Original subtitles

A VIX original series

An EL MALL production

Inspired by real events.

Some scenes were changed for fiction purposes.

The Attorney General's Office has begun the refund

of the money paid as ransom by the victims

of kidnapper Daniel Arizmendi.

Attorney Max Morales is representing two salesmen

who were kidnapped.

Although the victims' families

paid nearly two million and a half dollars to the kidnappers,

the Attorney General's Office only refunded a portion of it.

You can buy everything with money,

even justice itself.

The rich buys it, the poor puts up with it.

Corruption is a ghost that seeps into every level

of Mexican society.

Corruption is in the police,

the public offices,

the courts, the institutions.

That documentary has you completely absorbed

absent, tense.

Any other complaint?

If you don't run out of coffee, you don't even show up.

It's no complaint. You're my daughter. I miss you.

I'll keep working.

No!

I'll call when the food is ready.

Yes, mom.

Part of the government's revenue

comes from oil exports, but its international price.

Yum, smells great.

Are you hungry?

Yeah.

But for you, baby.

Luis!

Get serious. Besides, you have to go back to work.

A little pause.

Work can wait.

Until we put the Ear Chopper in a cage,

the work is going to continue.

You've been saying that two years.

He's the one who has all of us locked in a cage.

Yes.

Like we had nothing else to think about.

What is that?

What is it?

An exchange.

Really?

Look, honey.

Look how pretty it is, huh?

Tinted windows, it's electric.

The stereo will leave you deaf.

Plus, the seats are comfortable,

like you were on a plane.

It's V8.

What is it? You don't like it?

What I don't like is not knowing where all of this comes from.

Where else would it come from? From my own sweat.

I work hard everyday

so you can have all.

Don't take me for an idiot.

You think I don't know

your salary isn't enough to buy that?

But I'd rather not know who's giving you all these things.

I'd rather not know.

Well.

I'd like to make a toast

for these ten years of hard work.

I thank you all for your professionalism,

but especially my woman.

Apart from being a great wife and mother,

she spent these last days preparing all this.

Yes!

Cheers.

- Cheers, boss. -Cheers.

Cheers, man.

A round of applause for Taquiza.

Yes, sure! Bravo!

And the cake! Honestly, it came out perfect.

That's it.

- Help me, Piojo. -Let's see.

You did that?

All night here.

Cut me a slice for Artemio.

Yes. Let's see, here.

Looks amazing.

Hey.

Do you remember when you worked at a factory?

How the hell would I not remember if I had to get up

at five in the morning?

We were happy.

We didn't live with the fear of not knowing

if something bad will happen tomorrow.

Daniel, don't get us into any trouble.

Think about your children.

No, no. What did you do?

You're disgusting! Son of a bitch.

Let me see.

Fucking asshole!

Calm down. What's wrong with you?

I'm telling him to use the fucking cup

and he peed outside.

You'll clean that up with your tongue.

Do me a favor.

Go over there and have a good time.

I'll take over here. Look, my wife made it.

Please! Stop!

Yummy! I's delicious.

Okay, man.

Go.

I'll be home late tomorrow.

Don't expect me for dinner.

Well, text me, okay?

To know you're alright.

No, everything's okay.

What's not okay is the amount of paperwork

I have to deal with.

Every damn little number you have to double-check there.

Easy. Calm down.

Open your mouth.

Enjoy. You never know if it's the last one.

Depends on how much your family loves you.

Here.

They do love you, right?

Why don't you ask one of the boys to help you?

Damn idiots. Most of them can't even read.

They know how to break into a car, change the stereo,

the tires, the paint.

But none of them has ever written down their name.

Well, then you need a secretary.

A secretary won't get you a car,

but she can help you

with the paperwork.

Good morning.

- Good morning. -Good morning.

- Come with me, please. -Sure.

What can you do. Areli, right?

That's right. I know shorthand and typing.

I can work with mechanical machines,

but also electric ones.

I'm very good at filing, organizing,

and I also make very good coffee.

Chevrolet or Chrysler?

Depends.

On what?

Well, if it's Chevrolet, I'll take the Cavalier.

If it's Chrysler, I'll take the Spirit.

And if you really give me the chance to decide,

I'd choose Nissan. Japanese brain,

but Mexican labor.

Don't speak to me formally, Areli.

Call me Daniel.

Look, the job is yours.

Thank you, Daniel. You won't regret it.

- You start tomorrow at eight. - Ok.

I don't know what to do with them.

Don't worry, I'll take care of them.

The job is mine. Go home.

