“Oscar mentioned a preliminary hearing next week,” I said.

“Let the divorce go through on their assumption that you own nothing,” Samuel said.

“Sign their standard division forms, give up any claim to Alejandro’s personal bank accounts, and walk away with your maiden name.”

“And the commercial lease audit?” I asked.

“We start that four days after the judge signs the final decree,” Samuel said.

A yellow taxi dropped me at the foot of the mountain road in Valle de Bravo at half past one.

The heavy black iron gates stood closed against the pine woods, twice the height of a tall man and anchored into solid gray stone walls.