Madison's Gift

by Marie Higgins

  Suddenly, her mouth turned dry. She wasn’t certain she wanted them to be this close, so she slowly moved back to her side of the vehicle. “There,” her voice squeaked, so she swallowed, “I think that’s better.”

  He chuckled. “Actually, I still don’t think I look like an old man.” He stretched out his hand. “I don’t even have wrinkles.”

  “Well, no...so you’ll have to hide your hands the best you can.” She sighed and relaxed back against the seat. “What worries me is how Alice is going to react when she sees you.”

  He nodded. “I thought of that, but what if Officer Barton or Captain Orwood are there waiting for me to return? I’m sure my sister will give away my disguise.”

  “Hopefully, I can get to her before she says anything to give your identity away.”

  “I just hope this works.”

  He stretched his neck to peer out the window. She couldn’t stop from running her gaze over his rugged features. Cameron Westland was really an impressive man. His square jaw appeared hard, and yet, her fingers itched to run across his skin to see what it felt like. Although she enjoyed gazing into his green eyes, the sensations running through her tickled her stomach and brought a foreign feeling she wasn’t sure she wanted to dwell on.

  Pulling her attention—and her thoughts—away from the handsome man next to her, she looked out of her window. A building at the edge of town caught her eye. The structure was old, but it was the black stains along the roof that made her think it had caught on fire. Could this be the building where her parents had died?

  “Stop the hackney,” she shouted and gripped the doorknob. She had the door swung open before the vehicle came to a complete stop.

  “Miss Haywood—”

  Mr. Westland’s panicked voice fell on deaf ears as she darted out of the hackney. She hurried to the building and stopped in front. Nothing looked familiar, but then again, she hadn’t been here when her parents had died.

  “Miss Haywood,” Cameron said out of breath, stopping next to her as he grasped her hand. “You are making it impossible for me to stay in character when you dash out of the vehicle like that.”

  Inwardly, she groaned. “Forgive me, Mr. Westland, but when I noticed the burn marks on the roof,” she pointed in that direction, “I wondered if this was where my parents died.”

  He tilted his head and silently stared at the roof as he tapped his finger on his cheek. He walked to the side of the building, studying the walls closely. Finally, he turned toward her and frowned.

  “I fear, Miss Haywood, these charred spots look fresh, as if the fire had been in the last year, or perhaps two years.”

  “Oh.” She heaved a sad sigh. She shouldn’t have expected to find the building. After all, it was approximately nineteen years ago. “Forgive me, Mr. Westland. I didn’t mean—”

  “That’s all right.” Standing in front of her, he grasped her shoulders and peered deeply into her eyes. “I understand completely. Maybe once we find Bailey’s killer, and my sister, I can help you find out what happened when your parents died.”

  Tears of joy burned her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away. She couldn’t get too excited, only because she knew the end result wouldn’t bring them back from the grave.

  “Once more, please forgive me for stopping our journey.” She moved to the hackney. “Shall we continue to your house?”

  Reaching the vehicle, he held out his hand for her to take. She slid her palm against his, and the sadness that had filled her moments ago was suddenly replaced with warmth and tenderness. She gave him a smile of appreciation and climbed in.

  The remainder of the ride was done in silence. Her heart ached for the parents that were so tragically taken from her, and yet mourning them was pointless. She couldn’t remember them at all. If only her aunt and uncle would have spoken of them...

  “We’re almost there,” he whispered and scooted to the edge of the seat. “Keep a sharp eye out for any man in a policeman uniform.”

  She snapped out of her dismal thoughts and focused on glade of trees near his home. Cameron grumbled, and she peeked over her shoulder. “What is it?”

  His back was straight, and body alert. “Just as I suspected. I see Barton hiding in those bushes.” He pointed to the far side of the yard.

  Worry tightened her chest. She tugged on his arm, pulling him back against the seat. “Look at me.” When he met her gaze, she tried to give him a reassuring smile. “You can pull this off. Officer Barton is too far away to notice that you don’t have lines on your face.” She grabbed the cane and placed it in his hand. “Walk with a hunched back, and use this for support. Pretend your legs are weak, too.”

