by Kerry Tombs
‘Excuse me, your honour. I am Doctor Andrews. I have been appointed by the Montacute family to make a formal request for the release of Nathaniel Montacute’s body, so that he may be buried as soon as possible,’ asked the medical man, rising to his feet.
‘Thank you, Doctor Andrews. I see no reason why the court should not accede to such a request, unless of course, Inspector Ravenscroft, you have any objections?’
‘None that I can think of, your honour.’
‘Very well. Court is adjourned.’
Ravenscroft and Crabb made their way through the departing throng. ‘Ah, there is someone over there I need to speak with. Major Onslow, if I could just have a few words with you?’
‘Better make it snappy, Ravenscroft. Got important meeting with me solicitor in ten minutes,’ replied the master of the Ledbury hunt.
‘I won’t detain you long, sir. If you would step outside where it is quieter?’
‘Right, Ravenscroft, ask away,’ demanded Onslow, once the three men had moved away from the departing crowds.
‘Major Onslow, can you remember where you were just before the lights went out at the Lamplighters’ Ball?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘Good God, man, how the deuce can you expect me to remember something so mundane?’ snapped Onslow.
‘It is very important, sir.’
‘Well, I suppose I was helping myself to one of those sausage rolls from off the table. Just about to pour meself another glass of wine, when those blasted fellows came in and put out all the lights.’
‘You’re sure about that, sir?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘Course I’m sure. Would not have said so had it not been true,’ growled the major, who was clearly anxious to be on his way to his appointment.
‘I only ask because Mrs Montacute remembers that you were speaking with her and her husband just as the lights went out,’ said Ravenscroft, attempting to placate the major by speaking in a calm manner.
‘Hmm,’ replied Onslow, scratching his ear and looking deep in thought. ‘Can’t remember that. Might have spoken to them earlier in the evening, I suppose. Look, got to be on my way. Yer knows where I live if you’ve got any more questions.’
‘There is just one more thing, Major. When the lights went out and then when they came back on again, were you aware of anyone suddenly leaving or entering the room?’
‘No. Don’t believe I was. Must dash,’ said Onslow, striding away and quickly making his way down the Homend.
‘Well, that’s interesting, sir,’ said Crabb. ‘Mrs Montacute says that the major was talking with her when the lights went out, but he says he was helping himself to some of the food and pouring himself a drink at the time.’
‘Yes, Tom, which leads us to suppose that either Major Onslow is telling us an untruth, or that Mrs Montacute is at fault when she says she was speaking with Onslow just before her husband was murdered,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Maybe the two of them did speak with one another earlier, as the Major said?’
‘You could be right.’
‘Where to next, sir?’ asked Crabb.
‘I think we should pay another visit to Mr Catherwood. When I spoke with Rupert Montacute on the train, he indicated that his late mother and Catherwood were lovers at one time, which would explain why his business partnership broke up with Montacute and why he has remained in the town for all these years. If we are quick, we can be there before nightfall.’
As Crabb and Ravenscroft made their way out of Ledbury, the lamplighters were busy about their work, lighting the streets and lanes of the town in preparation for the dark, cold evening ahead. Groups of townspeople passed by the two policemen, anxious to be home, their coats buttoned up tight against the chilly night air. A stray cat ran across the path in front of them, seeking the warmth and privacy of the undergrowth, and as they neared Catherwood’s house they could hear the sound of the dogs alerted by their impending arrival.
‘Good evening to you, Mr Catherwood. Could we have a few words with you?’ called out Ravenscroft, observing that the landowner was standing at the entrance to his home.
‘Best come in then.’
They followed Catherwood into his house, as the dogs’ owner ordered his restless animals to sit still before the hearth.
‘You were not at the inquest, Mr Catherwood. Why was that?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘Saw no reason to go. I have no interest in Montacute’s death. I was not there the night he died, so why should I be there now? I can see the appeal of such an inquest to idle, inquisitive folk, but I had more important things to do,’ replied Catherwood, throwing another log on the blazing fire.
