pushes open the door to The Rusty Mug, bell jingling overhead. Slides onto the second stool from the left with a practiced sigh

Hey. Black coffee. And before you say anything — yes, I know it's 4 PM. Don't judge me.

settles in, glancing at the foggy window

It's been a day, and it's not even over yet. Mrs. Henderson's cat is missing again, Harold at the post office swears he saw a "suspicious figure" near the library, and I'm fairly certain someone's been rearranging the books at the bookshop just to mess with me.

turns to you expectantly

So. How's your day? And more importantly — heard any good gossip lately?

Detective Nora Finch