EXPOSURE

by Neil Burns
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"Bloody hell!" he growled. Helm respected the Queen's fighting for justice, but disagreed with her killing to accomplish it.

"Good evening, Doctor." That familiar soft husky alto voice called out. Helm didn't bother turning, knowing the Queen was there. He glanced in the mirror and saw the graceful figure in black, a lace mask partially hiding lovely feline features and a gentle almost mocking smile playing with her lips.

Helm smiled acidly, "Come to admire your handiwork?"

"Dr. Helm," she replied. "you, of all people, have no right to judge what I do."

"Well, he'll live, no thanks to you."

"I do not want to kill anyone, but they force me."

"Bollux! You don't have to kill anyone. I should turn you into Montoya."

"Then Santa Helena would need a new doctor."

Helm felt a strange attraction to the Queen of Swords during their conversation. She infuriated him with her seeming lawlessness and callous dispensing of human life, yet there was something almost enticing about her. The Queen patted his cheek and left.

~~~~~

It was the Cinco De Mayo festival and Colonel Luis Montoya was having a soiree to die for. Don Gaspar Hidalgo was chatting with the other Dons while Dona Vera (perhaps with Gaspar's encouragement) was perusal flirting with other men. Montoya was dancing with Tessa Alvarado, his serpentine eyes gazing into those exotic dark pools and his reptilian charm oozing from every pore.  As the two turned, a young man caught Montoya's eye and approached.

"Ah," Montoya smiled. "Senorita Alvarado. My nephew Escamillo Gaspar Delacruz. Special Inspector from Madrid. Escamillo, Maria Teresa Alvarado."

"Charmed." Escamillo brushed Tessa's hand with a graceful kiss.

"I am honored." Tessa curtsied. "What are you investigating, if I may ask?"

"The Queen of Swords."

"Really? The Queen of Swords?"

"Si. Her exploits are all that is talked about back home. Fernando himself wishes to meet her."

"I imagine she would be thrilled."

"I have been following her activities myself and, hating to see mi carino tio humiliated in such a way and brought to justice, decided to help the Colonel."

"How brave. No offense, Colonel, but were you not an only child?"

"Escamillo is from my mother's side. A wonderful woman."

"If you will excuse me," Escamillo snapped off a crisp salute, "I must rest up if I am to catch the Queen of Swords."

Escamillo left for Montoya's hacienda escorted by a few soldiers. Tessa felt a bit uneasy as she looked for her gitano confidant/friend Marta. This was not lost on the Colonel. "Is something wrong?" Montoya asked. "You look disturbed."

"No," she smiled. "Thank you for a wonderful party, but I am afraid the wine has gone to my head. I am a little tired as well. Buenos noches."

"Buenos noches. I trust you will feel better in the morning, Senorita."

~~~~~

It late in the afternoon when Escamillo had just risen from a refreshing nap and was examining the reports on the Queen of Swords' exploits. Colonel Montoya and Captain Marcus Grisham, Montoya's ex-patriate aide-de-camp, were also present. "So how long has the Queen of Swords been thwarting you exactly, Uncle?"

"It will have been almost six months now."

"Does she leave a  clue or sign?"

"She leaves this, sir." Grisham gave him the Tarot card with QUEEN OF SWORDS written along the bottom.

Escamillo inspected it closely, "This is a Gypsy's card. Does the senorita know any?"

"Her duena Marta," Montoya replied. "She is always with her and has taken care of her since she arrived from Spain, if not longer."

"What does the Queen look like?"

"About the senorita's height and build. Wears a black riding outfit and a lace mask."

"Is there a picture?"

"Here." Grisham gave him one of many wanted posters and asked, "Why?"

"A thought. I may discover the Queen of Swords' identity."

"You do, dear nephew," Montoya smiled, "anything here is yours."

~~~~~

It was a typical warm evening as Marta was at the table reading her Tarot cards when a banshee shriek interrupted her. The Queen of Swords entered, having finished another typical night of saving a worker from some drunken soldiers. She threw the boots and sword she was carrying against the fireplace. "Damn that arrogant Ingles!"

"The Doctor does not approve of your methods again?"

"That pompous gringo dares tell me how to fight for justice and he says he will turn me over to

Montoya!"

"I sense you have feelings for him." Marta's face creased into an amused smile.

"Marta! I respect his skills, but I am not interested. He is yours if you want him."

"I worry about this Delacruz. He is a dangerous man."

"I do too. What if he finds out who I am?"

"Then you must make sure he does not."

