The Case of the Missing Ingredients

    By Robert Gallagher

    The Case of the Missing Ingredients cover image

    18 Apr, 2025

    Lila and Finn skip down the lane, their bare feet brushing dew from the grass. They pause outside the bakery, noses twitching.

    Instead of the usual warm, buttery aroma, there’s nothing but the briny tang of the sea. "Finn, something’s wrong—where’s the smell of bread and cinnamon rolls?" "Let’s ask Mrs.

    Cromarty. Maybe she’s trying a new recipe."

    Mrs. Cromarty wrings her hands as Lila and Finn enter.

    Her cheeks, usually rosy with cheer, are pale today. "Children, it’s terrible!

    All my flour and sugar vanished last night. How will I bake the Mayor’s birthday cake?" "Don’t worry, Mrs.

    Cromarty. We’ll find your ingredients—and fast!"

    A clever crow, Pip, flutters to Finn’s shoulder, while Sable the fox sniffs the air thoughtfully. The children explain the problem, and the animals chatter eagerly, eager to help their human friends.

    "Caw! I saw shadows at the bakery last night, flitting in and out." "I caught a scent—sweet, powdery, and not from any fox den." "Let’s split up and search for clues.

    If we work together, we’ll solve this in no time!"

    Lila kneels, examining the footprints, while Finn consults with a curious otter. The otter chatters excitedly, describing a midnight parade of gulls and crabs, all carrying white sacks.

    "It looks like someone enlisted the help of the beach animals. But who would need so much flour and sugar?" "Let’s follow the tracks and see where they lead!"

    Rascal looks up, his paws sticky with icing. The raccoons chatter sheepishly as Lila, Finn, and their animal friends arrive.

    "We only wanted to bake something special for the baby raccoons’ birthday. We didn’t know it belonged to Mrs.

    Cromarty!" "If you help us return what’s left and clean up, maybe Mrs. Cromarty can teach you how to bake properly."

    The aroma of vanilla and caramel fills the air once more. The animals help with gentle paws and beaks, and soon, a towering cake stands ready, decorated with candied shells and sugar flowers.

    "Thank you, all of you. The Mayor will have his cake, and we’ll have a story to tell for years to come!" "Next time, Rascal, just ask.

    We’ll bake together!"

    The Case of the Missing Ingredients

    AI Mystery Stories
    Lila and Finn skip down the lane, their bare feet brushing dew from the grass. They pause outside the bakery, noses twitching. Instead of the usual warm, buttery aroma, there’s nothing but the briny tang of the sea. "Finn, something’s wrong—where’s the smell of bread and cinnamon rolls?" "Let’s ask Mrs. Cromarty. Maybe she’s trying a new recipe."
    Mrs. Cromarty wrings her hands as Lila and Finn enter. Her cheeks, usually rosy with cheer, are pale today. "Children, it’s terrible! All my flour and sugar vanished last night. How will I bake the Mayor’s birthday cake?" "Don’t worry, Mrs. Cromarty. We’ll find your ingredients—and fast!"
    A clever crow, Pip, flutters to Finn’s shoulder, while Sable the fox sniffs the air thoughtfully. The children explain the problem, and the animals chatter eagerly, eager to help their human friends. "Caw! I saw shadows at the bakery last night, flitting in and out." "I caught a scent—sweet, powdery, and not from any fox den." "Let’s split up and search for clues. If we work together, we’ll solve this in no time!"
    Lila kneels, examining the footprints, while Finn consults with a curious otter. The otter chatters excitedly, describing a midnight parade of gulls and crabs, all carrying white sacks. "It looks like someone enlisted the help of the beach animals. But who would need so much flour and sugar?" "Let’s follow the tracks and see where they lead!"
    Rascal looks up, his paws sticky with icing. The raccoons chatter sheepishly as Lila, Finn, and their animal friends arrive. "We only wanted to bake something special for the baby raccoons’ birthday. We didn’t know it belonged to Mrs. Cromarty!" "If you help us return what’s left and clean up, maybe Mrs. Cromarty can teach you how to bake properly."
    The aroma of vanilla and caramel fills the air once more. The animals help with gentle paws and beaks, and soon, a towering cake stands ready, decorated with candied shells and sugar flowers. "Thank you, all of you. The Mayor will have his cake, and we’ll have a story to tell for years to come!" "Next time, Rascal, just ask. We’ll bake together!"