Caray, Caray!

 Dear Readers: Mr Hammett regrets he is unable to complete this assignment due to major stress from the pace of this action. While he rests and tries to reduce his dependence on the hair of the dog, I will complete this assignment for you. – Velma, secretary to Mr Hammett

José Luis tried to tell Adriana that he loved her above anyone else but failed to extract the truth from her about Sonia's whereabouts. She told him that Sonia was in the custody of the Federales. [Take that, Castro wannabe.]

Elisa told Leo she had not seen Fabricio at the office the entire previous day. She wanted to question him about Dario and what Dario had to say. She felt bad about not telling anything about this to Mao or their mother, wondering what Victoria would say about this. Leo said not to worry about this. They were together and they needed to find out who their real enemies were. Elisa named at least one: Christina. “What is she really up to? She ia hell-bent on separating and hurting us. Tell me what happened.” He thought back to a psych session with Christina after his partner had saved his life and his feelings about it. Elisa realized that this created Christina's obsession with him.
He then thought about the first time the session ended with her coming on to him. He was caught somewhat off-guard and told her he did not like this situation. However he needed to complete the therapy before he could go back on the force.

Majo went to Leslie's party. She and Clara teased her about Carlos.
They later led the two to another room so they could have some time for their first kiss.

Fernanda went to the insurance office to make her claim. The agent told her that there was a necessity for an investigation before they could pay out her claim. This would begin right after she signed. Fernanda became suspicious that she was seen as a suspect, but the agent said it wasn't up to them to do anything except to pay out the money at the end of the investigation. She signed.

The next morning breakfast in the Cantù house went from lighthearted to difficult when Majo asked what they were going to do about their mother. Renata was determined not to believe that Victoria could have done such an unspeakable thing to her. Majo was incredulous. Elisa tried to table the discussion, saying that she would offer an apology on all their behalf. It wasn't clear what her own opinion – or intention – was.

Two goons told Eugenio that Dario had stolen works of art and hidden them. Eugenio cursed him as he downed some of his favorite poison. They told him that this had been done with Fabricio's help. Eugenio wanted to talk to the buyers.

Leo went to the precinct and saw Mario talking to Christina. She admonished him for not being at home resting and he said he had things to do. She asked about José Luis, but Leo told her he didn't know where he was. She didn't accept this and said “I'm trying to help you.” It was her usual gaslighting. As she walked out Leo asked Mario what he and Christina had been talking about. Mario told him she was looking for Sonia as part of investigating José Luis.

Another unpleasant confrontation occurred when Fernanda got to her office to find Victoria questioning her presence.. and threatening to throw her out into the street. Victoria then went into Elisa's office to ask why she tolerated Fernanda's continued employment.
Elisa reminded her mother that she would have to take this up with Fabricio, since he was in charge. Victoria then asked whether she had known about the life insurance policy and the $10 million Fernanda could collect. Elisa had not know. Victoria insisted that Fernanda was there laughing at them because “That is our money” and their company was sinking.

Mauricio called Renata, telling her that his family had bailed him out of the manicomio. He sounded almost normal. She asked him to come over to see her and actually suggested they marry. He was unsure at first but the L word worked its usual kind of magic.

Clara found Leslie lying in bed. Leslie told her the truth: She was not getting better.. She suspended her treatment and lied for her parents' benefit. She then told Clara she had to keep this secret. She was to help her get to the hospital when the time came.

Mario told Leo that Christina was investigating José Luis “for things having nothing to do with you” and that he told her nothing about Sonia. He was called away before he could say more. Leo left a message for his brother.

Elisa explained to her mother that they wouldn't be able to do anything about the life insurance payout. Victoria suggested that they say that Augusto was drunk when he made out the policy but Elisa was firm. She also made the apology she told her sisters, saying that what was being said was the result of Renata's delusions. Victoria – as usual – said that she loved her daughters and wouldn't do anything to hurt them. Unlike them, attacking her when she became involved with Eugenio. “Are you ever going to accept that Eugenio is the only person who never lied to me, who would never hurt me?” Elisa said that Eugenio wasn't what she thought it was. Victoria accused Leo of putting that idea into her head and Elisa denied that. “How else does it happen that Majo's kidnapper is Eugenio's son?”

José Luis told Eugenio that he had not found Sonia, that she was possibly in the hands of the Federales. Eugenio was not satisfied, telling him that if Sonia were found and she testified he would also lose everything. “My men will be following you.”

