Chapter 20
Diego watched the alcalde move from person to person smiling and talking. He appears to be the perfect gentleman, the tall caballero thought, Enjoy it while it lasts. I remember when we first met….
Just how does the government intend to spend these new tax revenues?
You must know who I am, Ramon said mockingly.
Oh, I know who you are, all right. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Diego de la Vega from Spain. Ramón slapped at Diego with the gloves he held in his hands.
You bear the rank of a gentleman. Why not act like one, the tall caballero struggled to keep his temper in check.
Is that a challenge, de la Vega?
If it were, my sword would be at your throat.
The tall caballero startled slightly as Victoria touched his arm. "Is everything alright Diego. You seem to be a million miles away," she smiled.
"Just remembering when I first came to the pueblo. When I met our 'esteemed' alcalde…he really seems to be enjoying himself tonight," Diego smirked.
"He certainly does. I know that the two of you barely tolerate each other. Why did you invite him tonight?"
"We had no other choice, Victoria…a matter of respecting the position not the man…that is the only reason why he is here…if I had my way, he would not even be here tonight…"
"You sound just like your father, Diego. Why don't we talk about something else? All this talk of Luis Ramon is boring…"
"May I escort you to dinner," Diego smiled, "my father is waiting for us…"
"Lead on, Diego," she smiled.
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"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please," Don Alejandro began, "I would like to welcome you to my hacienda…it has been a wonderful evening so far…I thank you for coming tonight. It is a very special occasion. Change is in the air…I have a special guest…a person that you have welcomed into our community…May I present my friend Don Eduardo Vicente Hernandez, Deputy Governor of California?"
Diego smirked at the shocked look on the alcalde's face. He had never seen a person so shocked. If only, you had tried to serve the people instead of exploiting them…perhaps, you could have been a fine leader, he sighed, things would have been different for all of us, especially for Sir Edmund…
Don Eduardo went to stand next to Don Alejandro. "I want to thank you Alejandro and Diego for welcoming me to Los Angeles…this is a wonderful pueblo and I have enjoyed every moment of my stay here…The citizens here have been most welcoming. I see great potential here due to the location and other virtues highly in your favor…except for one little matter….your leadership," he remarked looking pointedly at the alcalde, "not so fast, Senor Ramon…I would like to thank you for your interesting welcome to Los Angeles…I never expected to be the target of extortion…although I know that Sergeant Mendoza was only following your orders…"
"I was only collecting the tax as instructed by his majesty the King," he fidgeted with his cravat nervously, "I am his representative…"
"That is true, Alcalde but you have used the…what was it called…the traveler's tax to feather your own nest…and to grind the taxpayer's into poverty…That is not my definition of leadership, Senor."
"Only the King or the governor himself can remove me from my position. How do I even know that you are the Deputy Governor? It could be a trick of the de la Vegas…to unlawfully remove me from my position…which would be an act of treason?"
"Alright…if you insist on proof," the older man pulled a document from his pocket, "if you believe that I am an impostor."
"This proves nothing," Ramon sniffed, "you have no power here."
"If you refuse to believe me…then. Senores," he signaled to his soldiers.
"You are stalling, Deputy Governor Hernandez or whoever you are…I don't believe you…unless I see the Governor himself…then I won't fall for this little stunt," the alcalde smirked, "your little attempt at revenge won't work Don Alejandro…this was one of your tricks…there is no way that a high ranking public official could come to Los Angeles without my knowledge. You put him up to this and you will pay for it with your life…"
"How dare you threaten me, alcalde….in my own home no less," Don Alejandro struggled but managed to maintain his composure as a well-bred caballero should..
"Don Eduardo is the deputy governor…if you kept up with the latest news from Monterrey…you would be aware of that," Diego stated, "but you are too busy trying to capture Zorro to know that…"
"There is room in my jail for more than one de la Vega…I have had enough of this nonsense…"
"The governor sent me here to investigate the goings on in Los Angeles…the de la Vega name carries a lot of weight," he smiled, "Senor Ramon….you extorted money from these poor people….lining your pockets to satisfy your own greed…You are forthwith stripped of your position as alcalde….you will return to Spain to face trial for your crimes…unless you have proof of your innocence…"
The look on the alcalde's face was priceless. His eyes darted from place to place looking for a friendly face…someone to stand up for him…even Mendoza physically distanced himself from him. The air of superiority that emanated from alcalde was rapidly disappearing…
"Don't bother trying to escape…my men have this hacienda surrounded…"
"Don't I get the chance to prove my innocence. Even de la Vega believes in a fair trial," the alcalde stated looking at the younger caballero for support.
"Like you gave Sir Edmund…you or your paid bounty hunter shot him in cold blood. You want me to plead on your behalf," Diego sighed, "the evidence will stand for itself…justice will be administered…"
"More like a kangaroo court," he sneered.
"Take him away, men," Don Eduardo finding it ironic that Luis Ramon would be a prisoner in his own jail…