January 27, 2020 • 29 mins
High school senior, Hazel Blackwell, was applying to her dream college when she uncovered an underground ring of admissions fraud. Who found out about Hazel’s intentions to tell, and killed her before she could blow the whistle?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, one can remain new her pies high school. I
mean the girl's bathroom by back exit. We need help, please, Harry,
you'n it on the way. What's your name here? Mean Amy?
Are you an immediate care? No, it's my best friend, Hazel.
She's a black black round Yeah, the sheriff's daughter. She
needs help, please, She's helped now to be an I
(00:24):
called to the high school and for Hair black world daughter. Okay, honey,
help it on the way. Can you tell me what
happened to Hair? I don't know. Her dad's must pick
her up and something must have happened, and she she's bleeding.
It's she's not pretathing shed. Welcome to Solve, the interactive
(00:47):
mystery podcast where you don't just hear about crimes, you
solve them. Each episode will present you with a different
case inspired by a true crime. You'll interrogate suspects, piece
together evidence, and investigate the crime scene. You're the detective.
This is your case. Can you solve it? Solve presents admission.
(01:16):
I'm here in front of you today not as the sheriff,
but as a father. Inside my worst nightmare, my daughter
Hazel was the light of my life. Seventeen years, and
not a day went by when she did not make
me proud of her character, moral compass, and her kind heart.
(01:36):
I thought the hardest thing my wife and I would
have to do this year is sent her off to college.
She had just been admitted to ul A, her top choice.
Hazel had so much to look forward to. We all did.
Murder is a path I've walked many times in my
(01:57):
third year career. I never liked this. Today my work
takes on a new meaning. While I won't be handling
my daughter's case personally, my wife, my son, and I
couldn't have more trust in this department and their ability
(02:18):
to conduct an investigation that will get justice for my girl.
For Hazel, Hazel was my best friend for twelve years.
(02:42):
We were inseparable since the very first day of kindergarten
and I was crying, scaredually my parents, but not Hazel.
She marshed over to me, grabbed my hand, and brought
me over to play. From that moment on, Hazel was
my smarter, braver, better half. We did everything together. The
(03:09):
first time with sleepaway camp, our first crushes, our first
time sneaking out, thanks was supposed to be college. We
were planning on going to ul A together, sharing a dorm.
That's all I ever wanted. Oh my gosh, As, I
(03:35):
can't believe it's our last first day of high school tomorrow.
What are you gonna wear? I don't know. Maybe that
wrap dress and boots or shorts and sandals with a
crop top. I can't decide. Yep, I'm thinking the Fleetwood
Max shirt that I got at that vintage store with
my highwaysted shorts. I can't believe it's our last time
(03:57):
doing this. Please, I'm sure we'll stress out about first
day off. It's in college too. Yeah, well, it'll have
to be over FaceTime unless they get into l A.
Don't be ridiculous. You're obviously going to get in. You're
the one who's a legacy while according to Mr Briggs
last time I met with him, and that won't make
up for my g p A. Mr Briggs told Lucas
(04:18):
he'd be lucky to get into community college and look
at him now, Deans listed state. If he got in there,
then you'll definitely get into l A. I hope you're right.
I just I don't know what my parents are gonna do.
If I don't, it's like they've been waiting for this
for ae. The moment they met. I can't even think
about what it will be like at home if I
(04:39):
left him down. You won't This time next year, we'll
be planning our first day of school outfits in l A.
Trust me. Mr Briggs was wrong about Lucas and he's
wrong about you, dear journal Um. I'll be honest. I
(05:06):
did not expect my first senior assignment to be keeping
a journal. Seems a little more like first day of
middle school stuff to me. But hey, maybe Ms O'Brien
is right. Maybe I will want to have everything from
this year written down. The prompt on the board says
to write about my hopes for this year. I guess.
(05:29):
More than anything else, I hope Amy and I both
get accepted to You l A. I have the grades
and test scores, but apparently Mr Briggs told Amy she
should be aiming lower. So even if I do get in,
it won't mean much If Amy doesn't too. It won't
matter if I can't go with my best friend. Hazel
(05:51):
was an all around exceptional student. Can you see once
a year, if you're lucky, it's good at math and
science as she was at English and his three. She
scored a fifteen twenty on her s A T did
student government and sports, got straight a's as a high
school counselor. You can't ask for a student much better
than Hazel. Kids liked her too, all of them from
(06:14):
the I guess you'd call them the nerds to Kira
Umanski most popular girl in school. They started hanging out
after they were paired up for some English assignment. You
know you should be talking to her. That's how this
whole thing got started. Hey, gira um, it's Hazel. When
(06:39):
do you want to meet up to work on the
English project? Or if you're busy, we can totally do
it over email. Whatever you want, inflexible. Hey Hazel, I
want to meet up tonight the Seventh Street coffee houses WiFi. Yeah,
that sounds great. Um also, could I uh? Is it okay?
(07:05):
If um uh? Is it cool? If I bring Amy.
