Run: 2026-07-25-01KYCSMHR87T8WGW3DN4WCSKJC

The bell above the door chimed softly, barely heard over the mixer. "You're already out of lemon scones?" Flour dusted the counter like fresh snow. "It's barely eight-thirty." "Mrs. Gable bought the entire tray. Said she needed comfort." "Comfort?" A wooden spoon tapped against a ceramic bowl. "That woman hasn't touched sugar since the town meeting in March." "Not for eating. For thinking. She found a letter behind the library's old portrait during the renovation." The oven timer clicked, ignored. "What kind of letter?" "Dated 1952. References the original deed for this building." "This bakery?" "Names an owner who vanished the very week the first brick oven was delivered. After that, the county records went missing." The rolling pin stilled against the marble. "That oven's been here since my grandmother's day." "Exactly. And Mrs. Gable wasn't mourning lost art. She was buying time away from that construction crew." The display case opened with a soft creak. "The raspberry croissants are still warm in the center." "You're changing the subject." "I'm feeding an investigator. There's an important distinction." "Then help me check the basement storage?" "Only if you take these almond danishes with you. Some secrets are best served with butter and sugar."