Happy Sunday, all!

I don't have much to say this week, I just hope everyone is doing well.

So let's continue on with the story.

Enjoy!

Linny

Chapter Seventeen

Market Day in the pueblo was always a busy day. While the local shops usually had their stalls opened and filled with their wares, Market Day allowed even the smallest craftsman to set up shop and sell their products. Usually, the second Monday of each month drew quite the crowd and this day it was no different. People from all walks of life—rich and poor—had been drawn in, but there was only one pair, in particular, he was focused on.

Accepting his wrapped package from the Indian he had just purchased a gift for his father from, he handed it over to Bernardo whose arms were already laden with many others. Stepping away from the stall he motioned with an almost imperceptible nod toward the two women who were browsing through the objects at a nearby stall.

Neither one had seemed to notice him, but his gaze had been drawn to them ever since he'd stepped from his faetón. A pit formed in the depths of his stomach as he watched them. Neither seemed like the type to become a vigilante and almost best him in a sword fight, yet there he stood about to put into motion the plan he had concocted with Bernardo and his father.

The idea still didn't sit well with him, but he had been out-voted and he'd had to give in. The plan would be executed and they would see who was right and who was wrong.

He watched as Olivia was knocked into by a small child that wasn't watching where she'd been going. She was a poor little urchin who wore a dirty dress that was quite a few inches too short for her and looked as though it had been patched up more times than he could count. More than likely, her parents worked hard for what they had, but probably had to choose which was more important—buying fabric for new clothing or food. In the end, one was more important for survival than the other.

Diego continued to watch on as Olivia knelt down to her level and offered her a kind smile. The poor child looked terrified like she would get kicked or something even worse. He wouldn't deny that there were quite a few of the more well-off landowners who would treat the poor thing like she was nothing more than a disease rather than a human being. Thankfully, those were the types to stay to themselves rather than socialize with others in a more civilized manner.

Olivia's eyes went wide as she watched the young thing's chin begin to quiver in fear. They were too far away for him to hear anything, but he could see that she was trying to reassure the child and reached into the basket she had cradled within the crook of her arm. She produced a shiny red apple and offered it to the girl. It was instantly snatched out of the air and into the girl's small mouth before he could blink.

Olivia smiled in reaction and then shooed her off toward her mother who was at the next stall, haggling with the miller over a loaf of bread. Before the child shuffled off with a grin, he could swear he saw Olivia tuck something into the small pocket on the front of the ratty dress. If he wasn't mistaken, they had been some coins.

Again, it just didn't make sense to Diego. There was no way Olivia could have been the one wearing the hood the other night. The woman in black was agile, yet ruthless. She was a skilled fighter who only demanded as she fought, never giving an inch. This kind soul he saw before him was none of those things. So, either she was very good at hiding her true self or their suspicion was mistaken. All he knew was that he would not believe it until he saw it for himself.

"Keep an eye on them."

Bernardo was confused. He clearly thought this was when they would put their plan into motion.

"Not yet. There's something I need to do while they're busy." Just in case one of them was the woman under the hood. An idea had come to him about the horse he'd seen the hooded woman riding and this was the perfect time for him to investigate. "I'll be back shortly."

Patting his servant on the back, he disappeared from sight. He made certain that no one would see him disappear because of how bustling the plaza was becoming before making his way toward the librea(1).

The first time he had seen the gray dappled, she was being taken to the stables. He wondered if she'd been returned after the exploits in the cuartel.

The stable master was nowhere in sight which allowed him to peruse the horses that had been stalled and boarded. There was a dark gray Roan and a red Paso Fino, yet no gray dappled mare. Odd.

"Can I help you, señor?" the deep voice of the stable master made Diego swivel around, his usually impassive facade falling into place. It was his usual demeanor when in public. "Oh, it's you, Don Diego."

Diego nodded kindly to the man. "Sí, I was wondering about a horse I saw arriving a few days ago."

As the man wiped his filthy hands on a handkerchief, he seemed uneasy. "Sí, patrón?"

"It was a gray, dappled mare. A Thoroughbred, I believe."

