Mirror, Mirror
by Maril Swan

Episode #201

Part One of three

Prologue

Helm was getting hot under the collar in more ways than one. He had nearly made it back to his office before Montoya accosted him. Now, the colonel held him at bay in front of the hotel, a friendly smile on his face and a restraining hand on Helm's arm. In spite of the torrid heat, Montoya hardly seemed to be sweating, while Helm was nearly soaked, sweltering wretchedly under the broiling midday sun.

"Doctor," the colonel said smoothly, his watchful grey eyes locked onto Helm's, "I think you have been avoiding me."

"Good, then I haven't been too subtle," Helm retorted as he shook out of Montoya's grasp. He tried to step past, but Montoya blocked his path.

"You wound me, Doctor."

"Well, I guess that's fair, since you tried to do far more than wound me."

Montoya smiled. "Are you referring to that bit of unpleasantness with Grisham?"

"Bit of unpleasantness?" Helm's voice rose dangerously despite his attempt to remain composed. "You call having someone take me out to kill me a bit of unpleasantness?" The doctor stabbed his finger against Montoya's chest. "I'll tell what will be a bit of unpleasantness — if Grisham ever gets near me again, he'll need more than a doctor. He'll need someone to reassemble all the pieces!"

"Really, Doctor Helm, if I had wanted you dead, you would be. Grisham was not ordered to kill you. You are too valuable in this community to waste. It might be over a year before we could get another doctor. No, it was just meant as an example and a warning." He smiled wryly. "Like you, I have the power over life and death in this pueblo." Montoya's eyes narrowed and he lowered his voice. "Stick to your job — healing, and let me stick to mine —governing. Then there will be no need for any more 'unpleasantness' or further examples. And I would warn you to stay away from your light-o-love, that she-devil in black. Consorting with her will only draw you further into dangerous opposition to me."

"She's not my light-o-love," Helm retorted, the regret he felt showing in his voice. "She's just a very remarkable woman whom I admire. Nothing more."

Montoya opened his mouth to answer, a scowl darkening his face but the sight of the coach from Monterrey distracted his attention. Both men shielded their eyes against the swirl of dust which eddied around them as the coach stopped almost in front of them.

The coach driver jumped down and dropped a step in front of the door, then opened it, and reached in. A daintily gloved hand appeared from the dark interior of the coach, followed by a smooth white arm. Finally, a head emerged, covered by a stylish hat and lace mantilla which hid the woman's face. As she took the driver's hand, she ducked under the door frame and stepped out, showing a finely shaped foot encased in shiny leather shoes. Her gown of rich green satin swished as she placed her feet firmly on the ground of Santa Elena. She looked around with interest, focussing on the two men staring at her in fascination. Pushing back the mantilla, she smiled as the colonel strode forward. He bowed formally, taking her hand.

Montoya raised the delicate hand briefly to his lips. "Welcome to Santa Elena. I am Colonel Luis Ramirez Montoya, military governor of this territory." He turned and beckoned to Helm who joined them. "And this is Doctor Robert Helm, our local physician."

Helm bowed slightly and pressed her hand to his lips, inhaling the sweet perfume on the lace glove. She was bewitching. Tall for a woman, she was about the same height as Montoya, the doctor decided as he looked between them. He took in her shapely form; her firm white bosom barely contained in the tight gown. Her hair was raven black, what he could see of it under her mantilla. She had high cheekbones and the finely sculpted features of a Greek statue. Her bold almond eyes made her look exotic, slightly Asian. 'Was that a hint of enticement in her gaze?' Helm wondered with a mild shock. He tried not to stare, but her beauty abashed him and he didn't know where else to look.

The young woman flipped open her fan and plied it vigorously. "I had not expected such heat," she said. Her voice had a warm, almost deep timbre, and she laughed delicately behind her fan. "I am pleased to meet you, Colonel Montoya. Perhaps you could be of assistance to me. I have some legal matters to settle here in Santa Elena."

Montoya drew himself up, and nodded with a wide smile. "Of course, I would be delighted to help you in any way I can. How may I assist you, Senorita...?"

"Maria Theresa Alvarado. I am here to claim my inheritance."

 

-------Act One, Scene 1.