I didn't know Hazel very well. We've gone to school
together for a while, but didn't exactly run in the
same circle, if you know what I mean. It wasn't
until we got paired up for that English project that
we even hung out after school, And at that point
it really was just to work on the assignment. We
(07:26):
had to figure out something we've both written about in
our journals. That was how we found out we both
wanted to go to ul A. Well, that all three
of us wanted to go. It's silly, but I'm really
hoping to go to ul A. No way, you will
as my first choice to really cool? Oh, I should
(07:48):
have said, we're actually both hoping to go, Me and Amy. Yeah,
if I get in, you will, she will. We're gonna
room together. How can you be sure she'll get in?
Did you talk to Mr Briggs? Well? Yeah, but it's
not like he has much of a say hmm, what, Well,
(08:10):
it just sounds like you haven't really talked to him.
There's a lot that goes into choosing a college. Parents
tend to focus on the academics, but there's so much more,
and every student is different. That's the whole reason I
decided to become a school counselor, to help my students
(08:30):
find the same experience I found, whether it's State or
Beaumont or Ula or anywhere else. That was all I wanted,
at least in the beginning. So much has happened just
since my first journal entry, but most importantly, we may
(08:52):
have figured out a way to make sure Amy gets
into l A. And by we I mean me and
Kira Umanski. Yes, top of the social pyramid ASP president,
the same person who once told the entire freshman class
Amy and I were lesbians. It turns out it's her
top choice too. Who knows, maybe our double will become
(09:13):
a triple, especially if Kira is telling the truth about
Mr Briggs being able to guarantee Amy gets in. Kira, Hazel, Amy,
come on in. Thank you so much for meeting with us.
Of course, Kira told me that you two wanted to
talk about U l A admissions. It's been our top
choice since we were kids. Amy's parents used to take
(09:35):
us to football games. You met there. That can certainly help.
Now let's start with Hazel. I've got to say your
transcript is impeccable. I can't imagine you'll have any trouble
getting into U l A. Frankly, some kids with these
stats might consider it a safety school. What about me,
Let's see mm hmm. Well, unfortunately, Amy, you're a bit
(10:03):
of a different story. Your grades are decent, test scores fine,
extracurriculars are lacking. I'd say you're more like Kira. Your
application has some strengths, but also some weaknesses that could
(10:24):
use a little extra help. Help. Well, you see, Kira's
parents and I have come to a bit of an agreement.
For a small fee, I will make sure her application
meets u l A standards of acceptance, she gets in,
I get paid for my time. Clean deal sounds like
a quid pro quote to me. Hm, I prefer to
(10:49):
think of it as an upgraded service, optional but worth it.
I'm sure you do. You know this is illegal, right?
You're not actually considering this, are you? Look? I want
to get in. Don't you want that too? Of course
I do? But Mr Briggs, what if I don't get in?
(11:09):
Do we get our money back? You'll get in? How
can you promise that? Well, frankly, because I have a
perfect track record, this is wrong. Mm hmm. I'm surprised
to hear you feel that way, Hazel. Why don't you
know who my dad is? Yes? But I also know
who your brother is. Poor Lucas barely graduated, but your
(11:33):
mother was desperate for him to get in. What'd she
say somewhere that would make your father proud? Now, you
wouldn't want to ruin that for your brother? Would you
not to mention for your best friend? Mm hmm, that's
what I thought I drove down yesterday. It still doesn't
(12:03):
feel real. I'm half expecting Hazel to walk through the door,
laughing and telling us about the crazy adventure she's been on.
I'm sure everyone will tell you how special my sister was,
But what most people don't know is that Hazel was
like that from the moment she was born, always the
golden child, teacher's pet. If anything, she was too nice,
(12:25):
too weaker to help, too willing to prioritize others over herself.
I always told her it could lead to something like this.
I always told her she couldn't save the world without
sacrificing herself. I should have known something bad is going
to happen. And she was hanging out with Kira Monsky.
It was like that or nothing but trouble, especially when
they're teenagers. Hello in here? Mm hmm, smells good. What's up?
(12:57):
Why are you guys looking at me like that? Received
a call from Mr Briggs. Yeah about what he said.
You referred to another young girl to him, Amy, Oh, yeah,
she's Hazel's friend. Figured if Mr Briggs can help me. Hazel, Hazel,
Hazel Blackwell, we're pared up for an English project as
(13:18):
in Sheriff Blackwell's daughter Kira. Do you understand what kind
of risk you've taken by bringing someone like that into this.
I'm not bringing Hazel into anything. She doesn't need any help.
Mr Briggs says she'll get in all on her own,
but she still knows trust me, it won't be a problem.
