The Oracle (Fargo Adventures 11)

“Trust me,” she said, picking up her tray, “I have an ulterior motive. Dark chocolate frosting. I plan on piling it extra thick on my own cupcake.”

He watched her a moment, smiling, before turning back toward Sam, his expression turning somber. “I’m glad we have a few moments. I’ve been in touch with Taraba State investigators. They’re asking that we extract the bodies …” He stopped, looking at Remi, mistaking her emotion over seeing Nasha’s recognition for an aversion to hearing about the dead kidnappers. “My apologies, Mrs. Fargo. I’ll save the more gruesome aspects until after lunch … There’s one thing bothering me,” he said to Sam. “You’re isolated up here. How did they know of the school’s existence?”

Sam had wondered the same thing. No doubt their ambush after leaving Jalingo was connected. Beyond that, he wasn’t sure. “It’s possible they found out about the school from one of the locals in Gembu. Pete and Yaro get their supplies there.”

“You should mention that to the investigators. They may find it useful.”

“We appreciate it,” Sam said, glancing at Okoro. “As much as I hate to say it, we may have to rethink keeping the school open. The last thing we want is to endanger the children in our misguided belief that we’re doing the right thing.”

“If I may suggest, Mr. Fargo, wait until all the facts are in,” the lieutenant said. “This school, and more like it, are very much needed in our country.”

“It’s heartbreaking.” Remi’s gaze followed a group of girls as they grabbed a jump rope from a basket by the door, then ran outside. “We were so close to finishing the second dorm to bring in new students. Wendy and Pete have worked so hard. To see it all end like this …”

Sam hated the defeat in her voice. He knew she was blaming herself for what happened. And the grim look on Okoro’s face wasn’t helping. Sam could well understand the mix of emotions running through the man after the kidnapping. Clearly, he and Okoro needed to sit down and have a long talk about the school.

The lieutenant, thankfully, changed the subject to the weather, commenting that rain wasn’t expected for at least another week. “A few days of sunshine and hard work,” he said, “you’ll be back on schedule.”

As much as Sam wanted to share his enthusiasm, he couldn’t. Pete and Yaro needed to personally contact each family to inform them about the kidnapping. Most lived in far-flung villages, hours apart. Who knew how many students would be left once the parents were notified. Even if there were any remaining, rain was expected within a week and they’d never get the dorm done in time. “Let’s hope so,” he said as a low rumble emanated from somewhere outside, the sound growing louder by the moment.

Two soldiers raced past the cafeteria door toward the front of the school. Remi looked over at Sam in alarm. “What on earth?”

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

If you educate a man, you educate an individual,

but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.

– AFRICAN PROVERB –

Sam and Remi hurried out of the cafeteria, past the girls jumping rope in the courtyard. At the front of the school, they were surprised to find the so

ldiers directing several military vehicles into the now crowded graveled yard, where the poor chickens clucked and scurried as they sought refuge far from the trucks.

“What’s going on?” Sam asked Pete as he strode across the drive from the office.

“I have no idea.”

When Okoro and the lieutenant joined them, the lieutenant nodded at the closest truck as a dozen soldiers jumped out the back. “These men are here to reinforce your gate.”

“That’s a lot of men,” Sam said.

“So it is …” The lieutenant smiled as Wendy joined them. “But you also have a lot of dorm to finish before the rain starts up again.”

Wendy stared in disbelief as the soldiers began unloading flats of roofing shingles. “You know what this means?” she asked Pete, her eyes brimming with emotion.

He put his arm around her. “We might make our deadline after all?”

“No,” she said. “We have to make more cupcakes. Look at all the extra dinner guests.” She stood on tiptoes, kissed Pete on the cheek, and ran back toward the cafeteria.

“Why?” Sam asked the lieutenant. “Not that I’m against it.”

“As I mentioned earlier, we need more schools like this. Especially for girls.” He looked over at Sam, then Remi, his smile fading. “About those aerial photographs, Mrs. Fargo. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, but we’d like to be certain the men who died after being washed off the cliff are the same who followed you.”

“I’d be glad to help,” Remi said.

The two walked off toward the office, the silence growing awkward despite the activity in the yard. Finally, Sam looked at Okoro. Asking about the continued use of his property so soon after the kidnapping seemed opportunistic, but Sam hated to see all this work go to waste if Okoro planned to rescind his permission. “There’s no good time to talk to you about this. After everything that’s happened, we understand if you—”

“I made a promise. That hasn’t changed.”