NOTE BY THE ACCOUNT HOLDER: THIS STORY IS NOT MINE!

WRITTEN BY KARLA GREGORY

BOOK 2

Chapter 9 – Face-Off

"You want to do what?" Hidalgo roared as Diego made his decision known. Bernardo was having a hard time pretending not to hear the Capitán. He was becoming afraid that Hidalgo would come across the desk at Diego.

"I want you to release the prisoner, Tomaso, into my custody," calmly repeated Diego, who was feeling anything but calm. "That seems simple enough."

"No! I will not release the prisoner!" said Hidalgo loudly. "He stays right where he is."

Diego took a deep breath. Things had been much simpler when he was Zorro. All he would have had to do was wait until nightfall and slip into the garrison and release Tomaso. But now he would have to convince Hidalgo to do it with his authority as Santiago's representative. "Capitán, need I remind you of the Magistrado's orders? He said I was to have complete authority over the investigation . . . ."

"No, Señor Assistant Deputy Magistrado," said Hidalgo, his tone almost sneering. "You do not need to remind me of His Excellency's orders. I have them right here." He slammed his open hand down upon the paper on his desk. "How the Magistrado could have seen fit to send you here to conduct things in his place is beyond my comprehension. I knew I should have informed him of your last visit here, then he would know what I know about you."

"Oh?" said Diego, his voice dead calm. "And just what do you know, Capitán?" Bernardo edged a little closer to Diego. He knew that tone in Diego's voice. He might have to intervene if things escalated beyond this point. Sometimes, he knew, Diego's sensibilities could be pushed over the limit. What he was going to do, he had not a clue, but he would do whatever it took to protect his young master from Hidalgo. He took off his hat and began twirling it in his hands as he stepped just a little closer to Diego.

Hidalgo leaned over his desk and said, "I know you secretly met with the prisoner the last time you were here. I know you met with Zorro the last time you were here. I know that you rode into his camp." Hidalgo came around his desk to stand face to face with Diego. "What does that say about you, Señor Assistant Deputy Magistrado? Just who is your master? Is it the Magistrado . . . or is it . . . El Zorro?" Hidalgo glared at Diego.

Bernardo could see the tension building in Diego and saw him subtly shift onto the balls of his feet. This was it. Bernardo twirled his hat wildly and let go. It sailed in between the two men, hitting Hidalgo in the chest and falling to the floor. Both men were distracted.

"What . . .?" exclaimed Hidalgo as he looked around. Bernardo feigned innocence as he searched for his hat. Diego reached down to pick up the hat just as Bernardo leaned down to pick it up at the same time, and their eyes met. He saw understanding in Diego's eyes and smiled just for him. Diego picked up the hat and thrust it into Bernardo's hands. Acting like he was annoyed, he gave him a silent signal to move back. Bernardo contritely did as he was told, putting on the air of one scolded.

"You must excuse him, Capitán," said Diego in a more normal tone. "He is a rather simple creature, and prone to make mistakes. I keep him as my personal servant out of sympathy, for no one else would want him." Bernardo wanted to give Diego a look, but dared not.

Hidalgo eyed Bernardo balefully, making Bernardo distinctly uncomfortable. To hide this, he put a silly smile on his face. "I am sure that is the case," said Hidalgo with conviction. Bernardo just smiled all the more.

"Never mind my servant, Capitán," said Diego, coming back to their conversation. Thanks to Bernardo, he had his emotions under control once again. Hidalgo had a way of getting under his skin with his accusations and Diego was chagrined that he had allowed it. He was past that now. "I will tell you once again I have had no personal contact with this Zorro and I only saw Tomaso briefly that one night when he stopped me and asked me for money," he said. "I am a servant in His Majesty's government and the Magistrado has given me the authority to conduct this investigation in any manner I see fit." Hidalgo growled deep in his throat, but Diego held up his hand to forestall any outburst. "You do have the Magistrado's orders on your desk. I know that you are an honorable and loyal soldier of the King and would not willingly disobey your written orders." He looked at Hidalgo expectantly. Hidalgo glared at him a moment more and then his eyes returned to the paper on his desk. Working the muscles in his jaws, he nodded curtly, once. Diego was relieved. Now he was getting somewhere.

"Capitán," he continued. "I have determined that the prisoner is much too frightened to talk while he is in the garrison, so to win his confidence, I will take him with me. We will have a good meal at the inn and then I will question him there. When I find out anything of substance, I will let you know."

"A good beating at the whipping post is what the man needs," said Hidalgo. "I should have done that myself when we first brought him in. He is a thief and an accomplice of Zorro." He pointed at the document on his desk. "That paper absolves me of any responsibility for the prisoner and he is now in your charge, Señor. I have not changed my mind about you, but I will not stand in your way at present. But rest assured I will be watching, and if you make any false moves, I will be there." He folded his arms across his chest.

"Graciás, Capitán," said Diego, who was somewhat relieved. "You will please order his release to me now." There was no harm in being polite to the man.

Hidalgo turned and went to the door and called, "Fuentes!"

"Sí, Capitán!"

"You will release the prisoner from the jail at once. Bring him to Señor de la Vega. He will take charge of the prisoner."

"Sí, Capitán," said Fuentes as he saluted. Then he turned and walked over to the jail where he opened the cell door. Diego and Bernardo followed behind, leaving Hidalgo standing in the doorway of his office. Tomaso did not come out at first, but then, gathered his courage as Diego motioned to him. He came to stand beside Diego, using him as a shield between him and Hidalgo.

"Come, Señor," said Diego, indicating the open gate of the garrison. "You are in my custody now. You will go with me to the inn."

"Sí, Señor Deputy," said Tomaso, grinning. He was very happy to leave the garrison.

As they walked out, Diego bowed to Hidalgo and said, "Buenas tardes, Capitán. Rest assured, I will take good care of the prisoner." Hidalgo did not respond, but simply glared at Diego, following the three of them with his eyes as they walked out across El Camino Real and over to the Inn of the Roses.

Hidalgo went into his office and collapsed into his chair. He found that he was laughing. The whole thing was so funny. Assistant Deputy De la Vega was taking everything so very seriously. Hidalgo had enjoyed rattling the younger man's chain, making him work to get what he wanted. For a moment there, he had thought the young fool was actually going to take him on, but then that silly servant of his had intervened. He shook his head and laughed again. He would enjoy telling the Magistrado the whole tale when he arrived later tonight. He mused on that for a moment. Then he thought about the Magistrado's plans. Apparently, Tomaso had done what he'd had to do in order to get de la Vega convinced to ask for his release. Hidalgo could only hope the little man had not said anything which would make de la Vega suspicious. But so far, so good. Lozano's talk with Tomaso must have done some good after all. Now all Tomaso had to do was convince de la Vega to be in a certain part of the town at a certain time tonight in order that he might find Zorro. Then Hidalgo would have one more of Santiago's orders to carry out. He laughed again as he imagined the surprised look on de la Vega's face the next time they met on the streets of Santa Barbara.