisa thought about that evening.

“I don't know what to tell my mother about Majo.”

“Tell her she's preparing for an exam; she is a student, isn't she? That should be believable.”

“Yes, and you think she'll believe we're lovers? You think that will work?”

“I don't know the people, I know you only eat salad,.... I think so.”

“Then, there's the other side.”

“Fights?”

“Also you haven't slept with me; you aren't going to know.”

“No fights, you only eat salads, you sleep in the shadows of others.”

“But not just anyone.”

“We have to know a lot more about each other for this to be believable.”

Elisa's phone alerted her to a message. It was from Victoria.

“It's my mother. Thanks for your help.”

“I'll take you home. Maybe you can take a cab from the corner.”

“Thanks.”

“I can't let my bride of lies to be iin danger on the streets.”

Renata wasted no time insulting Clara when she left Fernanda's office.

“Hey, you are the sister of my father's lover?”

“Excuse me?” Clara started on her way.

“She's came here looking for work?”

“No, your mother offered her a job,” Fernanda told her.

“What a shame. Tell me,” Renata looked at Clara. “Isn't it enough that my father was boinking your sister –”

“Renata, please –”

“Shut up! Shut up because you must be an accomplice in keeping that secret about my father and that loose woman.”

“I won't let you slander my sister.”

“You know what?” Fernanda asked Renata. “It's better if you leave. Tell Señora Victoria –”

Clara started walking away but Renata tried going after her.

“I am talking to you,” she said as Clara got to the door. Marcelo walked in at that moment and saved the day.

“Where were you?” Renata asked.she almost rushed him, but he stepped in closer and began leading her out of the corridor. Clara looked at them and frowned. She must have know she had ended up in a snake pit. She started to leave.

“No, no, don't leave,” Fernanda told her. “Just wait five minutes.”

Leo returned to the station where he had to break his word with regard to his fellow cops. He took a drink from the fridge and explained what he had found out.

“And if they're watching her they must know that you're a cop,” Adriana said.

“No; I am going to pass as her lover.” He looked at them. “Can I count on you?”

“Yes,” said Mario.

Elisa went home to find Eugenio just outside the house. The first checkpoint came up when he asked about Majo and she told him the lie she and Leo had concocted.

“Please, your sister was never a very good student,” he said. “Tell me the truth.”

“She is very sorry since our father's death,” Elisa answered. “She doesn't want anyone to see her like that.”

“I see. You were with her, you saw her.” He took out his phone. “I'll call her right now.”

“No. Give her space, Uncle.”

Eugenio backed off and escorted her inside. His sadistic appetite was looking forward to its next course.

“For the last time, where is your sister?” Victoria demanded.

“Majo could not come, Mother. She's alright.”

“Elisa, this is enough! I will not tolerate you treating me like an idiot. You will tell me this minute what is going on with my daughter!'

All she would have needed was a riding crop to pass for Ilsa Koch.

“Are you telling your mother the truth?” Eugenio asked. “Do you understand?”

“Understand? What?” asked Victoria. “What do I have to understand? What is going on? Where is your sister? Talk, Elisa!”

Renata put her head on a desk as Marcelo tried to get her to calm down.

“Renata, you can't talk like that in front of the whole office.”

“No, but you can't boink just anyone here.” {???}

“What are you talking about?”

She looked up and tried keeping her voice down.

“You don't touch me, you barely talk to me. Who are you rejecting me for?”

He took out a real estate brochure and put it on the desk.

“That's what I was doing. I was looking at an apartment. Looking for a house because I don't want to be living with your mother all my life. Fernanda and I were doing this for you. And this is what you think of us?”

Renata looked up, her face still washed out as she smiled and led him out of the office.

Fernanda was talking with Clara in her office behind the closed door, telling her to please not cry. Since the door was glass, Renata could see them and she was smiling.

“Oh, good, that you're still here! Forgive me for what I did a little while ago. I didn't want to be rude. Do you forgive me?”

Marcelo put his hand on her shoulder and tried to lead her away. He hoped – in vain – to prevent more embarrassment. Clara turned around and faced Fernanda.

“Did you think she was crazy?” Fernanda asked.

Clara said nothing.

Majo touched the chocolate box and looked in the dull mirror. Before she could think the bald thug and one of the others burst into the room. They grabbed her and forced her to stand. Dario entered the room. His face was inscrutable, but his manner menacing.

Victoria was still attempting to interrogate Elisa. This time her voice began going into a whine. Elisa remained as calm as she could make herself look. The maid came in with the phone, saying “It's Maria José calling. It's urgent.” Victoria grabbed the phone.

