Not Quite Dead Yet
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Jet’s CT scan confirms her aneurysm is leaking in a sentinel bleed, explaining her arm paralysis and signaling a likely rupture within days. Soon after, police announce they have arrested JJ Lim, citing wig hair, a suspicious text, flight, and a $30,000 identity-fraud loan as motive. Jet refuses to accept a loosely tied case and, with Billy, recommits to solving her own attempted murder before she dies.
Summary
At the hospital, Dr. Lee reviews Jet Mason’s new CT scan with Jet and Billy Finney. The aneurysm is now clearly visible and large (23mm), and Dr. Lee explains Jet’s worsening symptoms match an unruptured aneurysm of that size.
Dr. Lee then reveals the scan shows a leak: a sentinel bleed. The bleed is likely pressing on a nerve and causing Jet’s right-arm paralysis, which Dr. Lee implies will not return. Dr. Lee warns that a sentinel bleed usually happens days before a major rupture, and describes what a fatal rupture will feel like, confirming Jet’s time is running out.
After Dr. Lee leaves them alone, Jet refuses to dwell on it and forces herself to get dressed, insisting she is not “useless,” though she ultimately needs Billy’s help fastening her jeans. Jet pushes them to leave, determined to keep investigating her attack.
Outside Billy’s apartment, Detective Ecker, the chief, Billy’s father Jack Finney, and Jet’s parents (Dianne and Scott) confront them. Jet bluntly tells her mother the aneurysm has started leaking and she cannot move her arm. Inside, Ecker announces they have arrested JJ Lim for Jet’s assault after he returned to town.
Ecker lays out the circumstantial case: synthetic red hair matching JJ’s Halloween wig, JJ’s “Sorry” text after the attack, his lack of an alibi, and his hurried departure. Ecker adds a motive theory: JJ allegedly committed identity fraud by taking a $30,000 loan in Jet’s name and routing it to JJ’s bank account; when repayments became impossible, Ecker believes JJ may have tried to kill Jet to prevent discovery. Jet challenges the gaps—especially the Coleby hammer and the North Street concrete timing—and refuses to accept an “easy” answer; after the police and Jet’s parents leave, Jet and Billy agree they do not truly believe JJ is the full truth and decide to continue, starting with Sophia.
Who Appears
- Jet MasonDying investigator; learns aneurysm is leaking, loses arm function, rejects JJ arrest as insufficient.
- Billy FinneyJet’s ally; supports her at hospital and challenges the police’s quick conclusion.
- Dr. LeeDoctor; explains Jet’s 23mm aneurysm, sentinel bleed, and imminent rupture risk.
- Detective EckerLead detective; announces JJ Lim’s arrest and presents circumstantial evidence and motive theory.
- Dianne MasonJet’s mother; panics over Jet’s condition and urges her to accept the arrest and come home.
- Scott MasonJet’s father; attends the meeting and is called by Ecker to return to North Street.
- Jack FinneyBilly’s father; present with police, awkwardly tries to connect with Billy.
- The ChiefPolice chief; present during the announcement of JJ’s arrest.
- JJ LimSuspect arrested for Jet’s assault; linked by wig hair, text, flight, and fraud loan.
- SophiaKey lead; Jet decides to question her next due to inconsistencies and suspected lies.