Loving Madison

Twenty-Six

She braced herself against the window, preparing for the moment when they would find her. Madison's hand knocked into a long object that was resting against the wall. Quickly, she snatched it to keep it from falling. As the handle tightened in her grip, she knew immediately that it was a cane. The shape of the handle was some kind of animal's head. Probably a wolf...

In a flash, her mind cleared and a vision entered. Two men were in a small, dark room. She couldn't see the face of the man holding the cane because he stood on the darker side of the room, however, the other man glared at him. Strange, but the room seemed familiar.

Dressed as a gentleman, the man on the cot peered at the one holding the cane. The gentleman shook his head and frowned.

"Forgive me, dear cousin, but I will not fall for your blackmail schemes this time. I have gotten you out of too many scrapes in the past, and I refuse to do it again."

"But all I need is a small amount of money...enough to start my own business." Using his cane, he tapped it impatiently against the brick wall. Madison couldn't tell what clothes the man was wearing since he stood in the shadows, but for certain, they didn't look like nice clothes that a gentleman would wear.

The man sitting on the cot rolled his eyes and snorted a fake laugh. "How many times have you told me that?"

"Jacob Bailey," he pointed the end of his cane to the man, "you would be wise to do as I wish."

"How do you perceive that?" Jacob arched an eyebrow.

"Because I'm the only one who can get you out of jail." He swept his hand over the front of his attire, displaying a vertical row of shiny gold buttons. "Can you not see I've stolen a uniform and the keys? If you promise to give me a small loan, I'll gladly break you out of jail right now."

Jacob shook his head and leaned back on the cot, folding his arms across his chest. "Sorry, dear cousin. You have wasted another trip. Besides, Inspector Westland cannot keep me in here much longer because I'm innocent."

"You are innocent?" The man tilted back his head and laughed loudly. "I honestly believe you had something to do with Miss Westland's disappearance."

"Believe what you want." He motioned his hand toward the door. "But I'm not leaving with you."

The first man grumbled and marched to the other side of the room. "Jacob, get up right now. I'm taking you out of here."

"I'm not going anywhere." Jacob stood. "But let me show you to the door. Hopefully, you won't be spotted for impersonating a police officer, because then you'll end up in a cell just like me."

Jacob Bailey turned his back on the other man. The one standing with the cane, lifted it high before bringing it down quickly. It connected with Jacob's head and a loud crunch rented the air. The gentleman crumbled to the floor. Quickly, the killer hurried out of the cell.

Madison's head swam through a tunnel. Odd mumbling sounds were all around her. Dizziness took control of her mind, and she didn't want to open her eyes. Gradually, sounds and smells became more recognizable. She was on the floor with somebody's arms wrapped around her. Finally, she understood the mumbling. Whoever held her was calling her name.

"Madison. Wake up!"

The man whispered, but she heard him clearly. There was no mistake that Cameron was holding her. But why?

She struggled to open her eyes. Her face rested against his chest. The scent of spice and leather surrounded her, reminding how she had loved that smell. What am I doing in his arms?