Disclaimer: The characters from the Queen of Swords and Zorro are copyrights of their respective owners. No infringement of copyright is intended. The story plot is original and copyright to the author, Neil Burns.

Without Strings
a Queen/PUPPETMASTER crossover
by Neil Burns

The crowd was gathered in the center of Santa Helena as the middle-aged Frenchman Andre Toulon entertained them with a puppet show. It was a political satire about Napoleon's defeat, the Inquisition and the French Revolution. The children were especially enjoying the show and well-crafted puppets.

Tessa and Marta were enjoying the show and were amazed that the puppets seemed to move without the assistance of strings

"It is incredible, Marta!" Tessa exclaimed as one resembling a court jester was dancing on her lap. "It is as if it were alive."

"And my people are accused of witchcraft," Marta mused dryly.

"Maybe we can send one to Colonel Montoya. Given the foul mood he has been in lately, this might cheer him up."

"He would probably burn it and arrest us."

The puppet seemed to cringe at that prospect, but Tessa chuckled as she consoled it. Another puppet seemed to resemble a Gypsy with exotic colorful garb and exotic features. It began dancing on Marta's lap as it shook a tiny tambourine.

"Merci, mes amis," Toulon smiled gratefully at the applause. "You have been a most appreciative audience."

"Thank you, Senor Toulon." The people turned at the voice and saw Colonel Montoya standing in the rear applauding. "A most interesting show."

"You are too kind, Colonel."

"Forgive my asking, but I am sure people here are curious as to how you are able to control your puppets without strings."

"You are asking me to ruin an illusion, Monsieur Colonel."

"I do not believe in illusion, only in facts."

"Very well. They are mechanized."

"Thank you. Perhaps you could entertain my guests with your puppets tonight at a little gathering I am having."

Marta smiled at Tessa's rather too loud groaning while Montoya only arched an eyebrow in acknowledgement.

Toulon nodded. "I would be honored, Colonel." He opened his box and pulled out a puppet which caused everyone to gasp. "A little token. For you." The puppet was an exact replica of The Queen of Swords! From the slight smile to the lace mask to sword in her tiny hand. Everything was perfect! Montoya took it with feigned grace, but felt uneasy as it actually seemed to stare right through him. "I am----honored," Montoya said trying to maintain politeness. "What have I done to deserve this?"

"Well, I hear about the Mademoiselle fighting for justice and how you are a very fair compassionate man---" A sharp bark of laughter interrupted him. "---I figure that you and her could be allies."

"I regret that is not so. C'est le guerre."

"Indeed. Mademoiselle," he turned to Tessa. "I have something for you as well." Toulon reached in again and Tessa felt her heart almost stop seeing a perfect likeness of her father! Rafael Tobias del Leon y Alvarado himself never looked better as the puppet seemed to capture the strong yet compassionate features. Tessa gladly accepted it and kissed Toulon on the cheek in gratitude.

"I am sorry for your loss. I had the honor of meeting him a long time ago. He was a good and honorable man."

"Gracias," Tessa smiled. "I will keep it always. Until tonight."

The night air gently danced across the courtyard as Montoya's guests were listening to Toulon telling about growing up in Marseilles and Paris and his father teaching him the craft of puppeteering. Tessa and Vera were sitting near Montoya and Grisham's table, the expatriate trying to affect interest.

Tessa studied the puppet Alvarado carefully. Senor Toulon is a genius! Every detail is perfect. Montoya walked over and placed the Queen puppet in front of her. "What is this, Colonel?" she asked curiously.

"A present," Montoya replied. "I outgrew puppets a long time ago. I happen to find this particular one rather disconcerting."

"Gracias."

"I must say the likeness to your father is rather unnerving as well."

"Perhaps it is a mulo, Colonel," Marta smiled as she walked over. Marta picked up the Alvarado puppet and held it close to her breast.

Montoya's eyebrows arched skyward. The Gypsy witch is a strange one indeed. How much has she corrupted Maria Theresa? "A mulo?"

"An angry spirit of a wronged man or woman, Colonel."

"So, what are you saying? Don Alvarado's spirit is inside a child's toy?" Montoya began laughing at that. "Marta, your Gypsy spiritual nonsense is amusing, but this is a bit much."

