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 Three of 3

Inside the vault room, Tessa listened carefully until all sounds had died down on the other side of the door. When satisfied, she carefully slid down the wall towards the floor. There was just enough slack in the chains for her to sit on the floor with her back to the wall. Stretching her left leg out in front of herself Tessa braced against it and lifted her right leg up. Demonstrating her flexibility, she brought her boot cuff within reach of her right hand. Tessa carefully worked her fingers inside the boot and pulled out the spring steel lock pick concealed there. This was going to be a bit more difficult than she had thought since she had to use only the one hand to pick the manacle lock. Working carefully so not to drop the precious pick Tessa’s lips pressed together in concentration. A few minutes later there was a sharp click and the cuff fell away from her wrist.

‘I really must thank Doctor Helm,’ Tessa thought. ‘Goodness knows how he learned it but he is an excellent locksmith and teacher.’ The Queen was going to have to do something nice for him in exchange for his lessons and the gift of a lockpick. The second cuff opened much more quickly than the first then Tessa stood and stretched gratefully. She walked quietly over to the door and looked at the lock. She could manage the lock, but the bolt on the other side would be a problem.

Settling down against the wall she proceeded to wait patiently.

Grisham settled resentfully into his chair. The cellar was chilly and not particularly comfortable. He had paid Mikhail his money as instructed and he was now stuck here with two soldiers to wait god knows how long for Montoya to return. He had dismissed the sergeant and told him to wait for further instructions from Montoya. ‘I should be upstairs impressing Tessa Alvarado not stuck down here,’ he told himself. He wondered what plan Montoya had for getting that 1,000 reales back from that buffoon Mikhail. He was sure he wouldn’t just let him leave town with them. Luck had favored the giant and made Grisham look bad. At least with the Queen out of circulation he wasn’t likely to have any future failures to further lower his stock with Montoya.

“Capitan, there is someone coming from the kitchen” one of the soldiers said. Grisham looked up in time to see the kitchen door open at the top of the stairs.

“Who the hell is there…” he began only to stop when he saw it was Mikhail. The giant wasn’t alone. Fenner stood with him, his hands secured behind his back and a rope looped around his neck.

“I have brought another present for Colonel Montoya,” said Mikhail jovially. “You wouldn’t believe the things you find lurking around. Come now,” he said as he led Fenner down the stairs and into the cellar.

“Hey careful with the neck, it’s the only one I’ve got,” squawked Fenner. “A rather important part of me body is attached to it and I like keeping them all in one piece.

Grisham stood and strolled over. “I wouldn’t worry to much about it if I were you. You are going to be losing the head in a couple of days anyway.” Frustration gnawed at him at Mikhail’s further triumph.

Mikhail gestured towards the vault, “Montoya told me to secure him in there along with the Queen.”

Grisham smiled without humor at Fenner. “Not a problem, plenty of room for one more.” He went to the door and producing the key inserted it into the lock and turned it. Satisfied it was unlocked he drew back the bolt and pushed against the door.

The two guards slung their muskets over their shoulders and came over to assist. Grisham’s attention was claimed by a sickening thunk and he turned to see Mikhail release the soldiers’ heads he had just knocked together. “Hey what’s going on!” Grisham hand sought his sword hilt only to come to a halt. Fenner grinned with genuine amusement as he held the pocket pistol he had brought from behind his back pointed steadily at Grisham’s head.

“I’d have a care there, Captain, or it will be you not needing your head anymore.” Grisham stood stock still while Mikhail reached over and removed his sword.

“Thank you very much, Captain,” continued Fenner, “It’s always a pleasure doing business with a sensible man. Now if you would be so kind as to lead the way, we will go and see how the lady is doing.

Having no choice, Grisham pushed past the door and into the vault room. He had just entered when from behind the door the Queen emerged and gave him a mighty kick between the shoulder blades. Grisham went staggering across the floor and cannoned into the wall.

“No need for that, love,” Fenner said as he and Mikhail stepped into the room. “Old Fenner has the situation well in hand. I thought you said she was chained to the wall,” he added to Mikhail.

“She was when I left,” replied Mikhail. “How did you get loose?”

Tessa smiled behind her mask. “I told you before, I studied lock picking in night school.”

