My special thanks to Maril Swan. Not only has she been kind enough to beta this story for me, but I was inspired to write it as a thank you for all the enjoyment I have gotten from her stories.

Rating: G

This story takes place after the events in "Takes a Thief".

MONTOYA'S TRAP
by Terry

Act Two, Scene 1

Grisham looked around the plaza of Santa Elena. He was standing on the balcony of Colonel Montoya's home enjoying one of the colonel's cigars. Things couldn't be better right now. Montoya was away until tomorrow, the town was securely patrolled by a large number of troops and he would be seeing Vera in three hours. 'Life should always be this good,' he thought. He was born to enjoy the life of the wealthy. The unwelcome idea that this was only temporary intruded on his enjoyment. There had to be a way to gain the riches he wanted. Montoya was doing well here but he took delight in preventing Grisham from sharing in the money. A sharp Gypsy word caught his ear and he turned to see Tessa Alvarado being driven into town by Marta her servant. Marta expertly flicked her whip as the buggy horse tried to shy at the sight of two small boys wrestling in the dust and the two proceeded across the square.

Tessa Alvarado is rich, but it was Vera that he desired. The thought of his conversation with Vera before her kidnapping crossed his mind. What had she said? Something like it was lovers are wonderful but husbands are forever. Let's face it he was never going to get Vera permanently. She would be no more unavailable to him whether he was married or not. He might as well marry Tessa Alvarado and enjoy her wealth. His gaze returned to Tessa as she swung gracefully down from the buggy. She was a beauty and had no favored suitors. True she was flighty and empty headed but that could be a bonus. She would be easier to impress and more trusting. One could feel almost sorry for the girl. Montoya had only been prevented by sheer bad luck on a couple of occasions from obtaining her land. 'I would be doing her a favour by making her my wife and protecting her,' he told himself. Perhaps he could cut his cake and eat it too. There was no saying that Vera might even continue their liaison

He watched as Tessa and Marta walked to Dr. Helm's office and entered. He decided he would make a determined effort to win her hand. Stubbing out his cigar a thought uneasily crossed his mind. He better be discreet about this. Vera might not be too happy at first and could take awhile to come round. He would cross that bridge when he came to it. At least by then he would have the money to pay the toll. Walking smoothly, Grisham ambled down the stairs and entered the town square.

****************
Act Two, Scene 2

Dr. Helm swerved abruptly to avoid the suddenly opening front door. The tray he was carrying tilted dangerously and he watched helplessly as the pestle, mortar and various chemicals slid over the edge.

"Bloody hell!" he shouted as he dived unavailingly to catch the pestle.

Tessa Alvarado stood staring at the chaos she had created, Marta peering inquisitively over her shoulder. "Why Doctor I had no idea that you were standing there. I am sorry that you have created such a mess."

"I didn't create it, you did, Senorita. If I have asked you once I have asked you a thousand times, will you please knock before entering."

Tessa's smile if anything became sweeter. "Oh, didn't I knock? I must have forgot this time. Marta has brought some of her salve for you. Where would you like us to put it?"

Dr. Helm's teeth ground audibly. "You may put it there over on my work bench. But please be careful to avoid the chemicals on the floor. And don't touch anything" he added too late as Tessa swept clear a space on the crowded bench.

"I didn't touch anything, I merely moved it. Marta, you can place your pot here," she said indicating to the cleared area. "I must say Doctor that you could keep your office a bit tidier. I would never let my home get into this state."

"No doubt I could," replied Dr. Helm, "but I find my time more profitably spent making medicine for my patients. Perhaps you would be able to clean it up?"

"An excellent idea, Dr. Helm, but I need Marta to help with the shopping. After all the time she spent making the salve for you I don't see that I can spare her now" Tessa said brightly. "We only stopped by to help you."

Dr. Helm visibly caught hold of his breath and told himself to count to ten slowly before replying. "You are too kind, Senorita, but I meant you could clean it up and let Marta do the shopping."

Tessa looked surprised. "But Doctor, I have to be there to tell her what to buy."

