Listen for the Lie

by Amy Tintera

A podcaster has decided to ruin my life, so I’m buying a chicken.

“So, did you do it? Did you kill her?” I sigh. “I don’t know.”

“Seriously? That’s the truth?” The elevator door opens again with a ding. I step out and look at him over my shoulder. “The truth doesn’t matter.”

Nathan, was weird when he came home from work last night. He was late, and smelled like beer, and he wouldn’t look at me. Clearly, someone clued him in.

Let this be a lesson to all the men out there who can’t handle conflict—man up and dump your girlfriend, or you might end up living with a suspected murderer indefinitely.

I stab the knife into the chicken, right between the breast and thigh. I may have used a bit more force than necessary. Nathan jumps. I smile. At this rate, he’s going to end up married to a murderer.

Ben: As far as you know, is she still claiming to have no memory of the night Savannah died? Maya: Yeah, that was her story.

Just this morning I found a very promising one-bedroom with no income requirements. It looks like a dump in the pictures, and the landlord asked to see a picture of my feet when I emailed, but, hey. It’s cheap.

But I don’t actually want a new job, if I’m being honest. I’ve published three romance novels under a pen name, and the third one is actually selling some copies.

don’t want to think about murder, but I can’t seem to stop it.

I don’t do it with everyone, but I’ve imagined killing a whole lot of people.

It started not long after Savvy died. Everyone said I was a murderer, and I couldn’t say for sure that I wasn’t, so I started thinking of all the...

Seven days in the place where I’d once been successful, and married, and had lots of friends who were jealous of my (fake) happiness.

“And Lucy?” “Yeah?” “You heard about that podcast, right? The one about you?”

Nathan is home, still in the black pants and white button-up he wore to work. His face lights up when he sees the suitcase. Subtle, dude.

Men are such babies. They’re too scared to actually break up with you, so they just get mean or fade away until you get mad and dump them.

I open my podcast app and find Listen for the Lie. I put on the first episode as I pack.

Norma: You’re from California? Ben: Yeah, Los Angeles. Well, San Francisco, originally. I live in L.A. now. Norma: That whole state is going to break off into the ocean after a big earthquake, you know. Ben: I’ve heard that. Norma: You know Lucy Chase lives out there too? Horrible woman. Savannah was an absolute peach. Just the sweetest girl you ever met. I hope you nail Lucy’s murderous ass to the wall. This, I should note, was a common theme in my first few days in Plumpton.

But when I got close, I could tell she was already dead. Her eyes were open, and she was pale and soaking wet. Huge gash on her head, like someone had hit her with something. It rained real hard that night, I’m sure you heard. It had only just let up when I left for my run.

who did this to them.” I don’t think that a single cop at that scene was thinking that this girl was the one who killed Savannah. Everyone was so relieved. They thought that Lucy was dead too and they were so happy to have found her. We didn’t know. We couldn’t have even dreamed it.

“I do hope you’ll go out and see folks.” Her hand is still on mine, and she looks at me anxiously. “No one wants to see me, Mom.” “Sure they do. And I think it’s best if you don’t hide. You don’t have anything to be ashamed of, do you?”

“By the way, I don’t know if anyone told you, but that podcaster is back in town. Might want to keep an eye out.”

She had her days, I guess, but for the most part she was just a really joyful woman. Maybe too joyful. Ben: How do you mean?

Ivy: Well, I used to tell her to calm down, to think things through. She’d just get so excited about something and want to do it immediately. She was so excited to experience new things, sometimes it was like she wanted to do everything all at once. I wanted her to slow down. I’d tell her she had her whole life. But I guess she knew that wasn’t going to be long.

Ben: When did they become friends? Ivy: After Lucy moved back to town. Savvy was already here … well, you know. She’d been back in Plumpton for a couple years, after college didn’t work out. She came over for Sunday dinner and she said, “Mom, you remember Lucy Chase?” I didn’t, actually. She’d had to remind me. That girl who once got suspended for punching a boy. That’s how Lucy was known back then.