(13:38):
How can you be so sure of that? Because Hazel
has a brother so a brother at u l A,
a brother that Mr Briggs knows very very well, you
seriously expect us to believe the Sheriff is in on
this deal with Mr Briggs. He's not, but apparently his
wife is. If I'm being honest, I guess I kind
(14:04):
of felt bad for Amy. I don't know. I guess
I understand how it feels to want control over your
own future, to be the person your parents want you
to be. That's why I set her up with Mr Briggs. Well,
that and the ten percent cut he offered what did
he call it, a referral fee. I know it probably
(14:24):
sounds stupid, but it really didn't seem like that big
of a deal, especially since Mr Briggs had done the
same thing for Hazel's brother. I figured, even if the
sheriff did find out, what's the worst that could happen.
It's not like he would have done anything to put
his own son's future at risk. What's up? Sorry, we're
(14:51):
just finishing up dinner, Lucas. What's going on? Are you okay? Um? Yes, no, honestly,
I don't I don't know. Okay, Okay, take a deep breath.
What's going on? Hey? I need to ask you something. Okay,
(15:15):
what's up? Did you work with Mr Briggs to get
into state? What did he like help you for money? God? Damn? Hey,
(15:35):
I thought someone died and I mean, yeah, mom had
him help me out a little. Wasn't a big deal.
Why you didn't say anything to that about it? Did
you know? But I'm scared for a second. You know
what he'd do if he found out about this. You
should be scared. I mean, do you know how serious
(15:55):
this is? Come on, it's not that pay a deal.
How can you possibly say that our dad is the sheriff?
How could you do this to him, to me? To you? Look,
I gotta go lazy. I don't worry so much, Okay,
And just please don't say anything to Dad like you
(16:18):
know how he can be, and you know he wouldn't
hesitate to throw the book at his troublemaker son. Probably
love the chance to make an example out of me.
All Right, I won't say anything. You promise, Yeah, I promise,
(16:38):
all right? Let me says Hi, Honey, should you be
a clue? Um? Um, I just talked to Hazel. We
have a problem, A big problem. I think you need
(17:00):
come home. What if you knew something that was wrong,
like major crime, big deal, sound the alarm? Wrong? But
what if you couldn't do anything about it, couldn't tell
anyone without putting people you love at risk, hurting the
people you would never ever want to hurt. What if
(17:20):
the only options were swallowing the secret or letting it
ruin everyone's lives. My dad taught me how to tell
right from wrong, but he didn't teach me how hard
it be to do something about it. Um. Well, look,
Hazel and I are were always a little different. I
(17:44):
was always the wild one, the one who thought rules
were meant to be broken. My mom would say I
was a free spirit, but that's of being nice. She
was always making excuses. I think She felt bad because
of all my dad was with me. That was the
whole reason we got to make stuff with Mr Briggs
in the first place. She thought that if I got
in somewhere, it's something of myself. Maybe it proved something
(18:08):
to my dad, but he was never interested in me.
Who could blame him. Hazel was the kind of kid
every parent dreams of, but especially someone like my dad.
She was just like him too much. So if you
ask me, Jeames, what's up, Hey, I have care on
(18:33):
the other line, I'm just going to merge the calls.
Sounds good. Hey, neither of you said anything to anyone
about Mr Briggs, right? Obviously not, of course, not why
he just emailed me asking if anyone else knows. I'm
sure he's just being paranoid. You didn't see anything to
(18:55):
your dad, did you, Haze. I'm not an idiot. It's
just that if anyone was going to say something I didn't,
I want me to get into u l a too,
you know, Okay, we'd talk to you, Hazel. Hazel was honest,
sometimes to a fault. Some people would hate being the
(19:18):
daughter of a cop, but she loved it because she
was just like him. Good if not a little righteous.
Sometimes it would have just been easier if she could
have just let some things go, if she could just
realize that not every rule needs to be followed, that
(19:38):
it wasn't her job to make sure everyone was doing
the right thing. She wasn't trying to police everyone all
the time. Then I don't know, maybe she would still
be here today. M Mom is there? Breakfast? Was just pops,
grab one and take it to go. Thanks. Big day today?
(20:01):
Huh yeah, big day? Where's dad? Good morning? My lovely
wife daughter ul A. Decisions come out tonight huh yep.
I'll be nice to have a reason to celebrate. It
feels like just yesterday we were doing all this with
Lucas right. I can't believe it. You're ready your turn?
So you're ready to go? Hayz Yeah, I'm ready. Let's
(20:23):
go have a good day. Okay, kid, don't worry about
getting into U l A. You're gonna get in. You
earned it. Dad. Could you pick me up from school today?
Doesn't Amy drive you home on Tuesday's Yeah, but there's
(20:46):
something I need to talk to you about. I can
leave sixth period a few minutes early. Make you buy
the back exit Okay, sure, Yeah, Yeah, is everything all right? Yeah,
it will be. Just don't tell Mom or Lucas about this, okay,
all right? Well, journal I tried to let it go,
(21:15):
really I did. I tried to tell myself it wasn't
a big deal that my dad didn't need to know.
But the more I thought about it, the more I
realized I couldn't just let it go. There was something
telling me not to, something telling me that I had
to do the right thing. This whole time, I've been
trying to ignore my conscience. But that didn't mean it disappeared.
