Tales of Retribution

by Fiona J Roberts

  “Let’s do this the right way. We’d better call the police,” Alex said.

  “I’ll call Anna.” Beth picked up the phone and rang her friend.

  Anna answered, and Beth was relieved. Bypassing her and calling the police would have seemed wrong.

  “Hi, Beth. Happy birthday. I’m going to pop around later with a card, if that is okay.”

  “My dad has just been here.”

  “What?”

  “My dad. He just waltzed in and wished me happy birthday.”

  “Is he still there?”

  “No. He left a few minutes ago. It caused pandemonium, as you can imagine.”

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, yes.”

  “Okay. I’ll call it in and then I’ll come right over.”

  “Thanks, Anna.”

  Once the call had been made, Alex and Beth sat down at the kitchen table to wait. Nicole was on her mother’s lap now, quiet and subdued. Reaching across, Alex took Beth’s hand and she squeezed it and said thank you. Alex had stopped her from doing something really stupid. Beth did not need to explain her thanks to him, he knew.

  They heard the car pull up outside and knew that Anna had arrived. She came in and began asking a series of questions. How long ago had Tim left? What did he look like now? What direction did he go in? Did he have a car? Some things they knew, others they didn’t.

  It was frustrating for Anna that Timothy Travers had come and gone and that Alex and Beth had been inside the house all the time. They had not seen the manner of his arrival or departure. The brief exchange of words was recounted for Anna once she had phoned the description of Beth’s father through to her officers. Now all they could do was wait to see if he could be found.

  The likelihood was that Tim had left, got into a car and driven away. They would check CCTV in the area, but for now he was gone. His appearance had confirmed that he was very much alive, and they hoped he had left some clues about how to find him. The fear was that he would disappear back into the ether from which he had come.

  Anna made tea and they all took a few minutes to contemplate the morning’s monumental events.

  “How do you feel after seeing him?” Anna asked Beth.

  “Strange. Him strolling into our kitchen like that was bizarre. I never felt threatened. Especially when I was the one with the knife. My God, I was going to stab him. Good job Alex got in the way. I couldn’t see that it was wrong in that moment. I just wanted him to pay for what he had done.”

  “As soon as Beth said ‘Dad’, I knew who it was. But he was just a bloke. Middle-aged, rather sad looking really. Not the monster I’d imagined him to be.” Alex gave his thoughts on the episode.

  “In all the rush I forgot to bring your birthday card. I don’t suppose you feel much like celebrating now. I’m going to go in and write a report. Try and enjoy the rest of your day. Call me if you remember anything else.” Anna said her goodbyes and left.

  Alex’s parents were due to call that afternoon, and they decided not to tell them what had happened. An already fraught day would become even more dramatic if the family found out. They would probably post round-the-clock guards to ensure their safety. And, of course, extend their visit for much longer.

  That night, when the family had gone and Nicole was in bed, Beth shed a few more tears. For the mother and father, she had lost, for her reaction in nearly stabbing him, and in thanks for Alex stopping her making a terrible mistake. Alex checked that the door was locked and bolted three times before they went to bed.

  Chapter 73

  Alex got up in the early hours of Monday morning. Sleep had been elusive. The image of Beth’s father standing in their kitchen had haunted him every time he closed his eyes. That encounter could have ended very differently. Thoughts of her father were immediately followed by the vision of Beth with a knife in her hand.

  Tim Travers had always been the bogeyman. A legend, but not actually real. Meeting him had been surreal. A haggard, overweight, middle-aged man was not what Alex had imagined. There were hints of what he had once been. Still an attractive man, with his piercing blue eyes and thick, wavy hair, despite letting himself go.

  Pictures of Beth’s mum had been shown to him, but only a couple of her father. The stories Beth had told about the sometimes charming, sometimes violent man and the lack of an up-to-date photograph had led Alex to imagine how he would be. The reality had been totally different from his fantasy version.

  The man Alex had seen in pictures was tall and dark. He had imagined him with glaring blue eyes and a permanent sneer. One would be able to look at him and know that he was a killer. Not quite a moustache-twirling villain, but along those lines. He would be wearing a suit, dark blue or black, and a pinkie ring, something ostentatious. A slightly rumpled, grey-haired man with a paunch was a complete surprise. But Beth had known from the second she laid eyes on their unwanted guest that he was her father.

  Shivering and pulling his dressing gown more tightly around him, Alex got the vision of Beth with the knife in her hand again. Eyes glued to her target, lips pressed together, and the knife held firmly in front of her – Beth was ready. All those years of planning what she would do if she came face to face with her dad could now be enacted.

  There had been no doubt: Beth was going to kill her father. She was going to have her retribution. And Tim was going to let her do it. He wasn’t calling her bluff, thinking that she would back off when it came to it. He understood her anger and need for vengeance and was reconciled to dying in that moment.

  The only rational person in the kitchen the day before had been Alex. Seeing what they could not in that instant, he’d had to stop Beth carrying out her plan. The death of her father would bring only fleeting fulfilment. Then their lives would have changed forever. Beth would have become what her father already was: a murderer.

