Diego's Dilemma
Part 7
Sorry for the long wait in posting this next chapter. A lot has been going on in our family. Mostly everyday life things. So here is the next chapter.
Thank you for being so patient in waiting. There are a few more chapters to go. I'll try to get those posted soon. Thanks Again and hope you enjoy this chapter. _
When Felipe and Victoria were out of sight, Diego quickly changed into his caballero clothes, then rode to meet his father.
Alejandro had just arrived at Boulder Creek. He pulled out his gold pocket watch, and looked at the time.
"I wonder where Diego is?" he said looking around.
He put his watch back in his pocket, then looked around once more. Off in the distance, he saw Diego riding toward him, leading two horses with two men tied up and hanging over the saddles. Alejandro stared in amazement.
"What in the world…"
Diego trotted his horse up to Alejandro, and smiled.
"Hola father," he greeted. "It looks like we won't be needing that money after all," he informed his father looking a bit smug.
Alejandro looked at Diego in disbelief.
"Diego, who are those men, and why are they tied up?" he asked.
"Valentino Vargas, and Pedro Pico. They are the ones who kidnapped Victoria," Diego replied.
Alejandro stared at Diego with concern.
"Surely you didn't capture these men by yourself! And where is Victoria?"
Diego shook his head. "Actually, I was on my way to meet you when I met Zorro. He handed me the reins to these horses, and told me to deliver them to the Alcalde. He had Victoria on Toronado and told me that he was going to take her to our hacienda," he informed his father.
Alejandro nodded. "Is Victoria all right?" he asked concerned.
Diego sighed as he prepared to answer his father. At the moment, he couldn't tell his father what really happened to Victoria. It was much too painful.
"She's been through quite a lot emotionally," he replied with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Alejandro shook his head. "Poor Victoria. Thank goodness Zorro is bringing her to the hacienda. We'll take care of her, Diego," he assured his son with compassion.
Diego nodded. "Yes, we will."
They turned their horses around and took Vargas and Pico to town.
A few hours later, Diego and his father trotted their horses with their prisoners in tow, through the entrance of Pueblo de Los Angeles. As they rode up to the Alcalde's office, DeSoto stepped out of his office and looked at them with surprise as he noticed the two men tied up, and slung over their horses that Alejandro and Diego had brought to town.
"Don Alejandro, Don Diego, what are you two doing here? What's going on here? Why have you brought those two men to my office?" he questioned in a suspicious tone.
Diego and Alejandro dismounted. Diego tied the two horses with the criminals to the hitching post, then looked at DeSoto.
"We brought you the two men who kidnapped Senorita Escalante last night," he informed the older man.
DeSoto walked over to the two men hanging over their saddles. As he looked down at their faces, he quickly recognized them as being the two bandits who had ridden into town earlier that day.
"Vargas and Pico? They kidnapped Senorita Escalante?" he asked. Suddenly his face reddened in anger. "Why wasn't I informed about this? Where is Senorita Escalante?" he grumbled.
Alejandro sighed, then looked at DeSoto with concern. He proceeded to tell DeSoto how Diego had received a ransom note from Vargas, stating that he would kill Victoria if he didn't bring him 12,000 pesos. He told the Alcalde that they were afraid to get him and his lancers involved, for fear that Vargas would kill Victoria.
"Don't worry, Alcalde. Zorro not only captured Vargas and Pico, but rescued Senorita Escalante, and is taking her to our hacienda," he concluded with assurance.
DeSoto looked around, then called out to his lancers.
"Lancers! Get these men off of their horses, and put them in jail!" he commanded.
Mendoza, Sepulveda, and Sanchez ran up to the horses and cut the ropes from Vargas and Pico, then took them to jail.
DeSoto turned to Alejandro and Diego, and gave them a stern look.
"You expect me to believe that preposterous story about Zorro saving Senorita Escalante's life? He was probably in on the kidnapping. And by the way, how did you two find these men already tied up?" he inquired as he gave them a look of disbelief.
