Bob Moody receives a call from Gibbs, Gary Gilmore’s former cellmate, who reveals that he is a police informer and wants $10,000 and “a chance to get on the Johnny Carson show” in exchange for inside information (753). Moody tells Vern Damico, who informs Gary, who coldly claims that he can handle Gibbs himself.

Larry Schiller and Barry Farrell fly to Utah to meet Moody and Stanger. After a long prison interview, Gary speaks extensively about his past and the murders. Schiller and Farrell then meet Gibbs at the Orem police station with Detective Halterman present. Through pressure and negotiation, they reduce Gibbs’s price to $200 for a release. Gibbs provides details that corroborate “every story” already in Gary’s letters. Schiller arranges transcription of the letters and postpones cooperation with Bill Moyers until after New Year’s.

Gibbs appears before the Utah Board of Pardons and is credited by Detective Halterman with helping convict a major theft ring. After his release, Gibbs receives a new identity and drives north. He narrowly avoids a logging truck, crashes into a gully, and crawls to the highway with severe injuries. After initial hospital treatment, he refuses admission, despite being warned about complications.

At Utah State Prison, Gary remains on death watch with restricted privileges and limited holiday contact. Other inmates are “fed up” by the disruptions his case causes, even while they understand his long prison history. Moody and Stanger intensify daily prison visits and carry out small errands that Gary suggests. Nicole writes anguished holiday notes and is ordered committed indefinitely to the state hospital. Gary receives letters and hears about outside reactions.

ACLU director Shirley Pedler faces sustained harassment over the case. She writes to Gary explaining her position. Moody and Stanger visit Gary late on Christmas Day, and he discusses Pedler, then recites a prison poem which hints that “dark debts are […] owed” (774).

During Christmas week, Shirley Pedler’s health suffers under the strain, and Julie Jacoby helps organize the Utah Coalition Against the Death Penalty. About 20 supporters meet, including clergy and activists. They plan a public meeting and a vigil before the scheduled January 17th execution. Meanwhile, Gibbs recovers in a Butte motel from his crash, drinking and spending heavily on phone calls while imagining confronting Gary at the execution.

In Hawaii, Larry Schiller faces a crisis when Max Jensen’s insurers file a wrongful death suit and obtain a court order for Gary’s deposition. Schiller pressures Bob Moody to seal the transcript, and the judge orders it secured. Gary later refuses to attend the deposition. Brenda struggles with pain and limited contact. Gary issues an open letter telling the ACLU and NAACP to “butt out of [his] life” (784). Nicole writes of trying to prove her desire to live. Father Meersman continues quiet evening visits. Gary notes his appearance in Time’s year-end review, making him “very aware of the aura of his public image” (789).