At Angela’s bridal party, people she considers to be strangers surround her. She did not invite her college friends, who are all focused on their careers. She opens her gifts, and they all laugh when she receives not one, but two asparagus cookers. Another gift is an egg poacher. She unwraps a fourth gift wrapped tidily in metallic paper. Turtle tries to hurry her up, and as she jerks it out of Angela’s hands, the package explodes. As the guests slowly come back to their senses, Angela sits with blood from “an angry gash” pouring down “her beautiful face” (97).

Immediately following the explosion, all the residents stand around while the police, called by Judge Ford, investigate the scene. This event has created an atmosphere of paranoia, and everyone has a reason to suspect that one of their neighbors has committed the crime: Even Chris or Angela could be the culprit.

A bomb squad begins investigating all the packages delivered to Sunset Towers. They find two harmless packages over the course of a few days delivered from Jake Wexler to Grace—a box of chocolates and a dozen roses. Jake eats upstairs in the restaurant.