Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HDYK31CDXBHJNZETHJ16E

At six o’clock, the ovens at Briar Lane Bakery were cooling, and the town square smelled of cinnamon. Nora set two mugs of tea beside the empty glass case. Across from her, Elsie unfolded a dishcloth that held a single green ribbon. “The mayor’s prize cake was here at closing.” “And the door was locked?” “With my only key.” “Then why was the ribbon under the counter?” Nora looked at the case. Its little brass bell hung undisturbed above the front door. “Nobody came in that way. I would’ve heard them.” Elsie pulled a chair beneath the ceiling hatch. A faint trail of flour marked one leg. “That wasn’t there this morning.” “Neither was the ladder missing from the storeroom.” Above them, something scraped. For a moment, neither woman moved. Then a ginger cat peered through the hatch, its whiskers powdered white. A length of green ribbon dangled from its mouth. “The cake?” A second scrape answered. Elsie climbed onto the chair and lifted the hatch. The prize cake sat on the boards beside the cat’s basket, missing only a generous bite of buttercream. Nora sighed. “The mayor will want an explanation.” “He can have one after we’ve had a slice.” “Elsie.” “We’ll cut around the bite.”