The morning light spilled through the windows of Sweet Nothings Bakery, highlighting the swirls of steam rising from freshly baked bread. A bell tinkled as the door swung open. "Did you hear about old Mr. Finch? Found face-down in his garden this morning." "No! Was it his heart again?" "That's what everyone's saying, but I noticed Detective Reynolds poking around the tool shed. Strange place to investigate a natural death, don't you think?" The espresso machine hissed in the background as a blueberry muffin exchanged hands across the counter. "Now that you mention it, Finch was arguing with someone at the town meeting last night. Something about property lines and that ancient oak tree." "The one he's been protecting for forty years? He'd sooner die than let anyone touch it." "Exactly my point." The cash register dinged. Coins clinked into the tip jar. "Did you see who he was arguing with?" "Couldn't tell. But Martha at the flower shop said she saw Mayor Wilson leaving Finch's place around midnight." "The mayor? But he's been pushing for that new development..." "...which Finch's oak tree was blocking. Convenient timing, wouldn't you say?" "Shh! Here comes the mayor's wife now." The bell over the door tinkled again.