Moonlight Warriors: A Tale of Two Hit Men by Joseph Rogers

simultaneously.  As Walter went forward to speak with the uniformed officers, Fatima came out onto the front lawn.  She rushed over to give Walter a hug.
    Jenny and Charlie pulled up in his car.  Jenny jumped out and ran up to her father.
    “Dad!  Are you all right?”  She embraced him.  “We heard the report of gunfire at this address, and Charlie got us here in record time.  Apparently you’ve already taken care of matters.”
    “My aim could have been better,” Walter said modestly.  “He got away.”
    “Your father is far too humble,” Fatima interjected.  “He saved my life.”  She kissed Walter on the cheek.  “He’s my gallant hero.”
    Walter proceeded to describe everything that had happened.  “I wish that I could have gotten a better look at the man, but it was too dark.   I am certain that the shooter was a man.  He looked like he was over six feet tall.”
    “Charlie and I can take a walk around the yard and common grounds in case he dropped something or left behind some other clue,” Jenny said.  “We should at least be able to find the shell casings.” 
    Walter glanced at the broken windows.  “There will be plenty of bullets in our kitchen for you to turn over to the evidence technicians.”
    “Dad, this has been a very stressful event,” Jenny said.  “Are you sure that you are all right?  I’m worried about you.”
    “I’m fine, Jenny.  I’m only 68 years old, and I’m in good shape for my age.  I was a cop for my entire career, and I’ve been in many stressful situations through the years.”
    “Okay, I guess that I worry too much.”
      “We are going to have to move Fatima to a new location,” Charlie said.  “Do you think it will be safe for her to remain here for the rest of the night?” 
    “I’m off-duty now,” Jenny said.  “I can stay here with her and my father until morning.  We can also post two officers outside in their cruiser.”
    “That should be enough to discourage our nemesis from making a return visit tonight,” Charlie said.  “Fatima, in the morning I’ll stop by and take you to a new location where you’ll be safer.”
    “Okay,” Fatima said.
    They all went into the kitchen to inspect the damage.  A short while later, Charlie departed.
     
    At about eight o’clock in the morning, he returned and dismissed the two officers who had maintained the vigil throughout the night. 
    Fatima was waiting inside with her travel bag packed.  She profusely thanked Walter for his protection and hospitality, then she got into the car with Jenny and Charlie and rode away.
    “In spite of what has happened, I am going to continue to work on the Intelligent Agency project.  I won’t allow the terrorists to stop me; I won’t be intimidated.  Since I have my laptop computer with me, I can do my work anywhere.”
    “Good,” Jenny said.  “You can help to get this Intelligent Agency project completed as soon as possible.  Once that biotechnology program is running on numerous computers all over the United States, the extremists will have failed and no longer have any interest in you.  You will be safe.”
    Fatima looked out the car window.  “Where are you taking me?”
    “To the Holiday Inn,” Charlie said.  “You, Jenny, and a policewoman will share a room there.”

Chapter 10
    Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue
     
    Later that evening, Jenny and Fatima went out onto the balcony of their hotel room.
    Fatima held onto the balcony rail and gazed outward.  “The moon is quite beautiful tonight.”
    Jenny smiled.  “It’s lovely.  In fact, just last evening Charlie and I had dinner with his brother’s family.  As we were leaving, we both noticed the full moon and discussed the important symbolism of the moon.  I know that the moon is an important symbol for the Islamic faith.”
    “Yes, it is.”  
    “Fatima is a beautiful name.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I try to be an ecumenical person, so I like that your name has