Dr. Helm sighed and admitted defeat. "Of course you would have to, how silly of me. Well, don't let me take any more time from your busy schedule." With these words he gently but insistently herded Tessa and Marta back out the door.

Tessa turned on the front step, "yes, it is good of you to realize how little time there is in my day. After I get up at noon, the day just seems to fly by. Come, Marta, let's get to the market before all the fruit is gone. You know how it disappears so fast." With these words Tessa set out across the plaza, her basket swinging from her arm.

"I will be right there, Senorita" Marta replied. "I just want to give Dr. Helm some instructions on how to use the salve."

Helm glowered at Marta. "I will never understand how you could have raised such a scatterbrained dilettante," he said.

"I'm sorry, Doctor. I didn't mean for my salve to add to your troubles. I just want to apologize for Tessa. It is all the fault of her losing her mother so young," she added helpfully. "Now I really must go. Hasta Leugo, Doctor."

Helm watched in frustration as the two women picked there way across the plaza. It was beyond him what Tessa Alvarado could find to do in day, since doubtless it was done for her. With an impatient sigh he closed the door and went in search of the dustpan.

*************

Act Two, Scene 3

Tessa's eyes were brimming with mischief by the time Marta caught up with her. "Has the good Doctor recovered from my visit?" she asked.

"Tessa, how could you do that? You have created hours more work for the poor man."

Tessa laughed outright. "It serves him right. Last time I was in town all the good doctor could do was lecture me on not supporting Don Hidalgo's stand against Montoya's tax increase. If he told me one more time that a woman needs a man to run her financial affairs, I was contemplating returning as the Queen and robbing him blind."

"Shush Tessa, don't mention that name here in public. Here comes Captain Grisham."

"Ladies, what a delight to see you in town," said Grisham as he swept a bow to Tessa. Intent on furthering his ambitions he added, "let me help you with your parcels. You shouldn't be obliged to carry a heavy basket."

Tessa looked at him in some surprise. "This is a honor, Captain, you don't usually escort me on my shopping."

"Only when my duty has prevented me. But whenever I have the time I am delighted to be of assistance," said Grisham gallantly.

Tessa smiled graciously and forbore from pointing out the numerous times he had refrained in the past. She was spared the necessity of answering him by a shout from the sergeant of the guard.

"Capitan Grisham, Colonel Montoya's coach is approaching."

Grisham looked startled. "I'm sorry ladies, but it appears that duty once again has come between us. I must see to the Colonel's arrival," he said. Mentally, he was running his mind over the condition of the Colonel's office as he had last left it. Had he put everything back in place? He had better check and he moved hurriedly towards Montoya's villa. He was, however, too late for Montoya's coach and outriders were already sweeping in through the town gate.

A confused babble of voices arose as the dust from the coach settled down around him. "Captain Grisham" a sharp voice barked out. Grisham walked to the coach devoutly hoping everything was in place in Montoya's office. "Good to have you back, Colonel, I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

Montoya looked sardonically from the coach's window. "Ah, Captain Grisham, so happy to have me back early I see. The journey was most tedious but it has brought me some good fortune. I have a prisoner for you to take charge of."

Across the square Marta's breath caught sharply in her throat. "Tessa, look!" she said as she tightly grasped her arm. "It's Roman."

Tessa peered intently as the shackled man was lead from the coach's interior. There was no mistaking that huge frame cloaked in his black duster.

"Tessa, you must rescue him. Montoya will certainly have him killed after what he has done."

"But Marta, they are going to be expecting the Queen."

"It doesn't matter. The Queen will find a way, she always does," said Marta urgently. "Let's get home and you can think of a plan."

*****************
Act Three, Scene 1

Captain Grisham watched with satisfaction as three men pushed Roman Petroff into the cell and the door closed behind him. "You know it really doesn't pay to cross Colonel Montoya. It's too bad that you are learning the lesson the hard way," he said with a devilish grin.

Mikhail Petroff glowered at him from the back of the cell. "Do you think this jail can hold me? This is just a little shack, Captain."

