July 1, 2011.

Christine could not restrain herself, she had just had a fight with her husband and needed to talk to someone, and Phillipe was not all that interested in listening to her complaining. After getting no satisfaction from her brother she called to Panama. “Hello, Dad?”

“Dammit, Christine, don’t call me Dad, don’t you know that these phones can be bugged. I am Lupe for the rest of my life, got it?” “Sorry, D.., uh I mean Lupe”, she responded. “I’m really upset because Freddy just called me a dumb bitch when I burned dinner!” She started to sob. The voice on the other end spoke soothingly too her with a bit of a central American brogue. “You know I love my favorite little girl. I know people down here now that can have him killed, would you like that?” “Oh stop it”, she cried, “now you’re making fun of me.” “No, just trying to make my favorite one laugh and put things in perspective.”

July 16, 2011.

“Sign here on page 1, Christine and sign this letter requesting prompt assessment. Okay we’re all done, I’ll copy it and get it in the mail today with all the attachments”, Roger Johnson told her. “You’re very lucky in a twisted way your dad died this year and not next year. It saved your family $175 Million in estate taxes. I know that’s small consolation to losing your dad, but at least you don’t have to pay the government, too.” “Thanks Mr. Johnson, you’re very kind to tell me that. I think my dad is probably happy about that too, where ever he is”, Christine responded.