Razorblade Tears Characters

Ike Randolph is Isiah's father and Mya's husband, a landscaping-business owner and ex-prisoner grieving his son's murder. He is defined by rage, guilt over his estrangement from Isiah, and a determination to make the killers pay. He also tries to protect Mya and Arianna while pursuing answers.

Arc: After first refusing Buddy Lee's proposal, he commits to vigilantism following the desecration of Isiah's grave. His pursuit escalates through interrogations and killings until he helps destroy the Rare Breed and confronts Gerald. By the end he mourns Buddy Lee, promises to be a good grandfather, and tells LaPlata the revenge was worth it.

• Mya — his wife
• Isiah Randolph — his son
• Derek Jenkins — his son's husband
• Arianna — his granddaughter
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — ally and co-avenger
• Jazzy — his employee
• Tangerine Fredrickson — protects and later employs her
• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — enemy
• Grayson — enemy
• Det. LaPlata — investigator who suspects him

Buddy Lee Jenkins is Derek's father, an ex-con and heavy drinker who grieves his son and regrets how he treated him. He proposes that he and Ike hunt the killers themselves and becomes Ike's partner in revenge. He is volatile, taunting, and willing to use violence, but also protective of Arianna and Mya.

Arc: He moves from a lonely, remorseful father to an active avenger, confessing that he smashed Derek's tombstone to manipulate Ike. He helps kidnap Gatsby and fight the Rare Breed, saves Arianna by killing Grayson, and dies beside Ike after revealing his cancer.

• Derek Jenkins — his son
• Ike Randolph — partner in revenge
• Arianna — his granddaughter
• Mya — co-grandparent of Arianna
• Christine — his ex-wife
• Margo — neighbor and friend
• Chet — his half brother
• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — enemy
• Grayson — enemy
• Tangerine Fredrickson — ally

Gerald Winthrop Culpepper is Christine's husband, Derek's stepfather, a political figure, and Tangerine's married lover. He uses his associates and the Rare Breed to hold Arianna hostage and demand Tangerine in exchange. He presents himself as powerful and respectable while trying to hide his affair and crimes.

Arc: He is exposed as the man behind the threat to Tangerine and the violence against Ike's family. He tries to save Gatsby and begs for his life after the compound explosion, but his plans collapse.

• Christine — his wife
• Derek Jenkins — his stepson
• Tangerine Fredrickson — his former lover
• Gatsby Culpepper — his father
• Grayson — Rare Breed associate
• Arianna — uses her as leverage
• Ike Randolph — enemy
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — enemy

Grayson is the president of the Rare Breed biker club and the leader of the men hunting Tangerine. He is violent, vindictive, and concerned with club reputation and revenge. He orders attacks, interrogates Buddy Lee, and takes Arianna as leverage.

Arc: After early failures and the loss of club members, he vows no more half measures and leads the assault on Tangerine's house and the hostage exchange. He is killed when Buddy Lee throws a knife into his neck while he holds Arianna.

• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — Rare Breed associate and subordinate
• Dome — subordinate
• Andy — prospect
• Oscar — prospect
• Ike Randolph — enemy
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — enemy
• Tangerine Fredrickson — hunts her
• Arianna — takes her hostage

Dome is a Rare Breed member and Grayson's subordinate, often used to follow or attack Ike and Buddy Lee. He drives the Caprice that follows Mya and later the Bronco that rams her car. He also guards the kidnapped Arianna and broods about karma.

Arc: He remains loyal to Grayson through the escalating violence. He is killed by the compound explosion after kicking open the bunkhouse door.

• Grayson — his club leader
• Cheddar — partner in the car
• Oscar — rescues him at the clubhouse
• Arianna — guards her while kidnapped

Mya is Ike's wife and Isiah's mother, grieving her son while caring for Arianna. She is angry about Ike's past absence and his current secrecy, and she fears being left alone to raise Arianna. She is also practical and protective, treating Tangerine's wound and insisting on safety.

Arc: She moves from confronting Ike about his drinking and absence to being gravely injured in the attack on their home. After surgery she returns to the office with Arianna, still part of the family Ike tries to rebuild.

• Ike Randolph — her husband
• Isiah Randolph — her son
• Arianna — her granddaughter and legal ward
• Derek Jenkins — her son's husband
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — co-grandparent of Arianna

Isiah Randolph is Ike and Mya's son, Derek's husband, and Arianna's father. He was a reporter, a top VCU graduate, and a state basketball champion, and he was shot to death with Derek outside a wine store. His estrangement from Ike and his last argument with his father haunt the story.