"You won't be going anywhere, my giant friend. Better men than you have found that this jail is more than strong enough. Besides which, those shackles aren't coming off your hands anytime soon. I will see to it personally that neither the Queen of Swords or your little friend Fenner interferes with your stay. You know, the Colonel was really quite upset about your last visit. He is really looking forward to your execution."

Mikhail was quiet for a moment before walking to the cell cot and stretching out. "Just when do you think this execution will be taking place, Captain? I haven't even had my trial yet," he asked in his accented Spanish.

Grisham smile lent good humor to his face. "You are lucky there. The Colonel has his music party tomorrow night and he will be tied up with the preparations. I think he wants it to be extra special. And of course, he wants to tell the Dons of his latest success and let them know he is not a man to be trifled with. That means you will have your trial and execution in two days from now, rather than one. Sweat dreams," he said and jauntily walked down the isle to the guardroom at the front.

"Sergeant, are the two guards posted outside the cell window and is the rear door locked and barred?" he asked.

"Si, Capitan. And I have a detail of six men posted in the building across the street as you ordered."

"I'm sure the Queen will come for her large friend tonight. If she does, it will be her last visit. Tonight I am going to stay here in the guardroom. You will join the men across the street and keep alert for my signal. With the back of the jail watched the only way in will be through the front. Remember, your job is to make sure no one gets back out the front door. We will take her before she can even release the prisoner."

"Si, Capitan. But don't you want some men to stay here with you?"

"No, you idiot. It can't look too discouraging or she won't try. Give me that private's jacket and take my Captain's coat back to my quarters." Grisham shrugged into the soldier's coat and reached out for a shako and crammed it down on his head. "There, now I will appear as the only guard in the building. You keep alert or I will have your stripes. The moment the Queen enters the building you and your squad seal off the front door and take her." Nodding his dismissal, Grisham settled himself into the chair behind the desk. Vera would be disappointed but it couldn't be helped. He had a lot of past scores to settle.

******************
Act Three, Scene 2

It was well past midnight and it would be light in a couple of hours. Grisham yawned as he sat behind the desk. Damn, this was more tedious than he thought. It was beginning to look like the Queen wouldn't be coming.

Back in the cells, Mikhail was still awake. Montoya was certain that the Queen would make her move within the first day of his capture. As he said, she couldn't be sure of how long she had to rescue him before his 'execution'. A tiny sound caught his attention. Starting in surprise, he realized that a key was turning the lock of the jail's rear door. Fascinated, he watched as the door was pushed slightly inwards before coming to rest against the bar. He glanced down the hall towards the guardroom but apparently the sounds of the intrusion had not reached there. There was a slight scratching sound then a slender string tied around a ring worked its way through the doorframe above the bar and was lowered rapidly to the floor. A knife blade flickered under the door and carefully hooked the ring back out of sight. An instant later the string grew taut and snubbed up against the door bar. He watched as the bar rose quietly upward from its bracket and the door swung silently inward on well-greased hinges.

The dark clad figure of the Queen of Swords ghosted noiselessly into the aisle and up to his cell. Once again a key was produced and the cell door swung open. "How did you get the keys?" he whispered in a hoarse voice.

"I've been in and out of this jail so often, I thought I better make my own set. It's really quite handy. Now let me see those cuffs," she answered in a soft whisper. In her hand was a thin flexible strip of metal. She inserted this into the lock on one manacle and worked intently for a moment. With a loud click the cuff sprung open and within another minute the second followed suit. Mikhail stood up and shrugged the kinks out of his shoulders.

"My my my, where in the world did you learn to do that?" came Captain Grisham's voice. The Queen looked up startled. In the cell doorway, with a pistol pointed nonchalantly, at her stood Captain Grisham.

"I started night school awhile ago," the Queen answered, standing up with one hand resting on her hip.

"Well you must be their honor role student," Grisham responded.

Intent on his prey, Grisham walked closer. Unexpectedly, Mikhail stretched out a long arm and his hand grasped Grisham's wrist. With no visible effort his hand tightened slightly and Grisham went a shade of white as his suddenly nerveless fingers released the pistol. "Now its not polite to point," the giant lectured gently.

