Not Quite Dead Yet
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
Jet is interrogated after Mason Construction burns down in a gasoline-fueled arson, and she lies to police that she spent the entire night with Billy to protect their involvement at the scene. The police offer no new movement on her case beyond JJ Lim’s arrest, increasing Jet’s urgency as her time runs out. A new lead emerges when Gerry recalls a masked “cat filter” Zoom disruptor who openly hated Mason Construction, potentially connecting the fire and Jet’s attack.
Summary
Jet is questioned at the station by Chief Jankowski and Sergeant Jack Finney about Mason Construction burning down overnight. The chief says the fire department suspects arson: gasoline was poured over the first floor and the building would have gone up within minutes. Jet hides the burn on her hand and pretends surprise, while trying not to reveal she was there.
The chief asks Jet where she was last night. Jet, cornered, lies that she was at Billy Finney’s apartment with Billy all night. When Jet presses for updates on her own attempted-murder case, the chief offers nothing new beyond JJ Lim’s arrest; Jack adds that Detective Ecker is re-interviewing JJ, and prosecutors may charge without a confession.
In the waiting room, Jet’s parents and Billy are present, along with Gerry Clay. Jet’s father says Luke called him during the night and has stayed at the fire scene. Jet’s mother tries to manage the conversation as Jet watches her parents closely, thinking about what they may be hiding.
Gerry explains his son Owen flew a drone to the site and captured footage, but it shows no one coming or going through the smoke—meaning it doesn’t incriminate Jet and Billy, but also doesn’t identify the arsonist. Then Gerry insists he has an idea who might have done it and brings up an old incident: someone hijacked a town Zoom meeting using a cat filter and distorted voice, expressing hatred for Mason Construction and the Mason family.
Jet pushes for details despite her mother calling it irrelevant, learns the recordings and transcripts are publicly available online, and recognizes it as a potential new suspect lead tied to both the arson and her own attack. Jet and Billy leave together to follow up, while Jet promises her mother she will come home for dinner tomorrow, ending with a grim joke about “watching cat videos.”
Who Appears
- Jet MasonQuestioned about the arson; lies about her alibi and seizes a new lead.
- Billy FinneyJet’s partner and claimed alibi; leaves with her to pursue the “cat” lead.
- Chief JankowskiLeads Jet’s interview; confirms arson and presses her for an alibi.
- Jack FinneySergeant present at the interview; promises they will prosecute JJ Lim.
- Dianne MasonJet’s mother; tries to bury the “cat” incident and asks Jet to come home for dinner.
- Jet’s fatherOwner of the burned company; reports Luke stayed at the scene and worries about motive.
- Gerry ClayBrings drone footage and introduces the “cat filter” Zoom hijacker as a possible suspect.
- Luke MasonMentioned as staying at the fire scene all night after calling Jet’s father.
- OwenGerry’s son; flew a drone and recorded the fire aftermath footage.
- JJ LimSuspect in custody; still denies involvement as prosecutors consider charging anyway.
- Detective EckerMentioned as re-interviewing JJ Lim after the fire.