The sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air as the morning sunlight streamed into the cozy bakery. The sound of sizzling bread and gentle chatter filled the room. "I'm telling you, it's a conspiracy. Mrs. Jenkins didn't just leave town without a word." "Oh, come on. You're not still going on about that? She probably just needed a break from all the gossip around here." "A break? From her own bakery? Without warning? No, something's fishy." "Well, if you're so sure, then what's your theory?" "I think it has to do with the new big-box store that's coming to town. I heard they're trying to buy out all the small businesses on Main Street." "That's just ridiculous. Mrs. Jenkins would never sell out to those corporate types." "Wouldn't she? We don't really know what was going on behind the scenes, do we? Maybe she was in financial trouble or something." "I refuse to believe that. We need to get to the bottom of this. Do you think we could snoop around and find some clues?" "I'm game if you are. But if we get caught, I'm blaming you."