Page 86 of It's a Wonderful Knife

Guilt ate at me because I’d almost forgotten about locking Gianna up in the attic room. “Uh, as soon as I finish my breakfast, I’ll go let her out. I’m not trying to punish her. I just needed to keep her from running.”

“Do you suppose the farm has some shackles we could borrow?” Max smirked, spearing a piece of fried egg.

“So then it’s true?” Amelia said. “You’ve arrested Gianna as the murderer?”

I frowned. “Where did you hear that?”

Hermina lifted her hand hesitantly. “Sorry. I… I told her where Gianna is. I was just sharing what happened last night.”

“I don’t see what it matters that you told me.” Amelia sniffed. “I’m just glad the little whore got what she deserves.”

“Oh, dear.” Hermina’s eyes widened.

I pressed my lips together so I didn’t snap at Amelia. “Gianna is not under arrest. I simply needed to keep her from trying to leave the house last night. I needed to be able to sleep.”

Amelia didn’t seem pleased about that. “But we all know she did it.”

“We don’t know anything yet.” I shook my head and grabbed a piece of sourdough toast from the plate in the center of the table. “I’m still questioning people.”

I still have to question you, missy.

Richard came into the room from outside, his expression grumpy. I was annoyed with him for ignoring my warning about being alone. But I had enough on my plate. If he was too darn stupid to know being alone was a bad idea right now, he was on his own.

River waved to me from down the table. “Yoo-hoo, Royce. I hope you got some much-needed rest last night?”

When River spoke, Lucas didn’t look up from his plate of food, although his jaw seemed to tense.

“I did. Thanks for asking.” To be honest, I hadn’t slept well. There were way too many things whirling in my brain. I’d checked Mona’s cell phone at least ten times during the night, hoping the signal bars would be there. They hadn’t been. But if I admitted how stressed-out I was to River, he’d probably try to give me some new age sleeping herb.

“I slept like crap, if anyone cares,” Richard announced, scooping a huge portion of golden hash browns onto his plate.

“Probably because you didn’t have a sleeping buddy,” Hermina said, her expression disapproving.

“No. That wasn’t it. I think I was stressed from being heldcaptive.” Richard glowered at me and shoveled eggs into his mouth.

“I didn’t create this storm.” I laughed gruffly.

“Maybe not, but you’re enjoying this. You like the power you have over us.” Richard’s eyes were dark with malice. “For all we know, that river isn’t dangerous at all. You just want to keep us here at your mercy.”

“What are you going on about?” Girdy said, scowling.

“Oh, never mind. You’re all on his side,” Richard muttered.

“Unless you have a submarine, you wouldn’t be able to cross that river,” Mona said. She was trying to make a joke, but there was an edge to her voice.

“None of the other guests are making such a stink about being stranded here,” grumbled Ezra.

“Maybe they’re not as important as I am.” Richard shrugged and helped himself to some bacon. “I have a real job. I don’t just grow trees for a living.”

“We all have important jobs,” Elle said as she entered the room. She set more eggs on the table and shot Richard an impatient glare. “We’re making the most of a bad situation. Your negativity isnotappreciated.”

Chloe was moving around the table pouring orange juice for the guests. “Mama is right. Negativity just makes things worse. There are far more awful things than being stuck here.”

“Pfft. Maybe for you.” Richard ran his eyes over her body as he spoke, and I felt a twinge of disgust. “I have things to do and people to see. I’m a big deal in my world.”

“I still have no idea why you even came here,” Amelia said. “You’ve practically been a recluse the whole time.”

Examining a piece of bacon, Richard said, “It’s none of your business why I’m here.” He pointed at me with the bacon strip. “That goes for you too, Sheriff. I hope you don’t plan on questioning me anymore because I won’t stand for it. I’ve told you all I’m going to tell you.”