“Maria José, my love. Where are you? What happened? Why didn't you come home? Ow are you?”

“I'm alright,” she said. Victoria could not see that she was not. Especially with Dario holding her at gunpoint at point-blank range.

“Why didn't you come with your sister? I want to see you.”

“I can't. I'm still sad about my father. I can't come home yet.” She was crying, but that was because of Dario's expression.

“No, no, don't cry, mi cielo.. I understand, but I miss you so much, mi vida. You don't know how much I regret letting you go.”

“I miss you, too. A lot. But I promise I will be home soon.”

“My love, do you want me to come and see you?”

“Visit me? No, no. Right now I have my studies.”

“Very well. Send me a message so I can store your new number or neither do you want me to call you?”

“No, Mama, don't think so. I swear this has nothing to do with you.”

“Alright, love, I will respect this. Take good care of yourself.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, love. Very much.” She ended the call and looked at Elisa. “Thank God my daughter is alright.”

“Well, then we have to celebrate,” said Eugenio. He placed his hand on Elisa's shoulder and looked at Victoria with the shit-eating grin he could not completely suppress.

Leo went home and explained the case to his brother along with the additional fact that Elisa was not involved in the trafficking of stolen art. José Luis was grateful but told Leo not to meddle in the case and mess things up.

Eugenio looked at his cell at the dinner table. Dario had sent him a photo of Elisa and Leo. Conversation was sparse and awkward at the dinner table. Elisa said she had things to resolve.

“The gallery or the heart?” asked Eugenio.

Elisa barely managed to keep her expression civil.

“Ay, love, that face!” said Victoria. “What's that bad? Are you going out with someone?”

“I am not understanding this interrogation,” Elisa said.

“Pardon, but this isn't an interrogation,” Eugenio said, with an insincere laugh. “Your mother is just asking if you have a boyfriend.”

Elisa nodded.

“Why didn't you tell us?” Victoria asked. “Ay, no wonder you've been so strange lately.”

Eugenio grinned to himself. Even Renata would have thought it creepy.

The next day Elisa went to Leo's home and met his mother. Sara looked pleased and left them alone to talk. Elisa carefully told him what happened when she had gotten home the day before. When she was talking to her mother Majo called. Leo knew instinctively that this was not a coincidence. He looked outside to find the ones following Elisa. She then told him that Eugenio was organizing a dinner in his honor. That night. Sara returned to tell them the coffee was ready. He told her he would take his to go because they both needed to leave for work. She was not offended, saying that she hoped to see Elisa many times after. She complimented her on her smile. The pretend lovebirds left.

All this disturbed their plans for the moment, particularly since she was always being watched. They planned out the day, including him coming to the gallery to learn more about her work. She was impressed with that. He asked about her ex. He was a professional athlete. She asked about his past exes. After some hesitation he said that Julia was the most important of them. They had planned on getting married and having a family which he hoped would be like his growing up. His father had also been on the police force.

Neither of them noticed Julia's mother eavesdropping from the corner of the building.

Majo sat on the floor, her expression blank as usual. Dario noticed that she had not eaten the breakfast he brought her. She said she wanted to go home.

“You will go when your sister does what she promised to do.”

“My mother doesn't know I've been kidnapped. Why did Elisa say nothing?”

“Because it looks like she's very busy.” He showed her the photo on his cell phone. “That's who appears to be her lover. Do you recognize him or not?” Majo said nothing. She looked disoriented, possibly from her self-starvation. “Is that her lover or not?” Majo still did not answer. “Your sister is a lying bitch.” He left the room.

Sonia was coming down the stairs but Eugenio was still in the house.

“Where are you going?”

“To the gym.”

“No. You're not going anywhere. You are staying here.”

“I won't tolerate this humiliation. I'm fed up. Fed up!”

Eugenio walked toward her. She ran back up the stairs. He removed his jacket.

Julia's mother came to the Velasco house and confronted Leo.

“Why have you have betrayed us like this?” she accused. “I just saw you with with Elisa Cantú. So soon after my daughter's death. How short is the memory of her.”

Elisa was about to open her car when Dario grabbed her from behind. In a parking lot in broad daylight. He covered her mouth as she was about to scream. “That man is not your lover. You have deceived me! And your sister didn't identify him.” One of his thugs was with him, keeping a lookout at his back.

The bald thug covered his lower face and seized Majo. One of the others aimed a cell phone camera at them while the other pulled out a pistol.

Labels: imperio

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