The Oracle (Fargo Adventures #11) - Clive Cussler Page 0,112
crossed his mind. Ancient maps are valuable. Even more so when they lead to ancient treasures. And that usually drew all sorts of unsavory characters into the mix.
“Amal,” Sam said. “What about Dr. LaBelle? And Hank? What’d they have to say about it?”
“I don’t think Dr. LaBelle ever took it seriously. Not the curse or the map. She was all about preserving the mosaic floor and the architecture.”
“And Hank?”
“He was more concerned about Dr. LaBelle. Doing whatever she wanted.” Amal’s dark eyes looked troubled. “How do we make this right? If I’d ever thought that talking about family history would start any of this . . .”
“Understandable,” Sam said. “But learning the background will only help.”
“How?” she asked.
“Because now we know what we’re dealing with. Which means we can force Tarek and Hamida to play their hand and we can expose them to the police.”
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
A big fish is caught with big bait.
– SIERRA LEONEAN PROVERB –
As the waiter once again left the table, Remi said, “One problem, Fargo. How do we know they’re the only ones involved?”
“We don’t,” Sam said. “Which is why we don’t discuss this with anyone until the time is right.”
“Oh no.” Amal looked from Sam to Remi. “I hate to even suggest it, but what if it’s Osmond or José? They both live in the house with Dr. LaBelle and Hank. Those two would know every move they made, including the trip to Nigeria. And José’s always borrowing money.”
“Money,” Lazlo said, “is always a strong motivator. Did anyone else find it odd that out of all the people at the dinner table, José alone knew that the police had determined Warren’s death wasn’t an accident?”
“We need a plan,” Remi said.
“Something that will bring the players into the open,” Sam said. “The best way to set it up is at the house when everyone’s there.”
“That’s hardly a plan, Fargo.”
Amal looked disappointed. “Neither of you have any idea how to draw them out, do you?”
“No,” Sam said, reaching for the last of the banatages. “But that’s not unusual.”
Lazlo gave her a grim smile. “They do better under pressure.”
“I don’t,” Amal said. “But I do have an idea. What if I had one of my attacks and revealed a certain location and drew them to it?”
“That could work,” Remi said, imagining the possibilities.
Sam turned a bemused look Remi’s way. “Sorry. How does that help?”
“Visions, Fargo. Amal sees things that aren’t there.”
“Not sure that clears it up.”
“You heard her. She’s a direct descendant of the ancient oracles.” Remi eyed Amal. “That’s where you’re going with this, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I pretend to have one of my visions about where the map’s supposed to be.”
“Brilliant,” Lazlo said. “One question. Any chance your family legends have ever hinted at the actual location of this map?”
“Sadly, no,” Amal replied.
“I’ve got an idea,” Remi said. “What about something hidden in all that rubble? There must be a ton of it down there.”
Lazlo nodded. “Entirely plausible that something might be hidden beneath it.”
“If we really want to make it realistic,” Remi said to Amal, “you should reveal it in a riddle, since that’s how the ancient oracles used to talk. Assuming you think you can sell it, that is.”
“I think I can.”
“Perfect. What about tomorrow morning? They’re expecting us to show up for coffee.”
“One big flaw in that plan,” Sam said.
“What flaw?” Remi said. “Amal said she could pull it off.”
“We have to pick up Nasha’s uncle from the airport tomorrow morning.”
“Not a problem.” Remi smiled at Amal. “We’ll do it the moment we get back.”
Amal’s smile in return did not reach her eyes.
* * *
—
The following morning, when Sam pulled into the drive in front of the archeologists’ house, Remi looked out the car window and sighed as he parked. “I feel guilty coming over here to drink coffee while Renee’s sitting in jail.”
“She knows we’re doing everything we can,” Sam said. “When we get back from the airport, Amal can pretend to have her vision.”
“And while you’re gone,” Lazlo said as they got out of the car, “I’ll have Hank give me a proper tour of the underground villa. Familiarize myself with the area before we implement our plan.”
“Or look for a map?” Sam said.
“If, by chance, I stumbled across it, I wouldn’t be disappointed.”
“No doubt.”
Hank, looking worn, let them in. “Have you heard anything about LaBelle, yet?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Sam said.
“Neither have I. I only wish there was something I could’ve done,” he said, leading them into the kitchen, where José and