Payback

British English language and spelling. In some stories the processes or facts may be incorrect, it's only a story and in my world that's how it happened. A warning to those who steal stories to use on YouTube channels, I am watching and will hit you with a copyright claim. This story is a repost from when I was on here under a different username.

************************************************************

Payback

Payback can be deadly.

As a police officer with thirty years of service I can lay claim to seeing a lot of strange things, none much stranger than the story I am about to re-tell.

I am Detective Inspector Ray Miller, this case happened just before I retired.

It was late one evening and three of us were sitting going through case files looking at updates, we used to do this from time to time in case we missed anything. We were discussing a recent case of an unknown man found floating in the river Thames, we still had no idea who he was and where he was killed before being thrown in the water.

"Sir, Sergeant Berry is asking for you at this address. He said something about three dead men."

I thanked the constable and headed off to the address with a member of my team, a constable stood by the door as we approached.

"It's upstairs Sir, second room on the right."

The house was empty with no furniture or carpets in any of the rooms. "Derek, find out who owns this house." I asked my companion, Detective Sergeant Derek Cairns.

The Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) was standing in the upstairs doorway. "Evening Ray. Got a really strange one for you tonight." We entered the room to find three men all naked, each man was tied down, spread eagle like a starfish. There was a slightly stale smell in the room.

"Oh great, triple killing. Just what I need! What can you tell me Sid?" I asked SOCO.

"Three males all in their early thirties, each one tied and gagged with duct tape. Apart from that not much. There are no visible signs of any injury, but clearly all three are dead."

"Poisoned or killed somewhere else?" I asked.

"Could be poisoning. I estimate they all died about twelve to fifteen hours ago, how they died is a mystery at the moment. Hopefully the autopsy will reveal something."

"Any idea who they are?"

"Nope, none at all. There are no clothes or anything here with ID, just three dead bodies in an empty house."

"Okay bag them up and let's see if the autopsy throws any light on the cause of death."

"Sir, I have the property owner down here." My colleague called upstairs.

I made my way downstairs, a small built man was talking to DS Cairns. "This man, Mr Gerald Price owns the property sir. He says it's been empty for just over a month after the last tenant moved out."

The man shuffled about nervously as he looked at me. "The last tenant was an old lady, she kept cats and had health issues, her family put her in a retirement home. The furniture and carpets were ridden with fleas, so I disposed of everything, that was two weeks ago. I was going to get the house in order and rent it out again. I came here earlier to make a list of things that tradesmen need to do."

"So nobody was living here and you have the keys, am I right?"

"Yes I have a set of keys. The letting agent has the other."

"Are there any other keys that you know of Mr Price? It doesn't look like anyone broke the door down to get in."

"None that I know of Inspector."

I told Mr Price that he would get access to the house when we had finished our investigation, I knew it would be quick as there was nothing that gave us any leads. The rope used to tie the men was widely sold in lots of DIY stores, as was the duct tape. Ds Cairns and I returned to the Police station. The rest of our shift was uneventful.

A few days later we found out the identities of the men. James Cartwright aged 35, Neil Barnes aged 35 and David Wallis aged 34. All three men worked for the same company, Foster Consulting.

***

The company owner Bryan Foster was shocked, he could think of no reason why the men had been killed. We spoke to several colleagues who said pretty much the same. As I left the company offices the receptionist said she needed to talk to me, but not here. We arranged to meet in a coffee shop some distance away that evening. I saw her sitting alone at the back of the coffee shop when I entered.

"I'm sorry to drag you over here but I didn't want to talk in the office."

"That's okay Miss?"

"Andrews, Debby Andrews. Inspector, I know a lot of people lied to you earlier today, particularly Mr Foster the owner. Those three men have been employed by him for almost five years. It was common knowledge that all of them were having an affair with their line manager, Karen Lennister. Foster didn't tell you because he was sleeping with her as well. Karen quit just over a year ago to be a stay at home mum after her husband got promoted, I guess they didn't need her salary anymore."

"So you think Karen Lennister might have done this?" I asked.

"No I don't. I think it might have been her husband. I know he found out about her sleeping with Foster, I am not sure if he knew about the other three men. The company lost several accounts, as a result some people were let go. Mostly junior staff and several managers. Karen slept with all three men if their targets were met each month, as a result she slept with Foster to earn a decent bonus every year."

What Debby Andrews told me was interesting, I was curious as to why Foster had lied to me earlier in the day, and I said so.

"He probably doesn't want his wife finding out. If she hears of this she will divorce him, they have four kids and a nice big house. A divorce would cripple him financially." Debby replied.

I thanked Miss Andrews for her time and left to go back to the police station, as it was late I decided to go straight home for the night. I got a message to call in and see the Medical Examiner in the morning.

***

"Morning Sid, what do you have for me?"

"Ah, morning Ray. Your three dead men, they all died from fresh air!"

"Sorry, say that again?"

"They all died from fresh air. To put it another way they were all injected with an air bubble, every one of them died of a heart problem. The injection puncture mark was in the groin, that's why I didn't see it at the scene."

Ray sighed. "That's terrific. I have three dead men and no suspects."

