“We have been,” Lookout said.

“Cradle is in custody here,” I explained. “Other end of this complex. I wasn’t able to check in for his meeting with the court processors, because I had physio. I would have skipped, but Capricorn had it.”

“I looked in, sat in the back,” Capricorn said. “It went by quick. He’s been doing a lot of business, which is working against him now, because he can’t explain where his money came from, but he doesn’t have many friends, either. Not while Tattletale is freezing him out.”

“She’s staying out of it?” Rain asked.

“She’s staying out of it,” I confirmed. “As far as we can tell. It’s hard to know for sure with the masterminds.”

“Do you trust her?” Ashley asked. “Or will she try something?”

“No, I don’t trust her,” I offered up half of a laugh to go with it. “But I do believe her, I guess, when it comes to this.”

“That simplifies things,” Sveta said. “I don’t think she’d breach a contract, written or unwritten, if it’d hurt her ability to do business. I believe her too. And I’ve been on the same side as her, I guess.”

I nodded.

“What about Love Lost?” Rain asked.

“She’s hanging out with Nailbiter, Sidepiece, Disjoint and that group,” Capricorn said.

“Oh, my friends,” Ashley said.

“I think she’s in charge,” Lookout said. “I don’t know how that works, someone who can’t talk being a leader.”

“Keep an eye on her?” Rain asked. “She’s stronger than she was. Cradle too. The bias of power shifts around a lot between our group. Since Snag’s gone, it’s… stormier. The pendulums swing further and harder.”

“We will,” Capricorn said.

“Scapegoat’s here, Seir’s here,” Rain heaved out a sigh as he said it. “Valefor is in a hospital with one of these ankle bombs attached. Mama Mathers is…”

“Isolated,” I said. “Classified location, given the likelihood the Fallen would try to get her out.”

“I don’t know why they would,” Sveta said. “She ruled by fear, everyone’s finally free.”

“I think being controlled and managed, having that firm a hand on you, it’s reassuring to some types,” Rain said. “Like how some people can’t handle it after they get out of prison. They no longer know how to be free. She’s had control for a long time.”

“Creepy,” Sveta said.

“Definitely,” Rain said. “Just… keep me updated? I feel so out of the loop, stuck in this weird prison-town, ghost-town setup, a universe away from you guys.”

“Three universes away, if you consider the number of steps you need to take to get here,” Cryptid said.

“Thanks, Chris. Thanks. That really helps with the weird disconnected, homesick feeling I’m wrestling with.”

“I’m sorry, Rain. We’ll send a care package, okay?” Lookout said.