|
The Gift
|
|
CHAPTER 15 - TEMPORARY FREED0M December 4 1821 MONTERREY Governor
Geraldo Joaquin Isidro y Ramirez dismissed Don Juan’s request that his
son, Ricardo del’Amo, be allowed to return home to San Francisco
pending the appeal of Ricardo’s sentence to six months in the Los
Angeles cuartel. “These are quite serious charges,” the Governor
said as he read them aloud: “contempt of court, assault upon officers
of court, bribery of a witness and defamation of an important
citizen’s character, specifically, that of Don Diego de la Vega y de
la Cruz. In fact, Señor del‘Amo, I am extremely shocked that Judge
Vasca gave your son such a lenient sentence! Speaking as a former Magistrado,
I personally would have ordered Don Ricardo to serve a term of
at least 10 years!” “Sí,
sí, Your Excellency. I am all too aware of Ricardo’s criminal
behavior and ... of his extremely scandalous conduct with the ladies!” “I
do not mean to criticize Señor del’Amo, but Ricardo needed a much
firmer hand at an earlier stage in his youth!” Governor Ramirez said
in his most disapproving tone. “Believe
me, I have sincerely tried.” Señor del'Amo’s face twisted in pain.
“Unfortunately, Ricardo has always felt that there should never be any
limits or restrictions on his behavior. But I am discussing the present,
Your Excellency.” “To
be perfectly frank, Don Juan, I am extremely reluctant to release him to
your custody since YOU tried to bribe Judge Vasca!” “An
action of a desperate father! DIOS! The things that I have done for my
son; the large amounts of fines which I have paid to keep him out of
prison!” Don Juan del’Amo said as he slowly sat down in a nearby
chair. “In all honesty Governor, after witnessing his behavior during
the trial in Los Angeles I wanted to flog Ricardo myself and then toss
him into a dark and bottomless pit! Judge Vasca was too
lenient with him. However, I believe that if Ricardo is remanded to my
custody, I can obtain the ... help he needs!” Governor
Ramirez shrugged his shoulders. “I will grant temporary parole only
if Ricardo stays outside Los Angeles, away from the de le Vegas,
and that you remain with him. My second condition is that your son will
be under 24 hour-armed guard! I shall examine the trial record and will
give you my decision whether or not I shall reverse Judge Vasca’s
decision to sentence Ricardo to a very lengthy prison term within a
fortnight. As you know, because of his defiance of Judge Vasca’s
sentence, the King’s Magistrate can incarcerate him for twenty years.
Therefore, I cannot promise you much hope in voiding his decision. Good
day, Señor del’Amo!” “Gracias,
Your Excellency,” said Don Juan as he bowed to the Governor before
leaving his office. [[[[ZZZZ]]]] SAN
Gabriel TWO
DAYS LATER “I
was completely humiliated, father!” Ricardo complained to Don Juan
about his public flogging in the Pueblo de Los Angeles. Ricardo and his
father were having some afternoon coffee in a small hacienda they had
rented near San Gabriel and were discussing Ricardo’s appeal of his
prison sentence. “SILENCIO!”
Don Juan ordered. “Whatever in the name of the Holy Trinity has
possessed you, my son!? Accusing Don Diego as being the author of those
posters! Absurd!’ “But
do not you see, father! In Diego’s twisted mind, he believes that he
is a better caballero than I am! When Anna Maria refused
to marry him, he could not believe that she would reject the exquisite
honor of becoming his wife. Poor Diego, always third in Anna Maria’s
affections, behind Zorro and myself, of course! Because he could not
legally have her, Diego became obsessed with Anna Maria. He told me so
in the de la Vega garden at their wedding reception and he threatened me
if I decided to marry Anna Maria as planned.” Don
Juan frowned in disbelief. “Ricardo I am sorry, I just cannot believe
that Diego would behave in such a disgraceful manner. Don Alejandro
raised Diego quite strictly and there is no history of ... instability
in the de la Vega family.” Ricardo
balled his fists. “Father, are you saying that the de la Vegas’
bloodline is better than ours is?” he testily asked. “RICARDO!
Mind your tone of voice with me, my young hot head! If you can calm
yourself, you may continue with your story! And just where does Zorro
fit into this little melodrama?“ The
younger del’Amo sighed as he thought, Oh, father, one day I shall
prove to you that the de la Vegas are beneath our family’s contempt. Instead
he said aloud. As everyone knows, El Zorro has never forgiven me for
impersonating him. And Diego seems to have some sort of relationship
with Zorro; remember; Zorro saved Don Alejandro from that insane
Comandante Monasterio. Thus, it was easy for Diego to persuade Zorro to
help him post those horrible lies about me.” “How
very convenient to have El Zorro at your beck and call!” His father
said sarcastically. “Father,
I will not stand here and be mocked! Why do decent people defend that
effeminate dandy, Diego?” “Ricardo,”
Don Juan’s face reddened. “I will listen to your story, such as it
is, but only if you address me with the proper respect!” It
was becoming increasingly difficult for the young del’Amo to contain
his fury. “I can handle my father,” Ricardo said to himself
as he poured his father some more coffee, “but Diego and Moneta de
la Vega must be dealt with first!” Ricardo
continued with his story. “Diego and Zorro’s timing was perfect!
