Chapter 31 – Unexpected
All the main witnesses had initially been summoned to Monterey, but Alejandro de la Vega had used his influence to make a point it would be easier to send an auditor to Los Angeles rather than taking all the witnesses involved to Monterey. He had argued that his son and Juan's widow were too traumatized by the events to travel back to that place. As a result, the specially commissioned Navy Auditor had been sent to hold a hearing in Los Angeles, as most of the witnesses involvedresided there. His role was to collect all the facts and information related to the case, and report back to the judge in Monterey, who had the authority to press charges and prosecute any suspects.
The auditor had been trying to find a suitable, large enough room to hold the public hearing, with little success as Los Angeles didn't have large buildings. The only two places he could possibly use were the church and the tavern. He decided to use the tavern. After all, he was getting only too familiar with it, spending most of the afternoons and evenings there, after he had finished selling goods at the market in the mornings to maintain his cover.
Following their initial confrontation at the market, thwarted by Zorro's intervention, De Soto had kept the distance and hadn't bothered Ernesto anymore with the taxes or any other issues. Free to roam the pueblo, in only a few days the auditor had engaged on trivial conversations with most of the citizens of Los Angeles, one way or another, and had received some juicy gossip about the witnesses.
The auditor was particularly intrigued by Diego de la Vega, the man who had allegedly killed the Russian and was the only direct witness to Juan's death. As everybody agreed over the fact that Diego was a quiet man more interested in his books than in any kind of action, Ernesto could not see a reason why that man would travel to Monterey in a rush, other than love. He had seen cases before when a lover had killed a husband and had managed to blame someone else for the crime. That was one of the avenues he had to explore. However, De Soto was the main suspect in the investigation, as Ernesto had heard on the grapevine that Vladimir was acting under his direct command with the excuse to find Zorro. If the Russian was following orders by the alcalde, De Soto should be the one held responsible.
That morning, sales had been slow at the market stall. There were only a limited number of wooden spoons, bowls and trinkets that could be sold at any one time in a little pueblo like Los Angeles. If Ernesto was a real travelling merchant, he should be moving on to his next destination. Hopefully, the constables and notaries that would help him on the hearing should arrive that afternoon on the stage coach, and he wouldn't need to pretend anymore. With the initial part of his job done, he could progress onto the next stage.
Ernesto watched Diego de la Vega coming out of the newspaper office. He wandered around the market stalls, looking for something. Slowly, he drifted to his stall, where he stopped to look at what he had to offer. Diego lifted one of the spoons to examine it closer. He shook his head, and then he left it delicately back on the counter.
How can this man with such mild manners be responsible for killing the Russian? the auditor thought.It was really beyond him.
"Do you need a spoon by any chance, señor De la Vega?" Ernesto said, smiling politely, with a hint of friendly mockery.
"Well, yes, funnily enough, I do," Diego said, smiling back. "I need to transfer some ink to a smaller container and spread it, and I can't find the little tool I normally use. A spoon would do, but I don't see anything suitable here. Your spoons are too large."
"What about that one?" Ernesto said, pointing to the smallest one. At that moment, they were interrupted by the alcalde.
"Good morning, señor Sauras. Diego."
He saluted both, and then he focused on the merchant, ignoring Diego as if he wasn't there.
"It has been a week since you arrived at Los Angeles, señor, but you still haven't paid any of the taxes. I let you off the hook before in case you came up with the excuse of not having funds in advance, but, after a week of profitable business, I expect you to pay the twenty pesos required. Today. Now."
"Alcalde, I thought Zorro made you understand how unfair and abusive that figure is," Diego said.
"No, he didn't. The taxes are necessary, and a requirement from the King of Spain himself," De Soto said, pompous. Ernesto laughed.
"I don't think the King would mind much if I don't pay today."
"Ignacio, let it go for once in your life. Think about it. Zorro won't like it."
"I don't care what Zorro may or may not like. I'm not afraid of him. Besides, he is not going to show up at the market right now, and you should know that fact perfectly well."
Diego was puzzled by this statement. The alcalde had sounded just like the Russian.
"Should I? How?"
"Never mind. Señor Sauras, pay the twenty pesos now or I'm taking you into custody in jail."
"I am not paying. And I am not going to jail."
Ernesto was delighted to be so irritating, pushing the alcalde to his limits like that.
