The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 53
Overview
Millie’s midnight intrusion in the Lowells’ yard ends with Suzette Lowell confronting her and accusing Enzo of murdering Jonathan. Suzette tries to justify the accusation by claiming Enzo was obsessed with her and even confided he only married Millie because Millie was pregnant, shaking Millie’s trust. The encounter confirms an important tactical fact for the investigation: someone can access the Lowells’ house from the back without Janice Archer seeing.
Summary
In the Lowells’ dark backyard, Millie steadies her flashlight and tries to decide whether to keep the beam on. A figure steps into view, and Millie realizes it is Suzette Lowell.
Suzette confronts Millie for being in her yard and insists Millie’s family has already done enough damage, accusing Enzo of murdering Jonathan the night before. Suzette cites Janice Archer’s claim that she saw Enzo enter the house and demands Millie admit what happened, but Millie denies Enzo would do it while privately doubting.
Suzette offers a motive: she claims Enzo was “obsessed” with Suzette, constantly finding excuses to come over, flirting, and acting jealous of Jonathan. She also alleges Enzo confided he felt trapped into marrying Millie because Millie was pregnant, a detail that shocks Millie because it matches the truth and suggests Enzo told Suzette intimate information.
Millie insists Enzo would not hurt anyone, though her own memories of his past violence undercut her certainty. Suzette then says she is there to retrieve things from the house without paparazzi seeing her and plans to slip in through the back.
Although Millie notes the reporters are gone and is struck by Suzette’s seeming disappointment and lack of grief, Millie leaves the encounter with a key conclusion: there is indeed a way to access the back of the Lowells’ house without Janice Archer noticing from across the street.
Who Appears
- MillieIn the Lowells’ backyard at night; confronts Suzette and reassesses Enzo’s motives.
- Suzette LowellWidow of Jonathan; accuses Enzo of murder, claims he was obsessed, sneaks in via back.
- EnzoMillie’s husband; accused of killing Jonathan and of confiding private marital details to Suzette.
- Janice ArcherNeighbor witness; allegedly saw Enzo enter the Lowell house the night Jonathan was killed.
- Jonathan LowellMurder victim; his death drives the accusations and escalating neighborhood conflict.