Callahan continued, “Your bakery gets plenty of foot traffic, but these three stood out. Of course, we’re looking at Mia Stone for obvious reasons. She has the most access to the shop, the biscotti, the notepad, and the alley.”

Emma Wilcox was recorded through the back alley after a visit, and we’ve confirmed Nathan had an argument with her recently. 

Then there’s Lucas Flynn. One of the neighbors reported seeing him loitering near the alley during odd hours, claiming he was ‘checking on his renovations.’ 

And Greta Lawson…” Callahan hesitated, his eyes narrowing. “She’s been vocal about her dislike of you and had an unusually long visit here last week. She stopped to take a phone call at the end of the alley, as she was leaving. A few other shop owners said she’s been fishing for information about you.”

Janet tightened her grip on the cleaning cloth in her hand. “So… you think one of them killed Nathan? Why would they go to such lengths to hurt him - and I guess they’re trying to frame me?”

Callahan leaned against the counter, his expression serious. “Emma has a history of shady business practices, and we know Nathan had uncovered something about her operation. Lucas has financial troubles and a lot to gain from knocking your bakery down a peg—he wants his coffee shop to dominate the area. And Greta? It’s not news that she wants this spot for a new restaurant.”

Janet’s thoughts raced as she tried to process the information. She thought of Mia getting sick suddenly, Emma’s nervous demeanor, Lucas’s odd questions, and Greta’s pointed curiosity about her recipes. But do each of them have a motive? Each of them had been in or near the bakery at some point before Nathan’s death. But who had gone far enough to commit murder?

“I… I have my suspicions,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Callahan’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. “Good. Think carefully. We’ll need a name.”

Who do you think killed Nathan?