~~~~~

The following afternoon was warm with a rare cool breeze as Marta was entertaining the town's children with Tarot readings. Tessa was talking with Don Hildalgo about planning a birthday party for Montoya, totally unaware that Escamillo was sketching her while walking up behind

Marta.

"Excuse me," Escamillo said as he dropped the QUEEN OF SWORDS card in front of Marta, who barely flinched. "Did you lose this?"

"Where did you find it, Inspector Delacruz?" Marta calmly asked.

"I found it outside the cantina last night, presumably by the Queen."

"The Queen?"

"My dear Gypsy. This is your card, is it not? Same black and gold cross design?"

"Is there a problem?" Tessa asked as she walked over to join them.

"No, Senorita Alvarado. I am merely investigating the Queen of Swords' identity."

"You do not think Marta is her," Tessa smiled and giggled for his benefit.

"No." Escamillo raised his sketch pad. "Would you mind if I sketched you? It is a hobby of mine while I am relaxing."

"I am honored. I did not know you were an artist."

Escamillo drew Tessa a beautiful sketch and gave it to her with a cavalier, almost mocking bow. Marta hissed a Rom oath as he walked off to Montoya's office. Montoya and Grisham had been in the middle of discussing Montoya's drafting policy.

"Inspector." Grisham nodded. "How goes it?"

"Fine. I may be getting somewhere." Escamillo gave the sketch to Montoya, "A present for you,

Uncle."

"Gracias," Montoya replied flattered. "I will hang it behind my desk."

"What does this have to do with the Queen of Swords?" Grisham queried after looking at the poster of Senorita Alvarado.

"She may have an accomplice. The senorita's Gypsy."

"Marta? How so?"

"Her cards have the same design as the QUEEN OF SWORDS card, so it must belong to her. Thus, she must be helping the Queen."

"How?" Montoya asked. "Every time the Captain or I face the Queen, she is alone."

"Where does she get the card to leave behind?"

"Good point." Grisham conceded. "Where does the senorita's sketch fit in?"

"I am working on that. I think it is time the Queen and I meet face to face."

The three men spent the rest of the afternoon mulling possible candidates for the Queen of Swords' identity over cognac and cigars.

~~~~~

The late afternoon was pleasantly cool as Helm was working on another soldier wounded during a run-in with the Queen of Swords. The soldier/liaison-turned-doctor barely noticed Tessa

entering. "Good afternoon, Dr. Helm," Tessa smiled pleasantly.

"Damn it!" Helm growled. "I should bloody charge her for every soldier I get!"

"Who, doctor?"

"That bitch trollop the Queen of Swords! She parades around like she's the bloody high executioner maiming and killing these poor sods and I have to patch them up."

"She is fighting for justice," Tessa explained calmly, forcing herself not to clobber Helm for the "bitch" reference.

"She doesn't have to kill them. They got bloody families too, for her information." That got her attention. The Queen of Swords tried not to kill anyone, but the need arose rather often. "I should really turn her in," Helm continued.

"Why?" Tessa queried. He would not dare!

"She is no better than Montoya. He has a purpose at least, albeit perverse."

"The Queen has a purpose as well."

"Killing people who don't agree with her set of morals," Helm smiled caustically.

"Good afternoon," Tessa sighed as she left. Damn him! He does not understand!

~~~~~

It was a late evening for Inspector Escamillo Gaspar Delacruz as he walked out of the cantina having won a substantial amount of money in poker. He was heading back to Montoya's hacienda when he found himself confronted by a group of robbers. "Buenos tardes, amigos," he greeted them smoothly. "What can I do for you?"

"Your money, maricon," the leader growled, "or your life."

"I am sorry, but I won this. I can not accommodate you."

The leader of the robbers knocked Escamillo to the ground as the others surrounded him, pulling out knives. The leader dragged Escamillo up and held a dagger to his throat. Suddenly a husky

alto purred behind the robbers, "The Inspector said no, Senor."

They turned around and saw a black-clad woman observing the goings-on, a pitying smile on her full lips. "The Queen of Swords!" the leader gasped.

The Queen decked the leader with an uppercut as the others drew their knives and attacked. Escamillo watched in awe as the Queen was a panther, gracefully toying and knocking down the thugs, slashing them and making them look foolish with almost inhuman grace and ease. The leader was about to kill Escamillo, but the Queen, in one motion, whipped the dagger from her boot and hurled it into his throat killing him instantly.

