As Detective Nick Carter made his way towards the Evil Queen’s Castle, he pondered over the curious tip from the Little Red Hen. The forest path, shrouded in mystery, seemed to echo with the secrets of the fairy tale realm.

Unexpectedly, Carter came across the Huntsman, not on a valiant quest, but deeply engrossed in… vegetable gardening. The sight of the burly Huntsman, whose hands were more accustomed to the heft of an axe, now tenderly tending to tomatoes and turnips, was a juxtaposition that didn’t escape Carter’s keen sense of irony.

“Huntsman, from big bad wolves to… broccoli?” Carter called out with a chuckle. “That’s quite the career leap.”

The Huntsman glanced up, his expression a mix of concentration and annoyance. “These are for the Queen’s guests,” he grumbled, barely looking at Carter as he plucked a particularly plump pepper.

Carter, his detective instincts tingling, leaned on his shovel for a chat. “The Queen’s hosting a banquet, is she? Must be a lot of hungry mouths if it needs its own garden.”

The Huntsman wiped his brow with the back of his hand, revealing a smudge of soil. “Yeah, lots of guests lately. Big appetite, big events,” he said tersely, focusing on a row of radishes.

Carter’s curiosity peaked. “Any special dish on the menu? I hear there’s a buzz about some sort of chocolate concoction.”

The Huntsman paused, a carrot half-pulled from the ground. “The chocolate thing? Not ready yet,” he said, his tone suggesting he knew more than he was letting on.

Changing tack, Carter asked nonchalantly, “How’s Snow White, by the way? Still keeping clear of apples, I hope?”

The Huntsman’s reaction was instant. He stood up abruptly, his face a mask of discomfort. “Gotta check on the cabbages,” he muttered, brushing past Carter abruptly.

“Well, that hit a sore spot,” Carter mused to himself, watching the Huntsman’s hasty retreat. He added a mental note about the mysterious chocolate dish to his growing list of clues.

Continuing his journey towards the castle, Carter’s mind raced with possibilities. The fairy tale community was buzzing with unexplained disappearances, and now a vegetable garden for a royal feast with a secret chocolate recipe? “This case is getting curiouser and curiouser,” he thought, a wry smile crossing his face as the ominous silhouette of the castle came into view.

As Detective Nick Carter approached the towering castle of the Evil Queen, the scent of chocolate grew stronger, enticing him like a sinister invitation. He could hear the distant laughter of children, a disconcerting harmony to the chocolaty aroma. His instincts told him she was up to something nefarious, but not necessarily Jiminy Cricket’s demise.

As Detective Nick Carter stood in the grand foyer of the Evil Queen’s castle, the rich aroma of chocolate enveloping him, he sensed the layers of deception woven into the very walls. The sound of children’s laughter, seemingly innocent, added a dissonant note to the atmosphere, hinting at deeper, darker secrets.

The Queen, draped in her regal attire, watched Carter with eyes that hid a thousand tales. “Detective Carter, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” she inquired, her voice a smooth concoction of feigned innocence and hidden agendas.

Carter, undeterred by her charm, decided to tread carefully, weaving his inquiries into casual conversation. “I’ve been following up on some unusual reports, Your Majesty. Disappearances of certain fairy tale creatures. Any thoughts?”

The Queen waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, Detective, in a realm where magic is the norm, disappearances are hardly uncommon. Why, creatures here are as elusive as the common rabbit.”

“But unlike rabbits, these creatures talk, don’t they?” Carter retorted, his tone laced with dry wit. “Seems to me that talking animals vanishing could be cause for concern.”

Her laughter, crisp and calculated, filled the foyer. “Detective, you do have a way with words. But you should know, food has been rather scarce lately. Perhaps that’s where your ‘talking animals’ have gone.”

“Speaking of food,” Carter continued, “I hear there’s a new culinary delight brewing in your kitchens. Something involving chocolate?”

The Queen’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Merely a new recipe to lift the spirits of my subjects. Times have been hard, Detective.”

Carter nodded, his gaze sharp. “And the Huntsman? How does he fit into this culinary puzzle?”

Her laughter rang out once more, this time with a hint of mockery. “The Huntsman has his own… preoccupations. I believe a certain Snow White might be involved, but I’m not one to spread rumors.”

Shifting gears, Carter mentioned the children gathered in the castle. “Quite the party you’re hosting, Your Majesty. All this for a chocolate experiment?”

The Queen’s demeanor turned icy. “Detective Carter, are you here to inquire about my hospitality, or is there a more pressing matter at hand?”

Carter met her gaze squarely. “Actually, I’m investigating a murder. Jiminy Cricket, found dead and encased in chocolate.”

Her reaction was instant and unguarded. A sharp gasp escaped her lips, her composed mask slipping momentarily. “Jiminy Cricket? Dead, you say?”

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To be continued