January 6, 2020 • 35 mins
When investigative journalist Avery Stevens is approached by a fixer for the rich and famous who’s ready to hand over his client’s secrets, she thinks she’s hit a journalistic jackpot. But when her source is killed, Avery finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy, and is soon murdered herself. Can you solve if Avery’s death was part of a coverup?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
If you're listening to this, I'm already dead or I've
mysteriously disappeared. I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid,
but I've seen it happen twice, at least one dead,
one missing. Also that rich and powerful men can keep
their secrets. If your silence can't be bought, it'll be enforced.
(00:28):
That's how these guys operate. These recordings contain everything I know.
I made them throughout the investigation. They upload automatically to
my cloud. I trust that someone will find them. Okay,
I'm Every Stevens with the Metro Sun Times, and everything
(00:49):
you hear on these recordings is true. It comes from
evidence I've seen, firsthand, interviews I've conducted. Please just follow
the facts. Get the funk out of here now, I'll
call the cops. I where to God? Okay, let go
(01:14):
of my phone. Yeah. Welcome to Solve, the interactive mystery
(01:42):
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 self presents the scoop. Okay,
(02:07):
m hm. Today is August twelve, and I'm still trying
to decide what to do about this call I received today.
I was at my desk on a deadline and trying
to bang out this article on farm a price fixing
m A pharmaceutical giant is on the ropes as a
(02:28):
company whistleblower reveals new details in the unfolding price fixing conspiracy.
Every Stevens, Is this the reporter who covered Wayne Leslie
during his last Senate run? Yes, it is long time. Every.
I'm sorry, who is this? Well? The last time we
(02:49):
bumped into each other, well, I guess I bumped into
you and I could have been gentler. I never did
apologize for that. I was asking a sitting that are
a simple question, and you hip checked me to the ground.
It wasn't meant to be so rough. That was just
doing my job, So was I. Where's the apology? This
is it? I'm retiring, cleaning out my desk. I guess
(03:13):
you could say and found some things that might interest you.
It's not my beat anymore. I know you're an investigations
now and you know what I do. You're a fixer
for Senator Leslie and men like him. Not at all
curious what I have to show you. Fine, I'll send
you a secure link. You can send anything in person.
(03:34):
Fifth level of the parking garage at City Hall. Come along.
Two years we were together. We told each other everything.
But then all of a sudden she was acting. I
don't know, man, it was weird. I got a head out, whoa, whoa,
(03:56):
we are you going? I thought tonight was a little
bit of the Benge and Boone and I asked to
source or contential source. I don't really know. It could be.
Come on, come on, I had this whole night plane
we were going to order in. Maybe not wear many clothes. Okay, well,
I gotta say, you're always working. Well I'm a reporter,
so yeah, I know that. Okay, what's going on with you?
(04:20):
You're like super short with me lately. We not do
this right now? Please do what Chris. I'm looking into
a story. That's what's going on. Okay, Okay, all right,
it seems important to tell me about it. I can't.
I mean, you can't. Do you not trust me? I know,
It's just it's a fucked up thing, and I don't
want you trying to get involved, because I'll just screw
(04:43):
it up. Chris, come on, I can't do this right now.
I gotta go. Okay, I'm sorry. Yep, another solo night
and then all of a sudden she's like sneaking around
And honestly, I feel awful saying this right now, But
(05:03):
at the time I thought she was cheating on me.
I did. I had no clue that she was going
to this clandestine meet up with some goon, and she
was right. I would have gotten involved. She should not
have gone by herself, so stupid. Come on, where are you?
(05:27):
H Okay, here we go, Drisco Avery, get in? How
about you get out? You want to see what I have?
You want this story? Get in? Well? Can you make
(05:57):
this any less unnerving? A phone? You're jumpie? Your CD
photos album named client work. Okay, this is explicit? Well
it would be, wouldn't it if you can bring yourself
to look closer. It's it's Senator Leslie and that's not
(06:18):
his wife. That's not a woman, and that's not a
Bible Lys thumping. So much for Captain conservative values. He
paid you to make these go away. Gave the young
man a generous monetary gift wrapped in an n d A.
But the good Senator is not the only one keeps grolling.
Is that guy Bergman Fragman and a sprightly young woman
(06:40):
who is not his wife of twenty years tabloid mogul
paying you to keep him out of the tabloids. It's ironic. Oh,
in this guy, I know him, the first baseman, Pat Giles.
My boyfriend's a big baseball fan, and here he is
diving head first into this young lady's third base. So
the people wanted to go public about the affairs, and
(07:01):
you silence them. What's with the sudden attack of conscience.
I have a wife too, as it turns out, I
care very much, which she thinks of me very much.
So you figure you a tone for being a thug
until respect you sure and she comes back. There's more
where that came from. I'll need more proof, you'll get it. Hey,
(07:24):
let me send those to myself. I'll hold on to
them for now. I know you guys can't pay sources,
but maybe you can drum up some sort of licensing
fee for these photos. I thought this was about cleaning
up your act. Clean act isn't cheap I'll call you tomorrow.
We should move fast before the good senator catches wind
at this. Look, I'm a four term senator. People have
(07:46):
said all kinds of things about me over the years,
and when you're in the midst of a campaign, you
can count on basios rumors coming up. As I understand it,
whatever story Miss Stevens was investigating was so weak that
own editor wouldn't even allow it to pursue it. You've
(08:10):
got to be kidding me, you know me always the jokes.
This is a massive scandal. Tom What have you got here?
You've got Driscoes words. I've seen the photos and I
believe you. But in case you haven't noticed, journalists aren't
exactly getting the benefit of the doubt these days. Were
usually their editors at least let them pull the thread.
I'm glad you used that word thread. That's what this
(08:32):
paper is hanging by. I've worked my ass off every
day to make sure we're not another Twitter casualty. What
do you think is going to happen when these three
sue us for libel? He says, there's more clients, more lawsuits.
