Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks Page A

all be calm, please." His voice caressed their ears. "This issue has to be resolved, sooner or later. I think the time has come, Stuart—Lanna—to give credit where credit's due. You've told me that Cadel's been doing very well. It's true—he has. And I think he's come to realize that what he did seven years ago was ill-advised. Isn't that so, Cadel?"
    "Yes," Cadel replied.
    "He's a lot older now, and he's not stupid," Thaddeus went on. "I think we have to accept that he's proven his ability to behave in a sodaily responsible manner, and that he ought to be permitted some freedom with regard to computers.
Some
freedom." Surveying the doubtful expressions in front of him, Thaddeus tried to reassure Mr. and Mrs. Piggott. "The computer-science program at Axis is well supervised," he observed, "and the course coordinator is brilliant. Dr. Vee. I know him quite well."
    Lanna glanced at her watch. Then she glanced at her husband. Then she patted his knee and said, in a hesitant manner, "I don't see why we couldn't at least have a look. Stuart? What do you think?"
    "I suppose so," muttered Mr. Piggott.
    "If you'd like, I could show you around the institute myself," Thaddeus offered. "What would be a convenient time? I realize you're very busy—"
    "Next weekend," Stuart interjected. "We can make it on Saturday."
    "But my plane leaves at four!" Lanna cried.
    "Then we'll start at one. After lunch," her husband snapped.
    Thaddeus nodded. Heaving himself off the couch, he approached his desk and checked his diary.
    Cadel, who was perched on Thaddeus's typing chair, had to move out of the way.
    "Ye-e-es," said Thaddeus, flipping a page. "Yes, Saturday should be all right. At one, you say? Fine. No problem." He plucked a pen from the inside pocket of his tweedy jacket and scribbled something down. "Keep that brochure," he instructed Stuart. "It gives you the address. You can meet me out front—at the pedestrian gate. We're talking about the city campus, of course. You won't be interested in driving all the way to Yarramundi."
    "Yarramundi?" Lanna echoed.
    "The Yarramundi campus isn't very big," Thaddeus explained. "There's some agricultural research done out there, a bit of engineering, nothing that Cadel's going to be interested in. Oh!" He pulled open one of his drawers and fished around inside. "Here's last year's course booklet for you, Cadel. Have a look. Even if you're thinking about a degree in computer science, you have the option to include a more varied range of subjects in your degree. A little bit of psychology, perhaps—media studies—the choice isn't bad for such a small institution."
    Cadel accepted the handbook. It had a blue and gold cover. Flicking carelessly through it, he happened upon a photograph of Thaddeus. In the photograph, Thaddeus looked far more benevolent than he did in real life.
    Thaddeus was a professor, Cadel noticed. He had a string of psychology degrees after his name.
    "Thank you very much, Dr. Roth," Lanna declared, rising from the maroon couch. "You'll have to forgive us, but I have an appointment."
    "Of course," Thaddeus replied blandly. "Good of you to come."
    "Are you sure computer studies is the right way to go for Cadel?" Stuart inquired. "Seems a bit limiting for such a bright kid."
    Thaddeus spread his hands and cocked his head.
    "Rest assured, Stuart, that your son can do anything he sets his heart on. At the moment, his passion is computers. Later, perhaps, his tastes might evolve. But it's of no consequence—he's young enough to change his mind, don't you agree?"
    Once more, Stuart grunted. He struggled to his feet, puffing and blowing, while Cadel quietly slipped the Axis handbook behind a pile of papers on Thaddeus's desk. He wanted a private word with Thaddeus. And this could only be done if he hurried back to retrieve something when his adoptive parents reached their car.
    Five minutes after leaving the house, he abruptly returned. He found Thaddeus waiting for him, sitting on the