Page 102 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Yes. I know you said the authorities should be here by morning.” She continued to eyeball the man. “I suppose it’s hard to feel charitable to a man who held my son at knifepoint.”

“I understand that.” Royce nodded.

Mona sighed. “But it’s probably the best way to keep him and us safe. I’ll go help Madison strip the room.”

“Thanks, Mona.” Royce smiled.

“Of course.” She turned and headed toward a group of people who were moving into the main house.

It took an hour or so for Mona to prepare the room upstairs. While we waited, Chloe brought the man some bread and hot soup. He ate the food hungrily, mumbling to himself the whole time.

Once the prisoner had been fed, Royce and I took him upstairs to the attic. Once inside the room, the guy sat on the bed, running his calloused hands over the silky comforter. His eyes were hooded, and he looked half-asleep. I wondered how long it had been since he’d slept in a real bed. Mona might have to burn the sheets after he slept in them. Odds were he had lice and other lovely varmints living on his body.

Leo had volunteered to sit outside the room to make sure the guy didn’t break out, and Royce took him up on his offer. We went downstairs and found everyone sitting in the living room, talking about what had happened.

“Elle made supper,” Mona said. “She figured everyone could use a good meal after a horrible day like today.”

“I hope you won’t be offended if I just go shower and hit the hay?” Royce asked, grimacing. “I’m beat, and tomorrow will be a long, trying day.”

“Of course I don’t mind. You do what you feel you need to.” Mona smiled warmly. “Truth be told, if I wasn’t the hostess, I’d probably sneak off and go sleep too.”

Royce gave a tired yet grateful smile. “Thanks, Mona.”

“I’m not hungry either,” I said. I truly wasn’t. All I could think about was sleep and possible rescue the next day. I’d had it up to my eyeballs with Giggly Elves Farm.

Royce met my gaze. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“I could make you boys a plate of something, and you could eat it in your cabin?” Mona raised her brows. “It’s no trouble.”

Royce shook his head. “I don’t think I’d be able to stay awake long enough to eat anything.”

“Me neither.” I wouldn’t have minded a glass of whiskey, but I was too tired to say so. Best to just go back to the cabin and get some sleep.

Mona gave a sympathetic smile. “I understand. I’m sure you boys haven’t had much rest. Maybe now that we’ve caught Santiago’s killer, you’ll actually be able to sleep.”

Royce just grunted. While everyone else on the farm seemed convinced the homeless man had stabbed Santiago, I knew Royce was waiting for forensic evidence before he made up his mind.

When we got to our cabin, we showered together. There was no fooling around though. Neither one of us had the energy to do anything more than soap up, rinse off, and towel down. Once we got in the warm, soft bed, I rested my head on his chest, and he put his arm around me.

I assumed he’d fall asleep immediately, but he didn’t. After a few moments, he said softly, “Jax said he found Richard’s coat by the river.”

“Do you think he drowned? Is that why he never came back to the farmhouse?”

“I don’t know. I just know he never returned.”

“If he doesn’t turn up, will they drag the river to see if he’s… in there?”

“They might.”

“If he didn’t drown, where would he have gone? How far could he get dragging that suitcase?”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way?”

“I guess.” I hesitated. “Do you think the homeless guy killed Santiago?” I asked softly.

Royce didn’t respond right away. In fact, he took so long to answer, I thought he really had fallen asleep this time. But then he said in an uneasy voice, “The knife wasn’t the same.”