“Yeah, that’s not why I came looking for you. My boy Otis said that some crazy broad was out here on the streets looking for her missing kid. I saw you and I was like, ‘Oh shit, I know that crazy broad.’ ”

Raya shifted nervously back and forth on her heels, waiting. She probably heard about the cigarettes and wanted payment up front. Becca reached into her pocket and pulled out the last pack of cigarettes and the fifty-dollar bill she kept in her wallet in case of an emergency. “I’m afraid this is all I have,” Becca said.

Raya’s eyes flashed. “You think that’s why I came here? Because I was looking for a handout?”

That was exactly what Becca thought. She regretted it instantly, her instincts operating at a deficit. She needed to be more careful, especially with someone as vulnerable as Raya. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“You think I’m like these fucking pathetic people out here? Is that what you think?” she said. Becca shook her head, but Raya wasn’t waiting. She turned to go.

“Raya, wait! Please. I didn’t mean to upset you. I wasn’t… I’m trying to find my daughter. I just want to find my girl.”

Becca fumbled for her phone and pulled up the photo of Ash and Nate. Divulging personal information was against protocol. Sharing too much could cause trouble. Clients could form unhealthy attachments, and if they were resourceful they might even track you down. Becca understood the rules, she just didn’t care. Not today.

“This is Ash. She’s sixteen. I believe she took off with this kid. His name is Nate Sutton. He’s got a record, history of violence.”

“Shit, Doc, did you and your girl have a fight or something?”

Becca could feel her eyes watering. “No. I don’t know why she ran away. I’m desperate… I have to find her,” Becca said.

Becca paused, studying the photo intently. “Your girl… is she sick like me?” Raya asked, her demeanor softening.

“I don’t think so. I think she’s in trouble, and I need to find her.”

Raya eyed the photo. “I’ve seen this kid,” Raya said.

Becca froze, the first bit of good news she’d heard. “Really? Around here? At the mission?”

Raya leaned in closer. “I don’t know where. I know that face.” She squinted, leaning even closer to the photo.

“Where, Raya? Where did you see him? Think please.”

“Doc, it’s somewhere up there,” Raya said, tapping her head. “You know there’s all sorts of messed-up shit floating around in there. But it’ll surface. It always does. I’ve got your card. I’ll call you the second I remember,” Raya said.

“Thank you, Raya. I mean it.” The young woman reached out and impulsively hugged Becca.