Grisham winced as Mikhail released his hand and tried to rub feeling back into it. "This won't do you any good," he said. "You must have disposed of the guards around back but you will find your retreat back the way you came blocked. I took the precaution of stationing a squad to watch those guards. Step outside that door and they will fill you full of bullet holes" he added triumphantly.

"Most thoughtful of you, Captain, but we are leaving by the front door," said the Queen. "And before you try to yell I must tell you that your Sergeant and his men across the road will find that they are locked in."

It was Grisham's turn to look surprised. Not heeding the Queen's advice he shouted "Now Sergeant, come now!"

Slipping her hand onto her sheathed sword, the Queen stepped forward and shot the hilt straight under Grisham's jaw. His eyes rolled upwards in their sockets and he collapsed gracelessly on the floor.

"Come on, Roman," said the Queen. "We only have a few minutes before those fools across the street break out." Sword in hand, the Queen led the way into the front guardroom. Mikhail spared one glance for Grisham then quickly followed. Exiting onto the street he could hear excited questions being shouted from the back of the jail. "This way, I have horses waiting for us," urged the Queen.

Loud cursing erupted from the building across from the jail as Sergeant Gonzales roared "break the damn door down if it's locked!" Ineffectual thuds were heard as the two fugitives sped down a darkened alley. Soon the two reached their horses and the sound of hoof beats retreated into the night.

Colonel Montoya strode unhurriedly onto the scene, a pistol dangling from one hand. The door of the house suddenly burst open with four soldiers sprawling down on top of it. Sergeant Gonzales and two others trampled over them looking frantically up and down the street. Grisham staggered from the interior of the jail, one hand nursing a swollen jaw.

"I see, Capitan, that you have the situation well in hand as usual," stated Colonel Montoya. Grisham rolled a bleary eye at the Colonel and struggled to speak. The Colonel waved him to silence. "No, Capitan, spare me the explanations." Montoya looked at Grisham and thoughtfully stroked his beard. "Somehow I am not surprised that you failed tonight. It will be light in two hours and I want you to take a detachment and follow their trail. Come see me when your head is clear and I will explain why you will not catch-up with the Queen and Senor Petroff. Unlike you, Capitan, I have a backup plan." With these words Montoya left the puzzled Grisham to pull himself together and returned to his home.

*********************
Act Four, Scene 1

It was well past daylight but the Queen continued to press the horses deeper into the hills. Mikhail occasionally glanced over their back trail, but no pursuit was visible. Montoya had said he would have Grisham and his soldiers follow them to help with the Queen's capture. Mikhail had a shrewd idea that if Grisham were to help he might have trouble claiming the full reward on the Queen's head. However he wasn't going to capture anyone while they were on horseback.

"My horse cannot keep up this pace much longer," he called to the Queen. "You might not have noticed but I weigh a little bit more than you."

The Queen pulled Chico up and looked appraisingly at Mikhail's horse. The animal wasn't totally winded but it could definitely use the rest. She looked back and could see nothing on their trail. "I know a place about 20 minutes from here. It has cover and a view over our back trail, plus there is water there for the horses. We will rest there and I can catch up on what's happened to you."

Mikhail nodded grateful acceptance. You had to hand it to the girl; so far she hadn't presented him with one opportunity. It was typical that she would choose a resting-place that would allow them to catch sight of any pursuit long before it caught up with them. He hoped Grisham wouldn't blunder into sight but rather would have the sense to hang back and watch.

A few more minutes of riding brought them to a slight bushy rise. Mikhail swung stiffly out of the saddle as the Queen sprung down and led the horses to a seep of water. The horses gratefully sipped water but they were left saddled and bridled ready for any emergency. The Queen said "I'm sorry, Roman, but I didn't bring anything for you to eat."

"Don't let it bother you. It is far better to be free and hungry than be in town eating the last meal of a condemned man," said Mikhail with a broad grin. "Come here and let me thank you for the rescue. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that jail door swing open."

