To Die For Chapter 60 (CHAPTER 59): The Handshake That Killed
⚠️ 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
Betsy Odom and Saxby move into Devine’s upgraded hotel suite. While Odom struggles with fatigue and grief, Devine gently questions her about the day her parents died. He reveals his belief that cyanide was used, possibly absorbed through the skin with a substance called DMSO. Odom remembers that two men who handed her father a duffel bag wore thick gloves while her parents did not. She also recalls seeing those same men at a previous meeting with her father—a detail she had not shared before. This contradicts earlier assumptions and suggests the CIA may have murdered two American citizens. Devine promises to keep searching for the killers. Emotionally drained, Odom hugs him and cries uncontrollably, and Devine holds her, offering what comfort he can.
Key Events
- Odom and Saxby move into Devine’s two-bedroom hotel suite, paid for by the government.
- Devine questions Odom about her parents’ death, explaining the possibility of cyanide poisoning via skin absorption.
- Odom recalls that the two men who gave her father the duffel bag wore thick gloves; her parents did not.
- She reveals she saw the same two men at a prior meeting with her father—a fact she had not disclosed earlier.
- Devine realizes this implicates the CIA in the murders, contradicting Saxby’s earlier claims.
- Odom asks if Devine still suspects her uncle; Devine admits he no longer believes the uncle was involved.
- Odom breaks down, hugging Devine and sobbing, while he holds her tightly.
Character Development
- Travis Devine: Shows patience and sensitivity, carefully building trust with Odom by being honest but not overwhelming her. He balances his duty to investigate with genuine compassion. His belief about the uncle shifts, and he confronts the possibility that his own agency (CIA) may be responsible.
- Betsy Odom: Demonstrates resilience but also deep vulnerability. She struggles with fatigue and grief, yet she is able to retrieve a crucial memory. Her decision to trust Devine grows, and she finally releases her emotions in a cathartic cry.
- Uncle (Manny?): Though not present, his character is further developed through Odom’s mixed feelings. Devine now believes the uncle’s denial of involvement was sincere, humanizing him as a grieving brother.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trust versus Deception: The chapter revolves around the delicate bond between Devine and Odom. Her willingness to share a memory hinges on the trust he has built. The revelation that the CIA may be behind the murders underscores how institutions can betray the people they are meant to protect.
- Memory and Trauma: Odom’s ability to recall the gloved hands and the prior meeting shows how trauma can both obscure and preserve critical details. Her emotional breakdown afterward represents the cost of revisiting that trauma.
- Poison as a Symbol: The use of cyanide—silent, invisible, and deadly—reflects the hidden, insidious nature of the conspiracy surrounding Betsy’s family. It is a weapon that kills without warning, much like the lies and secrets that have surrounded her.
- Hands and Gloves: The physical contact of a handshake, normally a gesture of trust, becomes a tool of murder. The gloved hands of the killers symbolize their detachment and professionalism—and their willingness to exploit human connection.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter delivers a major turning point in the investigation. It confirms the method of the Odom parents’ murder and provides a direct link between the killers and a prior CIA-connected meeting. Devine’s suspicion that his own agency committed the crime raises the stakes and creates a powerful moral conflict. Betsy’s emotional release also deepens the human cost of the mystery, making the resolution more urgent and personal.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Devine now believe the uncle is innocent of the murders?
Devine confronted the uncle directly after the court hearing and was struck by the man’s genuine devastation, especially over the loss of his sister. The uncle’s reaction—described as “shattered”—convinced Devine that he was not involved, even though earlier evidence had pointed his way.
2. What new detail does Odom remember about the two men who gave her father the duffel bag, and why is it significant?
She recalls that the men wore thick gloves while her parents did not. Later, she adds that she saw the same two men at a prior meeting with her father. This is significant because it contradicts Saxby’s assertion that the CIA had not killed American citizens, and it provides a direct link between the killers and a previous encounter, suggesting premeditation and possible CIA involvement.
3. How does Devine’s explanation about cyanide and DMSO help unlock Odom’s memory?
By describing how cyanide can be absorbed through the skin when combined with DMSO, Devine prompts Odom to think about physical contact. This leads her to recall the handshake and the gloves—the crucial detail that explains how the poison was administered without Odom being affected herself.