Run: 2026-07-01-01KWE8VBN05SZS3F4GSZFA2CZH

The scent of cinnamon rolls hung thick in the air as Marigold wiped down the display case for the third time that morning. "You're going to rub a hole right through that glass." "I'm nervous, okay? He said he'd have an answer today." "About the Hendricks property?" "About whether the fire was arson. Sheriff Dutton's been dodging my calls for a week." "Maybe because you keep accusing him of covering things up." "I'm not accusing him of anything. I'm asking questions." "Pointed questions. With that look on your face." "What look?" "The one you're giving me right now." A bell chimed as the front door opened, and both women glanced up. "Speak of the devil." "Don't say anything embarrassing." "Me? Never." Sheriff Dutton approached the counter, hat in hand, looking like he hadn't slept. "Morning, ladies. Marigold, got a minute?" "For you? Always. Though I hear you've got something to tell me." "Word travels fast in this town." "Faster than your coffee, and that's saying something." "Fair enough." He glanced at the pastries, then back at her. "The lab results came back. It wasn't an accident." "I knew it." "You didn't know anything. You guessed." "Educated guess."