Run: 2026-02-24-01KJ8X85XDNVYP4JPHQ53BFHE6

The morning rush had thinned to a quiet trickle when the bell above the door chimed. The scent of cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee hung in the warm air like a comfortable secret. "You heard about the Calloway place, I imagine." "Hard not to. Half the town was standing on Birch Street by six this morning." A ceramic mug clinked softly against the counter. "Gerald found the back window smashed clean through." "That's what worries me." A paper bag crinkled as it was folded shut. "Nothing was taken, though. Not a single thing. What kind of burglar breaks in and leaves empty-handed?" "One who was looking for something specific and didn't find it." The oven timer released a gentle ping, and flour-dusted hands pulled a tray of golden scones from the rack. "Margaret Calloway was in here yesterday, you know. Bought two slices of the lemon loaf, same as always. But she kept looking over her shoulder, like she expected someone to walk through that door any second." "Did anyone?" A pause settled between them, soft and heavy as risen dough. "That's exactly what I've been asking myself all morning."