Run: 2026-03-18-01KM088DHD39HM5Z0YW7NPYTV7

The bell over the bakery door chimed softly, then was swallowed by the warm hush of cinnamon and vanilla. Flour dusted the counter like fresh snow, and the display case glowed with honey buns and lemon tarts. “Look at you, breathing like a villain,” Mara said, tapping the edge of the napkin dispenser with a knuckle. “Who’s in trouble today?” Eli slid a tray of cooling scones toward the window. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “No one. Except… maybe the cookies.” Mara leaned in, lowering her voice. “The cookies don’t commit crimes.” “They did,” Eli said. “Last night someone swapped the jar labels. I only noticed because the gingerbread smelled like peppermints, and the peppermint jar smelled like—” He swallowed. “Like bleach.” Mara’s gaze sharpened. “Bleach?” “Not enough to clean anything,” he muttered. “Just enough to make everyone’s teeth feel weird at the taste test.” From the oven, a timer clicked off with a cheerful beep. Mara reached under the counter and produced a small paper bag. “Then we’ll test the rest. No one hurts a recipe on my watch.” Eli looked relieved. “You’ll help me figure out who did it?” “Of course,” Mara said, already breaking off a corner of evidence. “In this town, everyone gets their comeuppance—preferably in crumbs.”