Oh, no! I didn't even get a chance.

How is it possible?

That tramp! I swear it!

So this is the house of the Arizmendi.

Yes, this is where they lived.

But it's not the same house anymore.

They tore down the previous house and then built this one.

Did you meet them?

Yes, I've always lived here.

Those kids and I are the same age.

Daniel and his brothers?

Yeah, although they hardly ever let me go out.

I didn't hang out, much less with them.

Because they were in a gang.

But not the other two brothers, huh?

Do you know anything about them?

Nobody knows about that family anymore.

Long time ago.

Did you meet the parents?

Yes, sure.

The mother was a worker.

She worked at La Pascual. The soda factory, you know?

And the dad. he was really violent.

He hit it hard. Yeah, he was really alcoholic.

Tell me something.

Did you ever imagine your neighbor would end up

being Mexico's most feared kidnapper?

No, how could I?

But I did imagine Daniel

and Artemio would end up badly.

No like the other brothers.

No. It's like they came from different families, you know?

Thank you.

Good luck. Have a nice day.

Tell me she isn't pretty.

Hey, baby, what are we celebrating today?

Our first anniversary.

In this same table,

12 months ago, we were sitting here, and look, we're still

here.

Even with pretty girls walking right in front of me.

But why did you hire a secretary?

You have me and my mom.

Let's see, baby. I give you money,

jewelry, shoes, pretty clothes, right?

Why would I make you work?

As a secretary, with all that paperwork?

This is one of our babies.

As you can see, it's a four-cylinder.

- Yes. -Freshly tuned, huh?

- Hey. -All the paperwork in order.

Okay.

Respect the lady.

All the tires newly installed.

Okay. And the payment method?

Whichever you want.

Okay, excellent.

- You and I, -You take it?

we have deeper, more private things.

- Sign here. -Sure.

Plus, you already know the atmosphere at the authorized

dealer.

- Congrats. -Thank you.

It's not the best place for you,

with all those pervs.

It's best that whoever works as a secretary

is not involved in this.

You're the only one who drives me crazy.

I trust you.

But her. I don't even know her.

We have a problem.

Really?

There are big mistakes.

Oh, really?

Too many inconsistencies.

See this engine number?

Well, it belongs to this car,

but if we look at this invoice here,

the numbers don't match.

Don't mess with me. It's wrong!

Yes. And not just this one.

But also this one. And that one.

These are a lot of mistakes.

Someone is not doing their job right.

Well, I'm not one to point fingers.

But this makes it look as if we were selling

separate parts that don't match,

like they were stolen.

- Yeah, right? -Yes.

We don't want people to think that.

Great catch, Areli.

Let's do this.

I'll give you a bonus for every mistake that you find.

Perfect.

So we can make sure everything is in order.

Yes, boss.

I'll keep looking at the invoices

and comparing them with the series number.

Excuse me.

I called you ten times but you don't even care.

I brought you a sandwich.

Thanks, mom.

Please tell me this is temporary.

What?

This Daniel Arizmendi thing.

You were going to write about your dad's career,

and suddenly it's all about Arizmendi?

Honey, be careful.

That man is resentful.

He is a psychopath, a narcissist.

Your dad had much more interesting cases.

Do you realize everything this man caused?

The terror he aroused?

When I see all this, it's like I'm living it again.

Look at that woman.

I remember her clearly.

Of all his victims, she was the only woman.

Everything is very organized.

Yes, it's divided by the victims, the dead ones,

and the ones I haven't found, like Enrique, his brother.

And Areli, his secretary. Look.

There are many notes from her.

Super weird, like she vanished into thin air.

More?

Yes. Did you check these?

No. Not yet.

These are very important. I'll come back for more.

I don't know much about Areli Morán Ramírez.

Mostly from the file.

Her voluntary statement lets us know that

Arizmendi was running the stolen-car business

and the kidnapping business at the same time.

Invoices from those 50 cars.

- Oh. -There it is.

Those?

From when she worked with Arizmendi,

there is no personal information.

Her friends and family lost sight of her.

Where would you go?

Cancún?

Cancún?

I've never been to Cancún, but I have a house in Acapulco.

- Let's go! -Let's go.

Yes, I'd love that.

I'll take you.

Hey! What are you doing?

Just checking the color.

I didn't know you liked fashion.

Fashion? Me?

Yes. Fashion.

You bonus.

Areli was 25 when she started working with Arizmendi.

Almost the same number of years

since she was last heard from.

Not that one.

I never take it off.

