Autumnal Games

Puzzle No. 5: The Parking Lot

By Jim Markus · First appeared September 4, 2026

Solve it in your head or work the clues on paper. Everyone has an alibi except one. When you’ve placed all four, check your answer below.

It was late September. A local baker was carrying a wedding cake to her delivery truck when someone tore through the parking lot and nearly hit her. She jumped clear. The cake did not. You have four suspects. Each one has a job, a vehicle, and a paint color. Work the clues and name the one who was behind the wheel.

The clues

  1. The vehicle that nearly hit the baker was maroon.
  2. Wendy and the firefighter both drive Jeeps.
  3. Wendy keeps her styling scissors in her vehicle.
  4. Jerry volunteers as a firefighter.
  5. The baker's assistant was helping Jerry in the bakery at the time in question.
  6. Bill arranged the flowers for the wedding.
  7. The florist has an alibi at the time in question.
  8. No two vehicles are the same color.
  9. The only cars seen in the parking lot that afternoon were two Jeep Wranglers, one VW Jetta, and one Ford F150.

Your accusation