Page 87 of It's a Wonderful Knife

Irritation prickled the back of my neck. “If I need to talk to you again, we’ll talk.”

His gaze flickered. “Or so you think.”

“We might needtwopairs of shackles,” murmured Max.

Lucas’s gaze was assessing. “You’re more agitated than usual this morning, Richard.”

“Of course I’m upset. I don’t like being questioned like a common criminal.” Richard squirmed in his seat. “I have rights.”

“The sheriff is just trying to solve Santiago’s murder.” Amelia’s eyes were cold.

Giving a harsh laugh, Richard gulped down his juice. While he’d loaded his plate with food, he really hadn’t eaten much more than a few bites of egg and a piece of bacon.

“We’re stuck here for now, and that’s just how it is,” Hermina said firmly.

“I can’t just sit here for days on end.” Richard mopped his brow with his napkin and tossed it down onto his plate. “I need to get out of here.” He scraped back his chair and stood.

“Don’t go near the river, Richard,” I warned.

“See.” Richard gave a high-pitched laugh. “He doesn’t want me to go look at the river because then I’ll discover that it isn’t really flooded.”

“You’re wrong. I’m concerned for your safety.”

“Sure ya are,” Richard hissed.

“The bridge is indeed washed out. My boys have strict orders to keep all of the guests away from the river. No point in trying anything.” Mona’s eyes were hard.

Richard scowled. “Just as I suspected. You’re in cahoots.”

Penelope leaned forward, looking bewildered. “Royce is just trying to keep you from drowning. I’m not sure why that offends you.”

“It’s more, and you know it. Your sheriff pal there has a personal vendetta against me.”

I sighed. “Richard, I haven’t singled you out in any way, shape, or form.”

He scowled. “Sure you haven’t.”

“Why don’t you have some more orange juice?” Chloe asked, giving a strained smile. “There’s no need to be upset.”

“Oh, what would you know about it?” Richard muttered. “You’re just a kid.”

Pink appeared on Chloe’s cheeks. “I know plenty more than you think.”

“I’m going for a walk.” Richard strode from the dining room, slamming the front door.

“He’s going for a walk in the rain?” Girdy frowned.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and sat back in his chair with a thoughtful expression.

River scowled. “What a Neanderthal. I thought he was going to start thumping his chest and throwing food at us any minute.”

“What’s his problem?” Amelia dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “I’m the one who had my boyfriend murdered.”

Hermina patted Amelia’s shoulder. “There, there. It’s okay.”

After Richard’s outburst, I was more convinced than ever that he must be using drugs. Perhaps his stash was running out, and he was panicking because he couldn’t get more? His aggression made me uneasy.

Ezra grumbled, “I’m starting to think we should do background checks on the guests before they arrive. That fella seems to have a screw loose.”