When the door opened to admit Mr. Ratcliffe, James and Mr. Ramsay rose.
“Gentlemen,” Mr. Ratcliffe said, nodding to them as he went around the desk, running a hand across the arse of the statue on the desk before he sat. “Sir James, your note yesterday said you were sent up here by Mrs. Montgomery to understand all the circumstances regarding Mr. Montgomery’s death, but I see you here with Mr. Ramsay.”
His tone of voice was polite yet held an edge of irritation.
“I met Mr. Ramsay for the first time last night at the inn. He informed me of his intention to visit you as well. We thought it might be more convenient for you if we came together,” James explained easily.
Mr. Ratcliffe nodded. “I am a busy man, so I accept that—but, Mr. Ramsay, why are you here?” he asked.
“Fer Mr. Montgomery’s will,” he said. “He made a new will last year.”
Mr. Ratcliffe waived a hand dismissively. “I know. Malcolm told me. Drawn up in an insane asylum. No court will honor a document with lunatics as witnesses. The document we made up when old Mr. Montgomery revised his will, will stand. Besides, it’s already been executed,” he said with a deprecating laugh.
“Nay, ah think not,” said Mr. Ramsay. He uncrossed his legs and looked earnestly at Mr. Ratcliffe. “That’s why ah come ta talk ta you. He weren’t dead and we knew that. What we executed were ol’ Mr. Montgomery’s will. Ah checked. Malcolm’s is not filed. At the time it were the same as his father so it weren’t an issue. Now it is.”
Ratcliffe frowned. Then he harrumphed. He leaned back in his chair. “No matter the witnesses were all lunatics.”
“Nay, ya cannae say that,” disagreed Mr. Ramsay. “Miss Hammond and Mrs. Worcham were amongst the witnesses.”
Ratcliffe laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t say Mrs. Worcham is totally sane, look at all those wigs she dons. And Miss Hammond, a servant? I don’t even know if she can read!”
“Excuse me, gentlemen, for interrupting. I am confused,” said James. “I am not conversant with either will. Why does it matter which version of the will? What changes did Mr. Montgomery make that would be objectionable to you, Mr. Ratcliffe? He still leaves everything to his wife and children, is that not correct?”
Mr. Ramsay turned to James. “Ye be correct, Sir James. Essentially the wills be the same. In the new will, Mrs. Montgomery has more of a say with regards to her funds, but the biggest change is in the namin’ of the executor and guardian. Currently, it be Mr. Ratcliffe. In the new will, Malcom named the Earl of Soothcoor as executor and guardian. And had mi write in the will an unusual request that if the earl be unwed at the time of Mr. Montgomery’s death, that he marry his widow.”
“That won’t save his neck from the noose!” exclaimed Mr. Ratcliffe.
“You are sure of your accusations of murder against Soothcoor?” James asked.
“He had motive and opportunity,” Ratcliffe said flatly, crossing his arms over his chest.
“His motive?” queried Mr. Ramsay.
“That he wanted to marry Mrs. Montgomery, of course.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Ratcliffe,” Mr. Ramsay said, sitting straighter. “Before the earl arrived and met with Malcolm, ah met with Malcolm and he sent me ta Scotland with papers tapetition for a divorce. He told Soothcoor that. There goes yur motive.”
James looked down at his hands, careful to keep his face neutral. Ramsay was gambling that Mr. Ratcliffe didn’t know Mrs. Montgomery was enceinte.
“I understand Mr. Montgomery died by drowning,” James said carefully. “Can we be certain he didn’t commit suicide?”
“Impossible,” snapped Ratcliffe.
“Were there any signs of struggle on him? I would have thought that the Archie personality I’ve heard about would have fought back,”
Ratcliffe snorted. “There are no such things as other personalities, that has always been Malcolm acting.”
“How do you know that? Is that Dr. Worcham’s medical diagnosis?”
“Ha! Gentlemen, I don’t believe Dr. Worcham is a true medical professional. He is a scammer. He used his wife’s dowry to buy Camden House then set about to make a name for himself in the sanatorium business. It’s a lucrative business with the right clientele. Unfortunately, as his banker, I know he is stretched thin. He took on too many non-paying customers, like that girl who died last year. It’s cheating his investors and draining him dry.”
“If you thought him a charlatan, why was Mr. Montgomery staying there?” James asked.
“Don’t get me wrong, Camden House has its purposes. It was—and can be again—a good investment. It’s just when Dr. Worcham takes himself too seriously and gives services away, it’s value decreases. That’s why I arranged for Camden House to have a superintendent, someone to rein in expenses and report back to me on what happens at the sanatorium. Dr. Worcham didn’t dare object.”
“Are you one of the investors?”
“I put the investment package together.”