"You are safe, Inspector," she smiled a bit winded.

"I am honored," Escamillo replied, "to finally meet the notorious Queen of Swords. Uncle Luis has often spoke of you."

The Queen's smile broadened sardonically, "And not very kindly, I am sure."

"Well, you do operate outside the law."

"His law," she corrected him. "Not the law of humanity."

"Mere quibbling. I thank you for your assistance."

"You are welcome," the Queen said before vanishing into the night, unaware that Captain Grisham had been watching this little scenario.

The "attack" had been a setup planned by the two of them. Together, they walked into Montoya's bedroom as he was about to go to sleep. "The plan worked," Grisham crowed. "The Queen of Swords showed up."

"You are right, Uncle," Escamillo smiled. "She is a sight to behold. More of an angel than a diabla."

"Yes, yes," Montoya snapped impatiently. "Did she leave the card?"

"No need. I think I know who she may be." Escamillo walked over to Tessa's portrait with a triumphant smile and drew a mask on her face to the disbelief of Montoya and Grisham.

Grisham walked over and felt the Inspector's forehead. "Forgive me, Colonel. I think your nephew the Inspector has sunstroke."

"Why do you think Senorita Alvarado is the Queen of Swords?" Montoya asked in disbelief.

"Your description of the Queen of Swords. It matches that of the Senorita beautifully."

"Doesn't mean anything," Grisham put in. "Plenty of women have similar builds. Dona Hidalgo has the same build and she is surely not the Queen."

"The voices are the same husky alto. When I met the senorita, I noticed that she had resentment and defiance toward you in her eyes. The Queen has the same look."

"A spoiled rich brat making a fool out of me and the Colonel for all these months? I don't believe it."

"You,  I can believe," Montoya interjected dryly. "Interesting theory, but I doubt it."

"What would I receive if I am right," Escamillo queried.

Montoya patted his nephew on the back and proudly stated, "You prove your theory, Escamillo, and whatever you want is yours."

The two men drank cognac as they discussed possible ways to capture the Queen of Swords as Grisham smarted from yet another putdown from the Colonel. <Laugh it up, you pompous peacock,> Grisham thought. <Soon I'll be in charge of this dump and you'll answer to me.>

~~~~~

The night zephyr glided across the square as Dr. Robert Helm entered his room after another long day of making medicine, examining patients and more nonsense small talk with one spoiled Tessa Alvarado. <God, that woman is annoying.> He barely entered his room before being decked by an unseen assailant. "What the hell?!"

"That is for calling me a bitch!" The Queen of Swords snarled as Helm got up.

"A good evening to you too," Helm replied dryly as he got up rubbing his jaw.

"Senorita Alvarado told me about your conversation. I do not enjoy killing, Dr. Helm. I pray for the soldiers and the families hoping that they might forgive me."

"That'll take a lot of praying, my dear Queen."

"You would seriously turn me over to that diablo, Montoya?"

"In a heartbeat."

"What about justice?"

"What about flouting the law? You're no better than Montoya or Grisham or the rest of those bloody bastards."

Sighing in frustration, the Queen forced Helm onto the bed and knelt on top of him. "If you want a roll in the hay, just ask," he quipped.

The unamused masked woman forced her dagger against his throat as her eyes bore through him like twin icy beams. "Doctor, I will kill you if you turn me over to that culebra. I do not wish to, but you would leave me with no choice."

"Why don't you just kill me then and get it over with?"

The Queen of Swords patted Helm's cheek with mock affection, then clocked him with another right hook before leaving. He picked himself up, took a quick inventory of his teeth making sure all were present and got ready for bed, wondering what headaches the Queen had in store for him.

~~~~~

It was mid-morning and Sol was dancing happily in the azure sky. Tessa Alvarado and her duena/sister figure Marta were finishing shopping at the market. As they left for home, they noticed Dr. Helm leaving Colonel Montoya's office with a bag of gold around his waist.

"Remember, Doctor," Montoya smirked as he shook Helm's hand. "The other half to be paid upon delivery."

"Don't worry, Colonel," Helm replied. "I 'm as good as my word."

"Good morning, Doctor," Tessa gently smiled as she walked up. "What have you and the Colonel been discussing?"

"A simple business transaction," he calmly said. "Nothing to get excited about."

"You trust that culebra?" Marta asked is disbelief.