  He nodded.

  “Lastly,” she slipped her fingers over his and squeezed, “let me do the talking.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “In other situations, I would argue with you, but not this time.”

  Madison inhaled deeply as she whispered to herself that they could do this. It must be done or Cameron would go to jail for a crime he didn’t commit.

  The vehicle jerked to a stop, and she waited for the driver to open the door for her. As she climbed out, the movement of a pale, peach dress caught her eye. Alice stood near the flower garden wearing an apron, and holding a basket with her gloved hands. The other woman’s head was turned toward them.

  At first Alice’s expression was blank, but then her brows creased the longer she stared at Madison. The fierce beat in her chest threatened to weaken Madison, but she would smile and pretend all of this was normal...and she’d forget there was an officer spying on them.

  From the vehicle, Cameron coughed. She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see the driver helping Cameron out. Quickly, she moved beside him, slipping her arm through his as if trying to help him walk.

  “Don’t forget your cane,” she whispered to Cameron.

  He nodded and reached into the vehicle to retrieve the old man’s cane.

  “Hunch over,” she said in low tones.

  Thankfully, he did as she asked. Before they took their first step toward the others, Madison said a silent prayer. This must work! She wouldn’t accept any other alternative.

  They took small steps, mainly because Cameron was playing his part well, leaning heavily on the cane and belting out that occasional cough. Cameron swayed as if he was falling, but Madison quickly wrapped her arms around him, keeping him upright. She didn’t know if it was the situation with the officer watching them or if it was because she was touching Cameron so personally that made her heart flip-flop crazily in her chest.

  When they were near enough, Madison looked up to meet Alice’s confused gaze one more time. “Good afternoon.” She smiled, hoping it didn’t look fake. “You will never guess who I found in town.”

  “Who?” Alice’s voice lifted as she darted down the porch, hurrying toward them. When she reached them, she came to a sudden stop as her gaze skimmed over her brother.

  Warning alarms went off in Madison’s head. Alice would certainly say something about her brother being in disguise. “Miss Westland, it’s your Uncle Henry, of course.” Madison touched the other woman’s shoulder. “Your poor uncle has had a bout with the cough. When I saw him in town, I bade him to allow me to bring him here so that Mrs. Trumble could care for him.”

  Alice nodded, her dirty-blonde curls bouncing with the rhythm. “Oh, of course. Mrs. Trumble would love to take care of you.”

  “Would you help me take Uncle Henry into the house?” Madison continued, warily.

  Without questioning, Alice moved to the other side of Cameron and hooked her arm through his, helping him toward the house.

  Madison didn’t dare peek toward the bushes to see if Officer Barton watched. He did, and hopefully, he wouldn’t get suspicious. They couldn’t have their disguise ruined this soon into their investigation.

  Just as they neared the porch, the thundering of horse’s hooves pounded on the ground. All of them looked in the direction of the noise. Madi
son’s heart sank. Officer Barton was riding toward them...wearing a scowl.

  SIX

  Panic surged through Madison as hot as a searing poker stick. She must do something. Now!

  She broke away from Cameron and Alice and strode toward the officer riding toward her. He jerked on the reins, bringing the animal to a halt.

  “Excuse me, Officer. Is there something I can help you with?” she asked as sweetly as her shaky voice would allow.

  “I, uh...” He looked past her toward Alice and Cameron. “I came to see if Inspector Westland was here.”

  Madison opened her mouth to speak, but behind her, Alice said, “No, Officer. He went out this morning and he hasn’t returned.”

  Holding her breath, Madison glanced in back of her. Thankfully, Cameron was still hunched over, with his fist to his mouth as he coughed. From this view point, she couldn’t see the robust man in the old man’s disguise—not even his wrinkle-free hands. Hopefully, the officer couldn’t see it, either.

