Chapter 16: A Blood-Stained Discovery and a Police Call
⚠️ 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
While folding laundry in the Garricks’ master bedroom, Millie finds a blood-stained white nightgown belonging to Wendy. The stain is unmistakably dried blood at the collar. Her examination is interrupted by a phone call from Officer Scavo of the Bronx police, who informs her that Mr. Marin has decided not to press charges for the assault. Millie is furious and wants to press charges herself, but Scavo warns her that a witness saw her attacking him and she is lucky to avoid prison, especially since she is no longer on parole. He advises her to seek anger management. After hanging up, Millie realizes Douglas Garrick has entered the room and likely overheard part of the conversation. He asks about her marital status and looks her over uncomfortably before his gaze lands on the blood-stained nightgown. Millie quickly lies, claiming the stain is tomato sauce, but her internal monologue reveals she knows exactly how to remove blood.
Key Events
- Millie discovers a blood stain on the collar of Wendy’s white nightgown.
- Officer Scavo calls to report that Mr. Marin will not press charges.
- Millie learns Mr. Marin was released from the hospital that morning.
- Douglas Garrick enters the master bedroom and hears Millie on the phone.
- Douglas asks Millie personal questions about marriage and a boyfriend.
- Douglas notices the blood-stained nightgown; Millie deflects by calling it tomato sauce.
- Millie internally confirms she knows how to remove blood stains.
Character Development
- Millie – Her criminal past is further exposed through the phone call; she struggles with anger and fear of returning to prison. She continues to lie to protect herself, now also about the blood stain. Her powerlessness in the Garrick household becomes more evident.
- Douglas Garrick – His behavior shifts from charming to predatory; he uses his authority to make Millie uncomfortable, and his reaction to the blood stain suggests he knows what it is or is complicit in something hidden.
- Officer Scavo – Represents the legal system’s hostility toward Millie; he dismisses her desire for justice and warns her to control her temper.
- Mr. Marin – Off-screen but crucial; his decision not to press charges keeps Millie out of prison but reinforces her vulnerability.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Blood as evidence – The blood stain on the nightgown is a physical clue to a hidden act of violence, likely connected to Wendy’s confinement.
- Lies and deception – Millie’s lie about the stain mirrors the larger web of secrets in the Garrick house; both she and Douglas conceal the truth.
- Power dynamics – Douglas uses his position as employer to invade Millie’s space and question her personal life, highlighting the imbalance of power.
- Fear of the past – The phone call brings Millie’s history back, threatening her fragile new life and forcing her to confront her own violent tendencies.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter tightens the plot by revealing two parallel threads of violence: the unexplained blood on Wendy’s clothing and Millie’s recent assault on Mr. Marin. It also deepens the tension between Millie and Douglas, suggesting that Douglas may be aware of the blood stain’s true nature. Millie’s lie about the stain and her internal knowledge of blood removal indicate she may have experience with covering up evidence, which could become crucial later. The chapter moves the mystery of Wendy’s situation forward while amplifying the psychological pressure on Millie.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Millie’s lie about the blood stain reveal about her character?
Millie’s quick lie shows she is skilled at deception and survival, often relying on fabricated explanations to avoid suspicion. Her internal admission that she knows how to remove blood stains hints at a past involving violence or its aftermath, reinforcing her secretive nature.
2. How does the phone call with Officer Scavo affect Millie’s situation at the Garrick house?
The call reminds both Millie and the reader that she is still vulnerable to legal consequences. Douglas may have overheard the call, giving him leverage over her. It also prevents Millie from pressing charges against Mr. Marin, leaving her with no legal recourse and increasing her dependence on her job.
3. Why does Douglas Garrick’s reaction to the blood stain matter for the plot?
His sharp inhalation and intense focus on the stain suggest he is not surprised by the blood – he may know how it got there. This moment hints that Douglas is either involved in Wendy’s harm or is concealing information, connecting him directly to the central mystery.