Raya shrugged. “Close enough. And look, I’m telling you exactly what Otis told me. Said a few weeks ago he was just chilling on the street, minding his own business, when this tattooed kid gets up in his face. Otis called him a kid, like nineteen or twenty. Anyway, the kid starts telling Otis he’s trespassing. Otis was like, ‘What the fuck are you talking about? This is a public street.’ Next thing he knows this dude’s coming at him with a blade. Now you don’t know my boy Otis, but he is not one to back down. Things were about to get ugly when this woman appears out of nowhere. Some middle-aged white chick, looking like she came from Burning Man or some shit, he said. She starts whispering to this tall freak, and all of a sudden, he’s kind as can be, apologizing to Otis. He’s saying he’s sorry and they’re cool! Otis said this dude just walked away and this woman smiles at him and says, ‘I suggest you stay away from my family and we won’t have any trouble.’ ”

“He hadn’t seen this woman before?”

“Nah, and he said he wasn’t interested in seeing her again. Told me there’s something about this chick that scared him, and that’s saying something. He said she’s one crazy bitch, and Otis doesn’t mess with crazy bitches.” Raya paused, staring down at her empty bowl.

Becca caught her wistful gaze. “Would you like some more?” she asked.

Raya smiled sheepishly. “If you don’t mind. Been a while since I’ve eaten.”

Becca filled her bowl and sat back down. “This group, do they have a name?” Becca asked. She waited, hoping to get a confirmation.

“Yeah. They call themselves the Tribe. Fucking stupid and kind of offensive if you ask me. I mean you have to admit the optics aren’t great.” Raya shrugged. “Otis said they even got matching tattoos, which is so fucking stupid. I mean the whole point behind a tattoo is to showcase one’s unique and individual expression,” Raya said, shaking her head.

Tattoos. Matching tattoos. This was it. This was the group Ash was caught up with. Becca was certain. “Raya, please tell me you know where they are?” Becca asked.

“Hell yeah. Why else would I come all this way if I wasn’t going to show you?”