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. 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 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 of my phone. Yeah. Welcome to Solve, the interactive 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 self presents the scoop. Okay, 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 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 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 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. 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, 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? 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 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 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? 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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, 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. 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 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? 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. 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, 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. 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 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 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 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? 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 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, 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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. 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, 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 Daisy Laura. Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios. Next time on Solve, a popular social media star is murdered. I'm here at 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 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. 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 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 of my phone. Yeah. Welcome to Solve, the interactive 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 self presents the scoop. Okay, 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 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 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 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. 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, 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? 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 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 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? 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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, 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. 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 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? 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. 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, 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. 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 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 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 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? 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 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, 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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. 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, 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 Daisy Laura. Recorded at Bang Zoom Studios. Next time on Solve, a popular social media star is murdered. I'm here at 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 and your fans. It's all about what you want, Coop, no consideration of me. Tune in next week to find out