The bell above the door tinkled as a gust of autumn air swept into Sweetie Pie's Bakery. The aroma of cinnamon and freshly baked bread filled the cozy space. "Did you hear about old Mrs. Finch?" "No, what about her?" "They found her face-down in her prize-winning zucchini patch this morning." "Good heavens! Is she alright?" "Afraid not. Deader than last week's sourdough, they say." "That's terrible! What happened?" "Nobody knows for sure, but Sheriff Thompson's calling it suspicious." "Suspicious? You don't think..." "Murder? In our little town? Stranger things have happened." "But who would want to harm Mrs. Finch? She was just a sweet old lady with a green thumb." "Well, there was that business with the county fair last month. Remember how upset the runner-up was when Mrs. Finch's zucchini took first prize?" "You don't mean..." "I'm not saying anything. Just that some folks take their vegetables very seriously around here." "Oh my. I can't believe it. To think, something like this happening right under our noses." "Indeed. Now, how about a slice of that lemon meringue pie? Might as well enjoy life while we can."