Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. I only wish to borrow them for a little while.
AN: Thank you for returning to this story. Hope these ending chapters will carry out the promise of the first few chapters.
Also, another shout-out to Pam Z. for her wonderful transcripts, which I used in this chapter to verify the complete name of the de la Vega lawyer. Appreciate and love those transcripts very much!
Previously:
Through the bars, Alejandro could only shake his son's hand and pat his shoulder. Felipe gave Diego a hearty handshake as well. Victoria approached the bars and gave the others a sideways glance. Diego looked at them with a meaningful nod towards the door, and they turned away. Ignacio pretended to look away as well, but at this point Diego didn't care. He was able to capture Victoria's lips through the bars, uncomfortable as it was, for a quick kiss. She cupped his cheek and whispered, "We shall see you soon." He smiled at her, trying to communicate all his love to her.
de Soto turned to look at Diego. "I'll bring your lawyer to you as soon as he arrives."
Diego watched as his family left. There was still a slight lingering doubt within him about signing those papers, but for the life of him, Diego couldn't figure out any type of nefarious scheme the Alcalde might be concocting. He will wait to see what Don Cristobel had to say, and make the final decision then.
Alejandro decided they would wait at Victoria's tavern for Don Luis Cristobal to arrive. Victoria happily settled them at a table on the porch with a pitcher of lemonade and Diego's latest issue of The Guardian to watch for the lawyer's arrival so they'd be able to catch him.
After an hour, Felipe noticed a cloud of dust approaching the pueblo. Before Don Alejandro could react, Felipe had left the porch and ran to the street. Don Alejandro watched as Felipe moved his weight from one foot to another as he stood by the hitching posts in his impatience for the visitors to arrive. Indeed, as the group got closer, Don Alejandro did see it was his two rancheros and Don Cristobal. Don Alejandro joined Felipe just as the group arrived.
Don Alejandro greeted his old friend, then looked at his two rancheros for any news. They denied any concerns with fetching their guest. Don Alejandro thanked them for their vigilance in completing their errand and offered them lunch inside the tavern. They expressed appreciation for the kindness of their employer, but told him they wished to continue ahead to the ranch, in order to see their families.
As Victoria came out to meet them, Don Alejandro led the group to the table at which they had been sitting. However, before they could take their seats, Victoria said, "I was thinking, since it is now siesta, and the tavern is now empty, perhaps you'd rather discuss your business inside."
Alejandro considered her words for a moment then nodded. "Gracias, Victoria. That is an excellent idea." Leaning towards Don Cristobal, he added softly, "Some of what we have to discuss is of particularly sensitive in nature."
Alejandro waited until Victoria had served them a pitcher of her lemonade and Don Cristobal could take several slips of the refreshing beverage before he began. "Thank you, Luis, for coming out here to handle this issue for us."
"My pleasure, Alejandro. Now tell me more about the situation. Why would Diego, of all people, be arrested and in need of my services?"
Alejandro took a breath to steady himself. "He has been charged with being Zorro."
Alejandro watched as a myriad of emotions crossed the lawyer's face. Finally, Don Cristobal cleared his throat and said, "Oh, that's a surprise," as he took a hefty swallow of his lemonade.
His eyes narrowing, Alejandro looked at his long-time friend. "Luis, are you going to say you already knew about Diego and Zorro?"
Don Cristobal gave a little shrug. "Well, I always thought Zorro reminded me of my young friend Alejandro. Full of fire and courage." He winked at his friend. "Also, too many stories remained in my head about young Diego and his adventures. I always thought his little mishaps were the reason for your premature gray hair." He laughed at his friend's scoff.
"Well, I for one never suspected. And then there's this," Alejandro gave the two sheets of paper to Cristobal, who read both several times and studied them for a good minute before asking, "Do any of you have any reservations or questions about this?"
"Why ask us?" Victoria asked.
"In case you see something I don't. Or anything you're concerned about. But me, I don't see any illegal or ill-advised items in this. Except for the possible blackmailing Diego into recommending de Soto for promotion when I believe you all would have reservations against such a thing."
"You don't think the King could use this to arrest Diego, do you? Or come after any of us?" Victoria asked.
"No. the King, of course, could overrule any pardon he desires, but in this case I believe he'd be most grateful the entire mess had been taken care of without any intervention from him."
"Oh?"
"Well this document indicates there have been past problems in the government, which Zorro only attempted to correct. Any good lawyer could argue that as a means of defense." He gave Victoria an encouraging smile. "As well as accusing those past governments of wrongdoing themselves."