(21:36):
In fact, it's louder than ever. Dad's going to pick
me up early from sixth period today and I'm going
to tell him everything. I know some people will never
forgive me for telling him, but I'd never forgive myself
if I didn't. So do you want to come over?
(22:00):
Just cool? I think the ul A emails are supposed
to come out of five six, but um, I can't.
I gotta finish that report for Kim. I'm going to
go to the library so I don't need to write home. Fine,
I guess not that exciting when you know you're going
to get in Hey, I don't know anything if either
(22:20):
of us is to guarantee at this point, it's probably you,
isn't it. I'm sorry, I'm just stressed out. I guess,
don't worry. We'll both get in. That's a good thing, right, Yeah,
of course it is, seems did you check your email?
(22:41):
What do you mean? The ul A decisions came out early?
I caught in no way. Look, Oh my god, I
got in, so did I. It's all because of you.
We're gonna have the best time ever. Rights, I thrilled. Really,
(23:03):
I'm gonna go call my parents. Okay, Hey, there a girl? Everyone? Okay, Yeah,
I just I wanted to tell you the good news.
The missions emails came out early. I got into l
a ay too. All right, Hey, how can you'll be
(23:28):
a little more excited? I am. I just you're still
coming to give me later, right, as long as you're
not want me to I do. Hey, Hazel, Hey, don
I gotta go you Okay, you ran out pretty quickly
back there? Yeah? Sorry, Um, I guess I just couldn't
wait to tell my dad. Is he as excited as
(23:49):
we are? More? Maybe? Hey? My journal for English classes missing?
You guys didn't see it inside? Did you? Don't see anything.
Maybe it's in your locker. Yeah, must be. Oh, I
gotta go. I'll see you later. Yeah, Hazel, call me
(24:10):
after the library. Okay, okay, hey dad, Yeah, I'm coming
out now. I'll be right there. Oh excuse me. I
(24:32):
didn't think anyone else is in here. Son, Sunda knife,
what do you What's what's going on? Wait? No, no, no,
get away from me. This doesn't stop. Help help m hm.
(25:06):
You've reached the end of the investigation. It's time to
decide who you think killed Hazel. Here are your suspects.
Hazel's best friend Amy. She wasn't trying to police everyone
all the time, then maybe she would still be here today.
Popular girl, Kira. It's just that if anyone was going
(25:26):
to say something, high school, college counselor Mr Briggs, poor
Lucas barely graduated, but your mother was desperate for him
to get in. What did she say somewhere that did
make your father proud? Or her brother Lucas? Maybe it
proved something to my dad, but he was never interested
(25:49):
in me. Who could blame him? Hazel was the kind
of kid every parent dreams of. We'll be back with
the answer after a word from our sponsor. Now it's
(26:15):
time to find out who killed Hazel. Hazel's killer was
her so called best friend Amy, after she discovered that
Hazel was planning to tell her father about the admission scheme.
I hope you're right. I just I don't know what
my parents are gonna do if I don't. It's like
they've been waiting for this one the moment they met.
(26:37):
I didn't even think about what it will be like
at home if I lived in town. The only person
who could have known that Hazel was going to tell
her dad that day is someone who read her journal. Hey,
my journal for English classes missing. You guys didn't see
it inside? Did you know? I didn't see anything. Maybe
it's in your locker. And if you listen closely to
her call, Amy gave away that she was the journey
(27:00):
Old Thief by revealing a piece of information that only
someone who had read it would know. Dad's going to
pick me up early from sixth period today and I'm
going to tell him everything perhaps up and something must
have happened, and she's believing she's to This episode is
(27:21):
inspired by the true story of two teenage girls who
murdered their best friend as well as the college admission
scandal that broken early two thousand nineteen. Amy was played
by Hope Elena Garcia Hazel by Son he Cio. Kira
was played by Carson Fagerbacky Byron Briggs was played by
(27:43):
Nick Thurston, Sheriff Blackwell by Joe san Filippo, Lucas Blackwell
by Zeno Robinson. Mrs Blackwell was played by Robin Reid.
Kira's dad was played by Michael Young, Kira's mom by
Christine Dunford, and the operator was played by Veronica Taylor.
(28:05):
Written and directed by Nile Cappello, produced, recorded and mixed
by Salt Audio Executive Produced by Walt Palmer and Corey Serge.
Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios, Edited by Zack Jurich for
Salt Audio. Sound designed by Jasper van Dyke for Salt Audio.
Original music and score by Noah Gersh and Jamie Cheffman
(28:28):
at Salt Audio. Casting by Romy Stuttman. Casting assistant was
Daisy Laura and the production coordinator was Liz LeMay. Next
time on Solve, an ambitious PhD student gets a unique opportunity.
(28:51):
You know, Killip paulas the billionaire. Yeah here has built
his own submarine. If I can talk a me to
bring me on his team, I could get firsthand experience
on a dive. How would that look in my thesis?
But how did this underwater expedition turn into a murder
below the see? I can't believe you're doing this again.
