Page 50 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Now, Mona, come on.” I frowned. “Nobody is getting murdered in their beds.”

I hope.

“We should get back out front with everyone.” I moved to the door, feeling sick about not being able to call for help.

Mona gave a worried look toward the empty safe. “I can’t bear to think one of our own would do this to us.”

“You don’t know they did. Let’s not jump to conclusions,” I said.

When we returned to the others, we found Amelia sitting at the table with a bandage on her head. Elle was talking to her, as was Girdy.

I met Max’s gaze and moved over to him. “She okay?” I asked.

“Yes. She has a bump on her head, but I’ll keep an eye on her. Her pupils were responsive, so I don’t think she’s concussed.” He looked tired and worried. “Did you get through to the local cops?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“What?” His voice was sharp. “But… I thought Mona had a phone we could use.”

“Line was cut. Internet too.”

“Jesus,” he whispered.

“That’s not all.” I sighed. “The crushed phones in the reindeer barnwerethe guests’ phones.”

“Shit.” He frowned. “Okay, but there will be other phones. I don’t believe the killer got all the phones, right? That would be impossible.”

“No. Mona had a cell, and I’m sure most of the workers do too.” I pressed my lips tight, then said, “Problem is there’s no cell service. A main tower must be down.”

“So… what you’re saying is… we have no way of contacting the outside world?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Jesus.” He closed his eyes, and the blood seemed to leave his face.

“Hey, Max?” I asked gruffly, grabbing hold of his arm. “Don’t pass out, Max. I need you.”

He opened his eyes and focused on my face. “I’m good.”

“It’s going to be okay.”

He let out a shaky breath. “Is it?”

“Yes.”

“We’re completely cut off, and there’s a killer on the grounds.” He swallowed hard. “How are we going to be okay?”

“Because we’re going to stay calm and use our heads.” I kept my voice steady, and he seemed to respond.

“Okay.” He gave a quick nod. “It’s just a matter of time before they fix that tower, right?”

“Absolutely.” I glanced around at the uneasy-looking group of people. “I need someone I can trust a hundred percent, and that’s you, Max.”

“Yes. I… I of course will do what I can to help.” He grimaced. “Not that I know how to solve a murder.”

“I don’t need you to solve it, but I’ll need your help interviewing some of these people. You can be a witness to what they say.” I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to think who I should talk to first.

“You… you can count on me.”