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.
"But we have a witness that can collaborate Langston indeed asked for the uniform. That should give us even more reason to arrest him!" Cameron breathed easier. Things were panning out nicely for him to solve this case. "Captain? The reason I came was to tell you of my suspicions about Mr. Langston. I know you had reason to believe I was a suspect, but you were wrong. I believe Langston had been in Mr. Bailey's cell, and I might have the proof we need to locate the murder weapon."
The older man's eyes grew more alert as they locked to Cameron's. "Tell me what you know."
"I had gone to Mr. Bailey's estate and found his relatives there. Heath Langston and Gaynor Brailsford are cousins of the deceased. While there, I had a hunch that they were not being honest." He took a deep breath, preparing to explain things a little further. I must do this! If not for Madison, for his own self-worth. He swallowed hard. "I was also there with Miss Haywood. I had...umm, asked her to assist me with finding my sister."
"Your sister?" Orwood questioned as his forehead creased with wrinkles. "What has she got to do with any of this?"
"Well, you see, sir, my younger sister had gone missing. I didn't want to get the police involved, mainly because Rosie has pulled stunts like this before. Thankfully, she had only gone to seek solace with our aunt in Stratford. Nevertheless, before we found her at my aunt's," Cameron hastened before more questions were asked, "Miss Haywood felt as though Langston or Brailsford knew the whereabouts of my sister."
Orwood cocked his head. "And pray, what did our dear Miss Haywood find?"
Cameron bunched his hands into fists by his side. Already he knew the captain's opinion of Madison's gift. But Cameron must not back down. He must continue...and be strong in his conviction.
"Sir, Miss Haywood was correct in assuming something was amiss. The next evening, I had decided to spy on the house. I felt as though my sister was being held hostage there since she had recently been acquainted with Mr. Bailey, and his cousin, Gaynor. On impulse, I decided to check out the house, and what I found ties in with Mr. Bailey's murder."
Thankfully, Cameron had gained the interest of the captain, who leaned forward on his desk as though he was anxious to hear more. With any luck, he wasn't on the captain's suspects list any longer. "A man's cane with a silver wolf's head as the handle was found in the study. When Miss Haywood touched it, she had a vison of someone hitting the cane over Mr. Bailey's head, killing him."
Orwood's expression changed as a smirk crossed his brow. Inwardly, Cameron seethed. He knew this would happen. Standing beside him, even McGreer snickered.
"You say that Miss Haywood saw it happen...even though Bailey has been dead for almost a week?" McGreer shook his head. "Westland, I'm completely astonished. I cannot imagine, you of all people, believing in such rubbish."
Cameron tried not to let his temper take over. He must stay calm. "Captain," he said, trying to ignore McGreer's insult, "by chance, when you had those officers clean the room, did they find anything odd lying on the floor?"
The captain's gaze narrowed. "What do you mean by odd?"
"Like a chipped silver piece of the cane. I was able to get a good look at the cane, and the top of the wolf's head was chipped off. If we can find that piece and match it to the cane, I believe we have found our murder weapon."
Slowly, Orwood's features changed as if he'd been enlightened. He pushed away and stood before moving to the cabinet in the corner near the window. From within the drawer, he pulled out a small box. He set the box on the desk and pointed to it.
"That's everything recovered from Bailey's cell."
Cameron moved closer until he could look inside the container. McGreer hobbled closer to the desk, as well. One by one, Cameron took out the items—a comb, broken shoelace, two shillings, torn black cloth, and...
Holding his breath, Cameron picked up the silver piece of steel. His heart hammered crazily against his ribs. This was the missing piece of the cane.
He lifted his hand, bringing the chipped piece into the sunlight streaming from the window. The other two men also eyed the item between Cameron's finger and thumb.
"Gentlemen," he said with authority, "it's time to visit Heath Langston and have us take a look at his cane. Don't you agree?"
Captain Orwood nodded. "Indeed, I do. But Westland, do you know for certain that the cane belongs to Langston?"
"No, sir. However, I have heard from another witness that Langston has a violent temper. I have a strong feeling that if we speak to Langston, we will find our murderer."
"There is no time like the present. Gentlemen, let us go to Mr. Bailey's residence without delay."
Slowly, Cameron released a pent-up breath. Proudly, he smiled at the captain. "And if this is the missing piece from the cane, that proves right there that Miss Haywood can truly see visions."
The captain shrugged. "Either that or she's just very fortunate—"
"No," Cameron cut him off. "Miss Haywood does have visions. She helped me find my sister."
"At your aunt's?" McGreer asked hesitantly.
"Of course." Cameron hated lying, but Rosie's scandal was not the one he wanted the family to suffer through this time.
"Then lead the way, my good man." McGreer motioned toward the door.
Cameron arched his eyebrow. "You are going with us?"
"As long as the captain allows it. After all, it was my uniform he'd stolen. If I go with you, we'll be able to see if he is my size."
"Good thinking, McGreer." Captain Orwood said as he grabbed his hat off the hook and pulled it on his head. He aimed his gaze at Cameron. "I'm very relieved that you have been following up on this case. I'd worried that you were somehow involved with Mr. Bailey's death."
Nodding, Cameron frowned. "Forgive me, Captain. I had wrongly imprisoned Bailey because I thought the man knew where my sister was. I thought by locking him away would help loosen his lips. I feel badly about the way everything happened, and I assure you, it will never happen again."
Captain Orwood slapped a hand on Cameron's shoulder. "You have always been a good officer, Westland. I'm glad you proved me wrong."
Relief flooded Cameron's chest. Finally, his life was back to normal. Well...semi-normal, anyway.
As the three men headed out of the station, Cameron prayed Gaynor would be at Mr. Bailey's residence. He had a few questions to ask that bloke—in private, of course.
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