I talked to her, Philip. She is a child, damn it,
(29:15):
and I don't have time for your ship. Get on me.
Tune in next week to find out
Hello, one can remain new her pies high school. I
mean the girl's bathroom by back exit. We need help, please, Harry,
you'n it on the way. What's your name here? Mean Amy?
Are you an immediate care? No, it's my best friend, Hazel.
She's a black black round Yeah, the sheriff's daughter. She
needs help, please, She's helped now to be an I
(00:24):
called to the high school and for Hair black world daughter. Okay, honey,
help it on the way. Can you tell me what
happened to Hair? I don't know. Her dad's must pick
her up and something must have happened, and she she's bleeding.
It's she's not pretathing shed. Welcome to Solve, the interactive
(00:47):
mystery podcast where you don't just hear about crimes, you
solve them. Each episode will present you with a different
case inspired by a true crime. You'll interrogate suspects, piece
together evidence, and investigate the crime scene. You're the detective.
This is your case. Can you solve it? Solve presents admission.
(01:16):
I'm here in front of you today not as the sheriff,
but as a father. Inside my worst nightmare, my daughter
Hazel was the light of my life. Seventeen years, and
not a day went by when she did not make
me proud of her character, moral compass, and her kind heart.
(01:36):
I thought the hardest thing my wife and I would
have to do this year is sent her off to college.
She had just been admitted to ul A, her top choice.
Hazel had so much to look forward to. We all did.
Murder is a path I've walked many times in my
(01:57):
third year career. I never liked this. Today my work
takes on a new meaning. While I won't be handling
my daughter's case personally, my wife, my son, and I
couldn't have more trust in this department and their ability
(02:18):
to conduct an investigation that will get justice for my girl.
For Hazel, Hazel was my best friend for twelve years.
(02:42):
We were inseparable since the very first day of kindergarten
and I was crying, scaredually my parents, but not Hazel.
She marshed over to me, grabbed my hand, and brought
me over to play. From that moment on, Hazel was
my smarter, braver, better half. We did everything together. The
(03:09):
first time with sleepaway camp, our first crushes, our first
time sneaking out, thanks was supposed to be college. We
were planning on going to ul A together, sharing a dorm.
That's all I ever wanted. Oh my gosh, As, I
(03:35):
can't believe it's our last first day of high school tomorrow.
What are you gonna wear? I don't know. Maybe that
wrap dress and boots or shorts and sandals with a
crop top. I can't decide. Yep, I'm thinking the Fleetwood
Max shirt that I got at that vintage store with
my highwaysted shorts. I can't believe it's our last time
(03:57):
doing this. Please, I'm sure we'll stress out about first
day off. It's in college too. Yeah, well, it'll have
to be over FaceTime unless they get into l A.
Don't be ridiculous. You're obviously going to get in. You're
the one who's a legacy while according to Mr Briggs
last time I met with him, and that won't make
up for my g p A. Mr Briggs told Lucas
(04:18):
he'd be lucky to get into community college and look
at him now, Deans listed state. If he got in there,
then you'll definitely get into l A. I hope you're right.
I just I don't know what my parents are gonna do.
If I don't, it's like they've been waiting for this
for ae. The moment they met. I can't even think
about what it will be like at home if I
(04:39):
left him down. You won't This time next year, we'll
be planning our first day of school outfits in l A.
Trust me. Mr Briggs was wrong about Lucas and he's
wrong about you, dear journal Um. I'll be honest. I
(05:06):
did not expect my first senior assignment to be keeping
a journal. Seems a little more like first day of
middle school stuff to me. But hey, maybe Ms O'Brien
is right. Maybe I will want to have everything from
this year written down. The prompt on the board says
to write about my hopes for this year. I guess.
(05:29):
More than anything else, I hope Amy and I both
get accepted to You l A. I have the grades
and test scores, but apparently Mr Briggs told Amy she
should be aiming lower. So even if I do get in,
it won't mean much If Amy doesn't too. It won't
matter if I can't go with my best friend. Hazel
(05:51):
was an all around exceptional student. Can you see once
a year, if you're lucky, it's good at math and
science as she was at English and his three. She
scored a fifteen twenty on her s A T did
student government and sports, got straight a's as a high
school counselor. You can't ask for a student much better
than Hazel. Kids liked her too, all of them from
(06:14):
the I guess you'd call them the nerds to Kira
Umanski most popular girl in school. They started hanging out
after they were paired up for some English assignment. You
know you should be talking to her. That's how this
whole thing got started. Hey, gira um, it's Hazel. When
(06:39):
do you want to meet up to work on the
English project? Or if you're busy, we can totally do
it over email. Whatever you want, inflexible. Hey Hazel, I
want to meet up tonight the Seventh Street coffee houses WiFi. Yeah,
that sounds great. Um also, could I uh? Is it okay?
(07:05):
If um uh? Is it cool? If I bring Amy.
