Sabotage at TAC

By Richard Pinkerton

Tucker Pyles has found himself a cushy number working part-time at the Te Arawa Christian Fellowship but finds himself the target of persecution from one of the Fellowship, persecution in the form of a plot to have him fired.

Ambrosia Wilson also goes along to the church, but her crisis of faith has now forced her to change her views on everything she ever believed. But how does she deal with her extremely religious parents and brother?

Mr Harris has been stood down as temporary Principal due to bogus claims of sexual harassment by the sexy new girl’s PE teacher. Rex vows to blow the plot wide open and it means having to get into the good books of the new PE teacher to do it. He is, however, unaware he too is the target of a plot, one which plans to see him fired from his role as head boy.

Meanwhile, Nadia, Vanessa Dante’s mentally disturbed sister is plotting, along with their father, to split Rex and Vanessa up and this time they have a despicable plan, using an old friend from Vanessa’s past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Pinkerton
• Release date: Dec 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005185817

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

Sabotage at TAC

(Book 19 in the Mob from TAC series)

Published by Richard Pinkerton at Smashwords

Copyright 2020 Richard Pinkerton

Other books by Richard Pinkerton

Dead End High

Dead End Town

Time Warped

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 - Boot Camp at TAC

10 - Dark Days at TAC

11 - Jealously 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 – Godly People at TAC

19 – Sabotage at TAC

20 – Distrust at TAC

21 – Competition at TAC

So Long, TAC

Acknowledgements

Amanda Kim

Elizabeth Taylor

Rob Dearsley

Stacey Sweeney

Vicky

Vijay Kumar Kerji

Other books by Richard Pinkerton

Dead End High

Dead End Town

Time Warped

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 - Boot Camp at TAC

10 - Dark Days at TAC

11 - Jealously 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 – Godly People at TAC

19 – Sabotage at TAC

20 – Distrust at TAC

21 – Competition at TAC

So Long, TAC

Acknowledgements

Amanda Kim

Elizabeth Taylor

Rob Dearsley

Stacey Sweeney

Vicky

Vijay Kumar Kerji

CHAPTER 1:

Swimming in dangerous waters

Sixteen-year-old Ambrosia Wilson couldn’t believe her luck. She’d been picked as a last-minute replacement for the Te Arawa College swimming team at the Interschool championships. She hadn’t been at the school for the swimming sports a few weeks earlier, but her PE teacher had been so impressed with her skills she insisted Ambrosia be given the chance.

‘If you had been here, you would have qualified for sure,’ she’d said.

Not only did Ambrosia get to compete for the school, but she’d get to spend the day with the school’s top athletes. One, in particular, had her daydreaming. The head boy; Rex Cassidy.

He was tall, athletic and drop-dead gorgeous with deep blue eyes, a magnetic smile and charismatic personality. He was one year older than her… only one… but she had been fortunate to get to know him a little during her first week at school. Even better, he had kissed her. She still remembered how amazing it was. She often closed her eyes, imagining he was doing it to her again. The way his lips melded with hers and the way he caressed the side of her face.

It had only happened the one time… at school, at lunchtime during an extra tutoring session, she had been made to attend. That was well over a week ago, and the extra tutoring sessions had been cancelled, deemed unnecessary by the relieving principal, Mr Harris. As much as Ambrosia was pleased not to have to undergo those sessions, it disappointed her that she no longer got to have Rex tutoring her. That kiss had been the first and it was most likely the last. It seemed Rex had better things to do than hang out with year-twelvers voluntarily, especially considering there were so many way more beautiful girls than her in Year 13.

On the way to Inglewood High School, the venue for the swimming sports, all the TAC athletes shared a bus. Rex sat at the back of the bus with a bunch of senior girls and a couple of guys. It seemed almost every time Ambrosia turned her head from the middle of the bus, he had a different girl sitting on his lap. It still amazed her that he was able to get away with that, especially when he had a girlfriend. Then again, if it wasn’t for the fact that Vanessa Dante was so liberal and sharing, Rex would never have kissed her that time.

Vanessa wasn’t on the trip as she hadn’t qualified, but Rex’s half-sister, Skylar was. The blonde-haired beauty sat in one of the rear seats, chatting with two other senior girls. Their eyes met a couple of times and Skylar smiled. Ambrosia had only ever spoken to her a couple of times but she seemed nice enough.

On arrival at Inglewood High, the teacher in charge, Mr Reaper, rose at the front of the bus. As usual, he had a staunch look on his face and his dark crooked eyebrows added to the sternness in his expression.

