Chapter summaries To Die For David Baldacci

Chapter 63 Summary and 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, Campbell, Chambers, and Davenport meet at Campbell’s residence. Devine updates Campbell on his conversation with the CIA officers. Campbell remarks that he had wondered when the agency would arrive. Chambers retorts that they are not usually the cavalry. Devine explains that Pru Jackson told him she was set up by the CIA because she knew about a cover-up of a murder committed by CIA—a murder of an allied agent. Davenport counters that the people responsible for that murder are now in prison. When Devine mentions Jackson’s two-year imprisonment and inferred torture, Davenport’s expression shows pain. Campbell reveals he suspected Jackson was dead; Davenport replies that her mother, Molly Jackson, recently died in a nursing home, and they had a man posted there. An old friend showed up to say goodbye, but it turned out to be a woman who had been hospitalized—a disguise they now attribute to Jackson.

Campbell then confronts Chambers and Davenport about the hit on Devine on the Milan train, suggesting the CIA might have been involved. Chambers indignantly denies it, and Davenport affirms that Devine is a valuable asset. They admit they know Jackson was behind the European attack and that she followed Devine to the area. Devine says Jackson could have killed him but chose not to because she is focused on the people who betrayed her—including, he suggests, the CIA. He also mentions Jackson’s interest in the Danny Glass matter, particularly the government deal that allowed Glass to walk on RICO charges and gain custody of his niece.

Campbell adds that the DOJ’s case was weakened by the murder of three witnesses, killed by snipers with inside intelligence, possibly from within the government. Davenport and Chambers vehemently deny involvement, stating they do not murder American citizens. Devine presses whether they had the witnesses killed; both CIA officers deny it, claiming they have no interest in going to prison.

Campbell asks how the CIA got involved with Glass. Davenport reveals that Glass did business with people and companies tied to an organization the CIA and FBI have tracked for two years: 12/24/65. Devine initially mistakes the date for Christmas Eve 1965, but Davenport corrects him—it refers to December 24, 1865, the day the Ku Klux Klan was founded. Devine is shocked that the KKK is still relevant in 2024. Davenport explains that hate groups and militia groups are now more numerous and well-funded than ever, and 12/24 is a well-organized domestic terrorist group aiming to take over the country. Neither Campbell nor Devine has heard of them; Chambers says that’s part of their plan to stay under the radar. Glass provided names, places, plans, account numbers, and recordings of members, including titans of industry, politicians, and high-ranking military personnel.

Devine questions whether Glass is leading them on. Davenport says Glass already provided some information as a gesture of good faith, and DHS (Campbell’s own agency) is also involved. Campbell expresses anger at being left out of the loop.

Devine then asks about the Odoms’ murder. Both CIA officers deny any involvement. Campbell points out it’s illegal for the CIA to operate domestically; Chambers says they coordinate with domestic agencies but don’t operate directly. Devine notes that the Odoms’ deaths allowed Glass to become Betsy Odom’s adoptive parent, something he wanted. Davenport insists the CIA had nothing to do with that; they already had leverage via the RICO case. Devine suggests that 12/24 benefited from the witness killings because it removed Glass’s incentive to cooperate. Campbell speculates that 12/24 used government contacts to get intel for the simultaneous murders.

Devine describes the Odoms: they met with two men, received a house and car, and were killed shortly after a meeting where they likely received money. Betsy was left alive, consistent with Glass’s plan. Devine asks if the CIA provided the money. Chambers asks why they would. Devine suggests as a conduit for Glass, since Dwayne Odom hated Glass and refused his money. Davenport denies any involvement, stating the deal with Glass was only the dismissal of RICO charges, and the Odoms’ family mess was not their concern.

Devine asks why the FBI took custody of Betsy Odom. Davenport says that’s Bureau business and advises him to ask again more forcefully. Devine believes her but suspects the FBI may be playing him.

Davenport then reveals they know Devine went to Ricketts, Washington. Devine guesses the town is well known to CIA. Davenport denies it. Devine explains that Jackson told him the government owns many things, and Ricketts has expensive toys it can’t afford—likely from the CIA. He recounts being kidnapped, tortured, and rescued by Jackson. He says Jackson saw the kidnappers flown out in body bags on a helicopter only used by DHS and the CIA; since he doesn’t think it was DHS, it must have been CIA. He also mentions that SPD found a fingerprint from a shell casing that hit a restricted database. Davenport explains that the database contains prints of terrorist associates, not just CIA personnel. They denied the police access because they were monitoring the suspect, Albert Russell, a known enforcer for 12/24, to catch bigger fish.

