Run: 2026-02-24-01KJ8W4G95MC2KJ1H0HCQF41RK

The bell above the door chimed, letting in a gust of autumn air and the scent of fallen leaves. Inside, the warmth of the oven fought back, rich with cinnamon and yeast. “You’re here early. The cherry Danishes are still cooling.” “Couldn’t sleep. I saw the lights on at the old library again last night. Past midnight.” “Mrs. Greeley’s book club doesn’t meet on Wednesdays.” “Exactly. And it wasn’t Mrs. Greeley. Tall figure, moving quickly between the stacks with a flashlight.” “Probably just the mayor, looking for that missing zoning proposal.” “The mayor doesn’t wear a long, dark coat. Or carry a large, empty satchel in and a full one out.” A pause. The sound of a knife slicing through pastry. “You didn’t call Henry?” “And tell the sheriff what? I saw someone borrowing books? But… I checked this morning. The glass on the historical society’s display case? The one with the founding mayor’s pocket watch? It’s perfectly clean. And perfectly empty.”