Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

Ravenscroft passed over the silver handled cane to its owner and sat down.

‘I’ll stand thank you sir,’ said Crabb closing the door to the room.

‘This is a very sad business. Poor old Jabez. He will be a sad loss to us all, a very sad loss,’ said Touchmore sitting down behind his desk.

‘You had known Pitzer long?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘For nearly thirty years or more,’ sighed Touchmore wiping the top of his bald head with the handkerchief.

‘Would you say that Mr. Pitzer had made many enemies during that time?’

‘Good lord, no,’ replied Touchmore laughing. ‘Jabez had not an enemy in the world. Everyone liked him. Had he lived he would almost certainly have become mayor of the town in a few months’ time. No, in all my years I have never heard anyone say a cross word about him.’

‘He was very active in a number of spheres, I understand?’

‘Why yes. He had been a member of the town council for fifteen years of more. He was also one of our church wardens and was a prominent member of the vestry.’

‘Did Mr. Pitzer have any other interests?’

‘Well there was the Temperance League, the bank, — and Mrs Pitzer, she also served on a number of local committees directed towards the welfare of our less fortunate citizens,’ replied the cleric returning the handkerchief to his coat pocket.

‘But Mr. Pitzer left all that side of things to his wife?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘Well, er yes I suppose so.’

‘Mr. Pitzer himself was not involved in any kind of charity work then?’

‘No I suppose not, — although he was a trustee, like myself, of Old Lechmere’s Almshouses.’

‘Old Lechmere’s Almshouses?’

‘Yes, they can be found at the nearby village of Colwall. One of the Lechmere’s, a local family, left a sizeable sum of money in the 16th century for the foundation and building of a group of almshouses for the aged and infirm of the village. There are a group of trustees appointed from amongst prominent persons in the area, whose duty it is to see that the almshouses are administered correctly.’

‘How long had Mr. Pitzer been a trustee?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘For about fifteen years, like myself. Yes, I remember, we were both appointed at the same time. But can I ask inspector, as to the reasoning behind all these questions? They won’t bring back poor old Pitzer you know. It is my understanding that the poor man died from a seizure of some kind.’

‘We have reasons to believe sir that Mr. Pitzer was poisoned,’ said Crabb.

‘Poisoned! Surely there must be some mistake? Both Gladwyn and Sommersby stated that in their opinion Pitzer had died as the result of a seizure,’ said Touchmore retrieving his handkerchief from his coat pocket and dabbing it onto his reddened, perspiring face.

‘Both gentlemen were incorrect in their assumption. We believe that Pitzer was poisoned at around six thirty in the evening. At what time did you arrive at the house?’ inquired Ravenscroft rising and walking over to the window.

‘I, er — well — are you sure Pitzer was poisoned? Dear me, this is terrible. Who can have done such a terrible thing? The man had not a single enemy in the whole wide world. A terrible, unforgivable thing! But to answer your question inspector, I arrived at the house just after seven.’

‘Did you see any person leaving the building, or anyone lingering about in the neighbourhood?’

‘No. I don’t think so. I remember leaving the vicarage at around ten minutes to seven. The cab man dropped me off at the end of the drive, as I said, just after seven. Really inspector, I cannot accept this at all. I can think of no reasons as to why anyone would want to kill Pitzer. I’m sure you must be mistaken. For all these years…….’

As Ravenscroft looked out of the window, he suddenly noticed a familiar, black attired figure walking up the path that threaded its way between the gravestones in the churchyard. The veiled lady of the train and the well house, had reappeared yet again to distract his thoughts and to arouse his curiosity. He watched her for some moments, until she sat on one of the benches near the flight of steps that lead up from the churchyard onto the upper terrace of the town.

‘…Jabez and I had spent many a pleasant evening together.’ Touchmore was still continuing to recall the past. ‘I can’t imagine how poor Mrs. Pitzer must be feeling. She must be distraught, the poor lady. She will find his passing such a sad loss.’

‘I understand that the couple do not have any immediate family?’ said Ravenscroft turning away from the window. ‘There were no children?’

‘Alas no, it was a great sadness in their lives that they were not granted God’s gift. Mrs. Touchmore and I had one child, a boy, but he died of the fever when he was quite young, many years ago of course.’

‘I’m sorry for your loss.’

‘Thank you, inspector; is there anything else I can help you gentlemen with?’

‘Not at the present reverend. You have been most helpful. We may need to ask you some more questions at a future time. In the meantime if you can remember seeing anyone near the house when you arrived last night, or if you can think of anyone at all who might have had a grudge against Pitzer, or with whom he might have had a recent falling out, I would be obliged if you would let me know. I can be contacted at the Tudor or you can leave a message for Constable Crabb at the police station. I wish you good day sir.’

Ravenscroft and Crabb turned to leave the room.

‘Well I suppose there could — but no, that is foolish thoughts. Good day to you gentlemen.’

‘There was something?’ inquired Ravenscroft, returning to the desk.

‘No. It is nothing.’

‘It may have some relevance sir.’

‘Well there has been a recent disagreement over the almshouses.’

‘Go on sir,’ urged Crabb.

‘Recently the trustees and the warden of the almshouses have had, — well shall we say, a slight falling out or difference of opinion, over certain matters.’

‘A difference of opinion?’ asked Ravenscroft, aware that Touchmore was clearly feeling ill at ease.

‘The warden, a young impulsive fellow by the name of Armitage, was appointed to the position at the almshouses about three years ago. If we had known at the time, that he had been of a radical dissenting disposition, I’m sure we would never have appointed him, but then sometimes one is lead astray in these matters in regard to judgement. I know that Mr. Pitzer in particular had taken a dislike to the fellow and that they had disagreed over certain matters in regard to the financial affairs of the almshouses. Dear me, I have perhaps said rather too much. Ignore what I have said. I’m sure that Armitage was not the sort of fellow to kill Pitzer over such a trifling matter. Now if you will excuse me, I have to prepare for a service in the priory.’

‘Of course reverend, you have been most helpful.’

Ravenscroft and Crabb made their way down the stairs.

‘Quickly Crabb, there is someone in the churchyard I caught site of.’

The two men walked quickly out of the building, and Ravenscroft lead the way across the churchyard.

‘She was sitting on this bench, not five minutes ago.’

‘Whoever it was sir, has flown the nest, as they say.’

‘So I see.’

‘Who did you see sir?’ asked a puzzled Crabb.

‘It is of no matter. Tell me Crabb what did you make of our reverend gentleman?’

‘Well sir, he seemed quite surprised when we told him that Pitzer had been poisoned.’

‘Yes, I think the two men were friends.’

‘The reverend is quite liked in the town, I believe. Been here almost as long as the church I should think.’