At the sound of the older woman's sobs, Madison moved her gaze to the lady.

"Please, Officer," the woman begged as she leaned forward on the desk, "I know someone has stolen my husband's prized Labrador. Tobias is the best there is."

"Uh...Tobias?" The officer tilted his head and narrowed his gaze on the older woman. "Is that your husband or your dog?"

The old woman huffed. "That's my dog, of course."

Madison held back a grin.

"Well, you see, Mrs. Inman," the man strummed his beefy fingers on the desk. The lack of sympathy in his tone let Madison know he didn't plan on doing anything to help the woman. "We are Metropolitan Police Officers. We don't help with missing dogs cases."

"But don't you see?" The woman twisted the rope in her hands. "I think someone has kidnapped him, and...what if they want a ransom? Tobias is worth a lot of money."

"I see," the policeman said. His oversized chin shook when he spoke. "Have you received a ransom note?"

"Well...no."

Madison placed her hand over her mouth to keep from smiling for the woman's concern for her prized Labrador. She'd never understand why some people treated their dogs better than their own children.

"You must understand, Inspector," Mrs. Inman held up the leash, "I don't usually have Tobias on a rope, but this morning, he seemed jumpy, so I tied him up so I could travel into town to visit my grandchildren. When I returned, Tobias was gone."

Madison studied the leash. She wasn't very far from the old woman, making it easy to glance over the object. Immediately, she noticed something that, obviously, the other woman had overlooked. Should Madison say something? Yet, she had always helped people who were in need any way she could.

She stood and cleared her throat. "Excuse me for interrupting," she stepped beside the older woman, "but I think I might know what happened to your dog."

The officer lifted a skeptical eye to her. "Miss Haywood." Irritation laced his voice. "I have this handled, but I thank you for trying to assist."

Madison shrugged. "Yes, I can clearly see you have this handled. However, I just thought I'd reassure this woman that her dog wasn't stolen." She turned to move back to her chair, but the old woman touched Madison's arm. She met the woman's gaze.

"What do you know about Tobias?" the lady asked in a shaky voice.

Madison didn't wait to get permission from the officer and instead pointed at the leash. "Do you see where your dog has chewed the rope? I suspect your dog freed himself from the leash."

The woman sucked in a breath as her hand flew to her throat. "Oh, my. I didn't even realize it had been chewed."

"I'm certain your dog didn't go very far," Madison assured her as she reached out to place her fingers on the rope. The moment her skin made contact, a scene flashed in her head. The Labrador was someplace dark and damp...and enclosed. The light brown fur of the animal had turned nearly black from mud, and clumps of twigs matted in the animal's fur. The dog's paws were wet, and Tobias shivered when he whined.

"Mrs. Inman?" Madison asked the old woman. "Do you know if there is a canal near your home?"

The woman's face paled. "Y-yes, there is. Why do you ask?"

"I believe that's where you can find your dog. He's trapped in the canal."

"How...how do you know?" she asked warily.

The officer snorted and flipped a beefy hand in the air. "Miss Haywood thinks she has visions."

"Indeed?" The woman's eyes widened even more if that were possible. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"Well, Ma'am, I've been having visions since I was a young girl." Madison folded her arms. "When I touched the dog's rope, I saw him inside a dark, damp hole like a canal." She released a deep breath. "If you like, I shall go with you to find him."

Gratitude danced in the woman's brown eyes. "Oh, yes—"

"That won't be necessary," the officer cut in. "I'll have one of the officers assist Mrs. Inman."

Madison held up her hands in surrender. "You will? I thought you just told Mrs. Inman that Metropolitan Police—"

"I know what I told her," the officer snapped. The man moved his gaze to the men standing by the other wall, and he motioned for one to come over. "Escort Mrs. Inman back to her home and then search the canal for her dog."

"Uh...her dog, sir?" the other officer asked.

"You heard me." He pointed to the older woman. "Get on it immediately."

"Of course, sir." The officer assisted the older woman out of her chair.

Mrs. Inman smiled at Madison. "Thank you so much. You're a Godsend."

Grinning, Madison walked back to her chair and sat. She couldn't count how many people she had helped over the years. But in all of those times, she'd only been wrong twice. She enjoyed seeing the smiles of gratitude on their faces. Their joy brought happiness to Madison, making it easier to dismiss people like Mr. Clarkston and his pretentious son.

She sighed and traced her gloved finger along a white stripe on her dress. Stillness had settled over the room, but she didn't look up this time. Knowing she'd helped that old lady made her content.

At least for now.

Within minutes, the floor creaked nearby Madison, accompanied by the rustling of a woman's dress. She lifted her attention. Standing right in front of her was the woman who'd been crying.

"I would like to hire you," she said softly. "I couldn't help but overhear what you did with Mrs. Inman." She pointed toward the door. "And I need your special type of help." She sat on the empty chair beside Madison. "I have the funds to pay, I assure you."

Shock washed over Madison. This certainly had never happened before. "What...do you need me to do?"

"My younger sister has been missing for two days. My brother is an officer with the Metropolitan Police, as was our father before him, God rest his soul. My brother is at his wit's end trying to find our dear Rosie, but I fear that he will sink into the same melancholy as our father had when he died five years ago."

Madison's chest tightened. How could she turn the girl down now? And yet, she really didn't want to. Something inside of her leapt at the chance to show another officer with Metropolitan Police just what she could do. Men like Harry Clarkston needed to be brought down a notch or two.

