Run: 2026-07-01-01KWE8W659FZ5KDNWEFPJJP32M

The bell above the door jingled as Margaret shook rain from her umbrella, the smell of cinnamon and fresh bread wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "You're late. I already gave your usual to Mrs. Pemberton." "You didn't." "I did. She seemed thrilled about it, too." "Ruth, that scone had my name on it. Literally. You wrote it in frosting." "Which is exactly why it was so easy to scrape off." Margaret set her umbrella by the door and slid onto her usual stool at the counter. Outside, the rain traced silver lines down the bakery's front window, blurring the shapes of passing umbrellas. "Fine. What do you actually have for me?" "Something better. Lemon poppyseed, still warm." Ruth slid a plate across the counter, then leaned forward, lowering her voice. "And something else. Did you hear about the necklace at the Hollis estate sale?" "The sapphire one? Everyone's heard about it." "Everyone's heard it's missing. Gone sometime yesterday afternoon, between the estate walkthrough and the appraiser's visit." Margaret paused, scone halfway to her mouth. "You think someone local took it?" "I think," Ruth said, wiping her hands on her apron, "that you should probably finish your pastry before it gets cold. We'll need the energy."