Caray, Caray!

Dear Readers: We're about to wrap up the story. Justice has mostly prevailed, which is more than we can usually expect. There are still a few unanswered questions, but that's par for the course. – Velma, secretary to Mr Hammett

Renata flashed back to the night of Elisa's birthday party. She remembered arriving at the scene of the murders as she held the pistol in her hand. She cried out in anguish.

Leo arrived at his office to find his mother. She told him that José Luis had told her that when he arrived at the murder scene Augusto and Julia were already dead. He did not believe this, but Sara told him that he had to have seen him. José Luis hsd sworn this to her. Leo wasn't impressed. She believed him this time, as he had no reason to lie now. He lied to prevent the guilty party from hurting any of them. Leo still looked doubtful.

Victoria went to Eugenio's house to get her suitcases. The maid told her that Eugenio was out but that Fabricio was in the study.

Leo discussed this with Adriana, who brought up the money-laundering. He then asked about the man who had beed found dead in the hotel room.
She got up to get the file and Mario entered the office with the warrant for Eugenio's arrest.. They could act on it immediately.

Fabricio was going through papers when Victoria questioned him about Eugenio's whereabouts. Without looking up he told her that Dario had trapped him. The police had gone into the warehouse and found evidence. “It's all over.” The maid entered to tell Victoria that Leonardo was there to talk to Eugenio. Both jaws dropped like those of newly caught fish.

Fabricio told Maria he would talk to Leonardo. He then told Victoria they still had time and now his father was worth more dead than alive. He stepped away from the desk and Victoria noticed the pistol that lay behind the computer monitor.

Leo had not come alone. There were reinforcements as well as Mario and Adriana. Of course he did not believe that Eugenio was not there; Fabricio invited them to search, so they scattered. He then told Leo that Eugenio decided to escape with his accomplice, Dario. Leo wasn't ready to believe this. Victoria came in, saying that Eugenio wasn't there and claiming not to know where he was. Also that he was the last person she would tell if she knew and to get lost. The other police appeared, shaking their heads. Victoria remained as stone-faced as ever while Fabricio smirked. Leo and the other police left. When the door was closed Victoria told Fabricio she intended to strip away everything from Eugenio. She intended to make him suffer over what he loved most: Money.

As Piedad sat in her wheelchair still in shock, Majo tried to persuade Dario that it was time for them to escape. He went over his deeds and came to realize he was just like Eugenio. He told Majo to leave; she refused. Both cried. Eugenio shouted for him. Dario repeatedly told her to leave because “I can never be the man who will suit you.”

Leo told Elisa about José Luis' latest version of the story; she didn't believe it. Nor did Leo, who thought that José Luis told this to get their mother's forgiveness. He had lied to protect his family. Leo said that meant he had to continue investigating. That sounded familiar to Elisa and she asked “Who was the killer?”

They heard a noise and a cry. Then what sounded like a siren. Elisa said “Renata – “ and they ran upstairs. They found Renata with the pistol in hand, hysterically crying out. The baby was crying. She must have unlocked the door; Elisa and Leo entered without him having to break it in. He put Elisa behind himself and gently told Renata to hand him the gun.

Fabricio went back to the study and continued looking for Eugenio's Swiss bank account numbers. He found none in Victoria's name. When she looked shocked he said “Do you still trust him? Do you think he loved you? My father is an unfeeling cold-blooded killer. He is incapable of loving anyone. His sons have suffered humiliations all throuhout life. He is capable of erasing us at any minute. He ordered Majo's kidnapping. He was using Elisa. He ordered the murder of Augusto.”

Victoria began to cry. “I just found out that he had molested Renata since she was a child,” Fabricio had the decency to wince. “Then why did you marry him?” “I just told you; I didn't know!”

As the baby's cries became louder, Leo told Renata to look him in the eyes and hand over the pistol. She would not, saying she could not. “I'm crazy. Now I remember everything.” Elisa asked her what she remembered as she went to the crib to pick up the baby.

Fabricio then asked her for her help to strip Eugenio of everything. He needed the bank records. Victoria took them out of a large book. He went to the desk, saying they had to sign something that gave him control over all of Eugenio's assets. “How do I know you won't betray us?” she asked. “Once the money is in my hands I will share it.” [Yeah, and leprechauns will lead me to the pot of gold at the endof the rainbow.] “Victoria, if you don't sign this now the police will soon seize everything. Sign it.” She did not look willing.

Renata went into her most frequent rant. “Why can't I be happy?” she said, as Leo still asked her to hand over the gun. She looked at Elisa and accused her of taking the baby She then confessed to killing their father with that very weapon.

