Run: 2026-02-25-01KJBK033WRNCKP8T3XQVJY79X

Burnt sugar hung heavy in the air, mixing with the morning chill. Flour dusted the counter like fresh snow. "You didn't hear it?" "Hear what? The oven timer?" "The crash. Behind the shop. Around midnight." Silence stretched, broken only by the coffee grinder. A hand reached out, brushing a stray crumb from the glass pastry case. "I was asleep. You know how the pills knock me out." "Someone was moving boxes. Heavy ones. Not the usual delivery." "Maybe the night watchman?" "The watchman retired last week. The mayor hasn't hired a replacement." Another pause. The bell above the door jingled, but no one entered. Just the draft rattling the windowpane. "Did you see who it was?" "Only the shadow. Tall. Wore a coat like the one found near the river." "That’s impossible. That coat was buried with—" "I know what was buried." The tray of blueberry muffins was pushed forward, still steaming. "Take these. On the house." "I didn't come here for charity. I came for answers." "You came for the truth. And you’re not leaving until you get it." A tarnished silver key was dropped onto the wood. "Open the back door at noon. Don't tell the sheriff. He's already asking questions."