The Oracle (Fargo Adventures 11)

CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT

A bird with fire on its tail burns its own nest.

– AFRICAN PROVERB –

Sam focused on the lamp sitting in the water just inches from the scaffolding.

Lazlo followed the direction of Sam’s eyes. “Can’t we just throw something at it, short it out?”

“That pipe Amal’s tied to leads straight down into the water. We can’t chance it.”

José, his feet tucked up high, his arms about his knees, was rocking in place. “Are we going to die?”

“No,” Sam said.

“What about a human chain?” Lazlo said.

“That might work.”

He looked up at Amal, who was struggling against her bonds. Definitely not in the throes of a seizure. “Let’s do this.”

They stood. Lazlo grasped his hand. He was about to lean forward when Amal said, “Hank’s coming. Sator, arepo, tenet … ”

A shadow fell across the water in front of Sam.

“Opera, rotas …”

“Amal?” Remi climbed down the ladder.

“Mrs. Fargo,” Amal said, her voice loud and sure. “Thank goodness. I thought you were Hank.”

“Remi,” Sam said. “The lamp. Cut the power.”

She unplugged the extension cord from the socket mounted by the entrance. Its length snaked down and splashed in the water.

Sam jumped from the rocks, ran to the ladder. When he reached the upper platform, Remi was already working at the rope binding Amal. “Where’s Hank?” he asked, grabbing his gun from the platform, then reloading it.

“I have no idea. He was gone when I got here.”

“My mother?” Amal said.

“She’s safe. Osmond drove everyone to the British works. They’re supposed to wait there until the police get here.” She stood as Lazlo and José came up the ladder. “What on earth …?”

“My fault,” Lazlo said. “I left my mobile at the house. Hank and I were here and … I believe I found the bloody map.”

“Where would he go?” Remi asked. “His car’s still out there.”

“I have a fair idea,” Sam said, starting up the ladder. “Everyone wait here until it’s safe.”

“Not likely,” Remi said, climbing up after him.

Lazlo looked over at Amal and José. “If I can make a bold suggestion, find Hank’s car keys and get out of here. I’m going with the Fargos.”

“But why?” Amal asked.

“That’s a very good question,” he said and climbed up after them.

Sam ducked behind the water tank just in time to see Hank running into the olive grove. A moment later, Remi, then Lazlo, emerged from the excavation site. The two joined him.