Chapter summaries To Die For David Baldacci

To Die For Chapter 66 Summary: The Termites Revealed

⚠️ 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

After a late night of research and calls with Campbell and DHS, Travis Devine is dressing early when Ellen Saxby knocks on his hotel room door. She is focused and grim. Betsy Odom is still asleep. Saxby asks to talk, acknowledging the rough end to their previous meeting. Devine reluctantly agrees, though he remains suspicious of her superiors’ motives. Saxby warns that the group known as 12/24/65—now nicknamed the “Termites”—likely knows Devine took Betsy back to her home, so a counter-plan is necessary. She uses an arborist metaphor her father taught her: termites can hollow out a mighty oak from the inside while the surface looks pristine. This, she explains, describes the current national security threat.

The two discuss protection measures. A joint ops team has already met with Nate Shore and Korey Rose at a secure location. Saxby assures Devine that agents will be present at Betsy’s home and will discreetly tail their trip to Kittitas. She claims some operational details have been kept so tight that the Termites cannot access them. Saxby then reveals the scope of Danny Glass’s evidence: over a hundred arrest and search warrants are ready, targeting household names in politics, media, business, religion, police, and military—all involved in a plot to overthrow the government. Glass obtained the evidence by laundering criminal funds for the movement through his legal platforms. The conspirators trusted him because he is a skilled grifter who shares their anti-American, anti-institution views.

When Devine asks how they caught Glass, Saxby refuses to answer. He points out the lingering problem: Betsy is leverage against Glass. If the Termites threaten her safety to force his silence, the government’s entire case could collapse. Saxby admits Glass has been less cooperative recently and that using Betsy as bait was a desperate measure. If Glass refuses to cooperate, the RICO case might be reinstated, and the Termites could go free. The chapter ends with Braddock and Walker arriving at Devine’s door, quipping about the security restrictions.

Key Events

  • Devine and Saxby meet early in the morning to discuss the security situation.
  • Saxby introduces the “Termites” nickname for the conspiracy group.
  • She reveals that a joint ops team has already secured Nate Shore and Korey Rose.
  • Saxby explains the breadth of Glass’s evidence, implicating powerful individuals across multiple sectors.
  • Devine asks how Glass was caught; Saxby declines to answer.
  • Devine identifies the critical flaw: Betsy could be used as leverage to prevent Glass’s testimony.
  • Saxby admits Glass’s cooperation is uncertain and that using Betsy as bait was a last resort.
  • Braddock and Walker arrive at Devine’s door, referencing the tight security.

Character Development

  • Travis Devine: Shows growth by accepting Saxby’s refusal to answer a sensitive question without anger, a sign of increasing trust and professionalism. He remains focused on Betsy’s safety and the mission’s integrity.
  • Ellen Saxby: Reveals vulnerability and desperation. Her arborist metaphor demonstrates her personal background and ability to communicate complex threats clearly. She admits the operation’s fragility, showing honesty that earlier meetings lacked.
  • The brief presence of Braddock and Walker reinforces the theme of growing alliances and the porous state of security—everyone is being vetted.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Termites as a symbol: Saxby’s metaphor represents an invisible enemy eating away at the nation’s foundations. It underscores the theme of hidden corruption and the difficulty of fighting an enemy that looks benign on the surface.
  • Leverage and trust: Betsy’s role as leverage for Glass highlights how personal relationships can be weaponized in larger conspiracies. The chapter questions whether any party can be fully trusted—not just the Termites, but also the government and Glass.
  • Desperation versus prudence: Saxby admits the government is “pretty much desperate,” using a risky bait plan. This tension between necessary action and ethical compromise runs throughout the chapter.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 66 crystallizes the stakes of the entire novel. Saxby lays out the vast network of conspirators—household names spanning every major institution—and the government’s precarious position. The “Termites” nickname gives the conspiracy a memorable, menacing identity. More importantly, the chapter exposes the fragility of the plan: Betsy is the linchpin, and Glass’s commitment is wavering. This sets up the high tension for the journey to Kittitas and the final confrontation. Devine’s growing but cautious trust in Saxby marks a turning point in his character arc.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Saxby use the termite metaphor, and what does it reveal about the threat?
    Saxby’s father was an arborist who taught her that termites can destroy a tree from the inside while the outside looks healthy. She applies this to the conspiracy: the “Termites” have infiltrated government and society, hollowing out institutions until they are ready to collapse. The metaphor emphasizes the deception, the difficulty of detection, and the existential danger to the country.

  2. What is the government’s main vulnerability in using Betsy as bait?
    If the Termites threaten Betsy’s safety and communicate that threat to Danny Glass, he may refuse to cooperate with the government to protect her. Since Glass’s testimony and documentation are essential for executing the arrest warrants, losing his cooperation could allow the Termites to escape prosecution and proceed with their coup attempt.

  3. How does Devine’s reaction to Saxby’s refusal to answer demonstrate his character growth?
    Earlier in the novel, Devine would have reacted with anger or distrust when Saxby withheld information. Here, he accepts her refusal calmly, saying “Okay.” This shows he is learning to operate within the constraints of the operation and to trust Saxby’s judgment, even when not all details are shared. It marks his evolution from a lone operator to a team player.

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