Diego spoke up. "For one thing Alcalde, Zorro was not in on the kidnapping. I have the ransom note to prove it. As for finding Vargas and Pico, I ran into Zorro as I was on my way to meet father to take the ransom money to Vargas. He had Vargas and Pico already tied up and asked us to bring them to you. He had Victoria with him and was going to take her to our hacienda. Naturally, I told him that we would bring these men in," he replied looking at DeSoto in earnest.
DeSoto took his usual arrogant stance, as he gave Diego a stern look. "Leave it to you de la Vegas to defend Zorro!" he scoffed. He quietly sighed, then looked at him a bit thoughtful. "In any case, bring me that ransom note. If Vargas did write the note, then it will be used as evidence against him. In the future, the next time there is a kidnapping or any such incident, you are to report it to me. We can't have every citizen in this pueblo, taking the law into their own hands. It's my job as Alcalde to protect the citizens of this pueblo, and keep them safe from criminals like those two men, and of course Zorro! Is that clear?" he stated as he glared at Diego.
Diego nodded, then looked at the Alcalde with regard. "Alcalde, Zorro is not a criminal! I just told you that he saved Victoria's life. He even saved your life more than once," he argued in defense.
DeSoto nodded as he looked at Diego with regard. "All right, Diego. Zorro may have saved my life, I'll give you that. But he's still an outlaw! And that will never change," he argued. "Oh yes, tell Senorita Escalante to come by my office, and make a full report of her incident. The more evidence we have against these two men, the quicker we can send them to prison," he added.
Diego looked at DeSoto and sighed. Alcalde, it may be some time before Victoria can make her report. She's been through quite an ordeal. Maybe she can give her report to me, then I'll bring it to you," he requested.
DeSoto nodded. "I understand, Diego. However, it would be better if she told me about her ordeal in person. Let me know when she has recovered, and I'll ride out to your hacienda, and get a statement from her there," he decided.
Diego nodded. "I'll let you know when she's better," he replied.
DeSoto nodded. "Very well. I'll be expecting to hear from you," he replied.
Diego nodded.
DeSoto looked at Diego with compassion. "Give the Senorita my regards, Diego. I hope she recovers soon," he stated in earnest.
Diego nodded. "Thank you Alcalde. I will," he replied.
DeSoto gave a nod, then strolled back in his office.
Diego shook his head and sighed, then turned and mounted his horse.
Alejandro mounted his horse, then looked at Diego with concern.
"Are you all right, Diego?" he asked.
Diego looked at his father anxious.
"I'm just worried about Victoria."
Alejandro smiled. "Don't worry, Diego. She'll be all right. Victoria is a strong woman. With our help, she'll get through this. You'll see," he assured his son.
"I hope you're right," replied Diego wistful. He wished that he could tell his father the truth about her, but he knew that he would find out soon enough.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
As Victoria and Felipe rode up to the de la Vega hacienda, Victoria's eyes widened, as she gazed in amazement at the beautiful house before her.
"Madre de Dios! What a beautiful hacienda!" she exclaimed.
Felipe quickly dismounted, then walked over to Toronado, and held the reins, while Victoria dismounted. As she walked toward the door, Felipe gave Toronado a quick slap on the rump, and the beautiful black stallion bounded away to the cave. Felipe quickly ran up to Victoria, and took her hand, then led her to the side entrance that led to the kitchen.
Maria had just stepped outside to empty her bucket, when she saw Felipe, and Victoria walking up. She gasped in shock, as she saw Victoria's disheveled appearance.
"Madre de Dios! Senorita Escalante, what happened?" she asked with concern.
Victoria shook her head.
"I'm sorry Senorita, but who are you? And who is Senorita Escalante?" she asked with curiosity.
Felipe signed to Maria that Victoria needed food and rest. Maria nodded. She motioned for them to come inside.
"Please come in. You must be very hungry. Come in and sit down, and I will fix you something to eat, you poor girl!" she replied in an amiable tone.