Panic sparked in the other man's eyes for only a brief second before his expression returned to normal. If Diego had blinked, he could have missed it. "Sí, I remember that horse, patrón. She-devil," he cursed and spit at the ground.

"I was hoping to speak to her owner about perhaps purchasing her. Can you tell me his name?"

"No name, señor."

"What do you mean?"

"She was only brought to Los Angeles by courier from San Diego. He gave me money and a note with instructions about her care, but there was no name attached."

"Perhaps you just missed something. Do you still have the letter?"

"Sí, patrón. Come with me." He led Diego into a small office. He opened a drawer in the small desk and produced the note from within. Diego took it and read over the words. It was just as he'd said; a simple list of instructions, but no identifying mark. The parchment was of quality stock and the ink looked to be just as good quality. The handwriting was a neat, slanting script, but there was no way to determine the sex of its author.

"Just out of curiosity, how much money were you paid?"

"Enough to board her for six months, patrón."

Diego let out a low whistle. So, whoever owned the horse would be quite wealthy. "One last thing. I don't remember seeing her boarded up. If you tell me where she is, I can take a better look at her. Perhaps she's been branded."

The man became nervous again. He removed his sombrero and clutched it in his hands. "She was stolen, patrón. Just the other night."

"Stolen? By who?"

"That rascal Zorro."

So, the impostor had never shown her face and the horse's owner had never come forward. Could it be that they were the same person? "Did you report it to the soldiers?"

"Sí, patrón. But, Sergeant Garcia said that the soldiers were more concerned about the death of that traitor, Gilberto."

"Still, horse thievery is a serious crime. I'll speak to Sergeant Garcia about this matter."

"Gracias, patrón. But, if I may speak freely, Zorro can keep the hellion, for all I care. Nothing but trouble, that one."

Diego noted the bruises he was carrying, some of them looked like bite marks as well. Of course, a man of his position would be accustomed to such injuries, but every single one of them looked fresh. "I'll take your word for it. Thank you. You've been most helpful."

"De nada, Don Diego."

Diego handed him back the letter and wandered back toward the plaza. So, the animal had been stolen? That might have sounded quite coincidental to any layman, but at times like these, Diego didn't believe in coincidence. So, either the horse had been shipped in from out of town for someone in Los Angeles, or it had been shipped in to accompany someone from out of town. Each card dealt from the deck was beginning to stack up against Olivia.

Yet, Diego could still not believe it to be true. There was only one way to find out for certain.

He was about to return to Bernardo's side when he saw the Sergeant exiting the tavern. He had been searching for his large friend all morning. He should have suspected that that was where he would be found, given the man's large appetite. "Sergeant Garcia!" he called out to his friend.

The large man winced at the jovial pitch of his voice before turning to greet the young Don. "Buenos días, Don Diego." He wasn't his usual merry self. He looked tired like it had been days since he'd last gotten a good night's sleep.

"Are you feeling alright, Sergeant?"

"Sí, I am alright. The Capitán has had us patrolling at every hour of the day since the night of your party." He removed his hat and rubbed at his tired eyes. The poor man looked like he was exhausted and Diego almost felt bad for the interrogation he was about to unleash. Although, Garcia's lack of sleep might play into his favor.

"You should get some rest, my friend. I have a mind to march over to the Comandante's office and..."

"Oh, no, Don Diego. Please, the Capitán is just doing what he thinks is right. I am off duty in a few hours and I will get some sleep then."

"Good to hear it." Diego quickly switched topics while the larger man became closer and closer to teetering over. "Listen, I was just speaking to the stable master and he said that one of the horses he'd been boarding was stolen the other night."

"Sí. I have heard. I told him that it will just have to wait for the time being and that the Commandante was preoccupied with the death of Gilberto."

"Yes, I'd heard about that. I understand that he was trying to escape when the Lieutenant shot him."

"Sí, that is what he told the Capitán."

"You don't believe him?"

"He is my superior officer, Don Diego," he said as if that was the most simple explanation he could give. And it probably was. In the army, one did not question his superior officer.

"What does the Capitán think?"

Garcia shook his head. "He hasn't said, but he had the Lieutenant and all of the men on duty in his office writing up reports and asking questions until long into the next morning."

