Ian's Gang: Now and Then

By Ian Kidd

Five years ago Ian's Gang investigated a series of brutal murders in Ackersville, USA. The killer was never caught and now he's back - with consequences that will change their lives forever...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian Kidd
• Release date: Aug 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301055517

Ian Kidd

I grew up in South Yorkshire, England, before emigrating to South Australia at the age of sixteen. My writing ambitions began as a child, when I became notorious in my class for writing short horror stories that would probably have them calling in the child psychologists nowadays! I have written everything from non-fiction ebooks to published short fiction, and served as script editor on two proposed horror feature film scripts for an LA based director. In terms of fiction I have written dozens of novellas, including more than 70 stories in the "Ian's Gang" sci-fi adventure series. I still live in Queensland, where I work as a freelance writer.

Book preview

IAN'S GANG - NOW AND THEN

BY

IAN KIDD

Ian’s Gang (c) Ian Kidd 2013

Published by Smashwords

PART ONE

THE CALL

IAN'S GANG

Are:

NOW:

Ian Williams

Matthew Parker

Banix

Steve Botham

Philip Vasquez

Rebecca Hall

Kathryn Thompson

THEN:

Ian Williams

Matthew Parker

Banix

Steve Botham

Robert Stevens

Philip Vasquez

Dean Jones

Charlotte Smith

Cody Frid

CHAPTER ONE

THEN

Ian's Gang Base.

The morning sun streamed in through a crack in the curtains as Charlotte Smith opened her eyes, blearily welcoming in the new day in her room. Except... she wasn't alone.

Remembering suddenly, Charlotte turned sharply to find her bed companion smiling at her. Dean...

Hi, babe, Dean kissed her on the forehead, smiling.

And you can take that look off your face for a start! Charlotte admonished.

What look? Dean asked innocently.

That 'cat that got the cream' look, Charlotte reproved. The look that says how you can't wait to tell Matthew and the rest of your Neanderthal buddies that you scored last night.

I wouldn't do that! Dean objected.

"Dean," Charlotte said sternly.

Oh alright, I promise I won't say anything, Dean held up his hands in surrender. Good enough?

Better, Charlotte settled back down and allowed him to put his arms around her.

So... Dean kissed her hair, ... how was it for you?

Oh, for God's sake...

Come on, Char, Dean protested. It's a legitimate question. I'd hate to disappoint you.

You just want me to rub your ego!

Didn't you do that last night? Oh no, that was the other thing you rubbed, wasn't it? Dean joked.

"Dean!" Charlotte gaped.

Seriously, though, Dean stopped laughing. "Last night was... amazing. I'd hate to think it wasn't for you."

You don't have to worry about that, Charlotte said, refusing to look at him.

Really?

Really, Charlotte was blushing a fierce pink. You didn't disappoint me, Mr Jones.

Good to know, Dean reached beneath the covers.

Charlotte looked at the bedside clock. Oh, crap! Dean - get out!

What? Dean jerked, startled.

It's half seven! The others'll be up soon! Charlotte wailed.

So?

So! They'll catch us, they'll know! Charlotte was now physically pushing him out of bed.

Char - Dean flailed, grabbing his clothes.

Go! Charlotte hissed. "And don’t tell anyone!"

Dean fled.

After a few minutes, Charlotte buttoned up her pyjamas and, pausing to make sure he'd gone, hurried out the door and into Cody's room.

Cody awoke with a start as Charlotte dived onto her bed.

"Cody!" Charlotte squealed.

W - wha..? Cody rubbed her eyes, bewildered.

Charlotte beamed at her. "I scored last night!"

Matthew, Steve, Robert and Philip were just coming out of their rooms as Dean passed them on the way to the bathroom.

Mornin', they grunted.

Mornin', virgins, Dean quipped as he sauntered passed them.

Matthew, Steve, Robert and Philip turned in unison.

"What?!?!"

* * * *

NOW

It was hot, and it was raining. But then, it was always hot, and it was always raining, Commander Hank Herbert reflected grimly as he drove down the ramshackle track back into town. Someone had called in a report of a domestic disturbance down by the old Jennings place, but when he'd gotten there he'd found it empty. They'd either taken off pretty damn quick, or the call had been a hoax in the first place. Neither option improved his mood, and neither did the weather. Dark, depressing, belting it down with rain, torrents of the stuff washing down on the army jeep. Yet still so hot, so stultifying, so... oppressive. As was the sight of the swamp, ever present, surrounding both sides of the track. Surrounding the entire town.

Hank wondered, not for the first time, what in God's name had possessed him to settle down in Ackersville. To choose to settle down in Ackersville, grief!

His attention was suddenly diverted by a loud bang and the alarming sensation of his jeep suddenly seeming to develop a mind of its own and going out of his control. The car swung wildly around as Hank grappled with the steering wheel and pressed desperately down on the brakes. Finally, juddering, the car screeched to a halt. Breathing heavily, Hank wiped the torrents of sweat from his face with his handkerchief, sweat caused, just this once, by more than just the stifling heat. Cursing, Hank stepped out of the army jeep, becoming soaked to the skin almost the instant he did so, and examined the vehicle. The front and back tyres on the left side of jeep had blown out. Hank hurried around to the other side of the jeep. Again, front and back tyres blown out.

"What the hell?! Hank looked down the road, squinting through the torrential rain to the point where the jeep had gone crazy. Something glinted on the road. Hank hurried toward it, and as he approached, it became clearer. A thin strip of metal spikes, stretched out across the road. Sons of bitches," Hank swore. Gingerly, he picked up the metal strip and hurried back to the jeep. He threw the strip into the back and turned to return to the front.

Someone was standing by the driver's side.

That was about all Hank had time to register before the 'someone' lashed out, plunging a knife deep into Hank's chest.

Hank cried out, and as he did, he looked into his attacker's face. Cant... he gurgled.

David Cant, a greasy fortysomething with chin stubble, cackled. Got it in one, Hank. He lowered the wounded Army Commander into the front seat of the jeep.

Don't... don't do this... Hank begged, gasping.

Sorry, Commander, Cant said casually. Bit late now. He seized the handle of the knife and plunged it in deeper.

CHAPTER TWO

THEN

The chuckling and whispering stopped as soon as Ian entered the lounge.

Ian looked at Dean, Matthew, Robert, Philip and Steve suspiciously. What?

Nothing, Dean replied innocently.

Matthew tittered.

Ian's watch-phone beeped. Ian Williams, leader of Ian's Gang, he answered. Can I help you? He walked away to continue the conversation in private.

Cody was looking at Charlotte, wide-eyed. What... what was it like? she breathed.

Charlotte grinned. "It was... awesome."

Really? Cody gaped.

Oh, yeah, Charlotte confirmed.

'Cause, you know, I hear, sometimes, on a guy's first time... Cody trailed off.

What? Charlotte demanded.

The... er... excitement can be... er... a little short-lived. Maybe, Cody commented.

"Cody, Dean did not prematurely ejaculate!" Charlotte scolded. She and Cody looked at