DEADLY REPARTEE
PART TWO

by Neil Burns

Sequel to Deadly Repartee by Jo, also found on Manzana Core.

Montoya trudged wearily into his office and glanced at the incident reports on his desk. 1818 was not even two weeks old and already the Queen of Swords and he or Grisham had fourteen run-ins. An odd thought crossed his mind and he did not know why: The Queen arrived almost immediately after Don Alvarado died. That is mere coincidence. There is no possible connection. He turned to walk to his bedroom when he saw a familiar figure.

"Buenos noches, Montoya," a familiar raspy voice pronounced.

"Alvarado?!" Montoya croaked in disbelief.

Indeed it was it seemed, Rafael Tobias del Leon y Alvarado was standing there, the moon casting an aura around the spare athletic figure and framing his handsome face. "You are dead!"

"Si," Alvarado shrugged. "Thanks to you and the Americano, among others."

"So how is the afterlife treating you?" Montoya smirked acidly.

"Very well," Alvarado matched his sarcasm. "Saint Michael and I play chess every night."

"I do not suppose you pray for me up there?"

"Only with much difficulty. How is your little empire?"

Montoya's eyes narrowed slightly. Even though he was dead the Don still disrespected the Colonel. A pity I did not kill him myself! I would have made him suffer.

"It runs efficiently. Your daughter, Maria Teresa, is well. She and her Gypsy witch do an admirable job running your land."

"How about the Queen of Swords?" Alvarado's smile seemed to broaden.

"A demon sent by Diablo himself to torment me." Montoya was curious as to what possible interest the Queen had to a dead Don.

"No. An angel sent by God to see that justice is done."

Montoya drained a glass of cognac. He was about to offer Alvarado a glass, but remembered he was a ghost. "She was here New Year's night and said almost the very same thing."

"Despite what you think," Alvarado grew serious. "I do not hate you, Luis. You are a brilliant soldier and more than a capable officer."

"Why thank you," Montoya replied, with a slightly disbelieving smile. "I actually liked you too."

"But what you are doing is wrong. Stealing from the people and The Court. Killing those who dare disagree with you. Acting like Ferdinand's Commission is open licence to behave as barbaric as you wish."

There was always a catch to flattery. Montoya said, "My dear Rafael. May I remind you that you are in no position to stop me."

"No, but the Queen of Swords is. I asked God to send an Angel of Justice the day the Americano killed me--"

"And she is that 'Angel'? Tell me, why is she of so much interest to you?"

"That is between myself, her and God, Montoya."

Montoya noticed that Alvarado was starting to fade.

"I simply came by for closure," The Don said before his outline subsided, "I forgive you, Montoya. You, the Americano and the other Dons who wanted me dead. But now, you must answer for your crimes."

The late Don faded into the night. Montoya stood there and then filled up another glass of cognac and drained it. I am imagining things. I just had a long day and my mind is exhausted. He dressed for bed and went to sleep, although something told him the visit from Alvarado's ghost was not a dream.

THE END

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