I didn't know Hazel very well. We've gone to school
together for a while, but didn't exactly run in the
same circle, if you know what I mean. It wasn't
until we got paired up for that English project that
we even hung out after school, And at that point
it really was just to work on the assignment. We
(07:26):
had to figure out something we've both written about in
our journals. That was how we found out we both
wanted to go to ul A. Well, that all three
of us wanted to go. It's silly, but I'm really
hoping to go to ul A. No way, you will
as my first choice to really cool? Oh, I should
(07:48):
have said, we're actually both hoping to go, Me and Amy. Yeah,
if I get in, you will, she will. We're gonna
room together. How can you be sure she'll get in?
Did you talk to Mr Briggs? Well? Yeah, but it's
not like he has much of a say hmm, what, Well,
(08:10):
it just sounds like you haven't really talked to him.
There's a lot that goes into choosing a college. Parents
tend to focus on the academics, but there's so much more,
and every student is different. That's the whole reason I
decided to become a school counselor, to help my students
(08:30):
find the same experience I found, whether it's State or
Beaumont or Ula or anywhere else. That was all I wanted,
at least in the beginning. So much has happened just
since my first journal entry, but most importantly, we may
(08:52):
have figured out a way to make sure Amy gets
into l A. And by we I mean me and
Kira Umanski. Yes, top of the social pyramid ASP president,
the same person who once told the entire freshman class
Amy and I were lesbians. It turns out it's her
top choice too. Who knows, maybe our double will become
(09:13):
a triple, especially if Kira is telling the truth about
Mr Briggs being able to guarantee Amy gets in. Kira, Hazel, Amy,
come on in. Thank you so much for meeting with us.
Of course, Kira told me that you two wanted to
talk about U l A admissions. It's been our top
choice since we were kids. Amy's parents used to take
(09:35):
us to football games. You met there. That can certainly help.
Now let's start with Hazel. I've got to say your
transcript is impeccable. I can't imagine you'll have any trouble
getting into U l A. Frankly, some kids with these
stats might consider it a safety school. What about me,
Let's see mm hmm. Well, unfortunately, Amy, you're a bit
(10:03):
of a different story. Your grades are decent, test scores fine,
extracurriculars are lacking. I'd say you're more like Kira. Your
application has some strengths, but also some weaknesses that could
(10:24):
use a little extra help. Help. Well, you see, Kira's
parents and I have come to a bit of an agreement.
For a small fee, I will make sure her application
meets u l A standards of acceptance, she gets in,
I get paid for my time. Clean deal sounds like
a quid pro quote to me. Hm, I prefer to
(10:49):
think of it as an upgraded service, optional but worth it.
I'm sure you do. You know this is illegal, right?
You're not actually considering this, are you? Look? I want
to get in. Don't you want that too? Of course
I do? But Mr Briggs, what if I don't get in?
(11:09):
Do we get our money back? You'll get in? How
can you promise that? Well, frankly, because I have a
perfect track record, this is wrong. Mm hmm. I'm surprised
to hear you feel that way, Hazel. Why don't you
know who my dad is? Yes? But I also know
who your brother is. Poor Lucas barely graduated, but your
(11:33):
mother was desperate for him to get in. What'd she
say somewhere that would make your father proud? Now, you
wouldn't want to ruin that for your brother? Would you
not to mention for your best friend? Mm hmm, that's
what I thought I drove down yesterday. It still doesn't
(12:03):
feel real. I'm half expecting Hazel to walk through the door,
laughing and telling us about the crazy adventure she's been on.
I'm sure everyone will tell you how special my sister was,
But what most people don't know is that Hazel was
like that from the moment she was born, always the
golden child, teacher's pet. If anything, she was too nice,
(12:25):
too weaker to help, too willing to prioritize others over herself.
I always told her it could lead to something like this.
I always told her she couldn't save the world without
sacrificing herself. I should have known something bad is going
to happen. And she was hanging out with Kira Monsky.
It was like that or nothing but trouble, especially when
they're teenagers. Hello in here? Mm hmm, smells good. What's up?
(12:57):
Why are you guys looking at me like that? Received
a call from Mr Briggs. Yeah about what he said.
You referred to another young girl to him, Amy, Oh, yeah,
she's Hazel's friend. Figured if Mr Briggs can help me. Hazel, Hazel,
Hazel Blackwell, we're pared up for an English project as
(13:18):
in Sheriff Blackwell's daughter Kira. Do you understand what kind
of risk you've taken by bringing someone like that into this.
I'm not bringing Hazel into anything. She doesn't need any help.
Mr Briggs says she'll get in all on her own,
but she still knows trust me, it won't be a problem.
(13:38):
How can you be so sure of that? Because Hazel
has a brother so a brother at u l A,
a brother that Mr Briggs knows very very well, you
seriously expect us to believe the Sheriff is in on
this deal with Mr Briggs. He's not, but apparently his
wife is. If I'm being honest, I guess I kind
(14:04):
of felt bad for Amy. I don't know. I guess
I understand how it feels to want control over your
own future, to be the person your parents want you
to be. That's why I set her up with Mr Briggs. Well,
that and the ten percent cut he offered what did
he call it, a referral fee. I know it probably
(14:24):
sounds stupid, but it really didn't seem like that big
of a deal, especially since Mr Briggs had done the
same thing for Hazel's brother. I figured, even if the
sheriff did find out, what's the worst that could happen.