"The spirit world is not to be taken lightly, Colonel."

Suddenly, the puppet's eyes shot around and glared at Grisham, whose bottom jaw dropped at seeing this. Marta put it on the table standing up as Toulon was on his way over. "Murderer!" It hissed at a stunned Grisham. "You thought you could hide from justice, you snivelling coward!" The puppet picked up a knife and jumped off the table in front of a shocked Montoya and marched toward Grisham, gasps and shrieks filling the courtyard.

"My God!" Helm gasped. "The bloody thing's alive!"

"Don't worry, mon ami," Toulon replied. He gave an incantation in what sounded like ancient Egyptian and the puppet collapsed lifeless. "You see. No harm done."

"Brujeria!" One woman hissed. Toulon walked over and picked up the doll and removed the knife, giving it to a shaken Grisham.

Montoya placed a firm hand on the puppeteer's shoulder. "Forgive me, Senor," he intoned gravely, "but I regret I must ask you to leave. I can not have my guests attacked, even by children's toys."

"I understand," Toulon bowed graciously. "I apologize for any trouble I may have caused everyone here."

"Allow me, Senor Toulon," Marta intoned.

"I thank you for an interesting evening, Colonel," Tessa smiled sweetly. "I regret I am feeling a little tired and must retire. A good night to you and the others."

"It is always a pleasure to have you, Maria Theresa," Montoya replied. "A good evening to you as well."

Tessa and Marta were sitting in front while Toulon slept in the back, a blanket covering him. The puppet Queen and Don Alvarado sat on her lap looking up fondly. "It is almost too bad," Marta smirked, "Senor Toulon stopped the puppet of your father from killing Grisham."

"Why did it attack him?" Tessa replied. "Unless--"

"He probably killed your father and his mulo is inside this puppet."

"I remember when Senor Adams visited and Captain Wiggins indirectly accused Grisham of killing Papa as well."

"Perhaps an option worth exploring."

"In due time, Marta. Right now, I believe these little darlings may come in use."

It was late at night and Dr. Helm was dreaming he was standing trial for the death of his father with his father's rotting corpse come from the grave to give testimony when he felt pricking against his neck. It was not just a single prick, but more a constant jabbing. Bloody hell! Note to self: Purchase bell to put around neck of annoying vigilante! He opened his eyes irritably. "What the hell do you--Oh my God!" Helm gasped as he saw the puppet Queen standing next to him, its face in that smile.

"Buenos noches, Dr. Helm," it chirped. "Forgive the disturbance."

"A remarkable likeness," that soft alto voice tickled Helm's ears as he saw the Queen sitting in a chair, her feet propped on the edge of the bed.

"Aren't you a little old to play with dolls, Tessa?" he quipped dryly.

"I never had a doll growing up, Robert."

"Deprived youth," Sarcasm drenched the words. "What brings you and your little friend to annoy me this time?"

"My creator's life may be in danger," the puppet Queen replied.

"Well, one of his creations attacked Grisham, although I say he probably deserved it with all the underhanded crap he's done. That may be a factor."

"Or," the real Queen nodded, "he may be accused of being a sorcerer."

"I don't know if I'd say that. Mechanized puppets I can understand and your father's voice from the puppet is probably ventriloquism."

"Ventriloquism? What is that?"

"Projecting your voice so it appears to come from somewhere or someone else. Toulon probably projects his voice so the puppet appears to talk."

"It turned to look at Grisham as if could sense his presence."

"As if it were alive? I'd say impossible except for the fact I saw it myself." The puppet Queen kissed Helm on the cheek as the actual Queen smiled grimly. Perhaps I should pay Montoya and Grisham a visit with these little dears.

"You know, one of you is annoying enough," Helm dryly quipped. "This will really test someone's patience."

"I just decided to see how you are doing."

"Fine. I would do better if someone would let me sleep!"

"Good night, Robert." the puppet kissed Helm on the cheek.

"Good night, Robert," the real Queen folowed suit and pulled up an extra blanket to cover him before the two left into the night.

Colonel Montoya chuckled as he watched the ex-patriate Captain punching the bag, his heavy perspiration more from fear than from exertion. Grisham's blue eyes nervously darted back and forth as if searching for something. "You seemed uneasy, Captain," Montoya purred silkily.

