A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Fifty-Two
Overview
Pip resolves to correct abandoning Billy by assembling evidence proving Jason Bell was the DT Killer, including trophy clues and Andie’s secret email. At the station, police arrive with Max Hastings under arrest for Jason’s murder. Max attacks Pip before being subdued. Hawkins claims overwhelming evidence against Max, but his parting remark unsettles Pip as she prepares to present her findings.
Summary
Pip reflects on her near-victimhood and the choice she made the night Jason Bell abducted her, confronting guilt over leaving Billy Karras forgotten. She resolves to fix it by proving Jason was the DT Killer, noting likely database fingerprint hits, the victims’ trophies seen in a family photo, and Andie Bell’s secret email draft.
Pip compiles evidence for DI Hawkins: Green Scene links, the security alarm timeline, Andie’s email credentials (newly reset to TeamAndieAndBecca), and the family photo showing Dawn wearing Phillipa Brockfield’s necklace and Becca wearing Julia Hunter’s earrings. Determined to free Billy and cement Jason’s guilt, she heads to the Amersham police station.
As Pip arrives, officers pull in with Max Hastings in cuffs. Max spots Pip, breaks from Hawkins, and violently shoves her against the station wall, throttling her while screaming that she caused this. Pip, unflinching, whispers that he’s lucky she didn’t put him in the ground. Officers drag Max off and haul him inside as he protests innocence.
Daniel da Silva checks on Pip; she’s uninjured. Daniel confirms Max is being charged with Jason’s murder, which gives Pip a surge of relief and hope. Pip realizes Jason exploited Daniel’s police career to glean DT Killer case information, recasting Daniel as another of Jason’s victims.
Hawkins apologizes for the lapse and agrees to speak with Pip after ten minutes. He says the evidence against Max is overwhelming and mentions an upcoming press conference. As he departs, Hawkins remarks that if Pip were involved in something like this, she’d know how to get away with it, leaving Pip unsettled but resolved to present her evidence.
Who Appears
- Pip Fitz-AmobiDetermined to exonerate Billy; compiles evidence proving Jason was DT Killer; witnesses Max’s arrest; is assaulted but remains resolute.
- Max HastingsArrested for Jason Bell’s murder; breaks free to attack Pip; protests innocence and blames her.
- DI HawkinsLeads Max’s arrest; apologizes for lapse; says evidence is overwhelming; agrees to review Pip’s findings; delivers unsettling remark.
- Daniel da SilvaHelps restrain Max; checks on Pip; confirms charges; revealed as manipulated by Jason’s influence.
- Soraya BouzidiAssists in handling and escorting Max into the station during the arrest.