Author: Terry

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”. Characters include CM, G, T, M, H, Q, GH.

MONTOYA’S TRAP
by Terry Parkinson

Part One of 3

Colonel Montoya stared though the dust of his escort out the coach’s window at the passing landscape. He and his twelve men from the Santa Helena garrison had made it safely to Monterey. The escort had proven strong enough to deter the Queen of Swords. He had been forced to deliver the taxes personally, just to make sure they got there. Not only that, but it was his own money paying the taxes. ‘How can it be that a mere bandit queen can out maneuver me’ he wondered?

He brooded bitterly over his latest encounter with the Queen. He had thought Fenner and his formidable friend Roman Petroff were a good bet to kill the Queen. He had even bent them both to his will when Fenner tried to back out. He had actually thought the Queen was within his grasp when Roman had brought her to his office. Instead he had lost 800 reales to those two thieves and gained a public humiliation from the Queen.

Grisham had been left in charge of watching Santa Helena although he had barely managed to avoid disaster last time he was in command. Montoya wondered if Krane was still in Monterey prison or whether he had been executed by now. There should be no problems like that this time; he had left more than three-quarters of the garrison with Grisham. Not that he was concerned for Grisham’s sake, but there was the matter of his remaining treasury. He was glad that he had moved the deeds for his land to the vault in the basement where he had stored his correspondence. Grisham wouldn’t be a problem - he didn’t know the combination to the vault. Montoya wondered bitterly if there is anyone left in town who didn’t know the secret of the bookcase room.

The coach was passing down the narrow streets of the busy town and soon entered into the plaza. With shouts from his escort, the coach lurched to a stop outside the Viceroy’s palace. It was time to face the Viceroy. Montoya climbed from his seat into the bright sunshine.

“Sergeant Gomez, have two men bring the chest and accompany me to my meeting.”

“Yes sir Colonel, I will see to the stabling of the horses at the hotel and have them prepare your suite for the night”.

“Very good Sergeant. Make sure they understand that I require dinner this evening and a private dinning room. And take special care of my baggage. Detail Private Mendez to attend me there. You and the rest of the men will find quarters in the garrison barracks for tonight, but there is to be no drinking. We leave tomorrow morning.” There was no use tempting fate too much, and Montoya felt it unwise to leave Captain Grisham too long off his leash. His ambition could be a dangerous thing for both of them. It would do Grisham good if he arrived back a day early.

Montoya turned as a splendidly dressed Colonel wearing the regimentals of the infantry regiment of Castile strolled out of the building towards him. “Colonel Montoya, what an unexpected pleasure to see you. His Excellency the Viceroy was not aware of your impending visit.”

Montoya smiled at the implied criticism. “Ah my dear Colonel Orvantes, you know I never let my personal comfort stand in the way of duty. I have come to deliver the taxes and discuss urgent business with his Excellency. As soon as you have written out a receipt for me please be so kind as to let him know of my arrival.”

“By all means, my friend, if you will come with me.” Orvantes gestured to one of his men and murmured something to him before leading Colonel Montoya up the stairs.

The two officers entered the building followed by the soldiers with the chest. Montoya walked beside his rival, well aware that Orvantes had pressed to be appointed commander of Santa Helena. Orvantes turned a cynical eye to Montoya before he gestured the way to his office. “We are of course glad to see you, Colonel. We were beginning to wonder when your payment was going to arrive. It is a trifle late, no?

Montoya knew that the payment was more than a trifle late but stated “it is for that reason that I have come to see his Excellency. I must discuss the problems facing my command”

Orvantes laughed as he lounged around his handsome desk to draw a piece of paper towards himself and scrawl a quick signature on the receipt. “Colonel, I think all of California has heard of the problem facing your commend. I gather that the bandit, the Queen of Swords is still eluding you? I am sure the Viceroy would be delighted to discuss this personally with you. I have already informed him of your arrival. Let me escort you to his office.”

Montoya quietly seethed with anger as he followed the languid officer up the stairs and to the right.

Carlos de Loen y Reyes was not a happy man. While it was true that he was the Viceroy of the whole of his Catholic Majesty’s Alto California, it was not through any choice of his own. He had received his appointment to this backwater due to his wife’s connections at court and he had accepted it due to his precarious financial position. He would far have preferred the governorship of one of the more lucrative colonies where the opportunities to fatten his purse were greater. Instead he had to make due with the slender pickings here in California.

