“Cameron, I want you to tell me honestly. Do you think I’m insane because of my visions?”
He brought her hand up to his mouth and brushed a soft kiss across her knuckles. “Oh, my sweet Madison. I don’t think you are insane. I believe you do have visions or else we would not have found Rosie.” Pausing, he kissed the back of her hand again. “I said that to you out of frustration. How I wished I could have gone to the other officers and had them go with me to Mr. Bailey’s house, but I already knew how the others felt about your visions. I couldn’t have them thinking I was the one losing my mind as my father had done. And of course, I thought it would have created a scandal because I had gone to you for help.”
“Pardon me?” Irritation rose inside of her once again, mingled with the ache shooting through her heart. “Mr. Westland, do you realize what you’re saying?” She yanked her hand and stood, which brought him to his feet, as well. “If you are so embarrassed of my career, then why are you still here?”
“Madison, you don’t understand.” He sighed heavily and raked his fingers through his hair. “The scandal my father created has taken years to fade away. If I, or anyone in my family, do something that might bring it up again, I fear we’ll never be able to live it down.”
She laughed, even though humor was the farthest thing from her mind. “You do not think I understand scandal?” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “At a very young age, I had people whispering behind my back—even my own relatives that took me in after my parents died—thinking I was possessed by the devil. They thought me insane because I could see things happening in my mind that most people don’t even know about.” She took a deep breath, continuing her rant. “Can you imagine how I felt at that age? For the longest time, I thought something was wrong with me.”
Madison’s eyes watered as the overwhelming feelings from yesteryear returned. “I had no friends. I couldn’t talk to my aunt and uncle. Even my school teacher didn’t want to discuss my gift. I was an embarrassment to everyone that I came in contact with.” She folded her arms smartly across her bosom. “But now I’m an adult and I know better. No longer am I the timid little girl who couldn’t look people in the eyes and was terrified to touch them. I know now that I am important. I can help people, and believe it or not, they have all been grateful for my services.”
Frowning, Cameron hung his head. Her breathing had accelerated from the frustration building inside of her.
A tear fell from her eye, so she quickly wiped it away. “Mr. Westland, if you have a problem with my gift, that is something you need to overcome. Because I will not change for you—or any man.”
She marched to the door. As she reached for the knob, Cameron grasped her elbow and swung her around. His green eyes were a different shade now, and no longer did he appear embarrassed. She couldn’t quite put a name to his determined expression, either.
“Forgive me, once again. I was wrong. You do understand me, better than I could ever imagine.” His face relaxed and he smoothed a finger along her cheek, removing a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “The last thing I want is for you to be upset at me. I beg you to forgive me for not having enough courage to stand up to my superior and the other officers I work with.”
She tried to regulate her quick breaths. Just as before, his actions and words confused her. Although she wanted to stay mad at him, he was making it utterly impossible. Yet she didn’t want him to think she was gullible enough to fall for his charms so easily. He still had yet to prove himself.
“Mr. Westland? What exactly do you want from me?”
He stared deep into her eyes, and her heart flipped. This was the way he looked when he’d kissed her before. Why did he appear as if he cared so much about her, and yet he couldn’t fully believe in her gift? Or at least accept it and not be ashamed.
“Madison, I want your heart.” His mouth relaxed into a smile. “As silly as it sounds, especially since we’ve only known each other a few days, I’ve realized how much happier I am when I’m with you. And I wish you would call me Cameron like you used to.”
Why did he have to say that? And pray, how could she refuse his wish? She just couldn’t turn him away, and yet, she was afraid to love him fully and have him hurt her again.
She reached up and took his fingers away from her cheek, but held them tight. “Oh, Cameron, I wish you had not said that.” She struggled with the emotions rolling inside her. She wanted him to love her, and yet, people had broken her heart so many times over the years, she was afraid to love. “I...I’m used to being hurt by people I care about. I guard my heart well.” At least she thought she’d done that until she met him.
