CHAPTER TWO – Guessing Game

Dr. Jackson Barton could hardly wait to get to Los Angeles. It was a new start for him…new people, new place. Misunderstandings with the hospital administrator in Boston were a thing of the past.

He was careful not to breathe in the dusty, desert air too deeply. He took out a handkerchief to create a filter when the dust kicked up too much. It would be another three days to Los Angeles, but his anticipation for freedom and a new life made him smile. Dr. Barton loved the practice of medicine. He had devoted his life to it. While traveling in England, France, and Spain two years ago, he eagerly watched as the physicians held important and responsible positions in the community. They were well respected.

Yes, Jackson thought, this will be a new start. This time, it has to work out. This time, they will appreciate what I do for them, and they will thank me. This time there should be no trouble. I'll be the only doctor. I'll answer to no one.

Z

Diego and Dr. Hernandez met in the doctor's pueblo office, just off the plaza. "Diego, I'm giving you your medical file to review. I think you're going to want to make some corrections to it."

Diego looked puzzled. "Why would I do that? I'm sure you've kept accurate records. You've been doctor here since I was a little boy – at least thirty years."

"Si, and I've enjoyed every minute of my time here. I wanted a small-town practice after Monterey." Hernandez held out the file.

Reluctantly, Diego took it. "But Doctor, why should I revise my file?"

Hernandez gave him a knowing look that pierced Diego as sharply as if he'd been run through with a sword. "Because Diego – the new doctor may find evidence of unexplained and untreated injuries if he examines you. I thought maybe you'd like to do something about that…"

"Oh…I see." Diego's expression looked like the cat that ate the canary. He gulped, then was silent a moment. It was an awkward silence, and neither man knew exactly how to break it. Finally, Dr. Hernandez whispered, "It's all right Diego. I've known for a long time. This most recent untreated escapade was confirmation for me. I was in the plaza when Tornado was rescued."

Diego's eyes widened, but he looked away. "I – I – don't know what to say."

"Diego, I wanted to see you today, because we don't know the new doctor; we don't know if he can be trusted. All physicians take the Oath of Hippocrates, which binds us to 'keep secret' things we learn in the performance of our duties, but a little knowledge in the wrong hands, could do you great damage – even take your life. If Dr. Barton was to suspect you, or get greedy for the reward…"

Diego swallowed. "This is more serious than I thought." He put a hand on Hernandez's shoulder. "Thank you, Doctor, I will examine the file and bring it back to you with my notes tomorrow morning."

"Please, make your revisions quickly. Doctor Barton is due anytime within the next week or so. I want to have everything ready for him. There will be a two-week period of transition between the two of us, but basically, once he's here – I'm on my way out – except for social occasions, of course. I'm not leaving the area; I'm just retiring from active practice."

"Doctor Hernandez, you have truly been a blessing to this pueblo. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for saving my father and Victoria's lives when they were shot – and for helping me – when I fell into Cayon Perdido."

"Now see – there's an example. That concussion of yours was way too severe to have occurred falling off an old mare – but I'm going to leave that entry the way it is – because no one will be the wiser. Let's hope that neither you nor Zorro is going to need medical attention for a while after Dr. Barton comes."

"Amen to that, Doctor. Zorro still rides to catch outlaws – but we've been lucky so far…and bounty hunters have been un-lucky so far…" Diego shook the kindly doctor's hand, and left with his file under his arm.

Z

Diego took the file over to the newspaper office and put it in his desk drawer. He headed for the tavern. He knew Victoria would probably be watching him like a hawk, after their conversation. But she'll probably be watching all the men who even remotely resemble Zorro as well, he thought, trying to see just which one of us Zorro is. He chuckled to himself. This will be interesting, he thought. Will she guess me – or someone else? He wasn't exactly sure how he thought about that.

One part of him wanted her to guess his identity, so he wouldn't have to tell her and risk her rage and rejection. The other part was afraid she wouldn't guess him, because he stood no chance with her.