  “Actually,” Madison added quickly, turning back to the officer. “I saw him in town when I ran into his uncle.” She motioned her head over her shoulder. “Inspector Westland told me he was on his way to Sevenoaks. He mentioned that he was trailing a suspect.”

  Officer Barton’s eyes widened, and yet he still hesitated. “If you hurry now,” she told him, “I’m sure you’ll catch him heading out of town.”

  He tipped his hat slightly and nodded. “Thank you, Miss.”

  Without another word, he kicked his horse into a run, and didn’t look back as he rode away.

  Alice released Cameron and folded her arms across her chest. “Will someone tell me what is going on? Cam, why are you dressed so strangely?”

  Madison and Cameron exchanged grins. “My dear, sister,” he began, still keeping in character. “I didn’t want that officer to know it was me.”

  “Whatever for?” Alice rolled her eyes.

  Cameron lost his smile as seriousness changed his expression. “Because I didn’t want to be arrested for a crime I didn’t commit.”

  Madison peeked over her shoulder again, making sure the other officer wasn’t coming back. “Why don’t we go into the house, just in case there are more officers spying on us.”

  “Splendid idea.” Cameron winked at her.

  “Alice,” Madison took one of Cameron’s arms, “please grab his other arm. In case someone else is watching, we need them to think this really is a sickly old man.”

  Alice nodded and took his other arm as they helped him up the porch stairs and into the house. As soon as the door was closed and locked, Cameron sagged against the wall and ripped off his wig. His strong fingers threaded through his hair.

  “You have no idea how uncomfortable that wig is,” he said with a sigh.

  “Cam, please explain why that man wants to arrest you.”

  His gaze met Madison’s as if in a plea. She understood and turned to Alice. “Do you remember the vision I saw of the man in the pool of blood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that man really is dead.” Madison sighed.

  “And,” Cameron added, “because I was the one who locked him in the cell without the captain’s approval, my superior now suspects me of murder.”

  Alice’s cheerfulness disappeared and tears gathered in her eyes. The hopelessness of the situation grew heavy on Madison’s chest, and she was sure Alice felt the same distress.

  Silence filled the room for a few awkward moments as Madison waited for Alice to absorb the news. Alice’s gaze shifted between her brother and Madison before finally falling to the floor where it stayed. The woman’s frown tugged on Madison’s heartstrings.

  Finally, after a few minutes, Alice sighed. “Cam, you are not capable of murder.”

  “I’m relieved you think that.” Cameron gathered his sister in his arms for a small hug. “But until I find the true killer, your secrecy is of utmost importance.”

  “I understand,” Alice said in a choked voice as she pulled away and wiped the wetness from her cheeks.

  He expelled a heavy breath. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have a few cases to solve.” His gaze rested on Madison. “Miss Haywood? Would you like to adjourn with me into the music room?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “What?” Alice’s voice lifted in excitement. “You are allowing Miss Haywood to help us again?”

  “Indeed I am.” He smiled.

  She clapped her hands once. “Fabulous.”

  “Alice, would you go back outside and continue with what you were doing? And please let us know if anyone else comes to the door.”

  “I will.” She grinned from ear-to-ear before rushing back outside.

  When Cameron looked at Madison again, tenderness coated his expression. Her heart flipped, and she silently scolded herself. She really must focus and not allow him to become a distraction. How else would she be able to receive visions?

  CAMERON WALKED BESIDE Miss Haywood toward the music room. The urge to slip the palm of his hand alongside the narrowing of her back tempted him greatly. Spending time with her this afternoon had been a delight. Even though the situation was stressful, she made it easier to take. He hadn’t expected to smile so much...or laugh, especially when he was wanted for murder.

  Inwardly, he growled. He couldn’t think of that now. He must continue to search for clues that would lead him to the real killer. And to think, Miss Haywood didn’t think poorly of him. That lightened his heart considerably. Even now as they walked into the music room, his heart swelled, remembering everything she had helped him do.

