Cover of The Housemaid's Secret

The Housemaid's Secret

by Freida McFadden


Genre
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Crime
Year
2023
Contents

Chapter 14

Overview

After Xavier Marin is taken away by ambulance, Millie expects the police to treat her as a victim, but Officer Scavo interrogates her with open skepticism. Xavier claims Millie attacked him unprovoked, and a neighbor’s statement about Millie kicking him while unconscious puts Millie at risk of criminal charges, especially given her prison record. Brock arrives and takes Millie to stay with him, forcing her to consider leaving her apartment for good.

Summary

Police and an ambulance arrive at Millie Calloway’s apartment building after the attack. Xavier Marin is badly injured, and Millie watches from her window as officers interview neighbors and talk to Xavier before the ambulance takes him away. Millie is furious that no neighbors helped her during the assault and prepares to give a statement that will put Xavier in jail.

Officer Scavo comes to Millie’s apartment to take her account. He fixates on what Millie was wearing, then repeatedly minimizes her description of Xavier grabbing and pressing his body against her. Scavo suggests Millie could have “misread” the situation, raising the possibility that Xavier was only being friendly.

Scavo reveals Xavier’s version: Xavier claims Millie sprayed him with mace and pushed him down the stairs for no reason. Scavo adds that a neighbor saw Millie standing over Xavier and kicking him in the ribs while he was unconscious, and he points out that Xavier is the one with broken bones.

When Millie protests, Scavo brings up her prison record and frames the situation as Millie’s word against Xavier’s, with a witness against her. Millie asks if she is under arrest; Scavo says Xavier has not decided whether to press charges and warns Millie to stay local.

As Scavo leaves, Brock arrives. Millie breaks down in furious tears once the door is locked, but she does not tell Brock about the officer’s accusations or her vulnerability due to her record. Brock insists Millie should not sleep there and offers to take her to his place; Millie agrees and starts thinking she may need to move.

Who Appears

  • Millie Calloway (Wilhelmina Calloway)
    Gives her account of the attack; becomes a potential suspect; decides to stay with Brock.
  • Officer Scavo
    Interrogates Millie, doubts her story, cites witness and prison record, warns charges may come.
  • Brock
    Arrives after the police visit; comforts Millie and insists she stay at his place.
  • Xavier Marin
    Injured attacker; claims Millie assaulted him; may decide whether to press charges.
  • Unnamed neighbor witness
    Tells police she saw Millie kicking Xavier while he was unconscious.
  • Unnamed policewoman
    Earlier officer who questioned and comforted Millie, contrasting Scavo’s skepticism.
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