Eugenio called out to Dario to “talk like father and son.” Piedad went out to Dario and told him and Majo to escape. Eugenio would not stop.
Majo told Dario to resist. Piedad said he didn't have to be the same as Eugenio, who kept taunting him. Dario then turned away from Majo to re-enter that room.

Elisa left the baby with the maid and went back into Renata's room. Leo was still trying to talk her down. She would not surrender the gun. She saw that Elisa was no longer holding the baby. She asked her if someone took him. Elisa replied yes. Renata said “an hour ago I was alright” and pointed the pistol at her temple. Leo got closer and continued to talk to her until she handed it to him. He left the room and wrapped it in a bandana while Elisa embraced Renata. When Leo returned to the room Renata realized that her confession and the weapon could put her in prison. Elisa said that nobody knew what happened that night and Renata shouted not to treat her as though she were crazy. She begged forgiveness and asked to be left alone. Leo told Elisa to stay with her and she almost shouted at him not to leave. Renata said “Understand it; I killed our father.”

Clara paced, picked up the phone, then put it back. Sara saw that something was wrong and tried to get her to talk. It was about Majo. She was worried about her and certain she would be hurt because guys like Dario don't change. She knew where they were but didn't want to betray Majo. She admitted her feelings for her and that Majo had friendzoned her. Sara told her that if she was certain of the danger she had to help. That would be a true expression of love. She urged her to contact Leo.

Elisa followed Leo down the Staircase of Near-Doom and begged him not to do this, even saying he was doing this to save his brother. Leo said that his brother was a different matter. Elisa went iinto denial, saying that Renata went into another crisis. He tried to get her to calm down, saying that it could prove Renata's innocence but she said she would never forgive him if Renata ended up in prison. He walked out without another word.

Eugenio kept on shouting. Majo became more anxious about Dario and did not know what to do. Piedad told her to talk to Dario and that she was the only one who could influence him. “He never listened to me.” Majo said that if Eugenio was messing with his head since childhood he had to die.

Adriana told Leo that the gun was with ballistics. If the tests prove that Renata was the killer he would have to explain this to Elisa. He said this would cause him to lose her. He wanted to protect her from any more pain. He wanted her to be happy. His phone rang and it was Clara, who told him where Majo and Dario were.

Eugenio pulled the biggest mind-fuck of all on Dario by pulling the muzzle right to his forehead before pulling the “I'm your father” card and saying he loved him. It broke Dario just enough for Eugenio to grab the gun. They struggled for it. Majo and Piedad heard the shot. Eugenio walked out of the room and walked right past Majo and Pieda, who cried out “You shot your own son!” Majo yelled to call an ambulance;
Dario was hit in the gut. Piedad made the call, then saw Majo hold Dario and tell him he was goig to live. Her sobs made it impossible to understand him until he asked her to kiss him.
She did. She begged him not to leave her alone. He said he would always love his star. Then he died in her arms.

Renata woke up and asked about the baby. Elisa told her he was with Marta and that “You have to rest.” Renata said she would have to say goodbye to him. She also said how was she supposed to get over this, over being soiled. She then explained that it began when she was twelve years old and told her that Eugenio molested her for a long time. “My father knew about it and I think Mother knew, too. They preferred to keep silent about it and say I was crazy, turning their backs on me. I was a child and they didn't protect me. They never protected me. They left me with a friend who molested me.” She cried. Elisa remained silent, as if she could not absorb this horror.

Leo arrived at Fernanda's apartment with the same reinforcements as before. He found Piedad and Majo leaning over Dario's body.

Fabricio told Fernanda she had to say goodbye to her son. She would never see him again. He warned her not to do anything stupid. She told Juanito she had to go away but would be back. She cried as they hugged.

Elisa and Renata hugged. Elisa asked her why she never told her; she would have helped her. Renata asked rhetorically “How could you when I couldn't remember anything?” Elisa said she couldn't believe that their mother didn't know and said “She will pay for this.,” They talked about Victoria marrying Eugenio and Renata said it was about getting something back. Leo called Elisa's cell. She didn't want to answer but Renata urged her to. Leo – who was back at the precinct – told her about finding Majo and that Eugenio had killed Dario. Majo was at the station, uninjured but in shock. Elisa said she would come to get her.
After ending the call Leo took the photo of Renata off the bulletin board.

Fabricio had someone take Juanito out. He then pulled Fernanda into the kitchen and drew his pistol. His phone rang before he could shoot.
It was Eugenio, who told him he had to kill Dario and would now have to leave the country. Fabricio said he would be on his way.

