Page 199 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“At the racecourse, you mentioned Wilde’s,” Wyl said. “Let’s meet there later this week. Rod and I both like Pearson. He’s a talented musician.”
“Sounds like a good plan, lads,” Ailbe said.
“You chaps, take care,” Declan said.
Rod and Wyl needed to report to General Steinburg and James Pearson.
Ailbe and Declan needed to discuss the best way to entice Wyl into their fold and what to do with Rod.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The first thing Wednesday morning, Ailbe called his students together in the lecture hall. The din of their anxious conversations masked the clip-clop of Ailbe’s leather-soled shoes as he entered.
“Quiet, everyone.” Ailbe took his position at the lectern. “Listen up, lads.” He clapped his hands, drawing their attention.
The chatter stopped, and the focus turned to Ailbe.
“We are nearing mid-term, and I want to review the expectations for your projects.” Ailbe paced as he spoke. “The original timeline called for project completion by the end of November, then I changed the deadline to October 29th. I’m escalating that due date once again.”
Heads turned, and a murmur rose as students whispered to one another.
“Quiet!” Ailbe surveyed the wide-eyed and gaping mouths of the shocked students. “Projects are due by October 22nd, two weeks from Friday. Most of you are almost finished anyway.”
Fergus Rafferty’s hand flew into the air. “Dr. MacGowan?”
“Yes, Mr. Rafferty?”
Fergus sat forward in his seat as if his question were critical. “Is this still our semester project, or will another follow this one?”
“Good question, Mr. Rafferty.” MacGowan stopped pacing, crossed his arms, and glared at Rafferty. “This is the project for the semester. It is a complex project. It will require significant time to grade, and I want to be sure I have ample time to review each project individually.”
“Dr. MacGowan,” Fergus continued, “do we continue to work together, or should we focus individually?”
“Another good question, Mr. Rafferty.” Ailbe began pacing again, keeping his arms crossed. “As you undoubtedly heard, Kennan Moynihan discovered your projects are all related. Since the connection is in the open now, I suggest you work as one big team, uncovering the dovetails and ensuring your projects all fit together.”
Murmurs arose again among the twenty students.
“Gentlemen,” Ailbe quelled the chatter. “If you want a position with a major corporation, you need experience in working collaboratively. This project is an excellent opportunity for you to gain that experience.”
Why didn’t I think of this before? Working together is the most effective way to bring this project to where it needs to be. Now if I can snare Wyl Sterling…
“That’s it, lads. Get to work!” Ailbe exited the hall, his leather soles clacking against the shiny tile floor.
The students talked amongst themselves, digesting this new angle and the escalated due date.
“Lads, let’s meet in the lab at 1:00 and compare our projects.” Fergus Rafferty’s voice was loud and confident. “We all need to understand where the projects sync so we make the best use of our time.”
Heads nodded as the lads stood to leave the lecture hall. Fergus gathered his books and recalled his conversation with Chief Superintendent O’Brien and the officer’s interest in MacGowan’s project.I’m probably overanalyzing this, but I don’t want the Chief to think I’m purposely holding information back. I need to inform him about this change and let him decide if it’s necessary.He hurried out into the brisk fall morning and caught a bus.
Fergus stood across the street from the Gardaí station, watching officers come and go. Uncertainty clawed at his gut. Garrett Burke came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Startled, Fergus turned to see who it was.
“Hi,” Garrett said.
Fergus’s face softened. “Hi.”
“I saw you rushing away from campus. I thought we might grab an early lunch before we go back to the lab.”
Fergus pulled Garrett into a hug. “I’m glad you followed me.”
