CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – Zorro Sightings

Nine days after the death of the Emissary, Sergeant Mendoza was veritably bursting at the seams with the news. He ran to the tavern, and sought out Senorita Escalante. It was lunchtime, and the tavern was full of customers.

"Senorita, for a plate of your excellent tamales, I may have some good news for you."

Victoria smiled. "Absolutely Sergeant – I'll be right back with a plate for you." As she went behind the curtain to get Mendoza the tamales, she sensed someone come up behind her. She whirled!

"Zorro! Oh Zorro! You're alive! I thought you were dead!" She ran to him, and he caught her in his arms and kissed her.

"If I were to let that happen, we could never be together, mi amor!" And he kissed her again, his eyes brimming with love.

Victoria melted in his arms. As she grabbed his right arm, she felt him stiffen a bit, and he shifted his arm so that her grip would slide down a bit. But she was so excited to see him, she didn't notice.

"Oh! But this is not a good time. I've got customers. Sergeant Mendoza is waiting for tamales. He says he might have some good news for me. Can you hide for a while until I find out what he knows?"

"Of course, I'll wait. But I had to let you know that I'm not dead."

Victoria couldn't help it. "It's been so long. I was so worried!"

"I know. I came as soon as I could. I'm sorry. I hope you'll let me make it up to you."

"I'm just so glad you're here…give me a few minutes to hear Mendoza's news, and I'll be right back."

He drew her in for one more kiss that left them breathless. She picked up Mendoza's tamales and went back to the main room.

After she left, Zorro put his left hand up to his right arm and gently rubbed it. It was healing well, the infection gone, but it was still tender to the touch. Even the bandages had been scaled down so they weren't as thick, but anytime it was bumped or handled, it hurt. He sought a dark corner of the kitchen, found a stool, sat down, and waited. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait long, he was tired already. He took his hat off and put his head back against the corner and closed his eyes. His head started to pound. Maybe I should have waited another day, but I just couldn't. Hurry Victoria.

In the main room, Victoria brought Mendoza's plate and sat down across the table from him. She couldn't help it, she was glowing. So was the sergeant. He didn't notice her glowing, but she noticed his.

"Now Sergeant, what is your good news?"

"The Alcalde told me that a representative of the Governor is coming in two days to investigate the Emissary's death. That can only be good news, can't it?"

"I believe it will be good news for the people, and for the de la Vegas."

Mendoza's smile started to fade. "Oh…I hope it will also be good news for the Alcalde. When he told me about the letter he got from the Governor's office yesterday, I could tell he was worried."

Victoria snickered. "As well he should be for all his oppressive policies. However, he did save Don Diego's life, and the Governor should take that into account."

"And how is Don Diego? Did you see him yesterday?"

"No, not yesterday, but several days ago. He seems to be gaining strength, but still tires easily." She rose. "Thank you for telling me your news, Sergeant. It will be interesting to see what comes of this 'investigation.'"

Victoria tried to nonchalantly hurry back through the curtains and looked for Zorro. She saw him sitting in the shadows with his head back against the wall.

"Zorro, are you all right?"

"Si, mi amor, I am just a bit tired."

"You have been ill, haven't you? Is that why you couldn't come to see me? Because I heard you were buried under a pile of rocks in Diablo Canyon. Were you injured?"

"Yes, I was injured, but I couldn't wait any longer to see you. I must get back soon…while I still can. What did Mendoza say?"

"He said a representative from the Governor's office is coming in a couple of days to investigate the death of the Emissary. He thinks it could be good news, but the Alcalde is worried."

"I can see why." Zorro rubbed his head a moment. "I am sorry, but I must go. Gracias, Victoria."

"When will I see you again?" Victoria looked unhappy.

"Soon, I promise." Zorro left Victoria in the kitchen, wondering. You'd think she would notice, he thought. But she doesn't seem to be able to connect 'us' – because she sees two people, unconnected, not one man who presents himself two ways. He shook his head as he walked back to Toronado. But that's how I want her to see me…it's a good thing – for now – it keeps her safe...but it does get tedious sometimes. I want to tell her all – but there has to be a 'right time' – I hope I recognize it when it comes.

Z

Zorro knew this visit was dangerous, but he just had to let Victoria know he was all right. And he would have been better if she hadn't inadvertently grabbed his arm. Nothing re-opened, but it ached – and that made his head swim. He needed to get home as soon as possible before his father missed him, and went looking for him.

He mounted Toronado and as quietly, but quickly as possible, snuck out of the pueblo and rode home.

Z

De Soto happened to be looking out his window and saw Zorro ride out of the pueblo, but he didn't call for the lancers. He knew that by the time they scrambled for pursuit, Zorro would be long gone. So, Zorro had to come see his tavern wench – probably to let her know he was still alive. That meant he'd also heard the rumors regarding his supposed death.

Well, capturing Zorro will have to wait until tomorrow, thought the Alcalde. I've got to get my ducks in a row for the Governor's Representative. He had talked to Mendoza about it, but he would also have to talk with the de la Vegas again. For some reason, he wasn't looking forward to that.

He thought more about Diego de la Vega possibly being Zorro. Things seemed to add up, and yet he just couldn't bring himself to believe that de la Vega could be that good an actor as to present himself so differently. He didn't think Diego had that much guile. After all, he'd played Jesus, hadn't he? Even though De Soto was Catholic by faith, he wasn't that strong in it, but instead followed Machiavelli for his life philosophy. Zorro was a strong man, he thought, but Diego de la Vega, the ineffective, incredibly useless man? No, it just couldn't be. The Emissary must have meant something else when he was cut off before finishing. I had to do it – even for a weak man like Diego. De Soto's thoughts went somewhere else after that.

TBC

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