Listen for the Lie
by Amy Tintera
Contents
Chapter Ten: Lucy
Overview
Lucy runs into Ben Owens at Plumpton Diner and agrees only to an off-the-record conversation, trying to keep control of a situation that keeps threatening to expose her. Ben unsettles her by revealing he knows she secretly writes romance novels under a pen name, showing how deeply he is digging into her life. The chapter ends with Ben steering the investigation toward Colin Dunn, signaling that the podcast may reopen old questions about Savannah's boyfriend and the wedding night.
Summary
On Sunday evening, Lucy goes to Plumpton Diner to pick up dinner for herself and her grandmother. Before she leaves, her mother complains about the diner's food, and Lucy is relieved to escape alone. At the diner, Lucy notices how little the place has changed, then spots Ben Owens sitting by himself and watching her.
Seeing Ben immediately triggers Lucy's violent inner voice, which urges her to kill him. Lucy silently tells the voice to shut up and, assuming Ben will approach her if she refuses, goes to his booth instead. Ben invites her to sit, but his slightly awkward behavior surprises Lucy because he seems more flustered than smooth.
Lucy makes clear that anything they discuss is off the record and that she is not agreeing to be interviewed. Ben accepts that for the moment and tries to draw her in by asking about her life and by pushing again for an interview, arguing that no one has really heard Lucy's side. Lucy refuses, especially when Ben mentions her past relationship with Savannah and the wedding, because she does not want her friendship with Savvy publicly dissected again.
The conversation shifts when Ben reveals that his private investigator discovered Lucy secretly writes romance novels under the name Eva Knightley. Lucy is rattled because she has hidden that identity to avoid readers associating her books with the woman accused of killing her best friend. Ben says he considered mentioning it on the podcast but decided it was irrelevant and cruel, partly because his assistant Paige advised against it. His admission unsettles Lucy, but it also creates a brief, more personal rapport between them.
As Lucy's takeout order arrives, Ben asks one more off-the-record question: how well Lucy knew Colin Dunn. Lucy reacts with sarcasm, noting that everyone has already considered Savvy's boyfriend a suspect, but she does not give Ben much. Ben presses further about why Lucy and Savannah left Colin and Matt at the wedding and whether Colin really went straight home that night. Lucy leaves without answering, and Ben slips his card into her hand, urging her to call if she wants to talk about Colin after tomorrow's episode.
Who Appears
- Lucy MorrowMeets Ben at the diner, guards her privacy, and is shaken when he learns her secret pen name.
- Ben OwensTrue crime podcaster who presses Lucy for an interview, reveals her pseudonym, and shifts suspicion toward Colin Dunn.
- Lucy's motherBriefly appears before Lucy leaves, complaining about the diner's food.
- Lucy's grandmotherSends Lucy to pick up dinner, prompting the diner visit.
- PaigeBen's assistant, credited with persuading him not to expose Lucy's romance-writing identity.
- Colin DunnSavvy's boyfriend and the subject Ben pointedly questions Lucy about.
- Savannah "Savvy"Lucy refuses to publicly revisit the details of their friendship and relationship.
- The voiceLucy's violent inner whisper resurfaces and urges her to kill Ben.