“I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m in agony over doing so. Can you not find it in your heart to forgive me and give me one more chance?”
Dare I believe him? “If I say yes, you must promise me that we will take things slower this time.”
His grin stretched wider and he nodded. “As strange as it sounds, this is rather new to me. I’ve never allowed myself to get involved with a woman. So please, don’t hesitate to let me know if I’m doing things wrong.”
She tried not to smile, really she did, but she couldn’t stop from feeling elated by seeing the relief and happiness on his face. “I’m not used to this, either. Usually, by the time a man learns of my gift, he flees as fast as his milksop legs will carry him.”
His shoulders relaxed as he exhaled a breath. “Then we shall learn how to do this together.”
He brought her hand up to his lips again and kissed her fingers, one by one, as his gaze held hers. Excitement beat crazily inside her chest, and she wished her body wouldn’t react this way. It made her weak and vulnerable, and she hated feeling that way.
“Well, my sweet Madison, I really need to get going to the station so I can talk to Captain Orwood. I’ll ask about that chipped piece of the cane’s handle that you saw.”
She nodded. “Let me know.”
“I shall.” He winked.
“Oh, and one more thing,” she stepped closer, his warm gaze not leaving hers. “If you don’t mind, I need your help with another case I’ll be working on shortly.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“I really do feel an urgent need to solve that case your father couldn’t solve.”
“The one with Lord Hanover?”
“Yes.”
“But he told you not to—”
“I know, but I feel adamant about it. I don’t know what it is, but something is pulling me toward this case. When I was in your house, I’d never felt the yearning to solve a case so quickly as the one that had baffled your father. As for Lord Hanover, I don’t plan on telling him...not until I’ve located his missing child.”
“Do you believe the child is still alive after all this time?”
She shrugged. “Wouldn’t that be a wonderful miracle? However, if the opposite is true, the family needs some kind of closure.”
He sighed as a look of surrender crossed his features. “How do you need my help?”
Excitement grew inside of her, and she tried her best to contain it. “I’m certain your father kept notes when he worked on the case. I’ll need to read through those notes, if you don’t mind.”
Cameron nodded. “We have a room with boxes of unsolved cases. I shall see if father’s is in there.”
Smiling fully, she clutched both of his hands to her bosom as she stared up at him. Gratefulness poured out of her, but she didn’t know how to express her feelings. And of course, kissing him was out of the question, especially when she told him she wanted to take things slow this time. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
He stared into her eyes, and second by second, his eyes changed colors, which lightened his face. He was absolutely the most handsome man she’d ever beheld. She prayed he wouldn’t break her heart again, because gazing dreamily upon him was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
CAMERON CLENCHED
AND unclenched his hands several times as he paced in front of Captain Orwood’s office. Beads of perspiration coated his forehead and neck. Even his high-collared uniform jacket felt tight against his throat. Although worry flowed through him like a broken dam—and he didn’t know if he’d get thrown in jail—he still knew this was the right thing to do. Cameron wasn’t a coward, and staying in hiding proved that he was.
The captain was occupied, and all Cameron could do was wait. His stomach churned with uncertainty. He must speak to Orwood today while he had the courage.
All of his twenty-eight years, Cameron thought he’d always been brave, but meeting Madison changed his way of thinking about himself. He didn’t want to be the man who was afraid of anything. Over the years, he’d chased down criminals. He’d even been shot at a time or two. Once he had taken a bullet in the leg for a fellow officer. And yet, he feared people would discover he had sunk beneath his pride and had asked a woman who received visions for help with a case.
His father was to blame for the scandal that was placed upon the Westland family.
Madison made Cameron see he must move on past that and live his life. She was the most courageous woman he’d ever known, and his respect for her grew the more he’d gotten to know her. She had opened his eyes to a lot of things, and for the first time in his life, his future looked brighter and less worrisome.
