A New Beginning
Chapter 16
Capitan Monastario spent a long,
sleepless night on the patio at the de la Vega hacienda. Wherever
Leonar was being held the commandante hoped she knew he would do
everything he could to find her. All too soon the morning light drove
away the dark sky leaving the terror from the previous day emblazoned
in Monastario's mind and heart. Sadly a full day had past and the
commandante was no closer to finding the woman he loved. On the
balcony outside the nursery Diego and Anna Maria held each other close
just as they did throughout the night. Slowly the two descended the
stairs to the patio where they spied a single figure sitting in an
isolated corner.
"It appears the commandante has been here all
night," whispered Diego. "Anna Maria, please go into the dining room
without me. I wish to have a moment with the Capitan."
After
giving Anna Maria a reassuring kiss, Diego made his way to Monastario.
It was hard for Diego to believe this man was once the heartless
monster who terrorized the people of Los Angeles.
"Capitan," Diego said standing next to the commandante's chair.
"De la Vega," said the commandante looking up at Diego. "I was going to return with my men to the cuartel last night but..."
"I understand," Diego responded. "Waiting for word from the kidnappers is very difficult."
"Si,
it is hard," said Monastario. "I feel as though I have not done
enough, that I should have stopped these men before anything happened."
"You
cannot blame yourself," interrupted Diego. "There was nothing anyone
could do. Who could foresee these men would be brazen enough to do
such a thing. Leonar was not meant to be the victim. It was my family
they wished to hurt."
"It does not matter. Right now we must concentrate on finding Leonar and your child. Nothing else matters."
"You are right," said Diego extending a hand in friendship. "Working together we will bring my child and Leonar safely home."
Outside
Diego's room Bernardo stood shaking out one of his master's jackets
when he noticed something outside the compound moving in the direction
of the hacienda. Bernardo stood mesmerized as the object moved closer
until he realized it was a someone running. The figure weaved from
side to side and fell several times. Running down the stairs Bernardo
motioned to Diego and Monastario to follow him. At the main gate the
two men watched while Bernardo opened the door to allow the man to
enter. There in dirty, tattered clothes and breathing rapidly was one
of the mission Indians, Paco. Diego and Monastario grabbed the man who
could barely stand and brought him into the main house. The commotion
brought Don Alejandro and the others from the dining room.
"Senores
and senora," said the Indian gulping the contents of the glass handed
to him by Bernardo. "Padre Felipe sent me. The men they have the
padre."
"The men," questioned Diego. "What men?"
"The bad men that came to the mission yesterday with two women. The men are very bad."
"Pablo and Quintana," thought Diego. "Did one of the women have a child?"
"They both had little ones," replied the Indian.
"I will send one of the vaqueros into the pueblo to get Sergeant Garcia and his men," Don Alejandro said forcefully.
"No Father," stated Diego. "This may not be the same men but If we charge the mission they surely will harm the padre."
"Diego, you must do something," Anna Maria said tearfully.
"Do
not cry, mi amor," Diego said taking Anna Maria in his arms. "If these
men hold my daughter and Leonar they will not have them for long. Anna
Maria, remain here with your father and Don Alejandro while Bernardo,
the Capitan and I pay a visit to the mission. Remember not a word to
Sergeant Garcia."
"We will say nothing," spoke Don Alejandro. "Be careful my son."
"The element of surprise is ours and we will take full advantage," replied Diego.
Turning to the mission Indian Diego asked, "Paco, will you return to the mission and help us?"
"Si patron," smiled Paco. "The men watch the road but I have a way into the mission that is a "secret".
The
four men made their goodbyes and headed out to the patio where Diego
and Bernardo went straight to Diego's room while the commandante
followed by Paco went to the stables. Several minutes later Diego,
riding Tornado. and Bernardo joined the capitan for the ride to the
mission. With Paco's knowledge of the church grounds Diego and the
commandante hoped they might sneak into the mission undetected by the
banditos. Thanks to Paco the men felt more confident and were
determined to formulate a plan that would release the captives safely.
However even the most perfect plan may go amiss.
At
the mission Leonar watched as Melita placed Maria Isabella in the
makeshift cradle next to her own small son. The infant girl closed her
eyes and fell peacefully to sleep. Leonar was thankful that the child
was too young to understand the cruelty that surrounded her.
Turning
toward Leonar and the Padre, Melita tried to smile. "I am so sorry
this has happened. I tried to speak to my husband last night but he
would not listen. He told me I was a foolish woman. He thinks only of
the money and his new friends."
"Melita, these men are very dangerous," Leonar responded. Please help us?"
"I
am afraid," answered Melita. "My husband warned me not to interfere.
He is so...different but I will not let them harm you. I promise."
A
loud knock on the door frightened the women who watched as Padre Felipe
opened the door. Pablo and Quintana pushed passed the priest and stood
in front of Leonar with a menacing look on their faces. Leonar was
terrified but stood her ground waiting for one of the men to speak.
"You
have courage woman but it will do you no good if the de la Vega's do
not pay," said Pablo pulling Leonar to a corner table. "Sit down woman
and write what I tell you."
Leonar took the pen and paper from
Quintana and prepared to write the ransom note. The men gave specific
directions for delivering the ransom money but made no mention of how
the captives would be returned. Once complete Quintana called out to
the fourth man who would deliver the note to the de la Vega hacienda.
"When you have your money you will leave?" inquired the priest.
"Si, we will leave," answered Pablo. "You may return the child to it's parents but the lovely senorita will be coming with us."
"I will not," said Leonar standing defiantly.
Running his fingers down her face Pablo said, "A woman with spirt is a fine prize and I would not think to leave you behind."
Laughing the two men left leaving Leonar shaken. Turning to Melita, Leonar said,
"Please you must help me."
"Senorita, I will try," Melita said leaving the room.
"Leonar,
you must remain calm," said Padre Felipe. "I have sent for help and it
should be here shortly. I have not said anything because...well
Melita is the wife of one of those men. I believe she wishes to help
but she may not be able too. Please say nothing but be ready for
anything."
"Padre, have you sent word to the commandante?" questioned Leonar.
Smiling the priest said, "I have sent word to the one man who will set things right...Zorro."