Not Quite Dead Yet
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Staying at Billy’s, Jet digs for clues about her attacker while Billy anxiously tries to care for her and hide reminders of his past. A late notice reveals someone took out a £30,000 loan in Jet’s name, secured against her truck, suggesting identity fraud and a concrete motive that might connect directly to the attack. Jet decides to bring the evidence to the police, shifting her investigation from guesses to a tangible lead.
Summary
At Billy Finney’s apartment, Jet Mason tries to focus on tracing her stolen phone’s last location on Google Street View while Billy fusses over making the place comfortable, insisting Jet take the bed and setting out a scented candle. When Billy hurriedly hides a framed photo of his late mother, Beth Finney, Jet notices but avoids commenting.
Jet and Billy talk through Jet’s thin leads: Jet’s phone was turned off near River Street after the attack, which might mean the attacker headed north out of town, though it is all speculation. Jet also notes the police seem to suspect JJ, but Jet doesn’t believe JJ is capable of attempted murder, even as Jet tries to stay open-minded.
As Billy hovers to help with pain, food, and chargers, Jet reflects on their childhood closeness and how their friendship shifted when Sophia became Jet’s best friend. Jet’s pain and mental fog surface in small ways, and Billy’s worry seems intensified by having seen Jet nearly dead.
While looking for Jet’s laptop charger in her backpack, Billy finds Jet’s mail. Jet opens a get-well card from Gerry Clay and mocks his framing of the attack as an “accident,” then opens an official-looking late notice from a lender called LightFi.
The letter claims Jet (addressed as Margaret Mason) defaulted on a £30,000 secured online loan tied to a bank account Jet doesn’t recognize, and the collateral listed is Jet’s own Ford F-150 truck. Jet realizes someone appears to have committed identity fraud in her name, and Billy argues it could be connected to the attempt on her life; Jet agrees and decides to take the letter to the police as a new lead.
Jet heads out to go to the police, assuming Billy will stay behind, while Billy awkwardly pretends he has to work later. Their goodbye lands heavily because “later” now means only the limited time Jet may have left.
Who Appears
- Jet MasonRecovering victim; investigates her attack; discovers a fraudulent loan secured against her truck.
- Billy FinneyJet’s longtime neighbor and host; worries over her; urges her to take the loan letter to police.
- Gerry ClayVillage trustee; sends Jet a get-well card that irritates her by calling the attack an accident.
- Beth Finney (Mrs Finney)Billy’s mother; appears in a photo Billy hides away while Jet is staying over.
- JJPerson police suspect; Jet mentions him and insists she doesn’t believe he is the attacker.
- SophiaJet’s former best friend; referenced as the reason Jet and Billy grew apart as teenagers.
- Dr LeeDoctor referenced for prescribing Jet strong pain medication.