It's not like he would have done anything to put
his own son's future at risk. What's up? Sorry, we're
(14:51):
just finishing up dinner, Lucas. What's going on? Are you okay? Um? Yes, no, honestly,
I don't I don't know. Okay, Okay, take a deep breath.
What's going on? Hey? I need to ask you something. Okay,
(15:15):
what's up? Did you work with Mr Briggs to get
into state? What did he like help you for money? God? Damn? Hey,
(15:35):
I thought someone died and I mean, yeah, mom had
him help me out a little. Wasn't a big deal.
Why you didn't say anything to that about it? Did
you know? But I'm scared for a second. You know
what he'd do if he found out about this. You
should be scared. I mean, do you know how serious
(15:55):
this is? Come on, it's not that pay a deal.
How can you possibly say that our dad is the sheriff?
How could you do this to him, to me? To you? Look,
I gotta go lazy. I don't worry so much, Okay,
And just please don't say anything to Dad like you
(16:18):
know how he can be, and you know he wouldn't
hesitate to throw the book at his troublemaker son. Probably
love the chance to make an example out of me.
All Right, I won't say anything. You promise, Yeah, I promise,
(16:38):
all right? Let me says Hi, Honey, should you be
a clue? Um? Um, I just talked to Hazel. We
have a problem, A big problem. I think you need
(17:00):
come home. What if you knew something that was wrong,
like major crime, big deal, sound the alarm? Wrong? But
what if you couldn't do anything about it, couldn't tell
anyone without putting people you love at risk, hurting the
people you would never ever want to hurt. What if
(17:20):
the only options were swallowing the secret or letting it
ruin everyone's lives. My dad taught me how to tell
right from wrong, but he didn't teach me how hard
it be to do something about it. Um. Well, look,
Hazel and I are were always a little different. I
(17:44):
was always the wild one, the one who thought rules
were meant to be broken. My mom would say I
was a free spirit, but that's of being nice. She
was always making excuses. I think She felt bad because
of all my dad was with me. That was the
whole reason we got to make stuff with Mr Briggs
in the first place. She thought that if I got
in somewhere, it's something of myself. Maybe it proved something
(18:08):
to my dad, but he was never interested in me.
Who could blame him. Hazel was the kind of kid
every parent dreams of, but especially someone like my dad.
She was just like him too much. So if you
ask me, Jeames, what's up, Hey, I have care on
(18:33):
the other line, I'm just going to merge the calls.
Sounds good. Hey, neither of you said anything to anyone
about Mr Briggs, right? Obviously not, of course, not why
he just emailed me asking if anyone else knows. I'm
sure he's just being paranoid. You didn't see anything to
(18:55):
your dad, did you, Haze. I'm not an idiot. It's
just that if anyone was going to say something I didn't,
I want me to get into u l a too,
you know, Okay, we'd talk to you, Hazel. Hazel was honest,
sometimes to a fault. Some people would hate being the
(19:18):
daughter of a cop, but she loved it because she
was just like him. Good if not a little righteous.
Sometimes it would have just been easier if she could
have just let some things go, if she could just
realize that not every rule needs to be followed, that
(19:38):
it wasn't her job to make sure everyone was doing
the right thing. She wasn't trying to police everyone all
the time. Then I don't know, maybe she would still
be here today. M Mom is there? Breakfast? Was just pops,
grab one and take it to go. Thanks. Big day today?
(20:01):
Huh yeah, big day? Where's dad? Good morning? My lovely
wife daughter ul A. Decisions come out tonight huh yep.
I'll be nice to have a reason to celebrate. It
feels like just yesterday we were doing all this with
Lucas right. I can't believe it. You're ready your turn?
So you're ready to go? Hayz Yeah, I'm ready. Let's
(20:23):
go have a good day. Okay, kid, don't worry about
getting into U l A. You're gonna get in. You
earned it. Dad. Could you pick me up from school today?
Doesn't Amy drive you home on Tuesday's Yeah, but there's
(20:46):
something I need to talk to you about. I can
leave sixth period a few minutes early. Make you buy
the back exit Okay, sure, Yeah, Yeah, is everything all right? Yeah,
it will be. Just don't tell Mom or Lucas about this, okay,
all right? Well, journal I tried to let it go,
(21:15):
really I did. I tried to tell myself it wasn't
a big deal that my dad didn't need to know.
But the more I thought about it, the more I
realized I couldn't just let it go. There was something
telling me not to, something telling me that I had
to do the right thing. This whole time, I've been
trying to ignore my conscience. But that didn't mean it disappeared.
(21:36):
In fact, it's louder than ever. Dad's going to pick
me up early from sixth period today and I'm going
to tell him everything. I know some people will never
forgive me for telling him, but I'd never forgive myself
if I didn't. So do you want to come over?
