Run: 2026-10-08-01M4DAA34ZDG9Q06ZC591F9X2W

"You're late," Maisie said, not looking up from the tray of cinnamon rolls. "Traffic on Elm. Somebody's cat got stuck in a gutter again." "Did you rescue it?" "Of course. Mrs. Abernathy would have my hide otherwise." A pause. "Is that the good icing?" "It's the only icing. Someone used the last of the vanilla bean paste yesterday and didn't tell anyone." "That wasn't me." "I didn't say it was." "You were looking at me like it was." Maisie set down her piping bag and finally met the gaze of her friend. "Fine. Ruth found the jar in the dumpster behind the library. Empty. Lid off." "Well, that's just strange." "That's what I said. Who throws away good vanilla bean paste?" "Someone who wanted it gone." The bell above the door chimed, and both women turned. Nobody came in. Only a gust of wind rattled the window, carrying the faint smell of burnt sugar from the corner shop across the street. "Okay," Maisie whispered. "Now you're making me nervous." "Good. Nervous people notice things. Start with the back door. Is it locked?" "I locked it myself." "Then check again."