The chaser did answer the question before Brad had finished reading it so I think he did get there with the tiniest fraction of a second remaining.
I agree with you about the contestant taking the minus 13,000. I'm not sure the others were all that happy with her taking it. When she turned round to check with them, the guy shrugged, he didn't really encourage her.
What annoys me more is in the final chase when someone buzzes in quickly only to say "pass".