Run: 2026-09-02-01M1HGXQ674DEXKXC5PPZ219NR

The brass bell above the door chimed, accompanied by the comforting aroma of browned butter and cinnamon. A faint cloud of powdered sugar hung suspended in the morning sunlight slicing through the bay window. "Did you hear about Mayor Higgins?" "The whole town heard. But finding him behind the gazebo was Arthur’s misfortune, poor soul." A tray of almond croissants slid onto the cooling rack with a metallic clatter. "It wasn’t just that Arthur found him. Higgins was still clutching the ledger." "The planning committee ledger? The one missing since the Michaelmas fire?" "The very same. And there were traces of blueberry glaze on the corner of the leather binding." The gentle whir of the refrigerator filled the sudden silence. Outside, autumn leaves skittered across the wet cobblestones of High Street. "We only baked three blueberry galettes yesterday morning." "I know. Mrs. Gable bought two for her garden club luncheon." "Which leaves just one unaccounted for." "Exactly. Handed over the counter at seven sharp to someone wearing a yellow rain slicker." A damp cloth wiped down the marble countertop in slow, deliberate circles. "Then whoever poisoned Higgins didn't just want him silenced. They wanted breakfast first."