“What an unusual question, Ailbe,” Wyl tugged at a small bag of crisps to open one end.
“You and Rod are so different. I figured you to have a military man tucked away somewhere for weekend trysts. A little something on the side?” Ailbe bit into his chicken salad sandwich and chewed as he gazed at Wyl.
“I never dated anyone until Rod came along.” Wyl aimed an unblinking stare at Ailbe. “During my service years, the Marines transferred me often, so I didn’t develop relationships. Too difficult to sever when I moved on.” Wyl fingered a crisp into his mouth and crunched.
“You haven't answered my question about you being gay.” Ailbe reached for his bottle of cola. The cap hissed as he twisted it open.
“Rod is the first person I let myself be close to besides family. I never considered being gay or straight and struggled with my attraction to Rod. But now I can’t imagine myself with anyone else.” Wyl bit a corner from half of his cheese sandwich.
"We make quite a team, you and me,” Ailbe said. “Our combined expertise and experience opens the world up to us.” Ailbe’s cold, calculating stare conveyed his seriousness.
“I’m on my honeymoon, Ailbe. I hope you’re not suggesting I dump my husband and set up housekeeping with you.” Wyl figured Ailbe hoped for such a scenario.
“Be aware you have options.” Ailbe popped the last of his sandwich into his mouth.
They finished their lunch in silence. After lunch, Ailbe handed Wyl five completed projects to review. The intensive review took several hours. Wyl spent the afternoon inspecting the code, looking for any glaring errors. On occasion, he keyed the code into the computer and used an internal code-checking application to validate. He found no errors. The solid, clean work impressed him.
By four o’clock, he returned the finished projects to Ailbe’s office.
“I’m taking off for the day,” Wyl said. “Rod and I are planning a quiet evening at home tonight,”
Ailbe took the stack of papers from Wyl. “You go and enjoy your evening. Come again in the morning when you’re ready. I’ll leave five more projects on the desk in your office.”
“Perfect.”
“And think about our conversation at lunch. Wyl Sterling - World Power.”
“Interesting proposal. I'll be in tomorrow.” Wyl turned and headed outside, calling a cab to take him home.
* * *
Wyl entered the flat to a wonderful aroma. “What are you cooking, babe?”
“Dinner for my hard-working husband.” Rod leaned in for a kiss. “How did your day go with Ailbe?” Rod turned back to the stove, stirring the saucepan.
“Okay.” Wyl wrapped his arms around his husband from behind, nuzzling his ear. Based on his husband's reaction when they had their play-the-game conversation, Wyl wouldn’t share about Ailbe’s proposition at lunch. “Is it dinner time already?”
“No. You’re smelling the sautéed onions and peppers for the stuffing. I’m making stuffed pork chops. They must bake for an hour, so dinner won’t be for a while. What did you and Ailbe do today?”
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.”