Victoria and Felipe walked into the kitchen, and Felipe motioned for Victoria to sit down at the table. She sat down and waited while Felipe sat a plate, napkin, eating utensils, and a glass before her. Maria brought over a pot of stew, and dipped up a large portion, and served it on her plate. She sat a small basket of freshly baked bread before her, then poured her a cool glass of lemonade.
"Here Senorita. Eat all you want. I am Maria. If you need anything, just let me know," she informed the young tavern owner in her usual kind voice.
Victoria nodded, then began eating. She suddenly found herself eating as if she were starved. This food was much better, than those beans she had eaten, and the bread and lemonade was absolutely delicious. While she ate, Felipe signed to Maria what Diego had told him about Victoria's memory. He asked Maria to fix her a room to stay in.
Maria nodded. "Si, I will fix her a room and help her get cleaned up. You get Doctor Hernandez," she slowly replied to the young boy.
Felipe nodded then left to get the doctor.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
As Diego and Alejandro rode up to the hacienda, they saw Doctor Hernandez's horse and carriage by the gate.
'Thank goodness the doctor is here,' thought Diego and sighed.
Alejandro looked at Diego.
"Diego, what is Doctor Hernandez doing here?" he asked.
"I suppose Zorro sent for him. I'm sure he was worried about Victoria," he informed his father.
Alejandro nodded. "I'm sure you're right," he agreed.
Before the doctor had arrived, Maria had helped Victoria with her bath, and had given her one of Elena's nightgowns to sleep in. Maria had prepared Victoria's room for her, and immediately put her to bed. She took Victoria's dirty clothes and gave them to one of the young servant girls and told her to wash them.
As Diego and Alejandro walked in, they happened to see Doctor Hernandez coming out of Victoria's room. Diego looked at him with concern.
"What's wrong, Doctor Hernandez?" he asked.
"Felipe told me that Zorro had brought Victoria to the hacienda, and that she was hurt. So I came to see what had happened. I just finished examining her. It's obvious that she has been through a terrible ordeal. She has suffered a severe trauma to the head, which has resulted in a concussion. She suffers from dizziness and headaches, and …" Doctor Hernandez paused as he shook his head and reflected a worried look.
Diego put his hand on the kind Doctor's shoulder, and looked into his eyes.
"And what?" he asked anxious.
Doctor Hernandez looked at Diego with concern.
"And I'm afraid she has amnesia. She doesn't know who she is, who I am, or anyone else for that matter. The only thing she remembers is Zorro saving her from these two men. She doesn't even know who they are or why they were holding her hostage. Her memory of the incident is completely blank. She only knows what has happened today. It's as if her past has been erased," he reported with a look of sadness on his face.
Diego dropped his hand from the doctor's shoulder and put his hand to his head, and sighed.
Alejandro inwardly gasped as he looked at Doctor Hernandez with concern.
"Is there a chance that her memory will return, doctor?" he asked in an anxious tone.
Doctor Hernandez shook his head. "I don't know. In most cases, depending on the trauma, most patients' memories do return. It just takes time," he informed them.
"How soon do you think Victoria's memory will return?" Diego asked with concern.
Doctor Hernandez shrugged and shook his head.
"It's hard to tell. It may be days, weeks, months. Sometimes if something very traumatic in their past has happened, then that memory may never return. Sometimes it's a matter of what they want to remember and what they want to forget. The human mind is still a mystery to us. No one knows what goes on in a person's mind. The only thing I can say for sure is, that with plenty of rest, plus time and patience, maybe some of her memory will return. I once read, where having things that were familiar around them, helps too. The main thing is time. She just needs time to recover and rest as well," he stated. "Oh yes, I've given her something for the headaches as well. I'll leave you the medicine, in case she needs more for her headaches," he added.
Diego nodded. "Thank you Doctor. We'll do everything we can to help her," he stated in earnest.
Doctor Hernandez smiled. "I know you will."
"Can we see her?" Diego asked.