‘Alright, we’re here and I need to make a few things clear before we disembark.’ The burly, dark-haired teacher made his way slowly along the aisle. ‘Everyone is to remain within the school grounds, confined to the swimming pool area and the vicinity around it. If there should be any need to leave the area, you must see either a teacher or the two parents we have here with us.’

He reached the back of the bus. ‘NO exceptions!’

He swung around and returned the way he came, walking slowly. ‘You will all remember to conduct yourself in a manner befitting our school. Good sportsmanship is a must. I do not want to see any squabbling or fighting especially not with athletes from other schools. Respect the teachers and parent helpers, obey the rules and follow any instructions given.’

He reached the front of the bus and turned around once again. ‘And I can’t believe I have to state this rule… Oh, for hell’s sake, this rule I only need to direct at Rex Cassidy. There will be NO pairing off. No sneaking away with lady friends into the trees or changing rooms or any other such place. You hear me, Rex?’

Ambrosia turned to see the smiling face of Rex at the back.

‘So, I take it lady strangers are okay then?’ Rex said.

‘No females at all! Even if I see you so much as holding hands with one, I’ll be taking you out of the event. You will not be competing. I mean it, Rex! You’ve gotten away with it in previous years’ events… the swimming sports, athletics, rugby, cross country… Not this time. I mean it. Remember you’re the head boy, so this time around YOU especially need to set an example, especially to the juniors. And I don’t care whether you have Vanessa Dante’s blessing or even if she’s insisted you fool around, I’m not having it.’

‘Vanessa won’t be happy,’ Rex said, with the smile still on his face.

‘I don’t bloody care, sunshine. Besides, you’re booked in for quite a number of races. You won’t have time.’

‘There’s always time for fooling around.’

The Reaper scowled. ‘Not this time there isn’t. Don’t push me, Rex.’

‘Relax, Mr R.’ Rex grinned. ‘I won’t let the school down.’

Mr Reaper gave him a dirty look. Ambrosia couldn’t help but chuckle. He deserved everything Rex gave, especially seeing as he’d been trying every dirty trick in the book to have Rex ousted as head boy.

They filed off the bus. Other schools’ buses had already arrived and there were people everywhere. It was a great day. The sun shone brightly and the chirping of birds came from the trees, with only a light breeze disturbing their leaves. Perfect swimming weather, even though the summer season was drawing to an end.

A short while later, they sat on the bleachers at the swimming pool. The place was already filling up with people and constant chatter filled the air. Te Arawa College had their flag and they made themselves comfortable.

Skylar sat next to Ambrosia. ‘Hi. Ambrosia.’

‘Hi!’

Her big blue eyes sparkled and her flawless skin glowed in the sun. ‘I might as well sit with you. My friends are hovering around Rex, as usual.’

‘That must kind of suck.’

‘I’m getting used to it.’

Ambrosia peered down at Rex who sat one row up from the bottom. He already had his shirt off and she could only see the side of his chest. He was magnificent with his gym-sculpted physique.

A couple of girls from another school came to a halt in front of him.

‘Hi, Rex, right?’ one said.

‘Yeah, that’s me,’ Rex said in a cheerful tone.

‘I remember you from last year,’ said one of the other girls. ‘You were fricking amazing.’

‘Thanks!’

The two delivered him seductive smiles and then moved on.

Skylar chuckled. ‘A regular celebrity, isn’t he? Even girls from other schools know who he is, even though he doesn’t know them.’

Ambrosia continued to gaze down at him.

Skylar delivered her a wry smile. ‘I can tell you’re into him as much as every other girl is.’

Ambrosia turned away with a smile. She didn’t know what to say.

Another girl stepped up to greet Rex. ‘Hi, Rex! Remember me?’

Rex frowned. ‘Vaguely.’

‘I’m Joanna. Met you at the Interschool Cross Country last year.’

‘Yes, of course. Good to see you again, Joanna.’

‘Good to see you too!’

Girls continued to stop and say hi to him. He seemed to recognise some and even knew some of their names. Others he didn’t appear to recognise. They all knew his name though. His sex appeal was a huge drawcard.

Skylar spoke to Ambrosia again. ‘You still going to church?’

She pulled a bottle of water from her bag. ‘Yeah. Only because I have to. My parents make me.’

‘I kind of thought you were really into it.’

‘I was.’ She swallowed a mouthful of water. She’d have to fill it up again soon because they had no shade from the sun. It was a good thing she had her sunhat and sunglasses.

‘Was?’ asked Skylar, adjusting her shades.