"Not uneasy, Colonel," Grisham replied. "Scared shitless!"

"A rather amusing though somewhat distasteful visual."

"Well, sir. You would be too if a kid's toy suddenly came to life and attacked you."

"Yes, that would be rather frightening."

Grisham hit the punching bag a few more times, but the previous night negated any interest he might have had for his workout. Towelling himself off and putting on his tunic and rebuckling his belt, the Captain drank some water to replenish himself and followed Montoya toward the cantina. "What I don't get," Grisham mused while looking around to make certain nobody was listening to their conversation, "is why the puppet didn't attack you as well. You ordered me to kill Alvarado."

"Believe it or not," Montoya replied dryly, "I was visited by Alvarado's ghost not too long ago and we made peace before he returned to the afterlife."

"And you're suggesting I do the same? That would look good. An officer begging mercy to a kid's toy? I'd be put in the nuthouse."

"A most tempting suggestion. Where did you say Senor Toulon was?"

"He's putting on a show at the church. The guy gives me the creeps."

"Then how about we arrest him?"

"Why?"

"Why? For witchcraft and attempted murder."

As the two men walked by the cantina, neither observed Tessa and Marta having a glass of wine on the porch. So Grisham was the man who pulled the trigger! Tessa began to suspect when the Americano Wiggins accused Grisham, albeit indirectly, of killing him. However, as Grisham would say, this is "straight from the horse's mouth". Her dark eyes blazed furiously. "So Grisham killed my father!" she hissed.

"I suspected as much," Marta agreed calmly. "The cards did seem to point to him as one of the conspirators."

"The answer was in front of my face all along and I did not realize it. He was in my house. He dined and danced with me. He even dared to court me, all along almost taunting me."

"So, what will you do now?" Marta poured another glass for both.

"Write the Governor in Monterrey and the Spanish court. Tell them that Colonel Montoya ordered my father murdered and that Captain Grisham killed him."

"Do you think the Americanos and Monroe would let Spain try one of their own? Of course not. They still want execute him themselves."

"No, Marta. Senor Adams had Monroe pardon Grisham for saving his life."

"Still, Spain and the Americanos are not on friendly terms."

Suddenly, a group of soldiers walked by dragging a slightly battered Andre Toulon who shouted curses in French. A minute later, Captain Grisham and Colonel Montoya were walking by.

"Colonel. Captain Grisham," Tessa greeted them, an icy look piercing Grisham. "May I ask why Senor Toulon is being arrested."

"Is something wrong, Senorita Alvarado?" Grisham queried somewhat uneasy.

"No, Captain. Why do you say that?"

"Maria Theresa," Montoya smiled while kissing her hand. "I apologize you had to see that. Senor Toulon is under arrest for witchcraft and attempted murder."

"Attempted murder?"

"Yeah," Grisham interjected. "The Alvarado puppet came at me with a knife."

"How frightening."

"Well, I would not worry, Maria Theresa," Montoya smirked. "I will interrogate him then he hangs tomorrow."

"Colonel. I am sure he only want to entertain children, nothing more."

"We shall know soon enough. Ladies, good afternoon."The two women watched Grisham and Montoya go, grim expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, a wicked smile creased Tessa's lips as she casually sipped her wine. Marta did not like that smile. "I think, Marta," Tessa purred, "perhaps Senor Toulon's puppets may want to have a word with Montoya tonight on his behalf."

"What about Grisham?" Marta queried, rolling her eyes wondering where Tessa got some of her ideas.

"Well, confession is good for the soul. And Montoya did suggest Grisham confess his actions to Papa and ask his forgiveness."

Montoya was sleeping soundly, dreaming of walking into the Royal Reception Hall of the Spanish Court and presenting Ferdinand VII himself the Queen of Swords' head on a silver platter. Suddenly, he felt a prick and strange feeling that his hands were immobilized. He opened his eyes and started, seeing the Queen puppet and others, including the Gypsy and jester, sitting on his chest with their giggling and smiling unnerving him. "What the hell is this?" Montoya looked to see his hands tied to the headboard.

"Good evening, Colonel," the "Queen" chirped. "Please forgive the hour."

"What brujeria is this?!"

