“I know what I told her,” the officer snapped. The man moved his gaze to the men standing by the other wall, and he motioned for one to come over. “Escort Mrs. Inman back to her home and then search the canal for her dog.”
“Uh...her dog, sir?” the other officer asked.
“You heard me.” He pointed to the older woman. “Get on it immediately.”
“Of course, sir.” The officer assisted the older woman out of her chair.
Mrs. Inman smiled at Madison. “Thank you so much. You’re a Godsend.”
Grinning, Madison walked back to her chair and sat. She couldn’t count how many people she had helped over the years. But in all of those times, she’d only been wrong twice. She enjoyed seeing the smiles of gratitude on their faces. Their joy brought happiness to Madison, and it also made it easier to dismiss people like Mr. Clarkston and his pretentious son.
She sighed and traced her gloved finger along a white stripe on her dress. Stillness had settled over the room, but she didn’t look up this time. Knowing she’d helped that old lady made her content.
At least for now.
Within minutes, the floor creaked nearby Madison, accompanied by the rustling of a woman’s dress. She lifted her attention. Standing right in front of her was the woman who’d been crying.
“I would like to hire you,” she said softly. “I couldn’t help but overhear what you did with Mrs. Inman,” she pointed toward the door, “and I need your special type of help.” She sat on the empty chair beside Madison. “I have the funds to pay, I assure you.”
Shock washed over Madison. This certainly had never happened before. “What...do you need me to do?”
“My younger sister has been missing for two days. My brother is an officer for the Metropolitan Police, as was our father before him, God rest his soul. My brother is at his wit’s end trying to find our dear Rosie, but I fear that he will sink into the same melancholy as our father had when he died five years ago.”
Madison’s chest tightened. How could she turn the girl down now? And yet, she really didn’t want to. Something inside of her leapt at the chance to show another officer with Metropolitan Police just what she could do. Men like Harry Clarkston needed to be brought down a notch or two.
“Does your brother have some of the investigators in this office helping him?”
Tears coated the woman’s eyes again and her bottom lip trembled. “No. He wants to handle the situation himself—to keep it in the family.” She dabbed the tip of her finger to the corner of an eye.
Something wasn’t right about all of this. Why wouldn’t the brother ask the men he worked with for assistance? Why would the man want to keep it in the family? Very odd...
“Do you live here in London?” Madison asked, hoping she didn’t have to travel far.
The girl shook her head. “We live in Illford.”
The name of the town struck her like frigid water being dumped over her head. It nearly froze her body and her mind. She couldn’t go there! Her parents had died in that horrid town when she was just a child. For years afterward, her uncle and aunt’s nightmarish-type stories about her parents’ death—and how the town was to blame—had brought fear to her as if the same fate would come upon her if she returned.
No. She couldn’t go there, not even to help a missing person. Taking a deep breath, Madison prepared to give the woman a plausible excuse why she couldn’t help. But as she opened her mouth, the woman grasped Madison’s hands tightly. Her green eyes pleaded with desperation.
“Please, Miss. You are our only hope. If you cannot help us, I fear my sister will die.” A tear leaked out of her red, puffy eyes to travel down her moist cheek. “She’s only just turned sixteen. She’s too young to die.”
Silently, Madison groaned. She must turn away the request. Although she’d vowed to help anyone she could...this just couldn’t be done. Not when she was too frightened to step foot inside the town.
Once again, she opened her mouth to refuse, but a memory intruded. She’d assisted a dying man in reuniting him with his children. So grateful for what Madison had done, he made her promise on his deathbed, that she would never hide her gift. His words echoed in her head, God has given you this talent, which means you must share it with others. If you don’t, what is the use of having a gift from the Lord?
Her heart sank. Returning to Illford would certainly be an unbearable obstacle, but it was one she would have to face, nonetheless. Hadn’t she been able to accept her visions even though she’d been ridiculed and tormented? So if she could hurdle that obstacle, she could get through anything!