‘Yeah.’ She lowered her voice so as not to be heard. It was quite easy because there was so much loud chatter going on. ‘But now I’m kind of struggling with my faith. I don’t think I believe anymore.’ She flinched as she said it. She hated to admit it and had trouble accepting it.

‘Wow. Must be hard.’

She stared at her water bottle. ‘It is. I don’t want to disbelieve, but it’s kind of impossible not to. Especially when everything you believed is being proven wrong.’

‘Why don’t you do what some Christians do? Block off the voices and convince yourself it’s true.’

She sighed. ‘Some people might be able to do that, but I can’t kid myself. If it was as simple as just choosing to believe, I would because I want to. I really really want to, but I can’t because my mind isn’t wired that way.’

‘Ahh, a logical and rational mind. Faith is hard for that type of mind.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Ambrosia sighed. It was the toughest thing she’d had to deal with so far in her life. She had been so strong in faith until recently. ‘I wish I’d figured out all this stuff ages ago.’

‘Don’t blame yourself. Your parents are both Christians. You were indoctrinated since you were born. They taught you stuff as fact, didn’t they? Didn’t tell you it might not be true, didn’t give you any alternatives, because they believed it to be true without a doubt. They did what any religious parent does and that’s pass on their beliefs because they think that’s what God wants.’

Ambrosia couldn’t believe how wise Skylar was and found it comfortable talking to her. ‘I guess. It’s just so hard to let go of it all, even though I know it’s probably not true. I really want to believe there’s a Heaven and that God is in control and has a plan for my life. And what if it’s all true after all? I’d end up going to Hell for not believing.’

Skylar reached into her school bag and pulled out a bottle of sunscreen. ‘And that’s the thing, isn’t it? The threat of Hell. That’s what keeps people in even when they don’t believe. You have to realise that Hell is fictional and it was created by a warped mind to control people. And who’s to say your religion is the right one? By following your god, you could be riling up the real god.’

Ambrosia swallowed some more water and returned her bottle to her bag to keep it out of the sun. ‘I know what my parents would say. They’d insist their god is the real one and all others are false. Maybe even demons.’

Skylar slapped some lotion on her arms. ‘Umm gee, so does everyone who believes in a god. Do your parents know you don’t believe anymore?’

Ambrosia lowered her head. The fact was, they had no idea and she didn’t know how she was going to tell them. Even her twin brother, Theo had no idea about her crisis of faith. She worried about how they would react if she did tell them. ‘I haven’t… I… I don’t know if I can tell them. I haven’t even told my brother.’

‘Wouldn’t it be better to tell them than to go along with a charade?’

‘I guess. But what if they get angry?’

‘Then they will be in the wrong. They have no right to be angry about something like that. They can’t make you believe something you don’t.’

She was right, but it didn’t ease the turmoil in her mind. To say something or not to say something? Remain in the closet or come out? What should she do? ‘You know I—'

‘Attention all competitors…!’ A loudspeaker announcement interrupted her. The event was about to start and finally, there was quiet… apart from the odd shuffle, rustle, or cough. The announcer broadcast more rules and regulations and then announced the first series of events. Skylar was called away to compete.

One of the boys who sat next to Ambrosia turned his head. ‘You’re Theo’s sister, right?’

‘Yeah.’ She turned her eyes to him. Had he been listening in on her conversation with Skylar? She recognised him. He was Colin Hewes, the karate champion at her brother’s club. He was a big burly guy, and ruggedly handsome, at least in her mind. He had short, scruffy brown hair and friendly brown eyes. He was a year thirteener, like Skylar and Rex.

Colin adjusted his All-Blacks cap. ‘He’s new at the karate club, right?’

‘Yep. He’s only been going there for a couple of weeks.’

‘I’ve seen him fight. Not too bad, I guess.’

She grinned. ‘He thinks he’s Chuck Norris.’

‘He wishes.’

‘Yeah, well that’s more accurate.’ She giggled. She examined him some more. He was a very good-looking guy and she liked the fact that he was the top guy at the karate club. What was he like as a person though? A lot of the guys at the club were conceited jerks. ‘You don’t seem to hang out a lot with the other karate guys. Theo says you head off home afterwards.’

Colin hesitated, but then replied. ‘Most of those guys irritate the hell out of me. They’re a bunch of Turkish turkeys and think they’re big shots. Make out they’re something more than they are. I get pleasure out of kicking and chopping the daylights out of them and then I go home.’ He grinned. ‘I wouldn’t go there if I didn’t want to keep up the practice and I need to lose a bit of weight to stay on top.’