Mauricio came to the Cantu mansion. He and Renata were making out on the steps like teenagers in a 1950s movie. She told him she wanted to marry him and have a baby. He came down from Cloud 9 to suggest they adopt. She told him that she will be given a baby to make up for the one that died. When she said that her mother and her uncle were arranging it Mauricio looked straight at her and asked “Whom are they taking the baby away from?”

Fabricio went to the office and Fernanda told him about Victoria trying to humiliate her in front of the whole office. He went to Elisa's office and stood outside. Victoria was telling Elisa that Dario wasn't Eugenio's biological son, but was sort-of adopted. She continued lying to Elisa, even denying that Dario kidnapped Majo. She went on about Eugenio protecting them and bailing them out financially. Elisa shook her head, not buying any of this. Victoria claimed that Eugenio told her everything but said not to tell her. “It wasn't his intention to deceive us. When he heard about Dario and the art he tried to have him arrested. He didn't want to involve you.” When Elisa questioned this she went on to say that Eugenio wanted to wash out all the suspicion and accusations and see to it that Dario didn't do them any more harm. Elisa shook her head, saying she didn't get it and she would talk to Eugenio.

Fabricio accused Fernanda of spilling the beans about Dario being his brother. She denied having done so and said she didn't know who did.

Leo spoke to Robles about Christina and that she was only interested in complicating his existence. Robles told him that there were issues about José Luis and that it was very important that they get Sonia's testimony to snare Eugenio. Christina was demanding to know where Sonia was. Robles said “Very well.” [This does not sound good.]

Eugenio visited Dario in the prison and told him the jig was up. He demanded to know where the stolen money was. When Dario wouldn't talk he showed him a video of Piedad, which stoked his flame.

It looked as though Mauricio's words were going to set off another crisis for Renata. He told her he was looking to help her see the truth. He was convinced that there was a crime in all this. He said they needed to talk to her sisters. She lost it and began shoving him away. She didn't want to talk to him. She went inside.

José Luis was at home when Leo arrived. Leo told him that if he had been hiding something now was the time to tell him because there were two investigations about him. José Luis blamed Christina for this and said he had nothing to be ashamed of. All he was interested in at the moment was Leslie's health. He didn't care what anyone else thought and finished by saying that all Leo needed to know was that Christina was on their butts “because she is obsessed with you.” He sat down and told Leo to talk to Adriana, who said that the Federales had Sonia. “I need to talk to her to get the information to trap Eugenio Serrano. That's the only way to rid you of the doubts you have about me.”

“The only way to trap Eugenio Serrano is with an arrest warrant signed by a judge. Only when we have that can Sonia help us.”

“Alright, then let me help. I need to do something. Let me talk to Sonia. Where is she?”

“Look. It would be best for you to concentrate on your faily issues now so you have the best quality of life. I don't want you to take risks.”

“I'm a cop, too, Leonardo, remember?”

“Surely someone is paying to incriminate you. Surely we can find out when Sonia testifies about Eugenio. Everything that's happened with Sonia is because Euganio is capable of anything.”

Elisa told Fabricio she wanted to call a meeting ASAP to get back the general direction of the company. He asked her about knowing that Dario was his half-brother. They talked about this. He had not known that he was going to get sucked into such a hellhole of crime. He wanted to go back to London. She told him that this would not nullify his involvement. She told him the lie that Victoria told her about Dario. She wasn't going to let him leave now; they had to see this through.

Mario went to Adriana's apartment and told her that he had been following José Luis and saw him entering Eugenio's place. She didn't want to believe this and told him to leave. He lashed out at her, asking whe she would open her eyes to the truth of what kind of a person José Luis was. What was going on in Internal Affairs was nothing compared to what was going on at the precinct. As in having been an accomplice of Tapia's.

José Luis took a box from his top shelf and spilled its contents on the bed. Teresa finaly asked were it came from. He told her “Relax; it's mine, and there are more boxes in the back.” She assked if it was legal and he said that wasn't important. She asked more questions and he would not answer. He said that it was for her and Teresa in case anything happened to him. She was to take it and Lesli and leave the area. She demanded to know what he had done, why he thought something was going to happen, and why he wanted them to leave.

Sonia came out of hiding after Mario left and told Adriana that Mario was speaking the truth She told her about having seen José Luis in Eugenio's house and how when she went in to give a statement she had to clam up when José Luis entered the interrogation room. He had left her with Eugenio and the two were the same corrupt criminals.  Adriana cried.

Labels: imperio