It's not libel if it's true. Look, Avery normally I'd
say check it out, see where it leads. But you're
(08:55):
dealing with thux, You're meeting them in parking garages, you're
putting yourself atsk, and this guy's asking for money. The
whole thing smells bad. Drop it. Oh, the story was solacious,
(09:16):
but it just didn't meet our journalist at criteria. When
your only sources a fixer, you have no source. I
wasn't trying to upset Avery. I was. I was trying
to help her. She was one of the best, probably
would have won a Pulitzer one day. That's a damn
saying what happened to her. I wish I could tell
you more, but you know, as much as I do.
(09:39):
The word around the newsroom is that her and that
boyfriend of her as we're having problems, so it might
be worth looking into. Hey, babe, a little benje and bone,
little bone and bene. No, stop saying that what you
like the benge and bone. Look, I'm sorry, I've had
(10:01):
a really shitty day at work. That Sucks'll tell me
about it. Is it the little story you're working on
was working on? I don't know anymore? What do you mean?
You don't know what? What's the story. I just I
can't get into it right now. Why not protecting my sources?
(10:22):
What from me? I gotta take this. Hello, any word
on that licensing fee not going to happen. Fine, forget it. Listen.
I was talking to some of the girls. They're willing
to come forward and be damned. Really, they'll go on record.
(10:44):
Don't need good lawyers. If you can recommend anyone. Okay,
If I'm gonna go down this rabbit hole with you,
I need you to send me those photos so I
can show my boss all of them with the other names.
All Right, I'm on my way home. I'll do it
as soon as I think. I gotta till someone's following you.
Maybe it doesn't matter. I'm just around the corner. Drisco, Drisco. Okay,
(11:13):
it's uh August and and uh and today I heard
a man die over the phone. Car accident, accident. Somebody
knew Drisco was giving his clients up. And if they
knew he was talking, they knew who he was talking to.
(11:42):
I'll return to family, I returned to common sense. I'll
return to Jesus, my friends. If you reelect me as
your senator, we can continue our mission to return this
country to its glory days and remind everyone why we
(12:04):
are one nation under God. Thank you very much, well,
thank you all for coming. Oh, thank you, Eumerica. I
have a lovely dress you have on, dear oh, Senator Leslie,
Senator Leslie, Miss Stevens, I thought you no longer covered
(12:26):
politics respectfully. I was glad to be free of you. Well,
as long as we're both being respectful, i'd like to
express my condolences for your loss. Steve Drisco. M hm, oh, yes,
I heard about that tragic And what was the exact
nature of your relationship with Drisco? You know he works
(12:48):
security detail for us a few times, But to be honest,
I really didn't know him that well. Just a coffee boy, right,
And what about your relationship with the young man in
that hotel room. You must have heard the old coffee
boy was stopping that around you. People are sick by
every one. Thank you so much for coming. You really lovely?
(13:10):
Is that a new comment? Then? I heard something about
this so called affair with that gentleman, but everyone knows
that as a model of Christian conservatism, I would never
be in such a situation and I will not have
(13:34):
my character called into question by a member of the
liberal media. God rest us soul. At first blushed. Drisco's
clients don't seem to have any connection whatsoever. But the
connection is actually a simple one. There are men with
money and secrets from the gas studios. It's the Goss Live. Now,
(14:02):
here's Guy Bragman with all the latest. Guys, what do
you got for me? So I've got Kate Upton coming
out of that new vegan joint downtown. All right, she
got very lander with her. She's just with this girlfriend.
But the friend is like super hot. All right, you
know what that means. All right, let's cut there, Jesus Tyler,
(14:25):
Kate Upton at a vegan place? Are you trying to
fucking bore me to death? Look, get your camera and
stake out that rubbin tug in kay Town seems to
get a lot of celebrity traffic, right, go, be useful,
Guy Bergman. I'm a reporter with the Metrosunt Times. Okay,
then why are you with my paper? Not what this is? Yeah, paper, radio, TV,
we do everything. Do you also hire fixers to squash
(14:48):
stories about you? What are you talking about? You know?
Stu Drisco heard of him. You hear he's dead. Yeah,
shame convenient that all of his secrets died with him.
Did you hear he kept copies of the photos of
clients wanted to disappear. No honor amongst thieves. I guess. Look,
this type of character seems a little low brown. Weren't
the attention of a paper of the suntimes alleged stature. Well,
(15:11):
we're not so much interested in him as we are
his clients. Did you ever engage Drisco for any of
his services? Is that on the record, No, this is
Get the fuck off my set. Oh yeah, I remember
that reporter. She snuck her way onto our studios, started
nosing around. Not very cool, if you ask me, not
(15:33):
very professional. We may have a good time, but it's
still a serious place of business, and she comes at
me with these scandalous rumors. I mean, leave it to
the professionals. Kid, founder of tablet Empire, the Guss. He
and wife Chaine are regularly spotted hope not being with
the very celebrities they dig up dirt on. Dude. Hey, Hey,
(15:57):
i'm working, I'm working, okay. By looking up Guy Bergman,
I think it's Bregman. Actually Hey, tell me about this.
Some Pat Giles guy. He's not much of a glove,
but man, hell of a bat. He was running up
(16:19):
the Rookie of the Year last season. Why what is that?
Are they homer away this week? U nine game home
stand starts tomorrow? But thanks, I've got to make a call. Avery,
this is this is bullshit? Nice hit. That must be
(16:39):
the swing that made you runner up for Rookie of
the Year. Are you supposed to be here? That's a
badge slicker. Look, you might have a press badge, but
clearly you don't cover baseball. What makes you say that?
First of all, you're talking to me during my bat
and practice. I'm here to ask you about the n
d A and want now the n d A that
(17:01):
you got that woman to sign. Source who wouldn't come
forward about your affair. I've seen the photos. Look, lady,
I don't know what you're talking about. Nobody knows what
I'm talking about. Why do you suppose that is I
don't know? Bad information? So you deny you had an
affair with a woman and then paid Steve Drisco to
suppress the photos of you and she. Look, I'm a ballplayer,
all right. I take pictures with people. It would be
(17:24):
pretty difficult for her to get these particular angles from
an autograph line. You want to show me these pictures
you're talking about. I'd love to, but you or one
of Drisco's other clients had him killed before he could
hand them over to me. So ah, so this is
just another one of those crazy conspiracy theories. No, I
thought you used paper. People were supposed to be better
than Twitter. We're really not. Baseball is a metal game,
(17:50):
and being accused something like that it totally screwed my head.
