Run: 2026-09-23-01M36T55KT047DWVJNJEXMSZ8E

# Crust and Clues The bell above the door chimed as Maren shuffled past the display case, where croissants and fruit tarts gleamed under warm light. She set her bag on the counter and leaned in close. "You heard about poor Mr. Holloway, didn't you? Found behind the post office at dawn." "Everyone's heard. What I *haven't* heard is why his chess set was sitting on your back porch this morning." "I—well, he sometimes left things. Borrowed from my bookshelf and returned them at odd hours." "That's a curious habit. When exactly was the last time he borrowed something?" "Tuesday evening. He came by after closing. Said he needed to discuss something, but then he just… stood there. Tapped his cane on the floor. Left without a word." "Discuss what?" "He wouldn't say. But he looked frightened. Pale, even for him." "And the cane—where is it now?" "I wouldn't know." "Maren." Silence filled the space between them. A tray of cinnamon rolls cooled on the rack behind the counter, their sweet scent curling into the air like an accusation. "I put it in the back room. I was afraid someone might think—I didn't want any misunderstandings." "Then I suppose we'd better look at it together. Before anyone else does."