Just as the trial began, Zorro claims he is the author! Of course
Diego’s handwriting did not match that on the posters because HE did
not write them. El Zorro wrote the posters! And everyone
in Los Angeles is counting on me to challenge Zorro to another duel,
since the Fox has publicly questioned my integrity.” “Which
you will certainly do to restore your honor,” the elder del’Amo said
with a trace of disbelief in his voice. “Not
unless Zorro duels with me in public, which I shall demand
after this trial brouhaha has calmed down! But do you not see? Diego is
counting on Zorro to kill me in our duel and then he will be free to
pursue Anna Maria! He can overcome any obstacle with Zorro’s help!” “And
Doña Moneta will be content to allow her new husband Diego to have
shall we say, an extremely personal relationship with his
former fiancée?” “Of
course! However, both Diego and Zorro will soon learn that it will not
be so easy to best me in this unavoidable duel!“ Ricardo laughed
hysterically. Don
Juan cringed inwardly as he looked into his son’s ebony eyes. He saw
nothing but cold fires of rage and despair that had burned away all of
the humanity in these windows to his soul. “Ricardo,
it deeply pains me to say this, but I believe that you require care and
rest that I cannot provide for you ...” Suddenly
his son exclaimed “You ... you do not believe anything that I have
told you!” “No,
I do not.” “My
beloved father,” Ricardo hissed, “I will never serve any jail term!
NEVER!” Don
Juan stood up. He was a big man and he towered over his six-foot tall
son. “Ricardo, as your father, I order you to obey me in this matter!
But I warn you, the Governor has told me that there may be little hope
of you avoiding prison!” Don
Juan also saw intense hatred and contempt etched into every line on
Ricardo’s face. [Why had I not noticed this dramatic change
in my son’s personality earlier? he thought worriedly. I shall
try one more time to get Ricardo to listen to reason]. “My
dear son,” Don Juan began, “what has turned you against the de le
Vegas and especially, caused you to hate me?” “My
affairs concerning the de la Vegas are highly persona!” Ricardo
laughed bitterly. “You call me your ‘dear son’! Therein lies the
joke, father. You never wanted me in your hacienda after mother’s last
illness when I was ten years old. You sent me away to Spain, away
from my mother!” When I returned home just before she died,
she told me she had never loved me!” Ricardo’s
father was shocked by the venom in his son’s voice and his face paled
visibly. “You do not understand, Ricardo. Your mother was very, very
ill. Doña Cecelia was slowly ...losing her mind” “YOU
LIE!” The young del’Amo roared. You turned her against me by making
her believe all those impossible stories about my abusing women!” Don
Juan rose and struck his son - hard - across his mouth. “Enough of
this! One more disrespectful word and I will order Lieutenant Aldebara
to return you to the cuartel in Los Angeles! There someone will
definitely force you to control your impulses!” Ricardo
looked away from his father. “Father, you taught me that money, if
spent properly, can solve all problems! Everyone has his or her own
price.“ His son rambled on, oblivious to Don Juan’s warning. “Sí,”
his father admitted. “Guilty as charged. But I have now learned that I
was wrong about that subject.” “Tell
me, father, why have you not secured me a comfortable position with the
family’s exporting business?“ Don
Juan was astounded. “Ricardo you have repeatedly told me that ‘a
gentleman of your breeding does not concern himself with the dirty
little details‘ of any sort of commerce. Of course, upon my death you
shall inherit everything!” Ricardo
said nothing and stared into space. “My
son ... listen to me, please! I know that I have been less than a
perfect father. I am doing everything in my power to help you avoid
jail. Ricardo?“ Alarmed by Ricardo’s silence, Don Juan stepped away
from his son. His eyes were riveted to Ricardo’s face. Don Juan felt
as if he were talking to a statue. “All
of my life ...“ Ricardo whispered, “you have never shown the
remotest concern regarding my affairs.” He straightened his shoulders.
“I shall need a larger source of income. It may interest you to know
that I am married to Señorita Anna Maria Verdugo. She
will be joining me here tomorrow.” he acidly replied. “Anna
Maria Verdugo? Have
you gone mad! That woman still pines for the Fox!” “On
the contrary she now loves me and only me and despises El Zorro!” Don
Juan and Ricardo were too involved in their argument to hear Anna Maria
come into the hacienda. She only heard the very last two minutes
of their heated conversation, but what she She
put on her prettiest smile, which she wore like a shield. Now more than
ever Anna Maria needed to protect herself from the emotional conflict
that was festering in her soul over the questionable paternity of
Moneta’s baby and her own hasty decision to marry Ricardo. “Anna
Maria! When did you arrive, querida? “Just
now, Ricardo,” she said as she handed her hat and gloves to one of
their Indian servants. He
kissed her deeply. [How I have missed you!]! he whispered. I
apologize for the crudeness of this house, dearest. Soon I will be free
and then we can move to San Francisco--” “But,”
Don Juan said, dismayed by the cold look on her face, “I thought the
both of you would live at the Verdugo hacienda -- is that not what
you told me, Ricardo! You insisted upon ’not following
tradition’ and instead desired to remain in Monterey. Now you must
give me time until I can have our ancestral estate in San Francisco
prepared for a new chatelaine. You, my dear, to transform
it into a home --complete with a nursery of course!” He hoped his
voice sounded polite, as he was unsure at just how much Anna Maria had
overheard. Anna
Maria met her father-in-law’s less than approving gaze. “My father
disinherited me. He wanted me to marry Don Diego, and I will not be told
whom I can or can not marry!” “Very
well, Señora del’Amo. What is done, is done. You will discover that I
live in the present. I have enormous hope for both of you in the future!