Elisa went to the police station. Leo told her that Elisa was with Adriana, but he had to talk to her. He told her he did not tell anyone of Renata's confession so she was not to worry about that. He then told her that she was his priority. He made a grand declaration of love,saying she was the greatest love of his life. She said she loved him and saw his compassion for Renata. She said she had been through so much and he asked about it. She told him about Eugenio having molested Renata repeatedly for years. Further, Renata had said that her parents knew about it. Elisa said that Eugenio must pay for this. Leo was shocked and expressed sadness for her. He then handed her the crime scene report from the night of the murders. He asked her to read it calmly and he would abide by her decision. He left her to read it while going to fetch Majo.

The next morning Majo stepped out of the house where she broke from reality.
She saw Dario in jeans and a clean shirt with a curly-haired boy of about six years, the child she never had, She woke up from this dream to find her sisters watching her. She told them of the dream through tears and that she could not believe he was gone. Renata told her she would get past this and they would help her. Majo asked about Victoria. Elisa said she was at Eugenio's house; not sure if Eugenio was there. Majo said that if Eugenio would kill his own son he was capable of anything. Elisa looked at Renata who said she hoped her mother capable of taking care of herself because she didn't know who was the more dangerous. Elisa said nothing. She got up and sent a text message on her phone.

Eugenio stumbled into Fabricio's apartment and asked what he did with Fernanda.
He opened the closet door, showing that she was bound and gagged. They demanded the insurance money. Fabricio talked about putting a pistol to her head. Eugenio got in her face, telling her that “Everything that is happening is your fault.” Fabricio closed the closet door.
Eugenio said that everything was ready. They would get on a private plane for Panama and after that for Switzerland. Nobody knew about their foreign bank accounts. Fabricio said he had all the numbers and made distributions. Eugenio didn't like that. Fabricio said that things were changing since Dario's death.; he was in.
Eugenio then told him to kill Fernanda because one should not leave evidence. His tone of voice showed how much he got off on the death of others.

Leo and Adriana were about to have coffee when Mario came in with a report on Eugenio being in Fabricio's neighborhood. They split up to go to the two criminals' addresses, certain that they were going home for passports and cash.

Victoria looked out the window at Eugenio and Fabricio entering through the front gate. When they got to the main floor Eugenio told Fabricio to take all the money out of the safe.

Victoria then stopped him with “Holá, mi amor” and he turned around to see her holding his passport. She threw it at him and aimed at him with the pistol she found in the study. He called her ridiculous, demanding to know what she thought she was doing.

She kneecapped him.

She did not stop there, landing two more bullets before Fabricio ran in and tried to wrestle the gun from her.

Adriana charged into Fabricio's duplex with a half dozen cops.
She detected the odor of gas and turned off the open gas jets on the stove, then opened the closet door and found Fernanda. She told the others to call an ambulance.

A police car pulled up in front of Eugenio's home. Leo led the way inside, yelling “Put down your weapon and don't move.” Victoria let go of it and Leo pointed his at Fabricio.
He moved in, disarmed Fabricio, and someone yelled to call an ambulance. Mario wrapped the pistol to put in the evidence bag and Victoria tried playing the pending murder victim. Eugenio was still alive. Leo told her she could argue self-defense. Leo got a call. Caller unknown, but he asked “Are you sure? I agree.” He ended the call. He told Victoria they were taking her home.

Fernanda survived and was reunited with Juanito.

Leo brought Victoria home, suitcase and all. He exchanged looks with Elisa, who was ready for this.
“I can't believe you would go back to Eugenio's house after what Renata said. It was very bad to leave her alone.” Victoria tried the same lie, that Eugenio had tried to kill her.

“But you knew what he was like and still you went back. Why?”

“I had to recover important things.” She looked back at her suitcase. “And Majo? How is she? I want to see her.”

“Renata confessed. It was she who shot Father.”

“Oh, please! That's absurd.” She pointed to Leo. “His brother was the thug who said he shot your father.”

“Permit me to say it would appear absurd that Renata could do anything like that,” he said. “There was a weapon. It's being analyzed now,” Leo said.

“Do you know who would have put it there?” Elisa asked.

“If I knew your sister had a weapon obviously I would have taken it away. Especially in her condition, for God's sake.”

“I know everything that happened that night. How the killer arrived and shot Father in his car.”

“But didn't talk about the shooting. Nor was there mention of Julia's presence,” Leo said.

“What happened, Mother? What's wrong?”

“The secret between your sister and I...I hope you understand what I'm going to say.”

“How long have you known?” Leo asked.

