Contents
Part Four — Chapter Twenty-One
Overview
Theo surveils Kathy’s lover’s home and fixates on the man’s unsuspecting wife, whom he decides to “help” by exposing the affair. Acting on obsession, Theo trespasses, dons a balaclava, and enters the garden summerhouse. The wife is Alicia Berenson, revealing Theo as the masked intruder Alicia described earlier—reframing the entire case.
Summary
Theo returns to the house where Kathy’s lover lives and watches for an hour until the man leaves. Instead of following him, Theo fixates on the wife inside, convincing himself she is an innocent victim like he is and that he must reveal the affair to save her.
Over several days, Theo surveils the house and follows the wife on a walk, growing bolder. He buys a balaclava and gloves, nurturing a vague plan driven by jealousy and a sense of righteous mission to “help” her see the truth.
When the opportunity arises, Theo enters the garden through an unlocked gate, hides in the summerhouse, and prepares himself—pulling on the mask and gloves and holding a knife. The wife enters, finishes a loving phone call, and begins to paint before noticing his reflection.
They face each other in silence, her fear evident. Theo then reveals this woman is Alicia Berenson. This encounter is his first face-to-face meeting with Alicia and confirms he is the masked intruder Alicia previously described, transforming the understanding of past events.
Who Appears
- Theo FaberNarrator; surveils Kathy’s lover’s house, trespasses masked with a knife, and confronts the wife in the summerhouse.
- Alicia BerensonUnwitting target of Theo’s intrusion; painting in her summerhouse when she discovers the masked intruder.
- Gabriel BerensonKathy’s lover; leaves the house early on and later speaks to Alicia by phone.