Run: 2026-09-29-01M3P2FG0G68KNEAEWXAZ2PD77

The bell above the door jingled, and flour drifted through a shaft of morning light. "You're early." "Couldn't sleep. Is that cinnamon?" "Snickerdoodle scones. Don't touch. They're for the historical society meeting." "Funny, I heard the meeting was cancelled." "Where did you hear that?" "From Mr. Pruitt. Right before he told me he'd never been inside this bakery." "Well, he hasn't." "Then why is there a pink box with his name on it behind the register?" A pause. The oven timer ticked. "That's for a different Pruitt." "There's only one Pruitt in Maple Hollow." "Cousin. Visiting." "Visiting from where?" "Does it matter?" "It does when someone left muddy boot prints leading from your back door to the cellar stairs." "I mop at closing." "You mopped last night, then. And the prints are still wet." The scone tray clattered against the counter. "You should sit down." "I'd rather see the cellar." "It's only flour sacks down there." "Then you won't mind if I look." A long breath. Then the soft click of a key turning in an apron pocket. "Bring the lantern. And please, don't tell Edna what you find."