Page 68 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Do you think people should be punished when they don’t do things the way you think they should?” Max asked.

Screwing up his face, Jameson rasped, “I’d never personally punish anyone for doing bad stuff, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“But you don’t mind when someone else does it for you?” Max said.

I knew Max was trying to get under Jameson’s skin. He probably wanted the other man to let something slip. But while Jameson had an innocent air about him, he wasn’t actually a kid. If I’d had to guess his age, I’d land somewhere in the early forties. The lines around his eyes betrayed his youthful demeanor.

As expected, Jameson kept his cool. “I’m not okay with what happened to Santiago. While I think he lived his life in a way that made his homicide unsurprising, I don’t think murder is ever acceptable.”

I was glad to hear his take on things. Jameson was likable. I really hoped he wasn’t the killer. “Okay.” I nodded. “I appreciate your candor.”

Jameson lifted one shoulder. “I don’t mind talking to you. I just feel a little embarrassed that everyone in the world knows I like Gianna.”

“Not everyone,” said Max. “I’m pretty sure Gianna doesn’t have a clue.”

“Good.” Jameson sighed. “I prefer it that way.”

“What do you think of Jax?” I asked.

“Oh, well, he’s fun to work with. Very helpful.” He cleared his throat. “He’s got a temper on him though. I annoy him because I talk too much around the guests. I’m careful as possible not to piss him off too much.”

“Have you ever noticed any friction between him and Leo?”

Jameson winced. “Yeah. They rub each other the wrong way.”

“Why’s that, do you suppose?”

“Leo is fiercely protective of Mona and the farm. Jax sometimes has a cavalier attitude about things, and that bugs Leo.”

“I see.” I had to agree with his summation of Jax and Leo. “Did you leave the house when the rain stopped earlier?”

“Yeah. Nearly everyone did. I was getting cabin fever.”

“What do you think of your employers?” I asked. “Do you like working here?”

“I love working here. Mona is wonderful, and Dakota is a great kid.”

It wasn’t lost on me he omitted Ezra. “So you plan on staying on?”

“If they’ll have me, I’ll stay for sure.” He smiled. “It’s hard work, but I like it. Suits me fine.”

I smiled and stood. “I appreciate your talking with us, Jameson. You can go for now.”

He looked happy about that. “Really?”

“Yep.”

“Woo wee.” He rose, slapping his thighs. “I was afraid I was going to be grilled a lot longer than that.”

“I have a lot of people to talk to. I might need to bring you in again if something crops up.”

“I understand.” He moved to the door.

I asked, “Would you mind sending Jax in next?”

“Sure thing, Sheriff.” He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

“What do you think?” Max asked.