Run: 2026-05-22-01KS875NNVZESB86GPK10736ZF

"Did you actually use the bitter almond extract?" "Of course I did. It’s my grandmother’s secret recipe. Why are you looking at me like that?" "Because Arthur Penhaligon just collapsed at the vicarage tea party." A heavy thud echoed from the back room as a sack of flour hit the wooden floorboards. The sweet, comforting scent of rising dough and caramelized sugar hung thick in the warm air, completely at odds with the news. "Arthur? But he only ever eats the lemon tarts." "He took a bite of your scone just to be polite. Then he turned purple, clutched his chest, and tipped backward into the prize-winning hydrangeas." "Purple? Are you absolutely certain it wasn't just a bad reaction to the jam?" "Positive. And his teacup was completely empty, smelling faintly of marzipan." The oven timer dinged, a sharp, cheerful sound that cut through the sudden, heavy silence of the bakery. "Well, don't just stand there staring at the display case. Grab the tasting spoons." "You want me to eat one?" "If we’re going to figure out what killed him before the inspector arrives, we need to know exactly what it tasted like."