Welcome to the family!” He gave her a lukewarm embrace. “Ricardo, I
must journey to the dock at San Pedro since I am expecting some supplies
for our home in San Francisco. Don Juan paused momentarily to kiss the
new Señora del’Amo’s hand and then departed. “Oh,
Ricardo, do you have any good news regarding your appeal?” Anna Maria
asked excitedly. “Well,
I am here and not in Comandante Garcia’s cuartel! Come here, Anna
Maria and let us make up for lost time!” “Ricardo,
dearest, Don Juan dislikes me. Please tell me why!” “Querida,
I have other, sweeter things to discuss and do ..” But
Anna Marie broke free from his embrace. “Por favor, Ricardo!
I do not want to begin my marriage knowing that my father-in-law hates
me!” “Nonsense!”
Ricardo laughed but his tone was devoid of humor. He began nuzzling her
neck. “All right,” he murmured between kissing her lips and then her
throat. “Father believes that you still love El Zorro!“ Anna
Maria opened her dark eyes and stared into his. “No longer, for I am
Señora Anna Maria del’Amo y Verdugo. Let the Fox have the love of the
peons! I need and have the man whom I shall present with many sons ---
Don Ricardo del’Amo!” Ricardo
bit one of her earlobes in response. “As I said earlier, we have other
and much sweeter things do!” Once
Anna Maria felt his mouth cover hers, she could not agree more. [[[ZZZZ]]]] Diego
spoke to his mozo only when he was certain that both of
them were away from the other servants. “I have just learned some
distressing news from Sergeant Garcia while I was having some wine with
him in the tavern yesterday afternoon. Governor Ramirez has released
Ricardo del’Amo into his father’s custody!” Bernardo
shook his head in disgust. He mimed to his master, It appears that
once again Don Ricardo might evade justice!” Diego
puffed on his newly lit cubano. “Not necessarily.
Governor Ramirez is like Judge Vasca. The man cannot be bribed. I think
that Señor del’Amo is in for quite a rude awakening this time.” Bernardo
mimed “Let us hope that justice will be properly served this time,
eh?” His
master nodded. “Do not worry. Zorro will now be keeping an even closer
eye on Señor del‘Amo, starting tonight!” [[[ZZZZ]]] Don
Juan del'Amo told the driver to push the horses pulling the weekly Los
Angeles carreta to Monterrey harder, even if the poor
animals dropped dead from exhaustion. I must see Governor Ramirez as
soon as possible, he anxiously thought, Ricardo is now completely
insane and deep in my heart I know he intends to exact a painful revenge
on Diego and Moneta de la Vega. When he finally arrived at the
Governor’s office, he was told that His Excellency was ‘indisposed.
‘ “SANTA
MARIA!” Don Juan bellowed. “I MUST see His Excellency now! It is a
matter of life and death!” Finally,
after half an hour of demanding to see Governor Ramirez, His Excellency
himself appeared in the foyer of his office. “What’s
this all about, Don Juan?” He demanded. “ I am a sick man this
morning and need my rest!” “Your
Excellency, I beg of you, revoke Ricardo’s parole immediately!” Don
Juan collapsed into a chair. “Por favor, could I have some brandy, I
...” “Of
course.” His Excellency told a servant to bring some refreshment
immediately. “Now tell me exactly what has happened that has caused
this change of heart regarding your son!” He
listened to Don Juan relate his son’s ‘reasons’ for his recent
criminal behavior with mounting alarm. The elder del’Amo was shaking
both from rage and fear when he finished giving the Governor all the
sordid details of his meeting with Ricardo. “Gracias,
Don Juan. You have done a most difficult thing both for the sake of your
son and for the welfare of the people of California.“ By one o’clock
that afternoon Governor had written a decree which revoked the younger
del' Amo’s parole. His Excellency also sent some soldiers from his
personal guard to accompany the dozen or so lancers he detached from the
Monterrey garrison to arrest Don Ricardo. Geraldo
Ramirez sighed deeply. “I hope that your son does not resist arrest,
Don Juan, because my soldiers have instructions to use any type of force
to capture him.” “Gracias,
Your Excellency! But it does not matter. The son I loved and tried to
raise to become a decent caballero is dead to me!“ |