Arc: He does not change in the present action; his death and memory drive Ike's grief and revenge. Ike eventually accepts that Isiah's love with Derek was love and promises to be a better grandfather.

• Ike Randolph — his father
• Mya — his mother
• Derek Jenkins — his husband
• Arianna — his daughter
• Amelia Watkins — his managing editor

Derek Jenkins is Buddy Lee's son, Christine's son, Isiah's husband, and Arianna's father. He was shot to death with Isiah, and Buddy Lee recalls beating him as a teenager for kissing another boy. His relationship with Buddy Lee is marked by shame, rejection, and failed reconciliation.

Arc: He does not change in the present action; his death fuels Buddy Lee's guilt and revenge. His connection to Gerald through Christine and Gatsby becomes part of the investigation.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — his father
• Christine — his mother
• Isiah Randolph — his husband
• Arianna — his daughter
• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — his stepfather

Arianna is Isiah and Derek's young daughter and the granddaughter of Ike, Mya, and Buddy Lee. Mya is her legal guardian after her fathers' deaths. She is a child who cries at the funeral, says hi to her daddies at the grave, and becomes a hostage during the Rare Breed conflict.

Arc: She does not change; she remains a child depending on her grandparents and later on Tangerine. She is kidnapped, exchanged, and rescued, and by the end she is back with Mya and Ike.

• Isiah Randolph — her father
• Derek Jenkins — her father
• Mya — her grandmother and legal guardian
• Ike Randolph — her grandfather
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — her grandfather
• Tangerine Fredrickson — close to her

Tangerine Fredrickson is the woman at the center of the search, a transgender woman who was Gerald's lover and had told Isiah and Derek about the affair. She is also called Terry by her mother and Tangy by Tariq. She is frightened, grieving, and initially refuses to name Gerald.

Arc: She moves from hiding at her mother's house to being wounded in the Rare Breed attack and sheltered by Jazzy. After learning Gerald's betrayal, she helps lure Gatsby and later works at Ike's office, close to Arianna.

• Lunette — her mother
• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — her former lover
• Isiah Randolph — had told him about Gerald
• Derek Jenkins — had told him about Gerald
• Jazzy — shelters her
• Ike Randolph — ally and later employer
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — ally
• Arianna — close to her

Jazzy is Ike's employee at Randolph Lawn Maintenance who becomes close enough to him that he thinks of her as almost a daughter. She is shaken by the bikers' visit and initially refuses to return to work. She later shelters Tangerine as a favor to Ike.

Arc: She moves from fear and withdrawal to helping Ike by taking Tangerine in. She remains outside the revenge violence but supports Ike and Tangerine.

• Ike Randolph — her employer
• Tangerine Fredrickson — shelters her
• Isiah Randolph — friends in school
• Grayson — threatened by him

Detective LaPlata is the police detective investigating the murders of Isiah and Derek. He questions Ike, reveals Isiah had received a death threat, and warns Buddy Lee against vigilantism. He later confronts Ike over the Rare Breed violence.

Arc: He goes from investigating the original murders to suspecting Ike and Buddy Lee of the later killings. He leaves Ike with a warning that he will be watching him.

• Detective Robbins — his partner
• Ike Randolph — investigates and suspects him
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — warns him against vigilantism
• Bryce Thomason — presents his complaint

Christine is Derek's mother, Buddy Lee's ex-wife, and Gerald's wife. She is wealthy and concerned with respectability, but she confesses guilt over ignoring Derek's last call. She is also confused and angry when Buddy Lee accuses Gerald.

Arc: She moves from defending Gerald and her choices to admitting her grief and guilt over Derek. She gives Buddy Lee Gerald's full name, which helps him identify W as Winthrop.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — her ex-husband
• Derek Jenkins — her son
• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — her husband

Slice is a barbershop owner and former associate of Ike from the North River Boys, with a brother named Luther. He owes Ike a debt but is also tied to Tariq and the Rare Breed. He arranges the meeting with Tariq and then betrays Ike's destination to Grayson.

Arc: He starts by acknowledging old debts and giving Ike fifteen minutes with Tariq. After they leave, he trades Tangerine's location to Grayson for a meeting with an ice cooker.

• Ike Randolph — former associate and debtor
• Tariq Matthews — business partner and control
• Grayson — criminal contact
• Devonte — his subordinate

Tariq Matthews, also called Mr. Get Down, is a music producer and Tangerine's protector. He is connected to Derek through a catering job and to Slice, who controls him. He refuses to let Ike and Buddy Lee look for Tangerine and has his guards attack them.

Arc: He first resists and then reveals Tangerine's real name and that she went to Adam's Road. After Ike and Buddy Lee leave, Slice has Devonte drag him out.

