Sophia
The woman who walked into Sweet Crumbs on Wednesday afternoon didn't look like a typical customer, notebook in hand instead of a purse, her eyes scanning the shop with a purposeful attention that immediately put me on edge.
"Sophia Bennett?" she asked, approaching the counter with a polite but professional smile.
"That's me," I said cautiously, setting down the tray I'd been holding. "Can I help you?"
"I'm Claire Whitman, I write for the City Chronicle." She pulled out a business card, sliding it across the counter toward me. "I'm working on a story about the redevelopment happening on this block, and I was hoping to get a comment from you, as the last remaining property owner who hasn't accepted the buyout offer."
My stomach tightened immediately, the mention of the redevelopm