I went on an over hitless Streek after that and
was demoted to the miners. So with this woman trying
to mess with personal life and my job, I could
see someone her dad, But I was on a rickety
bus with no way, seeing the deadest summer, going to
play a minor league game in front of maybe two
(18:12):
people at the time. She was killed. So I'm so
sorry if I can't she any light on what happened
to her. Miss Stevens, and who are you? Can I
come in? That's a stupid name, Please, I come bearing
gifts from a senator leslie m. You don't look like
(18:34):
you're a member of the good Senator staff. No, I'm
a friend. What's up? I told you it's a gift.
I couldn't even put it in a birthday card. Well
you know these days the cards are almost as expensive
as the gift. A ten dollar card. What fucking homework
are you going to? Oh? And uh another gift? Ah
(18:58):
an n d A. How do you know the girl
who has everything? Here? The new fixer consultant, Maybe you
should consult your client not to try and buy off
a reporter. H Look, obviously these are unsubstantiated rumors that
aren't fit for print in the first place. Otherwise you'd
have already run the story, right, But another election is
(19:18):
upon us and we don't want any destructions. So what
do we have to do to make this go away?
Take care of yourself. The last fixer ended up dead.
Senator Leslie just sent his new fixer to try and
buy me off. Still don't think this is a story
money murder, politicians, video moguls, athletes. Oh I'm sorry, is
(19:42):
this boring to you? It's chantilizing tabloid fodder, but it's
unsubstantiated and it's not news. Speaking of tabloid fodder, I
hear you're harassing guy Bregman. I believe it's Berkman. Wait,
how do you hear that he called to complain about you?
People sure are up in arms about a non story,
wouldn't you if someone was going after you with these allegations.
(20:05):
People don't drop on the loops of cash on your
coffee table to squash allegations. Offering to buy your silence
is not incriminating, then I'll keep digging. You'll stop digging.
I told you to drop this, and you went rogue. Anyway,
if you don't knock this off, you'll be looking for
a new job, and the market does not look good
(20:26):
for journalists right now. I understand Avia always upset with
my decision, but it was for her own good, maybe
as she actually listens. Well, who knows who actually killed her?
That's for you to figure out. All I know is
that everything I did I did the name of protecting
(20:48):
the integrity of the newspaper. That's the job of needitor.
If a story is no good, you kill it. This
is Avery Stevens from Metros sometimes calling again. I saw
a picture of you with a bunch of other volunteers
from Senator Leslie's last campaign and well, I think I
saw another photo of you recently that I'd like to
(21:09):
talk about. Please call me. Hey, oh, miss Stevens, Sorry
I didn't see there, Mr Bergman, Bregman, whatever, what do
you want? Just doubt for a little stroll like yourself.
But now that you mention it, how much you drop
this whole hush money and the a story as a
professional courtesy? Professional courtesy? Sure we're peers, after all, you're
(21:31):
a tabloid rag. I work for a newspaper that's been
around since the Suffragets. Don't call us Pierce. My tabloid
rag can expose things in your life too. I'd be
careful if I were you, or else you'll have me
killed like Drisco. No, of course not. I'll just make
you wish you were dead. Hello, Hi, um, every Yes,
(21:56):
who's this evany I don't know if you remember me.
I'm an intern at the Times. We talked in the
kitchen one time, right, Yes, I remember. What's up, tiffany Um.
I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.
Maybe we could meet up somewhere. I'm sure I'll be
back at the office in ten No. Um, not at
(22:18):
the office somewhere off, m thanks for agreeing to meet
me here. I just I didn't want to talk about
this at the office. Sure, what's going on? I couldn't
help over hearing the other day you're looking into that
(22:39):
guy who paid women to keep quiet. There was one
man in there as well. Really, yeah, politician, right, of course,
what about it, Tiffany? I just thought maybe I should
let you know that that guy gave me an indie
design too. Just go, any aid you. Well, Actually it
(23:02):
was more like, if you don't sign this, your career
is over kind of thing. All right? Fuck? Who were
you with? Who was he working on? Behalf of uh?
Tom as in our editor Tom. Yeah, I'm sorry. Oh
(23:25):
I'm so fucking stupidl No, No, you aren't. Fuckka. Well,
now I know why Tom has been trying so hard
to kill this story. He is part of the story.
(23:47):
I suppose I could have guessed Tom the senator Bergman Bergman.
They're all part of the old boys club in town.
They all used Drisco to keep their secrets categorically false. Look,
sometimes young interns developed these school girl crushes because I'm
(24:10):
the boss, and they make up these relationships in their heads.
I don't know what she told avery. But I'm a
happily married man for over three decades. To suggest I've
been unfaithful is crazy, simple as that. Okay, judging by
the pacing now, it's probably not a good time to
(24:31):
talk either. Then I need a drink. Look, you've been
avoiding me. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. No, no,
long before that. Yes, I have okay, good? Why you
know why? No? No, I don't ave you barely pay
attention to me. We haven't fucked in like, whike, come on,
(24:51):
this hasn't been working for a while. Yeah, well, you
know what that's breaking news to me. No, it's not.
You've been wanting more than I can give you for
a long time. We've been fighting. We haven't. I've been trying.
I've actually been trying really hard to be nice and
I've seen it. But the thing I've realized that I
don't want to try, and that's not fair. Wow, wow,
(25:14):
you know what? You know? What's not fair is that
you've always cared more about your job than me. Kind
of act. I don't know if it's that you're threatened
by my career, your career, your career, babe, you're a
typer really, why would I be threatened by some dumb
little job. Wow, I guess that clears that up. You
can go now, Avery, Please, we're good together, you know,
(25:37):
tell me the truth. Tell it to me because I
know you've been sleeping with someone else and you're just
breaking up with me, So you can stop feeling like
a little slut. I know it. Okay, Wow, I am
so fucking done. Give me my house keeps back and
get out such a bit ship the funk out, hey
my key. Yeah. I was upset at the time, but
(26:02):
I mean to be honest, I didn't take the break
up very seriously. Look, we had broken up like a
million times before, and she always took me back. I
just figured she was just stressed with work and make
up once things calmed down, and you know, and I
got a call that she did she been killed. M hmm. Look,
(26:28):
it just sucks because we had a really, really good thing.
