Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Saturday, Ailbe and Declan had a quiet morning at their breakfast nook table. Declan worked on the newspaper crossword while Ailbe perused the GMIT campus newspaper he had picked up the previous afternoon.
“An article here reminded me about a cybersecurity symposium next week at GMIT,” Ailbe said. “One of the featured speakers is a security ace from the States, Wyl Sterling. The article portrays him as a top security expert before his retirement last year. I need to hear what he has to say.”
“This little scheme, as you put it, could put millions in your pocket.” Ailbe glared at Declan over the top of the newspaper. “I don’t notice you contributing anything.”
“Hey…I clean up your garbage, Ailbe.” Declan sneered. “Who else would take care of your mistakes. I contribute plenty.” Declan glanced back at his puzzle, a smug grin on his face.
Ailbe tensed. Declan was right. “You have a point.” Ailbe laid the newspaper down and feigned a look of concern at Declan. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. The call from Dr. Riordan’s office threw me for a loop.”
“Hey,” Declan put down the crossword and laid his pencil on the folded newspaper. “I have your back. So can the criticism. I want you to succeed. I have my eye on a little chateau in Staufen, Germany. A place nobody would think of looking.”
Ailbe chuckled. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
“Aye. I’ll be away from you and away from Ireland.”
“So, back to reality, want to go with me to the symposium event on Wednesday? We still need to play the happy couple.”
“Can’t,” Declan said. “I’m giving a test that day. I’ll be tied up all morning.”
“Your loss.”
“That reminds me, next week, the evening lecture series at the university features another American, Dr. Rod Bonner. He is speaking on Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni,” Declan said. “I know that is one of your favorites.”
“I don’t know anything about Dr. Bonner, but I would enjoy hearing what he says about Mozart’s opera. Let’s plan to go. I want to meet him.”
“I’ll call for seats on Monday.” Declan focused his attention back on his crossword puzzle.
“Wait a minute.” Ailbe rifled through the stack of periodicals on the window seat near the breakfast table. “That name rings a bell.” He pulled out the copy of The Advocate and eyed the cover. “Damn…the Texas Sterlings are here in Ireland.”
“The handsome cowboys we almost went to San Francisco to see?” Declan waggled his fingers for Ailbe to hand him the magazine.
“Yes.” Ailbe handed the magazine to Declan. “I wonder what brings them to Ireland?”
“I bet we can find out. Let’s plan to attend Dr. Bonner’s lecture on Mozart. We can invite them out for a drink afterward and get to know them.”
“Declan, you hit upon a good plan.”
“Every once in a while, I think of something besides killing.” Declan laughed.
“We’re still planning to go to the racecourse today, aye?” Ailbe slugged down the last of his coffee. “The weather should be sunny all day. I bet the course is fast.”
“That is what we planned,” Declan said. “If we go around 11:00, we can have lunch before the races start.”
“I thought you would like that,” Ailbe said.
“What’s a three-letter word for big blue?” Declan asked, returning his focus to the newspaper crossword.
* * *
The breakfast dishes clattered in the sink as Wyl rinsed them. “Babe, why do we wash the dishes before we put them in the dishwasher?” Wyl asked, thoroughly rinsing the silverware before dropping it into the silverware basket.
“Because,” Rod said.
“That is not a good answer,” Wyl laughed. “How would you like it if I said we put horseshoes on the horses because…”
“I don’t need to know why we put horseshoes on the horses. I have you for that.”
“You have this all figured out, don’t you?”
“No, but I figured out that my life suddenly became more interesting when a certain rancher walked into my classroom.”
“And you worked your magic charms.”
“Charms? I wheedled my way into your heart and persuaded you to be gay.”
“Maybe I let you persuade me to be gay.” Wyl laughed.
Rod attacked Wyl’s ribs with his wiggling fingers, tickling Wyl mercilessly.
Wyl laughed out loud and squirmed away, showering Rod with soapy water as he flicked his fingers at his husband.
Rod grabbed a kitchen towel from the counter, dried his face, and pulled his husband in for a kiss. “I love you, Wyl Sterling.”
“I love you too.” Wyl briefly draped his arms over Rod’s shoulders before he turned to finish loading the dishwasher.
“How about we go to the racecourse today?”
“Racecourse?” Wyl asked. “What’s that?”
“In Ireland, a racecourse is the same as a horse racetrack in the States,” Rod said. “The one here in Galway is one of the best in the country, and I bet they have races today. Saturday is a popular racing day.”
“Sounds like a good idea. I have never been to a horse race, although I’ve been around horses all my life. I’d love to see a race.”
