Run: 2026-10-07-01M4ASVPHW4PK2ESPV79931JKE

"Morning, Betty. You look like you saw a ghost in the flour bin." "Somebody replaced my cinnamon sugar with salt. Again." "Third time this month?" "Third time. The note was tucked under the rolling pin—same handwriting as the one under the cash register Tuesday." "But the register was short only by a dollar." "Exactly. Who steals a dollar and leaves a pastry? It makes no sense unless the thief wanted to send a message." "The letter says 'You knead better supervision.' Do you?" "Knead better supervision. It's a pun, Betty. Cruel, but funny." "Shirley, I run a bakery, not a comedy club. If this is about the missing recipe book—" "It's not." "Then what is it?" "Somebody's warning us. The salt was meant to ruin the county fair entry before judging. Think about it: who benefits if Miller's Mill Bakery is disqualified?" "I still have last year's blue ribbon. They can't take that away." "Not the ribbon. The building. The proposed group home for adults with disabilities. Your lease is up in March, and half the town council wants that lot for condos." "Councilman Hayes ate three of my apple fritters yesterday." "And?" "And he left without paying. Twice. I think he hates the smell of yeast." "Or he hates what it represents." "Community, Shirley. He hates community."