The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 44
Overview
Enzo is not arrested after speaking with Detective Willard, but Millie discovers the bloodstained shirt is missing, deepening her suspicion. Millie and Enzo tell Ada and Nico that Jonathan Lowell was murdered; Ada breaks down while Nico reacts with unsettling flatness.
Later, Enzo pleads with Millie to believe he didn’t kill Jonathan and wasn’t cheating with Suzette. Millie outwardly swears she believes him, but internally admits she’s lying, widening the fracture in their marriage as the investigation closes in.
Summary
After Detective Willard leaves, Enzo refuses to explain what was said. Millie tries to find Enzo’s bloodstained T-shirt upstairs, but it has vanished, making Millie suspect Enzo hid or disposed of it.
Millie and Enzo bring Ada and Nico into the living room to address the obvious police presence next door. Millie tells the children that Jonathan Lowell has been killed, keeping the details vague.
Ada immediately cries and asks if the police know who did it. Millie reassures both children that their family is not in danger and promises they will find the killer soon, while privately avoiding the thought that the police may suspect Enzo.
Nico avoids eye contact, fidgets, and shows a troubling lack of visible emotion about Jonathan’s death. After sending both children back to their rooms, Millie asks Enzo if the kids will be okay, but Enzo remains distant and glassy-eyed.
Enzo finally speaks to insist he did not kill Jonathan and claims the blood came from a cut on his hand. He also insists he was not cheating with Suzette. Although Millie does not believe his explanations, she swears she believes him anyway, acknowledging to herself that she is lying.
Who Appears
- MillieTells the kids about Jonathan’s murder; searches for the bloody shirt; lies that she believes Enzo.
- EnzoWithdrawn after speaking to police; insists he didn’t kill Jonathan and wasn’t cheating with Suzette.
- AdaCries upon hearing Jonathan Lowell was killed; seeks reassurance and answers.
- NicoAvoids eye contact and reacts with disturbing calm to news of the murder.
- Detective WillardQuestions Enzo off-page and leaves without arresting him, keeping suspicion alive.
- Jonathan LowellMurder victim whose death forces Millie and Enzo to explain events to their children.
- SuzetteNeighbor implicated in Enzo’s suspected affair; Enzo denies cheating with her.
- Janice ArcherMentioned as having told police Enzo visited the Lowells before the murder.