It's a gift from my grandmother.

I'll never take it off.

I want to ask you something first.

We don't sell used cars, do we? We sell stolen cars.

What I liked the most from the very beginning

is that your mind works really damn sharp.

I think it's amazing

what you do at the repair shop.

But even so, the numbers don't add up for me.

I've seen money

you wouldn't gather even if we sold

all the cars we sell in a year, but in one day.

And what do you think?

Nothing.

I'm just doing the math.

And if two plus two is four, and here it adds up to four hundred.

I think about everything I've seen,

about what I've heard everyday

on the news. Maybe it's related.

I haven't read the news for a while.

What are they saying?

Kidnappings. Kidnappings here and there.

Look, Areli, not every business pays evenly.

But the car business is the most stable one.

But the adrenaline you get from kidnapping someone

doesn't compare to stealing a damn car. You know?

Adrenaline is a fucking addiction.

It's like a drug.

You need more every time.

One day I'm gonna make it big,

and I'm gonna demand a badass ransom

of hundreds of millions of dollars,

a billion dollars, damn it.

Does money make you happy?

No.

Happiness is something else.

It's spontaneous.

From time to time.

Nobody is happy forever.

You know how close your dad and I were

and how much I appreciate your family.

For that same reason, I ask you to think about it.

I won't tell you what you have to do

or what you don't. You know that.

But at least you need to know what ground you're stepping on,

so you know what shoes to walk in.

Or if it's better, well, not to get your feet dirty.

Who the hell is Daniel Arizmendi? I can't figure him

out.

Look, your dad wasn't the only one obsessed with him.

Some other colleagues didn't stop until they caught him.

But, you see, one of them

was shot while eating in a restaurant.

Another one got a fucking cancer from hell.

And another one ended up in prison for ties to the Narcos.

What are you saying?

What I'm saying is that everything

around Arizmendi ends up rotting.

It's like a bad omen bird, you know?

Tell me something.

Did my dad do stuff I shouldn't be proud of?

We were police officers, not saints.

Those are two different business.

I'm just asking for your help with them.

I'm sure you have contacts within the police.

Look, Enrique is one of Arizmendi's brothers.

Areli was his secretary and his lover.

I haven't been able to track them.

I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

What should we do?

Don't worry, baby. We'll fix this.

Driver's license and registration.

Of course. Please.

Any problem?

Yes.

Registration doesn't match your name.

Oh, I just bought it.

I haven't changed the owner's registry.

Out of the car. You too, lady.

Lean against the car.

- No. -Hands back.

We can fix this. How much do you want?

How much? I'll give you all.

Lean against the car, Mr. Arizmendi. Hands behind your

back.

Don't worry, my love, we'll be okay.

You're under arrest, Mr. Arizmendi,

for driving a car reported as stolen.

I ask again. Name and surname.

What do you do?

I work in footwear sales.

With this body?

Where were you going?

Don't lie.

When we ask, you answer.

Son of a bitch!

Where did you steal the car?

We didn't steal any car.

Don't be a liar.

Did you smack this guy around?

No way.

Get out.

I'm gonna knock your teeth out.

How many members are in the gang?

I swear I'm in the footwear business.

Don't be such a fucking liar.

Don't you lie to me, slut.

Please don't hurt me.

I'm pregnant. Please.

For real?

Yes.

Oh man, you and your kids.

You know you've got nothing against me.

Yes. We nailed you with a stolen car.

A stolen damn car, so what? I'll be out in three months.

Well.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Your friend in the other interrogation room

is really nervous.

She's just an employee.

Maybe so, but I see her

really worried about the little fetus she's carrying in her

belly.

You'll be a dad. Congrats, Arizmendi!

You know what I love about babies?

They work miracles.

Not just because they're born with a blessing, but because

I've seen tougher criminals than you

giving up the moment you threaten

to hurt their kids.

Imagine what this woman would do

to save her child.

You know what would go well with that look you're wearing?

What?

A brand-new truck, latest model,

tinted windows, fully electric.

Like fresh from the dealership. Already legalized.

- Luis? -Hello. How are you?

I'm fine. Any news?

Well, I've got good news and bad news.

The good news is I got you a phone number for Enrique,

Arizmendi's brother. It's a number from Canada.

- Canada? -Yes.

And the bad news is that there's no record

of this girl, Areli, anywhere since 1997.

Ok. Thank you.

Good afternoon.

That doesn't answer our questions.

How much do you trust that girl?

She won't speak.

How sure are you?

I don't know. 98%.

98%?