"For the love of God, Ignacio. You are like a mastín dog. Let it go. If it is that important, I'll pay the twenty pesos," Diego said, leaving the coins at the counter.
"You are not a trader, Diego, or a traveller. He is. He has to pay."
At that moment, the stage coach arrived at the plaza, ahead of schedule.
"Excuse me. I am expecting someone. I'll be back in a moment, and I hope for your own good you have the twenty pesos ready by then."
De Soto left them to approach the large carriage parked at the entrance of the tavern.
"You are very generous. Thank you for your help, but I don't need your money," Ernesto said, returning the coins to Diego.
"Don't worry. Keep them. The alcalde can be really stubborn sometimes, and you don't want to be in trouble with him. I think you better pay the taxes this time."
"I won't be in trouble. But he will."
"How's that?" Why is everybody talking in riddles today? "Is Zorro here?" he said, looking around, pretending interest.
"You'll see, in a minute," Ernesto said with a mysterious smile.
Two large men in uniform got out of the carriage. They were well armed, and looked menacing. Another two rather less muscular men followed, carrying writing tools and a heavy box full of writing paper with the official stamp of the Monterey Court.
"They must be the escribanos for the hearing that is going to take place here next week," Diego said. "And the large ones that look like soldiers should be the alguaciles. But I don't see the auditor. I guess he is the one the alcalde is expecting."
"Shall we help him to find that man?"
Ernesto left the stall and approached the carriage. Diego followed him, intrigued. When they got there, the alcalde had just finished introducing himself to the newcomers.
"So, where is the auditor?" De Soto asked.
"Here he comes," said one of the notaries, with a naughty smile. The alcalde looked around, and into the carriage, but it was empty.
"Where is he?"
He saw the spoon merchant and Diego approaching, but not the auditor.
"I told you to wait there, at your stall," he barked, quite cross.
"I know, but I changed my mind. I want to pay your taxes, Alcalde," Ernesto said, compliant. He addressed then one of the escribanos, who was hardly able to contain his laughter. "González, give me twenty pesos, por favor."
"He doesn't know yet, does he?" the clerk said, laughing openly now while he handed over the money.
"No."
Ernesto turned to face the perplexed alcalde, and threw the coins to his face.
"There, your taxes. With compliments from the King. To be returned to the King."
He turned back and grabbed some of the writing gear González was carrying.
"You must be tired from the journey. Let's get into our rooms at the tavern, and we'll have a drink. I am tired of sleeping in that uncomfortable cart."
"Wait a minute," De Soto said, stepping after them, but he could not get far. The two constables stood in his way, looking serious.
"Going somewhere, Alcalde?"
De Soto tried to push them, but they didn't give in an inch.
"Get out of my way!" he demanded, struggling with them. "What's going on?"
"Ignacio, I think you had just met the auditor," Diego said, laughing too.
The alcalde stopped struggling, when the upsetting truth set in.
"Son of a…"
ZZZ
For the next few days, the auditor was quite busy preparing for the hearing, and he ignored De Soto completely. He ordered Victoria to clear a space in the tavern to accommodate an improvised stand for the witnesses, and selected three of the tables to be used as desks for him and the escribanos to write down the notes of the proceeding. All the other tables, chairs and benches were moved further back, for the public. The hearing would take place in the morning and early afternoons, and the tavern would be running normally at any other times. After all, people would need to eat lunches and have a drink from time to time. Victoria was quite happy with this arrangement, because she would make a substantial profit from it. Nevertheless, she wasn't completely happy about the hearing, because she was dreading the moment when she would be called to the stand to testify.
For the last few weeks, Victoria had been spending more and more time at the tavern, mainly to get away from the Hacienda de la Vega —and Diego. Recently, she would get out in the carriage with her son in the morning for a few hours, and came back in the evening. She wasn't prepared to move to the tavern permanently, because she had other plans. It was a shame that in order to move forward with her life, she will need to talk to Diego about it.
Two days before the hearing, Victoria made up her mind and decided to tell him her plans. She stepped out of the tavern and crossed the street to get to the Guardian's Office. She walked in to find Diego working on the new edition, on his own.
"Hello, Diego. Are you busy right now?"
"Hello, Victoria. No, I am not that busy. Please come in. Do you need anything from me?"
"Yes, I need to talk to you. I have been thinking…" She paused, unsure how to continue.
"Yes? What is it?"
