Run: 2026-07-01-01KWE9DJ58AHDFWMCE586MEE29

The bell above the door jingled as Margaret pulled her scarf tighter, eyeing the empty display case where the lemon tarts should have been. "Sold out already? It's not even nine." "Not sold out. Gone. Someone took the whole tray from the back kitchen last night." "You're joking." "I wish I were. Whoever did it knew exactly when Ruth locks up and when the delivery truck comes. No forced entry, nothing." "Maybe Ruth forgot to lock the back door again. You know how she gets after her shift." "That's what I thought too, until I found this wedged under the flour bin." A small brass button, tarnished at the edges, sat in her palm. "That's from a police uniform." "Exactly what I thought. Officer Dunley was in here Tuesday, remember? Asking all those questions about the bakery's finances." "You think a cop stole lemon tarts?" "I think someone wants us looking at Dunley instead of asking why Ruth's been so nervous lately. Have you noticed the ledger's been locked away this week?" "You've got that look, Margaret." "I've got a case, Doris. Finish your coffee. We're paying Ruth a visit."