(22:00):
Just cool? I think the ul A emails are supposed
to come out of five six, but um, I can't.
I gotta finish that report for Kim. I'm going to
go to the library so I don't need to write home. Fine,
I guess not that exciting when you know you're going
to get in Hey, I don't know anything if either
(22:20):
of us is to guarantee at this point, it's probably you,
isn't it. I'm sorry, I'm just stressed out. I guess,
don't worry. We'll both get in. That's a good thing, right, Yeah,
of course it is, seems did you check your email?
(22:41):
What do you mean? The ul A decisions came out early?
I caught in no way. Look, Oh my god, I
got in, so did I. It's all because of you.
We're gonna have the best time ever. Rights, I thrilled. Really,
(23:03):
I'm gonna go call my parents. Okay, Hey, there a girl? Everyone? Okay, Yeah,
I just I wanted to tell you the good news.
The missions emails came out early. I got into l
a ay too. All right, Hey, how can you'll be
(23:28):
a little more excited? I am. I just you're still
coming to give me later, right, as long as you're
not want me to I do. Hey, Hazel, Hey, don
I gotta go you Okay, you ran out pretty quickly
back there? Yeah? Sorry, Um, I guess I just couldn't
wait to tell my dad. Is he as excited as
(23:49):
we are? More? Maybe? Hey? My journal for English classes missing?
You guys didn't see it inside? Did you? Don't see anything.
Maybe it's in your locker. Yeah, must be. Oh, I
gotta go. I'll see you later. Yeah, Hazel, call me
(24:10):
after the library. Okay, okay, hey dad, Yeah, I'm coming
out now. I'll be right there. Oh excuse me. I
(24:32):
didn't think anyone else is in here. Son, Sunda knife,
what do you What's what's going on? Wait? No, no, no,
get away from me. This doesn't stop. Help help m hm.
(25:06):
You've reached the end of the investigation. It's time to
decide who you think killed Hazel. Here are your suspects.
Hazel's best friend Amy. She wasn't trying to police everyone
all the time, then maybe she would still be here today.
Popular girl, Kira. It's just that if anyone was going
(25:26):
to say something, high school, college counselor Mr Briggs, poor
Lucas barely graduated, but your mother was desperate for him
to get in. What did she say somewhere that did
make your father proud? Or her brother Lucas? Maybe it
proved something to my dad, but he was never interested
(25:49):
in me. Who could blame him? Hazel was the kind
of kid every parent dreams of. We'll be back with
the answer after a word from our sponsor. Now it's
(26:15):
time to find out who killed Hazel. Hazel's killer was
her so called best friend Amy, after she discovered that
Hazel was planning to tell her father about the admission scheme.
I hope you're right. I just I don't know what
my parents are gonna do if I don't. It's like
they've been waiting for this one the moment they met.
(26:37):
I didn't even think about what it will be like
at home if I lived in town. The only person
who could have known that Hazel was going to tell
her dad that day is someone who read her journal. Hey,
my journal for English classes missing. You guys didn't see
it inside? Did you know? I didn't see anything. Maybe
it's in your locker. And if you listen closely to
her call, Amy gave away that she was the journey
(27:00):
Old Thief by revealing a piece of information that only
someone who had read it would know. Dad's going to
pick me up early from sixth period today and I'm
going to tell him everything perhaps up and something must
have happened, and she's believing she's to This episode is
(27:21):
inspired by the true story of two teenage girls who
murdered their best friend as well as the college admission
scandal that broken early two thousand nineteen. Amy was played
by Hope Elena Garcia Hazel by Son he Cio. Kira
was played by Carson Fagerbacky Byron Briggs was played by
(27:43):
Nick Thurston, Sheriff Blackwell by Joe san Filippo, Lucas Blackwell
by Zeno Robinson. Mrs Blackwell was played by Robin Reid.
Kira's dad was played by Michael Young, Kira's mom by
Christine Dunford, and the operator was played by Veronica Taylor.
(28:05):
Written and directed by Nile Cappello, produced, recorded and mixed
by Salt Audio Executive Produced by Walt Palmer and Corey Serge.
Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios, Edited by Zack Jurich for
Salt Audio. Sound designed by Jasper van Dyke for Salt Audio.
Original music and score by Noah Gersh and Jamie Cheffman
(28:28):
at Salt Audio. Casting by Romy Stuttman. Casting assistant was
Daisy Laura and the production coordinator was Liz LeMay. Next
time on Solve, an ambitious PhD student gets a unique opportunity.
(28:51):
You know, Killip paulas the billionaire. Yeah here has built
his own submarine. If I can talk a me to
bring me on his team, I could get firsthand experience
on a dive. How would that look in my thesis?
But how did this underwater expedition turn into a murder
below the see? I can't believe you're doing this again.
I talked to her, Philip. She is a child, damn it,
(29:15):
and I don't have time for your ship. Get on me.
Tune in next week to find out
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