• Tangerine Fredrickson — tries to protect her
• Slice — under his control
• Derek Jenkins — Derek catered his party
• Ike Randolph — adversary
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — adversary

Gatsby Culpepper is Gerald's father and Derek's step-grandfather. Buddy Lee and Ike kidnap him to use as leverage for Arianna. He is held bound and gagged and exchanged for Arianna.

Arc: He is taken from his estate and used in the trade. He is found dead in the SRX after the compound explosion.

• Gerald Winthrop Culpepper — his son
• Derek Jenkins — his step-grandson
• Ike Randolph — his captor
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — his captor

Andy is a Rare Breed prospect sent with Oscar to break into Isiah and Derek's townhouse and find information about Tangerine. He fights Buddy Lee, holds him at gunpoint, and is captured by Ike. He is interrogated at Ike's warehouse.

Arc: He tries to earn full membership by completing Grayson's task. After attacking Ike and Buddy Lee, he is stabbed by Buddy Lee and beaten to death by Ike.

• Grayson — his prospect sponsor
• Oscar — partner
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — captor and adversary
• Ike Randolph — captor and killer

Oscar is a Rare Breed prospect partnered with Andy on the townhouse break-in. He fights Buddy Lee and is ambushed by Ike with a toilet-tank lid. He later returns bloodied to the clubhouse and recounts the attack.

Arc: He survives the townhouse fight and is rescued by Dome at the clubhouse. He does not gain the status he sought.

• Grayson — his prospect sponsor
• Andy — partner
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — adversary
• Dome — rescues him

Gremlin is a Rare Breed member, the club's mechanic and sergeant at arms. He helps carry Oscar inside and later joins the attack on Tangerine's house. He is wounded in the firefight.

Arc: He is shot on the porch by Ike and then killed by Grayson after being mortally wounded. His death adds to Grayson's vow for revenge.

• Grayson — club president
• Dome — club brother
• Oscar — helps him
• Ike Randolph — enemy who shoots him

Cheddar is a Rare Breed member who rides with Dome in the Caprice following Mya. He also joins the attack on Tangerine's house. He is killed by Ike at the door.

Arc: He remains a club follower and is killed during the ambush. His death is one of the losses Dome broods over.

• Dome — partner in the car
• Grayson — club leader
• Ike Randolph — enemy who kills him

Margo is Buddy Lee's neighbor, a widow who helps him when he falls drunk outside his trailer. She invites him to dinner and teases him about babysitting Arianna. She says Buddy Lee is her first female friend.

Arc: She moves from neighborly concern to mourning Buddy Lee after his death. She plants petunias at his grave and asks Ike whether Buddy Lee went out fighting.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — neighbor and friend
• Ike Randolph — acquaintance at Buddy Lee's grave

Chet is Buddy Lee's half brother, whom Buddy Lee approaches for firearms and later for keys to a Mathews property. He resents Buddy Lee and refuses to help until threatened with a knife. He is Derek's uncle.

Arc: He yields to Buddy Lee's threat and gives him the keys. He remains resentful and distrustful of Ike.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — his half brother
• Derek Jenkins — his nephew
• Ike Randolph — distrusts him

Amelia Watkins is Isiah's managing editor at The Rainbow Review and a confidante. She tells Ike and Buddy Lee that the Blue Anarchists sent Isiah a threat and gives them the group's address. She also tells Ike that Isiah being gay was not the problem; how Ike dealt with it was.

Arc: She provides key information and challenges Ike about his treatment of Isiah. She does not join the revenge violence.

• Isiah Randolph — his managing editor
• Ike Randolph — challenges him about Isiah
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — gives him information

Bryce Thomason speaks for the Blue Anarchists and denies that their letter was a death threat or that they killed Isiah and Derek. Ike assaults him at Time and Thyme Unique Gifts, breaking his finger and slamming his head into the counter. He later reports the attack to the police.

Arc: He is beaten by Ike and Buddy Lee and then becomes a complainant in LaPlata's warning. He does not change beyond revealing the letter was only a nasty letter.

• Terry — fellow Blue Anarchist
• Madison — fellow Blue Anarchist
• Isiah Randolph — recipient of their letter
• Ike Randolph — assaults him
• Det. LaPlata — reports the attack to him

Brandon Painter works the counter at Essential Events Bakery and was a friend and co-worker of Derek. He initially lies about knowing anything, then under Buddy Lee's intimidation reveals that Derek met a girl at a recording-studio owner's event. He says he was too scared to tell the police.

