Chapter 5 - Monterey

The Queen of Swords stole silently through the darkened town of Santa Elena. She heard nothing as she approached the jail. Staying close to the wall, she peered around the corner through the open doorway to see the guard with his chin resting on his chest as he slept. Sending a quick prayer of thanks, she slowly lifted the ring of keys from his belt.

Her good luck held as the jail was nearly empty. The only inmates she spied were asleep. She found Helm's cell, and he too appeared to be dozing. She unlocked the door and opened it just enough to enter. Standing next to his sleeping form, she gently pressed a gloved hand over his mouth. The doctor's eyes opened wide, but he recognized the Queen before making a sound.

"What are you doing?" he whispered once the Queen had moved her hand.

"Breaking you out, but I have a favor to ask." The doctor nodded in response and she continued. "I need you to accompany Tessa Alvarado to Monterey. Tell the governor what you overheard. Convince him to send someone to investigate Montoya."

"Not that I have much of a choice, but I'll do it."

The Queen frowned in response, but slipped out the cell door and motioned for Helm to follow her. They'd nearly made it out when the sentry making his rounds saw them. The young man froze, uncertain what he should do. The Queen seized on his hesitation and as he opened his mouth to yell for reinforcements, she hit him in the side of head with the hilt of her sword. The soldier dropped to the ground, unconscious.

The Queen looked back at the doctor and seeing his disapproving look whispered, "Sorry."

The pair stuck to the darkest shadows of the buildings. As they neared the doctor's office, she turned to him. "Gather what you need and hurry to the Alvarado hacienda before anyone notices you're gone. Tessa and Marta will be waiting for you."

He grabbed her arm before she could leave. "You're not coming?"

"I can't exactly waltz into the office of the colonial governor of Alta California. It would be like sending an engraved invitation to the firing squad. Besides, I have other business to attend to. Now hurry!" She gave him a gentle shove in the direction of his door and ran to Chico, who had been waiting in the alley. She vaulted onto Chico's back and urged him quickly towards home.

The dark countryside flew by, and the Queen was grateful that both she and the horse knew the way in the dark. Arriving at the hacienda, she ran through the back entrance into the hidden cellar room, where Marta awaited with a change of clothes.

"He's coming?" Marta asked as she unlaced the Queen's corset.

She nodded in response, removing her boots and leggings and drawing on a black split riding skirt and short leather boots. "The horses are ready?"

"Yes, I've packed food and supplies. The contract is in your saddlebag."

Tessa exchanged her black blouse for a light blue one and black riding jacket. She started to follow Marta out of the room when Marta put a hand out to stop her.

"Your mask."

Tessa felt her face and realized she still wore the black lace mask. She pulled it up over her head and out of her hair, laying it next to the rest of her costume. She ran out of the room, closing the wine-rack door behind her. As she neared the front entrance of the hacienda, she heard hoofbeats approaching. She exited and took the reins of her horse from Marta. She swung up into the saddle and saw Doctor Helm approach.

"Doctor!" she called. "I'm so glad to see you. We should get going so you're as far from town as possible before anyone notices you're missing." She brought her horse up beside his. "It's about two days to Monterey."

"Wonderful," he said under his breath as he followed along the trail.


The following evening, Marcus Grisham arrived at the Alvarado hacienda. Montoya was pushing him to get a move on with this marriage thing. The colonel had even handed him a ruby ring to propose with. Grisham had mixed feelings. His goal was to eventually take Vera away from Santa Elena, and a wife of his own didn't fit with that plan. On the other hand, Tessa wasn't that bad. She was pretty, kind, and rich. He could certainly do worse.

Grisham really thought he should be out searching for the escaped doctor, who was likely hiding out with the Queen of Swords. Montoya was usually obsessed with hunting that woman. He must be getting a lot of pressure from the dons if Tessa was a higher priority. Or maybe the goal was to seal the deal with Tessa before Helm could tell her about Montoya's plan and spoil everything.

Grisham strode to the front door and pulled the bell rope. He waited awhile and rang again. Eventually a young servant girl opened the door.

"Tell señorita Alvarado I'm here," he instructed.

The girl looked frightened and looked at the ground before answering. "The señorita and Marta went to Monterey."

"Monterey?" he asked in surprise. "Why?"

"Un momento," she murmured, turning away from the door. She returned moments later and handed a letter through the half-open door.

"What's this?" Grisham asked, unfolding the letter. It was written in a neat hand in formal Spanish.

Dear Marcus,

Please forgive my sudden departure, but I had to go to Monterey for some fabrics. I desperately need new dresses and could not wait for the supply ship to reach Santa Elena. I will be back in less than a week. I believe we will have some things to celebrate.

With love,
Tessa

"A hundred and fifty miles for some fabric?" Grisham said to himself in disbelief. "I really don't understand women sometimes." He saw the young servant still watching him. Fortunately, she wouldn't have understood his musings in English. "Gracias," he said to the girl before turning back to grab his horse.


