Alejandro couldn't find Diego, even after hours of trying. Diego had been enraged and had pushed Dulcinea to her full speed.

Visible up to a certain distance, the tracks suddenly disappeared without any further clues whatsoever. Diego had managed to disguise his tracks totally. There was no following the boy.

Alejandro shook his head in wonder at his son. Only an extremely smart man could disguise his tracks so entirely. Remembering the foolish old man's comment that Diego was Zorro, Alejandro smirked. Diego was smart, but he was not Zorro. Zorro was a ghost, appearing and disappearing on a whim.

Zzz

Alejandro stood in the alcalde's office and stared at Ignacio De Soto.

"Didn't you hear what I said, De Soto? My son is missing."

"I simply do not have the man power to chase after every stupid caballero who manages to lose themselves in the territory. I must see to my pueblo at all times."

"What was that?" Destara murmured, as he strolled in.

"De la Vega's pup has gotten himself lost…Maybe you can deal with it, Destara."

"As you know, alcalde, my duties are to my personal mission. I will need to apprehend the bandits responsible for the bank robberies throughout the territory."

"As a citizen of Spain, I have every right to protection for myself and my family," Alejandro blustered. "You are aware that my son has very few skills…"

"Diego is old enough to take care of himself, De la Vega. He is a grown man."

"It has been two days."

"Two days?" The alcalde said. "The horse has not returned?"

"If it had returned, do you think I'd be wasting my time with you, alcalde?"

"Don Alejandro," a quiet voice said at his side. "Please, I'd like to talk to you."

"What is it Isabella? Do you know something?"

"Please, come to the tavern with me. They are not going to help us."

Alejandro sighed, and silently agreed. He took the lady's arm, and escorted her gently back to the tavern.

"Is there any word about Diego? Has anyone found him yet?" Victoria asked him when he approached her.

"I don't understand it, Don Alejandro. Diego knows this territory like the back of his hand. Why would he become lost?" Isabella asked the older man.

"The horse may have had an accident. If she's fallen, she may have been crippled…Diego would be stuck somewhere…"

"How likely is that?" Victoria asked. "Diego is always riding very sedately. Dulcinea would have thrown him before there was an accident."

"We really need to search for him properly. Diego would be freezing out there. It's hot during the day, but the nights are so cold. What about shelter? He took no food? Did he even have water?"

"My son is not a complete dunce. He would have taken water."

"Did he say where he was going?" Isabella said softly.

"The groom said he wanted to get somewhere in a hurry," Alejandro said. "I wish I knew where…"

"He must be staying with friends," Isabella said excitedly. "Of course, that's what he must have done."

"I have checked with all my acquaintances. No one has even seen Diego."

"The paper is due out the day after tomorrow. He'll be back," Victoria said confidently. "He won't fail to publish the newspaper."

"Does Felipe know where he is?" Isabella asked.

"Felipe is as worried as we all are. He has no idea."

Isabella's eyes filled with concern, and she sat at a table. Victoria seemed to brighten up at the idea of the newspaper. Diego was alright, the newspaper was as close to him as his own child – he would see the paper issued. He just needed to deal with whatever anger issues he had, and he would be back.

Zzz

The newspaper due date came and Victoria searched the tavern with her eyes. No Diego. Where was he? He could not be hurt somewhere. He just couldn't be. It was now four days since he had disappeared. If he was lost in the wilderness out there, anything could have happened to him.

Alejandro crossed over to her, and held her.

"Any word?"

"Dulcinea returned," Alejandro murmured.

"Oh, no…"

"I won't ever stop searching for him, Victoria. I promise you. I followed Dulcinea's tracks to where they disappeared again. Someone covered the tracks after a certain point."

"Diego?"

"I don't know. The mare is well looked after, and must have been groomed before she left. She was gleaming, and had been well fed as well."

"It's a mystery, Don Alejandro."

"It is indeed…" Alejandro murmured. He released the trembling woman, a little concerned that she had taken the news so hard.

"I'm sure he's alright," she mumbled, as she began to wipe down the bar. "He must be alright."

Alejandro had his doubts but he didn't comment. He made his way to the table where he normally sat. He was definitely writing a letter to the governor about the way the alcalde had reacted to his son's disappearance. Some sort of effort should have been made to find Diego.

"Have you found your son yet, de la Vega?" Destara said with a soft laugh, as Alejandro walked by. Alejandro ignored him, and mounted his horse.

"Don Alejandro," Mendoza said softly. "My men and I would like to help, but we can only do so when our duties are fulfilled. During siesta I would like to lend a hand," he added. "Diego has helped me so much over the years."

"Thank you. I am sure he would appreciate the sentiment."

Zzz

"Who is that new vaquero over there?"

"He's new," Mendoza said softly. "I think he's French. He's grubby and makes trouble for the other vaqueros."

"Who's he working for?"

"The new family just settling in. They hired a lot of new people just the other day. He's good with a rope and with the horses, you have never seen a more talented vaquero with the horses, alcalde."

"Hey, vaquero!" Ignacio De Soto said loudly. The new vaquero looked up and met his eyes. De Soto did not appreciate the scowl on the man's face.

"Papers, senor."

"Je ne parle pas espagnol," the man said gruffly.

The alcalde resisted the urge to kick the man. "I don't care if you speak Spanish or not, insolent cur. It's a good thing I speak French."

"Documentation!" The alcalde sneered.

The vaquero shook his head.

"Is there a problem, alcalde?" A fine caballero said as he strolled over to the alcalde. "Jack Barrette only speaks French, I'm afraid. One of the best horsemen I have ever seen, but a little short on temper."

"Where are his papers?"

"He was born here, I think. No real papers," the caballero said. "What's the problem, alcalde? I can vouch for him. I have papers."

The alcalde frowned. "Oh, very well then. Keep him out of the pueblo, he looks like trouble."

"He doesn't suffer fools gladly," the caballero said. "A town this small must have a few."

The alcalde turned on his heel, and marched off to his office.

"Welcome to the pueblo, Jack," Mendoza said, offering a hand. Jack took it and held it. Mendoza noticed that his grip was like steel.

"He can't understand a word you say, Sergeant, but he is learning Spanish."

"En avant, Jack," the caballero urged, nudging the vaquero. "Come on."

"Adieu, sergent," Jack said, as he mounted and joined his employer.

"Jack says goodbye, sergeant."

"Adios, amigo," Mendoza said with a wave.

Alejandro de la Vega made his way over to the sergeant, his eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Who was that just now?"

"Don Carlos, and one of his new vaqueros. The French vaquero is a superb horseman, Don Alejandro."

"He's rather tall," Alejandro said thoughtfully. "Definitely French, you say?"

"Si, Jack doesn't speak a word of Spanish, but he is learning."

Alejandro nodded, and watched the two men ride off towards the caballero's property. Don Carlos was a kind man, and Alejandro had watched how the alcalde was quickly put in his place by the wealthy man's confidence.

"I can help you with the search whenever you like now, Don Alejandro. Until three. I am on duty again at three."

"Thank you so much for your concern, Sergeant. I appreciate all the help I can get."