Doctor Hernandez nodded. "Yes. I think it will be all right. As I said, she needs rest, so don't stay too long," he cautioned with concern.
Diego nodded. "We won't. Thank you for coming," he replied he replied and smiled.
While Alejandro thanked Doctor Hernandez and paid him, Diego walked back to Victoria's room, and lightly knocked on her door.
"Who is it?" Victoria faintly called out.
Diego felt a heaviness in his heart as he sighed, and prepared to answer her.
"It's Diego de la Vega, Senorita," he informed her. In her state of mind, he wanted to make her feel as comfortable as possible.
Victoria pulled the covers up around her chest and propped herself up on her pillow.
"Come in," she replied trying to sound cheerful.
Diego walked in, and looked at her and smiled. He pulled up a chair beside her bed, and sat down.
"Buenas tardes, Senorita. Welcome to the de la Vega hacienda. How are you feeling?" he asked in his usual warm tone.
Victoria managed a smile. "Much better, thank you. A woman named Maria gave me something to eat and drink. She gave me this beautiful gown to wear, and prepared this lovely room for me to sleep in. You have a lovely hacienda, Senor," she remarked a bit excited.
Diego nodded and smiled. Considering all that she had been through, he thought she still looked beautiful. "Gracias! I'm glad you're feeling better. By the way, Maria is our cook. If you would like something special to eat, I can get Maria to fix it for you. She's an excellent cook," he informed her.
Victoria smiled. "You're right, she is. That stew she made, was delicious," she complimented.
Diego smiled. "Well, I'll tell Maria. She'll be glad to hear that you liked it."
Victoria smiled. She happened to remember that she had not acknowledged her handsome host. "Oh yes, it's very nice to meet you, Senor de la Vega. Thank you for letting me stay here," she replied in an amiable tone.
Diego nodded. "You're very welcome, Senorita. You may stay here as long as you like or as long as it takes for you to recover," he assured her and smiled.
At that moment, Alejandro entered the room. He smiled at Victoria.
"Buenas tardes, Vic…Senorita," he quickly changed his greeting.
Victoria looked at him a bit odd. "You started to call me 'Victoria,' didn't you? Who are you, Senor?" she asked curious.
Alejandro nodded. "Forgive me Senorita, for being presumptuous. I am Alejandro de la Vega, Diego's father," he apologized.
Victoria looked at him thoughtful. "Mucho gusto, Senor. That's what that masked man Zorro who rescued me, called me. And your cook Maria called me Senorita Escalante. Do you know who I am?" she asked looking at Alejandro and Diego with concern.
Diego looked up at his father a bit anxious. Alejandro nodded. Diego looked at Victoria.
"Your name is Victoria Escalante, Senorita," he informed.
Victoria rubbed her head, then looked at Diego and Alejandro curious.
"How do you and your cook and this Zorro know who I am?" she asked.
Diego took her hand and gently pressed it into his.
"Senorita, you have been through a very terrible ordeal. Right now, you need to get your rest. We can talk about all of this later, after you have rested. If there is anything that you need, don't hesitate to ask. My father and I and our servants will be here if you need us," he stated warmly as he gazed into her eyes, and smiled.
Victoria glanced down at him holding her hand, then looked into his eyes and smiled. There was something familiar about him that she couldn't remember. Maybe in time, she would.
"I suppose you're right, Senor. I am rather tired. Thank you for your concern," she agreed. She quietly sighed, and smiled.
Diego released her hand, then rose from his chair, and looked at her once more and smiled.
"Get some rest, Victoria," he stated.
Victoria laid on her pillow and sighed. She looked at Diego and smiled.
"Thank you for telling me my name, Senor. It's a very pretty name, Victoria," she remarked and smiled.
Diego smiled. "You're welcome, Victoria. I agree, it is a very pretty name indeed," he agreed.
Diego and Alejandro walked out her room, then Diego quietly shut the door.
As Victoria closed her eyes, she thought to herself.
If only I could remember!
End of Part 7