“I've always known. Renata told me she got the gun but I didn't know what shit provoked it. Well, you have a confessioin and you have the weapon. I suppose a judge will take her condition into account. I hope you will also do that. After all my daughter has suffered. All of us have suffered. Do that for the love you allegedly have for Elisa.”

“Did Renata tell you who shot first –”

“No! She didn't tell me! She didn't tell me,” shouted Victoria. “Obviously we didn't talk about this.”

“We are sure your husband was the first to be shot,” Leo said. “That night the killer followed Augusto and arrived at the scene of the crime...”

Flashback to the argument between Julia and Augusto about the artworks.

“The killer was armed and knew what was to be done. The killer aimed at and shot Augusto.”

Flashback of Victoria in her evening clothes, jewels, and hair. Julia saw her shoot Augusto. She bolted out of the car and started to run, falling and getting up.

“Julia tried to escape,” Leo continued. “She begged for her life. And just like that, you killed her.”

Victoria shot Julia.

“Are you accusing me of murder?” Victoria asked.

“Stop lying, Mother.”

“How can you talk to me like that? I always protected your sister.”

”Did you protect her when Eugenio was molesting her?”

“I didn't know anything! I just found out!”

“That's impossible or why did you have her locked up and doped up in clinics if not to make sure she didn't talk? [???]”

“It wasn't me, Elisa. It was Eugenio!”

“What's in the suitcase. Mother?”

“Nothing. My stuff.” She was getting nervous.

Elisa went straight to the suitcase. Victoria protested loudly. Renata and Majo came downstairs. Elisa opened the suitcase, revealing artifacts that were exchanged for Majo's release. “Can you explain this? Why do you have these things for which Majo was kidnapped? Why? We were all almost killed!”

Victoria looked at Renata and asked “Why didn't you just shut up?”

“I can't stay quiet,” Renata said. “Once I remembeed I couldn't. I couldn't carry the guilt. Elisa knows I killed my father.”

“It wasn't you, Renata,” Elisa said.

Adriana, Mario, and several others arrived with the pistol in an evidence bag.

“Here is the evidence that you killed them,” Leo said. “The first time you came to the precinct we took all your fingerprints.”

He went on to explain Renata going out to Augusto's car, finding him dead, and becoming hysterical, Victoria heard her and approached. Renata fainted.

Victoria confessed that she put the gun in Renata's hand while she was unconscious.

She then looked in the suitcase, took it out, and closed the car door.. She left Renata there with the gun in her hand. Renata regained consciousness, stood up, and saw her father dead. She raised the gun, then Victoria came up from behind asking “What have you done?”

“That was the only way to save us,” said Victoria, through her crocodile tears. “I killed Augusto because I knew he had a mistress. I killed Julia because I thought it was her.. He would have taken everything, so I killed him. I would do it again.” She looked at Renata. “Also Eugenio, for what he did to you.” More tears. “I didn't want you to know all I did for you., It's difficult to understand, but that's how it is.”

She gave no resistance when Adriana cuffed her. All three sisters were crying. The followed out to watch Victoria being driven away in the police car. They hugged each other, then Elisa went to Leo.

A few days later Fernanda went to Elisa's office and handed her the transfer document to return the insurance money. She wanted to return it because she wanted to do the right thing. Elisa would not take it back, saying it was for her and her son. “My father had his reasons.” Fernanda thanked her, they shook hands, and Fernanda left.

Sonia was released from the reclusorio. Renata and Mauricio met her outside the gate and returned her baby to her. She was a free woman and could come to feel safe.

Elisa went home. Majo looked depressed and asked if they will ever be happy. Elisa told her they would, she was sure of it. Also that Eugenio would be in prison for the rest of his life. Further, that his injuries damaged his spine and he had lost mobility over his entire body. She told Majo to give grief time to heal. Majo said she decided to go back to university. Elisa wanted both her sisters in the family business with her. Renata was particularly excited at the prospect.

Eugenio's life would be a living death in a prison cell.

Adriana was like a new woman and with a makeover and an honorable man.

Leo visited José Luis in prison and confronted him about the murder of Reynaldo. Pinqui was the hired hit man. He didn't exactly confess, but pointed out that with all he had lost in the last year, does he need any more punishment? Leo took that as a confession ad left.

Six months later the Cantù family welcomed an honorable man as Leo and Elisa married in the shadows of an ancient ruin, looking like a 1930s movie couple. With the promise of eternal love.

Thanks for reading this. My boss will be recovered soon. This has been such a difficult tale to tell so I need a vacation, even if it's only watching movies at home with my cats. Mr Hammett will be back and I will leave the spotlight for him; it's too tiring at times.

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