Chapter 4

"Diego, you have a visitor," his cousin informed him when he entered the parlor after a servant had summoned him from his room.

"Don Emilio," Diego's surprise turned into concern when he recognized his visitor as the old caballero who was one of his father's best friends and a direct neighbor to their hacienda in Los Angeles. "What brings you here from Los Angeles? Is something wrong there? Has something happened to my father?"

"No, Don Diego, not your father. It's Señorita Escalante. The alcalde has imprisoned her again and wants to hang her for being in league with Zorro, but everyone knows that they have split up. It seems he doesn't care about the señorita anymore or he would have come to free her as he did before. The señorita is very desperate and while your father is trying to persuade the alcalde to let her go or at least postpone her sentence, he has asked me to talk to the governor here in Monterey."

Diego tried to appear calm while anger was boiling inside him.

"This is a good idea, but I don't know how I can be of help."

"Haven't you got an idea, Don Diego? Something we can do? It's not right to have an innocent woman hanged."

"Maybe my father can convince the alcalde to postpone the hanging for a few more days. I'll consult my lawyer in Santa Paula on my way back to Los Angeles while you talk to the governor here. I think that's all we can do for the moment, Don Emilio." Don Emilio looked disappointed at Diego's seemingly indifferent attitude.

"I must be on my way to the governor then, Don Diego. You're sure you don't want to accompany me?" Don Emilio tried again to get his support.

"No, I'd better get rested and have an early start tomorrow for my trip home." Diego guided Don Emilio to the door.

Rafael had followed the conversation incredulously and addressed his cousin after Don Emilio had left. "Diego, are you sure you don't want to do anything?"

"Just as I said, I'll rest for my journey now and start very early in the morning. Please make my excuses at dinner to your wife and your other guests and tell her how much I have enjoyed my stay here with you. It was longer than I had planned, maybe I shouldn't have extended it."

"You're always welcome in my house, Diego and it was a pleasure to have you here with us. You're not attending dinner?"

"No, I need some sleep and I really must go to bed now, if I'm to rise early. I'll probably already be gone when you get up, so we won't meet again." After this goodbye, Diego turned around, headed for his room, ignorant of his cousin following him.

As soon as he was in his room he started to pack, swearing to himself while rummaging through his belongings, throwing everything he would need for his trip on his bed. "Why can't the alcalde behave for only a few weeks? You will pay for that dearly, alcalde. Just wait until I get back and you'll hang from the highest tower."

"This doesn't look like resting, Diego." Rafael interrupted him in his packing, "It looks like hasty preparations of someone who has no time to lose. I don't buy your indifference, Diego. So tell me what you're going to do."

Surprised, Diego looked at his cousin whom he hadn't heard entering the room. Showing his anger for the first time, Diego slammed the lid of his trunk.

"It looks like you're leaving now as fast as you can. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Diego looked at his cousin, considering for a moment how far he could trust him, but he knew he needed his help if he wanted to get back to Los Angeles in time.

"Lend me your fastest horse. I'll return it to you as soon as I can."

"What do you want to do with it? It's a two days to ride to Los Angeles and then it will be too late to do something."

"With two fast horses I can change in between, I can make it until tomorrow night. One horse can rest while I ride on the other."

"That's crazy, Diego. You need to rest, too. And what will you do? You weren't sincere when you said you wanted to hang your alcalde?"

"Of course not, Rafael. What are you thinking of me?" Diego had put on his friendliest smile. "I'm going to talk to him. That's all. Just talking."

"And what kind of talking can you do that your father can't?" Rafael eyed him suspiciously.

"I have some knowledge of the law that my father doesn't," Diego said evasively.

"And why did you tell Don Emilio you wanted to consult your lawyer in Santa Paula? Ever since you told me of your secret engagement I have wondered what else you haven't told me. That you are so indifferent to everything around you does not fit your character, especially when I see the frantic activity you're displaying as soon as you're alone. Is Victoria the woman you're in love

with?" Rafael displayed a smug smile.

Concerned, Diego looked at him. "Rafael, stop it. You're walking on dangerous ground. Your guessing may lead you somewhere that can kill you. And I mean that literally. You have a wife and two small children to think of. I did not come here to endanger you and your family."

Taken aback by Diego's words, Rafael looked at him. "You're serious about it. What have you gotten yourself into, Diego?"

"It's nothing you need to know, Rafael. Will you give me that horse?"

"I'll give you my horse, Estrella, she is a sister of your Esperanza. Uncle Alejandro gave her to me at my wedding. When will you leave?"

"Within the hour. As I said before, I won't be attending dinner. Tomorrow morning Don Pedro and Señorita Maria expect me to meet them at their house to start together for our journey to Los Angeles. Please tell Don Pedro and Maria that I have ridden ahead to talk to my lawyer in Santa Paula. I'll meet them there in two days for the last part of the trip to Los Angeles."

"But I thought you were riding to Los Angeles to 'talk' to your alcalde? Why do you need the second horse then?"

"Maybe I have just changed my mind?" Diego smiled mysteriously. "Don't try to figure me out. It's better for you."

"Whatever you do, Diego, you'd better be careful." Rafael warned him.

"Don't you remember our old motto - you can do everything as long as you're not caught?" Diego grinned mischievously.