‘Come to the point, Ravenscroft. What have you unearthed?’ asked Sir Arthur anxiously.
‘Since we discovered the body of Miss Weston I had always assumed that her death had been linked with that of the librarian, Nicholas Evelyn, particularly as they both lived at Glovers Lodging-house. It seemed highly probable that Ruth had discovered the murderer of her fellow lodger, and that the murderer paid Billy to kill her before she could go to the authorities with that knowledge. But then I asked myself, what if that assumption was totally wrong? What if the two murders were not linked at all and there were really two killers, one who killed Evelyn and stole the Whisperie, and one who killed, or rather paid, old Billy to murder Ruth Weston?’
Ravenscroft paused for the effect of his words on his listeners.
‘Go on. All this is very fascinating,’ said Sir Arthur.
‘Then I began to wonder, if Ruth Weston was not murdered because of her possible connection with the Evelyn murder, why was she killed? She had no wealth or fortune. She lived quite modestly with her son, bringing him every morning before she started work to play on the green outside your house, believing that one day you, Sir Arthur, would accept the child as your own.’
‘My father could never do that. His reputation would be ruined,’ said Miss Griffiths firmly.
‘You are correct, Miss Griffiths, and that is the whole point. Then I realized that the only reason why Ruth Weston was killed, was because of the knowledge she held — knowledge not about the Evelyn murder, but the secret about the birth of her own son. Once I accepted that, everything seemed to fall into place. Our murderer took advantage of the investigation into the murder of Evelyn, to hire Billy to kill Ruth Weston, thereby creating the impression that the killer was the same person who had committed the first murder.’
‘I see. Then you believe that I killed Ruth because I wanted her to be kept silent, in order to protect my reputation and standing in society?’ said Sir Arthur.
‘The day after Billy killed Ruth, and after he had placed the body in a sack on his boat ready for him to dispose of later, he decided to drink away some of his payment in the Old Diglis. That is where my constable and I encountered him. He was rather the worse for drink at the time, and my constable here had to eject him from the inn. Before he left, though, I remember him saying — “I’ll be all right. I’ve got my lady. She’ll see me all right”, meaning that he had been paid by “a lady” to carry out the murder. Miss Griffiths, why did you have Ruth Weston killed?’
‘Look here, Ravenscroft, you can’t go around making accusations against my daughter! This is ridiculous. Why on earth would my daughter want to have her maid killed? The idea is foolish in the extreme,’ exclaimed Sir Arthur staring at Ravenscroft in an aggressive manner.
‘Your daughter is not a well woman, as you have stated, Sir Arthur. I believe she wanted Ruth removed because she was afraid that one day Ruth would reveal the truth concerning the true parentage of her child. Is that not correct, Miss Griffiths?’ asked Ravenscroft, turning towards the lady in question.
‘Really, Inspector, this whole thing is a work of fantasy on your part. I must ask you to leave my house at once. I find your manner insulting and I will certainly have words with my lawyers,’ said Sir Arthur rising angrily from his chair.
‘Miss Griffiths,’ protested Ravenscroft, ‘It will do no good to conceal the truth.’
‘Mr Ravenscroft is correct, father. I paid Billy to kill Ruth!’
‘Be quiet Anne. Don’t say another word until I have arranged for our lawyer to be present,’ urged Sir Arthur, walking over towards her.
‘There is no point, Father. I had Ruth killed. Mr Ravenscroft is quite right when he says that I could see that the police were looking for the murderer of the librarian, and I thought if Ruth was killed as well, they would think that the same person had committed both crimes,’ she said, rising from her seat.
‘But, Anne, why?’ Sir Arthur stared at his daughter, distraught, before burying his face in his hands.
‘Do you need to ask why, Father? I did it to protect you. I knew that one day that woman would want everything, and that you would be ruined as a consequence. I could not let that happen. After all we had worked for over the years. Inspector, I am indeed a sick woman. The doctors have given me but three months to live. I wanted to do this for my father before I died, so that he would be secure,’ said Anne, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks. ‘Don’t think too harshly of me, Father, I have always loved you, and will do anything for you, you know that.’
‘But not this, Anne! Surely not this?’ said her father reaching out for her and encompassing her fragile body in his arms.
The two policemen remained silent, looking uncomfortably at one another, listening to the sobs of the young woman. Presently Sir Arthur turned to face them.
‘Look, you can see the state of my daughter. She has but a short time to live. Is there some way in which all this can be covered up? I will do anything you ask — money, advancement, a title — anything you want, if only my daughter can be protected?’
‘Sir Arthur, you know better than that. A crime has been committed and I must act accordingly. I’m afraid I must take your daughter into custody. She will appear before the magistrates tomorrow morning on a charge of incitement to murder,’ said Ravenscroft, hating every word that he was saying, and wishing he was anywhere other than the drawing-room of the Member of Parliament for Worcester.
‘For God’s sake, have you no feelings? At least show some compassion, man. Have mercy,’ implored Sir Arthur.
‘No mercy was shown to Ruth Weston. She was an innocent young woman, the mother of your child, who was lured to the banks of the river where she was strangled to death by a cord being placed round her throat and being pulled tight until there was no life left within her. Where was the compassion then?’ said the inspector, trying not to let his feelings get the better of him.
‘Mr Ravenscroft is right, Father. It is a terrible thing I have done, and the memory of my actions will prey upon my soul until my dying day. I am prepared to accept the consequences. I am ready to go with you Inspector,’ replied Anne Griffiths, drying her eyes on her handkerchief.
‘Anne, you don’t have to do this. I’ll secure the services of the best lawyer in London, Mr Sefton Rawlinson. I’ll telegraph him in the morning. He’ll know what to say in your defence. We will say it was your illness that drove you to commit this desperate act. That you were not thinking at the time. Trust me, Anne. Is there no way, Inspector, you can help my daughter? You must be able to do something for her? God, man, we’ll do anything, but not this.’
‘I’m sorry, sir, but I have to uphold the law. It is out of my hands. If you would be so good as to accompany us, Miss Griffiths, when you are ready.’
Later that night, Ravenscroft made his way back to the Cardinal’s Hat. It had given him little satisfaction to have arrested Anne Griffiths, but at least he had discovered who, and why, Ruth Weston had been killed, and that file could now be closed. He had eventually secured justice for the poor unfortunate woman whom he had engaged in conversation shortly after his arrival in Worcester, and he now knew that the two killings were not related to one another. There still remained, however, the murder of Nicholas Evelyn to be solved; the Whisperie had not yet been recovered and returned to its rightful place — and he was more than aware that time was running out for the truth to be finally unravelled.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘Nasty business, sir.’
Ravenscroft looked up from his breakfast. The landlord of the Cardinal’s Hat was pointing to one of the pages in the local newspaper.