Cameron Westland wasn't certain he liked the stranger's attitude. Had he not informed his sister that they didn't need her friend? Apparently, he hadn't made it clear enough. "Um, Miss? I don't think you heard me correctly. I don't want you involved in our family matters."

She shrugged and lifted her chin a notch higher, her blue eyes meeting his straight on. "My name is Miss Haywood, and you're not the one who asked me. Your sister hired me, which means I work for her. Not you."

Her willfulness surprised him. He'd heard about Miss Haywood—the one who claimed to have visions. In his opinion, this slip of a woman had no business hiring herself out to solve mysteries.

Cameron narrowed a stern gaze on her, more than a little surprised by her appearance. She hardly fit the mental picture he'd envisioned of an eccentric mad-woman with wild hair and brightly colored robes. Instead, Miss Haywood looked absolutely ordinary. Her long, dark hair and demure day gown seemed far more suited to a London day-room than the Metropolitan Police station. She was perfectly pretty, in fact. Why was this woman peddling tales about visions instead of finding a husband?

He swallowed his annoyance and searched for a suitable retort. He couldn't allow her to win. "Well, I forbid Alice to see you any longer." There! That should do it...

Alice threw him an irate glare. "You cannot dictate to me whom I can or cannot associate with. I'm not a child any longer. I'm in my twenty-third year."

"Regardless of your age, while you still live in my household, I can dictate all I want. And I forbid you to consort with a woman of her kind."

Alice didn't bat an eye. "How, my dear brother, are you going to know what I'm doing all hours of the day when you're off investigating cases all the time?"

He clenched his jaw and fisted his hands. There was no way he could allow the impertinent girl to talk to him like this. He'd been too lax with Rosie, and look where it got him with her. Most likely, her disappearance was due to her running off with a man, which was why Cameron didn't want any outside help finding the wayward chit.

The room had grown quiet, so he glanced around at some of the other officers. Their questionable expressions made him feel as though he couldn't control his own sister. Well, he certainly couldn't have the other men thinking that about him. And he definitely couldn't have them knowing that Rosie was missing.

Lifting his chin stubbornly, he glared at his sister. "Alice, get in the buggy. I'm taking you home. Now! We will not air our grievances in front of others. You should know by now how much that irritates me."

Panic creased lines across his sister's forehead. She shifted her gaze to the woman beside her and quickly leaned in to whisper something in the woman's ear. Anger shot through him, and he feared Alice was telling the woman where they lived. In two large steps, he grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her away from the other lady. When Alice met his stare, a satisfied expression softened her face.

Inwardly, he grumbled. He was too late. But it didn't matter. He wouldn't allow the other woman to be part of their lives. Especially now when their family was being ripped apart. Again. And just as before, it was left up to him to smooth things over. But this time, he doubted his own ability to make everything right.

If his suspicions about Rosie were correct, they had a scandal on their hands. Anger built inside of Cameron, but he tried taming the fire burning inside his gut. He couldn't allow anyone to know about her disappearance.

"Goodbye, Miss Haywood." Alice smiled. "I hope to see you soon."

Miss Haywood nodded. "You shall."

Cameron waited for his sister to leave the office before he swung his attention back to Miss Haywood. Obviously, he couldn't order her about as he'd tried to do his sister because the stubborn woman wouldn't budge. Instead, he must try a different tactic.

"We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Cameron Westland."

She nodded. "I'm Madison Haywood."

He arched an eyebrow. "Madison? That's an odd name for a woman."

"Well, it's what my parents decided to name me. The least I could do would be to use it now that they're dead."

For a moment, his heart softened. They shared the same legacy—living without parents. "I'm sorry for your loss. My parents are also dead."

Her obstinate expression wavered and was replaced with sorrow. "I'm sorry to hear about your loss, as well."

"So, Miss Haywood." He sat beside her. Her blue eyes widened, but she stayed seated. "I hope you understand my dilemma. Being Alice's older brother, I cannot allow her to defy me. I'm sure you understand. This is my way of looking out for her, and I can't have her unruly."

"Yes, I understand."

"Splendid. I'm sorry my sister asked for your help, but I assure you, we don't need it."

"Are you certain about that?" Miss Haywood tilted her head, keeping her pretty eyes on him.

"I'm most certain." He nodded once, but curiosity grew inside of him, getting the better of him. "Has Alice told you about our sister, Rosie?"

"Yes. She said your younger sister is missing."

