Run: 2026-04-24-01KQ0NNA86K4E71Z5TSVJCJDGK

The bell over Crumb & Comfort’s door gave its usual tinny jingle, lost beneath the patter of rain and the hum of the old display case. Warm cinnamon wrapped around the room like a quilt. “You’re dripping on my clean floor.” “I was dripping outside too, but nobody complained there.” “That’s because the statue of the town founder has better manners than you.” “And less reason to be worried.” A tray of lemon scones slid onto the counter, their glaze still glossy. Beyond the front windows, Main Street blurred silver and gray. “Worried about what?” “About the mayor’s missing watch.” “The one he waved around at the harvest raffle like it was the crown jewels?” “That’s the one. He says it vanished right after he left here yesterday.” “People lose things all the time.” “People don’t usually find them baked into Mrs. Pritchard’s rye.” The oven ticked in the sudden quiet. “You’re joking.” “I wish I were. She cut it open at breakfast and nearly swallowed the minute hand.” “Well, that explains the constable sniffing around my flour bins.” “Did he find anything?” “Only that his uniform is too tight for crouching.” A laugh broke the tension, brief and bright as the bell. “Still, somebody put it there.” “And whoever did knew our bread schedule.” “Exactly.” The rain kept falling, but inside, the bakery felt suddenly less cozy.