A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #3
As Good As Dead
by Holly Jackson
Contents
Thirty-Eight
Overview
Pip secures her alibi by enlisting Cara and Naomi without revealing details, insisting on plausible deniability. She confirms Jamie and Connor have planted the phone and orders the burner destroyed. Calling Christopher Epps from Cara’s landline, she accepts Max’s settlement terms to create cover. The trio then leave for McDonald’s to timestamp her alibi.
Summary
Pip arrives at Cara Ward’s house visibly shaken, asking for help she cannot explain. A call from Connor confirms that he and Jamie have planted the phone near Green Scene and are en route to dispose of the burner, which Pip orders them to destroy for safety.
With Cara and Naomi present, Pip uses the Wards’ landline to call Christopher Epps. She accepts Max Hastings’s settlement, including damages, a public apology, and recanting the recording, intending it as strategic cover rather than capitulation.
Cara and Naomi press for answers, but Pip insists on plausible deniability to protect them. She explains only what they must know: the time, that she used their landline, and that they need to be with her for the next few hours.
They agree to provide a clean, truthful alibi—being with Pip and doing nothing illegal—beginning at 9:44 p.m. Pip leads them out, stating their destination: McDonald’s, to anchor her timeline publicly and securely.
Who Appears
- Pip Fitz-AmobiOrchestrates cover: confirms phone drop, orders burner destroyed, accepts settlement via landline, and secures Cara and Naomi as her alibi.
- Cara WardShocked but loyal friend; agrees to provide Pip’s alibi and maintain plausible deniability.
- Naomi WardUnderstands the need for plausible deniability; joins Cara in giving Pip a clean alibi.
- Connor ReynoldsCalls to confirm the phone has been planted at Green Scene; agrees to destroy the burner.
- Jamie ReynoldsDrives with Connor to place the phone and dispose of the burner as instructed.
- Christopher EppsMax’s lawyer; receives Pip’s acceptance of the settlement, strengthening her cover story.
- Max HastingsAntagonist referenced via settlement; his case provides Pip a pretext for her alibi actions.