‘Mr Catherwood, when I visited you the other day, you said that the reason for the animosity between you and Mr Montacute was the failure of your business partnership some years ago,’ began Ravenscroft, sitting down on one of the chairs.
‘That’s what I said,’ replied his host in his usual blunt manner.
‘With all due respect, Mr Catherwood, that was not the only reason for your poor relationship with Montacute, was it?’
‘What are you getting at, Ravenscroft? If you’ve something to say, why don’t you come out with it straight away?’ said Catherwood, clearly becoming annoyed.
‘Very well. I have reason to believe that you and Mr Montacute’s second wife, Enid, were at one time romantically attached.’
‘Nonsense, man, you’ve been listening to idle gossip!’ laughed Catherwood, reaching for another log.
‘We have it on good authority—’
‘Good authority! What good authority?’
‘Rupert Montacute. He said that you and his mother were lovers.’
‘And you believe that drunken wastrel?’ growled Catherwood.
‘He seemed quite assured on that point.’
‘Then he were lying.’
‘So there was never anything between you and Enid Montacute?’
‘I spoke with the lady on one or two occasions, in the early days when I dined at The Gables. That is all.’
‘You see, Mr Catherwood, if you were having an affair with Mrs Montacute, it would explain a great deal,’ said Ravenscroft, seeking to engage the other’s eyes.
‘What are you getting at, Ravenscroft?’ asked Catherwood.
‘Did Nathaniel Montacute discover that you and his wife were on intimate terms, and was that the real reason behind the breakdown of your business relationship?’
‘I’ve had enough of this nonsense, Ravenscroft. I think it’s time you left.’
‘Is that why you stayed on here in Ledbury, long after the breakup of your business relationship with Montacute, so that you could be near Enid Montacute?’ asked Ravenscroft, warming to his subject and keeping one eye on the dog that was beginning to growl at the side of the hearth.
‘Enough, man!’ snapped Catherwood angrily.
‘It would assist us a great deal in our enquiries, Mr Catherwood, if you were to be frank and honest with us. Were you and Enid Montacute lovers?’
A long pause followed as the two men stared at one another, each testing the other’s mettle.
‘All right, man! Yes, if you must know, Enid and I formed a strong relationship shortly after I came to the town,’ sighed Catherwood, throwing himself down on the old faded leather armchair before the fire. ‘Enid – Mrs Montacute – was dreadfully unhappy, married to that dull old skinflint. As her husband’s business partner, she confided in me – but we were never lovers, Ravenscroft. I would never have done anything that would have caused her ruin.’
‘Nevertheless, Nathaniel Montacute found out about your relationship?’ asked Ravenscroft, leaning back in his chair and trying to sound as understanding as possible.
‘Yes,’ admitted Catherwood after a brief pause. ‘Then he set about ruining me. He made believe that he knew nothing about our affair until he had involved me in all his dubious business concerns. It was not until much later, when it was too late to cancel my investments, that
I learnt that he had known about our association all along. He was not happy until he had seen me financially ruined. It was his way of getting back at me.’
‘And afterwards you remained in the town because of Enid Montacute?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I could not bear to leave her alone with that awful man. I thought that if I remained here, I could see that no harm would befall her. That may be difficult for you to understand, Ravenscroft. We had to be discreet, meeting as if by accident, on the hills, never in the town. She had a reputation to uphold. We hoped that eventually old Montacute would die, and we would be reunited.’
‘You waited a very long time,’ said Crabb, looking up from his notebook.
‘But Enid died before Nathaniel,’ added Ravenscroft.
‘Yes, her death came quite suddenly. I was not invited to the funeral, and paid my own private respects later. The old man had his revenge on me in the end, I suppose. Now he too is dead, and of course you suspect me of his death – but I tell you one thing, Ravenscroft, if I had wanted to kill him, I would have thought of a more ingenious way and I would have done it a long time ago,’ said Catherwood with bitterness.
