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“It’s not great timing, I know. You’ve just had a shock.”

“Yes,” I agreed, on all aspects.

“But you should know that Lou is telling the truth. Trust him. He’ll help you find out what you need. You and Cuckoo will find closure.”

I didn’t quite know what to say to that. “Thanks.”

“Trust the lanterns.”

Huh?

“When the time comes, trust the lanterns. They’ll bring you peace.”

That sounded ominous.

“Don’t be afraid, Katrina. You’ve been so brave, you and Cuckoo both. You’re going to be alright.”

Before I could reply, he stepped back into the shadows and disappeared.

How strange.

I didn’t know much about Carrion, but he seemed genuine.

But lanterns? I didn’t know how to process that information.

I hoped I wouldn’t have to find out what he meant.

Chapter 12 Cuckoo

“What do you mean? She’s your cousin’s kid?” I asked Lou, folding my arms across my chest.

I didn’t mind if the old crow had family or if it meant Katrina still had a living relative. I was concerned about the money. How many people knew about the thirty million and that Katrina was the heiress?

“My cousin was a senator seventeen years ago for the great state of Nevada. The Rossi name used to mean something. He was honest, hardworking, and a politician who actually kept his word. He invested his money and made a fortune.”

“Wow, Lou.”

“They had a little girl. A sweet little thing with big brown eyes, pigtails, and a smile that could melt any heart.”

My Katrina. “What happened to them, Lou?”

“Some bad shit, Cuckoo. My cousin uncovered corruption high up in the government. It bled into the white house. Not the president or V.P. but other senators.”

I clenched my fists as my hands dropped. “Would it be associated with a religious fanatic group?”

He frowned. “How do you know about that?”

I shook my head. “The Sect of Primordial Light?”

Lou smacked his cane against his scooter. “Tell me how you know about them, son.”

“When I was sent to foster care, they came to the house. When I was eight, a little girl was dropped off. She was only five.”

I heard Lou making a choking sound in his throat.

“When they came for me, I hid her in my closet.”

Lou paled. “Fuck.” He seemed to be fighting an emotional battle. “You tellin’ me that my little Katrina and you were in foster care together, and those motherfuckers touched you!?”