"Not really," Helm shrugged, "though he is, on occasion, an honorable man. He saved my life once..." He nodded and left, leaving the two ladies a bit suspicious.

Escamillo suddenly glided up to the two ladies, bowing and kissing both hands. "Buenos dias, senoritas. Que pasa?" He was all charm.

"Niente." Marta smirked in mock modesty.

"Y tu?" Tessa smiled back.

"I may have the identity of the Queen of Swords."

"Who is she?" Marta and Tessa hid their nervousness beautifully.

"I have my suspicions, but I need further proof. Ladies."

Captain Marcus Grisham was walking toward Montoya's office when he stopped and bowed to both women. "Ladies," he said with a flash of that lupine grin.

"Captain," Marta greeted. "The Inspector claims you know who the Queen of Swords is?"

"Yup. The wench has been a pain in our backside for months, but time has finally run out on

her."

"Good to hear. Good luck, Captain," Tessa smiled though she was anything but amused.

"Gotta go. The Master awaits," Grisham said, with sarcasm drenching the word master.

Tessa thought about the events of the day; something was quite odd. Dr. Helm had walked out of Montoya's office with a substantial amount of gold, Escamillo announced that he may know the Queen of Swords' identity, then Grisham was crowing about catching her, grinning like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. "I think," Tessa observed, "Shakespeare might say 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark'. I am going to see what is going on."

"It might be a trap, Tessita," Marta worriedly stated.

"I know, but I must find out."

"May the gods and your father protect you."

~~~~~

It was late in the evening and Robert Helm was sleeping, although he was having yet another flashback to his time as a soldier/agent for George III. As he replayed shooting Ian Latham, Helm was wakened with fierce slaps across the face. He saw a black-clad visitor on the bed over him.

"Good evening, Dr. Helm," the Queen of Swords calmly said.

<O God, give me strength!> "It's the middle of the night," Helm moaned. "What the hell do you

want?"

"We need to talk."

<This woman is a real piece of work!> He asked, "Can't this wait til morning?"

Helm suddenly felt a blade against his throat. The Queen was kneeling on top of him with her dagger pressed against his neck. He couldn't see her face, but could feel her eyes scorching him like twin laser beams. She seethed, "You left Montoya's office this morning with money. What is it for?"

"Drop the knife and step away from the Doctor," a dark voice was heard. The lights were lit and the Queen found the room filled with soldiers aiming their guns at her. Grisham was front and center grinning like a cat cornering a mouse. The Queen lowered the dagger onto the bed, glowering at Helm.

"I suggest you do what the Captain says," Montoya crowed entering the room with Escamillo. The Queen's glare almost froze the room as the Inspector placed a large bag of money on Helm's bedside table. "Gracias, Dr. Helm."

"Sorry, darling," Helm kissed the Queen's cheek in a mocking fashion. "I may hate Montoya's way of governing, but you are no better. Killing changes nothing."

"I govern because I know what is best, Doctor," Montoya corrected him. "I do not give a damn if I am popular or not."

As the Queen of Swords was led out, she fixed Helm with a final withering stare, indicating there would be a settling of accounts.

~~~~~

The next morning, Santa Helena was abuzz. THE QUEEN OF SWORDS CAUGHT! The townspeople gathered as the gallows was being assembled. Montoya stood under the noose, gloating about the moment and oozing smugness. Escamillo, Grisham and a few soldiers led the Queen to the gallows where Montoya waited, licking his lips eagerly. "It is a shame," he gently kissed the Queen's neck, "to ruin such a lovely throat."

"I will pray for your soul," she sourly replied.

"Escamillo," Montoya called out. "You have the honors."

Escamillo stepped to the front of the gallows, peacock proud and announced in a booming voice echoing throughout Santa Helena. "Queen of Swords! Or should I say Maria Teresa Alvarado!" Shockwaves resonated throughout the pueblo. Senorita Alvarado? She is the Queen of Swords?

Escamillo continued, "You hereby have been found guilty of treason against Luis Ramirez Montoya, Military Governor of this district, and conspiracy to usurp a legitimate authority. Do you have any last words."

Suddenly, whispers spread as Tessa Alvarado walked through the crowd to Montoya and Grisham who were both shocked into silence. Escamillo's face was frozen in stunned disbelief as Tessa smiled with sweet blandness. "Good morning, gentlemen. Am I too late?"

Montoya gasped, "Senorita Alvarado?"

"Were you expecting Vasco da Gama?"

