Disclaimer: The characters are the copyright of Fireworks Entertainment and Paramount Pictures. No fee is to be charged for this story. The plot is original and copyright to the author,.

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 Parkinso

Part Two of 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.”

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.

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.

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 Helena 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 Helena.

“Colonel, I can’t see why we are paying taxes if every time a criminal is arrested they break out of jail. It’s not a jail, it’s a free meal with bed for the night!” Gaspar Hidalgo had worked himself up to a fine passion as he cornered Montoya near the dance floor. The audience of Dons gathered round him nodded approvingly as he made each point

“Don Hidalgo, please let us put aside that unfortunate incident for now. This is an evening for the ladies to enjoy themselves. We can discuss business at some other time.” Giving Gaspar no chance to continue, Montoya turned to the small band and signaled for them to strike up a waltz.

His musical evenings were quite popular and he usually enjoyed them. He had promised to favor the company with a few airs on his violin but the uncertainty of his plans’ outcome was destroying all his comfort. He was in a fever of impatience to hear what had happened. ‘It was just like Grisham not to be back yet,’ thought Montoya irritably.

He stepped back to give the dancers more room when his attention was claimed by an urgent whisper. “Senor Colonel.” Montoya turned away from his guests to see Sergeant Perez standing to attention. “Yes what is it?” he said sharply.

Sergeant Perez’s eyes looked meaningfully at the crowd and he quietly replied “Your guest from last evening has returned and wishes to speak to you. Would you please come this way sir.”

It could only mean that Mikhail Petroff had returned. Montoya’s heart quickened with anticipation as he followed the Sergeant down the hall to the back kitchen. He strode eagerly into the room only to stop suddenly with disappointment. Mikhail Petroff looked up from his chair at the table where he sat alone.

“What are you doing back here?” asked Montoya abruptly. “You are supposed to return only with the Queen of Swords.” A hopeful thought occurred to him, “does Grisham have her?”

Mikhail looked amused as he stood up towering over Montoya’s slight figure. “I had to come back for supplies” he replied in his thick Spanish. “Please come with me and I will show you what I need.” With these words he led Montoya out the kitchen door to the rear courtyard.

Montoya followed impatiently. What supplies could the fool need? The important thing had been to stay with the Queen. An angry utterance died on his lips as he saw Mikhail standing beside a tethered horse. In the saddle sat the Queen of Swords, a gag tied round her month, her hands bound behind her. Her dark eyes blazed with spirit but otherwise she was still.

Mikhail grinned widely at Montoya. “I didn’t think you would want everyone in the house to know she is here,” he said. “Besides, I do need a supply of gold now.”

Montoya walked forward raptly to the Queen’s horse. “A supply that you shall have my friend” he answered. “Well my dear,” he addressed the Queen, “I seem to have you at a disadvantage. Not so chatty this time. I think it’s time to escort you to my special guestroom. Sergeant Perez,” Montoya called into the house.

Mikhail started to untie the Queens feet from the stirrups as Perez hurried outside only to come to halt with a loud gasp as he beheld the Queen. “Should I take her to the jail now?” Mikhail inquired.

“No, not the jail. She has been in and out of that building like an open market. Sergeant Perez, get your squad and follow me.” Perez called for the four man guard detail as Montoya strode back into the house. Mikhail and the Sergeant hustled the Queen forward in his wake. Montoya caught up a lantern and lit it as he crossed the kitchen and pulled open a large door. Behind it, steps descended into darkness. Holding the lantern up high Montoya started down the steps.

Tessa had no choice but to follow him as Mikhail prodded her in the back. Her wrists were sore from the binding wrapped around them and her mouth was a dry as dust from the gag. She carefully walked down the stairs, not wishing to trip with her arms tied. Reaching the foot she looked around at the capacious storage cellars of the villa. There was a hodge podge of unused furnishings and implements in the center of the room. To one side of these were stores of root vegetables, garlic cloves and dried pepper strings. To the other side large sacks of rice and flour were piled. Across the far wall was the villa’s wine storage, bottles piled into a row of arched alcoves build into the wall. She watched as Montoya walked up to the center alcove and grasped the wooden frame built into it. His hand seemed to fumble for a second then the whole rack of wine swung outward.

Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise. It would appear that her hacienda wasn’t the only one with secrets in its wine cellar. Montoya entered the darkened alcove and produced a key from his pocket. He inserted it into a heavy iron bound door that occupied the whole of the back wall and then shot back the extra bolt. The door creaked slowly inward to reveal a stone walled room. Mikhail’s large hand thrust her forward and she stumbled into the room. The room appeared empty aside from a large safe along one sidewall. There were no other furnishings to relieve the stark appearance of the chamber.

Colonel Montoya chuckled as he watched her take in her surroundings. “I see that I still have the capacity to surprise you, my dear Queen. This is my true treasure room. The vault upstairs was merely for convenience. Because you seem so familiar with the workings of our jail, I took the precaution of installing these.” Montoya gestured to the wall opposite the safe and Tessa noticed with a sinking heart several sets of manacles hanging from chains cemented to the wall. “Since you are indeed a treasure, it seems appropriate to have you here” Montoya said smoothly. “Sergeant, remove her bonds and chain her to the wall.”

Clustering around her, Sergeant Perez and his squad grabbed hold of the Queen and removed the ropes about her arms and wrists. Tessa allowed herself a small sigh of relief as her arms were released. The soldiers then marched her backward to the wall and attached a set of manacles. She was left standing with her hands pulled to either side unable to join her hands together. With a flourish Montoya stepped forward. “Allow me to remove this” he said and then unknotted the handkerchief from behind her head. Tessa spat out the wadding and allowed her jaw to relax.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?” inquired Montoya.

“It’s just that your hospitality leaves me speechless,” Tessa replied.

“Sergeant Perez, please escort Senor Petroff out. You and two men will guard the entrance to this room and let no one in without my permission.

“But what of my reward?” protested Mikhail.

Montoya looked impatient. “You will have your reward in good time, Senor. Trust me you will not be forgotten. Right now I would like to have a private unmasking and a little talk with the Queen.” After that…” began Montoya only to be interrupted by a loud shout from the top of the kitchen stairs.

“Colonel, are you down there?” The call was followed by the clatter of feet on the stairs. A moment later Captain Grisham looked round as he stepped into the vault room. The Captain had been though a trying 24 hours. He had got little sleep the prior night due to his vigil at the jailhouse, been knocked unconscious by the Queen and then spent the whole day in the saddle. He never had found Mikhail and had abandoned the search when it got dark. As he caught sight of Mikhail and the Queen his face darkened with a flush of anger. “I thought I was supposed to help you capture the Queen,” he said to Mikhail. “Instead I could barely follow your tracks. I have spent the whole day eating your trail dust.”

The giant’s face assumed a look of innocence. “But Captain, I went as slow as I could. Fortunately I didn’t require your assistance,” he said indicating the Queen.

“Enough of this, Grisham, the important thing is we have captured the Queen. These men are just leaving so I can begin my chat with her,” Montoya interrupted.

“Colonel, your guests upstairs are looking for you” Grisham replied. “Don Hidalgo was asking for you in particular. The band has stopped and I understand they are waiting for your fiddling.

A spasm of pain crossed Montoya’s face. “It is a violin, Captain, not a fiddle. It is doubtless difficult for a man of your culture but please strive to remember it.” Montoya looked thoughtfully at the Queen. “I think I will postpone the pleasure of your unmasking until later. In the mean time, I will let you get comfortable in your new accommodations.”

Gesturing towards the door, Montoya ushered everyone out of the vault room, leaving the lantern hanging from a chain in the ceiling. As he exited, Montoya pulled shut the heavy door and then locked it and slid across the bolt. “Captain Grisham, you will accompany Senor Petroff to my office. Locked in my desk you will find Senor Petroff’s reward money. Here is the key. After that you will return here and take charge of the guard detail. To your care I entrust the vault door key. And Marcus” he added in warning, “I expect to be the one to unmask the Queen.”

Already smarting from the crack about his culture, Grisham couldn’t prevent himself from saying “but Colonel, I was going to attend your party. I have a booked a dance with Tessa Alvarado.”

“Captain, it is always duty before pleasure. I will convey your regrets to Senorita Alvarado.” With these words Montoya climbed the stairs to the kitchen leaving Grisham and Mikhail to join him. Sergeant Perez indicated for two of his squad to follow while he and the remaining men pulled out some chairs and a table from the stored furniture and proceeded to make themselves comfortable.

Concluded in Part 3