He set aside his thoughts as walked into the tavern for lunch.

Z

Victoria watched as Diego entered. Si, he could be Zorro, she thought. I've thought this for quite some time, but every time I think it – he does something so opposite…hmmmm…maybe he does that on purpose. He bears watching – but I don't want to let on that I'm watching him too closely. I'll treat him as I've always have – for now.

"Hola, Don Diego. What can I get you? Is anyone joining you?" Victoria asked him as she watched him walk to his favorite table by the large, thick pillar. It seemed he glided as he walked. He's very graceful, even in his walk. I don't think I ever noticed that before. And yet, I know that Zorro is also graceful – in all his movements. But I've seen Diego be so clumsy sometimes. Maybe it's an act, she thought. I've heard in order to look clumsy when you're really not; you have to be really graceful. When she saw his eyes turning her direction after he sat down, she looked away. She didn't want him to catch her watching him.

Diego raised his hand to get Victoria's attention. "Hola, Victoria. I think I'd like some chicken enchiladas – that is – if you have any today." Diego smiled. Yeah, she's watching me, he thought. I'll watch her, too. "And no – I'm alone." He looked around. Most of the lunch crowd had already left and the tavern was nearly empty.

"Would you like to join me, Victoria? I could use the company." And, give you another reason to watch me, he thought. And me another reason to look at your beauty.

"Gracias, Don Diego. I'll be happy to join you when the orders are ready. After all, a working girl's got to eat, doesn't she?" Victoria couldn't be more pleased. I just need to keep watching – to make sure I'm not wrong.

Z

Temporary alcade Jaime Mendoza sat at 'his' desk, doing paperwork. He hated this part of the job. He always had. He liked supervising the garrison, but he especially liked meal times, and interacting with the citizens of the pueblo. If public relations had been invented, Mendoza would be a natural. Alcalde De Soto was recalled to Spain to account for the deaths of Emissary Risendo and his assistant, Lieutenant Julian Hidalgo. Even though De Soto had written detailed reports to Monterey, including statements from the de la Vegas, the governor thought it best that the King hear in person De Soto's reports.

Mendoza was made Acting Alcalde until a new appointment from Spain would arrive – or De Soto was sent back. The likelihood of that was remote, however. Mendoza had been acting alcalde before – and although he liked the 'importance' of it – he really didn't like most of the job.

I think I will ask Don Alejandro to help me again, he thought. He also was a temporary alcalde. Between the two of us, Pueblo de Los Angeles ought to be able to run smoothly until a new alcalde arrives. Even though he sometimes liked to 'pretend' the alcalde's desk was 'his' desk, he wasn't sure it ever would really be 'his' desk.

"Ay Chihuahua!" he exclaimed out loud, as he felt a sharp pain in his lower right side. It must be indigestion, he thought. He hardly ever got indigestion. But it was never like this. It subsided after a couple of seconds, and he forgot about it.

Z

Victoria brought her and Diego's lunches to the table. Then she brought a pitcher of juice and she poured them both glasses. She usually waited until the tavern had mostly cleared out before she ate her meal. She enjoyed her conversations with Diego. Since his brother's death, it seemed he had opened up more to her, and what she heard, she liked. That's why her suspicions about who he really was grew almost daily.

"Diego, what do you think will happen now that Alcalde De Soto is gone?" She asked between mouthfuls.

Diego was just finishing chewing his mouthful, so he motioned to his mouth, and made an "um-um" sound – to let her know he'd speak in a moment. It gave him a chance to think of an answer.

He took a drink of juice after swallowing his mouthful, and cleared his throat. "What do I think will happen now – that De Soto's gone?" He was silent a moment. She could see the wheels turning in his head.

"Honestly, I don't know, Victoria. I'm hopeful. I'm very hopeful that Spain will send us an alcalde who isn't a tyrant. They may even promote Sergeant Mendoza."

"Then Zorro could keep his promise to me," she said, watching him carefully for any kind of response. She didn't see one, but then she was beginning to believe Diego was very good at hiding himself.

