"Did you hear about Mrs. Thompson's missing cat?" "Missing? I thought she just found it yesterday." "That's what she said, but now it's gone again. She swears someone took it." "Who would steal a cat in this town? Everyone knows everyone." "Exactly. That's what makes it so strange. And you know what else? I saw Mr. Jenkins lurking around her house last night." "Mr. Jenkins? The retired schoolteacher? He wouldn't hurt a fly." "Maybe not, but he was definitely up to something. He had a flashlight and was poking around her garden." "That does sound odd. But why would he want her cat?" "Maybe it's not about the cat. Maybe it's about something else. Mrs. Thompson's been acting weird lately, too. She keeps coming in here and buying those lemon tarts, but she never eats them." "She doesn't eat them? What does she do with them?" "That's the mystery, isn't it? I saw her give one to the mailman yesterday, and he looked just as confused as I am." "Maybe she's trying to bribe him for information. You know how she loves her gossip." "Or maybe there's something in those tarts. Something she doesn't want anyone to know about." "Now you're making it sound like a spy novel. But I have to admit, it's intriguing." "Intriguing enough to investigate?" "Absolutely. Let's start with Mr. Jenkins. I have a feeling he's the key to all this."