Page 77 of It's a Wonderful Knife

Royce and I ran back inside, where we grabbed our coats and flashlights. Then we flew down the steps in pursuit of Gianna. I couldn’t believe the crazy woman had made a run for it. Why? What secret did she have that made fleeing into a violent storm her best option?

“Gianna,” Royce yelled, shining the flashlight in the direction she’d run. The yellow beam lit the soggy ground and the sheets of rain falling from the dark sky. He raced down the road, swearing under his breath.

As I followed Royce, I was trying to wrap my head around the concept of Gianna being Santiago’s murderer. It seemed too insane to believe. She’d seen so enamored of him, the thought of her plunging a knife in his chest felt off. But, if she wasn’t guilty, why was she escaping into the night like a crazy person?

Royce was ahead of me, and I did my best to keep up with him. He was in better physical shape than me, and he was a fast runner. The rain stung my face as I followed him, wishing we’d never come on this stupid trip.

“There,” Royce rasped, pointing toward movement up ahead. “She’s up there.”

I cupped my mouth and shouted, “Gianna, get back here!”

Naturally, she ignored me. Instead, she made a sharp turn into the thick pine trees that lined the road. Cursing, I followed Royce into the trees after her. The branches whipped my cheeks, even though I held up my hands to shield my face. “Where in the hell is she going?” I yelled angrily.

Royce didn’t answer. His breaths were loud and ragged as he continued following her through the trees.

I hoped Gianna wasn’t stupid enough to try and cross the river. It wasn’t that close to the house, but as fast as she was running, she might eventually get there. If she did try to cross, she’d drown for sure. My biggest fear was Royce would drown trying to rescue her.

Gianna let out a shriek, and when we burst into a small clearing, she was lying facedown, sobbing. It seemed she’d tripped over a fallen tree. Royce knelt down beside her, looking furious.

“What the hell are you doing, Gianna?” he rasped, rain dribbling down his flushed face.

“I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it.” Her thin shoulders were racked with sobs, and she made no attempt to stand.

I was still breathing like I’d run a marathon, but I managed to say, “Then why did you run?”

“Because you’ll think I did it.” She managed to sit up, still sobbing. She gritted her teeth, and with her muddy face, it made her look like a scary, wild animal.

“If you’re innocent, why would we think you did it?” Royce demanded, fixing the light on her face.

She glanced down at her mud-smeared front. “Because I have Santiago’s blood on my coat.”

“What?” I widened my eyes. “Why?”

She hung her head. Her long red hair was matted over her shoulders. “I found Santiago’s body.” She blew out a shaky breath. “Before you did, Sheriff. I… I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d think I killed him.”

“Jesus, Gianna.” Royce looked and sounded furious. “Don’t you realize when forensics are eventually done, it’s possible we’ll find traces of your DNA on Santiago’s body? If you were close enough to get his blood on your coat, then you could easily have shed hairs or left fingerprints. You should have been honest with me.”

She wiped her face, looking miserable. “I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Lying and running are what make me doubt you.” Royce held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get back to the house. It’s freezing out here.”

She grabbed his hand and let him pull her to her feet. “I’m too embarrassed to go back there.”

“Too bad,” growled Royce. “Get moving.”

She did as he asked, heading back through the trees the way we’d come. I was shivering as I watched them up ahead of me. I wasn’t sure I believed her story. It sure was convenient to have a reason for Santiago’s blood to be on her coat.

“Did you take the knife too?” I asked.

Glancing back at me over her shoulder, she frowned. “Did I take the knife?”

Royce scowled at me. “Max, we don’t need to share every detail.”

“Sorry.” I winced.

“I’m not sure what you mean. When I found Santiago, I… I didn’t touch the knife.” Gianna wiped at her muddy face. “I checked to see if… he was breathing.” She shook her head. “He wasn’t. So… I panicked and ran.”

Seems to be her MO.