Chapter Six Summary

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Stella Hudson drives toward the Barclays' security gate when an old Nissan Sentra tears around a curve, nearly causing a head-on collision. The other driver overcorrects and skids onto the grass. Stella, suppressing her irritation, steps out to talk, recognizing that the driver might have useful information. The man is young, about twenty-five, with dyed-blond hair, black roots, and tattoos on his arms. He initially appears furious and revs his engine as if to leave, but Stella blocks his path and introduces herself, explaining that she is working for Rose under a judge's order in the divorce case.

The man scoffs at any connection to the Barclays. He reveals he came to collect Tina de la Cruz's belongings for her family. Stella immediately identifies him as Pete, the nanny's boyfriend. Pete's anger is palpable; he pounds the steering wheel and insists that Tina had a name and that no one says it. Stella acknowledges Tina by name, which seems to soften him slightly.

Pete tells Stella that Tina hated the house, found it creepy, and was planning to buy a Taser because strange things were happening to her. When Stella presses for details, Pete insists that Tina was killed, but he cannot name a specific culprit. He says if he knew who did it, he would have already acted. Stella notices several physical signs of violence on Pete: bruises on his knees, scraped knuckles, and an Ace bandage around his left wrist. She also spots thin gloves and Velcro-strap sneakers in his car.

Pete admits the Barclays don't know he's coming. He wants to see Tina's room one last time before taking her things. Stella gives him her business card and watches him drive off. After he leaves, she realizes that Pete knew the security gate code, which means Tina must have shared it with him at some point. Stella wonders whether Pete had visited the estate before, perhaps sneaking in when the Barclays were away. She reflects on Pete's anger and considers whether it could have driven him to push Tina to her death, recalling Marco's earlier warning that it's always the husband—unless it's the boyfriend.

Key Events

Stella nearly collides with a speeding Nissan Sentra near the Barclays' gate.
The driver is Pete, Tina de la Cruz's boyfriend, who is there to collect her belongings.
Pete reveals Tina hated the house, found it creepy, and planned to buy a Taser because strange things were happening.
Pete insists Tina was killed but cannot name a suspect.
Stella notices Pete's bruises, scraped knuckles, and bandaged wrist, suggesting recent violence.
Pete admits the Barclays don't know he's coming and wants to see Tina's room one last time.
After Pete leaves, Stella realizes he knew the security gate code, implying Tina had shared it.
Stella begins to consider Pete as a potential suspect in Tina's death.

Character Development

Stella Hudson demonstrates her investigative instincts by turning a near-accident into an opportunity for information. She remains calm and professional despite Pete's hostility, using empathy—acknowledging Tina by name—to lower his defenses. Her observation of Pete's physical injuries and the details in his car (gloves, sneakers, rosary beads) shows her attention to small clues. She also connects the gate code to Tina's possible secret visits, revealing her ability to piece together unspoken implications.

Pete emerges as a complex figure: grieving, angry, and protective of Tina's memory. His fury at the world is evident, but he also shows vulnerability when Stella says Tina's name. His claim that Tina was killed, combined with his own injuries, raises questions about his involvement. He is clearly not a polished or wealthy person, contrasting sharply with the Barclays' world. His desire to see Tina's room one last time suggests genuine attachment, even as his anger simmers.

Tina de la Cruz is characterized indirectly through Pete's words. She hated the house, found it creepy, and was frightened enough to consider buying a Taser. This paints her as a victim who sensed danger, adding weight to the suspicion that her death was not accidental.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and anger are central. Pete's grief manifests as explosive anger, which Stella recognizes as a natural part of mourning but also as a potential motive for violence. The chapter explores how anger can be both a reaction to loss and a dangerous force.

Class divide is evident in the contrast between Pete's worn Nissan and the Barclays' manicured estate. Stella notes the juxtaposition of the beautiful surroundings and the damaged people within them. Pete's working-class appearance and his scorn for the Barclays highlight the power imbalance between Tina, a nanny, and her wealthy employers.

Beauty versus damage is a recurring motif. The chapter describes the idyllic setting—horses grazing, fresh-cut grass—while every person Stella encounters is deeply troubled. This contrast underscores the idea that appearances can be deceiving.

Workplace power imbalance is raised when Pete suggests Ian Barclay, as Tina's boss and twice her age, may have pressured her into an affair. This theme connects to the broader investigation into Tina's death and the dynamics within the Barclays household.

Suspicious death is the driving force. Pete's insistence that Tina was killed, combined with his own injuries and the gate code clue, deepens the mystery and introduces a new suspect.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter introduces Pete as a significant new character and potential suspect. It provides crucial information about Tina's state of mind—her fear of the house and her plan to buy a Taser—which suggests she sensed danger. The revelation that Pete knew the security gate code implies he had access to the estate, raising questions about his past visits and possible involvement. Stella's internal debate about whether Pete's anger could have led him to push Tina adds a layer of suspicion and keeps the reader guessing. The chapter also reinforces the theme of class and power, showing how Tina's position as a nanny made her vulnerable.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Pete's knowledge of the security gate code suggest about his relationship with Tina?

Pete's ability to enter the Barclays' estate without being announced indicates that Tina had shared the gate code with him at some point. This suggests a level of trust and intimacy between them, and it implies that Pete may have visited the estate before, possibly secretly when the Barclays were away. Stella wonders whether Beth would have allowed such visits, hinting that Tina might have sneaked Pete in. This knowledge also makes Pete a more plausible suspect, as he had access to the property.

2. How does Stella's interaction with Pete reveal her investigative methods?

Stella uses a combination of calm persistence, empathy, and careful observation. She blocks Pete's car to force a conversation, introduces herself clearly, and acknowledges Tina by name to defuse his anger. She asks open-ended questions and pays attention to physical details—bruises, scrapes, bandages, and items in his car—that might indicate recent violence or suspicious behavior. She also notes the gate code and connects it to Tina's possible secret visits, showing her ability to draw inferences from small clues.

3. What evidence in this chapter suggests that Tina's death may not have been an accident?

Pete's insistence that Tina was killed, though he cannot name a culprit, is the most direct claim. Additionally, Tina's fear of the house and her plan to buy a Taser because