Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YFYKH03D59RWWP3QFDPFZV

The bell over the door of Butter & Thyme gave a tired jingle as rain tapped the windows. Beyond the counter, cinnamon rolls cooled beneath a linen cloth, though one tray sat conspicuously empty. “You’re missing six.” “Seven. I ate one.” “Before or after you found the note?” “After. Crime makes me peckish.” A flour-dusted finger pointed toward the register. Tucked beneath it was a square of blue paper, folded into the shape of a swan. “‘Return what you took from the mill.’ That’s rather dramatic for a stolen pastry.” “The mill’s been closed for twenty years.” “Exactly. And Mrs. Abernathy swears she saw a light there last night.” “Mrs. Abernathy also swears her cat can play whist.” “Her cat is remarkably good at whist.” The oven timer chimed. Neither of them moved. From the back room came a soft scrape, then the unmistakable thud of something heavy being set down. “You locked that door.” “I did.” “With the key?” “With both keys.” Another scrape. A trail of white flour appeared beneath the back-room door, followed by a single warm cinnamon roll rolling neatly into view. “Well. That’s a clue with icing.”