Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HGD6P43VQPRJWAX8FNHA6

By seven, the windows of Butter & Crumb had fogged over, blurring the town square into a watercolor of bunting and bicycles. Elsie slid a tray of currant scones onto the counter. Across from her, the mayor’s daughter turned a flour-dusted envelope between her fingers. “You found it in the cinnamon tin?” “Under the sugar. Someone wanted it kept dry.” “Is it the missing recipe?” “It’s a list of names. And beside each one, a time.” “The church raffle money vanished at nine last night.” “Look who was here at eight fifty-five.” “That’s my name.” “Your handwriting?” “No. Mine doesn’t loop the y like that.” The oven timer chimed. Elsie pulled out a loaf whose crust had split into a crooked grin. Outside, a bicycle bell rang as someone crossed the square. A scrap of blue ribbon clung to the envelope’s seal. Elsie held it beside the raffle prize displayed in the window: a cake box tied with blue ribbon and tiny silver bells. “Someone used the ribbon from that box.” “But nobody’s collected the cake yet.” Elsie lifted the box. It was much heavier than a sponge cake ought to be. “Shall we look?” “After you wash the flour off your hands.” “I’d rather leave the fingerprints exactly where they are.”