Run: 2026-03-18-01KM0AB4X2YA6A6VVVGT55YNTD

The bell over Maple Street Bakery gave its cheerful jingle just as the cinnamon rolls came out of the oven. Warm air rolled over the glass case, carrying butter, sugar, and a whisper of trouble. “You’re early.” “I needed a cup of coffee and a reason to pretend I wasn’t curious.” “That sounds like you.” “It sounds like this town. Everyone’s curious. You just happen to be hiding behind a tray of eclairs.” A sigh rustled through the flour-dusted back counter. “If you’re here about the missing ledger, I still don’t know anything.” “Missing ledger?” “Don’t do that.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You raised your eyebrows so high they nearly hit the fresh bread.” A laugh escaped despite itself. “Fine. I came because Mrs. Dalloway said you found something strange in the sugar.” “That was before I started locking it up.” “Then it was strange.” A pause, then the clink of a spoon against a mug. “There was a note.” “A note?” “Folded into the bag. Tiny paper, tucked between the grains like it wanted to vanish.” The bakery seemed to hush around them, the ovens humming, the register drawer waiting. “What did it say?” Another pause. “It said, ‘Check the blackberry jam before closing.’” From the front display, a jar of dark purple jam gleamed in the morning light, innocent as a Sunday school hymn.