The bell above the door jangled as she entered the cozy bakery, a warm aroma of freshly baked pastries enveloping her. Behind the counter, a plump woman in a flour-dusted apron looked up with a friendly smile. "Afternoon, hon! What can I get you today?" "Oh, hi. I'll just have a coffee and a slice of apple pie, please." "Coming right up. You new around here? Haven't seen you before." "Yep, just moved to town last week. Needed a break from the big city." "Aw, welcome to Willowbrook! It's a nice little place once you get used to it. Slow and quiet, mostly. Well, except for that murder last month." "What? A murder?!" "Yep, right across the street at the antique shop. Poor ol' Mr. Simmons. Never would've pegged him as the type to get killed, but you never know people, I guess." "That's terrible! Who did it?" "That's the million dollar question. The police haven't caught anyone yet. It's got everyone on edge." "Well, I'm sure they'll figure it out. They always do in the end." "From your lips to God's ears. Anyway, here's your coffee and pie. Enjoy!" She accepted the treats and took a seat at a small table by the window, her mind whirling with the news of a murder so close by. She glanced out at the quaint, seemingly idyllic street, wondering if there were more secrets lurking beneath the charming facade of Willowbrook.