Luis Ramon's Files

Ignacio looked down at his growing list. It was a start. The start of what he couldn't say. It was getting darker. Soon it would be night. He sighed, and looked up. He half expected Zorro to be lounging in his unique way in the doorway, with the sabre drawn. No one was there.

"Mendoza!" He yelled, immediately impatient. The soldier ran headlong into the room, with his sword drawn. Mendoza had assumed he was under attack. He sighed, and watched as Mendoza patted himself down. The sergeant seemed flustered.

"I need all of the files on Zorro. I know Alcalde Ramon had files. I'd like to see them. All of them," Ignacio said softly.

"There are many files, Alcalde," Mendoza said a little doubtfully. Ignacio felt his frustration levels rise. The sergeant was considering refusing a direct order, he was sure of it.

He remembered something his mother used to say, a very long time ago. She had died when he was ten, so it had been a while. She had said, "Ignacio, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.." or something similar. He had never understood why someone would want to catch flies anyway, and had lost the point. Ignacio remembered her smile and her kindness, even in the face of his father's inevitable drunken rages. She had died in childbirth – his youngest sister had survived, but his beloved mother had not. He had never forgiven his sister, never.

"Please, Mendoza. It may help us to locate him," Ignacio said. 'Please' grated on his nerves.

"He saved Don Diego. I think he's better left alone," Mendoza said thoughtfully.

Ignacio glared at him. So much for honey! "Mendoza, the files! Now!" He bellowed. "Consider your pay docked by half this week!"

The sergeant was pushing his luck lately, ever since he had saved him from Risendo's mad fury. He acted more like a brother than an underling, and it would not be tolerated.

Mendoza gulped and ran. He was soon back with the files. He carried a pile, and two lancers carried two more. Ignacio frowned. There was a lot of work there. He watched as the soldiers placed them carefully on the desk.

If he read them well, he would be able to find clues his predecessor had missed. Ramon had been a hot head, greedy for land and power. A lot like himself, really, when he thought about it. Ignacio picked up the first file. They were in order – it was the first instance of Zorro's interference in Los Angeles.

Luis Ramon had been punishing men for not paying their taxes, by forcing them into hard labour. Something Zorro would never stand for now. Ignacio had dared once and then had dropped it. It was a sore point with Zorro – slavery of any kind.

Victoria Escalante had been formenting rebellion in the tavern and had been arrested. Don Alejandro had punched Luis Ramon in the face, and earned himself a cell as well. So far so good. Ignacio could see why they had been punished. It would discourage revolt and rebellion if Ramon was seen to be harsh on his opposition. A powerful caballero forced to support the Alcalde under pain of death was a tactic that seemed fesible to Ignacio. He wouldn't try it himself. He had enough trouble with Zorro as it was.

Don Diego had protested his father's arrest. Understandably. Diego had protested most ardently, and aggressively. Interesting. Ramon had threatened removal of land and removal of wealth, if there was an uprising amongst the caballeros. Ramon added in the file that Diego's eyes had been thunderous with rage, but the young man had left his office in full control of his temper. Diego's eyes were never thunderous, Ignacio thought. Were they?

Ramon stated in his notes that Don Diego had only just returned from Madrid. His first day back, and he just needed to know where he stood. Ignacio thought it was a reasonable tactic. It sounded out the young man, and revealed him to be a man of words, not heroic deeds. He had been incredibly angry, and the potential had been there to stage a revolt. The caballeros followed the de la Vegas in all things. Diego would merely have had to say the word, and he would have had an army behind him. Luis Ramon was only one man after all.

Luis Ramon had left a note at the bottom of the page: "see other section re Diego de la Vega". Ignacio smiled. Ramon had had issue with the young man as well. There were files on Don Diego as well as Zorro.

Zorro had released the two prisoners that very night. Easily overpowering the garrison, it had been repeated over the years. The following day Ramon had retaliated with an attempt at hanging the pair. Zorro had responded with a flying machine, resembling a bat, and putting the entire garrison into trembles. He had his magnificent stallion, and his fine sabre and he was definitely there to stay.

He glanced up from the notes. Zorro is… He paused. Zorro is a magnificent horseman. Zorro is a trained sabre master. Zorro is committed to freedom of the people. Zorro is attached to Victoria Escalante. Zorro defends Alejandro de la Vega. Zorro is incredibly smart. Zorro is injured. Zorro's first appearance… Ignacio looked up, and sighed. Zorro's first appearance was the first day Diego appeared in the pueblo after many years.

Diego is… Ignacio wrote and bit his lip. Diego is tall. Diego is injured. Diego is wealthy. Diego was educated in Spain. Diego is the son of a magnificent horseman and swordsman. Diego is believed to be in love with Victoria Escalante. Diego would defend his father, obviously. Diego is committed to the freedom of the people. Diego is incredibly smart. Diego's first appearance coincides with the first appearance of Zorro. He wrote down these things quickly, without much thought. On rereading the points, he shuddered with the clear evidence before him. He had no need to read any further. Diego was Zorro.