Becca couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Raya found Nate. Don’t get your hopes up. Manage your expectations. “You found Nate? You know where he is?” Becca said.

“Yes, ma’am. Spotted him last night outside one of those tent cities over on Skid Row. He looks like he’s been through some really bad shit.”

“He’s hurt?” Becca asked.

“Yeah, someone really messed him up. He’s not alone though. Got a whole crew surrounding him. Once I knew he was down there, I began chatting up some folks in the neighborhood. Asking questions. I’m good at that. Mama always said I had a gift for gab. From what I hear that boy rolls with some fucking crazy people.”

Becca took this in, her words echoing Hopper’s. Becca had to know more. “Raya, are you hungry?” she asked.

The young girl’s eyes lit up. “Fucking famished.”

Becca led Raya downstairs and heated a heaping bowl of her mother’s albondigas. Raya leaned over the steaming bowl, slurping hungrily. “Doc, this is next level. I mean, this could be served in restaurants.”

Becca smiled. “I’ll pass the compliments along to my mother.”

Raya’s smile faded. “You’re lucky you got family who cares. That’s why I came here. ’Cuz you should never give up on the people you love.”

“You said there’s something going on downtown I should know about?” Becca asked.

“Yeah, there’s this group that lives down there that my buddy Otis said is straight up dangerous,” Raya said. “Otis is a real solid dude. He’s not a junkie or crazy or anything like that. He just fell on hard times and never found his footing He’s been on the streets for a few years now,” Raya said, her spoon clanging against the bowl as she hungrily slurped at the broth.

“Can I talk to Otis?”

“He’s not real fond of five-oh,” Raya said.

“I’m not police,” Becca said.