The Forged Will

I know who did it
CASE NO. 38 · LEVEL 3 · FORGERY

THE FORGED
WILL

CLUE
1
OF 6
SCAN TO ANSWER
After Lord Ashcombe's death, a new will appeared, leaving the whole estate to the ‘Ashcombe Heritage Trust’. The family says it's a fake. Who forged it? Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.
Lady Ashcombe
The widow
”My husband never mentioned any trust. And look at the date – Edward hated going into town on a Sunday. None of this makes sense.”
WITNESS STATEMENT · LADY ASHCOMBE
EVIDENCE #1 · THE WILL
LAST WILL – EXTRACT
Signed at the office of Penrose & Co., 14 High Street,
on Sunday 3 March 2024.
I leave my entire estate to the Ashcombe Heritage Trust.
Witnesses: J. Simmons, C. Finch.
– Edward, Lord Ashcombe
1
2
3
4
5
6
Find all 6 clues, then scan the code to name the culprit.
NEXT CLUE IS HIDDEN …
Read the clues as plain text
Clue 1 of 6

Lady Ashcombe The widow

”My husband never mentioned any trust. And look at the date – Edward hated going into town on a Sunday. None of this makes sense.”

Evidence #1 · THE WILL

LAST WILL – EXTRACT
Signed at the office of Penrose & Co., 14 High Street,
on Sunday 3 March 2024.
I leave my entire estate to the Ashcombe Heritage Trust.
Witnesses: J. Simmons, C. Finch.
– Edward, Lord Ashcombe
Clue 2 of 6

James Simmons Butler

”I did sign something for Mr Penrose in early March – but at the house, on a Monday. He said it was a receipt for a wine delivery. He kept his hand over the top of the page.”

Evidence #2 · OFFICE HOURS

Sign on the door of Penrose & Co.
Monday – Friday
09:00 – 17:00
Saturday
10:00 – 13:00
Sunday
Closed
Visitor book
Every visitor must sign in at reception
Clue 3 of 6

Clara Finch Lord Ashcombe's nurse

”I know it looks bad that I'm a witness. But Mr Penrose asked me to sign at the house on the 4th – Lord Ashcombe was asleep. I get nothing from that will.”

Evidence #3 · MEDICAL CHART

St Mary's Hospital · Patient chart: E. Ashcombe
DateStatus
1 MarchAdmitted – pneumonia
2 MarchOn oxygen, bed rest
3 MarchOn oxygen, bed rest – no visitors
4 MarchDischarged home, 10:00
Clue 4 of 6

Giles Ashcombe The son

”Of course I'm angry – I've been cut out. But I looked up this mysterious trust, and you will find what I found very interesting.”

Evidence #4 · CHARITY REGISTER

Public charity register – entry
Name
Ashcombe Heritage Trust
Registered
20 February 2024
Address
14 High Street
Sole trustee
E. Penrose
Treasurer
E. Penrose
Clue 5 of 6

Harriet Ashcombe The daughter

”I've had Father's signature examined. And no – I didn't need his money. I just want the truth.”

Evidence #5 · HANDWRITING REPORT

Handwriting expert – report
Lord Ashcombe's signature
Traced – faint pencil lines underneath the ink
Model used
Matches his signature on a 2019 letter exactly
Simmons' signature
Genuine
Finch's signature
Genuine
Real people signed – just not this page?
Clue 6 of 6

Edwin Penrose Family solicitor

”Lord Ashcombe came to my office on Sunday 3 March and signed in front of both witnesses. I'm only the executor – I don't gain a penny from this will.”

Evidence #6 · VISITOR BOOK

Penrose & Co. · Visitor book
DateVisitorSigned in
1 MarchMrs Dale10:15
2 MarchMr Okoye11:30
3 March––
4 MarchCourier09:10