As soon as he hurdled this obstacle with Orwood, Cameron would be able to sprint across any obstacle that came his way.
On the other side of the door, footsteps grew closer until the door opened. Standing with Orwood was none other than Douglas McGreer. When the man noticed Cameron, his eyes widened.
“Look there! Just the man I wanted to see.”
“Indeed,” Orwood chimed in. “Westland, I’m glad you finally made an appearance. Would you come inside and perhaps we will finally be able to bring this matter to a close.”
Curious, Cameron followed the men inside the office and Orwood closed the door. McGreer leaned on his crutch as he hobbled back toward Orwood’s desk. It made Cameron leery that Orwood didn’t appear upset. Hadn’t the man wanted to arrest him several days ago?
“May I ask what this is all about?” Cameron asked hesitantly.
McGreer nodded. “I discovered something last night after talking to my wife.” He grinned, wearing a gloating expression. “Westland, do you recall when you visited me the other day?”
“I do.” Cameron folded his arms.
“Well, after you had left, I pondered over everything you’d told me. It angered me that someone was trying to represent one of our officers. I couldn’t believe how eager I was to solve another case again.” Chuckling, he patted his injured leg. “I decided the least I could do to help you out was to ask questions. So, I asked my wife about Mr. Langston’s sister and how he could have possibly gotten my uniform.”
“It seems,” Captain Orwood took over the conversation as he sat behind his desk, “that Heath Langston is not an outstanding citizen at all. Not only in this section of England, but all over the country, and in Scotland. He has been arrested a few times for stealing, and a few other times for disorderly conduct. He’s invested in schemes that have failed, and he doesn’t take kindly to losing money.”
Cameron scratched behind his ear. “Then why has he not been sent to Newgate?”
Orwood flipped his hand. “Because his crimes haven’t been enough to send him to Newgate.”
Cameron switched his focus back to Douglas. “And did you discover that Langston had indeed stolen your uniform and pretended to be you?”
“Aye, in a way.” He adjusted the crutch under his arm. “My wife confessed that the bloke’s sister begged her into taking my uniform. His sister said she wanted to get the measurements because I was the same height and build as her brother and she wanted to make him some clothes. My wife foolishly believed the other woman.” McGreer rolled his eyes.
“But we have a witness that can collaborate Langston indeed asked for the uniform. That should give us even more reason to arrest him!” Cameron breathed easier. Things were panning out nicely for him to solve this case. “Captain? The reason I came was to tell you of my suspicions about Mr. Langston. I know you had reason to believe I was a suspect, but you were wrong. I believe Langston had been in Mr. Bailey’s cell, and I might have the proof we need to locate the murder weapon.”
The older man’s eyes grew more alert as they locked to Cameron’s. “Tell me what you know.”
“I had gone to Mr. Bailey’s estate and found his relatives there. Heath Langston and Gaynor Brailsford are cousins of the deceased. While there, I had a hunch that they were not being honest.” He took a deep breath, preparing to explain things a little further. I must do this! If not for Madison, for his own self-worth. He swallowed hard. “I was also there with Miss Haywood. I had...umm, asked her to assist me with finding my sister.”
“Your sister?” Orwood questioned as his forehead creased with wrinkles. “What has she got to do with any of this?”
“Well, you see, sir, my younger sister had gone missing. I didn’t want to get the police involved, mainly because Rosie has pulled stunts like this before. Thankfully, she had only gone to seek solace with our aunt in Stratford. Nevertheless, before we found her at my aunt’s,” Cameron hastened before more questions were asked, “Miss Haywood felt as though Langston or Brailsford knew the whereabouts of my sister.”
Orwood cocked his head. “And pray, what did our dear Miss Haywood find?”
Cameron bunched his hands into fists by his side. Already he knew the captain’s opinion of Madison’s gift. But Cameron must not back down. He must continue...and be strong in his conviction.