  From the day that Beth’s mother was killed, she had known what needed to be done. The transgressor had to be found and then he had to be punished. Just like in Tales of Retribution. For eighteen years the need for revenge had been carried by her, and then, yesterday, her moment had come. Alex knew how much she had longed to mete out the justice herself. And he had thwarted her.

  For a few seconds he had thought that she would push him out of the way and then complete her plan. But then she had looked into his eyes and he saw her resolve crumble. The knife being placed back down on the table was the sight he most wanted to see. He had countered her momentary insanity and she had been grateful afterwards.

  What would happen now? The police and their family knew that Tim was alive, but very little else. They didn’t know what car he drove, where he lived, what name he was using, or if he had a job. Would they be able to find something that would lead to an arrest? Although thankful now, would Beth regret not killing her father when she had the chance?

  They would be more careful about security around the house, but Alex was sure that they would not get another visit from Tim. His words and actions had indicated that it was the one and only time that they would see him. No threats or anger, just a man taking a chance to apologise for his terrible deeds and see the daughter, and her family, who he had abandoned so many years ago.

  Chapter 74

  Alex went off to work the next day and, after delivering Nicole to her playgroup, Beth was alone. Needing peace and quiet, she could contemplate what seeing her father meant. He had been so different, but easily recognisable, which had been strange. The eyes had given him away. Not full of anger or mischief anymore, much sadder.

  The knife on the table, seeing him again, protecting Nicole – had all led to her being convinced that she should kill her father. For those few minutes it was absolutely her intent. She was Retribution. The criminal was in front of her, ready to pay. Thank God Alex had stepped in, or she would now be a murderer.

  All reason had deserted her. Years of thinking about this confrontation had made her lose her perspective. Her father was there, the speech �
� rehearsed so many times, about the consequences of what he had done – had been delivered, and the scene was set. A couple of steps, plunge the knife into his chest, job done.

  Except Alex had pulled her back from the brink. The real world had come crashing in. Beth’s retribution would have ramifications for her and her family. A court case, a prison sentence, and the guilt of having taken a life. Alex had told her that she would be a killer like her father. A devastating truth that had hit home.

  After the unsigned card that she had opened after her wedding, Beth had wondered about her father. When she posted pictures on the internet, was he looking at them? Some intuition had told her that he was out there and watching. How had that made her feel? Everything was so confusing.

  There was pleasure in thinking that he might be interested in her life. At the same time, knowing that he could be spying on her was unnerving. The photographs Beth posted and the comments she made had been informed by imagining that her father would see them. Seeing him in the kitchen had produced the usual dichotomy. Surprised to see him, but not surprised at all.

  Their brief conversation was replayed in Beth’s head. What had she learned in those few minutes? Not very much. Thinking about the encounter, Beth forensically considered everything that she had seen and heard. First of all, his appearance. He was alive – a small smile at the obvious – but what else?

  Her father had looked older than his years. What would he be, about fifty-five, she thought? The clothes – jeans, blazer and shirt – were fairly nice. That meant that he likely had a home and a job. How had he managed that? He would not be calling himself Tim Travers, that was for sure.

  Had he married again, did she have half brothers and sisters? These were some of the questions that she should have asked. He had walked in, apologised, and left again. Would she ever see him again and get the answers to these and many more mysteries? Again, there were mixed feelings about that.

  The biggest difference between the Tim Travers she had known and what he was like now was his attitude. Confident, arrogant and surly before, the man she had seen the day before was soft around the edges, contrite and what she could only describe as beaten down by life. What had happened, apart from murdering someone, to make that change?

  Beth’s father had alluded to some sort of karmic retribution. So, there was something else other than the weight of his deed wearing him down. He certainly wasn’t starving, his waistline proved that he was well fed. Was he plagued by the odd bit of bad luck, or had something more significant happened?

  The experience of meeting her father again after all these years had disturbed her more than she would have thought possible. The curiosity about his life was a surprise. The horror of her reaction and her intent to kill him was shocking. So long an abstract idea, she had lost all reason when the moment came. Thank God for Alex.

  Chapter 75

  Tim retraced his steps as he left his daughter’s home. In no hurry, he followed the route back to his car which would keep him out of sight of CCTV. He pulled on a hat to cover his grey hair when he got into the car, and drove way at a leisurely pace. He was just another Sunday driver running an errand.

  That had gone pretty much as he’d expected. Well, apart from the bit where Beth picked up a knife and looked like she was going to stab him. That bloody Retribution programme had convinced her that he should die because of what he had done. The murder of her mother could not go unpunished.

  Not worried about being caught, Tim got home and was met by a worried dog. Ringo was not used to being left alone for long periods, and he had been gone for six hours. Making a big fuss of Ringo and giving him several treats got him back in his pet’s good books. They would enjoy a long walk together that evening.

  Remembering small details from the visit, Tim smiled. Beth was pretty feisty, which he was happy about. And she still had that wild mop of hair – it was glorious. How pretty the little girl was. She definitely got her colouring form her father Alex, who looked like a nice man. The action Beth’s husband had taken had possibly saved his life, and had protected his daughter from herself.