You know. I miss her, I really I miss Avery,
and I don't know what to do right now. Hey,
have you seen Tiffany Tiffany the intern, soft spoken blonde girl.
(26:49):
Her cubicles cleared out. Oh yeah, she isn't here anymore.
I hear she just stopped showing up for work. Well,
did she come in to pick up her stuff for anything?
Through herself off? And no, it sounds like she just
went ay. Well, so people were like interns disappear all
the time. They realized that this game is not for them,
they moved back home. Whatever. But what I'm wondering is,
(27:12):
did Tiffany disappear the way dress code did end? In
my next? Hello? Hi, um, Avery, who's this the guy
who'swing you messed up? Listen? If you're about to threaten me,
(27:32):
you better take a number. No, no, no threats, listen.
I just wanted to tell you off the record that
will Um. You're right, Okay, I did cheat all my wife,
but you're on the road for games a year. I mean,
mistakes happen, but that's all. It was a mistake. And
(27:57):
yes I did hire a fix here to keep re quiet,
but again off the record. The center and the tabloid
guy their season ticket holders, right, and we're talking after
a game about how Drisco is going to reporter and
and those two guys were talking about making him go away.
Senator Leslie is the one that had the idea of
making it look like a car crash. Anyway, I'm telling
(28:17):
you all this so that you'll trust me, and so
that you can do the story about those two, you know,
and the payments and hit on Drisco. But please, I'm
asking you to leave me out of it, all right.
I'm a good guy. My wife's a good woman. But
but our marriage has been on the rocks for a
(28:38):
while now, and just just let me work things out
with my wife. First of all, just saying off the
record doesn't make something off the record. Both parties have
to agree, so everything you just said on the record. Second,
this isn't about you or your marriage or your swing.
This is about silencing women and one man. I'm doing
(28:59):
this story. Period. Well you did watch yourself. If you're
listening to this, I'm already dead or I've mysteriously disappeared.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I
(29:20):
have seen it happen twice, at least one dead, one missing.
Also that rich and powerful men can keep their secrets.
If your silence can't be bought, it'll be enforced. That's
how these guys operate. These recordings contain everything I know
(29:41):
I made them throughout the investigation. They upload automatically to
my cloud. I trust that someone will find them. Okay,
I'm every Stevens with the Metro Sun Times, and everything
you hear on these recordings is true. It comes from
evidence I've seen, firsthand, interviews I've conducted. Please just follow
(30:02):
the facts. Get the funk out of here now, I'll
call the cops. I swear to God. No go of
my phone. Yeah, you've reached the end of the investigation.
(30:46):
It's time to decide who you think Avery's killer is.
Here are your suspects. Avery's boyfriend, Chris. I know you
can sleep on with someone else, and you're just breaking
up with me, so you can stop feeling like a
little slut. I ait the politician, Senator Leslie. I will
not have my character called into question by a member
(31:09):
of the liberal media. The tabloid mogul Guy Bregman. I'll
just make you wish you were dead. The baseball player
Pat Giles. I could see someone in her dad or
her editor, Tom. That's the job of an editor. If
(31:29):
a story is no good, you kill it. We'll be
back with the answer after a word from our sponsor.
Now it's time to find out who killed Avery. Avery's
killer was her boyfriend Chris. Chris had been feeling ignored
(31:53):
and emasculated by Avery and had become paranoid that she
was leaving him for another man. The time I thought
she was cheating on me. Tell me the truth. Tell
to me, because I know you've been sleeping with someone else,
and you're just breaking up with me. So you can
stop feeling like a little slut. I know it. Chris
entered Avery's house and strangled her to death in a
(32:14):
fit of jealous rage and insecurity. But something you may
have heard just before Avery's death gave away the killer's identity.
Give me my house keys back and get out. Chris
had a set of keys to Avery's house, and if
you listened closely, you could hear Avery's killer unlocking the
front door before entering the house. Ship This episode was
(32:41):
inspired by a true crime that occurred in Bulgaria in
two thousand eighteen, when a journalist who was investigating corruption
by government officials was found murdered. Many speculated that her
death was part of a conspiracy to stop the investigation. However,
it turned out that her death was not connected to
her work, who was the result of a random attack
while she was out for a jog. Her killer confessed
(33:04):
to the murder and court and was sentenced to thirty
years in prison. Avery was played by Katie McClellan, Chris
by Patrick Kavanaugh, Drisco by Mark Engelhardt, Guy by Joe
(33:24):
san Filippo. Tom was played by Brian Finney, Pat Giles
and Tyler by Sterling Bowman. Senator Leslie by Richard Doyle,
Tiffany by Lexi di Benedetto the Suit by Richard Tatum.
The reporter and announcer were played by Cheryl tex Era.
This episode of Solve was written and directed by Corey Serge.
(33:46):
Executive produced by Corey Serge and Walt Palmer, Produced, recorded
and mixed by Salt Audio, Edited and mixed by Zack Jurich.
Sound designed by Zach Pino for Salt Audio. Original music
and score by Noah Gersha and Jamie Scheffman at Salt Audio.
Production Coordinator Liz Lamy, Casting by Romy Stuttman, Casting Assistant
(34:11):
Daisy Laura. Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios. Next time on Solve,
a popular social media star is murdered. I'm here at
(34:34):
the Old Hollywood Hotel where twenty three year old influencer
Eloise fam was found dead in the swimming pool this
morn It's just about midnight, but thanks to jet lag,
I am wide awake. Yes, it's true what they say
about it being the city that never sleeps? But how
did this trip of a lifetime turn into the vacation
from health? All I'm saying is I want this vacation
to be about us, you and me, Not you, me
(34:55):
and your fans. It's all about what you want, Coop,
no consideration of me. Tune in next week to find
out
If you're listening to this, I'm already dead or I've
mysteriously disappeared. I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid,
but I've seen it happen twice, at least one dead,
one missing. Also that rich and powerful men can keep
their secrets. If your silence can't be bought, it'll be enforced.