‘Thank you, Mr Catherwood. It would have helped if you had told us all this before, but I appreciate your reticence in admitting the truth. We won’t take up any more of your time. Tell me one thing before we go. Why did you not leave after Enid’s death? Surely there was nothing to keep you here after that?’ asked Ravenscroft, standing up.
‘You understand nothing, Ravenscroft. Enid Montacute lies buried in the churchyard here at Ledbury. That is why I remain in this awful town.’
Ravenscroft allowed himself a brief smile before he and Crabb made their way outside.
‘Do you think he killed Montacute?’ asked Crabb as the two men walked back down the narrow, winding lane towards the distant lights of the town.
‘Possibly. Of all our suspects, he had perhaps the strongest reason to see Montacute dead. It must have been frustrating for him to know that the woman he clearly loved was forced to live every day with his arch enemy, and that he was powerless to do anything about it. As he said, though, he could have killed Montacute years ago, so why wait until now?’
‘Could not bring himself to do the fatal deed?’ suggested Crabb.
‘You may be right. Either way, I find it strange that Catherwood still remained here after Enid’s death. I don’t really accept that he had no desire to move because he simply wanted to continue visiting Enid’s grave every day. In fact, I don’t believe that Mr Catherwood is as heartbroken as he makes out.’
‘We could bring him into the station for further questioning. It was Catherwood, after all, who discovered Robertson’s body. Very convenient, if he killed the coachman as well.’
‘You are forgetting one thing, Crabb – although Catherwood had every reason to kill Montacute, he does not appear to have had any reason to see off the coachman.’
‘Why did that fellow come to Ledbury? On Christmas Eve as well?’
‘That is what we need to find out tomorrow. There has to be someone in this town who met up with him, who knows what brought Robertson here.’
Suddenly, Ravenscroft pulled up sharply. ‘Do you hear that, Crabb?’ The two men stood still, listening in the cold night air. ‘I thought I heard something moving in the undergrowth just behind us!’
‘Could be an animal of some kind?’ suggested Crabb.
‘I don’t think so. I’ve had the distinct impression that we have been followed ever since we left Catherwood’s house,’ said Ravenscroft, looking quickly around him.
‘Could be one of Catherwood’s dogs got loose?’
‘Unlikely – the animal would have attacked us by now. Come out, my man, and show yourself!’ shouted Ravenscroft. ‘It’s no good, we know you are there!’
‘I’ll double back, sir, and see if I can see anyone in the wood on our left,’ said Crabb, setting off at a brisk pace.
‘Be careful – these woods can be treacherous in the dark. I’ll look in the undergrowth on this side. Don’t go far, and try and keep the path in sight at all times, if you can.’
‘Right, sir,’ said Crabb.
‘Show yourself!’ shouted Ravenscroft again, straining to see any kind of movement in the darkened wood. ‘Step forward and show your face!’
The two men continued with their separate searches for a full minute or more.
‘Anything, Tom?’ asked Ravenscroft as the two men were reunited once more on the path.
‘Nothing, sir, although I thought I did hear something moving deeper into the wood. Nothing on your side, sir?’ asked a breathless Crabb.
‘No. Whoever it was has made a quick exit once he realized that we had discovered his presence. Someone had evidently taken it into his head to follow us. I wonder why, Crabb? What possible reason could anyone have to be following us on such a night as this? It does not make sense. I suppose it could have been a poacher, or even an animal, as you suggested. Nevertheless, we will need to be on our guard,’ said Ravenscroft, resuming their journey back towards the town.
‘Whoever he was, I don’t envy him being out here in this cold,’ said Crabb, shivering.
‘I think we have done enough for today. Time you and I, Tom, returned to our respective homes. We have two good wives awaiting our return, and I must say I’m particularly looking forward to a good supper and a quiet, relaxing evening in front of my warm fire!’
CHAPTER EIGHT
LEDBURY, 6 JANUARY 1889
The church clock struck the hour of eleven as they buried the old banker, Nathaniel Montacute. Ravenscroft and Crabb positioned themselves in the corner of the churchyard, and watched as the coffin was placed in the old family vault.