  The police would step up their search once more, although it would still be difficult to find him. It was clear to him now what he needed to do. The life he now lived was sad and lonely. He was still worried about the curse he had inflicted on Hugh, Caroline and Kathy, which might afflict others in the future. The best thing for all concerned was for him to end his life.

  The decision was made. Tim realised that the paperwork he had prepared and the chat with Brad had all been leading to this point. Seeing Beth had just affirmed what he already knew. His death would end the curse and give Beth the resolution that she wanted. Alison’s death would be avenged, and the murder case would be closed.

  It all seemed so simple now. Tim took the envelopes out of the file where they had been kept, and spread them out on the coffee table. One was addressed to Brad, and told, in more detail, the story of his life. One was addressed to the police, and explained Hugh’s death and where he was buried. One was addressed to Beth, and inside was a letter telling her what he had previously told Brad and enclosing his will. He scribbled an addendum to the letter he had left for Beth, referencing their meeting that day.

  Tim put a few tins of dog food in a box, along with Ringo’s lead and the coat he wore in the winter. He nodded at his dog and they headed to the front door to take their last ever walk together. Ringo stayed at Tim’s side, looking anxiously up at him every few seconds. It was obvious that the dog knew something was amiss.

  Back inside the flat, Ringo ran into the lounge and jumped up on the sofa as usual. Tim gave him a treat and then went out again. His car was parked around the back of the flat and he would not be disturbed. Hose pipe, exhaust, window – it was all so simple. Once in the car, he could not hear Ringo barking and scratching at the door inside his home.

  Saying a small apology to those who would find him and have to sort out the things he had left behind, Tim died. Ringo whined all night and it was poor Brad, the next day, who was sent to find out why his boss had not arrived at work. A terrible shock, and at that same time not wholly unexpected.

  He used his spare key to get into the house and found a distraught Ringo. The envelopes lay on the table where they had been placed. Brad did not open the one addressed to him. The police were on their way and would want to look at everything. What a very sad end to his friend’s life. It seemed that he was going to learn all the things he wanted to know very soon.

  Chapter 76

  A knock at the door that evening sent Alex to investigate, returning to the lounge with Anna in tow. The friendly smile was absent, and Beth immediately sat up straight and focused. Alex looked puzzled, so he knew no more than her.

  “Did you want a cuppa?” Alex offered.

  “No. Take a seat, Alex. I have some news for you. We heard from a police force in Devon that Tim Travers has been found dead at his home. He died in his car from carbon monoxide poisoning. He took his own life.”

  Holding hands, Beth and Alex looked stunned. Anna carried on.

  “He left envelopes addressed to various people. There is one for you, Beth. The police there will look at them and then they will be passed on. From what I’ve heard, they contain details of what has happened to him since he left.”

  “He knew he was going to do this. I could see it in his face. He looked kind of resigned. He was here because he wanted to see us before he died.” Shaking her head, Beth could see it so clearly now.

  “I’ll chase it up with the other force to make sure that you see your dad’s letter as soon as possible,” Anna said.

  “Are you okay?” Alex looked at his wife as he stroked her hand.

  “I’ve no idea,” was Beth’s reply.

  “I’ll make the tea.” Anna headed for the kitchen.

  For the next few days, Beth’s feelings were put on hold. Until she saw what was in the letter from her father, she did not know how to feel. Nicole was c
lingy as she sensed the change in her mother. Alex stopped asking how she was after a couple of days. Beth needed room to think about all that had happened.

  The story of the murderer who had been on the run for eighteen years was in the newspapers. The manner of his death was reported, somewhat gleefully, as if he had got his comeuppance. Snippets of his life were written about: the alias he was using, and that he had worked at a port for many years.

  The usual quotes from people who had known him for years were included. No one had anything bad to say about Tim Travers. Alex would shake his head as Beth pored over the details, telling her to wait for the letter. But she needed to know about her father now. All of the information would help her work out how she felt. How would she have reported this story if she were not involved?

  There were a few pictures of her father, taken at various times over the years, as well as the one used when he first went on the run. Pictures of his dog, Ringo, featured heavily as well. The man being revealed was a hard worker who had never committed any sort of crime since he had murdered his wife.

  Alison got a mention in the articles, as did Beth. Phone calls from the press and reporters at the door had all been rebuffed. What on earth would Beth say to them? Once she had seen what her father had to say, she would be able to sort out what she really felt.

  What would she find in the letter? Would it be spiteful? Would it be a grovelling apology, full of excuses for what he had done? Beth spoke on the phone to Anna every day as she waited for the missive to arrive. Red tape held up the release of the document, but eventually it was sent, via Anna, to her.

  Chapter 77

  The extraordinary story of Timothy George Travers was revealed in the documents that he left behind. Brad read his letter and learned that his friend was a murderer. It was hard to believe that the man he had known was capable of such a crime. Friendly and charming when they first met, Brad had seen him change over the years. The weight of his guilt had eventually worn him down. That and the curse that he thought was on him.