(00:28):
That's how these guys operate. These recordings contain everything I know.
I made them throughout the investigation. They upload automatically to
my cloud. I trust that someone will find them. Okay,
I'm Every Stevens with the Metro Sun Times, and everything
(00:49):
you hear on these recordings is true. It comes from
evidence I've seen, firsthand, interviews I've conducted. Please just follow
the facts. Get the funk out of here now, I'll
call the cops. I where to God? Okay, let go
(01:14):
of my phone. Yeah. Welcome to Solve, the interactive mystery
(01:42):
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 self presents the scoop. Okay,
(02:07):
m hm. Today is August twelve, and I'm still trying
to decide what to do about this call I received today.
I was at my desk on a deadline and trying
to bang out this article on farm a price fixing
m A pharmaceutical giant is on the ropes as a
(02:28):
company whistleblower reveals new details in the unfolding price fixing conspiracy.
Every Stevens, Is this the reporter who covered Wayne Leslie
during his last Senate run? Yes, it is long time. Every.
I'm sorry, who is this? Well? The last time we
(02:49):
bumped into each other, well, I guess I bumped into
you and I could have been gentler. I never did
apologize for that. I was asking a sitting that are
a simple question, and you hip checked me to the ground.
It wasn't meant to be so rough. That was just
doing my job, So was I. Where's the apology? This
is it? I'm retiring, cleaning out my desk. I guess
(03:13):
you could say and found some things that might interest you.
It's not my beat anymore. I know you're an investigations
now and you know what I do. You're a fixer
for Senator Leslie and men like him. Not at all
curious what I have to show you. Fine, I'll send
you a secure link. You can send anything in person.
(03:34):
Fifth level of the parking garage at City Hall. Come along.
Two years we were together. We told each other everything.
But then all of a sudden she was acting. I
don't know, man, it was weird. I got a head out, whoa, whoa,
(03:56):
we are you going? I thought tonight was a little
bit of the Benge and Boone and I asked to
source or contential source. I don't really know. It could be.
Come on, come on, I had this whole night plane
we were going to order in. Maybe not wear many clothes. Okay, well,
I gotta say, you're always working. Well I'm a reporter,
so yeah, I know that. Okay, what's going on with you?
(04:20):
You're like super short with me lately. We not do
this right now? Please do what Chris. I'm looking into
a story. That's what's going on. Okay, Okay, all right,
it seems important to tell me about it. I can't.
I mean, you can't. Do you not trust me? I know,
It's just it's a fucked up thing, and I don't
want you trying to get involved, because I'll just screw
(04:43):
it up. Chris, come on, I can't do this right now.
I gotta go. Okay, I'm sorry. Yep, another solo night
and then all of a sudden she's like sneaking around
And honestly, I feel awful saying this right now, But
(05:03):
at the time I thought she was cheating on me.
I did. I had no clue that she was going
to this clandestine meet up with some goon, and she
was right. I would have gotten involved. She should not
have gone by herself, so stupid. Come on, where are you?
(05:27):
H Okay, here we go, Drisco Avery, get in? How
about you get out? You want to see what I have?
You want this story? Get in? Well? Can you make
(05:57):
this any less unnerving? A phone? You're jumpie? Your CD
photos album named client work. Okay, this is explicit? Well
it would be, wouldn't it if you can bring yourself
to look closer. It's it's Senator Leslie and that's not
(06:18):
his wife. That's not a woman, and that's not a
Bible Lys thumping. So much for Captain conservative values. He
paid you to make these go away. Gave the young
man a generous monetary gift wrapped in an n d A.
But the good Senator is not the only one keeps grolling.
Is that guy Bergman Fragman and a sprightly young woman
(06:40):
who is not his wife of twenty years tabloid mogul
paying you to keep him out of the tabloids. It's ironic. Oh,
in this guy, I know him, the first baseman, Pat Giles.
My boyfriend's a big baseball fan, and here he is
diving head first into this young lady's third base. So
the people wanted to go public about the affairs, and
(07:01):
you silence them. What's with the sudden attack of conscience.
I have a wife too, as it turns out, I
care very much, which she thinks of me very much.
So you figure you a tone for being a thug
until respect you sure and she comes back. There's more
where that came from. I'll need more proof, you'll get it. Hey,
(07:24):
let me send those to myself. I'll hold on to
them for now. I know you guys can't pay sources,
but maybe you can drum up some sort of licensing
fee for these photos. I thought this was about cleaning
up your act. Clean act isn't cheap I'll call you tomorrow.
We should move fast before the good senator catches wind
at this. Look, I'm a four term senator. People have
(07:46):
said all kinds of things about me over the years,
and when you're in the midst of a campaign, you
can count on basios rumors coming up. As I understand it,
whatever story Miss Stevens was investigating was so weak that
own editor wouldn't even allow it to pursue it. You've
(08:10):
got to be kidding me, you know me always the jokes.
This is a massive scandal. Tom What have you got here?
You've got Driscoes words. I've seen the photos and I
believe you. But in case you haven't noticed, journalists aren't
exactly getting the benefit of the doubt these days. Were
usually their editors at least let them pull the thread.
I'm glad you used that word thread. That's what this
(08:32):
paper is hanging by. I've worked my ass off every
day to make sure we're not another Twitter casualty. What
do you think is going to happen when these three
sue us for libel? He says, there's more clients, more lawsuits.
It's not libel if it's true. Look, Avery normally I'd
say check it out, see where it leads. But you're
(08:55):
dealing with thux, You're meeting them in parking garages, you're
putting yourself atsk, and this guy's asking for money. The
whole thing smells bad. Drop it. Oh, the story was solacious,
(09:16):
but it just didn't meet our journalist at criteria. When
your only sources a fixer, you have no source. I
wasn't trying to upset Avery. I was. I was trying
to help her. She was one of the best, probably
would have won a Pulitzer one day. That's a damn
saying what happened to her. I wish I could tell
you more, but you know, as much as I do.