Ambrosia liked that he thought of things that way. If he was like those other guys at the club, she’d have no interest in him. ‘You probably wouldn’t get on with my brother then.’

‘Probably not. I’d probably want to give him a hiding.’ Colin chuckled. ‘I hear he tried to take on Rex Cassidy the other weekend in town. He must have been on a death wish.’

Ambrosia smiled. ‘He was ignorant, that’s all. His karate buddies backed down right away.’

‘Just as well they did.’

She gazed down at Rex. ‘Is he really that good? Rex, I mean?’

Colin nodded. ‘Yeah. For sure.’

Ambrosia remembered what one of the karate boys said once. That Colin had taken on Rex once, along with a friend and had come up short. She still found that hard to believe. ‘Someone told me you once tried to take him on.’ She turned her eyes back to him.

Colin’s face reddened a little. ‘Yeah. Me and my mate, Ash.’

‘Two of you? And you still couldn’t take him down?’ She flinched on the inside as she said it. She didn’t want to embarrass the guy.

Colin adjusted his cap. ‘He has skills. Serious skills. Stuff they don’t teach you in karate classes.’ He watched the pool as swimmers prepared to race.

Ambrosia had to do some damage control. She didn’t want him to lose interest. ‘I bet you’re still one of the most formidable guys in Te Arawa College. I bet no one messes with you.’

Colin turned his eyes back to her and smiled. ‘I guess maybe I am. I don’t know. There are some tough guys in year-13. Guys like Ginge and Wal… But I reckon I can take them both.’ He chuckled.

The gun cracked. They stopped talking and watched as the Junior girl’s 400-meter Freestyle race began.

After it had finished and the cheering and applause died down, they resumed talking. Colin really did seem like a nice guy and the more she talked to him, the more she liked him. When lunchtime came, she sat with him on a bench outside one of the classrooms as they ate.

Skylar came up after about five minutes. ‘Hey, Ambrosia. Rex would like to see you.’

Ambrosia’s heart leapt. ‘Really? He wants to see me?’

‘Alone. He’s around the corner there beside one of the classroom blocks.’ She pointed one out.

Ambrosia reeled. ‘Alone?’

‘Yeah. If I were you, I’d take the opportunity. Who knows how long it will be before some other girl claims him.’

Ambrosia turned her eyes to Colin who quickly lowered his gaze to the ground. It seemed to her there was disappointment in his eyes. He’d probably enjoyed chatting with her as much as she had with him, but there was no way she was going to turn down an opportunity to get some one-on-one time with Rex.

‘Okay… I’ll go around there.’ She glanced at Colin again. ‘I’ll see you later, okay, Colin?’

‘Yeah…’ Colin said in a neutral tone of voice. ‘See you later.’

Despite feeling guilty about abandoning him in the middle of their conversation, she hurried around to the side of the building. She found Rex there, leaning against the wall on his own.

‘Hi,’ Rex said, his deep-blue eyes twinkling. ‘Glad we could talk.’

Ambrosia’s nerves jittered and excitement welled up inside of her. It was hard to believe she was being given this opportunity, especially considering there were so many other girls around from other schools whom Rex would surely prefer the company of.

‘Hi.’

‘Wanted to see you for a bit,’ Rex said. ‘Without all the other girls around. It’s been over a week since we last spoke.’

‘In town,’ said Ambrosia. ‘I’m still kind of trying to get over all that.’ It was the moment when she had begun to realise her religion wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Rex and Vanessa Dante had said some things that got her thinking. She had also been hurt by them because they had been pretending to be Christians. They had apologised to her, so she no longer held it against them. They had done it for a good reason – to expose corruption in her church. She didn’t want to admit to Rex her faith had taken a beating because of it.

‘Sorry,’ Rex said. ‘You know Vanessa and I didn’t want to hurt you. We had to put on that charade to bring down that douchebag Pastor Brian Payne. It had to happen in public too. In the middle of town with a crowd.’

‘Did it really? In public I mean? You couldn’t have gone to the police with what you knew about Pastor Payne’s fraudulent endeavours?’

‘There was more to it than that. We had to show them that it was not okay to persecute people due to their sexual orientation. He and his followers needed to be made an example of.’

She thought back to the day. She had to admit that her fellow Christians had not been very loving and caring.

‘I understand,’ she finally said. She wanted to talk more about her failing faith, but even more so she wanted to enjoy her time with him and hoped he hadn’t just called her around there simply to talk.

Rex smiled and she could feel the magnetism… the strong allure towards him. ‘Would you like to come inside?’

She reeled and stared at the classrooms behind him. ‘Inside? But… but