Chapter summaries To Die For David Baldacci

Chapter 59: Temporary Guardian and Deepening Conspiracy

⚠️ 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 wakes to a text from Saxby informing him that Judge Mehan has granted him temporary guardianship of Betsy, effective immediately. He finds a note under his door from GOTT, requesting another meeting at the bookstore at 2 p.m. Devine phones Saxby, who explains that the judge acted out of concern that Betsy’s uncle would harm her. At their hotel room, Devine recounts to Saxby the previous night's events: Danny Glass personally threatened him, someone attempted to kill Devine using a Ricketts police officer, and he was present when Dr. Coburn was killed in a house explosion. He shares his suspicion that the U.S. government is working with Danny Glass, possibly for information about a plan to overthrow the government. Devine asks Saxby to keep this confidential, and she reluctantly agrees.

Key Events

  • Devine receives a text from Saxby: he is Betsy’s temporary guardian.
  • A note from GOTT appears under his door for another meeting.
  • Devine meets Saxby and recounts Glass’s threat and the murder attempt by a Ricketts police officer.
  • He tells Saxby about Dr. Coburn’s death and the suppressed cyanide-poisoning report.
  • Devine reveals his theory that the government is colluding with Danny Glass to secure intelligence about a possible coup.
  • Saxby is shaken but agrees to keep the information secret.

Character Development

  • Devine becomes more paranoid and strategic, trusting only a few people. He withholds the train-girl encounter even from Saxby, showing his growing caution.
  • Saxby is exposed to the darker edges of the case. Her initial disbelief gives way to grim acceptance, marking a shift from routine FBI protection to involvement in a potential national security crisis.
  • Danny Glass remains off-page but his influence is pervasive. The threat he made and his apparent government connections underscore his dangerous reach.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Secrecy vs. transparency: The chapter contrasts the official legal proceeding (guardianship hearing) with the hidden truths Devine uncovers. The government’s suppression of Dr. Coburn’s report symbolizes the erosion of due process.
  • Trust and betrayal: Devine chooses not to share the girl-on-the-train episode, highlighting the motif that in this world few can be trusted. Saxby’s loyalty is tested when she agrees to stay silent.
  • The fragility of institutions: The possibility of a U.S. government overthrow is raised, challenging the stability Saxby assumes. Devine’s line about believing “it can never happen here” reinforces the motif that complacency invites disaster.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter accelerates the conspiracy plot by linking Danny Glass to the federal government in a concrete way. Devine’s frank discussion with Saxby forces the reader to consider the real threat behind the Ricketts murders. The temporary guardianship gives Devine official responsibility for Betsy, raising the stakes for his survival and his mission. The chapter ends with a somber note about secrets piling up, preparing the reader for GOTT’s upcoming meeting and the next phase of the investigation.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Devine decide not to tell Saxby about the girl he met on the train?
    Devine has learned that trust is rare in his current situation. Although he relies on Saxby, he chooses to compartmentalize information to protect himself and to avoid compromising any lead that might still be active.

  2. What evidence does Devine use to support his theory that the government is working with Danny Glass?
    He points to the dropped RICO charges, the suppression of Dr. Coburn’s autopsy report, and the fact that Glass’s men have been secretly guarding Betsy while the FBI only assigned one agent. The timing of Coburn’s murder also suggests a coordinated effort to silence dissent.

  3. Why does Saxby initially resist the idea of a government conspiracy, and what changes her mind?
    Saxby believes in the integrity of law enforcement and finds the concept of a coup absurd. But Devine’s detailed account of Coburn’s death and the officer’s attack, combined with Glass’s proven influence, undercuts her trust in institutions, forcing her to acknowledge the possibility.

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