Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

‘And alas in my case, although my son was alive at the foundation, he died of a fever shortly afterwards, as I previously explained to you,’ offered Touchmore, a note of sadness creeping into his voice.

‘So after your own death reverend, that would leave just Gastrux and Lambert?’ said Ravenscroft.

‘I suppose so inspector, although Gastrux was a bachelor at the time of his hunting accident.’

‘So that just leaves Lambert,’ said Crabb.

‘That would seem to be the case,’ replied Touchmore.

‘Do you know whether Lambert had any children?’ asked Ravenscroft.

‘I believe not. Certainly he was married at the time of the foundation. Yes, now you think of it, when he left for Grange his wife was heavily pregnant. I remember remarking to him at the time, that he should take good care of her on the long journey.’

‘So Lambert had a child, which means that there is only yourself, and either Lambert, or his heir, who are now the surviving members of the tontine,’ said Ravenscroft.

‘Oh dear me, I had never thought of it, like that. Money is such an unsettling thing.’

‘Reverend you have been more than helpful to us in our investigations. I must warn you however that you could be in grave danger. Whoever killed Pitzer, Sommersby and Gladwyn, could also seek to kill you. We must take precautions. I will send a uniformed officer round shortly to accompany you at all times. Until then I would advise you not to be alone,’ said Ravenscroft adopting an urgent tone.

‘Dear me, is that really necessary inspector?’ asked Touchmore.

‘I’m afraid so sir, but rest assured it will only be a day or so. I am confident, that given the information you have just given us, we may shortly be able to make an arrest. Now sir, I fancy that we have taken up too much of your time. Is there somewhere where you can go now, for the next hour or so, where you will not be alone, until my man can be with you?’

‘I am due to take a service in the church in a few minutes,’ said Touchmore.

‘Good. We’ll send the constable there. Shall we go together?’

‘I need to finish these returns first, inspector.’

‘Nevertheless sir, we would be a lot happier if you were to accompany us to the church. I cannot take the risk of leaving you here sir, on your own,’ said Ravenscroft, trying to sound as serious as he could.

‘Very well inspector,’ Touchmore sighed. ‘I suppose the returns can wait a day longer.’

The three men made their way out of Touchmore’s office and down the steps, where the cleric bade them farewell. The two policemen watched him cross over to the church.

‘I believe now we have the reason for our murders. All three men were killed because they were members of the tontine, and because they had no one to follow on after them. Our killer clearly has his eyes on the vast fortunes of the Malvern and Worcestershire Bank,’ said Ravenscroft.

‘The Reverend Touchmore could be our killer. He would have a lot to gain if all the others were dead,’ suggested Crabb.

‘There is that possibility, but it is this Lambert that interests me. Touchmore stated that when Doctor Lambert left Malvern to take up a practice in Grange-Over-Sands, his wife was expecting a child. I wonder whether that child survived?’ said Ravenscroft deep in thought. ‘I think, Crabb, it is time that we laid a trap for our killer. Put it about the town that I am on the point of making an arrest, and that our killer has connections with the bank. Meanwhile I intend visiting many parts of the town making myself conspicuous with Pitzer’s stick.’

‘Yes sir. I’ll see to that straight away, and I’ll arrange for that constable to be sent along to keep an eye Touchmore,’ replied Crabb.

‘Good. I think we shall have our killer by tomorrow evening.’

‘How can you be so certain of that sir?’ asked Crabb, somewhat taken aback by this new certainty in his superior’s manner.

‘Because I know that Lambert’s child is in Malvern, — and that he has been here for some years now!’

After visiting the Telegraph Station and despatching a number of messages, Ravenscroft walked around the town, before returning yet again to the Malvern Library and Reading Rooms where he was greeted by the urbane Clifford.

‘Twice in one day inspector,’ remarked the librarian.

‘I am in need of some of your excellent coffee Mr. Clifford,’ said Ravenscroft.

‘Of course sir, if you would care to take a seat.’

Ravenscroft walked into the main room and busied himself examining a large map of the hills, which was hanging on one of the walls. With his finger, he traced the route that led from St. Ann’s Well, upwards higher onto the hills, making a mental remembrance of the many variations such a journey entailed. He wondered whether the librarian had discovered the whereabouts of the missing document, but somehow he doubted it. It was evident that whoever had murdered Pitzer, Sommersby and Gladwyn, had also managed to remove the foundation document, in order to cover his tracks. It was a pity that Clifford could not remember who might have taken the missing papers.

A few minutes later the librarian returned with the coffee. ‘I see you have been studying the plan of the hills, Mr. Ravenscroft.’

‘There seem quite a number of paths on the hills.’

‘That is so. The town has been fortunate, over the years, in having a number of benefactors who have created a number of new pathways along the sides of the hills.’

‘I imagine there would be splendid views from the top of the highest hill.’

‘There are indeed, exceedingly fine views. I have been fortunate, since my arrival here, to have climbed up to the summit on a number of occasions. You should do the same before you leave Mr. Ravenscroft. You will not be disappointed.’

‘I am sure, I would not.’

‘I have made a further search of the storage room, but unfortunately I have not been able to locate the document. I can only apologise for such carelessness. I can only conclude that the document you were looking for, was removed during the time of my predecessor.’

‘That is no longer a problem, Mr. Clifford. I have spoken with the Rev. Touchmore who was one of the founders of the bank, and he was able to provide me with full details of the foundation in regard to the six partners,’ said Ravenscroft sipping his coffee.

‘Most fortunate,’ replied Clifford giving a half smile.

‘Yes, I must say that our investigations are going remarkably well. I am awaiting replies to several telegrammes that I have just despatched, after which I am confident we will be able to make an arrest.’

‘That is good news inspector. This has all been a terrible business for the town.’

‘No one, Mr. Clifford, can escape the law for ever,’ remarked Ravenscroft.

‘Indeed not. I wish you success with your endeavour.’

After finishing his coffee, Ravenscroft made his way back to the Tudor, where he was met by an anxious Stebbins in the entrance hall.

‘Ah there yer are Mr. Ravenscroft. May I remind yer that it will shortly be time for yer bath, sir.’

‘I have no time, nor any need, of your bath today Stebbins. In fact I do believe that I shall never have need of your bath ever again,’ said Ravenscroft cheerfully.

‘Does that mean you will be leaving us shortly Mr. Ravenscroft?’ inquired a voice from out of the inner office.

‘It does indeed Doctor Mountcourt.’

‘I hear in the town that you intend shortly making an arrest?’ said Mountcourt, emerging from the office, carrying a large folder of medical notes.

‘I do indeed sir. I am just awaiting the replies to several of my telegraph enquiries,’ replied Ravenscroft.