So Long, TAC

By Richard Pinkerton

It’s the final few weeks for the mob at Te Arawa College. How will it all end for them? Where will they go? What will they do?

Rex Cassidy intends to enlist in Police College, but those plans might be foiled when a fellow student falsely accuses him of rape.

Chelsea Brown, former Plain Jane, has become unhappy with the person she has become and thinks perhaps the old Chelsea may have been better than the new one after all. In an attempt to find herself, she visits a commune only to find out some disturbing details about it.

Tucker Pyles has started what could be his worst part-time job ever, with people in charge he’s known in the past, people who seem to want to make his life a misery. But he has to earn a full-time position there or his mother will force him to return to high school again next year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Pinkerton
• Release date: May 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224412273

Richard Pinkerton

I am in my early 50s and have been writing now since I was 12. I prefer to write light-hearted drama but have written a little fantasy horror and science fiction too. I have an entire series of high school novels (19 of them so far) set in New Zealand (The Mob from TAC series), which I will gradually publish if there is a demand. I prefer to use a mix of quirky and outrageous characters you would never come across in reality and also your every day Joes. My writings are aimed at teenagers mainly, but also young adults. I have also written a series of detective novelettes, most of which can be found on my website. The majority require work, to be able to be published here, mainly due to copyright issues. Please do leave feedback or contact me if you want to know more about my books.

Book preview

So Long, TAC

(The last book in the Mob from TAC series)

Published by Richard Pinkerton on Smashwords

Copyright 2024 Richard Pinkerton

Other books by Richard Pinkerton

Dead End High

Dead End Town

Time Warped

The Rex Cassidy Investigators Series

The Mob from TAC series

1 - The Mob from TAC

2 – Mismatched at TAC

3 - Trouble at TAC

4 - Heroes at TAC

5 - Scheming at TAC

6 - Murder at TAC

7 - New Year at TAC

8 - Challenges at TAC

9 - TAC Boot Camp

10 - Dark Days at TAC

11- Jealousy at TAC

12 - Choices at TAC

13 - Redemption at TAC

14 - Vendettas at TAC

15 - Aberrations at TAC

16 - Final Year at TAC

17 – Conspiracy at TAC

18 – Goldy People at TAC

19 – Sabotage at TAC

20 – Distrust at TAC

21 – Competition at TAC

22 – Twisted Pairs at TAC

So Long, TAC

Special

Danté vs Cassidy, Forever

Acknowledgements

Joyce Phillips

Vera Gordon

Vidyut Gore

Vijay Kumar Kerji

Wuraola Ifeniyi

Chapter 1

Hit for a six

‘Did you hear, Rex? Brian Payne was released from prison a few weeks ago.’

Eighteen-year-old Rex Cassidy relaxed in his easy chair, a bottle of IPA in his hand. He sat with his friends Rick Maverick, Will Ullman and Colin Hewes in the lounge area of his massive bedroom, a 60-inch television set in front of them. It was good to hang out with the guys, especially enjoying a few beers and watching the One-Day Cricket between the Black Caps and Pakistan being played at Eden Park in Auckland. The visitors had already posted a comfortable score of 280 runs and New Zealand was about 20 minutes into their innings, with 42 for none.

The news delivered to him by Will Ullman, better known as Wal, drew Rex’s attention away from the TV set. ‘Come again?’

‘That religious nut job, Brian Payne, is out of prison,’ his burly best friend repeated. He flicked his long brown hair back over the shoulder. Wal shared the sofa with Colin, while Mav occupied the other armchair which made up the grey fabric lounge suite.

The glass coffee table before them held various snacks, ranging from potato chips to cheese and crackers. The Cassidy housekeeper had provided them with hot sausage rolls, most of them now consumed.

‘This is the first I’ve heard,’ Rex said. ‘Where did you hear this?’

‘Saw it in a small corner of the local rag. From what it said he had plans to continue with his so-called godly ministry. Whatever that means.’ Wal swallowed a mouthful of lager.

Rex couldn’t help but grimace as an uncomfortable feeling came over him. ‘Six months. He’s only been locked up for six months.’

Colin reached forward and grabbed a handful of potato chips. ‘This is that pastor, right? The one who ran the big church here in Te Arawa. He got done for fraud, operating a farm out at Te Arawa West and supposedly giving food to the needy when he was just raking in donations and keeping it for himself?’

‘That’s the one,’ Rex said.

‘As well as being a deluded nut job,’ Wal said.

Mav’s hazel eyes twinkled. ‘Unfortunately, you can’t be imprisoned for that.’ He was the only one drinking Coke instead of beer. ‘Although a guy who believes demons can make you gay should qualify for a room in one of New Zealand’s finest psyche wards. Scratch that. Don’t make it a fine one.’

Rex sipped from his bottle. ‘Let’s just hope he’s far away from here. If he’s smart, he’ll head down to the South Island and try to con people down there instead.’

Colin stroked his rugged jaw. His sandy-coloured hair was a little scruffy, but that was usually the case with him. ‘But it’s not just fraud, right? He was abusive towards people.’

