Loving Madison

Thirty-One

Cameron clenched and unclenched his hands several times as he paced in front of Captain Orwood's office. Beads of perspiration coated his forehead and neck. Even his high-collared uniform jacket felt tight against his throat. Although worry flowed through him like a broken dam—and he didn't know if he'd get thrown in jail—he still knew this was the right thing to do. Cameron wasn't a coward, and staying in hiding proved that he was.

The captain was occupied, and all Cameron could do was wait. His stomach churned with uncertainty. He must speak to Orwood today while he had the courage.

All of his twenty-eight years, Cameron thought he'd always been brave, but meeting Madison changed his way of thinking about himself. He didn't want to be the man who was afraid of anything. Over the years, he'd chased down criminals. He'd even been shot at a time or two. Once he had taken a bullet in the leg for a fellow officer. And yet, he feared people would discover he had sunk beneath his pride and had asked a woman who received visions for help with a case.

His father was to blame for the scandal that was placed upon the Westland family.

Madison made Cameron see he must move on past that and live his life. She was the most courageous woman he'd ever known, and his respect for her grew the more he'd gotten to know her. She had opened his eyes to a lot of things, and for the first time in his life, his future looked brighter and less worrisome.

As soon as he hurdled this obstacle with Orwood, Cameron would be able to sprint across any obstacle that came his way.

On the other side of the door, footsteps grew closer until the door opened. Standing with Orwood was none other than Douglas McGreer. When the man noticed Cameron, his eyes widened.

"Look there! Just the man I wanted to see."

"Indeed," Orwood chimed in. "Westland, I'm glad you finally made an appearance. Would you come inside and perhaps we will finally be able to bring this matter to a close."

Curious, Cameron followed the men inside the office and Orwood closed the door. McGreer leaned on his crutch as he hobbled back toward Orwood's desk. It made Cameron leery that Orwood didn't appear upset. Hadn't the man wanted to arrest him several days ago?

"May I ask what this is all about?" Cameron asked hesitantly.

McGreer nodded. "I discovered something last night after talking to my wife." He grinned, wearing a gloating expression. "Westland, do you recall when you visited me the other day?"

"I do." Cameron folded his arms.

"Well, after you had left, I pondered over everything you'd told me. It angered me that someone was trying to represent one of our officers. I couldn't believe how eager I was to solve another case again." Chuckling, he patted his injured leg. "I decided the least I could do to help you out was to ask questions. So, I asked my wife about Mr. Langston's sister and how he could have possibly gotten my uniform."

"It seems," Captain Orwood took over the conversation as he sat behind his desk, "that Heath Langston is not an outstanding citizen at all. Not only in this section of England, but all over the country, and in Scotland. He has been arrested a few times for stealing, and a few other times for disorderly conduct. He's invested in schemes that have failed, and he doesn't take kindly to losing money."

Cameron scratched behind his ear. "Then why has he not been sent to Newgate?"

Orwood flipped his hand. "Because his crimes haven't been enough to send him to Newgate."

Cameron switched his focus back to Douglas. "And did you discover that Langston had indeed stolen your uniform and pretended to be you?"

"Aye, in a way." He adjusted the crutch under his arm. "My wife confessed that the bloke's sister begged her into taking my uniform. His sister said she wanted to get the measurements because I was the same height and build as her brother and she wanted to make him some clothes. My wife foolishly believed the other woman." McGreer rolled his eyes.