Page 240 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“I’ll call him when I return to my office,” Ailbe said. “Maybe you two could have lunch.”
“Sounds like a good 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 could begin entering their projects when graded. I think that’s a fine idea, and it may enable us to complete the testing more quickly than I initially thought. I asked them to reach out to you for 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 had to 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 had 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 resolves.” Rod lowered his voice, “And the make-up sex is amazing.”
* * *
After lunch, Rod spent the afternoon with Declan, admiring his program and setup.
“Let me show you something.” Declan led Rod into his office after they visited 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 who were in the lab? Not only can we see what they are doing,” Declan pointed to his large-scale 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 remotely connected to each computer and can control that computer as if you were in the room?”
“That’s it, exactly.”
“Amazing. What an excellent way to keep tabs on student work. I hope criminals don’t know about this.”
Declan coughed. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He turned off his monitor.
* * *
It was getting dark as Rod stopped by the market on the way home to pick up groceries. He got to the flat as Wyl stepped out of a cab.
“Hi, babe, how was the rest of your day?” Rod waited as Wyl unlocked the door, then handed him one of the grocery bags. They walked into the kitchen with the groceries.
“Fine. I looked at five more projects. They are all well-written. Only a few minor errors, but it’s the errors that stop a program.” Wyl placed his bag on the counter. “How was your visit with Declan?”
Rod began putting away the groceries. “Interesting. He has quite a nice setup at the University.”
“Anything like Ailbe’s lab?”
Rod nodded. “Not quite as advanced, but well equipped.”
“The Irish know their technology. Martini?”
“You read my mind. I bought lemons.” Rod washed a lemon, then used a paring knife to cut a couple of twists.
Wyl took two highball glasses from the cabinet. Ice clinked into the glasses. He ran the peel around the rim of each glass, dropped in the twists, and poured the Boru over the ice.
“Declan can monitor his lab from his office,” Rod said. “As he told me about that, he seemed to enjoy the power and control he had. He can control one computer from another. His sinister side is really coming out.”
“He’s the brawn behind the brains, but he’s no dummy. He’s the type who would shoot first and ask questions later.” Wyl handed Rod a martini.
