Chapter 75 – The Auditor's return
Over his career in law, Ernesto had been accused many times of getting too involved in the proceedings and the investigations of the cases he followed, getting too personal, using unorthodox methods to reach conclusions. In truth, he relied too much on his gift to know people, and he always wanted to get accounts of the witnesses and defendants involved in the criminal proceedings, either in or out of court, but always face to face to watch their reactions and body language. As lawyers were seldom present during these informal, unofficial encounters, many times the information he gathered using these irregular methods could not be used in court, but it was useful to reach conclusions over the innocence or guilt of the defendants. This case would be no exception on his level of involvement because it was already personal even before he started the proceedings, as he had been following the whereabouts of Roberto Malpartida for years.
He had got the position as the Monterey Judge partly because of his own merits, and partly because many Judges and law enforcers had been deported back to Spain by the new Mexican Government. Unlike them, he had no problem to become Mexican if he had to, as long as he could stay in California.
Shortly after Ernesto was appointed Judge, he accidently stumbled upon the request for information Sergeant Mendoza had initially sent out to the authorities about Roberto, right after De Soto was killed. At that office, nobody else had recognized the name, and the request had been filed. Ernesto was upset because the date of that request was more than two months ago, and nobody had told him about it. He decided to return to Los Angeles to investigate the case because Roberto Malpartida could still be in the area, although it was unlikely.
While getting ready for the trip, two soldiers arrived from Los Angeles with another request for help from Sergeant Mendoza. The story they related was confusing, to say the least. Ernesto tried to get on a ship to travel to Los Angeles faster than by land, but none was available to set sail immediately, not for at least a week or even longer. So, a contingent of prosecutors and alguaciles had escorted him and the stage coach all the way to Los Angeles, travelling as fast as they could. However, he was late, and the unlikely hero, Jaime Mendoza, apparently had dispatched one of the most dangerous criminals in recent history.
At the tavern, over a plate of albóndigas soup, Ernesto listened to the account Mendoza gave him about everything that had happened in the pueblo since alcalde De Soto died in his arms. The description of the wound inflicted by the killer matched the methods used by Roberto Malpartida, and De Soto had indeed identified that man as his attacker.
Ernesto knew a lot about that vicious criminal. At the beginning of his career, as aide of the prosecutor in Madrid, he had been involved in the investigations regarding the assassination of the Duke of Osuna and his family by an anarchist terrorist called Roberto Malpartida. At that time, the alguaciles had moved heaven and earth to find the man responsible for that terrible crime, but he disappeared without a trace. They had the testimony of two main witnesses: Ignacio De Soto, who identified Roberto as the killer, and had confessed about the whole plot; and Diego de la Vega, who after confronting Roberto when he escaped from the theatre, had contributed with a drawing of that man's face to launch a global search across all the Spanish territories, including the colonies. For years, the authorities were unable to find any clues of his whereabouts, until a witness —a defendant on another trial, accused of piracy— identified Roberto as a deckhand in one of the numerous "corso" vessels sailing in the Caribbean. For a reduction of his own sentence, he told them about Roberto's new criminal skills, the methods he used to kill people, and also related some of the crimes he had committed while serving on that ship. By that time, Ernesto was already working for the Navy, and followed the case with interest. When the Royal Navy finally caught up with the ship and the soldiers boarded the Desesperanza, Roberto wasn't there. The captain told them they had left Roberto behind in Cadiz, as he didn't return to the ship on time before it set sail. The investigators sent back to Spain to launch a search in Cádiz found out Roberto had been visiting the archive in nearby Sevilla on a daily basis for several weeks, and then he had banished. That was the last news they had on his whereabouts, until now.
When he attended the hearing in Los Angeles, Ernesto was surprised to find De Soto and De la Vega together in that remote place. They didn't remember him at all as his contact with them in Madrid was minimal, but he did remember them as the main witnesses. He didn't mentioned anything on the subject, but he thought that if Roberto ever found out about their location he could be very tempted to seek revenge, especially on De Soto, who was meant to be his accomplice in the Duke's assassination and not the "traitor" who pointed at him as the man responsible for the crimes against the Spanish Crown.
As Mendoza's account progressed, finding out about Diego's accident and his temporary disability and amnesia was upsetting for the judge, but not so much as the news about Cristina's fate. The alcaide had already told Ernesto about it, but not in so much detail as Mendoza.
