Not the kind of dead he meant, exactly, but Bill is remembering his conversation with Beetlejuice about the mechanics of the afterlife and how no one vanishes the way they would in a normal universe... eh.

Bill has gone up to skulk in the ceiling with his orange, which is coming apart under the attentions of four or five moving wires. He likes oranges because they have many many parts to take apart, it's like a puzzle became a fruit. Reminds him of Credence, too. Long story.

"IF HE COULDN'T ESCAPE USING THE NETHERWORLD, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW HIM USING IT EITHER."