"I'm very grateful for your help and the way you treated me by providing a safe and caring home at the hacienda for me and my son, but I think it's time for us to move on."
She didn't like his sad expression, but she continued with a determination she didn't feel.
"I would like to sell the house in Monterrey and buy another in Los Angeles, close to the tavern. As Juan's will trustee, I would like you to help me with that. As you know, the law doesn't allow me to buy or sell property by myself, and I will need to do it through the albacea. In this particular case, you."
"Of course, Victoria. I can help you. However, think carefully about it, please. Are you sure this is what you want? You can stay at the hacienda for as long as you need. You know that."
"Yes, Diego, thank you. But I have made up my mind."
"My father will be sad to let you go. He is quite fond of little Alejandro."
"You know I named him after your father, of course."
"Yes. It was nice of you to do that."
"Your father may be sad, but I know Cristina will be happy."
Diego looked upset by this comment, frowning.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because it's true, Diego. I know, so don't try to deny it. It's too obvious. She doesn't want me around you."
Diego kept silent, as he didn't know what to say, fidgeting with his writing quill.
"I have a house in mind already, if you want to have a look at it," she said, changing the subject.
"Yes, of course. Whenever you want."
Victoria nodded and walked to the door, to go back to the tavern. Diego stood up and accompanied her to the entrance.
"Let me know when you want to go to see that house."
"Thank you, Diego. I'll see you later."
They both reached for the door at the same time, and their hands met at the handle. The unexpected contact felt like a bolt of lightning for both of them. Victoria lifted her eyes to his and held his gaze for much longer than it should have been appropriate. After a few seconds, Diego took his hand off hers and cleared his throat, flustered and embarrassed.
"Tomorrow, we can go tomorrow," he managed to say in the end, rushing his words. He knew he should get Victoria out of the hacienda as soon as possible, to eliminate such close temptation. The excitement he felt right then could only lead to trouble. Cristina was right to feel jealous, although he would never admit that to her.
"Yes, that would be great. Tomorrow," she agreed, blushing red. She hurried outside, walking to the tavern as fast as she could, even more embarrassed than Diego. Confused by her baffling feelings, she could not understand how it was possible for her to still be in love with her deceased husband; miss him terribly; and at the same time have feelings for another two men: Diego and Zorro.
Oh, my God. Why is this happening? What am I going to do?
ZZZ
De Soto entered the tavern and asked for a glass of brandy. He had been carefully thinking about his position all day. It was very unfortunate he had antagonized the auditor right from the beginning, when he didn't know his identity. His chances to come out clean after the hearing had been reduced significantly because of this. He could only see a way to divert the attention from his role in the murder: to express his suspicions about Zorro's true identity. He had been considering confronting Diego about this issue for a while now, and that afternoon, two days before the hearing, he made up his mind. The alcalde gulped the liquor down, slammed the empty glass at the counter, and then marched purposely to the Guardian's Office. On the way there, he passed Victoria, who walked by in a rush in the opposite direction.
"Good afternoon, señora," the alcalde said, polite. He heard Victoria mumbling a salute, but she didn't even look at him, such was her haste. Crazy woman, he thought.
De Soto reached the newspaper's office and stormed in without knocking at the door. Diego was still standing by the entrance, thinking about Victoria, and he received an unexpected mighty blow right on his face. He staggered backwards, crying out loud in pain.
"Arghh! For Goodness sake, Ignacio! Can't you knock first?!"
His nose started to bleed profusely, and he walked to his desk to get a handkerchief, with blood already staining his expensive white shirt.
"I am sorry, Diego. What the hell were you doing standing behind the door?"
"And good afternoon to you too, Ignacio," Diego said, disdainful. None of your business, that's what I was doing.
He sat down at the desk with his head back, pressing with the cloth trying to stop the nose bleed. With the acute pain, his eyes spilled involuntary tears he could not stop from flowing down his cheeks.
"Look, I'm sorry, but to be honest, not much," the alcalde said with a broad grin, enjoying the situation. "Hitting your face is just a tiny reward of justice for all the times you have humiliated me."
"Excuse me?" Diego said, confused.
"You know what I am talking about."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do. Only a few days ago, you also made my nose bleed… Zorro."
Diego sat upright again, to be able to look at the alcalde in the eye. De Soto looked dead serious.
"You are not going to start with that nonsense again, are you? I am not in the mood. I am hurt." He reclined back, pretending to ignore him, looking at the ceiling.