Putting on her best smile, she nodded. “I hope I don’t disappoint. I shall try to find your sister.”
Relief poured over the woman’s expression and more tears streamed down her face. “Oh, thank you Miss Haywood.” Sniffing, she wiped her cheeks. “My name is Alice Westland.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” She breathed slower, hoping it could calm her racing heart. “So are you waiting for your brother here?”
Alice shook her head. “He doesn’t know I have come. When I arrived, he was out on a case.”
The door to the office swung open so fast, it smacked the wall. Madison jumped and swung her gaze in that direction. A gush of wind blew in leaves and debris, followed by two men wearing the official uniform of Metropolitan Police officers. One man looked like most of the other men she’d seen in this building, but the man in the rear was completely opposite. Taller than the others, he strolled inside as his heavy boot-steps rattled the floor. Neither man wore a pleasant expression.
Standing beside Madison, Miss Westland sucked in a quick breath and muttered he’s here. Madison took a quick peek at the woman who now watched the tall man with wide eyes. This man couldn’t possibly be the older brother, could he? He was so large, and Alice was so petite.
He was an impressive sight, not only in height but with his looks. The powerful shoulders filling out his uniform were almost as eye-catching as his handsome face. He removed his tall hat with the Metropolitan Police badge pinned on the front, and his brownish-blonde hair with the slight wave to the fullness shook as he walked.
When the man’s gaze landed on Alice, his brow furrowed. His eyes blazed a brilliant green. His footsteps struck the wooden floor harder as he headed toward them.
“Alice Louise Westland? What are you doing here?” The man’s deep voice boomed through the room like a cannon blast.
He stopped in front of them and Madison nearly lost her breath. Whether it was from his overpowering presence, or his good looks, she wasn’t certain. He glanced her way briefly before turning his attention to his sister. His scowl would make anyone hold their tongue for fear of being reprimanded.
“I...I was waiting for you to return,” Alice spoke softly.
His chest rose and fell slowly. His body relaxed as he folded his arms. “I told you not to come here. I never know from day to day when I’ll actually be at the office.”
Thankfully, his tone had mellowed a little. But he continued to glare at his sister.
“I recall you saying that, but...I can’t sit at home and do nothing. I want to help find Rosie.”
“Lower your voice.” His jaw hardened. “There’s nothing you can do,” he clipped. “As I told you before, you need to let me handle this matter.”
“Perhaps, I won’t be able to do anything, but,” Alice turned and clasped Madison’s hand, “I truly believe she is the answer to our prayers.”
Finally, Madison received the man’s full attention. His gaze skimmed over her from her ringlets hanging over her shoulders, to her gingham dress, and finally to her brown, leather boots. When his gaze jumped up to meet her eyes, he arched an eyebrow.
“Indeed?” he said with a hint of sarcasm to his voice. “You believe a woman is the answer to our prayers?” He shook his head. “I think not, sister dear.”
Irritation boiled inside of Madison like water in a kettle hanging over a blazing fire. Ho
w dare he insult her merely because she was a woman! If she hadn’t already decided to assist Alice, this man’s attitude would have made the decision for her. She’d always been a little stubborn, and this man made it easier for Madison to show her true colors.
Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin and looked at Alice. “Miss Westland? When do you wish me to start?”
She sneaked a peek at Alice’s brother. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Priceless. It was worth every second, even if she feared she’d be arguing up a storm with this particular man.
TWO
Cameron Westland wasn’t certain he liked the stranger’s attitude. Had he not informed his sister that they didn’t need her friend? Apparently, he hadn’t made it clear enough. “Um, Miss? I don’t think you heard me correctly. I don’t want you involved with our family matters.”
She shrugged and lifted her chin a notch higher, her blue eyes meeting his straight on. “My name is Miss Haywood, and you’re not the one who asked me. Your sister hired me, which means I work for her. Not you.”
