Poisoned

Part 3

Disclaimers in Part 1


Diego had just slipped into the secret passageway when the Alcalde entered the de La Vega hacienda. Alejandro met him in the hall. "Alcalde," he said with a nod. "I trust the man responsible for Victoria's illness is in jail awaiting the gallows?"

"Unfortunately, no, Don Alejandro. He was killed trying to escape. His accomplice is still at large, though."

Alejandro glared at him. "Accomplice? Surely you don't mean Zorro!"

"That is exactly who I mean," the Alcalde replied.

"Zorro would rather die for Victoria then attempt to kill her and you know it! He's most likely working on an antidote as we speak!"

He raised his hand to calm the Don. "Relax, I've just come to see how the senorita was faring. If Zorro can come up with an antidote, I will gladly reduce his sentence."

Felipe joined them a few minutes later. He signed something to Alejandro, who nodded. "Of course, thank you Felipe." He turned to the Alcalde. "It seems as if Victoria has fallen asleep."

"Ah, very well then. Please let her know that I'm praying for her. I'll show myself out. Buenos Tardes, Alejandro."

"Alcalde." When the man was outside, Alejandro went over to the fireplace to check on Diego. "Felipe, keep an eye on Victoria and let us know if anything goes wrong."

The Don found his son intently working on the task at hand. He took a moment to really look at the home of Zorro. He knew Diego was special, but he never would have guessed he was the masked rider.

"Father," Diego said, looking up. "How long have you been standing there?"

"A few minutes. How's it coming along?"

"I may have something here, I just don't know if it's going to work. What did the Alcalde want?"

Alejandro sighed. "The usual. He wanted to know how Victoria was and that he was going to arrest Zorro for attempted murder."

The beaker Diego was holding broke in his hands. He stared at the blood in fascination. "Are you all right?" Alejandro asked, grabbing a cloth from the desk.

Diego barely noticed as the pieces of glass were removed from his hand. "Victoria risked her life to save you, son. Don't dishonor her by feeling angry at yourself."

"Are you certain she just didn't risk it to save Zorro?"

"Diego, you surprise me. Didn't I teach you any common sense? Victoria hasn't loved Zorro as long as she's loved you. I saw it years ago after your mother died. You were so beside yourself, but when Victoria came over to convey her condolences, I saw how much she loved and cared for you. I saw it when you returned from Spain and you pulled that Corporal away from her, and I saw it Sunday after mass. Yes, she loves Zorro, but she also loves you. She loves different parts of the same man."

He nodded slowly. "You're right, Father." There was silence as he continued his work on the antidote. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this, but..."

"You had enough to think about without worrying something would happen to Victoria or I had we known. Although I am curious as to how you found out about things when you would be home before Zorro would appear. I take it you had help from a certain young man?"

The two turned to see Felipe standing behind them. He signed to them that Victoria was sleeping. Diego smiled. "I did have his help, although there is something about Felipe you don't know, Father."

"What's that?" he asked. Felipe walked over to him and pointed to his ears. "You can hear? That's fantastic, Felipe! No wonder you kept it a secret! That would come in handy."

"It did on many occasions."

Felipe nodded and signed again. *Any luck with the antidote?*

Diego held it up. "I don't know if this will save her, but it won't make her any worse off than she is," he replied with a sigh.