Page 201 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“I see. It was smart of you to bring this information to me. Did Dr. MacGowan give any reason for this sudden change?”
“Yes, sir. He told us it was because he needed extra time to grade the projects.”
“Is this different from past years?”
“I don’t know, sir, but that should be easy to find out by talking to a few former students.”
“Good point, Rafferty. Go on.”
“Well, sir. He also told us that all the projects are related, and we should work together as a group to ensure the projects dovetail properly.”
“Wait a minute…that’s what Keenan Moynihan claimed, right?”
“Yes, sir. As you discovered, Keenan and I talked about that very thing the night he was abducted.” Fergus paused in thought.Is there a connection between Kennan’s death and Dr. MacGowan?
“This is all extremely interesting, Rafferty. Do you mind bringing me a copy of your project? I want my experts to examine what Dr. MacGowan has you doing.”
“I am happy to do that, sir. Would you prefer an email copy or a printed copy?”
“Printed, please. I want to keep this between you and me.”
“Understood, sir. I won’t say anything to the other lads. Is tomorrow morning okay?”
“That will be fine, Rafferty. Bring it to the front desk in an envelope with my name on it. You don’t need to see me again unless you have more news.”
“Very good, Chief.” Fergus rose to leave. “I’m sure you have my cell number if you have any questions.”
“Aye, that we do, Rafferty,” he said, then called out, “Show Mr. Rafferty out, Healy.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
At eleven-thirty Wednesday morning, Wyl and Rod arrived at the conference center for the GMIT Symposium. They stood at the back of the room surveying the layout. It looked like forty tables for six set up in the rectangular space, each with a white tablecloth and a decorative flower centerpiece.
Standing behind his husband, Rod placed his strong hands on Wyl’s shoulders and massaged, kneading out the tension. “My turn to ask. Are you nervous?”
“Not really, but I’ll give you seventy-five years to stop that,” Wyl closed his eyes as the warm sensations from Rod’s hands flooded him.
“You have a bit of tension.”
“Ihada bit of tension, but you rubbed it out.”
Rod snuck his arms around Wyl and leaned close to whisper, “I’ll rub something else later.” He flicked his tongue against Wyl’s lobe.
Wyl chuckled and leaned his head to the side. “Stop it. You’ll make it hard for me to give my speech.”
“Making it hard is kind of the point.”
“Okay, I get it. You managed to dispel all my angst.” Wyl turned his head and gave Rod a light kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, babe.” Rod released his embrace. “Let’s walk down and see what the room looks like from the stage.”
“Good idea. I think our table is up front somewhere.” They walked through the sea of round tables, each with six places. The waitstaff scurried around, adding plates of salad to each setting. The cold of the air-conditioned room chilled Wyl’s hands, so he rubbed them together as he walked.
They climbed the short stairs and strolled across the stage to the podium. Rod stood aside and watched as Wyl acclimated himself to the view from where he would give his talk.
“This room is wide,” Wyl said. “I’ll have to make sure I look to each side while I speak.”
“How many presentations like this have you done?” Rod asked. They had never discussed Wyl doing this type of thing.
