Chapter 3

Victoria heard the knocking, but she was not inclined to respond. She wasn't in the mood to see anyone today or ever again. Except the one man who had rejected her. Yet, Zorro had made it clear last night that their secret engagement was over. When he left, she had pleaded for him to return. Then, she cried desperately until there were no tears left. Why, why had Zorro suddenly decided to ask for the ring back? She loved that man intensely, and the thought that he might feel otherwise brought tears to her eyes again. What on earth had changed? In the past few hours, Victoria had agonized over this question, unable to figure out what had changed. There was only one incident she could think of that might hold a clue.

Over a week ago, some horses got stolen from the cartel and don Alejandro's stables. The horses were found, and the alcalde, true to form, falsely accused a man. Convinced of his innocence, Victoria paid the bail. However, the horses disappeared again right after. She had personally gone looking for Jose but forgot that if Jose was innocent, there were real bandits involved. Zorro had come to her aid, effortlessly overcoming the bandits and thanking her for warning him when one tried to attack him from behind. She had flirted with him and tried to pursue Zorro to his her. He had refused.

Was this a sign? Had Zorro not come to her rescue but to Jose and his family? Should she have read more into Zorro's refusal to kiss her? Why did Zorro suddenly think she didn't love him? What had she done to give him that impression? Weeks before the incident, she hadn't even seen him. There were even rumours circulating that Zorro had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Again, Victoria heard pounding on the door and shouting. She had no interest in checking. Whoever was knocking that person probably wanted her to open the tavern. She didn't want to see anyone and had even less desire to pretend everything was fine. This morning, she had hung a note on the door stating that the tavern was closed for the day, which should be sufficient. Everyone should mind their own business and let her alone.

Meanwhile, twelve lancers had gathered at the door. Don Alejandro addressed the men, his voice authoritative. "We don't know what we'll find inside. Be on your guard. Señorita Escalante's safety is the utmost priority."

"Mendoza!" echoed across the plaza. De Soto stormed in angrily. Having looked out of the window, he noticed almost all the men gathered at the tavern, listening to don Alejandro. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Mi alcalde," Mendoza began.

Don Alejandro took over from the sergeant. "We suspect that Victoria Escalante is being held hostage in the tavern. Your men were about to force the door to overpower the bandits."

"Mendoza! Why was I not informed? Who is in charge here?"

"You are, mi alcalde." Mendoza hurried to say.

"Men, force the door!"

"De Soto, wait, we don't know what's going on."

"De la Vega, don't meddle in matters that don't concern you."

Victoria was startled by the loud banging. The door creaked in its frame. What was happening? Were they trying to demolish her tavern? She walked to the door. Again, the door trembled, and there was a loud bang. She removed the bar just in time to dodge three lancers tumbling inside.

She uttered, surprised. "What?"

"Victoria, let us through."

She got pushed aside. Men stormed into the tavern, running up the stairs or into the kitchen.

"What is going on?" Victoria demanded to know.

Don Alejandro pulled her outside, and Victoria tried to break free from his firm grip. "Let me go. What is happening?"

"Victoria, everything is fine. You are safe. How many of them are there?"

"What, who, what are you talking about?" Victoria looked around, not having a clue what was going on. The soldiers wandered around with their rifles raised, acting like a pack of playful puppies.

Sulpevelda approached and informed the alcalde, "The tavern is empty, alcalde. We found no one."

"Could someone please tell me what is going on!?" Victoria demanded as the lancers exited.

Alejandro placed his hand on her shoulder. "The tavern was closed. We thought you might be held hostage."

In disbelief, Victoria looked at don. "So, just because I closed for a day, you all think something is terribly wrong. I just wanted a day off."

"Uh, señorita. Do I understand correctly that there's nothing wrong?"

Victoria turned to the alcalde, furious that a bunch of men thought they had the right to overwhelm her just because she wanted to be alone. "You mean, besides, you lancers apparently think my tavern needs to be demolished because I closed for a day."

The alcalde nodded. "Exactly, so you are hereby under arrest."

"What!?" Victoria and Alejandro protested simultaneously.

"You misled my men and misused the royal colonial Spanish army. You leave me no choice."

Victoria was about to lose her patience. She was getting arrested because a group of men caused panic without reason. "This is ridiculous. I haven't done anything."

"That's correct, alcalde. Don Alejandro and I thought that..." Mendoza's voice faded as he saw the furious look from de Soto.

"Alcalde," Alejandro said in a soothing tone. "There is clearly a misunderstanding. You see, the last time the tavern unexpectedly closed, there was indeed foul play involved. The sergeant here, señorita Escalante, your predecessor, my son, and I barely survived an attack from a ruthless murderer."

"I have nothing to do with that. Sergeant, arrest the señorita."

"But alcalde." Mendoza stammered, giving his superior a pleading glare.

"That's an order, sergeant. So unless you want to be convicted for refusing to follow orders, I suggest you do as I say."

Mendoza had no choice, and Victoria didn't resist as two lancers led her to the cell.

However, Don Alejandro didn't let it rest. He followed the alcalde to his office. "Alcalde, you can't do this. As I've tried to explain, there's a misunderstanding. Please, release Victoria."

"I won't even consider it. It's time the people realize who the leader is in this pueblo. Señorita Escalante should be grateful I do not charge her for sedition."

"Sedition!?" Alejandro reacted angrily and bewildered.

"I assume you do know what the penalty for that is?"

"I most certainly do." Don Alejandro hissed through his teeth. "And I assume you know the caballeros won't stand for this. You'll regret this, alcalde."

After he slammed his fist on the desk, don Alejandro left the office. He would convene a meeting. De Soto took too many liberties. Zorro would hear of this and free Victoria from prison. Of that, he was certain. In the meantime, he would make sure de Soto the next time will rethink his decisions three times before pulling such a ridiculous stunt again.

De Soto sank into his chair, pressing his fingers together as a broad grin appeared on his face.

This unexpected opportunity had been literally handed to him. He had to come up with a waterproof plan. The fox would undoubtedly come to rescue the señorita. He always did. The man was more predictable than he thought. And this time, Zorro would not escape. He just had to figure out how to catch the fox.

Back at the hacienda, Don Alejandro instructed Manuel to visit all the other dons in the area and ask them to come to the hacienda for an urgent meeting tonight. Then, he stormed into the library as angrily as when he left for Los Angeles earlier, shouting, "Diego, Diego!"

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