"She is, but..." He took a deep breath. "Has she told you the whole story?"

Miss Haywood paused and arched an eyebrow. "Your sister told me that Rosie has been missing for two days. Alice is distraught. She's worried about you, too."

Cameron bunched his hands into fists. Why did Alice tell a total stranger about him? But more importantly, Alice didn't tell Miss Haywood the whole story, which was a good thing. "I'm certain my sister exaggerated our situation."

"Tell me, Mr. Westland, is Rosie missing?"

"Will you lower your voice?" He clenched his jaw again, trying to control the anger shooting through him. One way or another, he must keep Rosie's disappearance a family secret.

"Well?" Miss Haywood asked again but in a softer voice.

"Yes."

"And have you run out of places to look for her?"

"Well...yes, but because I work for Metropolitan Police—"

"Then forgive me, Mr. Westland," she folded her gloved hands on her lap, "but I must emphasize that you do need my help."

He couldn't believe the arrogance this woman displayed. What made her so sure that she had the answers? He stifled a laugh, though the situation was far from funny. "Why are you so certain you can help?"

She held her breath and nibbled on her bottom lip. By her narrowed gaze—and because he could read this woman well—he figured she had something else to say. However, he was also stubborn, and there was no way this woman could change his thoughts.

"I will be able to see where Rosie is," she said in almost a whisper. "And I highly doubt you have that particular ability, or else you would have found her by now."

The rumors about her were correct. This woman really thought she had visions. However, she didn't look as crazed as some of the officers had painted her.

Uncomfortable, he stood and crossed his arms, glancing at the few others in the room. A couple of the officers still watched him out of the corner of their eyes.

He licked his suddenly dried lips and sat once more on the chair beside her. "You really think you can see Rosie?" He kept the tone of his voice softer to avoid being overheard.

She shrugged. "Mr. Westland, I'm sure you'll be shocked to know, but I—a woman, no less—have helped many people. In fact, the reason I'm here was that Inspector Johnson summoned me to help find Judge Gruber's grandson."

Impossible! "And...were you able to assist?"

"While I was with Inspector Johnson, I had a vision about a boy in the woods surrounded by fallen trees. The inspector and Mr. Clarkston, and his son, Harry, are following up on the lead. They requested I stay here until their return." She cleared her throat. "And not too long ago, Mrs. Inman was in pleading with that officer over there," she pointed toward Lieutenant Howard Kearns, "because she thought her prized Labrador had been taken. Once I touched the animal's rope, I saw that the dog had been trapped in what looked like a canal."

Miss Haywood spoke so matter-of-factly that Cameron concluded that she was either daft or teasing. But what about the other officers? He glanced around the room again. What were they thinking as he conversed with Miss Haywood? Cameron didn't want to know.

She sighed, and her shoulders relaxed. "Mr. Westland, all I'm asking is to let me try, just once, and if you don't believe me, I'll leave you and your sister alone."

"Just one time?"

"Yes, one time is all I need."

He couldn't understand why he was giving her one chance in the first place, but he was desperate to find Rosie...desperate enough to allow this woman's help. "I'm assuming my sister told you where we live."

A smile graced her lovely face. "Yes, she did."

"If I allow you to assist, you must promise me one thing."

She nodded.

"You cannot tell anyone about Rosie's disappearance. I'm trying to keep this in the family."

"I understand." She nodded again.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Fine. Come to the house tomorrow at eleven o'clock. I'll give you just one chance to prove yourself."

The twinkling in her blue eyes made his heart soften a little more. Curses! He shouldn't allow her to get to him like that.

"Have a good day, Miss Haywood."

"And you, as well."

He stood and strode toward the door, and just as he opened it, Inspector Johnson rushed inside, carrying a little boy. Hitching a breath, Cameron jumped aside to let the inspector, Mr. Clarkston, and his son pass. The boy in the inspector's arms was scratched up and dirty and missing a boot, but at least he was alive.

"Kearns," the inspector snapped at the officer sitting at the nearest desk, "fetch a blanket...and some food for Judge Gruber's grandson."

Happiness danced on Miss Haywood's face as she hurried to the inspector and aided him with the boy. Cameron stood frozen in shock as he watched the inspector gush over Miss Haywood's gift. Even Mr. Clarkston, and his arrogant son, Harry, offered gracious words of thanks.

She moved her gaze to Cameron. Her smile widened, and her blue eyes sparkled. He didn't like the way she silently communicated I told you so.

Did she really have a gift?