Consequently, any impediment to lining his pocket irritated him greatly. Governor Reyes looked up and gestured an impatient hand to come in as Orvantes knocked and then opened his office door. “So Senor Montoya, you have finally managed to deliver your taxes, a mere month and a half late.”

“Yes, your excellency, this time I saw to it personally and the taxes now rest securely in the treasury. I had sent them on time to you but alas, they were stolen twice before today’s delivery. It is for such reasons that I must draw your excellency’s attention to the needs of my poor garrison. We are stretched to the limit doing our duties in Santa Helena. The area abounds with bandits and I need more men to guarantee the safety of the area.”

An impatient frown crossed Governor Reyes face and he replied “Colonel Montoya, you have come here to tell me that one woman, the Queen of Swords, is more than you and your entire garrison can handle. Don’t be preposterous! I cannot spare any more troops for your region and I will not send you more funds for you to raise your own. If you cannot deal with this menace, I have many others here who are impatient for the chance to do so.” As he spoke he glanced significantly at Colonel Orvantes.

Not the least disconcerted, Montoya paused to ease a crease from his coat’s sleeve and then proceeded. “I must remind your Excellency that while it is true that the Queen of Swords still remains at large, my command has dealt with many other bandits. I personally was able to rid the colony of El Serpiente. I believe that he had caused no little trouble around Monterey eight months ago, with no one here able to catch him.” As he spoke, Montoya looked blandly at Colonel Orvantes. “Only last month I sent to your prison the American freebooter, Krane. He made the mistake of crossing swords with me and paid the price,” said Montoya grandly, ignoring any mention of Captain Grisham’s or the Queen of Swords role in Krane’s capture.

Reyes waved an irritated hand at Montoya. “I am well aware of these facts Colonel, but we were discussing your failure to capture the Queen of Swords. If it weren’t for your other successes you wouldn’t be standing here in front of me as the commander of Santa Helena. If you want to keep your position then no more mistakes. You will deal with the Queen of Swords and send her here for justice or I will have you here as my garrison stable master! There is no more money, you must make do with your present resources.”

Montoya swallowed his disappointment then continued, “of course I will deal with the Queen. It is merely a matter of time before she makes a fatal mistake. I was not aware previously of your Excellency’s desire to have her brought here alive. Surely her death would serve the purpose as well as her capture?”

Reyes tapped his finger on his desk as he spoke. “Colonel, you must be aware that even in Spain there is talk of this Queen of Swords. They press me to know who she is. There are even hints that they may want her sent to Spain to answer questions as to how this colony is run.” Reyes looked significantly at Montoya. “I don’t know if this Queen has any influence with the government in Spain. It could be she is a person of significance and has allies at home. I want to talk to her myself and discover the true state of affairs. I certainly don’t want her identity to be public knowledge before that. It could be very dangerous to our positions here. I trust I make myself clear?” he said inquiringly. “You bring her here alive and with her identity concealed. No one is to know who she is. By that I mean your soldiers as well as the public. If we can keep even her capture quiet until I have interrogated her, so much the better. I am not a fool and did not get to this position by taking unnecessary risks.”

“I will of course do everything in my power to do as you wish, Senor” Montoya answered. “I will raise the reward to1,000 reales for her capture and only 500 reales for her death, but I can not guarantee that I will capture her alive.”

Governor Reyes chuckled in amusement. “Colonel Montoya, you can’t even guarantee that you will keep your position at the rate you are progressing. As I said, I much prefer her to be alive, but if she is dead see to it that no one knows who she is. Now Colonel, I have more pressing matters to deal with than your failures, so I will excuse you.” With those words the Governor turned back to the papers on his desk.

Montoya gritted his teeth but saluted and turning on his heel walked out in front of Orvantes. Aside from the successful delivery of the tax money, the trip was a total failure.

Colonel Orvantes allowed himself a slight smile of amusement. It was good to see his arrogant rival humbled. He had little doubt that Montoya was not up to the task of capturing the Queen. ‘Soon I will be in charge at Santa Helena,’ he told himself, ‘with the opportunities to build my fortune. And to think I will owe it all to a woman!’