"Does he have any idea why Zorro tried to kill him that night?" He didn't dare ask about the Lieutenant and his injury. He was certain that that was a story that Allende didn't want spread around.

"He hasn't said anything about that either, Don Diego." The Sergeant suddenly perked up as a thought struck him. "But, now that you mention it, I have a thought about the man who interrupted the party."

"Oh?" Diego questioned. The Sergeant may not be the most educated man in the garrison, but there were times what little intellect he might have would shine through.

"I don't think that man was the real Zorro."

"What do you mean?" It was best to just allow the Sergeant to talk, but sometimes it was good to give him some encouragement.

"Well, when we arrived at the cuartel, there were two Zorros."

"Two? But, how? Are you certain you didn't imbibe too much, at the fiesta? I know there are times when I have had one too many drinks that things seem a little... confusing."

Garcia flushed a bit in embarrassment but shook his head. "I did enjoy myself very much, Don Diego, but no. There were two Zorros. And I feel like the man who's been attacking the Capitán is the impostor."

"And what does the Comandante think about this?"

"He agrees. He and the real Zorro even fought briefly side-by-side."

"Does he have any idea of who the impostor might be?" Diego doubted that he would receive an answer, but it never hurt to ask.

"No." The excitement the Sergeant had expressed over the thought of another Zorro deflated with that one word. But, he perked up again a second later. "But, the men have begun to call him: 'la Sombra'. The Shadow."

The Shadow? It was quite the moniker and still, quite fitting. Diego acted as though the name offended him. "However did they come up with such a horrible name?"

"Actually, it was Señorita Walker who suggested the name when she visited the Comandante this morning."

Olivia had visited the Capitán? For what reason? "Señorita Walker paid him a visit?"

"Sí, she knew he had been working day and night over the last few days with the goings-on in the cuartel that she'd taken him a basket of food from the tavern so that he could get something to eat."

"That was very kind of her." And not surprising. If she was the one dressed in black, then she would be eager for any kind of information she could gain from the exhausted Capitán. At least, that's what he would have done if he'd been in her place. Diego cursed to himself as his mind continued to turn in that direction. Bernardo's paranoia was rubbing off on him and he didn't like that. He wanted to give Olivia the benefit of the doubt, but things were not ending up in her favor.

"Sí," Garcia smiled kindly.

"And it's nice to know that our Comandante has a good friend looking out for him." The Sergeant merely nodded in response. "I am curious though, Sergeant, has she made the same kind of friendship with the Lieutenant as well?"

Garcia seemed to think it over for a moment, but then shook his head. "I don't believe they have even spoken to one another. I cannot remember a single moment where they have even crossed paths."

"That's a bit strange, isn't it?"

"Not particularly, no. The Lieutenant likes to keep to himself, mostly. In fact, the only time he interacts with us soldiers is when he is handing out orders." Garcia frowned in confusion, signaling to Diego that his line of questioning was coming to an end. "Why do you ask, Don Diego?"

"No reason in particular. Just a bit of idle curiosity." But, Allende would have at least had to spot her to know that she was in Los Angeles if he wanted her dead, wouldn't he? So, they could have crossed paths and yet not held a conversation. Perhaps the Lieutenant figured she would reveal his true identity if they were to speak.

Of course, this was all speculation on Diego's part and it was still a great deal more information that he had had before. He would just need to figure out how it was helpful to him.

Diego patted the Sergeant on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, Sergeant and I hope your day improves, my friend. But, I must go. Bernardo is waiting for me in the plaza." Now it was time to put their plan into motion. With this new information, he had to know for certain or else he would drive himself mad with speculation.

"Of course. Buenos días, my friend."

"Adiós." He waved as he retreated into the crowd. He found Bernardo over near a stall that catered to leatherwork as he kept an eye on the two women over at the stall of the local milliner.

Bernardo looked at his master in question when he came upon him.

"You know the horse the hooded woman was riding?" Bernardo nodded. "The stable master said it was stolen the other night from the stables."

Bernardo juggled the pile of packages in his arms, trying to use his hands to explain something. When he became frustrated by the stack, he passed them over to Diego momentarily. He then acted like he was pulling a hood over his head and covered his mouth as if he was wearing a mask. Could it have been the hooded woman, he was asking.

