Page 134 of To Die For

Davenport said, “Glass became valuable to us because he did considerable business with people and companies that have close ties to an organization both we and the FBI have been tracking for close on two years now.”

“What organization?”

“They are known as 12/24/65.”

“Christmas Eve, 1965?” asked Campbell.

“Wrong century. It’s1865,” replied Davenport.

“And the date’s significance?” asked Devine.

“It’s the day the Ku Klux Klan was founded by Confederate veterans in Tennessee.”

“The KKK? That’s what we’re talking about? In 2024?” said an incredulous Devine.

Davenport said, “The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or regress, in this case. And FYI, there are now more hate groups and well-organized and -funded militia groups in this country than ever before. Some want to secede from the country. Others want to take over the country and then run it in accordance with their twisted beliefs. And 12/24 is clearly in the latter camp.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” said Campbell, as Devine nodded in agreement.

“Which is part of their plan,” noted Chambers. “Stay under the radar until they’re ready to strike.”

“But Glass had dirt on them?”

“Far more than dirt, Agent Devine. Names, places, plans, account numbers, locations of weapons caches, and texts, emails, phone recordings. The list of members is shocking, truly. Titans of industry, political pundits you see on TV or read online. And there are quite a few who hold both state and federal government positions and who have taken up with these people.” He eyed Campbell. “And there are some soldiers in there as well, high-ranking ones. But we need Glass’s cooperation and testimony to back it all up.”

“Are you sure he’s not just leading you along?” asked Devine.

“Glass already provided some information. It was actually demanded by us and the FBI as a gesture of good faith on his part.” Davenport glanced at Campbell. “And by DHS as well, General Campbell. Your own agencyisin on this, too.”

“Well, I’m clearly not in the loop on that,” noted Campbell angrily.

Devine now asked the question he had been waiting to throw out.

“The Odoms? They were murdered. Know anything about that?”

“No,” said Davenport decisively. “We were not involved in that.”

Campbell said, “Isn’t it illegal for CIA to haveanyoperations within the United States?”

“Itisillegal,” replied Chambers. “Which is why we don’t do it,officially. But we coordinate with those agencies thatcanoperate domestically. But intel is intel, no matter what country it might fall in.”

Devine said, “Well, somebody murdered the Odoms. And their deaths led to Glass’s getting his shot at being Betsy Odom’s adoptive parent, which I know was on his wish list.”

“CIA hadnoinvolvement in that,” said Davenport emphatically. “If he were convicted in the RICO case, he would be looking at several lifetimes in prison. That’s plenty of leverage on our part. We didn’t need any more to make him cooperate. And that’s another reason we wouldn’t have killed those witnesses. It would have weakened the leverage we had over Glass.”

Devine said, “But it would have helped 12/24. The RICO goes away, Glass’s incentive to work with the government goes away, too. That’s good for the terrorists.”

Campbell said, “So maybe they utilized their contacts in government to get the necessary intel to take out all three witnesses at the same time.”

Devine looked at Davenport, who stared back at him. She said, “We hadnothingto do with those men being killed.”

“I guess I believe that now.”

“Thank you,” she said curtly. “Now, what can you tell us?”

Devine said, “After meeting with two men, the Odoms got a house and car from an unknown source. And they met with the same two men minutes before their deaths. I think they were given money directly at that meeting. But Betsy was left alive, which makes sense if this was being done on behalf of Glass, so that he could gain custody of her.” He glanced at Davenport. “Did you provide the money?”

“Why would we give these people money?” interjected Chambers.

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