The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Millie is separated from Enzo at the station and questioned by Detective Willard, who confirms Millie has an alibi but signals Enzo is under serious suspicion. Willard confronts Millie with evidence of Enzo’s secretive behavior: missing money used to buy an illegal gun and a motel stay with Suzette Lowell. By tying the couple’s financial stress to Jonathan Lowell’s life insurance payout to Suzette, Willard reframes the case around motive, pushing Millie to demand a lawyer.
Summary
At the police station, Millie Accardi is immediately separated from Enzo for questioning, which heightens her fear that police view them as suspects in Jonathan Lowell’s murder. Alone in an interrogation room, Millie worries about what Enzo might say and remembers she did not tell Enzo that she admitted to Benito Ramirez that Enzo once came home with blood on his hands.
Detective Willard questions Millie directly. He tells Millie she is not a suspect because she was at work until shortly before the body was found, and Mrs. Archer saw Millie arrive and spend only a couple of minutes in the Lowells’ house after Mrs. Archer had already called 911. Willard still alludes to Millie’s criminal past, implying he is scrutinizing her credibility.
Willard probes Enzo’s relationship with Suzette Lowell, suggesting an affair. Millie insists Enzo was only helping with yard work in exchange for referrals and denies suspecting anything romantic.
Willard then reveals evidence that shakes Millie: Enzo withdrew $1,000 from their joint account and used some of it to buy a gun illegally, and Enzo checked into a motel with Suzette Lowell four nights earlier. Willard also presses Millie about their financial strain, including a bounced check, and points out that Jonathan Lowell had a substantial life insurance policy with Suzette as the sole beneficiary.
Recognizing the direction of the interrogation and recalling Ramirez’s advice, Millie stops cooperating and tells Detective Willard she will not answer any more questions without a lawyer.
Who Appears
- Millie AccardiQuestioned by Willard; learns damaging evidence about Enzo; refuses further answers without a lawyer.
- Detective WillardInterrogates Millie; confirms her alibi; presents evidence pointing to Enzo and Suzette’s motive.
- Enzo AccardiQuestioned separately; implicated via gun purchase, missing money, and motel stay with Suzette.
- Suzette LowellLinked to Enzo via motel check-in; sole beneficiary of Jonathan’s life insurance.
- Jonathan LowellMurder victim; his life insurance becomes a potential motive in Willard’s theory.
- Mrs. ArcherNeighbor witness; places Millie at home briefly and corroborates timing around the 911 call.
- Benito RamirezMillie’s NYPD contact; previously advised her to stop answering questions and get a lawyer.