The aroma of freshly baked pastries and brewed coffee filled the small bakery. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm pools of light on the checkered floor. "Did you hear about Mrs. Hargrove?" "No, what happened?" "Apparently, she found something curious in her pie when she sliced it yesterday." "Not another mouse tail? That's the third time this month." "Not quite. She found a tiny key." "A key? Well, now that's something." "Exactly. Folks are saying it must open the old safe in the library basement." "That safe has been locked for decades, hasn't it?" "Indeed. Rumor says there's something valuable inside." "Reckon it could be the long-lost Baker's Pearl?" "Oh, aren't you keen. But Mrs. Hargrove is keeping that key under tight wraps, no one's laying a hand on it." "Can't say I blame her, with treasure hunters sniffing around these parts recently." "True. Still, a mystery like this... It's got everyone talking. Old towns like ours don't see much excitement." "Except when it's baked into a pie, apparently." "Or when it's kneaded into dough. What are you going to have?" "I think the raspberry tart. You?" "Same. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a clue of our own."