Devine presses about the helicopter. Davenport says it was not their chopper; such aircraft are also used by the other side. She reveals that Ricketts is not owned by the CIA. Stunned, Devine asks who owns it. Chambers answers that they believe Ricketts, Washington, is the unofficial headquarters of 12/24/65.

Key Events

Devine, Campbell, Chambers, and Davenport meet at Campbell’s home.
Devine recounts Pru Jackson’s story of being set up by the CIA for a murder cover-up.
Davenport and Chambers deny involvement in the Milan train attack and the witness murders.
Davenport reveals the 12/24/65 organization as a KKK offshoot, well-funded and large.
Campbell learns DHS is part of the operation without his knowledge.
Devine asks about the Odoms’ murder; CIA denies any role.
Davenport confirms they know Devine went to Ricketts.
Devine details his kidnapping and rescue by Jackson, and the evidence pointing to CIA.
Davenport counters with the Albert Russell identification and explains the restricted database.
Chambers reveals that Ricketts is the headquarters of 12/24/65.

Character Development

Travis Devine: Shows shrewdness by piecing together evidence and pressing the CIA officers. He remains skeptical but begins to believe they may be telling the truth about some matters. His unease with the FBI grows.
General Campbell: Demonstrates frustration at being kept in the dark about DHS’s involvement. He is protective of Devine and pushes for answers.
Davenport and Chambers: Presented as seasoned intelligence officers who are careful with their words. They deny multiple accusations but provide new information about 12/24. Davenport’s pained expression suggests empathy for Pru Jackson.
Pru Jackson (off-page): Her backstory of torture and disguise is further illuminated. She is positioned as a rogue actor seeking revenge, yet she saved Devine.
Danny Glass (mentioned): His role as a source for the government on 12/24 is clarified, though his motives remain suspect.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Institutional Trust: The chapter explores the difficulty of trusting government agencies. Devine questions everyone, and the CIA deflects blame.
Domestic Terror and Racism: The 12/24/65 group revives the ideology of the KKK, showing how historical hate persists in modern organized forms.
Secrecy and Compartmentalization: CIA operations, the restricted database, and DHS’s unilateral action highlight how information is siloed.
The Cost of Loyalty: Pru Jackson’s loyalty to the truth led to her persecution; Devine’s loyalty to finding the truth puts him at odds with powerful entities.
Surveillance vs. Action: The CIA chooses to monitor rather than intervene immediately, risking lives to catch larger conspirators.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel’s conspiracy arc. It confirms the existence of a large domestic terrorist organization (12/24/65) with deep ties to government and industry. The revelation that Ricketts is their headquarters links the Odoms case directly to a national security threat. Devine now has a clearer target, but the CIA and FBI’s conflicting agendas complicate his mission. The chapter also deepens Pru Jackson’s tragic backstory, setting up a potential alliance or confrontation. The exposed distrust between agencies underscores the novel’s critique of institutional dysfunction.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Devine believe the CIA may have been involved in the Odoms’ murder?
Devine notes that the Odoms met with two men, received a house and car, and were killed shortly after a meeting where they likely received money. He speculates that CIA could have acted as a conduit for Danny Glass to bypass Dwayne Odom’s refusal of direct help. However, Davenport and Chambers deny any role, and Devine later seems to believe them on this point.
What is the significance of the date 12/24/65?
The date refers to December 24, 1865, the day the Ku Klux Klan was founded. The organization named 12/24/65 is a modern, well-funded domestic terrorist group that aims to take over the country. Its members include titans of industry, politicians, and high-ranking military personnel.
How do the CIA officers explain the restricted fingerprint database that blocked SPD’s investigation?
Davenport says the database is restricted because it contains prints of people known to associate with terrorist organizations, both foreign and domestic. When SPD found a print from Albert Russell (a 12/24 enforcer), the CIA did not inform the police because they were monitoring Russell to catch higher-value targets. They claim the helicopter used to remove bodies was not theirs but is also used by the other side.