Her willfulness surprised him. He’d heard about Miss Haywood—the one who claimed to have visions. In his opinion, this slip of a woman had no business hiring herself out to solve mysteries.
Cameron narrowed a stern gaze on her, more than a little surprised by her appearance. She hardly fit the mental picture he’d envisioned of an eccentric mad-woman with wild hair and brightly colored robes. Instead, Miss Haywood looked absolutely ordinary. Her long, dark hair and sedate day gown seemed far more suited to a London day-room than the Metropolitan Police station. She was perfectly pretty, in fact. Why was this woman peddling tales about visions instead of finding a husband?
He swallowed his annoyance and searched for a suitable retort. He couldn’t allow her to win. “Well, I forbid Alice to see you any longer.” There! That should do it...
Alice threw him an irate glare. “You cannot dictate to me whom I can or cannot associate with. I’m not a child any longer. I’m in my twenty-third year.”
“Regardless of your age, while you still live in my household, I can dictate all I want. And I forbid you to consort with a woman of her ilk.”
Alice didn’t bat an eye. “How, my dear brother, are you going to know what I’m doing all hours of the day when you’re off investigating cases all the time?”
He clenched his jaw and fisted his hands. There was no way he could allow the impertinent girl to talk to him like this. He’d been too lax with Rosie, and look where it got him with her. Most likely her disappearance was due to her running off with a man, which was why Cameron didn’t want any outside help in finding the wayward chit.
The room had grown quiet, so he glanced around at some of the other officers. Their questionable expressions made him feel as though he couldn’t control his own sister. Well, he certainly couldn’t have the other men thinking that about him. And he definitely couldn’t have them knowing that Rosie was missing.
Lifting his chin stubbornly, he glared at his sister. “Alice, get in the buggy. I’m taking you home. Now! We will not air our grievances in front of others. You should know by now how much that irritates me.”
Panic creased lines across his sister’s forehead. She shifted her gaze to the woman beside her and quickly leaned in to whisper something in the woman’s ear. Anger shot through him, and he feared Alice was telling the woman where they lived. In two large steps, he grabbed his sister’s arm, and pulled her away from the other lady. When Alice met his stare, a satisfied expression softened her face.
Inwardly, he grumbled. He was too late. But it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t allow the other woman to be part of their lives. Especially now when their family was being ripped apart. Again. And just as before, it was left up to him to smooth things over. But this time, he doubted his own ability to make everything right.
If his suspicions about Rosie were correct, they had a scandal on their hands. Anger built inside of Cameron, but he tried taming the fire burning inside his gut. He couldn’t allow anyone to know about her disappearance.
“Good bye, Miss Haywood.” Alice smiled. “I hope to see you soon.”
Miss Haywood nodded. “You shall.”
Cameron waited for his sister to leave the office before he swung his attention back to Miss Haywood. Obviously, he couldn’t order her about as he’d tried to do his sister, because the stubborn woman wouldn’t budge. Instead, he must try a different tactic.
“We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Cameron Westland.”
She nodded. “I’m Madison Haywood.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Madison? That’s an odd name for a woman.”
“Well, it’s what my parents decided to name me. The least I could do would be to use it now that they’re dead.”
For a moment, his heart softened. They shared the same legacy—living without parents. “I’m sorry for your loss. My parents are also dead.”
Her obstinate expression wavered and was replaced with sorrow. “I’m sorry to hear about your loss, as well.”
“So, Miss Haywood.” He sat beside her. Her blue eyes widened, but she stayed seated. “I hope you understand my dilemma. Being Alice’s older brother, I cannot allow her to defy me. I’m sure you understand. This is my way of looking out for her, and I can’t have her unruly.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Splendid. I’m sorry my sister asked for your help, but I assure you, we don’t need it.”
“Are you certain about that?” Miss Haywood tilted her head, keeping her pretty eyes on him.
