Loving Madison

Twenty-Seven

Madison spun around and walked toward the door. Cameron stepped right behind her and caught her arm, stopping her from leaving the room.

"Madison, we need to talk."

"Not now we don't. We need to find your sister."

"Why did you want to break into this house to find my sister?"

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to shed them. Instead, she hardened her glare on him. "Because I want to prove to the Metropolitan Police—and to you—that I am not insane. I want to prove that my visions can help solve crimes."

His shoulders sagged. "Oh, Madison, you have to believe me...I never—"

"Hold your tongue," she snapped. "Instead of arguing, we need to find your sister."

Madison jerked her arm out of his clutch, and opened the door. Slowly, she peeked out into the hall. Thankfully, it was quiet.

"Madison, let me go first."

The warmth from his whisper sent shivers over her. If only she could convince her body not to react this way whenever he was around, maybe she'd be able to focus better. "Why?"

"Because I have the pistol."

Nodding, she stepped aside so he could pass. They moved slowly up the hall. She tried to remember every little detail about the visions she'd had with Rosie. Madison knew the other woman was in a bedroom, but which one? And had she been standing by a window? Perhaps Madison would be able to tell what side of the house to start looking.

The image popped in her mind. Yes! Rosie had been standing by the window and gazing out. Concentrating harder, Madison tried to see what Rosie might have been looking at. Gradually, the memory of that vision became clearer. There was a tree...the top of a tree. Rosie was looking straight down from the window.

"Cameron." She pulled on the back of his overcoat. "She's in the attic bedroom."

He turned his head and looked at her with a creased brow. "How do you know?"

"Because I remembered the vision I had with her by the window. The tops of the tree were visible."

Slowly, a smile stretched across his mouth. He grabbed her hand. "You are utterly amazing."

She motioned toward the steps even though his compliment made her heart flutter again. "Now let's go."

He set his foot on the first step, and she quickly pulled on his hand, stopping him. "The second and third steps creak."

"That's right, they do."

He eyed the stairs again before taking his leg and skipping those two steps. Once he had both feet planted on the fourth step, he reached down and lifted Madison, as if she weighed no more than a feather, and brought her up with him.

"I now remember where the other creaky stairs are, so follow me."

She nodded as she monitored where he stepped, repeating his actions. It wasn't until they reached the top when she released the breath she'd been holding. So far, they hadn't alerted the old servant of their presence.

Madison glanced back down the stairs. And what about Mr. Bailey's cousin? When would he return? Nervously, she twisted her hands against her middle, praying they wouldn't get caught.

Cameron slowed as he neared a bedroom. He motioned his hand to the door and mouthed the servant's room. She tiptoed past the room, heading toward the back staircase. By the time they reached the steps, her heartbeat hammered like a cannon blast. She must trust that Cameron would protect her. After all, he had a pistol.