(09:39):
The word around the newsroom is that her and that
boyfriend of her as we're having problems, so it might
be worth looking into. Hey, babe, a little benje and bone,
little bone and bene. No, stop saying that what you
like the benge and bone. Look, I'm sorry, I've had
(10:01):
a really shitty day at work. That Sucks'll tell me
about it. Is it the little story you're working on
was working on? I don't know anymore? What do you mean?
You don't know what? What's the story. I just I
can't get into it right now. Why not protecting my sources?
(10:22):
What from me? I gotta take this. Hello, any word
on that licensing fee not going to happen. Fine, forget it. Listen.
I was talking to some of the girls. They're willing
to come forward and be damned. Really, they'll go on record.
(10:44):
Don't need good lawyers. If you can recommend anyone. Okay,
If I'm gonna go down this rabbit hole with you,
I need you to send me those photos so I
can show my boss all of them with the other names.
All Right, I'm on my way home. I'll do it
as soon as I think. I gotta till someone's following you.
Maybe it doesn't matter. I'm just around the corner. Drisco, Drisco. Okay,
(11:13):
it's uh August and and uh and today I heard
a man die over the phone. Car accident, accident. Somebody
knew Drisco was giving his clients up. And if they
knew he was talking, they knew who he was talking to.
(11:42):
I'll return to family, I returned to common sense. I'll
return to Jesus, my friends. If you reelect me as
your senator, we can continue our mission to return this
country to its glory days and remind everyone why we
(12:04):
are one nation under God. Thank you very much, well,
thank you all for coming. Oh, thank you, Eumerica. I
have a lovely dress you have on, dear oh, Senator Leslie,
Senator Leslie, Miss Stevens, I thought you no longer covered
(12:26):
politics respectfully. I was glad to be free of you. Well,
as long as we're both being respectful, i'd like to
express my condolences for your loss. Steve Drisco. M hm, oh, yes,
I heard about that tragic And what was the exact
nature of your relationship with Drisco? You know he works
(12:48):
security detail for us a few times, But to be honest,
I really didn't know him that well. Just a coffee boy, right,
And what about your relationship with the young man in
that hotel room. You must have heard the old coffee
boy was stopping that around you. People are sick by
every one. Thank you so much for coming. You really lovely?
(13:10):
Is that a new comment? Then? I heard something about
this so called affair with that gentleman, but everyone knows
that as a model of Christian conservatism, I would never
be in such a situation and I will not have
(13:34):
my character called into question by a member of the
liberal media. God rest us soul. At first blushed. Drisco's
clients don't seem to have any connection whatsoever. But the
connection is actually a simple one. There are men with
money and secrets from the gas studios. It's the Goss Live. Now,
(14:02):
here's Guy Bragman with all the latest. Guys, what do
you got for me? So I've got Kate Upton coming
out of that new vegan joint downtown. All right, she
got very lander with her. She's just with this girlfriend.
But the friend is like super hot. All right, you
know what that means. All right, let's cut there, Jesus Tyler,
(14:25):
Kate Upton at a vegan place? Are you trying to
fucking bore me to death? Look, get your camera and
stake out that rubbin tug in kay Town seems to
get a lot of celebrity traffic, right, go, be useful,
Guy Bergman. I'm a reporter with the Metrosunt Times. Okay,
then why are you with my paper? Not what this is? Yeah, paper, radio, TV,
we do everything. Do you also hire fixers to squash
(14:48):
stories about you? What are you talking about? You know?
Stu Drisco heard of him. You hear he's dead. Yeah,
shame convenient that all of his secrets died with him.
Did you hear he kept copies of the photos of
clients wanted to disappear. No honor amongst thieves. I guess. Look,
this type of character seems a little low brown. Weren't
the attention of a paper of the suntimes alleged stature. Well,
(15:11):
we're not so much interested in him as we are
his clients. Did you ever engage Drisco for any of
his services? Is that on the record, No, this is
Get the fuck off my set. Oh yeah, I remember
that reporter. She snuck her way onto our studios, started
nosing around. Not very cool, if you ask me, not
(15:33):
very professional. We may have a good time, but it's
still a serious place of business, and she comes at
me with these scandalous rumors. I mean, leave it to
the professionals. Kid, founder of tablet Empire, the Guss. He
and wife Chaine are regularly spotted hope not being with
the very celebrities they dig up dirt on. Dude. Hey, Hey,
(15:57):
i'm working, I'm working, okay. By looking up Guy Bergman,
I think it's Bregman. Actually Hey, tell me about this.
Some Pat Giles guy. He's not much of a glove,
but man, hell of a bat. He was running up
(16:19):
the Rookie of the Year last season. Why what is that?
Are they homer away this week? U nine game home
stand starts tomorrow? But thanks, I've got to make a call. Avery,
this is this is bullshit? Nice hit. That must be
(16:39):
the swing that made you runner up for Rookie of
the Year. Are you supposed to be here? That's a
badge slicker. Look, you might have a press badge, but
clearly you don't cover baseball. What makes you say that?
First of all, you're talking to me during my bat
and practice. I'm here to ask you about the n
d A and want now the n d A that
(17:01):
you got that woman to sign. Source who wouldn't come
forward about your affair. I've seen the photos. Look, lady,
I don't know what you're talking about. Nobody knows what
I'm talking about. Why do you suppose that is I
don't know? Bad information? So you deny you had an
affair with a woman and then paid Steve Drisco to
suppress the photos of you and she. Look, I'm a ballplayer,
all right. I take pictures with people. It would be
(17:24):
pretty difficult for her to get these particular angles from
an autograph line. You want to show me these pictures
you're talking about. I'd love to, but you or one
of Drisco's other clients had him killed before he could
hand them over to me. So ah, so this is
just another one of those crazy conspiracy theories. No, I
thought you used paper. People were supposed to be better
than Twitter. We're really not. Baseball is a metal game,
(17:50):
and being accused something like that it totally screwed my head.
