Chapter 7
The Governor's Office
"Governor, Don Alejandro and Don Diego de la Vega are here to see you," his secretary stated.
"Send them in…It is a pleasure to meet you Don Alejandro and this is your son, Diego, I presume…Come in. Come in. My secretary will bring you refreshments. Please have a seat, Senors. What brings you to Monterrey?"
"My son and I are here on a matter of utmost importance, your Excellency," Don Alejandro began, "it is about the current political situation in Los Angeles."
"It was my impression that things are going well in Los Angeles. My office has not received any correspondence from any of the citizens, so I assumed that things were going well."
"My father and several caballeros have written about the conditions there…how the current alcalde, Luis Ramon used the taxpayer's money to line his own pockets…to build the Luis Ramon memorial highway...He has declared himself the law in Los Angeles," Diego stated passionately.
"My son is very much like his father, your Excellency," the old don explained, "Los Angeles has been our home for generations…It will never live up to its potential with leaders like our current alcalde. I am loyal to the crown of Spain. It is not in his majesty's best interests to have his loyal subjects suffer under the thumb of a man like Luis Ramon."
"Why now," the governor wondered.
"Several days ago, he ambushed a dear friend of mine, Sir Edmund Kendall all for a bounty…"
"Don Alejandro, it is my understanding that the man was under a royal death warrant…In the amount of several thousand pesos."
"That is true, your Excellency," Diego stated, "but a royal death warrant authorizes the execution of a condemned person, but it is not a license to kill. Sir Edmund should have at least had a proper trial to prove his innocence or guilt…the alcalde served as judge, jury and possible executioner. What would prevent him from doing this to anyone else accused of a crime?"
"The people of Los Angeles live in fear or what will happen to them if they even speak out about the injustice…I have already spent time in the alcalde's jail cell because I spoke out against him," Don Alejandro concluded.
"You are a one of the wealthiest and most respected men in California. The man had the effrontery to arrest you," the governor stated, "a man appointed by the king would not do such a thing…"
"Ramone threatened to hang me and some other citizens unless I gave him Zorro's name. Victoria Escalante, the owner of the tavern, would attest to this," the old caballero continued, "the man would stop at nothing to capture Zorro and increase his own power over the citizens of the pueblo…"
"And what is your opinion, young de la Vega? Are you in agreement with his remarks," the governor asked.
"I am editor of our local newspaper, The Guardian. It is a matter of public record," Diego paused, "the alcalde is an arrogant man who would use innocent women and children to further his ambitions…Your Excellency…I admit that I would like nothing better than for Sir Edmund's death to be avenged but even before his death...our pueblo was suffering under Ramon's administration…unfair taxes… using slave labor to construct the Ramon Highway to commemorate his years of public service."
"The better part of my life has been spent in this territory, Governor. My allegiance is to the crown of Spain," Don Alejandro stated passionately, "I want what is best for Los Angeles and that is not Luis Ramon. That is why we came to Monterrey...for help...to save the pueblo that we love..."
"You have made an impressive case, Senores. I know that you would not have come all this way if the circumstances were not dire. I will not be able to come myself but I will send Don Eduardo to investigate the situation...I trust him to handle it as he sees fit. Would you please ask Don Eduardo to step inside please? It is my understanding that the two of you do back a long way, Don Alejandro," the governor stated.
"We served in the military together," the caballero smiled, "he is a good friend..."
"He is an excellent man..Come in Don Eduardo..Don Alejandro and Don Diego have apprised me of the situation. I want you to go to Los Angeles…find the additional proof to rid the pueblo of Luis Ramon, once and for all…"
"Your Excellency, I would be honored to…"
"I will provide a military escort to ensure a peaceful transition. Once that is accomplished, it will be necessary to elect another alcalde to take his place…I trust you to handle everything. With the right leadership…there will be no need for Zorro. The bounty on Zorro's head will be removed…and he will be given a full pardon. Los Angeles will be governed wisely and well…Our business is concluded…Senores."
"Thank you, your Excellency," Don Alejandro shook his hand, "the people of Los Angeles thank you…"
Diego smiled and repeated his father's actions…Sir Edmund's death would have a purpose, after all…
Minutes later…
"You were right, my friend…the governor is a fair man…At last, Los Angeles will be in good hands," Alejandro smiled, "justice will be served...at last..."
"Governor Ramirez wants what is best for the people of this territory…we could not be in better hands…I am glad that you came to Monterrey despite the circumstances," his friend stated, "Sir Edmund would be pleased that justice has been done…"
"This time justice demanded intellect and a few well-placed words and a fair governor," Diego stated, "the alcalde will finally get what is coming to him…it couldn't happen to a better man…"
"I couldn't agree more, Diego," Alejandro smiled.