Chapter summaries To Die For David Baldacci

To Die For Chapter 37 (Chapter 36) – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Devine updates FBI Agent Ellen Saxby on his conversation with Betsy Odom at the bookstore. He reveals that Glass upset Betsy by saying “good things sometimes come from bad events” and that Glass claimed Alice Odom wanted him to care for Betsy if anything happened to her or Dwayne. Devine’s sources (the two drug users from earlier) indicate Alice was frightened after two men visited their previous home, and that those men likely paid for the Odoms’ car and house. Devine suspects Glass was behind those payments, possibly because Dwayne Odom had blackmail material on him, similar to Rollins. Betsy, now dressed after her shower, joins Devine and Saxby. She expresses reluctance to meet with her uncle before the hearing but eventually decides to ask him hard questions: where she will live, school, allowance, trust fund, and why the cremation was so fast. Saxby surprises everyone by offering to take Betsy shopping for court-appropriate clothes, revealing she has a daughter Betsy’s age. The chapter ends with Devine preparing to interrogate more people while Saxby warns him that someone wants him dead.

Key Events

  • Devine briefs Saxby on his talk with Betsy Odom, including Glass’s comment and the unnamed sources.
  • Saxby suggests Dwayne may have blackmailed Glass, similar to Rollins.
  • Betsy Odom enters, dressed casually, and discusses her upcoming meeting with Glass.
  • Saxby advises Betsy she is not obligated to meet Glass before the hearing, but Betsy decides to ask pointed questions.
  • Devine prompts Betsy to ask why the cremation was arranged so hastily.
  • Saxby spontaneously offers to take Betsy shopping for a court outfit, revealing she has a teenage daughter.
  • Betsy agrees to go with Saxby; Devine decides to follow other leads.
  • Saxby warns Devine that his life is in danger; Devine acknowledges he never forgets.

Character Development

  • Betsy Odom: Transitions from passive to active. She mentally prepares a list of financial and personal questions for Glass, showing growing independence. Her willingness to ask about the cremation indicates she is confronting uncomfortable truths.
  • Ellen Saxby: Reveals a personal side by mentioning her daughter and offering to shop with Betsy. This humanizes her beyond a strict FBI agent and builds trust with Devine. She also admits she misjudged Devine, hinting at a developing alliance.
  • Travis Devine: Gains credibility with Saxby after his bookstore strategy works. He encourages Betsy to assert herself, reinforcing his role as her protector. His decision to continue investigating despite the death threat shows determination.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Power Imbalances and Blackmail: Saxby and Devine explore the possibility that Dwayne blackmailed Glass, echoing the Rollins case. The idea that Glass buys silence with money (car, house) reinforces the theme of control through wealth.
  • Financial Security vs. Agency: Betsy’s questions about trust funds and allowance reveal her focus on financial stability. Her need to secure her future contrasts with her desire for autonomy.
  • Preparation for Confrontation: The shopping trip symbolizes preparing for a battle. The new clothes are armor for the courtroom, giving Betsy confidence. Saxby’s comment about “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” underscores resilience.
  • Trust and Alliance-Building: Devine and Saxby move from professional suspicion to mutual respect. Saxby’s personal disclosure (daughter) and Devine’s approval mark a turning point in their partnership.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter shifts Betsy Odom from a passive victim to an active participant in her own fate. Her decision to interrogate Glass directly moves the plot forward and raises stakes for the upcoming hearing. The shopping trip with Saxby provides both character depth and a practical step toward court. The ongoing investigation into Glass’s possible blackmail and his connection to the Odoms’ sudden financial improvement deepens the mystery. Saxby’s warning that Devine is a target injects tension into the next phase of the story.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Devine suggest Betsy ask Glass about the cremation?
    Devine wants to put Glass on the defensive and give Betsy a chance to learn the truth about her parents’ deaths. He knows Glass will blame him, not Betsy, so he takes the risk to empower her.

  2. How does Saxby’s offer to take Betsy shopping change the dynamic between the characters?
    It reveals Saxby’s maternal side and builds trust with both Betsy and Devine. Betsy sees Saxby as more approachable, and Devine reconsiders his earlier judgment of her.

  3. What does Betsy’s list of questions for Glass reveal about her character growth?
    Betsy is thinking pragmatically about her future—school, finances, living situation—rather than just emotionally reacting. This shows she is taking control of her life and preparing for independence.

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