“We ran into each other last night.” I nodded at the man.

“The power issue was minor?” Tessa’s voice was loaded with hope.

Everett nodded. “All good now.” His steady gaze met mine. “Nice to officially meet you.”

We shook hands.

“I’m giving Mr. Langston the full tour.”

“Heard rumors you like to knock old hotels down and build bright, new, and shiny,” Everett said.

Tessa stiffened.

“Right now, I’m just getting a tour. My team will do a full assessment on everything that needs upgrading before we make any decisions.”

“He promised me a week to show him all the good aspects of the Windward,” Tessa said.

I looked around. “I’m guessing you’ll have a few ideas.”

The other man nodded. “I do.”

“Make a list.”

“I’d start with a new hot water system. It struggles in the winter when all the skiers like very long, hot showers and baths.” Everett swiveled. “You should show him the basement.”

“Really?” She shuddered. “There are spiders down there.”

“I want to see everything.”

“Fine. The basement it is. I’ll catch you later, Everett.”

The maintenance man lifted a callused hand.

Tessa headed out another door and into a dim corridor. “I don’t come down here too much. It’s creepy.” She reached another door. It had an electronic lock on it, and she held her card up to it. “The boiler’s down here, plus we use it for storage.”

The door beeped and opened. I saw stairs leading into darkness. She touched a switch and a few bare bulbs flared to life.

“It’s very serial-killer chic.”

She laughed and glanced at me.

“Don’t look so surprised. I make jokes occasionally.”

“Sorry, you don’t seem the type.”

“Oh.” The stairs creaked as we descended. “What do I seem like?”

“Rich. Workaholic. Used to getting your own way.”

“I’m going to regret allowing you to tell me the truth, aren’t I?”

The basement was stuffy, dim, and dusty.

“The basement.” She held out a hand like a game show hostess.

That’s when the lights went out, plunging us into darkness.

11. Tessa

Chapter 11

Tessa

“Occasionally, huh?”

I ignored Ro’s drawl and tried to see anything in the dense darkness. Why me? Had I offended the Universe? I held out a hand and whacked a hard chest. “Sorry.”

A light flared to life. He was holding up his cellphone. “No signal down here.”

I pulled my radio off my belt. “Reception, this is Tessa. Are you there?” The radio crackled. “Reception?” Ugh. “The walls are too thick down here. At least we can see.”

I headed back to the stairs. When we got to the top, I pushed the door. It didn’t budge. Frowning, I shoved against it.

“The electronic lock has no power,” Ro said.