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

Ana!”
    “Where are you going to college, Ana?” David asked.
    “I’m going to Loyola University in New Orleans.  Last year I went with my sister, Linden, to visit both Loyola University of Chicago and Loyola University in New Orleans.  Both schools looked good, but I like the nice warm weather down south.” 
    “Oh, that should be great, Ana,” Jenny said.  “New Orleans is a fascinating place.”
    “And it is warm enough for you to go barefoot there,” Charlie grinned.
    “Exactly,” Ana chucked.   “I can’t wait to start school there.  But I will be back working here during Christmas break and summer vacation.”
    “Good,” Charlie said.  “We will stop by here at Christmastime to hear about how college is going for you.”
    Ana spotted some new customers entering the restaurant, so she excused herself and went to greet them.
    Jenny glanced over at Charlie, who was looking out the window at the parking lot, apparently lost in thought.  “Earth to Charlie.  Come in, Charlie.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Yes, but are you listening to us or to some inner voice telling you to kill the bad people at the table with you?”
    Charlie laughed.  “Fortunately for you and David, I’m ignoring that inner voice.”
    She looked over his shoulder.  “So what are you thinking?”
    “I was thinking about Ana going barefoot beneath her gown at graduation,” Charlie said.
    “Are you considering going barefoot, too, Charlie?” Jenny kidded him.  “I think our Chief of Detectives would frown upon that.  He is not even real thrilled about you wearing those cowboy boots all the time.”
    “No, I won’t be going barefoot; I like my boots,” Charlie said.  “However, the point is that human beings are curious creatures who do surprising things.”
    “So?”
    “So I’ll bet that Sam Troutman has done a lot of surprising things.”
    “Why?” David asked.
    “Because we have been worried about how the terrorists found out that Fatima was staying with Jenny’s father.  Only the police and FBI knew where she was staying, and we know that our side was secure.  Did you mention her safe-house location to your supervisor or to any other FBI agent?”
    “No.  I didn’t tell anyone.  And Sam wouldn’t have had any good reason to tell anyone.”
    “His reasons might not have been good,” Charlie said.  “This security breach, the unnecessary shooting death earlier today, and what you have told us about Sam’s record in other countries makes me very suspicious of him.”
    David nodded.  “I agree.”
    “A short while ago, Jenny and I were discussing the possibility that Sam is being paid by Al Qaeda to give them information.  Or he might be being blackmailed by Al Qaeda or threatened by Al Qaeda.  They could be threatening his family or holding someone hostage to get him to cooperate.”
    David shook his head.  “I doubt it.  I have known the guy for over a year.  He acts the same now as he did a year ago.  He seems just as relaxed as usual.”  He paused.  “Even killing that guy earlier today did not seem to bother him.  That seemed strange to me.  Less than an hour after the shooting, he was looking for a good restaurant in which to eat lunch.”
    Charlie looked at him intently.  “I just had an idea.  It might be kind of crazy, but it is worth investigating.  Could you have the FBI send a list of Sam’s assignments in Europe and the Middle East?   I would also like the FBI to send a list of the places and dates of all the known hits by Saud Tariq in Europe and the Middle East.”
    David’s eyes widened.  “What are you implying?”
    “Nothing yet.   I just want those two lists so that I can compare the movements of Sam Troutman and Saud Tariq.”
    At that moment, Ana arrived with the bill, which she placed on the table.  She had noticed that they were almost finished with their sandwiches and shakes.  “ST and ST,” she said as she set down the