Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

‘Whatever is that smell sir?’ whispered Crabb

‘I think the maid has been somewhat overzealous in the cleaning of this tiled floor,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘Smells more like the left over cabbage from yesterday’s dinner,’ sniffed Crabb.

‘Gentlemen, do come this way,’ said Gladwyn suddenly appearing in the hallway. ‘I think I can spare you a few minutes, before I commence my rounds.’

The two detectives followed the physician into what Ravenscroft supposed to be Gladwyn’s consulting rooms.

‘Do sit down gentlemen.’ Gladwyn indicated two chairs situated in front of his desk. ‘How can I help you?’

‘We are investigating the death of Mr. Pitzer, doctor Gladwyn,’ began Ravenscroft, accepting the seat.

‘There is nothing to investigate Inspector. Pitzer died from natural causes. I am sure the coroner’s inquest will agree with my diagnosis,’ interjected Gladwyn, taking his seat behind the desk.

‘Would it come as a surprise to you doctor, if I told you that Mr. Pitzer was poisoned.’

‘I would say that suggestion was somewhat fanciful. I examined Pitzer myself,’ replied Gladwyn removing his spectacles and polishing the lens on a large white handkerchief.

‘Nevertheless we did find traces of poison in the glass from which Mr. Pitzer had been drinking.’

‘I see,’ said the doctor looking down at his desk. ‘This changes everything. We will have to see what the inquest reveals.’

‘May I ask how long you had been Mr. Pitzer’s physician?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘For over thirty years. He engaged me when he and his wife first moved to Malvern.’

‘And how was his health during these years?’

‘Really inspector, there is such a thing as confidentiality between doctor and patient,’ protested Gladwyn replacing his spectacles.

‘Surely that no longer applies now that your patient is deceased. This is a murder enquiry Doctor Gladwyn and we would appreciate it if you could answer all our questions,’ said Ravenscroft firmly.

The two men stared at one another, before Gladwyn broke the silence.

‘Mr Pitzer had generally enjoyed the best of health over the years. However he had been working quite hard recently. I thought he could do with a complete rest for a week or two. Unfortunately he did not take my advice.’

‘I am right in assuming that Mr. and Mrs Pitzer had no children?’ asked Ravenscroft, anxious to continue with his questioning now that the doctor was now more forthcoming.

‘That is correct. They were not fortunate in that direction.’

‘Mr. Pitzer never had cause to confide with you in regard to any matters of a sexual nature?’

‘I find that question rather offensive inspector. Mister Pitzer was not the kind of man to engage in extra marital affairs. He was utterly devoted to his wife,’ replied Gladwyn becoming annoyed and rearranging the pens and papers that lay on the top of his desk.

‘Can I turn to other matters now? We have heard that Mr. Pitzer played a prominent role in the affairs of the town.’

‘That is so. We served together on a number of committees which benefited the local community.’

‘Was the trusteeship of Old Lechmere’s Almshouses one of them?’

‘Yes, both Mr. Pitzer and I were trustees, but I don’t see the relevance of all this,’ replied Gladwyn, a puzzled expression on his face.

‘I believe that Mr. Pitzer and Mr. Armitage did not agree on a number of matters regarding the almshouses?’ suggested Ravenscroft.

‘I don’t think they particularly liked one another.’

‘The Rev. Touchmore says there were certain financial irregularities concerning the finances of the almshouses.’

‘I was not aware that was the case.’

‘You cannot recall any disagreement, concerning the accounts, between the trustees and Mr. Armitage?’

‘None that I recall. Look inspector, I have been quite patient with your questioning, but I’m afraid I must insist that we now conclude this discussion. I do have patients that require my most urgent attention.’

‘Thank you Doctor Gladwyn. We won’t take up any more of your busy time,’ said Ravenscroft rising from his seat.

‘I’ll get my maid to see you out,’ said Gladwyn ringing a bell on his desk.

‘One final question Doctor Gladwyn — yesterday evening did you have cause to visit Mr. Pitzer, before Mr. Sommersby summoned you to the house?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘No. I have not visited Pitzer’s house for several weeks now. Show these gentlemen out,’ said Gladwyn addressing the maid.

‘Where were you between six and seven yesterday evening sir?’

‘I was here, with my wife.’

‘Thank you sir, we wish you good day.’

Ravenscroft and Crabb made their way out of the house and climbed back into their cab.

‘Good to be out in the fresh air again, sir,’ said Crabb taking a deep breath.

‘Doctors’ waiting rooms are often like that,’ replied Ravenscroft mounting the cab.

‘Doctor Gladwyn was not particularly forthcoming.’

‘On the contrary, whereas the Reverend Touchmore speaks of irregularities in the accounts of the almshouses, it appears that Doctor Gladwyn was not aware that there were any. One of the two men is either lying, unless of course one of them has a short memory. Either way it would appear more and more likely that those almshouses might well have played an important role in Pitzer’s death.’

‘You think we should return there tomorrow?’

‘Perhaps.’

The cab made its way back along the drive, but as the vehicle turned into the roadway, the driver suddenly pulled up the horse, throwing the policemen back into their seats.

‘There boy! Steady! Easy does it. Look out you fool!’ shouted their driver.

The cause of the horse’s fright was an elderly tall, bearded figure who had been walking straight in front of its path.

‘I think the poor man is blind!’ cried out Ravenscroft.

The man in question was simply dressed, wearing a pair of old trousers, and a shirt and waistcoat under a torn, open overcoat. He was staring out vacantly ahead of him and mumbling something under his breath.

‘Out of the way there!’ shouted the driver.

The man swore something under his breath, before moving quickly away down the road.

‘Poor fellow,’ remarked Crabb, as the cab resumed its journey.

‘Strange, but I seemed to think I caught sight of the same man loitering on the other side of the road, just when we arrived at Gladwyn’s house,’ said Ravenscroft.

‘Shall I go after him sir?’

‘No. He was in all probability some vagrant on the lookout for his next meal.’

‘I’ll ask the station to keep a look out for him. Those types can often be up to no good. Where would you like to go next sir?’

‘I think it is time we ate. I don’t know about you constable, but I have an increasing hunger, and have not had a decent meal since I arrived in this town. Perhaps you could recommend somewhere Crabb where we might procure a steak, or a chop or two. The fare at the Tudor is meagre and uneatable, the surroundings dull, and the company almost non-existent.’

‘I think I can suggest somewhere which I hope will be to your liking sir. Cabbie, take us to Westminster Road if you will.’

Ten minutes later Ravenscroft found himself alighting from the cab outside a small white painted cottage, situated along a narrow road, which looked down onto the main road to the Wells.

‘You certainly have a magnificent view from up here,’ he said looking across the open countryside.

Crabb paid off their driver and the cab trotted off along the narrow roadway on the side of the hill. ‘If you would care to follow me sir, I’m sure my Jennie will be pleased to meet you,’ he said opening the gate.