Grisham shook the cobwebs from his head and gingerly straightened up. “I don’t understand how you persuaded Mikhail to help you,” he asked the Queen.

“If you must know Captain, I didn’t persuade Mikhail to do a thing, that’s Roman.”

Grisham gasped then groaned. “When did you switch places with your brother?”

Roman rocked lightly back and forth on his heels, a pleased look on his face. “I never had to switch places with my brother. The Colonel made the mistake of thinking my brother was still in Monterey. I had already met with him and given him some money. As soon as I left my meeting with Montoya, Fenner was on his way to tell the Queen.”

If Grisham was surprised before, the world fairly rocked for him now. “Then what was all this in aid of?” he asked.

Fenner’s face took on a pitying look as he patiently explained. “It was to find this room. Her majesty calculated the easiest way to find Montoya’s secret hiding hole was for him to show it to her. Roman and I couldn’t resist another 1,000 reales of Montoya’s money.”

Standing with her hands on her hips, her head cocked to one side the Queen regarded Grisham. “It was very inconvenient of you to follow us after last night. Poor Roman couldn’t be sure you weren’t in sight and I had to be bound all day. I think I own you a little something for that. Roman, would you be so kind as to place the Captain in those manacles and drag those guards in here?” the Queen asked.

Roman and Fenner locked the protesting Captain into the shackles so recently vacated by the Queen. Whilst Roman dragged the two unconscious guards inside, Fenner relieved Grisham of his keys. Looking at the Queen, Fenner said, “I think you be needing the little toy you left with me.” He reached in the breast of his coat and withdrew a stethoscope, which he tossed to the Queen.

The Queen deftly caught it. “Thank you very much. Your arrival couldn’t have been better timed since Montoya will be tied up with his party for awhile longer.” The Queen put the stethoscope in her ears and placed the other end next to the dial on the safe. It had been a simple matter for her to sweep it into her basket during the chaos of yesterday’s visit with Dr. Helm. Tossing her hair back over her shoulder with a look of concentration on her lovely face, she set to work turning the dial slowly back and forth. Grisham watched in fascination. Within five minutes he heard a loud click and the Queen grasped the lever handle of the safe, twisted it and pulled the door open. “Yes” she said with satisfaction as she saw the thick stack of documents.

“I have found the deeds and Montoya’s correspondence. These should be worth while reading,” the Queen said as she seized a thick portfolio of documents “I really am interested in what secrets Montoya considers worth burying down here.”

Just before locking the door the Queen addressed Grisham. “I wouldn’t waste any breath calling for help, Captain, I’m sure no one will hear you from inside this room. Don’t worry, the wait for Montoya will give you plenty of time to come up with excuses.” Tessa flashed the captain a quick grin and a mock salute and then was gone.

“Come back here, you witch,” yelled Grisham, but his only answer was the closing of the vault room door and the grating of the key in the lock.

Montoya couldn’t remember enjoying an evening more. Since his return, the smile hadn’t left his face and the earlier comments from the Dons had slipped from his mind like water from a duck’s back. He had been particularly inspired playing the violin tonight. The night was indeed music to his ears and he still had the delightful treat of hearing the Queen singing out her soul to follow.

He hadn’t been able to resist composing a brief note to the Viceroy detailing the Queen’s capture. The note had been dispatched to the stables and by now should be on its way to Monterey. Montoya smiled in satisfaction as he considered the rewards that would come. Without the Queen’s interference he would be able to rake in all the tax money he wanted and seize even more land. With money and land he could raise more soldiers, buy the cannon he wanted and then start accumulating real power.

It was unfortunate he had to delay the Queen’s unmasking. He was curious to know her real identity. He looked over his guests trying to determine if anyone was missing. Dr. Helm still hadn’t arrived, but then he was always late. Vera Hidalgo was there; laughing and chatting with her a handsome young partner while her husband was safely tucked away with his cronies. He hadn’t seen Tessa Alvarado yet, but he had glimpsed her servant Marta so she must be around. He thought perhaps that Senorita Aguilera was missing. He had had his suspicions about her ever since her brother had turned outlaw. His speculations were interrupted by Dr. Helm’s arrival. Montoya moved over to greet him. “Good evening Doctor, so good of you to finally join us,” he said with gentle sarcasm.

