1981. Ynez Figueroa finished second in her class at Florida State's Law School. Bucking Cuban family, the young idealist spurned lucrative offers from her father to join the family business. Ynez conceived her existence as more than continuation of familial quest for wealth; an environment that'd consumed two brothers. She'd never forgiven her father, or Pedro, for allowing their deaths to go unchallenged.
She was younger. Technology made the world smaller. Curiosity drove the girl's inquisitive nature. The young beauty asked not how she could strengthen family. She was interested in contributing to a global community.
Pedro assured his hermanita she'd never be asked to compromise morals. Illegal pursuits were off official books.
Ynez pursued only legitimate enterprises.
There were no more dedicated men than Paco and Pedro to protect the new attorney.
She simply couldn't trust them.
Memories of Juan and Jesus remained vivid.
Naïveté drove Ynez into the employ of the largest firm in Miami; Garrison Walters. Moving and shaking with Miami elite was felt the best path to bring about change. Those who controlled money and power simply needed to shift focus onto ways less fortunate could be supported.
First year associate Ynez Figueroa worked long hours. Time became valued at a premium. On several occasions she missed family lunches after Mass on Sundays.
As with most firms, the philosophy of slave-driving first year associates, to the brink of clinical exhaustion, was meant to break down sensibilities concerning fair play. Paramount consideration was given to massive fees only afforded by elite. Participants within the country's legal framework jettisoned souls in favor of wealth.
Ynez was different. She'd purposefully tuned her soul throughout her brief twenty-eight year existence. Its resonance celebrated the ethereal and eternal nature of humanity. Souls were preeminent. Those possessing money didn't impress the young associate. Kindness opened Ynez to giving of herself. She had yet to understand hardening one's defenses was a skill God required. Love remained pure only when secured behind barriers against evil's intrusion.
Wisdom sharpened with age. The second generation immigrant from Cuba felt youthful energy possessed the potential to positively affect the down-trodden. Ethereal acumen grew as she matured. Those with whom she associated envisioned attributes beyond stunning flesh. Her beautiful smile, along with eyes that sparked, resonated emblematic beauty of her genuine soul.
Narrowed work focus nearly accomplished goals set forth by senior partners. Ynez hadn't the time to question motives. Driven from the conceptual, the young associate found herself functioning within her reptilian brain. Only her most basic needs were addressed once Ynez's time was controlled by others.
Nine months into her first year, the Cuban beauty was called away from research. She'd been beckoned into a meeting in the partner's conference room. Offices occupied the top three floors of the Bellwether Bank Building in downtown Miami.
Ynez double-timed her pace from the tenth to twelfth floor.
The receptionist simply nodded as Ynez emerged from the elevator and sped past the counter. The associate's heart raced as she made her way speedily down the long corridor. The meeting room engulfed the east end of the building; overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The interior wall was constructed of floor to ceiling glass. Occupants of the conference room witnessed the young associate approach.
Feeling unworthy, she was compelled to stop and gently tap on the transparent door.
"Come on in, Ynez," bellowed Stuart Garrison, Senior Partner.
Ynez pulled the door open, walked into the room, and allowed door-springs to close it behind her. She walked to the nearest empty seat next to Mr. Garrison; who sat at the head of the table. The young associate sat to his left; an unknown man to his right.
"Ynez, this is Viktor Von Unterscheisse. He is very well-respected in Miami. His family has been here for two generations; not unlike your own."
The beautiful Cuban stood, leaned across the conference table, and shook the man's hand. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Unterscheisse." She paused. "Is that right? Or is it Von Unterscheisse?"
The man smiled as he peered down the woman's dress. "You can call me Viktor."
Feeling slightly violated, Ynez lifted her left hand and pressed the dress' neckline against her chest. She stood straight, and retook her seat. "Okay, Viktor; Mr. Garrison, how can I assist you both?"
"Ynez, you've been here nine months, and shown a great deal of aptitude. Your work ethic is second to none. Maybe it's time you began referring to me as Stuart."
The young associate nodded and smiled in response.
Stuart leaned forward in his executive chair, placed his forearms against the edge of the conference table, and interlaced the fingers of both hands in front of him. "It seems that Viktor has gotten into a situation of mistaken identity."
A curious look grew on Ynez's face.
Stuart moved the conversation closer to the truth. "He's facing a serious charge."
Ynez sat back in her chair and shook her head. "But we don't do criminal law."
The Senior Partner bobbed his head between a nod and a shake. "Well…normally we wouldn't accept a case such as this; off the street. But Viktor and his family have been long term clients, and are one of the reasons this firm has grown to the size it has."
Ynez stared across the table at the man who was slight of stature. A smug grin engulfed the man's countenance. She looked back at Stuart and shrugged her shoulders. "But I've only been handling corporate matters since I began working here. I've never even seen the inside of a courtroom."
The Senior Partner loosened his grip, freed both hands, and held them flat above the conference table; calming the woman's protest. "You're less than a year removed from law school, and you were the lead litigator on FSU's moot court team that won a national championship." He nodded reassuringly. "Trust me, you possess every attribute to negotiate your way through this situation; and many more like it. You have everything you need to propel yourself to partnership in the shortest time experienced by any associate in the history of the firm." He offered one final reassurance. "We've been able to get the case assigned to Judge Cunningham's court."
Ynez was too young and inexperienced to pick up on the man's most slight inference of innuendo; focusing on Judge Johnnie Cunningham. "He's known as tough on crime."
Once again, Stuart bobbed his head indecisively. "Well…he's favorable to cases like this. Viktor is a valued member of our business community. Judge Cunningham understands the need to keep Miami's economy thriving; for the little people." He paused. "This could be a slam-dunk for your career."
Viktor mimicked Stuart's stance by leaning forward in his seat and holding his hands in a calming fashion. "You and I need to get together. We'll work diligently to put this entire misunderstanding behind us." He nodded. "We can start at my house tonight."
Ynez forcefully held up her hands. "Wait a minute. What's the charge?"
Stuart and Viktor glanced at one another.
Ynez's boss then looked at her. "Trafficking."
"Trafficking?" Ynez's response bordered on a yell.
"Keep your voice down. We don't wish to share Viktor's predicament with the entire office."
"That's one hell of a leap from a case of mistaken identity."
The woman's protestations were ignored as both men leaned back in respective chairs.
Viktor looked at Stuart. "I like her. She has that…Latina passion that will serve me well." He grinned impishly. "In the courtroom, of course."
Ynez shook her head. "There must be a dozen firms, each of us could easily name, that would be more suited to help you, Viktor."
Stuart held up his left index finger and shook it slightly. "Like I said earlier, Viktor's family have been good clients for this firm for decades. No. We'll take this case; you'll be fine, Ynez."
The beautiful Cuban looked across the table at her new client. She recognized his smile for its lecherous nature. The associate was rendered speechless.
Viktor threw up his hands. "It's funny, but my family seems to have been the target of these baseless allegations ever since we arrived in America. All I need is for you to help me navigate this case through the court system." He looked at Stuart, almost seeking approval for what he was about to say. "Besides, these things seem to go away before they ever get to trial." The man smiled.
Ynez looked between the two men; once again choosing to say nothing.
Viktor stood. He pointed arrogantly at Ynez. "So, I'll see you at my house tonight. My address is in the file." As if speaking to Stuart as Ynez's handler, the man barked, "bill me for her time on our corporate account."