Ernesto knew Diego was Zorro. The fact that his wife died trying to protect him only confirmed what he already knew since the last time he visited Los Angeles. Otherwise, it didn't make sense that Cristina had gotten on the way, unless she was Zorro's lover. Which in fact, she was, as Zorro could not be other but Diego de la Vega. Besides, at the hacienda, Zorro revealed the alcalde's real name, and only Diego could know about it.
"Sergeant, you did a commendable job in this matter, absolutely praiseworthy," Ernesto said when Mendoza finished relating the events. He liked the simple, good nature of that man, who seemed to be quite unlucky with the alcaldes he had to work with. "I'll see personally that you are promoted to Lieutenant."
"Really?" Mendoza said with a broad grin on his face. "Madre de Dios! Lieutenant Mendoza," he said moving his hand across in front of his face, as if framing an imaginary plate with his name on it. "It sounds great, thank you very much, señor Sauras."
"You are very welcome," Ernesto said, standing up. "That meal was delicious, but I have work to do. I think I'll better pay Don Diego a visit and give him my condolences."
"Can I go with you? I was thrown in jail and I never had the chance to tell him how sorry I am he lost his wife in such tragic manner."
"I don't see why not. Let's go."
ZZZ
Diego had been asleep all afternoon and evening. Don Alejandro watched him from the chair by the side of the bed, quietly reflecting on the events. He knew how miserable a man could feel after losing his wife prematurely, as it had happened to him, but at least in his case his wife died after a long battle with illness and he had time to prepare; nothing as dramatic, sudden, and unexpected as Cristina's departure. In any case, it would never be the same feeling for Diego, because Don Alejandro could not feel guilty about it, as it was God's will Felicidad passed away, but Diego was obviously consumed by his own sense of responsibility for Cristina's death. Diego was not only feeling sad for the loss; it was much deeper than that. He probably thought he didn't deserve to live, as he had allowed Roberto to carry on living to kill Cristina.
Tricky, Don Alejandro thought. But there must be a way to help him to get rid of that sense of guilt.
When Diego would eventually wake up, he would watch him like a hawk, before he could do something stupid and irreversible. Hopefully, Diego would not try to kill himself if any thoughts about his daughter would cross his mind. Surely he could not leave Sofía an orphan. Not voluntarily, not. He would need to remind Diego of that as soon as possible, just in case his clouded mind didn't let him think about Sofía.
ZZZ
"Señor Sauras. Welcome back to Los Angeles," Don Alejandro said, surprised to find the auditor waiting in the parlour. "Good evening, Sergeant. I see you have been released from jail. It was time."
"Yes, I have, Don Alejandro. He got me out," Mendoza said, pointing at the judge.
"What's the reason for your visit to our pueblo?" Don Alejandro asked, addressing Ernesto.
"Good evening, Don Alejandro. I have been promoted since the last time I was here. I am the new Judge in Monterey. Sergeant Mendoza sent for me, so here I am."
"You are the judge we have been waiting for?"
"Yes."
"You were a Navy Auditor not so long ago. That's a huge boost for your career, isn't it?"
"Yes, you can say so. It is the aftermath of deporting so many royalist back to Spain. There was a sudden lack of qualified law professionals and the new Governor thought I would be suitable for the position. I hope I will not disappoint him."
"I am sure you'll be fair in your sentences," Don Alejandro said. "Are you going to repeat the trial then?"
"Not at the moment. I need to investigate what happened here, but I don't think you were involved in any wrong doing. Unfortunately, I wasn't informed of the presence of Roberto Malpartida in the area; otherwise I would have travelled back to Los Angeles much sooner, and prevent Doña Cristina's tragic death, God rest her soul. I am very sorry for your loss."
"So am I," Mendoza said, contrite. "I am so sorry, Don Alejandro. I should have shot that bastard the moment Zorro mentioned his name, before he could shoot Doña Cristina, but I could not believe it. After all that time wasted looking for alcalde De Soto's murderer, he had been hiding in plain sight under my nose."
Ernesto showed them the drawing in the old reward paper.
"Yes! That's him! This drawing is so accurate. It's like looking at him in the flesh," Mendoza said.
