Chapter 4

Summary

• The chapter is set in a police station where the protagonist, Molly, finds herself in a stark and unpleasant interrogation room following a murder at the hotel where she works.
• Molly reflects on her discomfort with emotions and personal spaces, observing the room's cleanliness with a critical eye due to her background as a hotel maid.
• She recalls the ride over with Detective Stark, during which her tendency to overshare prompted a mental note about the value of brevity in communication.
• Molly is offered water instead of tea by the detective, which she accepts despite her dislike for Styrofoam.
• Detective Stark reassures Molly that she isn’t in trouble, and Molly reacts by compulsively straightening the detective's yellow note pad on the table to align with its edge.
• The detective seems puzzled by Molly's precise habits and suggests Molly might be in shock; Molly internally disagrees but chooses not to voice her thoughts.
• Instead of speaking about her desire to return to normalcy at home, Molly tentatively acknowledges to the detective that she may be experiencing shock.
• Molly then discusses her meticulous work at the Regency Grand Hotel and reveals specific details about the investigation to the detective.
• She strategically withholds information about other potential evidence she noticed because she is protective of her friend Giselle, whose husband Mr. Black was found dead.
• After accidentally revealing the ownership of some pills, Molly justifies her knowledge by explaining how she organizes Giselle’s belongings.
• Molly details her discovery of Mr. Black's body and the subsequent actions she took.
• The detective asks about Molly's relationship with the Blacks, prompting Molly to reflect on her interactions with both Charles and Giselle Black.
• Molly shares memories of first meeting Giselle, their conversations about life and their secrets, demonstrating the trust and bond they formed over time.
• As the detective presses for information, Molly deflects, maintaining that she's simply a maid whom no one significant would talk to.
• Satisfied with Molly’s responses, Detective Stark offers to take her home, ending the chapter.