Excuse me, boys. Come here.

José, go grab some beers.

Take the boys.

98%? Huh? What about that 2%?

Yeah, everyone has a weak spot.

Do you know hers?

- Shut up, slut. -What?

Calm down now!

You shouldn't have let her get that far.

She's a really smart girl. She figured it out all on her own.

She's been locked up in there two days.

How do you know she's not gonna talk? I'm talking to you!

Shut up!

Don't shut me up.

I'm your wife. Not in front of that whore.

You get out now.

Hey, calm down.

Enough!

I'm starting to like

coming to have breakfast with you.

Seriously, how much longer do you plan to put up with this,

huh?

You think that's good for the baby?

Arizmendi is the dad, isn't he?

Daniel is my boss.

I work in the shoe business.

I've told you a thousand times.

You memorized that crap, didn't you?

There's only one way out.

And think about it for his sake. If you help me,

I'll help you. Tell me everything. Everything you know.

How many are there? Where do they operate?

How many have they kidnapped? Officials involved?

If you help me, I'll get

you a direct pass into the witness protection program.

We both win.

Or do you want to give birth to little Daniel in prison?

Give the customer what they ask for, huh?

Commander.

They paid the bail.

Are you kidding?

Fasten your seat belt.

I want you far from my husband,

but you will have everything

you need with us.

They offered you a new life there, didn't they?

You will be fine. Don't let them fool you.

They offered you to be a protected witness?

Me too.

They will offer many things.

But nothing will happen.

You know why?

They don't even have money

to feed those assholes

who keep chasing us,

you think they'll have the money

to get you a pretty house in California?

Of course not.

I'm expecting Daniel's child.

Business matters you handle with your boss.

I'm his wife, not your friend.

They didn't have the ones you like, but it's better than

nothing, right?

I've been having many doubts lately.

What I thought would be a great job,

to honor your career,

has only brought me shitty ideas.

This is Enrique Arizmendi.

I got your message.

I don't know how you got my phone number,

but you shouldn't have. You have no right to cross this line.

You know how risky it is?

The threat you represent to me?

I built a family that doesn't know my brother.

I have no desire whatsoever to speak with you.

Please, delete this number and don't call again.

Maybe it happens to every family.

Our loved ones are not who we think they are.

Or who we want them to be.

Hi, Daniel. Can we talk?

Sure. Tell me.

Excuse me.

I wanted to ask if it's possible

for me to take two weeks off.

It's almost time.

When he's born, can I meet him?

Of course. I'll let you know when it's safe. Excuse me.

Take the two weeks and take this cash. It'll come in handy.

Thank you.

What are you doing here? Out, bitch.

What's up with her?

She's going to the clinic.

Let me.

Promise me everything will be okay.

Come with me.

They'll pay you now.

Careful.

Once, in early 1997.

Pay the taxi.

...I accompanied Daniel Arizmendi to Morelos to close a deal

with a man named Caletti.

You refer to the judge of the First District

of the 18th Judicial Circuit of Morelos?

Roberto Caletti Treviño?

Yes. We went to his house.

He gave money in exchange for documents,

but I couldn't see their content.

It was probably that damn woman who tipped them off, man.

We can't be sure.

We haven't heard from her in two weeks.

I told you this was going to happen.

Why don't you listen to me?

Look at the mess you got us into.

Tell us about the protection

Daniel Arizmendi has received from the authorities.

Daniel told me that in Mexico City

he received protection from a commander named Lombardi.

In the State of Mexico, judicial agents

Sergio Mendoza and Vicente Chimal assisted him.

Agents of the Federal Prosecutor's Office

Fonseca Díaz and Arturo Moncada Espejel

were in charge of processing the bails.

Boss, in all the hospitals and clinics I went to ask,

I didn't find any information.

And we know where she lived, so to me it's pretty obvious.

Right?

Of course it is.

Yes, I recognize both businesses.

Stolen cars and kidnappings.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Escape.

Keep it a secret.

Yes. We came here to see you,

not to chase you in the kitchen.

I'm coming.

Hope you're not as hyperactive as her.

No way.

I'm here.

- Applauses. -Delicious.

- Honey. -No, mom, thanks.

This is delicious.

For you, made with love.

What I love is your necklace.

It's beautiful.

It's an antique. It was a gift from this young lady's father.

Beautiful.

Yes, it's nice.

I only wear it for special occasions, like today.

What is it, baby?

What's wrong?

Are you okay?

In this place where I'm taking you,

you won't be missing a thing.

Everything will be okay.