“Sounds suspicious,” Levi said. “Play it again for me, only slow it down.”

Rachelle complied.

Cassie stared at the image, the car now moving at a snail’s pace across the screen. Something on the dashboard caught the sunlight, a glare reflecting in the image.

“That make and model of the car is common enough that it isn’t going to be easy to trace without the license plate number,” Levi said.

“Can you play it again?” Cassie asked. “Only freeze it right before the glare.”

Rachelle’s eyebrows lifted, but once again, she backed up the image and started it a third time.

Cassie watched the car come into view and anticipated the spot she noticed the item on the dash. “There.”

Rachelle froze the image.

“Can you blow this up?” Cassie asked.

She zoomed in. “A camera.”

“Looks like paparazzi,” Levi said. “One of them was probably trying to cut the electrical current to the main electric fence so they could sneak onto the grounds tonight.” He put his hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “That’s good work.”

Her cheeks grew warm under the unexpected compliment. “Thanks.”

“Franco, pull up our list of paparazzi in the area,” Rachelle said. “Let’s see if we can ID this guy.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We’ll get out of your way.” Levi nudged Cassie toward the door.

“Cassie, thanks for your help,” Rachelle said.

“You’re welcome.” She followed Levi into the hall. “Well, that was a bit more exciting than expected.”

“Sorry about that,” Levi said. “Anything I can do to make this up to you?”

“You did mention the caterers were helping out with tonight’s dinner,” Cassie said. “Think they might have stuffed mushrooms?”

“Since Janessa likes them as much as you do, I guarantee it.”

“What are the chances you can sneak some out of the kitchen for us?”

“I think my chances are excellent.” He started down the hall. “When I break in somewhere, I don’t get caught.”

CHAPTER 26

Levi couldn’t believe he had been so careless. He stared at his laptop, the image of him with Cassie on the beach filling the screen. His back had been to the water when the photo had been taken, but Cassie’s face had clearly been visible, both before and after he’d kissed her.

He had checked for boats in the water when they had walked down to the beach and not seen any. Shortly after a sailboat had passed into view, they had packed up and gone back to the chateau. Apparently, someone on that boat had had one heck of a zoom lens on his camera.

Now he had to wonder if the paparazzi were at the chateau yesterday looking for a story about the Meridian royals or if they were looking for Cassie. He stared at the headline, afraid it might be the latter.

The caption was simple and exactly what he didn’t want to see: Princess Cassandra visits Meridian Royals. Has she found her prince?

Guilt washed over him. He knew better than to get so emotionally attached to an assignment. He also should have foreseen the potential risk in going to the beach with her, but when she had issued the invitation, his desire to spend time with her, to make her happy, had overshadowed all reason.