Finals � � Chapter Thirty-Two� A calming sense of bliss washed over me as I heard the words slip out of my mouth. The crushing weight of the Catholic guilt was gone and revealing this secret, I had hidden for so long, felt truly incredible. � Yes, I was going to jail, and yes, a grueling future awaited me, but I had at last spoken my peace. I could have taken the free handout given to me, but I didn’t have it in me to let Father O’Connor take the fall. I had done enough rotten things this year and for once, I needed to do the right thing, even if that meant my life would soon end. � I sensed my darkness was disappointed in my decision, and frustrated by the fact my Catholic upbringing had won out. It was a difficult choice, but it was the right one, and with my mask now removed, all that remained was a conquered killer grinning from ear to ear, basking in the glorious realization that the final chapter had arrived. � Neither Dunn nor Captain Matthews looked so reassured. Dunn’s eyes narrowed and his lips tightened as he grabbed the empty chair across from me and sat down, arching his torso forward until his face and mine were mere inches apart. � �śNow you listen to me, son,” began Dunn, his tone as serious as a heart attack. �śWe can get you for aiding and abetting if you want to go down this path. In case you weren’t listening, you don’t have size nine shoes and your girl Hayley told us this morning you helped her find the empty water bottle and Tic-Tacs. All that aside, you’re a rich white boy from suburbia living off your folks. You haven’t the nerve, let alone the guts, to do something like that. So if I were you, I’d stop bullshitting and fucking tell me where O’Connor is.” � Upset that this pissed off cop in front of me didn’t believe a word I was saying, I began considering my options. I couldn’t decide whether to give the gruesome details of my murders or simply come out swinging like a desperate fighter. The latter was the manly move, but after getting in a few punches, I’d be face down on the carpet in seconds, broken and beaten. � With one last tale of confession, I had the ability to introduce my inner demons as I described the malicious acts that caused me to be in this predicament. My monster could at last be discernible. � As I sat thinking of how best to break the news of my crimes to Matthews and Dunn, a growing commotion in the hallway was making it more difficult to concentrate on what I would say. I heard various shuffling of feet and a few pleads of �śMiss, you need to stop,” but I wasn’t convinced of my guardian angel’s presence until I heard, �śListen up snowflake, Investigator Dunn specifically requested my presence because I have information regarding the O’Connor case so I suggest if you don’t want your ass served up on a platter you let me through.” � A second later, Victoria entered the room in her customary resounding manner; however, this morning she didn’t look as well put together as usual. She was wearing her fashionable Aeropostale jeans and a light purple cardigan that covered her Beatles tee, but her hair was in an atrocious bun with rebellious strands poking out from every direction. If that wasn’t shocking enough, Vickie had not one trace of makeup on. Not even a touch of lip gloss. This occurrence so was unnatural I could barely believe it. � �śIs there something we can do for you?” Captain Matthews asked, slightly perturbed that this girl had managed to elude all of his foot soldiers without much of an effort. � �śI’m just here to collect Wayne,” Vickie said sweetly. �śAnd provide Investigator Dunn here with a little insight as to this whole Father O’Connor situation.”� �śI appreciate your help Miss Veers,” Dunn answered, trying to be polite. �śBut I’m not sure how much you can assist us, and as for our buddy, Wayne, he’s got a few more questions to answer.” � �śI can save you quite a bit of time, gentleman, by informing you that my friend here knows little to nothing about the O’Connor murders. In fact he hasn’t even read the email that was sent out this morning,” Vickie said bluntly. � Staring dumbfounded at Vickie, I had no clue what her angle was, or where she was going with this string of bullshit. Yet with her sudden appearance and her vigorous attempt at saving my miserable excuse for a life, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a sign. My favorite priest was still out on the lamb; maybe he could elude the police. Maybe I was throwing in the towel too early. � �śIs that true?” Matthews asked me as I continued to try and make sense of the situation. � �śCaptain, don’t listen to this shit. The girl is bluffing,” Dunn bellowed, before I could give an answer. � �śOh yeah,” Vickie said defensively. �śWhen I called him a few minutes before he got in here, he didn’t know about the email and he still doesn’t.” � I felt like a child listening to a bunch of adults take about me as if I wasn’t present, but it was true. I have no clue what email they were referencing. � �śWayne, if you had to guess who wrote the email, who would you say?” Vickie said, looking over at me as she approached my chair. � Dunn started to speak but Matthews raised his hand to silence him. � �śI don’t even know what email you’re referring to, but I’d say probably Hayley or maybe Father sent the piece to her. I don’t know,” I said, staring at the two policemen then back to Vickie who was wearing the �śBitch, I told you so,” look I had received numerous times throughout our tenure at The Gazette. � �śYou see that!” Vickie said arrogantly as she waved an arm in my direction. �śAs I’m sure you both know, it was Sister Robinson who informed the students of this news with a campus wide email, not Hayley. O’Connor probably confessed to her right before he left.” � �śBig deal, that doesn’t prove anything, and even if he didn’t read the email, he was with O’Connor last night so he knows something. He probably knows where he went. Also, if you don’t get out of here in the next minute I’m going to find you an escort that will kindly show you to an exit,” Dunn said, pointing candidly at Vickie. � �śThere will be no need for that,” Vickie said, reverting back to her sweet alter ego. �śI apologize if I’ve upset you but I can promise you, Wayne was clueless about the murders. As someone who sees Wayne every day, I can tell you he usually doesn’t look this pale.” � Walking over behind my chair, she continued her assault on my appearance.� �śGod, look at him,” she said, ruffling my already horrid hairdo. �śHis hair is all over the place, his eyes are bloodshot, and he smells like cranberry. I can tell you he was out partying at The Village last night, he passed out, and you snatched him dazed and hung over.” � She finished by patting my arm lovingly, but I was mildly confused as to what on Earth she was talking about. Maybe I was too hung over, because I surely didn’t understand any of Vickie’s nonsense. � I don’t know if Vickie’s false testimony came across as credible, but Dunn was suddenly not in such a hurry to have her escorted out of the Buckley Center. � After receiving a vacant, �śI don’t know what to do next” look from Matthews, Dunn leaned forward in his chair. �śDid you see Father O’Connor last night?” � �śYes,” I responded truthfully. � �śAnd you have no idea where he is?” Dunn asked.� �śI don’t.”� �śSo what she’s saying is true?” he asked, nodding up at Vickie, who was still standing beside me.� �śYes,” I said. I hadn’t actually been to a party but the part about me being at The Village and passing out was at least accurate. � �śIf you need any more proof you can take a look at this,” Vickie said, handing her phone over to Dunn. I had no clue what Dunn was looking at but he glanced at the phone for a moment before passing it off to Captain Matthews who had walked over to join the party. He scanned the message or image or whatever it was leisurely before handing the phone back to Vickie. � �śWell?” Dunn asked, looking up decisively at Captain Matthews. � Matthews turned to face me and as if in slow motion, he gradually reached into the inner lining of his suit jacket. He was reaching for something. It had to be handcuffs. Whatever Vickie had shown them proofed I was guilty, and now the cuffs were coming out again. I knew it! This was my defining life moment, I was going to jail never to be heard from or seen again. � As my brow began pouring out sweat, Matthews removed his hand from his jacket. Instead of a pair of handcuffs, he held a business card.� �śI appreciate your help, if you have anything else you’d like to tell us, here’s my card.” � �śThank you, sir,” Vickie said speaking for me, as if she could tell I was frozen in disbelief. I took the card and murmured a similar, �śThank you,” as Vickie gently tugged my arm, guiding me to the door. �