THE END OF INNOCENCE
Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Zorro Production Inc does - I just like to play with the characters.
Plot - Was it just a simple case of a kidnapping gone horribly wrong, or was there more to it, than anyone expected.
For Diana's facebook story challenge - "Death in The Pueblo" with the following points: 1 - someone must die or be presumed dead, 2 - a lace hanky, 3 - Zorro must use his whip, 4 - mention of Albondigas soup and 5 - the alcalde must be in a jail cell.
This is a somewhat darker story than I normally do.
Chapter 1
A small but solemn group of people had gathered in and around the dusty plaza, all waiting for any news on the abduction. The alarm had been sounded, just after siesta the previous day, and ever since then, a number of search parties, made up of lancers and groups of concerned citizens, had gone out looking but each had returned, with no trace of the kidnappers or the victim. And now, the people were hoping against hope, that Zorro would have success, where others had not.
Then, in the quietness of the plaza, a single loud gasp rang out, causing people to first turn in the direction of woman who had cried out, and then, in the direction she was looking. Then they too, let out gasps of horror, of shock and sadness, at what they saw. They slowly crossed themselves, as they watched the lonely figure approaching the pueblo, on horseback, from the south. They had their answer; an answer they had not wanted.
Zorro slowly rode Toronado into the plaza, carefully cradling a body in his arms. There was sadness to his features, but underneath, a fury was building within him. A raging fury against the person, or people, responsible for this death. As he reached the centre of the plaza, a middle aged woman stepped forward from the crowd and carefully approached him. He pulled Toronado to a halt, and the woman reached out and reverently draped her white lace handkerchief over the pale face, before she murmured a prayer and made the sign of the cross.
Zorro gently urged Toronado onwards, passed the cuartel and the people gathered outside the tavern, and finally to the mission, where Father Benitez was waiting.
"Come inside, Zorro." Father Benitez said quietly, as he gazed up at the masked man.
Zorro did not reply, as he carefully dismounted and carried the body inside the chapel, where he lowered the still form onto a low wooden bench, at the rear of the building. He felt a surge of guilt, of anger, which was growing in intensity, at the notion that de Soto might be behind this death. And, if it were proven that de Soto did have a hand in it, then his rage would know no bounds.
"Don't do anything foolish, my son." Father Benitez consoled, as he noticed Zorro's fists tightened in anger, "Don't take a life, for a life."
Zorro said nothing but gazed down at the body one last time, promising himself that he would not rest until the killer or killers were punished. Then he turned and strode purposefully out of the chapel and made his way towards the Alcalde's office, his rage simmering within him.
De Soto was sitting at his desk, eating his lunch and reading the latest edition of their weekly newspaper, the Los Angeles Guardian. He snorted in derision as he read the editorial, in which Diego de la Vega criticized his attempts to properly administer the pueblo's funds, "What would he know about it?" he scoffed, "He doesn't have try to balance expenditure, with the limited funds allocated to each pueblo, without raising taxes to make up the short fall."
He shook his head and turned the page, when suddenly, a black whip lashed out and ripped the paper from his hand, "What!" he exclaimed, as he leapt to his feet, partly in fright and partly in anger, when he saw who it was, "Zorro. How dare you!"
"Enjoying your Albondigas soup, Alcalde?" Zorro growled, his voice low and menacing, as he quickly recoiled his whip and he unsheathed his sword before de Soto even had a chance to reach for a weapon.
"As a matter of fact, I was." replied de Soto, as he found himself at the business end of a Toledo steel blade.
"Too bad," Zorro replied coldly, "Enjoying a meal may be the last thing you'll ever do. Now, this is what I want you to do, de Soto. You are going to lock yourself into one of your cells, until your innocence can be determined."
De Soto frowned, "What are you talking about? My innocence! Over what?"
Zorro's eyes narrowed, as he pressed his sword against de Soto's chest, "You know full well what!"
De Soto swallowed nervously, as he understood the meaning behind Zorro's words, "You have found...dead...?"
"Yes. I. Did." Zorro replied, stressing each word, with a slash into de Soto's jacket, marking him with his trademark z.
"But...but...I...had no part in that." de Soto stammered, as he felt the blood drain from his face.
"I hope for your sake, that is true," Zorro replied, "Now move." he ordered, as he gestured with his sword, for the other man to move to the doorway.
"You'll pay for this, Zorro." de Soto threatened, as he opened the door that lead to the cells and walked through.
"Not as much as you will, if I discover that you played a role in the kidnapping and murder," Zorro replied, as he followed de Soto, "Get in the cell." he ordered before he grabbed the keys off the wooden peg.
De Soto fumed silently; he had no choice but to obey; he was unarmed and Zorro had the upper hand, for the moment. He walked into his own cell and turned around just as the cell door slammed shut in his face.
"Don't bother calling for Mendoza or any of the other lancers to release you," Zorro said coldly, as he locked the door, "For you are safer in here, than out in public."
"Are you threatening me, Zorro?" de Soto growled.
"No, but the people may," Zorro replied, as he replaced the keys on the hook, "I cannot be everywhere, alcalde, so if you value your life, you will remain locked up here." he added before he turned and left the room, leaving behind a worried man.