Run: 2026-09-02-01M1GQ93GWEQR6RCYEC5MFX0DQ

The bell above the door jingled. "Don't tell me you're out of the lemon bars already." "You're the third person to ask before eight o'clock. Is it true about Mr. Pemberton?" "That's exactly why everyone wants them. They were his favorite, you know. The last thing he ever ate." "Half the town saw him eating those at the harvest fair. That doesn't make them the last thing." "The sheriff doesn't think so either. He asked me for the recipe, if you can believe it." "The recipe? Why on earth would he want that?" "To check for... additions, I suppose." "Additions! You use butter and Grandma's vanilla, same as always. Well, except the batch you made Tuesday." "Tuesday?" "When Doris saw you down at the mill pond at midnight. Gathering what, exactly?" "Mint. For the lavender shortbread. Not that I owe Doris an explanation." "Of course not, dear. Though midnight mint gathering does sound like something out of one of those murder novels." "The only mystery in this town is how Doris sees through her curtains at that hour." "Mm. Speaking of mysteries—put me down for two of those lemon bars when they're out. One for me, and one for the sheriff. He does look peaked."