The Oracle (Fargo Adventures #11) - Clive Cussler Page 0,105
doesn’t bode well for Dr. LaBelle.”
Remi glared at him. “This is all your fault, Fargo.”
“How’s it my fault?”
“None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t discovered that someone was skimming money.”
“I distinctly recall you helping me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have had I’d known Renee might get arrested. I’m not letting my friend go to jail for something she didn’t do. You need to do something.”
Lazlo pulled his key card from his wallet. “As knackered as I am, I’ll let you two work out the details. I’m going to bed.”
“Good night, Lazlo,” Remi said as he continued down the hall. She turned back to Sam, her green eyes troubled. “So how are you going to fix this?”
Sam put the safety lock on the door behind them and took out his phone, saying, “Renee doesn’t need me to fix this. She’ll need an attorney.”
“And where are you going to find one of those at this hour?”
“I’m not. But I’ll bet Rube has a connection at the U.S. embassy who can help until we do find one.”
* * *
—
As promised, Rube set up a meeting with an official from the embassy, Brian Torres, at a coffeehouse not too far from the police department. The solemn-faced official was there when the Fargos, Lazlo, and Renee arrived.
“Thanks for coming at such short notice, Mr. Torres,” Sam said.
“As requested, I was able to make a few inquiries into the nature of why the police are interested in seeing Dr. LaBelle. Why don’t we sit?”
As they walked toward an empty table, Renee leaned toward Remi and, lowering her voice, said, “Are all embassy officials this serious?”
“I think it’s in the contract.”
Once they were seated, Renee said, “I’m assuming, Mr. Torres, that this is all routine and my friends are being overcautious.”
He showed no emotion. “In this case, their instincts are correct. The police believe that Warren Smith was murdered.”
“Murdered?” She stared at him a moment. “Who would do that?”
“Possibly someone who had a grievance with him. I’m sorry to say, Dr. LaBelle, they believe that person is you.”
“Me? But . . .”
“They plan to arrest you when you arrive at the police station. I will, of course, accompany you.”
Renee gripped the tabletop. “Why would anyone think I killed him? We were friends.”
Sam said, “They must have some sort of evidence beyond a suspicion?”
“Her prints,” Torres replied. “On the murder weapon.”
“What murder weapon?” Remi asked. “I thought he fell.”
“He did. After he was stabbed with a chisel.” Torres focused on Renee. “The chisel was found beneath his body. Any chance you know how your fingerprints ended up on it?”
“I picked it up.”
“When?” he asked.
“After I discovered someone removed Echo’s face from the floor.”
“The police didn’t take the chisel for evidence?” Remi asked.
“I didn’t find it until after they left. I was more worried about the damage to the mosaic. I just picked it up. I wasn’t thinking it would be used for murder the very next day.” She turned toward Torres. “So, how do I get out of this?”
“You don’t. At least, not the arrest. But our presence will go a long way in making sure you’re taken care of and treated fairly. It helps that you’re known and respected in the community.”
Remi moved her chair closer, placing her hand on top of Renee’s. “I’m sure it’ll all get cleared up soon. We’ll get the best attorney we can.”
She nodded, her lips tremulous. “Thank goodness you’re both here.”
“We’re not leaving Tunisia until we get to the bottom of it. Right, Sam?”
“No. Definitely not. What’s our next step?” he asked Torres.
“Think like a prosecutor. Figuring out the motive is a good start.”
“What about the embezzlement?” Renee said. “The money we think Warren stole from the archeological dig.”
“Which,” Torres said, “must have made you angry when you found out.”
“Of course it did.”
“Angry enough to kill him?”
“No.”
“That’s what the police think. My point, Dr. LaBelle, is that once you find out why someone wanted Warren dead, you’ll be that much closer to figuring out who murdered him.” He looked at Sam. “After talking with Rubin Haywood last night, I have a feeling that this is where I need to excuse myself and give you some privacy.”
“I’ll wait with you,” Lazlo said. “I could use a bit of fresh air.”
“Privacy for what?” Renee asked Sam.
He waited until the two men walked out the door. “When it comes to finding answers, sometimes the most expedient route isn’t necessarily the most legal route. Especially if the police are involved.”