Ben: And you said it was awkward at first? Because of the college thing? Ivy: Savvy said that Lucy looked really uncomfortable at first, and Matt had to jump in and save her. Matt was always doing that. He’s a real charmer. No idea what he saw in Lucy. But I guess Lucy and Savvy got to talking, and they decided to meet up for drinks the next day. I was turned off by the whole thing right away, honestly.

Ben: Why? Ivy: It just sounded like Lucy was taking pity on Savvy.

type out a reply. “Not a bad idea. Watch out, world—I’m entering my murder era!” The comment immediately starts to get likes and laughs. I have to wonder if they’d think it was funny if they knew who I really was.

Ben: She what? Ross: Do I have to be politically correct about murderers now too? Jesus Christ. She was a bitch, okay? She was a huge fucking bitch.

Mom grunts as she digs her crutches into the dirt and stops next to me. “She sold her old house—which was paid off, I’d like to add—to buy this … thing.” “It’s pink.” “Yes.”

The tiny house is kind of cute, actually. It’s basically a square box on wheels, but it has a certain charm, and it’s not just the cheery pink color.

Mom looks from me to Grandma, a tiny frown on her face. Mom didn’t know about Nathan. It occurs to me now that Mom probably has no idea how often I talk to Grandma. Far more often than I talk to her.

Nina: I mean … I don’t know. Would people say she had a temper if she was a man? They’d say she stood up for herself when it was needed. So that’s what I’m going with. Lucy wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself.

“Well come here, girl, give me a hug!” She steps forward and wraps her arms around me before I can react. Her long, wavy

Shit. The voice is back. Shit.

Emmett: I was shocked. Never in a million years did I think Lucy would hurt Savvy.

And a dark-haired man by himself in a booth by the window, staring at me. I recognize him right away. Ben Owens. Smug podcaster.

He lifts one hand. He’s waving at me. I almost laugh.

“I heard you were in town. How’s your mom?” “She’s fine, thanks. I heard you were in town too. Why?” “Because you’re here.”

I glance over at the counter. The teenager has disappeared. “I enjoyed your books,” Ben says.

“Your books. The Eva Knightley books.” I drop my feet from the booth and straighten. He looks smug again. “How did you even?” A pit begins to form at the bottom of my stomach. “Let’s kill, let’s kill, let’s kill—” “My PI is very good.” Smug, smug, smug.

“Just one question.” Ben reaches forward like he’s going to touch me. He doesn’t. He presses both palms flat to the table. “Off the record.” “You can ask, but I may not answer.” “How well did you know Colin Dunn?” I sigh. Colin Fucking Dunn. “You think Savvy’s boyfriend did it. How original. Why didn’t anyone else think of that?” I deadpan.

“You sent me to the diner because you knew that podcaster bastard was there.” “Well … yes.”

“Please…” I pause, closing my eyes briefly as I gather myself. “Please tell me that you didn’t plan this entire party just to get me here to talk to that podcaster.” “I don’t know why you’re asking. It’s pretty obvious that’s exactly what I did.” “Oh my god.” I drop into a chair and put a hand on my forehead. “Why would … what in … Why?” She stands, adjusting the bun that’s wobbling on the top of her head. She walks over to the table and pulls the food out of the bag. “Have you seen him?”

“He solved a cold case on the first season of the podcast,” Grandma says. “He’s going to figure this out, and you’re going to help him.”

“Well, for one, you’re going to help him. And two, he already has.” I stop with my mouth half-open, ready to take a bite. “What?” “Colin didn’t go straight home from the wedding.”

Ben: A guest at that wedding says she saw you getting into a car with a woman. Colin: What guest? Ben: Just someone who wishes they’d spoke up earlier. Did you get in anyone’s car that night?

Colin: I mean … I was home by like three a.m. Ben: The coroner put Savvy’s death somewhere between midnight and three a.m. So you were actually out and about during the time she was killed.

“Who do you think cheated on her husband with that Colin boy?” Peggy whispers loudly, and then cackles.

Ben: You mean with Savannah’s murder? Stephanie: Well, no, I mean Kyle. Kyle Porter. You know about him, of course. Ben: I’ve heard some things. Stephanie: You should talk to Kyle.