Page 93 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“No. And I don’t care. I try to stay out of the drama on the farm.”

Max tapped his pen on the pad he held. “Seems like Jax is always at the center of the drama.”

“That just isn’t true.”

“Do you and Jax room together on the farm?” I asked.

Madison shook her head. “No. I have my own room in the main house.”

I nodded. “Since you’re a couple, I assume you spend the night together sometimes?”

“Of course.” She lifted her chin. “He’s my boyfriend.”

I smiled and then asked, “Have you ever noticed Jax going out at night?”

She wrinkled her brow. “Going out? You mean like into town for a night out?”

“No, just out for a walk in the middle of the night kind of thing.”

Her face shuttered. “No.”

“You sure?” Max looked dubious.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She glanced at the clock on the desk. “I… I need to go do the cabins. It’s time.”

I didn’t see the point in keeping her. She was clamming up now. She was too busy defending Jax to really answer honestly. Her defensive manner showed her insecurities with Jax. I could feel her lack of trust in what they had together. She was willing to accept anything he told her, just so they could stay together.

“I guess I’ve heard all I need to hear,” I said. “I may need to talk to you again. Be warned.”

“Okay.” She stood, her dark eyes shimmering with worry. “Can I go?”

I gave a sharp nod, and she scurried out of the room.

Max shook his head. “Can you say denial?”

“It’s pretty bad when you have to blame an eighteen-year-old girl for tempting your thirty-year-old boyfriend.” I grimaced. “I’d feel sorry for her, except she might be shielding her boyfriend who might have committed murder.”

“I think Jax is my number one suspect at this point.”

“Really?”

Max shrugged. “He has no problem getting physical. I don’t see him having an issue defending what he thinks is his.”

“Defending, yes. Killing Santiago just for flirting? I’m not sure I’m ready to go there yet.” I stood. “I’m going to go find Leo. Sit tight.”

“Okay.” Max leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk.

I smiled and headed out into the living room, where everyone was having a lively discussion about what movie to watch. The rain seemed to have stopped, and it was a little foggy outside. Leo was sitting in the corner, talking to Mona. When I approached, they stopped talking.

“Do you have time to talk now, Leo?” I asked.

“Sure do.” He stood, giving Mona a warm smile. “Sorry to leave in the middle of our conversation.”

She waved him off. “No problem. This is more important.”

Judging from Leo’s grimace, he didn’t agree. But he met my gaze and said, “Lead the way, Sheriff.”

Once we were settled in the office, I studied Leo as he sat quietly in his chair. His brown hair was pulled back in his usual ponytail, and he wore a light blue flannel shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, revealing arms covered in tattoos. There were a few skulls, some flowers, a tiny Mona Lisa on the inside of his arm, and the word “Guardian” and the picture of an angel.