Page 78 of It's a Wonderful Knife

Had she purposely run out into the rain just now to tamper with the blood evidence on her clothing? Before she’d fallen face-first into the muck, Imighthave been able to tell if the blood on her coat was consistent with her story. For example, if she’d simply leaned over Santiago to see if he was breathing, the blood pattern on her clothing would probably be different than if she’d violently stabbed Santiago. Had confusing us been her plan all along?

As we neared the house, I thought I saw someone moving over by the big oak tree with the swing. I swung my flashlight in that direction, but there wasn’t anyone there. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, but I did my best to shake those silly feelings off. The danger we faced here at Giggly Elves Farm wasn’t otherworldly. The killer was human.

I glanced at Gianna as we walked up the steps to the porch. She looked downtrodden and harmless. Maybe that was what made her dangerous though. Had she taken Santiago completely by surprise and stabbed a knife into his chest? Or was she telling the truth when she said she’d simply found his body?

When we entered the house, Mona gasped at the sight of Gianna covered in mud. “What is the world is going on?” She moved forward, looking mortified.

Gianna started crying again. “I swear I didn’t do it.”

“Do what, honey?” Mona looked like she wanted to hug Gianna but was leery to get covered in mud.

“I found him. But I didn’t kill him.” Gianna hiccupped. “He was a wonderful person.”

Hermina still sat on the couch, her eyes as big as saucers. She held Mary Puppins against her chest. “Is Gianna still rooming with me?”

I met Royce’s frustrated gaze. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said.

He was probably afraid if he didn’t keep an eye on Gianna, she’d take off again. Plus, if she was Santiago’s murderer, it wouldn’t be very nice to make poor Hermina her roommate. For all we knew, Gianna was a bloodthirsty psychopath.

“But… I thought we weren’t supposed to be alone,” Hermina said softly.

Mona studied Royce’s tense face. “Am I to understand Gianna is a… person of interest?”

He glanced at Mona and grimaced. “For now.”

“I don’t suppose you have a cabin with no windows?” I asked gruffly. What were we supposed to do with Gianna? We couldn’t trust she wouldn’t run away, but we also couldn’t watch her twenty-four seven and still question witnesses.

“No.” Mona wrinkled her brow. “All the cabins have windows. It wouldn’t be much of a selling point to come here to stay in a cabin where you couldn’t see the view.”

Ezra grunted. “We could put her in the cellar.”

“The cellar?” Gianna looked horrified. “But I haven’t done anything wrong. You can’t put me down with the rats.”

A muscle worked in Royce’s cheek. “We’re not putting anyone down in the cellar. Calm down.”

“Nobody answered me… am I going to be alone with a killer on the loose?” Hermina sounded borderline hysterical.

“No, love.” Mona smiled at her. “How about you room with me? Ezra can bunk with Dakota, so neither of them is alone.”

Obvious relief washed over Hermina’s face. “Oh, thank you, Mona.”

“Of course. We need to keep you safe.”

“This isn’t fair. I didn’tdoanything. Why are you treating me like a criminal, Sheriff? I don’t understand,” Gianna wailed.

“If you hadn’t run, you’d probably be in bed right now in Hermina’s cabin.” I sighed.

Hermina looked a bit freaked-out at that thought, but she didn’t say anything.

Ezra scowled. “Why do I have to move rooms? I don’t want to stay with Dakota.”

“You want our son to be all by himself with a killer running around?” Mona narrowed her eyes.

“No, but…” Ezra rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll room with Dakota.”

I frowned. “Where does Dakota usually sleep?”

“Upstairs here in the main house.” Mona sighed.