Moonlight Warriors: A Tale of Two Hit Men by Joseph Rogers Read Free Book Online Page A

You probably should join them.”
    “I will in a minute.  But I have some news.  Guess who I just got a call from?”
    “If you wait for me to guess correctly, it will be a lot longer than a minute before you get to your warm-up.  In fact, the match will probably be over before I correctly guess who called you.”
    She laughed.  “You might be right.  I’d better just tell you.  Elaine, that woman from the diner, just called me.”
    “Oh, really, what did she want?”
    “She wants to hire you to help her with her husband problem.  Apparently she hired some guy who failed to help her.  She did not provide any details.”
    “What does she want me to do?”
    “I’m not sure, but she is very anxious to speak with you.  She wants to come here this evening.”
    “Wow.  That is short notice.”
    “Will you talk to her?”
    “I suppose.  However, I won’t like missing some of your roller derby game.”
    “You’ll see most of it.  Anyway I’m not very good yet.  This is just my rookie season.”
    “Your rookie season?   Are you planning on continuing for a second season?”
    “Maybe.   We’ll see.”
    “Hmmm.   That’s interesting.”
    “Hey, I really need to start warming up.”  She handed her cell phone to him.  “And you need to call her -- she is freaking out.  You can use my phone.  I don’t want to take it all the way back to the locker room, and I don’t want to have it on me during the game.  It could get smashed.  Her number is the most recent incoming call.”
    “Okay.  Good luck with your game.”
    “Thanks.  Good luck with your meeting with Elaine.”  With a wave, she skated away to join her teammates, who were skating in casual laps around the rink where the bout would begin in three minutes.
    Anticipating the start of the game, the noise of the crowd was gradually increasing.  Like Jenny had done a short while ago, Chuck decided to go outside so that he could hear better.
    As soon as the exit door closed behind him, he made the call.
    “Hello,” Elaine answered.  “Jenny?”
    “No.  This is Chuck, her friend.  Jenny let me borrow her phone.  She said that you wanted to speak with me.”
    “Yes, I’m very anxious to speak with you.  Would it be possible for you to meet with me in a few minutes?”
    “Yes, that will be fine.”
    “Thank you.  Actually, I’m only a couple of minutes from your location right now.  I’m about to turn off Lindbergh Boulevard.  Right after I spoke with Jenny, I started driving toward the sports complex where the roller derby game is being held.”
    “Good.  I’ll meet you in front of the building.  What type of car are you driving?”
    “A red Porsche.”
    “Okay, I will meet you out front.”
    Chuck was standing at the side of the sports complex, which also included an ice hockey rink.  He walked around to the front of the building.
    After seeing a red Porsche pull into a parking space, Chuck approached the woman getting out of the car.
    “Elaine?”
    “Yes.”  She shook hands with him.  “And you must be Chuck.”
    “Right.”
    “Has Jenny told you about my problem?”
    “Yes.  I was sorry to hear that your husband has been abusive.”
    “Extremely abusive.   I’m in fear for my life.”
    “That’s very unfortunate.  There are some agencies that can help you with that abusive situation.”
    She frowned and shook her head.  “No, they can’t help me.  My husband is going to kill me unless I stop him first.  I’m counting on you to help me, Chuck.  I need your special services.”
    For a fraction of a second, Elaine thought that she saw a look of surprise on his face.  As quickly as it appeared, though, the surprised expression vanished and was replaced by a pleasant, inquisitive expression.
    “How can I be of service?” he asked.
    “I assumed that you knew why you are here.  I must have my husband killed before he kills me.  Are you willing to do this for me?”
    “I can take care of