"Yes. Who did this drawing?" Don Alejandro asked.
"Your son drew it."
"Diego? When?"
"In Madrid. How unfortunate your son suffered from amnesia at that crucial time when Ignacio de Soto was murdered, because he knew that man. What a coincidence Zorro knew him as well."
Ernesto watched Don Alejandro, who displayed the right signs, looking uncomfortable. So, now you know what you didn't know before.
"Diego told Zorro about Roberto when he partially recovered his memory," the old don said, rushing his words. "Actually, my son didn't recover his memories completely until that awful time Cristina was shot. The doctor said it was the shock what brought the all memories back for him." Damn, damn, damn! Diego was not in the patio when Cristina was shot! Don Alejandro rebuked himself.
Ernesto's lip curved a little, only slightly, but he didn't say anything.
"I need to talk to your son."
"He is asleep."
"You'll have to wake him up then, sorry."
"No, you don't understand. He is deeply asleep, sedated. The doctor had to give him a large dose of laudanum to calm him down when he… when he…" Don Alejandro couldn't find the words that would make sense. In the end, he went for the most shocking news. "He tried to commit suicide this afternoon."
"What? Don Diego? Never!" Mendoza said.
"That's a real shame. Can I see him?"
"No, I don't think that's a good idea. I…"
"Don Alejandro, I don't think you are deliberately trying to obstruct the course of justice here, but I need to remind you this is an official investigation, and I really need to see your son. Now."
"Very well. Come with me. He is in his room."
When they entered Diego's room, they found Victoria by the bed, wiping off her tears. She flushed red when she saw them coming in.
"Señora Ortíz, how nice to see you again. What a shame we have to meet under these tragic circumstances," Ernesto said. He couldn't help thinking how convenient such circumstances were for the tavern owner, as she loved Diego and also Zorro. He wondered if she had finally found out the masked man's secret identity. Sure she should know by now!
"Good evening, señor Sauras."
"How is Don Diego? Can I talk to him?"
"He is asleep."
Ernesto walked up to the bed and nudged Diego, shaking him. He didn't react. They were right, he looked sedated. Ernesto looked then at the bandages covering Diego's hands. He considered asking his father about them, but he knew the old man was going to struggle to give him a coherent answer, so he let it go. It didn't matter. He could talk to Diego later.
"I see. In that case, I'll talk to him when he wakes up. Please let me know when he is ready to provide the information I need. Now, Don Alejandro, the alcaide mentioned something about a plot to buy the land in this territory. Can you tell me something about it?"
"Certainly. Let's go to the library," Don Alejandro said. He escorted Ernesto to the door, and from there, he turned to look at Victoria. He had also been thinking about her feelings for Diego, and he knew they should have a talk about it.
ZZZ
Don Miguel's real name was Alfredo. He was sick of being Don Miguel, and could not wait to leave Los Angeles for good and recover his identity. The only reason why he hadn't left yet was because Roberto's first hand had convinced him there was still a chance they could find the treasure. Everybody else had left already, and Armando was the only one still around. He was hiding in his hacienda during the day, in the secret room they had built when all the other men were there, and he travelled to that spot close to the hacienda de la Vega at night to carry on searching.
Armando was adamant the treasure had to be close to that boulder, but he was struggling to find it. In the confusion after Roberto and Cristina were shot at the hacienda de la Vega, he had taken the map and the old document from the alcalde's office and had travelled to Don Miguel's to tell the others what had happened. At the mention of the Presidio alcaide, everybody panicked and left the pueblo that night, including the other men that were pretending to be Mexican soldiers. All men except Tomás, who was unconscious after the hard punch he had received, dying from that injury the next day.
Alfredo knew they had to hurry up, now more than ever. The Judge from Monterey had arrived and, for what he had heard, he was an intelligent man, very thorough, who would probably not need much time to make a connection between the two brothers.
He had always feared this crazy business of buying the properties or bullying the owners out of their haciendas so they could look for a treasure buried somewhere in the land for hundreds of years could end in disaster, but he didn't imagine he would lose his brother in such a dramatic way. After he survived the arrow shot, he thought Roberto could survive anything. He was mistaken. And now he was alone, feeling vulnerable, and he didn't like it. Not at all. So he had to trust Armando.
ZZZZZ
