“Yesterday, Excellency,” I said. “The day before we saw the pelican. It—it excited me, and since the bird had come on deck, I preferred to stay where I would have a closer view if another boarded. And it did, my lord, it did—that very evening. Otherwise, I was on watch and at my duties until tonight, when I slept until—until I was awakened and told the banner was gone.”
“And do we have witnesses to this account?”
Cabrera opened his mouth, but the Admiral ignored him. He surveyed the ranks of sailors with a stern eye.
“Did anyone see this lad, Diego, going about his duties on this day?”
To my great pleasure, not only Fernando, but several men spoke up.
“Aye, Your Excellency, he swabbed the decks with me on the midday watch.”
“I bedded down beside him this evening, Excellency, and marked him well at the evening meal.”
“He stood next to me at evening prayers, Your Excellency, and prayed with great devotion.”
“We stood together at the rail,” Fernando said, “as Your Excellency knows, when the pelican came aboard this morning. He did not leave the deck, and so I will swear in the name of Christ Our Savior, if need be.”
“And are there any witnesses who saw this boy in the rigging, or in the crow’s nest, or in possession of the Green Cross banner at any time?”
Silence.
“Cabrera! Strike his chains!” His voice was crisp with command. “I find this boy not guilty!”
“But—but—but—” Cabrera sputtered. “Your Excellency! I must protest!”
Would he mention his suspicion that I was marrano? I held my breath. Cabrera drew a deep breath, I thought to accuse me. But in the end he held his peace. He had no proof, after all. And he too had no doubt heard the rumors about Columbus himself. He didn’t dare.
“Excellency, even without witnesses,” Cabrera said, “how do we know he did not take the banner at some earlier time?”
“Do you question my word?” Columbus asked. “For the witness is myself. I saw the lad at the rail when we beheld the first pelican this morning. And directly after that, I went to view the royal standard and the Green Cross banner where they lay in their accustomed place. The pelican confirmed my faith that very soon we will encounter land, and I wished to pray in the presence of the symbols of our mighty patrons, God and Their Majesties. After that, witnesses bear out that he had no opportunity to steal or conceal the banner. The lad is innocent. The matter is closed.”
“If not he, Your Excellency,” Cabrera said, “then who? For someone undoubtedly took the flag and attempted to conceal it.”
“A good question,” the Admiral said blandly. “Perhaps we will never know. Now disperse these men and go about your business. At once!”
I stood there rubbing my wrists, on which the shackles had left red marks that would no doubt turn to bruises. I could not help believing that the Admiral, like me, suspected that Cabrera had hidden the flag himself so he would have something to accuse me of. Dazed with relief and gratitude, I cast him one last shy glance and mouthed, “I thank you, Excellency.”
And before he turned away, Columbus winked.
This story first appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (August 2010).
About the Author
Elizabeth Zelvin is a New York City psychotherapist and author of the Bruce Kohler mystery series as well as the Diego Mendoza and Admiral Columbus series, which includes the novel Voyage of Strangers. "The Green Cross" was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Short Stories. Overall, Liz's stories have been nominated three times for the Agatha Award and once for the Derringer Award for Best Short Story. Learn more about Liz at http://elizabethzelvin.com.
Books and Stories by Elizabeth Zelvin
"The Green Cross" (A Diego Mendoza and Admiral Columbus Story)
Novels
Voyage of Strangers (A Diego Mendoza and Admiral Columbus Novel)
Death Will Get You Sober (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
Death Will Help You Leave Him (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
Death Will Extend Your Vacation (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
E-Novella
Death Will Save Your Life (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
Short Stories
"Navidad" (A Diego Mendoza and Admiral Columbus Story)
Death Will Tank Your Fish & Other Stories
"Death Will Tank Your Fish" (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
"The Silkie"
"Dress to Die"
"The Saxon Hoard"
"Choices"
"Death Will Tie Your Kangaroo Down" (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
"Death Will Trim Your Tree" (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
"Death Will Clean Your Closet" (A Bruce Kohler Mystery)
"The Emperor's Hoard"
"Shifting Is for the Goyim" (An Emerald Love Mystery)
"Girl Feeding Birds"
"A Breach of Trust"
"Death Will Fire Your Therapist" (forthcoming)
Music
Liz Zelvin: Outrageous Older Woman (CD or mp3)
The Green Cross Page 2