The smile disappeared abruptly from Montoya's face and he faltered. Behind him, Helm gasped. The colonel stepped closer to the young woman, and spoke in a low voice. "This matter should not be discussed here on the street. Allow me to escort you to my residence where you may refresh yourself and we can discuss this matter more privately." Montoya turned to the doctor who was looking at the señorita with narrowed eyes. "Will you accompany us please, Doctor Helm? I believe we will need a witness for this."

With that, he directed the coach driver to carry the young woman's baggage across the plaza to his villa. Taking her arm, he escorted up the steps between the stone lions that guarded the entrance and into the cool interior of his home.

Helm followed silently, warily. He was too benumbed by her revelation to create a coherent thought. In the meantime, he would keep his own counsel while awaiting the outcome of this little drama.

The trio entered Montoya's office. The colonel's face held an abstracted expression as he gazed at the young woman standing before him. He cleared his throat and began to pace. Finally, he stopped as if coming to a decision. "Señorita, your sudden arrival here places me in a delicate situation." He glanced at Helm as if to judge his reaction to this statement, but the doctor maintained an aloof attitude, keeping his expression purposely neutral. Montoya continued, "Do you have any proof of your identity? The Alvarado hacienda is a large estate, and a very valuable one. You understand, I hope, that we need proof that you are who you say you are — to verify your claim."

A look of annoyance clouded her face for an instant then cleared as she smiled. "Of course, Colonel. I understand. I have documents in my valise. If someone will bring my large leather suitcase here, my valise is inside."

Montoya went out and gave orders to his aide to fetch the suitcase and in a few minutes, the soldier lugged it in and set the large case on the floor.

The young woman took a key from her reticule and opened it, lifting the lid carefully, as if to keep the contents from the men's eyes. She pulled out a slim brown leather folder and set it on Montoya's desk. With another key, she unlocked the valise and laid it open. Inside there were papers, seemingly of various ages. "What sort of proofs do you need, Colonel?" She picked up several of the documents and presented them to him, one at a time. "This is the deed to the hacienda. This is my baptismal certificate and this is my father's will." Her hand shook slightly at the last statement, and tears welled in her eyes.

Montoya examined each page minutely, then handed them to Doctor Helm. "These documents seem to be in order. What do you think, Doctor? Are they genuine?"

"What do you mean, are they genuine?" she said sharply, turning to confront Montoya. "Are you suggesting these documents are forgeries? Why would I forge documents to claim what is mine? I have come a long way under the most distressful circumstances, and now this." The young woman staggered and the doctor grabbed her arm, setting her gently on a chair. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

Somewhat apologetically, Montoya touched her shoulder. "Why did you wait so long to come back to Santa Elena? Your unfortunate father died over a year ago."

"My father's death was so devastating, I became ill for a long while. Then, I could not decide whether to stay in the convent or return to California. My family lawyer said that I must return to settle the estate, and should sell the hacienda while I am here if I did not wish to live in it. That is why I am here now, to decide what to do with the hacienda."

"I see," Montoya said carefully, watching her face. He was silent for a moment, then added, "Would you care to refresh yourself, señorita? My maid will provide you with all you need." Montoya went out of the office and returned with a grey-haired woman wearing a black dress and white apron. "Annabella will see to your comfort, if you will please go with her."

As soon as the two women left, Montoya closed the door and leaned his hand against it. At length, he pushed away and dropped onto the chair behind his desk. "What a catastrophe!" he said vehemently. He looked up at Helm studying the titles of the books on the shelves. "If this is the real Maria Theresa Alvarado, who has been living in the Alvarado hacienda this past year?" Montoya snorted, and slammed his hand on his desk. "I didn't even ask for any proof when she arrived here with her Gypsy companion. Just took her word for it. No one would even remember what she looked like. Tessa Alvarado left here when she was only a child of seven. If she is an impostor, I'll look like such a fool. What in Hades am I to do?"

"We won't know anything until we see what proof the other Maria Theresa has."

 

--------Act One, Scene 2.

Marta looked up from the rose garden as a sound blew past her on the wind. A shaft of fear ran through her as she stood slowly to watch the progress of a black coach and a squad of soldiers riding down the path toward the villa. 'Madre mio,' she thought as her breath caught in her throat, 'what do they want?' Something about that black coach seemed ominous, like a harbinger of ill luck or doom. She muttered a Rom imprecation against evil as the coach drew up in front of the villa.

Captain Grisham dismounted and opened the coach door. Montoya stepped out, straightened his military jacket then turned to assist a young woman to alight from the carriage.

