Diego took the piece of paper from the messenger and opened it out, thanking him automatically as he did so. The messenger left the newspaper office, rushing to the tavern for refreshments. Diego didn't blame him. It was a warm day and nearing midday.

He began to read, and gradually sit down in his chair as he gauged the seriousness of the letter.

Dear Don Diego,

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of my dear brother, Francisco Azarola. He directed me in his last moments to notify you of his death, and to request the thoughtful care of his widow and children. He believes that his will is sound, and trusts that you will be a good executor of his will.

My brother was shot and died in the bank of Monterey during an armed hold up, and I was with him. I am writing to inform my sister in law, and as she is staying with her sister, I believe the blow will be softened somewhat, as I am writing to the brother in law. I am safe and well, no one else was harmed in the hold up. Many thousands of pesos were stolen, but no one else lost their life.

I look forward to seeing you, as I am heading back to the pueblo with my brother's body, immediately, and should arrive within the next few days. I know how much this letter will grieve you as you are so obviously a dear friend. Together all of us will get through this tragedy, and come out stronger on the other side.

Yours Sincerely

Stefano Azarola

Diego let the letter fall to the floor, and stared out the window for a moment. Surely what he had just read was some sort of joke? Francisco liked to play jokes, didn't he?

A shudder went through him. He leant to pick up the letter, and reread it. Francisco never played cruel jokes. Stefano was a good young man, and he wouldn't be cruel either.

It just couldn't be true. He had only just spoken to Francisco three days ago, and they laughed over a wine, with everyone sitting around the de la Vega dinner table. It wasn't real, he almost decided. He reread it a second time, and sighed.

He grabbed his jacket from where he had draped it over a chair, and stepped out of his newspaper office into the sunlight. He blinked a little as he was momentarily startled by the glare. He needed to be near someone, to let the unreality of the idea dissipate. Then he needed to get to work at dealing with the whole matter. He was executor of Francisco's will and estate, and until Stefano came of age, he would have to take responsibility for the family, until Isabella remarried.

He took lengthy strides as he walked down the street the short distance to the tavern. The noisy chatter and laughter made him relax a little, and he was glad that he came. His eyes carefully sought out Victoria through the crowd, and he sighed, knowing she was safe was all that mattered for a moment. He made his way over to her, as if she was a lifeline in a stormy sea.

zzz

Diego approached the bar where he normally stood with slow and serious movements, Victoria noticed. She was wiping down the bench, and glanced at his face with curiosity.

"What has happened, Diego?"

"What?" It seemed to her as if he was in a dream and was merely sleep walking. He glanced up and met her eyes, and took a moment to realise where he was. His face was pale and his eyes were troubled.

"Something has happened. Is your father well? Has something happened to Felipe?" She was starting to get worried. Diego sat on his normal stool and took a deep breath.

"My father is well," he said slowly. "I've just had a bit of a shock," he added.

"You look like you need a drink," she said seriously. She reached over and touched his arm. "Diego? Do you need a drink?"

"Lemonade," he said automatically.

"No, Diego. Something strong," she said firmly. "Tequila?"

Diego startled and shook his head. "No. I'm alright," he said seriously.

Alejandro strode through the tavern, making a beeline for Diego.

"Diego, I've just heard the news. Victoria," Alejandro begun. "Tequila, two glasses, please."

She poured them quickly, and watched the older man.

"Drink it, Diego. You're in shock," Alejandro said, pressing the glass into his son's hand. Diego obediently downed it in a swallow, and gasped at the heat of the liquor, and some of the colour came back into his face. Alejandro was satisfied, and downed his own.

"What has happened, Don Alejandro?"

"Francisco Azarola has been killed at the Monterey bank, right in front of his seventeen year old brother."

"Why?" She was a little in shock herself. Francisco Azarola was a man of peace, and well suited to Diego. He was an intelligent man, and wouldn't have provoked a fight, especially not in front of his brother.

"Bank robbery gone wrong," Alejandro said softly. Victoria shook her head slowly. Wrong place, wrong time. It could have happened to anyone.

"Is Senora Azarola alright? Is the boy alright?" Victoria asked softly.

"She has a sister with her, and the boy is shaken but unhurt," Diego said, recovering from the heat of the liquor. "I'm worried about them all."

"They have a lot of friends, Diego. They will recover. Francisco was quite wealthy," Alejandro said, touching his son's arm, to try to connect with Diego, noticing his thoughtfulness.

"Isabella knows no one in the pueblo."

"She knows you, Diego. That's someone," Victoria said, trying to comfort her friend. "You are a friend to many people, and surely you can introduce her to others."

Somehow she felt strangely uncomfortable, as Diego slowly relaxed and his eyes grew thoughtful.

Zzz

The funeral was attended by only men, and Victoria closed the tavern for the day out of respect. Over the next couple of days, she didn't see the de la Vegas. When Diego finally approached the tavern, he had with him the beautiful widow of his friend.

Isabella Azarola was a very lovely woman, Victoria noticed with a flash of strange jealousy. Diego had to support the woman physically, as she struggled to walk with the heaviness of grief making her tremble. Victoria was tempted to urge Diego to take her home and let the woman rest, but it was mainly out of her own discomfort that she felt that way, and quelled the urge.

"Senora Azarola, I can only offer my sincerest condolences on the death of your husband," Victoria said softly. She approached the couple, and asked Diego what they would like.

"Lemonade," he murmured, as she expected him to. "Chicken stew, I think."

Victoria nodded. "It is very nourishing," she answered. She noticed that the lady had lost weight since she had last seen her, her face was tired and gaunt. Her hands were trembling, and Diego covered a shaking hand with his large hand. It caused a shiver go through Victoria, but she could not understand why. He was trying to support the lady. There was no harm in that, surely?

Raquel appeared near her mother's black skirts, a tiny child with serious eyes.

"And some for you, little Senorita Azarola?"

She nodded, and Victoria smiled at her, trying to encourage the child a little. It was hard to lose a father so young, she remembered. Her father had gone missing and believed dead when she had been very young, but she had not had a mother to cling to back then.

Raquel and her brother and the new baby on its way could have no better friend in the whole world than Diego de la Vega. She smiled as she gazed at the picture they made. Diego was almost certainly guaranteed an instant family, and she should be pleased for him. It was strange that she wasn't.