Wyl ignored the question. “How about a martini?”

“I’m always up for a martini,” Rod said.

Wyl pulled two highball glasses from the cupboard and opened the freezer for cubes from the ice maker tray. The ice clinked into the glasses. “Twist or olives?” he asked.

“I don’t think we have any lemons, so olives. And you ignored my request for details about your day.”

“Not much to tell.” The ice crackled as Wyl poured Boru vodka into the glasses.

Rod persisted. “Did you learn anything new?”

“I believe the zero hour for the cybercrime is October 29th. Ailbe didn’t indicate an exact date, but the program will be complete. Students will be in the lab next week, entering their projects and ensuring things dovetail. We’ll be reviewing projects all this week.”

“I feel as though I’m on the outside looking in,” Rod said. “What can I do?”

Rod’s comment stung. Wyl kept his face and reaction hidden. “Why don’t you come to the campus with me tomorrow? I can show you where I am and what I’m doing.” Wyl handed Rod his martini.

“Do you think Ailbe will be nervous with me poking around? I don’t want to give him any excuses for more murders.” Rod took a gulp.

“It’s not like he doesn’t realize we communicate. Whether you visit the campus or I tell you about it, it's the same difference.”

“I guess you’re right. But I don’t want to give Ailbe reasons to think we’re expendable.”

“We’re not expendable. And remember, we have ample forces on our side. “Wyl took a sip.

“Keep reminding me of those ample forces,” Rod took another gulp.

“Slow down.” Wyl reached for Rod’s almost empty glass. “We can’t have a roll in the hay if you’re drunk as a skunk.”

Rod chuckled. “I’ll be fine. Make me another, and I promise to sip it.”

“Don’t forget the mole on the student side.” Wyl refreshed Rod’s drink. “Garrett Burke is eager to do what he can to solve Fergus Rafferty's murder and keep an eye on anything suspicious in MacGowan’s classroom.”

“Wow. This is turning into quite a complex mission. At first, only a cybercrime. Now, a devious cybercrime complete with murders, moles, and secret agents.”

“At least we’re not doing this alone, babe.” Wyl handed Rod a freshened martini. “All parties are covering the bases well.” He took another sip, pulling the olive into his mouth.

Rod set his martini on the counter, placed his hands on Wyl’s face, and gazed into his eyes. “You better not let anything happen to you, Wylton Joseph Sterling.”

“As long as I have you as my backup, I’ll be fine,” he smiled and placed his free hand over Rod’s. “Remember your promise to hold me in your arms on the ranch at Christmas.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Ailbe paced the front of the lab. “Now, you must work in the lab as much as possible next week.” He glanced across the students' faces as they listened to his every word. “Your projects are designed to dovetail into one, and I want the entire program entered before October 28th. Be prepared to spend extra time in the lab as needed.”

One student raised his hand. “What about our other courses?”

“Attend your other courses,” Ailbe said. “But return to the lab afterward and focus on your project code. It must be perfect if the entire program is to work.”

“Can we enter our graded project?” Mr. Cassidy asked.

“Excellent question, Mr. Cassidy.” Ailbe realized the option of escalating the entire process if the students input their projects early. “I’ll record the grades and return your projects. Be aware of any markings that indicate possible errors. If you need assistance fixing those errors, ask Mr. Sterling to help you. Once you have an error-free project, spend time in the lab entering your coding. Class dismissed.”

The lads chatted as they left the classroom, eager to start.

* * *

Wyl and Rod arrived as the students filed out.

“Wyl, I'm happy you're here.” Ailbe greeted them in the hallway. “Hi, Rod. Is Wyl giving you a tour of the place?” Ailbe didn’t like outsiders involved, but he must make an exception for Rod or risk losing Wyl.

Rod nodded. “I asked to visit the setup. He works here several hours a day while I’m home, so I wanted to walk through his work area.”

“You should go to the University and visit Declan as well,” Ailbe said. “He’d love to show you the digital media lab where students create art.”

“I might wander over this morning. If you talk to Declan, do you mind telling him I’m coming?”

“I’ll call him when I return to my office,” Ailbe said. “He can take you to lunch.”

“Sounds like a top-notch idea. We can talk about you two,” Rod grinned.

“That would be the world's shortest conversation,” Ailbe laughed. “By the way, Wyl, in class this morning, one of the students asked if they might begin entering their projects as soon as the grading finished. I think that’s a fine idea, and it may enable us to finish the testing quicker than I thought. I asked them to seek your help in fixing any errors. You can hand them their graded projects as soon as you finish.”

Wyl realized the ultimate implementation could take place several days before the 29th. He must work fast to figure out how to stop the final program from running. “That should work, Ailbe.”

“Babe, you promised to show me this fantastic lab,” Rod said.

“Sure…right this way.” They both walked off. Ailbe entered his office and called Declan.

* * *

“How do you do it, Rod?” Declan asked over lunch. “You two have such a fascinating relationship. I never met two people who can tease each other in such a loving way.”

“We’ve endured our share of challenges, Declan. But we worked through those, resulting in a stronger bond.”

“I guess Ailbe and I are too different. We never developed the comfort you two have.”

“Relationships take a lot of work. Talking to each other is a real key. If either of us gets upset, the other grabs and holds on until the situation is resolved.” Rod lowered his voice, “And the make-up sex is amazing.”

* * *

After lunch, Rod spent the afternoon admiring his program and setup with Declan.

“Let me show you something.” Declan led Rod into his office after a visit to the lab. “I can monitor the lab computers from here.” He sat in his office chair and motioned for Rod to stand behind him. “Remember those students in the lab? Not only can we observe their work in progress,” Declan pointed to his massive computer screen. Sixteen smaller screens appeared in a grid across the display. “I can control their computer from here if needed.”

“Fascinating. So, you are connected to each lab computer and can control that computer as if you sat at it?”

“That’s it.”