Run: 2026-04-24-01KQ0NRZ84SG0H2BB5J10W9H7B

The bell over Honeycomb Bakery’s door gave its usual cheerful jingle, though the room felt anything but cheerful. Rain silvered the windows, and the scent of cinnamon rolls couldn’t quite cover the sharp tang of worry. “Tell me again where you found it.” “Under the cooling rack, tucked behind the tray of almond croissants.” “The brooch?” “The mayor’s brooch. The one she claimed was stolen at the harvest supper.” A tray slid onto the counter with a soft clatter. Outside, puddles trembled beneath passing tires. “That doesn’t make sense. She never came into the kitchen yesterday.” “No. But Edgar did.” “Edgar delivers eggs.” “And gossip. He also lingered by the croissants longer than any man reasonably should.” “Half the town lingers by my croissants.” A pause. The old wall clock ticked above the display case, where lemon tarts gleamed like small, innocent suns. “There’s flour in the clasp.” “There’s flour everywhere in a bakery.” “Not buckwheat flour. Only one person ordered buckwheat this week.” “Mrs. Vale.” “For her ‘secret’ blini recipe.” “She was furious when the mayor beat her in the jam contest.” “And she told everyone her raspberry preserves were sabotaged.” The oven timer chimed. “Well, then. Shall we invite Mrs. Vale for tea?” “And serve croissants?” “Almond. With questions baked in.”