Secret of the Staircase by Steven K Smith

If Sam and Derek have to get dressed up for a fancy wedding weekend, at least it’s at the Jefferson, Richmond’s famous downtown hotel. The brothers and their friend Caitlin love exploring the extravagant corridors, long elegant staircase and grand Rotunda of Lewis Ginter’s historic structure.

When the hotel opened back in 1895, real alligators roamed free in the courtyard fountains. But that was ages ago...or was it? A bellman’s mysterious tales of missing items and creepy sounds and shadows make the danger seem much more real. After the wedding rings disappear and Sam is blamed, there’s no time to waste to learn the truth and recover the rings. But who is the real culprit? The friendly bellman, the disgruntled young son of the groom, or could it really be an alligator?

To save the wedding and clear Sam’s name, the kids must follow clues through secret passageways and hidden rooms deep within the hotel. But if they're not careful, they might become dinner for the Jefferson’s most unusual guests.