“Something like that.” I nodded at the railing. “This gave way, and Everett said it had been loosened by someone. Tessa almost fell. Add to the basement incident and I’m not feeling the love.”

Caden’s face darkened. “You think someone is trying to kill you?”

“Or at least ensure I have a nasty accident.”

“Tessa is the common denominator.” Caden crouched to look at the tool marks.

“If you’re suggesting Tessa Ashford is running around tampering with locks and railings, forget it. That woman would rather walk through the lobby naked than stoop to something like that.”

He rose. “You like her.”

“I respect her. She’s good at her job and she loves this place. Add in the fact that after a few hours with her, it’s obvious she likes to do the right thing and follow the rules.”

“I agree. Plus I’ve run a background check on her. The woman has made a habit of being an overachiever and giving back. She organizes the masquerade to help a kids’ charity, and also organizes a charity fun run in the spring, plus I hear she helps out staff when they need anything.”

“You know her parents were killed.”

“Yeah. Sad. Orphaned at eight. Her aunt raised her.” He paused. “She helps pay her aunt’s mortgage and is helping to send her oldest cousin to college.”

Of course she was. “Find out who’s doing this.” I waved at the railing. “Before someone gets hurt. I want to know who’s targeting me. And what they’re hoping to achieve. Childish pranks are one thing, but Tessa could have died.”

Caden nodded. “I’ll look into it.” A faint grimace crossed his face. “The security team won’t be much help. Deem is on the verge of retirement. His few guards patrol the grounds and deal with unruly guests, but that’s about it. Security is pretty lax, and no one has any investigative skills.”

“Then that’s something we’ll need to change.”

15. Tessa

Chapter 15

Tessa

With a tired sigh, I walked up the garden path to my aunt’s house.

My brain was still whirring, thinking about basement mishaps and sabotaged railings.

Nasty pranks. That’s what it had to be.

The scent of flowers hit me. My aunt had a green thumb, and the patch of colorful blooms and rambling foliage always made me think of fairytales and elves hiding under bushes. Even now, at the end of summer when things were starting to drop their flowers and leaves, it still felt like magic.