Lucy meets Ben at the diner, where he is already working on his laptop. She immediately notices his practiced friendliness and suspects that his charm is part of his effort to get her to cooperate, but she sits down anyway. Their early conversation stays light and sarcastic, with Ben ordering her French toast after realizing she is hungry and Lucy admitting she is bad at small talk and can come off like an asshole.

The conversation turns directly to the podcast and Lucy’s reputation. Lucy bluntly references the part of the story where she is seen as the woman who cheated, making clear that she knows exactly how she is perceived and is used to it. Even so, Lucy tells Ben that she genuinely wants him to solve Savannah’s murder. Ben responds by asking Lucy to work with him, not as a podcast partner, but as someone who can help him understand Savannah, the case, and the theories he has developed.

Ben is direct about the stakes: if Lucy is the killer, he will say so publicly. Lucy accepts that condition, and Ben explains that he needs her perspective because she knew Savannah better than anyone. When Vince brings their food, his visible distrust of Lucy reinforces how the town still sees her, and Lucy warns Ben that associating with her will bring more of that hostility.

While they eat, Ben presses again, and Lucy finally agrees to help him. She also agrees to do an interview on the record, which clearly surprises and excites him. Lucy credits Beverly’s efforts for helping push her into the meeting, and Ben casually reveals that he and Beverly have been texting regularly. The chapter ends with Ben telling Lucy that she is wrong to think there is no new information, because Kyle has recently given him something useful.