The Queen strolled up to where Mikhail was standing, a half smile of amusement curling her lips. "Did you think I would leave you for Montoya to hang? I thought you knew me better than that. By the way, where is Fenner? I would have thought he would have kept you out of trouble."

Mikhail started absent-mindedly rubbing his left wrist where it had been chafed by the manacles. "Fenner wasn't with me when Montoya captured me. He had some business of his own concerning a lady friend and had left for a week or two."

"Is that wrist bothering you? I have some salve for wounds in my saddlebag. Let me put some on that." The Queen walked up to Chico as she spoke and briefly rummaged in her saddlebag. Taking out a small jar she walked back up to Mikhail. "Push up your sleeve a little so I can get at it" she ordered. Mikhail meekly did as he was told and the Queen spread a little of the ointment on the wound. As she finished, she turned her back to take the salve back to her horse. Without warning, two strong arms encircled her from the rear, lifting her off her feet and pinning her arms to her sides.

"Roman, what the hell are you doing!" she yelled. Struggling madly, she attempted to kick back with her feet.

"Now just behave and you won't get hurt" grunted the giant holding her. Seemingly without effort he took the Queen and tucked her under his left arm, freeing his right hand. He pulled the Queen's rapier from her waist and cast it down then plucked her main gauche dagger from her boot.

Tessa's face was turning red with effort but she couldn't get her hands free and her legs had nothing to kick at. She felt Roman's grip shift yet again and she found herself being placed face down on the dirt. Keeping a knee on her back, Roman pulled her hands behind her and deftly lashed them together. She felt her ankles drawn together and then they too were bound. Roman turned her over and sat her against a nearby rock. More cord was produced and wrapped around her body further pinning her arms to her sides.

"Roman, have you gone utterly mad?" she sputtered.

Squatting down to her level Mikhail replied, "firstly, I am not Roman and secondly I am perfectly sane."

The Queen's jaw dropped in surprise. Swallowing she asked, "but you are Roman, I know what you look like."

"Let me introduce myself. I am Mikhail Petroff, Roman's twin brother."

"Why are you doing this" Tessa asked. "I am a friend of Roman's. He will be furious with you."

"I am doing this for two reasons. The first is the 1,000 gold reales I will get from Montoya when I turn you in. The second is to pay back my brother for all the grief he has caused me. I hope he will be miserable over your capture."

As he spoke Mikhail straightened up and looked over their back trail. Noting his glance the Queen asked, "are you expecting company?"

"Oh, Captain Grisham is out there somewhere, perhaps even in sight. I think that tired or not I better get you back to Santa Elena before the Captain gives Colonel Montoya a reason not to pay the whole reward."

"I see that you are beginning to get an appreciation of Colonel Montoya's character" Tessa said swiftly. "He will never pay the reward to you so you might as well release me."

Mikhail looked pained. "Colonel Montoya is a gentleman. He warned me that if I had help with your capture he would be obliged to split the reward. Why do you think I waited until we were out here?" Mikhail turned to the horses and gathered them together, carefully attaching the Queen's rapier to his saddle and placing her main gauche in a bag. He tied Chico's reins to his horse's saddle then bent down and untied the Queen's ankles. She was given no chance for escape since he once again picked her bodily up and set her down in Chico's saddle. Taking more cord from a pocket he tied each foot to a stirrup. "We wouldn't want you to fall out of the saddle on the trip to town" he said cheerfully.

"Why, how kind of you to be so thoughtful," replied the Queen ironically. "I can't remember that last time I was so well taken care of."

Mikhail looked at her. "You see it is nothing personal with me. I just need the money. It's only my brother that I have a score to settle with."

"Well, I'm glad you explained all that," the Queen answered. "It makes everything so much better for me."

Mikhail ignored this last comment and stepping into his stirrup, swung himself up onto his horse. "I would suggest that you save your breath. We have to trot now if we are to make town by nightfall."

Tessa sat upright in the saddle and tested her bonds as Chico obediently followed Mikhail's horse. There was not the slightest give in them and with her feet tied to the stirrups she couldn't attempt to slip away once they were in brush. Like it or not, it would seem that she was going to Santa Elena.

Concluded in Part Three