Raya’s face fell. She stepped back, wrapping her arms around her waist in a protective manner. “I didn’t, I mean, I’m not having an episode if that’s what you think. Shit. I rang the bell and knocked. I knocked and knocked. No one answered. I went around back and the side door was open. I mean, I just turned the handle, and walked right in. It wasn’t like I broke into the place or anything,” she said, her words coming out in a flurry. That was semantics. Walking into someone’s house without permission was still breaking and entering, no matter what your intentions.

“Raya, I should probably call someone,” Becca said, reaching for her purse in search of her phone. She scanned her texts. A message from Christian appeared. Had to go to work. I’ll check in with the task force. Please rest and call me when you’re up.

Becca should text him back and let him know Raya was here. Christian would help get her to the hospital, he would make sure she was examined by a doctor, while Becca resumed her search for Ash. For some reason though, she froze, knowing once she hit send, Raya would be back in the system.

Raya shifted back and forth like a child caught swiping candy from the teacher’s desk. “You’ll tell them I didn’t come here to hurt you?”

“I will, Raya. It’s just… how did you even find me?” Becca asked.

Raya shrugged. “I’m good with computers. I was a computer science major at Caltech before I got sick. The public library in downtown is free. All you need is an Internet connection. It’s not hard to find someone if you know where to look,” Raya said with an awkward laugh. Becca wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or frightened at how easy it was for Raya to locate her. It was a good lesson in her need to improve her home security once all of this was over.

“Why come here? I don’t understand,” Becca said.

“You said your girl was in trouble and I knew I needed to talk to you.”

Her girl. Raya’s words created a physical ache deep inside Becca. Raya continued, pleading her case like she was on trial, and Becca was judge and jury. “I was out walking, just thinking and smoking, when I saw the kid from the picture you showed me. I knew I recognized him from the neighborhood. I tried calling you from a friend’s phone. You didn’t answer.”

Becca hadn’t let her phone out of her sight since Ash left. She would’ve answered any call, but she didn’t say anything, allowing Raya to continue talking.

“I could see what Ash meant to you, how important finding her was. I wanted to help. Do something good for a change.”