The young woman's eyes widened as she glanced around, taking in the whitewashed adobe villa surrounded by well-tended shrubs and flower gardens. The gravelled walkways were neatly raked and free of weeds. Marta followed her gaze to beyond the villa, past the large stables, then further off, to the huts of the workers. And as far as the horizon, were fields and vineyards, all flourishing with produce. As she walked toward the group, Marta observed the woman's expression turn to disdain. Marta compressed her lips slightly and sighed wearily. She was used to seeing that look.

"Buenos dias, Colonel." Marta's gaze moved over the young woman standing at his side. She was quite lovely, almost as beautiful as Tessa, but there was something in those eyes... Marta directed her attention back to Montoya as he began to speak.

"We must see your mistress immediately. It is a matter of utmost urgency." Montoya brushed past Marta, having taken the young woman's arm to lead her inside. "We will await her in the main room," he said in a tone that brooked no contradiction. Grisham followed at a distance, an arrogant smile on his face.

Marta stood for a moment, watching them enter the house. A shiver of dread ran through her in spite of the heat. 'Who is that woman with Montoya?' she wondered. Marta tried to shake off the feeling of impending doom as she went inside to find Tessa.

Grisham could see that Montoya's female companion was impressed by the villa. It was indeed impressive. As they passed through the foyer into the main room, her eyes were wide with wonder. From the elegant furnishings to the rich draperies and carpets, the whole place bespoke wealth.

Grisham made himself at home, lounging against the fireplace beneath the austere stare of Don Alvarado's portrait. He would replace this picture with something more colourful when he was master of this hacienda. 'I hate portraits,' he thought, 'especially of haughty, sneering bastards like Alvarado. He got what he deserved.' Grisham sighed as he gazed at the pastel portrait of Tessa, aged seven, that hung across the room. 'Mi Angelita' was inscribed below the drawing. 'She's an angel all right,' he mused appreciatively, looking at the likeness. 'And someday soon, she'll be my angel, and I'll run this place. I just have to get a chance to court her, and she'll marry me. Who else is there around here anyway? Not Helm. He's so dazzled by the Queen, he can't see straight. When Tessa realises she doesn't have a chance with Helm, she'll turn to me, and I'll be waiting.' He grinned as he gazed with a proprietorial air around the bright, cheery room.

At that moment, Tessa entered, a welcoming smile on her face. Marta followed, her eyes wary, her mouth set in a hard line. Tessa moved toward the colonel with her hand out. "Why, Colonel Montoya and Capitan Grisham! What an unexpected pleasure. And you have brought another guest. How lovely. What can I do for you, Colonel? Have you been offered any refreshments?"

"Señorita..., we are here to resolve a most sensitive situation." Montoya began only to be interrupted by the woman at his side.

"Who is this woman?" she asked curtly, pointing at Tessa. "A servant? A housekeeper?" Her delicate brow creased as she looked Tessa up and down contemptuously.

Tessa's chin lifted and she flashed a haughty look at the other woman.

"If you will calm yourself, señorita, we will get to the bottom of this." He glanced at Grisham who was staring intensely at the other woman, obviously confused.

Montoya sent him a warning look, and tried again. "It has come to my attention, that there is some uncertainty over the ownership of this hacienda. This young lady arrived just this afternoon in Santa Elena and has introduced herself as Maria Theresa Alvarado."

"What!" Tessa gasped as she gripped the back of a chair, her knuckles turning white with the pressure. She seemed at a loss for words.

Grisham came to attention and moved forward as if to catch her in case she should faint. Suspiciously, his gaze moved from the woman to Montoya. 'What the hell's going on here?' he wondered. 'Another one of Montoya's schemes? And he didn't tell me anything about it!'

Marta glared at Montoya and his companions. "What sort of trickery is this?" she hissed. "Tessa is the owner of this hacienda. Her father left it to her in his will."

Tessa finally found her voice. "I was born here, Colonel, as you know. Who is this woman who claims to be me? Why would you bring this impostor here?"

"She has proof, señorita, documented proof that she is Maria Theresa Alvarado. If you have such evidence to verify your identity, the matter will be closed. One of the impostors will be sent packing or to prison," Montoya added with a brief smile.

Grisham noted the angry flush that had risen on Tessa's cheeks, and her quick, furious gestures. He had never seen her look more lovely or appealing. He subdued the grin that tried to escape across his features as he enjoyed the spectacle of her barely restrained passion.

