Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

‘Yes I heard about that. Poor fellow! Bookcase fell on top of him I believe?’

‘Did you know either of the two gentlemen concerned?’

‘I have met them on several occasions. I have been here at the Tudor for only three years. Neither of them, of course, was my patient. I restrict my professional activities to my clientele here at the Tudor. That is more than enough to occupy my time. I expect Gladwyn was their doctor. You should speak with him.’

‘I already have.’

‘Good. I’m sure he has proved most helpful. Now if you will excuse me, I have another patient to see. Please continue with the treatment and walks. I’ll see you again in another three days.’

The two policemen climbed into the waiting cab outside the Tudor.

‘Where to sir?’ inquired Crabb.

‘Back to the Almshouses; I think it is about time that Mr. Armitage showed us those account books,’ replied Ravenscroft.

Several minutes later they found themselves outside the row of old buildings. The two men walked up the path of Armitage’s cottage and knocked on the door.

‘No good you knockin. He ain’t there.’

The speaker was one of the old men with whom they had spoken with the day before.

‘Do you know when he will be back, my good fellow?’ asked Crabb.

‘Don’t know. How should I know? He left last night. Just after you skedaddled,’ said the old man, ‘Ain’t seen him since.’

‘I believe he sometimes goes to see his sister in Ledbury?’ suggested Ravenscroft.

‘Do he now?’

‘You don’t happen to know whereabouts in the town that she resides?’

‘Ledbury I suppose. Ain’t been to Ledders since me wife left us.’

‘Thank you. If Mr. Armitage returns, will you tell him that Inspector Ravenscroft wants to speak with him urgently, and that I can be contacted at the Tudor in Malvern.’

‘Ain’t been to Malvern neither, since I left ’er,’ replied the old man wiping his nose on his sleeve.

‘Nevertheless I would be obliged,’ said Ravenscroft firmly.

‘Sees what I can do.’

‘Good day to you my man.’

‘If we call in at the station in Ledbury, they will know where she lives,’ suggested Crabb as they made their way back to the cab.

‘Good thinking Crabb, then let us do that.’

Their journey continued along winding country lanes until they entered the market town of Ledbury. The cab pulled up outside the police station and Crabb went inside to consult with his colleagues, returning a few minutes later.

‘It seems that there is a Miss Armitage who resides in Church Lane.’

Their driver took them on to the Market Place.

‘Seems an attractive town,’ remarked Ravenscroft climbing down from the cab and looking around at the street full of half-timbered buildings and fine Georgian frontages.

‘Can’t go no further, it’s up there,’ said the cabman pointing in the direction of a narrow lane in front of them.

‘Will you wait for us here then my good man,’ said Crabb patting the horse.

‘I will. Old Patch could do with rest.’

The two men made their way up the narrow cobbled street, where the old timbered buildings faced one another on either side, until they reached a black and white cottage, with neat hanging baskets of flowers outside.

‘I think this is the place,’ said Crabb reaching out for the bell pull.

‘So this is where our Miss Armitage resides,’ remarked Ravenscroft admiring the flowers.

The door was opened by the maid.

‘We understand that Miss Armitage lives here?’ inquired Ravenscroft ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to say that Inspector Ravenscroft from the local Malvern Constabulary would like a word with her.’

The maid curtsied, closed the door half shut and disappeared from view, leaving the two officers standing on the doorstep.

‘The town seems a pleasant enough place,’ said Ravenscroft as they waited.

‘Tis the first time I have been up this lane,’ replied Crabb.

‘Mistress says would you like to enter this way sir,’ said the maid returning.

Ravenscroft and Crabb followed the servant through a brightly lit hall and into a small drawing room.

‘Mister Ravenscroft.’ The speaker was a young lady of striking appearance and auburn hair, whom Ravenscroft judged to be of around twenty-five years of age.

‘I presume I have the honour of addressing Miss Armitage?’ said Ravenscroft.

‘You do sir. How can I help you?’

‘Your brother, is I believe, the warden of the almshouses at Colwall?’

‘Yes. Has something happened to James?’ she asked suddenly becoming alarmed. ‘Has he met with an accident of some kind?’

‘No. Your brother has not met with an accident. He is well as far as we know.’

‘That is a relief. Please do sit down gentlemen.’

Ravenscroft accepted a seat by the table and looked around him. The room was light and airy, being comfortably but simply furnished, with light colourful carpets and curtains. A small piano stood in one corner, upon which stood two vases of flowers and a framed photograph of a group of people. A round table and chairs were situated in the centre of the room, and a small but welcoming fire on one of the walls gave out a bright glow. Ravenscroft felt that its occupier had given the arrangement of the room a great deal of thought, and the more he gazed around him, the more it seemed to him to be a place full of peace and calm, free from the cares of the outside world — almost a sanctuary.

‘I should perhaps explain Miss Armitage why we have called upon you. Your brother is not here I suppose?’

‘I have not seen my brother since last week,’ said the lady of the house resuming her seat.

‘Constable Crabb and I are investigating the deaths of two prominent members of Malvern society. One of them was Mr. Jabez Pitzer, who lived at Malvern Wells, the other a Doctor Sommersby who was the Assistant Master at Malvern College. Were you acquainted with either of these two gentlemen Miss Armitage?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘No, the gentlemen are unfamiliar to me, inspector.’

‘Did your brother ever mention their names?’

‘I don’t believe so,’ she answered, looking puzzled by his questions.

‘They were both trustees of the almshouses, Miss Armitage.’

‘Ah, I see. I suppose my brother may then have mentioned them in passing. He often talks about the almshouses, but I am afraid I have no recollection of the names. I am sorry.’

‘How often does your brother come to visit you?’ asked Ravenscroft trying not to be too forthright in his questioning.

‘He usually calls upon me on a Saturday morning. He stays for a few hours. We go out into the town, have lunch here, talk together, and sometimes if it as a fine day we will go onto the hills.’

‘Forgive the intrusion Miss Armitage, but I could not help noticing the photograph. The people — they are other members of your family?’

‘It was taken a few years ago, before my parents unfortunately died,’ she replied walking over to the piano and bringing the photograph over so that Ravenscroft might see it. ‘That is my father, and there is my mother,’ she said pointing to the figures in the picture. ‘We lived in Gloucestershire, near Fairford. After my parents died, James was fortunate enough to secure the position of warden at the almshouses. Naturally I could not share his abode there, so I came here to Ledbury and rented this cottage.’ Ravenscroft thought he could discern a strange note of sadness in her voice.

‘You have private means to support yourself? Forgive the question my dear lady,’ said Ravenscroft beginning to feel uncomfortable with his intrusive questioning.

‘I have a number of pupils who call upon me during the week. I give lessons in piano and some writing. My brother also assists me from time to time, but his income from the almshouses is fairly limited.’