Wal scoffed. ‘Only when he thinks they have a demon in them.’

Rex elaborated. ‘Let’s just say he gets a little heavy-handed and has some ludicrous belief that people don’t actually feel pain when they’re possessed by demons, so it’s okay to slap them around a bit. Even if they’re a teenage girl.’ Rex gritted his teeth. He still remembered the day the eejit attempted to cast the gay demon out of their friend, Maggie Matthews. If it wasn’t for Rex and his friends turning up to put a stop to it, who knows what might have happened?

‘The guy thinks he’s Jesus’s righthand man here on Earth.’ Wal snickered.

‘Damn straight,’ Rex said. ‘And if he still believes that, that’s not good for anyone he manages to con.’

Wal nodded. ‘If you ask me-- ah crap!’ He flung his hand towards the TV set. ‘Morris, run out for 23!’ He let out a huff. ‘Bloody typical! Why is it our openers can never get a decent partnership going?’

Colin did a face palm. ‘If only Bruce Edwards and John Wrightson were still on the team. Now that was an opening partnership.’

They all murmured in agreement.

Rex sighed and downed another mouthful of ale as, on the TV set, Ken Morris hung his head and trudged from the field, his cricket bat swinging at his side.

He couldn’t bear to look at the TV set, so glanced around his bedroom instead, despair setting in at how badly the Black Caps were doing. He focused for a moment on how nice it was to have room set up for entertainment purposes where he could have his buddies… or his girlfriend, around to hang out.

Not only did he have his own lounge suite but also a gaming station beneath the television. He had a computer desk, an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. Plus, he had a huge king-sized bed to go along with it.

His dad was a very successful businessman and his mother worked a great job too. Rex had been pondering lately about his own future and how he might make his fortune. Maybe he could have started his own business, but there was something he was more interested in doing. It might not make him a lot of money, but it certainly aligned with his desires for bringing justice, which he did both at school when it came to bullies and outside when it came to the likes of dodgy church pastor, Brian Payne.

Colin eyed him. ‘Does it give you second thoughts, Rex?’

Colin’s words dragged Rex from his contemplation. ‘About what?’

‘Becoming a cop. Does it make you think maybe going to Police College might be a waste of time? You put them away and next thing they’re back out again doing their same crap.’

Rex delivered his pal a wry smile. ‘No. What about you?’

Colin paused for a moment, watching as the next batsman arrived at the batting crease. He shook his head. ‘No. Because if someone like him starts up with his shit again, we just take him down again.’

‘Damn straight.’

Wal snickered as he reached for a fresh bottle of beer. ‘You guys are nuts. Both wanting to join the police farce.’

‘Why?’ Colin asked. ‘Are you afraid we might come calling and arrest you one day?’

Wal chuckled. ‘You’ll have to catch me first.’

Rex swigged another mouthful of beer. ‘We might have to now if you keep drinking like this. Better make that your last one, okay? I don’t want to get into the shit with Mum and Dad.’

‘Geez,’ Wal said. ‘I thought Mav was lame being the only one not drinking, but look at Goody Two-Shoes Cassidy, worried about getting into the poo with his Mummy and Daddy.’

‘I’d say some of your insults are lame.’ Mav chuckled, brushing the brown locks out of his eyes.

Rex delivered Wal a wry smile. ‘If you want a bit of leeway, my man, you have to follow a few rules. I bet your dad wouldn’t let you drink beer while watching the cricket.’

Wal nodded. ‘You raise a valid point. Twerp!’

The four of them laughed.

‘What does Vanessa think about you joining the force, Rex?’ Mav asked.

Rex pictured his girlfriend’s sparkling sapphire blue eyes and stunning, full-lipped smile. He’d normally be cuddling up with her right now, but they’d both decided this would be a day to hang out with their mates. ‘She’s all for it. The great thing about her modelling career is she’s not tied to anywhere. She can follow me to Porirua where the Royal Police College is and still continue to work while I’m training.’

‘You should join us, Wal,’ Colin said.

Wal nearly spat out a mouthful of beer. ‘The police force? That’ll be the day. I’m… Whoa! Now that’s what I call a six!’ He motioned towards the TV screen with his beer as one player hit the ball deep into the stands. ‘Thank God for Martin Sparrow! You can always count on him to boost the score.’

‘Yeah,’ Rex said. ‘Maybe now we’ll have a chance of catching Pakistan’s total.’

‘So, Rex,’ Wal said. ‘If Brian Payne is back in Te Arawa do you think he’ll start his church up again?’

‘Who knows?’

‘With the church gone down the crapper thanks to Reverend Flanders, I hear those buildings are empty. Could Payne somehow get them back?’

‘No,’ Rex said. ‘From what I’ve heard they were handed over to the Apostolic Trust in New Plymouth and being rented out for functions. He can’t use them unless he pays them.’

‘What about that farm of his? Does he still own that?’

