Finding Finley ✔

29

Darby

I can't stop bouncing my legs as I sit nervously inside the police station. Maybe this is a mistake, they're probably going to tell me that there's nothing they can do, that my video isn't enough to make the charges stick. 

Why hadn't I thought to bring up the attack on Finn? Maybe that would have made my case stronger. 

I'd been a nervous wreck for days now. At first it was because I couldn't believe that I was stupid enough to provoke Josh like that, what if it pissed him off even more and he retaliates? Oh god, what if he goes after Finn again. What if he mistakes Kit for Finn and gets him instead, or what if he hurts Ellie? 

My mind is racing and I'm starting to panic just as the office door opens and the cop I had given my flash drive to steps out. 

"Darby, can you come in here, please?"

I weakly nod my head as I stand, hugging my purse tightly as a lame attempt to comfort myself. Why hadn't I told Finn my plan? If I had just told him, then he would be here right now, holding my hand and I wouldn't be this scared. 

No, I can't think like that. I didn't tell Finn for a reason, I didn't tell anyone aside from Bethany because if this doesn't work, I don't want to have gotten their hopes up for nothing. I'm trying to get justice for not only myself, but for Finn as well, and I don't want to fail him. I want to put Josh in our past so that we can have a worry free future. 

Finn isn't blind though, he's noticed how nervous and weird I've been acting the past few days. He almost skipped work after our run this morning because of how weird I was being in anticipation of coming here right after. 

Luckily I had convinced him that I was okay though, and he went to work promising that he would leave if I need him.

As I enter the office, the cop motions for me to sit in the chair opposite from the one he takes. I can see the video of Josh and I at the mall pulled up on his computer screen, and just the image of the two of us that close while that manipulative grin is on his face makes my stomach sick.

"So Darby, I've gone over your original statement and reviewed the case against Mr. Taylor. After looking at the photos in the file and watching this video you provided, it seems pretty clear to me Josh Taylor physically abused you, and even on more occasions than this based off his words in the video. Is that right?"

I nod my head, then realizing he needed verbal confirmation, I managed to squeak out a "Yes, sir."

"That's what I thought. Now it's pretty obvious to me that Josh was released because of some influence with the cops in charge of the case at the time. I sincerely apologize for that Miss. Kingston, and I assure you that I am now personally in charge of this case and I am not swayed by money or threats. This guy will pay for his actions, and I will try my hardest to get a confession or proof that Mr. Taylor is also the guy who attacked Mr. Kennedy."

I can't believe it, someone is finally on my side. There is finally someone who Josh and his dad can't buy, someone who was faithful to the justice system and loyal to protecting citizens.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." Tears are rolling down my cheeks, I'm so relieved.

"It's my job, Darby. A job that should have been done months ago when you first brought this to us, you shouldn't have had to get a confession yourself, but I'm happy to help. Now you should probably get out of here before my officers bring Josh in. They were sent to get him awhile ago and should be back soon."

I thank the officer again, and quickly gather my things and head out to Ellie's car. I hadn't told her why I was borrowing it, but now I can't wait to tell her and everyone else the reason. 

I pull out of the station just as a squad car pulls in with Josh in the backseat. He doesn't see me, his eyes are locked on the back of the seat in front of him, anger radiating in waves off of him. Seeing Josh like that and knowing that he is about to get what he deserves, puts the biggest smile on my face as I pull the car onto the street and head towards the mall. 

-----------------------------------------------

When I step into Locker Room, I see Finn pacing the empty sales floor with his phone in his hand. He doesn't even look up when I walk in, mostly because I know where to step in order to avoid the doorbell announcing a customer.

"Shouldn't you be working?" His eyes shoot up when he hears my voice.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Are you okay, you've been kind of weird lately and I don't want to-"

"Finn, I need to tell you something." I cut him off, biting my lip to try to hide the smile that I just can't seem to contain. 

He looks nervous. "Okay, what do you need to tell me?"

"You remember how at the food court I said all those things to Josh, and you said you were proud of me for standing up to him and getting closure?" I continue to bite my lip and I can tell that he thinks it's a sign of me being nervous or scared to tell him whatever it was I'm getting at.

"Yeah..."

"Well, it was partly to get closure, but there's more. While you were with Ellie, Bethany and I had this idea, an idea to get Josh to confess to what he did to me...I stood close to the door on purpose, I knew he wouldn't be able to just walk past me without saying anything to me, especially since he knew that you would be watching. So while Bethany was close by videoing us, I said what I said in order to get him to admit to what he did to me." 

"Darby - what did - I'm a little confused." He runs his hands through his hair and I step forward, pulling his hands from his head and holding them in mine.

"Finn, I gave the video to the police and Josh was just arrested. He's not going anywhere this time, they got him. I got him." 

It takes a minute for my words to register but when they do his green eyes light up and his smile matches my own as he wraps me in his arms and kisses the top of my head repeatedly.