“Around this course, the horses run counterclockwise, opposite the States. It is interesting to watch. We’ll go, have lunch, and can catch the afternoon races.”
“Can we bet?” Wyl asked.
“Sure.” Rod folded the kitchen towel and laid it on the counter. “Here, they have bookies in the parking lot, or you can bet at the counter inside.”
* * *
Declan and Ailbe arrived at the track and went upstairs to the cafe. They went through the buffet line, selecting from an assortment of hot foods and a separate section featuring cold foods and salads.
“These buffets could make a guy fat.” Declan scooped a spoonful of potato salad onto his plate.
“And they don’t have much in the way of lighter fare.” Ailbe ignored his own words and scooped a heaping portion of pea salad onto his plate, one of his favorites.
“I think I spotted beef tips over there,” Declan nodded toward the hot food section, “and buttered noodles. I’m all over that.”
“Sounds good. I think I’ll have roast chicken and stuffing.” Ailbe followed Declan to the hot food section.
They took their plates and found an unoccupied counter in the center of the room. They sat on the stools and began enjoying their lunch.
A handsome couple entered the dining area.
“Those two guys look familiar,” Ailbe motioned toward the couple. “I’ve seen them somewhere but don’t remember where.”
“They look a lot like those two guys on the cover of The Advocate,” Declan said, “the rancher lads from Texas.”
“You’re right,” Ailbe said. “Could we be lucky enough to meet them here on neutral territory?”
“I didn’t say they were those two. I said they looked like those two,” Declan mumbled as he speared a beef tip and put it into his mouth.
“Declan, I think they are those two. Put on your cheerful face and look warm and inviting for once.”
Declan swallowed. “Oy…I can look warm and inviting if I want to.”
“Right…seconds before you shoot someone.”
Declan laughed. “Aye…catches them off guard.”
* * *
Rod and Wyl had stepped off the elevator into an expansive room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the track. The room featured a buffet area with a variety of hot and cold foods. Along with standard four-seat dining tables, the room included tall tables with barstools.
“Wow…this is an interesting place,” Wyl said. “Not at all like what I expected.”
“And what did you expect, babe?” Rod grabbed Wyl’s hand and pulled him toward the serving line.
“I’m not sure. I guess something outdoors? I never attended horse races in the United States. My only impression comes from movies.”
“This is it. Betting counter over there,” Rod motioned to a counter at one end of the room. “Horses run down there,” he gestured toward the track. “People watch the races from up here,” his arm swept the room.
“Okay, smart-ass,” Wyl chuckled. “I’m not three.”
Rod laughed and picked up a tray. They loaded their plates, paid, and scanned the room for seats.
“Those two look friendly,” Rod nodded to where two men sat. “Let’s join them.”
“They have been watching us,” Wyl whispered as they strode toward the two.
* * *
“Ailbe, they’re coming over here,” Declan whispered as Rod and Wyl approached.
“Be friendly.” Ailbe reminded Declan.
Wyl and Rod reached the tall table. “Are these seats taken?” Wyl asked.
“Not at all,” Ailbe said. “Please join us.”
“Thanks.” Rod and Wyl pulled out the stools and sat.
“You’re American, aren’t you?” Declan said.
“Yes, we are,” Rod nodded. “I’m Rod Sterling, and this is my husband, Wyl.”
Ailbe choked on a bite of roast chicken. Declan stood and pounded his back with more force than necessary.
“You’re the two guys from The Advocate,” Declan’s voice raised slightly, feigning surprise. “We were saying you looked like them, and Ailbe thought I was crazy.” He stopped slapping Ailbe’s back as Ailbe reached for his drink, taking a long draw to wash down the chicken.
“Yes, that’s us,” Wyl said. “I’m surprised you saw that article. Is The Advocate distributed over here?”
“Actually, no. We have a subscription. It comes in the mail,” Declan said.
“I’m Ailbe MacGowan,” Ailbe chimed in with a hoarse voice, wiping his face with his napkin, red-faced from the choking incident. “And this is my partner, Declan Knowlan.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Rod struggled to keep his face from showing surprise at meeting the two men they learned about from General Steinburg. “Have you been together long?”
“About six years,” Ailbe said. “And we know you two are recently married. The article in The Advocate included interesting details about your relationship. What brings you to Ireland?”
“Honeymoon, actually,” Wyl said. “When I asked Rod to marry me, I wasn’t sure he would accept.”
“Like I would turn him down.” Rod glanced at Wyl while keeping Ailbe and Declan in the corner of his eye.