More than 36 hours after leaving the Alvarado hacienda, Tessa, Marta, and Helm followed the Rio de Monterey to the presidio. Or what was left of it. Many of the buildings were burned-out shells. Some had been repaired; others were in the process of being rebuilt. They rode around the perimeter of the presidio to its main gate. The damage looked worse from the inside. Only the chapel appeared untouched. Three months had passed since Pirata Buchar had ransacked Monterey and rebuilding was slow.

"I didn't realize how bad things were," Tessa commented as she surveyed the charred landscape.

Helm flagged down a soldier and asked where the governor's office was. The man pointed to a building that had been recently repaired. Tying their horses to a nearby stand, the trio entered the indicated building.

The inside of the building was sparsely furnished, especially compared to Montoya's lavish quarters. A man with waving dark hair and a Spanish military uniform sat behind a spartan wood desk. He looked too young to be the governor. The man eyed them warily as they entered the room.

"Buenas tardes, señores. I am Capitán de Anza. How may I assist you?" The soldier was efficient and courteous, but Tessa could tell their presence was unwelcome.

"I need to see the governor. It is urgent."

De Anza looked from Tessa to Helm and back. "And you are, señora?"

"Doña Maria Teresa Alvarado. This is Doctor Robert Helm and my servant Marta." She gestured to each in turn. "We have traveled all the way from Santa Elena."

De Anza perked up at that. These were not local landowners looking for a handout to rebuild. "What is this urgent matter?"

"We have proof of conspiracy between our military governor, Colonel Montoya, and two landowners." Tessa decided to keep details to a minimum until she saw the governor.

"Military governor?" de Anza gave a short bark of laughter. "There is but one governor in Alta California, and that is Don Pablo Vicente de Solá. Now I understand why the governor curses whenever Montoya is mentioned."

"So may we see the governor?" Tessa asked anxiously.

"You say you have proof?" he countered skeptically. Tessa nodded in response. "What kind of proof?"

"A signed contract." She turned to look at the doctor. "And Doctor Helm witnessed a conversation between Colonel Montoya and his captain of the guard."

"Just a moment," de Anza said, exiting through the door to the adjacent room. He closed the door behind him so Tessa could not hear what was said. The group waited patiently, but Tessa was becoming more and more anxious. Marta laid a hand on her shoulder to calm her.

Five minutes later, the door opened again, and de Anza beckoned them in. Tessa entered first to see the governor seated behind a more ornate desk than the captain's. Still, the room was devoid of the luxuries Montoya liked to collect. Governor Solá was an older man, his hair mostly grey with a thick mustache of grey and brown. His formal military uniform with gold epaulets was crisp and spotless. He regarded Tessa with intelligent brown eyes.

"Señorita Alvarado, please tell me why you have traveled all the way to Monterey." He indicated she should sit in the chair across from him. There was just one chair, so Helm and Marta stood behind her. Capitán de Anza stood at the governor's right side.

"Colonel Montoya and Dons Fuentes and Higuera conspired to take my property. Montoya ordered his captain to marry me in order to gain control of the hacienda," Tessa told him.

"This is a rather fantastical tale," the governor said dismissively.

The doctor spoke up. "I overheard a conversation between Montoya and Captain Grisham. Montoya specifically mentioned Fuentes and Higuera."

"But still," Solá continued, "as despicable as this plan may be, it isn't illegal."

"Marriage, no, but murder is." Tessa unfolded the contract and placed it on the desk in front of Solá. "This contract is signed by both Fuentes and Higuera. They paid five thousand reales each for half of my hacienda and its water. The contract is dated June 5, 1817, one month before my father was murdered. Montoya didn't expect me to come to Alta California to claim my property. Ever since I arrived, Montoya has tried to take it through taxation or marriage."

Governor Solá picked up the paper and slowly read its contents. Once he was finished, he looked back at Tessa, who was watching him expectantly. "Señorita Alvarado, I am deeply disturbed by the goings-on in Santa Elena, but this is not enough to prove Don Alvarado was murdered."

Tessa leaned forward, placing her hands on the governor's desk. "I know this isn't enough, but I'm asking you please to investigate Montoya, Fuentes, and Higuera. Only you have the authority to do so."

"Señorita, you may not have noticed we are still rebuilding after the pirate attack," de Anza added condescendingly.

"Governor," Doctor Helm interrupted. "Does Santa Elena pay all its taxes?" Tessa shot him a perplexed look.

Solá wasn't sure what prompted the doctor's question either. "No," he said slowly. "The people of Santa Elena are poor. You should know that better than anyone. And much was stolen by the bandit Queen of Swords."

"What I know is that the people of Santa Elena are often taxed beyond their means," he said in an impassioned tone. "What the Queen steals goes back to the people. The reason you are short tax money is that Montoya keeps it for himself."

