robspalding

Story 21 – Asset Retrieval

“That’s the place?” “Confirmed. You are on location.” Rick Lau looked at the small patisserie, window filled with pastries and cakes that, quite frankly, looked delicious. “It’s a cake shop.” “Intelligence has confirmed its only a front. You will find access to sub levels through the kitchen.” “A cake shop. Full of cakes.” This timeContinue reading “Story 21 – Asset Retrieval”

Story 20 – The Lonely Cairn

Barnaby walked through the door into the Brown Room and looked for a friendly face. Amongst the portraiture on the walls was the famously ten minute fast clock, forever deemed unchangeable. It said the time was three forty eight. Cathbat-Jones was reading the Financial Times in a red leather armchair by the fireplace. He wouldContinue reading “Story 20 – The Lonely Cairn”

Story 19 – Ghostpuncher II: The Punchening

“I think I’ve got a client for you.” Ruby said while she was ringing up my fags and chicken tikka sandwich. “Well, tell them to ring, just like everyone else.” I told her, pocketing my change. “She’s not like your usual ones, Reg.” Now, I love Rubes, she’s got the word out about my sideContinue reading “Story 19 – Ghostpuncher II: The Punchening”

Story 18 – See

1. Opening If there was such a thing as the opposite to the luck of the Irish, Dave MacCall was certain he had it. The luck of the Welsh perhaps? Somehow, despite his best preparations, something always seemed to go wrong in a big, but fixable way on all of his jobs. They cost timeContinue reading “Story 18 – See”

Story 17 – The Grey Figure

The church of St. Andrew in Ford, also known as St Andrew’s-by-the-ford, was a smaller and less ornate building than the churches at Clymping and Yapton. Reverend Damian Follow preferred to call it a simpler church. It rested up a gravel road, which was hidden from the main road so well that many locals didContinue reading “Story 17 – The Grey Figure”

Story 16 – No Train from Angmering

Ricky weaved his way across the platform, trying to remember just how much he’d had to drink. He squinted at the station sign, willing it to come in to focus. Where was he? Angmering? How had he got there? “Let’s back up.” He said to the deserted station, feeling a need to fill the silenceContinue reading “Story 16 – No Train from Angmering”

Story 15 – 200 Yards

“Me hands are shaking, Pikey.” Richard Pike gave Sam a thin smile “You’d be a fool if you weren’t a bit scared, Stones.” Sam tried to smile back, but his panicked eyes gave away the fact that his nerve was close to breaking. The constant explosions, the booming of the artillery, the knowledge that theyContinue reading “Story 15 – 200 Yards”

Story 14 – Rescue on Artivian-9

Gris was elbow deep in the guts of the engine when the call came in. This was unfortunate, because it meant that McSally was the one to answer it. If Gris had been the one to answer they’d never have gone to Artivian-9. But he hadn’t and they had. “This is a bad idea, Mac.”Continue reading “Story 14 – Rescue on Artivian-9”

Story 13 – The Witch Comes to Town

Lutran struggled through the sucking mud of the swamp. The bitterflies swarmed around him, their buzz filling his ears and disorientating him. How much further did he have to go? The wet, decaying stench was as thick as fog, making him want to gag on every third step. Old Coulan, the head woman, had beenContinue reading “Story 13 – The Witch Comes to Town”

Story 12 – Ghostpuncher

“I punch ghosts.” The kid opposite me looked non-plussed. But really, if the question is “What does a ghostpuncher do?” then what else could he have expected as an answer, it’s there in the job title. “Anything else?” He finally squeaked. I took a sip of my beer, taking a moment to enjoy the fullContinue reading “Story 12 – Ghostpuncher”