Turning to Marta, Tessa said, "Bring Papa's box of valuable papers. We will prove this once and for all. Then, Colonel, you can take this... person back to wherever she came from."

Marta brought the ornate wooden box in and set it on a table. Tessa opened it and began to search among the many pieces of paper. "Ah," she said. "Here is the deed to the property, signed by my father." She handed it to Montoya.

He shook his head. "There is no dispute of the fact that the property belonged to Don Rafael Alvarado. Having a this deed does not prove *your* identity. Is there something else?"

Tessa delved into the box again, her frown deepening as she discarded one piece of paper after another. "It's not here. Marta, did you see my baptismal certificate? It was in here." Reaching the bottom of the box, she stopped searching. For a long moment, Tessa stared at the scattered contents of the box, a look of helpless confusion in her eyes. Suddenly, she said, "My father sent me many letters while I lived in Madrid. I can send for them and verify they are in my father's handwriting. I could also have my uncle send a legal document attesting to my identity."

"That will take months, Tessa," the colonel said. "In the meantime, this young lady has the better claim to the hacienda. Among her documents are Don Alvarado's will, an official copy of the deed to the property and a baptismal certificate. Her claim is stronger than yours, therefore I must ask you to vacate this hacienda until the matter is definitely resolved, one way or the other."

Grisham started as Marta advanced threateningly on the young woman.

"You think you can come here and steal my Tessa's property, just like that ...without a fight? We will not leave --- you will have to drag us out of here! This is Tessa Alvarado's hacienda and no one will take it from her. The dons will come to our aid. We will fight you." Marta's eyes were wide and she shook with fury.

Tessa turned quickly to Marta, obviously alarmed at the glower of rage on Montoya's face. She put her arm around the Gypsy woman's rigid shoulders, embracing her, turning her away from Montoya and his female companion. "Marta, there will be no violence. Papa would not want that. This will be solved legally. We will just have to bow to the law, and wait for justice."

Marta broke away and left the room. A long uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Tessa finally said, "We will need a day or so to pack our things. Surely, that is a reasonable request, under the circumstances, Colonel."

"So you can steal everything of value?" The other woman turned her furious eyes to Montoya. "Colonel, you can't let her just take whatever she likes from here. She and her Gypsy will rob me blind!"

Grisham noted the deep colour on Tessa's cheeks and her balled fists. Her laboured breathing was distinctly audible as she held herself rigidly in check. 'She is almost moved to violence,' he thought with amusement. 'What would it take to push her over the edge?'

Montoya held his hands up placatingly. "I will leave two of my men here to be sure they take only their own personal possessions." To Tessa, he added, "You will not take anything from the villa except what you brought with you from Spain. You have two days to pack and to find other accommodations."

Tessa nodded and left the room without another word.

 

-----------Act Two, Scene 1

Grisham strolled to the door of his quarters, pulling up his suspenders. The rap came again and he jerked the door open to reveal one of his soldiers standing at attention in the dark doorway. The soldier glanced around furtively then whispered, "Capitan, may I come in? I have something of importance to tell you."

The captain stood aside and gestured to the interior. "Come in, Mancera. What's keeping you up so late tonight? You're not on duty now." Grisham closed the door and went to light a candle.

"Capitan, that woman we escorted to the Alvarado hacienda today? The one who claims to be the real Señorita Alvarado? She is a fake." He moved closer to Grisham and lowered his voice. "I met her in Monterrey when Montoya took us as an honour guard to meet the new Viceroy." Mancera hung his head, and he mumbled confidentially near Grisham's ear, "She is a prostitute named Sofia del Campo. After the ceremonies, Montoya gave us all leave for the night. We got drunk and went to a bordello. That's where I met Sofia." He grinned and rolled his eyes, leering at Grisham. "She is mucho caliente, Capitan. But she is no lady, believe me." He chuckled, then sobered immediately. "You must promise to tell no one I told you this. My wife would kill me if she found out!"

Grisham laughed aloud, and clapped the soldier on the back. "Your secret is safe with me, Mancera. Now you'd better go home before your wife begins to suspect you're out with another woman. And thanks for the information." He ushered the soldier to the door and propelled him through it, shutting it firmly.

"Man, oh man," he chortled to himself. "What a plum to fall into my hand!" He laughed aloud again and dropped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. For a long while, he tossed around in his mind what he could do with this information, how best to use it for his own benefit.

Continued in Part two.