Summary

This section is dated May 1993. Patricia was still having book club meetings with her friends, and this month they were discussing Helter Skelter at Grace’s house. Patricia’s birthday had just passed, and she was excited to show off the pearl earrings that Carter had given her as a gift. While discussing the novel, Grace admitted that she wrote down the license plate number of all unfamiliar cars in their neighborhood, just in case something were to happen. They had all noticed a strange van parked in front of elderly Mrs. Savage’s house. Grace had brought a pie over to the house and had found out that the van belonged to Mrs. Savage’s nephew, who was caring for her because she was too sick to get out of bed.

After the meeting, Patricia walked home. She noticed that her son...