Montoya’s thoughts were as black as his frown as the two exited the building onto the busy plaza. The square was thronged with shoppers intent on bargains. Travelers on horseback carefully picked past market stalls, pushing their skittish horses through the crowd. Rambunctious children ran laughing and screaming as they played their games oblivious to the traffic around them. Montoya stared haughtily at the scene. A familiar figure caught his eye. It couldn’t be, yet there was no mistaking the huge man cutting across the square.

Montoya turned to Orvantes. “Quickly, I need you to fetch a squad of soldiers. I have just spotted a criminal who must be apprehended.”

Colonel Orvantes looked startled for a moment. “Where is the man?”

Being careful not to stare and draw attention to himself, Montoya indicated Roman with a nod of his head. “That gargantuan man there is Roman Petroff, who is wanted for theft.”

Orvantes’s glaze settled on the enormous figure. A slight smile crossed his face before he turned to Montoya. “Ah Colonel, I am sorry to disappoint you once again. That man is not Roman Petroff.”

“What do you mean not him, do you think I am blind? I recognized him immediately” stated Montoya.

“An understandable mistake Colonel, one that I made myself. We are well aware of Roman Petroff’s undesirable activities and would love to have him a guest in our prison. However that man is his brother, Mikhail.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because Mikhail was arrested in error three weeks ago and lodged in the Monterey jail. We believed that we had captured Roman Petroff and no one paid the least credence to his claims that he wasn’t. However we received irrefutable proof two days ago of his identity. He was in jail here when Roman and his English accomplice robbed the bank in San Luis Obispo. Unfortunately Mikhail’s stay in prison has ruined him financially. He had a large herd of wild horses when we arrested him. They have all disappeared and since his release he has been trying to scrape together enough funds to finance another horse hunting trip.”

“I cannot believe that is not the same man. The resemblance is truly astonishing” stated a startled Montoya.

“That is because they are twins. They are both men of enormous strength,” said Orvantes ruefully. “When I arrested him it took eight of my men to bring him in.”

“I have a score to settle with his brother. Perhaps Roman will come to help his brother” speculated Montoya thoughtfully.

Orvantes laughed outright. “My poor Colonel Montoya, Roman will visit Mikhail when hell freezes over. Not only has there been bad blood between the brothers for years, but now Mikhail blames his brother for his arrest and financial ruin.”

Montoya stiffened and drew himself upright. He was not used to being laughed at and didn’t find it to his taste. “I must bow to your greater knowledge of the man. It’s a pity that it is so. I would dearly like to see his brother in chains. Now if you will excuse me, Colonel, I believe I will seek out my lodgings for the night” Yet even as he spoke Montoya’s glaze rested thoughtfully on Mikhail Petroff’s figure.

Orvantes gave a slight bow and replied, “by all means Colonel. I would invite you to dinner but I am on duty this evening. Perhaps next time we meet I could be so fortunate as to have your company.” Orvantes’ teeth gleamed as he smiled his farewell

Montoya merely returned the bow and turned to leave. ‘Yes my friend, you would like to meet again,’ he thought, ‘because you think you will be taking my command. But it will take a slyer man than you to outfox me.’ Turning ideas over in his mind, Montoya began to see how this situation could be put to his profit.

Montoya pushed back his chair from the table. The inn had put its best efforts into his meal and while not up to the standards of his cook at home it was passable enough. He glanced round the room and noted that the brandy decanter with two glasses had been brought in as he had requested. He had chosen to take his meal in the solitary splendor of his suite for he was expecting company and desired privacy. A small frown of concentration knit his brow but otherwise he looked his usual urbane self. He had changed from his military dress and was wearing a dark civilian coat with his cravat neatly tied.

Whatever his thoughts, they were interrupted by a discreet knock on the door. “Come in,” he commanded. The door swung inward to reveal a hulking figure. Mikhail Petroff walked in as Private Mendez carefully closed the door behind him.

“Welcome, Senor Petroff. I am so glad that Sergeant Gomez was able to extend my invitation to you. Please come in and take a seat.” Montoya was all charm as he gestured to the other chair at the table. “May I pour you some Brandy?”

