This story is an amateur, not-for-profit publication produced solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe upon any rights by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.

Betrayed

Chapter 1

"Who of you is Victoria Escalante?" the man demanded to know. Purposely he placed his travel bag in front of the bar, motioning the three children and the woman following him to do the same.

"That would be me, Señor." Victoria came forward. "Are you looking for rooms for you and your family?"

"I'm Raoul Gonzalez, Señorita," the man introduced himself, "and I'm the new owner of this tavern."

"There must be a misunderstanding, Señor," Victoria said cordially, "This tavern belongs to me."

Gonzalez pulled a paper from his jacket and unfolded it. "This paper proves my ownership. Your brothers in Venezuela signed over the ownership to me after they lost gambling. Do you recognize the signature of your brothers, Señorita?" He turned the paper for her to read.

Victoria turned pale. "This may be the signature of my brothers," she said after a minute of silent reading, "but my brothers had no right to sell the tavern to you. The tavern belongs to me since the day my mother died and my brothers left for the army."

"You're wrong, Señorita. According to the law women aren't allowed to own property. It either belongs to their male relatives or to their husband. Are you married?"

"No, I'm not." Victoria replied distressfully.

"Then the tavern belonged to your brothers until they signed it over to me. It's mine now!" Gonzalez stated.

"That can't be," Victoria was shocked. "That can't be the law. This is my tavern!"

The alcalde rose from his chair at one of the tables. "I heard your discussion, Señorita," the alcalde suppressed his grin, "but the señor is right. Women can neither have a public office nor own property. I looked that up after you tried to become alcalde in my stead. So if this señor can prove his ownership," he took a short glance at the paper, "and this seems legal to me, then the tavern belongs to him."

"This just can't be!" Victoria had tears in her eyes. "You can't take away the tavern from me!"

"This may come as a surprise to you, but you heard your alcalde." Gonzalez said resolutely. "As this is resolved now, I need you to show me and my family around. My wife and my children are tired from traveling and want to rest in their rooms."

"All the guest rooms are occupied at the moment," Victoria explained. "I only have a small room left that I normally don't rent to guests. Do you want to take that or do you want me to throw some guests out?"

"No, if it's a small room it won't be enough for all of us. We need a larger one. And I don't want to start business by throwing out guests. How about the room you occupy?"

"No, you can't even consider taking my room!" Victoria exclaimed.

"Have you forgotten that this is my tavern now?!" Gonzalez said antagonistically.

With tears in her eyes Victoria led them to her room upstairs. Gonzalez looked around while his wife started to snoop into her dressers and wardrobe.

"These are my personal things," Victoria exclaimed. "Keep your hands off them!"

"We aren't cruel and will not rob you of them, Señorita," Gonzalez said grumpily. "Just pack your things together and make room for us."

"You want me to pack now?" Victoria was shocked. "You're throwing me out of my room?"

"As you can see, we need the space. You can use that back room you mentioned for tonight. Tomorrow we will see. I heard you are a good cook, I may have use for you."

"No, never." Victoria denied it straight away. "You can't expect me to work for you in my own tavern." She knew she wouldn't be able to stand the humiliation.

"As you wish, Señorita, maybe you'll think differently about it tomorrow." Gonzalez shrugged.

The family vacated the room, leaving her alone to pack. Unable to grasp the situation, Victoria sat down on the bed. It had to be a nightmare! It couldn't be true! At the same time she knew it was happening. Suppressing her tears, she began to empty her wardrobe and dressers, putting everything in some bags. She wished Diego and his father were there to help her, but they went to Santa Barbara for a few days and wouldn't return before tomorrow.

Z Z Z

Later in the evening, Zorro knocked on the window before he opened it to climb inside. "Querida," he whispered into the dark room.