‘Very well Armitage. I am detaining you on suspicion of the murders of the said three gentlemen, whilst we continue with our investigations. Take him away Crabb and lock him up in the cells.’
Crabb took a sulking Armitage back to his cell. A frustrated Ravenscroft stared out of the window. Tired of the warden’s theatricalities, and his ever changing story, he had encountered one obstacle after another. The truth remained as far away as it had seemed an hour ago.
‘That man knows a great deal more than he pretends,’ said Ravenscroft as Crabb returned to the room.
‘Neither he nor Troutbridge seem willing to tell us anything. Do you think they committed the murders together?’ asked Crabb.
‘To tell you the truth Crabb, I don’t honestly know. We seem further away, from ever solving these murders, Crabb. There is one person, however, who could provide us with the answers we require, who could shed a great deal of light on this relationship between Armitage and Troutbridge.’
‘And who might that be sir?’
‘A certain young lady in Ledbury; I am convinced that it is she who holds the key to this mystery. It is time I visited Lucy Armitage again.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ravenscroft hesitated, looking across at the little black and white cottage in Church Lane, with its neat hanging baskets of early spring flowers. He knew that inside he would in all probability discover the answers to the mystery that bound Armitage and Troutbridge together — and that such knowledge might even lead him to catch the murderer of the three men — but he was also aware that such disclosures might cause more pain for its occupier than perhaps he should dare inflict.
Somewhat reluctantly he made his way up the path and rang the doorbell. The maid opened the door to him, but before she could speak, Lucy Armitage herself appeared in the hallway. ‘Mr. Ravenscroft. I hope you have news of my brother. I have been so worried,’ she said anxiously beckoning him inside.
‘Your brother is quite safe, Miss Armitage. He is at Malvern Police Station, now as we speak,’ replied Ravenscroft stepping into the hallway, and handing his hat to the maid.
‘Oh thank God. I thought that something terrible had happened to him.’
Ravenscroft could see that she had been crying, but that her face was now full of relief as she led him into the drawing room.
‘Miss Armitage, we have discovered your brother hiding at Mr. Troutbridge’s farm over at Mathon. Do you know why he should have been there?’ asked Ravenscroft sitting beside her on the sofa.
‘No. I am not aware of anyone called Troutbridge.’ Ravenscroft knew that she was lying, and that he would have to be more forthcoming if he was to obtain the truth.
‘Miss Armitage — Lucy — I’m afraid I have to tell you that your brother is in custody on suspicion of murder.’
‘Oh no!’ she said. ‘There must be some mistake. My brother would never hurt anyone. He is a peaceful, considerate man.’
‘Your brother tried to escape when we discovered him at Troutbridge’s farm. Hardly the behaviour of an innocent man, I’m afraid to say. However your brother states that he was in Hereford at the time of the second and third murders.’
‘Then that must indeed be true,’ protested Lucy. ‘If my brother maintains he was in Hereford at the time, then why cannot you believe him?’
Ravenscroft moved uneasily in his chair, and looked away, knowing that his next remark would cause distress. ‘Your brother has told us that he was with a certain lady, a lady with whom he was conducting an affair. The lady in question is apparently married, and your brother is unwilling to disclose her name.’
‘No. I do not believe that, Mr. Ravenscroft,’ replied Lucy becoming upset. ‘My brother would never do such a thing!’ Ravenscroft noticed that her hands were tightly clutching a handkerchief in her lap, and that her eyes were seeking not to be in contact with his own.
‘Your brother never spoke of such a lady?’
‘No. Never.’
‘Do not distress yourself, Lucy’ said Ravenscroft, moving forwards. He reached out and placed a hand upon her clenched wrists. ‘If it is any consolation to you my dear lady, I do not believe that your brother has a mistress in Hereford, or that he even went anywhere near the town.’
‘But then that would mean — ’ began Lucy anxiously.
‘Yes it would mean that your brother would not be able to account for his movements at the times of the murders. Did your brother ever talk with you about a railway company that had recently been formed, the Tewkesbury to Leominster Railway Company, to be precise?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can you remember what he said to you? It may be very important,’ said Ravenscroft removing his hand, and resuming a more formal manner.
‘James said to me one day that he had learnt that the railway company had been formed, and that the new line would result in the almshouses being demolished. I remember he was very upset about it. The inmates would be evicted from their homes. He said that they would all be put out on the street; they would have no homes. He said that there were people in Malvern who were behind the venture; people who put money and fortune before philanthropy and consideration. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. I had never seen him become so angry before.’
‘Did your brother ever mention any names of persons, who might be connected to this company?’
‘Yes. He mentioned Mr. Pitzer, who apparently was also one of the trustees of the almshouses. James could not see how anyone could be both a trustees and a director of the new railway company. He could not understand that. He called it an act of betrayal.’
‘Lucy, think carefully before you answer. Did your brother, James, ever issue any threats again Mr. Pitzer? Did he ever say for instance, that he would confront Mr. Pitzer, or that he would ever get even with him?’
‘No. Never! My brother was angry, but he knew there was little he could do. He said the men in Malvern were too powerful; that they all occupied positions of importance, and that they could never be touched. He felt powerless against their designs. Oh, Mr. Ravenscroft you cannot believe that my brother is capable of committing all these crimes. Tell me you believe he is innocent?’ said Lucy tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Ravenscroft wanted to reach out to her, to place his hands round her shoulders, to comfort her, to offer her reassurance, to tell her that her brother was innocent, but he knew that he could not, and so remained aloof.
‘Lucy I cannot tell you that, however much I would like to. The fact remains that three men have been murdered in Malvern, and that your brother is held on suspicion. He cannot account for his movements. We know that he had found out about the railway company and that he saw the possibility of an end to his work at the almshouses — and he was discovered hiding at Troutbridge’s farm,’ said Ravenscroft hating the pain he was causing.
‘Then is all lost?’ asked Lucy looking deep into Ravenscroft’s eyes.
‘My dear Lucy,’ he replied, placing his hand on her shoulder. ‘I would so like to tell you that your brother is innocent, but I cannot do that, until we have caught the murderer. I am sorry.’
‘What has my brother said?’ asked Lucy drying her eyes with her handkerchief.
‘He adamantly denies that he is responsible for the deaths of the three men, maintains that he was in Hereford when Sommersby and Gladwyn were both killed. He also declares that he was staying with Troutbridge for one night on his way back from Hereford.’
‘And you cannot believe him?’ implored Lucy, turning again to face him.
‘Lucy, I cannot. I am sure that I saw him at Troutbridge’s farm earlier in the week. I believe it was his face I saw at the window, as I drove away.’
‘But you cannot be sure it was him?’
‘No, I cannot be certain,’ replied Ravenscroft. ‘Did your brother ever own a walking stick?’ he asked, changing the subject.