Run: 2026-09-03-01M1KRVPXWY0438G7C97K62W2J

The warm scent of nutmeg and melted butter hung thick in the air, sweet enough to mask the bitter gossip brewing by the ovens. A dusting of powdered sugar floated down like fresh snow over a tray of warm apple turnovers. "Did you hear about Mayor Higgins?" "Only that his car was found idling near Miller’s Creek." "Not just idling. The trunk was wide open, and the spare tire was gone." A heavy wooden rolling pin struck the floured marble counter with a dull thud. "Why on earth would anyone steal a bald spare tire?" "They didn't. They took whatever was hidden underneath it." "You think it's connected to the missing town ledger?" "I know it is." A jar of ground cinnamon slid across the butcher block. "Keep your voice down. Mrs. Gable is watching from the tea shop across the street." "She’s ninety-two and hasn't worn her bifocals since Tuesday." "Still. What else did the sheriff find?" "A bakery bag. Stamped with our logo, dated last night at eleven." "Eleven? But I locked up and set the deadbolt at six sharp." "Exactly. And only three people in this town have a key."