Ignoring the implied criticism, Dr. Helm ran a hand through his hair before replying. “I didn’t think I would make it at all. It’s been one hell of a day starting with treating your soldiers’ broken limbs this morning right up until now. Somehow it seems to me that treating the sick and injured takes precedence over parties.”

“Doctor, how lovely to see you, I’ve been looking for you all evening.” Tessa Alvarado with Marta in attendance had suddenly appeared at Helm’s elbow and was smiling engagingly at him.

Montoya noticed with amusement the slightly annoyed expression on Dr. Helm’s face. It was really rather amusing how the Senorita’s interest in the Doctor was not returned. The devil that was inside him prompted him to say “Doctor, I see that I can leave you in good hands. It appears that you and the Senorita have much to catch up on.” Inclining his head, Montoya started to take leave of them.

“Oh don’t go, Colonel,” Tessa said sweetly to him. “I am sure that you need to relax more, you are always looking so tense. You know Colonel, you work too hard.” Tessa turned back to Dr. Helm and continued “I just don’t think things are fair for the Colonel. He had a long trip to Monterey and the night he gets back his prisoner escapes from the jail. Now he has to throw this party for everyone. I don’t know when you find time to relax Colonel.”

“Senorita, I’m touched by your concern. But I am a military man and we rise above our troubles. In fact, I think I may soon have some good news that I can share with you all,” he said enigmatically.

“Oh I’m so pleased Colonel! You work so hard that you deserve good fortune,” Tessa replied warmly.

Helm couldn’t stomach much more to this so he interjected “Senorita, I’m sorry but I am not much of a conversationalist tonight. I have had a very long day and you must excuse me.”

“You had problems today too doctor? I thought that only the Colonel had heavy duties to bear.”

Helm started to bristle. Would nothing get rid of the wretched girl? “My day started with setting broken bones of two of the Colonel’s men, then assisting with a baby delivery, attending a very busy surgery in my office and finally trying to complete that batch of medicine I was working on when you visited yesterday. Next time, Senorita, when I request you not to move anything on my bench would you please listen to me. Not only are all my chemicals mixed up but I still can’t find my stethoscope. It made things very awkward in the surgery.”

Being careful not to catch Marta’s eye, Tessa somehow kept a straight face. “But Doctor, you know I pointed out that you should clean up your office. Don’t worry, I am sure when you tidy that it will turn up.”

As they were talking Sergeant Perez had entered the main room and was staring intently around. Catching sight of Montoya he hurried over with a worried look on his face. Clutched in one hand was a sheet of paper. Montoya had a horrid premonition as the Sergeant handed it to him. “Colonel, I found this pinned to the back door of the Villa.”

With suddenly trembling hands Montoya unfolded the paper.

Dear Colonel:

I must extend my apologies to you for not waiting for your return. I know you’re a busy man so I didn’t want to take up any more of your time. I can’t thank you enough for the guided tour of your cellars. Your vault room is so well hidden it's no wonder I couldn’t find it before. Don’t worry, your hospitality hasn’t gone to waste as Captain Grisham nobly volunteered to stay in my place. I am sure that given the chance, he will provide plenty of entertainment for you. By the way, Roman would like to add his thanks for the 1,000 reales tonight. Between that and the generous brandy you shared in Monterey, he holds you in the highest regard.

Adios, the Queen of Swords

Montoya barely noticed the tarot card fall from the opened paper.

Montoya was dragged back to the present by an urgent voice. “Colonel? Colonel, are you all right? Did you get some bad news?” Tessa Alvarado placed an anxious hand on his sleeve and peered at his suddenly paled face. “Doctor, I think you had better get the Colonel a drink he appears to have had a nasty shock.” Tessa glanced around in apparent concern. “Where is Captain Grisham when you need him.”

Pulling himself together with an effort Montoya said tersely, “no need to trouble yourself, Doctor. A momentary shock only. I’m afraid Captain Grisham is tied up just now, Senorita.” Raising a shaky hand to his temple to think, Montoya remembered his message on the way to the Viceroy. With a tightening of his heart he felt the jaws of his trap close about him.

THE END

©Montoya's Trap - Terry Parkinson - May 2001

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