"I am serious, Diego. I couldn't believe the Russian before, but now I think he was right. It has to be you. It can't be anyone else."
"Do you want to see my arm again?" Diego said, starting to undo his shirt slowly, one-handed, pretending to be helpful.
"Only if I can scrub off whatever it is you have used to cover the scar."
Diego stopped and looked at De Soto, caught out of words.
"You are insane," he finally said, derisive, buttoning up his blood-stained shirt.
"I am going to testify that you are Zorro," De Soto threatened.
"As you please. But, tell me, how is that going to help you? You sent the Russian there. It is your fault Juan is dead. And he nearly killed me, too. And Victoria. And her son."
"I didn't know he was going to do that. I would not have allowed it, and you know it."
"Really? How would I know that? The only thing I know is that you employed the bounty hunters, who were totally out of control in the pueblo, harassing and hurting everybody. I don't know what you allowed or didn't allow. For example, you allowed that maniac to flog Felipe. And I am not even sure how I managed to survive it all!" Diego was so upset remembering what happened at the plaza, he was shouting, with his face reddening with rage.
"See? The calmed and composed Diego de la Vega would not dare to talk to me like that. Only Zorro would."
"How do you want me to talk then?" Diego held his hand up in a fist, and counted extending his fingers with each sentence: "During the past few months I've been shot; then you put me in jail unnecessarily; then I had my skull cracked open, and I am alive only because I jumped out the way of the bullet that killed Juan Ortiz. Who else should I blame but you, considering the other two are also dead?"
"I should arrest you right now," De Soto said in a cold tone.
"Why don't you, then?" Diego said, slamming his fist on the desk, so enraged he nearly gave up on the pretence.
He held the alcalde's gaze for what if felt like a very long time. De Soto tried to maintain an expressionless face, because he felt confused. Even if Zorro had humiliated him countless times, for some bizarre reason De Soto suddenly felt sympathy for the man in front of him. Listening to his tirade, he even felt guilty for the ordeal Diego had to endure. Images of the Indians beating Zorro up instead of him came to his mind, mixed with that horrible noise Diego's skull had made when the Russian slammed it with his musket. Angry with himself and his weakness, the alcalde averted his eyes from Diego's first.
"I don't know." He looked at the floor for a while, and then lifted his eyes back to Diego, who had managed to calm down a bit in the meantime. "Why did you take the Indian challenge for me?"
"What Indian challenge?" Diego said, raising an eyebrow.
"You know what Indian challenge!" De Soto cried, frustrated. He was frustrated with Diego, with himself, and with the whole world by then.
"Why did you shoot Gilberto?"
"Because I'm stupid. I didn't realize it was you back then. Or I didn't want to believe it. Maybe I should have left him shoot you and none of this would have ever happened. Actually, I could be back in Madrid right now."
"Then, maybe you should have taken that challenge yourself and plunge to your death from that wall, or let the Indians burn you alive," Diego said, extremely calmed this time, with his eyebrow raised high again, "and I certainly would have a few less scars to cover up."
De Soto nodded, understanding, and backed off.
"Do you swear you had nothing to do with the Russian going to Monterey?" Diego said when the alcalde had already opened the door to leave.
"Yes, I didn't know. He only mentioned he was going to Monterey. I didn't realize he was going to hurt Victoria for a confession. After all, that plan had already backfired before."
"All right. Goodbye, Ignacio."
When the alcalde left, Diego slumped on his chair with the blood-stained handkerchief crushed in his right hand.
What the hell did just happen here?
ZZZZZ
…..
Author's notes - you may have realized the time line of the episodes is wrong here, because my story diverged from the official story line of the show in the episode "A New Lease on Love", in season 3, when Victoria married Juan. It is an AU story, which I called "spin-off" from that episode.
Let's just pretend the episodes "Ultimate Justice", "Blind Man's Bluff", and "The Dicovery" happened before, and of course, Gilberto wasn't about to reveal Diego's secret when he died, or things would have been very different. In my story, he never got to say: "…I am not only killing Diego, I am also killing…" And Alejandro was inside helping Felipe and never got to see Diego's swordfight. To suit my story, Don Alejandro has to be clueless about Diego being Zorro. Can you please be that flexible? Thank you.
Many thanks also for your kind reviews. Hope you are enjoying this story. And keep reviewing, please! :D