Diego passed the pile back over to his servant and straightened his pale blue jacket. "Yes. But, the question is: where is she storing the horse, now?" It was just another worry set upon his shoulders. It was starting to feel like he was carrying the weight of the world, but Diego had a strong back and would carry that weight until the end. "Still, it is a worry for another time. Are you ready to see if your theory is correct?"

His father had persuaded him that it would do little harm to indulge Bernardo's idea, even though he still didn't like it. But this morning, all of the information he had gathered had convinced him that this was something that needed to be done. Even if it was just to clear Olivia from the implication.

He searched her out in the crowd again. She looked lovely in a white, long-sleeved blouse that was covered with a hunter-green vest. Her skirt was the same color, yet the hem was embellished with black embroidery. She didn't look much like a highwayman. Then, again, neither did he.

Bernardo's gaze settled on the women as he juggled the large stack of packages in his arms. He nodded, though shot a questioning look at his master as if asking if he was certain he wanted to do this.

No, he didn't want to do this. He had to do this. "Very well. But, if you are wrong, I don't want to hear any more about this. We have more important things we have to worry about." And at least one small weight could be lifted off of Diego's shoulders.

Bernardo nodded again before moving in.

If Diego hadn't already known that he was acting, he would have believed that Bernardo had really tripped. He usually played his part well, but this was a whole new level entirely.

The packages the deaf-mute was carrying flew out of his arms as he thrust himself forward, knocking into Olivia so she dropped the riding hat she had been examining. It tumbled to the ground, but she remained standing.

Emily reached out to assist him, worry clear in her eyes. He grabbed hold of her arm, where Zorro had made his cut, and pulled himself to his feet.

Diego had watched her face for any sign of pain or discomfort, but he saw none. He informed Bernardo of this fact with a mere shake of his head when the servant looked to him for confirmation.

Bernardo knew what he had to do, now. Bending down to pick up the things he'd just dropped, he fell again. This time, he braced himself against Olivia's arms, grabbing her in the same spot he had her servant.

Diego watched closely again. There was merely the flicker of a wince as Bernardo had landed on her, but that could have been just because of the way they'd collided. He was, after all, much heavier than she was. Other than that, she gave no indication that she was injured. It seemed like Bernardo was wrong, after all.

Relieved that he'd been correct, he rushed to their side. While others had gathered to assist the women from Bernardo's brutish actions, he'd begun to gather the packages that had been dropped.

"Olivia, are you alright?"

"Yes, I believe so. Is he alright?" she motioned toward Bernardo who had now righted himself and was dusting off the hat she had dropped. He sheepishly held it out to her with an apologetic smile. She accepted it with clear exasperation in her eyes, yet braved a small smile before going back to gathering.

"He is quite clumsy, but he should be fine." Diego picked up a particularly heavy package with one hand and shoved it into Bernardo's stomach, along with the few others he had already picked up. His concern for her returned when he gazed at her again. There was another dropped package at her feet and he bent down to pick it up. He took the moment to glance over her. She looked well-rested and was as perfectly put together as always. "You are certain that you are not injured?"

She smiled to reassure him as she replaced the hat back onto the stall she'd picked it up from. "None too worse for wear. And please, don't be too harsh on him. I know a thing about being clumsy."

"Do not worry. I need him too much to be rid of him." Getting back to his feet, he stacked the last package onto the already teetering tower in his mozo's arms. "Happy now?" he muttered to his companion, but didn't wait for a response before turning his attention back to the women.

"I can understand. I don't know what I would do without Emily."

"Perhaps as an apology, I can treat you to some refreshments in the tavern?"

She smiled at his offer, but there was something in her eyes that told him that she was going to say no again. "Actually, I'm glad we ran into one another. I was wondering if you would like to have lunch with me? Maybe we could go on a ride and have a picnic? Perhaps you can show me a bit more of California?"

He would show her the entire countryside if that meant he got to see that glimmer in her eyes. He found himself lost in their shimmering depths. It was almost like he was staring into the ocean. "I would like that very much."

(1) librea- livery- a place where horses are kept for hire