Fergus got called in twice.

He didn’t. He went on his own the second time.

Why did he go again?

He thought O'Brien should be told about the change in due dates.

The conversation faded away as the lads reached the classroom exit. Ailbe tensed at the last words he overheard. He hurried to his office, dropped his notes and textbook on his desk, and called Declan.

“Declan Knowlan,” Declan answered.

“We may have another problem.”

“What problem?"

“I overheard my students talking. Fergus Rafferty went to the police station…twice. Several students got called in, but his second visit makes me uncomfortable.”

“Should I take care of it?”

“Please,” Ailbe said. “I’ll call Wyl and make sure he received the project information I sent to his email. I need him to start before anything else goes wrong.”

They hung up, and Declan pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. “Another situation. Meet me at the docks in half an hour.” He disconnected the call.

* * *

Rod and Wyl returned to their flat after shopping and lunch. The phone in the flat rang as they opened the door. Rod dropped his shopping bags on the table and answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Rod or Wyl?”

“May I ask who is calling?” Rod asked.

“Is this Rod? It’s Ailbe. How are you?”

“Oh, Ailbe. I’m fine. Wyl and I just walked in from the market. What’s up?”

“I need to talk with Wyl.”

“Sure, hold on a sec.” Rod mouthed he wants you as he handed Wyl the phone.

“Ailbe, how are you?” Wyl said.

“Doing fine, Wyl. Did you receive the project information I sent to your email?”

“I did, Ailbe. I glanced through it this morning.”

"Any questions so far?”

“No. The overall course project is straightforward. I may have a few questions after I delve into the individual projects.”

“Why don’t you and Rod meet us at O’Connell’s later this afternoon? That gives you a chance to explore the project and can ask me any questions.”

“Let me check with Rod, Ailbe. Hang on a sec.” Wyl covered the mouthpiece. “Want to meet Ailbe and Declan later this afternoon at O’Connell’s for a drink?”

“Fine with me,” Rod said.

Wyl put the receiver back to his ear. “We're in. What time?”

“Around 4:30.”

“We’ll meet you at there.”

They said their goodbyes and hung up.

Wyl set up the new printer, and before long, two printed copies of the project plan Ailbe sent lay on the table.

“Hand me one of those manila envelopes we bought,” Wyl said. Rod uncorked a bottle of wine in the kitchen. The office supplies they bought sat in a bag on the counter near where Rod stood.

“As requested, your lordship.” Rod handed Wyl the envelope. “And the pen you will ask for next.”

Wyl chuckled as he accepted the envelope and pen. “You know me too well.” He placed one copy of the project plan in the envelope and wrote Cross on the outside after fastening the metal clasp.

“Hand me my cell phone, will you, babe?”

“Yes, your majesty.” Rod walked to the table and handed Wyl his cell phone from the other end.

“Oh…silly me.” Wyl grinned.

“Uh-huh.” Rod winked at Wyl and went back to the kitchen.

Wyl dialed Glenn Cross. “We have a delivery for O’Brien.”

“I can’t swing by this afternoon, gents. I’ll stop by in the morning.”

“Morning is fine. Thanks, Glenn.”

* * *

At four-thirty, Ailbe and Declan greeted the Sterlings at O’Connell’s, martinis waiting for the Texans.

“Drinks for us?” Wyl asked as they sat.

“You ordered for us the other night, so we returned the favor,” Declan said. “I hope the martinis here are up to your standards. We requested Boru.”

“We like Boru, Declan. Thanks.” Rod took a sip. “How did work go today?”

“Busy,” Ailbe said. “The students are a handful when the pressure is on. So many questions. The line outside my office never ended.”