I went on an over hitless Streek after that and
was demoted to the miners. So with this woman trying
to mess with personal life and my job, I could
see someone her dad, But I was on a rickety
bus with no way, seeing the deadest summer, going to
play a minor league game in front of maybe two
(18:12):
people at the time. She was killed. So I'm so
sorry if I can't she any light on what happened
to her. Miss Stevens, and who are you? Can I
come in? That's a stupid name, Please, I come bearing
gifts from a senator leslie m. You don't look like
(18:34):
you're a member of the good Senator staff. No, I'm
a friend. What's up? I told you it's a gift.
I couldn't even put it in a birthday card. Well
you know these days the cards are almost as expensive
as the gift. A ten dollar card. What fucking homework
are you going to? Oh? And uh another gift? Ah
(18:58):
an n d A. How do you know the girl
who has everything? Here? The new fixer consultant, Maybe you
should consult your client not to try and buy off
a reporter. H Look, obviously these are unsubstantiated rumors that
aren't fit for print in the first place. Otherwise you'd
have already run the story, right, But another election is
(19:18):
upon us and we don't want any destructions. So what
do we have to do to make this go away?
Take care of yourself. The last fixer ended up dead.
Senator Leslie just sent his new fixer to try and
buy me off. Still don't think this is a story
money murder, politicians, video moguls, athletes. Oh I'm sorry, is
(19:42):
this boring to you? It's chantilizing tabloid fodder, but it's
unsubstantiated and it's not news. Speaking of tabloid fodder, I
hear you're harassing guy Bregman. I believe it's Berkman. Wait,
how do you hear that he called to complain about you?
People sure are up in arms about a non story,
wouldn't you if someone was going after you with these allegations.
(20:05):
People don't drop on the loops of cash on your
coffee table to squash allegations. Offering to buy your silence
is not incriminating, then I'll keep digging. You'll stop digging.
I told you to drop this, and you went rogue. Anyway,
if you don't knock this off, you'll be looking for
a new job, and the market does not look good
(20:26):
for journalists right now. I understand Avia always upset with
my decision, but it was for her own good, maybe
as she actually listens. Well, who knows who actually killed her?
That's for you to figure out. All I know is
that everything I did I did the name of protecting
(20:48):
the integrity of the newspaper. That's the job of needitor.
If a story is no good, you kill it. This
is Avery Stevens from Metros sometimes calling again. I saw
a picture of you with a bunch of other volunteers
from Senator Leslie's last campaign and well, I think I
saw another photo of you recently that I'd like to
(21:09):
talk about. Please call me. Hey, oh, miss Stevens, Sorry
I didn't see there, Mr Bergman, Bregman, whatever, what do
you want? Just doubt for a little stroll like yourself.
But now that you mention it, how much you drop
this whole hush money and the a story as a
professional courtesy? Professional courtesy? Sure we're peers, after all, you're
(21:31):
a tabloid rag. I work for a newspaper that's been
around since the Suffragets. Don't call us Pierce. My tabloid
rag can expose things in your life too. I'd be
careful if I were you, or else you'll have me
killed like Drisco. No, of course not. I'll just make
you wish you were dead. Hello, Hi, um, every Yes,
(21:56):
who's this evany I don't know if you remember me.
I'm an intern at the Times. We talked in the
kitchen one time, right, Yes, I remember. What's up, tiffany Um.
I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.
Maybe we could meet up somewhere. I'm sure I'll be
back at the office in ten No. Um, not at
(22:18):
the office somewhere off, m thanks for agreeing to meet
me here. I just I didn't want to talk about
this at the office. Sure, what's going on? I couldn't
help over hearing the other day you're looking into that
(22:39):
guy who paid women to keep quiet. There was one
man in there as well. Really, yeah, politician, right, of course,
what about it, Tiffany? I just thought maybe I should
let you know that that guy gave me an indie
design too. Just go, any aid you. Well, Actually it
(23:02):
was more like, if you don't sign this, your career
is over kind of thing. All right? Fuck? Who were
you with? Who was he working on? Behalf of uh?
Tom as in our editor Tom. Yeah, I'm sorry. Oh
(23:25):
I'm so fucking stupidl No, No, you aren't. Fuckka. Well,
now I know why Tom has been trying so hard
to kill this story. He is part of the story.
(23:47):
I suppose I could have guessed Tom the senator Bergman Bergman.
They're all part of the old boys club in town.
They all used Drisco to keep their secrets categorically false. Look,
sometimes young interns developed these school girl crushes because I'm
(24:10):
the boss, and they make up these relationships in their heads.
I don't know what she told avery. But I'm a
happily married man for over three decades. To suggest I've
been unfaithful is crazy, simple as that. Okay, judging by
the pacing now, it's probably not a good time to
(24:31):
talk either. Then I need a drink. Look, you've been
avoiding me. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. No, no,
long before that. Yes, I have okay, good? Why you
know why? No? No, I don't ave you barely pay
attention to me. We haven't fucked in like, whike, come on,
(24:51):
this hasn't been working for a while. Yeah, well, you
know what that's breaking news to me. No, it's not.
You've been wanting more than I can give you for
a long time. We've been fighting. We haven't. I've been trying.
I've actually been trying really hard to be nice and
I've seen it. But the thing I've realized that I
don't want to try, and that's not fair. Wow, wow,
(25:14):
you know what? You know? What's not fair is that
you've always cared more about your job than me. Kind
of act. I don't know if it's that you're threatened
by my career, your career, your career, babe, you're a
typer really, why would I be threatened by some dumb
little job. Wow, I guess that clears that up. You
can go now, Avery, Please, we're good together, you know,
(25:37):
tell me the truth. Tell it to me because I
know you've been sleeping with someone else and you're just
breaking up with me, So you can stop feeling like
a little slut. I know it. Okay, Wow, I am
so fucking done. Give me my house keeps back and
get out such a bit ship the funk out, hey
my key. Yeah. I was upset at the time, but
(26:02):
I mean to be honest, I didn't take the break
up very seriously. Look, we had broken up like a
million times before, and she always took me back. I
just figured she was just stressed with work and make
up once things calmed down, and you know, and I
got a call that she did she been killed. M hmm. Look,
(26:28):
it just sucks because we had a really, really good thing.