"Senorita," Escamillo clicked his heels and bowed. "I am deeply sorry if I have sullied your impeccable character."

Tessa nodded acceptance and disappeared through the crowd as Grisham tore the mask off the Queen of Swords, a gitano around eighteen. Escamillo turned bright red. Wanting to save face, Montoya gestured to hang her anyway. "I hearby order you to hang until you are dead!" he

exclaimed.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere and cut the rope, the Queen of Swords! The soldiers rushed the platform, swords drawn, but were no match for her almost inhuman swordswomanship. She was a panther pouncing on her prey and ripping it to shreds. Escamillo stepped in front of her with his sword drawn. "I believe this is my dance, Senorita."

The Queen chuckled, "Mind if I lead?"

The two saluted and crossed blades and then it was a duel of the ages. Thrust. Parry. Counter parry. The skill, brutality and acrobatic grace put every Errol Flynn/Basil Rathbone film to shame. The two mixed an incredible combination of fighting, acrobatics and swordplay to wow the crowd. The cheers increased in volume as the duel continued. Some soldiers raised their rifle to fire.

"Soldiers!" Grisham ordered. "Stand down! This is between the Inspector and the Queen of

Swords."

Finally, the Queen was able to disarm Escamillo with surprising ease and held her sword to his throat, Montoya sweating heavily.

"I concede." Escamillo shrugged. "Do with me as you will."

"Leave," the Queen replied, "and do not return."

Escamillo nodded and embraced Montoya goodbye. Montoya glared at the Queen, frustrated at being bested of again. The Inspector left to pack for his trip back to Spain, but suddenly pulled out a pistol and charged the Queen. Without looking, the Queen executed a perfect split and rammed home her blade, dropping Escamillo. Montoya dropped to his knees in grief holding his nephew.

"God forgive me." she whispered before disappearing with the Gypsy imposter.

~~~~~

The clock chimed the middle of the night as Robert Helm got ready for bed, contemplating the day's events. Montoya had paid him to turn the Queen of Swords in and he had delivered. The other Queen that vanished was a Gypsy who was returning a favor Marta owed. He had a feeling a certain irate masked woman would make an appearance, figuring he sold her down the river. He got into bed and was about to blow out the candle when he heard that voice again.

"Dr. Judas, I assume?" Along with the growl of a voice, Helm also realized that there was a blade to his throat.

"Don't you ever knock? I oughta put a bell on you one of these days."

"You damn back-stabbing gringo," the Queen hissed, her face almost against his. "You betrayed me!"

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand by and let you kill anymore."

"It was none of your concern. You turned me into Montoya! I was going to hang!"

"Not my concern. I'm the one who has to bloody patch the poor sods up!"

The Queen sheathed her dagger and held Helm up by his nightshirt, her face twisted in a mask of fury. "Give me one reason why I do not kill you," she snarled.

"Who was on the gallows today?"

"Marta's cousin from Andalusia. We saved her from being attacked."

"And she returned the favor. I'm sorry I betrayed you, but you don't change injustice by killing people. Especially Montoya's nephew the Inspector."

"That was regrettable. You are fortunate, Doctor." The Queen of Swords got off and released Helm's nightshirt. Helm lowered himself into bed relieved. Suddenly, the Queen's hand was around his throat, tightening like a vice. "If you ever betray me again," her voice was an icy hiss, "I will rip your throat out and feed it to you for dinner!"

~~~~~

The next day was the funeral for Inspector Escamillo Delacruz and Colonel Montoya was giving the eulogy. Montoya was a perfect picture of a man in complete control, though torn up inside. Afterward, the reception was at Montoya's hacienda.

"Good day, Colonel," Tessa greeted him with a kiss on his cheek. "I am sorry to hear about your

loss."

"Thank you," Montoya smiled calmly. "The murderer will be punished."

"She should pay. I hope you catch her."

"You know, for some reason, Escamillo thought you were the Queen of Swords."

"Really? What made him think that?"

"A theory. I suppose it does not matter now. My apologies for thinking you were our misbegotten Robin Hood."

"Apology accepted, Colonel."

Tessa waited a little while longer before making a graceful exit. Another blow against Montoya, but his nephew was now dead. She thought to herself, <Maybe Helm is right. Maybe I do enjoy playing the executioner when I have to kill.> She was still furious at being betrayed and thought it best that she didn't see him for the time being. She walked home saying a prayer for the Inspector, Montoya (surprisingly) and (more surprisingly) Dr. Helm.

THE END