Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders
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- Название:The Malvern Murders
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- Год:2012
- ISBN:нет данных
- Рейтинг книги:3 / 5. Голосов: 1
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‘Then you killed Sommersby,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘That was easy. All I had to do was to wait until all the pupils were engaged elsewhere, and slip into the library from the quadrangle when he was alone. Yes, inspector I hit him on the head, and then pulled the bookcase over on top of him to make it look like an accident — but again of course you were there on the scene to prove the case. You were in danger of becoming a nuisance inspector Ravenscroft! I resolved to low lie for a while and hope that Gladwyn and Touchmore would soon die — and that you would eventually become frustrated trying to solve the case and leave for London.’
‘But then Gladwyn guessed the terrible truth and recognized you as the son of his former colleague,’ suggested Ravenscroft.
‘Right again inspector! I had become friendly with the old tramp, Penny, and could see how he could be useful to me. I instructed him to watch Gladwyn’s house — yes his eyesight was not as bad as everyone had supposed — and that was where he saw you and your assistant. I knew I had to act quickly before Gladwyn worked out who had killed Pitzer and Sommersby. I gave Old Penny instructions about how to make up a story about his dying wife, and how he was to lure Gladwyn out to the Raggedstone, where I could confront and kill him without others seeing — but then you arrived shortly on the scene and I had to hide in the undergrowth. I was so close to you I could hear every word you said. Is that not frustrating to learn now inspector — that you were within yards of catching your quarry! I had told Penny that he was to make his way back with all haste, to the old cave, where he was to hide until I could join him later. As you and your constable set off in pursuit of the old tramp, I was given enough time to make my way along the lower slopes of the hills, until I saw my opportunity to meet up with him — ‘
‘Where you pushed him off the cliff top,’ added Ravenscroft.
‘Oh don’t be so dramatic inspector! The man was a useless parasite anyway, a drain on society,’ replied Mountcourt with a sneer. ‘Then you fell ill and everyone thought that Penny had killed the three men. I knew I was safe — and that only Touchmore now stood between me and the tontine legacy. All I had to do then was to wait for you to leave, and dispose of Touchmore later in my own time. But then you changed your mind and decided to stay — damn you Ravenscroft! But then my luck changed again, with the arrests of Armitage and Troutbridge. Perhaps you would be stupid enough to think that they had committed the murders! But I suppose I should have known better. Then this morning when I heard that you had gone to the bank and were parading round with that stupid stick, I knew that it would be only a matter of time before you discovered the truth.’
‘You could not expect that you could hide for ever? Everyone is answerable to the law,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘The law, my dear inspector, what use is the law to us out here?’ laughed Mountcourt. ‘Why do you think I have confessed all this to you Ravenscroft? You must have realised by now that I cannot possibly let you arrest me,’ he said standing up ‘No, the townsfolk of Malvern will wake up tomorrow morning to learn of yet another tragic accident. How the poor unfortunate police inspector had fallen to his death from the Ivy Scar Rock. The poor man was under a great deal of pressure to bring the murderer to book, they will say, and they will surmise that perhaps you really committed suicide than face the terrible truth that you were really a pathetic failure.’
‘You seem to have it all worked out,’ answered Ravenscroft.
‘Then in a month or two’s time that idiot Touchmore will meet with a fatal accident. I haven’t quite decided how he will meet his end. Something religious I think. Maybe a loose step on the way up to the church tower, a piece of falling masonry — that would be poetic justice indeed. Then I will claim the tontine inheritance, and nothing will stand in my way!’ said Mountcourt becoming increasingly agitated, as he paced up and down.
‘You are quite mad, Lambert!’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Mad!’ snarled Mountcourt. ‘You dare to call me mad! What I have done requires sheer genius. It is such a shame you won’t be able to tell the world about your little adventure up here,’ he said pulling on the handle of the walking stick. ‘Quite a neat little addition I think you would agree. When my father had this stick made, he decided to have this fine blade fitted inside. I am so sorry Ravenscroft. You were such a worthy opponent, but you must know that after all that I have told you, that I cannot let you go,’ he said brandishing the blade and advancing towards him.
‘And you do not think, that I would have been so stupid as to have come up here alone,’ said Ravenscroft standing up and facing his opponent.
‘Oh my dear inspector, it really is quite futile for you to pretend. At this time of the evening the hills are quite deserted. You forget that I followed you up here from the well house up another path. There was no one behind either of us. There is no one that can come to you aid. It is all over with you Ravenscroft.’
Ravenscroft took out a whistle from his pocket and gave three short blasts.
‘You silly man,’ laughed Mountcourt. ‘No one will hear that down in the town. I’m sorry, but it really is the end for you!’
‘Put down that blade or I will fire!’ shouted the voice of Crabb.
Mountcourt paused, a look of anger enveloping his face.
‘I knew Mountcourt that you would not resist the temptation to follow me. At this moment my constable has a loaded revolver pointing at your back. I also have three other police officers emerging from the other side of the rock. I would advise you to lay down your blade as my constable instructs. It is all over now Lambert, you have nowhere to go,’ said Ravenscroft drawing himself up to his full height.
‘Damn you Ravenscroft!’ yelled Mountcourt, rushing towards Ravenscroft with a look of intense loathing. ‘Damn you!’
‘Crabb!’ shouted Ravenscroft.
The shot rang out.
Mountcourt staggered forwards, clutching his chest and dropping the blade at Ravenscroft’s feet.
‘Quickly, grab him men, before he goes over the edge,’ yelled Crabb.
But it was too late, for as he fell, Mountcourt’s feet slipped — and with one last cry, he disappeared from view over the side of the rock.
‘Are you alright sir?’ inquired Crabb as the men rushed forwards.
‘I’m fine, thank you Crabb. Quickly, grab Mountcourt!
Ravenscroft and the men rushed to the edge of the rock and peered down over the side. The falling body of Mountcourt could be seen dropping down the long slope of the hill, until a clump of trees in the distance appeared to halt its descent, finally hiding it from view.
‘I don’t think he will be bothering us again sir,’ said the ever optimistic Crabb.
‘I tell you one thing Crabb. You’re a damn fine shot! Thank God!’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The following morning found Crabb and Ravenscroft standing on the crowded platform of Great Malvern station.
‘Well sir. I will be sorry to see you leave,’ said Crabb, looking a little downhearted.
‘Unfortunately, I have to report back for duty tomorrow Crabb.’
‘I guess you never did get to Brighton sir. There is always next year. Thought you might like to know, the men recovered Mountcourt’s body from the valley this morning.’
‘He managed to escape the gallows in the end. That leaves the Reverend Touchmore as the only surviving member of the tontine,’ said Ravenscroft. ‘I wonder what he will do with all his inheritance?’
‘Rumour has it that he will give some of it towards the restoration of the church.’
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