Run: 2026-09-23-01M37P6ZT1FBAYEF0Z3QS6W70W

The bell above the door chimed as the last cinnamon roll came off the tray. "You're closing early again?" "Flour delivery never came. Third time this month." "That's odd. Earl never misses a delivery." "Earl's been missing a lot of things lately. Including his usual Tuesday coffee." "Wait—he wasn't here Tuesday? He's sat in that corner booth every Tuesday for thirty years." "Not this Tuesday. Not last one either." "Did anyone call his sister?" "She says he's 'taking a break.' But she wouldn't look at me when she said it." "Margaret, that's not like her at all." "I know. And here's the strangest part—someone's been leaving envelopes of cash in his mailbox. She found two so far." "Cash? Who leaves cash?" "That's what I keep asking myself. And the flour? It's being delivered somewhere. The invoice shows it signed for." "Signed by whom?" "That's just it. The signature only reads 'E,' and nobody at the warehouse remembers who took it." "Margaret... do you think Earl is still in town?" "I think someone wants us to believe he isn't." The oven ticked as it cooled. Outside, a delivery truck slowed at the curb, then rolled past without stopping.