“I’m most certain.” He nodded once, but curiosity grew inside of him, getting the better of him. “Has Alice told you about our sister, Rosie?”
“Yes. She said your younger sister is missing.”
“She is, but...” He took a deep breath. “Has she told you the whole story?”
Miss Haywood paused and arched an eyebrow. “Your sister told me that Rosie has been missing for two days. Alice is distraught. She’s worried about you, too.”
Cameron bunched his hands into fists. Why did Alice tell a total stranger about him? But more importantly, Alice didn’t tell Miss Haywood the whole story, which was a good thing. “I’m certain my sister exaggerated our situation.”
“Tell me, Mr. Westland, is Rosie missing?”
“Will you lower your voice?” He clenched his jaw again, trying to control the anger shooting through him. One way or another, he must keep Rosie’s disappearance a family secret.
“Well?” Miss Haywood asked again, but in a softer voice.
“Yes.”
“And have you run out of places to look for her?”
“Well...yes, but because I work for Metropolitan Police—”
“Then forgive me, Mr. Westland,” she folded her gloved hands on her lap, “but I must emphasize that you do need my help.”
He couldn’t believe the arrogance this woman displayed. What made her so sure that she had the answers? He stifled a laugh, though the situation was far from funny. “Why are you so certain you can help?”
She held her breath and nibbled on her bottom lip. By her narrowed gaze—and because he could read this woman well—he figured she had something else to say. However, he was also stubborn, and there was no way this woman could change his thoughts.
“I will be able to see where Rosie is,” she said in almost a whisper. “And I highly doubt you have that particular ability, or else you would have found her by now.”
The rumors about her were correct. This woman really thought she had visions. However, she didn’t look as crazed as some of the officers had painted her.
Uncomfortable, he stood and crossed his arms, glancing at the few others in the room. A couple of the officers still watched him out of the corner of their eyes.
He licked his suddenly dried lips and sat once more on the chair beside her. “You really think you can see Rosie?” He kept the tone of his voice softer to avoid being overheard.
She shrugged. “Mr. Westland, I’m sure you’ll be shocked to know, but I—a woman, no less—have helped many people. In fact, the reason I’m here was because Inspector Johnson summoned me to help find Judge Gruber’s grandson.”
Impossible! “And...were you able to assist?”
“While I was with Inspector Johnson, I had a vision about a boy in the woods surrounded by fallen trees. The inspector and Mr. Clarkston and his son, Harry, are following up on the lead now. They requested I stay here until their return.” She cleared her throat. “And not too long ago, Mrs. Inman was in pleading with that officer over there,” she pointed toward Lieutenant Howard Kearns, “because she thought her prized Labrador had been taken. Once I touched the animal’s rope, I saw that the dog had been trapped in what looked like a canal.”
Miss Haywood spoke so matter-of-factly that Cameron concluded that she was either daft or teasing. But what about the other officers? He glanced around the room again. What were they thinking as he conversed with Miss Haywood? Cameron didn’t want to know.
She sighed and her shoulders relaxed. “Mr. Westland, all I’m asking is to let me try, just once, and if you don’t believe me, I’ll leave you and your sister alone.”
“Just one time?”
“Yes, one time is all I need.”
He couldn’t understand why he was giving her one chance in the first place, but he was desperate to find Rosie...desperate enough to allow this woman’s help. “I’m assuming my sister told you where we live.”
A smile graced her lovely face. “Yes, she did.”
“If I allow you to assist, you must promise me one thing.”
She nodded.
“You cannot tell anyone about Rosie’s disappearance. I’m trying to keep this in the family.”
“I understand.” She nodded again.
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Fine. Come to the house tomorrow at eleven o’clock. I’ll give you just one chance to prove yourself.”
The twinkling in her blue eyes made his heart soften a little more. Curses! He shouldn’t allow her to get to him like that.
Madison's Gift Page 2