Page 79 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“I keep telling her he should bunk with the farmhands. Teach him how the other half lives,” Ezra grumbled. “Dakota is too soft. If he spent more time with Jax, that would harden him up.”

“I don’t want him hard,” Mona snapped. “And Jax is the last person I want influencing my son.”

I had to agree with her. If I had a kid, I wouldn’t want Jax to be his role model. “Where is Dakota?”

Mona met my gaze. “In his room. Leo is keeping him company because he was nervous.”

Giving a disgusted snort, Ezra said, “Of course he’s nervous. He has no spine. He’s like a scared little girl. That’s what happens when a boy just hangs around with women all day long.”

“Ezra,” Mona said through gritted teeth. “I’ve had it up to my ears with you today. Go to bed.”

He gave a fake smile. “With pleasure, my dear.” He stomped toward the stairs, his jaw tight.

Once he’d disappeared up the steps, Mona gave a strained laugh. “I’m afraid my husband isn’t always as charming as I’d like.”

“It’s stressful times,” Hermina said. “None of us are ourselves.”

“Yes. That must be it.” Mona grimaced and then turned to Royce. “It just occurred to me, Royce. I have the attic room all made up. There’s a window, but it’s so tiny I don’t think even Mary Puppins could fit through it. You could keep Gianna there overnight.”

“Mona, you’re on their side about holding meprisoner?” Gianna’s lower lip trembled.

Cringing, Mona said, “Gianna, I have to do what Royce wants. He’s in charge right now. These are extenuating circumstances. And the attic is lovely. You’ll be very comfortable up there, I promise.”

“Are you going to bring me bread and water for my meals?” Gianna wiped at her eyes. “I… I can’t believe this is what my Christmas holiday has become.”

“None of us are having a good time,” Hermina said. “We’re all just making the best of a horrible situation.”

“At least you’re not being shoved off into the attic like old Halloween decorations,” muttered Gianna.

“I simply need somewhere to keep you where you’ll be safe,” Royce addressed Gianna. “I need to sleep, and after that little stunt you pulled earlier, I don’t feel I can trust you not to try and make a run for it.”

I frowned. “Hey, who’s rooming with Richard?”

Mona shook her head. “I suggested he stay with Leo and Jameson, and he flat out refused. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

Royce tilted his head, looking annoyed. “Are you serious? He insisted on staying alone in his cabin?”

“Yep. Told me to mind my own business. Said I could tell you that you’re not the boss of him.” Mona shook her head. “He must have a screw loose.”

“He’s obviously not worried about being murdered.” I chuffed. “Is that because he’s the murderer?”

“I wouldn’t want to be alone right now.” Hermina shivered. “Someone killed Santiago. That’s a fact.”

Maybe Richard didn’t want a roommate because he wanted to be left alone to use his drugs. Drug addiction wasn’t my area of expertise, but I agreed with Royce that Richard exhibited signs of someone who used drugs. He often seemed checked out. There was always a sheen of sweat on his face, and he had big mood swings.

“I say we take Gianna up to her room and call it a night.” Royce looked exhausted. His hair was slicked to his head after chasing Gianna out into the rain, and there were lines under his eyes. “Mona, if you don’t mind, first thing after breakfast, I’d like to interview you and Ezra?”

“That sounds just fine, Royce.” Mona gave him a warm smile. “I hope you get some sleep. You look beat.”

“I am beat.” He glanced at Gianna. “Mona, do you think we could get some dry clothes for her. She can’t sleep like that.”

“Of course. We can clean her up in the bathroom upstairs.”

I pointed at Gianna. “We should take her coat. Put it somewhere so it can be tested later by experts.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” Royce gestured toward Gianna. “Do you mind taking off your coat?”

Gianna sighed, slipping out of the wet garment. It fell on the floor with a soggy thud. She shivered, hugging herself with her teeth chattering.