Arc: He moves from denial to giving Ike and Buddy Lee the clue about Tangerine and Tariq. He remains frightened and cooperative.

• Derek Jenkins — friend and co-worker
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — intimidates him
• Ike Randolph — present during interrogation

Lunette is Tangerine's mother, who calls her Terry and lives on Adam's Road. She insists Ike and Buddy Lee stay for drinks and flirts with Buddy Lee. She is killed by the Rare Breed gunfire during the attack on the house.

Arc: She appears briefly as a hospitable, drunken presence and is killed in the ambush. Her death deepens Tangerine's grief.

• Tangerine Fredrickson — her daughter
• Buddy Lee Jenkins — flirts with him

Tex is the bartender at Garland's, a gay bar that Isiah and Derek frequented. He confirms he knew them and explains that patrons fear police and being outed. He argues with Ike about race and sexuality and is evasive about Tangerine.

Arc: He provides information about Tangerine and the bar's community while challenging Ike's assumptions. He throws Ike out after the fight with Angelo.

• Isiah Randolph — patron he knew
• Derek Jenkins — patron he knew
• Ike Randolph — argues with and throws him out
• Tangerine Fredrickson — former patron

Jeff is an older patron at Garland's who introduces himself to Ike and explains his nonprofit technical school for at-risk gay youth. He says he does not know where Tangerine is, but Ike reads his cheek twitch as a lie. He seems to protect Tangerine and suggests Mr. Get Down might know her location.

Arc: He gives Ike a lead while withholding Tangerine's location. He remains a protective figure in the bar community.

• Ralph — close companion
• Tangerine Fredrickson — seems to protect her
• Ike Randolph — questioned by him
• Chris — friend
• Sal — friend

Ralph is one of the older men at Garland's and Jeff's close companion. He identifies Mr. Get Down as producer Tariq Matthews and says Tangerine used to crash at the school. He lays his head on Jeff's shoulder.

Arc: He provides information about Tangerine and Tariq. He remains a supporting member of the Garland's group.

• Jeff — close companion
• Tangerine Fredrickson — knew her
• Chris — friend
• Sal — friend

Chris is a Garland's patron and friend of Jeff, Ralph, and Sal; Derek used to work at his restaurant. He makes barbed comments about Tangerine and says Tangerine is not her real name. He tries to get at Buddy Lee after Ike is pulled off Angelo.

Arc: He supplies information and conflict at the bar. He remains hostile after the fight.

• Jeff — friend
• Ralph — friend
• Sal — friend
• Derek Jenkins — former employee
• Tangerine Fredrickson — knew her

Sal is one of the older men at Garland's and a friend of Jeff, Ralph, and Chris. He calls Isiah and Derek a happy couple and elbows Chris when he speaks out of turn. He is part of the group Ike questions about Tangerine.

Arc: He remains a minor supporting figure in the bar scene and offers a sympathetic view of the dead couple.

• Jeff — friend
• Ralph — friend
• Chris — friend

Rev. J. T. Johnson preaches the funeral for Isiah and Derek and repeatedly mentions abominable sins. Mya asked him to preach, and Ike confronts him in the parking lot afterward. He represents the religious condemnation that wounds the families.

Arc: He appears only at the funeral and does not change. His sermon triggers Ike's confrontation and highlights the theme of condemnation.

• Mya — asked him to preach
• Ike Randolph — confronts him after the service

Artie is Buddy Lee's landlord, who demands overdue rent and lot fees and threatens eviction. He insults Buddy Lee as trash and an ex-con. Buddy Lee pulls a knife on him, and Artie leaves threatening to call the police.

Arc: He remains a hostile creditor in a brief scene. His confrontation shows Buddy Lee's instability and financial pressure.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — his tenant

Kenneth D. Adner is the manager at Greenhill Memorial Cemetery who calls Ike to report damage to Isiah's grave. He meets Ike at the cemetery and apologizes. He says Greenhill will replace the headstone.

Arc: He functions as the bearer of the grave-desecration news and arranges repairs. He does not change beyond that role.

• Ike Randolph — cemetery manager handling his son's grave

Randy Hiers is Ike and Mya's neighbor, who comes outside after Ike attacks the Caprice and demands to know what is going on. He later calls Mya to tell her the house is on fire. He is coerced by Grayson and is found on his knees asking to be let go.

Arc: He moves from a complaining neighbor to a coerced participant in Grayson's arson and ambush. He is assaulted and used as leverage.

• Mya — neighbor
• Grayson — coerced by him
• Ike Randolph — neighbor

Deputy Hogge investigates the crash, arson, and kidnapping of Arianna. He tells Ike the incident was intentional and questions him about old enemies. He warns Ike before leaving.