‘I’ve no idea.’ Rex ran his finger over the lip of his beer bottle. With his sullied reputation, Payne would have little hope of starting up his work there in Te Arawa again, but it still worried him. He hated the thought of anyone being caught up in another of Payne’s scams, especially not someone he knew personally.

Colin sliced himself some creamy Havarti cheese to put on a cracker. ‘Ages ago, Tucker told me about him trying to exorcise Maggie Matthews. But he has a habit of talking a load of crock. What really went down that day?’

Rex agreed that their fellow schoolmate, Tucker Pyles, was not the most reliable of witnesses. ‘Her parents were concerned about her bisexuality and her relationship with Vanessa. Poor Maggie was having a miserable time, being harassed by them, being told she was sinful and dirty and that she wasn’t really bisexual at all.’

Wal curled up the side of his nose. ‘It was all Vanessa’s fault. She turned Maggie gay.’ He scoffed.

‘That’s what the made out. Her parents enlisted Payne and that made it even worse because he insisted she had a demon in her. Vanessa and I tried to hide Maggie from them, but in the end, her parents managed to track her down and brought in Payne who then tried to perform an exorcism on her. Of course, it didn’t work.’

Mav rolled his eyes. ‘Like Vanessa always says. Demons seem to have built up a resistance to the name of Jesus these days.’

Rex tensed up as he spoke and he couldn’t help putting venom into his voice. ‘So Payne got angry and started slapping her around. Her parents were upset by that but he insisted she couldn’t feel the pain as the demon was in control. That was when I turned up. I saw him through the window doing it, so I charged in there and clobbered that douchebag across the room.’

Wal gripped his beer bottle. ‘I sure wish I’d been there to see that.’

‘Same.’ Colin said with wide eyes. ‘Tucker told me her parents continued to harass her about being bi up until the day she committed suicide.’

‘Yep.’ Rex resisted the urge to clench his fists and teeth, but he couldn’t hide the bitterness in his voice. ‘As far as I’m concerned, that douchebag is just as guilty for driving Maggie to suicide as her parents were.’

The four of them sat in silence for a few seconds, stewing it over. Rex no longer concentrated on the game, thinking only of the guy who had toyed with so many lives. There was no knowing how many people had suffered because of him.

A knock came at his bedroom door.

‘Rex!’ It was his mother. ‘You need to come downstairs. The police are here and need to talk to you.’

Rex exchanged glances with his pals. He did not know what they wanted, but he wasted no time in heading downstairs. His three pals followed.

Two male officers were there.

‘Rex Cassidy?’

‘Yeah. That’s me.’

‘You need to come with us to the station.’

‘Rex tensed up. ‘Why?’

‘We have had a complaint laid against you for sexual assault.’

Rex recoiled. They all gasped.

Especially Rex’s mother. ‘What?’ she blustered. ‘That’s ridiculous!’

‘I’m sorry,’ said the officer, ‘But we’re going to need him to come to make a statement.’

‘This is bullshit, man,’ Wal said. ‘Rex doesn’t need to force anyone. Chicks throw themselves at him.’

‘Not this time,’ said the officer.

Rex stared in disbelief, but finally came to his senses. ‘Who’s accused me?’

‘We’ll talk about that down at the station.’

Rex let out a deep breath. ‘Okay.’

‘There better be a good explanation for this!’ his mother snarled.

Rex shuddered to think what that explanation might be and who it was that could possibly claim he raped them. He really felt now like he was the cricket ball being hit for a six.

Chapter 2

Party Planning

Tucker Pyles was nearing his eighteenth birthday and something had been on his mind for a few weeks now. A birthday party! He’d got to attend some… as well as being denied an invitation to many… great parties over the last 3 years. Rex Cassidy had the greatest birthday parties and Tucker had been to the previous two.

He imagined his own party being something similar. Tables laden with food, a live band playing, beautiful babes in bikinis, romping around the pool and soaking up next to him in the spa. Sadly, he’d never experienced the soaking up in the spa fantasy, but he’d seen it happening with Rex, with a girl on either side, running their hands up and down his muscular chest. One of those girls would always be the dark-haired goddess, Vanessa Danté, Tucker’s idea… every guy’s idea of the perfect woman. Oh, that beautiful glistening unblemished skin, the sparkling sapphire blue eyes, shapely figure and glittering personality…

Tucker slapped his chubby cheeks a few times. Where was he? Oh, he was standing in the doorway of his bedroom, ready to head down the corridor to see his mother. It seemed a forlorn hope that she’d ever agree to a party there at their house. Not that there was a swimming pool or a spa. Their house was an old dairy company house owned by the business his dad worked for. They could afford nothing like that.

Even if Tucker could hire himself a portable spa, he’d still need his mother’s permission to have it there in the backyard. And he’d still need to find a girl or two who’d hop in with him. A few months back he’d had his girlfriend, Winifred, who may have agreed to it, but they were no longer together and it would be very unlikely she’d want to come to his birthday party. Not that he wanted her there. She was hardly the calibre of babe Tucker wanted sharing spa space with him.

He straightened and conjured up the courage he needed to ask his mother about the party. Even if she agreed, there was still the catering