Listen for the Lie
by Amy Tintera
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Five: Lucy
Overview
Paige discovers Lucy and Ben in bed together and immediately frames their relationship as a serious ethical threat to the podcast. Her confrontation exposes how Ben’s growing personal attachment to Lucy could undermine the investigation’s credibility. Lucy ends the chapter aware that Ben has already crossed professional lines for her, even as Paige tries to reassert those boundaries.
Summary
Lucy wakes late in Ben’s hotel room after they have spent the night together. Morning light is coming through the blinds when Paige enters the suite with the key Ben gave her and calls for him from the living room.
Ben quickly gets out of bed and tries to keep Paige out of the bedroom, but Paige recognizes Lucy’s purse and pushes inside. She finds Lucy in bed and reacts with frustrated disbelief rather than surprise, making it clear she sees Ben’s decision as reckless.
After Ben ushers Paige back out, Lucy listens from behind the door as Paige confronts him in a harsh whisper. Paige reminds Ben that she only agreed to work on the case if he stayed professional, and she argues that sleeping with the woman at the center of the podcast could destroy his credibility and make listeners distrust the entire investigation.
Ben tries to defend himself by saying Lucy would not expose him and has no reason to sabotage a podcast that has improved her public image. Paige remains unconvinced and insists on keeping firm boundaries. Before leaving, Paige calls out that they still will not warn Lucy in advance about upcoming podcast material, and Lucy chooses not to mention that Ben has already quietly bent that rule for her.
Who Appears
- LucyWakes in Ben’s room after sleeping with him and overhears the fallout with Paige.
- Ben OwensPodcaster who sleeps with Lucy and defends the relationship when Paige confronts him.
- PaigeBen’s colleague who catches them together and warns the affair could destroy the podcast’s credibility.