“Anyway,” Wyl continued, “I didn’t plan beyond the marriage proposal. We had a quiet wedding a couple of months later. We postponed the honeymoon because Rod couldn’t take time away from his college position. We had a busy summer and decided to take a break this fall. Here we are.”
“I’ve traveled to Ireland several times. He has never been.” Rod nodded toward Wyl. “When the opportunity arose to do lectures, we extended our stay to enjoy the Emerald Isle. We’re here for a few weeks.”
“Which hotel are you in?” Declan asked.
“We rented a flat. We like to cook our own meals, and an apartment is roomier,” Wyl said.
“You two do seem perfect together. Wait…” Declan jumped to his feet and pointed to Rod. “You’re Dr. Rod Bonner. The same Dr. Bonner who is presenting a program on Mozart operas for one of our evening lecture series events. I didn’t make the connection until now.”
“That’s right. This coming Tuesday, I believe. I’m looking forward to it.” Rod unwrapped his utensils.
Declan recovered and took his seat. “My apologies for the outburst, Dr. Bonner. It was rude of me to point.”
“No worries, and please call me Rod.”
“Aye, then please address us by given names as well.” Declan feigned a smile. “Ailbe here is quite the opera buff. He asked me to reserve tickets for your presentation. I thought I had a conflict, but we’ll both be there.”
“I took Rod’s class at the college.” Wyl unwrapped his own silverware. “He knows his stuff.”
“I knew enough to snag you,” Rod chuckled and winked at Wyl.
“Maybe I let you snag me,” Wyl grinned at Rod.
“You two are having fun with each other, aren’t you?” Declan said. “See, Ailbe, couples can have fun.”
“Declan is always telling me to loosen up,” Ailbe grumbled. “I tend to be a workaholic sometimes. He reminds me that life doesn’t last forever, so I must enjoy it.”
“Speaking of enjoying things,” Declan chimed in. “The races start in thirty minutes. We need to pick our nags and place our bets.” He tossed his napkin onto his empty plate and stood to take his tray to the drop-off point. “Excuse me while I stow my tray.”
Ailbe joined him with his own tray. “Good job, Declan,” he whispered as they walked away. “They think we’re a happy gay couple.”
“I can’t believe we ran into them here,” Declan said. “Let’s see if we can get them to meet us out one evening.”
“Good idea.”
They put their trays in the return window and returned to the table.
“You lads have your racing programs?” Declan asked.
“No. Where do we pick those up?” Rod asked.
“I’ll fetch a couple. I need to pick up betting forms anyway.” Declan walked toward the betting counter at the end of the room.
“Have you been to a racecourse before?” Ailbe asked.
“I enjoyed attending horse races several times in the states,” Rod said, “but Wyl missed out.”
“So you’re a rancher, and you never raced?” Ailbe focused his gaze on Wyl.
Rod stood and gathered his tray and Wyl’s. Wyl tossed his napkin onto his tray. “I’ve been on a horse my entire life, but ranching and rodeo work differ from racing. Our horses are American quarter horses, bred for ranching, not racing.”
“That’s fascinating,” Ailbe said.
Declan walked up with the racing booklets and forms. “What’s fascinating?”
“I was asking whether the lads had been to a racecourse,” Ailbe said. “Wyl has been a horseman all his life, but he said racing differs from ranching.”
“I never thought of it as different. Ailbe and I never went to a ranch,” Declan said.
“Who never went to a ranch?” Rod walked into the conversation.
“We never had a reason,” Ailbe said.
“Come to the States, and you can spend a few days on our ranch. We’ll put you in the saddle and show you around.”
“Sounds like serious fun,” Declan said.
The two couples spent the afternoon reviewing the horses' and riders' racing statistics, placing bets, watching the races, and enjoying a pint as the racing day ended.
“We must meet again,” Ailbe said. “Do you know Wilde’s Bar?”
“Sure!” Rod responded. “We went the other night, in fact. We met the guy performing there. Good musician.”
“James Pearson. We heard him before, and we both like him,” Ailbe said. “Let’s plan to meet there and hear his show.”
“Are you about ready to go, babe?” Rod winked at Wyl.
“Ready when you are,” Wyl nodded.
“It was nice bumping into you both,” Declan extended his hand.
The couples traded handshakes, and Wyl and Rod left the building.
* * *
“Now that was weird,” Rod said on their way home.
“Definitely. Declan kept a close eye on us, making me uneasy.”
Rod nodded. “Ailbe seemed focused on getting to know us. They obviously have plans for including us in their scheme.”
“I agree, and James Pearson will be interested in this unexpected development.”