"So, getting to the real issue, you see no problem with Diego signing these documents?" Alejandro asked.
"It beats having to fight the charges in court. If the Alcalde would have offered that instead of hanging outright. But seriously, the Alcalde never truly meant to hang a relative of the King, did he?"
"A person never knows. de Soto has always been one stubborn person when he decides on something."
"What type of evidence does the Alcalde have on Diego?" Luis asked.
Don Alejandro stroked his chin. "Well, written descriptions from a fellow classmate regarding Diego's personality and activities while in Spain, such as participating in sword-fighting competitions, sparring with Sir Edmund Kendall, brawling with classmates, participating in school sports. All things Diego had purposely denied doing back in Spain."
Don Cristobal stroked his chin. "Yes, whenever you or someone else mentioned Diego's inactivity around the pueblo, I always thought it strange. Like I said, I still have those memories of a mischievous boy always looking for trouble."
"Looking at it now, I can see how much effort it took for Diego to counter any of those memories. Instead, he often went out of his way to emphasize the so-called cowardice of his character."
"So, this testimony from a classmate, saying he was nothing like that in Spain would…" Don Cristobal nodded in understanding.
"Would definitely stir up suspicions. They definitely stirred up the Alcalde's," Victoria added.
"Multiple people would be able to testify as to how that contradicts the so-called weak, ineffective persona Diego has created over the years." Pausing, Alejandro added after thinking, "All things which would lead a person to think Diego a more active person than he has portrayed himself to be over the past three years. And someone who could be Zorro."
Don Cristobal tapped his own chin while in thought. "Well, those types of details are mostly circumstantial…"
"There is more, Luis. The day after Zorro participated in several Indian trials, receiving various and significant injuries, the Alcalde observed the same injuries on Diego himself."
"Hmm. Those also could be argued as circumstantial, but coupled with the other evidence…."
"Exactly. As well as such things as Diego and Zorro being the same height, same eye color, same general physical description, and never being observed together in the same place…all could've been very damaging indeed."
Setting his empty glass down on the table, Don Cristobal considered his friend. "After all that, and what he has to lose, you still think Diego shouldn't accept the Alcalde's offer and sign the papers?"
Moving his head slowly from side to side, Alejandro said, "You do have a good point, dear friend. But on the other hand, there is still a small but significant worry about what could possibly happen back in Spain with the King."
"I understand. You've had to deal with an untrustworthy Alcalde, so you worry. I see no reason for Diego not to sign. However, if it would make you or Diego breathe easier, I could draw up a written oath for de Soto himself to sign, stating if he speaks to anyone about this or shows the signed documents to anyone other than the King, he would be prosecuted himself for crimes committed against the pueblo during his term here as Alcalde."
"I will glad sign any such document, for I am honestly only trying to get back to Spain." The Alcalde's voice interrupted their conversation.
The four of them startled at the presence of the Alcalde. They were so engrossed in their conversation they hadn't heard his approach from the kitchen.
The Alcalde walked towards Don Cristobal and stretched out his hand. "Alcalde Ignacio de Soto of the pueblo Los Angeles. I gather you are Don Luis Cristobal."
Don Cristobal took the hand offered with barely hidden distrust and shook it firmly but quickly. "So you do not have anything to hide with such an action, Alcalde?"
"Indeed I don't. After considering the options, I decided I might not win in court, proving Diego should be hanged as an enemy of the King. Such an action may very well put me in unfavorable light with our Majesty, which is the last thing I want, when I hope to gain a position within his court someday."
Don Cristobal nodded. "I need someplace to write up such an oath then."
"Why don't we go to my office. You can use my desk, and then we will proceed to talk with Diego?"
Don Alejandro stood up a little straighter. "I will come along with you two, to watch this with my very own eyes."
de Soto coolly turned and looked down his nose at Alejandro. "I would expect nothing less, Don Alejandro."
Victoria and Felipe accompanied them to the tavern's porch and watched the three as they crossed the road and headed for the Alcalde's office and jail. Impulsively, Victoria grabbed Felipe's hand and squeezed it in her happiness. Felipe turned to the woman beside him with tears in his eyes and simply smiled at her, then turned to watch the three men enter the Alcalde's office.
AN: Hmm. Thought I could end the story with this chapter, but it was growing too long, and it seemed like a good place to end this chapter. So…more in the next chapter. Unless…we shall see.
I do thank you for your reading this different story. And for the suggestions, reviews, and comments to let me know it all is flowing pretty good. I do appreciate it.