They had grown closer since all that business with the Emissary. She knew by the way he spoke, how he looked when he shared his heart…how he felt about losing a brother…the shock of having a twin brother, his arm injury, how long it took to heal, how frustrating that was, how Alcalde De Soto had saved his life – how he felt about all these things – and more.

Victoria thought, it took some time to get Diego to share his feelings – but it drew us closer together…as friends only…for now. It's almost as if we're on the verge of becoming more than friends, but haven't quite crossed over the bridge yet. Maybe it's because it's hard for me to merge the two men as one in my mind. My heart has belonged to Zorro for so long… I've always had feelings for Diego… and I am fairly certain he is my masked man. What do I do about it?

"Yes, I suppose he could. But isn't it also possible that Zorro's fight for justice may never be over – at least not for a long while?" Diego asked. "What do you think, Victoria? What have the two of you decided about that? Have you talked about it?" He smiled to himself, knowing the answer.

Victoria weighed her answer in her mind before she said it. "He is still worried about the price on his head," she said. "But…"

"But what?" Diego was intrigued. He couldn't wait to hear what she had to say.

"But – we're still going to try to find a way to be together."

"Really? And how will you do that?" Diego feigned surprise. Victoria wasn't sure if the expression was real or not. She still hadn't learned to 'see through' Diego that much yet.

"Well…he said he could 'court' me – as himself – his 'real' self."

"Really!" Diego parroted himself. "I didn't know you were open to courtship. If I thought…"

"Thought what, Diego?" She saw the look of hope register a moment across his face.

Diego cleared his throat nervously. "Well, um, um…" He coughed nervously. "If I thought you were open to courtship – to anyone else other than Zorro…"

Victoria laughed. "Diego, are you saying you would court me? I didn't know you cared."

Diego's courage wavered with her laughter. He dropped his eyes and looked down. Victoria caught that look of hurt just before he lowered his eyes.

Victoria stopped laughing, but still smiled. It was a smile of caring. "Oh Diego, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It surprised me, that's all. You've never given me any indication you were interested."

Diego's courage returned. "You – never gave indication you'd accept any courtship – other than – Zorro! – with only a couple of exceptions!"

"Are you interested in courting me, Diego?" Victoria asked softly.

Diego looked her in the eye. His expression was sincere. "If I thought I had any chance with you…"

Victoria looked away a moment, then turned her eyes back to him. "You do. We've become closer in the last several months. I know we've been just friends, but I so appreciate you sharing your feelings about your brother and what happened that day. And Diego, you've always – had a chance."

"Really? Even with Zorro in the picture – I've had a chance. I don't think so. You've barely noticed me, Victoria. You barely gave me any attention at all…except more recently." Diego looked at her incredulously.

"That's because you've never given me any attention of that sort, either. You played the gracious host with Amanda Herrera, and I know that…" Victoria's blood was beginning to boil with the memory.

"Wait just a minute, Victoria. If you think about that last statement, you'll realize how outrageous your implications are." Diego could see that Victoria's jealousy was beginning to get out of hand.

"Outrageous! Outrageous! Oooohhhhh!" she growled in frustration, and practically slammed her hand on the table, but as she didn't want to attract attention from the remaining few customers, she held her temper as best she could.

"Victoria, Senorita Herrera's stay in our hacienda was perfectly innocent. She held open court every evening outside in the garden. She had many suitors…oh! You're jealous! You were jealous, weren't you? No wonder you were angry with me! You thought…it's outrageous!" Diego chuckled.

Victoria looked around. The tavern was completely empty. She had dismissed her helpers just before Diego came in. Everyone had paid for their meals already and table-by-table, the customers drifted out the door. But the door was still open.

"Excuse me a moment, Diego." Victoria tried to get her emotions under control. "Please don't leave. But I do need to lock the doors for siesta. I – I think it's time we had open and honest communication between us." Victoria smiled a small smile – but the seriousness of her tone of voice belied the smile.

TBC