Chapter 11

Don Alejandro and Diego sat across from the table from the stranger known as Eduardo. "That was a wonderful meal, gentlemen. The Sergeant was right about that," he smiled, "this is a fine establishment…"

"Can I get you anything else, Senor," Victoria smiled, "Don Alejandro…Don Diego…"

"No thank you, Senorita. I feel very welcome here. Thanks to you and these two gentlemen."

"Gracias. If you need anything else…Just ask…."

"So, 'Eduardo'…what brings you here to Los Angeles," Don Alejandro teased, "some pressing business perhaps."

"Very astute, Don Alejandro. I am interested in learning more about this pueblo…and it's shall we say, leadership while I am in town….very interested…"

"Would you like to join us for dinner this evening…you could learn more about Los Angeles…Diego and I would be glad to show you around. It is a small pueblo, but it has its own charms…"

"That would be very kind of you, Senores," he stated, "I am sure that I will find my stay most interesting."

The Alcalde's Office…

"So, did you find anything out about this Senor Hernandez," the alcalde asked.

"I am afraid not…Only that he is just passing through," Mendoza affirmed, "just a mere traveler…."

"I should have known that you couldn't get the information that I needed. I should have done it myself…"

"He seems perfectly harmless to me, alcalde…"

"Los Angeles is a small insignificant outpost…I am surprised that anyone would come here, Sergeant. It has little to recommend itself…I've seen better dung heaps in the slums of Madrid."

"Aren't you being a little rough, mi alcalde," Mendoza ventured cautiously.

"Rough is growing up in the shadow of two older brothers who were not only so well-educated and living in Mexico City, but they still have the respect of my father," he sneered, "When I'm through here I will own most of the land but all the money that's in it. That will not only get their attention but their respect as well."

"What about the people who own this land? It is their home."

"Let them live somewhere else. I haven't done anything wrong, Sergeant. My only concern is catching that masked bandit and killing him," the alcalde emphasized, "He is the only thing standing in the way of my running this pueblo as I see fit…You are too soft hearted, Mendoza…The people as you call them…will be just fine…As for our visitor…you can never judge a book by its cover…"

Later that evening…

Don Alejandro opened the door followed by his son. "Come in, Eduardo," the don beckoned, "right on time as usual…"

"Have you ever known me to be anything else…you have a beautiful hacienda, Alejandro. It is good to see you again, Diego. Thank you once again for paying the traveler's tax…"

"De nada…Don Eduardo…I am glad that you are here…"

"Thank you both for not giving my cover away," he teased.

"Thank goodness that I remembered," Alejandro smiled.

"I am glad that you did, Sebastian…I don't want your 'alcalde' to have any idea about who I am or what I am doing here….I want to see him in his natural habitat…"

"You are giving him enough rope to hang himself…I gather," Don Alejandro stated, "I am sure that he will provide you with ample proof of his corruption."

"I have no doubt of that, my friend. He has already given me proof with that ridiculous traveler's tax of his. What exactly is the purpose of this tax."

"let's see…the last time our esteemed alcalde brought himself some new boots…the money could be used to buy something as costly as a hacienda or as frivolous as a new bathtub," Diego surmised, "you never know."

"Once my identity is revealed. Those days will be over…I have been given the power to make any changes that I see fit…including removing him from power…"

"Given his ego and his thirst for power…will it be a smooth transition," his friend wondered, "we don't want any innocent people hurt…"

"Some of my men are already here under the guise of vaqueros…additional reinforcements arrive in a few days…to ensure that the transition of power will be as peaceful as possible…Have no fear, my friend. It will all turn out well."

"That puts my mind at ease…the sooner that Luis Ramon is removed…the better…Come right this way. Maria has prepared a meal in honor of your arrival," Alejandro beckoned…

"That was a wonderful meal…My compliments to the cook. You have done well for yourself, Alejandro. You have one of the most beautiful estates in Los Angeles," his friend sipped his wine contentedly, "several hundred acres, I would say."

"Yes. I raised mainly cows and horses. My son believes that with a little more effort…we could have some of the finest vineyards in California…"

"I do, Father with the right methods in place and a better irrigation system…I believe that one day Los Angeles will be a sprawling city with millions of people," Diego stated.

"My son's time in Madrid put meat on his bones and filled his head with ideas as well," the old don teased, "but it was money well spent."

"I am sure that it was….My own son came away with a fine education and if I say so myself, he became an even better swordsman than I am. He has defeated me several times. Sir Edmund definitely had not lost his touch when it came to swordplay. What about you, Diego? I am sure that you picked up some skills under Edmund's tutelage."

"I didn't get the chance to finish my lessons, Don Eduardo. Father called me back early before I could complete them. I had just discovered a theory that applies Euclidian trigonometric principles to da Vinci's early mechanics as a demonstration," Diego stated, " but there was trouble in the pueblo and I was needed here."

"My son and his books," Alejandro smiled, "Diego would probably have made a fine professor…"

"Your son can do anything he sets his mind to, Alejandro…There is probably no end to his talents," Don Eduardo stated.

You have no idea, Diego thought.