Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

‘You like Ledbury miss?’ inquired Crabb.

‘Yes. It is a very fine town. I have made many friends here,’ she replied smiling.

‘I am glad of it Miss Armitage. We spoke with your brother yesterday at the almshouses, but when we returned this morning we found that he had not been seen there since yesterday evening. If he is not here, can you think of anywhere else where he might be, anywhere at all?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘No. I know James likes walking on the hills. We sometimes take a cab together up to the British Camp and walk down to Eastnor through the park. Is my brother in any kind of trouble?’

‘No, not at all my dear lady,’ replied Ravenscroft seeking to relieve her anxiety. ‘We merely need to ask him some more questions concerning the affairs of the almshouses. Your brother mentioned that the accounts of the almshouses are kept here?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why is that so?’

‘James, my brother, said there had been a burglary at the almshouses recently, and that the books would perhaps be safer if they were kept here. He was anxious that they would not fall into the wrong hands, and worried that he would be in trouble with the trustees, if they were lost.’

‘I wonder whether it would be possible if Constable Crabb and I looked at the books, if you have no objection, Miss Armitage?’

‘Yes, of course. They are over here, in the bureau.’

Ravenscroft watched as their hostess walked over to the piece of furniture, opened the lid and took out a large ledger which she placed on the table.

‘Perhaps you would like some tea?’

‘That would be most welcome,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘I will leave you two gentlemen to your business, while I go and see to the tea.’

Ravenscroft rose from his seat as Miss Armitage left the room.

‘A very pleasant young lady,’ whispered Crabb.

His superior shrugged his shoulders, smiled briefly, and opened the ledger.

‘Now what have we here,’ he said looking at the first page. ‘1850. That’s too early. Let us try further on’. He turned over a few more pages, ‘1872. Further on. Armitage came three years ago. Yes here we are. 1884. See how the handwriting changes. This must be where the old warden died, or left, and Armitage took over Crabb. Now let us see. On this side of the page we have the income, which appears to be in the form of regular sums, probably issued every three months or so, by the trustees I would suspect. On this side we have the expenditure. Let’s see what kind of money is going out. Various items on food, bills paid to local traders, then personal items — new bonnet for Martha Turner, new pair of shoes to Thomas Mason, and so on.’

‘Nothing particularly startling there sir — and both sides of the books seem to balance,’ said Crabb leaning over Ravenscroft’s shoulder.

‘It would appear that way, and yet there must be something. Let’s proceed on over the months.’ Ravenscroft turned the pages and ran his finger down the column of figures. ‘This is unusual. See here Crabb. 1885. February. Troutbridge?1-10s. — and again for March, Troutbridge?1-10s. See, it is the same again for the next month, and the next.’ He turned over yet more pages. ‘Yes, here we are again. Every month, the same sum, paid out on the 7th of the month to this Troutbridge. Ah, here we have an initial D. D Troutbridge. I wonder who this D.Troutbridge can possibly be? Paid as regular as clockwork But not once does it say what the payment is for.’

‘Looks as though we may have uncovered something here sir,’ said Crabb.

‘It requires further investigation, certainly. There may be a perfect logical explanation for the payments.’

‘Or our mister Armitage was paying himself out of the money?’

‘Shush Crabb, I think Miss Armitage is returning.’

The door opened, and the lady in question entered, followed by her maid carrying a large tray.

‘Did you find what you were looking for gentlemen?’

‘Yes, thank you Miss Armitage,’ replied Ravenscroft closing the ledger and walking over to the table.

‘Good. Do sit down gentlemen. That will be all Sally. I’ll serve the tea. How do you like your tea Mr. Ravenscroft?’

‘Lemon and a little sugar thank you miss,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘And you Constable?’

‘Oh, I’ll have the same, thank you miss,’ said Crabb pulling his collar in an uncomfortable manner.

‘You do not sound as though you are a native of this area, Mister Ravenscroft,’ she said pouring out the tea and handing the cup to him.

‘No. I live and work in London, in the Whitechapel area.’

‘So what brings you to Malvern then inspector?’ his hostess asked, smiling as she did so.

‘I came to Malvern to take the Water Cure.’

‘Ah, the famous Water Cure! And how have you found the water cure Mister Ravenscroft? To your benefit I trust? Here is your tea constable.’

‘Thank you miss,’ said Crabb accepting the cup.

‘I doubt that very much Miss Armitage, although I am informed by the physician that I can expect an improvement any day now.’

‘I think you are a born sceptic inspector,’ she laughed.

‘Perhaps you may be correct,’ replied Ravenscroft drinking his tea. ‘Can I ask you if the name D.Troutbridge means anything to you?’

‘No,’ she replied turning away suddenly.

‘Your brother never mentioned anyone of that name to you?’

‘No. There was a village, close to where we used to live, called Troutbridge. That is all the name means to me.’

‘Thank you Miss Armitage. You have been most helpful to us. If your brother should return here within the next day or so, I would be obliged if you would ask him to contact me at the Tudor in Malvern,’ said Ravenscroft standing up.

‘Of course inspector, although I sense that my brother is in some kind of trouble.’ said their hostess, rising and looking away sadly.

‘My dear Miss Armitage, I am sure you have nothing to worry yourself about,’ replied Ravenscroft smiling and feeling compelled to lay a comforting hand on her arm. ‘We merely need to meet with your brother again and ask him a few questions. I am confident he will be able to answer all our enquiries to our satisfaction.’

‘I know my brother. He is a good man. He would not be involved in these murders you speak of,’ she said suddenly, looking deep into Ravenscroft’s eyes.

‘I am sure not, Miss Armitage.’

‘Lucy.’

‘Lucy,’ repeated Ravenscroft slowly removing his hand, ‘Be assured we will keep you informed of any developments. I will let you know when we have made contact with your brother.’

‘Thank you Mister Ravenscroft, I would appreciate that.’

‘Now, Miss Armitage, Lucy, I’m afraid we must continue with our investigation. I thank you for your hospitality, and for the tea.’

‘I will see you both out,’ she said smiling.

Crabb hastily drank down the contents of his cup, placed it upon the table and followed his superior out of the room.

Ravenscroft and Crabb made their way down Church Lane, towards their cab, which was waiting for them in the market place.

‘Do you think she was telling us the truth about her brother, sir?’ asked Crabb.

‘I have no cause to doubt her’’

‘She could be hiding him, somewhere in the house.’

‘I doubt it.’

‘Then it seems sir, as though our Mister Armitage has gone to ground.’

‘It would appear so. Did you notice how she blushed and turned away when I mentioned the name Troutbridge? Crabb, I think it would be useful if we could make enquiries regarding this D.Troutbridge. Perhaps you would be good enough to ask questions at the Ledbury station to see if they are familiar with the name. Whilst you are doing that, I’ll take a brief walk round the town and see you back here in say fifteen minutes.’