Run: 2026-07-25-01KYCYPNGFM1S8FSH9CDFV3WR3

The brass bell over the door jingled, but she never glanced up from arranging the morning croissants. “Large coffee, black. And box up that lemon tart for Clara.” “You heard about Finch’s Antiques? The break-in?” “Only that Bernard bought some ugly vase. What’s that got to do with Clara’s tart?” “He didn’t buy it. He stole a ledger hidden inside—at least, that’s what the police scanner said at six this morning.” The espresso machine hissed. Cellophane crinkled behind the counter. “Bernard Finch? He can barely operate a can opener.” “Exactly. Which means someone used him. Too proud to ask why, too clumsy to cover his tracks.” “How clumsy?” “He left his Buttercream loyalty card in the display case. Name stamped right there in gold.” The ribbon tied with a sharp, angry tug. “So our Bernard robbed an antique store carrying a punch card for free scones?” “I’m saying check your Tuesday footage. Three p.m. A woman in a yellow raincoat came in asking about Bernard’s usual order.” The chime rang again, carrying autumn wind and the distant smell of river mud. “Yellow?” “Bright as a daffodil. And Bernard hasn’t set foot in here since Monday.”