The governor sat quietly in thought for a minute. Finally he looked up at de Anza. "Capitán, you will return to Santa Elena with the señorita and take a closer look at how Colonel Montoya runs his pueblo. Be sure to speak with Don Fuentes and Don Hidalgo as well. I'm sure señorita Alvarado will provide anything you need."

"You might want a couple guards as well," Helm suggested.

De Anza turned to stare at him. "I am perfectly capable of defending myself."

"But Montoya will not hesitate to arrange an accident," Marta said quietly.

"He did shoot the King's ambassador," Tessa added.

"Then it's settled," the governor announced. "Capitán de Anza, take two of the soldiers with you. You will leave for Santa Elena tomorrow. You have a week to find the truth-that is as long as I can spare him," he said to Tessa. "Until then, señoritas, doctor, please accept our meager hospitality."


The following afternoon, Montoya found Grisham honing his sword skills on woefully inadequate soldiers. He called Grisham away before he could wound one of them-something that was inadvisable given their current lack of a physician.

"Capitán, I do hope this is just a sign of how you celebrate."

It took Grisham a moment to understand his meaning. "Oh, that! Well, I haven't asked her yet. Don't worry, your ring is perfectly safe."

Montoya's eyes narrowed. "Any why, pray tell, have you not asked her?"

Grisham shifted uncomfortably. "I went to the Alvarado hacienda yesterday, but the servant girl gave me a letter from Tessa. She'd gone to Monterey for fabric or something silly like that."

"You're sure it was Monterey? A city plundered by pirates not three months ago?" Montoya asked with suspicion.

"Well, maybe she didn't know that," Grisham offered.

"The lowliest illiterate peasant in Santa Elena knows about the attack on Monterey. It was all anyone spoke of for a month. I suggest you find your bride-to-be before I am forced to pursue a different-less pleasant-strategy to acquire her land." Montoya did not have to raise his voice for Grisham to receive the threat loud and clear.

"And speaking of strategies," he continued. "How goes your search for our missing doctor?"

For a moment Grisham considered lying to avoid looking like a complete failure. Instead he figured he didn't have much to lose and turned the question back on the colonel. "I'm going to need more men to go after Tessa and continue searching for the doctor."

"Forget Doctor Helm. He will turn up again eventually, as he always does. Find señorita Alvarado before she does something regrettable." At Grisham's lack of action, he added, "Now!"

Grisham sighed and went to go find a few of the more competent men to accompany him on the road to Monterey.


The mission road had been fairly empty throughout their journey. They'd passed the Monterey-bound stagecoach the previous day, but the long ride had been peaceful. Capitán de Anza and his men rode ahead, while Tessa, Marta, and Doctor Helm followed. The hills and canyons were starting to look familiar, telling Tessa they weren't far from home. She was looking forward to a very long soak in the bathtub that night. In fact, it might take two baths to remove all the dust and grime from four days of riding.

She noticed de Anza slow ahead of them, and she looked further down the long dirt road to see why. Four riders approached in the distance. De Anza unsheathed his sword as a precaution. As the riders neared them, Tessa could tell three of them wore Spanish military uniforms, but the leader was different. It only took a moment for her to recognize that familiar dark blue uniform.

"Grisham," she said, wishing she could carry a sword as Maria Teresa Alvarado. This would instead have to be a battle of wits. She urged her horse faster to intercept them, de Anza yelling for her to stop as she passed him.

Grisham pulled up short when he recognized Tessa riding full tilt towards him. "Marcus!" she called happily. "What an unexpected surprise," she said, stopping her horse a few feet away. "Did you get my letter?"

"I did," he said, eying the unfamiliar soldiers and-surprise, surprise-Doctor Helm suspiciously. "How was Monterey."

"Oh, Marcus, I was such an idiot." She lowered her voice and looked ashamed. "I was so excited that I completely forgot what a disarray Monterey is in. Marta tried to tell me, but I wouldn't listen. It was horrible," she exclaimed, placing a gloved hand to the side of her head. "So many things were burned."

"Why are there soldiers with you?" Grisham asked abruptly.

Tessa looked surprised. "You didn't know they were coming? My uncle was right. The post really is terrible here." At Grisham's impatient expression, she went on. "This is Capitán de Anza. He works for Governor Solá. He has some sort of business to discuss with Colonel Montoya. Military business-I didn't bother to ask."

Grisham nodded indulgently. Montoya was overreacting, just as he'd expected. Tessa was harmless, just a little overly enthusiastic at times. "And I see you managed to find Doctor Helm," he commented, shooting a disdainful glance in the doctor's direction. "You do realize he escaped from jail."

"What was his crime?" Tessa asked seriously.

"Pissing off Montoya," Grisham answered without thinking. One of the soldiers let out a quiet chuckle before Grisham silenced him with a glare.

"While that's certainly inadvisable, it doesn't sound illegal," de Anza interjected. He and Grisham looked at each other, and the immediate mutual dislike was palpable.

"Forget it," Grisham said. He raised his voice to ensure Helm could hear him. "You're getting a free pass this time, doc. Don't say I never did anything nice for you."