Loving Madison

Twelve

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.