Page 54 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Gee, thanks,” she mumbled.

Lucas sniggered.

Why, Max? Why?

I cleared my throat. “Uh, Max makes a good point.”

“No he doesn’t.” Amelia glared at me.

Ignoring her dirty look, I said, “Before I interview anyone, I need to secure the crime scene.” I turned to Mona. “I need a chain and padlock if you have one.”

“Of course.” Mona glanced toward Leo. “Would you get that for Royce, please?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Leo nodded. “Now?”

“Sooner the better. I’ll come with you.” I met Elle’s gaze. “Do you think you could grab me a few bags?” The conditions for gathering forensic evidence were awful, but I figured it would be best if I grabbed the murder weapon and at least tried to preserve it. There might be prints or DNA that could be found later.

“You mean Ziploc bags?”

“Could I maybe have some of those and paper, if you have them?” Wet evidence, like the bloody knife, was best preserved in paper, and dry evidence, like the phone parts, in plastic.

“Wait here,” Elle said and she hurried off.

I turned back to the group. “I’d like everyone to stay here instead of returning to your cabins. When I get back, I’ll begin the interviews.”

Max came over to me. “Should I come with you or keep an eye on this group?”

I frowned. “How about you stay and make sure no one leaves?”

“Sure.”

Girdy hovered a few feet away. “Shall I help Max?”

“That would be great, Girdy.” I sighed. “There are a lot of people and a lot of exits.”

“Happy to help.” She smiled at Max.

Max looked relieved. “Thanks, Girdy.”

Elle returned with the bags. “Here you go, Royce. If you need anything else, just ask.”

“I will.” I moved to Leo. “Shall we go?”

“Yep.”

We bundled up and headed out into the storm. The rain and wind seemed lighter at the moment, although I worried that would change any second. Leo didn’t try to talk; he simply kept his head down and led the way to one of the equipment sheds. As we passed the reindeer barn, a chill went through me. Someone had brutally murdered Santiago in that very building, and for all I knew, that person was Leo.

Leo unlocked one of the sheds, and he went inside. It took him a few minutes, but eventually he returned with a chain and a padlock. “You keep the key,” he said gruffly, handing over a small brass key. “I don’t want the responsibility.”

“No problem.” We headed back to the reindeer shed.

Leo hesitated, as if he didn’t want to go inside. “Do you need my help in there?”

“Nah.” I shook my head. “The fewer people who trample the scene, the better.”

“Okay.” He looked relieved.

“I’ll just be a minute.” I sucked in a steadying breath, ignored the shiver that ran down my spine, and slipped inside the small building. Thanks to the low temperatures and the short time since death, the body didn’t really smell yet. There was a faint blood-and-urine scent, along with a strange musty smell, but nothing like it would be in about twenty-four hours.