Chapter summaries To Die For David Baldacci

To Die For Chapter 86 (CHAPTER 85): A Dangerous Gambit to Find Danny Glass

⚠️ 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 joins Pru Jackson in her SUV after rescuing Betsy but learning that Danny Glass has been taken by Anne Cassidy. Jackson reveals that Cassidy had been leaking intelligence to Glass while secretly working with the KKK-related organization 12/24. The two deduce that Cassidy likely kidnapped Glass not for a payoff from 12/24, but rather to seize Glass’s criminal fortune or sell him to the highest bidder. Devine admits he only cares about recovering Glass alive and proposes confronting Cassidy directly in a manner she cannot refuse. Jackson agrees to help, and Devine narrows the possible holding locations to two sites, intending to use an unnamed person to pinpoint the exact one.

Key Events

  • Devine jumps into Pru Jackson’s SUV and they exchange updates: Betsy is freed, but Danny Glass is now in the hands of Anne Cassidy.
  • Jackson confirms that Cassidy was the leak to Glass throughout the operation, using Betsy’s plea call without revealing her own identity.
  • Cassidy’s henchmen, captured earlier, have implicated her; they maintained the ruse when Cassidy checked on the “prisoner” that morning.
  • Devine initially believes Cassidy will return Glass to 12/24 for a payoff, but Jackson disagrees, arguing Cassidy is playing a personal, close-to-the-vest game as she did at the CIA.
  • Jackson posits that Cassidy wants either Glass’s billions in cash or to sell him to his many enemies, then vanish.
  • Devine declares his sole objective is Glass, not Cassidy or anyone else, and proposes a direct confrontation with Cassidy.
  • Jackson, after a tense pause, agrees to join the mission.
  • Devine reveals he has narrowed Glass’s possible location to two places and will “let someone else” decide which one.

Character Development

Devine shows a hardened focus in this chapter. He explicitly states that only Danny Glass matters to him, and he is willing to let everyone else—including the dangerous Anne Cassidy—go free if it means recovering Glass. This pragmatic, almost ruthless stance contrasts with his earlier willingness to work within the system. He also demonstrates strategic thinking by considering two possible holding sites and planning to use a third party to finalize the location.

Pru Jackson proves her CIA expertise by correctly reading Cassidy’s motives. She explains that Cassidy never mentioned any secret channel with Glass, which indicates a solo play for personal gain rather than loyalty to 12/24. Jackson’s decision to join the operation despite the risk shows she is invested not just in justice but in confronting Cassidy directly. She also forces Devine to reveal his true priorities, creating a moment of uneasy alliance.

Anne Cassidy’s off-page character is developed through Jackson’s analysis. She is portrayed as a cunning operator who keeps her plans compartmentalized, even from her allies. Her decision to grab Glass suggests a bold endgame—either immense wealth or a lucrative sale—that aligns with her CIA-trained habit of working “close to the vest.”

Danny Glass, though absent, remains the central object of the chapter. His value lies in his criminal empire and the cash it produces, making him a prize that multiple parties, including Cassidy, now seek.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Deception and layered allegiances: Every character in this chapter is playing a double game. Cassidy leaked to Glass while working for 12/24; Devine masks his true goal (only Glass matters) from Jackson until he is forced to reveal it. The line between friend and enemy continues to blur.
  • Greed and personal gain: Jackson’s theory that Cassidy intends to grab Glass’s fortune or sell him to the highest bidder underscores the theme of self-interest overriding any larger mission. The criminal billions are a powerful motivator that drives betrayal.
  • Moral ambiguity: Devine’s declaration that he cares only about Glass and will let other villains escape challenges traditional heroism. The chapter forces the reader to question whether the ends (saving Glass) justify the means (allowing Cassidy to go free).

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 86 is a crucial turning point. It reveals Anne Cassidy’s true intent—not to serve 12/24 but to enrich herself by leveraging Danny Glass. This reframes the entire operation and raises the stakes beyond a simple rescue. Devine’s shift to a single-minded, morally flexible approach sets up the final confrontation. The chapter also deepens Pru Jackson’s role as a key ally and strategist. By narrowing the location to two possible sites and hinting at a plan to force Cassidy’s hand, the chapter builds tension for the climax.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. What does Pru Jackson believe is Anne Cassidy’s real motive for kidnapping Danny Glass?
    Jackson believes Cassidy does not intend to return Glass to 12/24 for a payoff. Instead, she thinks Cassidy wants either to seize control of Glass’s billion-dollar criminal assets or to sell him to his many enemies for the highest price, then disappear. This aligns with Cassidy’s secretive, self-serving style from her CIA days.

  2. Why does Devine say he would let Anne Cassidy go free?
    Devine states that his only concern is recovering Danny Glass. He is willing to abandon the pursuit of Cassidy or anyone else if it means getting Glass back safely. This reveals his pragmatic focus and willingness to compromise justice for the one outcome he cares about.

  3. How does Devine plan to determine where Danny Glass is being held?
    Devine tells Jackson that he has narrowed the possible holding locations to two places. He will “let someone else” figure out which one it is. The identity of that person is not revealed in the chapter, creating suspense for the next scene.