Mexico City
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Emilio Montana was a middle-aged man and highly respected in his profession. Many people went to the lawyer when they had a dispute or wanted to settle their estate. The elderly caballero had many good contacts and an unusually good reputation for his profession. Not only did he have a strong will to succeed, but his expertise and persuasiveness had enabled him to achieve many good results for his clients. The fact that he did not always go to the limit and always maintained a certain fairness did not detract from his success. Even DeSoto in faraway Los Angeles had learned that it was better not to mess with Montana and reluctantly accepted that more than a few people from the Pueblo did their business through this businessman. This included not only the lawyer's business in the strict sense - but many had also begun to buy or sell their land through the lawyer, much to the displeasure of the Alcalde of Los Angeles.
So Señor Emilio always had a lot to do. This evening was no exception. It was dark, but he was still busy in his office. It was going to be another one of those days when he wouldn't get home until late and the dinner his wife had cooked for him would be cold.
Sighing, he rubbed his stiff neck with his right thumb and forefinger and nodded to his assistant, 19-year-old Álvaro. His left hand pointed to a pile of papers on the left side of the desk. "We still have to file these papers, then we can call it a day."
"Won't that take until tomorrow?" the boy asked with a sigh.
"I know, Álvaro, it has been a long day. But I just want to get this done. Especially since we're going to spend the next few days looking for suitable properties for Señor Sánchez. He's looking for land near Los Angeles, preferably with a hacienda. Can you give me the letter that came yesterday?"
The boy nodded and handed the sheet of paper to Montana without a word. Emilio scanned the lines and explained: "As I told you, he's already here, staying at the 'Amigo' Hotel. However, he writes that his son has taken a boat to San Barbara and won't be back for a few days. He still asks us to prepare everything and will visit us as soon as his son arrives".
"Why did the son go to San Barbara? There are only a few houses and the mission. What do they do there?"
"I have no idea. It's none of our business. What's important to me is that we make him enough offers. It's best if you ask some businessmen tomorrow. I'll write you another list. It would be good if we could offer him more than the two sales offers, I currently have. I owe it to the Sanchez family."
Álvaro looked at Señor Montana questioningly.
Emilio explained: "Didn't I tell you? My father was a close friend of the Sanchez family. Half of the capital my father brought with him and invested in the law firm came from them. Half of what you see here belongs to them."
The boy swallowed and said: "Then this conversation is very important. Is Señor Sanchez a difficult man?"
Montana thought for a moment before answering. "I can't tell you for sure because I hardly know him. We played together as children in Spain, but that was a long time ago. I moved here to Mexico with my family many years ago. However, we never completely lost contact, even after our fathers died. But we only write occasionally. I didn't even know he was coming here and that he had a son. I only found out because of this letter."
"And that's why we have to work harder in the next few days."
"Exactly, my boy. I can't neglect my other clients because of this. So, let's stop wasting time and get back to work here so that we can finally be finished.