The Oracle (Fargo Adventures #11) - Clive Cussler Page 0,10
pleasure to finally meet in person,” Remi said. “We thought we saw you out giving a tour earlier.”
Amal seemed taken aback. “No. That wasn’t me.”
“My mistake,” Remi said. “Anyway, we’re so glad you’ve agreed to come out to the school.”
“It’s all very exciting, if not overwhelming.” She turned toward Sam, smiling at him as she reached out to shake his hand. The moment their fingers touched, she jerked back, then suddenly clasped her throat, looking as though she couldn’t breathe.
CHAPTER SIX
A friend is one who knows everything about you and still wants to be your friend.
– AFRICAN PROVERB –
Shouldn’t we call for a doctor?” Remi asked as Hank led Amal to the chair next to Renee.
“She’ll be fine,” Hank said, patting her hand.
Renee nodded. “Poor thing has panic attacks. Just needs to catch her breath.”
If Amal heard them, she gave no indication. Her dark eyes held a vacant stare as she muttered something under her breath that sounded like “Sat-er . . . Sat-er . . .”
Remi looked at Hank, then Renee, noting both seemed very calm over the whole thing. “You’re sure she’s okay?”
“I promise,” Renee said. “Give her a minute. She tends to drift off and utter odd words. The French and English I get, since those are the languages she grew up with. It’s the Latin and Greek that are somewhat surprising.”
“Studying archeology?” Hank said. “Maybe not so surprising.”
“Good point. Anyway, she’ll be fine.”
In fact, almost as soon as Renee finished talking, Amal blinked a couple of times. “I had one of my attacks, didn’t I?”
Renee nodded.
“I don’t know why this happens to me. Maybe I should go home. If I hurry, I might be able to catch my taxi before it leaves.”
“Don’t be silly,” Renee said. “Hank can give you a ride.”
“No.” She gave an embarrassed smile and stood. “I don’t want to leave you stranded.”
“You won’t,” Hank said. “The Fargos have their car here. I’m sure they’ll get her home just fine.”
“Not until after lunch,” Renee said. “I’m starved.”
Hank laughed, then guided Amal out.
Remi waited for the doors to close after them, before asking Renee about Amal’s health.
“Her doctor thinks they’re mild seizures brought on by stress. Needless to say, she doesn’t drive because of it.”
Sam asked, “You think she’s okay going out to the school?”
“If we can get her there, yes. Frankly, I was surprised we were able to get her out to the convention. Unfamiliar surroundings seem to affect her more and she tries to avoid them. But she loves children, so I think the school will be a great trip for her.”
“Renee LaBelle?”
They looked up to see a nurse enter the lobby, pushing a wheelchair. Renee raised her hand and the nurse rolled the chair toward her and helped her into it. “Let’s get that X-rayed, shall we?”
A good hour later, Renee was discharged, a bandage on her forehead, a pair of crutches for her wrapped ankle, and complaining about the tetanus shot in her left arm. “That thing hurt worse than the three stitches in my head.”
Remi laughed. “You think it hurts now? Wait until tomorrow.”
“Cheery thought,” she said, leaning on her crutches, waiting for Sam to pull up in the car.
“You’re sure you still want to go to lunch?”
“Positive. Where are we going? I’ll text Hank to let him know where to pick me up.”
They decided on the Fargos’ hotel, since it was fairly close to the hospital. Sam walked both women in but didn’t take a seat. “I’ve got some phone calls to make. I think I’ll order room service and let you two catch up.” He leaned down, kissed Remi, then left.
Renee, having taken a pain pill at the hospital, ordered a virgin Bloody Mary, while Remi ordered the real thing. When the drinks arrived, Renee lifted her glass. “To old friends, the best kind.”
“To best friends, the best kind.” Remi raised her glass, touching the rim to Renee’s before taking a sip. “Whoa! That is one spicy drink.”
“Just the way I like it.”
The waiter returned with their lunch and they picked at their food, talking about everything but the reason the Fargos were in Tunisia to begin with. Remi waited until they were nearly finished eating before broaching the subject. “About why we’re here . . .”
Renee sighed. “I know you have to look at the discrepancy in the books.”
“I hate this.”
“Not as much as I do. Hank told me I needed to call you. I . . .” She set her drink on the small square