Run: 2026-10-13-01M4V1QENVKXHDPGEV1YXZKKF5

The morning air in the Sweet Crumb Bakery smelled of toasted pecans, vanilla bean, and, unfortunately, impending gossip. Pink gingham curtains framed the front window, catching the pale autumn sunlight as the brass bell above the door gave a frantic jingle. Glass cake stands rattled on the marble countertop. A tray of fresh blueberry scones cooled on a wire rack between them. "Tell me you didn't put almond extract in the mayor's morning Bear Claw." "Why on earth would I do that? You know I only use cinnamon and brown sugar." "Because the ambulance just pulled up to the gazebo, and Barnaby’s face was the exact shade of your prized raspberry coulis." "Good heavens. Is he breathing?" "Barely. And he was clutching one of our pink pastry boxes to his chest like a shield." "That’s impossible. The only person who ordered almond anything today was Beatrix Vance, and she took her croissants twenty minutes ago." "Beatrix? The woman currently trying to block the mayor's new zoning laws?" "The very same. And come to think of it, she lingered awfully close to the pickup counter while I was in the back fetching the extra napkins." "Lock the front door and flip the sign to closed. I’ll grab the spare apron, and you check the trash bin for an empty vial."