Page 32 of The Hunt

Bree narrowed her eyes. “How, exactly?”

“As we speak, the Havenport PD forensic team is sweeping your dorm for evidence. Our security team is also investigating the breach that allowed someone to bypass the electronic lock on your door.” He briefly glanced at Tessa, then back to me. “You both confirmed in your statements that neither of you have had your keycards stolen or borrowed by anyone recently, correct?”

I nodded. “Mine was on me all day, and I’ve never lent it to anyone.”

“Same with me,” Tessa added.

“From now on, we’re increasing security measures at Ashcroft Hall, just in case. A security guard has been posted at the front door, and no one will be allowed past him without showing proof that they reside in the building.”

“That’s a relief,” Sloane murmured.

“Unless the person who broke into the dorm is a fellow Ashcroft resident,” Bree said, brows rising. “In which case he can still get in easily.”

Dean Hopewell dipped his chin in a curt nod. “That’s true, so we’ll be looking at all possible angles,” he said. “In fact, some officers are going door-to-door right now to interview your fellow residents, and they’ll also be conducting searches for the skull mask you described, along with the red paint that was used on the bathroom mirror.”

Just check Wilder House,I wanted to say, but I kept my mouth firmly shut. There was no point in accusing Jake. It would only make things worse for me here.

“Also,” Hopewell went on. “I wanted to tell you that we’ve made arrangements for new accommodation while the investigation is carried out.”

“What arrangements?” Tessa asked, frowning.

“There’s two empty single suites on the same floor as your current dorm. You can stay in them until your old dorm is ready for you again.”

“How long will that take?” I asked.

“The forensics team said they should be done by nine o’clock tonight, but the security team will probably need a few days to look into the breach and figure out exactly what happened with the lock on your door. So, for your own peace of mind, I wouldrecommend you stay in the single rooms until we’ve ascertained that your dorm is completely safe for you to move back into.”

“So… three days?” Tessa asked, forehead wrinkling.

He nodded. “Probably around that, give or take a day. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more. But you can return to your dorm after the forensics team is done tonight to pack whatever you need.”

“Have they found anything yet?” I asked, anxiously twisting my fingers on my lap. “Like hair or fingerprints?”

“So far, no prints apart from yours and Ms. Morgan’s have been found, but the team isn’t even close to being done yet, so I’m hoping they’ll locate something eventually,” he replied. He briefly hesitated, forehead creasing. “Theydidfind an illegal ViperTech Taser, though.”

Tessa’s eyes widened in faux surprise. “That’s not ours!” she said, fervently shaking her head. “The crazy stalker guy must’ve left it when he ran out!”

“That’s what we assumed—that the assailant forgot it in his haste to escape,” Hopewell replied. His brows rose. “If it belonged to either of you, we’d have another problem on our hands.”

I swallowed thickly and nodded.

“I was also informed that the police noticed an electric kettle on your desk, Ms. Morgan,” Hopewell went on, looking at Tessa. “As you know, they aren’t permitted in the dorms, but given the distress you’ve both experienced due to this incident, along with the inconvenience of having to temporarily move, I’m willing to let it slide.”

“Thank you, sir,” she said, lowering her eyes. A pink flush was rapidly creeping up her neck.

“Once again, I’m deeply sorry this has happened,” Hopewell said. “And I want to reiterate that we are taking this veryseriously. We won’t sweep it under the rug, and we certainly won’t allow it to happen again.”

I mustered up a half-smile. “Thank you.”

He cleared his throat and pulled two keycards out of his pocket. “Here’s your temporary room keys. Ms. Marlowe, you’re in 304, and Ms. Morgan, you’re next door in 306.”

Once he was gone, Bree looked at the clock and tilted her head slightly to one side. “He said you can’t go back to the dorm to pack your things until nine, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s only six-thirty now. Should we go back to The Cabin?” she asked. “I think we all need a drink. Especially you, Ev.”

I sighed. “I would, but I can’t. I need to go and sort out a new laptop as soon as possible.”

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