You know. I miss her, I really I miss Avery,
and I don't know what to do right now. Hey,
have you seen Tiffany Tiffany the intern, soft spoken blonde girl.
(26:49):
Her cubicles cleared out. Oh yeah, she isn't here anymore.
I hear she just stopped showing up for work. Well,
did she come in to pick up her stuff for anything?
Through herself off? And no, it sounds like she just
went ay. Well, so people were like interns disappear all
the time. They realized that this game is not for them,
they moved back home. Whatever. But what I'm wondering is,
(27:12):
did Tiffany disappear the way dress code did end? In
my next? Hello? Hi, um, Avery, who's this the guy
who'swing you messed up? Listen? If you're about to threaten me,
(27:32):
you better take a number. No, no, no threats, listen.
I just wanted to tell you off the record that
will Um. You're right, Okay, I did cheat all my wife,
but you're on the road for games a year. I mean,
mistakes happen, but that's all. It was a mistake. And
(27:57):
yes I did hire a fix here to keep re quiet,
but again off the record. The center and the tabloid
guy their season ticket holders, right, and we're talking after
a game about how Drisco is going to reporter and
and those two guys were talking about making him go away.
Senator Leslie is the one that had the idea of
making it look like a car crash. Anyway, I'm telling
(28:17):
you all this so that you'll trust me, and so
that you can do the story about those two, you know,
and the payments and hit on Drisco. But please, I'm
asking you to leave me out of it, all right.
I'm a good guy. My wife's a good woman. But
but our marriage has been on the rocks for a
(28:38):
while now, and just just let me work things out
with my wife. First of all, just saying off the
record doesn't make something off the record. Both parties have
to agree, so everything you just said on the record. Second,
this isn't about you or your marriage or your swing.
This is about silencing women and one man. I'm doing
(28:59):
this story. Period. Well you did watch yourself. If you're
listening to this, I'm already dead or I've mysteriously disappeared.
I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I
(29:20):
have seen it happen twice, at least one dead, one missing.
Also that rich and powerful men can keep their secrets.
If your silence can't be bought, it'll be enforced. That's
how these guys operate. These recordings contain everything I know
(29:41):
I made them throughout the investigation. They upload automatically to
my cloud. I trust that someone will find them. Okay,
I'm every Stevens with the Metro Sun Times, and everything
you hear on these recordings is true. It comes from
evidence I've seen, firsthand, interviews I've conducted. Please just follow
(30:02):
the facts. Get the funk out of here now, I'll
call the cops. I swear to God. No go of
my phone. Yeah, you've reached the end of the investigation.
(30:46):
It's time to decide who you think Avery's killer is.
Here are your suspects. Avery's boyfriend, Chris. I know you
can sleep on with someone else, and you're just breaking
up with me, so you can stop feeling like a
little slut. I ait the politician, Senator Leslie. I will
not have my character called into question by a member
(31:09):
of the liberal media. The tabloid mogul Guy Bregman. I'll
just make you wish you were dead. The baseball player
Pat Giles. I could see someone in her dad or
her editor, Tom. That's the job of an editor. If
(31:29):
a story is no good, you kill it. We'll be
back with the answer after a word from our sponsor.
Now it's time to find out who killed Avery. Avery's
killer was her boyfriend Chris. Chris had been feeling ignored
(31:53):
and emasculated by Avery and had become paranoid that she
was leaving him for another man. The time I thought
she was cheating on me. Tell me the truth. Tell
to me, because I know you've been sleeping with someone else,
and you're just breaking up with me. So you can
stop feeling like a little slut. I know it. Chris
entered Avery's house and strangled her to death in a
(32:14):
fit of jealous rage and insecurity. But something you may
have heard just before Avery's death gave away the killer's identity.
Give me my house keys back and get out. Chris
had a set of keys to Avery's house, and if
you listened closely, you could hear Avery's killer unlocking the
front door before entering the house. Ship This episode was
(32:41):
inspired by a true crime that occurred in Bulgaria in
two thousand eighteen, when a journalist who was investigating corruption
by government officials was found murdered. Many speculated that her
death was part of a conspiracy to stop the investigation. However,
it turned out that her death was not connected to
her work, who was the result of a random attack
while she was out for a jog. Her killer confessed
(33:04):
to the murder and court and was sentenced to thirty
years in prison. Avery was played by Katie McClellan, Chris
by Patrick Kavanaugh, Drisco by Mark Engelhardt, Guy by Joe
(33:24):
san Filippo. Tom was played by Brian Finney, Pat Giles
and Tyler by Sterling Bowman. Senator Leslie by Richard Doyle,
Tiffany by Lexi di Benedetto the Suit by Richard Tatum.
The reporter and announcer were played by Cheryl tex Era.
This episode of Solve was written and directed by Corey Serge.
(33:46):
Executive produced by Corey Serge and Walt Palmer, Produced, recorded
and mixed by Salt Audio, Edited and mixed by Zack Jurich.
Sound designed by Zach Pino for Salt Audio. Original music
and score by Noah Gersha and Jamie Scheffman at Salt Audio.
Production Coordinator Liz Lamy, Casting by Romy Stuttman, Casting Assistant
(34:11):
Daisy Laura. Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios. Next time on Solve,
a popular social media star is murdered. I'm here at
(34:34):
the Old Hollywood Hotel where twenty three year old influencer
Eloise fam was found dead in the swimming pool this
morn It's just about midnight, but thanks to jet lag,
I am wide awake. Yes, it's true what they say
about it being the city that never sleeps? But how
did this trip of a lifetime turn into the vacation
from health? All I'm saying is I want this vacation
to be about us, you and me, Not you, me
(34:55):
and your fans. It's all about what you want, Coop,
no consideration of me. Tune in next week to find
out
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Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.