"The only difference was one of the men had an STI. He was taking antibiotics for it, my guess is it's fairly recent."

"Thanks Sid. Send the report over asap please."

I called the station to let them know I was going to be in later, I decided to go and see Karen Lennister. I pulled up outside the house and prayed that Mr Lennister wasn't at home. My first talk with his wife was going to be awkward and probably better if he wasn't there. Mrs Lennister opened the door allowing me to introduce myself, once inside I explained about the three dead men and why I was there.

"Mrs Lennister. I understand that you were involved with your ex-boss Bryan Foster, do you mind me asking if you had any sort of relationship with the three deceased men?"

Karen Lennister looked at the ground briefly. "Yes inspector I was having sex with all three of them, as well as Bryan Foster. I'm not proud of what I did, but I had my reasons."

"Does your husband know about any of this?"

"Terry found out about me sleeping with Bryan. We talked and I promised I would never do anything like it again. When I found out I was pregnant I quit my job, just so I wouldn't have to go back after having the baby. My husband knew nothing of my unusual relationship with David, James or Neil, I would prefer it if he never found out."

"I can't guarantee that Mrs Lennister. If it comes out as evidence, then I will not be allowed to cover it up, for now I am prepared to keep it from him. Just remember if this makes the newspapers then they will print that the three men worked together, your husband might make the connection through that. Can you tell me where your husband was three nights ago?"

"In Switzerland, where he has been for the past week. Terry left on a business trip and is not due back until tomorrow evening."

"May I ask where you were on the night in question?"

"I was here at home. My parents visited to see their grandson, James, as well as keep me company for the evening."

I handed Karen Lennister my card. "If you think of anyone who might have had reason to kill the three men then please call me."

I left the Lennister household pretty sure that Mrs Lennister wasn't the person we were looking for, as for her husband I wasn't sure. Back at the station I discussed the case with DS Cairns and Detective Constable, Pete Whitely.

"So do you think the husband did it, Sir?"

"I did at first. Now I can't see how the hell he could have done it, the man was in Zurich on the night of the murders. So far I have five people who confirm his alibi. You two start doing checks on Mr and Mrs Lennister. I want the works on both of them, financials, family, everything you can find. I'm going back to speak to Bryan Foster."

As I sat talking to Foster I realised the man was an arrogant prick. Because he owned the company he gave the impression that he was above everyone else. When I said his affair with Karen Lennister might become public knowledge he soon quietened down.

"Inspector, I cannot afford for my wife to find out about Karen and myself."

"I won't tell her sir, but this case will no doubt gain media interest. If the press gets hold of the story I cannot stop them printing anything unless it's detrimental to the case."

"I'll assist in any way I can. Rest assured though, I will not do anything that will allow my wife to find out about my affair with Karen. I do know that she had some arrangement with the three dead men, I didn't interfere as I was getting what I wanted. Besides which their sales figures were off the scale most months, I had no personal or business reason to stop them." Foster was squirming in his seat.

"I understand one of the deceased was married?"

"Yes Neil was married. I believe his wife is expecting their first child."

"If you think of anything that might help us catch whoever killed those three men, please call me." I passed Foster my contact card. I decided to call it a day and head for home, hopefully I would get to spend some time with my wife Jean for a change.

As I sat with Jean it made me realise that my retirement day couldn't come around soon enough, we were planning to spend some time travelling in Europe. I suggested moving out of London and finding somewhere quiet, Jean was having none of it.

"No Ray. I want to stay here. Most of our friends are close by, our daughter lives thirty minutes away. Sorry but I am not ready to move away just yet."

"Okay Jean. It was only a suggestion." I smiled.

"Good. Now let's have an early night. I can show you what I will withhold if you mention moving away again." Jean laughed as she headed off upstairs.

The next day at the station I spoke with my colleagues, so far there was nothing to suggest that Karen or Terry Lennister were involved in any way. Later that day I was making my way home when I took a call from the control room.

"Sir, I was asked to inform you of a fatal road traffic collision."

"For God's sake. Give it to the traffic division."

"Sir, they specifically asked for you. Apparently the deceased is Mr Bryan Foster."

I called Jean to let her know I would be late, turning the car around as I headed for the scene of the accident.

I pulled up at the scene, Derek Cairns was already there. "What have we got Derek?"

"One seriously mangled car and the dead body of one Bryan Foster."

"Was it an accident?"

"We are supposed to think it was. There was a couple walking their dog who saw what happened. A large white car was following Foster when it suddenly drew alongside smashing into him, his car left the road, rolled over several times and ended up in a ditch. The white car sped off, it was too far away for them to see the registration plate."

"Bloody marvellous. Have the traffic boys said anything about it?"

"They have asked the control room to check out and CCTV in the direction the car sped off in, apart from that right now we have nothing."

"Okay. Look, get a copy of the witness statement and call it a night. I'm off home, I'll see you in the morning." I turned towards my car. This case was starting to get to me. I had four dead bodies and no suspects apart from Terry Lennister, who so far had a perfect alibi. I told Jean I would be late. I made up my mind to call and see the Lennister's, tonight.