Arc: He remains a law-enforcement investigator trying to get Arianna back. He does not learn the full truth from Ike.

• Ike Randolph — questions him about the kidnapping

Silvia is the hospital worker who tells Ike that Mya is in surgery and lists her injuries. She says Mya is one of them and has worked there ten years. She tries to reassure Ike about the surgeon.

Arc: She appears briefly to deliver medical information and support. She does not change.

• Mya — hospital colleague
• Ike Randolph — informs him about Mya

Detective Robbins is Detective LaPlata's partner and stands beside him at Ike's door during the death notification. He is present when LaPlata asks whether Ike has a son named Isiah Randolph. He has no further described role in the notes.

Arc: He remains a background investigator in the initial death notification. He does not change.

• Det. LaPlata — his partner
• Ike Randolph — present at his door

Hamad is the 7-Eleven clerk and a friend of Buddy Lee. He sells Buddy Lee beer, worries about his lack of sleep, and offers condolences about Derek. He gives Buddy Lee someone to talk to about his grief and drinking.

Arc: He remains a concerned acquaintance in a brief scene. He does not change.

• Buddy Lee Jenkins — customer and friend

Carrie answers the phone at Essential Events Bakery and gives Ike, posing as Jason Krueger, Tariq Matthews's address and an appointment time. She believes she is arranging a catering discussion for a returning client. She appears only in that phone call.

Arc: She remains unaware of Ike's deception and provides the address. She does not change.

• Tariq Matthews — a client whose address she has
• Ike Randolph — speaks to him as Jason Krueger

Tank is the president of the Hurricane, West Virginia, chapter of the Rare Breed. He speaks with Grayson by phone about retribution and club business. He is part of the wider Rare Breed network.

Arc: He remains a phone contact in the club's chain of command. He does not appear in person.

• Grayson — phone contact

Too Much is a Rare Breed club member who helps carry Oscar inside after the townhouse attack. He identifies Andy's car and asks Oscar what happened. He is part of the club's response.

Arc: He remains a minor club member supporting the others. He does not change.

• Dome — club brother
• Gremlin — club brother
• Oscar — helps him

Kelso is a Rare Breed member in the hit squad that attacks Tangerine's house. After the firefight he crawls out from under a sedan and asks what will be done with the abandoned bikes. Grayson orders him to help with the dead and the tire.

Arc: He remains a minor club follower after the failed attack. He does not change.

• Grayson — club leader
• Dome — fellow squad member

Devonte is Slice's subordinate at the barbershop. On Slice's order, he grabs Tariq and half carries, half drags him out of the barbershop. He enforces Slice's control over Tariq.

Arc: He remains a minor enforcer in Slice's operation. He does not change.

• Slice — follows his order
• Tariq Matthews — removes him from the barbershop

Maurice is the older barber at the Chesterfield barbershop who asks who is asking for Slice. After Ike gives the name Riot Randolph, Maurice texts someone and tells Ike to take a seat. He connects Ike to Slice.

Arc: He remains a minor gatekeeper in the barbershop. He does not change.

• Slice — barbershop connection he contacts
• Ike Randolph — tells him to wait

Craig is a barbershop client getting his beard dyed who voices homophobic views about gay sons and Black families. Ike confronts him before leaving the barbershop. He starts to rise when Ike challenges him.

Arc: He remains a symbol of the homophobia Ike confronts and does not change. His words deepen Ike's reflection on his treatment of Isiah.

• Tyrone — barber dyeing his beard
• Lavell — argues with him
• Ike Randolph — confronted by him

Tyrone is the barber dyeing Craig's beard and arguing with Lavell about the TV segment and Craig's views. He is part of the barbershop debate that Ike overhears. He remains a minor participant in the barbershop argument. He does not change.

Arc: He does not change beyond the barbershop argument.

• Craig — client whose beard he is dyeing
• Lavell — coworker he argues with

Lavell is a young barber who pushes back against Craig and Tyrone's homophobic talk in the barbershop. He argues with them about the TV segment and Craig's views. He remains a minor participant in the debate.

Arc: He does not change beyond the barbershop argument. He provides contrast to Craig's views.

• Craig — barbershop acquaintance he argues with
• Tyrone — coworker he argues with

Angelo is a drunk patron at Garland's who approaches Ike, asks if he is with someone, and puts his hand on Ike's arm. Ike slams him against the wall and is thrown out. Angelo wanted to buy Ike a drink and get to know him.

Arc: He appears only in the bar confrontation and does not change. His touch triggers Ike's violence.

• Ike Randolph — stranger whose arm he touches