“Sir, Miss Haywood was correct in assuming something was amiss. The next evening, I had decided to spy on the house. I felt as though my sister was being held hostage there since she had recently been acquainted with Mr. Bailey, and his cousin, Gaynor. On impulse, I decided to check out the house, and what I found ties in with Mr. Bailey’s murder.”
Thankfully, Cameron had gained the interest of the captain, who leaned forward on his desk as though he was anxious to hear more. With any luck, he wasn’t on the captain’s suspects list any longer. “A man’s cane with a silver wolf’s head as the handle was found in the study. When Miss Haywood touched it, she had a vison of someone hitting the cane over Mr. Bailey’s head, killing him.”
Orwood’s expression changed as a smirk crossed his brow. Inwardly, Cameron seethed. He knew this would happen. Standing beside him, even McGreer snickered.
“You say that Miss Haywood saw it happen...even though Bailey has been dead for almost a week?” McGreer shook his head. “Westland, I’m completely astonished. I cannot imagine, you of all people, believing in such rubbish.”
Cameron tried not to let his temper take over. He must stay calm. “Captain,” he said, trying to ignore McGreer’s insult, “by chance, when you had those officers clean the room, did they find anything odd lying on the floor?”
The captain’s gaze narrowed. “What do you mean by odd?”
“Like a chipped silver piece of the cane. I was able to get a good look at the cane, and the top of the wolf’s head was chipped off. If we can find that piece and match it to the cane, I believe we have found our murder weapon.”
Slowly, Orwood’s features changed as if he’d been enlightened. He pushed away and stood before moving to the cabinet in the corner near the window. From within the drawer, he pulled out a small box. He set the box on the desk and pointed to it.
“That’s everything recovered from Bailey’s cell.”
Cameron moved closer until he could look inside the container. McGreer hobbled closer to the desk, as well. One by one, Cameron took out the items—a comb, broken shoelace, two shillings, torn black cloth, and...
Holding his breath, Cameron picked up the silver piece of steel. His heart hammered crazily against his ribs. This was the missing piece of the cane.
He lif
ted his hand, bringing the chipped piece into the sunlight streaming from the window. The other two men also eyed the item between Cameron’s finger and thumb.
“Gentlemen,” he said with authority, “it’s time to visit Heath Langston and have us take a look at his cane. Don’t you agree?”
Captain Orwood nodded. “Indeed, I do. But Westland, do you know for certain that the cane belongs to Langston?”
“No, sir. However, I have heard from another witness that Langston has a violent temper. I have a strong feeling that if we speak to Langston, we will find our murderer.”
“There is no time like the present. Gentlemen, let us go to Mr. Bailey’s residence without delay.”
Slowly, Cameron released a pent-up breath. Proudly, he smiled at the captain. “And if this is the missing piece from the cane, that proves right there that Miss Haywood can truly see visions.”
The captain shrugged. “Either that or she’s just very fortunate—”
“No,” Cameron cut him off. “Miss Haywood does have visions. She helped me find my sister.”
“At your aunt’s?” McGreer asked hesitantly.
“Of course.” Cameron hated lying, but Rosie’s scandal was not the one he wanted the family to suffer through this time.
“Then lead the way, my good man.” McGreer motioned toward the door.
Cameron arched his eyebrow. “You are going with us?”
“As long as the captain allows it. After all, it was my uniform he’d stolen. If I go with you, we’ll be able to see if he is my size.”
“Good thinking, McGreer.” Captain Orwood said as he grabbed his hat off the hook and pulled it on his head. He aimed his gaze at Cameron. “I’m very relieved that you have been following up on this case. I’d worried that you were somehow involved with Mr. Bailey’s death.”
Nodding, Cameron frowned. “Forgive me, Captain. I had wrongly imprisoned Bailey because I thought the man knew where my sister was. I thought by locking him away would help loosen his lips. I feel badly about the way everything happened, and I assure you, it will never happen again.”
Madison's Gift Page 19