I noticed as I pulled up outside the house there was one light on downstairs, I knocked on the door and stood back. Karen Lennister answered the door. "Yes. Oh inspector it's you! Please come in."

"Thank you Mrs Lennister. Is your husband at home?"

"No, Terry is in Paris."

"Your husband does a lot of travelling Mrs Lennister?"

"He does, or I should say he did. This trip will be his last for some time. Terry was working for a promotion which he has been given, from tomorrow when he returns he will be based in the office."

"I take it that is something you both wanted?"

"Yes it is. We have one child and are planning another very soon. My husband didn't want to be travelling all the time and miss out on the children growing up."

"You say your husband is in Paris right now?"

"Yes he flew out this morning and flies back tomorrow afternoon. What's this all about?"

"I'm sorry to tell you that your former employer Bryan Foster was killed earlier tonight." Karen Lennister looked visibly shocked at the news.

"How? I mean what happened?"

"All I can say right now is there was a collision between two cars, Mr Foster died of his injuries. The other driver drove off at high speed."

"And you thought my husband might be the other driver?"

"Yes I did Mrs Lennister. Excuse me for saying so, but we have four dead men, all of whom had sexual relations with you, naturally your husband would be our prime suspect. It appears that in this case we are looking for someone else other than Mr Lennister."

"Yes you are. My husband was upset about Bryan and me, but he is not a murderer."

"I'm sorry to have bothered you Mrs Lennister, I'll bid you goodnight and see myself out."

Over the next few weeks we followed lead after lead and got nowhere. The car involved in Foster's death was found a few days later, burnt out on waste ground over one hundred miles away. Apart from confirming it was the car involved we had no clues whatsoever. My retirement day was looming, I was frustrated that I wouldn't get this case solved before I retired.

My wife and my fellow officers knew it was bugging me. We had the Lennister's under constant surveillance, after a few weeks we agreed it was pointless to continue. In desperation I asked Terry Lennister to attend a formal interview.

"Thank you for coming, Mr Lennister. You understand this interview will be recorded. At this moment you are just assisting with our enquiries, you are not under arrest." Lennister nodded and sat down.

"Mr Lennister. You were aware of your wife's affair with Bryan Foster, were you not?"

"Yes inspector I was. I discovered the affair and I threatened to divorce my wife. She pleaded for another chance which I gave her. It was a month before she gave birth that I found out about the other men."

"I wasn't aware you knew about them Mr Lennister."

"Karen doesn't think I know. Soon after James was born I had a DNA test to confirm he was my child and not Fosters, we signed an agreement in the presence of our solicitor. The agreement basically states that if Karen strays again, she leaves the marriage with nothing but her clothes and one thousand pounds. I don't know if it would be enforceable in court, but it was enough to scare my wife into quitting her job and staying faithful."

"When you found out about your wife what did you do? Didn't you want revenge on the men involved?"

"Yes. Yes, I did. I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't involve me going to prison. I could have told Foster's wife, but then she and their kids would have suffered the most if they divorced. As for the others, I know nothing about them apart from their names. If you are going to ask if I killed them inspector, my answer is no."

"Surely you wanted some form of revenge? After all these men all slept with your wife."

"As I said I did want revenge, but not at the cost of me going to prison."

When I concluded the interview I reached the decision that Terry Lennister was definitely not the killer of his wife's lovers. Who was? I had no idea and no solid leads.

On the day that I retired the case was still unsolved and likely to end up as a cold case file, in the end I thought sod it, just retire and forget about the whole mess.

EPILOGUE

Jean and I spent two months travelling in Europe, when we returned I took a job as head of security for a merchant bank. The pay and benefits would see me retire for good at the age of sixty.

As is the way with police officers, I tended to keep in touch with a few of my old colleagues. Mostly we met for a drink or a game of golf every so often. I had been retired from the force for just over two years when Derek Cairns told me they knew who killed Foster and the other three men, I was dying to hear his news.

"It turned out that when Terry Lennister was a young lad he saved a neighbour's cousin from drowning in a local river. The person he saved, one Martin Wilson never forgot it. What nobody knew at the time was that Wilson worked for Foster consulting, when he heard about Karen and realised she was the wife of the person who saved him from drowning, he took the law into his own hands. Neither Terry nor Karen Lennister knew about it."

"And you know this for sure?"

"Absolutely. Wilson found out he had an inoperable brain tumour, before it got the better of him he repaid Terry Lennister by killing his wife's lovers. He called me a few days before he passed away, he said it was urgent that I visit him in the hospital. When I got there he explained who he was and what he had done, we will never be able to prosecute him as he passed away a few days later"

"Well I'll be damned. Do the Lennister's know this?"

"No. The Chief Superintendent said it wasn't worth telling them, he said it was best to keep quiet and just close the case."

"Probably for the best Derek. Thanks for letting me know."

I continued to work until I finally retired at the age of sixty. I did see the Lennister's a few months after Derek broke the news to me, I didn't speak to them but we acknowledged each other with a nod. They had two children with them so I guess they put their troubles behind them. Personally if my wife had done that to me I would have divorced her, regardless of whether we had children or not.

©2025 The author, all rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in part or whole without consent.