"Does your brother have some of the investigators in this office helping him?"

Tears coated the woman's eyes again, and her bottom lip trembled. "No. He wants to handle the situation himself—to keep it in the family." She dabbed the tip of her finger to the corner of an eye.

Something wasn't right about all of this. Why wouldn't the brother ask the men he worked with for assistance? Why would the man want to keep it in the family? Very odd...

"Do you live here in London?" Madison asked, hoping she didn't have to travel far.

The girl shook her head. "We live in Ilford."

The name of the town struck her like frigid water being dumped over her head. It nearly froze her body and her mind. She couldn't go there! Her parents had died in that horrid town when she was just a child. For years afterward, her uncle's and aunt's nightmarish-type stories about her parents' death—and how the town was to blame—had brought fear to her as if the same fate would come upon her if she returned.

No. She couldn't go there, not even to help find a missing person. Taking a deep breath, Madison prepared to give the woman a plausible excuse why she couldn't help. But as she opened her mouth, the woman grasped Madison's hands tightly. Her green eyes pleaded with desperation.

"Please, Miss. You are our only hope. If you cannot help us, I fear my sister will die." A tear leaked out of her red, puffy eyes to travel down her moist cheek. "She's only just turned sixteen. She's too young to die."

Silently, Madison groaned. She must turn away the request. Although she'd vowed to help anyone she could...this just couldn't be done. Not when she was too frightened to step foot inside the town.

Once again, she opened her mouth to refuse, but a memory intruded. She had assisted a dying man in reuniting him with his children. So grateful for what Madison had done, he made her promise on his deathbed that she would never hide her gift. His words echoed in her head, God has given you this talent, which means you must share it with others. If you don't, what is the use of having a gift from the Lord?

Her heart sank. Returning to Ilford would certainly be an unbearable obstacle, but it was one she would have to face, nonetheless. Hadn't she been able to accept her visions even though she'd been ridiculed and tormented? So, if she could hurdle that obstacle, she could get through anything!

Putting on her best smile, she nodded. "I hope I don't disappoint. I shall try to find your sister."

Relief poured over the woman's expression, and more tears streamed down her face. "Oh, thank you, Miss Haywood." Sniffing, she wiped her cheeks. "My name is Alice Westland."

"It's nice to meet you." Madison breathed slower, hoping it could calm her racing heart. "So, are you waiting for your brother?"

Alice shook her head. "He doesn't know I have come. When I arrived, he was out on a case."

The door to the office swung open so fast, it smacked the wall. Madison jumped and jerked her gaze in that direction. A gush of wind blew in leaves and debris, followed by two men wearing the official uniform of Metropolitan Police officers. One man looked like most of the other men she'd seen in this building, but the man in the rear was completely opposite. Taller than the others, he strolled inside as his heavy boot-steps rattled the floor. Neither man wore a pleasant expression.

Standing beside Madison, Miss Westland sucked in a quick breath and muttered, he's here. Madison took a quick peek at the woman, who now watched the tall man with wide eyes. This man couldn't possibly be the older brother, could he? He was so large, and Alice was so petite.

He was an impressive sight, not only in height but with his looks. The powerful shoulders filling out his uniform were almost as eye-catching as his handsome face. He removed his tall hat with the Metropolitan Police badge pinned on the front, and his brownish-blonde hair with the slight wave to the fullness shook as he walked.

When the man's gaze landed on Alice, his brow furrowed. His eyes blazed a brilliant green. His footsteps struck the wooden floor harder as he headed toward them.

"Alice Louise Westland? What are you doing here?" The man's deep voice boomed through the room like a cannon blast.

He stopped in front of them, and Madison nearly lost her breath. Whether it was from his overpowering presence or his good looks, she wasn't certain. He glanced her way briefly before turning his attention to his sister. His scowl would make anyone hold their tongue for fear of being reprimanded.

"I...I was waiting for you to return," Alice spoke softly.

His chest rose and fell slowly. His body relaxed as he folded his arms. "I told you not to come here. I never know from day to day when I'll actually be at the office."

Thankfully, his tone had mellowed a little. But he continued to glare at his sister.

"I recall you saying that but...I can't sit at home and do nothing. I want to help find Rosie."

"Lower your voice." His jaw hardened. "There's nothing you can do," he clipped. "As I told you before, you need to let me handle this matter."

"Perhaps, I won't be able to do anything, but," Alice turned and clasped Madison's hand, "I truly believe she is the answer to our prayers."

Finally, Madison received the man's full attention. His gaze skimmed over her from the ringlets hanging over her shoulders to her gingham dress and finally to her brown leather boots. When his gaze jumped up to meet her eyes, he arched an eyebrow.

"Indeed?" he said with a hint of sarcasm to his voice. "You believe a woman is the answer to our prayers?" He shook his head. "I think not, sister dear."

Irritation boiled inside of Madison like water in a kettle hanging over a blazing fire. How dare he insult her merely because she was a woman! If she hadn't already decided to assist Alice, this man's attitude would have made the decision for her. She'd always been a little stubborn, and this man made it easier for Madison to show her true colors.

Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin and looked at Alice. "Miss Westland? When do you wish me to start?"

She sneaked a peek at Alice's brother. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. Priceless. It was worth every second, even if she feared she'd be arguing up a storm with this particular man.