"We wish to speak with you. The puppets want their master freed."

Montoya began laughing at the concept. I am being held prisoner in the middle of the night by a bunch of children's toys! I can not believe this. The "Queen" seemed to read his mind as it "stroked" his cheek.

"You are not going mad. Senor Toulon is a beloved entertainer who wishes to entertain others. The attack was a regrettable misunderstanding."

"I do not know. I can not say I was disappointed. Only that the puppet was stopped."

"So, again we ask you to set Andre Toulon free."

"I can not release him," Montoya chuckled. This had to be a bad dream. "simply because a group of puppets requested it. People would think that I am mad." The puppets suddenly began advancing forward, some carrying knives, their grinning silent faces menacingly inferred the consequences. "On second thought, perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. I shall free him in the morning." The puppets nodded in silent approval. "If you will excuse me, I need sleep." I just hope nobody walks in. I would be put away.

The "Queen of Swords" pecked his cheek and led the other puppets off the bed and out the room, leaving the Colonel who suddenly felt his nether region becoming very warm and very damp.

Grisham felt his neck being pricked and opened his eyes--to be greeted by a glaring puppet of Don Rafael Alvarado holding a knife to his throat.

"Good evening, Captain," a familiar alto teased his ears. The Queen of Swords sat on the edge of the bed, her dagger pressed against Grisham's crotch.

"Get that thing the hell away from me!" Grsiham howled.

"So, murderer!" the puppet snarled. "You thought you could escape justice! But I found you out!"

"Please! What do you want?!"

"A confession," the Queen replied, struggling to squelch the urge to castrate the American aide-de-camp. "Did you or did you not kill Don Rafael Alvarado?"

"No! I don't know what you're talking about!" Both daggers pressed harder against their respective targets, "Alvarado"'s dagger slicing Grisham's cheek. The Queen began rubbing her dagger gently against his genitalia. "Are you sure?" the voice purred accusingly. "You have a choice. Confess and make peace with Don Alvarado's mulo or die in your bed.

"All right! All right! Montoya and Alvarado were arguing about taxes and it got heated and Alvarado left. Colonel Montoya told me to 'make it look like an accident'."

"So you killed him."

"Yes." Grisham turned to the puppet. "Is that what you want to hear, Alvarado? Colonel Montoya ordered me to kill you and I did. I am sorry, it was nothing personal. Now can you please leave me the hell alone?!"

Suddenly, "Alvarado" stiffened and fell to the floor as an apparition appeared, its features in a stern scowl. Don Rafael Tobias del Leon y Alvarado himself! "So you admit your deeds, Americano," the raspy baritone intoned.

"Yes! I am sorry! I had nothing against you, Alvarado. I was simply following orders."

"Very well, I forgive you. However, you must confess to my daughter and pray she forgives you. You also must pay for your crimes."

"I will see that he does," the Queen replied, satisfied. Nodding, the apparition vanished as did the Queen and the puppet. Only a face-down Tarot card remained, which Grisham did not even bother picking up as he knew what the face would be. He spent a long time going back to bed, having dreams of angry puppets chasing him and Montoya, the puppets led by Toulon's ghost. He finally managed to drop off.

The next morning, Andre Toulon was released and gave a farewell puppet show before embarking on his trip to San Diego. Grisham and Montoya observed him eating.

"Good riddance," Grisham mused.

"Indeed," Montoya replied. "I find midnight visits by puppets very disturbing."

"Alvarado's ghost visited me. Made nice with him like you did."

"Let us forget this ever happened."

"You don't have to tell me twice. I'd look terrible in a straitjacket."

"That is debatable."

Below, Tessa and the "Queen puppet" glanced over at the two men sitting at the bar from her porchside seat as well as the carriage disappearing into the desert. A grim smile crossed her lips as she finally found out who killed her father Don Alvarado. She long ago began to suspect that Montoya had knowledge, though not actually killing him, but Grisham confessing that he was the triggerman was indeed a coup. I will find out which Dons conspired with Montoya and Grisham to kill Papa. I swear it on his grave. The "Queen" puppet smiled as Tessa left the cantina and headed for home.

THE END

©Without Strings - Neil Burns - March 2001

Please send your comments on this story to the author -Neil Burns