“Rashida,” I said. “Why?”

“Because Allah calls us all to defend Islam, with our lives if need be. I sacrificed my honor, in order to further his cause. I gave my body to Michael to obtain what we needed. I allowed myself to be humiliated and abased. I dressed like a western whore, and allowed you and all the others defile me with your eyes. I sacrificed all I had, and Allah has rewarded me. He delivered into our hands the weapon that will forever bring the Shi’a apostates down. He granted me the privilege of killing my tormentors. And he will allow me to regain my honor as a holy martyr.”

“Rashida, you can’t…”

The sound of the report was quieter than I would have thought. But the impact to my gut felt like a sledge hammer blow, and I crumpled to the floor, my hands gripping my stomach.

Rashida turned and headed for the front door. As she reached it she looked back, and I could hear her say “Allahu Akbar” as she shut the door behind her.