  “Miss Haywood? I thank you again for your assistance. And I’m so very grateful that you believe in me.”

  Her gaze met his briefly before skipping away as her cheeks grew red. He tried not to grin. Was she feeling the same kind of attraction as he?

  She moved around the music room sliding her fingers over different objects. “It’s easier for me to believe in people, than for them to believe in me.” She lifted her eyes to him briefly. “Do you finally believe me about my visions?”

  Once again, his mind struggled with this question. “It’s hard for me to believe. My profession teaches me to find solid proof before coming to a decision.”

  She stopped, meeting his gaze head-on. “Wasn’t it enough proof when you saw Inspector Johnson carry in Judge Gruber’s grandson? I was the one who saw the vision and told them where to look. Is that not good enough?”

  “It should be, shouldn’t it?” He stepped closer to her, and thankfully, she didn’t move away from the harpsichord.

  “Then why don’t you believe?”

  He took another step closer. “It’s hard to wrap my mind around the possibility of people having visions like that.”

  She sighed slowly. “Then hopefully, I will be able to convince you that the visions I see are real.”

  “Yes, I would like that very much.” Hesitantly, so he wouldn’t startle her, he slid his hand over hers that rested on the musical instrument.

  She inhaled sharply and jerked her hand away, taking a step back at the same time. She knocked into the small table that his father had made years ago. Her hands shot out to steady it before it could fall over. Immediately, her body stilled and her eyes closed.

  Was she having one of her alleged visions? Deciding not to interrupt her, he took a quiet step back and leaned against the wall. Madison was a very lovely woman. Her eyebrows were perfectly shaped over amazing eyes, and her dark, thick eyelashes fluttered over her skin. Her adorable pert little nose was above a pair of full, luscious lips. Delicate features enhanced her face from her forehead down to her rounded chin. Her hair appeared silky, and he resisted the urge to reach out and rub a lock between his thumb and finger. It surprised him that she wasn’t married. Then again, most men would be turned away by her talk of seeing visions.

  After a few minutes, an audible sigh released from her, and she stumbled. Instinct took over, and he caught her arm, ke
eping her from toppling over. When her eyes met his, she appeared shaken and disoriented. Carefully, he helped her to the nearest love seat, fearing she would swoon again.

  “Miss Haywood? Are you all right?”

  She stared at him for a few silent moments before blinking. Instead of answering, she peered at everything; the harpsichord, the bookcase, the chairs, and then back to him. She acted as though she hadn’t heard him.

  “Miss Haywood?” He cupped her chin until she met his gaze. “Are you ill?”

  She cleared her throat and pulled away from his touch. A little more color filled in her cheeks.

  “Forgive me, but I saw...something.”

  “What did you see?”

  “I believe I saw Rosie.”

  Cameron wasn’t prepared for her answer. Shock brought him jumping to his feet. “You did? Are you certain?”

  She shrugged. “Does your sister have the same color of hair as yours—well, slightly darker—and is it wavy as well?”

  He nodded slowly, still not wanting to believe her, and yet his heart did. At this moment, he needed a little hope that Rosie was safe.

  “I saw her pacing the floor,” Madison continued. “This time, the room had a window. In fact, the room looked completely different from the last vision.”

  “Whoa. Stop right there.” He sat on the sofa again and took hold of her hands. “You have seen a vision of Rosie before?”

  “Yes.” Sheepishly, she dropped her gaze to his hands. “It was after you had left this morning to ride to the station. Alice convinced me to stay a little longer and look for things. I thought I had a vision of your sister. She was in a cold, dark room, crying and very frightened while someone on the other side of the door yelled at her to be quite.”

  “Was it Rosie?”

  Madison shrugged. “I couldn’t see her, but in the vision I just had, I actually saw Rosie. She wore a pink day dress with white ruffles around the neck of the bodice and short sleeves. Her hair hung in ringlets, and she didn’t wear a bonnet. She had been crying because her eyes were red and swollen. She held a white handkerchief with the monogram of the initials GB.”