Run: 2026-07-25-01KYCWZKM1BG1944F6E121R9J0

The morning sun filtered through the lace curtains of Buttercream & Bloom, catching the dust motes dancing above trays of raspberry scones. “Did you hear? They found Mrs. Pemberton’s brooch inside the flour sack.” “No. The one with the emerald?” “The very same. Inspector Hale was here before the rooster crowed.” “Goodness. I always said she kept her secrets closer than her recipes.” “Hand me that piping bag, won’t you? And don’t touch the lavender macarons—homicide or not, customers are coming.” “It’s unsettling. This town was about pie competitions and porch sales.” “Small-town charm is just gossip with a prettier name. Now pass the sugar.” “I suppose Mrs. Pemberton did have a sharp tongue about my buttercream. Said it lacked backbone.” “Backbone? Her spine was made of stolen pearls and bad debts. Here—taste this.” “It’s perfect. Light, but with authority.” “Exactly. Unlike our victim, who went missing three days before anyone noticed her absence.” “Inspector asked if she bought anything unusual Tuesday. I said only her usual arrogance and a marzipan owl.” “He’ll want the security log, I expect.” “It’s in the back, behind the cinnamon jar. You think she was killed for jewelry?” “I think she was killed for knowing everyone’s business. Now frost these quietly. The town needs comfort food, not chaos. Though I do wonder—did she taste the almond before she left?” “The almond? How should I know?” “Because, dear, it was the last thing she bought. And now it’s the only clue we’ve left that tastes like poison.”<|end_message|>