Mikhail looked carefully around the room as he advanced towards the table. The resemblance to his brother was truly remarkable. They both stood 6 foot 4 inches tall, were clean shaven with short hair and had bodies bulging with muscle. Their features appeared identical. But where as Roman Petroff’s demeanor commanded attention when he walked in a room, Mikhail’s was less assured. Plainly he was a little uncomfortable with the situation.

“I wasn’t aware that it was an invitation,” Mikhail answered carefully.

Montoya frowned. “I am sorry, I must speak with Sergeant Gomez tomorrow. I thought I had made it clear that you were to be my guest. Please excuse my Sergeant’s clumsiness. You are of course free to go but I hope that you will stay. After all we have something in common.”

Mikhail approached the table puzzlement writ large upon his face. “Do we, Senor Colonel? I wasn’t aware of even knowing you before this evening. What is it that we have in common?”

Montoya waved this aside. “We both have suffered losses at the hands of your brother, Roman.”

Mikhail’s face darkened and he said, “I don’t even want to say his name. Thanks to him I spent three weeks in Monterrey prison. The profits from all spring were tied up in my horse herd and that is gone too. He has caused me nothing but trouble and not for the first time.”

“Ah, it is always the way with wrong doers” sympathized Montoya. “They don’t care who they injure, even their own relatives. Your brother stole from me 800 reales and after I had befriended him and offered work. But come, take a seat and try some of this brandy.”

Mikhail carefully lowered his frame into the seat opposite Montoya. Satisfied that it could take his bulk, he reached out and gingerly accepted the brandy snifter from Montoya.

A charming smile lit up Montoya’s features as he noted that while Mikhail was physically his twin’s double, he lacked the bold confidence that characterized Roman.

“Thank you Colonel. It is most kind of you to offer. I didn’t receive anything like this in prison and since my release I haven’t been able to afford a decent drink,” Mikhail said in his thickly accented Spanish.

Montoya smiled. “It is for that reason that I invited you here tonight. I think that I may be able to help you recoup your losses. As I said before, your brother stole a large sum of money from me. Unfortunately he and his friend Fenner have removed themselves from the local of my Pueblo and I cannot find them. However, their accomplice the Queen of Swords still remains nearby. I think that you will be able to help me catch her.”

Mikhail looked up, a spark of interest in his eye. “Of course I’m interested in anything that can set me back on my feet again but I don’t see how I can help you. I don’t know the Queen of Swords and have no idea where she is. Besides which, it is my brother that I wish to see punished.”

“I assure you, Senor, your brother will be quite unhappy if we catch the Queen of Swords. There is no need for you to find her. I intend that we make it so she finds you. I should also mention that the reward for her capture alive is 1,000 reales.”

Mikhail choked on the sip of brandy he was taking. Montoya stepped forward and clapped him on his back. Regaining his breath Mikhail sat up straighter and replied. “Indeed, Senor Colonel, that is enough money to interest any man! The chance to earn a fortune and stick a spoke in my brother’s wheel. He has caused me so much grief, it would be a pleasure to cause him some. But what am I to do?”

Montoya said carefully, “something that should be easy for you - be yourself. Or perhaps I should say be your brother Roman who looks just like you. If you are agreeable I will have you return with me to Santa Helena. Outwardly you will be my prisoner, Roman Petroff. I have no doubt that the Queen of Swords will receive word of this and I have equally little doubt that she will hasten to rescue you. Once she has set foot into the trap you have merely to take her unaware and the reward is yours.”

A concern crossed Mikhail’s mind. “I have heard of this Queen of Swords. I am no swordsman like my brother. Even if she takes me with her how could I ever capture her?”

Montoya reached over and picked up Mikhail’s hand. “This is all the weapon you will need. Once you lay a hand on her she will be as putty in your hands. Until then she must suspect nothing. I will have Sergeant Gomez obtain clothing such as your brother wears and only he and Private Mendez will know who you are. I suggest that you wait until you are clear of the jail and town before trying to take her. She will naturally be most on her guard in the jail and town. If during your rescue my soldiers capture her, you will still receive a share of the reward. But don’t delay too long, it would not do for her to suspect your identity.”

All doubts now eased Mikhail eagerly stood up. “Senor Colonel, you have got yourself some live bait. Consider the Queen as good as trapped!”

Grisham looked around the plaza of Santa Helena. 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.

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 luego, Doctor.”

Helm watched in frustration as the two women picked their 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.

Continued in Part 2 of 3