‘It’s interesting to see who’s attending the old man’s funeral,’ said Ravenscroft. ‘Obviously the family are all here – Edith the grieving widow being supported by Maurice Montacute, Rupert standing alone. There’s Doctor Andrews, and I think I can see Onslow, Chambers the cook, Rivers – and yes, Midwinter the solicitor.’
‘Quite a few others as well,’ added Crabb, looking at the thirty or forty figures who were busy filing out of the church and taking up their positions at a respectable distance from the main party.
‘Montacute was quite an important figure in the community. Besides being the town’s banker, he had twice been mayor. There are no doubt many prominent people here today who are anxious to pay their respects, and who wish to be seen to do so.’
‘Can’t see Catherwood amongst them,’ said Crabb.
‘I would not have expected the man to have attended. After all, he has his reputation as a recluse to uphold. I find it sad that everything eventually comes to this – a few minutes of orderly grief in a cold churchyard whilst the world continues with its unremitting progress. Montacute’s place has no doubt been waiting for him all these years, next to his two wives and alongside all the other Montacutes, but I wonder who will remember him in a hundred years’ time?’ said Ravenscroft in a reflective mood.
‘Who will remember any of us?’ said Crabb.
‘Only our families, it is to be hoped. The future lies with your son, and with Lucy’s son, and with their children, who are as yet unborn. I wonder what kind of world they will create, what kind of problems they will encounter?’
‘Don’t like funerals, sir,’ muttered Crabb.
Ravenscroft allowed himself a brief smile. The vicar was uttering the last words of farewell. Edith Montacute placed a wreath on top of the family vault and then cried on Maurice’s shoulder. Rupert held back, looking lost and forlorn.
‘Look over there, Crabb!’ said Ravenscroft, suddenly pointing across to the other side of the churchyard. ‘Do you see that figure standing just by the trees?’
‘That tall gentleman wearing a long black coat and hat?’
‘Yes. He seems to be taking an interest in observing the funeral. He is too far away for us to identify him. Look, he has noticed that we are looking
in his direction and has moved out of view. Quickly, Crabb, move as discreetly as you can and see if you can catch up with him and ask him to return. I’ll continue to watch here.’
Ravenscroft watched as his constable set off across the churchyard, but he knew that the figure had gone and that Crabb would be fortunate indeed to catch him. Edith, Maurice and Rupert began to make their slow way back to the waiting coach, as the other mourners began to pay their respects one by one. As he moved nearer, Anthony Midwinter, the solicitor, came forward to meet him.
‘A cold morning, Ravenscroft.’
‘It is indeed, Mr Midwinter.’
‘You asked me, Inspector, to let you know when the will was about to be read.’
‘I did indeed.’
‘I will shortly be making my way back to The Gables. After some refreshment, I will undertake the reading of the will. I have explained to the family that you will be present – as an observer only, of course.’
‘I thank you, Mr Midwinter. I will join you presently.’
The old solicitor nodded and began to make his way out of the churchyard as a breathless Crabb rejoined Ravenscroft. ‘I’m afraid I was too late, sir. The fellow was gone by the time I got there. I looked down Church Street and back the other way but he was nowhere to be seen.’
‘Don’t worry, Tom, you did your best. Whoever it was disappeared quickly enough as soon as he noticed that we had observed him. It seems as though we were not the only ones who had an interest in attending the funeral today.’
‘Could have been our murderer, sir?’
‘Who knows? I wished we could have got a better look at him. Under that long coat and hat he could have been anyone. I had a strange feeling, though, that I had seen that man somewhere before.…’
Later that morning, Ravenscroft and Crabb stood in the corner of the dining-room at The Gables, observing the people who had arrived for the reading of the old banker’s will. In addition to the Montacute family – Edith, Maurice and Rupert – and a number of their servants, including Rivers the gamekeeper and Chambers the cook, the two policemen also noted that Andrews and Onslow were present. Anthony Midwinter, the family solicitor, had already taken his seat at the head of the table and was busily engaged in reading through some of the papers that lay before him.