Not Quite Dead Yet
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
Jet and Billy break into Mason Construction to uncover what Luke is hiding and successfully bypass the cameras and alarm—only to learn the alarm code has been changed and is now set to Jet’s birthday. Inside, Jet discovers payroll, tax, and insurance records that omit known workers like Henry Lim and Angie Rice, suggesting off-the-books labor and broader fraud. Billy finds paperwork pointing to invoice manipulation and proof Henry worked on the North Street site, leading Jet to suspect Henry’s accident was a work injury Luke concealed. Their investigation is abruptly threatened when a different alarm blares and Billy senses smoke, raising immediate danger and the risk of being caught.
Summary
Jet tells Billy they are breaking into Mason Construction to find the employee list Luke is withholding and the real reason Sophia felt forced to poison Scott. Despite Jet’s worsening symptoms, Billy agrees to help, insisting he will go in with Jet as backup rather than stay in the truck.
They park off Hartland Hill Road to avoid the gate camera, sneak through the trees, and tape over the camera lens. Jet uses the gate code (Emily’s birthday) to enter, and they tape over the main entrance camera as well. Jet retrieves a key from an insecure lockbox (0000), but when they enter the building the alarm code has been changed; after two failed attempts, Jet disarms it using her own birthday.
Upstairs in the office, Jet accesses Luke’s computer using the phone passcode she learned earlier. While Billy searches paper files, Jet finds payroll spreadsheets and realizes two known workers—Henry Lim and Angie Rice—have been missing from payroll records for months. Jet confirms the omission appears intentional because the tax filings and workers’ comp insurance documents match the reduced headcount.
Billy returns with documents showing likely invoice fraud on Gerry Clay’s project (a higher-priced marble billed than was ordered). Billy also finds North Street project paperwork including a March 3 delivery notice signed by Henry Lim, contradicting Henry’s claim he never worked for Mason Construction.
Jet connects the evidence into a larger scheme: Luke may be paying certain workers off the books to evade payroll taxes and underreport workers’ comp, which would leave injured workers without coverage. Jet suspects the North Street roof-collapse accident mentioned by the foreman could have been Henry’s real injury, giving Henry a potential motive to blackmail Luke or retaliate—possibly even tied to Jet’s attack. As Jet prepares to preserve the evidence, a piercing alarm erupts; Billy says it is not the security alarm and asks if Jet smells smoke.
Who Appears
- Jet MasonBreaks into the company; finds missing payroll entries and suspects Luke’s off-the-books scheme.
- BillyHelps Jet infiltrate the offices; finds invoice discrepancies and North Street paperwork signed by Henry.
- Luke MasonImplied architect of payroll/tax/insurance fraud; his secret may connect to Jet’s attack.
- Henry LimAbsent from payroll records yet signed a North Street delivery; suspected injured worker and possible suspect.
- Angie RiceLongtime employee whose desk is present but whose name is missing from payroll records.
- Scott MasonCompany owner; his security codes and oversight become relevant to the break-in.
- Emily MasonDeceased sibling; her birthday is still used as a gate code, underscoring family history.
- Gerry ClayClient whose project documents show a marble pricing discrepancy suggesting invoice manipulation.
- JimmyForeman previously mentioned; his account of a North Street roof-collapse supports Jet’s theory.