CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT – 'Government' Business
After the basic polite formalities were taken care of, Don Luis got down to business.
"I am glad to meet you Don Alejandro and Don Diego because what you tell me today will have great impact on the decisions I need to make within the next twenty-four hours."
"We will try to be as helpful as possible," said Don Alejandro. "Tell us, what business are you in?"
"Government business."
At this, Diego tried to swallow without showing his internal discomfort, but not being able to quite become his former bland self, he said, with some degree of concern, "And what kind of government business, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I may as well tell you, I'm a representative of the Governor and I'm here to investigate the deaths of the King's Emissary Risendo and his Lieutentant Hidalgo. My secondary purpose is to also investigate Zorro and the Alcalde on behalf of the king. But please, don't tell anyone. I don't want the Alcalde to know who I am yet."
At the mention of Zorro, Diego shifted in his chair, appearing to try to get more comfortable.
Don Luis continued. "Don Alejandro, I understand that the King's Emissary turned out to be some sort of long-lost son of yours. Is that true?"
Don Alejandro looked down a moment, then he looked Don Luis straight in the eye. "Yes, that is true. Just about ten days ago, there was a confrontation at our hacienda, and uh, the Emissary, my son Gilberto, who I had never seen before he arrived in the pueblo, was killed. Our alcalde shot him, because Gilberto was about to shoot my son, his brother, Diego – here…" He turned his attention to Diego a moment. "…who had already been wounded in the arm during the swordfight. I do not blame the alcalde. I am in his debt for saving Diego's life."
"Tell me more about your alcalde. What kind of a man is he?"
Diego spoke up with that. "Ignacio De Soto and I were both at the University of Madrid at the same time, almost ten years ago, although he was older than I. After our former alcalde, Luis Ramone died, Ignacio took his place after a few months. We were hoping he'd be a better ruler than Ramone, but in fact, except for only a few good things he's done, he has turned out to be almost worse than Ramone – still an oppressor and tyrant."
Alejandro continued, picking up where Diego left off. "He often imposes new taxes and public floggings or false arrests just to trap Zorro. You said you were also investigating Zorro. If it weren't for him, this pueblo would probably have gone under five years ago. He comes to our defense when the alcalde is unjust, and he also helps our soldiers in the capture of bandits and other lawbreakers."
"Really? Who is he? I think I'd like to meet him. All kinds of stories have circulated about him in Monterrey – and in Madrid, most of them bad. But I have an open mind," Don Luis questioned, with sincere interest.
Diego raised his eyebrows at that, then replied, "Zorro is unpredictable and a hard man to get to know. No one knows who he is. We are kept safe because his identity is a secret. Many attempts have been made to trap him and discover his identity. All have failed. He is a very intelligent man, with eyes and ears everywhere. His only desire is for peace and justice. I think he would like nothing better than to retire, so to speak, but the Spanish government must understand that if they're going to continue to send colonial commandants who are despots – someone has to stand up on behalf of the people. For Los Angeles, that is what Zorro does."
Alejandro continued. "Zorro is a hero to our people, because he works for the people. He stands for justice and truth. I don't know how the pueblo would have survived without him the past five or so years. I for one, am very happy he is around."
Don Luis asked, even though he knew the answer. "Is he still around? I heard he'd not been seen for quite some time. I heard he was dead. Someone said they heard he was buried in an avalanche."
Diego looked at Alejandro, then to Don Luis. "I was told that by the Emissary shortly before he…died."
Don Luis leaned his chin on his hand. "This has been a very difficult time for your family, I understand. What can you tell me about it?"
Don Alejandro sighed. "When Diego was born, there were evidently twins. The midwife we hired to help my wife at the end of her pregnancy was a bitter, angry, and jealous woman who evidently discovered my wife was having twins. She stole one, the Emissary, and raised him to hate Diego and me, hoping for a chance to get revenge because life had not given her children. And she saw a chance to come into some money, I believe. By raising Gilberto as her own, and him being the de la Vega heir, she could finally live 'easy' – so to speak."
Don Luis shook his head, while still holding his chin. "That's insane."
"Yes. I believe she is."
Diego interjected. "I believe that Gilberto Risendo asked for the king's appointment as emissary to collect a special war tax – just so that he could come here and execute his mother's vengeful plan to place Gilberto as the heir to Father's estate, then kill us so they could live out their lives in luxury. I'm just thankful that he wasn't successful, because if he had been, both Father and I would be dead."
Alejandro added. "And my son here, was wounded in the fight with the Emissary. This is his first day in town since this all happened ten days ago."
Don Luis looked at Diego with an empathetic expression when he saw how Diego tried to let his arm fall naturally, but still held it somewhat awkwardly, close to his torso, even though he was not wearing a sling. Don Luis was silent a moment, then continued. "I just have one more question, if you don't mind."
Don Alejandro said, "Certainly, what is it?"
Don Luis said, "Who can tell me what really happened to Lieutenant Julian Hidalgo?"
Diego replied, "As I understand it, there were two witnesses to Hidalgo's death. I heard this from Felipe, who was in the house at the time. Felipe is a deaf-mute orphan who's lived with us for many years. He communicates through sign language. We're adopting him as my younger brother. He told us that the alcalde was there, he was there, but not in the same room – he didn't see what happened – and Zorro. I believe the official report is that Zorro killed Hidalgo, but Felipe said he thinks it was an accident. That before he slipped away, Zorro told him that."
Don Luis smiled. "Zorro, huh? And where can I find this – Zorro – that is – if he's still alive?"
Diego replied again. "One doesn't just ask to see Zorro. But if he's alive, Senorita Escalante will probably know about it. Often though, Zorro 'hears' about things, and will seek out the person seeking him."
Don Luis thought a moment. "Yes, yes I believe Senoria Escalante – uh – will know. And…I hope he 'hears' I'd like to speak with him." He didn't know why, but he felt he shouldn't let on what he knew.
He continued, looking at both de la Vegas. "Thank you. I appreciate your time." He rose to leave.
At that moment, Alcalde De Soto and Sergeant Mendoza entered the tavern. Mendoza pointed to Don Luis and De Soto strode over to him with haste. Mendoza followed.
"Senor, my information was that you were to arrive tomorrow. You're here early. Let me welcome you to Los Angeles. I am Ignacio De Soto, Alcalde of Los Angeles." He noticed the de la Vegas. "Don Alejandro, Diego, nice to see you today. Are you well, Diego?"
Diego replied, "I am better, gracias." Looking to Merced, Diego looked at him as if to ask permission to introduce him to De Soto. He gave a slight nod. "Ignacio, this is Don Luis Merced, a representative of the Governor."
"Senor Merced, I am very glad to meet you."
"Alcalde De Soto, as it is getting late in the day, I will meet you in your office tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. We can talk then." Merced turned on his heel, and went upstairs.
Don Alejandro and Diego got up from the table. Alejandro waved his riding gloves and said, "Nice to see you Alcalde, Sergeant. We have to be getting home now, right Diego?"
"Yes Father, I am getting rather tired…and it's not an excuse, it's the truth."
"I never thought otherwise, son. You're still recuperating."
They left a rather astonished alcalde and sergeant behind.
TBC
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