Episode 3: The Curious Case of the Missing Marmalade (The Misadventures of Felix Bright and Dr. Moira Keys)

The Setup

Morning broke with a sense of unease at 221B Parchment Row. Felix Bright, renowned investigator and connoisseur of peculiar cases, stood frozen before the pantry, staring into the void where his prized jar of Seville marmalade once resided.

“It’s gone,” Felix whispered dramatically. “Vanished without a trace!”

Dr. Moira Keys peered over her coffee cup. “You mean the marmalade? Didn’t you finish it yesterday?”

Felix turned, aghast. “I would never finish the last of it without savoring the ceremonial toast! This, my dear Moira, is theft!”

“Felix, it’s breakfast. Not a criminal conspiracy.”

But Felix was already donning his coat. “Nonsense! The culprit is among us. And by us, I mean you, me, and Mrs. Everly next door who’s been known to eye my pantry with envy.”

Moira groaned. “Fine. Let’s solve the marmalade mystery before you alert the papers.”

The Investigation

Felix began with the scene of the crime: the pantry. Armed with his magnifying glass, he inspected every inch of the shelves.

“Notice the crumbs,” he said, pointing to a faint trail leading to the kitchen window.

Moira crossed her arms. “Crumbs? In a kitchen? Shocking.”

“And the smudge of orange on the sill!” Felix continued triumphantly.

“That’s apricot jam from last week.”

Felix ignored her, stepping outside to examine the flowerbed beneath the window. “Footprints! Large ones. Size ten, I’d wager. Our thief is bold and possibly flat-footed.”

Moira smirked. “Or you’re overanalyzing gardener boots.”

But Felix was undeterred. “We must interrogate the usual suspects!”

The Suspects

First stop: Mrs. Everly’s cottage.

The sweet but sharp-tongued neighbor opened the door, holding a basket of scones.

“Felix, Moira! Lovely morning. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Felix eyed the basket suspiciously. “Lovely scones, Mrs. Everly. Did you, perchance, use marmalade in the glaze?”

Mrs. Everly raised an eyebrow. “Is this about your pantry obsession again? I don’t even like marmalade.”

“Hmm,” Felix muttered, eyeing her. “Then why the sudden gift of baked goods? Guilt, perhaps?”

Moira dragged him away. “Sorry, Mrs. Everly. He hasn’t had breakfast.”

Next stop: The corner café.

Felix grilled the café owner, a burly man named Gus, about his recent marmalade acquisitions.

“Bright, you’re off your rocker,” Gus said, flipping pancakes. “If I wanted marmalade, I’d buy it like a normal person.”

Felix sniffed the air. “Then explain the citrus aroma wafting from your kitchen.”

“It’s lemon curd.”

Felix tapped his temple. “Clever diversion, but I remain unconvinced.”

Moira pulled him out before he could start inspecting the café’s shelves.

The Breakthrough

Back at the house, Felix paced the living room. “We’ve ruled out Everly and Gus, but the footprints remain a mystery. Who else has access to our pantry?”

“Felix,” Moira said, staring at the pantry door, “did you even check the back of the shelf?”

Felix froze. “The... back of the shelf?”

Rolling her eyes, Moira walked to the pantry, reached into its depths, and pulled out the jar of marmalade.

“You moved it behind the pickle jars last week, remember? Said it needed better lighting.”

Felix blinked, then grinned sheepishly. “Ah. Well. Mystery solved! Case closed!”

The Wrap-Up

As Felix spread marmalade on his toast, Moira leaned back in her chair. “So, what’s the moral of this story, detective?”

“Simple, Moira: Never underestimate the cunning nature of pantry organization.”

“And perhaps write down where you put things?”

Felix raised his toast. “Details, my dear doctor. Merely details.”

Moira sighed but couldn’t help laughing. “I can’t believe I skipped my morning jog for this.”

“And aren’t you glad you did?” Felix asked, biting into his toast.

The two shared a laugh, already bracing themselves for whatever ridiculous escapade Felix would cook up next.