Run: 2026-02-24-01KJ8VM4DS6QREZSNE9XEZ4FSG

The morning rush had thinned to a trickle when the bell above the door chimed. The smell of cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee hung warm in the air, and flour dusted every surface like a light snow. "You heard about Gerald Fitch, I suppose." "Hard not to. The whole town's talking." A coffee mug clinked against the counter. "Found right there in his own greenhouse, they say." "With the prize orchid missing." A paper bag rustled. "Two days before the Harvest Festival competition. Doesn't that strike you as curious?" "Everything about Gerald Fitch struck me as curious. The man kept a padlock on his compost bin." A pause. "I'll take one of those lemon scones as well." "That's your third this week." "It's been a stressful week. Do you think it was someone after the orchid, or someone after Gerald?" "Could be both. Could be neither." The tissue paper crinkled as the scone was wrapped. "What I know is that his neighbor, Diane Howell, was seen leaving the garden center well past closing on Tuesday night." "How do you know that?" A small, satisfied smile. "I see everything from this window, dear."